Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell generator, a rechargeable energy storage circuit, an auxiliary load, a converter circuit, and a switch circuit. The fuel cell generator is operable to generate electrical power in a stack output signal. The auxiliary load is powered by the rechargeable energy storage circuit while in a first mode, and powered by a local signal while in a second mode. The converter circuit is operable to convert the stack output signal into a plurality of recharge signals while in the first mode and in the second mode, and convert the stack output signal into the local signal while in the second mode. The switch circuit is operable switch the plurality of recharge signals to one or more electric vehicles, and switch the local signal to the auxiliary load while in the second mode.

Abstract: A “flame show” is responsive to an audio input signal such as music. A base unit including an analog base unit controller circuit is arranged to receive an audio input signal and generate an analog control signal that is responsive to the audio input signal. The analog control signal is distributed, by wire or wireless, to one or more flame display units such as a “tiki torch.” Each flame display unit has a fuel source, and a proportional valve for controlling an amount of fuel supplied to a burner. Preferably, the control signal controls a gate terminal of a MOSFET semiconductor device, which in turn is coupled to control current in the proportional valve each each unit. By deploying multiple flame display units, all coupled to the same base unit, all of the flame display units contribute synchronously to the overall flame show.

Abstract: A “flame show” is responsive to an audio input signal such as music. A base unit including an analog base unit controller circuit is arranged to receive an audio input signal and generate an analog control signal that is responsive to the audio input signal. The analog control signal is distributed, by wire or wireless, to one or more flame display units such as a “tiki torch.” Each flame display unit has a fuel source, and a proportional valve for controlling an amount of fuel supplied to a burner. Preferably, the control signal controls a gate terminal of a MOSFET semiconductor device, which in turn is coupled to control current in the proportional valve each each unit. By deploying multiple flame display units, all coupled to the same base unit, all of the flame display units contribute synchronously to the overall flame show.

Abstract: A “flame show” is responsive to an audio input signal such as music. A base unit including an analog base unit controller circuit is arranged to receive an audio input signal and generate an analog control signal that is responsive to the audio input signal. The analog control signal is distributed, by wire or wireless, to one or more flame display units such as a “tiki torch.” Each flame display unit has a fuel source, and a proportional valve for controlling an amount of fuel supplied to a burner. Preferably, the control signal controls a gate terminal of a MOSFET semiconductor device, which in turn is coupled to control current in the proportional valve each each unit. By deploying multiple flame display units, all coupled to the same base unit, all of the flame display units contribute synchronously to the overall flame show.

Abstract: An adjustable cable slitter includes two components each comprising a main body portion, a coupling device at one end of the main body portion and a T-shaped handle disposed at an opposite end of the main body portion. The coupling device couples the two components together allowing the two components to rotate and be expanded. A channel runs along an interior length of each of the main body portions. A blade housing on at least one of the components of the main body portion securely holds a knife blade with a predetermined amount of cutting edge protruding into the channel. The knife blade tip can be oriented to cut a circumferential cut in the cable sheath or a longitudinal cut along the length of the cable. The exposed portion of the blade pierces the sheath cutting the cable near its end or in a middle of the cable.

Abstract: A system and method for securely holding a fiber optic cable splice in place and for creating a watertight splice by encapsulating two or more fiber optic cables having one or more spliced fiber optic strands in an enclosure with an encapsulant to create a permanent, watertight, fiber-optic splicing system and method.

Abstract: A system and method for securely holding a fiber optic cable splice in place and for creating a watertight splice by encapsulating two or more fiber optic cables having one or more spliced fiber optic strands in an enclosure with an encapsulant to create a permanent, watertight, fiber-optic splicing system and method.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a fiber or cable on a wall or ceiling of a structure includes providing a fiber, wire or cable pre-coated with a hot melt adhesive that simply needs to be activated by the application of sufficient heat for a sufficient amount of time immediately before installation. Rolls or cartridges of wire or cable pre-coated with the hot melt adhesive are provided. The hot melt adhesive coated wire or cable is fed through a heated chamber, preferably a tip on a portable heating device such as a battery operated soldering iron, which activates the pre-coated hot melt adhesive prior to utilizing the heating tip to apply pressure to the adhesive wire directly to a wall or ceiling thereby adhering the fiber, wire or cable to the desired surface.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a fiber or cable on a wall or ceiling of a structure includes providing a fiber, wire or cable pre-coated with a hot melt adhesive that simply needs to be activated by the application of sufficient heat for a sufficient amount of time immediately before installation. Rolls or cartridges of wire or cable pre-coated with the hot melt adhesive are provided. The hot melt adhesive coated wire or cable is fed through a heated chamber, preferably a tip on a portable heating device such as a battery operated soldering iron, which activates the pre-coated hot melt adhesive prior to utilizing the heating tip to apply pressure to the adhesive wire directly to a wall or ceiling thereby adhering the fiber, wire or cable to the desired surface.

Abstract: An optical fiber is permanently routed easily, quickly, and unobtrusively at a customer premises using an inventive hand tool, without staples or other fasteners. The fiber has an adhesive outer coating that is activated as the fiber is applied by the tool on an exposed surface such as a wall, ceiling, molding, groove, or corner at the premises. When the activated coating hardens, the fiber is bonded to the surface on which it was applied, and the hardened coating also provides physical protection for the fiber. In the disclosed embodiment, the coated fiber is supplied on a spool that mounts on the tool, and the coating is activated by guiding the fiber as it unwinds from the spool through a chamber containing an activating substance. The fiber with the activated coating is then guided to an applicator wheel on the tool which applies the fiber to the surface.

Abstract: A chromatography column is normally filled with a slurry of media for operation. A piston normally compacts the slurry in the column. The piston moves through a cavity in communication with both a slurry inlet and slurry ports which are in communication with the interior of the chromatography column. A controller is configured to automatically adjust piston speeds along elevation zones of operation. Furthermore, presetting specific speeds less the maximum speed can be accomplished with the controller. A pressure sensor may also be employed to assist in switching speed of operation of the piston under particular pressure events.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a fiber or cable on a wall or ceiling of a structure includes providing a fiber, wire or cable pre-coated with a hot melt adhesive that simply needs to be activated by the application of sufficient heat for a sufficient amount of time immediately before installation. Rolls or cartridges of wire or cable pre-coated with the hot melt adhesive are provided. The hot melt adhesive coated wire or cable is fed through a heated chamber, preferably a tip on a portable heating device such as a battery operated soldering iron, which activates the pre-coated hot melt adhesive prior to utilizing the heating tip to apply pressure to the adhesive wire directly to a wall or ceiling thereby adhering the fiber, wire or cable to the desired surface.

Abstract: A communication line such as an optical fiber or cable is attached along a wall, ceiling, trim piece, or other target surface inside of a building by laying out the line from an applicator tool. An outer surface of the line is placed in a temporarily tacky condition as the line is laid out from the tool along the target surface. The temporarily tacky condition of the line is due at least in part to an adhesive component that is pre-applied to the outer surface of the line. The adhesive component is activated by an agent or medium that is associated with the applicator tool. The line becomes non-tacky after it is attached to the target surface.

Abstract: An optical fiber is permanently routed easily, quickly, and unobtrusively at a customer premises using an inventive hand tool, without staples or other fasteners. The fiber has an adhesive outer coating that is activated as the fiber is applied by the tool on an exposed surface such as a wall, ceiling, molding, groove, or corner at the premises. When the activated coating hardens, the fiber is bonded to the surface on which it was applied, and the hardened coating also provides physical protection for the fiber. In the disclosed embodiment, the coated fiber is supplied on a spool that mounts on the tool, and the coating is activated by guiding the fiber as it unwinds from the spool through a chamber containing an activating substance. The fiber with the activated coating is then guided to an applicator wheel on the tool which applies the fiber to the surface.

Abstract: Among other things, a communication line is attached along a target surface of a building by laying out the line from a tool. An outer surface of the line is in a temporarily tacky condition as the line is laid out along the surface. The line is in the temporarily tacky condition based at least in part on an adhesive component having been pre-applied to the outer surface of the line. The line becomes non-tacky after it has been attached.

Abstract: A chromatography column is normally filled with a slurry of media for operation. A piston normally compacts the slurry in the column. The piston moves through a cavity in communication with both a slurry inlet and slurry ports which are in communication with the interior of the chromatography column. A controller is configured to automatically adjust piston speeds along elevation zones of operation. Furthermore, presetting specific speeds less the maximum speed can be accomplished with the controller. A pressure sensor may also be employed to assist in switching speed of operation of the piston under particular pressure events.

Abstract: A chromatography column is normally filled with a slurry of media for operation. A piston normally compacts the slurry in the column. The piston moves through a cavity in communication with both a slurry inlet and slurry ports which are in communication with the interior of the chromatography column. A controller receiving inputs from at least one of position sensors and a pressure sensor directs movement of the plunger in an operational step selected from the group of a selected movement and up to a selected pressure.

Abstract: The present invention features a system and method for securely holding a fiber optic drop cable splice in place and for creating a watertight splice by encapsulating two or more fiber optic cables having one or more spliced fiber optic strands in an enclosure with an encapsulant to create a permanent, watertight fiber-optic splicing system and method.

Abstract: A device for fastening surfaces together in an effective, efficient, and preferably reversible bond is disclosed. This device is particularly useful in the construction industry for fastening roll goods, such as wall coverings, or mill work, such as moldings, to surfaces, such as walls. The fastening device comprises a susceptor sheet, preferably having a thickness of no greater than about 2 mils, and a heat-activateable adhesive on at least one surface of the susceptor, wherein adhesive is placed on the substrate in a very carefully and specifically-defined manner. The fastening device is activated by induction heating, preferably by a hand-held induction tool. The method of fastening surfaces together utilizing the fastening device described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A chromatography column has valve and method for filling it with a slurry of media, the valve utilizing a piston to compact the slurry in the column. The piston moves through a cavity in communication with both a slurry inlet and slurry ports which are in communication with the interior of the chromatography column. The piston assists in compacting the slurry within the column. The method of filling the column does not require disassembly of the column. The piston may also be utilized to change the valve position from a slurry fill position to a normal operation position or other position.