Abstract: A control system may include a direct-current (DC) power bus for charging (e.g., trickle charging) internal energy storage elements in control devices of the control system. For example, the control devices may be motorized window treatments configured to adjust a position of a covering material to control the amount of daylight entering a space. The system may include a DC power supply that may generate a DC voltage on the DC power bus. For example, the DC power bus may extend from the DC power supply around the perimeter of a floor of the building and may be connected to all of the motorized window treatments on the floor (e.g., in a daisy-chain configuration). Wiring the DC power bus in such a manner may dramatically reduce the installation labor and wiring costs of an installation, as well as decreasing the chance of a miswire.

Abstract: A self-regulating electric heater cable includes a monolithic heater core of PTC material encapsulating a pair of bus wires, and a conductive layer disposed on an outer surface of the heater core such that the conductive layer levels the voltage generated at the outer surface of the heater core when an electric current is passed through the bus wires. The conductive layer draws the current evenly through lobes of PTC material encapsulating the bus wires. The conductive layer may be a coating, such as a conductive ink or paint, or may be an extruded or wrapped material applied to the heater core. Standard heater cable layers are applied over the conductive layer, including an electrically insulating layer that contacts a portion of the conductive layer and also may be separated, at points, from the conductive layer by one or more air gaps.

Abstract: Voltage-leveled self-regulating heater cables with one or more cores are disclosed, each core having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material encapsulating a conductor. A conductive foil/wire and/or conductive ink portions cover a fraction of the cores. The conductive foil/wire may be formed about the cores circumferentially, and the conductive ink portions may be formed over the cores lengthwise. In embodiments with two or more separated conductive ink portions, the conductive foil/wire may be formed to electrically connect the conductive ink portions. A desired power output may be achievable by adjusting the fraction of the cores covered by conductive material.

Abstract: Voltage-leveled self-regulating heater cables with one or more cores are disclosed, each core having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material encapsulating a conductor. A conductive foil/wire and/or conductive ink portions cover a fraction of the cores. The conductive foil/wire may be formed about the cores circumferentially, and the conductive ink portions may be formed over the cores lengthwise. In embodiments with two or more separated conductive ink portions, the conductive foil/wire may be formed to electrically connect the conductive ink portions. A desired power output may be achievable by adjusting the fraction of the cores covered by conductive material.

Abstract: A self-regulating electric heater cable includes a monolithic heater core of PTC material encapsulating a pair of bus wires, and a conductive layer disposed on an outer surface of the heater core such that the conductive layer levels the voltage generated at the outer surface of the heater core when an electric current is passed through the bus wires. The conductive layer draws the current evenly through lobes of PTC material encapsulating the bus wires. The conductive layer may be a coating, such as a conductive ink or paint, or may be an extruded or wrapped material applied to the heater core. Standard heater cable layers are applied over the conductive layer, including an electrically insulating layer that contacts a portion of the conductive layer and also may be separated, at points, from the conductive layer by one or more air gaps.

Abstract: A dynamic seal assembly for installation between first and second relatively rotating members, comprising a ring for fixed engagement with said first member and an annular seal extending radially from said ring and configured to slidably engage said second member, wherein said radial seal has a thickness, and a length that is from about 1 to about 15 times greater than said thickness. In various embodiments, the seal is formed of a rubber composition comprising a vulcanized fluorocarbon elastomer dispersed in a matrix of a thermoplastic polymeric material. In various embodiments, the matrix forms a continuous phase and the vulcanized elastomeric material is in the form of particles forming a non-continuous phase. The compositions may be made by combining a curative, an uncured fluorocarbon elastomer, and a thermoplastic material, and heating the mixture to effect vulcanization of the elastomeric material, while applying mechanical energy.

Abstract: A gasket is formed using a plurality of compression limiting inserts each having first and second surfaces, and at least one edge disposed between the first and second surfaces with an elastomeric sealing material bonded thereto. Opposite ends of each of the compression limiting inserts are aligned with, and spliced to, adjacent ones of the compression limiting inserts by the elastomeric sealing material. The plurality of compression limiting inserts are aligned to form a completed gasket.

Abstract: A toothbrush including a head having an elastomeric support member is described herein. The elastomeric support member supports a plurality of upstanding projections. At least a portion of the upstanding projections include non-elastomeric projections and elastomeric projections.

Abstract: Polymeric binder blended from thermoplastic and uncured elastomer binds magnetizable particulate in segmentally magnetizable materials used for encoder targets used in encoders and assemblies where encoders determine rate of motion. The polymeric binder has a dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer tangent delta value (ASTM E 1640-94) not greater than 0.1 at a temperature not less than the liquefaction supra point temperature of the thermoplastic when cured with radiation (preferably electron beam radiation) prior to being blended with either the magnetizable particulate or with other filler materials. The binder effects encoder targets evidencing robustness to thermal or chemical agent stress. Pre-cured blends of magnetizable particulate in the binder evidence good extrusion (pultrusion) performance.

Abstract: A dynamic seal is provided which is made of a processable rubber composition containing a matrix of vulcanized elastomeric material with powder filler dispersed therein. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material contains a micro powder which has repeating units derived from tetrafluoroethylene. The micro powder has a median particle size of between 1 and 50 ?m.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a shaped rubber article, comprising admixing at least one thermoplastic material and at least one elastomer material to provide a processable and dimensionally stable rubber composition, shaping the composition, and irradiating the composition to form the shaped rubber article. The dimensional stability of the uncured composition may be provided by partial dynamic vulcanization, high performance reinforcing fillers, fractional curing, or combinations thereof. The elastomer material is present in an amount greater than about 65% by weight based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and elastomer materials present in the admixture.

Abstract: A toothbrush including a head having an elastomeric support member is described herein. The elastomeric support member supports a plurality of upstanding projections. At least a portion of the upstanding projections include non-elastomeric projections and elastomeric projections.

Abstract: An oral brush is provided that includes an elongated body, a head portion extending from the body, and a plurality of bristles, formed of particular thermoplastic elastomers, extending from the body. In various embodiments, the thermoplastic elastomer has a Shore A hardness of at least 30; the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polyetheramides, polyesters, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, polyurethanes, polyolefin elastomers, and mixtures thereof; and the thermoplastic elastomer has a flexural modulus of at least 5 MPa.

Abstract: An apparatus enables a conventional bicycle to be interfaced to a computer to serve as a controller for electronic games and the like. The apparatus includes a rear wheel support that removably holds the bicycle in an upright position while allowing rotation of the rear wheel. A rear wheel sensor detects rotation of the rear wheel of the bicycle as the rider pedals and generates an electrical signal indicating the rotational speed of the rear wheel. The apparatus also includes a front wheel sensor that detects the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle for the computer through the computer interface. For example, the front wheel of the bicycle can be removably supported by a front support member that rotates about a vertical axis as the front wheel is turned by the handle bars. A potentiometer is used to measure rotation of the front support member, and therefore the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: An oral brush is provided that includes an elongated body, a head portion extending from the body, and a plurality of bristles, formed of particular thermoplastic elastomers, extending from the body. In various embodiments, the thermoplastic elastomer has a Shore A hardness of at least 30; the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polyetheramides, polyesters, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, polyurethanes, polyolefin elastomers, and mixtures thereof; and the thermoplastic elastomer has a flexural modulus of at least 5 MPa.

Abstract: An apparatus enables a conventional bicycle to be interfaced to a computer to serve as a controller for electronic games and the like. The apparatus includes a rear wheel support that removably holds the bicycle in an upright position while allowing rotation of the rear wheel. A rear wheel sensor detects rotation of the rear wheel of the bicycle as the rider peddles and generates an electrical signal indicating the rotational speed of the rear wheel. The apparatus also includes a front wheel sensor that detects the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle for the computer through the computer interface. For example, the front wheel of the bicycle can be removably supported by a front support member that rotates about a vertical axis as the front wheel is turned by the handle bars. A potentiometer is used to measure rotation of the front support member, and therefore the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: Dental flosses are provided that include a foam. Preferred flosses include a foam outer layer and a reinforcing core and may be formed as a multicomponent coextruded filament.