Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section. A driver oscillates the loops and the phase difference between the ends of the loops is measured. The measured phase difference is then used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixably attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separates the vibrating, dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.

Abstract: A system enclosing a Coriolis flowmeter in a explosion proof housing. The explosion proof housing is structured in a way that the housing can withstand an explosion of volatile material inside the housing. The explosion proof housing prevents sparks and heat inside the housing from igniting volatile material outside the housing. Any gaps or openings in the explosion proof housing provide a flame path of sufficient length to cool a flame or hot material escaping from the housing. The use of the secondary housing as an explosion proof compartment allows the use of a driver having greater power as well as conventional leads inside the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for batch process control in which a Phase Logic Module operable in accordance with the state machine model of the batch server program is embedded within a programmable controller. More specifically, a phase executed by the batch server program in a data processing device is operable in accordance with a pre-defined state machine model (typically compliant with the ISA S88.01 standard). A Phase Logic Module (PLM) is implemented within a programmable controller in accordance with the same state machine model so as to mirror the state machine operation of the batch server process within the programmable controller. The PLM is pre-implemented and standardized. Specific state logic for performing desired control in accordance with the desired batch processing is defined by a control engineer using well known languages and tools and integrated with the standard PLM state machine.

Abstract: A system for scanning and digitizing large images using an optional reseau for accuracy without obscuring the image to be scanned. The system uses at least one CCD photoreceptor array which is fixed in a rigid position with respect to any accompany lenses and mirrors. In one embodiment, a first CCD photoreceptor array is used to scan the image while a second CCD photoreceptor array simultaneously scans the reseau. In a second embodiment, a single CCD photoreceptor array is used to first scan the reseau and then to scan the image. One illumination source illuminates the reseau while second illumination source illuminates the image. The arrangement of the lens(es) and the photoreceptor arrays allows the determination of any displacement of the scanner along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, as well as the determination of any rotation of the scanner around the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis.

Abstract: A system for storing information on a computer network and allowing the information to be accessed by terminals connected to the computer network, either directly, or through an intermediary device such as a local or proxy server, includes computer or web sites which store pages requested by terminals for display on the terminals. The pages may include references to banners to be displayed in conjunction with the web pages on the terminal. The terminal initiates access or connection to a desired computer or web site to access a desired page. After the desired page is downloaded, transmitted, or served to the terminal from the computer or web site, the terminal initiates and sends an initial banner request signal to an information server.

Abstract: A material feed system and method for conveying a metered quantity of lightweight, friable mesh fibers without minimal damage to the mesh fibers to concrete and like materials mixing tank. The material feed system including a hopper with a spiral fiber guide near the discharge and flexible blades for clearing fibers from the upper and lower surfaces of the spiral fiber guide. A drive assembly is included for rotating the hopper at a rotation rate adequate to move and agitate the mesh fibers to facilitate flow of the mesh fibers first outward against the side walls of the bin and then rapidly downward through the bin being guided by the spiral fiber guide.

Abstract: A control system is provided for positioning between a power source, such as a distributed generator, and a utility or utility grid to control the injection of dc current and even harmonics into the utility or utility grid. In one embodiment, the control system is particularly suited for grid-tied operation and includes a power converter for acting as an ac current source by converting power received from the power source to ac current for transmittal to the utility. The control system further includes a voltage transformer between the power converter and the utility connection to block dc current and isolate the power source from the utility. A feedback control loop is included in the control system to measure, with a pair of current transformers, dc current and even harmonics in the current flowing into (power converter side) and out (utility side) of the voltage transformer.

Abstract: The slitting assembly includes a grinding wheel with a wide flat grinding face for first cutting a multilayer sheet of soft and compressible, electronic device material, such as lithium-ion polymer material for a uni-cell battery, to a first depth and includes a cutting wheel with a blade-like edge for completing the slit by cutting through uncut layers of the multilayer sheet. The grinding face has a width of at least the thickness of the multilayer sheet, and in practice, the depth of the cut is preferably one half the sheet thickness, which in a uni-cell battery sheet is midway through a separator layer. The grinding wheel is positioned to apply cutting forces to the multilayer sheet in a direction that is substantially parallel to the feed direction to control the application of compressive forces that may compress the soft sheet material and if uncontrolled, may create short circuits between electrically conductive layers.

Abstract: A vortex detector for low flow rates comprises a vane that is located downstream from a vortex generator and is connected at only one end in a canthever manner to a cylindrical housing, which defines a flow passage. The end of the vane connected to the housing includes an area of reduced thickness that acts as a resilient, plastic hinged joint to make it easier for weak vortices generated by the vortex generator to impart vibrations or deflections to of the vane. Strain gauge transducers in the area of reduced thickness detect deflections or vibrations of the vane and produce analog electric signals having amplitudes and frequencies that are related to the strengths, frequencies, and period of the vortices.

Abstract: A process parameter associated with a material contained in a conduit is estimated by estimating a real normal modal residual flexibility component associated with a real normal mode of motion of the conduit. A plurality of motion signals representing motion of the conduit is received. A residual-flexibility-compensated estimate of mass flow is generated from the received plurality of motion signals and the estimated real normal modal residual flexibility component. Related apparatus and computer program products are also described.

Abstract: A system and process for removing metal from a directed flow of an aqueous solution by exposing the directed flow to a high voltage electrical field in the direction of the directed flow. In one embodiment, seven electrode chambers are provided, each connected in fluid communication end-to-end, and each having an electrode encapsulated by a layer of an electrically insulating material. Either DC or AC (preferably 60 Hertz) current may be used. Each electrode is surrounded by a grounded stainless steel lined PVC hollow tube, and a flow passageway is formed between the inner wall of the hollow tube and the outer layer of insulating material. The aqueous solution flows through the flow passageway, thereby being exposed to the high voltage electrical field adjacent to the electrode. The flow is directed into two tubular secondary grounds. Each ground is connected in flow communication end-to-end and has a quantity of stainless steel wool through which the flow is directed.

Abstract: A plurality of motion signals is received representing motion at a plurality of locations of a vibrating conduit containing material. The received plurality of motion signals is processed to resolve the motion into a plurality of real normal modal components. A process parameter is estimated from a real normal modal component of the plurality of real normal modal components. According to one aspect, the motion signals may be processed by applying a mode pass filter to produce an output that preferentially represents a component of the motion associated with a real normal mode of the vibrating conduit. A process parameter may be estimated from the filtered output using, for example, conventional phase difference techniques. According to another aspect, real normal modal motion is estimated from the received plurality of motion signals, and a process parameter is estimated from the estimated real normal modal motion.

Abstract: A portable telephone or cell phone holder fits in a conventional cup holder of an automobile or other vehicle. It has an arcuate sidewall that is less than 360° and is resiliently deformable to be squeezed sown to less than the diameter of the cup holder and then, when released, to grip the inside surface of the cup holder. A tongue extends upwardly and radially inwardly from the sidewall to a distal end to provide a support telephone platform and has a concave slanted surface to accommodate and center a telephone belt clip.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved aluminum chloride trap having a disposable element, wherein the disposable element contains trapping media for condensing, solidifying and trapping condensable aluminum chloride vapor. The trap is designed such that the disposable element may be easily removed for rapid and safe disposal of condensed aluminum chloride solids and subsequently replaced with a new disposable element. The disposable element efficiently traps condensable aluminum chloride vapor from an aluminum etch system without the need for internal or external cooling means, such that condensable aluminum chloride vapor is prevented from condensing and depositing on the interior walls of the trap or on the interior walls of a vacuum conduit system used in an aluminum etch system.

Abstract: A micro-mass flow controller (10) has a sonic choked flow restriction (28) with an oscillatable valve (26) for repetitiously opening and closing the sonic choked flow restriction (28) in a time-modulated sequence to set or vary mass flow rate of gas through the sonic choked flow restriction (28) over a period of time to something between no flow and maximum mass flow rate. A bimorph piezoelectric actuator (40) is coated in a sputtered dielectric layer (78) and then encapsulated in stainless steel or other metal cladding (80). A closure member (46) on the actuator (40) is registered to a valve seat (70) by actuating the actuator (40) to force the closure member (46) in a puddle of adhesive (86) against the valve seat (70) until the adhesive (86) cures.

Abstract: A process parameter sensor for a material processing system includes a conduit configured to contain material from the material processing system. A plurality of motion transducers is operative to produce a plurality of motion signals representing motion at a number of locations on the conduit. An overdetermined process parameter estimator is responsive to the plurality of motion transducers and configured to receive the plurality of motion signals. The overdetermined process parameter estimator is operative to resolve conduit motion into motion attributable to each of a predetermined number of forces and to estimate a process parameter associated with a material in the conduit according to the resolved motion, wherein the number of locations exceeds the number of forces such that the plurality of motion signals provides an overdetermined information set for resolution of conduit motion into motion attributable to the predetermined number of forces.

Abstract: An oscillatory vibration driver is operably connected to a Coriolis flowmeter for use in vibrating the meter flow tubes. The meter electronics contain a mimetic circuit that permits use of the driver as a signal pickoff which provides a measurement of back electromotive force for use in calculating mass flow rate and density from the Coriolis flowmeter. The mimetic circuit contains an analog coil and magnet that facilitate the measurement of back electromotive force, or the mimetic circuit may comprise digital means.