Abstract: A method is provided for commissioning a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The method includes the step of mapping a plurality of sets of coordinated servo positions for the fuel flow control device and the air flow control device at a plurality of selected firing rate points between a minimum firing rate and a maximum firing rate by using an algorithm and an iterative process to identify the coordinated air and fuel actuator positions instead of a trial and error method.

Abstract: A flow splitting device for use in a two-phase flow distribution network includes a side junction tee having a first conduit and a second conduit opening in flow communication to the first conduit, a flow restriction provided in the first conduit upstream of the opening of the second conduit with the first conduit, and a flow barrier extending into the first conduit at a location in the vicinity of a downstream edge of the opening of the second conduit to the first conduit. The ratio of the liquid phase mass flow to the gas phase mass flow is preserved as the mass flow ratio of liquid to gas to each of the two exit streams is substantially equal to the mass flow ratio of liquid to gas in the two-phase flow received by the flow splitting device.

Abstract: A hybrid fire suppression system includes a supply of pressurized inert gas, a pipe network connected in inert gas flow communication to the inert gas supply, a first inert gas nozzle, a second inert gas nozzle, and a water storage cartridge having an interior volume defining a water reservoir storing a limited amount of water. The water reservoir communicates with the second inert gas spray nozzle. The first inert gas nozzle connects with the first terminus for introducing a flooding flow of inert gas only into a first protected space. The second inert gas nozzle connects with the second terminus for introducing a flooding flow of inert gas and the limited amount of water from the water reservoir into the second protected space.

Abstract: A controlled pressure release valve includes a valve body having a gas inlet for connection to a gas container and a gas outlet for delivering gas to a protected area. The controlled valve comprises a slidable spool housed in the valve body that is slidable between a first position and a second position. The slidable spool has a first end and a second end. A primary flow passage connects the gas inlet and the gas outlet and increases with lineal movement of the slidable spool. The sliding spool is biased towards the first position by a gas pressure applied by the second chamber and a spring.

Abstract: An electromagnetic door lock assembly (30) includes a first portion (32) supported relative to hoistway doors (22) and a second portion (34) supported for movement with an elevator car (24). The first and second portions cooperate so that electromagnetic interaction between them unlocks a set of hoistway doors (22) for access to the car (24), for example. In disclosed embodiments, a first portion (32) of the actuator has at least one stationary electromagnetic portion (36A, 36B) and at least one moveable portion (38). The second portion (34) that moves with the car (24) includes at least one stationary electromagnetic portion (44). Magnetic interaction between the first and second portions (32, 34) causes selected movement of the moveable portion (38) for selectively locking or unlocking the doors (22).

Abstract: A method for quantitatively measuring error causing physical parameters in a fluid handling system, includes: measuring the pressure of air between a piston of a pump and a liquid being handled; detecting a pressure abnormality; determining the time at which the pressure abnormality begins to occur; and based on the time of the pressure abnormality determining the magnitude of the physical parameter causing the pressure abnormality. In a preferred embodiment, the error causing physical parameter is a bubble and the fluid handling is an aspirate operation in a diagnostic analyzer.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for suppressing a fire inside a defined volume within a structure. To suppress a fire, the defined volume is flooded with a flow of inert gas into which a limited amount of water is introduced into the flow of inert gas; the flow of inert gas and the limited amount of water introduced therein being sufficient to establish a fire extinguishing atmosphere within the defined volume having a volumetric oxygen concentration of at least about 14%. A cartridge for storing a limited amount of water has a water outlet in flow communication with a spray nozzle that is in flow communication with a supply of pressurized inert gas. The water storage cartridge has a gas inlet in flow communication with a supply of pressurized inert gas for pressurizing the water storage cartridge to cause water to flow therefrom to the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A method for recognizing fire using block-wise processing of video input provided by a video detector. Video input is divided into a plurality of frames (42), and each frame is divided into a plurality of blocks (44). Video metrics are calculated with respect to each of the plurality of blocks (46), and blocks containing the presence of fire are identified based on the calculated video metrics (74). The detection of a fire is then communicated to an alarm system.

Abstract: An elevator door lock assembly (30) includes a sensor device (40) for providing an indication of a properly locked door. A plurality of proximity sensor elements (42, 44) interact with activating elements (52, 54) when the door lock assembly (30) is properly locked. In disclosed examples, a specific geometric pattern of the sensor elements (42, 44) and the activating elements (52, 54) provides redundancy and tampering protection. In a disclosed example, an output from the sensor device (40) provides an indication of a condition of the door lock and a building level location of a plurality of sensor devices.

Abstract: A two-step, self-regulating valve (16) controls gas flow from a gas cylinder (12) in a high pressure system. The valve (16) includes a valve body (24), a piston (26), a plug (28), a valve actuator (34), and a piston actuator (32). The piston (26) is movable within the valve body (24) along an axis between a first and a second position. The plug (28) is movable within the valve body (24) along the axis between a valve closed position, a partially open position, and a fully open position. The valve actuator (34) allows the plug (28) to move from the valve closed position to the partially open position. The piston actuator (32) causes the piston (26) to move from the first position to the second position when a gas pressure in the gas cylinder (12) is less than a setpoint. When the piston (26) moves to the second position, the piston (26) allows the plug (28) to move from the partially open position to the fully open position.

Abstract: A controlled pressure release valve controls the gas flow in high-pressure systems. The valve includes a valve body, a slidable spool, a primary flow passage, a first and second chamber, a first and second spring, a first and second passages, and a valve actuator. The valve body has a gas inlet and a gas outlet and houses the slidable spool. The slidable spool has a first end and a second end, and is slidable between a first position and a second position. The primary flow passage connects the gas inlet and the gas outlet and increases with lineal movement of the slidable spool. The first chamber is located adjacent the first end of the slidable spool and a second chamber is located adjacent the second end of the slidable spool. The sliding spool is biased toward the first position by a gas pressure applied by the second chamber and the second spring.

Abstract: An electromagnetic door lock assembly (30) includes a first portion (32) supported relative to hoistway doors (22) and a second portion (34) supported for movement with an elevator car (24). The first and second portions cooperate so that electromagnetic interaction between them unlocks a set of hoistway doors (22) for access to the car (24), for example. In disclosed embodiments, a first portion (32) of the actuator has at least one stationary electromagnetic portion (36A, 36B) and at least one moveable portion (38). The second portion (34) that moves with the car (24) includes at least one stationary electromagnetic portion (44). Magnetic interaction between the first and second portions (32, 34) causes selected movement of the moveable portion (38) for selectively locking or unlocking the doors (22).

Abstract: An elevator door lock includes a locking member (40) that moves into an unlocked position responsive to contact with at least one door coupler member (32, 34). In disclosed examples, the locking member (40) comprises an arm that is pivotally supported by one of the door coupler members (34). The other coupler member (32) contacts a contact portion (42) on the locking member (40) to move the locking member into an unlocked position as the first coupler member (32) moves toward the second coupler member (34). In a disclosed example, a magnetic coupling between the coupler members maintains the locking member (40) in an unlocked position.

Abstract: An elevator door assembly (20) includes a single vane member (32) associated with a hoistway door (26). A magnetic device (36) on a car door (24) establishes a magnetic coupling with the vane member (32) to cause the hoistway door (26) to move with the car door (24) in at least two opposite directions. In a disclosed embodiment, a control (38) selectively powers the magnetic device (36), which comprises an electromagnet.

Abstract: An elevator door lock assembly (30) includes a sensor device (40) for providing an indication of a properly locked door. A plurality of proximity sensor elements (42, 44) interact with activating elements (52, 54) when the door lock assembly (30) is properly locked. In disclosed examples, a specific geometric pattern of the sensor elements (42, 44) and the activating elements (52, 54) provides redundancy and tampering protection. In a disclosed example, an output from the sensor device (40) provides an indication of a condition of the door lock and a building level location of a plurality of sensor devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume of liquid in a probe tip of an aspirating or dispensing probe, such as those used in a diagnostic analyzer, includes: two electrodes on opposite sides of the probe tip and the electrodes and liquid form a variable capacitor; a resistor; a voltage source and the electrodes and resistor are in electrical communication in at least one of series, parallel or series and parallel to form an RC circuit; and a microprocessor in electrical communication with the RC circuit for converting an electrical signal to a volume of liquid in the probe tip. In a preferred embodiment, the probe tip is separate from the probe and is adapted to be fitted on the end of a probe for aspirating and dispensing a liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume of liquid in a probe tip of an aspirating or dispensing probe, such as those used in a diagnostic analyzer, includes: two electrodes on opposite sides of the probe tip and the electrodes and liquid form a variable capacitor; a resistor; a voltage source and the electrodes, resistor, and solenoid are in electrical communication in at least one of series, parallel or series and parallel to form an RC circuit; and a microprocessor in electrical communication with the RC circuit for converting an electrical signal to a volume of liquid in the probe tip. In a preferred embodiment, the probe tip is separate from the probe and is adapted to be fitted on the end of a probe for aspirating and dispensing a liquid.

Abstract: A controller for an optical amplifier and a method for controlling an optical amplifier are disclosed. The illustrative method includes inputting a set-point to a controller; receiving a portion of an input signal; receiving a portion of an output signal from a first amplifier stage; receiving a portion of an output signal from an attenuation stage; receiving a portion of an output signal from a second amplifier stage and adjusting the first amplifier stage, the second amplifier stage and the attenuation stage based on the received portions to substantially maintain the set-point.

Abstract: A control system and method for a multi-channel optical amplifier is provided that achieves and automatically maintains a selected gain level by controlling the average inversion level of the dopant atoms in the gain fiber. In both the system and the method, a set point average inversion level that corresponds to a gain set point is first selected. A pump light power output necessary to achieve the set point average inversion level is determined from the optical input power, output power, and pump light remnant power. The same parameters used to achieve and maintain the set point average inversion level are also used to determine linear gain per channel which in turn may be used to minimize tilt or ripple in the gain output of the amplifier.

Abstract: An amplifier characterized by gain and output power comprises: (i) at least one gain medium; (ii) at least one pump supplying optical power into the gain medium; and (iii) a controller controlling the gain and the output power of the amplifier. The controller includes a signal compression circuit to cover a wide dynamic range for optical input and output signals, so that resolution for low optical signals is better than resolution for high optical signals.