Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring, determining and/or analyzing the cranking RPM of a vehicle is provided. The system measures the voltage of at least a portion of a vehicle's electrical system to determine high and/or low voltage time periods during at least a portion of a starting or cranking cycle. The time between high and/or low voltage points can then be used, along with the number of cylinders in the vehicle, to determine the cranking RPM of the vehicle. The system may include a load module and a control module that are removably coupled to one another in first and second configurations.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring, determining and/or analyzing the cranking RPM of a vehicle is provided. The system measures the voltage of at least a portion of a vehicle's electrical system to determine high and/or low voltage time periods during at least a portion of a starting or cranking cycle. The time between high and/or low voltage points can then be used, along with the number of cylinders in the vehicle, to determine the cranking RPM of the vehicle. The system may include a load module and a control module that are removably coupled to one another in first and second configurations.

Abstract: A cap and figurine device disclosed has a main member with a throughbore and includes a lower coupling portion suitable for threading externally onto a bottle top, an intermediate hollow, elongated neck portion and an upper inner valve portion. A movable outer valve portion moves on the inner valve portion between open and closed positions and is removable from the main member to enable one of a plurality of interchangeable figurines to be placed on and carried by the neck portion which serves as a spindle with the movable outer valve portion retaining the figurine body in place during use.

Abstract: A waveguide and a scaler ring assembly in which the waveguide has external threads and the scaler ring has internal threads for threaded mating engagement so that the position of the waveguide can be easily selected, and is maintained in a secure, close-fitted relationship. The scaler ring has means for attaching to an antenna dish.

Abstract: A novel missed-hit detection and player proximity detection system for an electronic, automatically scored projectile target game apparatus wherein the scoring system thereof is automatically deactivated whenever a player comes within a proscribed distance range from the game and wherein the impact of a projectile which misses the target, yet strikes the front of the game registers as a non-scoring "missed-hit" and is deducted from the number of remaining throws in that round.