72results about How to "Self-contained" patented technology

The present invention provides a CPR sensor that includes a thin and substantially flat flexible substrate having one or more sensor arrays, a power source, an output interface and a processor or analog circuit, all of which are disposed on the substantially flat flexible substrate. The substrate can be any shape (e.g., rectangular, circular, a polygon, an irregular shape that is decorative) and made from a polymer, metal film or other suitable material. Note that the substrate can be rigid or semi-flexible instead of flexible. A protective layer may cover the sensor array, the power source, and the processor or analog circuit. Alternatively, a protective covering can be used to encapsulate the device. The one or more sensor arrays measure one or more of the following compressions characteristics: compression depth, compression force, compression frequency and compression acceleration.

The present invention concerns a wireless emergency alarm notification system for detecting a signal produced by a pre-existing smoke detector in a structure and for notifying persons in the immediate vicinity of a structure and in the surrounding area, as well as emergency personnel, of an emergency situation. The system includes a wireless sensor unit positioned nearby to a smoke detector for detecting an audible signal produced by the smoke detector in an emergency situation and a wireless receiver unit positioned on the exterior of the structure for receiving sensor signals from the sensor unit and activating an audible alarm and/or visible indicators. The sensor unit is comprised of a microphone for detecting a signal from the smoke detector, a control unit for determining the quality and/or quantity of the pre-existing smoke detector audible signal, a transmitter for transmitting an FM signal to a receiver, and a independent power source such as a battery. The receiver unit is comprised of an antenna, a FM tuner, FM receiver, power source, and a control unit for generating audible and/or visible alarms. In larger structures there may be numerous smoke detection systems each preferably having both a sensor unit and a receiver unit.

Devices, systems and methods of using an ergonomic fore grip/gun handle with a concealable and collapsible bipod. One version can have a tubular recess consisting of a first cylindrical cutout housing the bipod legs when concealed and a sliding piston that deploys the legs and a second cylindrical cutout housing a release mechanism and a void space for other accessories. The release mechanism has a compression spring positioned between the piston assembly and the bottom of the first cylindrical cutout and the compression spring. The legs are connected to the bottom of the piston assembly via a hinge and spring that when released from confinement within the fore grip, causes the legs to expand outward until fully deployed. Telescoping legs allow adjustment of leg length for use on uneven terrain. The grip portion has an outer surface with a flat surface on sides of the grip to provide a more stable grip, assist in orienting the mounted weapon and support pressure pads for lights.

An electro-active optical cell is described including a layer of electro-active material, a front glass substrate member, and a back glass substrate member. The optical cell is capable of independently providing changeable optical power with the application of an electrical potential. The cell is also configured to be affixed to an external surface of a plastic substrate and to provide the changeable optical power, with at least one of the front substrate or the back substrate of the optical cell being an outermost optical layer. The layer of electro-active material may have a thickness less than 10 μm, and the glass substrate members may each have a thickness approximately between 20 μm and 500 μm.

A light source is used to extend the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. A gazing globe according to the invention includes a hollow glass globe supported on a stand. Photoluminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent material is deposited on, or embedded in, the globe. A light-emitting diode (LED) is supported within the globe to activate the material. A solar cell is used to charge one or more batteries, and a light detector is used to switch power from the battery to the source of light when a sufficient level of darkness is detected. A violet or ultraviolet LED may be used as the light source, with the solar cell is supported on the stand. The material deposited on, or embedded in, the globe may intentionally glow in a swirling pattern when activated.

An airbag inflator (10) including an elongated outer housing (12) having an interior and one or more orifices (22) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the outer housing interior and an exterior of the outer housing (12). The outer housing orifice(s) (22) open from the outer housing interior toward a first side (F) of the inflator. An elongated inner housing (14) is positioned in the outer housing interior. The inner housing (14) has an interior and one or more orifices (20) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the inner housing interior and an exterior of the inner housing (14). The inner housing orifice(s) (20) open from the inner housing interior toward a second side (S) of the inflator. A quantity of a gas generant composition (16) extends along a portion of the interior of the inner housing (14). The gas generant (16) has a substantially “C”-shaped cross-section with a slot (24) extending along the length of the gas generant (16). The gas generant slot (24) is oriented facing the inner housing orifice(s) (20). A filter (15) is positioned intermediate the inner housing orifice(s) (20) and the outer housing orifice(s) (22) for filtering combustion products generated by combustion of the gas generant composition (16). An igniter (40) is operatively coupled to the gas generant composition (16) so as to enable fluid communication between the igniter (40) and the gas generant composition (16) upon activation of the inflator (10). The slotted, “C”-shaped cross section of the gas generant (16) provides a greater exposed gas generant surface area than would be achievable without the slot (24). This enhances the ignition and burning of the gas generant composition (16) upon inflator activation.

A process and apparatus are provided for the present invention relates to a process for upgrading tar-containing effluent from a steam cracker furnace that comprises: a) contacting a steam cracker tar-containing effluent with steam and for a time, sufficient to convert at least a portion of the steam cracker tar to a mixture comprising lower boiling molecules and the steam cracker tar-containing effluent; and b) separating the mixture from step a) into i) at least one tar-lean product; and ii) a tar-rich product having a final boiling above the final boiling point of the at least one tar-lean product. Step a) can includes at least one of: 1) contacting said steam cracker tar-containing effluent with steam added to the effluent in a transfer line downstream of a steam cracker furnace comprising a quench inlet, with the steam added through or downstream of the quench inlet; 2) contacting the steam cracker tar-containing effluent with steam under heat soaking conditions in a heat soaking vessel to which the steam is added; and 3) contacting the steam cracker tar-containing effluent with steam under visbreaking conditions in a visbreaker. The steam treated tar can be separated into higher value gas oil, fuel oil and tar streams.

A self-contained sign, illuminated by laser or other source of substantially parallel beams, presenting intensely lighted and vividly colored displays, is programmable to display one or more user designed images through controlled deflection of projected beams. The sign comprises a backlit illuminated apparatus of low depth to display dimension ratio, astigmatically correcting distortion of the projected dot resulting from oblique projection angles, such correction occurring in the projected beam's light path prior to controlled beam deflection. Embodiments further normalize obliquely incident light by employing a transmissive refractive right angle structure. Distortion of a projected image is minimized by appropriate pre- or post-processing of display data. Embodiments enable animation of images and are adaptable to networked control.

A device for measuring the depth of concrete comprising an elongated spine, a stepped blade attached at the distal end of the spine and having a plurality of bi-lateral steps having a predetermined width and height tapering toward the distal end of the spine, a depth probe slidably attached longitudinally along the spine and including an indicator; and a scale aligned with the indicator. The depth probe may have a pointed or beveled distal tip which is useful for penetrating concrete or other aggregate materials. The stepped blade is provided into concrete and comes in contact with the top of the rebar grid, with the steps measuring the depth of the concrete cover over the rebar. The depth probe is plunged into the concrete until the tip reaches the bottom. The scale measures the distance between a distal tip of the depth probe and the leading edge of the blade.

According to an embodiment, a showerhead for automatically regulating water flow is provided. The showerhead comprises a range sensor, a solenoid, and a microprocessor. The range sensor is configured to detect the presence or absence of a person near the showerhead and to generate a range signal. The microprocessor is configured to receive the range signal and to determine a person's typical distance from the showerhead when rinsing. Further, based on the range signal, the microprocessor is configured to send an open signal to the solenoid valve when the person is within the typical distance and to send a close signal to the solenoid valve when the person is outside of the typical distance. The solenoid valve is configured to be opened and closed by the respective open or close signals to respectively turn on or off the flow of water based on the person's position relative to the showerhead.

According to embodiments of the present application, a color change sensor comprises a color change indicator and a substrate comprising a gas disposed on the color change indicator. The sensor may further comprise an interface layer that assists in containing the gas within the substrate. The sensor may be used with limited use, restricted use, or disposable apparatuses. The user may actuate the sensor by disrupting or removing the gas-containing substrate and/or the interface layer. Methods of making and using the color change sensor and related apparatuses are also disclosed.

An electric motor sub-assembly with a gear train or drive train and clutch, which replaces a conventional internal combustion engine unit including its conventional clutch. The speed increase or decrease of the gear train is selected so that irrespective of whether an induction or universal electric motor is used, the speed of the clutch substantially replicates the speed of the conventional internal combustion engine clutch. As a consequence, a wide range of implement frames can accept either the internal combustion engine unit or the electric motor sub-assembly to create differently powered implements with a maximum of commonality of parts.

A device for spraying at least one substance onto a medium includes a supply of vector gas, a substance feed in communication with a supply of the substance and at least one shutter which interrupts communication between the substance feed and the supply of substance. The substance can be sucked from the supply by suction established in the vicinity of the substance feed by emission of the vector gas. The vector gas is emitted from at least one gas outlet orifice located in the vicinity of the substance feed.

An improved mechanical shaft seal to give a tight seal between relatively rotating machine parts and prevent the escape of particulate material into the atmosphere or into the mechanical components of the housing under adverse operating conditions. The seal provides a grease chamber that prevents solid particles from reaching the main seal by migration within the mechanical shaft seal.

The invention provides a power distribution network intelligent sensor fusing a gateway function and a fault detection algorithm. The power distribution network intelligent sensor comprises a first collection unit, a second collection unit and a collection and summarizing integrated unit, wherein the first collection unit, the second collection unit and the collection and summarizing integrated unit are installed on three phase lines respectively; the first collection unit and the second collection unit are used for collecting fault recording data of the corresponding phase lines; the collection and summarizing integrated unit is used for collecting fault recording data of the corresponding phase line, collecting the fault recording data of the other two phase lines and performing summarizing processing on the collected fault recording data of the three phase lines for fault detection; and the collection and summarizing integrated unit is also used for sending the collected fault recording data of the three phase lines to a monitoring master station for fault detection. Through the power distribution network intelligent sensor, precise sensing of voltages, currents and other parameters can be realized, and the sensor has the advantages of self-energy-taking and low power consumption; and moreover, the sensor fuses the gateway function and can realize remote transmission and sharing of line monitoring information autonomously without the need for relying on a communication terminal, and therefore working stability and reliability are improved.

A device for measuring the depth of concrete comprising an elongated spine, a stepped blade attached at the distal end of the spine and having a plurality of bi-lateral steps having a predetermined width and height tapering toward the distal end of the spine, a depth probe slidably mounted longitudinally within an internal channel of the spine and including an indicator; and a scale aligned with the indicator. The depth probe may have a pointed or beveled distal tip which is useful for penetrating concrete or other aggregate materials. The stepped blade is provided into concrete and comes in contact with the top of the rebar grid, with the steps measuring the depth of the concrete cover over the rebar. The depth probe is plunged into the concrete until the tip reaches the bottom. The scale measures the distance between a distal tip of the depth probe and the leading edge of the blade.

Methods and systems are provided including a flight guidance controller interface. The flight guidance controller interface includes a rotatable knob including a rotatable element disposed around a periphery of a touch control display. A graphical presentation is output on the touch control display including a plurality of sections. The plurality of sections includes an indication of respective functions of an automatic flight control system. A touch input is received to one of the plurality of sections, thereby activating control of a corresponding one of the respective functions of the automatic flight control system. A rotation input to the rotatable element is received, thereby providing information about a value for the corresponding one of the respective functions of the automatic flight control system. The information about the value is output to the automatic flight control system so that the automatic flight control system can responsively control aircraft trajectory while maintaining/honoring selected target references and values.

A canopy system for a swimming pool is provided. The system comprises a canopy frame sized so as to be capable of at least substantially covering the swimming pool. A number of vertical support posts are arranged around the swimming pool. The system further comprises a number of electric motors, each electric motor being arranged to drive an associated actuator arrangement engaging a corresponding one of the support posts. Each electric motor and associated actuator arrangement is attached to the canopy frame. A controller controls each of the motors to drive the associated actuator arrangement. The engagement of each associated actuator arrangement with each corresponding support post causes the canopy frame to be raised or lowered between a maximum and minimum height above ground level.

Systems and apparatus are provided for monitoring and/or collecting data regarding environmental conditions and optionally personal health information, and generating warnings for a wearer based on acceptable limits for hazards. Using the collected data, the systems and apparatus communicate recommendations to the wearer to improve or maintain personal safety in the detected environment. Methods for monitoring environmental risks and generating warnings based on acceptable limits for hazards are also provided.

A portable hand washing station is provided that has a carrying case with an interior hand washing compartment. A case front wall includes a door to permit hand access into the interior of the hand washing compartment. A lid is connected to the case so that the lid is capable of extending in an upright vertical position. A shelf is connected to the interior surface of the lid. A pair of liquid dispensing reservoirs is supported on the shelf. Each of the reservoirs includes a top wall with a mouth opening, a bottom wall with a drain opening, and a touch operated flow valve connected to the bottom wall in liquid communication to the bottom wall. The flow valves extend in axial alignment each one of the valve openings so that a cleaning or rinsing solution is dispensed into the compartment when the flow valves are deflected by hand.

A self-contained, glow-in-the-dark decorative article according to the invention comprises a transparent or translucent air-filled, hollow object having a lower rim defining an opening into the interior of the object, with light-activated material deposited on, or embedded in, the object. A base unit on a stake includes a receptacle to receive the rim of the object. The base unit includes a light emitter supported to illuminate the object from the inside out. The base unit further includes one or more solar panels facing into the interior of the object and one or more batteries charged by the solar panels to power the light emitter. The transparent or translucent object may be made of glass, and may be a sphere, a flattened sphere, or a teardrop shape. The source of light may be a light-emitting diode (LED), preferably a violet or ultraviolet LED.