Abstract: A method of setting values of a multiplicity of performance parameters of a power driven wheelchair into a controller thereof comprises the steps of: grouping the multiplicity of performance parameters into at least two groups; for each group, (a) establishing a corresponding relationship between a selected performance parameter and each of the other performance parameters; and (b) presetting the established relationships into the controller; determining a value for each selected performance parameter based on the user's capabilities of operating the wheelchair; entering the determined value for each selected performance parameter into the controller; deriving automatically by the controller for each group a value for each of the other performance parameters based on the entered value of the selected performance parameter and the corresponding established relationships of each of the other performance parameters with the selected performance parameter; and storing the entered and derived values of the pe

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a multi-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The invention is preferably applicable to the steering of such a vehicle and determines the individual velocities for each wheel drive. In this regard, the invention includes two general steps. The first step includes determining the distance of each wheel drive and a vehicle velocity reference point from a turning reference point. The second step includes ratioing each wheel drive's distance from the turning reference point with the vehicle velocity reference point's distance from the turning reference point. The ratios are then applied to a vehicle velocity associated with the vehicle velocity reference point to determine the velocity of each respective wheel drive. Once determined, the velocities are output to each wheel drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for supplying low pressure oxygen-enriched gas to a patient and at a moderate pressure to a radial compressor, whereupon it is compressed and fed to a high pressure storage tank. The oxygen-enriched gas is prioritized so that it is continuously supplied via a patient flow line to the patient.

Abstract: An electric motor drive controller for an electric vehicle driven by a motor with permanent excitation and powered by an energy source comprises: a power control stage coupleable to the motor for generating a drive signal at a voltage to control the motor at a desired speed; a voltage control circuit connectable between the energy source and the power control stage for controlling the voltage of the drive signal at a first voltage potential in one operating mode and at a voltage potential greater than the first voltage potential in another operating mode; and a mode controller for controlling the operating modes of the voltage control circuit based on properties of the drive signal.

Abstract: Hetero-structure semiconductor devices having first and second-type semiconductor junctions are disclosed. The hetero-structures are incorporated into pillar and rail-stack memory circuits improving the forward-to-reverse current ratios thereof.

Abstract: Hetero-structure semiconductor devices having first and second-type semiconductor junctions are disclosed. The hetero-structures are incorporated into pillar and rail-stack memory circuits improving the forward-to-reverse current ratios thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a silicon-based electronic device is provided. The method includes, for example, the steps of forming a doped silicon layer on a surface of a substrate material and forming an undoped silicon capping layer on the doped silicon layer. The thin “capping” layers of undoped silicon prevent outgassing of the dopants underneath the cap. In this manner, the next deposition of doped silicon is not subject to autodoping by the previous doped silicon deposition.

Abstract: A foldable wheelchair includes a pair of side frames each of which have generally horizontal upper and lower members which are connected by generally vertical front and back legs. A pair of cross arms are located between the side frames and each arm has a base portion connected to a lower side frame member. A top portion of each cross arm is connected to an upper side frame member through a positioning link. The side frames are laterally and vertically positioned with respect to each other by a pair of positioning braces each located on a base portion of a different cross brace. Each brace contacts the top portion of the remaining cross brace and thus positions the side frame. The wheelchair has a removable rigid seat to permit access to the cross braces so the wheelchair can be folded.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.

Abstract: A mid-wheel drive wheelchair can have various suspensions for the drive wheel such as a rigid connection to the wheelchair frame or a resilient connection thereto. The wheelchair has at least one anti-tip front wheel stabilizer, which is rigidly, i.e. non-resiliently, connected to the frame and accordingly the wheelchair frame moves up and down with the anti-tip wheel upon encountering a bump, hill, etc. The height of the anti-tip wheel above the travel surface is adjustable and accordingly the wheel can be set to a specific height.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.

Abstract: A curb-climbing wheelchair having pivotal arm assemblies. The pivotal arm assemblies include at least one front caster and have the ability to rotate or pivot. The pivot arms rotate or pivot in response to moments generated by accelerating or decelerating the wheelchair thereby raising or lowering the front caster(s) through the rotational movement of the pivot arms. By raising or lowering the front caster(s) in such a manner, curb-like obstacles can be traversed in a low-impact manner.

Abstract: A universal conduit body system is provided having an outer housing having a first wall thickness, at least one port and an inner space. Each port has an opening in the housing and a recess in the housing surrounding the opening. Each recess includes a second wall thickness less than the first wall thickness. In use, the port mates with a connector that includes an interface having substantially the same physical shape as the recess.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a multi-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The invention is preferably applicable to the steering of such a vehicle and determines the individual velocities for each wheel drive. In this regard, the invention includes two general steps. The first step includes determining the distance of each wheel drive and a vehicle velocity reference point from a turning reference point. The second step includes ratioing each wheel drive's distance from the turning reference point with the vehicle velocity reference point's distance from the turning reference point. The ratios are then applied to a vehicle velocity associated with the vehicle velocity reference point to determine the velocity of each respective wheel drive. Once determined, the velocities are output to each wheel drive.

Abstract: An input driver circuit for accommodating a plurality of input/output voltage standards is provided. The input driver circuit employs an adjustable trip point that can be calibrated for multiple input voltage standards. The adjustable trip point is provided by a trigger circuit. A control circuit determines whether the trigger circuit is on or off by comparing a configuration input thereof with a reference power supply input thereof. When the trigger circuit is on, the trip point is active during a low to high transition of the signal input.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for continuously separating particles of interest from a heterogeneous particle population. The heterogeneity can be based on, for example, magnetic susceptibility, particle size, thermal diffusion, phase solubility, and combinations of the preceding. Based on the heterogeneity, a separation force capable of exploiting the separand (i.e., particles subject to the separation process) is provided. The various embodiments of the present invention preferably employ an annular separation channel, appropriate separation force and flow compartments. In a first embodiment, an annular separation channel having semi-permeable inner and outer cylindrical walls is used to generate lateral convection forces. In a second embodiment of the present invention, an annular separation channel having heat conductive inner and outer cylindrical walls is used to generate thermal diffusion forces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the presence and growth of microorganisms and biofilms in water lines is provided. The systems include, for example, a valved, multi-port control manifold for accepting inlet water to be treated and a filter for (1) reducing particulate physical matter, (2) further reducing particulate matter while also reducing the content of absorbable organics, and (3) physically removing microorganisms. The system further includes a mixing reservoir or chamber with specialized means for injecting active agents such as biocides for additional control of planktonic and sessile microbes. An optional pressurized storage vessel for retaining and delivering filtered and treated water is also disclosed. The methods include, for example, the step of introducing an aqueous cleaner derived from natural citrus botanicals into a water system.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling, organizing, and viewing a plurality of electrostatic spray gun operating parameters from a centralized control panel are provided. In this regard, a control panel is provided having, for example, a gun control area for selecting one electrostatic spray gun of a multiple gun system, and an electrostatic control area for displaying and controlling the operational parameters of the selected electrostatic spray gun. The electrostatic control area functions essentially as a master control panel which can be shared by all the guns in the system. Each of the guns has an assigned gun control subpanel in the gun control area. Each subpanel includes a selector switch which can be used to monitor and control the gun associated with that subpanel on the master control panel. Each of the subpanels also has a limited display such as a bar graph which can be used to show the electrostatic performance of the guns.

Abstract: A stacking arrangement for at least two controllers in a powder spray system provides for the controllers to be vertically stacked one on top of the other, and an interlock mechanism between each pair of adjacently stacked controllers. In a preferred embodiment, the interlock mechanism comprises a tab and slot arrangement between each pair of adjacent top and bottom covers of stacked controllers. The tab and slot securely hold the stacked controllers together in a stable vertically aligned configuration. Locking plates are also provided to releasably secure the controllers together. The invention also provides a vertically adjustable cover mechanism for the stacked controllers. The cover mechanism encloses various lines that are connected to the controllers in the final assembly. The cover mechanism includes a vertically fixed cover part and an adjustable cover part that telescopically slides over the fixed cover part.