Abstract: Polymer compositions are described containing a white pigment for increasing the reflectance properties of the resulting material. In this regard, the material is well suited for being used as a reflector, such as a reflector for light-emitting diode assemblies. In accordance with the present disclosure, the white pigment comprises chalk resistance particles. The particles can also display a basic pH when placed in distilled water.

Abstract: Polymer compositions are described containing a poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate) polymer in combination with a white pigment and optionally one or more reinforcing fillers. In accordance with the present disclosure, the composition also contains one or more reactive viscosity stabilizers. In order to prevent against yellowing, the composition is free of various aromatic epoxy resins, such as novolac epoxy resins. The polymer composition has excellent reflectance properties making the composition well suited for producing reflectors for light sources, such as LED assemblies.

Abstract: Cellulose ester plastics may be formulated to have a depressed melt processing temperatures, improved heat resistance, increased mechanical stability, or some combination thereof. For example, in some instances, a cellulose ester plastic may include a plasticized cellulose ester at about 1% to about 99% by weight of the cellulose ester plastic, the plasticized cellulose ester consisting of a cellulose ester at about 60% to about 90% by weight of the plasticized cellulose ester and a plasticizer at about 10% to about 40% by weight of the plasticized cellulose ester, wherein the plasticizer comprises a carbonate ester, a polyol benzoate, or both; and a thermoplastic polymer at about 1% to about 99% by weight of the cellulose ester plastic; and wherein the cellulose ester plastic is melt processable.

Abstract: Cellulose ester plastics may be formulated to have a depressed melt processing temperatures, improved heat resistance, increased mechanical stability, or some combination thereof. For example, in some instances, a cellulose ester plastic comprising: a cellulose ester at about 20% to about 90% by weight of the cellulose ester plastic; and a plasticizer that comprises a carbonate ester, a polyol benzoate, or both, wherein the plasticizer is at about 2% to about 40% by weight of the cellulose ester plastic, wherein the cellulose ester plastic is melt processable.

Abstract: A process for producing an anti-fog consumer product. The process comprises the steps of forming a precursor composition comprising cellulose acetate and plasticizer to yield a substantially rigid consumer product having an outer surface; and saponifying at least a portion of the substantially rigid consumer product to yield the anti-fog consumer product having a degree of substitution at the outer surface of less than 0.75.

Abstract: Polymer compositions are described containing a white pigment for increasing the reflectance properties of the resulting material. In this regard, the material is well suited for being used as a reflector, such as a reflector for light-emitting diode assemblies. In accordance with the present disclosure, the white pigment comprises chalk resistance particles. The particles can also display a basic pH when placed in distilled water.

Abstract: Polymer compositions are described that are well suited for producing reflectors for light-emitting devices, such as light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the polymer composition contains a polymer resin and a stabilizer comprising a phosphonate compound and/or a phosphate compound and optionally a white pigment. The polymer resin may comprise, for instance, a poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate). The phosphate stabilizer has been found to significantly improve the stability of the polymer composition without interfering with the ability of the composition to bond to other polymer materials, such as silicone resins. Silicone resins, for instance, are typically used as an encapsulant for light-emitting diode assemblies.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a power stage, a switch and a controller. Power is transferred from an input through the power stage to an output. The switch turns on and off a current provided to the power stage for transferring the power. The controller turns on and off the switch. During a low-load mode, the controller causes the switch to operate with a constant on-time control.

Abstract: Polymer compositions are described containing a white pigment for increasing the reflectance properties of the resulting material. In this regard, the material is well suited for being used as a reflector, such as a reflector for light-emitting diode assemblies. In accordance with the present disclosure, the white pigment comprises chalk resistance particles. The particles can also display a basic pH when placed in distilled water.

Abstract: On the secondary side of a flyback switching power converter, a compensation diode and a voltage divider with an averaging circuit generate an output current-compensated reference voltage that is proportional to converter output current. The current-compensated reference voltage is added to a regulation feedback controller reference voltage, which in turn adjusts the negative feedback signal to the PWM regulation controller on the primary side in proportion to the converter output current draw. The net effect is to increase the converter output voltage set-point in proportion to the converter output current draw as compensation for a voltage drop in a cable connecting the converter to a powered device. More precisely-regulated voltage levels may be delivered to an input of the powered device as a result.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an output voltage from an input voltage is provided. The apparatus comprises a switch that receives the input voltage, an inductor that is coupled to the switch, a capacitor coupled to the inductor with the output voltage being output from a node between the inductor and the capacitor, a measuring circuit that receives and measures the input voltage, and a controller that is coupled to the switch and to the measuring circuit. Additionally, the controller receives the measured input voltage and calculates an on-time for the switch based on the measured input voltage and actuates the switch for the on-time.

Abstract: A lock for luggage, travelcases, briefcases and the like that can be unlocked by setting a combination using a combination mechanism of the lock, and, alternatively, by using a key in a key mechanism of the lock. An indicator of the lock moves to signal when the lock has been unlocked by use of the key mechanism. In some embodiments the indicator can only be reset after the lock has been unlocked using the combination mechanism. In some embodiments the indicator is automatically reset when the lock is unlocked using the combination mechanism. In some embodiments the lock is a padlock that has a shackle defined, at least in part, by a flexible cable.

Abstract: Polymer compositions are described that are well suited for producing reflectors for light-emitting devices, such as light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the polymer composition contains a polymer resin and a stabilizer comprising a phosphonate compound and/or a phosphate compound and optionally a white pigment. The polymer resin may comprise, for instance, a poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate). The phosphate stabilizer has been found to significantly improve the stability of the polymer composition without interfering with the ability of the composition to bond to other polymer materials, such as silicone resins. Silicone resins, for instance, are typically used as an encapsulant for light-emitting diode assemblies.

Abstract: Polymer compositions are described that are well suited for producing reflectors for light-emitting devices, such as light-emitting diodes. In one particular embodiment, the polymer composition contains a polymer resin, a white pigment, a silicone compound, and a nucleating agent. The polymer resin may comprise, for instance, a poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate). In accordance with the present disclosure, the composition also contains at least one silicone compound and at least one nucleating agent. The silicone compound and nucleating agent have been found to improve the molding processability and reflectance stability of the polymer composition.

Abstract: Polymer compositions are described containing a thermoplastic polymer in combination with one or more components, such as a white pigment and optionally one or more reinforcing fillers. In one embodiment, the polymer composition can be formulated to have high reflective properties. In other embodiments, the polymer composition can be formulated so as to have desired melt flow characteristics. In still another embodiment, the polymer composition can be formulated so as to have desired mechanical properties, such as impact resistance.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a driver for an LED light, having an isolated DC-DC converter having a first output at a higher voltage referred to a floating ground and a second output at a lower voltage than said first output and referred to a reference voltage. A DC-DC boost converter receives its input power from the second output of the isolated DC-DC converter and having its output coupled to the floating ground, whereby an output voltage to a LED light receives the sum of the voltages of the first output of the isolated DC-DC converter and the output of the DC-DC boost converter.

Abstract: In a first aspect, an LLC resonant converter is provided for driving a plurality of output circuits from a DC input signal. The LLC resonant converter includes: (a) an inverter circuit for converting the DC input signal to a square-wave signal; (b) an inductor network coupled to the inverter circuit; and (c) a plurality of transformers, each transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary windings of the transformers are coupled in series, and the series-coupled primary windings are coupled in parallel with the inductor network. The secondary winding of each transformer is coupled to and provides a current to a corresponding one of the output circuits. The secondary winding currents are substantially equal, and power is processed by a single transformer between the DC input signal and each output circuit. Numerous other aspects are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for forming a liquid crystalline polymer is provided. More particularly, the process includes acetylating one or more precursor monomers and melt-polymerizing the acetylated monomers to form a prepolymer in the form of a solid particulate material. Thereafter, the prepolymer is solid-state polymerized in a fluidized bed reactor that contains a porous surface (e.g., bed, plate, grate, etc.) on which the prepolymer is supported. While supported by this porous surface, the prepolymer can become “fluidized” with a heated stream of a gas (e.g., nitrogen). In this manner, a sufficient degree of turbulence is created to distribute heat evenly around the prepolymer and cause it to rapidly reach the target reaction temperature.

Abstract: A method of forming nanometer sized fine particles of functional ceramic from a bulk functional ceramic, particularly fine particles of phosphorous ceramics from a bulk phosphor material is disclosed. The method relies on irradiation of a bulk phosphorous ceramic in a liquid with an ultrashort-pulsed-laser-fragmentation beam to thereby form nanometer sized particles of the phosphorous ceramic. The method is unique in that the generated particles retain the chemical and crystalline properties of the bulk phosphorous ceramic. The generated solutions are stable colloids from which the particles can be isolated or used as is.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a molded reflective structure for a light source, which may be a light-emitting diode (“LED”). The structure includes a reflector which defines a cavity therein. The cavity is surrounded by at least one reflective side wall, and has a greatest dimension of less than about 50 mm. The at least one reflective side wall further has an initial reflectance at 460 nm of greater than about 85% and an initial whiteness index of greater than about 80. The reflector is made from a thermoplastic polymer composition that contains a material such that the at least one reflective side wall absorbs light in the ultraviolet and violet region of the electromagnetic spectrum and re-emits light in the blue region.