A self-regulating Class E/resonant power converter includes a power switching device which is gated on at each transition between negative and... Show moreA self-regulating Class E/resonant power converter includes a power switching device which is gated on at each transition between negative and positive half cycles of the load current by drive signals generated by a drive circuit, the rate at which the drive signals are generated being controlled by a zero crossing detector which monitors the load current and adjusts the frequency of the drive signals in correspondence with changes in the time between successive negative-to-positive zero crossings of the load current such that the power switching device continues to be switched on at substantially zero voltage, zero slope conditions to maintain the power converter operating at the optimal Class E frequency. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A method for improving searches in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system that includes a plurality of server computers. A content file,... Show moreA method for improving searches in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing system that includes a plurality of server computers. A content file, identified by a descriptor including at least one metadata term and a mathematical identifier that uniquely identifies the content file in one of the server computers, is selected for searching. Other server computers are searched to find one or more matching content files; one that has a descriptor with a mathematical identifier matching the mathematical identifier of the first content file. The descriptors of the matching content files are returned to the searching server computer and used to expand the local descriptor. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A magnetic transducing system where a liquid-state lubricating film forms a surface layer of the record medium and the thickness of the film ... Show moreA magnetic transducing system where a liquid-state lubricating film forms a surface layer of the record medium and the thickness of the film (which is susceptible to shear forces due to pressure contact with the transducer head) is selected to be within a critical thickness range correlated with system parameters so as to essentially minimize both wear on the transducer head and transfer of liquid to the record contact face of the head. The process of forming the liquid-state lubricating film is selected to avoid any disturbance of the molecular structure of the magnetizable layer of the record medium; and in particular the binder (preferably a cross linked polymer formulation without any constituents added for lubricating purposes) has the liquid-state lubricating film applied thereto without the assistance of swelling agents or other process steps which might be injurious to the integrity of the magnetizable layer. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
Communication and Process Migration Protocols instituted in an independent layer of a virtual machine environment allow for heterogeneous or... Show moreCommunication and Process Migration Protocols instituted in an independent layer of a virtual machine environment allow for heterogeneous or homogeneous process migration. The protocols manage message traffic for processes communicating in the virtual machine environment. The protocols manage message traffic for migrating processes so that no message traffic is lost during migration, and proper message order is maintained for the migrating process. In addition to correctness of migration operations, low overhead and high efficiency is achieved for supporting scalable, point-to-point communications. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A physical assistive robotic device may include a frame including an upright support member, a lateral member slidably engaged with the... Show moreA physical assistive robotic device may include a frame including an upright support member, a lateral member slidably engaged with the upright support member, a handle slidably engaged with the upright support member, an elevator actuator coupled to the upright support member and the lateral member, and a lateral actuator coupled to the lateral member and the handle. The elevation actuator translates the lateral member and the lateral actuator translates the handle to transition a user between a standing position and a non-standing position. Sponsorship: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A method and apparatus for electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) for fabricating a thin-layer yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte on a... Show moreA method and apparatus for electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) for fabricating a thin-layer yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte on a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode substrate constructed of nickel-YSZ cermet. By reducing the thickness of the electrolyte, and thereby reducing the cell internal IR drop, an intermediate temperature SOFC (ITSOFC) can operate at 600 800.degree. C. A collar positioned at a distance from a discharge end of a spray nozzle enhances a spray pattern of a precursor including the electrolyte material and thus provides a very thin electrolyte layer. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A method and device for monitoring or treating patient glucose levels. The device includes a glucose sensor for measuring a glucose level of a... Show moreA method and device for monitoring or treating patient glucose levels. The device includes a glucose sensor for measuring a glucose level of a patient, a physiological status monitoring system for measuring at least one physical or metabolic variable of the patient, and an automatic controller in communication with the glucose sensor and the physiological status monitoring system. The controller includes a prediction module for automatically predicting a future glucose level using data measured by the glucose sensor and the physiological sensor. Sponsorship: Illinois Institute of Technology United States Patent Show less
A mounting structure for the transducer head of a transducing system of the type having a plurality of laterally spaced head units aligned on... Show moreA mounting structure for the transducer head of a transducing system of the type having a plurality of laterally spaced head units aligned on a transverse axis and arranged for simultaneous scanning of respective, discrete channels of a tape record medium, and in which the head is mounted on a fixed support for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to a plane of movement of the tape record medium across said head; biased in one direction about such pivot axis and adjustment means for adjusting the angle of disposition of the transverse axis of such head relative to the direction of movement of the tape record medium across such head including a threaded member threadedly engaging into the support and having a manually grippable portion to enable manual, threaded adjustment of the member relative to the fixed support, and means movable with said threaded portion and having an annular, V-shaped groove formed therein by radial, sloping annular walls, and a spring biased detent ball entering said groove for cooperation with said groove walls. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
A collapsible, transportable personnel isolation apparatus or device is used to isolate a patient in a controlled environment and to protect... Show moreA collapsible, transportable personnel isolation apparatus or device is used to isolate a patient in a controlled environment and to protect the patient against biological or chemical hazards during transport of the patient. The collapsible apparatus has a flexible containment wall which is expandable from a collapsed, stored state to an expanded state to receive the patient. At least a portion of the containment wall is clear to allow observation of the patient within an interior region of the device. An air filtration system is provided for filtering air between the airtight interior region and the ambient atmosphere. Preferably, the apparatus has various ports therein, such as glove ports, pass through ports, access ports for cardiac leads, infusion line ports, and ventilation ports. Preferably, an air filtration device provides a flow rate of 4 to 6 cfm to prevent an undesirable build-up of carbon dioxide and provides a predetermined air pressure within the interior regions. In one form, the containment device is a clam shell litter type for transport of a prone patient and in another form the device is a jacket type with a hood defining an air impermeable chamber for an ambulatory patient who carries an ambulatory air filtration device for supplying and filtering the air impermeable chamber. Sponsorship: IIT Research Institute United States Patent Show less
