Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided to improve communication of switch sensor and status signals between a medium voltage overheard switchgear and an intelligent electronic device (IED). A switchgear interface device is deployed proximally to a switchgear and/or junction box situated at a distal end of a utility pole. The switchgear interface device (SID) receives, processes and combines sensor signals and status signals from switches in the switchgear with metadata for transport as digital signals to an IED mounted at the other end of the utility pole. The cabling for sensor and status signals between the SID and the IED can be fiber or Ethernet. The digital signals can be formatted using the IEC61850 standard. The SID can have drive electronics and send open and close command signals to the switches to eliminate the need for a multi-pin connector cable for transport of switch power signals from the IED.

Abstract: A switched capacitor bank assembly including a first capacitor, a first switch selectively connected between the first capacitor and a first phase line, and a first voltage sensor integrated within a housing of the first switch and configured to sense a voltage of the first phase line. The assembly further includes a controller including an electronic processor, the controller operably coupled to the first voltage sensor and the first switch. The first capacitor, the first switch, the first voltage sensor, and the controller are physically supported by a frame of the switched capacitor bank assembly.

Abstract: A system includes a number of sensor units and a local controls station. The sensor units include one or more conductor sensors configured to monitor one or more parameters of a conductor in a power distribution system. The local control station includes a communication interface for communicating with the sensor units and a controller. The controller is configured to receive data from the sensing units, determine whether an event associated with one or more components of a power distribution network occurred based on the received data, and then determine whether the event requires protective action in response to determining that the event occurred. The controller determines whether the event occurred downstream of the local control station, and, in response to determining that the event requires protective action and occurred downstream of the local control station, control the one or more protective devices to perform a protective action.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a confectionery capable of imparting tooth-whitening benefits to an end-user, the confectionery containing: sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), one or more sweeteners; and optionally a food-grade acid, such as citric acid. The present invention is also directed to a method of imparting tooth-whitening benefits to a consumer involving inserting the above-described confectionery into a consumer's mouth and allowing the confectionery to dissolve in the consumer's mouth, and repeating over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A coated particle may include a food particle coated by a carbohydrate. The coated particle may have an average particle size from about 10 ?m to about 250 ?m. The food particle may include a relatively bitter component (e.g., cocoa) and a protein component (e.g., whey protein, soy protein, rice protein, fava bean protein, and/or milk protein). A weight ratio of bitter component to protein component may be about 3 or greater. The food particle may also include a starch, such as rice starch. Additionally, the coated particle may have a surface area fraction of the carbohydrate that is greater than an average weight fraction of the carbohydrate. For example, the surface area fraction of the carbohydrate may be from about 30% to about 80%. In addition, the coated particle may have a substantially non-spherical and irregular shape. The coated particle may be prepared via a spray drying process.

Abstract: A confection is formed of a mixture including at least one first simple carbohydrate, at least one non-hygroscopic second simple carbohydrate, and at least one hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the non-hygroscopic second simple carbohydrate includes disaccharides, trisaccharides, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the hydrocolloid includes a starch hydrolysate having a dextrose equivalent less than 36, and the confection is substantially free of starch hydrolysates having a dextrose equivalent of 36 or greater. In some embodiments, the confection is a hard candy. A method of making a confection includes mixing at least one first simple carbohydrate, at least one non-hygroscopic second simple carbohydrate, and at least one hydrocolloid to form a mixture. The method also includes heating the mixture, cooking the mixture to a predetermined moisture content, and cooling and working the mixture to form the confection comprising the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a confectionery capable of imparting oral care benefits to an end-user, the confectionery containing: a first sweetener; an optional second sweetener, a flavorant and optionally a functional active ingredient for promoting tooth mineralization, wherein the confectionery is substantially sugar-free. The present invention is also directed to a method of imparting oral care benefits to a consumer involving inserting the above-described confectionery into a consumer's mouth and allowing the confectionery to dissolve in the consumer's mouth over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing an inhibited starch comprising, in order: a) extracting starch from a native source and partially refining to provide a partially refined starch having a residual protein content on a dry starch basis of more than 0.4% by weight and less than 8.0% by weight; b) treating said partially refined starch with a bleaching agent to provide an inhibited starch; and c) recovering said inhibited starch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing an inhibited starch comprising, in order: a) extracting starch from a native source and partially refining to provide a partially refined starch having a residual protein content on a dry starch basis of more than 0.4% by weight and less than 8.0% by weight; b) treating said partially refined starch with a bleaching agent to provide an inhibited starch; and c) recovering said inhibited starch.

Abstract: The invention provides a framework for collecting, storing, and analyzing system metrics concerning a computing system or a computer component. A configuration module is provided to configure settings specific to a metric. A data collection module is provided to collect metric data according to the settings in the configuration module and in one or more component specific plug-ins that extend and customize the framework according to specific needs of the component. The data collection module collects metrics at specified time intervals and periodically updates metric data stored in a central metrics storage module. An analysis module is provided to analyze metric data stored in the central metrics storage module online or offline. The analysis module may analyze a metric statistically or graphically, individually or combined with other metrics.

Abstract: The invention provides a framework for collecting, storing, and analyzing system metrics concerning a computing system or a computer component. A configuration module is provided to configure settings specific to a metric. A data collection module is provided to collect metric data according to the settings in the configuration module and in one or more component specific plug-ins that extend and customize the framework according to specific needs of the component. The data collection module collects metrics at specified time intervals and periodically updates metric data stored in a central metrics storage module. An analysis module is provided to analyze metric data stored in the central metrics storage module online or offline. The analysis module may analyze a metric statistically or graphically, individually or combined with other metrics.