Abstract: A battery charger circuit includes a linear charging control circuit. The linear charging control circuit is coupled between an input terminal and a battery terminal. The linear charging control circuit is configured to apply a charging voltage from the input terminal to the battery terminal, and in a fast charging phase, cause the charging voltage to track a battery voltage while drawing a constant charging current.

Abstract: A system for charging a battery includes an adapter, and a charger coupled to receive power from the adapter, and to provide a charging current to the battery. The charger includes a power stage with a charge pump to provide the charging current, and a feedback circuit to provide a feedback signal to the adapter. The power stage can be one of: an adjustable current source with voltage clamp, and an adjustable voltage source with current clamp. The charge pump can be implemented as a voltage divider, so that an input adapter current is multiplied by a pre-defined divider ratio to provide the charging current. The charge pump can be one of: single-phase; and multi-phase.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices supporting data storage are described. A database system may implement a hierarchical organization in which child data objects store hierarchical data for parent data objects. However, to support low latency time-series volume planning and analysis, the database system may additionally store a data object with a first set of data fields that includes object-specific data for the data object and a second set of data fields that includes hierarchical data (e.g., time-based hierarchical data organized into separate data fields for different time segments) for the data object. The database system may support both transactions and analytical queries using the data model. For example, the database system may receive a query indicating a time period for predictive analysis and may execute the query on the second set of data fields for the data object (e.g., without searching for child data objects storing the time-based hierarchical data).

Abstract: A method for analyzing a volatile liquid mixture is described. The method includes providing a sensor, and placing the sensor within a chamber. The mixture is stored in the chamber for a duration sufficient to achieve a series of dynamic non-equilibrium mass-transfer processes: (1) spreading and wetting of the analyte on at least a portion of the bottom-inside surface of the chamber from the source of the injection, (2) evaporation of at least a portion of the analyte liquid into a vaporized analyte, (3) convection and/or diffusion of the vaporized analyte through the chamber to the sensor, and (4) sorption of the vaporized analyte on the sensor. The sensor detects, over time, a plurality of non-equilibrium spectral responses, each corresponding to at least one compositional change in the analyte liquid. The method further includes machine learning algorithms to measure or predict the compositional change and/or presence of contaminants.

Abstract: A system for charging a battery includes an adapter, and a charger coupled to receive power from the adapter, and to provide a charging current to the battery. The charger includes a power stage with a charge pump to provide the charging current, and a feedback circuit to provide a feedback signal to the adapter. The power stage can be one of: an adjustable current source with voltage clamp, and an adjustable voltage source with current clamp. The charge pump can be implemented as a voltage divider, so that an input adapter current is multiplied by a pre-defined divider ratio to provide the charging current. The charge pump can be one of: single-phase; and multi-phase.

Abstract: A pneumatic engine includes first and second pneumatic motors. Each motor has a stator, a rotor, and a gas flow path. The rotor is rotatably connected to the stator. The gas flow path is defined at least in part by the stator and the rotor, and extends from a gas inlet to a terminal gas outlet. The gas flow path has an expansion portion extending between the gas inlet and an intermediate gas outlet, and a compression portion extending between the intermediate gas outlet and the terminal gas outlet. The terminal gas outlet of the first pneumatic motor is fluidly connected upstream of the gas inlet of the second pneumatic motor.

Abstract: A pneumatic engine includes a plurality of pneumatic motors and an engine drive shaft. Each motor has a motor gas inlet, a motor gas outlet, and a rotor driven by gas flow between the motor gas inlet and the motor gas outlet. The engine drive shaft is drivingly coupled to the motor drive shaft of each of the pneumatic motors.

Abstract: A system for charging a battery includes an adapter, and a charger coupled to receive power from the adapter, and to provide a charging current to the battery. The charger includes a power stage with a charge pump to provide the charging current, and a feedback circuit to provide a feedback signal to the adapter. The power stage can be one of: an adjustable current source with voltage clamp, and an adjustable voltage source with current clamp. The charge pump can be implemented as a voltage divider, so that an input adapter current is multiplied by a pre-defined divider ratio to provide the charging current. The charge pump can be one of: single-phase; and multi-phase.

Abstract: A pneumatic engine includes first and second pneumatic motors. Each motor has a stator, a rotor, and a gas flow path. The rotor is rotatably connected to the stator. The gas flow path is defined at least in part by the stator and the rotor, and extends from a gas inlet to a terminal gas outlet. The gas flow path has an expansion portion extending between the gas inlet and an intermediate gas outlet, and a compression portion extending between the intermediate gas outlet and the terminal gas outlet. The terminal gas outlet of the first pneumatic motor is fluidly connected upstream of the gas inlet of the second pneumatic motor.

Abstract: A pneumatic engine includes a plurality of pneumatic motors and an engine drive shaft. Each motor has a motor gas inlet, a motor gas outlet, and a rotor driven by gas flow between the motor gas inlet and the motor gas outlet. The engine drive shaft is drivingly coupled to the motor drive shaft of each of the pneumatic motors.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit that includes a switch control circuit and a timing control circuit. The switch control circuit is configured to enable/disable a pulse width modulation (PWM) switch control to a regulator to transfer power to a load. The timing control circuit is configured to enable an analog to digital converter (ADC) to convert an analog signal to a digital stream when the PWM switch control is disabled in order to reduce noise in the digital stream due to switching activities in the regulator.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to the axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating slides has a base with a cavity, and a heater is located on a surface of the cavity. A tank, which supports a slide rack with the slides submerged in a slide treatment solution, is placed in the cavity with a tank surface immediately adjacent the heater. A temperature sensor is mounted in the base and is operable to provide a feedback signal representing a temperature of the liquid in the tank. A cover is removably hinged on the base to cover the tank. A control system is connected to the heater and the temperature sensor and has a user input/output that is operable to select a set temperature of the liquid and a cycle time.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to the axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.