Abstract: A photovoltaic system having at least one solar cell and a secondary direct current power supply connected to the at least one solar cell. The secondary power supply is configured for constant voltage operation to input power to the photovoltaic cell to maintain operation of the solar cell at or near an optimum voltage working level for the solar cell.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system having at least one solar cell and a secondary direct current power supply connected to the at least one solar cell. The secondary power supply is configured for constant voltage operation to input power to the photovoltaic cell to maintain operation of the solar cell at or near an optimum voltage working level for the solar cell.

Abstract: Techniques for managing shared data records for multiple clients that have simultaneous access and editing privileges to the shared data records are disclosed. When a change is made to a shared data record, this change should be pushed out to all clients currently accessing the shared data record so that the individual clients are provided a current version of the shared data record. However, some rules may be applied to the updated data record prior to being pushed out to each client, which may result in additional changes. Therefore, in response to such requested rules-based changes, an updated shared data record is provided to each of the clients which have access to the shared data record. The shared data record may be updated in response to a change request from one of the clients, rules being applied to the shared data record, or some other trigger which causes the update.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a hybrid solar power supply system, in particular for direct current (DC) power supply. The hybrid solar power supply control system includes a power arbiter and a power controller. The power arbiter unit is connectable to a photovoltaic power supply and one or more other power supplies and comprises circuitry to connect the input photovoltaic power supply and other power supplies and combine power from one or more power supplies for direct current (DC) output, and transition between power supplies based on the available input power from each power supply. The power controller is configured to vary the apparent load applied at the DC output to control the power drawn from the one or more power supplies.

Abstract: A golf practice device uses magnetic attraction to implement a ball return function. A ball is fastened to a tether coupled to a post enabling the ball and tether to rotate in a plane around the post when the ball is struck by a golf club. The plane of rotation is at a non-zero angle relative to the ground plane to simulate a launch angle. The magnetic coupling causes the ball to come to rest in the same general position on the playing surface following the rotation. The device is adapted for temporary attachment to a playing surface such as a typical artificial grass mat, and the ball may be a hollow, plastic ball such as a perforated wiffle ball. The ball is also rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the tether to further mimic actual ball flight dynamics. The device can be used for hitting, pitching and chipping practice.

Abstract: A ball flight analysis system includes a strobe device, such as an infrared strobe device, to illuminate a ball in flight. An imaging device captures a plurality of images of the ball in flight, for example, within a single frame. A processor determines from the plurality of captured ball images one or more flight characteristics of the ball, such as the ball's velocity or ball's angular velocity and axis of rotation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a hybrid solar power supply system, in particular for direct current (DC) power supply. The hybrid solar power supply control system includes a power arbiter and a power controller. The power arbiter unit is connectable to a photovoltaic power supply and one or more other power supplies and comprises circuitry to connect the input photovoltaic power supply and other power supplies and combine power from one or more power supplies for direct current (DC) output, and transition between power supplies based on the available input power from each power supply. The power controller is configured to vary the apparent load applied at the DC output to control the power drawn from the one or more power supplies.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing cap for pre-treating a stained fabric. The cap can have a pour volume sized and dimensioned to provide for a unit dose of the detergent composition. A portion of the cap can be provided with surface irregularities for scrubbing a stain.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing cap for pre-treating a stained fabric. The cap can have a pour volume sized and dimensioned to provide for a unit dose of the detergent composition. A portion of the cap can be provided with surface irregularities for scrubbing a stain.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing cap for pre-treating a stained fabric. The cap can have a pour volume sized and dimensioned to provide for a unit dose of the detergent composition. A portion of the cap can be provided with surface irregularities for scrubbing a stain.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing cap for pre-treating a stained fabric. The cap can have a pour volume sized and dimensioned to provide for a unit dose of the detergent composition. A portion of the cap can be provided with surface irregularities for scrubbing a stain.

Abstract: A system for limiting the size of particulate matter entering a septic tank pump contains a strainer that has a straining screen through which the pump draws liquid from the septic tank. A nozzle receives some of the effluent being pumped by the pump and is aimed toward the screen for directing effluent toward the screen to dislodge particulate matter from an area of the screen while the pump draws liquid through the screen. The screen and nozzle are arranged for relative movement so that the area of the screen being acted on by the effluent from the nozzle changes as the pump operates. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for limiting the size of particulate matter entering a septic tank pump contains a strainer that has a straining screen through which the pump draws liquid from the septic tank. A nozzle receives some of the effluent being pumped by the pump and is aimed toward the screen for directing effluent toward the screen to dislodge particulate matter from an area of the screen while the pump draws liquid through the screen. The screen and nozzle are arranged for relative movement so that the area of the screen being acted on by the effluent from the nozzle changes as the pump operates. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A strainer for immersion in liquid, especially shallow water, to prevent debris from entering a pump connected by a suction pipe to the interior of the strainer. The strainer has a cylindrical housing that is closed at the bottom and covered by a circular screen at the top. As the pump sucks water, the screen prevents debris from being sucked into the strainer interior along with the water. Debris drawn against the screen's exterior is dislodged by a rotating spray arm that contains nozzles and is disposed within the strainer interior to spray water against the screen. The water is fed under pressure to the spray arm through a separate supply line tapped into the pump's outlet. The spray arm nozzles are aimed to direct water generally upward through the screen to dislodge the debris and to cause the spray arm to rotate. Hence, as the spray arm spins, the water washes substantially the full face of the screen.

Abstract: A strainer for immersion in liquid, especially shallow water, to prevent debris from entering a pump connected by a suction pipe to the interior of the strainer. The strainer has a cylindrical housing that is closed at the bottom and covered by a circular screen at the top. As the pump sucks water, the screen prevents debris from being sucked into the strainer interior along with the water. Debris drawn against the screen's exterior is dislodged by a rotating spray arm that contains nozzles and is disposed within the strainer interior to spray water against the screen. The water is fed under pressure to the spray arm through a separate supply line tapped into the pump's outlet. The spray arm nozzles are aimed to direct water generally upward through the screen to dislodge the debris and to cause the spray arm to rotate. Hence, as the spray arm spins, the water washes substantially the full face of the screen.

Abstract: A system for pumping effluent out of a septic tank contains an electric pump unit disposed coaxially within a tube. A rotary self-cleaning strainer has a cylindrical filter screen that filters certain solid material from the effluent flow through the tube upstream of the pump inlet port. Effluent is conveyed out of the septic tank through a pipe connected to the pump outlet port. A portion of the pumped effluent is conveyed to one or more nozzles arranged to wash the filter screen. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical screen is stationary and the nozzles rotate, while in other embodiments, the nozzles are stationary and the screen rotates. Depending on particular embodiment, the nozzles may be either inside or outside the screen. Effluent flow through the screen is opposite the direction of spray from the nozzles.

Abstract: A novel all-wheel journaling of the rotary portion of a rotary self-cleaning strainer on a stationary central core. Respective sets of circumferentially spaced wheels are provided on respective end closures of the rotary portion that close opposite axial ends of a strainer screen to the central core. A first set of wheels on one end closure rides on a wear sleeve around the suction pipe of the stationary core, and a second set on the other end closure rides on a ring disposed around the supply pipe of the stationary core. Two additional rings sandwich the ring on the supply pipe to axially capture the second set of wheels and thereby axially capture the rotary portion on the central core. The rotary portion has a frame, including the end closures, for supporting the screen. Novel tie rod structures extend between the end closures.

Abstract: A novel bearing-seal for the upper journal of a rotary self-cleaning strainer allows an existing strainer whose upper journal has become too loose to be reconstructed without the necessity of replacing the suction pipe, even though the suction pipe has been grooved by a set of circumferentially spaced wheels previously used for the upper journal. The bearing-seal can also be used in a new strainer instead of such a set of wheels. Where sealing is also required, the inventive bearing-seal has a sealing disc for replacing a previously used curved lip seal. The inventive upper bearing-seal significantly reduces rotational friction, enabling the strainer to be operated with significantly increased power efficiency, offering the potential for effective usage with lower pressure suction pumps.

Abstract: An amusement card game is disclosed which includes a playing deck having advancement cards for advancing a player toward a game objective. Impediment cards which impede the advancement of the player, and remedy cards which remove the effect of the impediment card. The game further includes a first stack of instruction cards which are drawn and played in response to reaching levels of advancement in accordance with the advancement cards wherein the instruction cards include good and bad instructions relative to reaching the game objective. Preferably, the instruction cards include intermediate instruction cards which govern reaching intermediate levels of advancement and completion cards which contain good and bad instructions regarding reaching of the final level of advancement and completing the game. In the preferred embodiment, the instruction cards include pictorial designs on one side which fit together to complete a picture when played according to the game.

Abstract: A cylindrical plastic pipe is used as the sidewall of the rotary portion of the strainer. Apertures are drilled radially through the pipe, and one or more screen assemblies are circumferentially wrapped around the outside of and removably fastened to the pipe to cover the apertures. The central core of the strainer contains both supply and suction pipes. The supply pipe feeds cleaning and drive nozzles that are aimed at the pipe apertures. The cleaning nozzles are aimed radially for cleaning certain apertures. The drive nozzles are aimed tangentially toward a circumferential succession of other apertures near the bottom of the pipe to drive the rotary portion. In one embodiment the drive nozzles can rotate the rotary portion in either direction.