Abstract: A switch assembly and method includes a heat sink with two switch modules coupled thereto. Both of the switch modules are used in switching operations to make use of the entire heat sink, providing improved heat dissipation. The switch modules each have first and second switch devices, with each switch device having a gate terminal. A source voltage is applied to the switching modules and a positive portion of the source voltage is conducted through one switch device of the first switching module. A negative portion of the source voltage is conducted through one of the switching devices of the second switching module.

Abstract: A touch pad control information system for a food waste disposer is disclosed. The touch pad is mountable to a wall or countertop near the food waste disposer. The touch pad preferably includes switches which allow the user to select from a plurality of disposer functions, and light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other graphic display to indicate one of a plurality of statuses for the disposer. The touch pad is coupled to the disposer by a wire bus or by wireless means.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for assuring or determining appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly. In some embodiments, positive stopping apparatus on the crimp ring are used to assure appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly. The positive stopping apparatus may be adjustable or non-adjustable and may be positioned on the free ends or adjoined ends of the segments of the crimp ring. In some embodiments, adjustable and/or cam operating pivot connections on the crimp ring are used to assure appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly. In some embodiments, sensing apparatus or systems are disclosed for assuring or determining appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly.

Abstract: An article useful for attracting canines and inducing them to eliminate in a preferred outdoor area, the article desirably having a molded polymeric body and a canine attractant dispersed within the body, coated on a portion of the body or contained inside a cavity in the body, the canine attractant being adapted for release into the surrounding atmosphere over a prolonged period.

Abstract: A system and a method of its use for the accelerated cooldown of at least one reactor by injecting liquid carbon dioxide via a sparger into a pipeline connected to the reactor via a access valve upstream of the reactor. By providing an evenly distributed flow into the system gas prior to entry into the reactor, the system and its method of use efficiently and uniformly cooldown the reactor. In a preferred embodiment, multiple spargers using this technique can cooldown multiple reactors in series.

Abstract: An internal slip connector useful for attaching tools or other devices to the inside wall of a conduit, the connector having a mandrel with a head end, a threaded end, a reduced-diameter shaft section disposed between the head end and the threaded end, two abutting slip segments loosely disposed around the mandrel between the head end and an upper extending portion of the threaded end, and a nut threaded onto the mandrel below the slip segments. When tightened following insertion of the slip segments into the conduit, the nut causes the slip segments to slide radially outward along an oblique interface between them. Gripping surfaces disposed on the outside of the slip segments are thereby pressed into engagement with the inside wall of the conduit. The internal slip connector can be used with coiled tubing of various wall thicknesses and is easily released after loosening the threaded nut.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for cooling the air exiting an electronics enclosure, are disclosed. Air is taken into the enclosure and heated by the electronic equipment. The air is then expelled through a heat exchanger, which cools the exiting air. The exiting air is cooled using an external source of cooling liquid, which absorbs the heat from the exiting air. This absorbed heat is then expelled from the liquid outside of the environment containing the enclosure. Cooling the air exiting the enclosure causes the enclosure to present a neutral heat load to a room containing such an enclosure. Cooling the exiting air obviates the necessity of increasing the room air conditioning capacity to account for the heat added to the room by the electronics within the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food waste disposer having an upper food conveying section, a motor section, a central grinding section and a controller. The upper food conveying section includes a housing forming an inlet to receive food waste. The motor section includes a switched reluctance machine having a rotor and a stator. The rotor imparts rotational movement to a rotatable shaft. The central grinding section is disposed between the food conveying section and the motor section. The food conveying section conveys food waste to the grinding section. The grinding section includes a grinding mechanism where a portion of the grinding mechanism is mounted to the rotatable shaft. The controller is electrically connected to the stator to control the switched reluctance machine. The controller is capable of directing rotational movement to the rotatable shaft and the portion of the grinding mechanism mounted to the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp membrane switch includes a deformable substrate. Graphic indicia is imprinted on the substrate. An electroluminescent lamp is imprinted on the graphic indicia layer and a membrane switch is formed on the lamp.

Abstract: A cap operated retractable medical device has an outer body with a hingedly connected outer cap which moves between an open and a closed position. The device is used as a blood sampler with a conventional collection tube normally used in such devices. A movable member is entirely enclosed within the outer body. A sliding interference or friction fit holds a retraction body within the mouth of the movable member and also holds the front end of the movable member within the outer body positioned within the retraction body adjacent a stop. A double ended needle is installed in the retraction body. Camming protrusions on the cap engage the back of the movable member to move it forward as the cap is closed thereby triggering retraction of the retraction body and its double ended needle entirely within the outer body. Once the cap is closed with the double ended needle safely inside, the device can be safely handled. The device is compact. It can be as short as the needles it will safely contain.

Abstract: An interferometric method and apparatus for in-situ monitoring of a thin film thickness and of etch and deposition rates using a pulsed flash lamp providing a high instantaneous power pulse and having a wide spectral width. The optical path between the flash lamp and a spectrograph used for detecting light reflected from a wafer is substantially transmissive to the ultraviolet range of the spectrum making available to the software algorithms operable to calculate film thickness and etch and deposition rates desirable wavelengths.