Abstract: A non-contact system utilizing an air-propagated ultrasound for monitoring biometric parameters is disclosed. A non-contact sensor transmits an ultrasonic wave toward a subject. The wave is reflected by the subject's skin surface back toward the sensor. Electronics in the sensor measure the small changes in displacement of the skin surface to derive a plurality of biometric parameters, including but not limited to respiration rate, heart rate, eye motion, and limb movement.

Abstract: A power transmission and data communications system for use in a gas or oil well borehole is disclosed. The borehole includes a casing and a piping structure therein and at least one downhole equipment module located therein. The system provides for a power signal to provide power transfer to downhole systems that require power and for data and control signals to be transmitted using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to the downhole equipment located in the downhole equipment modules. In particular, the system provides for the data signal to be electrically coupled to the case and piping structure for transmission downhole to the downhole systems that are similarly coupled to the casing and piping structure. The downhole equipment includes a power supply that is operative to recover electrical power from the power signal and to provide output power to the other downhole equipment.

Abstract: A reprogrammable data communications system for use in a gas or oil well borehole is disclosed. The borehole includes a casing and a piping structure therein and at least one downhole equipment module located therein. The system provides for data and control signals to be coupled to the casing and piping structure by a surface modem and transmitted to the downhole equipment located in the downhole equipment modules. The downhole equipment modules include a downhole modem that is coupled to the casing and piping structure and receives the transmitted data and command signals and recovers the transmitted data and commands therefrom. A downhole processor is coupled to the downhole modem and receives the data and commands from the downhole modem and stores the data and commands in retentive memory that is coupled to the downhole processor. In this way, the downhole processor can be reprogrammed with new algorithms and communications parameters.

Abstract: A power transmission and data communications system for use in a gas or oil well borehole is disclosed. The borehole includes a casing and a piping structure therein and at least one downhole equipment module located therein. The system provides for the power signal that is used to provide power transfer to be modulated with data and control signals that are to be transmitted to the downhole equipment located in the downhole equipment modules. In particular, the system provides for the power/data signal to be electrically coupled to the case and piping structure for transmission downhole. The downhole equipment includes a power supply that is operative to recover the power signal portion of the power/data signal and to provide power to the other downhole equipment. A downhole receiver is operative to recover the data portion of the power/data signal and to demodulate the data provided thereon.

Abstract: A power transmission and data communications system for use in a gas or oil well borehole is disclosed. The borehole includes a casing and a piping structure therein and at least one downhole equipment module located therein. The system provides for a power signal to provide power transfer to downhole systems that require power and for data and control signals to be transmitted using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to the downhole equipment located in the downhole equipment modules. In particular, the system provides for the data signal to be electrically coupled to the case and piping structure for transmission downhole to the downhole systems that are similarly coupled to the casing and piping structure. The downhole equipment includes a power supply that is operative to recover electrical power from the power signal and to provide output power to the other downhole equipment.

Abstract: A power transmission and data communications system for use in a gas or oil well borehole is disclosed. The borehole includes a casing and a piping structure therein and at least one downhole equipment module located therein. The system provides for the power signal that is used to provide power transfer to be modulated with data and control signals that are to be transmitted to the downhole equipment located in the downhole equipment modules. In particular, the system provides for the power/data signal to be electrically coupled to the case and piping structure for transmission downhole. The downhole equipment includes a power supply that is operative to recover the power signal portion of the power/data signal and to provide power to the other downhole equipment. A downhole receiver is operative to recover the data portion of the power/data signal and to demodulate the data provided thereon.

Abstract: A reprogrammable data communications system for use in a gas or oil well borehole is disclosed. The borehole includes a casing and a piping structure therein and at least one downhole equipment module located therein. The system provides for data and control signals to be coupled to the casing and piping structure by a surface modem and transmitted to the downhole equipment located in the downhole equipment modules. The downhole equipment modules include a downhole modem that is coupled to the casing and piping structure and receives the transmitted data and command signals and recovers the transmitted data and commands therefrom. A downhole processor is coupled to the downhole modem and receives the data and commands from the downhole modem and stores the data and commands in retentive memory that is coupled to the downhole processor. In this way, the downhole processor can be reprogrammed with new algorithms and communications parameters.

Abstract: A hiccup mode current protection circuit for switched mode power converters for high power applications is provided. The circuit features a comparator for comparing an indicating voltage to a reference voltage and outputting a control signal to a disabling input where the indicating voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold. The control signal also causes a switch to reduce the reference voltage to ensure that the comparator continues to output the control signal regardless of a drop in the indicating voltage. The control signal is maintained by a comparator for only a predetermined time period such that the switch eventually returns the reference voltage to its pre-reduction state, allowing the comparator to discontinue outputting the control signal if the indicating voltage is below the predetermined voltage threshold.

Abstract: A voltage threshold circuit for the power factor correction stage of a power conversion system is provide. The circuit features a voltage threshold circuit with a comparator for (i) comparing a predetermined threshold voltage to the output voltage of a power factor correction stage of a power conditioner and (ii) outputting a signal if the output voltage is at least equal to the predetermined threshold voltage. The presence of the signal decreases the predetermined threshold voltage, thereby effectively changing the output voltage above which the comparator continues to output the signal.