Abstract: An alkaline production system comprising an electrochemical unit comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode, a cathode compartment comprising a cathode and a hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode, wherein the system configured to sequester carbon dioxide with the cathode electrolyte; and methods thereof. In another embodiment, a system comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode in communication with a cathode electrolyte comprising bicarbonate ion; and an hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode; and methods thereof.

Abstract: A canister assembly for use with a medical suction or aspiration device having a ball float assembly defined in the lid. The lid accepts a replaceable filter cartridge containing a filter element. The ball float engages the replaceable filter cartridge when the canister is near full.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for control of bandwidth reclamation in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, the invention provides a network operator or subscriber with the ability to disable or otherwise control reclamation in a switched digital video (SDV) network. A controller uses rules in determining whether to reclaim bandwidth. These rules designate certain carriers, content, devices and/or subscribers as high priority (or protected from reclamation). In one variant, the rules determine which subscribers are queried (“pinged”) in order to evaluate whether delivered content is actually being utilized by these subscribers. Alternatively, selected ones of the devices are configured so as to generate an automatic response to any ping messages. In another variant, the rules for disabling bandwidth reclamation are entered via user interaction with an application running on a client device and in communication with the controller via a network proxy, or with the SDV server directly.

Abstract: An alkaline production system comprising an electrochemical unit comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode, a cathode compartment comprising a cathode and a hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode, wherein the system configured to sequester carbon dioxide with the cathode electrolyte; and methods thereof. In another embodiment, a system comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode in communication with a cathode electrolyte comprising bicarbonate ion; and an hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode; and methods thereof.

Abstract: In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a foam element comprising an isocyanate-based foam matrix having surface, at least a portion of the surface comprising at least one channel having a channel surface, the channel surface being coated with a substantially fluid impermeable material. The foam element is particularly useful in a climate-control vehicular (e.g., automobile) seat.

Abstract: A rule-based fuzzy gain-scheduling proportional integral (PI) controller is provided to control desired engine power and speed behavior in a power-split HEV. The controller includes a fuzzy logic gain-scheduler and a modified PI controller that operates to improve on the control of engine power and speed in a power-split HEV versus using conventional PI control methods. The controller improves the engine power and speed behavior of a power-split HEV by eliminating overshoots, and by providing enhanced and uncompromised rise-time and settling-time.

Abstract: An alkaline production system comprising an electrochemistry unit comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode in communication with a cathode electrolyte; wherein the electrochemistry unit is operably connected to a carbon sequestration system configured to sequester carbon dioxide with the cathode electrolyte. In another embodiment, an electrochemistry unit comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode in communication with a cathode electrolyte; and a carbon sequestration system configured to sequester carbon dioxide with the cathode electrolyte; and methods thereof.

Abstract: A rule-based fuzzy gain-scheduling proportional integral (PI) controller is provided to control desired engine power and speed behavior in a power-split HEV. The controller includes a fuzzy logic gain-scheduler and a modified PI controller that operates to improve on the control of engine power and speed in a power-split HEV versus using conventional PI control methods. The controller improves the engine power and speed behavior of a power-split HEV by eliminating overshoots, and by providing enhanced and uncompromised rise-time and settling-time.

Abstract: In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a foam element comprising an isocyanate-based foam matrix having surface, at least a portion of the surface comprising at least one channel having a channel surface, the channel surface being coated with a substantially fluid impermeable material. The foam element is particularly useful in a climate-control vehicular (e.g., automobile) seat.

Abstract: An automotive regenerative and friction braking system uses a separate brake system control module and a powertrain control module. The brake system control module normally operates the friction and regenerative brakes in a coordinated, or series, configuration. In the event that the brake system control module becomes inoperative, the powertrain control module will operate the regenerative braking system in a parallel, or independent, configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle are provided. A temperature of a lubricating fluid in the engine is determined, as are first and second engine speed limits. Operation of the engine at the first engine speed limit is limited to a predetermined time period when the lubricating fluid temperature is between first and second predetermined temperatures. The engine speed is at least temporarily limited to the second engine speed limit after the engine has been operated at the first engine speed limit for the predetermined time period and the lubricating fluid temperature is between the first and second predetermined temperatures.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle are provided. A temperature of a lubricating fluid in the engine is determined, as are first and second engine speed limits. Operation of the engine at the first engine speed limit is limited to a predetermined time period when the lubricating fluid temperature is between first and second predetermined temperatures. The engine speed is at least temporarily limited to the second engine speed limit after the engine has been operated at the first engine speed limit for the predetermined time period and the lubricating fluid temperature is between the first and second predetermined temperatures.

Abstract: In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a foam element comprising an isocyanate-based foam matrix having surface, at least a portion of the surface comprising at least one channel having a channel surface, the channel surface being coated with a substantially fluid impermeable material. The foam element is particularly useful in a climate-control vehicular (e.g., automobile) seat.

Abstract: Systems and methods for embedding, detecting and extracting access information from a dial tone of a private branch exchange system. The access information is embedded at the zero crossings of the dial tone. This has a minimal effect on the audible quality of the dial tone. A connecting device, such as a modem, receives the altered dial tone having access information. The access information is extracted by the connecting device and displayed to a user. The access information is automatically downloaded by the connecting device upon connecting to the private branch exchange without interaction from a user by having the connecting device go off hook such that the dial tone is received. The connecting device detects, extracts and displays the access information. After the access information is displayed to a user, the connecting device can await further user interaction or immediately make use of the access information.

Abstract: Each one of a plurality of processors has a data storage register and a unique identifier. A message passing network interconnects the registers and processors. Each processor can store data in each register, but can read data only from its own register. “Master” priority is arbitratively allocated to one of the processors by repetitively, for each processor which has not previously been dismissed as a master candidate and until all but one processor is dismissed as a master candidate: storing a dismissal value in the processor's register; selecting the next portion of the processor's identifier; if the selected portion corresponds to a non-dismissal value, storing the non-dismissal value in all of the registers; if the selected portion corresponds to the dismissal value and if the non-dismissal value is stored in the processor's register, dismissing the processor as a master candidate.

Abstract: A system for a providing addresses to each one of a plurality of addressable integrated circuits. The system includes a plurality of address select circuits, each one thereof being coupled to a corresponding one of a corresponding plurality of addressable integrated circuit. Each one of such integrated circuits has an address select pin adapted to receive a signal from the corresponding one of the address select circuits. The signal is indicative of an address for such one of the plurality of addressable integrated circuits. Each one of such address circuit includes a signal source connected to the pin and a circuit for coding such signal source into a selected one of more than three predetermined signal levels.