Abstract: A light performance monitoring device and optionally integrated controller includes a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage; a storage module stores a series of baseline values of energy usage of the energy load, a comparator module compares energy measurements made at predetermined intervals with the baseline values, and a notification module notifies a designated recipient that there is a deviation from the baseline values consistent with a burned out or non-operational light fixture, including but not limited to light bulbs or ballast devices. A control module optionally integrated with the light performance monitoring device can be operatively coupled to the monitor module to control energy usage by the at least one energy load via a data link in a pre-determined manner that is based on the at least one measurement of energy usage.

Abstract: A lubricating arrow rest is configured to lubricate an arrow shaft when the arrow is inserted into the arrow rest and then shot. A lubricating arrow rest has a plurality of whiskers configured within a whisker retainer and a lubricant receiving feature configured to accept a lubricant into the lubricating arrow rest. A lubricant reservoir may be attached to a lubricant receiver feature and may have a lubricant dispensing feature to force lubricant from the lubricant reservoir onto the whiskers through a supply orifice. A whisker retainer may comprise a retainer conduit that disperses the lubricant through a plurality of outlet orifices configured around the inner perimeter of the whisker retainer. A lubricating arrow rest may have a bow fixture for attachment to a bow. A lubricant reservoir may be coupled to the bow fixture and a bow fixture conduit may couple the lubricant reservoir with a supply orifice.

Abstract: A bird-wing broadhead blade is a blade that has a free end that is positioned in a back or downstream position from a fixed end. The free end of the bird-wing blade extends out, like a bird opens its wings to fly. A bird-wing broadhead blade may incorporate a shape memory alloy material that has a set shape, such as by thermal setting. A shape memory alloy bird-wing broadhead blade may be deformed into a strained shape and retained until hitting an object. When the shape memory blade is released, it will move into the set shape automatically. A shape memory alloy is a metal alloy that “remembers” its set shape and has superelastic properties. A spring deployment system may also be used to deploy one or more bird-wing blades. A spring may be configured upstream or downstream of the fixed end of the blades.

Abstract: An arrow device having a frangible reservoir for dispensing lubricants and/or tracking material, and an arrow comprising a lubricant or tracking material is described. A frangible reservoir may have an enclosure comprising frangible material that can be ripped, punctured, torn, burst or otherwise compromised to release the contents therein. A frangible reservoir may be configured as part of an arrow shaft, arrowhead, or a dispensing device and may include a cavity therein. A frangible seal may be configured over a portion of the reservoir, such as a release port. A frangible reservoir may be configured to rupture when the arrow that it is attached to is shot from a bow, or enters an object. A rupture element may be configured with a frangible reservoir or dispensing device to rupture or open the frangible reservoir.

Abstract: A portable drinker system is configured with a convertible frame that enable a water collector to be assembled in a desired location. The portable drinker system may be configured to be carried by a single person and have suitable packed dimensions and weight for this purpose. The water collector has a canopy that is supported by the convertible frame and a drain opening to collect water. The water collector is configured to direct water collected therein to a drinker. A conduit may be coupled to a water collector and extend to drinker. A drinker comprises a water retainer that is configured for animals to drink therefrom. A convertible frame may have articulating scissor portions or integrally segmented poles or some combination thereof. The canopy may have sleeves for the insertion of poles that can be bowed to form a structure.

Abstract: A bird-wing broadhead blade is a blade that has a free end that is positioned in a back or downstream position from a fixed end. The free end of the bird-wing blade extends out, like a bird opens its wings to fly. A bird-wing broadhead blade may incorporate a shape memory alloy material that has a set shape, such as by thermal setting. A shape memory alloy bird-wing broadhead blade may be deformed into a strained shape and retained until hitting an object. When the shape memory blade is released, it will move into the set shape automatically. A shape memory alloy is a metal alloy that “remembers” its set shape and has superelastic properties. A spring deployment system may also be used to deploy one or more bird-wing blades. A spring may be configured upstream or downstream of the fixed end of the blades.

Abstract: A light performance monitoring device and optionally integrated controller includes a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage; a storage module stores a series of baseline values of energy usage of the energy load, a comparator module compares energy measurements made at predetermined intervals with the baseline values, and a notification module notifies a designated recipient that there is a deviation from the baseline values consistent with a burned out or non-operational light fixture, including but not limited to light bulbs or ballast devices. A control module optionally integrated with the light performance monitoring device can be operatively coupled to the monitor module to control energy usage by the at least one energy load via a data link in a predetermined manner that is based on the at least one measurement of energy usage.

Abstract: A system that establishes a local dynamic data link between an energy management system (EMS) and a security system (SS) within a building. A power management device, including a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage by said at least one energy load; and a security module operatively coupled to the monitor module.

Abstract: A light performance monitoring device and optionally integrated controller includes a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage; a storage module stores a series of baseline values of energy usage of the energy load, a comparator module compares energy measurements made at predetermined intervals with the baseline values, and a notification module notifies a designated recipient that there is a deviation from the baseline values consistent with a burned out or non-operational light fixture, including but not limited to light bulbs or ballast devices. A control module optionally integrated with the light performance monitoring device can be operatively coupled to the monitor module to control energy usage by the at least one energy load via a data link in a predetermined manner that is based on the at least one measurement of energy usage.

Abstract: A light performance monitoring device and optionally integrated controller includes a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage; a storage module stores a series of baseline values of energy usage of the energy load, a comparator module compares energy measurements made at predetermined intervals with the baseline values, and a notification module notifies a designated recipient that there is a deviation from the baseline values consistent with a burned out or non-operational light fixture, including but not limited to light bulbs or ballast devices. A control module optionally integrated with the light performance monitoring device can be operatively coupled to the monitor module to control energy usage by the at least one energy load via a data link in a pre-determined manner that is based on the at least one measurement of energy usage.

Abstract: A power management device, including: a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage by the at least one energy load; and a control module operatively coupled to the monitor module to control energy usage by the at least one energy load in a pre-determined manner that is based on the at least one measurement of energy usage, wherein the control module controls the at least one energy load via a data link.

Abstract: A method of making a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) using muscle wrapped around a mandrel to form a muscle pouch, the open end of which is sewn to a circular sheet of patch material having connections to one end of each of a pair of vascular grafts, or alternatively to one end of a single vascular graft. The second ends of these vascular grafts are used to connect the LVAD to the aorta. After the muscle pouch has been formed around the mandrel, the mandrel is removed and replaced by a balloon which is inserted into the muscle pouch and inflated to maintain the desired shape of the muscle pouch during healing and stimulation of the pouch. The balloon is subsequently removed preceding activation of the LVAD to allow it to begin pumping blood. Alternatively, various other shape-maintaining forms which are expandable and collapsible may be used in place of the balloon.

Abstract: A method of making a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) using muscle wrapped around a mandrel to form a muscle pouch, the open end of which is sewn to a circular sheet of patch material having connections to one end of each of a pair of vascular grafts, or alternatively to one end of a single vascular graft. The second ends of these vascular grafts are used to connect the LVAD to the aorta. After the muscle pouch has been formed around the mandrel, the mandrel is removed and replaced by a balloon which is inserted into the muscle pouch and inflated to maintain the desired shape of the muscle pouch during healing and stimulation of the pouch. The balloon is subsequently removed preceding activation of the LVAD to allow it to begin pumping blood. In an alternative embodiment, an additional strip of latissimus dorsi or other appropriate muscle or a mechanical clamping device may be used to synchronously compress the aorta between the ends of the vascular grafts anastomosed to the aorta.

Abstract: A method for producing alkyl glycoside polyesters comprising admixing a lower acyl ester alkyl glycoside, a fatty acid lower alkyl ester, and an alkaline metal catalyst to form a reaction mixture. Thereafter, the reaction mixture is heated to a reaction temperature and maintained at that temperature for a predetermined period of time. A low vacuum is drawn over the mixture. Yields of on the order of 95% to 99% can be achieved in accordance with this method. Novel fat substitute food compositions containing alkyl glycoside fatty acid polyesters are produced in accordance with this present invention. The alkyl moiety may be unsubstituted or substituted by from 1-3 free hydroxyl groups or fatty acid esterified hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A fat substitute composition includes an edible, substantially non-digestible fat substitute material having a melting point of about 37.degree. C. or less in combination with an emulsifier as an anti-laxative agent to reduce an undesirable laxative effect associated with the fat substitute material. In a preferred embodiment, the emulsifier is present at a level of greater than 5% by weight of the fat substitute material.

Abstract: A system (30) and method is provided for enumerating acyclic paths in an information processing system. The system (30) incorporates multiple processor nodes (18) or functional units interconnected by point-to-point links (20). The hardware of the information processor is represented as a mixed graph with graph nodes (32) for processors and with graph edges (34) representing communication links (20). All the useful paths from the source nodes of the data to the destination nodes of the data are determined in accordance with the system and method of the present invention. These paths are then stored as a list in a table indexed by the source and destination nodes. Thus, when the need for a interprocessor communication path arises, the table can be consulted to find a permissible path. The system (30) efficiently performs interprocessor communication routing and can be utilized in real time.

Abstract: A fat substitute composition includes an edible, substantially non-digestible fat substitute material having a melting point of about 37.degree. C. or less in combination with an emulsifier as an anti-laxative agent to reduce an undesirable laxative effect associated with the fat substitute material. In a preferred embodiment, the emulsifier is present at a level of greater than 5% by weight of the fat substitute material.

Abstract: A fat substitute composition includes an edible, substantially non-digestible fat substitute material having a melting point of about 37.degree. C. or less in combination with a wax as an anti-laxative agent to reduce an undesirable laxative effect associated with the fat substitute material. The wax may be an animal or insect wax, a vegetable wax, a mineral wax, or a synthetic wax. In a preferred embodiment, the wax is present at a level of less than or equal to 10% by weight of the fat substitute material.

Abstract: Anti-laxative agents are included in fat substitute compositions to reduce or eliminate anal leakage in mammals of fat substitute materials having a melting point of about 37.degree. C. or less. In one embodiment, the anti-laxative agents are emulsifiers such as polyglyceryl esters of fatty acids; mono- and di-glycerides; microcrystalline cellulose; ethoxylated mono- and di-glycerides; sorbitan esters of fatty acids; glyceryl-lacto esters of fatty acids; acetylated monoglycerides; poly glycerol lactic acid ester; and propylene glycol mono stearate; or gums, such as xanthan gum.

Abstract: A fixture for a conveyor that is cam operated. The fixture is mounted on a carrier and has at least one movably mounted product support arm for supporting the product as the fixture is moved past a work station for work, such as paint spraying, to be performed on the product. A carriage which has a track mounted thereon is movable by an air cylinder to move the track into the path of engagement with a cam operably coupled to the product support arm for the positioning of the cam support arm.