Abstract: An integrated contaminant separator and water-control loop (10) decontaminates a fuel reactant stream of a fuel cell (12). Water passes over surfaces of an ammonia dissolving means (61) within a separator scrubber (58) while the fuel reactant stream simultaneously passes over the surfaces to dissolve contaminants from the fuel reactant stream into the water. An accumulator (68) collects the separated contaminant stream, and ion exchange material (69) integrated within the accumulator removes contaminants from the stream. A water-control pump (84) directs flow of a de-contaminated water stream from the accumulator (68) through a water-control loop (78) having a heat exchanger (86) and back onto the scrubber (58) to flow over the packed bed (62). Separating contaminants from the fuel reactant stream and then isolating and concentrating the separated contaminants within the ion exchange material (69) minimizes cost and maintenance requirements.

Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10, 200). During shut down of the plant (10, 200), hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between an anode flow path (24, 24?) and a cathode flow path (38, 38?). A passive hydrogen bleed line (202) permits passage of a smallest amount of hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) necessary to maintain the fuel cell (12?) in a passive state. A diffusion media (204) may be secured in fluid communication with the bleed line (202) to maintain a constant, slow rate of diffusion of the hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) despite varying pressure differentials between the shutdown fuel cell (12?) and ambient atmosphere adjacent the cell (12?).

Abstract: A separator scrubber (58) and isolation loop (78) decontaminates a fuel reactant stream of a fuel cell (12). Water passes over surfaces of an ammonia dissolving means (61) within the scrubber (58) while the fuel reactant stream simultaneously passes over the surfaces to remove contaminants from the fuel reactant into the water. An accumulator (68) collects the separated contaminants and water, and an isolation loop pump (84) directs flow of the separated contaminant stream through the isolation loop (78). A heat exchanger (86) and an ion exchange bed (88) modify the heat of, and remove contaminants from, the separated contaminant stream, and the isolation loop (78) directs the decontaminated stream back onto the packed bed (62)-. Separating contaminants from the fuel reactant stream and then isolating and concentrating the separated contaminants within the ion exchange bed (88) minimizes cost and maintenance requirements.

Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10, 200). During shut down of the plant (10, 200), hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between an anode flow path (24, 24?) and a cathode flow path (38, 38?). A controlled-oxidant flow device (209) near an oxygen source (58?) permits a minimal amount of atmospheric oxygen to enter the power plant (200) during shut down to equalize pressure between ambient atmosphere and the flow paths (24?, 28?) and to keep limited atmospheric oxygen entering the power plant (200) through the device (209) as far as possible from fuel cell flow fields (28?, 42?). A non-leaking hydrogen inlet valve (202), a non-leaking cathode exhaust valve (208), and a combined oxidant and fuel exhaust line (206) also minimize penetration of oxygen into the shut down power plant (200).

Abstract: A pre-engineered building (50) includes a patient service enclosure (62) and a mobile imaging unit enclosure (64) sharing a common wall (66) to seamlessly wrap a mobile imaging unit (18, 56) within the mobile imaging unit enclosure (64) of the building (50), thereby providing patient service rooms (94) integral with an adjacent the mobile imaging unit (18, 56). Walls (66, 70, 72, 74, 84, 86, 88) of the building (50) are pre-engineered so that the walls (66, 70, 72, 74, 84, 86, 88) are manufactured in panelized configurations that may include structural support components, exterior sheathing, and utility components prior to installation of the walls (66, 70, 72, 74, 84, 86, 88) upon a foundation (58) supporting the pre-engineered building (50).

Abstract: For a wall cut-out (100) defining a void (101) within a wall (102) for receiving a utility receptacle (104) wherein the cut-out has a perimeter edge (103) surrounding the void (101), the frame (10) includes an insert-flange (12) dimensioned to be inserted into and to sit within the void (101) adjacent the perimeter edge (103). The insert-flange (12) defines a through void frame opening (14) between opposed edges of the insert-flange (12). A wall-shelf (20) is secured to the insert-flange (12), and a mud-ridge (22) is secured to the wall-shelf (20) adjacent to and surrounding an interior perimeter (24) of the frame opening (14). The mud-ridge extends away from the wall-shelf (20) to facilitate application of a bonding compound and secure mounting of a receptacle component (106) within the utility receptacle (104).

Abstract: A bismuth sodium titanate (Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3) base material is modified by the partial substitution of aliovalent A-site cations such as barium (as BaO) or strontium (as SrO), as well as certain b-site donor/acceptor dopants and sintering aids to form a multi-phase system, much like known “core/shell” X7R dielectrics based solely on BaTiO3. The resulting ceramic dielectric composition is particularly suitable for producing a multilayer ceramic capacitor (10) that maintains high dielectric constant (and thus the capability of maintaining high capacitance) over a broad temperature range of from about 150° C. to about 300° C. Such capacitors (10) are appropriate for high temperature power electronics applications in fields such as down-hole oil and gas well drilling.

Abstract: An ammonia contact scrubber system (10) for removing ammonia from a fuel stream for a fuel cell (16) includes a contact scrubber (12) having a scrubber fuel inlet (14) and a scrubber fuel exhaust (20) for directing flow of the fuel stream through support material (24) within the scrubber (12) and into the fuel cell (16). An acid circulating loop (26) has an acid holding tank (28) holding a liquid acid solution (30), an acid feed line (32) secured in fluid communication between the holding tank (28) and a scrubber acid inlet (36) of the contact scrubber (12), an acid return (38) for returning the acid solution from the scrubber (12) to the acid holding tank (28), and an acid circulation pump (42) for pumping the acid solution (30) through the acid circulating loop (26) and through the support material (24) within the scrubber (12).

Abstract: The cut-out tool (10) includes an insert adaptor (22) configured to insert into and be secured within a utility receptacle (12) prior to sheeting material (16) overlying the receptacle (12), such as an electric receptacle (12). The insert adaptor (22) defines a mounting sleeve (30), and whenever the sheeting material (16) is secured over the receptacle (12) and insert (22), an insert hole (84) is cut adjacent and around an interior perimeter of the mounting sleeve (30). A mounting post (34) of an exterior template (32) is then secured within the mounting sleeve (30), and the exterior template (32) defines a cutting slot (42) that is dimensioned to contiguously and substantially overlie an exterior perimeter (28) of the receptacle (12). A cut is them made through the cutting slot (42) to define a template hole (86), and the sheeting material (16) then slides over the receptacle (12).

Abstract: A bi-layer product package (12) includes a protective case (20) secured between opposed display and backing layers (14, 16) of the product package (12). A product display base (24) of the case projects through a display void (18) of the display layer (14) and houses a product (30). A capture lid (22) and twist-off securing structures (32, 40A, 40B, 42) of the case are secured between the display and backing layers (14, 16) of the package (12) to prevent the display base (24) from passing completely through the display layer (14). The display base (24) replaces a traditional transparent blister or projection of a blister pack during display of the product (30), and during usage of the product (30), thereby minimizing materials and manufacturing costs, while providing in one package (12) both a product (30) and a removable protective case (20) integral with the package (12).

Abstract: A care funding and care planning system (10) generates a care plan option report (192) for a care receiver. The system (10) includes a client computer (14) having an input data map (16) for receiving and storing care-receiver data (13) including predetermined, critical categories of care-receiver information. A system processor (36) processes the care-receiver data (13) through knowledge management software (12) to evaluate and select from the care-receiver data (13) at least physical functional status (72), cognitive and sensory status (74), prospective functional status (76), living environment status (84), and long-term care resource status abstractions (88). A meta needs-resource weighting engine (56) assigns care-receiver specific values (160A) to the care-receiver data abstractions (72). A dynamic data base (48) allocates values to the weighted care-receiver data abstractions (72). A report generator (58) produces a care plan options report (192) for the care receiver.

Abstract: A fuel cell (40) includes first and second catalysts (12?), (14?) secured to opposed surfaces of an electrolyte (16?); a first flow field (26?) secured in fluid communication with the first catalyst (12?) defining a plurality of flow channels (30A?, 30B?, 30C?, 30D?) between a plurality of ribs (32A?, 32B?, 32C?, 32D?, 32E?) of the first flow field (26?); and a backing layer (42) secured between the first flow field (26?) and the first catalyst (12?). The backing layer (42) includes a carbon black, a hydrophobic polymer, and randomly-dispersed carbon fibers (44). The carbon fibers (44) are at least twice as long as a width (46) of the flow channels (30A?, 30B?, 30C?, 30D?) defined in the adjacent first flow field (26?). The backing layer (42) replaces a known substrate (22) and diffusion layer (18).

Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10). An anode flow path (24) is in fluid communication with an anode catalyst (14) for directing hydrogen fuel to flow adjacent to the anode catalyst (14), and a cathode flow path (38) is in fluid communication with a cathode catalyst (16) for directing an oxidant to flow adjacent to the cathode catalyst (16) of a fuel cell (12). Hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between the anode flow path (24) and the cathode flow path (38). A hydrogen reservoir (66) is secured in fluid communication with the anode flow path (24) for receiving and storing hydrogen during fuel cell (12) operation, and for releasing the hydrogen into the fuel cell (12) whenever the fuel cell (12) is shut down.

Abstract: The vehicle (10) includes a frame (12) having at least three non-circular wheels (20, 22, 24) secured to a frame (12), wherein the wheels are mechanically secured to each other so that whenever one non-circular wheel moves, the other wheels (20, 22, 24) move. An offset arm (76) powered by a motor (78) rotates a weight (84) around a geometric center adjacent the wheels to sequentially tip them so that their sequential tipping moves the vehicle (10). The non-circular wheels (20, 22, 24) are sequentially aligned with respect to each other so that whenever one wheel is tipped from a collapse alignment (32) into a contact alignment (34), sequentially the next non-circular wheel (20, 22, 24) is moved into a collapse alignment (32). Any driving force may be used to sequentially tip the non-circular wheels (20, 22, 24, 26), instead of the rotating weight (84).

Abstract: For a wall cut-out (100) defining a void (101) within a wall (102) for receiving a utility receptacle (104) wherein the cut-out has a perimeter edge (103) surrounding the void (101), the frame (10) includes an insert-flange (12) dimensioned to be inserted into and to sit within the void (101) adjacent the perimeter edge (103). The insert-flange (12) defines a frame opening (14) between opposed sides of the insert-flange (12). A wall-shelf (20) is secured to the insert-flange (12), and the wall-shelf defines a plane that is parallel to a plane defined by the wall (102). A mud-ridge (22) is secured to the wall-shelf (20) adjacent to and surrounding an interior perimeter (24) of the frame opening (14) and extends away from the wall-shelf (20) to facilitate application of a bonding compound and secure mounting of a receptacle component (106) within the utility receptacle (104).

Abstract: The system (50) includes at least one tread (52) secured to a tread drive means (54) for moving the tread (52) in a direction of a tread work-axis of motion (58) adjacent an object (78) to be moved. A head (57) is secured to the tread (52), and the head (57) includes a device (66) for grabbing the object (78). The head (57) selectively moves in at least a direction opposed to the tread work-axis of motion (58) and at a rate of speed at least the same as the rate of speed the drive means (54) moves the tread (52) in the tread work-axis of motion (58) direction to thereby achieve a net-zero motion relative to the object (58) to facilitate picking and placing the object (58). A plurality of treads (52) with such heads (57) may be secured in an endless loop (56).

Abstract: A light bag rack (10) for a bicycle includes a U-shaped frame (42) having first and second rods (48, 50) extending between a closed securing end (44) and an open mounting end (46) of the rack (10) and defining a pinch point (52) between the ends (44, 46). The rods (48, 50) are sufficiently flexible to permit the open mounting end (46) to expand around first and second bicycle seat frame rails (16, 18) forward of a seat post (14) and to pass between the seat frame rails (16, 18) rearward of the seat post (14) so that the closed securing end (44) contacts the seat frame rails (16, 18) forward of the seat post (14) to secure the rack (10) to the seat frame rails (16, 18). A load portion (70) of the rack (10) supports a utility bag (84).

Abstract: A battery tube storage system (10) includes a first container (12) having a first light transmitting, rigid shell (14) including a first color, such as green, that defines a plurality of tubes (16A, 16B, 16C, 16D) dimensioned to receive and secure cylindrical shaped batteries (24). A first latch-lock (26) secures a top (22) to an entry-end (20) of the first shell (14). A similar second shell (32) is made of or includes a second color that is distinct from the first color, such as red. The first shell (14) can be detachably secured to the second shell (32) so that the battery storage system (10) may be used to carry varying numbers of batteries (24) depending upon the needs of a user, and by the distinct colors, a user can quickly distinguish between used and unused batteries (24).

Abstract: A protective case (10) for securing and protecting a plurality of different sized memory cards (31, 39, 54, 66, 77, 82, 90) includes a rigid exterior container (12) having a first shell (14) and a second shell (16). First and second resilient inserts (26, 28) are dimensioned to nest within the first and second shells (14, 16) and the inserts (26, 28) each define five memory card securing means (30, 42, 56, 72, 84) for securing differing sized memory cards (31, 39, 54, 66, 77, 82, 90) against unassisted removal from the case. Abutment edges (36, 48A, 48B) are defined to contact a peripheral edge of a memory card secured by the securing means. Extraction cavities (38A, 38B, 50A, 50B) are also defined on opposed edges of the secured cards for facilitating removal of the memory cards from the case.

Abstract: A voltage biased capacitor circuit (10) for a loudspeaker (14?) includes at least two audio circuit capacitors (32A, 32B) wired in series either on one of an audio connector or between audio connectors (16A?, 16B?). A direct current voltage source (34) is wired in electrical communication with the audio circuit capacitors (32A, 32B) for transmitting through direct current voltage connectors (36A, 36B) a direct current to provide a bias voltage to the audio circuit capacitors (32A, 32B). At least one resistor (37) is secured between the audio circuit capacitors (32A, 32B) and the voltage source (34), to prevent dissipation of an audio signal through the resistor (37) and direct current voltage connectors (36A, 36B). A voltage source capacitor (40) is also wired between the voltage source (34) and the audio connectors (16A? 16B?) to stabilize the direct current transmitted to the capacitors (32A, 32B).