Abstract: Techniques for protecting information may include: exposing a logical device of a data storage system to a host, wherein the logical device has an attribute identifying the logical device as a stealth device having accessibility controlled by the data storage system based on commands issued over a control path, wherein the logical device has a mode indicating whether the logical device is accessible to the host; sending, from the host to the data storage system, a write command that writes first data on the logical device when the mode indicates the logical device is accessible to the host; and subsequent to said sending, issuing a command over the control path to the data storage system, wherein the command sets the mode of the logical device to inaccessible indicating the logical device is not accessible to the host.

Abstract: Techniques for protecting information may include: exposing a logical device of a data storage system to a host, wherein the logical device has an attribute identifying the logical device as a stealth device having accessibility controlled by the data storage system based on commands issued over a control path, wherein the logical device has a mode indicating whether the logical device is accessible to the host; sending, from the host to the data storage system, a write command that writes first data on the logical device when the mode indicates the logical device is accessible to the host; and subsequent to said sending, issuing a command over the control path to the data storage system, wherein the command sets the mode of the logical device to inaccessible indicating the logical device is not accessible to the host.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a sequencer used to allow a battery maintenance device to charge and/or discharge one or more rechargeable batteries. In one embodiment a sequencer includes at least one relay, at least one relay control configured to selectively activate and deactivate the at least one relay, and a processing component, wherein the processing component is configured to receive a first input and programmed to activate the at least one relay via the at least one relay control in response to the first input. In another embodiment, a system includes a battery maintenance device that is in communication with the sequencer that has at least one relay, at least one relay control, and a processing component configured to receive a first input and programmed to activate the at least one relay via the at least one relay control in response to the first input.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a lighted connector configured to be attached to a rechargeable battery to allow the rechargeable battery to charged and/or discharged. The lighted connector includes a light that is operably connected to a control unit and/or processing component. The control unit and/or processing component may be programmed to control operation of the light in accordance with various parameters. In some embodiments, the light may be configured to be illuminated in response to an illumination triggering event, such as the lighted connector transitioning from a closed position toward an open position or a battery maintenance device associated with the lighted connector being connected to a power source. In addition, the lighted connector may be configured to be turned off in response to a shut-off triggering event, such as the lighted connector being correctly attached to a rechargeable battery. Furthermore, the light may be used in various ways to provide feedback to the user.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a lighted connector configured to be attached to a rechargeable battery to allow the rechargeable battery to charged and/or discharged. The lighted connector includes a light that is operably connected to a control unit and/or processing component. The control unit and/or processing component may be programmed to control operation of the light in accordance with various parameters. In some embodiments, the light may be configured to be illuminated in response to an illumination triggering event, such as the lighted connector transitioning from a closed position toward an open position or a battery maintenance device associated with the lighted connector being connected to a power source. In addition, the lighted connector may be configured to be turned off in response to a shut-off triggering event, such as the lighted connector being correctly attached to a rechargeable battery. Furthermore, the light may be used in various ways to provide feedback to the user.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a rechargeable battery connected to the battery exercising device. A battery assessment may be performed on the rechargeable battery to determine whether to charge the battery after the battery assessment. The rechargeable battery may be desulfated during the battery assessment in an effort to restore or increase the cranking power and/or the charge timing of the rechargeable battery. A solar panel may be provided as the power source and may be used in conjunction with a bank battery to store collected solar power until needed to recharge the battery.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery, such as a lead-acid battery, after a set amount of time has elapsed. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a battery connected to the battery exercising device. After a period has elapsed, for example two weeks, the device applies a discharging load to the connected battery to drain the battery to a predetermined discharge level. Thereafter, the device charges the connected battery to a predetermined charge level. Once charged to the predetermined charge level, the device again waits the set period of time and repeats the discharge/recharge sequence.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a rechargeable battery connected to the battery exercising device. A battery assessment may be performed on the rechargeable battery to determine whether to charge the battery after the battery assessment. The rechargeable battery may be desulfated during the battery assessment in an effort to restore or increase the cranking power and/or the charge timing of the rechargeable battery. A solar panel may be provided as the power source and may be used in conjunction with a bank battery to store collected solar power until needed to recharge the battery.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery, such as a lead-acid battery, after a set amount of time has elapsed. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a battery connected to the battery exercising device. After a period has elapsed, for example two weeks, the device applies a discharging load to the connected battery to drain the battery to a predetermined discharge level. Thereafter, the device charges the connected battery to a predetermined charge level. Once charged to the predetermined charge level, the device again waits the set period of time and repeats the discharge/recharge sequence.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery, such as a lead-acid battery, after a set amount of time has elapsed. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a battery connected to the battery exercising device. After a period has elapsed, for example two weeks, the device applies a discharging load to the connected battery to drain the battery to a predetermined discharge level. Thereafter, the device charges the connected battery to a predetermined charge level. Once charged to the predetermined charge level, the device again waits the set period of time and repeats the discharge/recharge sequence.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery, such as a lead-acid battery, after a set amount of time has elapsed. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a battery connected to the battery exercising device. After a period has elapsed, for example two weeks, the device applies a discharging load to the connected battery to drain the battery to a predetermined discharge level. Thereafter, the device charges the connected battery to a predetermined charge level. Once charged to the predetermined charge level, the device again waits the set period of time and repeats the discharge/recharge sequence.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motorized device comprises the steps of providing a motorized device, receiving a code, checking that code, and changing the operational state of a portion of the motorized device in response to the code in certain circumstances. In one embodiment, the motorized device comprises a drive system, an activation mechanism, and a safety circuit that is in communication with the activation mechanism and at least a portion of the drive system. After receiving an unlocking code from the activation mechanism, the next step is to determine if the received unlocking code corresponds to a predetermined unlocking code. Subsequently, if the received unlocking code corresponds to the predetermined unlocking code, then the safety circuit is transitioned from a locked state to a normal operation state. Additional codes and corresponding operational states may also be incorporated into other embodiments of the method.

Abstract: A material sampling and analyzing assembly comprises a material sampling device and a material analyzer assembly. The material sampling device is configured to extract a core sample of material from a supply of material. The material analyzer assembly is attached to a portion of the material sampling device. The material analyzer assembly comprises a first material analyzer configured to analyze a first testing sample, which comprises a first portion of the core sample. An alternate material sampling an analyzing assembly comprises a material sampling device comprising a discharge chute and a material analyzer assembly comprising a sample container and a material analyzer. The sample container is attached to the discharge chute. The sample container is configured to receive and temporarily retain a testing sample that is discharged from the discharge chute. The material analyzer is configured to analyze the testing sample while it is retained by the sample container.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motorized device comprises the steps of providing a motorized device, receiving a code, checking that code, and changing the operational state of a portion of the motorized device in response to the code in certain circumstances. In one embodiment, the motorized device comprises a drive system, an activation mechanism, and a safety circuit that is in communication with the activation mechanism and at least a portion of the drive system. After receiving an unlocking code from the activation mechanism, the next step is to determine if the received unlocking code corresponds to a predetermined unlocking code. Subsequently, if the received unlocking code corresponds to the predetermined unlocking code, then the safety circuit is transitioned from a locked state to a normal operation state. Additional codes and corresponding operational states may also be incorporated into other embodiments of the method.

Abstract: A safety system comprises an activation mechanism, a safety circuit, and a drive system in communication with each other. In one embodiment, the activation mechanism produces an activation signal in response to an actuation of the activation mechanism. The safety circuit operates in either a locked state or a normal operation state. In this embodiment, the safety circuit is programmed to prevent the activation signal from being communicated to the drive system when the safety circuit is operating in the locked state and to allow the activation signal to be communicated to the drive system when the safety circuit is operating in the normal operation state. The safety circuit is programmed to transition from the locked state to the normal operation state in response to receiving both an unlocking code and a follow-up signal that is received by the safety circuit within a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A material sampling device comprises an auger, a first motor, and a rotatable tube assembly. The auger is configured to extract material from a container. The first motor is configured to rotate the auger. The rotatable tube assembly comprises an outer tube and a second motor. The outer tube is configured to allow the auger to rotate within the outer tube. The outer tube comprises an upper portion configured to remain stationary, and a lower portion configured to rotate. The second motor is configured to rotate the lower portion of the outer tube. In a second embodiment, a material sampling device comprises an auger, and a rotatable tube assembly. The rotatable tube assembly comprises an outer tube comprising an upper portion configured to remain stationary and a lower portion configured to rotate. The auger and the lower portion of the outer tube are configured to rotate simultaneously in opposite directions.

Abstract: A material sampling device comprises an auger, a first motor, and a rotatable tube assembly. The auger is configured to extract material from a container. The first motor is configured to rotate the auger. The rotatable tube assembly comprises an outer tube and a second motor. The outer tube is configured to allow the auger to rotate within the outer tube. The outer tube comprises an upper portion configured to remain stationary, and a lower portion configured to rotate. The second motor is configured to rotate the lower portion of the outer tube. In a second embodiment, a material sampling device comprises an auger, and a rotatable tube assembly. The rotatable tube assembly comprises an outer tube comprising an upper portion configured to remain stationary and a lower portion configured to rotate. The auger and the lower portion of the outer tube are configured to rotate simultaneously in opposite directions.

Abstract: An improved kinetic assay is provided for spectrophotometrically determining the dissolved carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) content of a body fluid (e.g., blood, plasma or serum), wherein at about pH 8.0 the CO.sub.2 is present substantially as bicarbonate ion (HCO.sub.3.sup.-). The assay sample is first subjected to a coupled reaction mixture containing phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and phospho-enolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) which enzymatically catalyzes conversion of HCO.sub.3.sup.- to oxaloacetate (OA). The OA produced is subjected to a second coupled reaction mixture containing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) which thereby reduces the OA to malate and oxidizes the NADH to AND.sup.+. The CO.sub.2 level in the body fluid sample may indirectly be determined by spectrophotometrically measuring the change in NADH concentration.

Abstract: An improved kinetic assay is provided for spectrophotometrically determining the dissolved carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) content of a body fluid (e.g., blood, plasma or serum), wherein at about pH 8.0 the CO.sub.2 is present substantially as bicarbonate ion (HCO.sub.3.sup.-). The assay sample is first subjected to a coupled reaction mixture containing phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) which enzymatically catalyzes conversion of HCO.sub.3.sup.- to oxaloacetate (OA). The OA produced is subjected to a second coupled reaction mixture containing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) which thereby reduces the OA to malate and oxidizes the NADH to NAD.sup.+. The CO.sub.2 level in the body fluid sample may indirectly be determined by spectrophotometrically measuring the change in NADH concentration.

Abstract: A coal sampling device is provided for the efficient extraction of a core sample of coal from a container, such as a coal truck or railroad hopper car, and crushing of the extracted coal sample into particles useful for laboratory analysis. Uncrushed pieces of extracted coal are transported to a separating device that allows most of these extracted coal pieces to fall back into the container through several open windows. The separating device also includes an additional window through which extracted coal pieces fall into a crushing device, where the coal pieces are crushed to pebble-sized pieces. The crushed coal pieces are allowed to fall out of the bottom of the coal crushing device, and a portion of the crushed pieces are collected by a sample collecting receptacle, which accumulates portions of the crushed coal throughout the core extraction process so that a true representative sample of the total extracted core is collected.