Abstract: Radioisotope power system and propulsion system technologies to increase the energy efficiency, mass efficiency, and duration capability of a vehicle during operation. A radioisotope power system includes a radioisotope power unit that emits a plurality of radiation particles and is configured to directly or indirectly provide power, propulsion, or both power and propulsion of a vehicle. The radioisotope power system can further include a thermoelectric generator coupled to the radioisotope power unit and configured for coupling to at least one thruster. The radioisotope power system can further include an optional radiation shield configured to block a first radiation particle of the plurality of radiation particles. The radioisotope power unit can include one or more radioisotopes. The one or more radioisotopes can include an alpha emitting isotope, a beta emitting isotope, a gamma emitting isotope, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Radioisotope power system and propulsion system technologies to increase the energy efficiency, mass efficiency, and duration capability of a vehicle during operation. A radioisotope power system includes a radioisotope power unit that emits a plurality of radiation particles and is configured to directly or indirectly provide power, propulsion, or both power and propulsion of a vehicle. The radioisotope power system can further include a thermoelectric generator coupled to the radioisotope power unit and configured for coupling to at least one thruster. The radioisotope power system can further include an optional radiation shield configured to block a first radiation particle of the plurality of radiation particles. The radioisotope power unit can include one or more radioisotopes. The one or more radioisotopes can include an alpha emitting isotope, a beta emitting isotope, a gamma emitting isotope, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Radiation shielding technologies for radioisotope battery-powered vehicles to protect computer systems and humans and increase the energy efficiency, mass efficiency, and duration capability of the vehicle during operation. A radioisotope power system includes a radioisotope power unit that emits a plurality of radiation particles. The radioisotope power system further includes a radiation shield configured to block a first radiation particle of the plurality of radiation particles. The radioisotope power system further includes a decoupling device configured to decouple the radiation shield from a vehicle. The radioisotope power unit can include one or more radioisotopes for power, propulsion, or both power and propulsion of the vehicle. The one or more radioisotopes can include an alpha emitting isotope, a beta emitting isotope, a gamma emitting isotope, or a combination thereof. The one or more radioisotopes can be for heat generation. The vehicle can be a spacecraft or an aircraft.

Abstract: A chargeable atomic battery (CAB) and a standardized pre-irradiation encapsulation manufacturing method. A CAB unit is manufactured through a non-radioactive process and then placed in a radiation field (typically a fission reactor) to convert a portion of a non-radioactive precursor material into an activated material (e.g., radioisotope) for charging. After charging, the CAB unit is ready for use and can be combined with additional CAB units into a CAB stack to achieve the desired activity and then integrated into a CAB pack or a product that uses the radioactivity for the desired application such as heating, electricity, and passive x-ray sources. The pre-irradiation encapsulation manufacturing method uses a die press and sintering process to produce the CAB unit with the precursor material fully encapsulated by the encapsulation material. During and after the charging process, the encapsulation material serves as a barrier, preventing release of the activated material release.

Abstract: A chargeable atomic battery (CAB), such as a fully ceramic encapsulated radioactive heat source, includes a plurality of CAB units and a CAB housing to hold the plurality of CAB units. Each of the CAB units are formed of a precursor compact including precursor material particles embedded inside an encapsulation material. The precursor material particles include a precursor kernel formed of a precursor material that is initially manufactured in a stable state or an unstable state and convertible into an activated material via irradiation by a particle radiation source. The precursor material particles can include one or more encapsulation coatings surrounding the precursor kernel. The precursor material can include Neptunium-237 and the activated material can include Plutonium-238. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator can include thermoelectrics coupled to the CAB units to convert radioactive emissions of the activated material into electrical power.

Abstract: A chargeable atomic battery (CAB) includes a plurality of CAB units and a CAB housing to hold the plurality of CAB units. Each of the CAB units are formed of a precursor compact including precursor material particles embedded inside an encapsulation material. The precursor material particles include a precursor kernel formed of a precursor material that is initially manufactured in a stable state and convertible into an activated material that is an activated state via atomic irradiation by a particle radiation source. Upon the precursor material being converted, the precursor material is in a partially depleted state such that an initial portion of the precursor material is depleted and a recharge portion of the precursor material is convertible into the activated state via atomic irradiation by the particle radiation source for recharging the chargeable atomic battery.

Abstract: A chargeable atomic battery (CAB), such as a fully ceramic encapsulated radioactive heat source, includes a plurality of CAB units and a CAB housing to hold the plurality of CAB units. Each of the CAB units are formed of a precursor compact including precursor material particles embedded inside an encapsulation material. The precursor material particles include a precursor kernel formed of a precursor material that is initially manufactured in a stable state or an unstable state and convertible into an activated material that is an activated state via irradiation by a particle radiation source. The precursor material particles can include one or more encapsulation coatings surrounding the precursor kernel. The precursor material can include Neptunium-237 and the activated material can include Plutonium-238. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator can include thermoelectrics coupled to the CAB units to convert radioactive emissions of the activated material into electrical power.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds that are partial and full A1 adenosine receptor agonists, useful for treating various disease states, in particular tachycardia and atrial flutter, angina, myocardial infarction and hyperlipidemia. The structure of the compounds is given by Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X, Y, Z, and T are as described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds that are partial and full A1 adenosine receptor agonists, useful for treating various disease states, in particular tachycardia and atrial flutter, angina, myocardial infarction and hyperlipidemia.

Abstract: A system and method for routing air within a vehicle seat is provided. The system includes an airflow connector configured to provide a substantially airtight seal between a plenum member and an air conditioning device. The system is configured to improve the assembly of the airflow connector to a plenum member.

Abstract: A system and method for routing air within a vehicle seat is provided. The system includes an airflow connector configured to provide a substantially airtight seal between a plenum member and an air conditioning device. The system is configured to improve the assembly of the airflow connector to a plenum member.

Abstract: A tilt sensor apparatus (36) includes one or more tilt sensors (42). Each tilt sensor (42) includes a conductive element (64) entrapped within an opening (46) formed through a middle planar substrate (38). The opening is surrounded by an opening wall (52) which is entirely covered by a conductor (54). A conductive star pattern (100?) is formed on a top planar substrate (40), and a conductive star pattern (100?) is formed on a bottom planar substrate (44). The star patterns (100) are positioned at opposing ends of the opening (46). The conductive element moves within the opening (46) as the apparatus (36) is tilted. An interrupt-driven control circuit (124) is configured to indicate a change in orientation only when a short is first detected across a contact pair (54/56, 54/60) that corresponds to an orientation opposite to a currently-indicated orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds that are partial and full A1 adenosine receptor agonists, useful for treating various disease states, in particular tachycardia and atrial flutter, angina, myocardial infarction and hyperlipidemia.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds that are partial and full A1 adenosine receptor agonists, useful for treating various disease states, in particular tachycardia and atrial flutter, angina, myocardial infarction and hyperlipidemia.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that elevate cellular expression of the ABCA-1 gene, promoting cholesterol efflux from cells and increasing HDL levels in the plasma of a mammal, in particular humans. The compounds are useful for treating coronary artery disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that elevate cellular expression of the ABCA-1 gene, promoting cholesterol efflux from cells and increasing HDL levels in the plasma of a mammal, in particular humans. The compounds are useful for treating coronary artery disease.

Abstract: A compact electronic pour spout assembly (22) includes a pour spout (28) and a shell (30) locked together by a resilient sealing member (42). A neck (64) of the sealing member (42) is inserted into an opening (36) through the shell (30), and pour spout (28) is inserted into the neck (64) to expand the neck (64), locking the three components in place. A small, non-replaceable battery (84) is permanently sealed in the shell (30). Mount detection switches (90) are located on opposing sides of the opening (36) from the battery (84). Light (150) emitted from one side of a printed wiring board (73) is guided through an inner shell (122) and visible in several directions outside of the shell (30).

Abstract: Described herein are a transient event detector (35) comprising electrical circuitry (50) suitable to detect a transient event, and a container (34) having a wall with at least two electrically conductive contacts (23, 44) electrically connected to the electrical circuitry (50), each of the at least two electrically conductive contacts (23, 44) being electrically isolated from each other, and a movable electrically conductive piece (36) that intermittently connects at least two of the at least two electrically conductive contacts when the electrically conductive piece (36) is in motion. An RF circuit (54) couples to a loop antenna (25) having a tuning capacitor (26) formed as conductive pads (26?, 26?) juxtaposed on opposing sides of a planar dielectric substrate (92). The tuning capacitor (26) has a hole (27) through it, and the hole has a size that is selected to cause the loop antenna (25) to exhibit a desired resonance frequency.

Abstract: A premises (20) is equipped with a plurality of containers (26) in which are stored bulk products (56) that are dispensed from the containers (26) for individual transactions. The containers (26) are equipped with asset tags (48) that monitor the dispensation of products (56). Event records (96) are electronically communicated from the asset tags (48) to a host (46) for processing. A tag event process (198) evaluates the event records (96) and calculates actual dispensation rates (224) that self-calibrate for a number of potential dispensation variances. The tag event process (198) detects when a container (26) becomes empty (68) and then performs a reconciliation (266) for the container (26). The process (198) also detects when inventory usage data is incomplete, whether by failure to receive communications or from missing a single event record (96), and causes a warning to be presented so that an audit may be performed.

Abstract: A tilt sensor apparatus (36) includes one or more tilt sensors (42). Each tilt sensor (42) includes a conductive element (64) entrapped within an opening (46) formed through a middle planar substrate (38). The opening is surrounded by an opening wall (52) which is entirely covered by a conductor (54). A conductive star pattern (100?) is formed on a top planar substrate (40), and a conductive star pattern (100?) is formed on a bottom planar substrate (44). The star patterns (100) are positioned at opposing ends of the opening (46). The conductive element moves within the opening (46) as the apparatus (36) is tilted. An interrupt-driven control circuit (124) is configured to indicate a change in orientation only when a short is first detected across a contact pair (54/56, 54/60) that corresponds to an orientation opposite to a currently-indicated orientation.