Abstract: Embodiment of the inventive subject matter include an apparatus comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a transistor. The first switch is coupled to a first voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the first voltage device to the transistor to provide a first charge to the transistor. The second switch is coupled to a second voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the second voltage device to the transistor to remove charge from the transistor. The third switch is coupled to the third voltage device and the transistor to selectively couple the third voltage device to the transistor to provide a second charge to the transistor.

Abstract: High capacity silicon based anode active materials are described for lithium ion batteries. These materials are shown to be effective in combination with high capacity lithium rich cathode active materials. Supplemental lithium is shown to improve the cycling performance and reduce irreversible capacity loss for at least certain silicon based active materials. In particular silicon based active materials can be formed in composites with electrically conductive coatings, such as pyrolytic carbon coatings or metal coatings, and composites can also be formed with other electrically conductive carbon components, such as carbon nanofibers and carbon nanoparticles. Additional alloys with silicon are explored.

Abstract: A circuit includes a transformer configured with a primary winding and a secondary winding that are driven from a voltage supplied by a thermoelectric generator (TEG). The circuit includes a bipolar startup stage (BSS) coupled to the transformer to generate an intermediate voltage. The BSS includes a first transistor device coupled in series with the primary winding of the transformer to form an oscillator circuit with an inductance of the secondary winding when the voltage supplied by the TEG is positive. A second transistor device coupled to the secondary winding of the transformer enables the oscillator circuit to oscillate when the voltage supplied by the TEG is negative. After startup, a flyback converter stage can be enabled from the intermediate voltage to generate a boosted regulated output voltage.

Abstract: A method of operating a power tool identifies motion of an implement in a power tool. The method includes obtaining a plurality of samples of an electrical signal that passes through the implement, identifying a parameter for the plurality of samples corresponding to a variation in values of predetermined groups of samples in the plurality of samples, updating a status for the implement with a first status indicating that the implement is not moving with reference to the identified parameter being less than a predetermined threshold, and updating a status for the implement with a second status indicating that the implement is moving with reference to the identified parameter being greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for the display of images by employing monotonic matrix factorization and sub-frame approximation image integration. In some examples, drive signals for a display device may be generated by iteratively applying a monotonic non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF) process to source image data. A given iteration of the monotonic NNMF process may result in approximation image data, partial sum image data, and residue image data, some or all of which may be further processed via subsequent iterations of the monotonic NNMF process. A generated approximation image data may then be displayed during a sub-frame time interval by selective activation of multiple row and column drivers. A series of such displayed approximation image data may effectively correspond to the original source image. In particular, the monotonic NNMF process may allow the generation of non-negative residue image data without the use of element reduction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating subterranean formations. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation including placing a first aqueous composition and a second aqueous composition in a subterranean formation. The placing includes injecting the first aqueous composition through a tubular passage in a wellbore. The placing also includes injecting the second aqueous composition through an annular passage in the wellbore.

Abstract: Improved high energy capacity designs for lithium ion batteries are described that take advantage of the properties of high specific capacity anode active compositions and high specific capacity cathode active compositions. In particular, specific electrode designs provide for achieving very high energy densities. Furthermore, the complex behavior of the active materials is used advantageously in a radical electrode balancing design that significantly reduced wasted electrode capacity in either electrode when cycling under realistic conditions of moderate to high discharge rates and/or over a reduced depth of discharge.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-level converter is disclosed. A multi-level converter is provided with a plurality of switches connected in series and a flying capacitor connected to switch nodes of the plurality of switches, The switch nodes are biased initially to a fraction of an input voltage when the input voltage is initially applied to the plurality of switches. The flying capacitor is then precharged to a flying capacitor operating voltage. The multi-level converter is then operated after the flying capacitor is precharged by activating control signals to the plurality of switches. Diversion of precharge current by the plurality of switches may be performed while the flying capacitor is being precharged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating subterranean formations. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation including placing a first aqueous composition and a second aqueous composition in a subterranean formation. The placing includes injecting the first aqueous composition through a tubular passage in a wellbore. The placing also includes injecting the second aqueous composition through an annular passage in the wellbore.

Abstract: Embodiment of the inventive subject matter include an apparatus comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a transistor. The first switch is coupled to a first voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the first voltage device to the transistor to provide a first charge to the transistor. The second switch is coupled to a second voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the second voltage device to the transistor to remove charge from the transistor. The third switch is coupled to the third voltage device and the transistor to selectively couple the third voltage device to the transistor to provide a second charge to the transistor.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission pulley includes a body defining a hollow tube having a longitudinal central bore. Multiple cylinders are fixed to the body each having a cylinder bore in fluid communication with the longitudinal central bore. A piston is slidably positioned in the cylinder bore of each of the cylinders. A pressurized fluid present in the central bore acts equally against each of the pistons to equally outwardly displace the pistons. A biasing member is connected to each piston and is in direct contact with the pressurized fluid. A friction member is connected to a free end of each of the pistons. Diametrically opposed ones of the friction members define a pulley diameter that varies depending on a portion of the diametrically opposed ones of the pistons extending outwardly from the cylinders.

Abstract: Switch mode power supplies and integrated circuits are presented to provide a DC output voltage signal using high and low side switches, with a switching control circuit to turn off the high side switch and engage an active shunt circuit to provide a reduced voltage to continue converter operation to accommodate high input voltage transients when the DC input voltage exceeds a threshold voltage without requiring an oversized low side switch for improved efficiency through reduced switching and conduction losses in normal operation.

Abstract: Improved high energy capacity designs for lithium ion batteries are described that take advantage of the properties of high specific capacity anode active compositions and high specific capacity cathode active compositions. In particular, specific electrode designs provide for achieving very high energy densities. Furthermore, the complex behavior of the active materials is used advantageously in a radical electrode balancing design that significantly reduced wasted electrode capacity in either electrode when cycling under realistic conditions of moderate to high discharge rates and/or over a reduced depth of discharge.

Abstract: A method of generating a spread spectrum signal is disclosed. The method includes selecting a first pseudorandom slope for a modulation curve. A current frequency on the modulation curve is selected. An oscillating signal is produced at the current frequency for a respective time. The current frequency is set to a next frequency on the modulation curve. The steps of producing an oscillating frequency and setting the current frequency to a next frequency are repeated until the current frequency is a final frequency on the modulation curve.

Abstract: Embodiment of the inventive subject matter include an apparatus comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a transistor. The first switch is coupled to a first voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the first voltage device to the transistor to provide a first charge to the transistor. The second switch is coupled to a second voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the second voltage device to the transistor to remove charge from the transistor. The third switch is coupled to the third voltage device and the transistor to selectively couple the third voltage device to the transistor to provide a second charge to the transistor.

Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission housing, five co-planar gear sets, a transmission input shaft, an output member, a first and second countershaft, and five synchronizer assemblies. The five synchronizer assemblies are selectively engaged to establish one of at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between the transmission input shaft member and the output member.

Abstract: A method for detection of false positive condition that an object is in contact with an implement in a power tool includes sampling an electrical signal received from the implement, identifying in-phase and a quadrature components of the sampled electrical signal, identifying a magnitude of each of the samples with reference to the in-phase component and the quadrature component for the samples, detecting an object approaching the implement with reference to the plurality of samples, identifying a signal-to-noise ratio for the samples, and identifying a false positive condition for the detected object with reference to the identified signal-to-noise ratio for the identified samples.

Abstract: Silicon oxide based materials, including composites with various electrical conductive compositions, are formulated into desirable anodes. The anodes can be effectively combined into lithium ion batteries with high capacity cathode materials. In some formulations, supplemental lithium can be used to stabilize cycling as well as to reduce effects of first cycle irreversible capacity loss. Batteries are described with surprisingly good cycling properties with good specific capacities with respect to both cathode active weights and anode active weights.

Abstract: Embodiment of the inventive subject matter include an apparatus comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a transistor. The first switch is coupled to a first voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the first voltage device to the transistor to provide a first charge to the transistor. The second switch is coupled to a second voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the second voltage device to the transistor to remove charge from the transistor. The third switch is coupled to the third voltage device and the transistor to selectively couple the third voltage device to the transistor to provide a second charge to the transistor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a portion or treatment zone of a well that include introducing one or more treatment fluids into the well, wherein the one or more treatment fluids include: (i) a first reactant and a second reactant, wherein the first reactant and second reactant are selected for being capable of reacting together in an exothermic chemical reaction, and wherein the first and second reactant are in at least sufficient concentrations in the carrier fluid to generate a theoretical heat of reaction of at least 500 kJ/liter of at least one of the treatment fluids; and (ii) a treatment chemical in at least one of the treatment fluids, wherein the treatment chemical is selected for chemically reacting with a substance of a material in the portion or treatment zone of the well. The exothermic reactants and the treatment chemical can be introduced in a single treatment fluid or in separate treatment fluids.