Abstract: An adjustable automatic recirculation valve includes a valve body, a main valve disk, a bypass valve and a dynamic adjustment assembly. The main valve disk is positioned within the valve body and opens in response to fluid flow between a main inlet and a main outlet. The bypass valve controls the flow of fluid between the main inlet and the recirculating outlet. A dynamic adjustment assembly, housed within the valve body controls the operating lift associated with the maximum opening of the bypass valve to regulate fluid flow capacity to the recirculating outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing with devices using different communication protocols. The apparatus may scan a range of known frequencies for a communication protocol. The apparatus may decode and translate the communication protocol into a common interface language. The apparatus may include a pair of separate and co-located transceivers to accomplish the interface.

Abstract: A back-up safety apparatus and method that enables the driver of a large vehicle with inherent rear blind spots to receive signals, to proceed or stop, based on changing safe or unsafe conditions. A spotter who monitors the vehicle's progress from a safe and remote vantage point in the rear, uses a hand held wireless transmitter to signal the driver. The transmitter also provides a deadman style safety switch for the benefit of the spotter that will automatically signal the driver to stop if the spotter becomes disabled, falls or drops the transmitter.

Abstract: A lift assembly system and method can include a substantially rectangular tube, a motor operably connected to first and second traction drives and a rotatable drum and structurally connected to one end of the tube, a head block fixed to the opposite end of the tube, and a plurality of loft blocks positionable at an infinite number of locations within the tube. An elongate member attached on one end to the drum can be routed through a generally horizontal path from the drum to the first and second traction drives, the head block, and the loft blocks, and then through a generally vertical path from the loft block to an attached article. The elongate member can be wound about the drum to raise the article, and unwound from the drum to lower the article. The system can further include a load-side braking mechanism. The tube can include a compressible material adapted to absorb at least a portion of a horizontal load placed on the lift system.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a medical device can be used with a power adapter system. In addition, it can receive a data set from the power adapter system, and examine the data set to determine whether the data set confirms or not an authentication of the power adapter for use with the medical device. If the authentication is not confirmed, the external medical device can operate differently than otherwise. For example, power can be drawn from the power adapter system only if an inside battery is not charged.

Abstract: A device tests a circuit that is a source of alternating current by measuring at least one electrical parameter of the circuit to determine whether the circuit is able to provide adequate energy for defibrillation by an external defibrillator. The device may test the circuit by applying a load to the circuit, and measuring one or more electrical parameters when the load is applied to the circuit. The device may be the external defibrillator itself, or a separate testing device. In some embodiments in which an external defibrillator tests a circuit, the defibrillator modifies a value of at least one therapy delivery parameter for a subsequent delivery of one or more defibrillation pulses based on the measured electrical parameter value measured. By modifying a therapy delivery parameter, the defibrillator may deliver defibrillation pulses at an energy level that is supportable by the circuit.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a medical device can be used with a power adapter system. In addition, it can receive a data set from the power adapter system, and examine the data set to determine whether the data set confirms or not an authentication of the power adapter for use with the medical device. If the authentication is not confirmed, the external medical device can operate differently than otherwise. For example, power can be drawn more slowly from the power adapter system.

Abstract: A refrigerated liquid dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser has a pump configured for being in fluid communication with a source of a liquid product; a dispensing faucet configured for being in fluid communication with the pump, the dispensing faucet including a cold maintenance device located near the distal end of the dispensing faucet and an insulator device disposed adjacent to the cold maintenance device. The cold maintenance device has a distal end that projects beyond a lower surface of the insulator device.

Abstract: The ladder system is disposed between two spaced storage shelves of the types found in crowded warehouses. The ladder is mounted on overhead guide tracks and may be moved longitudinally along the shelves and laterally between the shelves. Locating means are provided for immobilizing the ladder against movement laterally and longitudinally. The locating means includes a pair of spring-loaded casters and rubber pads at the lower end of the ladder and a pair of braking mechanisms overlying and engageable with the guide tracks when subjected to the weight of the user to prevent movement of the ladder at the top thereof either intentionally or unintentionally. Finally, a lateral brake is carried by the ladder which prevents the roller carriage from moving laterally. The brake is applied when the ladder is in use.

Abstract: The combination of a fishing reel support, a fishing reel, and a security assembly. The fishing reel support has a graspable body with a fishing reel mounting assembly. The fishing reel has a frame with an operating mechanism on the frame. The frame has a mounting stem and a mounting foot including first and second foot portions projecting generally oppositely away from the mounting stem. The security assembly prevents the fishing reel from being separated from the fishing reel support. The security assembly consists of first and second strap components that are joined to each other. A first foot portion is captive between the first strap component and the fishing reel support, with the second foot portion captive between the second strap component and the fishing reel support. The security assembly has a secured state and cooperates with the fishing reel support so that the fishing reel and security assembly cannot be separated from the fishing reel support with the security assembly in the secured state.

Abstract: Acoustic flow meter with dual flow measurements. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are flow meters comprising a spool piece that defines a central passage, a first plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a second plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, and meter electronics electrically coupled to the first and second plurality of transducer pairs (the meter electronics configured to determine a first value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the first value determined using only signals of the first plurality of transducer pairs). The meter electronics further configured to determine a second value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the second value determined using only signals of the second plurality of transducer pairs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the output of a plurality of light sources. The system can include four or more light sources (e.g. light emitting diodes (“LEDs”)) and a controller. The light sources are included in, for example, a luminaire. The respective outputs of the plurality of light sources are controlled using a hue and purity (“HP”) control technique. The HP technique includes selecting a dominant hue (e.g., green, blue, red, etc.). The purity of the selected hue is then modified to include or remove wavelengths of light adjacent to the selected hue. For example, if the selected hue is green, gradually reducing the purity of the selected hue gradually increases the presence of cyan and amber in the output of the luminaire. As the purity is reduced further, additional wavelengths of light are included, but the output of the luminaire remains, in essence, green.

Abstract: An access control system is augmented with the ability to categorize access requests as anomalous, by correlating the time and location of the requesting user with information provided by the requesting user's calendar entries. These entries provide the dates and times that a user is anticipated to be located in a particular geographic region.

Abstract: A Kitchen Display System (KDS) includes a workstation including a first Personal Computer (PC)-based controller, a fanless workstation including a second PC-based or a non-PC-based controller having lower cost than the first PC-based controller, an Ethernet network operatively coupling the controllers, and a bump bar, keyboard, touchscreen, or keypad operatively coupled to at least one of the controllers. The first PC-based controller stores and displays video, multimedia, or a build card. At least one of the controllers includes a rugged computing module, which includes a circuit board including an outer perimeter and traces associated therewith, an integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board, at least one interface connector, a housing, and a thermal transfer device.

Abstract: A bar gun handle having a housing assembly including an inlet in fluid communication with a valve bore, an outlet in fluid communication with the valve bore and in further fluid communication with an output nozzle, a valve element operatively mounted in the valve bore to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the output nozzle, with an actuator coupled to the valve element, and a cladding layer disposed on a side of the bar gun handle that substantially covers the side of the bar gun handle. The present invention also includes a kit used to provide a protective cladding to a bar gun handle.

Abstract: A system is disclosed wherein patient data, such as an electrocardiogram (“ECG”) signal or a chest impedance measurement signal, collected by a defibrillator device during a resuscitation event is analyzed and processed by a computing device to provide an assessment of CPR administered during the event. The CPR assessment results in one or more CPR figures of merit that relate to temporal characteristics of the CPR relative to the duration of the event. In one embodiment, the CPR figure of merit represents a percentage of the event period during which chest compressions were administered to the patient.

Abstract: Coordination of measurement subsystems of a flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are flow meters comprising a spool piece that defines a central passage, a first plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a first control electronics electrically coupled to the first plurality of transducer pairs (the first control electronics configured to selectively activate each transducer pair of the first plurality of transducer pairs), a second plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a second control electronics different than the first control electronics (the second control electronics electrically coupled to the second plurality of transducer pairs, the second control electronics configured to selectively activate each transducer pair of the second plurality of transducer pairs). The first and second control electronics communicatively coupled and configured to coordinate activation of their respective transducer pairs.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes an airflow sensor that measures airflow in an air path inside an enclosure to be cooled, wherein the air path includes a filter and a fan. A controller is responsive to the airflow sensor for monitoring the rate of airflow inside the enclosure and determining the condition of the filter. In one embodiment, the airflow sensor is an active type sensor, such as a thermistor, disposed on circuit boards. In further embodiments, the airflow sensor is disposed proximate a tube through the filter.

Abstract: A fuel control system is provided in a single compact modular unit. The unit includes a motor driving a highly accurate cam-operated double-acting piston metering pump, both of which are contained in a liquid fuel environment. As the liquid fuel is pumped it works to cool internal components including the motor. An electronic motor drive is contained in a dry chamber of the unit for controlling operation of the motor and pump and is cooled indirectly by the fuel as well. A pressure sensitive flow divider is also included for selectively providing one or multiple output fuel flow paths depending upon whether a pressure threshold is reached, for example to send fuel to primary and secondary burner nozzles. Filter, filter bypass, pressure relief, and fuel shut-off components are also integrated into the single modular unit.

Abstract: A contrast-based image fusion system and method of processing multiple images to form a processed or fused image including regions selected from one or more images. Images are divided into image regions. Portions of the images are filtered if necessary. A contrast map is generated for each image via a convolution kernel resulting in a contrast map with contrast values for each image region. Contrast values are compared and image regions are selected based on a selection criteria or process such as greater or maximum contrast. The selected image regions form the fused image. If necessary, the luminance of one or more portions of the fused image is adjusted. One sensor is selected as a reference sensor, and an average intensity of each region of the reference sensor image is determined across the reference sensor image. The intensity of one or more regions in the final image is adjusted by combining the determined average luminance values and intensity values of the final image.