Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a combination of benzothiadiazole and thiadiazoloquinoxaline derivatives, to liquid-crystalline media containing the compositions, and to the use of the compositions and the media in optical, electronic and electro-optical devices, in particular in devices for regulating the passage of energy from an outside space into an inside space, for example in switchable windows.

Abstract: A portable cooling device for an open air vehicle includes a housing structured to be installed behind an operator. The housing includes a front surface, a rear surface and right and left side surfaces. One or more intakes are positioned on at least of the left and right side surfaces and are structured to enable intake of outside air. One or more exhaust vents are positioned on the rear surface to exhaust heat from the housing. One or more cooling vents are positioned on the front surface. The portable cooling device includes one or more diverters coupled to each cooling vent and structured to convey cooled air from the one or more cooling vents to an area proximate to a head or neck of the operator of the open air vehicle. The housing width is less than about 30 inches and the housing depth is less than about 12 inches.

Abstract: An air cooling system includes a chassis dimensioned to fit between a pair of joists, an evaporator positioned in the chassis and configured to cool air flowing through the chassis, and a diffuser assembly. The diffuser assembly includes one or more positioning guides that toollessly couple the diffuser assembly to the chassis. The diffuser assembly is structured to enable passage of the cool air from the chassis though the diffuser assembly and to a diffuser outlet, and to inhibit formation of condensation caused by the cool air exiting the outlet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process to prepare esters of an amino carboxylic acid of the formula (I) comprising the steps of reacting an aminocarboxylic acid present as a cyclic amide of the formula II and an alkanol of the formula R—(O-A)mOH in the presence of the Brønsted-Lowry acid at a temperature of between 60 and 200 degrees C. wherein the total molar amount of aminocarboxylic acid to the molar amount of the alkanol is between 1:0.8 and 1:1.5 and wherein the Brønsted-Lowry acid is not added to the reaction mixture until least 50% of the total of the alkanol and cyclic amide are added to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: An evaporator blower for air conditioning system that can be installed into a ceiling between existing joists. The system has a chassis dimensioned to fit between the pair of joists forms an air flow pathway through which air may be cooled by an evaporator housed in the chassis. A mounting flange is pivotally coupled to the chassis and has an opening through which the chassis can pivot between a first position below the mounting flange, and thus the ceiling, to a second position above the flange, so that the chassis is above the ceiling and between the pair of joists. A diffuser is attached to the mounting flange and provides supply and return air grilles that are in fluid communication with the air flow pathway of the chassis.

Abstract: A process to prepare an amine-functional ester of an amino carboxylic acid includes the step of reacting a polyol of the formula (I) HO-A-OH??(I) where A is a carbon chain with about 2 to about 36 carbon atoms that is aliphatic linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, or aromatic, or CH2CH(OH)CH2, CH2C(CH2OH)2CH2, CH2C(CH2OH)(CH3)CH2, CH2C(CH2OH)(CH2CH3)CH2, p-tetrahydrofuran, erythritol or an ester of di- or tricarboxylic acids with ethylene or propylene glycol, and wherein A can optionally be alkoxylated or reacted with hydroxy carboxylic acids, with an aminocarboxylic acid of formula II or its cyclic amide of the formula III, where m is an integer of about 1 to about 8 in formula II and about 3 to about 8 in formula III, each R independently is hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group, or CH2CH2COOH, or CH2COOH, or (CH2)4NH2, in the presence of a Brønsted-Lowry acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process to prepare esters of an amino carboxylic acid of the formula (I) comprising the steps of reacting an aminocarboxylic acid present as a cyclic amide of the formula II and an alkanol of the formula R—(O-A)mOH in the presence of the Brønsted-Lowry acid at a temperature of between about 60 and about 200 degrees C. wherein the total molar amount of aminocarboxylic acid to the molar amount of the alkanol is between about 1:0.8 and about 1:1.5 and wherein the Brønsted-Lowry acid is not added to the reaction mixture until least about 50% of the total of the alkanol and cyclic amide are added to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: An evaporator blower for air conditioning system that can be installed into a ceiling between existing joists. The system has a chassis dimensioned to fit between the pair of joists forms an air flow pathway through which air may be cooled by an evaporator housed in the chassis. A mounting flange is pivotally coupled to the chassis and has an opening through which the chassis can pivot between a first position below the mounting flange, and thus the ceiling, to a second position above the flange, so that the chassis is above the ceiling and between the pair of joists. A diffuser is attached to the mounting flange and provides supply and return air grilles that are in fluid communication with the air flow pathway of the chassis.

Abstract: A phase change material (PCM) module heat exchanger assembly includes a multi-section PCM container rotatingly supported about a center long axis of the multi-section PCM container, or a multi-section PCM container where one or more sections are slidingly mounted to the multi-section PCM container. Each section of a plurality of rotatably or slidingly selected PCM sections is selectably insertable into an air flow. A method of placing one of a group of two or more PCM sections into a building's heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) ductwork and a method to harvest heating or cooling capacity for later use are also described.

Abstract: A low noise micro environmental workspace comfort unit for a workspace provides an air flow to a person working at the workspace. At least one ambient air fan is mounted to a wall of the comfort unit enclosure and electrically coupled to a fan speed control module, the fan speed control module operatively coupled to the controller. At least one heated air fan is mounted to the wall or another wall of the comfort unit enclosure at a different place than the at least one ambient air fan. A heat reflector reflects heat radiation away from a rear portion of the low noise micro environmental workspace comfort unit and directs an air flow from the at least one heated air fan to the at least one air outlet. A method for minimizing fan noise of a low noise micro environmental workspace comfort unit is also described.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine with a takeoff shaft; an electrical machine with a rotor and a stator; a first and a second clutch, each with an input part and an output part; and a housing, which surrounds at least the clutches and the electrical machine. The input part of the first clutch is in working connection with the takeoff shaft of the internal combustion engine, and the output part of the second clutch can be connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle. A torque-transmitting device for transmitting a torque is installed between the output part of the first clutch and the input part of the second clutch, where the housing has an intermediate housing wall, on which the rotor of the electrical machine is at least indirectly supported, and where the rotor of the electrical machine is or can be connected nonrotatably to the torque-transmitting device.

Abstract: A compact excavator includes a base frame, an upper frame and first and second track assemblies supporting the base frame. The compact excavator also includes a primary implement assembly coupled to the upper frame and a secondary implement assembly. The secondary implement assembly includes a lift arm assembly pivotally coupled to the base frame and an implement coupler pivotally coupled to the lift arm assembly. The implement coupler is configured to latch an implement to the lift arm assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for rendering three-dimensional graphics, including text, provide a compressed texture bitmap. The texture bitmap may represent multiple symbols, each comprised of multiple pixels. Each pixel in the texture bitmap may store information for more than one (e.g., n) compressed values, including pixels corresponding to multiple distinct symbols. For example, the compressed texture bitmap may have n-bit pixels (e.g., 8-bit pixels) that each store m (e.g., eight) 1-bit values. The compressed texture bitmap may be configured for unpacking by a conventional pixel shader, such as a pixel shader that does not typically perform bitwise operations. The unpacking may include matching a fetched pixel to a mapping value in a lookup table, such as a 32-bit value from a 256-color palette. The looked-up value can be separated into separate sub-values to facilitate processing by the pixel shader. For example, the looked-up value can be split into RGBA values conventionally used in processing colored pixels.

Abstract: A method and system for rendering three-dimensional graphics, including text, provides a compressed texture bitmap. The compressed texture bitmap may represent multiple symbols, each comprised of multiple pixels. Each pixel in the texture bitmap may store information for more than one value, including values for compressed pixels corresponding to multiple distinct symbols. For example, the compressed texture bitmap may have n-bit pixels (e.g., 16-bit pixels) that each store up to m (e.g., four) n/m-bit (e.g., 4-bit) compressed values. Multiple pixels can be stored in a single texture using, for example, distinct red, green, blue, and alpha (RGBA) channels associated with each pixel. The compressed texture bitmap may be configured for unpacking by a conventional pixel shader, such as a pixel shader that does not typically perform bitwise operations. The unpacking may include isolating a pixel associated with a desired value using a masking operation in the pixel shader.

Abstract: A method and system for rendering three-dimensional graphics, including text, provide a compressed texture bitmap. The texture bitmap may represent multiple symbols, each comprised of multiple pixels. Each pixel in the texture bitmap may store information for more than one symbol, including compressed pixels corresponding to multiple distinct symbols. For example, the compressed texture bitmap may have n-bit pixels (e.g., 8-bit pixels) that each store m (e.g., four) n/m-bit (e.g., 2-bit) compressed values. The compressed texture bitmap may be configured for unpacking by a conventional pixel shader, such as a pixel shader that does not typically perform bitwise operations. The unpacking may include matching a fetched pixel to a value in a lookup table, such as a 32-bit value from a 256-color palette. The looked-up value can be separated into separate sub-values to facilitate processing by the pixel shader.

Abstract: A rack or shelf for a floral display cabinet has a scalloped cutout that holds a number of round or conic vases or flower containers. The scalloped shape allows the containers to be held in a number of configurations. The containers do not shift or slide if the merchandiser is bumped or moved. The tip or pitch angle of the shelf can be adjusted. A cover for the shelf allows the shelf to be used as a solid flat shelf for supporting items from the bottom.