systems Catalyst compositions, articles, methods and systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Described are catalyst compositions, catalytic articles, exhaust gas treatment systems and methods that utilize the catalytic articles. The catalyst composition comprises a washcoat including a zeolite, refractory metal oxide support particles, and a platinum group metal supported on the refractory metal oxide support particles. Greater than 90% of the refractory metal oxide particles supporting PGM have a particle size greater than 1 μm and a d50 less than 40 microns. Full Article
systems Rail cover and clip system for embedded track systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An assembly to hold a rail boot to a rail during embedded track construction comprising: a cover having a bottom surface, a first portion of the bottom surface generally conforming to a length of a top surface of a rail head; the bottom surface having a second portion defining a convex shape adjacent to and generally parallel to the length of the top surface of the rail head; the bottom surface further defining a hook to engage a gauge side of the rail boot; and a clip having first and second ends, wherein the first end engages a gauge side of the cover; and the second end engages a field side of the cover and/or the rail boot. Full Article
systems Systems and related methods involving isolation tubs By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and related methods involving isolation tubs are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: an isolation tub formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic resin, the tub defining a reservoir; concrete positioned within the reservoir; and rails extending across the tub and being supported by the concrete, the rails being spaced from each other to form a special trackwork (STW) assembly. Full Article
systems Gain calibration technique for digital imaging systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A computer-implemented method for gain calibration is provided. The method includes sorting the calibration data of each pixel location from the offset-corrected X-ray image data into a sequence. The method also includes removing part of the calibration data from one end or both ends of the respective sequence for each pixel location. The method further includes averaging the calibration data remaining within each respective sequence to obtain an average pixel value for each pixel location. The method yet further includes generating a gain map based on the average pixel value for each pixel location. Full Article
systems Methods and systems for the rapid detection of concealed objects By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This specification is directed towards finding, locating, and confirming threat items and substances. The inspection system is designed to detect objects that are made from, but not limited to, special nuclear materials (“SNM”) and/or high atomic number materials. The system employs a dual energy CT scanning first stage inspection system and advanced image processing techniques to analyze images of an object under inspection (“OUI”), which includes, but is not limited to baggage, parcels, vehicles and cargo. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for multi-user multi-lingual communications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various embodiments described herein facilitate multi-lingual communications. The systems and methods of some embodiments enable multi-lingual communications through different modes of communication including, for example, Internet-based chat, e-mail, text-based mobile phone communications, postings to online forums, postings to online social media services, and the like. Certain embodiments implement communication systems and methods that translate text between two or more languages. Users of the systems and methods may be incentivized to submit corrections for inaccurate or erroneous translations, and may receive a reward for these submissions. Systems and methods for assessing the accuracy of translations are described. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for teaching phonemic awareness By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system to teach phonemic awareness uses a plurality of phonemes and a plurality of graphemes. Each phoneme is a unique sound and an indivisible unit of sound in a spoken language, and each grapheme is a written representation of one of the plurality of phonemes. A plurality of distinct graphical images and a plurality of unique names are provided where each unique name is associated with one of the graphical images and represents a grouping of graphemes selected from the plurality of graphemes. The system uses a plurality of sets of display pieces having a plurality of individual display pieces. Each individual display piece includes at least a portion of one of the graphical images and the graphemes from the grouping of graphemes constituting the associated unique name. A predefined instructional environment defines a predefined spatial context and predefined rules governing the acquisition and utilization of individual display pieces. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for carrier phase recovery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for carrier phase recovery are provided. One method includes providing a reference signal, detecting an input signal and determining a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the input signal. The method also includes employing a Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) algorithm based on the SNR to determine a Carrier Phase Recovery Loop (CPRL) bandwidth. Full Article
systems Systems, apparatus, and methods for receiving paging messages by creating fat paths in fast fading scenarios By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for receiving paging messages in fast fading scenarios. In one aspect, a method of demodulating a paging message during an assigned time slot by a wireless communications apparatus operating in an idle mode is provided. The method includes determining, in anticipation of the assigned time slot, an expected time position corresponding to a path of a pilot signal having a greater signal strength relative to other pilot signals. The method further includes assigning a first demodulation element to demodulate the pilot signal with reference to the expected time position and assigning a second demodulation element to demodulate the pilot signal with reference to a time offset from the expected time position. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. Full Article
systems Methods and systems for PDCCH blind decoding in mobile communications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various methods and systems for efficiently performing the blind decoding of downlink signals is described. Several forms of arranging possible CCE combinations are examined and investigated. Based on PDCCH size estimation/information, CCE concatenations that are most likely (of of limited sets) can be arrived at. Tree-based concatenations are also devised using largest CCE ordering to align smaller CCE sizes to similar boundaries. By such ordering, the search space for all possible CCE ordering and sizes can be reduced to an efficient tree. Set mapping between possible lnposelstartCCElnposelend/REs are also described using a first set to secondary and tertiary sets. Various other ordering and sorting schemes are also detailed that enable a blind decode of a PDCCH channel to be efficiently performed. Full Article
systems System for and method of classifying and translating graphics commands in client-server computing systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A client-server computing system includes a server that has a virtual display driver that classifies and, if necessary, translates graphics application programming interface (API) functions to a cross-platform format. Classification involves determining whether the graphics command(s) are platform-specific and/or client-supported functions. After classification and translation, the graphics command(s) are marshaled and transmitted to a client via a network. The client includes a client display driver that executes the functions using a client 3D library and renders the resulting image data to a display. Full Article
systems Methods, apparatus and systems for generating location-corrected searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT Generating a corrected electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation. The operation comprises locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, presence or absence of an underground facility within a dig area. At least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed. First information relating to a location of the facility and/or the mark is received. Based at least in part on the first information, the location of the facility and/or the mark is represented to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. Second information relating to a corrected location of the facility and/or the mark is received. Based at least in part on the second information, the corrected location is represented to generate a corrected electronic visual representation of the operation. Third information relating to the corrected representation of the operation is transmitted and/or stored to generate the corrected electronic record of the operation. Full Article
systems Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations and assessing aspects of same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is disclosed for assessing an aspect relating to a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician based on an electronic representation of the operation. The operation includes locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of an underground facility within a dig area. A portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The method includes digitally representing, on a display device, the facility and/or the physical locate mark to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes determining a length associated with a portion of the digitally represented facility and/or physical locate mark in the electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes, based on the determined length, automatically assessing the aspect relating to the operation. Full Article
systems Methods, apparatus and systems for generating digital-media-enhanced searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:00:00 EST Generating a digital-media-enhanced electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician. The locate and/or marking operation comprises locating and/or identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. A location of the at least one underground facility and/or the at least one physical locate mark is electronically rendered on a display device so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation. At least one digital media file representation of a corresponding digital media file relating to at least one aspect of the locate and/or marking operation or an environment of the dig area is also electronically rendered on the display device, so as to generate a digital-media-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation. Information relating to the digital-media-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to generate the digital-media-enhanced electronic record of the locate and/or marking operation. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for detecting ultracapacitor cell short circuits By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for detecting a short-circuited ultracapacitor cell in a machine is disclosed. The system may have a memory that stores instructions and one or more processors capable of executing the instructions. The one or more processors may be configured to perform cell balancing among ultracapacitor cells arranged within two or more ultracapacitor modules, each ultracapacitor module including at least two ultracapacitor cells connected in series. The one or more processors may be further configured to measure a module voltage generated by each of the plurality of ultracapacitor modules after performing the cell balancing and before applying a load of the machine to the ultracapacitor modules, and determine whether an ultracapacitor cell among the plurality of ultracapacitor cells is short-circuited based on a comparison of the measured module voltages. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for determining cell capacity values in a multi-cell battery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods to determine cell capacities of a vehicle battery pack. Cell capacities may be determined using state of charge (SOC) estimates for the cells and a charge count for the battery pack. The SOC estimates may be determined when the SOC of the battery pack is below a lower threshold and above an upper threshold. Error values may also be generated for the cell capacity values. Full Article
systems Rechargeable flameless candle systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to an embodiment of the present invention, a recharging device includes a recharging port that receives a flameless candle and recharges a battery in the candle. The recharging device includes a first stacking structure that has a top portion and a bottom portion. There is a top stacking contact on the top portion. An electrical power bus is connected with the top stacking contact. The electrical power bus is also configured to provide electrical power to the flameless candle through the recharging port. The top portion of the first stacking structure is configured to mate with a bottom portion of a first stacking structure of another recharging device. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for in-vehicle charging of pallet jack batteries By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for in-vehicle charging of pallet jack batteries are provided. An example system allows using a power source of a host vehicle configured to provide power at voltage levels lower than the operating voltage of the pallet jack battery stack. The system may allow, for example, charging a 24 volts pallet jack battery stack from a 12 volts power source of the host vehicle. The system may further comprise an interconnecting circuit having a plurality of contactors electrically coupling the batteries in parallel for charging and serially for discharging. The system may further comprise a voltage monitoring circuit to detect whether the pallet jack is connected to the host vehicle power source for charging. Based on the detection, the voltage monitoring circuit may reconfigure the interconnecting circuit to electrically couple the pallet jack batteries in parallel. Full Article
systems Multiple voltage generator and voltage regulation methodology for power dense integrated power systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An integrated power system suitable for simultaneously powering marine propulsion and service loads. The system includes: (a) at least one generator configured with at least first and second armature windings configured to output respective first and second alternating current power signals of different voltages, the at least two armature windings positioned within the same stator slots so that they magnetically couple; (b) at least first and second rectifier circuits coupled to said generator to convert said first and second alternating current power signals into first and second direct current power signals; and (c) a first load to which said first direct current power signal is coupled and a second load to which said second direct current power signal is coupled. Full Article
systems Systems for wound field synchronous machines with zero speed rotor position detection during start for motoring and improved transient response for generation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An electrical machine includes a stator having a main armature winding, an exciter field winding, and a transformer primary winding. A rotor is operatively connected to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor includes an exciter armature winding operatively connected to the exciter armature winding for field excitation therebetween, a main field winding operatively connected to the main armature winding for field excitation therebetween, and a transformer secondary winding operatively connected to the transformer primary winding to form a rotating transformer. A generator control unit is operatively connected to the main armature winding, exciter field winding, and transformer primary winding to control the main armature and exciter field windings based on excitation in the primary winding received from the transformer secondary winding. Full Article
systems Methods and systems for monitoring excitation of a generator based on a faulty status of a generator breaker By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Systems and methods for monitoring excitation of a generator based on a faulty status of a generator breaker are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive, from a contact associated with a generator breaker, a reported status of the generator breaker, receive operational data associated with one or more parameters of a generator associated with the generator breaker, and correlate the reported status of the generator breaker and the operational data. Based on the correlation, the processor may establish an actual status of the generator breaker, and, based on the actual status, selectively modify a mode of excitation of the generator. Full Article
systems Methods and systems for charging vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route. Full Article
systems Device for the coupling of elastic and rigid contact line systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST For the coupling of two parallel contact wires of an elastic contact line system with a rigid contact line system, which has a power track (3) and a contact wire (4) affixed thereon, an elongated cantilever (5) is provided in a transition area, whose rigidity increases in the longitudinal direction from the elastic contact line system to the rigid contact line system. The two contact wires (1, 2) of the elastic contact line system are located along the cantilever parallel to the first contact wire (4), which is, in turn, clamped over the entire length of the cantilever. All three contact wires (1, 2, 4) are affixed on several multiple clamps (9) in the area of the cantilever (5), which clamps are located in a distributed manner along the cantilever. The multiple clamps (9) are located in recesses (12) of the cantilever. Full Article
systems Methods and systems for processing application forms By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for processing application forms comprising extracting content from filled first forms of consumers, each of the first forms comprising one or more fields, arranging the extracted content of one or more fields of the plurality of fields of the plurality of filled first forms in a first matrix; encoding the content of each of the rows of the first matrix to define a second matrix; and disposing the encoded content of the second matrix in multiple empty second forms such that content of one column is disposed on only one of the empty second forms, each of the second forms includes the same type and number of fields as that of one of the filled first forms, further wherein the number of the filled second forms is based on the number of the one or more fields in the filled first forms. Full Article
systems Packaging systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus is provided for delivering single-dose packages sequentially from a substantially continuous strip having a first dispensing end and a second end. The strip includes a cover layer attached to a base layer to define a plurality of blisters therebetween that have one or more medications therein. The blisters are aligned in single file generally along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and/or otherwise arranged in single-dose packages adjacent one another, e.g., at least some of the single-dose packages including a plurality of blisters having different types of medications therein. A first single-dose package at the first dispensing end may be separable from a second adjacent single-dose package such that individual single-dose packages may be removed successively from the first dispensing end. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for RFID-enabled dispenser By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences. Other embodiments are also described. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for adjusting moisture concentration of a veneer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof. Full Article
systems Agricultural devices, systems, and methods for determining soil and seed characteristics and analyzing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Agricultural seed planting systems are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future. Full Article
systems Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of a single row unit (10) of a conventional row crop planter such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. As is well known in the art, the row units (10) are mounted in spaced relation along the length of a transverse toolbar (12) by a parallel linkage (14), comprised of upper and lower parallel arms (16, 18) pivotally mounted at their forward ends to the transverse toolbar (12) and at their rearward end to the row unit frame (20). Full Article
systems Electrolytic systems and methods for making metal halides and refining metals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods for producing a halide of a non-alkali metal and for electrorefining the halide. The systems typically involve an electrochemical cell having a cathode structure configured for dissolving a hydrogen halide that forms the halide into a molten salt of the halogen and an alkali metal. Typically a direct current voltage is applied across the cathode and an anode that is fabricated with the non-alkali metal such that the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed adjacent the anode. Electrorefining cells and methods involve applying a direct current voltage across the anode where the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed and the cathode where the non-alkali metal is electro-deposited. In a representative embodiment the halogen is chlorine, the alkali metal is lithium and the non-alkali metal is uranium. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for treating a ground surface By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Some embodiments of a ground surface treatment system can include a flexible roller system having one or more of rollers arranged in a side-by-side position and include a flexible axle member extending through each row of rollers. Full Article
systems Releasable binding systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A releasable water ski binding system includes a trigger mechanism that causes releasable bindings to release a boot from a ski. The trigger mechanism senses a displacement of a portion of a body of a skier past a point of criticality and causes the releasable bindings to release the boot from the ski. Full Article
systems Convertible ski systems having toe binding mounts and associated quick-release locking mechanisms By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ski system includes a ski, a heel binding provided on an upper surface of the ski, a toe binding mount provided on the upper surface of the ski forward of the heel binding, a toe binding releasably mounted to the toe binding mount, and a quick-release locking mechanism for locking the toe binding to the toe binding mount. The quick-release locking mechanism is configured for release by hand. Full Article
systems Methods and systems for improved drilling operations using real-time and historical drilling data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems are described for improved drilling operations through the use of real-time drilling data to predict bit wear, lithology, pore pressure, a rotating friction coefficient, permeability, and cost in real-time and to adjust drilling parameters in real-time based on the predictions. The real-time lithology prediction is made by processing the real-time drilling data through a multilayer neural network. The real-time bit wear prediction is made by using the real-time drilling data to predict a bit efficiency factor and to detect changes in the bit efficiency factor over time. These predictions may be used to adjust drilling parameters in the drilling operation in real-time, subject to override by the operator. The methods and systems may also include determining various downhole hydraulics parameters and a rotary friction factor. Historical data may be used in combination with real-time data to provide expert system assistance and to identify safety concerns. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for processing drilling data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for processing drilling data. One embodiment provides a method comprising building user-designed contexts (which can be designated as built-in contexts) for drilling structures. The method also comprises orchestrating module execution within the user-designed contexts. The method further comprises providing data from the user-designed contexts to such modules via an interface. Some methods include monitoring drilling data to detect events (for instance departure from a pseudolog) and orchestrating module execution responsive thereto. The method can include exposing the orchestration of the execution of the module instances as a service. Moreover, some embodiments provide extra-contextual application program interfaces. In addition, or in the alternative, some embodiments schedule the orchestration of the modules based on declarations related to the inputs and/or outputs of the modules. Full Article
systems Cooled-fluid systems and methods for pulsed-electric drilling By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In at least some embodiments, a pulsed-electric drilling system includes a bit that extends a borehole by detaching formation material with pulses of electric current, and a drillstring that defines at least one path for a fluid flow to the bit to flush detached formation material from the borehole. A feed pipe transports at least a part of said fluid flow to said path, and the feed pipe is equipped with a cooling mechanism to cool the fluid flow. The use of a cooled fluid flow may enhance the performance of the pulsed-electric drilling process. Full Article
systems High pressure mass spectrometry systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT Mass spectrometers and methods for measuring information about samples using mass spectrometry are disclosed. Full Article
systems Induced-draft injection systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an induced-draft injection system comprising an injection line in fluid communication with a duct under negative pressure, a particulate storage containing particulate, and a feeder receiving the particulate from the particulate storage and feeding the particulate to the injection line. The negative pressure in the duct supports the transportation of at least a portion of the particulate through the injection line and into the duct. Inside the duct, a binding portion of the particulate is bound to a portion of mercury in a flue gas passing through the duct, thus enabling a portion of the mercury to be filtered out of the flue gas. Full Article
systems Powdered fuel conversion systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The burner preferably exclusively burns substantially explosible solid fuels and preferably has instant ON-OFF thermostat control, wastes no energy preheating the enclosure or external air supply, achieves stable combustion the moment the powder-air mix is ignited in our burner, is used in the upward vertical mode except for oil burner retrofits, burns a solid fuel in a single-phase regime as if it were a vaporized liquid or gas, is designed to complete combustion within the burner housing itself rather than in a large, high temperature furnace enclosure which it feeds, has an ultra-short residence time requirement, is a recycle consuming burner with self-contained management of initially unburned particles, is much smaller, simpler and lower cost, has a wider dynamic range/turndown ratio, is more efficient in combustion completeness and thermal efficiency, and operates with air-fuel mix approximately at the flame speed. Full Article
systems Tellurium inorganic reaction systems for conductive thick film paste for solar cell contacts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure relates to electroconductive paste formulations useful in solar panel technology. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to an inorganic reaction system for use in electroconductive paste compositions, wherein the inorganic reaction system comprises a lead containing matrix composition and a tellurium containing matrix composition. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an electroconductive paste composition comprising a conductive metal component, an inorganic reaction system and an organic vehicle. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a solar cell produced by applying an electroconductive paste composition of the invention to a silicon wafer. Yet another aspect relates to a solar cell module assembled using solar cells produced by applying an electroconductive paste composition to a silicon wafer, wherein the electroconductive paste composition comprises an conductive metal component, an inorganic reaction system and an organic vehicle. Full Article
systems Systems and methods of printing to a web substrate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A printing device (100,101) has a first print engine (103, 303, 603, 703), a second print engine (105, 305, 605, 705), and a buffer device (107, 307, 609, 709, 711) disposed between the first (103, 303, 603, 703) and second print engines (105, 305, 605, 705). The buffer (107, 307, 609, 709, 711) is configured to store a variable amount of web substrate (106, 301, 713) received from the first print engine (103, 303, 603, 703) and feed the substrate (106, 301, 713) to the second print engine (105, 305, 605, 705). Full Article
systems Systems and methods for frequency synthesis to improve coexistence By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A frequency synthesizer for a WLAN transceiver is disclosed that may be used to generate 5.4 GHz and 2.4 GHz signals. The frequency synthesizer may be configured to minimize VCO pulling by using VCO operating frequencies that are not integer multiples of the RF bands. Further, the frequency synthesizer may be configured to minimize interference with other frequency bands used by existing wireless systems. Full Article
systems Method and systems for high-precision pulse-width modulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT In various embodiments, systems and methods for generating high-precision pulse-width modulation include a delay-locked loop comprising multiple delay units having time-variable delays, control logic for selecting a subset S of the multiple delay units to thereby generate a time-invariant shift amount having a precision finer than that of a system clock and circuitry for applying the shift amount to rising and falling edges of a pulse-width modulation waveform to thereby generate a high-precision pulse-width modulation waveform. Full Article
systems Oscillators having arbitrary frequencies and related systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal. Full Article
systems Recessed adhesive binding systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST Recessed adhesive binding systems. One system can include a plurality of sheets arranged in a stack, each of the plurality of sheets having a front surface, a rear surface, and an exposed edge. At least one of the front surface and the rear surface of each of the plurality sheets can include at least one recessed adhesive positioned adjacent the exposed edge to form an at least partially exposed recessed adhesive, which can be selectively activated. The rear surface of a first sheet in the plurality of sheets can be positioned adjacent the front surface of a second sheet in the plurality of sheets, or vice versa, and the exposed edges of the plurality of sheets can be staggered, such that the exposed edge of the second sheet extends further outwardly from the stack than the exposed edge of the first sheet in the stack. Full Article
systems Power distortion-based servo control systems for frequency tuning RF power sources By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A radio frequency system includes a power amplifier that outputs a radio frequency signal to a matching network via a transmission line between the power amplifier and the matching network. A sensor monitors the radio frequency signal and generates first sensor signals based on the radio frequency signal. A distortion module determines a first distortion value according to at least one of (i) a sinusoidal function of the first sensor signals and (ii) a cross-correlation function of the first sensor signals. A first correction circuit (i) generates a first impedance tuning value based on the first distortion value and a first predetermined value, and (ii) provides feedforward control of impedance matching performed within the matching network including outputting the first impedance tuning value to one of the power amplifier and the matching network. Full Article
systems Power amplifier modules including related systems, devices, and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power amplifier module includes a power amplifier including a GaAs bipolar transistor having a collector, a base abutting the collector, and an emitter, the collector having a doping concentration of at least about 3×1016 cm−3 at a junction with the base, the collector also having at least a first grading in which doping concentration increases away from the base; and an RF transmission line driven by the power amplifier, the RF transmission line including a conductive layer and finish plating on the conductive layer, the finish plating including a gold layer, a palladium layer proximate the gold layer, and a diffusion barrier layer proximate the palladium layer, the diffusion barrier layer including nickel and having a thickness that is less than about the skin depth of nickel at 0.9 GHz. Other embodiments of the module are provided along with related methods and components thereof. Full Article
systems Systems and methods for providing modulation of switchmode RF power amplifiers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are provided for generating an amplitude modulation signal to a switchmode power amplifier. A DC to DC switch is configured to receive a DC input voltage and to provide a DC output voltage. A low dropout regulator is configured to provide the amplitude modulation signal according to a modulation control signal received by the low dropout regulator. A control circuit is configured to establish a nominal operating power level for the power amplifier via the amplitude modulation signal and to maintain a minimum voltage difference between the DC output voltage and the low dropout regulator output. A modulator control circuit is configured to provide the modulation control signal to the low dropout regulator. The modulator control circuit provides the transition from a high amplitude to a low amplitude and a transition from the low amplitude to the high amplitude at configurable first and second slopes, respectively. Full Article
systems Amplification systems and methods with one or more channels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are provided for amplifying multiple input signals to generate multiple output signals. An example system includes a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel. The first channel is configured to receive one or more first input signals, process information associated with the one or more first input signals and a first ramp signal, and generate one or more first output signals. The second channel is configured to receive one or more second input signals, process information associated with the one or more second input signals and a second ramp signal, and generate one or more second output signals. The first ramp signal corresponds to a first phase. The second ramp signal corresponds to a second phase. The first phase and the second phase are different. Full Article
systems Pressure limiting in hydraulic systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure provides for pressure limiting a hydraulic system to a desired pressure value by a particular circuit by controlling and closing the compensator when the desired pressure setting is achieved. Closing the compensator will reduced the pressure head and flow in the circuit resulting in improved efficiency. One illustrated embodiment of the disclosure provides a relief valve in the pilot signal for a compensator. The method relates to limiting the pressure on an open side of the compensator, such that the pressure on the other side closes the compensator thereby limiting the pressure and also flow in the hydraulic circuit. In other words, the pressure on the open side is limited by the relief valve. Thus, the pressure on the other side increases thereby regulating the flow and pressure through the compensator. In another embodiment of the disclosure, instead of reducing the pressure on the open side, the pressure on the closed side is increased, thereby controlling the flow and pressure of the hydraulic circuit. The pressure can be increased by a pump or any other suitable mode. Full Article