Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Asian Pear tree is provided. The new cultivar forms attractive excellent quality late mid-season large to extra-large truncate to oblate fruit having a uniform russet surface with prominent tan lenticels and a very sweet rich flavor. The tree is medium to large-sized and possesses a vigorous well-branched spreading growth habit. The leaves are medium green in coloration and possess pinnate venation and an acuminate apex. The fruit of the new cultivar has been found to be capable of storage for a longer period of time than most Asian Pear cultivars.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Asian Pear tree is provided. The new cultivar forms attractive excellent quality late-season large conical to round fruit having a mottled reddish-brown russet surface with prominent tan lenticels and a very sweet mild flavor. The tree is medium-sized and possesses a well-branched upright growth habit. The leaves are medium green in coloration and possess pinnate venation and an acuminate apex. The fruit of the new cultivar has been found to be capable of storage for a longer period of time than most Asian Pear cultivars.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a motorized roller tube system includes a motor and a gear assembly having multiple gear stages. The motor of the drive assembly is operated inefficiently at a motor speed that is less than 50 percent of a peak efficiency motor speed producing sound pressure levels between approximately 40 dBA and 44 dBA in an ambient of about 38 dBA. Preferably, the efficiency is less than one-half of peak efficiency. The gear assembly includes spur gears and preferably has a gear ratio of 20:1. Preferably, the motor is a DC motor operated at approximately 850 rpm and having an associated torque capability that is at least 4 times the torque capability at the peak efficiency motor speed. The motor may be an AC motor having four or less poles preferably operated at approximately 850 rpm.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for driving at least one lamp comprising a rectifying circuit operatively connectable to an AC line; a current drawing circuit connected across said rectifying circuit; and an inverter circuit connected to said rectifying circuit that supplies a lamp current to said at least one lamp; wherein said current drawing circuit draws current from said AC line when the instantaneous voltage of said AC line nears zero to reduce the total harmonic distortion of the input current drawn by said ballast.

Abstract: A system for labeling a button in the field includes a label defining a peripheral boundary and a label-receiving surface defined by the button and adapted for receipt of the label. The label-receiving surface of the button defines a perimeter adapted to accommodate the peripheral boundary of the label. The button includes side and end portions defining raised edges or lips that define the label-receiving surface. The side and end portions serve to align the placement of the label on the label-receiving surface and also constrain lateral movement of the label. The side and end portions also protect the edges of the label against accidental dislodgement and peeling. The label typically has a suitable button identifier such as text, or a graphical design element such as an icon, printed thereon.

Abstract: A ballast having a microprocessor embedded therein is controlled via four inputs. The ballast includes a high-voltage phase-controlled signal provided by a dimmer and an infrared (IR) receiver through which the ballast can receive data signals from an IR transmitter. The ballast can also receive commands from other ballasts or a master control on the serial digital communication link, such as a DALI protocol link. The fourth input is an analog signal, which is simply a DC signal that linearly ranges in value from a predetermined lower limit to a predetermined upper limit, corresponding to the 0% to 100% dimming range of the load. The output stage of the ballast includes one or more FETs, which are used to control the current flow to the lamp. Based on these inputs, the microprocessor makes a decision on the intensity levels of the load and directly drives the FETs in the output stage.

Abstract: An infrared hand-held remote control for handling a single or plural devices such as lights, shades, drapes and the like contains ergonomically selected and placed control buttons that are self-describing and easy to use. It allows explicit, easy-to-use control of different functions by providing for each function to be controlled vertically disposed discrete buttons that provide “all or nothing” control of some physical feature and similar, vertically disposed and horizontally aligned “adjust” buttons that allow for fine and continuous control of the physical quantities between the extremes or limits of the discrete button functions. Successive groups of buttons provide for the control of different appliances or devices, where each group of buttons is identified by easy to comprehend icon or alphabetic representations. A preset button is also provided for setting and recalling an operational preset value for the device(s) from memory.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle defines a receptacle formation of a mating formation pair to prevent a standard plug from establishing electrical connection while permitting an otherwise standard plug defining a corresponding plug formation to be sufficiently inserted to establish an electrical connection. The mating formation pair may include a projection on the receptacle adapted for receipt by a corresponding recess on a compatible plug. Alternatively, the mating formation pair is defined by an opening of the receptacle and a conductor of the plug, each having a cross-sectional height that is reduced from that of a standard receptacle and plug. The mating formation pair is particularly desirable for installation including a receptacle controlled by a dimmer to prevent electrical connection by a standard plug connected to a non-dimmable electrical load.

Abstract: A single triac on a heat sink is replaced by a plurality of lower rated current, parallel connected triacs for carrying the same total current as the single triac. The plural devices are spaced apart as far as possible, within the confines of an insulation back cover, to reduce the thermal gradient across the heat sink and to reduce the input thermal power to the heat sink. Thermally conductive compressive sheets thermally couple the flat heat sink to a face plate on the side of the heat sink opposite to the side receiving the triacs.