Abstract: A device (102) provides respiratory treatment for SDB (including mild OSA) and other respiratory conditions. A flow generator warms and humidifies gas at controlled flow levels. For example, the device (102) delivers breathable gas to the upper airway at flow rates of about 10-35 Liters/minute. Levels of flow rate, temperature and/or humidification of the device may be automatically adjusted in response to the detection of SDB events. The device may also automatically deliver adjustments of any of the levels in accordance with detected phases of respiratory cycles. In some embodiments, the device automatically delivers distinct levels to either of the nares based on independent control of flow to each nare. A warm-up procedure controls temperature and humidity at a desired target during a ramp-up of flow to the set therapy level. A cool-down procedure controls temperature above the dewpoint to avoid condensation internal to the device and patient interface.

Abstract: A cover system for selectively blocking insertion of unauthorized objects through an aperture of a restraint mount of a patient support apparatus is provided. The cover system includes a cover and an instrument having an interface. The cover includes a brace and a restrictor coupled to the brace. The brace attaches to the patient support apparatus adjacent to the aperture and the restrictor operates in a restrict mode blocks access to the aperture and a permit mode where the restrictor permits access to the aperture. The cover also includes a lock mechanism, which includes a keeper movable between a locked state where movement of the restrictor is inhibited and an unlocked state where movement of the restrictor is permitted. The keeper moves from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to selective engagement between the interface of the instrument and a receiver of the lock mechanism.

Abstract: A method for converting excess liquid oxygen into liquid nitrogen, including introducing a gaseous nitrogen stream into a main heat exchanger, therein exchanging heat with a vaporized oxygen stream, a vapor phase nitrogen steam, and a waste liquid nitrogen stream; thereby producing a cold gaseous nitrogen stream, an oxygen vent stream, a nitrogen vent steam, and a gaseous nitrogen waste stream, introducing the cold gaseous nitrogen stream into a secondary heat exchanger, therein exchanging heat with a liquid oxygen stream; thereby producing the vaporized oxygen stream and a cold liquid nitrogen stream, introducing the cold liquid nitrogen stream into a nitrogen pressure reduction valve thereby producing a two-phase nitrogen stream, introducing the two-phase nitrogen stream into a nitrogen flash vessel thereby producing a liquid phase nitrogen stream and the vapor phase nitrogen stream, wherein the method is performed in the absence of refrigerant turbo-expanders, refrigerant expansion turbines, or refrigerant

Abstract: An apparatus for converting excess liquid oxygen into liquid nitrogen, including a main heat exchanger to exchange heat between a gaseous nitrogen stream, a vaporized oxygen stream, a vapor phase nitrogen steam, and a waste liquid nitrogen stream; thereby producing a cold gaseous nitrogen stream, an oxygen vent stream, a nitrogen vent steam, and a gaseous nitrogen waste stream, a secondary heat exchanger to exchange heat between a liquid oxygen stream and the cold gaseous nitrogen stream; thereby producing the vaporized oxygen stream and a cold liquid nitrogen stream, a nitrogen pressure reduction valve to reduce the pressure of the cold liquid nitrogen stream; thereby producing a two-phase nitrogen stream, a nitrogen flash vessel to receive the two-phase nitrogen stream, and to generate a liquid phase nitrogen stream and a vapor phase nitrogen stream, wherein the apparatus does not include any refrigerant turbo-expanders, refrigerant expansion turbines, or refrigerant compressors.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining pressure measurements associated with fluid that passes through a flow restrictor, where the pressure measurements identify pressures upstream and downstream from the flow restrictor. The method also includes generating estimated flow measurements based on the pressure measurements. The method further includes comparing the estimated flow measurements and actual flow measurements generated by a flow meter that is fluidly coupled to the flow restrictor. In addition, the method includes determining whether a problem exists based on the comparison. The flow restrictor could provide a fixed restriction or a variable restriction for the fluid. An overall loss coefficient associated with the flow restrictor could be used to generate an estimated flow measurement.

Abstract: A motion sensing nuisance fauna deterrent is provided for abating animal nuisances from disturbing a target flora. A sensing platform having a fixed base portion provides a stationary support platform. A rotating base platform has proximity detection sensors positioned about a periphery for proving non-contact proximity sensing capable of detecting a nuisance animal. A speaker provides an audible output in response to an actuation initiated the proximity sensors. A decoy secured to the platform is in the form of a canine. By placing at a detection perimeter and directed outward, an approach of a nuisance animal initiates an audible alarm to deter the approach of the nuisance animal with a non-lethal effect. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining pressure measurements associated with fluid that passes through a flow restrictor, where the pressure measurements identify pressures upstream and downstream from the flow restrictor. The method also includes generating estimated flow measurements based on the pressure measurements. The method further includes comparing the estimated flow measurements and actual flow measurements generated by a flow meter that is fluidly coupled to the flow restrictor. In addition, the method includes determining whether a problem exists based on the comparison. The flow restrictor could provide a fixed restriction or a variable restriction for the fluid. An overall loss coefficient associated with the flow restrictor could be used to generate an estimated flow measurement.

Abstract: A ventilation system comprises a control unit for controlling extraction and/or supply of air within a building, wherein said control unit is arranged such that it will not operate to supply and/or extract air until after a setup program has been successfully completed. Requiring execution of the setup program before permitting operation of the system ensures that the commissioning process is duly followed and that the system is not left operating on non-optimal default values. There is also provided a ventilation system comprising a control unit for controlling extraction and/or supply of air within a building, wherein said unit is capable of switching at least one fan between a trickle speed and a boost speed, wherein said control unit is provided with a setup program, and wherein said setup program requires a user to set the boost fan speed before setting the trickle fan speed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and conducting presentations on a surface may include an authoring mode, a preprocessing mode and a presentation mode. During an authoring mode, a user may create a surface presentation. In response to a command to play the created presentation, the system enters the preprocessing mode. During the preprocessing mode, a presentation is preprocessed and prepared for presentation. When preprocessing is complete, the presentation mode is entered. During the presentation mode, the infinite surface presentation is presented such that a user may navigate through the presentation.

Abstract: A process for recovering a given component from a first gas stream in which the given component is intermittently present by PSA or TSA using an adsorbent which more strongly adsorbs the given component by introducing into the first gas stream, prior to PSA or TSA treatment, a second gas stream that is enriched in the given component. The second gas stream may be introduced into the first gas stream only during periods when the concentration of given component in the first gas stream is below its maximum concentration or it may be continuously introduced into the first gas stream at a level which is greater than the maximum concentration of given component originally present in the first gas stream.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigeration method for use in connection with a cryogenic temperature swing adsorption process. The cryogenic temperature swing adsorption process has a discontinuous production cycle during which production of a purified vapor stream ceases or is reduced through use of purified vapor to purge a regenerating adsorption bed. Additionally, the purified vapor stream in part of the production cycle is superheated through use of the purified vapor stream to cool the regenerating adsorption bed. A heat exchange stream is liquefied against the vaporization of at least part of an impure liquid stream to produce an impure vapor stream to be purified by the adsorption process. Process liquid is continually produced from the liquefaction of the process stream. The process liquid is used to in turn liquefy the purified vapor stream at varying flow rates that are sufficient to liquefy the purified vapor stream throughout the production cycle.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a high purity nitrogen vapor product from the rectification of air within high and low pressure columns operatively associated with one another by a condenser-reboiler. The high pressure column incorporates a sufficient number of theoretical stages to produce a high purity nitrogen vapor which after being condensed by the condenser-reboiler, serves to partially condense a lower purity nitrogen vapor tower overhead produced in the low pressure column through indirect heat exchanger. In such service, the condensed, high purity nitrogen vapor is at least partially vaporized and utilized as a product stream. Since there is no direct heat exchange with the high purity nitrogen produced within the high pressure column and the lower purity nitrogen vapor produced in the low pressure column, the low pressure column can incorporate fewer theoretical stages and therefore can be built at less expense than similar air separation plants of the prior art.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation process and method in which air is cooled and after compression and purification then rectified in a rectification column to produce an oxygen rich liquid. An argon-oxygen stream containing liquid lean in nitrogen is separated to form oxygen and argon streams. Argon vapor is condensed to supply reflux to the argon column. An oxygen rich liquid stream is expanded to a pressure at which the oxygen rich liquid is at or below the condensation temperature of the argon vapor and is then vaporized against condensing the argon vapor. The vaporized oxygen rich liquid is then introduced into a nitrogen stripper column and nitrogen is stripped therefrom by a stripper gas to produce the argon-oxygen liquid which is introduced into the argon column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the location and stability of location of the edges of an object such as an extruded blown film polymeric material annulus. By real time detection of the edge location and mathematical and statistical manipulation of the data in both time and frequency domains, the stability and effects of extrusion parameters on the object can be determined.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for determining the bulk (average) temperature, surface temperature, temperature profile, and thickness of radiation translucent materials. These material functions are determined by evaluation of the intensity of the radiation emitted from the material using two detectors with a radiation source placed in the optical path of one of the detectors. The data is taken at several intensities of source radiation and reduced to obtain the bulk temperature and material thickness. The second detector is used to measure the surface temperature. These data are then used to determine the temperature profile in the material.