Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for container lids, suitable for use in reliable automated handling and transport of lamella carriers used for transmission electron microscopy samples, or similar light or thin objects. A lid is for use with a container having one or more cavities that can be accessible through a top surface of a container. The lid can comprise a rigid member having a planar surface. Affixed to the rigid member are a first means for constraining motion of the planar surface to one-degree of freedom movement over the top surface, and a second means for restricting motion, within the cavity, of a lamella carrier contained within the cavity.

Abstract: Recombinant cells and methods for producing methyl ketones, such as medium-chain methyl ketones. The recombinant cells include recombinant acyl-ACP thioesterase genes, recombinant ?-ketoacyl-CoA thioesterase genes, and recombinant acyl-CoA synthetase genes, in addition to other modifications. The methods include culturing the recombinant cells to produce the methyl ketones and isolating the produced methyl ketones.

Abstract: Mutant thioesterases having enhanced medium chain substrate activity, polynucleotides encoding and configured to express the mutant thioesterases in a transformed host cell, host cells transformed to contain the polynucleotides, and methods of using same.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sample holder for a charged particle microscope, comprising a holder body with a recess for releasably receiving a sample carrier with a sample therein; and at least one fixing element that is connectable to said holder body for fixing said sample carrier in said recess of said holder body. As described herein, said fixing element comprises a clamping member that is movably connected to said holder body, wherein said clamping member is movable between a closed and an open position, wherein in the open position said sample carrier can be placed in said recess, and wherein in said closed position said sample carrier can be locked in said recess. With this, a more reliable mounting of a sample carrier onto the sample holder can be established.

Abstract: Mutant thioesterases having enhanced medium chain substrate activity, polynucleotides encoding and configured to express the mutant thioesterases in a transformed host cell, host cells transformed to contain the polynucleotides, and methods of using same.

Abstract: Mutant thioesterases having enhanced medium chain substrate activity, polynucleotides encoding and configured to express the mutant thioesterases in a transformed host cell, host cells transformed to contain the polynucleotides, and methods of using same.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sample holder for a charged particle microscope, comprising a holder body with a recess for releasably receiving a sample carrier with a sample therein; and at least one fixing element that is connectable to said holder body for fixing said sample carrier in said recess of said holder body. As described herein, said fixing element comprises a clamping member that is movably connected to said holder body, wherein said clamping member is movable between a closed and an open position, wherein in the open position said sample carrier can be placed in said recess, and wherein in said closed position said sample carrier can be locked in said recess. With this, a more reliable mounting of a sample carrier onto the sample holder can be established.

Abstract: Mutant thioesterases having enhanced medium chain substrate activity, polynucleotides encoding and configured to express the mutant thioesterases in a transformed host cell, host cells transformed to contain the polynucleotides, and methods of using same.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include systems for controlling cold-reheat extraction in a turbomachine system. Some embodiments include a system having: a high-pressure (HP) turbine section including an exhaust; a reheater conduit fluidly connected with the exhaust of the HP turbine and a reheater, the reheater conduit for passing HP exhaust steam from the HP turbine section to the reheater; a cold-reheat extraction conduit fluidly connected with the reheater conduit upstream of the reheater and downstream of the HP turbine section exhaust; and a control system coupled with the HP turbine section and the cold-reheat extraction conduit, the control system configured to: obtain data about a temperature of the HP exhaust steam; and provide instructions to modify a flow rate of the HP exhaust steam to the reheater in response to the temperature of the HP exhaust steam exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: Solutions for clutching turbine wheels are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a turbine rotor shaft; a plurality of turbine wheels affixed to the turbine rotor shaft; an independent turbine wheel engagably attached to the turbine rotor shaft; and a clutch operably connected to the turbine rotor shaft, the clutch configured to couple and decouple the independent turbine wheel from the turbine rotor shaft.

Abstract: A system includes an electrodynamically suspended seal. The electrodynamically suspended seal includes a first element that includes an electrically conducting material and a second element that includes a magnetic material. At least one of the first and second elements is configured to rotate about an axial axis. The first and second elements are disposed adjacent one another. The rotational movement of at least one of the first and second elements creates a levitation force such that the first and second elements are repelled away from one another. The electrodynamically suspended seal also includes a third element configured to create a counteracting force.

Abstract: A structure, system, and method for controlling a power output and flue gas temperature of a power plant by adjusting final feedwater temperature are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a turbine having a plurality of valved steam extraction ports is provided. Each steam extraction port is fluidly connected with a feedwater heater. Each of the plurality of valves in the valved steam extraction ports may be opened and closed to the passage of steam therethrough, in order to vary a final feedwater temperature.

Abstract: A power plant is provided and includes components for generating power from fluids at high and intermediate pressures, a pathway defined between the components along which a heated fluid flows to the one of the components for generating power from fluids at intermediate pressures and a circuit fluidly coupled to the pathway to cool a portion of the heated fluid prior to the portion of the heated fluid reaching the one of the components for generating power from fluids at intermediate pressures.

Abstract: Steam turbine system and control system therefor are provided. In one embodiment, a steam turbine system includes an auxiliary turbine in fluid communication with an IP turbine via an auxiliary turbine inlet conduit branch of an IP exhaust conduit. A heat exchanger system may remove heat from an IP exhaust steam, and may add the removed heat to water flowing through a boiler feed-water conduit to a boiler of the steam turbine system.

Abstract: The present application provides a steam turbine driven by a flow of steam. The steam turbine may include a rotor, a number of nozzles positioned about the rotor, and a number of nozzle diaphragms. One or more of the nozzle diaphragms may include an inducer.

Abstract: Steam turbine system and control system therefor are provided. In one embodiment, a steam turbine system includes an auxiliary turbine in fluid communication with an IP turbine via an auxiliary turbine inlet conduit branch of an IP exhaust conduit. A heat exchanger system may remove heat from an IP exhaust steam, and may add the removed heat to water flowing through a boiler feed-water conduit to a boiler of the steam turbine system.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include a system including: at least one computing device operably connected with a steam turbomachine and an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam turbomachine and a steam seal header fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine, the at least one computing device configured to modify an output of the steam turbomachine by performing actions including: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine; comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and instructing the extraction conduit to extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include systems for controlling cold-reheat extraction in a turbomachine system. Some embodiments include a system having: a high-pressure (HP) turbine section including an exhaust; a reheater conduit fluidly connected with the exhaust of the HP turbine and a reheater, the reheater conduit for passing HP exhaust steam from the HP turbine section to the reheater; a cold-reheat extraction conduit fluidly connected with the reheater conduit upstream of the reheater and downstream of the HP turbine section exhaust; and a control system coupled with the HP turbine section and the cold-reheat extraction conduit, the control system configured to: obtain data about a temperature of the HP exhaust steam; and provide instructions to modify a flow rate of the HP exhaust steam to the reheater in response to the temperature of the HP exhaust steam exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A steam seal system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the steam seal system includes: a low pressure steam turbine positioned on a shaft; a pair of end packings surrounding the shaft, each of the pair of end packings located proximate an axial end of the low pressure steam turbine along the shaft; and an pair of extraction conduits fluidly connected to the low pressure steam turbine and the shaft, the pair of extraction conduits connected to the shaft at a location axially outward of the pair of end packings and the low pressure steam turbine.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include a system including: at least one computing device operably connected with a steam turbomachine and an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam turbomachine and a steam seal header fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine, the at least one computing device configured to modify an output of the steam turbomachine by performing actions including: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine; comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and instructing the extraction conduit to extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range.