Abstract: An insulation spacer for marine vessel insulation. In one embodiment, the insulation spacer comprises a circularly-shaped top face comprising a locking means; a side wall extending from a perimeter of the circularly-shaped top face at a first angle measuring between about 90° and about 180° relative to an internal surface of the top face, thereby forming a bottom opening; a flange portion extending from a perimeter of the bottom opening at a second angle measuring equal to the first angle relative to an external surface of the side wall, whereby the flange portion is parallelly oriented to the circularly-shaped top face, wherein the side wall provides at least a ½-inch space between the circularly-shaped top face and the flange portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective liner coating. The protective liner coating may comprise one or more solvents, an antioxidant, a first pigment, barium sulfate, a wetting agent, a rheological additive, a surfactant, a second pigment, and a plurality of resins. The protective liner coating may be used for secondary containment protection from chemicals and other toxic substances.

Abstract: A mission pod system for an aircraft set to perform a mission includes a fixed portion that is fixedly secured to an exterior surface of the aircraft. The mission pod system also includes a modular portion that is removably secured to the fixed portion and spaced away from the exterior surface of the aircraft via the fixed portion. The modular portion includes an entirety of mission-specific components.

Abstract: An automated method adapted to allow sharing of information among a set of users is described. The method includes: performing a user sign up operation for each particular user in the set of users; generating a graphic code and an exchange uniform resource locator (URL) associated with each particular user; and providing a web page accessible at the URL. An automated method adapted to perform multi-directional sharing among a set of users is also described. The method includes: scanning a graphic code using a user device associated with a particular user; navigating to a uniform resource locator (URL) based at least partly on information received by scanning the graphic code; and sending a first set of information fields associated with the particular user to a user associated with the graphic code. An application may include: a camera interaction module; a processing module; and a communication module.

Abstract: A mission pod system for an aircraft set to perform a mission includes a fixed portion that is fixedly secured to an exterior surface of the aircraft. The mission pod system also includes a modular portion that is removably secured to the fixed portion and spaced away from the exterior surface of the aircraft via the fixed portion. The modular portion includes an entirety of mission-specific components.

Abstract: An automated method adapted to allow sharing of information among a set of users is described. The method includes: performing a user sign up operation for each particular user in the set of users; generating a graphic code and an exchange uniform resource locator (URL) associated with each particular user; and providing a web page accessible at the URL. An automated method adapted to perform multi-directional sharing among a set of users is also described. The method includes: scanning a graphic code using a user device associated with a particular user; navigating to a uniform resource locator (URL) based at least partly on information received by scanning the graphic code; and sending a first set of information fields associated with the particular user to a user associated with the graphic code. An application may include: a camera interaction module; a processing module; and a communication module.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include charge pump circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a first charge pump receives a voltage and generates a first charge pump output voltage and current for supplying the power requirements of a circuit. A second charge pump is coupled in series with the first charge pump. The second charge pump generates a second charge pump output voltage and current for supplying different power requirements of the circuit. In one embodiment, the first charge pump provides a high current low voltage output to a first circuit and the second charge pump provides a low current high voltage output to a second circuit. Capacitors of the first charge pump may be external to an integrated circuit and capacitors of the second charge pump may be internal to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include charge pump circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a first charge pump receives a voltage and generates a first charge pump output voltage and current for supplying the power requirements of a circuit. A second charge pump is coupled in series with the first charge pump. The second charge pump generates a second charge pump output voltage and current for supplying different power requirements of the circuit. In one embodiment, the first charge pump provides a high current low voltage output to a first circuit and the second charge pump provides a low current high voltage output to a second circuit. Capacitors of the first charge pump may be external to an integrated circuit and capacitors of the second charge pump may be internal to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include charge pump circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a first charge pump receives a voltage and generates a first charge pump output voltage and current for supplying the power requirements of a circuit. A second charge pump is coupled in series with the first charge pump. The second charge pump generates a second charge pump output voltage and current for supplying different power requirements of the circuit. In one embodiment, the first charge pump provides a high current low voltage output to a first circuit and the second charge pump provides a low current high voltage output to a second circuit. Capacitors of the first charge pump may be external to an integrated circuit and capacitors of the second charge pump may be internal to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include charge pump circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a first charge pump receives a voltage and generates a first charge pump output voltage and current for supplying the power requirements of a circuit. A second charge pump is coupled in series with the first charge pump. The second charge pump generates a second charge pump output voltage and current for supplying different power requirements of the circuit. In one embodiment, the first charge pump provides a high current low voltage output to a first circuit and the second charge pump provides a low current high voltage output to a second circuit. Capacitors of the first charge pump may be external to an integrated circuit and capacitors of the second charge pump may be internal to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A rain-gutter cleaning system has an agitator head that is mounted to the top end of a long suction tube and pole and supported aloft by them. A vacuum pump on the ground is connected to bring rain-gutter debris down the suction tube and into a collection bag. The agitator head includes opposite, synchronized rotating paddles that tear and break up tangles and clogs encountered in a rain gutter and that helps direct the loosened debris down the throat of the suction tube. An optional camera mounted atop the agitator head allows an operator on the ground below to see the performance inside of the rain gutter on a small monitor screen.

Abstract: A door handle lock assembly includes a housing configured to be attached to a door. A interconnecting member is rotatably and axially movably supported by the housing. A first handle is fixed to the interconnecting member at a first end of the interconnecting member and a second handle is fixed to the interconnecting member at a second end of the interconnecting member. The door is between the second handle and the housing. The door handle lock assembly is changed from a locked condition to an unlocked condition by axially moving the interconnecting member from a first position to a second position and then rotating the interconnecting member.

Abstract: A mat for covering soil comprising a lower fabric layer, an upper fabric layer superimposed over the lower fabric layer, and a water absorbing material interposed between said lower fabric layer and upper fabric layer. The mat contains tubular segments containing fabric and hydraulically setting cement. The cover, when wetted, becomes ballasted by the absorbed water and the tubular elements harden to form rigid ribs that hold the mat in conformity with the surface of the underlying soil.

Abstract: A check valve having a profiled entrance that reduces net positive suction head for piston and plunger pumps. The valve inlet surface has a cross-section that may include a curved portion that corresponds to a portion of a cone, circle, ellipse, hyperbola, or parabola.

Abstract: A fan shroud for an axial flow fan comprises a generally annular main body having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an inner surface defining a fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet ends. The inner surface includes first and second conical sections that converge toward the outlet end and a diverging section that diverges toward the outlet end. The second conical section is located between the first conical section and the diverging section. With this arrangement, turbulent fluid flow through the fan shroud between the inlet end and outlet end is minimized. Preferably, a first converging angle of the first conical section with respect to a plane transverse to the direction of fluid flow at the inlet end is less than a second converging angle of the second conical section with respect to the plane.

Abstract: A check valve having a profiled entrance that reduces net positive suction head for piston and plunger pumps. The valve inlet surface has a cross-section that may include a curved portion that corresponds to a portion of a cone, circle, ellipse, hyperbola, or parabola.

Abstract: A rain-gutter cleaning system has an agitator head that is mounted to the top end of a long suction tube and pole and supported aloft by them. A vacuum pump on the ground is connected to bring rain-gutter debris down the suction tube and into a collection bag. The agitator head includes rotating paddles that tear and break up tangles and clogs encountered in a rain gutter and has a rotating auger screw inside that helps direct the loosened debris down the throat of the suction tube. A camera mounted atop the agitator head allows an operator on the ground below to see the inside of the rain gutter on a small monitor screen.

Abstract: A toilet screen is provided including a screen assembly situated over a large circular opening of a commode and having a closed orientation for precluding large articles to pass through the opening and an open orientation for allowing large articles to pass therethrough. Also included is at least one actuator assembly for maintaining the screen assembly in the closed orientation when a commode lid is opened and in the open orientation when the commode lid is closed.

Abstract: An emergency sign is mounted to a canopy that is attached to a support such as a ceiling or vertical wall. The canopy includes a post, and the sign includes a housing having a slot for receiving the post. The slot includes a wide portion and a narrow portion. The post is insertable into the wide portion and then slidable into the narrow portion. The sign housing includes a pair of locking arms that are spread apart by movement of the post into the narrow portion, and then snap back to a position blocking reverse travel of the post out of the narrow portion. The canopy includes through-holes for receiving mounting screws to secure the canopy to a support. Each through-hole includes radially inwardly projecting ears which are deformable in response to the entry of a screw into the through-hole to retain the screw in the through-hole during the mounting procedure.