Abstract: A method for producing a filtering material comprising a cellulosic material and a positively charged polyelectrolyte comprising polyvinylamine (PVAm), wherein said method comprises at least the steps of: —providing a stock comprising said cellulosic material comprising cellulose fibers; —adding said polyvinylamine to said stock such that a concentration of PVAm in the stock is in an interval of 0.5-2.0 wt-% of a dry weight of cellulose fibers in polyelectrolyte to said stock, and —allowing said cellulosic material to adsorb said polyvinylamine.

Abstract: A carrier card for reduced width circuit card assemblies are described. The carrier card includes a U-shaped design. A daughter card mounts in a void in the carrier card in a co-planar fashion. The carrier card includes an upper member; a lateral member, a lower member and a front panel with optional snout. The lateral member or other member includes a carrier card electrical and/or optical connector. The lower member or other member includes a mating electrical and/or optical connector to connect with the daughter card. The upper member, the lateral member, and the lower member form or define the void. A front panel connects with the upper and lower member and, optionally, the daughter card to provide structural integrity and provides additional I/O for the assembly.

Abstract: An assistive seating device (10) includes a frame (11) having a base (12) with rear legs (14) coupled to front legs (15) having lifting arms (21). The base also includes a first couplers (25) and second couplers (26). The frame also includes a seat portion (29) coupled to the base for reciprocal movement between a lowered, seating position and a raised, lifting position. Lifting cylinders (40) are pivotally coupled at a top end (41) to the seat portion. Each lifting cylinder also has a lower end (44) receivable within either the first or second tubular coupler. The force of the lifting cylinders upon the pivoting seat portion depends upon the selected coupling location of the lower ends of the lifting cylinders upon the base. The assistive seating device also includes a lock to prevent the seat portion from pivoting from its lowered, seating position to its raised, lifting position.

Abstract: A high current solid-state bidirectional relay assembly includes a first conductor bar, a second conductor bar, and a third intermediate conductor bar. A plurality of MOSFET switching elements are disposed in two back-to-back arrays of switching elements. Either all of the source leads or all of the drain leads of the plurality of MOSFET switching element are electrically connected to the third intermediate conductor bar. The other leads of each MOSFET switching element in one of the arrays are electrically connected to the first conductor bar, and the other leads of each MOSFET switching element in the other array are electrically connected to the second conductor bar. A printed circuit board has control circuitry to control the bidirectional relay. All of the gate leads of the plurality of MOSFET switching elements are electrically connected to the control circuitry of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An assistive seating device (10) includes a frame (11) having a base (12) with rear legs (14) coupled to front legs (15) having lifting arms (21). The base also includes a first couplers (25) and second couplers (26). The frame also includes a seat portion (29) coupled to the base for reciprocal movement between a lowered, seating position and a raised, lifting position. Lifting cylinders (40) are pivotally coupled at a top end (41) to the seat portion. Each lifting cylinder also has a lower end (44) receivable within either the first or second tubular coupler. The force of the lifting cylinders upon the pivoting seat portion depends upon the selected coupling location of the lower ends of the lifting cylinders upon the base. The assistive seating device also includes a lock to prevent the seat portion from pivoting from its lowered, seating position to its raised, lifting position.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling a drywell including a receiver having upper and lower ends with the lower end being more insulated than the upper end having a temperature sensor in thermal contact therewith. Upper and lower heating elements are in thermal contact with the upper and lower ends, respectively. A controller includes an integrated circuit having a temperature sensor. A reading from the integrated circuit is used to control power to the upper heating element and reduce a temperature gradient between the upper and lower ends of the receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for de-bouncing keypad inputs is disclosed including interrupting a processor upon detecting a key press, reading input signals from the key pad to determine an initial port value and starting a timer. A keypad interrupt is disabled and processing resumes until expiration of the timer. The timer interrupts the processor and the input signals are read a second time and combined with the initial port value to determine a key identifier. The timer is started again and processing resumes. Upon expiration of the timer the processor checks for key release. If release is not detected, the timer is again started. If release occurs, the timer is disabled and the keypad interrupt is enabled.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling a drywell including a receiver having upper and lower ends with the lower end being more insulated than the upper and having a temperature sensor in thermal contact therewith. Upper and lower heaters are in thermal contact with the upper and lower ends respectively. A controller includes an integrated circuit having a temperature sensor. A reading from the integrated circuit is used to control power to the upper heater and reduce a temperature gradient between the upper and lower ends of the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for temporarily storing electrical energy to power sensitive measurement circuits. In one embodiment, a switch-mode power converter is operable to charge an energy storage device. After the energy storage device is sufficiently charged, the switch-mode power converter is powered off so that sensitive measurements may be made without being affected by noise or interference caused by the switch-mode power converter. Once the measurement has been made, the switch-mode power converter is powered on and provides power to the energy storage device to recharge the energy storage device so that a subsequent measurement may be made.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling a drywell including a receiver having upper and lower ends with the lower end being more insulated than the upper and having a temperature sensor in thermal contact therewith. Upper and lower heaters are in thermal contact with the upper and lower ends respectively. A controller includes an integrated circuit having a temperature sensor. A reading from the integrated circuit is used to control power to the upper heater and reduce a temperature gradient between the upper and lower ends of the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling a drywell including a receiver having upper and lower ends with the lower end being more insulated than the upper and having a temperature sensor in thermal contact therewith. Upper and lower heaters are in thermal contact with the upper and lower ends respectively. A controller includes an integrated circuit having a temperature sensor. A reading from the integrated circuit is used to control power to the upper heater and reduce a temperature gradient between the upper and lower ends of the receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for de-bouncing keypad inputs is disclosed including interrupting a processor upon detecting a key press, reading input signals from the key pad to determine an initial port value and starting a timer. A keypad interrupt is disabled and processing resumes until expiration of the timer. The timer interrupts the processor and the input signals are read a second time and combined with the initial port value to determine a key identifier. The timer is started again and processing resumes. Upon expiration of the timer the processor checks for key release. If release is not detected, the timer is again started. If release occurs, the timer is disabled and the keypad interrupt is enabled.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for temporarily storing electrical energy to power sensitive measurement circuits. In one embodiment, a switch-mode power converter is operable to charge an energy storage device. After the energy storage device is sufficiently charged, the switch-mode power converter is powered off so that sensitive measurements may be made without being affected by noise or interference caused by the switch-mode power converter. Once the measurement has been made, the switch-mode power converter is powered on and provides power to the energy storage device to recharge the energy storage device so that a subsequent measurement may be made.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for de-bouncing keypad inputs is disclosed including interrupting a processor upon detecting a key press, reading input signals from the key pad to determine an initial port value and starting a timer. A keypad interrupt is disabled and processing resumes until expiration of the timer. The timer interrupts the processor and the input signals are read a second time and combined with the initial port value to determine a key identifier. The timer is started again and processing resumes. Upon expiration of the timer the processor checks for key release. If release is not detected, the timer is again started. If release occurs, the timer is disabled and the keypad interrupt is enabled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing thermal switches is disclosed including modulating the temperature of a receiver in thermal contact with a thermal switch at a first rate within a range containing the nominal switch temperature of the thermal switch. A first temperature at which the switch changes state is recorded. The temperature is then modulated at a second rate and a second temperature at which the switch again changes state is recorded. The temperature may be modulated at a third rate slower than the second rate to determine a third temperature. The first, second, and third switch temperatures are then processed and output to an operator. The first, second, and third rates may be determined according to an exponentially decreasing function.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling a drywell including a receiver having upper and lower ends with the lower end being more insulated than the upper and having a temperature sensor in thermal contact therewith. Upper and lower heaters are in thermal contact with the upper and lower ends respectively. A controller includes an integrated circuit having a temperature sensor. A reading from the integrated circuit is used to control power to the upper heater and reduce a temperature gradient between the upper and lower ends of the receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for de-bouncing keypad inputs is disclosed including interrupting a processor upon detecting a key press, reading input signals from the key pad to determine an initial port value and starting a timer. A keypad interrupt is disabled and processing resumes until expiration of the timer. The timer interrupts the processor and the input signals are read a second time and combined with the initial port value to determine a key identifier. The timer is started again and processing resumes. Upon expiration of the timer the processor checks for key release. If release is not detected, the timer is again started. If release occurs, the timer is disabled and the keypad interrupt is enabled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing thermal switches is disclosed including modulating the temperature of a receiver in thermal contact with a thermal switch at a first rate within a range containing the nominal switch temperature of the thermal switch. A first temperature at which the switch changes state is recorded. The temperature is then modulated at a second rate and a second temperature at which the switch again changes state is recorded. The temperature may be modulated at a third rate slower than the second rate to determine a third temperature. The first, second, and third switch temperatures are then processed and output to an operator. The first, second, and third rates may be determined according to an exponentially decreasing function.

Abstract: Disposable containers include peripheral tabs which are useful for positioning and processing the containers and operate as separators. In a preferred embodiment, the tabs correspond to tabs on a paperboard blank where the tabs are useful for controlling the orientation of the blanks so that printed and shape features may be kept in registration during manufacturing of a disposable servingware container.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing smoke and fumes from a melting furnace including a stationary exhaust duct, an inverted funnel-shaped hood, and an extensible ducting stem pivotally interconnecting the hood and exhaust duct to accommodate shifting movement of the hood with respect to the furnace from a first position in which the bottom opening of the hood generally overlies the surface of the platform and the furnace charging port to a second position whereat the bottom opening extends laterally beyond the platform and substantially overlies the discharge zone of the pouring spout upon tilting of the furnace.