Abstract: A method of efficiently extracting the pull-in parameters of an electrostatically activated actuator. The actuator is modeled as an elastic element. For each of a plurality of deformations of the elastic element, a corresponding voltage is calculated. The highest such voltage is the pull-in voltage of the actuator. The corresponding deformation is the pull-in deformation of the actuator. Each deformation is defined by fixing a displacement of one degree of freedom of the elastic body and calculating corresponding equilibrium displacements of all the other degrees of freedom without the application of any external mechanical forces to ensure equilibrium. The actuator is altered to optimize whichever pull-in parameter is relevant to the desired application of the actuator.

Abstract: The valve seat of the present invention is configured for attachment to the valve housing after the valve housing has been coated with a protective coating. The valve seat is configured to grip the valve housing, thereby providing a secure attachment. In its simplest form, the valve seat and the valve housing are both configured with corresponding locking-ring grooves, and a locking-ring element is positioned so as to be at least partially deployed in both the valve seat locking-ring groove and the valve housing locking-ring groove simultaneously. It will be appreciated that the features of the present invention may be used to benefit with substantially any type and style of valve known in the art.

Abstract: A dyeing apparatus and method for continuous dyeing of a fabric article with dye, the apparatus including: (a) a dyeing vessel for containing a high-density liquid; (b) a heating mechanism, thermally associated with the dyeing vessel, for heating a dye fixation zone within the vessel to a temperature above 70° C.; (c) a continuous transport mechanism for continuously transporting the fabric article, through a dye impregnation chamber, and through the dye fixation zone of the dyeing vessel, and (d) a dye-dispensing mechanism for delivering a dye liquor within the dye impregnation chamber, so as to impregnate with the dye, the fabric article passing through the chamber, and wherein the dyeing vessel is dimensioned and configured such that a height of the high-density liquid delivers a hydrostatic pressure of at least 0.1 bar gauge to the dye fixation zone, so as to effect fixation of the dye in the fabric article.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a platform with pseudo-autonomous correlation between a perspective view generated by a platform-based imaging sensor and an orthogonal photographic representation includes storing on the platform a reference perspective view and parameters of a primary mapping transformation corresponding to a mapping between the orthogonal photographic representation and the reference perspective image. The platform then derives a mapping of equivalent points between a current perspective view and the orthogonal photographic representation by onboard processing of the current perspective view relative to the reference perspective view.

Abstract: Efficient wavelength calibration in a WDM optical amplifier that includes an optical channel monitor (OCM) is obtained by introducing a notch into the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise spectrum of the amplifier outside a WDM transmission band, and having the OCM detect the notch and use the notch as a reference to calibrate the wavelength measurement. The notch is introduced into the ASE noise spectrum using a notch filter, which is preferably incorporated in a gain flattening filter (GFF).

Abstract: A combined electrochemical system for scale treatment and eradicating bacteria in water supply systems having: (a) a first electro-chemical cell including: (i) a first metallic tank for receiving a water supply and forming a cathode of the first electro-chemical cell, and (ii) a first anode, disposed within the first tank; (b) a second electro-chemical cell including: (i) a second metallic tank for receiving an effluent from the first tank and forming a cathode of the second electro-chemical cell, and (ii) a second anode, disposed within the second tank; and (c) a DC electrical supply source operatively connected to the first and the second cells, wherein the first electro-chemical cell is operative for trapping bacteria in a colloid-like structure, and the second electro-chemical cell is operative for producing a pH above 12 near the walls of the second tank, so as to form a bacteria-containing precipitate on the walls of the second tank, thereby removing the bacteria from the water supply.