Abstract: An occupancy sensing system includes a driver to emit energy in a space, and a sensor to detect energy reflected within the space. An electrical load for the space is controlled in response to an occupancy condition determined in response to the detected energy. The driver may be selectively de-energized. In some embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an unoccupied period. In other embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an occupied period. In some further embodiments, the driver may be de-energized in response to detecting other sources of the type of energy emitted by the driver.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating more efficient and accurate reconciliation processing are provided. Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for determining a tenant's expected share of operating expenses for a leased property, and for performing a reconciliation to identify discrepancies between the tenant's expected share of the operating expenses and actual amounts of expenses billed to the client by the landlord are provided. The tenant's expected share of the operating expenses is determined based upon operating expense-related information extracted from the lease agreement.

Abstract: A combustor having an array of dilution holes it provided with an asymmetrically located trim port for injection a controlled volume of air into the combustor. The controlled volume mixes with fuel rich air near the combustor wall and improves the dilution of the combustion gases. The improved dilution reduces the formation of NOx.

Abstract: Information about an object such as its name, identification number, manufacture date, lot number, serial number or communication address is placed on each part of a multi-part label is affixed to the object so that at least one of the multiple parts can be detached and then affixed to another object, thus transferring the information to the second object. Applications include identifying computer equipment, electrical and electronic devices, construction fixtures such as luminaries, ballasts, light switches, electrical outlets, faucets and door locks; medicines, and bulk containers of liquids and gases.

Abstract: A digital lighting control network protocol with forward and backward frames, each of the frames including an error check code. A no-acknowledgment (NAK) signal is sent from a receiving node to a transmitting node responsive to the error check code. An interface circuit of the receiving node may include an energy storage section to store at least some energy from the network while receiving digital signals, and an output section to transmit digital signals to the network using the stored energy. The interface circuit may also include a high voltage buffer circuit. The transmitting node may send forward frames to receiving nodes based on device type.

Abstract: A system and method of depositing coatings on a substrate includes providing a substrate in contact with air, and providing a plasma source (12) having a housing (16) surrounding a first electrode (18) and a second electrode (20) spaced from the first electrode. A plasma is generated by applying a signal to the first electrode and exciting a gas between the first electrode and the second electrode. A substantially uniform flux of at least one reactive specie is generated over an area larger than 1 cm2. The plasma is emitted into the air and toward the substrate. Various embodiments of the system and method allow high speed deposition of coatings on even thermally-sensitive substrates without the need of a chamber enclosing the substrate.

Abstract: A flexible trampoline board includes compartments for receiving stiffening elements and weights to more closely approximate the response and feel of a wakeboard, skateboard or snowboard.

Abstract: A child safety barrier with a door secured in a U-shaped frame has a locking device which cannot be operated by children. The locking device has an activation unit which, when receiving a signal from a signal generator, releases the locking device so that the door may be opened or closed, which, in one embodiment, must take place within 2-4 seconds of the point of time when the signal generator is activated. The activation device may be formed by a mechanical activation mechanism, while the signal generator may be a push-button, an electric voltage or a remote control using a connection of the type IR, Bluetooth or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the activation device is connected with a push/pull rod whose one end is connected with a relay, while its other end is connected with a movable post extending inside a column in the U-shaped frame to which the door is secured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling an automatic calibration sequence for a light control system having a daylight harvesting scheme is disclosed herein. An ambient light sensor connects to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone. A microprocessor connects between the detection circuit and a dimming circuit for providing control to initiate dimming and to start the auto-calibration sequence. Responsive to the amount of ambient light detected, the dimming circuit controls the power supplied to a plurality of electrical loads. A storage unit connects to the microprocessor for storing minimum light levels assessed during the auto-calibration sequence wherein the ambient light levels are monitored for a predetermined amount of time to determine the lowest level of ambient light generated for the purpose of setting and storing a target voltage level associated with such.

Abstract: A light control system having a multi-button low voltage adaptable switch compatible with a two input switch control system where each input can have any one of three values yielding a number of states thus mimicking the functionality of a two button light control switch system. Features such as dimming and daylight harvesting are also disclosed herein. For implementation of a daylight harvesting feature, an ambient light sensor is connected to a detection circuit for sensing and detection of the ambient light level. A number of user-controlled actuators are connected to a decoder that translates a command into a command compatible with the two-input switch.

Abstract: A multi-zone daylight harvesting method and apparatus having a closed loop system utilizing a single light sensor is disclosed herein. This light control system includes an ambient light sensor connected to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone and converting the light signal to an digital one. A control device couples to receive a predetermined rate of change for each respective zone from a storage unit along with the converted digital signal. The control device connects each zone of a plurality of electrical loads to control the power supplied to the electrical load at the predetermined corresponding rate of change and responsive to the amount of ambient light detected.

Abstract: A combustor (1) has a swirler (22). The swirler has mixing channels (40), the mixing channels having a height/width aspect ratio of less than (2). A secondary fuel inlet (32) is located downstream of mixing channel (40) and may be in a zone (65) of separated flow. Primary fuel admission may be through a threaded or push fit circular movable plug (100). The plug (100) may be conveniently removed for calibration purposes and may have a bell-mouthed entrance.

Abstract: First and second switches and an arc-limiting switch are closed during a turn-on sequence in a switching circuit. The arc-limiting switch is left open during a turn-off sequence. Current flow through the switching circuit may be broken by opening the first or second switch during a turn-off sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to control the distribution of tobacco strip in a charger of a tobacco packing press. The apparatus includes a housing. A plurality of ducts extend from the housing to the charger. Each duct is configured to direct a portion of the air flow from the housing to the charger. A plurality of nozzles are spaced around the perimeter of the charger. Each nozzle is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of ducts. Each duct may include a flow controller that is selectively openable and closable to direct the portion of the air flow around a perimeter of the charger to distribute the tobacco strip in the charger. A method of controlling distribution of tobacco strip in a charger of a tobacco packing press includes providing an air flow and selectively directing portions of the air flow around a perimeter of the charger to distribute the tobacco strip in the charger.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for controlling devices in a control area network that includes providing a first application programming interface containing a first set of functions in a control area network and coupling one or more functions of the first set of functions with a physical device. The control area network includes a master controller, one or more physical devices, and one or more physical communication interfaces. Coupling one or more functions of the first set of functions with a physical device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.

Abstract: Problems resulting from weld failures in the assembly of vehicle seats are reduced by providing a mechanical lock between a seat frame component and a recliner component. Because impact or impulse forced movement of the components is limited by the mechanical lock, reliance on welding alone is eliminated and the amount of welding done during assembly is reduced. The combined seat and recliner components can accordingly be assembled at reduced cost, and increased torsion moment in the side member resulting from the mechanical lock can further result in the mass (weight) of the system being reduced.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a plasma flow device or reactor having a housing that contains conductive electrodes with openings to allow gas to flow through or around them, where one or more of the electrodes are powered by an RF source and one or more are grounded, and a substrate or work piece is placed in the gas flow downstream of the electrodes, such that said substrate or work piece is substantially uniformly contacted across a large surface area with the reactive gases emanating therefrom The invention is also embodied in a plasma flow device or reactor having a housing that contains conductive electrodes with openings to allow gas to flow through or around them, where one or more of the electrodes are powered by an RF source and one or more are grounded, and one of the grounded electrodes contains a means of mixing in other chemical precursors to combine with the plasma stream, and a substrate or work piece placed in the gas flow downstream of the electrodes, such that said substrate or work piece is

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a plasma flow device or reactor having a housing that contains conductive electrodes with openings to allow gas to flow through or around them, where one or more of the electrodes are powered by an RF source and one or more are grounded, and a substrate or work piece is placed in the gas flow downstream of the electrodes, such that said substrate or work piece is substantially uniformly contacted across a large surface area with the reactive gases emanating therefrom The invention is also embodied in a plasma flow device or reactor having a housing that contains conductive electrodes with openings to allow gas to flow through or around them, where one or more of the electrodes are powered by an RF source and one or more are grounded, and one of the grounded electrodes contains a means of mixing in other chemical precursors to combine with the plasma stream, and a substrate or work piece placed in the gas flow downstream of the electrodes, such that said substrate or work piece is