Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, a latchable operating mechanism having a latch member, a bimetal and an arc fault trip assembly. The trip assembly includes a thermistor responsive to bimetal temperature, an amplifier having first and second inputs and an output, a first resistor electrically connected between a second bimetal terminal and the first amplifier input, a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the thermistor, a third resistor electrically connected in series with that parallel combination, with that series combination being electrically connected between the first amplifier input and the amplifier output. The second amplifier input is referenced to the first bimetal terminal. The amplifier output has a voltage, which is compensated for the bimetal temperature coefficient. The trip assembly provides a trip signal as a function of compensated voltage. A solenoid responds to the trip signal and releases the latch member to trip the separable contacts open.

Abstract: Synergistic stabilizer compositions are employed to stabilize halogen-containing vinyl polymers from, for example, degradation and discoloration.

Abstract: An AC induction motor has separate start and run windings radially separated in slots in the stator laminations. The start windings are arranged in the radially outer portions of the slots to aid heat dissipation and to increase the flux linkage so as to reduce inrush current during starting. The motor is started by switching on the start windings initially, and switching on the run windings in phase with the start windings when the motor reaches its running speed, but before switching off the start windings. In this way, the surge current during switching between the start and run windings is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for restricting the ability to input information into an input/output device mounted within a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, an output of an input/output device is movable between first and second positions. When the output is in the second position, the input of the device is preferably enabled, allowing an occupant of the vehicle to enter information into the device. When the output is not in the second position, however, the input of the device is preferably disabled such that information cannot be entered into the device. The device preferably determines the position of the output relative to a driver and/or passenger seat of the vehicle to determine whether disablement of the input is appropriate.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided fully human monoclonal antibodies against human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Nucelotide sequences encoding and amino acid sequences comprising heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the complementarity determining regions (CDRs), specifically from within FR1 and/or CDR1 through CDR3 and/or within FR4, are provided. Further provided are antibodies having similar binding properties and antibodies (or other antagonists) having similar functionality as antibodies disclosed herein.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism, a power supply, and a trip mechanism powered from a first power supply output. A power supply monitor circuit includes a terminal adapted for electrical connection to a ground, a first resistor electrically connected in series with a power supply regulator, a first transistor having an output and two inputs electrically connected in parallel with the first resistor, a first capacitor electrically connected between the first power supply output and the first transistor output, a second resistor electrically connected in series with the first capacitor between power supply outputs, a second transistor having a first input electrically interconnected with the first transistor output, a second input and an output, a diode electrically connected between the terminal and the second transistor second input, and an interface between the second transistor output and a trip mechanism input for disabling the tripping.

Abstract: A multiple channel array coil for magnetic resonance imaging is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the array coil includes an anterior section and a posterior section. The anterior and posterior sections are displaced from one another about a first direction, with both of the anterior and posterior sections further including a left portion and a right portion displaced from one another about a second direction. Each of the left and right portions further include a superior coil element and an inferior coil element displaced from one another about a third direction.

Abstract: Tripping of a circuit breaker by an arc fault detector is blocked by a disable circuit upon detection of a transient associated with cold turn-on of an incandescent bulb powered by a dimmer. The peak value of pulses generated by the bandpass filter of the arc detector in response to step increases in the ac current is decayed approximately exponentially. The amplitude of each pulse is compared with upper and lower percentage limits of the decaying peak value. If the amplitudes of the pulses remain below the upper threshold for about 3 to 4 half cycles and exceed the lower threshold each half cycle, a dimmer transient is identified and logic is set to block generation of a false arc signal.

Abstract: Tripping of a circuit breaker by an arc fault detector is blocked by a disable circuit upon detection of a transient associated with cold turn-on of an incandescent bulb powered by a dimmer. The peak value of pulses generated by the bandpass filter of the arc detector in response to step increases in the ac current is decayed approximately exponentially. The amplitude of each pulse is compared with upper and lower percentage limits of the decaying peak value. If the amplitudes of the pulses remain below the upper threshold for about 3 to 4 half cycles and exceed the lower threshold each half cycle, a dimmer transient is identified and logic is set to block generation of a false arc signal.

Abstract: Arcing in dc electrical systems subject to cyclic disturbances is detected by a current sensor, and a bandpass filter sensitive to arcing noise, which filters the sensor current. The absolute value of the bandpass filtered signal is integrated over repetitive intervals in a resettable analog integrator. A low cost microprocessor samples and resets the analog integrator at a frequency below the pass band and generates a time attenuated accumulation of the samples that produces an arcing signal if it reaches a predetermined limit. To improve nuisance immunity, the sensed dc current is compared in a high speed comparator to the average sensed dc current, and only samples taken by the microprocessor during a predetermined time period after the sensed dc current exceeds the average sensed dc current in a predetermined manner are accumulated. The average sensed dc current is also used by the microprocessor to provide overload protection.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for improving efficiency of storing and accessing data blocks for systems that are limited to small size, host accessible data blocks, such as having a maximum size of 512 bytes, by allowing larger size subsystem data blocks to be created from the smaller size logical data blocks. A host command is analyzed to determine whether the host accessible logical data block aligns with the larger subsystem block. If so, the larger block(s) is(are) sent to the host. If the command does not align, the larger block is processed into a plurality of segments so that the addressed data block(s) can be aligned, and any error correction coding verified. The present invention allows a subsystem to store and manage efficiently sized blocks of data while still supporting a host's need to access smaller, single architecturally defined addressable blocks.

Abstract: An aircraft circuit breaker includes a housing; separable contacts mounted in the housing; a latchable operating mechanism including a latch member which when unlatched opens the separable contacts; and an overcurrent assembly responsive to selected conditions of current flowing through the separable contacts for unlatching the latch member to trip the separable contacts open. A movable and illuminable arc fault indicator has a first ring portion and second leg portions internal to the housing. An arc fault actuator which when energized moves one of the second leg portions. An arc fault current assembly responds to selected arc fault conditions of current flowing through the separable contacts to energize the arc fault actuator to move the second leg portions internal to the housing and the first ring portion external to the housing. The arc fault current assembly includes a light for illuminating the first ring portion.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, a latchable operating mechanism having a latch member, a bimetal and an arc fault trip assembly. The trip assembly includes a thermistor responsive to bimetal temperature, an amplifier having first and second inputs and an output, a first resistor electrically connected between a second bimetal terminal and the first amplifier input, a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the thermistor, a third resistor electrically connected in series with that parallel combination, with that series combination being electrically connected between the first amplifier input and the amplifier output. The second amplifier input is referenced to the first bimetal terminal. The amplifier output has a voltage, which is compensated for the bimetal temperature coefficient. The trip assembly provides a trip signal as a function of compensated voltage. A solenoid responds to the trip signal and releases the latch member to trip the separable contacts open.

Abstract: Arcing in dc electrical systems subject to cyclic disturbances is detected by a current sensor, and a bandpass filter sensitive to arcing noise, which filters the sensor current. The absolute value of the bandpass filtered signal is integrated over repetitive intervals in a resettable analog integrator. A low cost microprocessor samples and resets the analog integrator at a frequency below the pass band and generates a time attenuated accumulation of the samples that produces an arcing signal if it reaches a predetermined limit. To improve nuisance immunity, the sensed dc current is compared in a high speed comparator to the average sensed dc current, and only samples taken by the microprocessor during a predetermined time period after the sensed dc current exceeds the average sensed dc current in a predetermined manner are accumulated. The average sensed dc current is also used by the microprocessor to provide overload protection.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism, a power supply, and a trip mechanism powered from a first power supply output. A power supply monitor circuit includes a terminal adapted for electrical connection to a ground, a first resistor electrically connected in series with a power supply regulator, a first transistor having an output and two inputs electrically connected in parallel with the first resistor, a first capacitor electrically connected between the first power supply output and the first transistor output, a second resistor electrically connected in series with the first capacitor between power supply outputs, a second transistor having a first input electrically interconnected with the first transistor output, a second input and an output, a diode electrically connected between the terminal and the second transistor second input, and an interface between the second transistor output and a trip mechanism input for disabling the tripping.

Abstract: An AC induction motor has separate start and run windings radially separated in slots in the stator laminations. The start windings are arranged in the radially outer portions of the slots to aid heat dissipation and to increase the flux linkage so as to reduce inrush current during starting. The motor is started by switching on the start windings initially, and switching on the run windings in phase with the start windings when the motor reaches its running speed, but before switching off the start windings. In this way, the surge current during switching between the start and run windings is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for restricting the ability to input information into an input/output device mounted within a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, an output of an input/output device is movable between first and second positions. When the output is in the second position, the input of the device is preferably enabled, allowing an occupant of the vehicle to enter information into the device. When the output is not in the second position, however, the input of the device is preferably disabled such that information cannot be entered into the device. The device preferably determines the position of the output relative to a driver and/or passenger seat of the vehicle to determine whether disablement of the input is appropriate.

Abstract: An aircraft circuit breaker includes a housing; separable contacts mounted in the housing; a latchable operating mechanism including a latch member which when unlatched opens the separable contacts; and an overcurrent assembly responsive to selected conditions of current flowing through the separable contacts for unlatching the latch member to trip the separable contacts open. A movable and illuminable arc fault indicator has a first ring portion and second leg portions internal to the housing. An arc fault actuator which when energized moves one of the second leg portions. An arc fault current assembly responds to selected arc fault conditions of current flowing through the separable contacts to energize the arc fault actuator to move the second leg portions internal to the housing and the first ring portion external to the housing. The arc fault current assembly includes a light for illuminating the first ring portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing audio advertisements in a computer network enables Web sites to deliver audio advertisements that cannot be bypassed by a visitor. More particularly, an advertising or sponsoring Web site receives a request from at least one user for delivery of a user-selected Web page associated with the Web site. The Web site selects at least one audio advertisement from a plurality of audio advertisements for delivery to the user in conjunction with the user-selected Web page. The Web site then delivers the audio advertisement to the user via the network in a format that precludes the user from controlling the manner of playback of the audio advertisement.

Abstract: An arcing fault detector band pass filters the ac current in a protected circuit to generate a sensed current signal with pulses having an amplitude related to the step increases in current produced each time an arc is struck. The envelope of this pulse signal is tracked by a first, slow tracking circuit or envelope detector having a first, long time constant and a second, fast tracking circuit having a second, shorter time constant. When the second tracking signal generated by the second tracking circuit falls below a predetermined fraction of the first tracking signal of the first tracking circuit, a charge pulse modulator generates a pulse of a size which is a function of the amplitude of the most recent pulse in the sensed current signal. When a time attenuated accumulation of the charge pulses maintained on an integrating capacitor reaches a preselected level, an output circuit generates an arcing fault indication.