Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for managing a processing load of a processing module and thermal energy produced by the processing load. In one example, a method includes identifying a hot water profile that contains usage information of hot water from a hot water tank that serves as a heat sink for the thermal energy. A determination may be made as to whether it is economically desirable to increase or decrease the processing load based on factors such as an economic value generated by the processing load, a cost of energy needed to support the processing load, and an economic value of the thermal energy transferred to the hot water tank based on the hot water profile. The processing load may be dynamically modulated by a local or remote controller in response to the economic desirability of increasing or decreasing the processing load as well as other possible parameters.

Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.

Abstract: A system includes an electrical component, a MOV, a voltage sensor, and a circuit. The MOV is connected in parallel to the electrical component. The voltage sensor detects a voltage over the MOV and the electrical component. The circuit removes power in response to the voltage sensor detecting the voltage over the MOV and the electrical component being greater than a threshold voltage for a length of time greater than a threshold length of time. Removing power prevents the MOV from releasing one or more of smoke, smell, and sound. The MOV is thus not damaged as a result of a power surge. The system may be a power supply, or another type of electrical system. The electrical component may be a capacitor, or another type of electrical component.

Abstract: A system includes an electrical component, a MOV, a voltage sensor, and a circuit. The MOV is connected in parallel to the electrical component. The voltage sensor detects a voltage over the MOV and the electrical component. The circuit removes power in response to the voltage sensor detecting the voltage over the MOV and the electrical component being greater than a threshold voltage for a length of time greater than a threshold length of time. Removing power prevents the MOV from releasing one or more of smoke, smell, and sound. The MOV is thus not damaged as a result of a power surge. The system may be a power supply, or another type of electrical system. The electrical component may be a capacitor, or another type of electrical component.

Abstract: Blend compositions of ethylene inter-polymers have equal or improved processability when compared to blends of high pressure produced polyethylenes (HP-LDPE) and linear low density ethylene inter-polymers (HP-LDPE/LLDPE). Additionally, the blends of ethylene inter-polymers have superior optical and physical properties to the HP-LDPE/LLDPE blends. The ethylene inter-polymer blends include a first ethylene inter-polymer having, an nRSI greater than 26, a PDI of greater than 3, or less than 15, a CCLDI greater than 1.0, or less than 10.0, and a branching factor less than 0.7. These inter-polymer blends also include a second ethylene inter-polymer that has an nRSI of greater than 1 or less than 11, a PDI of greater than 1.5 or less than 6, a CCLDI greater than 1 or less than 20, and a branching factor greater than factor 0.70, or less than 1.

Abstract: A T-shaped sweep auger handle for attachment to a sweep auger to enable the sweep auger to be easily maneuvered while operating. The T-shaped handle is comprised of an elongated rigid stem member having a first end and a second end, an elongated rigid transverse member affixed to the second end of the stem member and means for removably attaching the first end of the stem member to the sweep auger.

Abstract: A float body for river fishing and trolling has a longitudinal fin projecting downwardly from the bottom of the float to cut through water being fished to locate the float in desired lateral locations relative to the riverbank or direction of trolling. A spring-loaded locking swivel arm is used to set the desired angle at which the fin cuts through the water. The line exit location is through the fin and approximately at the center of the float body rearwardly from the swivel arm for horizontal stability. The float includes line locking apparatus using ring members secured under spring pressure or by a threaded tightening nut.

Abstract: A cover for a toilet seat is a plurality of plastic sheet members having side, front and rear sections surrounding an opening aligned with a toilet seat opening when the cover is placed on the toilet seat to protect a person from contaminants, side members are attached to opposite sides of the sheet members and extend downwardly adjacent opposite sides of the toilet seat. An apron, attached to the front of the sheet members, extends downwardly in front of the toilet seat and bowl to shield a person's legs and clothing from the toilet seat and bowl. An internal flap releasably connected to the sheet members is adapted to extend downwardly into the toilet bowl adjacent the front of the inside of the toilet seat. The sheet members are made of water-soluble material that dissolves at temperatures in a high range. The side members and apron are made of water-soluble material that dissolves at temperatures in a low range.

Abstract: A cover for a toilet seat is a one-piece sheet member having side, front and rear sections surrounding an opening aligned with a toilet seat opening when the cover is placed on the toilet seat to protect a person from contaminants. The front of the cover has a rearwardly open pocket to accommodate the front of the toilet seat. An adhesive on the rear section of the sheet member is releasably attached to the toilet seat to retain the sheet member on the toilet seat with the front of the toilet seat located within the pocket.

Abstract: A neural network simulator that comprises a sensory window memory capable of providing a system of neuron elements with an input consisting of data generated from sequentially sampled spatial and/or temporal patterns. Each neuron element comprises multiple levels, each of which is independently connected to the sensory window and/or to other neuron elements for receiving information corresponding to spatial and/or temporal patterns to be learned or recognized. Each neuron level comprises a multiplicity of pairs of synaptic connections that record ratios of input information so received and compare them to prerecorded ratios corresponding to learned patterns. The comparison is carried out for each synaptic pair according to empirical activation functions that produce maximum activation of a particular pair when the current ratio matches the learned ratio.