Abstract: Methods for the enzymatic modification of saponins, products made thereby, uses of said products and also to other associated aspects. The saponins may be extracts of Quillaja species, such as extracts of Quillaja saponaria Molina.

Abstract: A conversion circuit is disclosed and includes a DC link, a first DC-to-DC converter, an inverter and a second inverter. The DC link includes DC link rails. The first DC-to-DC converter includes a first phase leg and a second phase leg. The first reactor is connected between a first center terminal of the first phase leg and at least one energy storage module. The second reactor is connected between a second center terminal of the second phase leg and the at least one energy storage module. The first reactor, the at least one energy storage module and the second reactor are connected in series between the first center terminal and the second center terminal such that the first DC-to-DC converter has a virtual ground.

Abstract: A DC-DC auto-converter module includes a positive source terminal, a negative source terminal, a positive load terminal, a negative load terminal, and a DC-DC converter. The negative source terminal cooperates with the positive source terminal to facilitate electrical connection of a DC power source thereto. The negative load terminal cooperates with the positive load terminal to facilitate connection of an electrical load thereto. The isolated DC-DC converter comprises an input circuit and an output circuit that is galvanically isolated from the input circuit. The DC-DC converter includes a positive input terminal, a negative input terminal, a positive output terminal, and a negative output terminal. At least one of the positive input terminal, the negative input terminal, the positive output terminal, and the negative output terminal is galvanically connected to at least one of the positive source terminal, the negative source terminal, the positive load terminal, and the negative load terminal.

Abstract: A DC-DC auto-converter module includes a positive source terminal, a negative source terminal, a positive load terminal, a negative load terminal, and a DC-DC converter. The negative source terminal cooperates with the positive source terminal to facilitate electrical connection of a DC power source thereto. The negative load terminal cooperates with the positive load terminal to facilitate connection of an electrical load thereto. The isolated DC-DC converter comprises an input circuit and an output circuit that is galvanically isolated from the input circuit. The DC-DC converter includes a positive input terminal, a negative input terminal, a positive output terminal, and a negative output terminal. At least one of the positive input terminal, the negative input terminal, the positive output terminal, and the negative output terminal is galvanically connected to at least one of the positive source terminal, the negative source terminal, the positive load terminal, and the negative load terminal.

Abstract: A catch basin trap for attachment to an opening in a side wall of a catch basin. The catch basin trap has a body with a front side for facing outside the catch basin, and a back for side facing inside the catch basin. The body defines a chamber, an inlet opening in the back side, and an outlet opening in the front side. A collapsible outlet pipe connector is attached to the outlet opening, configured to be manipulated from a collapsed configuration to an extended configuration defining a discharge end for coupling to an outlet pipe positioned outside the catch basin. The collapsed configuration stows the collapsible outlet pipe connector within the body, and the extended configuration permits watertight coupling of the discharge end to the outlet pipe. A method of installing a catch basin trap, and a method of making a concrete catch basin are also disclosed.

Abstract: A DC-DC auto-converter module includes a positive source terminal, a negative source terminal, a positive load terminal, a negative load terminal, and a DC-DC converter. The negative source terminal cooperates with the positive source terminal to facilitate electrical connection of a DC power source thereto. The negative load terminal cooperates with the positive load terminal to facilitate connection of an electrical load thereto. The isolated DC-DC converter comprises an input circuit and an output circuit that is galvanically isolated from the input circuit. The DC-DC converter includes a positive input terminal, a negative input terminal, a positive output terminal, and a negative output terminal. At least one of the positive input terminal, the negative input terminal, the positive output terminal, and the negative output terminal is galvanically connected to at least one of the positive source terminal, the negative source terminal, the positive load terminal, and the negative load terminal.

Abstract: A DC-DC auto-converter module includes a positive source terminal, a negative source terminal, a positive load terminal, a negative load terminal, and a DC-DC converter. The negative source terminal cooperates with the positive source terminal to facilitate electrical connection of a DC power source thereto. The negative load terminal cooperates with the positive load terminal to facilitate connection of an electrical load thereto. The isolated DC-DC converter comprises an input circuit and an output circuit that is galvanically isolated from the input circuit. The DC-DC converter includes a positive input terminal, a negative input terminal, a positive output terminal, and a negative output terminal. At least one of the positive input terminal, the negative input terminal, the positive output terminal, and the negative output terminal is galvanically connected to at least one of the positive source terminal, the negative source terminal, the positive load terminal, and the negative load terminal.

Abstract: A cooking assembly is provided. The cooking assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth side walls defining an interior region. The cooking assembly further includes a skewer having a shaft, a handle, and a sprocket. The skewer is configured to be rotatably and removably coupled to the first and second side walls such that a portion of the shaft between the sprocket and the handle is rotatably disposed in a first groove of the first side wall, and the second end of the shaft extends through a first aperture of the second side wall, and the sprocket of the skewer is disposed in the interior region. The cooking assembly further includes a chain drive assembly coupled to the first side wall.

Abstract: A shaft assembly is provided. The shaft assembly has a shaft, a sprocket, a spring and a shaft retainer. The shaft has a first and second end. A head is disposed on the first end of the shaft. The head is configured not to extend through a first aperture of the front side wall of a cooking device. The second end of the shaft extends through and is rotatably supported by the first aperture. The sprocket and spring are slidably and rotatably disposed on second end of shaft. The second end of the shaft receives a shaft retainer such that the spring is held compressed and self aligns the shaft assembly perpendicular and the sprocket parallel to a side wall and endless chain support members of the cooking device.

Abstract: A cooking assembly is provided. The cooking assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth side walls defining an interior region. The cooking assembly further includes a skewer having a shaft, a handle, and a sprocket. The skewer is configured to be rotatably and removably coupled to the first and second side walls such that a portion of the shaft between the sprocket and the handle is rotatably disposed in a first groove of the first side wall, and the second end of the shaft extends through a first aperture of the second side wall, and the sprocket of the skewer is disposed in the interior region. The cooking assembly further includes a chain drive assembly coupled to the first side wall.

Abstract: A knee pad includes a sleeve. A pad is disclosed on an outer surface of the sleeve having a length and a width. A channel is formed across substantially, the length of at least one of the length and width. In one embodiment, an insert is provided, the insert being sized to be received within the at least one channel. A fastener selectively fastens the insert within the channel.

Abstract: A glove having a palm covering for covering the palm of a hand. The palm covering is formed with an opening for receiving the fingers and a hand. A plurality of finger coverings communicate with the palm covering an end of the palm covering opposite the opening. A first member is disposed on the palm portion and extends substantially across the palm portion. A second member disposed on the palm portion extends substantially across the palm covering, forming a channel along the palm covering between the first member and second member for gripping an item held by a user with the glove.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising one or more inputs configured to receive a configurable control signal from a configurable signal generator; and a non-calibrated touch input signal from a touch sensor. Said non-calibrated touch input signal generated by detecting both internal and external forces applied to the touch sensor. The apparatus also comprises a calibrator configured to process the non-calibrated touch input signal and the configurable control signal to remove the contribution of the internal forces from the non-calibrated signal to generate a calibrated signal, the calibrated signal for use in the detection of an external force applied to the touch sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising one or more inputs configured to receive a configurable control signal from a configurable signal generator; and a non-calibrated touch input signal from a touch sensor. Said non-calibrated touch input signal generated by detecting both internal and external forces applied to the touch sensor. The apparatus also comprises a calibrator configured to process the non-calibrated touch input signal and the configurable control signal to remove the contribution of the internal forces from the non-calibrated signal to generate a calibrated signal, the calibrated signal for use in the detection of an external force applied to the touch sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system and method for managing electronic communications. In one embodiment, a mail server is coupled to a client and a policy server. For an email outbound from the client, the email is first sent to the policy server which applies a policy against the email. If the email complies with the policy, the policy server generates a report which is attached to the email. The mail server is configured to refuse to send the outbound email without a report that indicates the email complies with the policy.

Abstract: A surgical jig for use in performing a scarf osteotomy on the first metatarsal of the forefoot includes a cutting guide that is adapted to guide a cutting implement relative to a reference surface that is adapted to be placed against the plantar aspect of a forefoot. The jig has guide surfaces for guiding both the longitudinal cut and the transverse cuts of the operation. The jig is selected from one in a set of jigs by an overlay template, through which an X-ray of the forefoot can be viewed.

Abstract: An early braking system for a vehicle having wheels comprising, a friction element, a brake pedal and a sensor. The friction element inhibits rotation of the wheels of the vehicle with the braking system having a dormant state wherein the friction element is at a first position spaced a first distance from the wheels. The brake pedal is adapted to be depressed to move the friction element into engagement with a portion of the wheels of the vehicle. The sensor senses an operational parameter of the vehicle. The friction element moves from the first position to a second position spaced a second distance from the wheels in response to a predetermined measurement of the operational parameter and before depression of the brake pedal, wherein the second position is closer to the wheels than the first position.

Abstract: An early braking system for a vehicle having wheels comprising, a friction element, a brake pedal and a sensor. The friction element inhibits rotation of the wheels of the vehicle with the braking system having a dormant state wherein the friction element is at a first position spaced a first distance from the wheels. The brake pedal is adapted to be depressed to move the friction element into engagement with a portion of the wheels of the vehicle. The sensor senses an operational parameter of the vehicle. The friction element moves from the first position to a second position spaced a second distance from the wheels in response to a predetermined measurement of the operational parameter and before depression of the brake pedal, wherein the second position is closer to the wheels than the first position.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing energy dissipation in a vehicle steering column in a high energy impact. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a variable energy dissipation system on the vehicle steering column; (b) sensing at least one occupant condition; and (c) adjusting the variable energy dissipation system based upon the sensed occupant condition to optimize energy dissipation.

Abstract: A pedal apparatus provides quick and secure assembly of a pedal lever and an interconnecting mechanism. The pedal apparatus includes the pedal lever (18) and a fixed end (32) of a cylindrical member (30) is attached to the pedal lever. An interconnecting mechanism (40) is disposed between the device to be actuated by the operators efforts on the pedal lever and has a first end attached the cylindrical member. A snap lock (50) is provided having a body portion (52) disposed adjacent to a free end of the cylindrical member. The snap lock also includes at least one retaining leg (54) projecting outward from the body portion toward the pedal lever. The retaining leg has a predetermined length and width to allow installation of the first end of the interconnecting mechanism onto the cylindrical member and retention thereafter of the first end of the interconnecting means between a tip of the retaining leg and the pedal lever.