Abstract: The present invention deals with the catalytic hydrogenation of fluid used to cool and dielectrically insulate an x-ray generating device within an x-ray system. According to the present invention, a method and apparatus are provided for hydrogenating fluid that has been exposed to x-rays to reduce the amount of H2 gas, free hydrogen atoms and unsaturated molecules in the fluid. The method comprises exposing the fluid within the x-ray system to a catalytically effective amount of catalyst. The catalyst operates in temperatures in the range of about 10-300° C. and pressures in the range of about 0.1-30 atmospheres. The catalyst may comprise a solid, non-soluble catalyst, a soluble catalyst, or a combination of both. A suitable solid, non-soluble catalyst comprises Group VIII elements and their compounds. Group VIII elements comprise iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum.

Abstract: A circuit for pre-distorting an input signal v to be transmitted via a power amplifier having a non-linear transmission characteristic to produce a pre-distorted input signal y comprises an estimator (10) for determining an estimation signal (22) based on the power of said input signal v. A look-up table (20) is provided for storing complex pre-distortion coefficients BR and AI which depend on the power of the input Signal v and the non-linear transmission characteristic of the power amplifier determined in advance. For BR, the relation BR=AR−K, K being a constant with 0<K <2 applies, and AR and AI are the real and imaginary parts of a complex pre-distortion function which provides a pre-distortion of the input signal v such that the distortion introduced by the non-linear transmission characteristic of the power amplifier is substantially compensated according to magnitude and phase.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for reducing pressure pulsation when pumping fluids having highly entrained gas therein. The pump has a drive screw and a pair of idler screws. The screws are placed in a screw channel between a suction end and a discharge end. At least one of the clearances between the surfaces of the drive screw, side screw and screw channel is larger in area, from the discharge end to the suction end, than the remaining clearances. The area of the clearance is configured so that sufficient slip flow occurs between the discharge and suction ends to compress the entrained gas in a uniform and controlled fashion so that linear compression occurs throughout the flow path in the pump. Preferably, the clearance is achieved by reducing the outer diameter of the drive screw.

Abstract: A circuit for reducing adjacent-channel interference by pre-linearizing and pre-distorting an input signal to be transmitted via a power amplifier having a non-linear transmission characteristic is disclosed. A portion of the input signal exceeding a dynamic range of the power amplifier is determined and expanded along the time axis to produce an expanded version thereof. The expanded version and the input signal are combined, such that the expanded version is subtracted from the input signal, to produce a pre-linearized signal. The circuit further has a pre-distorting unit for pre-distorting the pre-linearized signal using complex pre-distortion coefficients, such that the distortion introduced by the non-linear transmission characteristic of the power amplifier is substantially compensated for according to magnitude and phase.

Abstract: A platinum temperature sensor comprises a ceramic substrate (4) and a platinum thin-film resistor (2) applied to a main surface of said ceramic substrate. A protective intermediate layer (14, 16) comprises a ceramic layer (14) which, at least in the area of the platinum thin-film resistor (2), is evaporated on the main surface of the ceramic substrate (4) over the full area thereof, and a sintered ceramic paste layer (16) which is applied to the evaporated ceramic layer (14). A protective glaze (18) applied to the protective intermediate layer (14, 16).

Abstract: An article for controlling flow of a fluid medium in a fluid path comprises a brush seal carrier and at least one brush seal coil disposed within the brush seal carrier. The brush seal coil is arranged in predetermined array and comprises a continuous helical member. In addition, a brush seal, for controlling the flow of the fluid medium in the fluid path, comprises a plurality of fibers secured to the brush seal coil.

Abstract: A CHTS reactor plate has wells that can be individually heated. The reactor plate includes a substrate with an array of reaction wells and a ferromagnetic material included with the substrate. A CHTS method provides a reactor plate having a substrate with an array of reaction wells and a ferromagnetic material responsive to the application of an electric field included with the substrate. The electric field is energized to control temperature in the proximity of at least one of the reaction wells. Another method comprises providing a reactor plate comprising an array of reaction wells and depositing a ferromagnetic object within at least one of the wells. The object is responsive to the application of an electric field. An electric field is then energized to control temperature in the reaction well.

Abstract: The present invention is a retrofit apparatus for attachment to vertical milling machines. The invention generally comprises a main scale, a digital indicator, a mounting cover having a centrally located aperture for receiving the indicator and allowing vertical movement thereof, a plurality of hat clips and screws to attach the scale and indicator to the mounting cover, a rear mounting plate, a quill stop bar, a quill mount, and a rod. In operation, as the quill device of a milling machine is moved, the indicator slides up and down within the aperture and the indicator effectively and precisely measures the vertical displacement thereof. In an alterative embodiment of the invention, the retrofit apparatus comprises an aperture in the mounting cover wherein the aperture is substantially the same size as the indicator, and in operation only the scale moves while the indicator measures the vertical displacement of the quill.

Abstract: A welding method that enables the joining of at least two dissimilar, metallic alloys to form a weld that is free of cracks is disclosed. The method incorporates a pure (99.00% minimum by weight) nickel fill-wire, integrally assembled into the joint between the two alloyed metals to be joined. The alloys joined by this method are an iron-based, low expansivity, gamma-prime strengthened superalloy (i.e., Incoloy®) and a high carbon, powder metallurgical tool steel high in refractory metal alloying agents (i.e., CPM REX 20). Welding of the joint results in the formation of a nickel rich region within the weld, thus “inoculating” the weld against cracks. The weld joint formed by the method of the present invention can be used in the fabrication of a rotating anode bearing shaft assembly for use in an x-ray generating device.

Abstract: A personal entertainment and communication device having a headset that is electronically connected to a master unit via a flexible connecting cable. A digital music player and a microphone are included in the headset. A hinged door on the headset opens to accept a flash memory module or minidisk containing encoded digital music. The master unit includes a pager, a cellular telephone, a radio, digital music controls, radio controls, and time of day functions that permit the headset and master unit to act as a simple pocket watch. The user is alerted through the headset, even while music is playing from the radio or the digital music player that a call or page has been received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing hydrocarbons to a direct reduction shaft furnace while controlling the temperature uniformity of the center portion of the iron burden wherein the hydrocarbon gases used in direct reduction may be preheated, which increases the temperature of the hydrocarbon gases, and therefore increases the resultant temperature of the upflowing gases as it rises from the lower section of the furnace into the center of the burden. Alternatively, a portion of the upflowing gas may be removed before it enters the reduction zone of the furnace. The removed upflowing gas, known as hot bleed gas, may be ducted to the top gas scrubber of the furnace or may be mixed with the main reducing gas stream of the furnace for reintroduction to the furnace. Alternatively, hot reducing gas may be directly injected into the center portion of the burden, offsetting the cooling effect of the upflowing gas.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for recovering metal values from Electric Arc Furnace dust, particularly zinc and iron values, by mixing EAF dust and carbonaceous fines to form a particulate mixture; heating the mixture at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to reduce and release volatile metals and alkali metals in a flue gas; collecting the released metals, and removing the metal values from the process as product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for operation of a moving hearth furnace in conjunction with an electric melter for production of high purity iron product having a range of silicon and manganese, with low sulfur and phosphorus content. The method includes producing high purity iron product and a range of carbon content product from iron oxide and carbon bearing agglomerates, including the steps of providing a furnace for direct reduction of iron oxide and carbon bearing agglomerates, pre-reducing iron and carbon bearing agglomerates in a furnace having a moving hearth surface, producing intermediate carbon-containing metallized iron. An electric melter furnace is utilized for receiving intermediate carbon-containing metallized iron from the pre-reducing step, which is fed directly and continuously into a central interior area of the electric melter, with heating of the carbon-containing metallized iron in the electric melter under elevated temperatures of about 1300° C. to about 1700° C.

Abstract: A device for non-contractual measurement of the speed of an object moving over a surface comprises a means for radiating a signal of fixed frequency at an angle onto the surface in or against the direction of motion, said angle being variable by the movement of the object, and for receiving a Doppler-shifted signal reflected at the surface. A means is provided for combining a plurality of reflected Doppler-shifted signals, which are received in temporal succession, so as to produce a combined spectrum. The device for non-contractual speed measurement additionally comprises a means for detecting from the combined spectrum the spectral portion having the highest or lowest frequency and exceeding a predetermined signal power, and a means for deducing the speed from the frequency of the detected spectral portion.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is directed a method and an apparatus comprising irradiating a polymer sample with at least one wavelength of substantially monochromatic light and monitoring radiation emitted by the polymer sample which is correlated to sample hydrolysis and a change in polymer molecular weight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for rapid screening of potential reactants, catalysts, or associated process conditions. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a reaction substrate having at least one substrate reservoir and introducing a reactant system at least partially embodied in a liquid into the substrate reservoirs. The reactant system is heated to at least one predetermined temperature. A flow of inert gas is provided through a manifold above the substrate reservoir. The reaction in the substrate reservoir can be monitored, e.g., visually or spectrophotometrically during the course of the reaction, or the reaction substrate block can be rapidly cooled to stop the reaction in the substrate reservoir prior to analysis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a computer system enabling high-throughput combinatorial synthesis and screening of lighting phosphors. The system links hardware instrumentation for synthesis and screening. It records, sorts, and analyzes photo-metric data gathered from the combinatorial studies, along with the characteristics of the combinatory processes. The system provides a database as the data storage and query engine, an analysis module as the processor for analytical operations, and an interface for accepting the user's input and displaying the analysis results and other information requested by the user.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a trailer such as a caravan, when parked, or for raising and lowering a pop-top or a television antenna on a caravan, the system having at least one four water actuated ram, and being operable from water supplied from a water tap 47 (faucet) at a camp ground/caravan park. A valve 19 in the supply line 33 prevents loss of water and hence inadvertent actuation/deactuation of the water actuated rams. A selector valve 21 allows selection between extend and retract operations. In the case of a system for stabilizing a trailer such as a caravan when parked, or for raising and lowering a pop-top on a caravan there are at least two water actuated rams and preferably four water actuated rams 11, 13, 15, 17 connected in parallel.

Abstract: A mounting assembly, having a first portion adapted to be mounted on the surface, the first portion presenting a first plane, a second portion adapted to be fastened to an object such as a speaker, the second portion presenting a second plane, and connectors for releasably connecting the second portion to the first portion in a connected condition with the first and second planes in engagement, the connectors releasably connecting the first and second portions by relative movement of the first and second planes towards each other and then movement of the first and second portions relative to each other along the contacting planes.