Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology include a centrifugal fan having a damper repositionable between a closed position and a fully seated open position, and a magnetic coupler that serves to fully seat that damper it its open configuration, so as to prevent undesired effects such as slippage and/or rocking of that damper relative to rotatable componentry against which it is pressed, during operation of the fan. The coupler may be configured so that the damper may decouple from rotatable componentry, e.g., upon a certain reverse pressure differential, and translate to a closed position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology include a centrifugal fan having a damper repositionable between a closed position and a fully seated open position, and a magnetic coupler that serves to fully seat that damper it its open configuration, so as to prevent undesired effects such as slippage and/or rocking of that damper relative to rotatable componentry against which it is pressed, during operation of the fan. The coupler may be configured so that the damper may decouple from rotatable componentry, e.g., upon a certain reverse pressure differential, and translate to a closed position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology may include an automatically reconfigurable flow blocking damper to prevent back flow; applications include, e.g., centrifugal fans that may at times be susceptible to such back flow, such as centrifugal fans established in an array and discharging to a common space. A clutch may effect damper engagement with rotatable componentry such that the damper is engaged with rotatable componentry when the damper is in open configuration, and effect damper disengagement from rotatable componentry such that the damper is disengaged from rotatable componentry when the damper is in closed configuration. The clutch may, in particular embodiments, act to prevent rotational imbalance problems otherwise observed when the damper is engaged to and rotates with rotatable componentry.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic induction hardening of a workpiece includes a magnetic tool having a body portion formed of a generally non-magnetic material. The body portion has a surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to the workpiece being hardened. The apparatus further includes a magnetic arrangement coupled to the body portion at or adjacent the surface of the body portion and configured to provide regions of alternating polarity. A workpiece holder is configured to support the workpiece in close proximity to the surface of the magnetic tool. A drive arrangement for rotating the magnetic tool relative to the workpiece holder about an axis of rotation is provided to induce heating of the workpiece to achieve a temperature in the austenitic range of the workpiece resulting in hardening of the workpiece through a microstructural transformation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology may include an automatically reconfigurable flow blocking damper to prevent back flow; applications include, e.g., centrifugal fans that may at times be susceptible to such back flow, such as centrifugal fans established in an array and discharging to a common space. A clutch may effect damper engagement with rotatable componentry such that the damper is engaged with rotatable componentry when the damper is in open configuration, and effect damper disengagement from rotatable componentry such that the damper is disengaged from rotatable componentry when the damper is in closed configuration. The clutch may, in particular embodiments, act to prevent rotational imbalance problems otherwise observed when the damper is engaged to and rotates with rotatable componentry.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic induction hardening of a workpiece includes a magnetic tool having a body portion formed of a generally non-magnetic material. The body portion has a surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to the workpiece being hardened. The apparatus further includes a magnetic arrangement coupled to the body portion at or adjacent the surface of the body portion and configured to provide regions of alternating polarity. A workpiece holder is configured to support the workpiece in close proximity to the surface of the magnetic tool. A drive arrangement for rotating the magnetic tool relative to the workpiece holder about an axis of rotation is provided to induce heating of the workpiece to achieve a temperature in the austenitic range of the workpiece resulting in hardening of the workpiece through a microstructural transformation.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic induction hardening of a workpiece includes a magnetic tool having a body portion formed of a generally non-magnetic material. The body portion has a surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to the workpiece being hardened. The apparatus further includes a magnetic arrangement coupled to the body portion at or adjacent the surface of the body portion and configured to provide regions of alternating polarity. A workpiece holder is configured to support the workpiece in close proximity to the surface of the magnetic tool. A drive arrangement for rotating the magnetic tool relative to the workpiece holder about an axis of rotation is provided to induce heating of the workpiece to achieve a temperature in the austenitic range of the workpiece resulting in hardening of the workpiece through a microstructural transformation.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic induction hardening of a workpiece includes a magnetic tool having a body portion formed of a generally non-magnetic material. The body portion has a surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to the workpiece being hardened. The apparatus further includes a magnetic arrangement coupled to the body portion at or adjacent the surface of the body portion and configured to provide regions of alternating polarity. A workpiece holder is configured to support the workpiece in close proximity to the surface of the magnetic tool. A drive arrangement for rotating the magnetic tool relative to the workpiece holder about an axis of rotation is provided to induce heating of the workpiece to achieve a temperature in the austenitic range of the workpiece resulting in hardening of the workpiece through a microstructural transformation.

Abstract: Autonomous lighting subsystems include ballast-powered wireless nodes for receiving control signals to control lighting devices. Autonomous lighting subsystems may be networked with other autonomous lighting subsystems to control various building-devices, including but not limited to lighting ballasts, occupancy sensors, daylight harvesters, and building automation control devices.

Abstract: A modular nest including a backing member including a pair of generally opposing leafs connected to a spine and a removable nesting substrate including a plurality of grooves formed on a first face, the plurality of grooves forming a plurality of nesting cavities when the nesting substrate is folded along a line substantially perpendicular to an axis of one of the plurality of grooves, the nesting substrate removably inserted between the pair of generally opposing leafs of the backing member. A nest closure member is adapted for selective engagement for holding the backing member and the nesting substrate in a closed position wherein the plurality of grooves form the plurality of nesting cavities and an open position wherein the nesting substrate is laid open and the plurality of grooves are exposed.

Abstract: A bee nest made from a plurality of bee board laminates held in close side by side relation by a permanent, flexible and lightproof backing material. The nest includes a mechanism for releasably opening and closing the nest at the front edges of the laminates.

Abstract: A bee nest made from a plurality of bee board laminates held in close side by side relation by a permanent, flexible and lightproof backing material. The nest includes a closure for releasably opening and closing the nest at the front edges of the laminates.