Abstract: A system and process for upgrading hydrocarbons such as heavy oils includes a high temperature plasma reactor apparatus, in one or more vessels, into which the oils are introduced along with water, such as steam, to produce lighter hydrocarbon fractions, along with carbon monoxide and hydrogen, that flows to an additional stage where more hydrocarbons and water are introduced for further fractionating reactions facilitated by reaction of carbon monoxide and water to produce carbon dioxide and nascent, or prompt, free radicals of hydrogen. Heavy hydrocarbons upgraded can include heavy oils in the form of tar sands, oil shale, and oil residuals. The vessel or vessels can each contain a carbonaceous bed facilitating the described reactions and example embodiments include one vessel with the reactions performed in a single bed and, also, two vessels with the reactions performed in a carbonaceous bed portion in each vessel.

Abstract: A system and process for upgrading hydrocarbons such as heavy oils includes high temperature plasma reactor apparatus, in one or more vessels, into which the oils are introduced along with water, such as steam, to produce lighter hydrocarbon fractions, along with carbon monoxide and hydrogen, that flows to an additional stage where more hydrocarbons and water are introduced for further fractionating reactions facilitated by reaction of carbon monoxide and water to produce carbon dioxide and nascent, or prompt, free radicals of hydrogen. Heavy hydrocarbons upgraded can include heavy oils in the form of tar sands, oil shale, and oil residuals. The vessel or vessels can each contain a carbonaceous bed facilitating the described reactions and example embodiments include one vessel with the reactions performed in a single bed and, also, two vessels with the reactions performed in a carbonaceous bed portion in each vessel.

Abstract: A motor and a rotary potentiometer, or other position sensor, running on the motor shaft are mounted in a first enclosure with an output shaft for driving a power switch open or closed. A part of the system outside the first enclosure makes use of a motor position signal from the rotary potentiometer that is processed by a microcontroller that a worker can interact with at a switch panel to set and adjust motor travel limits without needing access into the motor enclosure. The first enclosure and its components can be used for various applications, including those for either underground or pad-mounted switches, which for the latter case can have the first enclosure inside a second enclosure on a pad, and the second enclosure also contains other power and control elements of the system. A portable unit with the switch panel for travel limits can be provided.

Abstract: Rapid arc extinguishing devices for air break switches have a whip with at least an end portion of nonmetallic material such as fiber reinforced plastic with a conductive path on its surface. The nonmetallic material is a single tapered rod or an assembly of a plurality of rods successively inserted into an outer rod. The conductive path on the whip is of various individual and combination forms of which some include a metal braid, foil, sheath or wound wire. Particular forms of the conductive path on the rod have enhanced durability and arc resistance at the areas of the whip most likely to be subject to arcing with a latch of the device upon switch opening or closing. Further forms of the whip are a combination in which an end portion as described is attached to an all metal base portion that is arranged to include a portion of the whip subject to arcing on switch closing. Another form of device has a latch engaging a whip at a rotating wheel on the latch.

Abstract: A motor of a power switch motor operator has its motor shaft coupled to the output member of the operator, that connects with the power switch, through a drive assembly with at least one drive element continuously linked to the motor shaft, but not to the output member, and at least another drive element continuously linked to the output member, but not to the motor shaft. Temporary engagement of the mentioned drive elements, with motor operation of the power switch, is effected by temporary force transfer parts on the drive elements (e.g., a fixed post on one engaging a spring-loaded cam bar on the other) which inherently disengage following force transfer sufficient to operate the switch. The inherently decoupled state allows immediate straightforward manual operation by an operating member, even when the motor operator is at an overhead switch location, without any turning of the motor or engaging of the temporary force transfer parts during the manual operation.

Abstract: A switch has respective open-assist bars fixed to switch blades near the switch contacts. The bars are arranged so that, as the blades are turned by rotation of their supports, the bars come together and serve as a fulcrum mechanism that provides a prying action helping reduce the required opening force. The action of the fulcrum mechanism overcomes friction between the contacts that may otherwise tend to cause bowing of the supports with appreciable increase in the required opening force.

Abstract: Rapid arc extinguishing devices for air break switches have a whip with at least an end portion of nonmetallic material such as fiber reinforced plastic with a conductive path on its surface. The nonmetallic material is a single tapered rod or an assembly of a plurality of rods successively inserted into an outer rod. The conductive path on the whip is of various individual and combination forms of which some include a metal braid, foil, sheath or wound wire. Particular forms of the conductive path on the rod have enhanced durability and arc resistance at the areas of the whip most likely to be subject to arcing with a latch of the device upon switch opening or closing. Further forms of the whip are a combination in which an end portion as described is attached to an all metal base portion that is arranged to include a portion of the whip subject to arcing on switch closing. Another form of device has a latch engaging a whip at a rotating wheel on the latch.

Abstract: Rapid arc extinguishing devices for air break switches have a whip with at least an end portion of a metal matrix composite (MMC) material. The MMC whip is applied in embodiments similar to those of prior disclosed fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) whips without need for application of another conductor on the surface for conductivity from end to end.

Abstract: A motor control circuit wherein Bemf zero crossings are sensed to provide phasing information. To avoid incorrect timing (due to detection of zero crossings which may be caused by switching noise when the power transistors switch to commutate other phases), the Bemf detection is masked. Advantageously, the Bemf detection is masked not only for the normal masking period (including an additional percentage beyond the minimum period), but is also for an additional period, if the Bemf output is not of the expected polarity.

Abstract: Fuel injectors, for hydraulically actuated fuel systems with complex seals so high pressure oil can be confined, are assembled in an engine head with a tool that fits with part of the injector. Tool posts have ends that fit in holes of a bracket. The posts are configured to provide clearance from part of the injector above the bracket. The tool drives the injector in place when a surface of the tool is stuck. After using the tool to drive an injector in place, fasteners to secure the injector to the head are inserted through the bracket holes.

Abstract: An AC glow plug system is provided that includes a static converter for DC to AC conversion. Control techniques include varying the converter duty cycle according to glow plug temperature and other parameters such as engine air or coolant temperatures for smooth running as well as for prolonging glow plug life. Control is also varied according to fuel system characteristics and fuel composition.

Abstract: A fuel system for a gas engines has exhaust gas monitors for signals (p, T, V) related to exhaust gas mass flow with an air to fuel controller that acts to adjust the intake of a gaseous fuel, which can vary widely in composition, to maintain a desired level of exhaust gas mass flow.

Abstract: The present application discloses an innovative improved circuit, in which the long transient at write-to-read transitions is avoided by using a shorting switch to short the inputs of the first amplifier stage together when the read amplifier is activated. This speeds up write-to-read transition. Moreover, since read mode can now be entered more quickly after a power-down condition, this circuit also permits the use of other power-saving tricks to idle the read amplifier momentarily.

Abstract: A separator receives crankcase fumes having blowby gas and oil mist. A rotatable filter in the separator passes the gas constituents to an outlet for recycling back to an engine air intake. The filter, by rotating, causes oil to be flung centrifugally out onto a wall from which it can be drained from the separator and returned to the crankcase.

Abstract: An assembly has a base of elastomeric material and a frame for an emblem or ornament. A fastener portion of the frame fits with a stem portion of the base in fixed relation. The base is secured to a surface, such as a vehicle hood, by an adhesive, with no elements through the attachment surface being required. The base is elastic to yield to anticipated forces, such as due to wind, automatic car washes, and manual pulls or pushes, and to return to its intended position, without disturbing the adhesive bond. Base designs include having a stem at an angle to a normal to the base bottom or mounting surface; the amount of such angle being determined to make the emblem be presented in an upright or moderately canted back, position when the assembly is installed on any of a number of vehicles having a range of hood slopes; so that substantially all vehicles and hood slopes in use can be fitted with one of only a small number of base configurations.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the type in which fluid enters radially includes a debris blocking shield over a space around a shaft seal with a channel to supply energized fluid to near the center of the pump impeller. Apertures in the impeller then pass the fluid longitudinally through the impeller and the seal space covered by the shield, with a shield gap for the return of the fluid from the seal space into the main stream.

Abstract: A motor operator with a continuity sensor has a test current injector and a voltage sensor arranged to determine if a loss of AC voltage is due to a discontinuity, such as a blown fuse, in the circuit of a transformer powering the motor operator rather than a loss of voltage from an AC power line. A line voltage detector, such as a resistive or capacitive voltage divider, can also be used with a continuity sensor to distinguish between a discontinuity in the voltage detector and a loss of line voltage. Based on the cause determined by the continuity sensor, signals are generated either to motor operate a disconnect switch or not to.

Abstract: Hard thread milling methods and equipment provide more precise alignment for a threadably retained component A fuel injector body with a cavity for a solenoid valve is processed by steps including heat treatment before milling threads and also milling a planar seal face to which the threads are located in precise perpendicularly so a high pressure fuel line can be reliably sealed.

Abstract: A circuit, and method of operation, allows initial operation of a parasitic transistor in a junction isolated integrated circuit. The initial operation activates elements that produce a turn-on drive signal to a power transistor that has a part in the parasitic transistor, resulting in ending the operation of the parasitic transistor. A low side driver, such as an N channel DMOS, in a bridge circuit for an inductive load is arranged with a sinker region close by so that the sinker region acts as a preferred collector of a parasitic transistor that also includes a region of the low side driver as an emitter. The circuit includes logic that processes signals developed by initial operation of the parasitic transistor to develop the turn-on drive signal to the particular low side driver without affecting other low side drivers in the integrated circuit and before any other devices in the integrated circuit are caused to sink any appreciable current in parasitic transistor operation.

Abstract: A driver circuit with an amplifier operated in a switching mode has threshold detectors with devices to compare the amplifier input and output voltage respectively to predetermined minimum and maximum levels representing fully off and fully on conditions for the driver circuit. The circuit provides signals to enable the amplifier to draw current from a supply only during transitions between the threshold levels and to otherwise disable the amplifier. The circuit is beneficial particularly when operating the amplifier from a voltage supply of very limited current capability, such as a charge pump voltage in an integrated circuit. The switching mode amplifier can be applied in high performance driver integrated circuits alone or in combination with innovative techniques for slew rate control and for preslewing the amplifier output that also provide high performance in compact circuit configurations.