Abstract: A method for forming polymer microspheres includes dispensing polymeric material from an orifice of a drop-on-demand ink jet printhead while the orifice is immersed in a solvent extraction media.

Abstract: A control system for a polyphase AC motor having a predetermined horsepower rating is provided comprising a plurality of integrated control systems each rated at less than the hoursepower rating for the motor and having a rectifier section, an inverter section, and a controller section, and a parallel controller interfaced to each integrated control system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unitary run flat tire (RFT) reinforcement using filament material that is formed into a relatively rigid shape. The reinforcement is insertable into a mold for an RFT support and can maintain the needed structural rigidity for such insertion. Further, the invention provides an RFT support that is molded and includes the RFT reinforcement. The invention also provides a wheel assembly including a tire, a rim, and an RFT support between the rim and the tire, where the support includes the RFT reinforcement. The RFT support can have a colored indicator formed or subsequently applied thereto to indicate one or more attributes of the support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a return port cover that can close and open a return port separate from tubing movement caused by stretching or contracting under stress or other induced pipe movement from downhole conditions. For example, the return port cover can assist in preventing pack “fluffing” by preventing unintended fluid communication through an associated downhole tool regardless of the position of a circulating valve means. The return port cover can be biased, so that in one position it closes the port and in another position opens the port based on relative tubing placement at different portions of the fracturing operation or other well treatment operations.

Abstract: A double block valve and a valve proving system are disclosed. The double block valve is actuated by a single actuator and includes a valve body housing a cavity. The cavity defines an upstream portion with a fluid inlet and a downstream portion with a fluid outlet. A seating assembly is interposed between the upstream and the downstream portions. A first and a second blocking element are disposed in the valve body and are both movable within the cavity between opened and closed positions. With the first and second blocking elements both contacting the seating assembly, the space therebetween defines an enclosed space with a finite volume. The proving system is used for two safety shut-off valves on a valve train, such as a double block valve. The proving system connects to an enclosed space established between the two safety shut-off valves and includes a pair of three-way valves, oppositely biased pressure switches, and a pump, all of which are interconnected through pneumatic conduits.

Abstract: A process of producing organic compounds, such as acetaminophen, nitroalcohols and indoles, employs a catalyst system of an oxyethylene ether and a metal containing inorganic or organic reagent. The oxyethylene ether at least partially complexes the metal of the inorganic or organic reagent. As such, the reactions may be conducted neat. The processes are environmentally friendly and operationally simple.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a switch having an actuator extending from a base that is movable between first and second switch positions. A housing defines an opening in which the switch is seated. A pivot member extends from the control member and is received by a socket defined in the housing such that the control member is movable on the pivot member between first and second controller positions. A contact member extends from the control member so that movement of the control member between the first and second controller positions moves the actuator between the first and second switch positions.

Abstract: A masonry pin assembly and method of use is provided for aligning and setting masonry materials used in construction. A masonry pin assembly is provided having a substantially cylindrical cartridge, a spring residing within the cartridge and reacting against the cartridge, a pin slidably disposed within the cartridge such that when the spring is fully compressed the outer end of the pin is still within the cartridge and a trigger for releasing the pin from the cartridge, thereby aligning a masonry stone with adjacent stones.

Abstract: A motor control system for use in heating, ventilation and air conditioning applications including a blower and a motor coupled to drive the blower, an inverter coupled to provide energization to the motor, a relay capable of coupling the motor to the output of the inverter or to line power, and a controller providing signals to control the output of the inverter, where, upon startup and transfer of the motor from the line to the inverter, the output of the inverter is controlled by the inverter to provide for an enhanced startup or transfer.

Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box having a base, a litter pan, an upper hood and a lower hood. A rake is used to sweep litter clumps disposed in the litter pan and into a waste box. The rake is inserted and removed without the use of tools in order to clean or replace the rake. Liners inside the litter pan and waste box allow for easy cleaning. In addition, the liners are used to protect against pitting and other potential damage. Sensors detect the presence of a cat inside the litter pan. Upon exit, an actuator receives an output signal for actuating the drive assembly. After a predetermined time delay after receipt of the output signal, the raking cycle commences. The actuator includes a switch to allow the pet owner to vary the length of the pre-determined time delay.

Abstract: An interior permanent magnet machine including a rotor stack defining at least two adjacent magnet retention slots and a plurality of permanent magnets positioned within the interior of the rotor, wherein the radial thickness of the rotor that is above a given magnet retention slot transitions from a first radial thickness to a bridge region having a second radial thickness that is less than the first radial thickness. The bridge region is positioned between the two magnet retention slots and the transition to the bridge region occurs within an area falling within a defined angular expanse.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a laser ranging system. In this version of the invention, a guided missile is provided with laser that directs laser radiation in the general direction of a target that is subsequently reflected from the target back to the missile. A receiving lens is mounted on the missile that receives the reflected laser radiation. A ferrule containing optical fibers divided into a plurality of pixels that receive the reflected laser radiation from the receiving lens, wherein each pixel in the plurality of pixels is provided a different pointing angle by arranging the fibers within the pixel such that the centroid of the field of view of the fibers is different from the centroids of the field of views of the other fibers in the other pixels.

Abstract: An improved lower cost sight glass and a method for producing the same is disclosed, whereby the sight glass is made by placing a transparent component in secure contact with a metallic ring. The contact may optionally be effectuated by temporarily altering the relative dimensions of the metallic ring and the transparent component, placing the transparent component into the inner space of the metallic ring, and then reversing the altered relative dimensions of the metallic ring and the transparent component. A hermetic seal is formed between the transparent component and the metallic ring is by the application of an inorganic sealing compound.

Abstract: An addressable receptor in laminate form, and advantageously in PTF laminate form, comprising a front conductive layer including a plurality of substantially parallel front electrode strips and a rear conductive layer also including a plurality of substantially parallel rear electrode strips. The conductive layers are orientated with respect to each other so that an array of electrode regions of intersection is formed corresponding to the regions at which the front electrode strips cross over the rear electrode strips. The first and second conductive layers are separated by a reactive layer comprising a plurality of defined reactive regions. The reactive regions are deployed in a reactive array substantially in register with the array of electrode regions of intersection, so that the reactive regions are electrically addressable by coordinate pairs of first and second electrode strips. The front electrode strips are partially transparent to radiation in a selected waveband.

Abstract: An automatic tuning scheme for two active band-pass filters where both filters operate on the signal while simultaneously being tuned using a reference signal. To allow that the amplitude of a reference signal is made small and since both filters demonstrate a good linearity the build-up of the inter-modulation distortion does not occur. The first band-pass filter is tuned with the reference falling into its pass-band. The second band-pass filter is also tuned with the reference placed into its pass-band. The reference is practically eliminated by the virtue of the complexity of the second band-pass filter. Assuming the filter passes the signal for positive frequencies if the reference is made a negative frequency by appropriate 90 degrees phase shifting it will be attenuated by at least 55 dB, which is a sufficient signal-to-reference ratio.