Abstract: A slurry and slurry coating process for forming a diffusion aluminide coating on a substrate, including internal surfaces within the substrate. The process involves preparing a slurry of a powder containing a metallic aluminum alloy having a melting temperature higher than aluminum, an activator capable of forming a reactive halide vapor with the metallic aluminum, and a binder containing an organic polymer. The slurry is applied to surfaces of the substrate, which is then heated to burn off the binder, vaporize and react the activator with the metallic aluminum to form the halide vapor, react the halide vapor at the substrate surfaces to deposit aluminum on the surfaces, and diffuse the deposited aluminum into the surfaces to form a diffusion aluminide coating. The process can be tailored to selectively produce an inward or outward-type coating. The binder burns off to form an ash residue that can be readily removed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a race set is described. The race set may comprise a portable race management device, comprising: a detachable lane defining element configured to be actuated; a starting indicator; a finishing indicator; and circuitry configured to receive start and/or finish signals via actuation of the detachable lane defining element, control actuation of the starting indicator upon race starting, and control actuation of the finishing indicator upon race finishing. Various alternative embodiments and alternative example race sets are also included.

Abstract: A ramp for toy vehicles is provided comprising a base including a plurality of interaction sites and a ramp member joined to the base. The ramp member may include a flexible first driving surface. The ramp may further include a first support arm attached to the ramp member, the first support arm having a tip that is positionable at one of the plurality of interaction sites.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming an aluminide coated article comprises: applying an aluminum composition to the article to form a precursor coating, heating the article to a migration temperature sufficient to diffuse a metal from the article into the precursor coating, and gasifying aluminum in the aluminum composition at a gasification temperature that is greater than or equal to the migration temperature. An outward grown aluminide coating forms on the article. In another embodiment, a method for forming an aluminide coated article, comprises: applying an aluminide composition an article to form a precursor coating, heating the article to a migration temperature of greater than or equal to 1,065° C., gasifying the aluminum at a gasification temperature of greater than or equal to 1,065° C., and forming an outward grown aluminide coating on less than 100% of a surface of the article.

Abstract: A slurry and slurry coating process for forming a diffusion aluminide coating on a substrate, including internal surfaces within the substrate. The process involves preparing a slurry of a powder containing a metallic aluminum alloy having a melting temperature higher than aluminum, an activator capable of forming a reactive halide vapor with the metallic aluminum, and a binder containing an organic polymer. The slurry is applied to surfaces of the substrate, which is then heated to burn off the binder, vaporize and react the activator with the metallic aluminum to form the halide vapor, react the halide vapor at the substrate surfaces to deposit aluminum on the surfaces, and diffuse the deposited aluminum into the surfaces to form a diffusion aluminide coating. The process can be tailored to selectively produce an inward or outward-type coating. The binder burns off to form an ash residue that can be readily removed.

Abstract: A speed measuring device with an output generating system is disclosed. The output generating system can generate visual outputs and/or audible outputs in response to a detected flow of air. The device includes a coupling component that allows the device to be wearable by a user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a race set is described. The race set may comprise a portable race management device, comprising: a detachable lane defining element configured to be actuated; a starting indicator; a finishing indicator; and circuitry configured to receive start and/or finish signals via actuation of the detachable lane defining element, control actuation of the starting indicator upon race starting, and control actuation of the finishing indicator upon race finishing. Various alternative embodiments and alternative example race sets are also included.

Abstract: An interactive wrist cover for simulating riding a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is provided. The interactive wrist cover includes various components that respond to realistic driving or riding motions of the user by generating appropriate outputs, such as increasing engine speed sound in response to wrist flexure to simulate throttle operation, even if no handlebar is present.

Abstract: A miniature roll-up halfpipe for use with fingerboards or miniature skateboards includes a pair of sideframes configurable in either a collapsed compact configuration or an extended open configuration. A pair of platforms join the end portions of the sideframes to form a generally rectangular structure having a pair of upwardly open curved edges. A flexible resilient sheet is received upon the supporting frame to form a curved surface of the type frequently used by skateboarder's or the like. In the closed configuration, the flexible sheet is rolled into a cylindrical shape and encloses the collapsed siderails and platform elements. A pair of generally cylindrical endcaps are received upon the opposed ends of the rolled sheet to provide closure and secure attachment thereof.

Abstract: An improved active power line conditioner is disclosed. A series inverter is controlled by a series filter controller which performs synchronous transformations on a load current to generate a series filter feedforward signal corresponding to the fundamental components of the load current. The series filter controller also generates a series filter reference signal corresponding to a negative sequence fundamental output voltage. The series filter feedforward signal and the series filter reference signal are combined to form a series filter compensation signal. The series filter compensation signal is applied to the series inverter to generate sinusoidal input currents, with negative sequence fundamental output voltage compensation, for a non-linear load. A parallel inverter is controlled by a parallel filter controller which performs synchronous transformations to generate a parallel filter feedforward signal corresponding to the harmonic ripple components of the load current.

Abstract: An improved active power line conditioner is disclosed. The active power line conditioner includes a series inverter coupled to an energy input source, and a parallel inverter coupled to a non-linear load. The non-linear load is powered by a three phase load current which includes fundamental components and harmonic components. An energy storage element is electrically connected between the series inverter and the parallel inverter. The series inverter is controlled by a series filter controller which performs synchronous transformations on the load current to generate a series filter feedforward signal corresponding to the fundamental components of the load current. The series filter feedforward signal is applied to the series inverter to generate sinusoidal input currents for the non-linear load.

Abstract: An improved active power line conditioner is disclosed. The active power line conditioner includes a series inverter coupled to an energy input source, and a parallel inverter coupled to a non-linear load. The non-linear load is powered by a load current which includes fundamental components and harmonic components. An energy storage element is electrically connected between the series inverter and the parallel inverter. The parallel inverter is used for current control functions, while the series inverter is used for instantaneous output voltage regulation. In one embodiment of the invention, a parallel current limiter is used for the parallel inverter. The parallel current limiter is fixed to satisfy specified output voltage total harmonic distortion requirements or peak to rms output current ratios in the active power line conditioner. A series current limiter may be used for the series inverter.

Abstract: An improved active power line conditioner with fast dynamic response is disclosed. The active power line conditioner includes a series inverter coupled to an energy input source, and a parallel inverter coupled to a non-linear load. The non-linear load is powered by a three phase load current which includes fundamental components and harmonic components.An energy storage element is electrically connected between the series inverter and the parallel inverter. The load current fundamental signal is derived and is multiplied by a derived voltage output/input ratio to render a current reference product. The current reference product may be further modified by a user-set displacement power factor correction ratio. The current reference product is applied to the series inverter for fast dynamic response within the active power line conditioner.

Abstract: A novel active power line conditioner is disclosed. The apparatus includes a parallel inverter, with a dc-link, coupled to an output line. The parallel inverter is controlled by a parallel inverter controller which forces the parallel inverter to act as a variable capacitor or inductor. The parallel inverter controller identifies and feeds-forward a desired phase shift value between an active power line conditioner voltage output signal and an active power line conditioner voltage input signal. Utilization of the desired phase shift value results in voltage control of the dc-link of the parallel inverter. The parallel inverter controller also produces a tuning capacitance current reference signal which reduces voltage magnitude errors of the output voltage.

Abstract: A three-phase active filter for connection into a three-phase power distribution system to compensate undesirable harmonic deviations. A converter is electrically connected between the power distribution system and a DC energy storage element. The converter is selectively controlled by control means to effectuate a flow of energy between the system and the storage element to offset the harmonic deviations. To improve the dynamic response of the filter, the control means utilize vector control principles. Specifically, a synchronous fundamental vector of AC energy waveforms in the power distribution system is derived in a rotating reference frame. Fundamental reference signals are then produced in a stationary reference frame which are compared with corresponding actual condition signals. Error signals thus produced are then utilized to operate the converter.

Abstract: An electrical control system includes multiple frames of reference in the error path of a controller. In each such frame, a particular chosen component of the error vector appears as a constant vector and is passed through a pure integrator thus acquiring infinite gain. In the steady state, the net error vector can then be forced to have zero content at each of the targeted frequencies (as set by the rotational velocity of the frames of reference). Both parallel and series configuration of the controller are provided, as well as the control methods used by the controllers.

Abstract: These and other objects are achieved by an improved active power line conditioner in accordance with the invention. The active power line conditioner includes series inverter coupled to an energy input source, and a parallel inverter coupled to a non-linear load. The non-linear load is powered by a load current which includes fundamental components and harmonic components. An energy storage element is electrically connected between the series inverter and the parallel inverter. A fault condition shorting circuit is supplied in accordance with the invention. The fault condition shorting circuit is coupled to a secondary transformer winding within the series inverter. The fault condition shorting circuit includes a diode bridge which conveys diode bridge current only in the presence of an overvoltage or overcurrent condition. A threshold device is connected to the diode bridge and conducts threshold device current in response to the diode bridge current.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a line voltage regulator for a cable which is electrically connected to at least one load. The line voltage regulator includes a device for producing a cable voltage drop signal that corresponds to a voltage drop across the cable which separates the line voltage regulator and the load. The line voltage regulator also includes a sensor circuit for determining distortion voltage across the cable which separates the power supply and the line voltage regulator and the fundamental frequency signal required for regulation. The sensor circuit produces a drive signal that corresponds to the distortion voltage and the fundamental frequency signal required for regulation. Additionally, there is a device for providing voltage to the cable such that the voltage is regulated and distortion voltage across the cable is essentially eliminated as applied to the load. The device for providing voltage is electrically connected to the sensor circuit and controlled by the drive signal therefrom.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the power dissipated by an electrical resistance coupled to a supply voltage which varies, includes a feedback circuit, coupled to the electrical resistance, for producing a feedback current corresponding to the current flowing through the heater. A correction circuit produces a correction current corresponding to variations in the supply voltage. An integrator receives the correction current and the feedback current and amplifies the error indicated by the correction current and the feedback current. A pulse width modulator receives the amplified error and controls the ON time of a switching device to control the flow of current through the electrical resistance. The flow of current through the electrical resistance is controlled to maintain the power dissipated by the resistance constant.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an AC electrical distribution system. The AC distribution system includes at least one nonlinear load. The nonlinear load causes distortion voltage in the AC distribution system. The AC distribution system also includes a zone filter which provides voltage to the AC distribution system. The AC distribution system can have a first zone which includes a nonlinear load and can have a second zone which includes at least one sensitive load. The zone filter regulates the voltage in the first zone as applied to the second zone and essentially eliminates the distortion voltage in the first zone as applied to the second zone. The zone filter can include a transformer device which provides a voltage to the AC distribution system. There is also a device for supplying power to the transformer device.