Abstract: A plasma generator includes a cathode, an anode, and a stabilizing electrode. The stabilizing electrode stabilises a region of plasma within a fluid. Methods of plasma generation and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The high efficiency motor employing the principle of three phase induction motor and permanent magnet synchronous motor includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor shaft, a rotor stack assembly, a rotor cover and end ring. The rotor stack assembly includes a stamping stack, a conductor bar and a magnet. The stamping stack has dedicated slots for the conductor bar and the magnet. The rotor cover is fitted on the rotor stack, wherein both axial ends of the rotor cover are closed by end rings.

Abstract: The invention provides a device (10) for acquiring images of a plant, which device comprises: i) a first structure (60) defining a cavity (33) for receiving a portion to be imaged of the plant, the cavity presenting a longitudinal axis (13) and an opening (65) at one of its ends, the cavity being defined by at least one transparent wall forming a window (12) for observing the portion to be imaged; ii) a second structure (61) extending around the window (12) and mounted to move in translation along the longitudinal axis (13) relative to the first structure, and comprising: hollow reflective optics (11, 19) extending around the window and including a reflecting surface (19) directed towards the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of image sensors (18) regularly distributed around the window (12), the field of view (77) of each sensor including at least a portion of the reflective optics so as to capture images of the portion of the plant that is surrounded by the window, which images are reflected by the refl

Abstract: The invention provides a device (10) for acquiring images of a plant, which device comprises: i) a first structure (60) defining a cavity (33) for receiving a portion to be imaged of the plant, the cavity presenting a longitudinal axis (13) and an opening (65) at one of its ends, the cavity being defined by at least one transparent wall forming a window (12) for observing the portion to be imaged; ii) a second structure (61) extending around the window (12) and mounted to move in translation along the longitudinal axis (13) relative to the first structure, and comprising: hollow reflective optics (11, 19) extending around the window and including a reflecting surface (19) directed towards the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of image sensors (18) regularly distributed around the window (12), the field of view (77) of each sensor including at least a portion of the reflective optics so as to capture images of the portion of the plant that is surrounded by the window, which images are reflected by the refl

Abstract: A device for taking images of an article, the device including: a reflective optical system extending around an axis of symmetry, including a recess centered on the axis of symmetry and including at least one reflecting surface facing towards the axis of symmetry; and at least one imager arranged to capture at least one image of at least a portion of the article as reflected by the reflecting surface(s) substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry when the reflective optical system is arranged around the portion of the article.

Abstract: A device for taking images of an article, the device including: a reflective optical system extending around an axis of symmetry, including a recess centered on the axis of symmetry and including at least one reflecting surface facing towards the axis of symmetry; and at least one imager arranged to capture at least one image of at least a portion of the article as reflected by the reflecting surface(s) substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry when the reflective optical system is arranged around the portion of the article.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates generally to computerized systems, and more particularly to computerized systems and methods for filtering and exchange. Systems and methods for a plurality of first investors to place their interests into an exchange database are described, wherein the interests on the exchange have been filtered using a processor and categorized to allow a plurality of second investors to purchase the interests from the first investors.

Abstract: A monolithically formed battery charger may be fabricated as an integral part of a multifunctional integrated circuit or as independent monolithically formed integrated circuit. The monolithically formed battery charger includes at least one step-down converter having a given duty ratio coupled to a battery-terminal interface that provides a stepped-down output voltage and current that may be used to charge a rechargeable battery. The step-down converter includes one or more cascaded monolithically-formed synchronous-buck regulators operating at a frequency of at least one megahertz. Each regulator may include a capacitor, inductor, controller, switch, and rectifier. When cascaded, the high-side output node of a preceding synchronous-buck regulator is connected to the switch in a successive synchronous-buck regulator.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, measuring, and reporting a time derivate of a current signal (di/dt). A sensing element detects current from a load. The sensing element includes an inductor. The inductor is located in series with the load and includes associated parasitic resistance. A differential potential develops across the inductor and the parasitic resistance. The differential potential is amplified and converted to a single-ended value. The single-ended value is then fed to an analog to digital converter that provides an output representative of di/dt.

Abstract: A logic state transition sensor circuit. The logic state transition sensor circuit detects and records transitions in voltage corresponding to a transition of a digital logic state (high to low; low to high). The logic state transition sensor circuit may include a sensing circuit containing sensing and amplification elements and a recording circuit containing recording elements. When a logic state transition occurs at an input of the sensing circuit, a positive logic pulse may be generated. Propagation of the logic pulse to the recording circuit causes a charge to be transferred to an output stage capacitor. Repeated logic state transitions cause similar incremental increases in the charge of the output stage capacitor. Charge transfer is governed by ratios of capacitors internal to the recording circuit and hence may be insensitive to process variation. The output stage capacitor may output a voltage representative of a number of logic state transitions sensed.

Abstract: A data comparator that operates on an input voltage signal and a reference voltage signal is disclosed. Internally, the comparator includes replicated circuitry to produce differential gain. Each set of replicated circuitry includes two gain stages for high amplification, high sampling rate, and for reducing kickback noise at the input voltage signal and the reference voltage signal. The comparator may further include self-biased CMOS inverters for cancellation of input offset error and a rail-to-rail regenerative output latch. The circuit can also include a comparator bias circuit that can improve the speed of the auto-zero operation.

Abstract: A logic state transition sensor circuit. The logic state transition sensor circuit detects and records transitions in voltage corresponding to a transition of a digital logic state (high to low; low to high). The logic state transition sensor circuit may include a sensing circuit containing sensing and amplification elements and a recording circuit containing recording elements. When a logic state transition occurs at an input of the sensing circuit, a positive logic pulse may be generated. Propagation of the logic pulse to the recording circuit causes a charge to be transferred to an output stage capacitor. Repeated logic state transitions cause similar incremental increases in the charge of the output stage capacitor. Charge transfer is governed by ratios of capacitors internal to the recording circuit and hence may be insensitive to process variation. The output stage capacitor may output a voltage representative of a number of logic state transitions sensed.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, measuring, and reporting a time derivate of a current signal (di/dt) is provided. A sensing element detects current from a load. The sensing element includes an inductor. The inductor is located in series with the load and includes associated parasitic resistance. A differential potential develops across the inductor and the parasitic resistance. The differential potential is amplified and converted to a single-ended value. The single-ended value is then fed to an analog to digital converter that provides an output representative of di/dt.

Abstract: A power distribution management apparatus for supplying power to two or more loads includes a power and clock distribution controller capable of determining voltage, current and clock signal frequency targets for the loads. The apparatus also includes two or more power sources responsive to the controller so as to be selectively coupled with the loads to provide the target voltage and current to the loads. The power sources have switching frequencies of at least one megahertz. The apparatus further includes two or more clock signal sources responsive to the controller and coupled with the loads so as to provide clock signals to the loads at the target frequencies.

Abstract: A passive Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) dissipation apparatus typically utilized with an active host component to reduce self-generated and externally-generated electromagnetic interference and to improve the performance of the host component is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing and a circuit located within the housing. The circuit includes a plurality of pyramidal-shaped resonating chambers having internally conductive surfaces covered with a layer of electrically resistive material, a plurality of quartz resonators each mounted upon a damping compound, and a plurality of permanent magnets each including a magnetically permeable bar. The electromagnetic interference is dissipated in the circuit over a broad range of frequencies in the form of heat. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of permanent magnets and the corresponding plurality of permeable bars are mounted within a common chamber located immediately below the base of each of the pyramidal-shaped resonating chambers.