Abstract: The present invention provides charger protection circuitry for a rechargeable battery, and a method of protecting a charger cable during charging of a rechargeable battery. A switch controller is used to turn a switch element on and off in dependence on a direction of current flow through the charger protection circuitry during charging and otherwise. If current is flowing in the first direction the switch controller turns on the switch element such that the auxiliary current tripping element is bypassed, whereby the main current tripping element controls interruption of current flow. If instead current is flowing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the switch controller turns off the switch element, whereby the auxiliary current tripping element is connected into the current flow path to control interruption of current flow.

Abstract: Ionic liquids are incorporated into transducers, actuators or sensors which employ the ionic polymer membranes. The ionic liquids have superior electrochemical stability, low viscosity and low vapor pressure. The transducers, actuators and sensors which utilize ionic polymer membranes solvated with ionic liquids have long term air stability. Superior results are achieved when a conductive powder and ionomer mixture is applied to the ionic polymer membrane to form the electrodes during or after the ionic liquid is imbibed into the ionic polymer membrane.

Abstract: A wall guard for use around wall corners is disclosed in which the wall guard includes a pair of retainers are flexibly mounted to one another. The retainers are coupled to one another by way of an adhesive tape material that extends over the back sides of the retainers. A cover is secured to the pair of retainers for absorbing impacts from passing traffic to thereby protect the corner of the wall against wear and tear.

Abstract: A handrail assembly configured for grasping by a pedestrian includes a railing formed from an extruded metal such as aluminum. The railing includes an integrally formed channel running a length thereof within the interior of the railing. The channel includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener for mounting the handrail assembly to a mounting assembly for interconnection to a wall. The mounting assembly includes a fastener secured within a bracket post that extends downwardly from the railing of the handrail assembly. The fastener of the bracket post is self-threaded onto the railing through a pilot hole drilled into the bottom surface of the railing. The bracket post is coupled to a bracket by way of a fastener to thereby mount the bracket to a wall so as to secure the handrail assembly to the wall.

Abstract: Processes are provided for using employing lower activity hydrodesulfurization catalysts while achieving a desired product sulfur content. After determining effective reaction conditions for hydrodesulfurization using a reference catalyst system, an upstream portion of the catalyst system can be replaced with a lower activity upstream portion. The process allows tailored product sulfur levels to be achieved using reaction conditions similar to those for the reference catalyst system.

Abstract: A handrail assembly configured for grasping by a. pedestrian is provided and included a railing formed from an extruded metal such as aluminum. The railing includes an integrally formed channel running a length thereof within the interior of the railing. The channel includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener for mounting the handrail assembly to a mounting assembly for interconnection to a wall. The mounting assembly includes a fastener secured within a bracket post that extends downwardly from the railing of the handrail assembly. The fastener of the bracket post is self-threaded onto the railing through a pilot hole drilled into the bottom surface of the railing. The bracket post is coupled to a bracket by way of a fastener to thereby mount the bracket to a wall so as to secure the handrail assembly to the wall.

Abstract: Automatic quote generation for custom construction projects. In one example embodiment, a method for automatically generating a quote for a custom construction project includes various acts. First, a server system receives, from a kiosk system, data corresponding to customer-selected construction materials for use in a custom construction project. Next, the server system transforms the data into an automatically generated cost quote for the custom construction project. Finally, the server system sends, to the kiosk, the quote for display by the kiosk system.

Abstract: The present invention provides charger protection circuitry for a rechargeable battery, and a method of protecting a charger cable during charging of a rechargeable battery. A switch controller is used to turn a switch element on and off in dependence on a direction of current flow through the charger protection circuitry during charging and otherwise. If current is flowing in the first direction the switch controller turns on the switch element such that the auxiliary current tripping element is bypassed, whereby the main current tripping element controls interruption of current flow. If instead current is flowing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the switch controller turns off the switch element, whereby the auxiliary current tripping element is connected into the current flow path to control interruption of current flow.

Abstract: Individual employees are permitted to be individuals and plan their work as individuals. Individuals are only asked to plan their work within a limited tasking horizon. Employees track their progress using verbs that are designed to capture the reasons behind positive and negative predictive ability. Verbs are analyzed and expected predictive error, also know as risk, is calculated. Once verbs are captured they can be analyzed for ways to improve predictive ability. In addition, the risk can be factored into the initial planning stage so as to include an expected predictive error in the initial planning.

Abstract: It is for entertainment. This game is designed for family outings or backyard fun. Team members compete by casting a plastic casting plug at a 5-gallon pail for points. If the plug lands in the pail it scores 3 points, the closest cast to the perimeter of the pail scores 1 point. A score inside the pail cancels all of the opponent's points around the pails perimeter. The game is played to 15 or 21 points.

Abstract: Individual employees arc permitted to be individuals and plan their work as individuals. Individuals are only asked to plan their work within a limited tasking horizon. Employees track their progress using verbs that are designed to capture the reasons behind positive and negative predictive ability. Verbs are analyzed and expected predictive error, also know as risk, is calculated. Once verbs arc captured they can be analyzed for ways to improve predictive ability. In addition, the risk can be factored into the initial planning stage so as to include an expected predictive error in the initial planning.

Abstract: Individual employees are permitted to be individuals and plan their work as individuals. Individuals are only asked to plan their work within a limited tasking horizon. Employees track their progress using verbs that are designed to capture the reasons behind positive and negative predictive ability. Verbs are analyzed and expected predictive error, also know as risk, is calculated. Once verbs are captured they can be analyzed for ways to improve predictive ability. In addition, the risk can be factored into the initial planning stage so as to include an expected predictive error in the initial planning.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for combining link aggregation techniques and system management techniques. More particularly, system management techniques may share ports with the link aggregation team ports. The link aggregation team may include one or more ports that connect to a device that is connected to a baseboard management controller. The ports that connect to the baseboard management controller may be configured as a sub-team within the link aggregation team. The sub-team may be mapped to a dedicated MAC address. System management packets may be selectively routed to this sub-team of ports.

Abstract: Ionomeric polymer sensors, actuators, and transducers and methods for fabricating them are disclosed. One embodiment of the sensors, actuators, and transducers possess a high surface area electrode layer that is applied by hot pressing and a highly conductive surface layer. Another embodiment of these sensors, actuators, and transducers possess a high surface area electrode layer that is penetrated by electronically conductive nanowires. Methods for fabricating these sensors, actuators, and transducers are disclosed. These methods involve the formation of the high surface area layer from a liquid mixture that contains ionomeric polymer, electronically conductive particles, and possibly diluent. This mixture is formed into layers either directly on an ionomeric polymer, on a separate transfer decal, or on an electronically conductive layer. This electronically conductive layer may also include an array of nanowires. These electrode layers are then attached to an ionomeric polymer membrane by hot pressing.

Abstract: Ionic liquids are incorporated into transducers, actuators or sensors which employ the ionic polymer membranes. The ionic liquids have superior electrochemical stability, low viscosity and low vapor pressure. The transducers, actuators and sensors which utilize ionic polymer membranes solvated with ionic liquids have long term air stability. Superior results are achieved when a conductive powder and ionomer mixture is applied to the ionic polymer membrane to form the electrodes during or after the ionic liquid is imbibed into the ionic polymer membrane.

Abstract: An autonomous surface watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft may include a control module, a communications module, a power management module, a differential thrust propulsion system, and a navigation module. One or more sensors may be provided internal to the watercraft and/or coupled to a sensor module coupling point on the watercraft. An operator may provide the watercraft with mission parameters such as but not limited to station point(s), a sensing location or area, a sensing duration, and/or a sensing time. The watercraft may determine a course heading to reach a station point or sensing area. The control module may control the propulsion system to reach the station point and for station keeping. The watercraft may gather sensor data. The sensor data may be analyzed, filtered, stored in memory and/or transmitted to a control center. The control center may receive real-time data from a plurality of such watercraft.

Abstract: An autonomous surface watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft may include a control module, a communications module, a power management module, a differential thrust propulsion system, and a navigation module. One or more sensors may be provided internal to the watercraft and/or coupled to a sensor module coupling point on the watercraft. An operator may provide the watercraft with mission parameters such as but not limited to station point(s), a sensing location or area, a sensing duration, and/or a sensing time. The watercraft may determine a course heading to reach a station point or sensing area. The control module may control the propulsion system to reach the station point and for station keeping. The watercraft may gather sensor data. The sensor data may be analyzed, filtered, stored in memory and/or transmitted to a control center. The control center may receive real-time data from a plurality of such watercraft.

Abstract: An autonomous surface watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft may include a control module, a communications module, a power management module, a differential thrust propulsion system, and a navigation module. One or more sensors may be provided internal to the watercraft and/or coupled to a sensor module coupling point on the watercraft. An operator may provide the watercraft with mission parameters such as but not limited to station point(s), a sensing location or area, a sensing duration, and/or a sensing time. The watercraft may determine a course heading to reach a station point or sensing area. The control module may control the propulsion system to reach the station point and for station keeping. The watercraft may gather sensor data. The sensor data may be analyzed, filtered, stored in memory and/or transmitted to a control center. The control center may receive real-time data from a plurality of such watercraft.

Abstract: A protection system comprises a protective wall rail, such as a handrail or a guardrail, which is made of an extruded thermoplastic sheet and which is thermoformably bonded to a decorative vinyl film. The vinyl film has a decorative pattern on one of its surfaces. The protective wall rail is mounted to a wall forming part of a building by a suitable bracket and retainer. If the protective wall rail is a guardrail, then it may be used for protecting the wall from being damaged by a movable object. If the protective wall rail is a handrail, then it may be used for securing the movement of an human through the building. The protective wall rail advantageously exhibits improved aesthetic quality and improved durability.