Abstract: A battery charge maintenance system for a vehicle is provided.

Abstract: A drum type container for analytical elements comprises a casing defining a compartment with a plurality of portions For receiving respective ones of the analytical elements. The container further comprises a base assembly to which the casing is rotatably mounted. The base assembly includes a dispenser mechanism for dispensing the glucose test strips from the casing and a locking mechanism for maintaining an alignment of a selected one of the compartment portions with the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: An oil control device inhibits the flow of oil along a shaft (8) rotating about an axis. The oil control device comprises an annular body (19) for rotation with said shaft (8) and includes a first face (30) extending generally radially from said axis. A second radially outer circumferential surface (40) is provided, extending generally axially. An oil slinging groove (32) extends into said body (19) and has a mouth (37) defined between a first circumferentially extending rim (38) and a second circumferentially extending rim (39). The second rim (39) is spaced both radially and axially from the first rim (38). The groove (32) is defined at least in part by a wall (34) which meets the first rim (38) at an acute angle to a radial plane. The groove (32) is also defined at least in part by a wall (35) which meets the second rim (39) at an acute angle to the direction of the axis.

Abstract: A method includes providing a system having a fluid flow, a fuel injector and an oxygen sensor disposed in the fluid flow, where the oxygen sensor is downstream of the fuel injector. The method includes determining a first air fuel ratio, changing an injection rate of the fuel injector and determining a second air fuel ratio, and determining a fault value for the fuel injector from the first air fuel ratio and the second air fuel ratio. The method further includes determining the fault value for the fuel injector by determining a difference between the first air fuel ratio and the second air fuel ratio, and by determining that the fault value is positive in response to the difference being lower than a passing threshold value. The method includes changing injection rates of the fuel injector for specified periods of time short enough to significant disruption of system temperatures.

Abstract: A pest detection device includes a housing with a sensor and one or more bait members. The sensor includes one or more of a chisel-shaped electrically conductive trace carried on a substrate, a low resistance electrically conductive ink defining an electrical pathway on a substrate with a pointed profile, and/or a substrate including a directional grain structure oriented in a predefined manner relative to an electrically conductive pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide in a catalytic reaction from formic acid, said reaction being conducted in an aqueous solution over a wide temperature range and already at room temperature (25° C.). The reaction is advantageous because it can be tuned to take place at very high rates, up to about 90 liter H2/minute/liter reactor volume. The gas produced is free of carbon monoxide. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for providing hydrogen for a motor, fuel cell or chemical synthesis.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an analytical element comprising at least one test field for analyzing a liquid sample, wherein provision is made for a carrier on which a polymer fabric is arranged. At least one portion of the polymer fabric is irradiated with UV laser light and thereby hydrophobized.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous aminoplastic urea-formaldehyde resin suitable for use in bonding lignocellulosic materials, which provides products of very low formaldehyde emission while maintaining superior performance.

Abstract: A multistage combustor is configured for starting a fuel cell system, and includes a partial oxidation (POX) burner having an inlet for receiving a flow of a fuel/oxidant mixture, the POX burner being configured to partially oxidize fuel in the fuel/oxidant mixture to yield a partially oxidized gas; a first output coupled to the fuel cell system and configured to provide a first amount of the partially oxidized gas as first output gas to a first fuel cell system component; a second burner coupled to the POX burner, the second burner being configured to receive a second amount of the partially oxidized gas from the POX burner and to oxidize at least some remaining fuel to yield a second output gas different from the first output gas; and a second output coupled to a second fuel cell system component and configured to provide the second output gas to the second fuel cell system component.

Abstract: A system includes an electrical energy storage device that may be in the form of one or more batteries, a charger to selectively charge the electrical energy storage device, and charger cabling sized to electrically interconnect the storage device and the charger together and span a distance separating them. The charger cabling is initially connected across the charger without the storage device to determine information specific to voltage drop caused by the cabling. The system is then reconfigured so that the cabling connects the storage device to the charger for charging. During this charging operation the previously gathered information is used to compensate for the voltage drop along the cabling as the storage device is charged with the charger.

Abstract: A pressure wave apparatus utilizing the principles of pulsed detonation and wave rotor technologies. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports that interface with a plurality of fluid flow passageways on a rotor. A buffer gas is routed through some of the inlet and outlet ports and into and out of the plurality of fluid flow passageways. One of the inlet ports is a buffer gas inlet port that when placed in registry with a fluid flow passageway allows the flow of buffer gas into the respective passageway. Fuel is delivered into the buffer gas proximate the buffer gas inlet port so that only a portion of the buffer gas inlet port receives any fuel.

Abstract: An intaglio-printing press for printing security documents comprising a plate cylinder (4) with at least one engraved printing plate (6), an impression cylinder (3), a wiping device (10) and an inking system, (5, 7a-8d); it further comprises a laser marking device with laser marking heads (15) arranged facing said plate cylinder downstream from said wiping device and upstream from the contact zone between said plate cylinder and said impression cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrolytes comprising tetracyanoborate and an organic cation as components of electrolytes in electrochemical and/or optoelectronic devices, in particular solar cells. This ionic liquid has low viscosity and can be used as electrolyte in the absence of a solvent. Importantly, the ionic liquid remains stable in solar cells even after prolonged thermal stress at 80° C. for 1000 hours. Photovoltaic conversion efficiency remained stable and keeping more than 90% of the initial value.

Abstract: A projection screen includes: a lenticular layer including rear and front surfaces, the front surface being formed with a plurality of convex microstructures; a reflecting layer formed on the front surface of the lenticular layer and having a plurality of convex surfaces in conformity to surfaces of the convex microstructures; and a diffusion layer disposed on the reflecting layer oppositely of the lenticular layer, and including a plurality of black nanoparticles dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method for performing shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty is provided. The method includes generating navigational reference information relating to position and orientation of a body part forming at least a portion of the shoulder joint. The reference information may be stored in a computer. Navigational references are attached to the body part and an object. Information is received regarding the position and orientation of the object with respect to the body part and the object is navigated according to this information. The body part may be modified using the object and the modification may be displayed on a monitor associated with the computer. The navigational references may be used to track a shoulder arthroplasty trial component. Information is received regarding the position and orientation of the trial component with respect to the body part. This information is used to navigate the trial component to the body part.