Abstract: A portable energy storage device that can be brought to a desired operating condition (such as temperature) using an external power source to save the power in internal power cell and, when the external power source is disconnected from device to make it portable, the internal power cell of the device automatically provides output power to the load that is regulated by a pulse time modulation control circuit that senses the desired operating condition and provides power pulses to the load sufficient only to maintain the desired operating condition thus extending the life of the internal power cell in the portable device.

Abstract: An improved hair curler/hair brush device that converts from a curling iron to a hair brush with the addition of a hollow tube that slides over the curling iron barrel that has bristles thereon for brushing the hair. A radiant energy heat source is placed within the barrel of the curling iron. A plurality of perforations in the barrel allow radiant energy from the heat source to escape the barrel to the hair of the user. Openings in the hollow tube that forms the hair brush are in substantial alignment with the perforations in the barrel to enable radiant energy from the heat source to escape the barrel and the hollow tube to the hair of the user during brushing of the hair. A non-heat conducting end cap is rotatably mounted to the outer end of the barrel to enable both hands of the user to be used simultaneously to manipulate the device. The device can be both portable (cordless) or non-portable (power cord attached).

Abstract: An improved portable energy consuming device that uses an external power source to store kinetic energy in the device until a desired level is reached and then the external power source is disconnected from the device to form a portable device and an internal power source is automatically used to maintain the desired kinetic energy level. Thus, the external power source causes at least one device load to reach a desired operating level such as temperature and then, when the device is removed from a base on which it is mounted, the external power source is disconnected and an internal power source is automatically connected to the at least one device load to cause it to just maintain the desired operating level. A control circuit is coupled between the internal power source and its associated internal load to cause only sufficient power to be supplied to the load to maintain the desired operating level.

Abstract: An improved circuit for automatically controlling energy to electrical energy consuming devices according to the well-known equation Po=Pin?Pl+Pr??(1) where Po=Power output, Pin=Power input, Pl=Power losses, and Pr=Residual Power. Thus, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining a desired output power, Po, from an electrical load by supplying sufficient pulse time modulation energy, Pin, to the device to replace only losses, Pl, and to maintain only the residual power, Pr, thus maintaining the desired Power output, Po, and thereby conserving input energy, Pin, that would otherwise be wasted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solder heating appliance with variable duty cycle. Rather than applying power continuously to the heating element, the element power is intermittently switched over to a variable duty cycle. Savings are gained in three areas: extended life of the element; less heat lost to thermal radiation; and less solder waste due to dripping and overheating. The variable duty cycle may be adjusted manually or automatically based on the temperature of the heating element, or tip. Additionally, the voltage and/or current to the heating element may be adjusted, either manually or automatically, for more rapid recovery during high usage periods. Higher throughput is achieved by sensing the temperature, comparing the temperature to a desired temperature, and then increasing the variable duty cycle by either or both one of increasing the frequency of duty pulses and/or lengthening the duration of the variable duty cycle.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for improving hair management devices, preferably portable devices, such as curling irons and hot air brushes by including novel heating elements and circuits. A novel elongated heat transfer hollow tube is formed of a metal that is preferable perforated with small holes and that heats and cools quickly such as copper, aluminum, or brass. The hollow tube has sufficient wall thickness for rigidity but is sufficiently thin to allow rapid heating and cooling. In addition, a novel heat source is formed with a light bulb, preferably halogen, located with said hollow tube that likewise heats and cools quickly. The light bulb is removable and replaceable in case of damage. A unique circuit automatically applies full power to the unit until it reaches the desired temperature and then allows a control circuit to automatically reduce the power applied to a value sufficient only to maintain the desired temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable adhesive dispensing appliance with adjustable duty cycle. Rather than applying power continuously to the heating element, the element power is intermittently switched over to a variable duty cycle. Savings are gained in three areas: extended life of the element; less heat lost to thermal radiation; and less adhesive waste due to dripping and overheating. The duty cycle may be adjusted manually or automatically based on the temperature of the adhesive in the melt chamber. Additionally, the voltage and/or current to the heating element may be adjusted, either manually or automatically, for more rapid recovery during high usage periods. Higher throughput is achieved by sensing the temperature, comparing the temperature to a desired temperature, and then increasing the duty cycle by either or both one of increasing the frequency of duty pulses and/or lengthening the duration of the duty pulses.

Abstract: A system for wirelessly monitoring, in real time, certain physiological/biological parameters of an animate body, such as an athlete or a patient. The parameters are sensed and measured by a transducer located on the animate body. The transducer is part of a transponder that includes an electronic unit containing a wireless receiver/transmitter. Remote R/T access units are spaced such that at any given time, signals from the transponder will be received by at least one of the access units where the data can be coupled to a display monitor and the measured parameters viewed in real time. In addition, a real time video image of an animate body, such as a patient/athlete, may be transmitted to a remotely located monitor for monitoring along with the transmitted physiological/biological patient parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blower dryer appliance typically used for drying and styling hair. When electrically activated, these appliances virtually always route electrical power to the fan or blower motor prior to or simultaneously with the heating element(s). Semiconducting switching devices used for regulating, controlling and/or switching electrical power generate waste heat that must be dissipated. Typically, heat is conducted and/or channeled away from the semiconducting switching device through a heat sink which is thermodynamic-mechanically coupled to the device. The greater the coverage area of the heat sink, the more waste heat can be dissipated depending on the ability of the heat sink to make contact with cooler, ambient air. This adds costs to the dryer/blower for engineering the heat sink, cost of the sink itself, and necessary design changes in the dryer/blower for accommodating the sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower that has an elongated hollow body portion with a mass center line and including therein a blower motor and a heating element and having a posterior end and an anterior end. A handle portion has a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversally from and along the mass center line of the elongated body portion. The handle portion includes switch controls for operating the heating element and the blower motor. A power source has a flat base and a mass center line that, when the power source is attached to the handle portion lies substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle and the mass center line of the elongated body portion to provide power to the manual controls and to provide a flat base structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable adhesive dispensing appliance with adjustable duty cycle. Rather than applying power continuously to the heating element, the element power is intermittently switched over to a variable duty cycle. Savings are gained in three areas: extended life of the element; less heat lost to thermal radiation; and less adhesive waste due to dripping and overheating. The duty cycle may be adjusted manually or automatically based on the temperature of the heating element, or tip. Additionally, the voltage and/or current to the heating element may be adjusted, either manually or automatically, for more rapid recovery during high usage periods. Higher throughput is achieved by sensing the temperature, comparing the temperature to a desired temperature, and then increasing the duty cycle by either or both one of increasing the frequency of duty pulses and/or lengthening the duration of the duty pulses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable adhesive dispensing appliance with adjustable duty cycle. Rather than applying power continuously to the heating element, the element power is intermittently switched over to a variable duty cycle. Savings are gained in three areas: extended life of the element; less heat lost to thermal radiation; and less adhesive waste due to dripping and overheating. The duty cycle may be adjusted manually or automatically based on the temperature of the adhesive in the melt chamber. Additionally, the voltage and/or current to the heating element may be adjusted, either manually or automatically, for more rapid recovery during high usage periods. Higher throughput is achieved by sensing the temperature, comparing the temperature to a desired temperature, and then increasing the duty cycle by either or both one of increasing the frequency of duty pulses and/or lengthening the duration of the duty pulses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blower dryer appliance typically used for drying and styling hair. When electrically activated, these appliances virtually always route electrical power to the fan or blower motor prior to or simultaneously with the heating element(s). Semiconducting switching devices used for regulating, controlling and/or switching electrical power generate waste heat that must be dissipated. Typically, heat is conducted and/or channeled away from the semiconducting switching device through a heat sink which is thermodynamic-mechanically coupled to the device. The greater the coverage area of the heat sink, the more waste heat can be dissipated depending on the ability of the heat sink to make contact with cooler, ambient air. This adds costs to the dryer/blower for engineering the heat sink, cost of the sink itself, and necessary design changes in the dryer/blower for accommodating the sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower that has an elongated hollow body portion with a mass center line and including therein a blower motor and a heating element and having a posterior end and an anterior end. A handle portion has a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversally from and along the mass center line of the elongated body portion. The handle portion includes switch controls for operating the heating element and the blower motor. A power source has a flat base and a mass center line that, when the power source is attached to the handle portion lies substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle and the mass center line of the elongated body portion to provide power to the manual controls and to provide a flat base structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower that has an elongated hollow body portion with a mass center line and including therein a blower motor and a heating element and having a posterior end and an anterior end. A handle portion has a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversally from and along the mass center line of the elongated body portion.

Abstract: A personal communication network distribution system includes a predetermined number of node devices, a controller, and a network connecting the controller to each of the node devices. The network carries a time division multiplexed signal having a plurality of channels for carrying digital communication information signals between the controller and the respective node devices. Each respective node device is assigned a respective predetermined number of the plurality of channels for receiving digital communication information signals from and/or for inserting digital communication information signals into the time division multiplexed signal. The time division multiplexed signal also includes a second predetermined number of non-assigned channels.