Abstract: An electromachining process and apparatus includes providing both high-speed electroerosion functions for rapidly rough finishing a workpiece and electrodischarge machining functions for fine finishing by first using a rotary electrode to implement the high-speed electroerosion function, and then removing and replacing the rotary electrode with an EDM electrode to implement the electrodischarge machining functions.

Abstract: A method for determining the phytolithic organic carbon yield of a plant type at a location or region comprising: a) taking a sample of a plant type growing in the location or region; b) quantifying phytolithic organic carbon in the sample; c) quantifying a total biomass of the plant type growing at the location or region; and d) determining a total amount of phytolithic organic carbon for the total biomass of the plant type at the location or region.

Abstract: A preform includes an airfoil stub and a dovetail hub. The hub first undergoes electrochemical discharge machining to form a rough dovetail. The airfoil stub undergoes electrochemical machining to form an airfoil. The rough dovetail then undergoes electrochemical discharge machining to form a rough tang. The rough tang is finish machined to form a dovetail extending from the airfoil in a unitary rotor blade.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A power tool accessory identification system includes a power tool which has a motor, an output spindle actuatable by the motor, and a tool holder connected to the spindle and configured to hold an accessory therein. The power tool includes an accessory reader to decoding an identification device on the accessory. In a method of controlling the power tool with an accessory operatively coupled thereto, the accessory is inserted in the tool and a communication interface between the accessory and tool is read. An accessory identification is decoded via an accessory reader of the tool. A tool setting for the power tool is accessed based on the decoded accessory identification.

Abstract: A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger.

Abstract: A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger. In an aspect, the battery pack validates the cordless device or charger to which it is mated.

Abstract: A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger.

Abstract: A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power and a cordless power tool and battery pack includes the battery pack having a modular interface section that interfaces with the power tool and a battery cup section mated to the modular interface section where the battery cup section has one of a plurality of different battery/voltage configurations.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power tool and a cordless power tool and battery pack combination includes the battery pack having a retention member that pivotally engages a retention member of the power tool and a latch system in which one of the battery pack and power tool has a ball and the other of the power tool and battery pack has a latch that engages the ball.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power tool and a cordless power tool and battery pack combination includes the battery pack having a retention member that pivotally engages a retention member of the power tool and a latch system in which one of the battery pack and power tool has a ball and the other of the power tool and battery pack has a latch that engages the ball. The cordless power tool and battery pack combination may additionally include the battery pack having a modular interface section that interfaces with the power tool and a battery cup section mated to the modular interface section where the battery cup section has one of a plurality of different battery/voltage configurations.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A method for electrically isolating a portable, electrically-operated device, in which a converter module for converting electrical power from an external power source to a desired DC voltage for the device may be adapted to be removeably attached to the device. The converter module may include a switch mode transformer for electrically isolating the external power source from the device.

Abstract: In a cordless power tool system, protection methods, circuits and devices are provided to protect against fault conditions within a battery pack that is operatively attached to a power tool or charger, so as to prevent internal or external damage to the battery pack or attached tool or charger. The exemplary methods, circuits and devices address fault conditions such as over-charge, over-discharge, over-current, over-temperature, etc.

Abstract: An electrical connector for interconnecting a portable radio and accessory devices. The connector attached to the accessory device includes a slot for initially engaging a tab on the portable radio, which provides proper alignment between the portable radio and the connector, while the connector is rotated toward the portable radio. Maintaining alignment ensures proper mating between the electrical contacts of the portable radio and the electrical contacts of the connector, and further ensures that a quarter turn latching device of the connector is properly received by a receiving member on the portable radio. The user then rotates the quarter turn latching device to urge the contacts against each other and secure the connector in place. Because the electrical connector includes a two-point attachment mechanism to the portable radio, rotation of the connector relative to the portable radio is prevented.

Abstract: Use of a disposable filtration capsule with a non-occluded membrane filter element in the place of a standard spiral wound cartridge allows for the more rapid and quantitative filtration, recovery, and quantitation of microorganisms in liquid, particularly surface waters, well water, tap water, and the like. The capsule allows a severe reduction in the water sample size tested, substantially minimizes risks of cross-contamination, and provides a leak-proof vessel for shipment. Risk of infection of laboratory personnel and time of analysis are both reduced. Costs of measuring contamination by microorganisms such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium is lowered significantly while increasing the accuracy and dependability of the measurement.

Abstract: Use of a disposable filtration capsule with a non-occluded membrane filter element in the place of a standard spiral wound cartridge allows for the more rapid and quantitative filtration, recovery, and quantitation of microorganisms in liquid, particularly surface waters, well water, tap water, and the like. The capsule allows a severe reduction in the water sample size tested, substantially minimizes risks of cross-contamination, and provides a leak-proof vessel for shipment. Risk of infection of laboratory personnel and time of analysis are both reduced. Costs of measuring contamination by microorganisms such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium is lowered significantly while increasing the accuracy and dependability of the measurement.