Abstract:
A thermal engine includes a cylinder and piston and an insulated thermal battery including at least a thermal mass such as the engine block itself for storing and retaining heat to enhance or cause fluid expansion within the cylinder and drive the piston, the thermal battery optionally including an electrolyte chamber containing a thermal electrolyte for functioning as an electric thermal battery. Heat is stored in the thermal battery such as by activating electric resistance heating elements in the thermal mass. The stored heat either causes expansion of a non-combustible expansion fluid such as water or enhances the expansion of a combustible expansion fluid such as gasoline. Where the thermal battery is an electric thermal battery containing an electrolyte, the storage of heat also stores electricity which can be used to power an electric motor.
Abstract:
A charge transfer circuit, such as a charge coupled device or other bucket brigade device, which incorporates an amplifier to assist with charge transfer.
Abstract:
An adjustable charge coupled device (CCD) charge splitter includes a channel control structure and an associated plurality of output channels. Control signals applied to the channel control structure determine an amount of charge, which passes into each one of the plurality of output channels.
Abstract:
A new architecture is provided in which a master A/D converter of limited precision controls the adjustment-charge steering of a set of similar slave A/D converter pipelines. This architecture relieves the layout constraints imposed by prior architectures and also reduces power consumption of the device. By spatially interleaving the slave pipelines in an array, the new architecture also improves accuracy.
Abstract:
Toe separators for use by a diabetic patient to maintain the toes separated, even when wearing shoes, to prevent the development of sores on the toes resulting from abrasion, and to promote healing are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a generally flat sole insert for protecting the user's heel, wherein the insert is further provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting toe dividers for keeping the toes separated. The dividers effectively separate the user's toes to prevent rubbing while allowing the user to walk wearing shoes. In various alternate embodiments, there are disclosed individual soft toe caps that may be individually placed over one or more individual toes to protect and separate the toes. In still another alternate embodiment, the individual toe separators may be fabricated as double-wall caps formed by inner and outer layers of a soft, FDA approved silicon material, and adapted to be filled with water or other suitable liquid or a gel. According to another aspect, the present invention provides a foot protector to be worn on the foot of a patient. The foot protector preferably incorporates one or more water-filled toe protectors for separating the toes as generally described above. Each of the embodiments may define a plurality of ventilation holes formed by welding of inner and outer portions. Any of the embodiments disclosed herein may further include medicated powders to reduce friction and aid in healing ulcerations. The filled embodiments may further be cooled or heated to provide therapeutic cooling or warmth to the foot and toes.
Abstract:
A remote control device for a television signal processing system is capable of receiving a signal indicating an emergency event and providing alert outputs to notify individuals of emergency events, while simultaneously transmitting control signals which control the television signal receiver. According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control device includes a tuner operative to tune a frequency including a signal indicating an emergency event, and a transmitter operative to transmit a control signal which controls the television signal processing system.
Abstract:
A self-cooling beverage container includes a container having container bottom and side walls and a container top opening; a top chamber removably fastened to the container side wall and closing the container top opening, the top chamber having a chamber top opening removably fitted with a chamber cap and having a chamber bottom opening with a holding structure having a gas passing passageway with pressure receptacle mounting means; a pressure receptacle containing a refrigerant and having a receptacle opening and being removably mounted to the,pressure receptacle mounting means and extending downwardly into the container; and an actuation mechanism causing escape of the refrigerant from the receptacle and from the container upon opening of the chamber cap.
Abstract:
A portable, self contained heating or cooling apparatus for a beverage can is disclosed. A vortex tube is provides which supplies the needed heating or cooling effect to the beverage in the can.
Abstract:
A portable, self contained heating or cooling apparatus for a beverage can is disclosed. A vortex tube is provided which supplies the needed heating or cooling effect to the beverage in the can.