1. A resonant inverter circuit, comprising:
a resonant circuit, formed by a capacitor and an inductor to operate a lamp;
a current transformer, coupled to said resonant circuit to generate control signals in response to a switching current of said resonant circuit;
control circuits, including a first control circuit and a second control circuit, for generating switching signals in response to said control signals;
a first transistor and a second transistor, coupled to said control circuits to switch said resonant circuit in response to said switching signals;
a capacitor, coupled to said current transformer to produce a supply voltage for said second control circuit;
a start-up resistor, wherein an input voltage charges said capacitor via said start-up resistor; and
a charge-pump circuit, coupled to said capacitor to provide another supply voltage for said first control circuit; wherein said charge-pump circuit is operated in response to the switching operation of said first transistor and said second transistor.
2. The resonant inverter circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching signal is enabled once said control signal is higher than a first threshold; and said switching signal is disabled once said control signal is lower than a second threshold.
3. The resonant inverter circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control circuit, comprises:
a comparator, coupled to said current transformer to generate an enabling signal in response to said control signal, wherein said enabling signal is enabled once said control signal is higher than said first threshold, and said enabling signal is disabled once said control signal is lower than said second threshold;
a start-up circuit, coupled to said supply voltage, for generating a start-up signal when said supply voltage is higher than a start-up threshold; and
a one-shot circuit, coupled to said start-up circuit to generate a one-shot signal in response to said start-up signal, wherein said switching signal is generated in response to said one-shot signal and said enabling signal.
4. A resonant inverter, comprising:
a resonant circuit, formed by a capacitor and an inductor to drive a load;
a transformer, coupled to said resonant circuit to generate control signals in response to the switching operation of said resonant circuit;
control circuits, for generating switching signals in response to said control signals;
a first transistor and a second transistor, coupled to said control circuits to switch said resonant circuit in response to said switching signals; wherein said transformer provides a supply voltage for generating switching signals; and
a start-up resistor, wherein an input voltage charges said capacitor via said start-up resistor.
5. The resonant inverter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said transformer is a current transformer.
6. The resonant inverter as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:
a capacitor, coupled to said transformer to produce said supply voltage for said control circuits; and
a charge-pump circuit, coupled to said capacitor to provide another supply voltage;
wherein said charge-pump circuit is operated in response to the switching operation of said first transistor and said second transistor.
7. The resonant inverter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said switching signal is enabled once said control signal is higher than a first threshold; said switching signal is disabled once said control signal is lower than a second threshold.
8. The resonant inverter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control circuit, comprises:
a comparator, coupled to said transformer to generate an enabling signal in response to said control signal, wherein said enabling signal is enabled once said control signal is higher than said first threshold, and said enabling signal is disabled once said control signal is lower than said second threshold;
a start-up circuit, coupled to said supply voltage to generate a start-up signal when said supply voltage is higher than a start-up threshold; and
a one-shot circuit, coupled to said start-up circuit to generate a one-shot signal in response to said start-up signal, wherein said switching signal is generated in response to said one-shot signal and said enabling signal.
9. An inverter, comprising:
a resonant circuit, formed by a capacitor and a transformer to operate a lamp;
a current transformer, coupled to said resonant circuit to generate control signals in response to a switching current of said resonant circuit;
control circuits, for generating switching signals in response to said control signals;
a first transistor and a second transistor, coupled to said control circuits to switch said resonant circuit in response to said switching signals; wherein said transformer provides a supply voltage for generating said switching signals; and
a start-up resistor, wherein an input voltage charges said capacitor via said start-up resistor.
10. The inverter as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:
a capacitor, coupled to said transformer to produce said supply voltage for control circuits; and
a charge-pump circuit, coupled to said capacitor to provide another supply voltage;
wherein said charge-pump circuit is operated in response to the switching operation of said first transistor and said second transistor.
11. The inverter as claimed in claim 9, wherein said switching signal is enabled once said control signal is higher than a first threshold, and said switching signal is disabled once said control signal is lower than a second threshold.
12. The inverter as claimed in claim 9, wherein said control circuit comprises:
a comparator, coupled to said current transformer to generate an enabling signal in response to said control signal, in which said enabling signal is enabled once said control signal is higher than said first threshold, and said enabling signal is disabled once said control signal is lower than said second threshold;
a start-up circuit, coupled to said supply voltage to generate a start-up signal when said supply voltage is higher than a start-up threshold; and
a one-shot circuit, coupled to said start-up circuit to generate a one-shot signal in response to said start-up signal, wherein said switching signal is generated in response to said one-shot signal and said enabling signal.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A disposable transporter having a top surface for carrying a person, comprising:
a backing substrate having a first side and a second side, the second side of the backing substrate being positioned opposite the first side of the backing substrate, wherein the second side of the backing substrate forms a back surface of the transporter;
an absorbent body secured to the first side of the backing substrate, the absorbent body being sized less than the backing substrate so that a portion of the backing substrate forms an edge about the absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body is co-planar with the backing substrate and the transporter, and wherein when the person is positioned on the top surface of the transporter, the absorbent body is located directly beneath the person, and contacts a back portion of the person, to absorb exuded body fluids and thereby acts to dry the person,
wherein the backing substrate extends beyond the absorbent body, and is folded over to form a portion of the top surface of the transporter; and
a gripping device in the edge.
2. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the gripping device is unencumbered by the absorbent body.
3. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the transporter has a strength sufficient to carry a person weighing at least 250 pounds.
4. The transporter according to claim 3, wherein the transporter is at least eighteen (18) inches in width, at least sixty-five (65) inches in length, and has a total weight of less than four (4) pounds.
5. The transporter according to claim 4, wherein the transporter is about thirty-three (33) inches in width, about seventy-eight (78) inches in length, and has a total weight of less than three (3) pounds.
6. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the backing substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: nylon, nylon composite material, strong cloth material, canvas, hemp, flax, cotton fiber materials, polyethylene, polypropylene, polymer films, and any combinations thereof.
7. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the backing substrate further comprises a liquid-impermeable material that forms a moisture barrier to protect the person on the transporter.
8. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the backing substrate is a puncture-resistant material.
9. The transporter according to claim 1, further comprising an active agent selected from the group consisting of: antimicrobial, bactericide, fungicide, virucide, disinfectant, sanitizer, sterilizer, mildewstat, surfactant, deodorizer, and any combinations thereof.
10. The transporter according to claim 9, wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of: metal, metal compound, surface active agent, quaternary ammonium compound, organic acid, inorganic acid, salt, sulfite, biopolymer, synthetic polymer, chitin, chitosan, nisin, enzyme, arginate, diacetate, antioxidant, and any combinations thereof.
11. The transporter according to claim 9, wherein the active agent is on or in the absorbent body.
12. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent body further comprises a top layer of a vapor-permeable material that permits moisture to be wicked away from a skin surface of the person on the transporter.
13. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent body further comprises one or more strengthening layers.
14. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent body further comprises an absorbent material that absorbs a large amount of body fluids.
15. The transporter according to claim 1, further comprising one or more straps that extend widthwise on the underside of the backing substrate.
16. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the gripping device is two or more gripping devices, and further comprising:
a rigid body that can be passed through the two or more gripping devices,
wherein the rigid body is a pole made of a material selected from the group consisting of: metal, wood, polymer, and any combinations thereof.
17. A kit, comprising:
a transporter according to claim 1; and
a case for enclosing the transporter,
wherein the transporter is foldable to a reduced overall size to fit within the case.
18. A method of using a transporter for carrying a person, comprising:
opening the transporter, wherein the transporter comprises:
a backing substrate having a first side and a second side, the second side of the backing substrate being positioned opposite the first side of the backing substrate, wherein the second side of the backing substrate forms a back surface of the transporter;
an absorbent body secured to the first side of the backing substrate, the absorbent body being sized less than the backing substrate so that a portion of the backing substrate forms an edge about the absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body is co-planar with the backing substrate and the transporter,
wherein the backing substrate extends beyond the absorbent body, and is folded over to form a portion of a top surface of the transporter; and
a gripping device in the edge, wherein the gripping device is unencumbered by the absorbent body;
positioning the person on the absorbent body so that the absorbent body is located directly beneath the person, and contacts a back portion of the person, to absorb exuded body fluids and thereby acts to dry the person; and
transporting the person via the transporter,
wherein the transporter has a strength sufficient to carry a person weighing at least 250 pounds, whether the transporter is wet or dry.