Abstract: A corner protector apparatus for providing protection for the corner areas of substantially flat, rectangular, parallelpiped structures is provided. The corner protector apparatus includes one or more pairs of corner protector structures cooperatively formed from a single blank of suitable shock absorbing protective material which corner protector structures are advantageously configured to be readily separated for deployment and positioning upon respective corners of such a substantially flat rectangular parallelpiped structure for the facilitated covering and protection of same.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell, such as a rechargeable lithium battery, having a poly-sulfide compound attached to the cathode provides a reversible cell capacity of at least 200 mAh/g. Fabrication of an electrolytic cell containing a poly-sulfide compound which is electronically conductive and insoluble in a liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: A multi-stage arrangement for the electrolyte material in a SOFC electrochemical power system. Multiple stages may be arranged in series, and each stage contains electrolyte elements which are constructed of a different material from the elements in previous and subsequent stages. A fuel gas admitted to the power system flows serially through each stage and is then exhausted from the power system. Upstream stages contain electrolyte elements made from an electrolyte material having low ion conductivity and high resistance. Subsequent stages contain electrolytes having progressively higher conductivity and progressively lower resistance. The fuel exhaust from an upstream stage is fed to the next downstream stage until the gas is exhausted from the final stage in the power system. Each stage operates at a progressively lower temperature than the previous stage. In a three-stage embodiment, a first stage has ZrO.sub.2, electrolyte material, a second stage has CeO.sub.2, and a third stage has Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus and an associated decoding apparatus for a television signal having embedded viewer access control data. A program category code is inserted into a television signal by the encoding apparatus, identifying at least one attribute of program content of an associated television program. An individual viewer may preclude receipt of television programming identified by a corresponding program category code as containing a program content attribute for which the individual viewer has chosen to preclude viewing. The decoding apparatus compares the program category code embedded within a television program with a user category code indicating at least one of the attributes of programming content for which the individual user has elected to preclude receipt of television programming. Viewing of the television signal is precluded when the television signal includes a program category code corresponding to the user category code.

Abstract: A lower body garment apparatus for a patient, which protects a lower region of the patient while facilitating dress, undress and accessibility to the lower region of said patient, with minimal movement and reorientation of said patient, to, in turn, minimize the risk of trauma and injury to the patient, comprises a front panel, an encircling panel, two attachment members and a padded member. The front panel includes two side edges and covers a lower front region of a patient. The encircling panel includes two side edges and likewise extends around at least one of a right and left hip region and at least a portion of a lower rear region of a patient. Attachment members releasably attach the front panel side edges to the encircling panel at either side edges of the encircling panel.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant HVAC system for use in a single or multi-zoned system, capable of continued operation in the event of a thermostat, or other sensing device malfunction. An HVAC controller controls the operation of an HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature signal output from the thermostat and indicative of air temperature of a conditioned space proximate the thermostat. The HVAC controller detects a thermostat malfunction and, in response thereto, instead controls the operation of the HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature sensor outputting a signal indicative of return air temperature from the conditioned space.

Abstract: A method for bringing an appliance and/or an electrical or mechanical system of a residence into communication with another, or with a control device within the residence, or with an other communication source outside the residence, so as to establish a home automation system, or enlarge upon an existing automation system. An appliance interface module apparatus is also provided for facilitating communication between an appliance, and the automation system as a whole. The appliance interface module may be capable of controlling, upon command, the specific detailed operations of the appliance to which it is attached, and may, upon inquiry, transmit data which has been recorded, stored and/or calculated by the module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible joint for sealing two conduits. One half of the joint includes an annular seal gland with an outer surface defining a static seal face. The other half of the joint includes an inner race member having inner and outer bearing surfaces, the inner surface spaced apart from and generally opposing the outer surface of the seal gland and having a region defining a dynamic seal face. An annular bellows constructed of a plurality of convolutions having varying convolution heights is disposed between the first and second seal faces to form a low leakage seal. The heights of the convolutions decrease in the direction of the first to the second seal faces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of decoding a sequence of digitally encoded data. A sequence of digitally encoded data is received. If the digitally encoded data has a value indicative of a single corresponding decoded value, the corresponding decoded value is generated. If the digitally encoded data has a value indicative of a plurality of predetermined values, a unique decoded value is selected from the plurality of predetermined decoded values. The particular one of the plurality of predetermined values selected is determined by the number of consecutively received digitally encoded data values having a value indicative of a plurality of predetermined values, and further according to the sign bit of the most recently received digitally encoded datum having a value indicative of a single corresponding decoded value.

Abstract: A gas-fired batch booster water heater for supplying sanitizing water to a dish washing machine comprises a chamber member, a water inlet tube, a gas-fired burner, a water outlet tube, a valve member, and a member for circulating water through the chamber member. The chamber member has a first opening operably attached to the water inlet tube and a second opening operably attached to the water outlet tube. The chamber member comprises an integrated heat exchanger and water tank. The gas-fired burner heats the water in the chamber member as it is circulated. The gas-fired batch booster water heater may further include a temperature sensor associated with the water inlet tube for controlling activation of the member for circulating water through the chamber member.

Abstract: An articulable, open-topped, stackable, side-opening container apparatus is provided, having at least one bottom wall member, with a plurality of opposed side wall members emanating therefrom. The side wall members are articulable from positions substantially coplanar with, to positions substantially perpendicular to, their respective bottom wall members. Mating engagement members, affixed to edges of the side wall members, which are adjacent when the side wall members are upright, maintain the side wall members upright.

Abstract: An integrated picture frame and stand apparatus articulable from a blank of foldable material, and upon articulation, positionable and free standing on a support surface. The apparatus includes a face member, at least one back member, and a frame stand member that co-operate to maintain the picture in place within the frame while maintaining the frame in an upright position. The frame stand member may further include a locking wing member hingedly attached to the frame stand member and a base member, which upon articulation, and through the use of tabs and slots, restrain the positions of all cooperating elements to further maintain the device in its articulated orientation.

Abstract: A forced convection heating apparatus and process for heating glass sheets therewithin. The apparatus includes at least one gas burner for producing hot combustion gases which is to be distributed toward and into contact with the top and/or bottom surfaces of a glass sheet within the apparatus housing. The velocity of the distributed hot combustion gases which eventually impinges upon the top surface of the glass sheet is controllable independently of the impingement velocity of the hot combustion gases being distributed, and, in turn, directed toward and into contact with the bottom surface of the glass sheet.