Abstract: A cyclonic separator having a first cyclone stage; and a second cyclone stage comprising a plurality of cyclone bodies arranged in parallel, each cyclone body comprising an inlet and an outlet, the plurality of cyclone bodies being divided into at least a first layer and a second layer; wherein the second cyclone stage further comprises a first plenum common to the cyclone bodies, the first plenum extending from the outlet of the first cyclone stage to the inlets of each of the cyclone bodies of the second cyclone stage.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator having an outer wall and an inner wall, and a shroud disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall, the inner wall having one or more outwardly projecting members, the shroud having upper and lower portions, and a mesh secured between the upper and lower portions, the lower portion having a flange that extends radially inward towards the inner wall, wherein the flange has one or more flexible portions, and the outwardly projecting members abut the flexible portions so as to bias the lower portion away from the upper portion to thus tension the mesh.

Abstract: A dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner that comprises an inlet through which fluid enters the separator, and an outlet through which fluid exits the separator. The separator further comprises a filter assembly located downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet, an opening through which the filter assembly may be removed from the separator, and a hatch moveable between an open position in which the opening is uncovered and a closed position in which the opening is partially covered. When the filter assembly is removed from the separator and the hatch is in the closed position, a bleed is created around at least part of the hatch through which fluid enters the separator in preference to the inlet. When the filter assembly is located in the separator and the hatch is in the closed position, the filter assembly seals against the hatch to close the bleed.

Abstract: A dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner that comprises an inlet through which fluid enters the separator, and an outlet through which fluid exits the separator. The separator further comprises a filter assembly located downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet, an opening through which the filter assembly may be removed from the separator, and a hatch moveable between an open position in which the opening is uncovered and a closed position in which the opening is partially covered. When the filter assembly is removed from the separator and the hatch is in the closed position, a bleed is created around at least part of the hatch through which fluid enters the separator in preference to the inlet. When the filter assembly is located in the separator and the hatch is in the closed position, the filter assembly seals against the hatch to close the bleed.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator for a vacuum cleaner that includes a cyclone stage, a chamber and a silencer. The chamber has a plurality of ports through which fluid from the cyclone stage enters the chamber. The silencer is located in the chamber and includes a plurality of baffles. Fluid entering the chamber through the ports collides with the baffles, which act to reduce noise.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator comprising a ring of cyclone bodies and an outlet duct through which cleansed fluid is discharged from the cyclonic separator, wherein the outlet duct extends between two adjacent cyclone bodies.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided systems and methods for contacting two or more fluids, useful, for example for purifying or infusing a fluid (by allowing efficient and/or uniform addition of components to or removal of components from the fluid). The components may be undesirable components to be removed from a fluid, or a desired component or components to be added to the fluid, for example, each of which is referred to herein as “component”. In this regard, the disclosed embodiments provide for the purification or infusion of a fluid by passing a liquid and a fluid through a contacting zone which facilitates intimate mixing of the liquid and the fluid. A differential of partial pressure, activity, fugacity or concentration of the components between the liquid and the fluid facilitates the transfer of the components between the liquid and the fluid in the intimately mixed liquid and fluid.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided simplified systems and methods for deactivating, removing, or reducing the levels of reactive component(s) from vapor phase fluids prior to introduction thereof into fuel storage tanks. The simple apparatus described herein can be utilized to replace complex systems on the market. Simply stated, in one embodiment of the invention, the vapor phase fluid contemplated for introduction into the fuel storage tank is passed through a reaction zone (e.g., a catalytic bed) operated at appropriate temperatures to allow the reaction between free reactive components therein (e.g., oxygen and hydrogen or other fuel vapor), thereby deactivating reactive component(s) in the gas phase.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided simplified systems and methods for catalytically deactivating, removing, or reducing the levels of reactive component(s) from the vapor phase of fuel storage tanks. The simple apparatus described herein can be utilized to replace complex systems on the market. Simply stated, in one embodiment of the invention, the vapor phase from the fuel tank is passed over a catalytic bed operated at appropriate temperatures to allow the reaction between free oxygen and the fuel vapor by oxidation of the fuel vapor, thus deactivating reactive component(s) in the gas phase.

Abstract: A shaft for sporting equipment comprises an elongate outer wall with a longitudinal bore extending between its first and second ends. An X-shaped web is disposed within the bore and extends along the entire length thereof. The web has four legs that radiate outwardly from a central core and connect to the outer wall. At least one longitudinal opening is defined in the outer wall. The outer wall and web define at least one closed cavity in the shaft. The outer wall, web and opening further define at least one open cavity in the shaft.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided simplified systems and methods for catalytically deactivating, removing, or reducing the levels of reactive component(s) from the vapor phase of fuel storage tanks. The simple apparatus described herein can be utilized to replace complex systems on the market. Simply stated, in one embodiment of the invention, the vapor phase from the fuel tank is passed over a catalytic bed operated at appropriate temperatures to allow the reaction between free oxygen and the fuel vapor by oxidation of the fuel vapor, thus deactivating reactive component(s) in the gas phase.

Abstract: A dynamic heat sink engine including a storage vessel having a working fluid outlet and a working fluid inlet. The lower portion of the storage vessel contains a cryogenic working fluid, such as liquid hydrogen, at a temperature at near its boiling point. The engine further includes a working fluid circuit extending between the working fluid outlet and the working fluid inlet of the storage vessel. The working fluid circuit includes the serial connection of the following components from the working fluid outlet to the working fluid inlet: a fluid pump; a vaporizer having a liquid line passing therethrough; a heater; an expansion engine having a rotary output shaft; an electrical generator connected to the rotary output shaft of the expansion engine; a vapor line passing through the vaporizer, the vaporizer including a heat exchanger providing thermal communication between the liquid line and the vapor line.

Abstract: The disclosed methods, apparatus, system, and computer-readable media can be used to map contact data from personal information manager (PIM) software to one or more corresponding fields of an application to automatically populate such application with contact data. The contact data can comprise a person's name, company name, address, telephone number, mobile number, facsimile number, and/or email address. The user of a computer device can input one or more characters into a field of an application, and matching sets of contact data are displayed for the user to select to populate mapped fields of the application.

Abstract: An improved process for the synthesis of (3S)-tetrahydro-3-furyl N-[(1S,2R)-3 -(4-amino-N-isobutylbenzenesulphonamido)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxypropyl]carbamate comprising four steps form the compound of formula A and a novel intermediate thereto.

Abstract: A tubular fibrous blanket is formed using a rotary fiberizer which produces a tow of substantially continuous thermoplastic fibers and a suction chamber with an annular, vertically extending, collection surface spaced from and surrounding the rotary fiberizer. The fibrous tow is collected on the annular, vertical collection surface or on a foraminous backing sheet passing over the collection surface in a spiral of very low pitch with succeeding portions of the tow at least partially overlapping and preferably, substantially completely overlapping preceding portions of the tow to form the tubular blanket. The tubular fibrous blanket and the backing sheet, when used, can then be slit longitudinally and unfolded to form a flat blanket having continuous fibers extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blanket.

Abstract: A multi-stage topping combustor unit having rich burn, and lean burn zones followed by a quench/dilution zone. Combustible fuel gas is supplied only to the rich burn zone, and an oxygen-containing air-flue gas mixture is supplied to all three zones in a fixed flow proportioning that establishes a desired temperature profile through the combustor unit that minimizes combustor NOx and CO emissions. The combustor unit casing is cooled by an augmented air and oxygen stream discharged into the rich burn zone only, or into both the rich and lean burn zones. The cooling air flow is regulated by a control device/valve that allows the cooling air flow, and hence the augmenting oxygen entering the rich burn zone or the rich and lean burn zones, to be reduced as the fuel gas flow/firing temperature is reduced.

Abstract: Linearity of an RF/microwave power amplifier is enhanced by an amplitude and phase distortion correction mechanism based upon signal envelope feedback, that operates directly on the RF signal passing through the power amplifier. A phase-amplitude controller responds to changes in gain and phase through the RF/microwave power amplifier signal path caused by changes in RF input power, DC power supply voltages, time, temperature and other variables, and controls the operation of a gain and phase adjustment circuit, so as to maintain constant gain and transmission phase through the RF/microwave power amplifier.

Abstract: Linearity of an RF/microwave power amplifier is enhanced by an amplitude and phase distortion correction mechanism based upon signal envelope feedback, that operates directly on the RF signal passing through the power amplifier. A phase-amplitude controller responds to changes in gain and phase through the RF/microwave power amplifier signal path caused by changes in RF input power, DC power supply voltages, time, temperature and other variables, and controls the operation of a gain and phase adjustment circuit, so as to maintain constant gain and transmission phase through the RF/microwave power amplifier.