Abstract: The invention relates in part to an autonomous, self-powered valve for continuous monitoring of water flow within a domestic or commercial water pipe network. The invention also relates to a network in which the valve is remotely monitored for detection of abnormalities in water use patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates in part to an autonomous, self-powered valve for continuous monitoring of water flow within a domestic or commercial water pipe network. The invention also relates to a network in which the valve is remotely monitored for detection of abnormalities in water use patterns.

Abstract: A system for cooling and controlling a cooling system having a variable speed compressor, a condenser, a variable flow regulator, a metering device, an evaporator, and a refrigerant. The system includes controlling the speed of the variable speed compressor by transmitting a control signal to the variable speed compressor such that the speed of the variable speed compressor is based on the control signal and lowering the speed of the variable speed compressor results in a lower flow rate of the refrigerant and thus a reduced rate of cooling. The system also includes selectively opening or closing the variable flow regulator such that a closed variable flow regulator restricts the flow of the refrigerant through the evaporator and thus reduces the rate of cooling.

Abstract: A humidity generator having a cooling pipe that includes a cooling pipe inlet, a liquid chamber, and a cooling pipe outlet. An airflow path is defined between the cooling pipe inlet and the cooling pipe outlet, such that during operation, air enters through the cooling pipe inlet, passes over water disposed in the liquid chamber, flows through the cooling pipe, and exits through the cooling pipe outlet.

Abstract: A system for cooling and controlling a cooling system having a variable speed compressor, a condenser, a variable flow regulator, a metering device, an evaporator, and a refrigerant. The system includes controlling the speed of the variable speed compressor by transmitting a control signal to the variable speed compressor such that the speed of the variable speed compressor is based on the control signal and lowering the speed of the variable speed compressor results in a lower flow rate of the refrigerant and thus a reduced rate of cooling. The system also includes selectively opening or closing the variable flow regulator such that a closed variable flow regulator restricts the flow of the refrigerant through the evaporator and thus reduces the rate of cooling.

Abstract: A device (100) and method for achieving localised hypothermia during laparoscopic surgery comprises a sheath portion (101) in the form of a flexible bag-like shape which is shaped and sized so that it substantially surrounds the organ of interest in use. The sheath portion (101) comprises walls, each consisting of at least a first inner layer and a second outer layer which define a space therebetween into which catheters (104a, b) deliver and remove cooled fluid to provide a cooling effect to the organ.

Abstract: A system for reducing carbonaceous material is disclosed. The system includes a compartment configured to receive the carbonaceous material. An auger is located within the compartment and centered about a drive shaft. A rotational drive mechanism is coupled to the drive shaft and configured to rotate the auger to enable the carbonaceous material to travel through the compartment as the auger is rotated. A plurality of lifting arms are coupled to a surface of the auger. The lifting arms are configured to lift and stir the carbonaceous material as the auger is rotated. At least one microwave generator is coupled to the compartment and configured to radiate the carbonaceous material as it travels through the compartment to reduce the carbonaceous material into at least one chemical component of the carbonaceous material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus to enable desired wireless connectivity in a high frequency and/or high speed wireless local area network for providing mobile communications to a user of a wireless communication device which may be otherwise unable to connect to the high frequency and/or speed wireless local area network in response to a request for a wireless service. By using a chipset disposed in another wireless communication device, a neural network may be formed for enabling such wireless connectivity. In one embodiment, availability of wireless connectivity may be determined to a first user of a wireless service at a first wireless communication device to communicate with an access point associated with a Wi-Fi wireless network that offers the wireless service.

Abstract: An automatic sliding door system suited for use in walk-in freezer or refrigerator units includes exterior and interior sensor units for opening one or more sliding doors. Each sensor unit comprises both a motion sensor and a presence detector. The motion sensor detects motion towards the sliding door(s), and opens the door(s) as they are approached. The motion sensor keeps the door(s) open so long as the motion is present. The presence detector of each sensor unit detects a change in the ambient conditions directly underneath the doorway, and keeps the door(s) open when the ambient conditions change. A brushless DC servo motor is preferably employed to move a pulley and thereby synchronously open and close the door(s). Optical sensors are deployed above the door(s) at selected deceleration and stopping points for the doors. Other features include a push plate or pushbutton, a key lock, and a multi-tier alarm system.

Abstract: An automatic sliding door system especially well suited for use in walk-in freezer or refrigerator units includes an exterior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions on the exterior of a freezer or refrigerator unit, and an interior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions in the interior of the freezer or refrigerator unit. Each sensor unit comprises both a motion sensor and a presence detector. The motion sensor detects motion towards the sliding doors, and opens the doors as they are approached. Once motion is detected, the motion sensor tracks the motion no matter whether towards or away from the door, and keep the doors open so long as the motion is present. The presence detector of each sensor unit detects a change in the ambient conditions directly underneath the doorway, and keeps the door open when the ambient conditions change. The right and left side doors that are opened and closed simultaneously and in synchronism using a pulley mechanism connected to both the right and left side doors.

Abstract: An automatic sliding door system especially well suited for use in walk-in freezer or refrigerator units includes an exterior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions on the exterior of a freezer or refrigerator unit, and an interior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions in the interior of the freezer or refrigerator unit. Each sensor unit comprises both a motion sensor and a presence detector. The motion sensor detects motion towards the sliding doors, and opens the doors as they are approached. Once motion is detected, the motion sensor tracks the motion no matter whether towards or away from the door, and keep the doors open so long as the motion is present. The presence detector of each sensor unit detects a change in the ambient conditions directly underneath the doorway, and keeps the door open when the ambient conditions change. The right and left side doors that are opened and closed simultaneously and in synchronism using a pulley mechanism connected to both the right and left side doors.

Abstract: A Fabry-Perot interferometer includes a plane mirror and a confocal interferometer tandemly aligned so that the output of the former is applied as an input to the latter. Signals are derived for synchronizing the two interferometers by stopping the scan of the plane mirror unit during a portion of each scan cycle and incrementally advancing the scan position of the scan mirror of the confocal unit so that the confocal unit scans the plane mirror unit in a plurality of successive scans.