Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a movable contact assembly having a movable contact, a stationary contact assembly, and an operating mechanism. The stationary contact assembly includes a conductor, a first stationary contact disposed on the conductor, and a second stationary contact disposed on the same such conductor proximate the first stationary contact. The first stationary contact has a first contact surface disposed a first distance from the conductor. The second stationary contact has a second contact surface disposed a second distance from the conductor. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. The operating mechanism is structured to move the movable contact assembly and cause the movable contact to engage or disengage from at least the first contact surface of the first stationary contact.

Abstract: Cooling arrangement for an electrically conductive element in an electrical installation. A casting body (3) is provided for electrically isolating the electrically conductive element (2). The casting body has an outer wall, part of which forms a contact surface 5 (5) for contact with a heat conducting surface (1) of the electrical installation. The outer wall of the casting body (3) is provided with an electrically conductive layer (4; 7) at its outer surface.

Abstract: Network service operational status monitoring methods and apparatus are disclosed. Responsive to a service status request associated with a network service, an operational status of the network service is determined by an intermediary between a service status requester and the network service. The operational status is a service-specific operational status of the network service in some embodiments. Operational status may be determined through a multi-level procedure in which subsequent levels after a first level of the multi-level procedure are or are not performed depending on a result of a preceding level of the procedure. A multi-level procedure may involve a service connectivity check and a service operational check, for instance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying the writer of a document, where identifying information for each of a plurality of registered human individuals is stored in a database, calls for capturing local images of an individual making writings and/or keyboard entries and determining whether the individual making these writings and/or keyboard entries is the same as one of the registered individuals whose identifying information is stored in the database. The identifying information stored in the database includes both an alphanumeric identifier and an image of a unique, visually observable biologic identifier on a body portion of each registered individual. The local images include both: (i) the making of the writings and/or keyboard entries by the individual whose identifying information may be stored in the database; and (ii) a body portion of this same individual on which is visible the biologic identifier.

Abstract: An improved dimensional detection system is portable and can be used to characterize a workpiece. The dimensional detection system employs as few as a single focused light source and as few as a single camera along with a calibration data set to convert the illuminated pixels of an image of a beam on the workpiece into a cloud of real world points in space on an outer surface of the workpiece. The cloud of points can be processed to characterize the workpiece, such as by determining the right hexahedron that would encompass all of the real world points in space and which could be used to determine a dimensional weight of the workpiece.

Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit has an active automatic tuning circuit to search for broadcast frequencies in a band of interest and selecting only those broadcast signals received with sufficient RF strength to be used in energy harvesting. This circuit would provide power storage devices with a circuit that has a means to select the ambient RF that can maximize or enhance the performance of an RFID circuit by increasing the amount of energy for harvesting. This automatic tuning would enable a power storage devices charger circuit to move from location to location without manual tuning of the circuit and increase the effective range of an RFID circuit.

Abstract: A device, and a kit a parts for forming such a device, for removably attaching an accessory, such as a winch, to a motor vehicle comprises a brush guard in the shape of a frame that provides support for the vehicle accessory. The brush guard is formed by two upright members and at least one cross-member interconnecting and retaining the two upright members in rigid, spaced-apart relationship. Each of the upright members has two substantially horizontally extending mounting bars, one at each end, for its removable attachment to the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker and arc chute has a shield apparatus that includes a number of plate-like shield members that have elongated openings formed therein to receive portions of arc plates therethrough. The portions of the arc plates that pass through the shield member are received in receptacles of a support apparatus that supports the arc plates. The arc plates are themselves configured to retain the shield members against the support apparatus to protect the support apparatus from damage in the event of an electrical arc. Advantageously, the retention of the shield members between portions of the arc plates and portions of the support apparatus enables the shield members to be held in place without the use of adhesives or separate fastening systems.

Abstract: A single direct current arc chamber includes a ferromagnetic base having first and opposite second ends, a first ferromagnetic side member disposed from the first end, a second ferromagnetic side member disposed from the opposite second end, a third ferromagnetic member disposed from the ferromagnetic base intermediate the ferromagnetic side members, a first permanent magnet having a first magnetic polarity disposed on the first ferromagnetic side member and facing the third ferromagnetic member, and a second permanent magnet having the first magnetic polarity disposed on the second ferromagnetic side member and facing the third ferromagnetic member.

Abstract: A direct current arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts and a trip circuit to trip open the contacts. The trip circuit includes a number of alternating current sensors structured to sense a current flowing through the separable contacts, a number of filter circuits cooperating with the AC current sensors to output a number of AC signals, a number of peak detectors cooperating with the filter circuits to output a number of peak current signals, and a processor cooperating with at least the peak detectors. The processor inputs the number of peak current signals as a plurality of peak current signals or inputs the number of peak current signals and determines the plurality of peak current signals. The processor also determines if the peak current signals exceed corresponding predetermined thresholds for a predetermined time, and responsively causes the contacts to trip open.

Abstract: An apparatus that comprises at least one electrode adapted to be placed adjacent to a portion of smooth muscle (200) and a controller for electrifying the electrode with a non-excitatory electric field (210) which does not generate excitation of the smooth muscle. The non-excitatory electric field affects the activity of the smooth muscle in a manner that controls a level of a chemical in the blood stream.

Abstract: Network service version management techniques are disclosed. Service access information, which is associated with access to a network service by a network service user, may be destined for a particular version of the network service. A determination is made as to whether a different version of the network service is accessible by the network service user. If so, then a further determination is made as to whether to select the different version of the network service to process the service access information. Any inconsistency between versions of the network service, such as different information requirements, can be handled by transforming received service access information. A replay function may also be provided, to have service access information again processed by the same or a different version of a network service. This function may be useful, for example, where a version of a service is rolled back or for debugging.

Abstract: An electronic device that includes a motion activated amplifier structured to receive a first DC signal having a first DC voltage level and output a second DC signal having a second DC voltage level that is greater than the first DC voltage level. The motion activated amplifier includes a motion activated switch operatively coupled to transformer/rectifier circuitry, wherein the motion activated switch is structured to receive the first DC signal and in response to being moved output an AC signal, and wherein the transformer/rectifier circuitry is structured to receive the AC signal and convert the AC signal into the second DC signal.

Abstract: Isolated compounds of formula I: and stereoisomers, enantiomers, diastereomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are described, as well as processes for production, and methods of use of these compounds and compositions thereof for the treatment of diseases associated with abnormal protein kinase activities and/or abnormal histone deacetylase activities including, for example, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disease, allergies and asthma and/or hormone-related diseases.

Abstract: An electronic medical monitoring and treatment apparatus allows a person access to a medical professional (MP) who can monitor, diagnose and treat the person from a remote site. The apparatus includes a medical monitoring and treatment device (MMTD) coupled to an electronic adapter designed to communicate with a local, first transmitting/receiving (T/R) device which, in turn, is adapted to electronically communicate with a remote, second transmitting/receiving (T/R) device used by the MP. The MMTD may comprise a cardiac treatment circuit for effecting cardiac pacing and/or defibrillation and a cardiac signal circuit for receiving cardiac signals. The cardiac signals are (1) transmitted from the signal circuit to the second T/R device for evaluation by the MP, (2) the MP may transmit a control signal to the treatment circuit, and (3), in response thereto, the treatment circuit may generate one or more electrical pulses for treatment of the person.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuse assembly for rapid interruption of a prospective fault current. The fuse assembly includes a plurality of splitter plates. A plurality of foil elements extend between a pair of terminals and are physically supported by the splitter plates. A pair of parallel busbars are in series with the foil elements and generate a magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to the current flowing in the foil elements. In the presence of a prospective fault current, the foil elements will melt and at arcing inception an electromagnetic force developed as a result of interaction between the magnetic field and the arc current will push the molten foil elements into the splitter plates. This increases the arc length and hence the arc voltage. At least the foil elements and the splitter plates are preferably located in flowing liquid dielectric such as MIDEL 7131, for example.

Abstract: The method and apparatus consist of a robot body having at least two, but preferably six appendages. The appendages are organized into appendage groups of one to six appendages. The appendages are linked mechanically into groups of two or more and each group is actuated using a single drive actuator. A selective engagement mechanism is used to selectively engaged and disengage one or more appendages at a time in a way that allows for at least one appendage and at most all but one appendage per group to be engaged to a group's drive actuator. When the appendage is disengaged it is preferably locked in place to resist a reasonable force applied to them externally, such as the force equivalent to the weight of the robot.

Abstract: Graph-based modeling apparatus and techniques are disclosed. Based on a model including model nodes that represent components of a modeled system, operational dependencies between model nodes, and model edges that interconnect the nodes and represent relationships between the components in the modeled system, subset computations are performed to compute subsets of the model nodes that can impact operational dependencies between other model nodes. When the model changes, a determination is made as to whether an incremental subset computation should be performed for one or more particular operational dependencies between model nodes in the changed model, and if so, an incremental subset computation is performed. Otherwise, a full subset computation or no subset computation might be performed. In this manner, model changes are considered on a case-by-case basis to determine an extent, if any, to which subsets should be re-computed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for accurately measuring the volumetric or mass fluid flow, especially when fluid flows in a non-continuous manner using a float. A preferred embodiment comprises a tube for accumulating liquid that is periodically drained and a float confirmed within the tube that floats on the accumulating liquid. The float has magnetic properties that can be sensed so as to measure the position of the float in the tube. A controller controls a valve provided in the bottom of the tube and opens the valve so as to allow drainage of the accumulated liquid according to the positioning of the float within the tube. The valve is opened when the position of the float is in a predetermined position within the tube so that the mass or volume of the drained liquid is known.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a plurality of poles each having a Rogowski coil and a conductor passing through an opening thereof, and a processor circuit including a sensor circuit including a plurality of inputs each electrically interconnected with an output of the Rogowski coil of a corresponding pole. The sensor circuit further includes a number of outputs having values each corresponding to current flowing through the conductor, a memory including for each corresponding pole an offset value and a gain correction factor for the sensor circuit, and a gain correction factor for the Rogowski coil, a number of routines, and a processor cooperating with the sensor circuit and the routines to provide for each pole a corrected current value as a function of a corresponding one of the values, the sensor circuit offset value and gain correction factor, and the Rogowski coil gain correction factor.