Abstract: A multi-unit system combines multiple single bed reversing blower vacuum swing adsorption air separation units together. The units feed a common O2 supply such as a system buffer tank. Demand is monitored and a number of individual units are brought online sufficient to meet demand. If demand exceeds supply, a further unit is brought online. If demand drops below supply by an amount greater than output of a single unit, then a longest operating unit is taken offline. The multi-unit system thus meets demand through utilization of multiple separate units in a highly redundant and highly reliable and scalable fashion.

Abstract: A driving system for a reversing blower adsorption based air separation unit is configured to not only drive the reversing blower cyclically in a forward and in a reverse direction, but also to allow the reversing blower to coast during a portion of its operating cycle. While coasting, a pressure differential across the blower acts alone to switch the reversing blower between a forward and a reverse direction of operation. Less power is thus required. When coasting, the blower can also be configured to output power such as the drive motor functioning as an electric generator or by having a mechanical power input be driven by the blower for power generation and/or energy storage. Such a system beneficially utilizes the energy associated with the pressure differential across the blower for energy harvesting and to further accelerate cycle times for the reversing blower adsorption based air separation unit.

Abstract: The adsorption based air separation unit includes an adsorber vessel containing media which selectively adsorbs water vapor and nitrogen preferentially over oxygen. The vessel includes an air entry spaced from an oxygen discharge. At least one dry air tap from the adsorber vessel is located between the entry and the discharge. When the adsorption media is fresh, air entering the adsorber vessel passes through enough of the adsorber vessel to have much of its water vapor removed and only some of its nitrogen removed. The vessel can include multiple taps sequentially further from the entry which can be selectively opened as the adsorption media becomes saturated with water vapor and nitrogen, so that dry air with much of its nitrogen still present can be further tapped from the adsorber vessel. The adsorber vessel thus facilitates production of both oxygen and dry air, such as for use as medical grade air.

Abstract: An exemplary single bed reversing blower adsorption based air separation unit is configured to follow the O2 load placed thereon by adjusting flow rates therethrough and power consumption. At least one and preferably multiple pressure sensors sense O2 pressure within an O2 storage region downstream of an adsorber vessel. These sensed pressures are utilized to generate control signals controlling flow rates at locations upstream of the compressor, such as at a reversible blower and an output compressor. Control loops for the blower and the compressor are independent of each other and have different time constants. Effective following of the O2 load is thus achieved without driving the air separation unit into operational conditions outside of design and also maintaining optimal power consumption for the O2 produced, such that efficiency is maintained over a large turndown ratio.

Abstract: A single bed reversing blower vacuum swing adsorption air separation unit includes a purge recovery tank. This purge recovery tank is joined to an O2 supply line downstream of the adsorber vessel or directly to the adsorber vessel opposite an inlet thereof. The purge recovery tank collects a purging charge of mostly O2 gas towards the end of a production phase for the air separation unit. This purging charge is held by the purge recovery tank while the reversing blower reverses and the material within the adsorber vessel is recharged. Around the time that the reversible blower is re-reversed to return to a production phase, the purge recovery tank is opened to allow mostly O2 gas from the purge tank to quickly flow back into the adsorber vessel which has a vacuum drawn thereon, to allow the air separation unit to quickly return to its production phase.

Abstract: The air separation unit includes a single adsorption bed downstream of a reversing blower and configured to operate on the principle of vacuum swing adsorption. An optimal ambient air pressure to vacuum pressure ratio within an adsorber vessel downstream of the reversible blower is identified. When the air separation unit is operated at ambient conditions where ambient air pressure is different, such as at higher altitude (or lower altitude) a pressure ratio across the blower when drawing a vacuum on the adsorption bed is maintained for optimal blower power to oxygen production performance. Time for recovery of the adsorption bed can also be modified due to the lower absolute pressure achieved within the adsorption bed when the pressure ratio across the blower is maintained. An ASU is thus provided which is optimized for performance at various different altitudes without requiring modification of equipment within the ASU.

Abstract: A multi-unit system combines multiple single bed reversing blower vacuum swing adsorption air separation units together. The units feed a common O2 supply such as a system buffer tank. Demand is monitored and a number of individual units are brought online sufficient to meet demand. If demand exceeds supply, a further unit is brought online. If demand drops below supply by an amount greater than output of a single unit, then a longest operating unit is taken offline. The multi-unit system thus meets demand through utilization of multiple separate units in a highly redundant and highly reliable and scalable fashion.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for providing fluorescent lamps having a two-layer phosphor coating that includes a base coating and a top coating that economically provides a high color rendering index (CRI) of at least 87 with improved brightness. In an embodiment, a low-pressure discharge lamp includes a light transmissive envelope having a basecoat phosphor layer disposed on an inner surface, wherein the basecoat phosphor layer includes less than ten percent weight of a rare earth phosphor. Also included is a topcoat phosphor layer on a surface of the base coat phosphor layer that includes a blend of at least red, green, green-blue and blue emitting rare earth phosphors, and a fill gas composition within the light transmissive envelope.

Abstract: Smart defaults are provided for data visualization by creating a default layout of rows, columns, filters, and comparable elements that improve a user's experience in finding relevant answers within the data. Usage history of the ways that users look at data in various data sources, user specific information, and inferred relationships between a current user and similar users are used to determine elements relevant to visualization of data for a particular user such that the visualization process may be automatically started, and a relevance model is formed/adjusted based on these factors. Queries may also be executed in a preemptive fashion based on the relevance model and results provided to a requesting user more rapidly enhancing user experience with networked data visualization.

Abstract: Smart defaults are provided for data visualization by creating a default layout of rows, columns, filters, and comparable elements that improve a user's experience in finding relevant answers within the data. Usage history of the ways that users look at data in various data sources, user specific information, and inferred relationships between a current user and similar users are used to determine elements relevant to visualization of data for a particular user such that the visualization process may be automatically started, and a relevance model is formed/adjusted based on these factors. Queries may also be executed in a preemptive fashion based on the relevance model and results provided to a requesting user more rapidly enhancing user experience with networked data visualization.

Abstract: A ceramic coated aesthetic orthodontic appliance is described as well as methods for making one. The appliance can be an archwire or a bracket. The ceramic coated aesthetic appliance can include an orthodontic archwire having a surface, an aesthetic coating covering at least a portion of the surface, and a ceramic coating layer covering at least a portion of the aesthetic coating. The aesthetic coating can be an aesthetic polymer coating and the ceramic coating layer can be deposited using a low temperature process such as ion beam assisted deposition. An ion beam surface cleaning step may also be added to enhance the adhesion of the ceramic coating layer.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, digital content is able to be better promoted on mobile phones and other electronic devices. The digital content and/or references to the digital content are stored on a server device which is accessible by the mobile phones or electronic devices. In operation, a user of a mobile device acquires digital content. When the user obtains a second mobile device, to facilitate and promote the same or similar digital content on the second mobile device, the digital content or references stored on a server device are able to be used to present the possibility of acquisition of the digital content for the second mobile device.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transference of data between two systems independent of the form in which the data is kept on the respective systems, and in particular to providing an efficient means of communicating data between systems and devices. It further relates to a system for allowing users to provide other individuals with a personalized representation of the user in a network environment, such as a cellular telephone network and the backup and restoration of data stored in a wireless telephone, and in particular a mobile telephone having data storage capabilities.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for providing fluorescent lamps having a two-layer phosphor coating that includes a base coating and a top coating that economically provides a high color rendering index (CRI) of at least 87 with improved brightness. In an embodiment, a low-pressure discharge lamp includes a light transmissive envelope having a basecoat phosphor layer disposed on an inner surface, wherein the basecoat phosphor layer includes less than ten percent weight of a rare earth phosphor. Also included is a topcoat phosphor layer on a surface of the base coat phosphor layer that includes a blend of at least red, green, green-blue and blue emitting rare earth phosphors, and a fill gas composition within the light transmissive envelope.

Abstract: Smart defaults are provided for data visualization by creating a default layout of rows, columns, filters, and comparable elements that improve a user's experience in finding relevant answers within the data. Usage history of the ways that users look at data in various data sources, user specific information, and inferred relationships between a current user and similar users are used to determine elements relevant to visualization of data for a particular user such that the visualization process may be automatically started, and a relevance model is formed/adjusted based on these factors. Queries may also be executed in a preemptive fashion based on the relevance model and results provided to a requesting user more rapidly enhancing user experience with networked data visualization.

Abstract: The invention relates to the transference of data between two systems independent of the form in which the data is kept on the respective systems, and in particular to providing an efficient means of communicating data between systems and devices. It further relates to a system for allowing users to provide other individuals with a personalized representation of the user in a network environment, such as a cellular telephone network and the backup and restoration of data stored in a wireless telephone, and in particular a mobile telephone having data storage capabilities.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, digital content is able to be better promoted on mobile phones and other electronic devices. The digital content and/or references to the digital content are stored on a server device which is accessible by the mobile phones or electronic devices. In operation, a user of a mobile device acquires digital content. When the user obtains a second mobile device, to facilitate and promote the same or similar digital content on the second mobile device, the digital content or references stored on a server device are able to be used to present the possibility of acquisition of the digital content for the second mobile device.

Abstract: A venting arrangement for apparel such as sportswear, casual wear, technical wear, and the like. The venting arrangement of the invention is particularly suitable for venting of outdoor apparel and sporting equipment such as wind breakers and winter sport jackets. The invention also relates to apparel or an item of apparel that includes such a venting arrangement.