Abstract: An icemaker assembly is disposed within a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment and respective freezer and fresh food door assemblies. The icemaker assembly comprises a conveyor assembly positioned within the freezer compartment having a flexible conveyor belt with a multiplicity of individual ice cube molds for creation of individual ice cubes. An ice cube storage bin is positioned below the conveyor assembly for storing the ice cubes and a fullness sensor is positioned for determining the fill level of ice cubes within the ice cube storage bin.

Abstract: Increased turndown ratio is achieved by providing an atmospheric gas burner having a burner body with a plurality of ports formed therein and a fuel flow divider disposed in the burner body. The fuel flow divider defines a primary fuel chamber and at least one secondary fuel chamber, wherein the secondary fuel chamber is in fluid communication with at least one of the ports and the primary fuel chamber is in fluid communication with the remaining ports. A first mixing tube introduces a fuel-air mixture into the primary fuel chamber, and a second mixing tube introduces a fuel-air mixture into the secondary fuel chamber.

Abstract: Improved burner performance is achieved by providing an atmospheric gas burner with a spiral-shaped burner body. A plurality of ports is formed in the burner body so as to be in fluid communication with the burner's internal chamber. Preferably, the burner body includes a substantially cylindrical hub section and an arm section that is joined at one end to the hub section and bends around the hub section.

Abstract: A refrigeration system disposed within an outer cabinet having a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment comprises a freezer evaporator and a fresh food evaporator each having an inlet and an outlet. A compressor is coupled to the freezer evaporator via a conduit and a control valve is disposed at the inlet of the freezer evaporator to control refrigerant flow therethrough. A first liquid line temperature sensor is disposed so as to detect refrigerant temperature at the inlet of the freezer evaporator and a second liquid line temperature sensor is disposed so as to detect refrigerant temperature at the inlet of the fresh food evaporator. A freezer compartment temperature sensor and a fresh food compartment temperature sensor are disposed within the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment, respectively, to sense compartment a temperatures.

Abstract: A combined burner and grate structure for use in connection with a gas range includes one or more burner elements. Each burner element has one or more fuel inlets, one or more fuel outlets disposed on one or more side surfaces, and a top surface. A horizontal planar support for a cooking vessel is made up of the top surface of each burner element. A gas rangetop can include one or more of these combined burner and grate structures.

Abstract: One method empirically determines a stiffness value for each of two or more different subsets of the bristles of a brush seal, then calculates a variation in stiffness, and then identifies the brush seal as defective if the calculated variation in stiffness exceeds a predetermined stiffness variation criteria. One apparatus includes a load transducer having a contact head sized to contact less than twenty percent of the bristles, a displacement transducer which measures the displacement of the free ends of the contacted bristles, and a clamp for securing the brush seal and presenting the bristles for contact.

Abstract: The ammonia content of fuel gas in an IGCC power generation system is reduced through ammonia decomposition, thereby reducing the NOx emissions from the plant. The power generation system includes a gasifier, a gas turbine and at least one catalytic reactor arranged between the gasifier and the gas turbine. The catalytic reactor may be either a three stage or two stage device. The three stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift, a second catalyst which promotes CO methanation, and a third catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The two stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift and CO methanation and a second catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The plural catalytic stages may be disposed in a single vessel or successively disposed in individual vessels, and the catalysts may be in a pelletized form or coated on honeycomb structures.

Abstract: An in situ breast tumor temperature profile measuring probe includes a rod, thermal sensors and electrical output leads. The thermal sensors are formed in spaced apart holes in an outer insulating layer of the rod and a common electrical input lead to provide an electrical input signal to the thermal sensors is disposed below and has portions exposed at the holes and electrically connected to the thermal sensors. The thermal sensors receive the electrical input signal from the common electrical input lead, sense the temperature of biological matter adjacent to the thermal sensors and produce an electrical output signal correlated thereto. Each electrical output lead mounted to the outer insulating layer is in electrical contact with a different one of the thermal sensors to receive the electrical output signal from the one thermal sensor and output the same.

Abstract: The method for turbocharging an engine of a locomotive in which the engine is operable at a plurality of discrete operating power levels includes controlling at least one of energy to a motor-assisted turbocharger at a plurality of discrete energy levels and air pressure from the motor-assisted turbocharger to the engine at a plurality of discrete air pressure levels above ambient air pressure based on at least some of the plurality of discrete operating power levels (e.g., low power levels) of the engine. Desirably, the method also includes controlling generation of electrical energy from the motor-assisted turbocharger at some of the plurality of discrete operating power levels (e.g., high power levels) of the engine. Apparatus for turbocharging a diesel engine of a locomotive incorporating the above methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Leakage flows through seals are used to cool components of a turbine downstream of the seals. At certain seal locations, the leakage flows are restricted to the extent that cooling of downstream components cannot be effected by the leakage flows. The cooling air leakage flow is augmented by extracting bleed air from different stages at different temperatures from a compressor and combining the extracted flows in an ejector to provide a flow having a temperature intermediate the temperatures of the extracted flow streams for augmenting the leakage flow to cool the component. The ejector thus uses high extraction air to entrain lower temperature extraction air to lower the ejector exit air temperature, reducing the magnitude of air required to cool the downstream component and enhancing the effectiveness of the advanced seal.

Abstract: A method of shaping a tool comprises the steps of defining a shape of an article to be formed with the tool as a plurality of first elements; defining an initial shape of the tool as a plurality of second elements; determining an electric potential of each of the first and second elements; determining an equipotential line between the article and the initial shape of the tool based on the electric potential of the first and second elements; and forming the tool to have a shape coincident with the equipotential line.

Abstract: A machining process for forming a raised area in a wall of a predrilled hole includes distributing electrolyte via a workpiece internal cavity to a number of predrilled holes. Next, position a template including at least one electrode coated with an insulating material in a pattern defining the raised area to be formed in the wall of the predrilled hole below the workpiece such that the electrode is positioned within a predrilled hole and machining by passing electric current between the electrode and the workpiece wall and circulating electrolyte through the hole.

Abstract: A casting includes a heat transfer surface having a plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities include a density of at least about 25 cavities per square centimeter to about 1,100 cavities per square centimeter resulting in increased surface area and therefore enhanced heat transfer capability. Also disclosed is a mold for forming a pattern for molding the casting. The mold includes a surface defining a portion of a chamber to which are attached a plurality of particles having an average particle size in a range of about 300 microns to about 2,000 microns.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a bearing assembly consisting of a rotatable shaft and a stator coaxially aligned. The stator has at least one circumferential protrusion that contains respective segments that extend radially from the stator. Each of the respective segments contains at least one capture cavity and has a main cavity disposed between each of the respective segments so as to house a thermal shunt. A plurality of roller bearings are also disposed radially between the rotatable shaft and the stator. In addition, at least one viscoseal is disposed on the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A locomotive diagnostic system. A first sensor outputs a measurement of a first state variable (such as vibration) of a first locomotive component, such as a blower fan bearing set, and a second sensor outputs a measurement of a second state variable (such as rotational speed) of a second locomotive component, such as a blower fan shaft. The first state variable is indicative of the operation of the first component and is dependent on the second state variable. Data represents, for each of a number of different values of the second state variable, first, second, and third ranges of values of the first state variable which indicate, respectively, normal, worn, and failed operation of the first component. A mechanism, such as a digital computer, determines if the measurement of the first state variable is within the first, second, or third range of values of the first state variable for the measurement of the second state variable.

Abstract: A gas burner assembly for connection to a gas source includes a burner body having a sidewall and a main gas conduit. The burner body further includes a number of primary burner ports disposed within the sidewall, each for supporting a respective main flame. Additionally, a main fuel chamber is disposed within the burner body to provide fuel to the primary burner ports. A burner cap is disposed atop said sidewall. A stability channel is disposed within an outer portion of the burner cap. The stability channel is positioned adjacent the primary burner ports to capture a supply of gas and hot products from the burner assembly to re-ignite the primary burner ports after flameout. This configuration creates a repository of fuel and combustion products during normal burner operation within the stability channel for re-igniting the primary burner ports after flameout, thereby reducing the sensitivity of the burner assembly to pressure disturbances, while allowing a symmetric appearance to be maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrical discharge machining multiple holes in an electrically conductive work piece, includes an electrical discharge machine for rotatably mounting a first electrode, and at least one electrical discharge unit for rotatably mounting at least one second electrode. The electrical discharge machine includes a driver and a controller, the driver is desirably coupled to the electrical discharge machine and the electrical discharge unit for rotating the first electrode and the at least one second electrode, and the controller is desirably coupled to the electrical discharge machine and the at least one electrical discharge unit for controlling a supply of electrical energy from the first electrode and second electrode to the workpiece.

Abstract: An ice tray includes mold cells each having an open top and closed bottom. The bottom is air permeable for venting released air during formation of ice cubes therein. And, external sides of the ice tray may be thermally insulated for enhancing directional solidification of the ice cubes.

Abstract: An electrochemical machining process is monitored by embedding an ultrasonic sensor in an electrochemical machining tool to provide a tool assembly, placing the tool assembly in a spatial relationship with a workpiece, disposing an electrolytic fluid at least in a gap between the tool and the workpiece, connecting the tool and the workpiece to an electrical power source, generating an acoustic wave from the ultrasonic sensor to propagate through the electrolytic fluid to the workpiece and reflect back from the workpiece, and, based on the propagation and reception of the acoustic wave, calculating measurement of at least the size of the gap or the thickness of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for predicting equipment performance. Input data representing an equipment parameter is obtained. The input data includes a range of values corresponding to the equipment parameter. The input data is provided to a model and a data set is generated corresponding to the model response to the input data. A set of equations is derived representing the data set. The set of equations is statistically processed to generate a probabilistic representation of equipment performance.