Abstract: An HVAC system has a duct with an inlet and an outlet. A first supercharger is disposed in the duct. A second supercharger is disposed in the duct in parallel with the first supercharger. A gearbox has a first output shaft coupled to the first supercharger and a second output shaft of the gearbox coupled to the second supercharger. A first evaporation coil is disposed in the duct between the supercharger and inlet. A second evaporation coil is disposed in the duct between the supercharger and outlet. A heater is disposed in the duct between the supercharger and outlet.

Abstract: An HVAC system is monitored or tested using a tube with a measurement instrument in the tube. The tube is connected to an HVAC system and an output of the HVAC system is measured using the measurement instrument. The tube is connected between the HVAC system and a volume to be conditioned. A reading of the measurement instrument is noted while the tube is connected between the HVAC system and volume. The volume is disconnected from the tube and a valve is connected to the tube. The valve is adjusted until the reading of the measurement instrument is approximately the same with the valve as when the volume was connected. A setting of the valve is noted and then used to test the HVAC system in the future or to test other HVAC systems simulating the same load.

Abstract: An HVAC system has a duct with an inlet and an outlet. A first supercharger is disposed in the duct. A second supercharger is disposed in the duct in parallel with the first supercharger. A gearbox has a first output shaft coupled to the first supercharger and a second output shaft of the gearbox coupled to the second supercharger. A first evaporation coil is disposed in the duct between the supercharger and inlet. A second evaporation coil is disposed in the duct between the supercharger and outlet. A heater is disposed in the duct between the supercharger and outlet.

Abstract: An HVAC system is monitored or tested using a tube with a measurement instrument in the tube. The tube is connected to an HVAC system and an output of the HVAC system is measured using the measurement instrument. The tube is connected between the HVAC system and a volume to be conditioned. A reading of the measurement instrument is noted while the tube is connected between the HVAC system and volume. The volume is disconnected from the tube and a valve is connected to the tube. The valve is adjusted until the reading of the measurement instrument is approximately the same with the valve as when the volume was connected. A setting of the valve is noted and then used to test the HVAC system in the future or to test other HVAC systems simulating the same load.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for sequestering and/or reducing sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and/or carbon dioxide present in industrial effluent fluid streams. A solid particulate material comprising a slag component, a binder component (distinct from the slag component), and optionally water is formed and then contacted with the effluent fluid stream to reduce at least one of the sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and/or carbon dioxide. The contacting of the effluent stream may occur in a packed bed reactor with the solid dry particulate material. Methods of reducing pollutants from exhaust generated by combustion sources, lime and/or cement kilns, iron and/or steel furnaces, and the like are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for sequestering and/or reducing carbon dioxide present in an industrial effluent fluid stream containing carbon dioxide. A scrubbing material comprising a first component, a second component (distinct from the first component), and preferably water, is contacted with the effluent fluid stream. The first component comprises a source of calcium oxide and a source of alkali metal ions. The second component comprises a slag having one or more reactive silicate compounds. Methods of reducing carbon dioxide from exhaust generated by combustion sources, lime and/or cement kilns, iron and/or steel furnaces, and the like are provided. Carbon dioxide emission abatement systems are also disclosed. Methods of recycling industrial byproducts are further provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for sequestering and/or reducing sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and/or carbon dioxide present in industrial effluent fluid streams. A solid particulate material comprising a slag component, a binder component (distinct from the slag component), and optionally water is formed and then contacted with the effluent fluid stream to reduce at least one of the sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and/or carbon dioxide. The contacting of the effluent stream may occur in a packed bed reactor with the solid dry particulate material. Methods of reducing pollutants from exhaust generated by combustion sources, lime and/or cement kilns, iron and/or steel furnaces, and the like are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for sequestering and/or reducing carbon dioxide present in an industrial effluent fluid stream containing carbon dioxide. A scrubbing material comprising a first component, a second component (distinct from the first component), and preferably water, is contacted with the effluent fluid stream. The first component comprises a source of calcium oxide and a source of alkali metal ions. The second component comprises a slag having one or more reactive silicate compounds. Methods of reducing carbon dioxide from exhaust generated by combustion sources, lime and/or cement kilns, iron and/or steel furnaces, and the like are provided. Carbon dioxide emission abatement systems are also disclosed. Methods of recycling industrial byproducts are further provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for sequestering and/or reducing sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and/or carbon dioxide present in industrial effluent fluid streams. A solid particulate material comprising a slag component, a binder component (distinct from the slag component), and optionally water is formed and then contacted with the effluent fluid stream to reduce at least one of the sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and/or carbon dioxide. The contacting of the effluent stream may occur in a packed bed reactor with the solid dry particulate material. Methods of reducing pollutants from exhaust generated by combustion sources, lime and/or cement kilns, iron and/or steel furnaces, and the like are provided.

Abstract: A particulate monitor includes a housing, an air-moving device coupled to the housing, and an air passageway disposed at least partially within the housing. The air-moving device is operable to create an airflow through the air passageway. The particulate monitor also includes a real-time measuring device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway and a particulate collection device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway. The collection device is positioned downstream of the real-time measuring device.

Abstract: A noise monitoring device for indicating exposure to noise and providing a quickly perceived noise exposure warning. Noise levels are monitored, recorded and evaluated by the device utilizing a noise detector, an accumulator, and an evaluator that monitors an accumulated noise signal value and determines a probability that continued exposure to the noise will exceed an acceptable value and issues a noise exposure warning if that probability exceeds a predetermined value. The noise exposure warning comprises a quickly perceived indicator such as a readily perceived visual symbol or tactile warning.

Abstract: A cordage for threading through an opening. An elastic cord is provided with an elongated shank component and at least one outwardly expandable component. When the cord is under tension, the expandable component shrinks to a diameter which is sufficient to enable its movement through an opening, such as an eyelet of a shoe. In response to the tension being released, the expandable component enlarges to a diameter which is sufficiently large to resist movement through the opening.

Abstract: An improved planar color filter structure to reduce defects in the display devices incorporating the color filter structures, including active matrix displays. A color filter substrate has a thicker polyamide black matrix formed thereon and a transparent polyamide layer formed over the black matrix. The transparent layer is exposed through the black matrix and developed to remove the unexposed portions over the black matrix. The resulting surface is substantially planar and facilitates the forming of the remaining layers to form a substantially planar color filter structure.

Abstract: Improved thin film transistors to reduce defects in the devices incorporating the transistors, including active matrix displays. A first improvement is accomplished by forming a dual insulator layer over the bottom metal layer, which can be the gate line and also the row line in an active matrix display. The first insulator layer is formed by anodizing the metal layer and the second insulator layer is deposited onto the first layer. The dual insulator structure layer can be reanodized to eliminate the effect of pinholes. A second improvement includes providing an interdigitated transistor structure to increase the channel width, minimize internal shorting and minimize the drain capacitance. The interdigitated structure includes at least one source or drain finger formed between at least two drain or source fingers, respectively. A shorted source finger can be disconnected to maintain an operative transistor.

Abstract: Improved multilayer matrix line including inverted gate thin film matrix transistors to reduce defects in and enhance performance of matrix devices incorporating the transistors, including active matrix displays. The inverted gate line is formed in a multilayer metal structure deposited sequentially before patterning of a first bottom refractory layer, an aluminum layer and a second refractory layer for the gate structure. The aluminum layer is anodized adjacent the gate to prevent step coverage problems. A further improvement is provided when forming an active matrix display storage capacitor utilizing the multilayer gate structure.

Abstract: The present invention imports network communication concepts into a motor and/or motion control system. The motor and/or motion control system is divided into various modules. A preferred configuration includes a motor drive control module, a user command module, and a master control module. The modules are interconnected by a simple hardware bus, such as an RS-485 bus. Communication between the modules is accomplished using a time division protocol.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a stair climbing vehicle, such as a wheelchair is disclosed. Front and back sensors are provided for detecting a stairway or slope. The electronic control system determines from the sensor data whether the slope has an acceptable incline for traversing. If it is not acceptable, the vehicle will be prevented from entering onto the stairway or slope. A seat for a user is tilted in accordance with electronic controls to keep the user approximately vertical with respect to gravity as the vehicle traverses the stairs. The allowed operation of the vehicle is controlled via parameters which can be changed by removable memory which configures the vehicle for a particular user or group of users.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor for detecting the angle of an incline, such as a staircase, before it is reached by the wheelchair. A control signal is provided to a motor for tilting the seat to cause the seat to be tilted to a predetermined minimum safe angle before the wheelchair reaches the staircase. The minimum safe angle is an angle of tilt at which the wheelchair will not roll over if the tilting mechanism should fail to completely rotate the seat to a horizontal position and as the stairs are descended. The minimum safe angle is determined by the position of the center of gravity of the wheelchair which is affected by the users weight. If the seat does not achieve this minimum tilt, the wheelchair is prevented from going over the stairs.

Abstract: A support arm is adapted for high-speed positioning of a transducer such as a read/write head in a magnetic disk drive. The support arm is essentially composed of a ceramic material having a high specific stiffness. The support arm is shaped to form structures integral of the support arm for mating with fasteners for connecting a transducer assembly to one end of the support arm and for connecting the support arm to a positioning actuator.

Abstract: A latch for each of a pair of cushioning arms, respectively, of a stair-climbing wheelchiar. The latch for each arm includes a first member coupled to the arm and a second member coupled to a fixed support of the wheelchair, with the second member being coupled to the armature of a solenoid which is energized to unlatch the arm from latched relationship with the support when it is desired to use the arm for cushioning purposes. An ultrasonic transducer coupled to the wheelchair adjacent to each latch, respectively, provides signals to energize the respecting latch solenoid when the arm is to be unlatched. To latch each arm, the adjacent edge margins of the two members are bevelled so that, during upward movement of the arm, such as by movement of the wheelchair from an inclined position to a horizontal position, the members are spread apart and a first spring biases the two members back together in coupled relationship to each other.