Abstract: An adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) system includes a low pressure compressor structure (14) to provide compressed air; a first heat exchanger (26) to extract heat from the compressed air exiting the low pressure compressor structure; a thermal storage device (60) to store the extracted heat during off-peak load periods; a motor-driven high pressure compressor (30) to receive compressed air cooled by the first heat exchanger, an aftercooler (34) to extract heat from the further compressed air; an air storage (36) to receive and store the further compressed air cooled by the second heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger (64) to transfer heat stored in the first thermal storage device to compressed air released from the air storage during peak periods; and a turbine structure (40) to expand the heated compressed air released from the air storage to produce power.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus is provided for treating an impure liquid to produce purified liquid. The process includes electrically activating a thermoelectric module (24) to provide a first module heated surface (26) and a module cooler surface (28); feeding the impure liquid to the first module heated surface (26) to produce vapor of the liquid; and transferring the vapor to the module cooler surface (28), to effect heat transfer to the module cooler surface (28). The process further includes (a) directing a first portion of the vapor adjacent to or onto the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the module cooler surface to produce a first condensed liquid; (b) directing a second portion of the vapor to condenser means (18) having a second cooler surface (46) remote from the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the second cooler surface (46) to produce a second condensed liquid; and (c) collecting the first and second condensed liquids.

Abstract: A catheter structure includes an elongated tube structure having distal and proximal ends and an axis. Electrodes are associated with the tube structure and are constructed and arranged to be moved from a retracted position substantially within the tube structure to an extended position extended directly outwardly from the distal end of the tube structure and generally in the direction of the axis. The electrodes are constructed and arranged to obtain signals relating to myoelectrical activity of an intra-abdominal organ. Actuating structure is operatively associated with the electrodes to move the electrodes between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: An energy distribution network is provided including an energy source; a hydrogen production facility connected to the energy source; a recipient for hydrogen from the hydrogen production facility; and a controller. The controller controls the production of hydrogen by the hydrogen production facility based on inputs including energy resource availability.

Abstract: A cigarette pack holder adapted to receive in combination a cigarette pack containing cigarettes. The holder includes a rectangularly-shaped housing having a planar front wall; an opposing rear wall; a pair of opposing planar side walls connected to the front and back walls; a planar base at one end of the housing; the walls and the base defining therebetween a chamber to receive the pack in removable engagement; an open-ended top at the other end of the housing through which the pack can operably pass into and out of the chamber; the base having portions defining an aperture of requisite shape and size to enable entry of a human digit to effect displacement of the pack within the chamber; and retaining structure connected to the rear wall adapted to be removably retained by an object worn by a person. The holder provides for the convenient and safe carrying of a pack of cigarettes by a person on the person's attire.

Abstract: A network switch, configured for performing layer 2 and layer 3 switching in an Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) network includes a network switch port having a filter configured for evaluating an incoming data packet. The filter includes a min term memory configured or storing min term values. Each min term value is stored based on a location of a corresponding selected byte of the incoming data packet for comparison, an expression portion specifying a corresponding comparison operation, and a template identifier field that specifies templates that use the corresponding min term. The template identifier field includes an equation identifier and an obsolete equation identifier. A header memory is configured for storing an effect min term and a plurality of equation identifiers. The effect min term specifies which min terms are necessary for comparison.

Abstract: Fence post positioning and leveling apparatus comprising in combination a first post-embracing frame member having an operable and closeable side wall having an inner face defining in a closed mode a post-receiving chamber; rotation means to allow of the opening and closing of the side wall; releasable fastening means to hold the side wall in the closed mode; a second post-embracing frame member having an operable and closeable side wall having an inner face defining in a closed mode a post-receiving chamber; and inter-frame elongate member positioning means adapted to be connected to the first and the second frame members to provide a desired fixed inter-frame member distance. Preferably the inter-frame positioning means comprises a pair of telescopic forks. Each of the frame members preferably has a vertical spirit level and a horizontal spirit level.

Abstract: A network switching system configured for evaluating an incoming data packet including layer 3 information having an Internet Protocol (IP) header and an IP checksum. The system includes a buffer memory and network switch. The network switch includes a media access control (MAC) module having a receive data portion and a transmit data portion. The receive data portion is configured to extract the IP checksum from the IP header and to validate the IP checksum. A queue block is configured to send the IP checksum to the buffer memory for storage therein. A layer 3 internal rules checker is configured to receive layer 3 information and to modify the IP header based on a field of the IP header. The internal rules checker generates an identifier indicating the field needs to be changed.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for testing a light emitting diode interface. The apparatus includes an integrated network device having a configuration register and logic for generating LED outputs based on detected network events and stored configuration register values. A light emitting diode is associated with the register. A processor is configured to send a signal to the integrated network device to set the configuration register to cause operation of the light emitting diode independent of network events. Hence, a light emitting diode interface of an integrated network device such as a network switch can be tested without sending data packets to the network device.

Abstract: A combined bucket and scarifier includes a bucket having a bottom wall, a rear wall, and two side walls coupled to the bottom wall and the rear wall to define an interior space. The bucket has an open front end and a generally smooth lower front edge. A scarifier is operatively associated with the bucket. The scarifier has a plurality of teeth constructed and arranged to be rotated with respect to the bucket between an inoperative position so as not to obstruct the lower front edge and the bottom wall of the bucket, and an operative position with portions of the teeth extending outwardly with respect to the bottom wall of the bucket. An actuating structure is mounted with respect to the bucket and is constructed and arranged to move the teeth between the inoperative and operative positions.

Abstract: A portable fire ring assembly includes at least three substantially identically configured curved ring sections. Each ring section has a body defined by an upper edge, a lower edge and opposing ends. Each end includes a pair of engaging structures extending therefrom. Each engaging structure includes a male member and a female member, whereby male members of one ring section are removably engagable with female members of another of the ring sections such that the ring sections may be joined to define a ring sized to surround a campfire.

Abstract: A drum includes a rigid, hollow body disposed about an axis and having first and second opposing opened ends of generally circular form. The body has an inner surface and an outer surface with the outer surface being of convoluted form defined by a plurality of channels formed in the body. The channels extend in a direction of the axis. A drum head membrane covers each of the first and second ends. A ring is mounted on each of the first and second ends so as to secure each drum head membrane to the body. Each ring includes a tensioning member receiving structure. A plurality of tensioning members are provided with a tensioning member being received in an associated channel and a first end of each tensioning member being received by the tensioning member receiving structure of each ring. The tensioning members are constructed and arranged to be moved with respect to the body to adjust tension of the drum head membranes.

Abstract: A web-based voice messaging system uses an application server, configured for executing a voice application defined by XML documents, that accesses subscriber attributes from a standardized information database server (such as LDAP), and messages from a standardized messaging server (such as IMAP). The application server, upon receiving a request from a browser serving a subscriber, accesses an IP based messaging server to obtain a stored message for the subscriber from a second party. The stored message identifies a text-based form. The application server converts the text-based form into an audible format. The application server generates an HTML document to present to the subscriber the form in audible format with audible prompts, based on the HTTP request and the text-based form. The application server then updates the text-based form based on an input from the subscriber. Thus, text-based forms can be retrieved and acted on via a telephone.

Abstract: An apparatus provided for monitoring thumb twitch includes a support structure constructed and arranged to support at least a hand of a patient. A pressurized biasing member is operatively associated with the support structure and located to contact the patient's thumb with the biasing member disposed between the thumb and support structure when the patient's hand is placed in the support structure. A pressure sensor is associated with the biasing member to generate an electrical signal corresponding to pressure exerted by the biasing member. A method of monitoring thumb twitch is also provided.

Abstract: A caster assembly is constructed and arranged to be coupled to a rear of skid steer loader. The skid steer loader has a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels and a hydraulic system for driving at least the front wheels. The skid steer loader has an auxiliary hydraulic system. The caster assembly includes at least one caster mounted for rolling and swiveling motion and at least one actuator constructed and arranged to be connected with the auxiliary hydraulic system to cause movement of the caster with respect to the skid steer loader from an inoperative position, wherein the front and rear wheels are in a ground engaging position with the caster in a position so as not to engage the ground, to an operative position, wherein the caster and the front wheels are in a ground engaging position and the rear wheels are in a position so as not to engage the ground.

Abstract: A hydrogen replenishment system for providing hydrogen to a hydrogen-receiving apparatus, the system comprising (i) an electrolytic cell for providing source hydrogen; (ii) a compressor means for providing outlet hydrogen at an outlet pressure; (iii) means for feeding the source hydrogen to the compressor means; (iv) means for feeding the outlet hydrogen to the hydrogen-receiving apparatus; (v) central processing unit means for controlling the cell and the compressor; and (vi) user activation means for operably activating the central processing unit means. The invention provides a practical user interface in the treatment of data provided, computed, measured and stored, to offer a convenient, essentially self-contained, hydrogen fuel replenishment system for vehicles based on water electrolysis. The apparatus has virtually no stored hydrogen and provides pressurized hydrogen on the demand of a user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of identifying artifacts in signals indicative of detected myoelectrical activity is provided. The method includes providing electrodes to obtain a plurality of first signals over time. The first signals are produced from an internal organ in the abdominal cavity of a living being. The first signals include spurious signals as a result of artifact. A sensor obtains a plurality of second signals simultaneously as the first signals are obtained. The second signals are indicative of a respiratory function of the living being and include spurious signals indicative of artifact. The first and second signals are recorded simultaneously. The occurrence of artifacts is identified by noting irregularities in both the recorded first and second signals during a particular time frame.

Abstract: A bi-stable valve arrangement includes a body having first and second opposing ends and constructed and arranged to define a passage between the body and another element so that the passage extends from the first end to the second end. A seal member associated with the body. A first spring structure biases the seal member in a first direction and a second spring structure biases the seal member in a direction opposite the first direction. The first and second spring structures are constructed and arranged so that the seal member may seal the passage.

Abstract: An improved method of separating hydrogen gas entrained with a first aqueous electrolytic solution of a water electrolyser for producing said hydrogen and said oxygen gas entrained with a second aqueous electrolyte solution, said method comprising producing a first two-phase flow discharge of said hydrogen gas in said first solution; producing a second two-phase flow discharge of said oxygen gas in said second solution; feeding said first discharge to a first separation chamber having a portion defining a hydrogen chamber to effect separation of said hydrogen gas from said first discharge; feeding said second discharge to a second separation chamber having a portion defining an oxygen chamber to effect separation of said oxygen gas from said second discharge; collecting said hydrogen gas from said hydrogen chamber; collecting said oxygen gas from said oxygen chamber; collecting said first discharge; collecting said second discharge; the improvement wherein at least one of said first discharge is discharged in

Abstract: A thermally insulating bubble pack for use in framed structures, walls, crawl spaces and the like; or wrapping for cold water heaters, pipes and the like wherein the bubbles contain a fire retardant material. The improved bubble pack comprises a first film having a plurality of portions wherein each of the portions defines a cavity; a second film in sealed engagement with the first film to provide a plurality of closed cavities; the improvement comprising wherein the cavities contain a fluid or solid material. The flame retardant-containing bubble pack provides improved fire ratings, flame spread indices and smoke development numbers.