Abstract: A heater system includes a substrate, a layered heater having a resistive layer formed on the substrate by a layered process, the resistive layer having sufficient temperature coefficient of resistance characteristics such that the resistive layer is a heater element and a temperature sensor. A single set of electrical leads having two electrical lead wires provides power to the resistive layer and receives a signal indicative of a temperature of the resistive layer. A two-wire controller includes a power controller, and the two-wire controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the temperature of the resistive layer, determine the temperature of the resistive layer, and control temperature of the heater system.

Abstract: A heater is provided that includes a resistive layer formed by a layered process (e.g., thick film, thin film, thermal spray, and sol-gel) and two electrical lead wires connected to the resistive layer. The resistive layer has sufficient temperature coefficient of resistance characteristics such that the resistive layer is a heater element and a sensor, and the resistive layer is in communication with a two-wire controller through the two electrical lead wires. Preferably, the sensor is a temperature sensor, and the heater includes additional layers formed by layered processes.

Abstract: An instrumented heater sleeve is provided that has a plurality of zones, a dielectric layer disposed over an outer surface of the sleeve, a resistive element layer disposed over the first dielectric layer, and a plurality of pairs of lead wires secured to a portion of the resistive element layer. Each pair of lead wires is connected to and corresponds with each of the zones and a protective layer is disposed over the dielectric layer. An amount of power is supplied to each of the zones and adjusted during a test run, or multiple test runs, to achieve a desired temperature profile along a heating target such as a hot runner nozzle. Methods of designing a hot runner nozzle heater using the instrumented heater sleeve are also provided.

Abstract: A hot runner nozzle heater system is provided with a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller, wherein a resistive layer of the layered heater is both a heater element and a temperature sensor. The two-wire controller thus determines temperature of the layered heater using the resistance of the resistive layer and controls heater temperature through a power source.

Abstract: An apparatus for deodorization of livestock waste includes a tank containing livestock waste to be deodorized; a source of atmospheric air; a source of ultraviolet light; and a magnet. Air from the source of atmospheric air is passed by the source of ultraviolet light while simultaneously being exposed to magnetic flux from the magnet, thereby creating a plurality of multivalent oxygen ion allotropes. The apparatus delivers the atmospheric air containing multivalent oxygen ion allotropes to the livestock waste, thereby reducing odor. A method for deodorizing livestock waste, has the steps of: pumping waste from a holding tank; exposing atmospheric air to ultraviolet light and magnetic flux, thereby creating a plurality of multivalent oxygen ion allotropes; exposing the waste to the air containing the plurality of multivalent oxygen ion allotropes; and returning the waste to the holding tank.

Abstract: An instrumented heater sleeve is provided that has a plurality of zones, a dielectric layer disposed over an outer surface of the sleeve, a resistive element layer disposed over the first dielectric layer, and a plurality of pairs of lead wires secured to a portion of the resistive element layer. Each pair of lead wires is connected to and corresponds with each of the zones and a protective layer is disposed over the dielectric layer. An amount of power is supplied to each of the zones and adjusted during a test run, or multiple test runs, to achieve a desired temperature profile along a heating target such as a hot runner nozzle. Methods of designing a hot runner nozzle heater using the instrumented heater sleeve are also provided.

Abstract: A personal information management system stores associations between a user and the user's mobile hand held electronic and communication devices. The system receives input indicating the presence of the user and bonds with the mobile hand held devices associated with the identified user to the exclusion of other devices. Once the system has bonded to the user's mobile hand held devices, the user may access data stored on and control functions of the various hand held devices through a single common interface, the system may be used to place and receive cellular telephone calls, send and receive text messages, and record and play back audio messages.

Abstract: A hot runner nozzle heater is provided that includes a sleeve defining a slot extending along a length of the sleeve. A first dielectric layer is disposed over an outer surface of the sleeve, and a resistive element layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer, wherein the resistive element layer defines a resistive circuit pattern that is preferably formed by a laser trimming process. A pair of terminal leads are secured to a portion of the resistive element layer thus defining a termination area, and the termination area is positioned proximate the slot and away from the proximal end and the distal end of the sleeve. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the resistive element layer but not over the termination area, a third dielectric layer is disposed over the termination area, and a protective layer disposed over the second dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer.

Abstract: A heater is provided that includes a resistive layer formed by a layered process (e.g., thick film, thin film, thermal spray, and sol-gel) and two electrical lead wires connected to the resistive layer. The resistive layer has sufficient temperature coefficient of resistance characteristics such that the resistive layer is a heater element and a sensor, and the resistive layer is in communication with a two-wire controller through the two electrical lead wires. Preferably, the sensor is a temperature sensor, and the heater includes additional layers formed by layered processes.

Abstract: A hot runner nozzle heater is provided that includes a sleeve defining a slot extending along a length of the sleeve. A first dielectric layer is disposed over an outer surface of the sleeve, and a resistive element layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer, wherein the resistive element layer defines a resistive circuit pattern that is preferably formed by a laser trimming process. A pair of terminal leads are secured to a portion of the resistive element layer thus defining a termination area, and the termination area is positioned proximate the slot and away from the proximal end and the distal end of the sleeve. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the resistive element layer but not over the termination area, a third dielectric layer is disposed over the termination area, and a protective layer disposed over the second dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer.

Abstract: A heater system is provided with a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller, wherein a resistive layer of the layered heater is both a heater element and a temperature sensor. The two-wire controller thus determines temperature of the layered heater using the resistance of the resistive layer and controls heater temperature through a power source. Furthermore, a heater system using a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller for a specific application of a hot runner nozzle in an injection molding system is provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A hot runner nozzle heater system is provided with a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller, wherein a resistive layer of the layered heater is both a heater element and a temperature sensor. The two-wire controller thus determines temperature of the layered heater using the resistance of the resistive layer and controls heater temperature through a power source.

Abstract: An assessments framework includes a framework batch processor and a partner batch processor. The framework batch processor performs static assessments based on information obtained from a task definition database and a policy database. The partner batch processor outputs dynamic task definitions and dynamic policy information, to be input to the framework batch processor for executing an assessment when a triggering event occurs. The triggering event may be a schedule-based trigger or an event-based trigger.

Abstract: A pump leak monitor for use with a peristaltic pump comprises a pump housing and a pair of electrical contacts disposed along a bottom end of the pump housing. The electrical contacts are located such that the contacts are immersed in fluid when the pump is leaking. The fluid conducts electricity across the contacts and thereby closes an electrical circuit for providing an indication that a leak has been detected. By measuring an electrical parameter in the circuit, the pump leak monitor is capable of measuring the conductivity of the fluid in the pump housing. As a result, the pump leak monitor is capable of differentiating between different types of fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for auditing the configuration of an enterprise comprising the steps of: collecting information relating to the configuration of the enterprise, analyzing the configuration information based on expert knowledge; and providing the result of the analysis in the form of reports, and other results of the analyses.

Abstract: A heater system is provided that comprises a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller, wherein a resistive layer of the layered heater is both a heater element and a temperature sensor. The two-wire controller thus determines temperature of the layered heater using the resistance of the resistive layer and controls heater temperature through a power source. Furthermore, a heater system using a layered heater in communication with a two-wire controller for a specific application of a hot runner nozzle in an injection molding system is provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for auditing the configuration of an enterprise comprising the steps of: collecting information relating to the configuration of the enterprise, analyzing the configuration information based on expert knowledge; and providing the result of the analysis in the form of reports, and other results of the analyses.

Abstract: An assessments framework includes a framework batch processor and a partner batch processor. The framework batch processor performs static assessments based on information obtained from a task definition database and a policy database. The partner batch processor outputs dynamic task definitions and dynamic policy information, to be input to the framework batch processor for executing an assessment when a triggering event occurs. The triggering event may be a schedule-based trigger or an event-based trigger.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, software, and system that provides for a flexible definition of an assessment task including data services by providing a policy that defines a sequence of one or more data services, and associating an assessment task with the policy. An assessment framework executes the assessment task by performing the sequence of one of more data services defined in the policy. The policy is stored in a policy database and the assessment type is stored in an analyzer database and/or an audit request database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for auditing the configuration of an enterprise using low-level analyzers that include a program and a descriptor of the type of collector data the program can accept, and high-level analyzers that are descriptors which call upon, or incorporate by reference, other analyzer descriptors. A framework, guided by one or more analyzer descriptors and by any descriptors those descriptors may call upon or incorporate by reference, repeatedly executes the set of programs associated with some of the analyzer descriptors against a different node or nodes of an enterprise during each such execution. When executing a program, the framework provides the program with the collector data of the type designated by the descriptor associated with the program.