Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the automatic charging of an electrochemical electrical energy storage device. Charging may be performed until a pre-assigned voltage increment value measured across the terminals of the storage device is reached. Recurrent periods of charging and rest may be employed, with measurements of voltage taken and voltage increment determined after the passage of an assigned quantity of electrical energy. Automatic completion of the charging process is provided for, irrespective of the design features and number of energy storage devices (e.g., capacitors) in a module, the initial state of charge and/or temperature of the storage device, or the value and/or time instability of the charging current.

Abstract: Asymmetric supercapacitors comprise: a positive electrode comprising a current collector and a first active material selected from the group consisting of manganese dioxide, silver oxide, iron sulfide, lithium manganese oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; a negative electrode comprising a carbonaceous active material; an aqueous electrolyte solution selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions of hydroxides of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of carbonates of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of chlorides of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of sulfates of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of nitrates of alkali metals, and a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing aqueous solutions; and a separator plate. Alternatively, the electrolyte can be a non-aqueous ionic conducting electrolyte or a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: An asymmetric supercapacitor has a positive electrode having a current collector an active material selected from the group consisting of manganese dioxide, silver oxide, iron sulfide and mixtures thereof, a negative electrode having a carbonaceous active material carbon and optional current collector, an electrolyte, and a separator plate. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the electrodes has nanostructured/nanofibrous material and in a more preferred embodiment, both electrodes have nanostructured/nanfibrous material. The electrolyte can be liquid or solid although liquid electrolytes are preferred. The asymmetric supercapacitor has improved energy density by electrically coupling an electrode of high faradaic capacity such as one having manganese oxide (MnO2) with an electrode such as carbon that stores charge through charge separation at the electric double-layer. The asymmetric supercapacitor also improves power density by using high surface area nanostructured/nanofibrous electrode materials.

Abstract: Starter motor systems are described, wherein the systems include a unidirectional clutch system that cooperates with a pulley system to start an internal combustion engine through the front-end accessory drive system. The starter motor systems are especially well suited for new, high fuel efficiency automobiles in which the engine is shut down (e.g., when the automobile stops) and subsequently started (e.g., when the accelerator pedal is depressed).

Abstract: Starter motor systems are described, wherein the systems include a unidirectional clutch system that cooperates with a pulley system to start an internal combustion engine through the front-end accessory drive system. The starter motor systems are especially well suited for new, high fuel efficiency automobiles in which the engine is shut down (e.g., when the automobile stops) and subsequently started (e.g., when the accelerator pedal is depressed).

Abstract: A method of accessing stored printing parameters from a memory associated with a specific supply and simultaneously processing a group of thermal elements. The thermal element group generally comprises consecutive thermal elements. The processor concurrently considers the thermal element group and the dot history of thermal element group. The method of simultaneously processing the thermal element group comprises packing the thermal element group into a dot history pattern and forming a multiple thermal element organizational table. Thereafter, the multiple thermal element organizational table is used by the processor to determine and regulate energy delivered to each thermal element in the thermal element group. Furthermore, by simultaneously processing the thermal element group, processor efficiency can be elevated. Thus, the method permits a printer to increase printing speed and reduces the workload of the processor associated with the printer.

Abstract: The invention is a hybrid chuck for securing workpieces with an electrostatic charge. The hybrid chuck includes a dielectric base for supporting the hybrid chuck. The dielectric base has a top surface and a conductive layer covers at least a portion of the top surface of the dielectric base. The conductive layer is conductive for receiving a current that creates an electrostatic charge and is non-metallic for maintaining the electrostatic charge without significant eddy current losses in the presence of dynamic electromagnetic fields. The top working surface covers the conductive layer and is flat for holding workpieces upon the receiving of the current to create the electrostatic charge in the conductive layer.

Abstract: The invention is a hybrid chuck for securing workpieces with an electrostatic charge. The hybrid chuck includes a dielectric base for supporting the hybrid chuck. The dielectric base has a top surface and a conductive layer covers at least a portion of the top surface of the dielectric base. The conductive layer is conductive for receiving a current that creates an electrostatic charge and is non-metallic for maintaining the electrostatic charge without significant eddy current losses in the presence of dynamic electromagnetic fields. The top working surface covers the conductive layer and is flat for holding workpieces upon the receiving of the current to create the electrostatic charge in the conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of accessing stored printing parameters from a memory associated with a specific supply and simultaneously processing a group of thermal elements. The thermal element group generally comprises consecutive thermal elements. The processor concurrently considers the thermal element group and the dot history of thermal element group. The method of simultaneously processing the thermal element group comprises packing the thermal element group into a dot history pattern and forming a multiple thermal element organizational table. Thereafter, the multiple thermal element organizational table is used by the processor to determine and regulate energy delivered to each thermal element in the thermal element group. Furthermore, by simultaneously processing the thermal element group, processor efficiency can be elevated. Thus, the method permits a printer to increase printing speed and reduces the workload of the processor associated with the printer.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a cathode having a coating including an oxide of one of cobalt, molybdenum, and tungsten, a nitride of a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, and tungsten, a carbide of a metal selected from the group consisting of vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, and tungsten, an intercalation carbon cathode, or an electrically conducting polymer selected from polyacetylene, polypyrrole, poly-p-phenylene, polythiophene, poly-3-phenylthiophene, and poly-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-thiophene, an anode including a metal selected from tantalum, aluminum, niobium, zirconium, and titanium, spaced from the coating, and an electrolyte in contact with the coating and the anode.

Abstract: A method of determining supply parameters and storing the supply parameters in a memory is disclosed. The method comprises: providing supply characteristics for a supply, selecting a dot history pattern, generating a table, the table comprising values based on the selected dot history pattern and the provided supply characteristics, and storing supply parameters, based on the values in the generated table, in a memory associated with the supply. Thereafter, the stored supply parameters can be accessed, either before or during printing, to regulate the energy delivered to thermal elements, to increase printing speed, and to reduce the workload of the processor in the system.

Abstract: An overrunning roller/ramp clutch assembly is disclosed which has a cylindrical drive and driven member. Between the surfaces of these members, a plurality of segmented retainers, each containing a bearing, is located. Each of the retainers defines a ramped surface for engagement with the bearings. A connector interconnects all of the retainers together and causes the retainers to circumferentially move in unison with one another.

Abstract: A hydration system for a fuel cell includes a fluid flow plate having an inlet fluid opening for receiving a hydration fluid, a plurality of reactant flow channels defined in the fluid flow plate, at least one land interposed between the flow channels, and at least one hole defined in and extending through the land. The hole may be fluidly connected to the inlet fluid opening, thereby allowing a portion of the fluid to aid in hydration of a membrane of the fuel cell. A hydration channel also formed in the land may extend from an outlet of the hole to further aid membrane hydration.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is formed by: providing a conductive base member; machining a pattern of ridges in the top surface of the base member; providing through holes in the base member; inserting insulated contact posts into through holes and joining same to the base member in such manner that the contact posts extend above the top surface of the base member; depositing a first insulating layer over the base member top surface, ridges and the contact posts, the thickness of the insulating layer being less than the height of the contact posts above the base member surface; removing the first insulative layer from the top of the contact posts and removing a portion of the contact posts in such manner that the contact posts are flush with the surrounding first insulating layer; depositing a conductive layer over the first insulating layer and the tops of the contact posts, the thickness of the conductive layer being approximately the height of the ridges; grinding the top surface of the base member flat to the p

Abstract: A hydration system for a fuel cell includes a fluid flow plate having an inlet fluid opening for receiving a hydration fluid, a plurality of reactant flow channels defined in the fluid flow plate, at least one land interposed between the flow channels, and at least one hole defined in and extending through the land. The hole may be fluidly connected to the inlet fluid opening, thereby allowing a portion of the fluid to aid in hydration of a membrane of the fuel cell. A hydration channel also formed in the land may extend from an outlet of the hole to further aid membrane hydration.

Abstract: In a marking pen, the body of the marking pen containing the cartridge is made air tight except for the opening on the distal end to receive the marker nib and a vent hole. The walls of the pen body are made flexible and the vent hole is provided through the flexible walls near the distal end so that the cavity containing the cartridge can be pressurized by squeezing the body between the thumb and index finger, with the index finger covering the vent hole. The pressuring of the cartridge cavity applies hydraulic pressure to the nib to flush the nib with ink or unclog it.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a cathode having a coating including an oxide of one of cobalt, molybdenum, and tungsten, a nitride of a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, and tungsten, a carbide of a metal selected from the group consisting of vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, and tungsten, an intercalation carbon cathode, or an electrically conducting polymer selected from polyacetylene, polypyrrole, poly-p-phenylene, polythiophene, poly-3-phenylthiophene, and poly-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-thiophene, an anode including a metal selected from tantalum, aluminum, niobium, zirconium, and titanium, spaced from the coating, and an electrolyte in contact with the coating and the anode.

Abstract: A implant for cranioplasty made of porous high density polyethylene is provided. The implant has a smooth upper surface and a lower surface characterized by a plurality of conical extensions. The implant is flexible so that it can conform to the contour of the cranium and can be cut with a scalpel or surgical scissors or bone cutters. The shape of the implant allows a surgeon to easily adapt the implant to fit into cranial defects such as those caused by harvesting bone grafts.

Abstract: A self lubricated and sealed pinion cartridge bearing assembly for use with a gear reduction system which may be used for example for providing rotating shaft support for a pinion shaft of a motor vehicle drive axle. The bearing assembly has a pair of anti-friction bearings having an outer and inner race and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart rolling elements which roll along inner and outer raceways. A spacer is provided between the bearing inner races, and at least one seal is formed between the inner races and the spacer to circumferentially seal the inner races together. A pair of seals are further provided between the inner and outer races of each bearing at each outboard face to form barriers at the ends of the bearing assembly for retaining lubricating oil within the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A bowling ball having at least one recess, and an insert generally filling said recess and formed of material molded about the fingers of the user of the ball to provide finger holes formed in said insert corresponding precisely to the size, spacing and curvature of the fingers of the user of the ball. A cap drilled to match the alignment of the customized finger holes is glued to the top of the insert to match the outer surface of the bowling ball.