Abstract: An improved padlock having a shackle retainer assembly that can be removed without removal of the padlock key locking assembly and/or convertible from a key retaining to a key nonretaining lock, or vice versa, by removal or insertion of a pin on the driver end of the key cylinder assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forecasting an energy output of a wind farm. A method for forecasting an energy output of a wind farm includes maintaining a data base of wind patterns, each wind pattern being associated with an energy output that the wind farm produces. The method includes receiving a current wind pattern. The method includes searching the data base for a wind pattern that matches the current wind pattern. The method includes calculating a forecast energy output that the wind farm will produce in response to the current wind pattern, the calculation being based, when there is a matching wind pattern in the knowledge base, on the energy output associated with the matching wind pattern.

Abstract: A printhead for printing on a print media includes a column of nozzles oriented at an angle to an axis of relative movement between the printhead and the print media, and a print axis oriented substantially parallel to the axis of relative movement between the printhead and the print media such that at least some of the nozzles are variably aligned to the print axis.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a first set of N memory elements each storing a fire enable value, each of the N memory elements configured to be updated. The fluid ejection device further includes N fluid ejecting elements, each fluid ejecting element corresponding to a different one of the N memory elements and configured to receive the fire enable value from the corresponding memory element, wherein the fluid ejecting element is enabled to eject a fluid when the fire enable value is an enabling value.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a plurality of fluid ejecting elements, each fluid ejecting element controllable to conduct electrical current between a supply voltage and a reference voltage. Up to all fluid ejecting elements of a group of the plurality of fluid ejecting elements are configured to conduct during a time period. Each conducting fluid ejecting element has a corresponding fluid ejecting voltage when conducting. A feedback circuit is configured to provide a feedback voltage substantially equal to an average of corresponding fluid ejecting voltages at the fluid ejecting elements that are conducting.

Abstract: A waveguide optical monitor is disclosed. The device has an optical input port coupled through a switch to a plurality of input waveguides. A dispersive element disperses light within the input optical waveguides toward a plurality of output waveguides. There are a plurality of photodetectors each optically coupled to an output waveguide. The photodectors are for sensing an intensity of light within the waveguide with which it is optically coupled. An optical switch in optical communication with the optical input port and for switching light received at the optical input port to one of the plurality of input waveguides.

Abstract: A method of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that determines the temperature and/or firing resistance of a thermal fluid-ejection nozzle as the fluid-ejection nozzle is fired. The method determines whether the fluid-ejection nozzle ejected fluid upon firing based on the temperature and/or firing resistance of the fluid-ejection nozzle.

Abstract: Human H3 preprorelaxin, human H3 prorelaxin, human H3 relaxin, human relaxin analogues having a modified A chain and/or a modified B chain are described. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoded human H3 preprorelaxin, human H3 prorelaxin, human H3 relaxin, human relaxin analogues. Also described are methods for the treatment of conditions responsive to administration of H3 relaxin or analogues thereof.

Abstract: A printhead for printing on a print media includes a column of nozzles oriented at an angle to an axis of relative movement between the printhead and the print media, and a print axis oriented substantially parallel to the axis of relative movement between the printhead and the print media such that at least some of the nozzles are variably aligned to the print axis.

Abstract: A waveguide optical monitor is disclosed. The device has an optical input port coupled through a switch to a plurality of input waveguides. A dispersive element disperses light within the input optical waveguides toward a plurality of output waveguides. There are a plurality of photodetectors each optically coupled to an output waveguide. The photodectors are for sensing an intensity of light within the waveguide with which it is optically coupled. An optical switch in optical communication with the optical input port and for switching light received at the optical input port to one of the plurality of input waveguides.

Abstract: An improved padlock having a shackle retainer assembly that can be removed without removal of the padlock key locking assembly and/or convertible from a key retaining to a key nonretaining lock, or vice versa, by removal or insertion of a pin on the driver end of the key cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A waveguide optical monitor is disclosed. The device has an optical input port coupled through a switch to a plurality of input waveguides. A dispersive element disperses light within the input optical waveguides toward a plurality of output waveguides. There are a plurality of photodetectors each optically coupled to an output waveguide. The photodectors are for sensing an intensity of light within the waveguide with which it is optically coupled. An optical switch in optical communication with the optical input port and for switching light received at the optical input port to one of the plurality of input waveguides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a line of clothing, such as, but not limited to, shirts, blouses, pants, shorts, or the like having at least one through-hole on the exterior surface of the garment. This will provide a final product which is designed and configured to adequately and efficiently receive and hold a plurality of items, including sunglasses, eyeglasses, pens and pencils and the like for ready access by the wearer. The interior of the garment is comprised of at least one additional piece of fabric in cooperation with the through-hole to receive and hold sunglasses, pens and the like. The piece of fabric can be permanently or removably secured to the article of clothing in various embodiments.

Abstract: An improved padlock having a shackle retainer assembly that can be removed without removal of the padlock key locking assembly and/or convertible from a key retaining to a key nonretaining lock, or vice versa, by removal or insertion of a pin on the driver end of the key cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A tranverse flux motor having multiple stator phase windings which are electronically commutated to produce a rotating flux to drive a permanent magnet rotor located externally of the stator. The stator is formed by two complementary facing pieces each carrying half the stator poles, the latter preferably being of claw pole configuration. The stator windings are sandwiched between the stator pieces and wound about cores which magnetically couple the stator pieces. Preferably the number of motor phases (P) is selected from the series 2, 3, . . . , N, the number of windings per phase (W) is selected from the series 1, 2, . . . , M, the number of poles per winding (PW) is selected from the series 2, 4, . . . , L, and the number of stator poles (SP) is equal to the product P*WP*PW and the number of rotor poles is SP±W.

Abstract: A waveguide optical monitor is disclosed. The device has an optical input port coupled through a switch to a plurality of input waveguides. A dispersive element disperses light within the input optical waveguides toward a plurality of output waveguides. There are a plurality of photodetectors each optically coupled to an output waveguide. The photodectors are for sensing an intensity of light within the waveguide with which it is optically coupled. An optical switch in optical communication with the optical input port and for switching light received at the optical input port to one of the plurality of input waveguides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel dispenser system and a system for managing dispenser systems. The system comprises of at least one fuel dispenser having a peripheral, a point of sale terminal for initiating dispensing transactions and for controlling the peripheral on the fuel dispenser and a processor connected between the point of sale terminal and the dispenser for translating commands between the point-of-sale terminal and the dispenser and for translating response between dispenser and the point-of sale terminal. The present invention also includes a managing processor communicating with each dispenser system for administering the activities of the dispenser system.

Abstract: A quick change system and method of interchanging molds on plastic extrusion blow molding machines is disclosed wherein a universal standard subplate is provided for use with different blow molding machines on which a variety of different mold units are removably mounted on the standard subplate with the subplate establishing a preselected precisely aligned relation automatically between the mold unit and a machine platen. A quick release locking device is provided between each mold unit and a unitary standard water manifold and detabber assembly. The unitary standard assembly is provided as a one-piece component with fluid connections communicating respectively with water and air supply sources of the water manifold and detabber and which are conveniently maintained attached without being disconnected during detachment of the unitary standard assembly from the mold unit during a mold change.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a touch screen system and method for entry of encrypted and non-encrypted information. The system and method comprise a sensing means for detecting the coordinates of a touch on the touch screen device, a toggling means for toggling between encryption and non-encryption mode, and a processing means for encrypting data associated with the coordinates of the touch and transmitting the encrypted or non-encrypted data to a remote processor.