Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The liquid treatment system may include a first liquid flow path that provides treated liquid, and a second liquid flow path that provides untreated liquid. The filter and the hydro-power generator are included in the first liquid flow path so that electric power is generated by the hydro-power generator when liquid flows through the first liquid flow path.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions that reflect ultraviolet light are provided herein, along with articles of manufacture and methods of fluid purification using the same. The thermoplastic compositions preferably comprise a suitable thermoplastic material and microparticles of UV reflective material, such as aluminum or stainless steel. The thermoplastic compositions are useful, for example, in forming articles of manufacture comprising a UV reflective surface that are suitable for use in a water treatment system in connection with a UV light source.

Abstract: A flow of liquid may be used to rotate a miniature hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.

Abstract: A flow of liquid may be used to rotate a hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removeably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.

Abstract: A hydro-generation system includes housing having a passageway, a turbine nozzle, a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a plurality of turbine blades and a permanent magnet. A flow of liquid may enter the passageway and be directed by the turbine nozzle to the turbine blades to induce rotation. The stator is position within the permanent magnet such that rotation of the permanent magnet induces the production of the electrical energy in the stator. The flow of liquid may flow through the housing and out of the hydro-generation system.

Abstract: A vehicle power interface includes an adaptive inductive power supply. The adaptive inductive power supply has a primary within a remote device holder. The adaptive inductive power supply is capable of providing power to remote devices placed within the remote device holder. A communication interface may be provided which can enable communication between the remote device and any data bus within the vehicle.

Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions that reflect ultraviolet light are provided herein, along with articles of manufacture and methods of fluid purification using the same. The thermoplastic compositions preferably comprise a suitable thermoplastic material and microparticles of UV reflective material, such as aluminum or stainless steel. The thermoplastic compositions are useful, for example, in forming articles of manufacture comprising a UV reflective surface that are suitable for use in a water treatment system in connection with a UV light source.

Abstract: A wall mount for attaching water treatment system to a wall plate consists of a platform and a vertical portion. The water treatment system rests on the platform. The water treatment systems extend through the back of the wall mount and extend through passages in the wall mount and into the water treatment system. The water tubes, when placed within the water treatment system, assist in maintaining the water treatment system on the wall mount.

Abstract: An illuminated control button with an eccentric switch and a button spring configured to substantially balance the mechanical resistance of the switch when the button is depressed. The switch may be a conventional push-button switch having a stem directly contacting a portion of the control button. The button spring may include an integral reflector and may have a rim that defines a surface engaging the button. The control button may include a fixed light source and the reflector may move about the light source when the control button is depressed. The present invention also provides a control button with a light source at least partially contained within an integrating sphere. In one embodiment, the integrating sphere includes a somewhat cup-shaped diffusely reflective surface that cooperates with a diffusely reflective surface on the back surface of the button to substantially evenly distribute light from the light source throughout the integrating sphere.

Abstract: An inductive coil assembly having multiple coils arranged at distinct orientations to provide efficient inductive coupling of power or communications or both to a device when the device is arranged at different orientations with respect to the inductive primary coil. In one embodiment, the inductive coil assembly includes three coils, each oriented along one of the x, y and z axes of a standard Cartesian three-dimensional coordinate system. The three separate coils provide effective transfer of power and communication when the device is at essentially any orientation with respect to the primary coil. In an alternative embodiment, the multi-axis inductive coil assembly of the present invention can function as a primary to inductively transmit power or communication or both over a plurality of magnetic fields at distinct orientations.

Abstract: An inductive charging rack for providing electrical power to an implement includes a back, an inductive primary attached to the back, and a hanger for holding the implement. The rack may include a control for energizing the inductive primary and a transceiver for providing communication to and from the implement. The inductive primary could be attached to the surface of the charging rack or it could be incorporated within the rack.

Abstract: An inductive coil assembly having multiple coils arranged at distinct orientations to provide efficient inductive coupling of power or communications or both to a device when the device is arranged at different orientations with respect to the inductive primary coil. In one embodiment, the inductive coil assembly includes three coils, each oriented along one of the x, y and z axes of a standard Cartesian three-dimensional coordinate system. The three separate coils provide effective transfer of power and communication when the device is at essentially any orientation with respect to the primary coil. In an alternative embodiment, the multi-axis inductive coil assembly of the present invention can function as a primary to inductively transmit power or communication or both over a plurality of magnetic fields at distinct orientations.

Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The ultraviolet light source may be energized by the electric power generated by the hydro-generator when the revolutions-per-minute or the magnitude of electric power of the hydro-generator enters a determined range. The flow of liquid may be subject to ultraviolet energy generated by the ultraviolet light source. It may be indicated when the ultraviolet light source reaches dose.

Abstract: An inductive coil assembly having multiple coils arranged at distinct orientations to provide efficient inductive coupling of power or communications or both to a device when the device is arranged at different orientations with respect to the inductive primary coil. In one embodiment, the inductive coil assembly includes three coils, each oriented along one of the x, y and z axes of a standard Cartesian three-dimensional coordinate system. The three separate coils provide effective transfer of power and communication when the device is at essentially any orientation with respect to the primary coil. In an alternative embodiment, the multi-axis inductive coil assembly of the present invention can function as a primary to inductively transmit power or communication or both over a plurality of magnetic fields at distinct orientations.

Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator in a first flow path. The first flow path may provide treated liquid at a first outlet of the liquid treatment system. A second flow path included in the liquid treatment system may provide untreated liquid at a second outlet of the liquid treatment system. The first and second flow paths may be included in a housing, and may be selectable with a switching mechanism by a user of the liquid treatment system. The housing may be mounted at the end of a faucet. The hydro-generator may generate electric power for use by the ultraviolet light source and a processor. The processor may monitor the electric power and energize the ultraviolet light source with the electric power when the rotational speed of the hydro-generator enters a determined range.

Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may produce electric power from a flow of liquid. The miniature hydro-power generation system may include a housing that includes a plurality of paddles positioned to extend outwardly from an outer surface of the housing. The system may also include a nozzle and a centering rod extending through the housing. The housing may rotate around the centering rod when a stream of liquid from the nozzle is directed at the paddles. A generator that includes a rotor and a stator may be positioned within a cavity of the housing. The rotor may be coupled with the housing and the stator may be coupled with the centering rod. The rotor may rotate around the stator at high RPM to generate electric power when the housing rotates. The electric power may supply a load and/or may be stored in an energy storage device.

Abstract: A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator in a first flow path. The first flow path may provide treated liquid at a first outlet of the liquid treatment system. A second flow path included in the liquid treatment system may provide untreated liquid at a second outlet of the liquid treatment system. The first and second flow paths may be included in a housing, and may be selectable with a switching mechanism by a user of the liquid treatment system. The housing may be mounted at the end of a faucet. The hydro-generator may generate electric power for use by the ultraviolet light source and a processor. The processor may monitor the electric power and energize the ultraviolet light source with the electric power when the rotational speed of the hydro-generator enters a determined range.

Abstract: A vehicle power interface includes an adaptive inductive power supply. The adaptive inductive power supply has a primary within a remote device holder. The adaptive inductive power supply is capable of providing power to remote devices placed within the remote device holder. A communication interface may be provided which can enable communication between the remote device and any data bus within the vehicle.