Abstract: A fail safe gas furnace optical flame sensor uses a transconductance amplifier with low photodiode current to sense the presence or absence of a gas flame within the burner of a gas furnace. The photodiode signal appears as the only negative voltage signal in the circuit, and the equivalent resistance feedback network is redundantly designed, thus ensuring that no false flame-on conditions will be detected due to the failure of a single resistive component. Because it does not reside within the flame, the sensor is immune to false flame-off conditions caused by material deposition and corrosion of the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological process for regenerating metal-containing sulfide mitigation catalysts that are commonly known in the natural gas processing industry as liquid redox catalysts. The invention further relates to a sulfide mitigation process wherein mitigation and regeneration are performed in a single reactor under substantially anaerobic conditions. The present invention also relates to a self regenerating catalyst composition for the mitigation of sulfides.

Abstract: A nonwoven web material of polymeric fibers having at least one internal surfactant and at least one topical surfactant. The internal surfactant is an organosilicon compound. The topical surfactant is at least one of an ethoxylated hydrogenated fatty oil, a monosaccharide, a monosaccharide derivative, a polysaccharide, and a polysaccharide derivative. The nonwoven web material treated with internal and external surfactants has improved durability and processability over conventional materials treated with only internal or topical surfactants.

Abstract: A process for extracting salt from brine contained in at least one open evaporation basin. At least part of the brine is heated in a heating unit located outside the evaporation basis and returned to the evaporation basin. The heating unit is driven by waste heat from a recooling industrial plant. According to this process, climatic values and the degree of recooling are measured and evaluated in a control unit. At least part of the heated brine and some non-heated brine are sprayed by a spraying device of the evaporation basin. The amount of sprayed brine is regulated by the control unit depending on the measured data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing the heating efficiency of a nonwoven web using heated air are provided. A flow modifier including a turbulence inducing bar arrangement is positioned between the heated air supply and the nonwoven web. The flow modifier increases the turbulence of the heated air before it contacts the nonwoven web, resulting in more thorough penetration of the web by the air, and better convective heat transfer between the heated air and the nonwoven web.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for gas-fired appliances, such as gas furnaces. The burner apparatus includes an improved flame holder structure for controlling the shape and contour of the flame, and burner housing and plenum configurations for enhancing the characteristics of the flame.

Abstract: A reversible flow valve, a corresponding method of fluid flow control and a Generator-Absorber-Heat Exchanger (GAX) system utilizing such a reversible flow valve and method of fluid flow control are provided. The flow valve includes a shaft rotatable relative to the valve housing to place valve seals mounted onto the shaft in a closing and sealing relationship with selected of the flow ports in the housing.

Abstract: Techniques for increasing the thermal efficiency of high temperature combustion sources such as glass and other process furnaces are disclosed. These techniques include one or more of the steps of co-firing of a carbonaceous solid fuel or heavy fuel oil with the primary fuel in the primary combustion zone such that the co-fired fuel is cracked and thereby generates a high number density of carbonaceous particles sufficient to improve soot radiation; providing enhanced mixing of first burnout air with the flue gas in a first burnout zone; and promoting instability of boundary layer gases adjacent refractory packings.

Abstract: A framework made of frame pieces for a switchgear cabinet, wherein the frame pieces are preferably laterally reversed in relation to their cross-sectional diagonal and have profiled sides perpendicular to the outer sides of the framework and have fastening recesses. In an area of an inner side, the profiled sides end in sections that form a recess for fastening mounting rails. By combining several known and novel features, a framework having easily manufactured frame pieces is created which optimally meets all requirements for use with a switchgear cabinet.

Abstract: The "Tank Test" method for determining well tests in low pressured reservoirs or aquifers utilizes gravity drainage from a water storage tank to inject water into the reservoir. The Tank Test eliminates the need for expensive pumping equipment and the required manual pump rate adjustments. The low costs associated with the Tank Test allows the test to run for a longer duration so that a greater portion of the reservoir can be investigated. The duration of the test and thus the radius investigation can be extended by repeatedly refilling the tank as necessary. The Tank Test also reduces the possibility of fracturing the reservoir during injection tests in low permeability reservoirs. The primary criteria for performing a tank test is that the hydrostatic head from the tank to the formation be significantly different than the reservoir pressure. In addition, the Tank Test minimizes stress effects on stress sensitive formations.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for controlling the operation of a gas burner, by monitoring and controlling the stoichiometry of the air and fuel gas during the burning process.

Abstract: A switchgear cabinet having a rack assembled from a plurality of frame legs bent at the side walls. The rack has open, vertical sides which are closed off by side walls and a rear wall fastened to facing frame legs of the rack. A cabinet door is hingedly connected to vertical frame legs of the rack front against which it is arrested in the closed position. The rear and side walls are covered by corresponding protective walls spaced apart from the rear and side walls and connected to facing vertical frame legs of the rack. The cabinet door is double-walled, an outer door wall of which is spaced apart from an inner door wall thereof and forms receptacle spaces for seals, hinges and locking elements free in the direction of vertical edges of the outer door wall. The protective walls of the side walls have beveled protective wall vertical edges which cover the free space between the protective wall of the rear wall and the receptacle space between the outer door wall and the rack.

Abstract: A switchgear cabinet with a cabinet door and/or wall elements and a cover element covering the top, wherein a rain deflection device is disposed in the transition area between the upper horizontal edge of the cabinet door and/or the wall elements and the cover element. The removal of the collecting rainwater is possible with little structural effort in that in the transition area between the cabinet door and/or the wall elements and the cover element, a run-off channel is formed on the cover element or the cabinet door (wall element), and the cover element and/or the cabinet door (wall element) have guide devices, which guide the collecting water into the run-off channel.

Abstract: A heat absorption system having a first absorption circuit for operation at a first temperature range and a second absorption circuit for operation at a second temperature range, the temperature range of the second absorption circuit having a lower maximum temperature relative to the first temperature range of the first absorption circuit. The first absorption circuit includes a first circuit generator, a first circuit condenser, and a first circuit absorber operatively connected together. The second absorption circuit includes a second circuit generator, a second circuit condenser, and a second circuit absorber operatively connected together. A common evaporator is operatively connected to each of the first circuit condenser and the second circuit condenser and is in heat exchange communication with an external heat load. The first circuit condenser and the first circuit absorber are in heat exchange communication with the second circuit generator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a high-speed pulsed fluid jet wherein the apparatus has a valve cylinder that forms a valve cavity. A piston is slidably mounted within the valve cavity. A plunger with an internal chamber is fixed with respect to the piston. The internal chamber communicates with the valve cavity. An end plug is sealably mounted with respect the plunger. The end plug has a bore through which a valve stem is sealably and slidably mounted. The valve stem is mounted to slide within the internal chamber, the bore of the end plug and a valve chamber of a cylinder. The valve chamber communicates with a pressurized fluid source. A valve poppet is attached to the valve stem. A spring or compressed gas is used to exert a bias force which normally urges the valve poppet into a releasable seated position within a valve port of an end plug which is sealably mounted with respect to a fluid cylinder that forms the valve chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating generally uniform compression forces over a film of a relatively low-viscosity liquid by passing the low-viscosity liquid through a porous plate, from an upstream face to a downstream face of the porous plate. The porous plate has a specified porosity and arrangement of the through holes or other pores that results in forming a uniform pressure through and uniform compression forces over a film of the low-viscosity liquid that is at or near the upstream face of the porous plate. The apparatus of this invention results in homogeneous deformation of a material, such as molten polymer, polymer solution, multiphase polymer systems, asphalts or foods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fusion joining polyethylene pipe. A power source supplies an input power to an input of a power supply. The input power has generally constant current and is converted to an output power at a relatively high frequency. The relatively high frequency output power is delivered to an installation tool. The output power delivered to the installation tool is controlled. The output power can be controlled as a function of ambient temperature surrounding the installation tool.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack system comprises a plurality of fuel cell sub-stacks, each of which comprises a plurality of individual fuel cell units. A separator plate separates the fuel cell units between an anode of one fuel cell unit and a cathode of an adjacent fuel cell unit. A single separator plate separates corresponding fuel cell units in each fuel cell sub-stack. The edges of the separator plate extend substantially beyond the periphery of each fuel cell sub-stack forming oxidant flow paths between adjacent separator plates extending from the separator plate edges to the center of the separator plate from which oxidant is then distributed to each of the fuel cell units. By virtue of heat transfer from the extended edges of the separator plate to the oxidant, the heat generated by the fuel cell can be controlled.

Abstract: A device for the mechanical connection of documents comprising a base, a paper support, a cover pivotably connected to said base, a stylus with an eye for creating a cut, a stamping and bending element for stamping out and pushing a plurality of paper tongues though said eye, said stamping and bending element having a cutting face in the form of a stamping plunger and a projection for bending the stamped out paper tongues, and a carrier for actuating the pivot movement. The stamping and bending element is pivotably fastened on the base. The paper support forms a pushing element which can be lowered into the base and which is maintained in an upper position of rest by a spring. The paper support, as a die plate for stamping the paper tongues, forms a first recess, and, for stamping the cut, forms a second recess.