Abstract: A drain cassette for a dialysis unit has a fluid channel between venous and arterial connection ports, and a valve may controllably open and close fluid communication between a drain outlet port and the venous connection port or the arterial connection port. A blood circuit assembly and drain cassette may be removable from the dialysis unit, e.g., by hand and without the use of tools. A blood circuit assembly may include a single, unitary member that defines portions of a pair of blood pumps, control valves, channels to accurately position flexible tubing for an occluder, an air trap support, and/or other portions of the assembly. A blood circuit assembly engagement device may assist with retaining a blood circuit assembly on the dialysis unit, and/or with removal of the assembly. An actuator may operate a retainer element and an ejector element that interact with the assembly.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a capacitively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a symmetrical power distribution.

Abstract: An identification system in communication with a vehicle control system comprises a communication circuit configured to communicate with a remote server and at least one scanning apparatus configured to capture a biometric data. A controller is in communication with the communication circuit and the scanning apparatus. The controller is configured to receive a request for a security authorization, capture the biometric data with the scanning apparatus, and compare the biometric data to authentication data in an identification profile. Based on the comparison, the controller is further configured to authenticate a vehicle operator and communicate with a mobile device associated with the vehicle operator via the communication circuit. The communication with the mobile device is configured to limit or restrict operations of the mobile device.

Abstract: An identification system in communication with a vehicle control system comprises a communication circuit configured to communicate with a remote server and at least one scanning apparatus configured to capture a biometric data. A controller is in communication with the communication circuit and the scanning apparatus. The controller is configured to receive a request for a security authorization, capture the biometric data with the scanning apparatus, and compare the biometric data to authentication data in an identification profile. Based on the comparison, the controller is further configured to authenticate a vehicle operator and communicate with a mobile device associated with the vehicle operator via the communication circuit. The communication with the mobile device is configured to limit or restrict operations of the mobile device.

Abstract: An insulated base for reducing thermal losses through the bottom of a water heater includes an inner body of insulating foam. The insulating body is between 0.75 inch and 2.5 inches thick, and extends laterally commensurate with the bottom diameter of the water heater. The insulating body is surrounded by a molded plastic cover for protection from physical impact. The insulated base may include an upturned lip around its perimeter to prevent water from entering or leaving the insulated base. A drain hole in such upturned lip allows collected water to escape upon reaching the level of the drain hole. The insulating body is preferably made from polyurethane, polyethylene, or polystyrene. The molded plastic cover that encases the insulating body is preferably made from roto-molded polyethylene or polypropylene plastic resin.

Abstract: A display mirror assembly having a housing. An electro-optic element is disposed within the housing. A light gathering structure is operably coupled with a first side of the electro-optic element and is configured to draw ambient light from outside the housing. A display module is disposed within the housing and is operable between an on state and an off state. A light relaying structure is operably coupled with a second side of the electro-optic element and is configured to relay light from the electro-optic element to a first edge of the display module. A backlit module is disposed at a second edge of the display module.

Abstract: A display mirror assembly having a housing. An electro-optic element is disposed within the housing. A light gathering structure is operably coupled with a first side of the electro-optic element and is configured to draw ambient light from outside the housing. A display module is disposed within the housing and is operable between an on state and an off state. A light relaying structure is operably coupled with a second side of the electro-optic element and is configured to relay light from the electro-optic element to a first edge of the display module. A backlit module is disposed at a second edge of the display module.

Abstract: A storage phosphor cassette including a shell having a cavity and a storage phosphor assembly having a substantially rigid plate. The rigid plate is adapted to be removably contained within the cavity of the shell and is also comprised of a material which is optically and/or radiographically transparent. A single storage phosphor screen is supported on one side of the substantially rigid plate such that both surfaces of the storage phosphor screen are optically and/or radiographically visible. In a preferred embodiment, the rigid plate can be comprised of one or more layers of clear acrylic, or at least one layer of glass disposed intermediate two layers of clear acrylic.

Abstract: An anti-tether device used in vending machines to prevent retrieval of paper currency that is attached to a tether. The anti-tether device includes a slotted disk aligned with the paper currency path and is caused to rotate after paper currency passes through the slot. A tether attached to the paper currency will inhibit the motion of the disk. If the vending machine control system determines that the disk did not rotate completely or did not rotate within a predetermined time limit, the vending machine will not dispense a product or service and may send an external signal. Alternatively, if a product or service is dispensed despite the presence of a tether, the paper currency will not be retrievable, as the tether will be mechanically wound around a shaft of the anti-tether apparatus.

Abstract: A vending or merchandising machine is provided which includes a bulk-loaded coin hopper for providing change to a user of the machine. The vending machine may be operable in a change mode, wherein change is dispensed from the bulk loaded hopper in an amount equivalent to the amount of credit input into the machine by user, or a vending mode, where a user may select an item to be purchased, and receive the item and change in an amount equal to the input amount less the purchase price of the item. Preferably, the vending machine automatically switches to the change mode in response to an input threshold amount being inserted into the vending machine. Preferably, the vending machine further may be selectively switched to the change mode in response to a user input on a keypad or the like on the merchandising machine.

Abstract: An improved universal document validator in which a document is transported along a path past light detectors and associated light sources positioned above and below the path, such that light from the sources is directed toward the path and reflected onto the detectors to produce outputs therefrom. A first stored value representing the desired output of each detector with no document in the transport path and with its associated light source illuminated is divided by the actual output of each detector with no document in the transport path and with its associated light source illuminated, to produce a plurality of quotients. If any of the quotients falls outside a predetermined range, the validator turns itself off. A microprocessor control system uses the outputs of the detectors with a document in the transport path together with the quotients to produce an indication of the validity of the document.

Abstract: A high voltage motor controller which is capable of accepting a modular plug-in unit comprising a power fuse assembly and isolating switch apparatus of a drawout type, and characterized by a safety shutter mechanism for mechanically driving an isolating shutter between open and closed positions, to prevent accidental access to the energized stationary line stabs.

Abstract: A magnetic contactor characterized by stationary and movable contacts with the stationary contact comprising at least two contact sections including a pivot section for limited movement toward the movable contact. The pivot section is mounted on a pivot edge of a first conductor and is spring biased against the pivot edge and in a position of limited movement. The movable contact is mounted on a support lever which is pivotally mounted to effect limited vertical and horizontal movement of the movable contact with respect to the stationary contact. The electromagnetic means of the contactor comprises an armature for moving the lever, and link means between the lever and the armature and includes a spring biasing structure for effecting over-travel movement of the lever. Finally, a magnetic blowout assembly and an arc chute are provided adjacent to the stationary contact zone for facilitating the interruption of an arc incurred during separation of the contacts.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, ferromagnetic, polycrystalline, iron-based materials are subjected to an alternating magnetic field at low temperatures. This treatment provides improved mechanical properties and resistance to corrosive attack. It is believed that this improvement is due to a modification in the dislocation density and distribution in the material. More specifically, it is believed that this method causes a significant reduction in the dislocation density and thereby produces a more perfect crystalline lattice structure.