Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a bridge circuit, a resonant tank circuit coupled to an output of the bridge circuit; a rectifier circuit having an input coupled to the resonant tank circuit and an output, and an output filter coupled to the output of the rectifier circuit. A controller is coupled to the bridge circuit, the resonant tank circuit and the output of the DC-DC converter. The controller is configured to control a switching frequency of the bridge circuit to operate the DC-DC converter as a boost converter and a buck converter. When the DC-DC converter is operating as a buck converter, the controller controls the rectifier circuit to selectively block energy transfer from the rectifier circuit to the converter output based upon an output current of the DC-DC converter being greater than current demand thereof, thereby reducing output current of the DC-DC converter and extending an operating range thereof.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a bridge circuit, a resonant tank circuit coupled to an output of the bridge circuit; a rectifier circuit having an input coupled to the resonant tank circuit and an output, and an output filter coupled to the output of the rectifier circuit. A controller is coupled to the bridge circuit, the resonant tank circuit and the output of the DC-DC converter. The controller is configured to control a switching frequency of the bridge circuit to operate the DC-DC converter as a boost converter and a buck converter. When the DC-DC converter is operating as a buck converter, the controller controls the rectifier circuit to selectively block energy transfer from the rectifier circuit to the converter output based upon an output current of the DC-DC converter being greater than current demand thereof, thereby reducing output current of the DC-DC converter and extending an operating range thereof.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an input node electrically connectable to a power supply. The system includes a plurality of voltage suppressors, with at least one of the voltage suppressors electrically connected to the input node. A voltage selection switch is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of voltage suppressors. A controller in communication with the switch may selectively operate the switch based on a nominal operating voltage at the input node.

Abstract: The invention discloses a kicking tee for American football or rugby that maximizes the possible forward lean of the football which extends the segment of impact through the ball while also exposing the entire ball from base to tip to the view of the kicker, allowing the kicker to more easily aim at the ball's sweet spot. The results achieved by use of the present invention are greater distance and height, velocity and hangtime, as well as greater control of the trajectory of the ball over that of the prior art. The invention also improves on the prior art by allowing a greater overall range of ball placement, resulting in the kicker having greater control over where the ball will travel on the field of play.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an input node electrically connectable to a power supply. The system includes a plurality of voltage suppressors, with at least one of the voltage suppressors electrically connected to the input node. A voltage selection switch is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of voltage suppressors. A controller in communication with the switch may selectively operate the switch based on a nominal operating voltage at the input node.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems taking advantage of bioinformatic investigations to identify candidate signature peptides for quantitative multiplex analysis of complex protein samples from plants, plant parts, and/or food products using mass spectroscopy. Provided are use and methods for selecting candidate signature peptides for quantitation using a bioinformatic approach. Also provided are systems comprising a chromatography and mass spectrometry for using selected signature peptides.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an input node electrically connectable to a power supply. The system includes a plurality of voltage suppressors, with at least one of the voltage suppressors electrically connected to the input node. A voltage selection switch is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of voltage suppressors. A controller in communication with the switch may selectively operate the switch based on a nominal operating voltage at the input node.

Abstract: The invention discloses a kicking tee for American football or rugby that maximizes the possible forward lean of the football which extends the segment of impact through the ball while also exposing the entire ball from base to tip to the view of the kicker, allowing the kicker to more easily aim at the ball's sweet spot. The results achieved by use of the present invention are greater distance and height, velocity and hangtime, as well as greater control of the trajectory of the ball over that of the prior art. The invention also improves on the prior art by allowing a greater overall range of ball placement, resulting in the kicker having greater control over where the ball will travel on the field of play.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein include systems and methods for compiling utility asset information. As such, one embodiment includes receiving utility asset information regarding a utility asset, where the utility asset information includes a location of the utility asset, owner data regarding an owner of the utility asset, and a characteristic. Some embodiments include calculating a value of the utility asset based on the location and the characteristic and receiving a request by a user to acquire access to the utility asset for providing a utility service, where the request indicates that the user desires to acquire access via at least one of the following: lease or purchase. Some embodiments include providing information related to the request to the owner of the utility asset and conducting a transaction to provide access to the utility asset to the user.

Abstract: A sensor interface circuit for a vehicle includes a signal conditioning module having at least one raw sensor signal input, and at least one conditioned sensor signal output, and a differential comparator module including a differential comparator and an adaptable hysteresis module. The adaptable hysteresis module provides a first hysteresis magnitude to the differential comparator when a sensor signal is below a threshold and a second hysteresis magnitude to the differential comparator when the sensor signal is above the threshold.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an input node electrically connectable to a power supply. The system includes a plurality of voltage suppressors, with at least one of the voltage suppressors electrically connected to the input node. A voltage selection switch is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of voltage suppressors. A controller in communication with the switch may selectively operate the switch based on a nominal operating voltage at the input node.

Abstract: A sensor interface circuit for a vehicle includes a signal conditioning module having at least one raw sensor signal input, and at least one conditioned sensor signal output, and a differential comparator module including a differential comparator and an adaptable hysteresis module. The adaptable hysteresis module provides a first hysteresis magnitude to the differential comparator when a sensor signal is below a threshold and a second hysteresis magnitude to the differential comparator when the sensor signal is above the threshold.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for shipment consolidation in high-performance transportation systems. The method commences upon receiving a plurality of orders to be transported from a source location to a destination location over a transportation lane, then retrieving one or more records that describe transportation carrier resource capacity covering at least a portion of the transportation lane. An enumerator facility of the method generates a plurality of candidate shipments using the transportation carrier resource capacities. Infeasible candidate shipments such as where the transportation carrier resource capacity is exceeded are eliminated, and the remaining feasible shipments are evaluated to determine a respective cost. Then the remaining shipments are ordered based at least in part on the cost, and one of the low cost feasible shipments is selected to be used for transporting the shipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring physiological changes in a subject wherein the method comprises the steps of placing a sensor adjacent to and spaced from the body of the subject, filtering the signal to separate frequency components lower than 4 Hz, amplifying the generated signal and displaying the amplified signal which is indicative of changes in the physiological characteristics of the subject. The apparatus senses the electromagnetic radiation emitted as generated by physiological processes and reaction to stress, and provides this information as a composite of heart rate, respiration rate, pulse amplitude and respiratory excursion. It can also be used to indicate the comparative circulation in different parts of the body, the circulation delay time and to provide information relating to the autonomic nervous response. The sensor may be placed within a bed, seat cushion or head rest so that the subject's physiological response can be measured without his being disturbed by the sensor.