Abstract: In a method for operating a multiphase electrical machine, which includes a rotor and a rotary encoder operatively connected to the rotor, an actual rotational angle of the rotor is determined from a measured rotational angle determined by means of the rotary encoder and a rotational angle offset. To determine the rotational angle offset the rotor is brought to a specific rotational speed and then an active short circuit of the electrical machine is initiated, wherein an actual current vector is determined, using a dq-transformation, from the current intensities of the currents flowing in at least two of the phases of the electrical machine and the measured rotational angle determined by means of the rotary encoder, and wherein the rotational angle offset is calculated from the actual current vector and a reference current vector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to assemble actuators are described. An example method includes positioning a biasing element in a cavity defined by a housing of an actuator such that the biasing element is in an uncompressed state and at least a portion of the biasing element is to extend outside of the cavity beyond an end defined by the housing; compressing the biasing element to a compressed state until the portion of the biasing element extending outside of the cavity is positioned inside the cavity; coupling a cover to the end of the housing to capture the biasing element in the cavity; and maintaining the biasing element in the compressed state during the coupling such that the biasing element does not engage the cover.

Abstract: In a method for operating a multiphase electrical machine, which includes a rotor and a rotary encoder operatively connected to the rotor, an actual rotational angle of the rotor is determined from a measured rotational angle determined by means of the rotary encoder and a rotational angle offset. To determine the rotational angle offset the rotor is brought to a specific rotational speed and then an active short circuit of the electrical machine is initiated, wherein an actual current vector is determined, using a dq-transformation, from the current intensities of the currents flowing in at least two of the phases of the electrical machine and the measured rotational angle determined by means of the rotary encoder, and wherein the rotational angle offset is calculated from the actual current vector and a reference current vector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to assemble actuators are described. An example method includes positioning a biasing element in a cavity defined by a housing of an actuator such that the biasing element is in an uncompressed state and at least a portion of the biasing element is to extend outside of the cavity beyond an end defined by the housing; compressing the biasing element to a compressed state until the portion of the biasing element extending outside of the cavity is positioned inside the cavity; coupling a cover to the end of the housing to capture the biasing element in the cavity; and maintaining the biasing element in the compressed state during the coupling such that the biasing element does not engage the cover.

Abstract: Diaphragm actuators having adjustable actuation force are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a spring seat coupled to a diaphragm of an actuator. The spring seat is to contact a spring and is to be coupled to a stem. The diaphragm is to displace the stem based on a force provided to the diaphragm, and the stem is to control a fluid valve. The example apparatus also includes an adjuster to adjust an amount of force provided to the spring seat by the spring.

Abstract: Fluid valve actuator apparatus having internal tubing and anti-rotation features are disclosed. An example actuator apparatus includes an actuator casing and a diaphragm plate disposed within the actuator casing. The diaphragm plate defines a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber opposite the first pressure chamber. A yoke couples the actuator casing to a fluid valve. The yoke includes a first internal fluid passageway in fluid communication with atmosphere and a second internal fluid passageway to receive a control fluid from a controller. A tube fluidly couples the first or second internal fluid passageway to the first pressure chamber via an opening in the diaphragm plate. The tube also prevents the diaphragm plate from rotating relative to the actuator casing.

Abstract: A media content distribution system (10) comprises a plurality of interconnected system resources (13-15) arranged to receive and/or transmit media content. A number of the system resources (13-15) have a capability of performing a transform processing operation on the media content. A system controller (20) automatically determines connectivity of the system resources (13-15) and determines the transform capabilities of the system resources using control messages received from the system resources. A first of the system resources can advertise information about a potential combined system resource which is possible if at least one transform capability of the first system resource is combined with at least one transform capability of another system resource. The system controller (20) can output a map of the system resources on the user interface (25). The user interface (25) can allow a user to explore detail of resources (13-15) and select routes between nodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device for monitoring a video session in a data network between a video server providing a video file and a video client playing the video file, comprising: a data interface configured to connect to an end-to-end communication path between the video server and the video client and configured to capture video resolution information and to retrieve client screen resolution information; and a determination unit configured to determine a quality measure for the video session based on the video resolution information, based on the client screen resolution information and based on a buffer model, the buffer model modeling a fill level of a receive buffer in the video client, the receive buffer being configured to buffer the video file before playing the video file.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device for monitoring a video session in a data network between a video server providing a video file and a video client playing the video file, comprising: a data interface configured to connect to an end-to-end communication path between the video server and the video client and configured to capture video resolution information and to retrieve client screen resolution information; and a determination unit configured to determine a quality measure for the video session based on the video resolution information, based on the client screen resolution information and based on a buffer model, the buffer model modeling a fill level of a receive buffer in the video client, the receive buffer being configured to buffer the video file before playing the video file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to assemble actuators are described. An example method includes positioning a biasing element in a cavity defined by a housing of an actuator such that the biasing element is in an uncompressed state and at least a portion of the biasing element is to extend outside of the cavity beyond an end defined by the housing; compressing the biasing element to a compressed state until the portion of the biasing element extending outside of the cavity is positioned inside the cavity; coupling a cover to the end of the housing to capture the biasing element in the cavity; and maintaining the biasing element in the compressed state during the coupling such that the biasing element does not engage the cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement to temporary foam cooler box construction, wherein the foam cooler box is provided hardware inlays for cooler hardware and then treated with a polyurethane shell coating to improve the cooler box durability and carrying capacity over its bare foam counterpart. The inlays are backing hardware that are adhered directly to the foam and then coated with the polyurethane, whereafter cooler hardware such as latches and hinges may be fastened to the inlays and be supported by the inlays and the shell coating of the cooler. The present invention discloses both a new device and method of manufacture therefor.

Abstract: The method of replacing the electrical components of a monitoring system. The method includes attaching a housing that contains a battery, sensor and other electronic components to a container. Next, a first lid that contains electronic components that are electrically connected to the sensor in the housing via an electronic cable is removed by detaching the electric cable from the electronic components of the lid. A second lid is then provided wherein the electric cable is electrically connected to the second lid at which point in time the second lid is secured to the housing to complete the replacement.

Abstract: The method of replacing the electrical components of a monitoring system. The method includes attaching a housing that contains a battery, sensor and other electronic components to a container. Next, a first lid that contains electronic components that are electrically connected to the sensor in the housing via an electronic cable is removed by detaching the electric cable from the electronic components of the lid. A second lid is then provided wherein the electric cable is electrically connected to the second lid at which point in time the second lid is secured to the housing to complete the replacement.

Abstract: A detection system for determining material level in a container where the container has an opening and an optical window mounted to the opening. A sensor element is mounted to the container adjacent the window. The sensor element has an optical emitter and an optical receiver positioned to form a triangular vertex with the material surface level within the container.

Abstract: A detection system for determining material level in a container where the container has an opening and an optical window mounted to the opening. A sensor element is mounted to the container adjacent the window. The sensor element has an optical emitter and an optical receiver positioned to form a triangular vertex with the material surface level within the container.

Abstract: A system for use within a space such as homes or offices and comprising one or more motion detection sensors 1, an alarm means 6, and several logic processing devices. The logic processing devices allow said system be used to monitor levels of occupant motion by comparing motion detection sensor activation patterns to one or more predetermined activation-based rules, and if any of the activation-based rules have been broken to then to signal an alarm via the alarms devices 6. The system is designed to detect situations where the occupants or occupants may be ill, injured, dead or trapped within a single room. The activation-based rules within the system are programmed such that that they remain constant for at any given time of day, or such that they vary depending on previous activation patterns.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue is configured to be safely sutured to constricted body tissue. The device includes a generally cylindrical elastic sleeve including opposed opened ends and having a wall of substantially uniform thickness that receives body tissue therein to be constricted. The sleeve includes a plurality of suture holes to receive a suture to maintain the sleeve the tissue constricted by the sleeve. The sleeve includes a suture hole reinforcement structure, as for example an increased wall thickness, about each suture hole to permit the device to be sutured to constricted body tissue without damaging the device.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, in a control system for controlling a gas turbine engine, there is provided a system and a method for determining an optimized output shaft speed for a required thrust and setting an appropriate engine power. The method comprises the steps of: providing a required thrust value at a particular flight condition; determining input values for each of a power, output shaft speed, airspeed, and altitude; determining whether the required thrust is a low power condition; if the required thrust is a low power condition, determining a reduced propeller speed value from the input values and the required thrust value; at least one of increasing and decreasing the optimized output shaft speed using the reduced propeller speed value.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, in a control system for controlling a gas turbine engine, there is provided a system and a method for determining an optimized output shaft speed for a required thrust and setting an appropriate engine power. The method comprises the steps of: providing a required thrust value at a particular flight condition; determining input values for each of a power, output shaft speed, airspeed, and altitude; determining whether the required thrust is a low power condition; if the required thrust is a low power condition, determining a reduced propeller speed value from the input values and the required thrust value; at least one of increasing and decreasing the optimized output shaft speed using the reduced propeller speed value.

Abstract: A wire form puzzle is disclosed. The puzzle provides a dumbbell shaped capture element having a straight wire body having rings at the ends. An upper swing capture element provides a crescent shaped wire body having end rings attached to the straight wire body of the dumbbell shaped capture element. A lower swing capture element is similar to the upper swing, but smaller in size and is carried by the crescent shaped body of the upper swing. Four horseshoe shaped captured loops are carried by the lower swing capture element, but are removed from all the capture elements in the course of the puzzle's s solution. The horseshoe shaped loops have the characteristic of having a point, defined by the inner wire defining the horseshoe loop, that will pass into any of the rings, and also having the characteristic that the rings of the captive element will pass through the indentation between the legs of the horseshoes.