Abstract: Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device (e.g., an energy delivery device).

Abstract: A membrane for fluid transfer includes a base membrane and a pattern, that covers a working area of a surface thereof, formed of a compatible material. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer. A method of filtering a component from a solution includes passing the solution comprising the component through a membrane that includes a base membrane. The base membrane and a pattern that covers a working area of a surface thereof are formed of materials compatible with the solution. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer, and reduces mass transfer of surface-accumulative soluble and/or suspended species and particulates from the solution to the membrane while the solution is passed through the membrane. A method of producing a membrane for fluid transfer includes forming a nanoscale pattern over a working area of a polymer membrane.

Abstract: The present invention includes a patterned thin film membrane and a patterned thin film composite membrane. The present invention also includes a method of making and using the patterned membranes of the invention.

Abstract: A membrane for fluid transfer includes a base membrane and a pattern, that covers a working area of a surface thereof, formed of a compatible material. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer. A method of filtering a component from a solution includes passing the solution comprising the component through a membrane that includes a base membrane. The base membrane and a pattern that covers a working area of a surface thereof are formed of materials compatible with the solution. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer, and reduces mass transfer of surface-accumulative soluble and/or suspended species and particulates from the solution to the membrane while the solution is passed through the membrane. A method of producing a membrane for fluid transfer includes forming a nanoscale pattern over a working area of a polymer membrane.

Abstract: An in-rush current limiting system has a fast response time so that it can be used with power supplies that turn on and off rapidly. The system dissipates very little power during the normal mode of operation. This is achieved, in various embodiments, by connecting a regulator in series with a load capacitance and in parallel with the system load.

Abstract: An in-rush current limiting system has a fast response time so that it can be used with power supplies that turn on and off rapidly. The system dissipates very little power during the normal mode of operation. This is achieved, in various embodiments, by connecting a regulator in series with a load capacitance and in parallel with the system load.

Abstract: An on-board intelligent vehicle system includes a sensor assembly to collect data and a processor to process the data to determine the occurrence of at least one event. The data may be collected from existing standard equipment such as the vehicle communication bus or add-on sensors. The data may be indicative of conditions relating to the vehicle, roadway infrastructure, and roadway utilization, such as vehicle performance, roadway design, roadway conditions, and traffic levels. The detection of an event may signify abnormal, substandard, or unacceptable conditions prevailing in the roadway, vehicle, or traffic. The vehicle transmits an event indicator and correlated vehicle location data to a central facility for further management of the information. The central facility sends communications reflecting event occurrence to various relevant or interested users. The user population can include other vehicle subscribers (e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of removing chemical species likely to lead to fuel filter plugging from a biodiesel fuel. The invention also provides biodiesel fuels and fuel blends made by these methods. Additionally, the invention provides methods of testing a biodiesel fuel for the presence of these chemical species and evaluating the quality of the fuel and its propensity to plug fuel filters based on the results of this testing.

Abstract: A storage rack vibration isolator for a storage rack system installed on a floor comprising a first mounting plate connectable to the storage rack system, a second mounting plate connectable to the floor. An elastomeric component extending between these mounting plates and is operatively attached to them so that during seismic events the first and second mounting plates remain attached to the elastomeric component as the elastomeric component is placed in shear while said first and second mounting plates are able to move in planes substantially parallel to each other. The elastomeric component comprises at least one elastomeric member made of material that is capable of absorbing and dissipating the energy of ground movement imparted to the storage rack system during seismic events, while the material enables the storage rack system to move a sufficient distance relative to the floor to lower the natural frequency of the storage rack system in at least one horizontal direction.

Abstract: A storage rack system to be installed on a floor has a plurality of columns, is more flexible in a down aisle dimension than it is in a cross aisle dimension, and has at least a first column and a second column adjacent one another in the cross aisle dimension. A storage rack vibration isolator for use with this storage rack system comprises at least one seismic vibration absorption and dissipation structure constructed to be located primarily between the first and second columns to reduce the storage rack system's natural frequency in at least the cross aisle dimension. The seismic vibration absorption and dissipation structure includes a first member connectable to the storage rack system and a second member connectable to the floor. At least one column support assembly is mountable to at least the first and second columns to enable them to move with respect to the floor. A structure limits the movement of the first and second columns to substantially the cross aisle dimension.

Abstract: A device for safe handling of food comprises a dispenser assembly having an animal-shaped configuration. The dispenser assembly is provided with a plurality of antimicrobial wipes and at least a portion of the dispenser assembly is adapted to be located in a food handling area. The plurality of antimicrobial wipes of the dispenser assembly both facilitate and permit hygienic handling of an animal food product of the type represented by the animal-shaped configuration of the dispenser assembly by using at least one of the plurality of wipes that is retrieved from the dispenser assembly. The animal-shaped configuration of the dispenser assembly is at least one of a chicken, a turkey, a pig, a cow, a lamb and a fish. A safety message is coupled to a portion of the dispenser assembly, thereby inviting a person to practice hygiene after handling the animal food product.

Abstract: An SMP computing system has a RAID controller and an interconnect bus system for communication processors and the RAID controller. There are in host memory a plurality of reply queues, at least one of which is associated with each processor of the SMP computing system. Replies associated with commands originating from a first processor are buffered by the RAID controller in a first reply queue, and replies associated with commands originating from a second processor are buffered in a second reply queue.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant current-sharing system and process for eliminating the disadvantages of a single-point-of failure of the prior art current-sharing applications where multiple power supplies provide a proportional amount of current to a common load. According to one aspect of the invention, the system provides redundancies of the current-sharing signal and isolating signal flow within the current-sharing circuitry. The system comprises a power-supply terminal connected to the current-share terminal of a power supply, and a first and second output terminal transmitting a first and second current-share output signal, respectively, to similar devices associated with other power supplies. Each device includes a first and second isolator, each electrically connected between the first and second output terminal, respectively, and the power supply terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for limiting transient current in an electrical power system in response to an over-current condition where a current-limiting electronic circuit breaker senses electrical current flowing in a circuit and isolates the electrical power source when the current is greater than a first preset value. During the time delay from the time that the electrical current increases above a first preset value and until circuit breaker opens, where the electrical current increases above a second preset value, greater than the first, the electrical current is limited to a maximum value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for boosting power supplied at a remote node in a distributed power system in response to a feedback signal derived from a measured voltage at a remote node include, in one embodiment, a power system with remote boost regulation employing a variable power supply and a remote active boost regulator working in coordination. The remote active boost regulator monitors the variable power supply output voltage; using an amplifier, compares the measured voltage with a reference voltage; and generates a feedback signal. The feedback signal is delivered to a variable power supply causing the power supply to increase, or boost, output voltage to compensate for distribution losses and remote loading.

Abstract: A hot plug switch mechanism includes a card chassis and a motherboard in the chassis, the motherboard including a power bus, a plurality of connectors for connecting to a corresponding plurality of circuit boards and separate power switches connected between the power bus and each connector, each switch having an open position and a closed position. The switch mechanism also includes a plurality of actuator assemblies on the chassis corresponding to the plurality of switches on the motherboard each actuator assembly adapted to close the corresponding switch on the motherboard when the corresponding connector is connected to a circuit board. Preferably, each power switch is a Hall Effect switch and each actuator assembly includes a magnet which may be moved into proximity to the corresponding switch when the corresponding connector is connected to the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention describes a perfluorinated ionomer membrane having a improved transport characteristics. A surfactant species is added to a polymer mixture prior to film casting. The resulting membranes have a measurably altered membrane microstructure and improved transport characteristics over prior art membranes. The present invention describes the method of producing the improved membranes. The membranes of the present invention are useful in a number of separation processes, including the separation of NH.sub.3 from gaseous and liquid mixtures, in the production of NaOH and Cl.sub.2 gas from the electrolytic dissolution of NaCl, in the separation of toxic and radioactive metals from aqueous streams, and in solid polymer electrolyte H.sub.2 /O.sub.2 fuel cells.

Abstract: In the disclosed system, a switching circuit energized from a source applies current pulses to the windings of a motor, such as a stepping motor. A chopper regulates the winding currents during each current pulse through four or more control cycles, a power cycle, a circulating cycle, a reset cycle and a second circulating cycle. The chopper enables current from the source to the winding during the power cycle; disables the source and forces residual current entirely within the switching circuit and outside the source during the circulating cycles; and constrains current flow from the winding through the source against the plurality of the source during the reset cycle. Preferably, a second switching circuit energizes a second winding and the chopper times the cycles so that the power cycle in one winding coincides with the reset cycle in the other winding.

Abstract: In the disclosed stepping motor system a band pass filter extracts error signals from currents in a stepping motor driver, and a feedback system delays command pulses to the driver on the basis of the error signals. This suppresses mid-frequency instabilities in the operation of the stepping motor.

Abstract: A closed-loop core saturation control circuit for use in pulse width modulated power supplies is disclosed. The circuit uses a single transistor as a unity gain, low impedance track and hold amplifier to sense the current in the primary winding of the transformer and supply a related voltage to the power supply comparator, where it sums with the linear ramp voltage. The on-times of the switching transistors are therefore individually controlled and varied such that both switching transistors will see substantially equal peak currents.