Abstract: A drawing apparatus for accurately generating a hand-drawn reproduction of an image or object is provided. The drawing apparatus includes a mirror and reflective filter arrangement that allows a user to view, through a single eyepiece, both the object being reproduced and the drawing surface where the user generates a hand-drawn reproduction of the viewed drawing object. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjustable, angled stand for supporting the drawing object, and a drawing surface for generating hand-drawn reproductions. As viewed through the single eyepiece, an image of the drawing surface appears superimposed on the drawing object being reproduced. In further embodiments, the single eyepiece is used with a selectable filter arrangement for adjusting the amount of focus on the drawing surface and/or drawing object.

Abstract: A wellbore tool that can withstand pressure tests without becoming hydraulically actuated. The wellbore tool includes a tubular housing including an inner bore; a tool mechanism responsive to fluid pressure; and a pressure isolator for the tool mechanism moveable between an active and an inactive position.

Abstract: A blank for a box made from an expandable material which is initially moulded generally flat in which, where folds forming hinges are to be made to enable the formation of the box, the tooling which defines the shape of the blank is such as to provide a thickness of the expanded material less than the thickness of the major part of the blank where the folds are to be made having defined edges generally in the direction of each fold the fold and subsequently applying pressure along the area where folds are to be permitted to reduce the thickness of the this blank without removing material therefrom thereby providing hinges to permit formation of the box. The invention also provides a method of making the blank and a box made from the blank.

Abstract: A converter for transferring energy from a voltage supply to an output includes transformer T1, coupled inductor L1, switch S1, energy recovery capacitor C, and energy recovery winding T1b. Secondary winding T1c transfers energy from the supply to the output when primary winding T1a is connected to the voltage supply. Secondary winding L1b stores energy from the supply when primary winding L1a is connected to the supply, and transfers energy to the output when the primary winding is disconnected from the supply. Switch S1 switches between an on-state with windings T1a, L1a connected to the supply, and an off-state with windings T1a, L1a disconnected from the supply. Capacitor Cs provides a current path between the supply and windings T1a, L1a such that, in the off-state, energy associated with demagnetization and leakage inductance of transformer T1 is transferred to and stored in capacitor Cs.

Abstract: A child-resistant package comprises a carton and a tray removably slidably receivable in the carton with a releasable locking mechanism. A laterally displaceable locking tab is biased to extend outwardly from the tray, and the carton has an inner wall disposed interiorly of, spaced from and adjacent to an outer wall of the carton. A locking slot is formed in the inner wall for releasably receiving the locking tab and the outer wall has an inwardly depressible button adjacent the inner wall and in registration with the locking slot. When in registration with the locking slot, the locking tab moves into the locking slot, engaging an edge of the locking slot to resist withdrawal of the tray from the carton. Pushing the button inwardly pushes the locking tab out of the locking slot, enabling the locking tab to slide along the inner wall of the carton for withdrawing the tray.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a throwing trainer comprising first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw. A device assembly including a measuring tool and a method of practicing throwing also are disclosed.

Abstract: Multi-axial fabrics (including hybrid, multi-axial fabrics) and polymer-fiber laminates are disclosed. Bodies (e.g., cylindrical and/or flanged bodies) incorporating the fabrics and/or laminates are also disclosed. The bodies exhibit improved performance and/or reduced costs for connecting applications.

Abstract: An energy recovery snubber circuit for a power converter which includes a flyback transformer driven by a converter switch is disclosed. The snubber circuit includes two capacitors which are connected such that, when the snubber circuit is connected to a primary winding of the flyback transformer, the capacitors are charged in series by current flowing in a first direction in the primary winding when the converted switch is turned OFF, to recover energy stored in the leakage inductance of the transformer, and discharged in parallel to cause current flow in a second direction in the primary winding of the transformer, to thereby transfer the recovered energy to the transformer.

Abstract: A SEPIC-type voltage converter for converting an input voltage supplied by a power supply into an output voltage comprises an inductive component comprising primary and secondary windings, an output capacitor for delivering power to a load by way of an output node, an AC coupling capacitor, a first rectifier for rectifying the output voltage, and a switch for periodically switching between an ON state in which the primary winding is energised by the power supply and in which the secondary winding is energised by the coupling capacitor, and an OFF state in which the output capacitor is charged by both the primary winding and the secondary winding. A second rectifier is connected in series with the secondary winding and the secondary winding is inductively coupled to the primary winding such that the secondary winding is influenced by changes in the voltage applied across the primary winding by the power supply.

Abstract: Luminescent material compositions, in particular for use in high-temperature environments, and structures, such as thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), which incorporate the same.

Abstract: Load sharing apparatus for load sharing between a plurality of power supplies (1, 2). The apparatus comprises one or more load sharing modules (Share1, Share2), each for association with a respective power supply. The or each load sharing module comprises load determining means for generating a signal which represents a load value corresponding to the power or current supplied by the respective power supply, and voltage control means for controlling the output voltage of the respective power supply to vary inversely with said load value at a first rate when the load value is below a threshold value, and for controlling the output voltage of the respective power supply to vary inversely with said load value at a second rate when the load value equals or exceeds said (first) threshold value. Said second rate is greater than said first rate.

Abstract: Methods and devices for making a handheld stamp are provided. In one aspect, a stamp image is applied to a photosensitive and/or photo-reactive stamp surface that, when exposed to light having a particular wavelength for a particular amount of time, produces a handheld stamp. The photosensitive stamp surface may be a photosensitive foam, a photosensitive gel, and the like. In another embodiment, a rub-on transfer image is applied to a surface of a porous plastic sheet, where the applied rub-on transfer image prohibits the flow of ink through portions of the porous plastic sheet. In another embodiment, a transparency masks a portion of a photosensitive transfer material during light treatment to produce a stamp mask. The stamp mask is then applied to a porous plastic stamping material to produce a handheld stamp.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus for accurately generating a hand-drawn reproduction of an image or object is provided. The drawing apparatus includes a mirror and reflective filter arrangement that allows a user to view, through a single eyepiece, both the object being reproduced and the drawing surface where the user generates a hand-drawn reproduction of the viewed drawing object. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjustable, angled stand for supporting the drawing object, and a drawing surface for generating hand-drawn reproductions. As viewed through the single eyepiece, an image of the drawing surface appears superimposed on the drawing object being reproduced. In further embodiments, the single eyepiece is used with a selectable filter arrangement for adjusting the amount of focus on the drawing surface and/or drawing object.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a detector configured to receive data that can be reconstructed into a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object, and a computer programmed to obtain 3D image data of the object, the 3D image data including an internal structure of the object, define a longitudinal dimension of the internal structure from the 3D image data along a length of the structure, extract a first set of parameter-of-interest data related to the internal structure from the 3D image data along a first ray extending from a first location along the length of the structure and at a first angular orientation with respect to a base vector that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension, and plot the extracted first set of parameter-of-interest data at a pixel location of a two-dimensional (2D) plot that corresponds to the first location and corresponds to the first angular orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a PFC (power factor correction) device for shaping an input current of a power converter. The device includes means for receiving a rectified input voltage derived from an AC input voltage; load determining means for determining a load value L which represents the power drawn by a load supplied by the power converter; current shaping means for shaping the input current of the power converter to follow a reference waveform; and control means for controlling the current shaping means to operate over a conduction interval ? during each positive and negative half cycle of the AC input voltage. The duration of the conduction interval is controlled in accordance with the load value L. The current shaping means may shape the input current to follow the reference waveform which crosses zero at phase angles which substantially correspond to the start and end of the conduction interval.

Abstract: A converter for transferring energy from a voltage supply to an output includes transformer T1, coupled inductor L1, switch S1, energy recovery capacitor C, and energy recovery winding T1b. Secondary winding T1c transfers energy from the supply to the output when primary winding T1a is connected to the voltage supply. Secondary winding L1b stores energy from the supply when primary winding L1a is connected to the supply, and transfers energy to the output when the primary winding is disconnected from the supply. Switch S1 switches between an on-state with windings T1a, L1a connected to the supply, and an off-state with windings T1a, L1a disconnected from the supply. Capacitor Cs provides a current path between the supply and windings T1a, L1a such that, in the off-state, energy associated with demagnetization and leakage inductance of transformer T1 is transferred to and stored in capacitor Cs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a throwing trainer comprising first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw. A device assembly including a measuring tool and a method of practicing throwing also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an interleaved power converter for converting a DC voltage source into a DC voltage output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a throwing trainer comprising first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw. A device assembly including a measuring tool and a method of practicing throwing also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an interleaved power converter for converting a DC voltage source into a DC voltage output.