Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supplying power to a luminous load. The apparatus includes a transformer having a primary winding, and a control circuit adapted to generate an alternating current through the primary winding to develop an alternating voltage. The alternating current is based on a first signal derived from the input voltage, a second signal derived from the current, and a third signal varying substantially in-phase with the input voltage. The first and second signals are used to regulate the power delivered to the load, and the third signal is used to improve the power factor. A load interface circuit is provided to generate an output voltage for the luminous load based on the alternating voltage from the transformer. An over-temperature sensor may be provided to cause a reduction in power to the load when the ambient temperature exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is capable of delivering substantially constant power to a luminous load in response to variation in the input voltage and variation in the environment temperature. The apparatus may be further adapted to vary the power supplied to the luminous load in response to changes in the input voltage produced by a dimmer circuit. In other words, during non-dimming applications, the apparatus is able to maintain substantially constant power supplied to the load even though the input voltage and environment temperatures are varying during typical daily operations. Additionally, if the input voltage is changed due to a user controlling a dimmer device to control the brightness of the luminous load, the apparatus is able to control the power delivered to the load in response to the dimmer device.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supplying power to a luminous load. The apparatus includes a transformer having a primary winding, and a control circuit adapted to generate an alternating current through the primary winding to develop an alternating voltage. The alternating current is based on a first signal derived from the input voltage, a second signal derived from the current, and a third signal varying substantially in-phase with the input voltage. The first and second signals are used to regulate the power delivered to the load, and the third signal is used to improve the power factor. A load interface circuit is provided to generate an output voltage for the luminous load based on the alternating voltage from the transformer. An over-temperature sensor may be provided to cause a reduction in power to the load when the ambient temperature exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a current collector comprising embossing a sheet comprising lead thereby forming an embossed grid comprising rows of raised portions and lowered portions, and slots comprising edges of the raised portions and lowered portions; creating areas for tab creation by pressing or stamping areas of the embossed grid to a flattened state, thereby forming a sheet comprising embossed grid sections and flat sections; applying paste to the top and bottom of the embossed grid sections; and stamping current collectors out of the sheet such that at least one tab is created from a flat section.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is capable of delivering substantially constant power to a luminous load with variation in the input voltage and the environment temperature. The apparatus may be further adapted to vary the power supplied to the luminous load based on changes in the input voltage produced by a phase control dimmer or external device. Additionally, if the input voltage is changed due to a user controlling a dimmer device to control the brightness of the luminous load, the apparatus is able to control the power delivered to the load in response to the dimmer device. Additionally, the apparatus is adapted to allow the luminous output light intensity to be controlled by changes in a remote control voltage source or variable resister and draws near unity power factor power from the AC input throughout the dimming range when not used with phase control dimmer. The remote control or variable resistor can operate simultaneously with a dimmer to achieve multiple controls for the light output.

Abstract: An electrode includes a current collector comprising a grid, said grid comprising a plurality of planar, parallel rows disposed between interleaved rows having raised and lowered segments, and a tab portion extending from a side of the current collector. Raised and lowered segments are disposed horizontally relative to the tab portion, thereby providing substantially uninterrupted conductive ribbons extending from the bottom of the current collector to the tab portion.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a hybrid energy storage device includes a current collector; a corrosion-resistant conductive coating secured to at least one face of the current collector; a sheet comprising activated carbon adhered to the corrosion-resistant conductive coating; a tab portion extending from a side of the negative electrode; and a lug comprising a lead or lead alloy that encapsulates at least part of the tab portion.

Abstract: A sootblower is provided having a multidirectional cleaning range for directing a cleaning medium against heated surfaces in a heat exchanger. The sootblower includes a rotatable lance tube that is selectively advanced and withdrawn along a longitudinal axis from an interior volume of the heat exchanger. The lance tube includes an articulating wrist coupled to a nozzle for projecting the cleaning medium in multi-directions onto the heated surfaces when the lance tube is advanced into the heat exchanger. The nozzle is pivotable about the longitudinal axis and about a second axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is capable of delivering substantially constant power to a luminous load with variation in the input voltage and the environment temperature. The apparatus may be further adapted to vary the power supplied to the luminous load based on changes in the input voltage produced by a phase control dimmer or external device. Additionally, if the input voltage is changed due to a user controlling a dimmer device to control the brightness of the luminous load, the apparatus is able to control the power delivered to the load in response to the dimmer device. Additionally, the apparatus is adapted to allow the luminous output light intensity to be controlled by changes in a remote control voltage source or variable resister and draws near unity power factor power from the AC input throughout the dimming range when not used with phase control dimmer. The remote control or variable resistor can operate simultaneously with a dimmer to achieve multiple controls for the light output.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a hybrid energy storage device includes a current collector; a corrosion-resistant conductive coating secured to at least one face of the current collector; a sheet comprising activated carbon adhered to the corrosion-resistant conductive coating; a tab portion extending from a side of the negative electrode; and a lug comprising a lead or lead alloy that encapsulates at least part of the tab portion.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage device includes at least one cell comprising at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, a separator placed between said at least one positive and said at least one negative electrode, and an electrolyte. The at least one positive electrode comprises an active material comprising lead and a tab extending from a side of the at least one positive electrode. The at least one negative electrode comprises an activated carbon material, a tab extending from a side of the at least one negative electrode, and a lead lug encapsulating said tab. A first cast-on lead strap is on the tab extending from said at least one positive electrode. A second cast-on lead strap is on the lead lug of the at least one negative electrode.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a hybrid energy storage device includes a current collector; a corrosion-resistant conductive coating secured to at least one face of the current collector; a sheet comprising activated carbon adhered to the corrosion-resistant conductive coating; a tab portion extending from a side of the negative electrode; and a lug comprising a lead or lead alloy that encapsulates at least part of the tab portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is capable of delivering substantially constant power to a luminous load in response to variation in the input voltage and variation in the environment temperature. The apparatus may be further adapted to vary the power supplied to the luminous load in response to changes in the input voltage produced by a dimmer circuit. In other words, during non-dimming applications, the apparatus is able to maintain substantially constant power supplied to the load even though the input voltage and environment temperatures are varying during typical daily operations. Additionally, if the input voltage is changed due to a user controlling a dimmer device to control the brightness of the luminous load, the apparatus is able to control the power delivered to the load in response to the dimmer device.

Abstract: A hybrid supercapacitor energy storage device includes at least one lead electrode, at least one carbon electrode, a separator, a casing, and an acid electrolyte. The lead electrode is enveloped in a common glass mat separator known in the lead-acid battery industry. The carbon electrode comprises a highly conductive current collector which is a sheet or other metal material sandwiched between two sheets of electronically conductive shield material. Activated carbon is manufactured using a binder such as polyethylene or PTFE adhered to and in electrical contact with the shield material of the current collector.

Abstract: A sootblower of the short travel rotary furnace wall type having features which permit indexing of the angular position of the screw tube assembly during successive operating cycles. Indexing of the arc swept by the sootblower nozzle is provided through the use of a novel cam plate component and operating the sootblower in a manner which provides for indexing between operating cycles.

Abstract: A sootblower frame particularly adapted for long retracting-type sootblowers for cleaning of internal surfaces of large scale combustion devices. The frame, preferably formed from sheet metal stock, incorporates integrally formed surfaces and configuration features which provide for guiding and movement of the sootblower carriage assembly. The side panels of the frame further provide the surface for the mounting of the drive rack by which the carriage is advanced and retracted along the frame.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a smelt spout of a boiler is provided. The boiler includes a boiler wall defining an outlet port for discharging molten smelt and the smelt spout is positioned with respect to the outlet port so that the molten smelt is able to flow along the smelt spout. The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning tool having a pair of cleaning blades generally aligned with respective side walls of the smelt spout and an actuating assembly configured to move the cleaning blades from a first position to a second position. The cleaning blades each engage the respective side walls of the smelt spout to dislodge hardened smelt deposits therefrom when in the cleaning blades are in the second position.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage device includes at least one cell comprising at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, a separator placed between said at least one positive and said at least one negative electrode, and an electrolyte. The at least one positive electrode comprises an active material comprising lead and a tab extending from a side of the at least one positive electrode. The at least one negative electrode comprises an activated carbon material, a tab extending from a side of the at least one negative electrode, and a lead lug encapsulating said tab. A first cast-on lead strap is on the tab extending from said at least one positive electrode. A second cast-on lead strap is on the lead lug of the at least one negative electrode.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a hybrid energy storage device includes a current collector; a corrosion-resistant conductive coating secured to at least one face of the current collector; a sheet comprising activated carbon adhered to the corrosion-resistant conductive coating; a tab portion extending from a side of the negative electrode; and a lug comprising a lead or lead alloy that encapsulates at least part of the tab portion.

Abstract: An assembly and a method for removing a removable device from a wall box are provided. The removable device forms a substantially fluid-tight wall box seal with a wall box opening when the removable device is in a first position. The assembly for removing the removable device includes a sealing assembly located adjacent to the wall box opening and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal with a sealing portion of the removable device when the removable device is in a second position with respect to the wall box.