Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an I/O bank impedance calibration circuit having (a) a replica master resistor coupled to an external precision resistor, and (b) a control circuit configured to calibrate an output impedance of the master resistor to generate a calibrated code to control a replica slave resistor in each bank. In an illustrative example, a signal applied to the replica master resistor may be compared against a programmable reference signal. The control circuit may generate the calibrated code, in response to the comparison result, to calibrate the output impedance of the replica master resistor. By implementing the replica master resistor and the replica slave resistor, impedances of a large number of IOs or banks may be calibrated by the impedance calibration circuit using a single one reference pin.

Abstract: A crack detecting system includes a tool movable along a conduit or structure and having at least one sensing device for sensing cracks in a wall of the conduit or structure. The sensing device includes a fluid emitter and the fluid emitter includes at least one orifice configured to emit fluid. In response to the orifice emitting fluid, the emitted fluid excites the conduit or structure and the sensing device senses a response from the excitation of the conduit or structure. A processor is operable to process the response sensed by the sensing device and responsive to the processing, the processor determines flaws present at the wall of the conduit or structure.

Abstract: A paint tray liner bag can fully encapsulate a rigid paint tray and fully form to the shape of the rigid paint tray. The paint tray liner bag includes a bag flap that folds over to the bottom of the rigid paint tray and has holes to receive the legs of the rigid paint tray, thereby securing the paint tray liner bag on the rigid paint tray. Unlike rigid paint trays, that do not fit well into sinks and have ridges that can be difficult to clean, the paint tray liner bag can be removed from the rigid paint tray and easily cleaned due to its smooth surface and flexibility to fit into a user's sink.

Abstract: A tie well-suited for use in retail packaging applications includes a plastic head insert molded around one end of a paper-based cord, such as a length of twine, string or other similar environmentally-friendly material. In one embodiment, the plastic head includes a generally rectangular buckle shaped to define an elongated channel dimensioned to receive the free end of the paper-based cord. A deflectable pawl is coupled to the buckle and is naturally biased to project into the channel and selectively engage the cord in order to retain the tie in a closed loop configuration. The buckle includes a substantially open side wall through which the paper-based cord can be extracted after the tie is formed in its closed loop configuration. A clip is preferably provided on the head for selectively retaining a section of the paper-cord that has been inserted through the elongated channel.

Abstract: A tie well-suited for use in retail packaging applications includes a plastic head insert molded around one end of a paper-based cord, such as a length of twine, string or other similar environmentally-friendly material. In one embodiment, the plastic head includes a generally rectangular buckle shaped to define an elongated channel dimensioned to receive the free end of the paper-based cord. A deflectable pawl is coupled to the buckle and is naturally biased to project into the channel and selectively engage the cord in order to retain the tie in a closed loop configuration. The buckle includes a substantially open side wall through which the paper-based cord can be extracted after the tie is formed in its closed loop configuration. A clip is preferably provided on the head for selectively retaining a section of the paper-cord that has been inserted through the elongated channel.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method therefor, relates generally to a transmitter. In such an apparatus, a decoder is configured to receive a data input and control signals and to generate state signals responsive to a control signal of the control signals and data polarity the data input. Select circuitry is configured to receive coded signals to replace the data input with a pull-up code and a pull-down code of the coded signals responsive to the state signals and the control signals for propagation of the pull-up code and the pull-down code in place of the data input.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of adjustable driver circuits having output nodes coupled to a signal line. Each adjustable driver circuit is configured to drive the signal line with a portion of a total drive strength indicated by a value of a binary control signal. The apparatus also includes a delay circuit configured to delay the binary control signal provided to each adjustable driver circuit by a respective time period unique to the adjustable driver circuit.

Abstract: Plastic fastener and plastic fastener assembly. The plastic fastener assembly may be a length of continuously connected fastener stock and may include a first flexible filament having a first end and a second end, a first cross-bar disposed at the first end of the first flexible filament, and a first paddle disposed at the second end of the first flexible filament. The plastic fastener assembly may further include a second flexible filament, the second flexible filament having a first end and a second end, a second cross-bar disposed at the first end of the second flexible filament, and a second paddle disposed at the second end of the second flexible filament. The plastic fastener assembly may further include a first severable connector interconnecting the first and second paddles. The first severable connector may include a pair of generally frusto-semi-circular members joined to one another at a generally planar break region.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electricity supply to a load comprises at least one battery for storing energy. The system also comprises a controller for determining when to switch between a first mode wherein electricity is supplied to the load from a mains electricity circuit; and a discharging mode wherein electricity is supplied from the battery to the load via the mains electricity circuit. The determining is based on information associated with the electricity supply.

Abstract: A nanofluid of a base heat transfer fluid and a plurality of ceramic nanoparticles suspended throughout the base heat transfer fluid applicable to commercial and industrial heat transfer applications. The nanofluid is stable, non-reactive and exhibits enhanced heat transfer properties relative to the base heat transfer fluid, with only minimal increases in pumping power required relative to the base heat transfer fluid. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of ceramic nanoparticles comprise silicon carbide and the base heat transfer fluid comprises water and water and ethylene glycol mixtures.

Abstract: A method and hybrid radiator-cooling apparatus for implementing enhanced radiator-cooling are provided. The hybrid radiator-cooling apparatus includes an air-side finned surface for air cooling; an elongated vertically extending surface extending outwardly from the air-side finned surface on a downstream air-side of the hybrid radiator; and a water supply for selectively providing evaporative cooling with water flow by gravity on the elongated vertically extending surface.

Abstract: A positioning system for a solar panel includes a frame, a surface plate, an adjustable rail and a frame coupling. The surface plate is configured to secure the positioning system to a mounting surface and includes a connection for an axle. The axle links the surface plate with the frame coupling or with the adjustable rail. The frame coupling attaches to the frame and holds the frame in an operating position. A length of the adjustable rail may be increased or decreased for varying the angular orientation of the frame relative to the mounting surface. The frame is configured to be removable from the frame coupling without requiring the surface plate to be removed from the mounting surface.

Abstract: A calibration device for a radiometer includes an integrating cavity and a honeycomb blackbody mounted to the integrating cavity. A plurality of emitters are mounted to the exterior rim of the integrating cavity for transmitting narrow band wavelengths of light into and out of the integrating cavity. A controller, selectively, activates one or more emitters to radiate a single narrow band wavelength of light during an ON period and turn OFF during another period. A plurality of reference detectors are also mounted to the exterior rim of the integrating cavity for measuring the intensity of each narrow band radiation outputted from the integrating cavity. The reference detectors are effective in determining changes in intensity output by each of the narrow band emitters from the integrating cavity. The measured changes in intensity outputted by the emitters are used to calibrate the radiometer with the changes traced back to a NIST standard.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data are provided. A method includes receiving MRI data comprising a plurality of k-space points and deriving a plurality of image data sets based on the MRI data, each of the plurality of MRI image sets obtained by zeroing a different one of the plurality of k-space points. The method further includes computing image space metric values for each of the plurality of image data sets and adjusting a portion of the MRI data associated with ones of the image space metric values that fail to meet a threshold value to yield adjusted MRI data.

Abstract: A paint tray liner bag can fully encapsulate a rigid paint tray and fully form to the shape of the rigid paint tray. The paint tray liner bag includes a bag flap that folds over to the bottom of the rigid paint tray and has holes to receive the legs of the rigid paint tray, thereby securing the paint tray liner bag on the rigid paint tray. Unlike rigid paint trays, that do not fit well into sinks and have ridges that can be difficult to clean, the paint tray liner bag can be removed from the rigid paint tray and easily cleaned due to its smooth surface and flexibility to fit into a user's sink.

Abstract: A positioning system for a solar panel includes a frame, a surface plate, an adjustable rail and a frame coupling. The surface plate is configured to secure the positioning system to a mounting surface and includes a connection for an axle. The axle links the surface plate with the frame coupling or with the adjustable rail. The frame coupling attaches to the frame and holds the frame in an operating position. A length of the adjustable rail may be increased or decreased for varying the angular orientation of the frame relative to the mounting surface. The frame is configured to be removable from the frame coupling without requiring the surface plate to be removed from the mounting surface.

Abstract: A trading card game (10) includes a first card (212) having only one immovable section (234). The game (10) also includes a second card (314) including a first section (352) and a second section (354). The second section (354) can be slidable relative to the first section (352) so that the second card (314) moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a portion of the second section (354) is unexposed to the players. In the second position, the portion of the second section (354) is exposed to the players, and influences the outcome of at least a portion of the game (10).

Abstract: A collapsible temporary housing system including a base, four walls being connected along each respective edge extending between at least two of the four corners, the walls being pivotally connected along the edges of the base so that when the walls are pivoted into a collapsible configuration each wall is laid upon a previously collapsed wall creating a nearly horizontal surface extending across a top surface area of the base, and a flat roof, the flat roof being detached from the four walls while the four walls are pivoted into an erected position, secured to the walls once the walls are erected, and set upon the nearly horizontal surface when the walls are pivoted into a collapsible configuration, wherein a plurality of other temporary housing systems may be stacked where a lean of the stacked housing systems which could result in the stacked housing systems falling over is not present.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electricity supply to a load comprises at least one battery for storing energy. The system also comprises a controller for determining when to switch between a first mode wherein electricity is supplied to the load from a mains electricity circuit; and a discharging mode wherein electricity is supplied from the battery to the load via the mains electricity circuit. The determining is based on information associated with the electricity supply.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electricity supply to a load comprises at least one battery for storing energy. The system also comprises a controller for determining when to switch between a first mode wherein electricity is supplied to the load from a mains electricity circuit; and a discharging mode wherein electricity is supplied from the battery to the load via the mains electricity circuit. The determining is based on information associated with the electricity supply.