An object of the present invention is to improve the passing characteristic at high temperature in a ladder-type elastic wave filter and a duplexer including the filter. The ladder-type elastic wave filter of the present invention includes a piezoelectric substrate, a first series elastic-wave resonator formed on the piezoelectric substrate and connected in series between the input and output terminals of the filter, a parallel elastic-wave resonator formed on the piezoelectric substrate and connected in parallel between the series elastic-wave resonator and the ground terminal, and a dielectric film formed on the piezoelectric substrate so as to cover the first series elastic-wave resonator. The piezoelectric substrate is formed of a material with a negative temperature coefficient. The dielectric film is formed of a material with a positive temperature coefficient and its film thickness is formed thicker than that with which the frequency-temperature coefficient of the first series elastic-wave resonator becomes 0.

An SAW filter and a duplexer excellent in electrical characteristics will be provided. An SAW filter has a piezoelectric substrate 40, a surface acoustic wave element 10 having a first IDT electrode 1 on the piezoelectric substrate 40, a first signal line 31 electrically connected to the first IDT electrode 1, and a ring-shaped reference potential line 9 which has a first intersecting portion intersecting with the first signal line 31 through an insulation member 41 and surrounds the surface acoustic wave element 10.

A waveguide busbar for conducting microwaves includes a group input for coupling in a group microwave signal, a plurality of filter inputs for coupling in a plurality of microwave signals, a dual waveguide that comprises a first single waveguide and a second single waveguide. The plurality of filter inputs are disposed along the dual waveguide, as well as at least one adjustable coupling member that provides a connection between the first single waveguide and the second single waveguide and that is configured such that it adjusts a phase length of the connection.

The adjustable resonator according to the invention has a casing, which is composed of walls, a lid and a bottom, a resonator cavity inside the casing and an internal conductor inside the resonator cavity, which internal conductor is in electric contact with the casing. The resonator further comprises a moveable adjustment piece, which comprises a conductive adjustment member, a conductive upper plate, and a dielectric support member. The adjustment member has a stem, which is vertical, and a cap as an expansion thereof. The adjustment member can be moved downwards so that its stem and the fixed internal conductor connected to the bottom of the resonator go within each other. The movement of the adjustment piece in the coaxial resonator first decreases the resonance frequency and then slowly increases it. Therefore the resonator provides a very wide adjustment area for the resonance frequency.

A signal conditioning apparatus can include a coaxial cable having at least one slot formed therein. A conductive film can be applied to the coaxial cable so as to cover each slot. A device mounting surface can be formed within the slot and a protection device can be mounted on the device mounting surface. A housing consisting of one or more interlockable portions can be coupled to the coaxial cable.

A variable filter includes, on a dielectric substrate including ground conductor, first resonator including a transmission line connected to input terminal, second resonator including a transmission line connected to output terminal, and coupling portion including a transmission line having one end connected to the first and second resonators and another end being an open end, or structure having one end connected to the first and second resonators, including a serial connection of a transmission line and a variable capacitor, another end of the variable capacitor connected to the ground conductor, and adjusting means capable of changing electric length, in the first and second resonators and the coupling portion, wherein pass band width can be changed by changing ratio of electric transmission length of the coupling portion to electric transmission lengths of transmission line including the coupling portion, and the first and second resonators.

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator and a SAW oscillator and an electronic apparatus including the resonator are to be provided. A SAW resonator includes: an IDT exciting a SAW using a quartz crystal substrate of Euler angles (−1.5°≦φ≦1.5°, 117°≦θ≦142°, 42.79°≦|ψ|≦49.57°); one pair of reflection units arranged so as allow the IDT to be disposed therebetween; and grooves acquired by depressing the quartz crystal substrate located between electrode fingers. When a wavelength of the SAW is λ, and a depth of the grooves is G, “0.01λ≦G” is satisfied.

A papermaking machine for the production of a fibrous web including a plurality of rollers and a structured fabric moving along the rollers. The structured fabric includes a plurality of weft yarns and a plurality of warp yarns woven with the plurality of weft yarns to produce a weave pattern, the plurality of warp yarns being a plurality of paired warp yarn sets. Each paired warp yarn set including a first warp yarn and a second warp yarn. Within the weave pattern the first warp yarn forms a float over at least four weft yarns and weaves with a single weft yarn immediately adjacent with the float. The second warp yarn having an inverse pattern to the first warp yarn, with the second warp yarn weaving with another single weft yarn that is not adjacent to the single weft yarn with which the first warp yarn is woven.

An industrial two-layer fabric includes an upper side fabric and a lower side fabric. The upper side warps of the upper side fabric comprise a first warp set and a second warp set. The first warp set contains two upper side warps and a warp binding yarn that binds the upper side fabric and the lower side fabric. The two upper side warps are woven with the same upper side wefts. The second warp set contains one upper side warp. At a position where the warp binding yarn passes above one of the upper side wefts, the warp binding yarn is placed between the two upper side warps of the first warp set and pass below the same one of the upper side wefts, whereby the two upper side warps and the warp binding yarn of the first warp set form the upper side warp design.

An industrial two-layer fabric includes a first warp set and a second warp set that are placed alternately and form a weave design of the upper side fabric. The first warp set contains two upper side warps. At least one of the upper side warps of the first warp set functions as a warp binding yarn that binds the upper side fabric and the lower side fabric. The second warp set contains one of upper side warps and one of lower side warps placed below the one of the upper side warps. At a position where two adjacent lower side warps are woven with one of the lower side wefts, the warp binding yarn placed between the two adjacent lower side warps is woven with the same one of the lower side wefts.

A tuft carrier loading apparatus (10) for loading individual tufts (17) into tuft retention sites (9a) spaced along an elongate tuft carrier (9). The apparatus (10) includes a guide for guiding longitudinal movement of the tuft carrier along a path of travel and a plurality of individually and selectively operable tuft feeders (50) spaced along the path of travel, each tuft feeder (50) being operable when selected to feed an individual tuft to a tuft retention site (9a) of the tuft carrier (9). A driver (70) is drivingly connected to the tuft carrier (9) for moving the tuft carrier (9) along the path of travel, the driver (70) being operable to intermittently move the tuft carrier (9) through a series of successive positions whereat predefined tuft retention sites (9a) are moved temporarily into registry with each tuft feeder (50). A controller (60) is provided for controlling selection of the tuft feeders (50), the controller (60) being operable to actuate selected tuft feeders (50) to feed tufts to those tuft retention sites (9a) in registry therewith whilst the carrier (9) is located at each successive position. A detector is associated with each tuft retention site (9a) to detect the presence of a tuft. The driver (70), on detection of an absent tuft in a tuft retention site (9a) following actuation of one or more selected tuft feeders (50) resulting in failure to feed a tuft to the absent tuft retention site (9a), is operable to move the tuft carrier (9) into a position whereat the absent tuft retention site (9a) is moved temporarily back into registry with the or one selected tuft feeder (50) and the controller (60) re-actuates the selected tuft feeder (50) to feed a tuft to the absent tuft retention site (9a).

A multilayer fabric is joined by engaging joining loops formed at both ends of a disjoined industrial multilayer fabric having wefts and warps in layers. The joining loops are formed by folding back some or all the end portions of warps. The both ends of the fabric are joined by engaging the loops to form a common hole and inserting a core wire into the common hole. At least one upper side weft remains while a lower side weft below the remaining upper side weft is removed at the both ends of the fabric. The common hole and the core wire inserted therein are located below the remaining upper side weft. The folded portions of the warps are interwoven with wefts of a normal portion of the fabric.

An anti-“Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)” chitosan containing antibacterial High Wet Modulus (HWM) rayon fiber textile for medical usage is made of the steps as following: chitin flakes made from natural shrimp or crab shells are deacetylated to generate chitosan with a high deacetylation degree of 90% or more. Next chitosan is dissolved in acetic acid and regenerated by caustic soda to form a chitosan antibacterial nanoparticles slurry, then added to HWM viscose rayon process, and spinning to produce a chitosan containing antibacterial HWM rayon fiber. The antibacterial amino groups of chitosan and the hydroxyl groups of rayon cellulose combine together via hydrogen bonding. Therefore, the fiber becomes the anti-MRSA antibacterial HWM rayon fiber containing amino groups (—NH3+). Finally the resulting HWM rayon fiber is conducted via a yarn spinning or/and weaving process to procure a medical textile with chitosan content.

A golf swing practice apparatus which includes a rotating drum having an optical sensor mounted inside the drum that is capable of swiveling in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the drum and capable of detecting a change in swivel position or swivel angle; an elongated cord including a proximal end secured to the drum and a distal end secured to a golf ball; a base member having an impact area over which a user may swing a golf club; and a frame structure secured to the base member and to the rotating drum whereby the frame structure holds the rotating drum in an elevated position above the impact area.

An industrial two-layer fabric has an inner space between an upper side fabric and a lower side fabric. Some or all of upper side wefts or lower side wefts are secondary wefts interwoven with upper side warps or lower side warps so as to make the number of warps passing on an upper surface of the upper side fabric or passing on a lower surface of the lower side fabric larger than that on an inner space side of the upper or lower side fabric and a long crimp in the inner space is formed by the secondary weft.

A direct feeding apparatus for impedance matching of a wireless power transmission device includes a helical type resonator, and a feeding unit configured to directly feed power to a region having a relatively small current value as compared to a center of a conductive line of the resonator.

An apparatus for charging an automobile battery is presented. The device provides a surface charge with a time limited window in which to start a vehicle. Use of used batteries provides for environmentally effective manner in which to deal with the tremendous amount of used batteries that are discarded worldwide each year. The apparatus may optionally include a charging circuit to allow for recharging the used batteries. An LED display may be included to provide indication when a target battery has sufficient surface charge to warrant an attempt to start an engine. The apparatus is a small portable device that can be stored anywhere in a vehicle.

A charging apparatus including a charging unit adapted to charge, in a non-contact manner, an apparatus to be charged placed in a charging region, a detector adapted to detect a charged state of the apparatus to be charged placed in the charging region, and a controller adapted to change a mode of the apparatus to be charged to a mode that inhibits vibration, according to the charged state detected by the detector.

A battery fuel gauge apparatus comprises a current amplifier formed by a first transistor and a second transistor. Both transistors operate in the same operation conditions except that the second transistor has a smaller channel width in comparison with that of the first transistor. The first transistor is connected in series with a battery pack. The second transistor is connected in series with a sensing device. The sensing device comprises a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series. The first resistor has a positive temperature coefficient and the second resistor has a negative temperature coefficient.

According to some embodiments, battery charge management using a scheduling application is disclosed. A first parameter may be received from a scheduling application running on a mobile computing device having a battery pack. Based on at least the first parameter and battery pack data, a required charge percentage for the battery pack may be determined and the remaining capacity of the battery pack may be determined. If the remaining capacity of the battery pack is less than the required charge percentage, a charge termination voltage may be determined and the battery pack may be charged to the charge termination voltage.

An apparatus for minimizing self-discharge of a smart battery pack is provided. During initial storage of the smart battery pack (100), prior to be being charged, a self-discharge protection circuit (110) disables smart battery circuitry (130). A minimal current drain is maintained while the smart battery circuitry (130) is disabled. Upon coupling of the smart battery pack (100) to a charger, the protections circuit (110) enables the smart battery circuitry (130). Battery packs having to be shipped with partially drained cells as part of shipping precaution requirements are no longer faced with the additional drainage problem previously caused by the smart battery circuitry (130) during storage.

A discharge device actively discharges a main capacitor in an electric-power system of an electric-drive vehicle and comprises a discharge branch of a circuit connected in parallel to the capacitor and including a discharge transistor biased to “conduction” mode when the capacitor must be discharged. A control device is connected to a “gate/base” terminal of and controls the transistor, biasing the transistor to the mode when the capacitor is required to fee discharged. A control transistor maintains the discharge transistor in a “non-conductive” state when the control transistor is in the mode. The control transistor is in the state for the discharge transistor to be in the mode. A safety capacitor is interposed between the terminal and a power supply and charges when the discharge transistor is in the mode, causing a progressive decrease of current at the terminal, until the discharge transistor is biased to the state.

There is provided a battery module including: a power storage unit storing power; a first authentication unit carrying out first authentication via a first authentication route; a second authentication unit carrying out second authentication via a second authentication route; and a discharging control unit controlling discharging from the power storage unit to an external appliance, wherein the first authentication unit is operable, when the first authentication has succeeded, to share key information to be used in the second authentication with an authentication party for the second authentication, the second authentication unit carries out the second authentication using the key information shared with the authentication party, and the discharging control unit is operable, when the second authentication has succeeded, to permit discharging from the power storage unit.

An charging device includes: capacitors connected in series; a charging unit that charges the capacitors; bypass units, each respectively connects in parallel to each capacitors, wherein each bypass unit causes, when a charged voltage of any capacitor has reached a set voltage, a charging current to bypass the capacitor whose charged voltage has reached the set voltage; and a control unit that controls the charging unit to charge the capacitors in such a manner that, when a charging voltage of the any capacitor has reached the set voltage, the control unit causes the charging unit to reduce the charging current, and if a predetermined period has elapsed since the charging voltage has reached the set voltage, and if a charging voltage of any of the other capacitors has not reached the set voltage after the predetermined period, the control unit causes the charging unit to increase the charging current.

A rotary electric machine for a vehicle that is capable of starting synchronous rectification through switching elements after having ensured absence of a short circuit fault. The rotary electric machine includes a multi-phase armature winding, a switching element set that includes a plurality of pairs of upper-arm and lower-arm switching elements to form a bridge rectification circuit together with the armature winding, an on/off-timing setter that sets on/off-timing of each switching element, a switching element driver that drives each switching element at the on/off-timing set by the on/off-timing setter; and a synchronous control start determiner that determines timing when an energization period for the upper-arm switching element and an energization period for the lower-arm switching element occur alternately as start timing of the synchronous rectification.

An electrical generator includes a stator having fractional-slot concentrated windings and a rotor having field windings. A drive is provided having a circuit to control current flow to the field windings and a controller to input an initial DC field current demand to the circuit to cause the circuit to output an initial DC field current representative of a DC field current demand that would cause an electrical generator having sinusoidal stator windings to output a desired AC power. The controller receives feedback on the magnetic field generated by the initial DC field current, isolates an ideal fundamental component of the magnetic field based on the feedback and to generate a modified DC field current demand, and inputs the modified DC field current demand to the circuit, thereby causing the circuit to output an instantaneous non-sinusoidal current to the field windings to generate a sinusoidal rotating air gap magnetic field.

A generator system includes a generator having a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The generator includes a permanent magnet based exciter with permanent magnets disposed on the stationary portion. A first channel includes a first main field winding and a first main field power converter disposed on a rotating portion. The first main field power converter selectively delivers voltage from the exciter winding to the first main field winding. A second channel includes a second main field winding and a second main field power converter disposed on the rotating portion. The second main field power converter selectively delivers voltage from the exciter winding to the second main field winding. A generator control unit is connected to the first channel and the second channel. The generator control unit monitors an output voltage at each of the first channel and the second channel and generates the first and second control signals based on the output voltage.

An electrical machine includes a stator having a main armature winding, an exciter field winding, and a transformer primary winding. A rotor is operatively connected to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor includes an exciter armature winding operatively connected to the exciter armature winding for field excitation therebetween, a main field winding operatively connected to the main armature winding for field excitation therebetween, and a transformer secondary winding operatively connected to the transformer primary winding to form a rotating transformer. A generator control unit is operatively connected to the main armature winding, exciter field winding, and transformer primary winding to control the main armature and exciter field windings based on excitation in the primary winding received from the transformer secondary winding.

A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated by extracting thermal energy from a gas to condense the gas into a liquid and transferring the thermal energy to the electrically polarizable material. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material in thermal communication with a heat source, wherein the heat source is a condenser. An apparatus is also described which comprises a chamber, one or more conduits inside the chamber for conveying a cooling fluid and an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes on an outer surface of the conduit. A gas introduced into the chamber condenses on the conduits and thermal energy is thereby transferred from the gas to the electrically polarizable material.

This invention is directed to a system that generates a sufficient level of electricity through access to a municipal water supply line to run a furnace during below freezing temperatures. The system includes an inlet that draws water from a water supply line. A first conduit, in communication with the inlet, transports the water into a DC generator that includes an impeller to generate electricity. Water is then routed through a second conduit which then returns the water to the water supply line through an outlet. A solenoid valve may be positioned between the inlet and first conduit which remains closed when the electric grid runs normally but will open during a power outage to supply water to the DC generator. A lithium battery stores power created by the DC generator, which may include a voltage regulator and inverter to convert to DC.

Systems and methods for monitoring excitation of a generator based on a faulty status of a generator breaker are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive, from a contact associated with a generator breaker, a reported status of the generator breaker, receive operational data associated with one or more parameters of a generator associated with the generator breaker, and correlate the reported status of the generator breaker and the operational data. Based on the correlation, the processor may establish an actual status of the generator breaker, and, based on the actual status, selectively modify a mode of excitation of the generator.

The regulator/brush-holder assembly (1) comprises a support (2) and an electrical circuit (5, 6) comprising a regulating element (5) connected by microwires to a trace circuit (6). The electrical circuit further includes a filtering circuit (10) separate from the regulating element and connected by microwires to the trace circuit. According to one particular embodiment, the filtering circuit comprises an insulating substrate (11) and surface-mounted components (C1, C2, S1, S2, V). A ground plane (19) and/or one or more ground pads may be provided for connection to a ground trace of the trace circuit. The filtration frequencies of the filter circuit extend from 100 kHz to 1 GHz.

A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated using thermal energy obtained from: a combustion reaction; solar energy; a nuclear reaction; ocean water; geothermal energy; or thermal energy recovered from an industrial process. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material. The heat source used to heat the material can be: a combustion apparatus; a solar thermal collector; or a component of a furnace exhaust device. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can be a device for extracting thermal energy from the earth, the sun, ocean water, an industrial process, a combustion reaction or a nuclear reaction. A vehicle is also described which comprises an apparatus for converting heat to electrical energy connected to an electric motor.

A system, method and apparatus for automatically adapting power grid usage by controlling internal and/or external power-related assets of one or more users in response to power regulation and/or frequency regulation functions in a manner beneficial to both the power grid itself and the users of the power grid.

A generator drive system for the generator (3) of an internal combustion engine (1), including a flexible drive having a traction mechanism (5) which is guided across a generator pulley (6) driving the generator (3). The generator (3) is configured and electrically wired such that the generator (3) can be temporarily driven as a motor, and the generator (3) is coupled to the generator pulley (6) or the crankshaft pulley (7) is coupled to the crankshaft (8) via an overrunning clutch (4) which allows the generator (3), when operated as a motor, running faster than the generator pulley (6) or, taking into consideration a gear ratio, the crankshaft (8).

A motor includes a frame, a shaft rotatably mounted onto the frame, and at least one disc mounted onto the shaft. At least one permanent magnet is mounted on the disc, and at least one electromagnet and at least one coil are mounted to the frame in rotational magnetic proximity to the permanent magnet. A battery is connectable to the electromagnet and the coil for energizing the electromagnet and for receiving electrical current from the coil for charging the battery. A relay switch controls the transmission of electrical power from the battery to the electromagnet. A sensor generates a signal to the relay switch to activate electrical power to the electromagnet upon sensing that the permanent magnet is positioned with respect to the electromagnet such that a magnetic force generated by the electromagnet would be effective for inducing movement of the permanent magnet and consequent rotation of the disc.

A spooling apparatus includes a spool for holding wire, the spool having a wire-retaining section and end plates, the end plates having one or more apertures. A conductive plate is positioned on an end plate of the spool opposite the wire-retaining section, and at least one conductive extension that extends through a corresponding aperture of the end plate such that the conductive extension is adjacent to the wire retaining section. Wire is spooled onto the wire-retaining section, at least a portion of the wire being uninsulated and in electrical contact with the conductive extensions of the conductive plate.

A mobile device case includes a reel assembly, including a reel, a supporting plate, and a hub between the reel and the supporting plate. The hub includes a first cavity between the hub and the supporting plate for housing a spring, and a second cavity between the hub and the reel for housing a flat flexible cable (FFC). The spring is wound in a first direction, while the FFC is wound in a second direction. The FFC includes a first end for electrically coupling to a female jack connector of a device. A female connector is electrically coupled to a second end of the FFC for engaging a male jack connector of user-provided headphones. When the reel rotates in the first direction, the spring tightens and the FFC loosens. When the reel rotates in the second direction, the spring loosens and the FFC tightens.

An electrically powered mining vehicle including a frame rollingly supported on a surface for movement over the surface. An electric motor is coupled to the frame for proving power to the vehicle. A cable is electrically coupled to the electric motor for supplying electricity thereto and a cable management system is coupled to the frame and arranged to receive and payout the cable as the vehicle moves over the surface. A sheave bracket is coupled to the frame and arranged to direct the cable into the cable management system and includes a lower plate arranged substantially horizontally, a plurality of vertical rollers that are coupled to the lower plate and are arranged to guide the cable into the cable management system, and a horizontal roller that is coupled to the lower plate and arranged to elevate the cable above the lower plate.

Disclosed is a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, in particular to a track bound vehicle such as a light rail vehicle. The system includes an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle. The electric conductor arrangement includes at least one alternating current line. Each alternating current line carries one phase of an alternating electric current. The conductor arrangement includes a plurality of consecutive segments. The segments extend along the path of travel of the, vehicle. Each segment includes one section of each of the at least one alternating current line.

The upper lateral collection structure (8) is mounted on a land vehicle (1), notably an urban public transport vehicle, and cooperates, for the purpose of overhead electrical power supply to the vehicle, with fixed contact slippers (16) located along its route. This structure comprises: a conducting track (14) arranged longitudinally (NEW) the upper lateral part of the vehicle and comprising a contact region (15) for the contact slipper; an electrical connection connecting the conducting track to the electrical circuit of the vehicle; an insulating support (24) on which the conducting track is mounted; a means of mechanical connection of the collecting structure to the vehicle; and a damping device which damps out the shocks resulting from the contact slipper and ensures satisfactory contact between the conducting track and the contact slipper. This invention is of benefit to the manufacturers of electrically powered public transport vehicles.

A cord storage apparatus includes an electric motor configured to retract a power reception cord to be connected to an external power supply and a control unit configured to determine whether or not the power reception cord is retracted away from the ground when the power reception cord is connected to the external power supply and control the electric motor to stop retracting the power reception cord when the power reception cord is retracted away from the ground.

A method of controlling combustion of a gas appliance includes the following steps: a) Read a first burning data in a database; b) Burn gas according to the first burning data; c) Obtain a burning efficiency of the gas appliance; and d) Compare the burning efficiency with a predetermined value, and repeat the step b to the step d when the burning efficiency is higher than the value, or read a second burning data in the database and burn gas according to the second burning data when the burning efficiency is lower than the value. The present invention provides plural stages of burning according to the main component of the gas to be burned to increase the total burning efficiency.

A method of assembling a syngas cooler is provided. The method includes coupling a supply line within a cooler shell, coupling a heat transfer panel within the cooler shell, and coupling a heat transfer enclosure within the cooler shell such that the heat transfer enclosure substantially isolates the heat transfer panel from the cooler shell. A manifold is coupled in flow communication with the supply line, the heat transfer enclosure, and the heat transfer panel.

An improved method of making a baked pastry, particularly, a shell or wrap for a samosa from a pastry dough in a convection baking oven having a convection atmosphere, the method comprising baking the dough in the oven at a baking temperature for a baking period of time, the improvement having the convection atmosphere with a sufficiently moist atmosphere for the duration of the baking time to prevent the pastry from becoming dry.

A burner box includes a housing, a fuel tube and a porous heat dissipating surface. The housing is bounded by a sidewall and has a top and an opposite bottom that are each open so that the sidewall defines an open passage that allows unimpeded vertical airflow. The fuel tube extends into the passage and defines a plurality of spaced apart orifices that distribute fuel into the open passage. The fuel tube is at a distance from the top of the housing so that substantially all of the fuel is entrained by the combustion air before the fuel reaches the top. The heat dissipating surface is disposed across the top of the housing and supports a flame. The heat dissipating surface includes enough open area so that the fuel/air mixture passes through the porous heat dissipating surface unimpeded. The heat dissipating surface dissipates heat from the flame and prevents flashback.

An apparatus for generating electric pulses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a generator or oscillator for charging a storage capacitor and a control circuit for controlling the discharge of the capacitor through an output or discharge circuit which includes a controllable switch device and two output terminals or electrodes. In an embodiment, the output circuit also includes a high voltage output pulse transformer.Whenever a load resistance exists or occurs between the two output electrodes, a particular detector current will flow through the load resistance and through a specific detector or load sensing circuit in the apparatus. This detector current indicating that an external load resistance is present, will automatically start the charging generator which then will operate to charge and recharge the storage capacitor as long as the detector current exists, i.e. as long as the external load is present.

A self-defense apparatus includes a battery-powered source of high voltage arranged in an insulated housing and a finger probe device which is strapped to one finger of one hand of the user and is electrically connected to the source of high voltage. The finger probe device includes a layer of electrical insulation disposed between the finger and two metal prongs which protrude outwardly adjacent the distal end of the finger. One prong couples to the hot side of the source of high voltage and the other prong couples to the ground side of the source of high voltage. A two conductor cable connects the two prongs to the source of high voltage and when both prongs are placed in contact with an electrically conductive surface, they deliver in excess of 1,200 volts.

A self-defense apparatus includes a battery-powered source of high voltage arranged in an insulated housing and a finger probe device which is strapped to one finger of one hand of the user and is electrically connected to the source of high voltage. The finger probe device includes a layer of electrical insulation disposed between the finger and two metal prongs which protrude outwardly adjacent the distal end of the finger. One prong couples to the hot side of the source of high voltage and the other prong couples to the ground side of the source of high voltage. A two-conductor cable connects the two prongs to the source of high voltage and when both prongs are placed in contact with an electrically conductive surface, they deliver in excess of 1,200 volts.

A battery operated hand held device for use in handling or controlling livestock, particularly cattle, swine, sheep and horses. This invention provides a novel alternative to conventional electric livestock prods, which deliver an electric shock to the animal. While operating on the principle of external stimulus to invoke a flight response, this invention relies on vibration and/or sound rather than painful electric shock. This unique mode of action satisfies the needs in the livestock industry for low stress handling equipment and techniques with the welfare of the animal as a priority.