A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a controllable oscillator, a charge pump, a type II loop filter, a frequency divider, a phase error processing circuit, a phase frequency detector and a phase alignment circuit. The controllable oscillator generates an oscillating signal. The charge pump circuit generates a charge pump output in a calibration mode. The type II loop filter generates a first control signal to the controllable oscillator according to the charge pump output. The frequency divider performs frequency division upon the oscillating signal for generating a feedback signal. The phase error processing circuit outputs an adjusting signal by comparing a reference signal with the feedback signal. The phase frequency detector generates a detection signal by comparing the feedback signal and the reference signal. The phase alignment circuit generates a second control signal in the calibration mode.

An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a power controller, which includes a regulator and a controller. The regulator receives a plurality of input voltages and provides a regulated output voltage. The controller controls the regulator to generate the regulated output voltage from the plurality of input voltages. The power controller provides power to a load integrated in the IC from a set of arbitrary input voltages. The set of arbitrary input voltages includes the plurality of input voltages.

The present invention relates to processes that may be used singly or in combination to prevent lithium (or alkali metal) plating or dendrite buildup on bare substrate areas or edges of electrode rolls during alkaliation of a battery or electrochemical cell anode composed of a conductive substrate and coatings, in which the electrode rolls may be coated on one or both sides and may have exposed substrate on edges, or on continuous or discontinuous portions of either or both substrate surfaces.

The object of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode active material usable for a lithium ion battery capable of high charge/discharge cycle performance and high discharge capacity. The positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery has a layered structure and comprises at least nickel, cobalt and manganese. Further, the positive electrode active material satisfies requirements (1) to (3) below: (1) a primary particle size of 0.1 μm to 1 μm, and a 50% cumulative particle size D50 of 1 μm to 10 μm, (2) a ratio (D90/D10) of volume-based 90% cumulative particle size D50 to volume-based 10% cumulative particle size D10 of 2 to 6, and (3) a lithium carbonate content in a residual alkali on particle surfaces of 0.1% by mass to 0.8% by mass as measured by neutralization titration.

The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material for a sodium secondary battery, and a method for preparing the same. The positive electrode active material for the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention is structurally more stable by replacing a part of the transition metal with Li, and accordingly, the thermal stability and life characteristics of the sodium battery including the positive electrode active material are greatly improved.

A carbon material for a non-aqueous secondary battery containing a graphite capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, and having a cumulative pore volume at pore diameters in a range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm of 0.08 mL/g or more, a roundness, as determined by flow-type particle image analysis, of 0.88 or greater, and a pore diameter to particle diameter ratio (PD/d50 (%)) of 1.8 or less, the ratio being given by equation (1A): PD/d50 (%)=mode pore diameter (PD) in a pore diameter range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm in a pore distribution determined by mercury intrusion/volume-based average particle diameter (d50)×100 is provided.

Provided is a positive electrode active material that can be used to fabricate a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent output characteristics not only in an environment at normal temperature but also in all temperature environments from extremely low to high temperatures. A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, the positive electrode active material includes a boron compound and lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide of general formula (1) having a layered hexagonal crystal structure. The lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide includes secondary particles composed of agglomerated primary particles. The boron compound is present on at least part of the surface of the primary particles, and contains lithium. Li1+sNixCoyMnzMotMwO2 (1)

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (

In a device on a spinning room preparation machine, for example a fiber flock feeder, carding machine, cleaner or the like, for supplying and/or discharging fiber material, a tray-like guide element having a guide surface co-operates with at least one conveyor roll located opposite, the fiber material being guided towards and along the guide surface. In order to provide a simple way of supplying and/or discharging fiber material without undesirable adhesion of fibers, the guide element located opposite the at least one conveyor roll is arranged to be set in vibration by at least one actuator.

The purpose of the invention is to reduce the abrasive impact of the fiber or the yarn on the rollers coated with elastic material, which are used for drafting and guiding purposes in yarn production techniques, and thus keep the operating conditions and yarn quality parameters constant. The fiber on the top rollers coated with elastic material especially in the mechanical ring compact yarn production among the yarn production techniques, is an apron cladding method, over the top roller and the bearing guide arms connected to a bearing body found on the bearing unit placed on the pressure arm, in a way that it would cover these together. The method includes the operation steps of stretching the aprons by application of tension via a tension component and, while the fiber drafting operation continues, the bearing unit carrying the aprons being shifted in the horizontal plane in certain intervals.

A reclaimer cylinder for use in reclaiming cotton seeds containing spinnable lint from partially ginned cotton seeds utilizes channel saws mounted axially on a cylindrical body with axially closely spaced teeth that virtually eliminate the variation in likelihood the teeth will fail to grasp the fibers present on such cotton seeds. Triangular grid bars facilitate removal of fully ginned seeds that are not entrained in fibers of other seeds.

The invention relates to a clothing carrier (3) for flexible or semi-rigid clothings (2) for processing fiber material, wherein the clothing carrier (3) has a longitudinal direction (6) and a transverse direction (7). The transverse direction (6) corresponds to a working direction (A) of the clothing (2). The clothing carrier (3) exhibits a maximum tensile force (FL) in the longitudinal direction (6) which is greater than a maximum tensile force (FQ) in the transverse direction (7).

A multi-axial telescoping support structure positioning system includes a frame having first and second opposed vertical sections. An axle is rotatably coupled to the first vertical section of the frame. A first rotary actuator has a first end mounted to the second vertical section of the frame and a second end rotatable with respect to the first end attached to the axle to rotate the axle. A telescoping support structure has a plurality of telescoping sections extendable from a base section along a longitudinal axis. A second rotary actuator is attached to the base section of the telescoping support structure at an intermediate position along the length of the base section and to the axle at a position between the first and second vertical sections of the frame to tilt the telescoping support structure about a tilt axis aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the telescoping support structure.

An intermediate support structure for an escalator or moving walk having a dampening device with slots formed therein allowing a supported escalator truss to be free to move laterally to accommodate lateral displacement caused by story drift during an earthquake or seismic event.

A transformable bed for examinations in pediatric ophthalmology, especially suitable for the use of general anesthesia when conducting eye examinations, is provided. The bed may include a fixed bed board, a movable bed board, a movable seat, a movable support, a securing strap, and a main frame. The bed may be fixedly connected to the top of the main frame, the movable bed board may be rotationally connected to the top of the main frame, and the movable seat may be rotationally connected to the top of the main frame. The securing strap may be disposed on the movable bed board, in which one end of the movable support may be removably connected to the movable bed board, and another end may be removably connected to the main frame. The transformable bed may function both as an anesthesia bed and a handcart, and may be quickly switched therebetween.

An infant care accessory comprising a combination diaper bag and changing mat. The accessory comprises a body having a two side panels and a center panel. When the side panels are upright, the body forms a diaper bag. When the side panels are opened flat with the center panel, the body forms a diaper changing mat. The inside surface of the body is made of fluid impermeable material, and a fluid barrier is positioned along the center panel. The fluid barrier may be a strip of absorbent material. When a baby is placed lengthwise on the opened out body with the center panel positioned at about the baby's waist, urine and other body fluids will be blocked or absorbed by the fluid barrier and will not travel up under the baby's back and head. A removable accessory pouch may be included for carrying diapers, lotion, powder, and other changing essentials.

A cellular cushion includes a base, a plurality of hollow cells, and support material. The base includes at least a first layer and a second layer. The plurality of hollow cells are coupled to, and extend outward from, only one of the first layer and the second layer. Each of the plurality of cells extends from a root defined at only one of the first layer and the second layer outwardly to an outer end. The plurality of cells are coupled together in flow communication via a plurality of channels extending between the cells. The support material is inserted within at least one of the hollow cells. The second layer coupled to the first layer such that the support material is between an inner surface of said at least one of the hollow cells and the second layer.

A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a hopper with an integrated computational element (“ICE”) configured to detect a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes generating an output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the hopper when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for usage.

A method includes optically interacting a bulk material or powder stored in a storage bin with an integrated computational element (“ICE”) configured to modify an electromagnetic radiation according to a characteristic of the bulk material or powder. The method also includes detecting the modified electromagnetic radiation with a detector, and producing an output signal correlated to a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder, and receiving and processing the output signal with a signal processor to yield a value for the characteristic of the bulk material or powder. Also, the method includes transmitting a message flagging the storage bin when it is determined that the bulk material or powder is not suitable for continued storage. The bulk material or powder includes a dry cement or a dry cement component.

A system includes a sensor configured to sense an input at a skin surface, a processor configured to receive an output signal from the sensor and generate a haptic control signal based on the output signal, and a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect based on the haptic control signal.

A method and device for associating a remote with a component. The method and system may include receiving a control command from the remote. Upon receiving the control command, an identification signal may be transmitted to a display. The identification signal may include information for identifying the component. The remote may be associated with the component based on the identification signal.

Gas fired radiant emitter having a premixing chamber for preparing a premix of gas and air; a perforated ceramic plate acting as burner deck; and a pilot burner having a premix gas supply flow tube and two electrodes. The premix gas supply flow tube of the pilot burner extends from the side of the perforated ceramic plate where the premixing chamber is located, into a through hole in the perforated ceramic plate. The premix gas supply flow tube has a gas exit in the through hole in the perforated ceramic plate or at the combustion side of the perforated ceramic plate. The gas fired radiant emitter has features so that in an area of the perforated ceramic plate around where the premix gas supply flow tube extends into a through hole in the perforated ceramic plate, no premix gas flows through the perforated ceramic plate.

Systems and methods for a pyrolytic oven for processing waste include multiple zones associated with multiple independently-controlled heating sources. The pyrolytic oven may have multiple sensors also associated with each zone. The pyrolytic oven may also include a fuel management system which adjusts a power level of each heating source for each zone independently based on a reading of the corresponding sensor.

A monitor for a natural gas-fired appliance is provided. The monitor comprises: a natural gas cycle-monitor interface configured to receive cycling signals from one or more of: the appliance; and a monitoring device located in the appliance and/or proximal to the appliance; a processor, in communication with the interface, configured to monitor cycles of the appliance based on the cycling signals; one or more indicators, in communication with the processor, configured to provide an alarm when the processor determines that the cycles of the appliance meets a threshold value; a first reset device configured to temporarily reset the one or more indicators to turn off the alarm when actuated, the one or more indicators again providing the alarm after a given time period following a temporary reset; and, a second reset device configured to reset monitoring of the cycles at the processor when actuated.

The present invention relates to materials and systems useful for increasing the safety profile of a candle. In particular, the present invention provides a thermally-protective material that is useful to prepare labels or wraps to encircle or surround a candle. The present invention further provides a cool-touch thermally-protected candle assembly.

A system and method for electrically charging a combustion flame with a power supply.

Techniques for controlling a solid fuel combustion appliance, e.g., a wood burning stove, are disclosed. A control system measures an exhaust gas temperature of airflow through an outlet of the solid fuel combustion appliance. The control system determines a derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time. The derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time is compared to a predetermined threshold. The control system modulates the inlet damper in response to determining that the derivative of the exhaust gas temperature with respect to time reaches the predetermined threshold.

A cracking furnace includes a combustion volume defined in part by a burner wall having a refractory lining. A plurality of perforated flame holders is arranged in an array that is spaced away from the wall, with fuel input faces facing the wall. Each of a plurality of fuel nozzles is positioned and configured to emit a fuel stream toward the input face of a respective one of the plurality of perforated flame holders. Combustion reactions, supported by the fuel streams emitted by the fuel nozzles, and held by the flame holders, release heat, which is emitted by the flame holders as thermal (blackbody) radiation, a portion of which impinges upon, and heats the inner face of the refractory lining. Thermal radiation from the flame holders and the wall impinges upon a load positioned in the approximate center of the combustion volume, between burner walls.

A wedge apparatus for a stirrup for reducing alleviating pain on a horseback rider's knees and ankles, the stirrup comprising a pair of opposing side bars, a hangar bar portion and a footrest bar, the wedge apparatus comprising (a) a wedge associated with the footrest bar, the wedge having a lateral portion and a medial portion, the lateral portion being thicker than and tapering toward the medial portion; (b) an impact-absorbing material; and, (c) an attachment mechanism for attaching the wedge and the impact-absorbing material to the footrest bar.

The present invention is an equestrian light device comprised of a plurality of lighting elements which can be secured to the bridle, saddle, stirrups and other pieces of tack, and which provides a rider with the ability to view a path before the turning of a horse to go down the path, in addition to illuminating a zone of safety to provide a rider with adequate visibility to discern obstacles that may impede the progress of a horse on a path, or which may startle or injure the animal or rider.

A stirrup includes a stirrup leather opening and a foot opening. Above the stirrup leather opening is a top member that includes a number of bends. A first bend is in a first direction, a second bend is in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, a third bend is a first direction, and a fourth bend is in the second direction. The bends in the top member will orient the stirrup iron at an angle relative to the horse, rather than parallel to the side of a horse as in a typical straight or flat stirrup. The stirrup is more stable, reduces pain and stress in the leg, is easier to retrieve, and is safer than conventional stirrups.

An insect repellent compound that includes naturally occurring oil that emits an odor which repels insects is described. The compound is not harmful to animals, to humans or to the environment. The compound may be incorporated into materials such as yarn that is woven to form a mesh. The material may be used for making an animal mask, for screen doors and other applications. A method of making the compound and incorporating it into materials and products is described.

Methods that include depositing a first layer over the entire surface of a structure, the structure having a magnetic reader and a magnetic writer, wherein the magnetic reader and the magnetic writer are positioned adjacent to each other on a substrate and the magnetic writer includes a near field transducer (NFT); depositing a second layer over the entire surface of the first layer; depositing a photoresist material layer over the entire surface of the second layer, the photoresist material layer having a bottom surface in contact with the second layer and an opposing top surface; exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the bottom surface of the photoresist material layer via the NFT to form a first exposed region; and exposing the photoresist material layer to radiation through the top surface of the photoresist material layer to form a second exposed region.

A device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer including gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), or aluminum (Al), and at least two other secondary atoms, the at least two other secondary atoms selected from: boron (B), bismuth (Bi), indium (In), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), tin (Sn), manganese (Mn), tellurium (Te), holmium (Ho), lutetium (Lu), praseodymium (Pr), scandium (Sc), uranium (U), barium (Ba), chlorine (Cl), cesium (Cs), dysprosium (Dy), europium (Eu), fluorine (F), germanium (Ge), hydrogen (H), iodine (I), rubidium (Rb), selenium (Se), terbium (Tb), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), carbon (C), antimony (Sb), gadolinium (Gd), samarium (Sm), thallium (Tl), cadmium (Cd), neodymium (Nd), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), hafnium (Hf), niobium (Nb), erbium (Er), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), palladium (Pd), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), yttrium (Y), thorium (Th), beryllium (Be), thulium (Tm), erbium (Er), ytterbium (Yb), promethium (Pm), neodymium (Nd cobalt (Co), cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), or combinations thereof.

A method implemented by a status-monitoring device connected between a storage device and a corresponding output unit includes: a) determining presence of a storage device according to a first packet from the storage device; b) when it is determined that the storage device is present, generating a pulse signal according to a second packet from the storage device; c) generating a driving signal indicating a status associated with the storage device according to at least a logic level of the pulse signal; and d) sending the driving signal to the output unit for driving the output unit to output an output signal indicating the status.

Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.

The system and corresponding process includes a system for producing a mechanical image of original audio source media and a system for encoding the mechanical image information into a digital file. A processing system recovers the mechanical image information from the digital file at a receiving end. Audio processing is used to produce the original audio source material without the standard losses associated with digital encoding of audio material

An apparatus includes a slider body of a disk drive. The slider body is electrically coupled to a plurality of end bond pads. A voltage applied to one more of the end bond pads sets a surface potential of the slider body.

Certain example embodiments relate to a sliding window assembly (e.g., of the type found in utility cabs or other vehicles), and methods of making the same. A slidable window panel includes at least one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed window panel includes a hole being defined therein for receiving the slidable panel. Elongated upper and lower rails connected to the fixed panel include upper and lower rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top and bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. Forward and rear end details are provided to each of the upper and lower rails proximate to the hole for slidingly receiving, in respective channels formed therein, the at least one top and bottom pins. The slidable panel is laterally movable when being opened via the respective rail channels provided to the upper and lower rails. The channels in the forward and rear end details are formed so that the slidable panel is movable slightly outwardly towards the hole when the slidable window is being closed and slightly inwardly away from the hole when the slidable window is being opened.

An automatic patio sliding door for residential (home) use is created using an existing motorized automatic system which is now in use in commercial, industrial, and public building entrances. A method incorporating a bracket system is used to apply the commercial (hanging track type) automatic door system to existing residential patio sliding doors or to new patio sliding doors. The purpose is to provide hands free opening and closing of patio glass or screen doors (single or double panels). This allows for ease of use of sliding doors when hands are full, guarantees the closing of screen doors or glass doors behind the person to prevent insects getting into the house or loss of air conditioning in the house, and provides an easy access door system in the home for the physically handicapped.

A power actuator for a window in a building includes a drive unit, a cable system, and a controller. The drive unit is positioned within a sill of the window. The cable system is engagable with the drive unit for moving a pane of the window relative to a window frame between an opened position and a closed position. The controller is electrically coupled to the drive unit and a power outlet located in the building and connected to an external power grid.

Compositions having a high metal content comprising a metal salt solution, a stabilizer and one or more optional additives, wherein the metal salt solution comprises a metal ion, a counter ion and a solvent. The compositions are useful for forming films on substrates in the manufacture of solid state and integrated circuit devices.

An ion implantation apparatus, system, and method are provided for transferring a plurality of workpieces between vacuum and atmospheric pressures, wherein an alignment mechanism is operable to align a plurality of workpieces for generally simultaneous transportation to a dual-workpiece load lock chamber. The alignment mechanism comprises a characterization device, an elevator, and two vertically-aligned workpiece supports for supporting two workpieces. First and second atmospheric robots are configured to generally simultaneously transfer two workpieces at a time between load lock modules, the alignment mechanism, and a FOUP. Third and fourth vacuum robots are configured to transfer one workpiece at a time between the load lock modules and a process module.

Magnetic vascular grafts and methods for their use are provided herein.

Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the surface of the article.

The invention relates to a composite material composed at least of one carrier material, wherein the carrier material is coated on a first surface with a first coating material and on a second surface with a second coating material, wherein the composite material has links of coating material which run from the first surface of the carrier material to the second surface of the carrier material, wherein links of coating material start from 1% to 90% of at least one of the surfaces of the carrier material. The invention further relates to a method for producing a composite material of this type.

Fanfold and/or perforated media comprising a substrate including one or more friable coatings and an overcoat covering at least a portion of the one or more friable coatings proximate to one or more associated fanfolds and/or perforations is provided, wherein the overcoat mitigates spallation of the one or more friable coatings. Methods and apparatus for making the same are also disclosed.

Methods for preventing the transmission of viral and bacterial diseases are disclosed. Disease transmission is inhibited through the application of an antimicrobial film to touchpoints, the antimicrobial film having at least 60 percent copper and being at least 0.0001 mm.

A mask plate for laser irradiation and a method of laser encapsulation using the same are disclosed to improve the display effect of the encapsulated display panel and also the utilization of substrate thereof, so as to reduce the cost. The mask plate includes a laser blocking region and a laser transmitting region surrounding the laser blocking region, wherein the laser blocking region is configured to block laser having a predetermined wavelength; and the laser transmitting region is configured to allow the laser having the predetermined wavelength to transmit there-through; along a direction perpendicular to a surface of the mask plate, a width of a cross-section of the laser transmitting region is smaller than a diameter of a light spot of the laser having the predetermined wavelength.

The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing an energy-storage composite material. The method includes (a) providing a solution having a carbon substrate, and placing the solution in a pressure container, and a surface of the carbon substrate having an energy-storage active precursor; (b) stirring the solution having the carbon substrate at a first stirring speed, and venting air in the pressure container at a first temperature, such that a pressure in the pressure container reaches a first pressure and is maintained for a first period of time; and (c) introducing a fluid into the pressure container, stirring the solution having the carbon substrate at a second stirring speed, increasing a pressure and a temperature in the pressure container to a second pressure and a second temperature and maintaining for a second period of time, and then reducing the pressure to the atmosphere pressure to obtain an energy-storage composite material.