338results about How to "Life maximization" patented technology

A wireless headset for use with a separate communications device, such as a cellular telephone, includes automatic on / off capabilities to maximize battery life. By detecting a user's interaction, such as picking up the headset or placing it upon the user's body, the wireless headset automatically transitions from an inactive state to an active state. Techniques for automatic headset enabling include but are not limited to motion sensors, attitude or position sensors, proximity sensors, and contact sensors. These techniques may be used individually or in any combination. An internal timer allows the wireless headset to return to its inactive state a defined interval after cessation of movement or removal of the wireless headset. Including an optional sleep state further optimizes battery life. In the sleep state, only a portion of the wireless headset circuitry is enabled. Rather than transitioning from inactive to active, the headset transitions from inactive to sleep. In sleep, the headset periodically monitors for a signal from the separate communications device. Upon detection of such a signal, the wireless headset transitions to its active state, thereby providing full functionality to the user.

A plurality of canine acetabular cups designed to fit within different sized spherical reamed bone cavities to produce controlled interference without use of cements, screws or nails. Each of the canine acetabular cups, regardless of size, mates with a common femoral head, providing interchangeability. The controlled interference is obtained through use of a multiple curvature Ti—Al—V shell having a porous coating. The interference starts from zero at 50 degrees from the apex of the shell and extends to full interference value at 90 degrees from the apex. The Ti—Al—V shell carries a UHMW polyethylene insert, which is locked by interference, a non-circular post mated with an elongated opening and a circumferential locking groove mated with an interior projection. Initial stability is provided immediately after surgery due to the interference arrangement; long term stability is afforded by bone ingrowth.

A temperature controlled heatable object is provided in which a temperature sensor is connected to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag is located within the handle of the object, and the temperature sensor is placed in contact with the object. In a first embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensor is partially imbedded within the object via a notch located in the side of the object. In a second embodiment of the invention, a temperature sensor is imbedded within a tunnel drilled within the base of the object. In a third embodiment, a temperature sensor is imbedded between the bottom of the object and a slab attached to the bottom of the object. The sensor can be located in a slot formed in either the slab or the bottom or the object. Handles and receivers for mounting the handles to the temperature controllable objects are also provided.

A unit dose medication compliance monitoring and reporting apparatus and system that includes a dispenser shell formed with dose compartments. A retainer sheet affixed to the shell seals each compartment and partially bursts upon dispensing. A sensor network and monitoring and reporting circuitry records dispensing times and determines an average time interval, which can be reported with other data on an integral data display. The system can thereby monitor and report patient compliance with prescription regimens. Additional data can be recorded and displayed for augmented patient compliance assistance and analysis, which data can include customized informational messages, telephone and other patient support contact information, unit doses dispensed and remaining, reminder alarms, identification data, prescription regimens, among other data. In myriad variations and alternative preferred configurations, the devices and systems have demonstrated efficacy in minimalist to complex monitoring and reporting applications ranging from routine prescription monitoring to detailed clinical trial assessments.

An HVAC system for a vehicle having a battery pack, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The HVAC system may comprise a refrigerant loop having a first leg and a second leg, and a refrigerant compressor in the refrigerant loop. In the first leg, an evaporator provides cooling to a passenger cabin of the vehicle, an evaporator shut-off valve selectively blocks the flow of refrigerant through the evaporator, and an evaporator thermal expansion valve is upstream from the evaporator. In the second leg, a battery heat exchanger receives the refrigerant, a battery thermal expansion valve is located upstream from the battery heat exchanger, and a battery cooling shut-off valve selectively blocks the flow of refrigerant through the battery heat exchanger. The shut-off valves and compressor are controlled to control the cooling of the passenger cabin and the battery pack.

A circuit used to control the brightness of a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in an array, such that the color and brightness of the light produced by the array may be varied. The circuit is optimized to operate at high efficiency, permitting its use in confined spaces with poor cooling. The circuit permits a variety of configurations of LEDs to be controlled and driven from a range of line voltages. The circuit is further optimized to use few components to achieve its function.

A sealed cookware and servingware object, such as a pressure cooker, is provided. The object is temperature and pressure regulated using control technology such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and temperature sensors associated with the objects. In a first embodiment, the temperature sensor is at least partially embedded in the base of the object. In a second embodiment, the temperature sensor extends through a tunnel in a wall of the object and includes a sealing cap to cover the tunnel and prevent air and / or liquid from escaping the interior of the object.

A temperature controlled heatable object is provided in which a temperature sensor is connected to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag is located within the handle of the object, and the temperature sensor is placed in contact with the object. In a first embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensor is partially imbedded within the object via a notch located in the side of the object. In a second embodiment of the invention, a temperature sensor is imbedded within a tunnel drilled within the base of the object. In a third embodiment, a temperature sensor is imbedded between the bottom of the object and a slab attached to the bottom of the object. The sensor can be located in a slot formed in either the slab or the bottom or the object. Handles and receivers for mounting the handles to the temperature controllable objects are also provided.

In a packet communication network, a method and apparatus for packet switched transport is provided among intelligent nodes wherein the duty cycling of the intelligent nodes is minimized in order to maximize power life using a synchronization algorithm that assures all nodes are able to propagate information through the network without undue use of transmission and reception power. Frequency hopping time-division multiple access supports packet communication between intelligent nodes via assigned directed links, each link being assigned to a time-channel offset (cell) in a superframe, so that a link carrying a packet string between any two intelligent nodes is active only during its assigned time slot. The result is efficient use of spectrum and minimal expenditure of power.

A HVAC and battery thermal system and method for a vehicle having a passenger cabin and a battery pack is disclosed. The system may comprise a refrigerant loop and a coolant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a first leg and a second leg, the first leg including an expansion device and an evaporator, and the second leg including an expansion device and a chiller. The coolant loop directs coolant through the battery pack and includes a controllable coolant routing valve, a bypass branch and a chiller branch, with the chiller in the chiller branch. The coolant routing valve has a bypass outlet that directs the coolant into the bypass branch and a chiller outlet that directs the coolant into the chiller branch. The coolant loop may also include a radiator branch and battery radiator, with the coolant routing valve including a radiator outlet that directs the coolant into the radiator branch.

An inkjet printer refill system including a printer cartridge having a refill port including inlets corresponding to, and in fluid communication with, each of a number of storage reservoirs, said reservoirs each dedicated to store a predetermined one of a number of printing fluids; and at least one refill cartridge containing one of the number of printing fluids and including a connector arranged to mate with the refill port, the connector having an outlet located to communicate with a particular one of the refill port inlets in communication with a particular one of the number of storage reservoirs dedicated to store the printing fluid contained within said refill cartridge.

A method and apparatus to maximize spark plug life in pre-chamber spark plugs operating with ultra-lean mixtures and / or elevated engine BMEP is presented. Electrode erosion is reduced by spreading discharge energy over a wider surface area, maintaining fuel concentration in the spark gap, controlling gas static pressure during discharge, and maintaining safe electrode temperature. Energy is spread via a swirling effect created by periphery holes in an end cap, resulting in a lower specific energy discharge at the electrodes. Divergently configured electrodes reduce the spark voltage at high operating pressures and the energy required for ignition. The flow field generated at the electrodes prevents electrical shorts due to water condensation and avoids misfire. The center electrode insulation provides an effective heat transfer path to prevent electrode overheating and preignition. The volume behind the electrodes provides a volume for burnt products from previous combustion cycles and leads to more reliable ignition.

A turbine bucket includes a bucket airfoil having a tip shroud with leading and trailing edges defining leading and trailing edge profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X and Y at points 12-20 and 1-11, respectively, set forth in Table I. The X and Y values are distances in inches which, when respective points 12-20 and 1-11 are connected by smooth, continuing arcs, define the leading and trailing edge tip shroud profiles. An airfoil profile at 95% span is defined by Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z in Table II having the same X, Y origin along the radial Z axis as the origin of Table I. The profiled leading and trailing edges of the tip shroud relative to the airfoil profile afford optimum tip shroud mass distribution which maximizes creep life of the bucket. Stage efficiency is also improved by providing a tip shroud covering the airfoil throat.

A method and apparatus for exciting gas that involves generating an alternating magnetic field unidirectionally through a magnetic core defining a gap, across the gap and through a plasma vessel that includes dielectric material. The magnetic field induces an electric field in the plasma vessel that generates the plasma.