Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for disconnecting a power source upon the detection of a leakage current comprising a power cable having an insulated first and a second wire. The power cable has a conductive shield surrounding the first and second wires with a drain wire electrically contacting the conductive shield. A disconnect switch is interposed between the power source and the power cable. A primary circuit controls the disconnect switch. A secondary circuit is connected to the drain wire for sensing a leakage current between the conductive shield and one of the first and second wires. An optical switch interconnects the primary circuit and the secondary circuit for opening the disconnect switch upon the secondary circuit sensing a leakage current.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 7, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 24, 2009
Assignee:
Technology Research Corporation
Inventors:
Thomas S. Williams, Frank S. Brugner, Jr., Paul R. Gandolfi
Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a layer of a wide bandgap material in a non-wide bandgap material. The method comprises providing a substrate of a non-wide bandgap material and converting a layer of the non-wide bandgap material into a layer of a wide bandgap material. An improved component such as wide bandgap semiconductor device may be formed within the wide bandgap material through a further conversion process.
Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 25, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 20, 2009
Assignee:
University of Central Florida
Inventors:
Nathaniel R. Quick, Aravinda Kar, Yonggang Li, Raymond R. McNeice
Abstract: A wire support and a method of making is disclosed for supporting an object from a base surface. The wire support comprises a plurality of wires with each of the wires having a lower section, an intermediate section and an upper section. The plurality of wires are twisted along the intermediate sections for providing an upright support. The lower sections of the plurality of wires extend outwardly from the upright support for insertion into the base surface to mount the wire support. The upper section of the plurality of wires extends outwardly from the upright support for engaging with the object to support the object relative to the base surface.
Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved acoustic panel comprising a sound absorbing member defined by a first and second face surface and a plurality of peripheral edges. A sound blocking member is defined by a first and second face surface and a plurality of peripheral edge. The first face surface of the sound blocking member is secured relative to the second face surface of the sound absorbing member for blocking the transmission of sound therethrough. In another embodiment, the first face surface of the sound blocking member is spaced relative to the second face surface of the sound absorbing member for decoupling the sound blocking member from the sound absorbing member.
Abstract: An actuator is disclosed for actuating an aerosol valve for dispensing an aerosol product from an aerosol container. The actuator comprises an actuator button being rotatable relative to a base for movement between a locked rotational position and an unlocked rotational position. The actuator button has a rigid sidewall supporting a rigid top actuating surface with an actuator button orifice defined in the sidewall of the actuator button. The actuator button is movable relative to the base for actuating the aerosol valve to dispense the aerosol product when the actuator button is rotated into the unlocked rotational position. The actuator button is inhibited from actuating the aerosol valve when the actuator button is moved into the locked rotational position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 3, 2004
Date of Patent:
February 10, 2009
Assignee:
Seaquist Perfect Dispensing Foreign
Inventors:
Patrick Timothy Yerby, Gerald J. Marquardt, Craig Braun, Jonathan D. Werner
Abstract: A foldable personal mobility vehicle is disclosed comprising first and second units having first and second wheels being rotatable about first and second axles. A drive unit rotates the second wheel for moving the foldable personal mobility vehicle. A pivot disposed substantially parallel to the first and second axles pivotably connects the first unit to the second unit for folding the personal mobility vehicle. The foldable personal mobility vehicle may include a folding unit for automatically folding the foldable personal mobility vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 23, 2002
Date of Patent:
November 18, 2008
Inventors:
Michael J. Flowers, George G. Flowers, Stephen Jarema, III, Edward J. Dwyer, Jr., Lee Volpe, Alex He, Robert C. Hopely, Jr.
Abstract: An improved receptacle is disclosed for retaining a cutlery instrument, the cutlery instrument has a blade and a handle. The receptacle comprises a base having a base support surface and a base engaging surface. A wall member is secured to the base engaging surface extending substantially perpendicular from said base. A coupling member is secured to the wall member extending substantially parallel and above said base. An arm member is secured to the coupling member extending substantially parallel to the wall member and above the base. A slit is defined between the wall member and the arm member for receiving and maintaining the blade of the cutlery instrument in a static position. A slot is defined between the arm member and the base engaging surface for exposing the wall member.
Abstract: A drumstick tether is disclosed for rotatably securing a drumstick to a finger of a drummer comprising a first elongate strip of flexible material adapted to wrap around the finger of the drummer and a second elongate strip of flexible material adapted to wrap around the drumstick. The first elongate strip of flexible material is secured to a first swivel part of a swivel member for securing the drumstick tether to the finger of the drummer. The second elongate strip of flexible material is secured to a second swivel part of the swivel member for securing the drumstick tether to the drumstick. The swivel member has a transverse swivel length greater than an axial swivel length for positioning the drumstick in close proximity to the finger of the drummer for enabling a closed hand of the drummer to hold the drumstick in a conventional manner and for enabling an opening hand of the drummer to theatrically twirl the drumstick about the swivel member.
Abstract: An interrupter circuit is disclosed for interrupting power in a power cable from a power source. The power cable comprises an insulated line wire and an insulated neutral wire with a conductive shield surrounding the line wire and the neutral wire. A non-insulated drain wire contacts the conductive shield. An outer insulating layer is molded about the conductive shield. A disconnect switch is interposed between the power source and the power cable with a disconnect switch driver controlling the disconnect switch. A sensing circuit is connected between the drain wire and the disconnect switch driver for sensing a leakage current between the conductive shield and one of the insulated line wire and the insulated neutral wire for opening the disconnect switch for disconnecting the power cable from the power source.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 7, 2006
Date of Patent:
September 9, 2008
Assignee:
Technology Research Corporation
Inventors:
Paul R. Gandolfi, Frank S. Brugner, Jr.
Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a nano structure on a substrate with nano particles. The nano particles are deposited through a nano size pore onto the substrate. A laser beam is directed through a concentrator to focus a nano size laser beam onto the deposited nano particles on the substrate. The apparatus and method is suitable for fabricating patterned conductors, semiconductors and insulators on semiconductor wafers of a nano scale line width by direct nanoscale deposition of materials.
Abstract: An improved regulator system is disclosed for controlling a field winding of an alternator to regulate the charging of a battery. The improved regulator system comprises an internal regulator mounted onto the alternator. The internal regulator has an internal regulator control circuit for monitoring the battery and for controlling the field winding. An electrical connector actuates the internal regulator to regulate the output of the alternator in accordance with the internal regulator. The electrical connector enables an external regulator to be connected to the alternator thereby bypassing the internal regulator to regulate the output of the alternator in accordance with the external regulator. The improved regulator system facilitates the connection of an upgrade external regulator with the internal regulator functioning as a reserve regulator in the remote event of a malfunction of the external regulator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 18, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 19, 2008
Assignee:
Ballard Commercial Industries, Inc.
Inventors:
William G Montgomery Jr., Michael D. Eddy, Gary E. Morrissette
Abstract: A process is disclosed for filling an improved aerosol dispenser with a first and a second fluid product and an aerosol propellant. The process comprises the steps of filling a first and a second inner container located within an aerosol container with the first and the second fluid products. The aerosol container is filled with the aerosol propellant. The improved aerosol dispenser separately stores the first and second fluid prior to use. The improved aerosol dispenser mixes and dispenses the first and second fluids for discharge from a terminal orifice.