Abstract: A portable fire pit includes a base and a burner assembly. The burner assembly includes a top plate and a gas burner fixed to and supported by the top plate. The top plate is supported by the base. The burner assembly is supported on the base by the top plate. The top plate is removably engaged with the base. A top surface of the portable fire pit is defined at least in part by the top plate. The gas burner is positioned to generate a flame above the top surface.

Abstract: The invention provides heat pump system a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) or elastocaloric material core positioned in a housing and adapted to absorb thermal heat and store energy in response to a first fluid inputted at a first temperature. The housing is configured to receive the fluid at the first temperature via an inlet to cause the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric material core to change state. A device is configured to apply stress on the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric core in the housing to cause the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric core to change state. A support system is configured to engage with the material in the core to prevent the material buckling when the stress is applied wherein the support system comprises a series of buckling supports positioned along at least one length of the SMA or NTE or elastocaloric material core. The support system provides a mechanical buckling support and heat transfer optimisation for fluid flow in a SMA heat pump during compression.

Abstract: A high precision photonic readout for performing high precision photon sensing includes a laser source, photonic sensor, photonic sensor measurement module, laser and stabilization module. The photonic sensor measurement module receives the sensor light and produces a modulator control signal. The laser stabilization module receives the reference light and produces a phase lock signal that stabilizes the reference light frequency that controls the laser source to produce the reference light.

Abstract: A short-wave infra-red, SWIR, radiation detection device comprises: a first metallic layer providing a first set of connections from a readout circuit to respective cells of a matrix, the metallic layer reflecting SWIR wavelength radiation. Each matrix cell comprises at least one stack of layers including: a first layer of doped semiconductor material formed on the first metallic layer; an at least partially microcrystalline semiconductor layer formed over the first doped layer; a second layer of semiconductor material formed on the microcrystalline semiconductor layer; at least one microcrystalline semiconductor layer; and in some embodiments a second metallic layer interfacing the microcrystalline semiconductor layer(s), the interface being responsive to incident SWIR radiation to generate carriers within the stack. The stack has a thickness T=?/2N between reflective surfaces of the first and second metallic layers.

Abstract: Energy recovery device and method for recovering energy comprising an engine comprising a plurality of elongated Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) elements or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements configured as a core and connected to a drive mechanism; an immersion chamber adapted for housing the engine and adapted to be sequentially filled with fluid to allow a heating cycle and a cooling cycle of the SMA elements or NTE elements to expand and contract the SMA elements or NTE elements; and a compression device configured to apply a compressive mechanical force to at least one of the SMA elements or at least one of the NTE elements. The applied compressive mechanical force compresses the at least one SMA element or the at least one NTE element further during the cooling cycle.

Abstract: A cable connector for counting a number of plug-in events and preventing further plug in attempts after a threshold number of plug-in events have occurred. An inner sleeve is located inside an outer sleeve, and is designed to move relative to the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve further includes a tab on an outer surface of the inner sleeve. A gear wheel is located inside the outer sleeve and perpendicular to the inner sleeve and has a number of gear teeth. A toggle plug counter rotates the gear wheel one tooth in response to a plug-in action of the cable counter. When the gear wheel rotates to a point where the tab aligns with a notch in the gear wheel an inner spring at the opposite end of the inner sleeve causes the inner sleeve to move through the gear wheel such that further plugging action becomes difficult.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat pump system and method heat pump system comprising a first Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elastocaloric material core positioned in a housing and adapted to change state in response a temperature change supplied by a fluid. A second Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elastocaloric material core positioned in a housing and adapted to change state in response a temperature change supplied by the fluid. A pump mechanism connected in a fluid communication with the first core and second core and adapted to control delivery of the fluid to the first and second core.

Abstract: An extraction cleaner may include a base, an upright body pivotally coupled to the base, a supply tank removably coupled to the upright body and a recovery tank removably coupled to the upright body. The base may include a non-removable door and a removable suction nozzle. At least one fluid dispensing nozzle may be provided on the door. The door may be pivotally coupled to the base for providing access to an agitator. The cleaner may include and auto-spray configuration. The cleaner may include a support on the upright portion for the recovery tank. The cleaner may include an additive tank received in a receptacle of the supply tank. The recovery tank may include a float and/or an airflow management configuration. The cleaner may include a cleaning tool and a suction changeover valve and/or a fluid changeover valve. The cleaner may include a mixing valve for supplying fluid to a fluid changeover valve.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat pump system and method comprising a first Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elastocaloric core positioned in a housing and adapted to absorb heat and store energy in response to a first fluid inputted at a first temperature. The housing is configured to receive the first fluid at a first temperature via an inlet to cause the first SMA or NTE elastocaloric core to change state. A device is configured to apply stress on the first SMA or NTE core in the housing to cause the SMA or NTE elastocaloric core to change state, releasing heat/energy and causing the SMA/NTE to heat up. A second fluid at a higher temperature is inputted and then subsequently heated further as a result of heat transfer. A second Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) or elastocaloric core is positioned in a cascade arrangement with the first core, but exhibiting a higher activation temperature.

Abstract: A method for improving effectiveness of a steam generator system includes providing a steam generator system including a steam generator vessel, an air supply system and an air preheater. The air supply system is in communication with the steam generator vessel through the air preheater and the steam generator vessel is in communication with the air preheater. The air supply system provides a first amount of air to the air preheater. At least a portion of the first amount of air is provided to the steam generator vessel. A flue gas mixture is discharged from the steam generator vessel. At least a portion of the flue gas mixture flows into the air preheater. SO3 in the flue gas mixture is mitigated before the flue gas mixture enters the air preheater.

Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a mounting bracket, a stop connected to the mounting bracket, a first spring connected to the mounting bracket and in contact with the stop to preload the first spring, and a latch. The latch includes a second spring rotatably connected to the mounting bracket, and a body connected to the second spring. The body includes a pad at one end of the body, and a first pawl at a second end of the body opposite of the pad.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal droop compensation in power amplifiers are disclosed. In one aspect, a droop compensation circuit is added to a temperature-sensitive active bias circuit in a power amplifier chain. The droop compensation circuit relies on current mirroring to draw a trigger current that may be used by a correction circuit to create an additional bias signal that offsets temperature-induced droop in the power amplifier. Variations contemplate where the bias signal is injected within the power amplifier chain and what form the correction circuit may take (e.g., an attenuator, a variable gain amplifier (VGA), or the like). By compensating for temperature droop in this fashion, rapid pulsing signals that generate rapid pulses of heat may be transmitted across an effectively linear power amplifier chain without having to deal with droop effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal droop compensation in power amplifiers with field effect transistors (FETs) are disclosed. In one aspect, a droop compensation circuit having a heat-sensitive element is embedded in an amplifier in the amplifier chain. The heat-sensitive element tracks changes in temperature for the amplifier and generates a trigger signal for a correction circuit that modifies the amplifier chain to provide thermal droop compensation. Variations contemplate changes to the nature and location of the correction circuit. By compensating for temperature droop in this fashion, rapid pulsing signals that generate rapid pulses of heat may be transmitted across an effectively linear power amplifier chain without having to deal with droop effects. Particular aspects of a FET-based power amplifier may use diodes as a heat-sensitive element.

Abstract: A coating composition for application to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator. The coating composition includes a carrier, a binder, a corrosion inhibiting pigment. The coating composition has an Ohnesorge number (Oh) of from about 0.01 to about 12.6. The coating composition has a Reynolds number (Re) of from about 0.02 to about 6,200. The coating composition has a Deborah number (De) of from greater than 0 to about 1730.

Abstract: A decorative-flame burner includes a manifold elongated along an axis and a plurality of nipples supported by the manifold. A jet us supported by and protrudes outwardly from each nipple. Each nipple is elongated transverse to the axis from a first end of the nipple to a second end of the nipple. Each nipple has threads at the first end of the nipple and the manifold includes threaded holes spaced from each other along the axis and threadedly engaged with the threads on the first ends of the nipples.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to convert utility power having an unstable utility frequency into supply power having a stable frequency, which can be distributed and utilized as a system reference. For example, a system comprises a power generator and a power distribution system. The power generator is configured to convert utility power having an unstable utility frequency to supply power having a stable frequency component. The power distribution system is coupled to an output of the power generator, and is configured to distribute the supply power having the stable frequency component to at least one power consumer which is configured to utilize the stable frequency component of the supply power as a reference frequency.

Abstract: An extraction cleaner may include a base, an upright body pivotally coupled to the base, a supply tank removably coupled to the upright body and a recovery tank removably coupled to the upright body. The base may include a non-removable door and a removable suction nozzle. At least one fluid dispensing nozzle may be provided on the door. The door may be pivotally coupled to the base for providing access to an agitator. The cleaner may include and auto-spray configuration. The cleaner may include a support on the upright portion for the recovery tank. The cleaner may include an additive tank received in a receptacle of the supply tank. The recovery tank may include a float and/or an airflow management configuration. The cleaner may include a cleaning tool and a suction changeover valve and/or a fluid changeover valve. The cleaner may include a mixing valve for supplying fluid to a fluid changeover valve.

Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a mounting bracket, a stop connected to the mounting bracket, a first spring connected to the mounting bracket and in contact with the stop to preload the first spring, and a latch. The latch includes a second spring rotatably connected to the mounting bracket, and a body connected to the second spring. The body includes a pad at one end of the body, and a first pawl at a second end of the body opposite of the pad.

Abstract: Devices, transistor structures, systems, and techniques, are described herein related to selective gate oxide formation on 2D materials for transistor devices. A transistor structure includes a gate dielectric structure on a 2D semiconductor material layer, and source and drain structures in contact with the gate dielectric structure and on the 2D semiconductor material layer. The source and drain structures include a metal material or metal nitride material and the gate dielectric structure includes an oxide of the metal material or metal nitride material.