Abstract: A DX heating/cooling system includes an automatic hot gas by-pass valve (1) for preventing frosting of an interior heat exchanger/air handler (6) when the system is switched from the heating mode to the cooling mode, and a specially sized TXV (7) by-pass refrigerant flow means (12), where the automatic hot gas by-pass valve (1) is positioned to provide hot gas at two optional locations, with one location before the cool liquid enters the air handler (6), and with the other location after the warmed vapor refrigerant exits the air handler (6).

Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit includes a power factor correction circuit, a control and amplifier circuit, a ballast controller circuit and a ballast driver circuit. The ballast driver circuit includes a resonant circuit that connects to a lamp and a strike voltage limiter circuit that regulates the behavior of the resonant circuit. An overcurrent sensor circuit may be included to indirectly the control the ballast controller circuit via the control and amplifier circuit. The strike voltage limiter circuit uses varistors to change the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit to limit the voltage to the lamp.

Abstract: This invention claims a novel software application that facilitates streaming and mixing audio and/or video with nearly zero latency, using a computer having Windows or Linux operating systems. Typical computer operating systems are not structured sufficiently to transmit or receive audio and/or video data in a real time. Alternatively, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and Field Programmable Arrays (FPGAs} are used to transmit and receive audio and/or video data via the network. This requires extra hardware, space and cost. The attributes of this invention are significant contributions to successful products in modern markets.

Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.

Abstract: There is provided splice trays and splice assemblies that include one or more optical fiber routing guides for optical fiber slack storage. The optical fiber routing guides are associated with individual or select groupings of splice holders in order to eliminate slack storage generally around the perimeter of the splice tray. Therefore, the optical fibers of one or a select number of splices may be routed separately from other optical fibers to enable technicians to more easily manipulate the fibers. In addition, optical fiber routing guides are included with a splice assembly in order to eliminate slack storage generally around the splice tray. The optical fiber routing guides additionally may define bend radiuses of between about 0.1 inch and about 0.5 inch. Therefore, splice trays and splice assemblies comprising the optical fiber routing guides may provide more convenient access and/or define smaller sizes compared to previous splice trays and splice assemblies.

Abstract: An optical fiber distribution enclosure includes a housing defining an interior, a first fiber distribution area disposed within an upper portion of the interior, a second fiber distribution area disposed within a lower portion of the interior and a signal splitting area disposed between the fiber distribution areas. A splitter module secured within the signal splitting area has a connectorized splitter input optical fiber and connectorized splitter output optical fibers. A fiber parking area is movably disposed within the lower portion adjacent the second fiber distribution area for temporarily storing splitter output optical fibers that are not routed to the fiber distribution areas. An input fiber distribution area disposed within the interior interconnects an optical fiber of a feeder cable with the splitter input optical fiber. The splitter output optical fibers are eventually routed to a fiber distribution area and interconnected with a corresponding optical fiber of a distribution cable.

Abstract: A field configurable vehicle armoring system and associated method allow a user to retrofit and reconfigure a combination of armor components in response to a perceived threat change and using original equipment manufacture fasteners and holes. The system includes pillar armor attachable after an original equipment manufacture door and hinge are removed. Fasteners extend through the hinge of the armored door, the pillar armor and an original equipment manufacture pillar using holes other than the original equipment manufacture holes. Rocker panel and underbody armor is further provided, along with a ballistic resistant windscreen and rear wall armor. Where desired, system armor includes a composite plate comprising a strike face that is constructed from softer metallic material than an inner metallic sheet.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for converting a continuous-time, continuously variable signal into a sampled and quantized signal. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus includes multiple continuous-time quantization-noise-shaping circuits, each in a separate processing branch and having an adder that includes multiple inputs and an output; an input signal is coupled to one of the inputs of the adder; the output of the adder is coupled to one of the inputs of the adder through a first filter; and the output of a sampling/quantization circuit in the same processing branch is coupled to one of the inputs of the adder through a second filter, with the second filter having a different transfer function than the first filter.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The surgical tool has a fastener engagement tip having a spring extension extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the surgical tool. The spring extension is resiliently flexible and deflectable between a first arrangement, in which the spring extension is in a relaxed state, and a second arrangement, in which the spring extension is deflected to facilitate insertion of the fastener engagement tip into a fastener slot.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building system provides wall, ceiling, and floor structures, as well as accessories. The walls can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions. Walls have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members extending, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of the wall, at spaced locations along the length of the wall. The spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with insulating foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel/wall panel. A building floor can be supported from the load-bearing wall, at locations on the floor support members which are below the top of the load-bearing wall.

Abstract: A launch vehicle (10) is provided for a continuous mining system including modular conveyor units (U) that are connected together to form a conveyor train. The launch vehicle (10) includes a main frame (12) for supporting a rearmost conveyor unit (U) of the conveyor train. The main frame (12) includes a first side over which additional conveyor units (U) are added to the conveyor train and a second side. A belly conveyor (14) is carried on the main frame (12). A drive assembly (42) is provided for selectively advancing and withdrawing the conveyor train. Further the launch vehicle (10) includes a canopy (18) overlying the main frame (12). The canopy (18) is mounted on at least one cantilever support (20) extending upwardly adjacent the second side of the main frame (12) whereby the first side is left open for adding additional conveyor units (U) to the conveyor train.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for resolving a first node identifier in a first identifier domain space to a second node identifier in a second identifier domain space. In one aspect, a first node identifier from a first identifier domain space is identified. The first node identifier is included in data for transmission to a recipient. A network directory service node address is determined for a network directory service node configured to resolve the first node identifier to a second node identifier in a second identifier domain space. A message including the data and addressed to the recipient is generated. The message is transmitted to the recipient in association with transmitting, to the recipient, the network directory service node address.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an implantable neural signal acquisition apparatus includes a plurality of electrodes, an implantable electronics package, and a wire bundle. The electrodes are configured to be subcutaneously implanted within neural tissue of a test subject and to collect analog neural signals from the test subject. The implantable electronics package is configured to be subcutaneously implanted within the test subject and to convert the analog neural signals to digital output. The wire bundle is coupled between the electrode array and the implantable electronics package and is configured to convey the analog neural signals from the electrodes to the implantable electronics package.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are provided for measuring and controlling the temperature of a heatable object used to warm or cook food, using transmitters and receivers communicating between each other and/or with heaters, such as induction or direct heaters, using long-wave length magnetic communication (LWMC).

Abstract: An image correction method able to avoid error image. According to opposite properties of black and white, only the last few bits of the scanned digital signal are extracted for black correction, while only the first few bits of the scanned digital signal are extracted for white correction. Further, the most significant bit of the digital signal is 1 for white correction. Therefore, the unwanted LBB effect on the scanned image caused by dust or spots on the correction document is avoided. In addition, as only a few bits of the scanned digital signal are extracted, the requirement in memory capacity is reduced.

Abstract: A LED display screen includes a case, a LED display module and a front assembling system. The case has a front opening. The LED display module is received in the case via the front opening, including a supporting base, a LED display unit mounting in front of the supporting base, and a LED shade shading in front of the LED display unit. The front assembling system has a base channel, a display unit channel and a shade channel. The front assembling system includes a still member, a supporting member and a supporting member. The still member mounts behind the supporting base. The supporting member is provided on the case. The supporting member includes a body and a head. The body is inserted through the mounting hole to engage with the supporting member. The head is hidden inside the base channel to combine the LED display unit with the supporting base.

Abstract: A prosthetic sleeve and socket system, the sleeve including a flap or skirt concentrically arranged about the sleeve and configured to form a sealed chamber between the sleeve and socket when the sleeve is inserted into the socket. An air permeable material is interposed between the skirt and the sleeve to maintain a continuous interconnected air layer therebetween. An expulsion valve is provided to allow air contained within the sealed chamber to be forced out of the chamber ahead of the sleeve when it is inserted into the socket. A powered vacuum pump is also provided for producing and maintaining a partial vacuum in the sealed chamber for keeping the socket and sleeve joined. The system allows for a substantial reduction in size of known sockets and permits, in some instances, the disposal of bulky suspension straps currently in use to force the socket against a residual limb.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building system, and methods of making the system elements and constructing buildings, which provides wall, ceiling, and floor structural panels and corresponding walls, ceilings, and floors. The walls can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions, such that no concrete need be used except for floor slabs. Panels have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members. Structurally-reinforcing members extend, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of a wall, at spaced locations along the length of the wall. Spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with rigid foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel.