Abstract: A heating system comprising: a liquid supply system; a cell configured to: receive liquid from the liquid supply system, provide heating thereof, and output heated fluid; a work extraction system configured to extract useable work from heated fluid output from the cell; wherein the cell comprises: (i) a housing arranged to define an internal portion for receiving liquid to be heated, and (ii) a plurality of electrodes configured to apply electrical energy to fluid in the internal portion; and wherein the electrodes are configured to apply electrical energy to said fluid in the internal portion to generate one or more bubbles of plasma for releasing energy into said fluid in the internal portion and the housing to provide heating of the fluid in the internal portion.

Abstract: A method of operating an electric or hybrid system comprising a synchronous reluctance electric motor coupled to an electric or hybrid powertrain is described herein. The method comprises determining (i) a torque demand required of the electric motor and (ii) a speed of rotation of the rotor of the electric motor, and storing kinetic energy in a rotor of the electric motor from the powertrain in response to at least one of (i) the determined torque demand falling below a selected torque demand threshold and (ii) the speed of the rotor being below a selected rotor speed threshold. The method further comprises operating the electric motor by powering the electric motor with electricity to deliver energy to the powertrain in response to at least one of: (i) the determined torque demand rising above a selected torque demand threshold and (ii) the speed of the rotor falling below a selected rotor speed threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine includes receiving operational data of at least one component of the wind turbine. The operational data includes a time-series of one or more high speed signals both before, during, and after an anomaly. Further, the high speed signal(s) may be digital or analog signals. The method also includes storing the operational data. Moreover, the method includes analyzing the stored operational data to identify a specific type and location of the anomaly using at least one of pattern recognition, machine learning, or rules-based conditions. In addition, the method includes determining an appropriate response action for the specific type and location of the anomaly. Further, the method includes adjusting a control parameter of the wind turbine. Thus, the method includes implementing the appropriate response action for the specific type and location of the anomaly.

Abstract: A method of operating an electric or hybrid system comprising a synchronous reluctance electric motor coupled to an electric or hybrid powertrain is described herein. The method comprises determining (i) a torque demand required of the electric motor and (ii) a speed of rotation of the rotor of the electric motor, and storing kinetic energy in a rotor of the electric motor from the powertrain in response to at least one of (i) the determined torque demand falling below a selected torque demand threshold and (ii) the speed of the rotor being below a selected rotor speed threshold. The method further comprises operating the electric motor by powering the electric motor with electricity to deliver energy to the powertrain in response to at least one of: (i) the determined torque demand rising above a selected torque demand threshold and (ii) the speed of the rotor falling below a selected rotor speed threshold.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus for dispensing a card or other substantially planar substrate therefrom, the apparatus comprising a base (2) in engagement with a cover (3), the cover being arranged to house a plurality of cards (6) therein, the cover and base being arranged to be movable with respect to one another such that on relative motion of the base and cover one of the plurality of cards is removable from the apparatus, wherein the cover includes an outwardly protruding ledge (19) such that, when the apparatus is in a configuration allowing removal of a card, the ledge is configured and/or dimensioned to prohibit the grasping of the top surface of the card by a user.

Abstract: A printer (2) for printing security cards (14) in which two pairs of pinch rollers (22, 24) convey a substrate (14) past a print head (20). A cam follower (42) is driven by a cam (40) and is mounted on shafts of lower rollers (22a, 24a) of the pinch rollers and a shaft of a platen roller (32). The cam follower can be moved to act against upper rollers (22b, 24b) of the pinch rollers and the print head, in order to bring the pinch rollers or the print head in and out of engagement with the substrate. The printer may also include a return device (70) to urge the substrate back towards a pair of pinch rollers. The rollers can then be reversed, enabling multiple passes of the substrate past the print head or a magnetic strip encoder (36). The substrate can also be inserted and removed via a single slot (12) in the housing of the printer.

Abstract: Embodiments for monitoring a network are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes collecting data containing information on usage of a network by subscribers. The method further aggregates the data for a first type of usage-based function. Further, the method, simultaneously with the aggregating of the data, samples the data for a second, different type of usage-based function. In other embodiments, systems and machine readable media for monitoring usage of a network are also provided that provide simultaneous generation of data sets for first and second usage-based functions.

Abstract: A ballistic shield (10) for mounting to an aircraft fuselage (14) is formed of lightweight, composite material and shaped to conform to the shape of the fuselage belly that when mounted creates a space (30) between the shield (10) and the belly (14) to enable energy-absorbing deflection of the shield (10). Compartments (36) formed in the shield midsection (24) receive removable inserts (44) that can be constructed of different ballistic-resistant materials to enable field modification of the shield (10) to meet a perceived threat level.

Abstract: A cup is molded from two layers of stretchable materials by molding first the crown portion, inverting the materials and then molding the remainder of the cup. The resulting cup has a non-stretchable crown portion, a substantially non-stretchable longitudinal cup portion and a unitary multidirectional stretchable periphery portion. A pair of these cups are used to form a unique brassiere wherein the base layer forms a unitary cup, support frame and torso-encompassing portion.

Abstract: A cup is molded from two layers of stretchable materials by molding first the crown portion, inverting the materials and then molding the remainder of the cup. The resulting cup has a non-stretchable crown portion, a substantially non-stretchable longitudinal cup portion and a unitary multi-directional stretchable periphery portion. A pair of these cups are used to form a unique brassiere wherein the base layer forms a unitary cup, support frame and torso-encompassing portion.

Abstract: A cup is molded from two layers of stretchable materials by molding first the crown portion, inverting the materials and then molding the remainder of the cup. The resulting cup has a non-stretchable crown portion, a substantially non-stretchable longitudinal cup portion and a unitary multidirectional stretchable periphery portion. A pair of these cups are used to form a unique brassiere wherein the base layer forms a unitary cup, support frame and torso-encompassing portion.

Abstract: Two arrangements for retaining a screen in and on a shaker frame are shown. Both arrangements provide apparatus for the ready removal and replacement of the screen in the shaker frame. The first arrangement provides apparatus for screens having one-quarter inch and larger openings. In this apparatus a multiplicity of T-bolts is employed. The heads of these T-bolts cover two or three screen openings while the shanks of the bolts pass through an opening in the screen without damage. The threaded ends of these bolts are turned into the threaded portions of T-nuts whose head portions are slidably carried on a rectangular bar disposed transversely of the frame. There is a plurality of these transverse bars each of whose ends is actuated up or down by a toggle mechanism. When the bars are moved downwardly by the toggle mechanisms the T-bolts which are retained by the T-nuts snugly retain the screen on fixed ribs on the screen frame. For screens with smaller openings a second apparatus is provided.