Abstract: A battery charger with a self-contained power source which provides a current charging signal at or near the resonant frequency of the battery to be charged when no other power supply is readily available. A storage energy device, for example a battery, delivers a current charging signal modulated at or near the resonant frequency of a load, or stores energy from a source.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) filter includes a substrate, first and second dielectric layers formed on first and second portions of the substrate, a ground plane formed on a third portion of said substrate, a carbon nanotube array, and first and second electrodes. The third portion of the substrate includes, at least in part, the area between the first and second portions thereof. The carbon nanotube array is formed on a portion of said ground plane between the first and second dielectric layers. The first and second electrodes are formed on the first and second dielectric layers, such that an RF signal may be input to and output from the carbon nanotube array via the first and second signal guides. A third electrode is disposed over the carbon nanotube array and is used to voltage bias the array.

Abstract: A battery operated vehicle includes a battery for powering an electric motor. A fan is installed in the vehicle and is directed toward the battery. When a battery charger starts charging the battery, a controller automatically activates the fan to cool the battery during the charging session. Switching circuitry in the vehicle automatically connects the battery to the fan and disconnects the battery from other vehicle electrical equipment during the charging session. Operating parameters in the vehicle are monitored to more effectively predict remaining battery charge.

Abstract: A method enables a consumer to purchase an investment style life insurance policy, in which the individual components can be controlled and/or replaced by the consumer. A consumer first purchases a term life insurance policy. This term life insurance policy can be purchased from any source, including the issuer of the investment style life insurance policy. This term life insurance policy is then transferred to the issuer of the investment style life insurance policy. The transfer enables the recipient (i.e., the issuer) to receive any and all benefits under the term life insurance policy. In return, the issuer issues an investment style life insurance policy to the consumer whose insurance amount equals the face amount of the term life insurance policy originally held by the consumer. The consumer may also transfer other assets/rights/liabilities to the issuer along with the term life insurance policy.

Abstract: An inbred corn line, designated 6RC172, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line 6RC172, to the plants of inbred corn line 6RC172 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the inbred line 6RC172 with itself or another corn line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from the inbred 6RC172.

Abstract: A needle is pressed into the backside oxide of a semiconductor wafer and a voltage applied to the wafer greater than the breakdown voltage of the oxide in order to make an electrical contact with the bulk material of the wafer. A capacitor plate is provided proximate to a wafer on a chuck and a Kelvin probe is provided proximate to the wafer. A varying voltage is applied between the chuck and the capacitor plate and a voltage is monitored between the Kelvin probe and the chuck. The monitored voltage remaining constant indicates electrical contact between the chuck and the wafer.

Abstract: The chair has a support structure with a wide stable base. The chair has a single inverted U-shaped tubular metal main frame. Near the top and inside of the frame is connected a tubular metal back leg unit set of two legs to swing out away from the inverted U-shaped frame. The support structure is also characterized by possessing:a. A pair of horizontal metal cross-bars affixed within the tubular metal main frame, one near the top and the other near the bottom; andb. A pair of metal tubes attached to and between the cross-bars and situated substantially in the same plane as the main frame.

Abstract: A barrier device for installation in a drain tile adjacent the outlet of the tile includes a plurality of spaced apart barrier elements affixed to a sleeve to define a perforate gate. The gate is swingably mounted on a pivot rod which projects transversely through openings in the tile adjacent the outlet of the latter. The barrier elements, which are in the form of rods, are affixed to the sleeve to normally urge the gate to a closed position by action of gravity to thereby prevent entry by small animals into the tile. The gate may swing to the open position when engaged by floating debris to thereby permit passage of the debris through the drain tile outlet.