Abstract: A lighting unit includes at least two channels of light sources, and a driver for the light sources. The driver includes a DC/DC converter and a control arrangement for controlling the current supplied to at least one of the two channels in response to a control signal produced by the DC/DC converter. Beneficially, a feedback loop controls a switching device in the DC/DC converter to maintain the light level produced by the light sources at a desired level regardless of changes in the supply voltage and the load.

Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to aligning and focusing mirrored facets of a heliostat are described herein. Updating alignment and/or focus of mirrored facets is undertaken through generation of a theoretical image, wherein the theoretical image is indicative of a reflection of the target via the mirrored facets when the mirrored facets are properly aligned. This theoretical image includes reference points that are overlaid on an image of the target as reflected by the mirrored facets of the heliostat. A technician adjusts alignment/focus of a mirrored facet by causing reflected reference markings to become aligned with the reference points in the theoretical image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting the color or color temperature of combined light emitted by one or more LEDs (210, 220, 230) driven by a single switching regulator circuit (200). Properties of the light output are changed by intentionally varying a source voltage (212) provided as an input to the regulator circuit (205). The connection of different colored LEDs in various branches (160, 170, 180) of the switching regulator circuit (205) facilitates adjustment of the respective drive currents provided to the LEDs, and hence the color or color temperature of the resulting combined light, merely by adjusting the level of the source voltage of the regulator circuit.

Abstract: A computer system may load into its memory a base WAD corresponding to a logical space associated with a computer application run by a processor. The base WAD contains data uniquely associated with the logical space. Zero or more phases of activity take place in the logical space during running of the application. Phases are uniquely associated with the base WAD. The data in the base-WAD remains loaded for each of the phases. For each phase, the system loads a different set of zero or more sub-WADs into memory. Each phase has a different corresponding set of zero or more sub-wads. Each sub-WAD contains data that is associated with a corresponding phase. The system manages the activity for a given phase using the data in the base WAD and the data in the sets sub-WADs corresponding to the given phase.

Abstract: A computer system can determine a user identification key associated with a user of a component device in response to connection of the component device to the computer system. The system automatically accesses an account associated with the user by sending the user identification key to a network associated with the computer system. The system receives data associated with the user account from the network and runs a computer application in accordance with the received data. The application receives input from the component device corresponding to user manipulation of the component device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A lighting unit includes at least two channels of light sources, and a driver for the light sources. The driver includes a DC/DC converter and a control arrangement for controlling the current supplied to at least one of the two channels in response to a control signal produced by the DC/DC converter. Beneficially, a feedback loop controls a switching device in the DC/DC converter to maintain the light level produced by the light sources at a desired level regardless of changes in the supply voltage and the load.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting the color or color temperature of combined light emitted by one or more LEDs (210, 220, 230) driven by a single switching regulator circuit (200). Properties of the light output are changed by intentionally varying a source voltage (212) provided as an input to the regulator circuit (205). The connection of different colored LEDs in various branches (160, 170, 180) of the switching regulator circuit (205) facilitates adjustment of the respective drive currents provided to the LEDs, and hence the color or color temperature of the resulting combined light, merely by adjusting the level of the source voltage of the regulator circuit.

Abstract: Heat pipe wick structure wherein a stout sheet of perforated material overlays a high performance wick material such as stainless steel felt affixed to a substrate. The inventive structure provides a good flow path for working fluid while maintaining durability and structural stability independent of the structure (or lack of structure) associated with the wick material. In one described embodiment, a wick of randomly laid ˜8 micron thickness stainless steel fibers is sintered to a metal substrate and a perforated metal overlay.

Abstract: A system and method enables a fast charging current switch to be bypassed with a trickle charging current so a battery with a low internal resistance is not supplied a fast charging current. The fast charging current switch is enabled to supply a fast charging current to the battery in response to the battery voltage being at or above a threshold voltage. If the fast charging current switch is not enabled to provide the fast charging current then a bypass element provides the trickle charging current. Preferably, the bypass element is a resistor coupled across a transistor used to implement the fast charging current switch.

Abstract: Heat pipe wick structure wherein a stout sheet of perforated material overlays a high performance wick material such as stainless steel felt affixed to a substrate. The inventive structure provides a good flow path for working fluid while maintaining durability and structural stability independent of the structure (or lack of structure) associated with the wick material. In one described embodiment, a wick of randomly laid ˜8 micron thickness stainless steel fibers is sintered to a metal substrate and a perforated metal overlay.

Abstract: This invention is the polycapped oligomer adduct of a long chain fatty acid with a multi hydroxy functional or multi epoxy functional compound. This polycapped oligomer is useful in resin compositions to enhance the performance of thermoplastic low profile additives which improve the surface quality of molded composites such as automotive body panels.