Abstract: An impedance dropping dc power supply having an impedance controlled converter whose impedance adaptively changes as a function of the power supply's load impedance, to maintain the ac voltage across the primary winding of its power transformer below a predetermined maximum level, and to minimize the waste heat generated by the power supply that would otherwise have to be dissipated.

Abstract: A thermal printer that can print on media that is thicker than would otherwise be the case, because the outer surface of the heating element in its print head is oriented at an angle ? with respect to a radial line A that extends from the center of its platen through the center of its heating element, wherein angle ? is not essentially 90°; and/or because the output side of its ribbon and media is urged against the platen to curve arcuately around the platen for an angle ?, wherein angle ? is measured between radial line A and a line that extends from the center of the platen through the last contact point of the output side of the media with the outer surface of the platen.

Abstract: An adjustable sealing device for a storage container is disclosed that has a compressible sealing ball to provide a seal with the inner surface of containers having a variety of sizes and shapes. The device's valve ball for its vent is normally biased closed by a tensioner, and is selectively opened by a flexible lead. The lead passes through a container lid and compression washer(s) located between the sealing ball and lid. To insert the sealing ball into the container the lead is tensioned, to orient the longitudinal axis of the washer(s) perpendicular to the lid and sealing ball, so that pressure on the lid will be transmitted to the sealing ball through the compression washer(s). Releasing the lead's tension enables the lid to be placed on the container, and the lead and compression washers to be compactly draped over the sealing ball inside of the container.

Abstract: An extraction device for a filter element containing collected particles of target material and an extraction fluid, wherein the device may have a piston and a vibration apparatus for vibrating the filter element to cause particles to move from the filter element and into the extraction fluid. The piston may first create compressed air to urge a first amount of extraction fluid and particles out of the filter element, and may then compress the filter element to urge a second amount of extraction fluid and particles out of the filter element.

Abstract: An extraction device for a filter element containing collected particles of target material and an extraction fluid, wherein the device may have a piston and a vibration apparatus for vibrating the filter element to cause particles to move from the filter element and into the extraction fluid. The piston may first create compressed air to urge a first amount of extraction fluid and particles out of the filter element, and may then compress the filter element to urge a second amount of extraction fluid and particles out of the filter element.

Abstract: Extraction devices are disclosed for extracting liquid particulates from a gaseous stream. The extraction devices may have a powered or free spinning rotating extractor that may be mounted in the extraction device's source or extraction duct. During operation, liquid particulates impinging on the rotating extractor form a thin film of extracted liquid that travels due to centrifugal force to the periphery of the extractor's exterior surface where the extracted liquid may be flung to the inner surface of the extraction duct and collected.

Abstract: Extraction devices are disclosed for extracting liquid particulates from a gaseous stream. The extraction devices may have a powered or free spinning rotating extractor that may be mounted in the extraction device's source or extraction duct. During operation, liquid particulates impinging on the rotating extractor form a thin film of extracted liquid that travels due to centrifugal force to the periphery of the extractor's exterior surface where the extracted liquid may be flung to the inner surface of the extraction duct and collected.

Abstract: An extractor that may have a diffuser located a vacuum chamber to which a vacuum is applied by a vacuum pump. The diffuser has cavity and at least one diffuser aperture, and receives a mixture of waste cleaning liquid and aspirated air. The diffuser and the vacuum chamber separate the waste cleaning liquid from the aspirated air. A suction hose and pump may remove the separated waste cleaning liquid from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: Optical assay apparatus and methods are provided having an optical assay cup for detecting analytes in a sample fluid. The cup's sidewall may include an optical waveguide having a detection coating on its inner surface. During use, the waveguide receives evanescent or darkfield interrogation light, interrogates at least part of cup's interior volume with it, and emits signal light as a function of the analytes. The detection coating may have fluid or non-fluid detection layers, at least part of which may form at least part of a waveguide for the interrogation light. The cup may be spun during use, such as to centrifugally-concentrate any high-density analytes towards cup's sidewall. The assay apparatus may further include an interrogation light source, a cover or spinning apparatus for the cup, and an optical detector for the signal light.

Abstract: An optical assay apparatus having an optical filter, an optical sensor with a light ray redirection portion and an assay sensing portion, and a filter to block certain wavelengths of excitation light rays and to pass certain wavelengths of signal recovery light rays from the optical sensor. A method for performing an assay that includes providing at least one assay station, moving the optical sensor into position over a respective fluid in at least one assay station, immersing the assay sensing portion in the respective fluid, and removing the assay sensing portion from the respective fluid.

Abstract: A lace lock for releasably securing an end of a lace on an article. The lace lock may be mounted to the article and have least one channel for releasably securing a free end portion of the lace.

Abstract: An oral appliance having upper and lower channel elements attached, respectively, to upper and lower bite blocks. The two channel elements are oriented at a right angle with respect to each other. One of the channel elements carries a removable insert having an array of adjustment holes. A removable coupling member has a support rod with an anchor piece and anchor pin at one of its ends. The anchor piece is received by the channel element carrying the insert, while the anchor pin is received by one of the insert's adjustment holes. A base at the other end of the support rod is received by the other channel element, so that the coupling member may releasably connect the two channel elements together.

Abstract: An electrical generator having two generator components, namely a coil and a magnet. One of the generator components is attached to a fixed or buoyant pylon, and the other of the generator components is attached to a float that rises and falls in response to changes in the water level of a body of water. This causes relative motion between the two generator components and results in electrical power being generated by the coil. The buoyant pylon may be anchored by a flexible attachment to the bottom of the body of water. The float need not be coaxial with respect to the pylon. A single float may be used with more than one pylon and generator component. More than one float may be used with a particular generator component. Fixed pylons may also be used as a breakwater or as a support for a structure.

Abstract: A misalignment compensating optical sensor (222), that is operable to receive excitation light (30) having a range of input propagation angles ?. The sensor (222) has a variable reflected propagation angle ?0i reflective surface (227) and a sensing waveguide (228). The shape of the reflective surface (227) is selected to maximize the amount of the excitation light (30) it reflects into the sensing waveguide (227) despite misalignment errors between the sensor (222) and the source (58) of excitation light (30). The sensor may also have a lens portion (160) for focusing the excitation light (30) onto the reflective surface (227), and/or a lens portion (174) for collimating the output of signal recovery light (32) from the waveguide (228). An iterative method may be used for designing any particular lens portion (160, 174).

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical assay apparatus that includes a light source module and an optical sensor. The light source module produces light having a range of propagation angles. The sensor includes a light adjusting portion and an assay sensing portion. The light adjusting portion receives the light produced by the light source module and provides light having a propagation angle that is substantially constant to the assay sensing portion. In one embodiment, the sensor may be coupled with the light source module by an interrogation module which includes a window in which a waveguide is integrated. In another embodiment, the sensor and interrogation module are mounted in an automated assay platform that provides two-dimensional or three-dimensional movement of the sensor so that it can be sequentially immersed in solutions required to perform a particular assay protocol.

Abstract: A computer disconnect device that may have an external communications cable connector; a jumper communications cable connector; a switch; external wiring for connecting the external communications cable connector to the external side of the switch; and jumper wiring for connecting the switch to the jumper communications cable connector. The external communications cable connector may be adapted to be connected to an external communications cable, and a jumper communications cable may be connected between the jumper communications cable connector and a computer. The switch may be used to selectively connect and disconnect the computer and the external communications cable. The computer disconnect device may include a housing, a lock and a status indicator. The external communications cable may be connected to any suitable network, such as the Internet or an intranet, or to any other suitable communications device.

Abstract: An air sampler having a fan; an air inlet tube; a main body having a cyclonic cup, a stripping column and a demister; and fluidic circuitry for inputting fluids to the main body and the air inlet tube, and for outputting fluids from the main body. Air flow through the air sampler may be generated by a fan that is either external or internal with respect to the main body's cyclonic cup. A thin film of stripping liquid and/or a fog of stripping liquid particles in the air inlet tube, the cyclonic cup, the stripping column and/or the demister strip a target material from the air flow through the air sampler. A passive fog generating slot or a passive spiral fog generating nozzle may be placed over the fluid input conduit in the center of the cyclonic cup. The air sampler's main body and/or an air inlet tube may be integrally formed as one part.

Abstract: An air sampler which has an air impeller mounted within a cyclonic cup housing. A thin film of stripping liquid and/or fog of stripping liquid particles within the sampler strip target material from the air flowing through it. The inner surfaces of the sampler may be selected to be hydrophilic, for better flow of the thin film of stripping liquid across them. The stripping target material concentration in it. The sampler may be so small, light and low in energy consumption that it may be battery powered and human-portable; and may be so efficient that it may be used to strip target material that is present in the incoming air in concentrations of only a few parts per trillion, or less.