Author: claimsbot

1-6. (canceled)
7. A production and storage device for producing and storing dioxygen, comprising:
a source of dioxygen and dihydrogen;
a high pressure tank to store the dioxygen at high pressure, the high pressure tank being in fluid communication with the source,
a bypass line connecting an outlet of the dioxygen of the source with an outlet of the dioxygen of the production and storage device, bypassing the high pressure tank, the bypass line being fed through a pressure regulator to reduce the pressure in the bypass line; and
a device for measuring the concentration of dihydrogen in the dioxygen produced by the source, the measuring device being arranged on the bypass line.
8. The production and storage device as recited in claim 7 further comprising a low pressure line placing the high pressure tank in fluid communication with the outlet of the dioxygen of the production and storage device, the bypass line leading into the low pressure line, the low pressure line being adapted to store the dioxygen transiting through the bypass line.
9. The production and storage device as recited in claim 8 wherein the low pressure line comprises a low pressure tank to store the dioxygen transiting through the bypass line.
10. The production and storage device as recited in claim 9 wherein the source of the dioxygen and the dihydrogen is an electrolyser.
11. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell adapted to produce an electric current by redox reaction between dioxygen and dihydrogen; and
a device feeding the fuel cell with dioxygen and dihydrogen including the production and storage device as recited in claim 7.
12. A method for producing and storing dioxygen comprising the following steps:
producing dioxygen and dihydrogen;
storing the produced dioxygen in a high pressure tank;
expanding the dioxygen at an outlet of the high pressure tank to feed a device with the dioxygen at low pressure,
sampling a portion of the produced dioxygen before storage in the high pressure tank;
expanding the sampled portion of the dioxygen;
measuring the concentration of dihydrogen included in the expanded portion of the dioxygen; and
mixing the expanded portion of the dioxygen with the dioxygen output from the high pressure tank.
13. A production and storage device for producing and storing dihydrogen, comprising:
a source of dioxygen and dihydrogen;
a high pressure tank to store the dihydrogen at high pressure, the high pressure tank being in fluid communication with the source,
a bypass line connecting an outlet of the dihydrogen of the source with an outlet of the dihydrogen of the production and storage device, bypassing the high pressure tank, the bypass line being fed through a pressure regulator to reduce the pressure in the bypass line; and
a device for measuring the concentration of dioxygen in the dihydrogen produced by the source, the measuring device being arranged on the bypass line.
14. The production and storage device as recited in claim 13 further comprising a low pressure line placing the high pressure tank in fluid communication with the outlet of the dihydrogen of the production and storage device, the bypass line leading into the low pressure line, the low pressure line being adapted to store the dihydrogen transiting through the bypass line.
15. The production and storage device as recited in claim 8 wherein the low pressure line comprises a low pressure tank to store the dihydrogen transiting through the bypass line.
16. The production and storage device as recited in claim 15 wherein the source of the dioxygen and the dihydrogen is an electrolyser.
17. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell adapted to produce an electric current by redox reaction between dioxygen and dihydrogen; and
a device feeding the fuel cell with dioxygen and dihydrogen including the production and storage device as recited in claim 13.
18. A method for producing and storing dihydrogen comprising the following steps:
producing dioxygen and dihydrogen;
storing the produced dihydrogen in a high pressure tank;
expanding the dihydrogen at an outlet of the high pressure tank to feed a device with the dihydrogen at low pressure,
sampling a portion of the produced dihydrogen before storage in the high pressure tank;
expanding the sampled portion of the dihydrogen;
measuring the concentration of dioxygen included in the expanded portion of the dihydrogen; and
mixing the expanded portion of the dihydrogen with the dihydrogen output from the high pressure tank.

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 fluidic circuit on a bio-disc for separating a component of a sample fluid, the fluidic circuit comprising:
a first main channel comprising
a separation chamber for receiving a sample fluid for processing, said separation chamber comprising an inlet port; and
an air chamber in fluid communication with said separation chamber, said air chamber configured to have a volume of air contained therein;

a second main channel connected to said first main channel comprising
a return section through which a separated component of the sample fluid flows for analysis;
one or more analysis sections in fluid communication with said return section, said one or more analysis sections having reagents deposited therein;
an entrance portion connected to said separation chamber and said return section, said return section in fluid communication with said first main channel through said entrance portion,

wherein said air chamber is configured to receive sample fluid from said separation chamber flows when said fluidic circuit is rotated such that the received sample fluid compresses said volume of air thereby providing pneumatic force that drives a separated component of the sample fluid through said entrance portion to said one or more analysis sections via said return section.
2. The fluidic circuit of claim 1, wherein said entrance portion comprises an elbow section disposed such that a portion of said elbow section is disposed closer to the center of the bio-disc than the connection between said entrance portion and said separation chamber.
3. The fluidic circuit of claim 2, wherein said elbow section comprises a hydrophobic barrier to prevent flow of a fluid from entering the return channel before separation of the component.
4. The fluidic circuit of claim 2, wherein said elbow section comprises a filter element to prevent flow of a fluid from entering the return channel before separation of the component.
5. The fluidic circuit of claim 1, wherein said second main channel further comprises a vent port.
6. The fluidic circuit of claim 1, wherein the sample fluid is blood and the component of the fluid sample is serum.
7. The fluidic circuit of claim 1, wherein the second main channel comprises a first analysis section having reagents for reverse typing, a second analysis section having reagents for glucose quantitation, and a third analysis section having reagents for cholesterol analysis.
8. A fluidic circuit on a bio-disc for receiving a sample fluid and separating therefrom a component of the fluid, the fluidic circuit comprising:
a loading chamber for receiving a fluid sample, said loading chamber comprising an inlet port for introducing said fluid sample into said loading chamber;
a return channel comprising
a first end connected to said loading chamber;
a second end connected to the loading chamber, wherein said first end is connected to said loading chamber proximate to said inlet port and at a location closer to the center of the bio-disc than the location of said second end connection to said loading chamber,
wherein said first end is configured so that a first amount of a fluid sample loaded through the inlet port enters said first end of said return channel and a second amount of the fluid sample enters said second end of the return channel to thereby create an air lock within the return channel; and

an analysis chamber in fluid communication with said return channel through said second end, wherein the return channel is configured so that when the bio-disc is rotated, the first amount of fluid sample in the first end of the return channel moves into the loading chamber eliminating the air lock, and when the rotation is discontinued, at least a portion of the separated component enters the return channel through the second end of the return channel and flows to the analysis chamber by capillary action.
9. The fluidic circuit of claim 8, further comprising an air chamber in fluid communication with said loading chamber, said air chamber having a volume of air, and wherein said loading chamber and said air chamber are configured such that a portion of the fluid introduced in said loading chamber flows into said air chamber and compresses said volume of air when said bio-disc is rotated, said compressed volume of air providing a pneumatic force that drives said at least a portion of the separated component into said return channel when the rotation of the bio-disc is reduced.
10. The fluidic circuit of claim 9, wherein the sample fluid is blood and the separated component is serum.
11. A fluidic circuit on a bio-disc configured to centrifuge the fluid by rotating the bio-disc and to effectuate the flow of at least a portion of the fluid to one or more chambers for further processing or analysis, comprising:
a fluid channel configured to receive a sample fluid;
at least one chamber for processing a portion of the sample fluid; and
an air chamber in fluid communication with said fluid channel, said air chamber having a volume of air contained therein, wherein the fluid channel and said air chamber are configured such that a portion of the sample fluid introduced in said fluid channel flows into said air chamber and compresses said volume of air when said fluidic circuit is rotated, said compressed volume of air providing a pneumatic force that drives at least a portion of the sample fluid to said at least one chamber for further processing or analysis.
12. The fluidic circuit of claim 11, wherein said air chamber is sealed except for a portion of said air chamber which is in fluid communication with said first fluid channel.

1. A computer input apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a light source to project light on a working surface;
a sensor chip to capture reflected images from said working surface; and
a control circuit having a calibration circuit to control power provided to said light source.
2. The computer input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit is integrated with said the sensor chip.
3. The computer input apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
an optical element positioned between said light source and said working surface.
4. The computer input apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a housing and a circuit board coupled with said sensor chip.
5. The computer input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power provided to said light source is in a range between a threshold value of said light source and a predetermined safety value of said light source.
6. The computer input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said calibration circuit comprises:
an amplifier having a first input of a reference voltage;
a first transistor having a gate connected to an output of said amplifier;
an external resistor having one terminal connected to a second input of said amplifier;
wherein said first transistor has one other terminal connected the second input of the amplifier; and
wherein said first input and said second input of said amplifier form a virtual ground.
7. The computer input apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said calibration circuit further comprises:
a second transistor having a gate connected to said gate of said first transistor;
a third transistor having a gate connected to one terminal thereof;
wherein one terminal of said second transistor is connected to said power and the other terminal of said second transistor is connected to said gate of said third transistor;
wherein the other terminal of said third transistor is connected to said ground.
8. The computer input apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said gate of said third transistor provides an output voltage to said light source.
9. The computer input apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a switch interposed between a power supply and said light source to selectively turn off said light source.
10. A computer input apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a light source to project light on a working surface;
a sensor chip to capture reflected images from said working surface; and
a control circuit having a fault detection circuit to control power provided to said light source.
11. The computer input apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:
a switch interposed between a power supply and said light source.
12. The computer input apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control circuit is integrated with said sensor chip.
13. The computer input apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said fault detection circuit produces a control signal to reduce a current flowing through said light source when it detects an excessive current flowing through said light source.
14. The computer input apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the fault detection circuit provides a control signal to stop a current flowing through said light source when it detects an excessive current flowing through said light source.
15. The computer input apparatus according to claim 10, current flowing through said light source is in a specific range between a threshold wherein current and a safety current of said light source.
16. The computer input apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said fault detection circuit comprises:
a first current source to provide a current flowing through said light source;
a first resistor having a first terminal coupled to said first current source and a second terminal coupled to said light source;
an amplifier having a first input connected to one terminal of said light source, a second input and an output;
a transistor having a gate connected to said output of said amplifier and one terminal connected to said second input of said amplifier;
a second resistor having two terminals, a first terminal being connected to said second input of said amplifier; and
a second current source coupled with said second terminal of said second resistor to provide a current such that a voltage level of said second terminal of said second resistor is similar to a voltage level of said second terminal of said first resistor,
wherein said current flowing through said light source is controlled in accordance with a comparison between said voltage level of said second terminal of said second resistor and said voltage level of said second terminal of said first resistor.
17. The computer input apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said resistance of said second resistor is a multiple of said resistance of said first resistor, and said current provided by said first current source is a multiple of said current provided by said second current source.
18. The computer input apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:
a comparator to compare said voltage level of said second terminal of said second resistor and said voltage level of said second terminal of said first resistor.
19. The computer input apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:
a comparator to compare said voltage level of said first terminal of said first resistor and a reference voltage.
20. The computer input apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:
a digital unit;
a first comparator to compare said voltage level of said second terminal of said second resistor and said voltage level of said second terminal of said first resistor; and
a second comparator to compare said voltage level of said first terminal of said first resistor and a reference voltage;
wherein said digital unit receives the comparison results from said first comparator and said second comparator and further controls said first current source to reduce excessive current flowing through said light source.
21. A computer input apparatus, comprising:
a light source to project a light on a working surface;
a sensor chip to capture reflected images from said working surface;
a control circuit having a fault detection circuit, a first current source to provide a current flowing through said light source, and a calibration circuit to control said first current source by a first control signal to provide said current in a specific range between a threshold current and a safety current of said light source;
wherein said fault detection circuit controls said first current source by a second control signal to avoid excessive current flowing through said light source.
22. The computer input apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said calibration circuit comprises a regulator to further control said first current source based upon a reference voltage.
23. The computer input apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control circuit is integrated with said sensor chip.
24. The computer input apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising:
an optical element positioned between said light source and said working surface.
25. The computer input apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising:
a switch interposed between a power supply and said light source to selectively turn off said light source.
26. The computer input apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising:
a control signal controlling the switch interposed between the power supply and said light source.
27. The computer input apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the control signal is generated by a power supply on circuit.
28. The computer input apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the control signal is generated by a voltage detection circuit.
29. The computer input apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the control signal is generated by a timer circuit.

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 stationary ring surrounding a hot gas passage of a gas turbine, the ring being surrounded by a stationary annular housing so as to co-operate therewith to define an annular cooling chamber into which there opens out at least one cooling air feed orifice, the ring comprising:
a plurality of ring segments, wherein each ring segment includes a top internal cooling circuit and a bottom internal cooling circuit, the bottom cooling circuit being independent of the top cooling circuit, and being radially offset relative to the top cooling circuit, and the bottom cooling circuit including at least one cooling air feed orifice leading from the cooling chamber,
wherein said top cooling circuit includes at least one cooling air feed orifice leading from said cooling chamber.
2. A ring according to claim 1, wherein the top cooling circuit of each ring segment comprises:
at least one first internal cavity extending circumferentially between first and second longitudinal walls of the ring segment;
at least one second internal cavity extending circumferentially between the longitudinal walls of the ring segment and disposed axially upstream from the first cavity;
at least one cooling air feed orifice leading from the cooling chamber and into the first cavity to feed the first cavity;
a plurality of emission holes leading from the first cavity into the second cavity so as to cool the second cavity by air impact; and
a plurality of outlet holes leading from the second cavity and into the hot gas passage at an upstream end of the ring segment.
3. A ring according to claim 1, wherein the bottom cooling circuit of each ring segment comprises:
at least one first internal cavity extending circumferentially between first and second longitudinal walls of the ring segment and disposed at a downstream end of the ring segment;
at least one second internal cavity extending circumferentially between the longitudinal walls of the ring segment and disposed axially upstream from the first cavity;
at least one third internal cavity extending circumferentially between the longitudinal walls of the ring segment and disposed axially upstream from the second cavity;
at least first and second passages respectively putting the first cavity into communication with the second cavity, and putting the second cavity into communication with the third cavity; and
a plurality of outlet holes leading from the third cavity into the hot gas passage at an upstream end of the ring segment, the cooling air feed orifice leading into the first cavity to feed it with air.
4. A ring according to claim 3, wherein the second internal cavity of the bottom cooling circuit includes baffles to increase heat transfer.
5. A ring according to claim 3, wherein the air feed orifice and the second passage of the bottom cooling circuit are formed beside the first longitudinal wall of the ring segment, and the first passage of the bottom cooling circuit is formed beside the second longitudinal wall of the ring segment so as to increase the cooling air flow path length.
6. A ring according to claim 1, wherein the top cooling circuit of each ring segment comprises a portion of a top internal cavity such that said top internal cavity extends circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of said gas turbine, and
wherein the bottom cooling circuit of each ring segment comprises a portion of a bottom internal cavity such that said bottom internal cavity extends circumferentially around said longitudinal axis of the gas turbine, wherein said top and bottom internal cavities are radially offset with respect to each other.
7. A ring according to claim 6, wherein the entirety of said bottom internal cavity is disposed between said top internal cavity and an internal annular surface of the ring segment, wherein said internal annular surface defines said hot gas passage of the gas turbine.
8. A ring according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cooling air feed orifice that opens out into said annular cooling chamber feeds said annular cooling chamber with cooling air, and wherein said annular cooling chamber feeds both said top and bottom internal cooling circuits with said cooling air.
9. A ring according to claim 8, wherein said cooling air fed to both said top and bottom internal cooling circuits includes a fraction of outside air passing through a fan of a turbomachine that includes the gas turbine and flowing around a combustion chamber of the turbomachine.
10. A ring according to claim 1, wherein said top cooling circuit primarily cools an upstream end of the ring segment, and wherein the bottom circuit primarily cools an inside surface of the ring segment.
11. A stationary ring surrounding a hot gas passage of a gas turbine, the ring being surrounded by a stationary annular housing so as to co-operate therewith to define an annular cooling chamber into which there opens out at least one cooling air feed orifice, the ring comprising:
a plurality of ring segments, wherein each ring segment includes a top internal cooling circuit and a bottom internal cooling circuit, the bottom cooling circuit being independent of the top cooling circuit, and being radially offset relative to the top cooling circuit, and the bottom cooling circuit including at least one cooling air feed orifice leading from the cooling chamber,
wherein the bottom circuit cooling of each ring segment comprises:
at least one first internal cavity extending axially between upstream and downstream transverse walls of the ring segment and disposed besides one of first and second longitudinal walls of the ring segment;
at least one second internal cavity extending axially between the upstream and downstream transverse walls of the ring segment and being circumferentially offset relative to the first cavity;
at least one third internal cavity extending axially between the upstream and downstream transverse walls of the ring segment and being circumferentially offset relative to the second cavity;
at least one fourth internal cavity extending axially between the upstream and downstream transverse walls of the ring segment and being circumferentially offset relative to the third cavity;
at least first and second cooling air feed orifices leading from the cooling chamber into the second and third cavities respectively to feed the second and third cavities;
at least first and second passages putting respectively the second cavity into communication with the first cavity, and putting the third cavity into communication with the fourth cavity;
a plurality of first outlet holes leading from the first cavity into the hot gas passage through the first longitudinal wall of the ring segment beside which the first internal cavity is disposed; and
a plurality of second outlet holes leading from the fourth cavity into the hot gas passage through the second longitudinal wall of the ring segment.
12. A ring according to claim 11, wherein each of the second and third internal cavities of the bottom cooling circuit includes baffles for increasing heat transfer.
13. A ring according to claim 11, wherein the first and second feed orifices of the bottom cooling circuit are formed beside the first transverse wall of the ring segment and the first and second passages of the bottom cooling circuit are formed beside the second transverse wall of the ring segment so as to increase the cooling air flow path length.