Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A formable armor that resists penetration by impacting projectiles. The instant formable armor features a plurality of cylindrical ceramic barrels each having flat ends that fay with the flat surfaces of adjacent ceramic barrels. Rows of faying cylindrical barrels are disposed parallel to one another. The substantially parallel rows of cylindrical ceramic barrels are affixed to a backing layer that maintains continuous contact between adjacent cylindrical barrels.

Abstract: A formable armor that resists penetration by impacting projectiles. The instant formable armor features a plurality of cylindrical ceramic barrels each having flat ends that fay with the flat surfaces of adjacent ceramic barrels. Rows of faying cylindrical barrels are disposed parallel to one another. The substantially parallel rows of cylindrical ceramic barrels are affixed to a backing layer that maintains continuous contact between adjacent cylindrical barrels.

Abstract: A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of enemy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network.

Abstract: A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of enemy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network.

Abstract: A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of energy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network.

Abstract: An energy management system for monitoring airflow from an HVAC system to achieve homogeneous temperature distributions. The system including an HVAC system and an energy module including one or more sensors configured to measure air temperature and at least one of the following: air velocity and relative humidity, a memory, and at least one processor. The at least one processor programmed to access a measured temperature during a period of time, access the HVAC system temperature setpoints, compare the measured temperature of the one or more sensors with the HVAC system temperature setpoints, determine if a difference between the measured temperature and the HVAC system temperature setpoints exceed a high temperature threshold level or a low temperature threshold level, and output a solution to resolve the disparity between the measured stored temperature of the one or more sensors and the HVAC system temperature setpoints.

Abstract: A home appliance antenna assembly is integrated into the home appliance and extends from a demand response module or the appliance microprocessor where the module is integrated into the appliance. At least a portion of the antenna is preferably located adjacent an external surface of the home appliance and adapted for radio frequency (RF) communication. If an external demand supply module is wired to the home appliance, a conventional connection cable typically includes a spare wire that is not used and can thereby serve as a long wire antenna. In other appliances where the module is integrated into the appliance, an antenna is incorporated into the appliance in a utilitarian, but aesthetically unobtrusive manner.

Abstract: An energy management system for a home network is provided. The energy management system includes one or more power consuming devices, including at least a pool pump system having a motor and a filter with a filtration cycle, a central controller operatively connected to the power consuming devices and configured to receive and process a signal indicative of the current state of an associated utility, including at least a peak demand state and an off-peak demand state, and a display. The central controller is configured to operate the pool pump system in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, and to provide pool pump usage information to a user via a user interface on the display.

Abstract: A power measurement device for monitoring power delivered from a source of electrical power to a load, includes a controller configured to receive a line voltage supply input and a current input, the current input being indicative of a current drawn by the load, a load control device coupled between the controller and the load and configured to interrupt power supplied to the load through the measurement device, and a configuration module coupled to the controller and configured to enable rule-based configuration of the measurement device. The controller includes a memory in communication with a processor, the memory including program instructions for execution by the processor to calculate a value of power consumed by the load, compare the value of the power consumed to at least one predetermined control parameter, and enable the load control device to interrupt power to the load based on the comparison.

Abstract: An energy management system for an appliance comprising an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device. The controller is arranged such that upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller initiates the operation when a majority of the energy consumption of the operation is within the off-peak time segment; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller initiates the operation immediately.

Abstract: A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of energy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network.

Abstract: An appliance is placed in a bootload mode and other operations of the appliance are powered down. Data is gathered through an appliance control module which activates the bootloader mode, and then receives the data and overwrites the remainder of the appliance controller memory. In this manner, software for an appliance is updated without having to enter the home.

Abstract: An energy management system for an appliance comprising an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device. The controller is arranged such that upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller initiates the operation when a majority of the energy consumption of the operation is within the off-peak time segment; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller initiates the operation immediately.

Abstract: A home energy management system for providing energy usage and cost projections to a user related to management of a home network is provided. The system comprises a central controller coupled to at least one energy consuming device, the central controller being configured to receive energy consumption data from the at least one energy consuming device, and a user interface comprising a display coupled to the central controller to receive user input data and provide the user with information. The central controller is further configured to use the energy consumption data and user input data to provide the user with one or more of future energy consumption projections, energy saving suggestions, and cost saving suggestion.

Abstract: An energy management system for a home network is provided. The energy management system includes one or more power consuming devices, including at least a pool pump system having a motor and a filter with a filtration cycle, a central controller operatively connected to the power consuming devices and configured to receive and process a signal indicative of the current state of an associated utility, including at least a peak demand state and an off-peak demand state, and a display. The central controller is configured to operate the pool pump system in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, and to provide pool pump usage information to a user via a user interface on the display.

Abstract: A sub-meter device for use in a home energy management (HEM) network. The sub-meter device measure power characteristics related to usage of an appliance (or other device) within a HEM network and provides such data to a home energy controller or the like. The sub-meter device can include one or more sensors, such as a current transformer, Rogowski coil, shunt resistor, or hall effect sensor, for collecting data relating to at least one of real power consumption, reactive power consumption, line frequency, line voltage, power factor, leading/lagging voltage-current comparison, and apparent power, etc.

Abstract: A home appliance antenna assembly is integrated into the home appliance and extends from a demand response module or the appliance microprocessor where the module is integrated into the appliance. At least a portion of the antenna is preferably located adjacent an external surface of the home appliance and adapted for radio frequency (RF) communication. If an external demand supply module is wired to the home appliance, a conventional connection cable typically includes a spare wire that is not used and can thereby serve as a long wire antenna. In other appliances where the module is integrated into the appliance, an antenna is incorporated into the appliance in a utilitarian, but aesthetically unobtrusive manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for injecting a fluid into a system are disclosed. The systems include a capillary tube having an inlet and an exit. The capillary tube being configured to release the fluid from a bladder when there exists a pressure difference between the inlet of the capillary tube and the exit of the capillary tube. The pressure difference being caused by a redirection attachment. The methods include causing a pressure differential within a first container. The pressure differential applies pressure to a bladder forcing the fluid to flow from the bladder through a capillary tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating water as well as maintaining water treatment systems are disclosed. The systems and methods include circulating influent water in a recirculation loop. In addition, a contaminate level may be monitored by sensors. When the contaminate level exceeds a set contaminate level, contaminates may be bleed from the systems.