Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting membrane blockage in a gas detector are disclosed. In some embodiments, the gas detector comprises a membrane defining a sensing chamber of the detector, the sensing chamber comprising a relaxed state pressure. The method comprises applying one or more forces on one or more walls of the membrane, wherein applying the force causes a volume change inside the sensing chamber. The method further comprises measuring a pressure change inside the sensing chamber, the pressure change being caused by the volume change. The method further comprises determining a rate of return to the relaxed state inside the chamber and determining a condition of the membrane based on the determined rate of return to the relaxed state.

Abstract: A light tower assembly for the high density illumination of an indoor or outdoor area by a portable power plant or a stationary power source includes at least one vertical support shaft, at least one cross member attached to the vertical support shaft and at least on omnidirectional heavy duty LED light bracket attached to the cross member, providing support to a high lumen LED light, with the heavy duty LED light bracket being moveably aimed within a range of 360 degrees from a pivotal mounting point on the cross member.

Abstract: A light tower assembly for the high density illumination of an indoor or outdoor area by a portable power plant or a stationary power source includes at least one vertical support shaft, at least one cross member attached to the vertical support shaft and at least on omnidirectional heavy duty LED light bracket attached to the cross member, providing support to a high lumen LED light, with the heavy duty LED light bracket being moveably aimed within a range of 360 degrees from a pivotal mounting point on the cross member.

Abstract: A high efficiency and high output electrical generator sized to match the electrical demands of generating power for lighting and operation of large amperage electrical machinery including an improved gear belt drive designed to allow the a diesel engine to run at a lower rpm, resulting in optimal fuel conservation benefit and longer run time on a tank of fuel, the engine, generator and motor mounts form a uniquely unitized mounting system employing a modular bell housing and generator adaptor plate supporting the engine, gears, belt drive and generator components.

Abstract: Devices and methods for accelerating the combustion of non-gas cooking fuels used in barbequing. The devices include a starting fuel for preparing, or starting, a cooking fuel, such as charcoal briquettes, for use to cook food. The starting fuel is contained in a kindling chamber beneath an upper chamber containing the cooking fuel. A powered air delivery mechanism may provide an airflow to the fuels to increase combustion and heating thereof. In some embodiments, the device is a breach-loading device. In some embodiments, the air delivery mechanism is battery-powered. The device may be configured to provide, and/or may be automated to provide, different operating states responsive to the degree of ignition and/or combustion of the fuels in the device. In some embodiments, the device is adapted to automatically be transitioned between forced-air and natural-draft operating states, which may be controlled responsive to sensed operating parameters of the device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for accelerating the combustion of non-gas cooking fuels used in barbequing. The devices include a starting fuel for preparing, or starting, a cooking fuel, such as charcoal briquettes, for use to cook food. The starting fuel is contained in a kindling chamber beneath an upper chamber containing the cooking fuel. A powered air delivery mechanism may provide an airflow to the fuels to increase combustion and heating thereof. In some embodiments, the device is a breach-loading device. In some embodiments, the air delivery mechanism is battery-powered. The device may be configured to provide, and/or may be automated to provide, different operating states responsive to the degree of ignition and/or combustion of the fuels in the device. In some embodiments, the device is adapted to automatically be transitioned between forced-air and natural-draft operating states, which may be controlled responsive to sensed operating parameters of the device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for accelerating the combustion of non-gas cooking fuels used in barbequing. The devices include a starting fuel for preparing, or starting, a cooking fuel, such as charcoal briquettes, for use to cook food. The starting fuel is contained in a kindling chamber beneath an upper chamber containing the cooking fuel. A powered air delivery mechanism may provide an airflow to the fuels to increase combustion and heating thereof. In some embodiments, the device is a breach-loading device. In some embodiments, the air delivery mechanism is battery-powered. The device may be configured to provide, and/or may be automated to provide, different operating states responsive to the degree of ignition and/or combustion of the fuels in the device. In some embodiments, the device is adapted to automatically be transitioned between forced-air and natural-draft operating states, which may be controlled responsive to sensed operating parameters of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of a formula (I): wherein the variables are defined herein; to a process for preparing such a compound; and to the use of such a compound in the treatment of a PDE4 mediated disease state.

Abstract: Self-propelled hydrodynamic underwater toys with integrated propulsion mechanisms are described. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanisms is partially or completely within an internal compartment in the toy's body. The propulsion mechanisms are adapted to be charged with a volume of fluid and to thereafter discharge the volume of fluid under pressure to propel the toy through a body of water. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism includes an expandable reservoir. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism is a replaceable propulsion mechanism. In some embodiments, the toy includes a trajectory-stabilizing structure that is adapted to impart at least one of a steering moment and a righting moment to the toy during underwater travel. The toy may be adapted to have positive, negative or neutral buoyancies, and can be adapted to maintain its buoyancy and/or its center of gravity while being propelled through a body of water by the propulsion system.

Abstract: Devices and methods for accelerating the combustion of non-gas cooking fuels used in barbequing. The devices include a starting fuel for preparing, or starting, a cooking fuel, such as charcoal briquettes, for use to cook food. The starting fuel is contained in a kindling chamber beneath an upper chamber containing the cooking fuel. A powered air delivery mechanism may provide an airflow to the fuels to increase combustion and heating thereof. In some embodiments, the device is a breach-loading device. In some embodiments, the air delivery mechanism is battery-powered. The device may be configured to provide, and/or may be automated to provide, different operating states responsive to the degree of ignition and/or combustion of the fuels in the device. In some embodiments, the device is adapted to automatically be transitioned between forced-air and natural-draft operating states, which may be controlled responsive to sensed operating parameters of the device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for accelerating the combustion of non-gas cooking fuels used in barbequing. The devices include a starting fuel for preparing, or starting, a cooking fuel, such as charcoal briquettes, for use to cook food. The starting fuel is contained in a kindling chamber beneath an upper chamber containing the cooking fuel. A powered air delivery mechanism may provide an airflow to the fuels to increase combustion and heating thereof. In some embodiments, the device is a breach-loading device. In some embodiments, the air delivery mechanism is battery-powered. The device may be configured to provide, and/or may be automated to provide, different operating states responsive to the degree of ignition and/or combustion of the fuels in the device. In some embodiments, the device is adapted to automatically be transitioned between forced-air and natural-draft operating states, which may be controlled responsive to sensed operating parameters of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of a formula (I): wherein the variables are defined herein; to a process for preparing such a compound; and to the use of such a compound in the treatment of a PDE4 mediated disease state.

Abstract: Devices and methods for accelerating the combustion of non-gas cooking fuels used in barbequing. The devices include a starting fuel for preparing, or starting, a cooking fuel, such as charcoal briquettes, for use to cook food. The starting fuel is contained in a kindling chamber beneath an upper chamber containing the cooking fuel. A powered air delivery mechanism may provide an airflow to the fuels to increase combustion and heating thereof. In some embodiments, the device is a breach-loading device. In some embodiments, the air delivery mechanism is battery-powered. The device may be configured to provide, and/or may be automated to provide, different operating states responsive to the degree of ignition and/or combustion of the fuels in the device. In some embodiments, the device is adapted to automatically be transitioned between forced-air and natural-draft operating states, which may be controlled responsive to sensed operating parameters of the device.

Abstract: Self-propelled hydrodynamic underwater toys with integrated propulsion mechanisms are described. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanisms is partially or completely within an internal compartment in the toy's body. The propulsion mechanisms are adapted to be charged with a volume of fluid and to thereafter discharge the volume of fluid under pressure to propel the toy through a body of water. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism includes an expandable reservoir. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism is a replaceable propulsion mechanism. In some embodiments, the toy includes a trajectory-stabilizing structure that is adapted to impart at least one of a steering moment and a righting moment to the toy during underwater travel. The toy may be adapted to have positive, negative or neutral buoyancies, and can be adapted to maintain its buoyancy and/or its center of gravity while being propelled through a body of water by the propulsion system.

Abstract: A hand-launchable underwater projectile toy having a hydrodynamic body and a novel trajectory stabilizing structure extending from the body and configured to impart a righting-moment to the body during underwater travel. The stabilizing structure includes one or more drag-producing surfaces extending in a non-radial direction about the central axis. In another embodiment, the stabilizing structure includes at least one portion that is user-adjustable to impart a selected steering-moment to the body during underwater travel. In a further embodiment, the toy includes a positively buoyant first portion and a negatively buoyant second portion, which cooperate to urge the body into a selected orientation when the toy is suspended in water.

Abstract: A hand-launchable underwater projectile toy having a hydrodynamic body and a novel trajectory stabilizing structure extending from the body and configured to impart a righting-moment to the body during underwater travel. The stabilizing structure includes one or more drag-producing surfaces extending in a non-radial direction about the central axis. In another embodiment, the stabilizing structure includes at least one portion that is user-adjustable to impart a selected steering-moment to the body during underwater travel. In a further embodiment, the toy includes a positively buoyant first portion and a negatively buoyant second portion, which cooperate to urge the body into a selected orientation when the toy is suspended in water.

Abstract: A back scratching device. The device includes a body having a core and an abrasive contact surface. The body is removably or permanently coupled to a frame by an attachment structure. In some embodiments, the core may be at least substantially formed from a closed-cell material. In some embodiments, the abrasive contact surface is defined by a plurality of fragmented cells and/or surface structures. In some embodiments, the core and/or the contact surface includes a plurality of layers of variable densities and/or impregnated abrasive materials. In some embodiments, the body may be at least generally shaped to correspond to the anatomical regions of the spine. In some embodiments, the vertical dimensions of the body substantially exceed the horizontal dimensions of the body.

Abstract: A recreational device in the form of an elongate projectile is described. The projectile has a body including a nose region, a mid-region and a tail region. Preferably, the projectile is provided with a fillable cavity for adjusting its buoyancy. The body has a size, mass, length-to-diameter ratio, specific gravity and contour that facilitate its stable distant travel through a liquid medium such as water. Importantly, the projectile has a specific gravity of between 0.95 and 1.05, which renders it neutrally buoyant in most fresh water bodies. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recreational device for stabilization purposes against undesirable yaw, pitch and roll has arcuately spaced, radially extending fins in a tail region of the body. When launched by hand underwater, the device maintains an imparted trajectory and slips cleanly through the water over a great distance.