Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an improved body tie construction are described. The improved body tie construction is configured to have a lower resistance body tie exists when the transistor is “off” (Vg approximately 0 volts). When the transistor is “on” (Vg>Vt), the resistance to the body tie is much higher, reducing the loss of performance associated with presence of body tie. Space efficient Body tie constructions adapted for cascode configurations are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) configured to determine reactant purity comprising: a first fuel cell (11) configured to generate electrical current from the electrochemical reaction between two reactants, having a first reactant inlet (13) configured to receive a test reactant comprising one of the two reactants from a first reactant source (7, 5, 16); a second fuel cell (12) configured to generate electrical current from the electrochemical reaction between the two reactants, having a second reactant inlet (14) configured to receive the test reactant from a second reactant source (5); a controller (20) configured to apply an electrical load to each fuel cell and determine an electrical output difference, ODt, between an electrical output of the first fuel cell (11) and an electrical output of the second fuel cell (12), and determine a difference between a predicted output difference and the determined electrical output difference, ODt, the predicted output difference determined based on a historical output of difference

Abstract: A rotary cleaning apparatus for underwater cleaning including a housing, a battery, a motor and a flexible hub system. The flexible hub system includes a toroidal brush system coupled to a circular centrifugal pump assembly. The flexible hub system includes a flexible hub allowing the flexible hub system to bend out of plane. When the flexible hub system is rotated underwater at a curved surface, the brush system cleans the surface while the suction of the centrifugal pump assembly flexes the flexible hub system to evenly contact the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are magnetic materials comprising rare earth nitrides and, more particularly, magnetic materials comprising multilayer-structured materials comprising one relatively soft and one relatively hard magnetic layer. The magnetic materials comprise a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a blocking layer between and in contact with each of the first 5 and second ferromagnetic layers. The first and second ferromagnetic layers have different coercive fields. The first ferromagnetic layer comprises a first rare earth nitride material and the second ferromagnetic layer comprises a second rare earth nitride material. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the materials. The materials are useful in the fabrication of devices, such as GMR magnetic field sensors, MRAM devices, TMR magnetic field sensors, and magnetic 10 tunnel junctions.

Abstract: A fuel cell (FC) system operating as its own hydrogen leak detector. The system including at least one cathode and cathode conduit for passage of oxidant to the cathode and a housing containing one or more FCs and defining a plenum around the FC. A ventilation system forces air from the plenum into the cathode conduit and a control system monitors the FC voltage and detects a drop in voltage attributable to hydrogen in the cathode conduit. A control system may include actual cell voltage monitoring of the FC or of one or more cells in the FC stack and a processor for receiving inputs indicative of the operation of the FC or FC stack and/or to determine an expected voltage of FC(s) being monitored and whether the difference between the actual and expected voltage(s) exceeds a predetermined threshold indicative of a predetermined level of hydrogen in the cathode conduit.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator comprising a first cyclone stage, a second cyclone stage, an inlet duct, and an outlet duct. The first cyclone stage comprises a first dirt collection chamber. The second cyclone stage is located downstream of the first cyclone stage and comprises a second dirt collection chamber. The inlet duct carries fluid to the first cyclone stage, and the outlet duct carries fluid from the second cyclone stage. The first dirt collection chamber then surrounds at least partly the inlet duct and the outlet duct.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly has a plurality of fuel cells each having a fluid coolant conduit. A coolant feed inlet manifold has a coolant inlet, and the coolant feed inlet manifold is coupled to each fluid coolant conduit for distribution of coolant to each fuel cell. The coolant feed inlet manifold also has a discharge conduit located at one end of the coolant feed inlet manifold. The discharge conduit is configured to discharge excess coolant from the coolant feed inlet manifold. By supplying excess coolant to the coolant feed inlet manifold problems arising due to very low coolant flow rates through the fluid coolant conduits in the fuel cells can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A monitor device having a sensor interface includes a connector portion (402) configured to mechanically interface with one or more sensors of a pre-defined type. A hardware interface layer (306) is configured to determine a sensor type and establish a communication interface with the sensor type. A hardware abstraction layer (304) is configured to store a plurality of protocols corresponding with the one or more sensors of a pre-defined type. The hardware abstraction layer communicates with the sensor using a selected protocol for that type through the communication interface to permit interaction between the device and the sensor type.

Abstract: A defibrillator includes a first battery (12) configured to provide a discharge rate to a capacitor suitable for generating a defibrillator shock. A power source (16) has a larger capacity than the first battery. A power control module (14) is coupled to the first battery and the power source and is configured to selectively enable connections between the first battery and the power source and from each of the first battery and the power source to the capacitor based on feedback from at least one of the first battery and the power source to reduce charge time.

Abstract: An emergency medical device includes a power source (12) configured to power one or more subsystems of the device. A user activity detection module (56) is configured to sense user activity in the one or more subsystems, and a clinical activity detection module (54) is configured to sense clinical activity in the one or more subsystems. A control module (30) is coupled to the one or more subsystems and configured to alter a power status of the one or more subsystems in accordance with an activity sensed in at least one of the user activity detection module and the clinical activity detection module.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for determining communication recipient availability is described. A method may comprise receiving, via one or more computing devices, an indication that there is an intended recipient of a communication. The method may further comprise, in response to receiving the indication that there is the intended recipient of the communication, determining, via the one or more via one or more computing devices, if the intended recipient is available enough to receive the communication based upon, at least in part, one or more registries of availability, a communication type associated with the communication, and one or more user-defined parameters for the communication type. The method may also comprise, in response to determining, via the one or more via one or more computing devices, that the intended recipient is not available enough to receive the communication, suggesting one or more additional recipients to receive the communication.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for determining communication recipient availability is described. A method may comprise receiving, via one or more computing devices, an indication that there is an intended recipient of a communication. The method may further comprise, in response to receiving the indication that there is the intended recipient of the communication, determining, via the one or more via one or more computing devices, if the intended recipient is available enough to receive the communication based upon, at least in part, one or more registries of availability, a communication type associated with the communication, and one or more user-defined parameters for the communication type. The method may also comprise, in response to determining, via the one or more via one or more computing devices, that the intended recipient is not available enough to receive the communication, suggesting one or more additional recipients to receive the communication.

Abstract: A method providing a first tubular workpiece having a first weld surface at an end thereof, and a second tubular workpiece having a second weld surface at an end thereof; aligning the workpieces on a common axis with the weld surfaces facing each other, rotating one workpiece about the axis relative to the other workpiece, and engaging the first and second weld surfaces such that the rotation raises the temperature at the weld surfaces to create a weld interface; and ceasing the rotation and allowing the weld interface to cool to weld the workpieces together at the interface. The first weld surface is an apex region of an annular projection at the end of the first workpiece, on a longitudinal section through the aligned workpieces the annular projection having a profile in which radially inner and outer side surfaces of the annular projection taper towards the apex region.

Abstract: A device (200) which includes a monitoring unit (210), a therapy unit (220), and a display (100) that includes a touch screen (110). The monitoring unit (210) can be configured to monitor a person's vital signs, such as a person's electrocardiogram (ECG). The therapy unit (220) can be configured to administer an electric shock. The display (100) can be configured to display the ECG and enable a user to scroll the displayed ECG back and forth and/or to zoom in and zoom out the displayed ECG by touching the touch screen (110). The display (100) can also be configured to enable the user to select two or more separate segments of the ECG to view together at the same time on the display (100), which segments can be separated by intervening segments of the ECG that can be hidden from being viewed on the display (100). The display (100) can have multiple user-interface windows (120, 130).

Abstract: A cyclonic separator comprising a first cyclone stage, a second cyclone stage and an inlet duct. The first cyclone stage comprises a cyclone chamber and a first dirt collection chamber. The second cyclone stage is located downstream of the first cyclone stage and comprises a second dirt collection chamber. The inlet duct carries fluid from an opening in the base of the cyclonic separator to the cyclone chamber, and the first dirt collection chamber surrounds at least partly the inlet duct and the second dirt collection chamber.

Abstract: A pair of fuel cells are configured as a hydrogen purity monitor. A first cell, acting as a reference cell, is configured to generate electrical current from the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxidant and has a first fuel inlet configured to receive hydrogen from a first hydrogen source. A second fuel cell, acting as a test cell, is configured to generate electrical current from the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxidant and has a second fuel inlet configured to receive hydrogen from a second hydrogen source. A control system is configured to apply an electrical load to each fuel cell and determine an electrical output of each fuel cell. The control system has a comparator for comparing the electrical outputs of the first and second fuel cells and a purity monitor output configured to give an indication of hydrogen purity based on an output of the comparator.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly has a plurality of fuel cells each having a fluid coolant conduit. A coolant feed inlet manifold has a coolant inlet, and the coolant feed inlet manifold is coupled to each fluid coolant conduit for distribution of coolant to each fuel cell. The coolant feed inlet manifold also has a discharge conduit located at one end of the coolant feed inlet manifold. The discharge conduit is configured to discharge excess coolant from the coolant feed inlet manifold. By supplying excess coolant to the coolant feed inlet manifold problems arising due to very low coolant flow rates through the fluid coolant conduits in the fuel cells can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly has a plurality of cells each having a fluid coolant conduit. A coolant feed manifold has a first inlet and a second inlet and is coupled to each fluid coolant conduit for distribution of fluid coolant within each cell. A pump is coupled for delivery of fluid coolant to the coolant feed manifold through the first and second inlets. A flow control assembly is configured to periodically modify the relative flow rates of fluid coolant through the first and second inlets so that stagnant regions in the coolant feed manifold are avoided. The flow control assembly may also be adapted to periodically interrupt the flow path between the pump and the manifold such that the fluid coolant is delivered to the manifold intermittently, thereby enabling low water flows below a minimum set point of the pump.