Abstract: An air dryer having an internal orifice designed into an outlet end cap that eliminates the need for external valves or regulators to control the flow of air through the dryer. The internal orifice, which can be press-fit or threaded into the end cap, provides a consistent and stable outlet flow and dew point and eliminates the need for instruments to measure outlet flow and dew point. The orifice size can be easily changed for changing outlet flow and dew point. A protective tubular shroud is provided for shielding a membrane module of the dryer, and for routing sweep gas to a bottom vent.

Abstract: A brain-based device (BBD) for moving in a real-world environment has sensors that provide data about the environment, actuators to move the BBD, and a hybrid controller which includes a neural controller having a simulated nervous system being a model of selected areas of the human brain and a non-neural controller based on a computational algorithmic network. The neural controller and non-neural controller interact with one another to control movement of the BBD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to maintaining bioactive molecules in their native or substantially near-native form and preventing or reduce aggregation. In particular, the present invention relates to precipitation-protective or stabilising additives and a method of using said precipitation-protective/stabilising additives to protect and maintain the bioactive molecules in a native or substantially near-native form and to prevent or reduce aggregation during or following precipitation to form particles.

Abstract: A capacitance sensitive touchpad having a ground electrode disposed on top of but not in electrical contact with an XY grid of electrodes, wherein a plurality of mechanical keys are disposed above but not in electrical contact with the ground electrode, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical keys includes a conductive material generally disposed on an underside that makes contact with the ground electrode when any of the plurality of keys are pressed in order to indicate actuation, wherein a signal generated by the conductive material that is in electrical contact with the ground electrode is amplified by the ground electrode and therefore detectable by the XY grid of electrodes disposed underneath the ground electrode.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to micron or sub-micron particles comprising one or more water-soluble crystals wherein the crystals have a surface coating comprising one or more bioactive molecules as well as efficient methods of forming such particles and rapid methods for screening preferred conditions to form such particles. The particles are suitable for pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: A capacitance sensitive proximity and touch-sensitive detection device having an XY electrode grid sensor, wherein a compensation matrix is created when the capacitance sensitive touchpad is installed within a PIN Entry Device (PED), wherein the compensation matrix enables the capacitance sensitive touchpad to compensate and be balanced for the operating environment of the PED, and wherein physical keys of a keypad can be also be individually identified as an actuated key by using a unique “key profile” for each key, and wherein the insertion of a foreign conductive and/or dielectric material such as an intruding sensor in proximity of the XY electrode grid sensor of the touchpad will cause an imbalance in the electrodes on the capacitance sensitive proximity and touch-sensitive detection device, thereby alerting detection circuitry that tampering has occurred with the PED.

Abstract: A power generation system. The exemplary system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a gas turbine (28), a gasifier (10) for generating gaseous fuel and a gas combustor (26) configured to receive the fuel and power the gas turbine (28). A drain collection and separation system (5) is positioned to collect gaseous fuel entrained in liquid and to separate the gaseous fuel from the liquid so the gaseous fuel can be cycled or disposed of separately from the liquid.

Abstract: Various methods for controlling one or more parameters of a flow cytometer type measurement system are provided. One embodiment includes monitoring parameter(s) of the measurement system during measurements of sample microspheres. The method also includes altering the parameter(s) in real time based on the monitoring. Another method includes monitoring a temperature proximate to the measurement system. One such method includes altering a bias voltage of an avalanche photo diode in response to the temperature using empirically derived data. A different such method includes altering output signals of a photomultiplier tube in response to the temperature using a characteristic curve. Some methods include monitoring a temperature of a fluid, in which sample microspheres are disposed, that will flow through the flow cytometer type measurement system. This method also includes determining a velocity of the sample microspheres in the measurement system from a viscosity of the fluid at the temperature.

Abstract: A contactless smart card reader that is integrated into the hardware of a touchpad, wherein the circuit board substrate of the touchpad provides a mechanical substrate on which the hardware of the contactless smart card reader can be disposed, and wherein the touchpad is already widely distributed in other electronic appliances, and as a stand-alone device.

Abstract: A modular chest drainage assembly is provided, having a collection module formed from a first base mold. The collection module defines a collection chamber having a patient fluid intake port. The assembly further includes a flow control module formed from a second base mold. A separate flow coupling is attachable to the collection module and flow control module to place the two modules in fluid communication. A pre-assembled pressure regulation module is coupled to the flow control module to regulate the pressure inside the collection module and flow control module. The assembly further includes a face plate, to which the collection module and flow control module are bonded such that the flow control module defines a first fluid flow pathway from the flow coupling to a suction port on the flow control module, for transmitting a suction flow from the collection chamber to the suction port.

Abstract: An attachment system for a medical device, wherein the attachment system is compatible with a wide variety of structures, at least in the sense that it may be used to hang the medical device in a level position. Also, a method for attaching a medical device to a wide variety of structures that allows for the medical device to be hung in a level position. The attachment system and method are often used in conjunction with a chest drainage unit as the medical device.

Abstract: A pressure indicator for a chest drainage device includes an outer casing with a longitudinal axis and first and second end portions defining first and second openings. A flexible element is disposed inside the outer casing to define a collapsible pressure-holding inner space in fluid communication with the second opening. An indicator element is disposed inside the outer casing configured to translate along the longitudinal axis. The flexible element, indicator element and outer casing together define a variable interior space inside the outer casing in fluid communication with the first opening. A force resistance element is placed in the casing to resist the translation of the indicator element along at least one direction along the longitudinal axis when a pressure differential exists between the first and second openings.

Abstract: A floor stand for a relatively small medical device. The floor stand stabilizes and/or levels the medical device when the device is on the floor. When the device is being carried or moved, the floor stand is completely underneath the device, so as to minimize the possibility of the stand coming into contact with an exterior person or item. Also, a method of stabilizing and/or leveling a small medical device.

Abstract: An anti-spillover flow coupling for a chest drainage assembly including at least a first and a second flow chamber. The coupling includes an intake port adapted to couple to the first flow chamber and exit port adapted to couple to the second flow chamber. The coupling defines a flow passageway between the intake port and exit port. The flow coupling further includes an anti-spill means for preventing the flow of liquid between the first flow chamber and second flow chamber. The anti-spill means can include a valve means including a ball member and valve seat member, the valve means being open when a valve axis is aligned substantially against the direction of gravity. Or the anti-spill means includes at least one filter element disposed over one of the intake port or exit port, the filter element permitting the passage of gases but not liquids.

Abstract: A mechanism for transporting a medical device, wherein the medical device may be quickly and/or conveniently disconnected from a patient or a member of a healthcare provider's medical staff transporting the medical device. Also, a method of transporting a medical device, wherein the method provides for the quick and/or convenient detachment of the medical device from a patient or medical staff member transporting the medical device.

Abstract: A pressure indicator for a chest drainage unit is provided. The indicator includes an outer casing having a longitudinal axis and a first end with an opening exposed to ambient air and a second end with an opening coupled to communicate with the collection chamber inside a chest drainage unit for reading patient pressure. A linear force resistance element in the form of a spring compressed inside a bellows is disposed inside the outer casing and aligned along the longitudinal axis. An indicator cap is disposed inside the outer casing and coupled to a tip portion of the bellows element. The interior of the bellows communicates with the collection chamber pressure such that the spring and bellows expands and contracts inside the casing to indicate the degree of suction pressure in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid control system for a robot can include a neuronal control portion and a non-neuronal control portion.

Abstract: A process for controlling the volume of dry air, dried to a predetermined degree of dryness, from a sweep manifold of an air dryer system, flowing over a plurality of gas/liquid fluid separating membranes, comprising: diverting a predetermined volume of dried air to the manifold; sensing one of the flow volume and humidity values of the remainder of the dried air or the pressure differential within the system; and utilizing one of the differential pressure to control the predetermined volume of dried air and utilizing a controller for achieving the predetermined degree of dryness by controlling at least one solenoid valve which, in turn, controls the flow volume of the predetermined volume of dried air diverted to the manifold.

Abstract: A water supply system for supplying water to a building including a water tank (13) for collecting water from the roof (10) and gutters (12) of the building (11); a water level sensor means (21) for sensing the level of water in the water tank; a tank water system (22) for supplying water from the water tank (13); a water pump (23) for pumping water from the water tank (13) along the tank water system (22); a non-return valve (25) downstream of the pump in the tank water system; a pressure sensor means (26) for sensing water pressure of water within the tank water system, said pressure sensor means (26) is located downstream of the non-return valve (25); a mains water system for supplying mains water; a three port valve (35) having a first port (34) connected to the tank water system downstream from the pressure sensor means (26), a second port (37) connected to the mains water system and a third port (41) connected to the building's water reticulation system; wherein when the first (34) and third port (41) a

Abstract: A system and method for processing sample data employing hardware, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), to process the sample data in small pipelined steps. The processing includes a circular buffer where the read and write of data is synchronous, preventing buffer overrun or data loss. This pipeline processing approach allows increasing data acquisition channels or additional processing steps without limiting processing speed.