Abstract: A universal canister flush valve having a valve body configured to be fixed relative to a toilet tank and having a hollow wall defining an internal flow passage; a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; a float fitted about and configured to slide relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float having an open top; and an extender that selectively couples to the open top in a first position, in which a first end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for controlling the trajectory of a projectile having two rotationally decoupled sections, wherein the first section is rotationally decoupled from the second section. The first section of the projectile contains a navigation system. The first section also contains an actuator by which aero-control surfaces on the second section are actuated. The second section may have external aero-spin surfaces which provide a torque counter to the rotation of the base projectile. The apparatus and system also includes embodiments having applications for nose sections of projectiles.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for controlling the trajectory of a projectile having two rotationally decoupled sections, wherein the first section is rotationally decoupled from the second section. The first section of the projectile contains a navigation system. The first section also contains an actuator by which aero-control surfaces on the second section are actuated. The second section may have external aero-spin surfaces which provide a torque counter to the rotation of the base projectile. The apparatus and system also includes embodiments having applications for nose sections of projectiles.

Abstract: The invention is a projectile, device and system having a roll control device which may be fixed or deployable, for providing torque counter to the spin of the projectile and providing drag on the projectile. The roll control device includes a guidance collar rotatably attached to the projectile located near a front end of the projectile wherein the guidance collar includes one or more guidance collar aero-surfaces shaped to provide torque counter to the spin on the projectile. The guidance collar aero-surfaces may be controlled by a brake and guidance electronics on the projectile. The invention also includes a body collar fixedly attached to the projectile aft of the guidance collar, wherein the body collar includes one or more body collar aero-surfaces and fixed or deployable drag devices. Another embodiment use only a guidance collar aero-surfaces to orient a fixed drag device relative to an Earth inertial reference frame to create asymmetrical drag on the projectile and thereby altering its trajectory.

Abstract: The invention is a projectile, device and system having a roll control device which may be fixed or deployable, for providing torque counter to the spin of the projectile and providing drag on the projectile. The roll control device includes a guidance collar rotatably attached to the projectile located near a front end of the projectile wherein the guidance collar includes one or more guidance collar aero-surfaces shaped to provide torque counter to the spin on the projectile. The guidance collar aero-surfaces may be controlled by a brake and guidance electronics on the projectile. The invention also includes a body collar fixedly attached to the projectile aft of the guidance collar, wherein the body collar includes one or more body collar aero-surfaces and fixed or deployable drag devices. Another embodiment use only a guidance collar aero-surfaces to orient a fixed drag device relative to an Earth inertial reference frame to create asymmetrical drag on the projectile and thereby altering its trajectory.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a roll damping apparatus for a spinning projectile having a first section and a second section rotatably attached about a roll axis. The roll damping apparatus comprises a first portion attached to the front section, and a second portion attached to the rear section. The first portion is adapted to cause a braking frictional force to act on the second portion, the braking force being effective to control the spin rate of the front section relative to the rear section. The invention further relates to a spinning projectile having a roll damping apparatus.

Abstract: Trajectory is controlled by a control system having fins that de-spin a section of the control system relative to a projectile or missile. The control system also includes aero-surfaces that produce a lift when brought to rotation speed of about 0 Hz relative to a reference frame and a brake that couples the guidance package to the rotational inertia of the projectile or missile. In one example, no electric motor is used in the trajectory control system, saving weight and increasing reliability.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for adjusting a fluid density. In one embodiment, a method for upgrading a petroleum-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction comprises providing a synthetically-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction, wherein the synthetically-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction is derived from synthesis gas, and further wherein the synthetically-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction and the petroleum-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction have a difference in density at 15° C. of at least about 60 kg/m3; and blending both fractions so as to form a blend suitable for use as a diesel or diesel blendstock, wherein the blend has a density at 15° C. equal to or more than about 800 kg/m3; alternatively or additionally, equal to or less than about 860 kg/m3. The blending is also effective in reducing the sulfur content of the petroleum-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction. In preferred embodiments, the synthetically-derived hydrocarbonaceous fraction is a Fischer-Tropsch diesel.

Abstract: Trajectory is controlled by a control system having fins that de-spin a section of the control system relative to a projectile or missile. The control system also includes aero-surfaces that produce a lift when brought to rotation speed of about 0 Hz relative to a reference fame and a brake that couples the guidance package to the rotational inertia of the projectile or missile. In one example, no electric motor is used in the trajectory control system, saving weight and increasing reliability.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically switching display of video signals between a first device and a second device. The system may include a display device with display circuitry for displaying an image on the display in response to a received video signal. The display device may include a first video input port for receiving a first video signal from the first device and a second video input port for receiving a second video signal from the second device. Additionally, the display device may include detection circuitry coupled to the second video input port for detecting the second video signal from the second device, and switch circuitry operable to automatically provide connectivity between the second video input port and the display circuitry to enable display of the second video signal in response to the detection circuitry detecting the second video signal from the second device.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of transconductance circuits formed having two or more class AB transconductor amplifiers coupled in parallel. The class AB transconductor amplifiers have non-linear voltage to current transfer functions and are each designed with an offset chosen such that the combination of the individual nonlinear transfer functions achieve a more linear transconductance circuit.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of transconductance circuits formed having two or more class AB transconductor amplifiers coupled in parallel. The class AB transconductor amplifiers have non-linear voltage to current transfer functions and are each designed with an offset chosen such that the combination of the individual nonlinear transfer functions achieve a more linear transconductance circuit.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of transconductance circuits formed having a class AB transconductor amplifier coupled in parallel with at least one concave compensation circuit. When the transconductance circuit has only one concave compensation circuit, the concave compensation circuit is designed with no offset so that the concave transconductance gain of the compensation circuit compensates for the convex transconductance gain of the class AB amplifier thereby providing a more linear transconductance circuit. When the transconductance circuit includes multiple concave compensation circuits, they each are designed with an offset chosen such that the combination of the individual concave transfer functions achieve a more linear transconductance circuit.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of transconductance circuits formed having two or more class AB transconductor amplifiers coupled in parallel. The class AB transconductor amplifiers have non-linear voltage to current transfer functions and are each designed with an offset chosen such that the combination of the individual nonlinear transfer functions achieve a more linear transconductance circuit.

Abstract: The present invention teaches output stages having distortion performance improved relative to prior art class-AB output stage distortion performance. The general concept is to constantly bias the feed-forward circuitry of the output stage into a low-distortion operating state. This can be done through several different methods, each of which has its own particular circuit requirements. For example, in one embodiment the bias circuitry generates a near constant bias current suitable for forcing the feed-forward circuitry into a low-distortion operating state regardless of the output stage output value.

Abstract: A plurality of amplifying power converter circuits are provided each including a pair of switches being connected between two constant voltage sources and an output node common to each of the switches. Such output node is adapted for connection to a load. Also included is a modulator that serves for opening and closing one of the switches with a first duty cycle and opening and closing another one of the switches with a second duty cycle. The first duty cycle and the second duty cycle are at least partially "overlapped". During modulation, the power converter has a voltage gain at the output node that is greater than unity and exhibits improved distortion characteristics.

Abstract: A synthetic railroad tie is provided including a plurality of solid ties each constructed from plastic and having a rectangular configuration. A pair of rails are each situated over the ties in perpendicular relationship therewith and residing adjacent one of a pair of end faces thereof.

Abstract: A compensated bias current circuit for use in an operational amplifier including a differential input stage, a gain stage, and an output driver stage. The compensated bias current circuit includes a PNP current mirror control transistor having an emitter coupled to a first supply voltage conductor, a collector coupled by a first conductor to a first terminal of a current source circuit, and a base connected to a second conductor, with the second conductor connected to first and second PNP current mirror output transistors in the gain stage and a third PNP current mirror output transistor in the output driver stage.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of output stages, buffer circuits, and power amplifiers as well as methods for buffering electrical signals. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an output stage includes an input, an output, an error stage coupled between the input and the output and responsive to a difference between an input signal present on the input and an output signal present on the output, the error stage being operative to generate a current control signal related to the difference between the input signal and the output signal, a current mirror coupled to the error stage and responsive to the current control signal to generate a demand driven current signal related to a magnitude of the current control signal, and an amplification stage coupled between the input and the output.

Abstract: In accordance with the objectives of the present invention, a variety of apparatus and methods for amplifying an electrical signal are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a dual-output stage amplifier includes an amplifier stage having an input and an output, a first output stage having an input and an output, a second output stage having an input and an output and an error stage having an input and an output. The first output stage output is coupled with the output of the amplifier stage and responsive to the amplifier stage. If the first output stage output is coupled to an output load, the first output stage is capable of providing an output current to the output load such that a first output voltage related to an input voltage at the input of the amplifier stage is maintained across the output load. In turn, the second output stage input is coupled with the output of the amplifier stage and in parallel with the first output stage.