Abstract: In a flue gas scrubber for removing sulfur dioxide from flue gas and having a spray dryer vessel inlet duct defined by a duct wall, the apparatus may be used to measure in situ the wet bulb temperature of the flue gas in the dryer vessel inlet duct. A water nozzle and a temperature sensor are both located in the dryer vessel inlet duct. The nozzle sprays water on the sensor and the wet bulb temperature of the flue gas is continuously measured. The apparatus gathers wet bulb temperature data which may be used for process control or for determining whether a leak has occurred within the tubes of a coal-fired steam boiler.

Abstract: A novel high frequency LCLC double resonant electronic ballast has been developed for gas discharge lamp applications. The ballast consists of a half-bridge inverter which switches at zero voltage crossing and an LCLC resonant circuit which converts a low ac voltage to a high ac voltage. The LCLC resonant circuit has two LC stages. The first LC stage produces a high voltage before the lamp is ignited. The second LC stage limits lamp current with the circuit inductance after the lamp is ignited. In another embodiment a filament power supply is provided for soft start up and for dimming the lamp. The filament power supply is a secondary of the second resonant inductor.

Abstract: The present invention monitors RF emissions within a turbine generator. A coupling device provides a connection between preexisting thermal sensor leads and an RF monitor. Preexisting thermal sensor leads are connected to thermocouples and resistance temperature detectors during manufacture of the turbine generator. The RF monitor is used in the present invention to monitor RF emissions flowing in the thermal sensor leads thereby avoiding a need to retrofit RF sensors on the generator. The present invention also provides a capacitive coupling means between the thermal sensor leads and the RF monitor. The present invention also provides an inductive means to reduce interference from RF emissions having sources external to the generator.

Abstract: A fish diversion apparatus uses a plane screen to divert fish for variety of types of water intakes in order to protect fish from injury and death. The apparatus permits selection of a relatively small screen angle, for example ten degrees, to minimize fish injury. The apparatus permits selection of a high water velocity, for example ten feet per second, to maximize power generation efficiency. The apparatus is especially suitable retrofit to existing water intakes. The apparatus is modular to allow use plural modules in parallel to adjust for water flow conditions. The apparatus has a floor, two opposite side walls, and a roof which define a water flow passage and a plane screen within the passage. The screen is oriented to divert fish into a fish bypass which carries fish to a safe discharge location. The dimensions of the floor, walls, and roof are selected to define the dimensions of the passage and to permit selection of the screen angle.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel apparatus for excavating a mass, such as a rock. The present invention directs a high velocity fluid stream onto a mass and simultaneously directs a pulsing laser beam onto the same mass. The laser beam vaporizes material and the fluid confines the vaporized material causing shock waves to enter the rock. The confined shock waves impart greater force than non-confined shock waves and this greater force fractures the mass. The fluid stream also washes loose particles from the mass to provide a new excavation surface.

Abstract: In a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system such as a heat pump having a multi-zone hydronic thermal distribution system or such as an air conditioner, a novel condensate removal apparatus removes condensate from each zone fan coil. Each fan coil uses a valve to drain condensate from a fan coil drip pan into a drainage conduit. The drainage conduits from each valve carry condensate to a tank. The tank acts as a manifold for fluid collection from the different fan coils. A single pump draws condensate from fan coils through drainage conduits to the tank. This same pump draws a vacuum in the tank and the drainage conduits. The pump uses a single outlet conduit to discharge condensate.

Abstract: A sheath is used to house a conventional pH sensor within the sheath's interior. The sheath is exposed to a descending spray within a sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2) absorber. A fill port collects a portion of the spray and the sheath accumulates the collected spray as a slurry sample within its interior. The pH sensor becomes immersed in the sample slurry. Slurry is discharged from the interior by way of drain notches and drain holes. Discharged sample slurry descends to enter a bulk slurry to allow recycling. A steady state of slurry collection and slurry discharge is reached such that the sample slurry is continuously refreshed. Elevation of the sheath over the bulk slurry prevents slurry from the bulk from entering into the slurry sample.