Abstract: A kraft paper sheet contains and/or is coated with a fungi growth-inhibiting agent that causes the kraft paper sheet to be fungi growth resistant. The kraft paper sheet alone or as part of a layered sheet material is used as a central field portion of facings for various faced building insulation assemblies. The facings, as part of an insulation assembly, are fungi growth resistant; may be perforated to provide the facing with a selected water vapor permeance; and/or may include a bonding layer, such as a heat activated bonding layer, that bonds the facing to an insulation layer of the assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for charging an energy storage capacitor bank of a power system. A power supply system is provided that includes a power supply and an energy storage capacitor bank. Voltage of the energy storage capacitor bank is monitored. An amount of current leaking out of the power supply is determined. Current is applied to the at least one energy storage capacitor bank in an amount that is substantially the same as current leaking out of the power supply.

Abstract: A power supply system is provided that includes a power supply and at least one energy storage capacitor bank. A voltage monitor is coupled to the power supply and the energy storage capacitor bank. A feedback control is coupled to the power supply. The feedback control is configured to provide that a current applied to the energy storage capacitor bank is substantially the same as current leaking out of the power supply.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an amplifier for use with a nonlinear load. In one embodiment, a method is provided for driving a flash lamp. The method comprises providing an amplifier having a resonant reset topology, coupling an output of the amplifier to the flash lamp to provide a pulsed power output to the flash lamp, and driving the amplifier with a controller to provide a pulse width modulation output to the flash lamp. The pulsed output from the amplifier has a period selected to prevent a streamer of said flash lamp from extinguishing during an active use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an amplifier for use with a nonlinear load. In one embodiment, a method is provided for driving a flash lamp. The method comprises providing an amplifier having a resonant reset topology, coupling an output of the amplifier to the flash lamp to provide a pulsed power output to the flash lamp, and driving the amplifier with a controller to provide a pulse width modulation output to the flash lamp. The pulsed output from the amplifier has a period selected to prevent a streamer of said flash lamp from extinguishing during an active use.

Abstract: A faced fibrous insulation assembly includes: a fibrous insulation blanket whose fibers, preferably, are bonded together with a formaldehyde free binder; a facing formed by a kraft paper sheet material; and an asphalt coating layer on the inner surface of the facing that bonds the facing to the fibrous insulation blanket. The asphalt coating layer contains an odor-reducing additive in an amount sufficient to substantially eliminate odor that would otherwise be emitted by the asphalt coating layer without adversely affecting the adherent qualities of the asphalt coating layer. Preferably, the facing and the asphalt coating layer are fungi growth resistant.

Abstract: The facing of a faced building insulation assembly includes a central field portion that is or includes a kraft paper sheet. The kraft paper sheet contains a fungi growth-inhibiting agent that causes the kraft paper sheet to be fungi growth resistant. The kraft paper sheet may be perforated to provide the facing with a selected water vapor permeance, and/or may include a heat activated bonding agent that bonds the facing to the insulation layer of the assembly. The field portion of the facing may include a coating to stiffen the facing and/or decrease the flame spread and smoke formation characteristics of the facing.