Abstract:
A voltage converter for traveller's uses includes: a 50 watts (0-50 W) transformer for converting an input voltage of 220 VAC to an output voltage of 110 VAC for normally powering a load of 50 watts or less; a 1600 watts (50-1600 W) transformer for converting an intput voltage of 220 VAC to an output voltage of 110 VAC for powering a load ranging from 50 watts to 1600 watts; and a sensing control circuit operatively sensing an output load having a power rating larger than 50 watts (50 W to 1600 W) for operatively actuating a relay for automatically switching an output terminal of the 50 watts transformer to the output terminal of the 1600 watts transformer for preventing burning or damaging of the output load connected with the voltage converter and for protecting the voltage converter itself.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing the dynamic resistance of a resistance spot welding process to determine the time of an expulsion event and use that time as the weld completion time for controlling weld termination via a weld feedback signal, controlling automatic current stepping, and identifying maintenance needs. A preconditioning pulse is used to stabilize the weld process and aid in obtaining interpretable resistance information. After an initial blanking period the resistance curve is analyzed by calculating first and second derivative values and applying several algorithms that make possible the computer recognition of characteristic resistance curve shapes resulting from weld expulsion under good geometry, bad geometry and edge weld conditions.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for resistance spot welding including applying a preconditioning pulse at the beginning of a welding process to stabilize the resistances at the interface of the sheets being welded and at the interface of the electrodes and the sheets. A current pulse is applied just after contact of electrodes and the workpiece when the electrode force is between about 10% and 75% of its final value to melt interface surfaces followed by a cooling time to permit dissipation of heat from the interfaces, and is finally followed by a conventional weld current schedule. The contact time is determined be electrically monitoring the conductivity between the electrodes as they are moved toward the workpiece. Alternatively, the applied electrode pressure is monitored to determine when sufficient electrode force is applied to the workpiece to achieve the proper resistance for the pulse application.
Abstract:
A low voltage circuit breaker with remote switching function characterized by an insulating housing containing manually actuator for opening and closing separable contacts and a remotely controlled solenoid for opening the contacts, and the solenoid means being spring biased in the closed contact position only when the manually actuator is in the closed contact position.
Abstract:
This invention proposes a multifunctional topical composition that integrates halogen-functionalized fullerenes (halo-fullerenes and halo-endofullerenes) and metallic nanoparticles (NPs) to provide comprehensive skin protection and sanitizing, cosmetic enhancement and in some embodiments, treatment for various conditions. Leveraging the atomic scale and physical characteristics of halogenated fullerenes for deeper tissue penetration, the composition can provide antioxidant, antimicrobial, and UV protective benefits to foster cellular integrity, proliferation, and differentiation as healthy tissue. The proposed formulation can penetrate the stratum corneum and diffuse into underlying skin layers due to atomic-scale NPs that can readily deliver active ingredients through the skin via the pores of sweat glands; the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum; and hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and pilosebaceous pores. This composition uses stable inorganic antibacterial agents with a robust safety profile. Furthermore, it can provide UV protection from harmful radiation. The formulation comprises active ingredients that are specific, safe, stable and effective—and can be produced economically, making it suitable for a broad range of skin protection, sanitizing, enhancement and therapeutic products that promote skin health and wellbeing.
Abstract:
Disclosed are engineered feeder cells comprising soluble or membrane bound TGF-b and methods of their use in the production of NK cells resistant to TGF-b and use of said generated TGF-b resistant NK cells to treat a cancer.
Abstract:
Tissue and organ transplantation success is chiefly dependent on the harvest and preservation techniques employed. Yield and quality enhancements are needed, because qualified patient demand far outpaces donors and ultimately, tissues and organs stored and transported so as to render them in acceptable condition for surgery. In the case of corneal transplants, tissue supplies help 1 out of 70 patients in need despite being among the most successful such procedures today. Transplant success has improved overall with enhanced storage and transport methods that have allowed for greater time and distances to reach patients in need, whether corneas, kidneys, hearts, lungs, livers or other tissues, limbs or cellular materials. While corneal tissues specifically benefit from oxygenation via direct air contact and normal tears in a healthy individual, once donated, the lack of corneal vascularization can uniquely accelerate the depletion of oxygen that occurs upon harvesting of all transplant materials. Directly infusing oxygen has had little impact, given partial pressure requirements, volatility and reactivity to many compounds, including self-affinity or agglomeration and bubbling. However, the hemocyanin, such as that of the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), can deliver oxygen directly to transplant tissues, while free radical scavenging by pristine fullerenes can help maintain cellular integrity. Horseshoe crabs have successfully evolved by developing two immunological mechanisms, amoebocytes and less characterized antiviral and gram-positive bactericidal properties ascribed to other hemolymph constituents. The amoebocytes have a specific, ultrasensitive affinity to gram-negative bacteria and fungi; they engulf and consume these microbes in an enzymatic coagulation process. However, hemocyanin is extracellular and non-toxic to mammalian tissue, notwithstanding its microbiocidal properties. As such, the viral-scale peptides appear to intracellularly invade the pathogens and disrupt replication without conferring a caustic or toxic effect on non-pathogenic tissue. Hence, hemocyanin appears to be non-immunogenic and thus applicable as a carrier molecule for some human therapeutics (e.g., hemocyanin from Keyhole Limpet snails). The present invention relates in the initial embodiment to the use of horseshoe crab hemocyanin and functionalized carbon nanostructures, halogenated fullerenes, pristine fullerenes and fullerene derivatives as an antimicrobial and antioxidant enrichment composition that is added to tissue storage and preservation media as a potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial and tissue preservation composition for safe and effective storage and transport. Notably, methods for horseshoe crab aquaculture husbandry have been developed to achieve sustainable hemocyanin supplies for hemolymph harvest and biomedical applications. With regard to unique needs and benefits for the transplantation of corneal tissue, the aim of this patent is development of an antioxidant and broad-spectrum microbicidal that is benign to endothelial and endothelium cells to preserve and maximize the viability of a pathogen-free specimen.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a protective face mask and filtration article, a method for using a protective face mask and filtration article, and a design for manufacturing. In particular, the invention relates to a self-contained, mobile, battery-powered bioactive and filtering breathing appliance that provides broad spectrum antimicrobial and allergic protection via an atomized biocidal agent steam/vapor and a torturous hydrophilic filtration article that sterilizes incoming air and captures debris. To this end, antimicrobial activity and filtration functions leverage a redundancy of means/methods comprised of antimicrobial hydrogen peroxide liquid/vapor/steam and an iodized salt containing hydrophilic filtration article. The present invention is a wearable apparatus that sterilizes incoming air by capturing, neutralizing and destroying airborne pathogens and other particulate matter and pumps sterilized oxygen/air for natural, unlabored breathing by the wearer. The present invention further relates to a production method thereof.
Abstract:
Embodiments of apparatus and methods for signaling for resource allocation and scheduling in 5G-NR integrated access and backhaul are generally described herein. In some embodiments, User Equipment configured for reporting a channel quality indicator (CQI) index in a channel state information (CSI) reference resource assumes a physical resource block (PRB) bundling size of two PRBs to derive the CQI index.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a frame member (10), a frame formed from the frame member (10) and a panel including the frame for use in a cladding assembly for cladding a structure. The frame member (10) of the present invention is adapted to be joined together with other frame members (10) to form the frame, each frame member (10) includes at least four walls including an inner frame wall (11), an opposed outer frame wall (12), a panel abutting wall (13) and an opposed structure abutting wall (14) having a free end (15) with an outer edge protrusion (16). A receiving opening (19) is defined between a portion of the outer frame wall (12) and the outer edge protrusion (16) for receiving one or more fasteners which engage the outer edge protrusion (16) for, in use, fastening the frame member (10) and thereby the frame and preformed panel to the structure.