Abstract: An article can have a surface with selected wetting properties for various liquids.

Abstract: A device for the positioning of an optical beam includes a housing and at least four prisms aligned for passing the optical beam therethrough, where each of the at least four prisms is movable relative to the housing. The device may also include one or more positioners engaged with the at least four prisms, the one or more positioners controllable to move the at least four prisms, where movement of the at least four prisms adjusts a position and an angle of the optical beam passed therethrough relative to an x-y plane.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a liquid includes a source (24) of a liquid that crystallizes upon exposure to water moisture in air (e.g., an isocyanate). A dispenser (58) includes an inlet conduit (62) for receiving the liquid from the source, an outlet conduit (72) for dispensing the liquid out of an outlet opening exposed to air, and a valve (66) between the inlet (62) and outlet conduits (72). In the closed position of the valve (i) an upstream portion of the liquid is retained in the inlet conduit (62) on the upstream side of the valve (66) and (ii) a downstream portion of the liquid extending from the downstream side of the valve to the outlet opening is retained in the outlet conduit (72) on the downstream side of the valve (66). The size of the outlet opening of the outlet conduit (72) is sufficiently small to retain the downstream portion of the liquid in the outlet conduit when the valve (66) is in the closed position.

Abstract: A humidifying device, comprising an air duct (1) penetrating through the interior of the humidifying device, and a water absorption filter element (3) which is fitted over the top of an outer wall surrounding the air duct (1). According to the humidifying device, water is conveyed into the air duct (1) through the water absorption filter element (3) by means of the structural arrangement of a water channel (2) and the water absorption filter element (3), and humidifying operation is therefore carried out.

Abstract: A modular fan housing configured to hold an array of motors and fans is provided. The modular fan housing is configured for use in an air-handling system that delivers air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building. The fan housing comprises a plurality of modular units configured to be stacked adjacent to one another in at least one row or column to form an array. The modular units each include an interior surface and have a front end and a back end that define a chamber. The chambers are configured to receive the motors and fans. Sound attenuation layers extend along at least a portion of the interior surface of the corresponding chambers. The sound attenuation layers are positioned between at least some of the adjacent chambers.

Abstract: An intelligent locomotive brake control system which selects and optimizes use of dynamic, independent, and automatic brakes on the locomotive to assure intended brake power, to minimize in-train forces, minimize brake component wear, and to automate standard train brake protocol. The system may be programmed to alter an automatic brake application commanded by a train driver to omit or reduce the amount of the automatic brake application in favor of a dynamic brake application, and independent brake application, or combination thereof.

Abstract: An air conditioner with an air purifying function includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet thereon. An air conditioning assembly and an air purifying assembly are disposed in the housing. The air conditioning assembly includes an air conditioning flue. A first fan and a heat exchanger are disposed in the air conditioning flue. The air conditioning flue connects with the air inlet and the air outlet respectively. The air purifying assembly includes an air purifying flue. A second fan and an air filter screen are disposed in the air purifying flue. The air purifying flue connects with the air inlet and the air outlet respectively.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a metal melting process in a melting furnace, including determining at least one furnace parameter characterizing a melting furnace, adding a charge containing solid metal into the melting furnace, detecting at least one charge parameter characterizing the charge, firing a burner into the melting furnace to provide heat to melt the charge, and exhausting burner combustion products from the furnace, detecting at least one process parameter characterizing progress of melting the charge, calculating a furnace efficiency based on the at least one furnace parameter, calculating a predicted process pour readiness time based on the at least one charge parameter, the at least one process parameter, and the furnace efficiency, and controlling the metal melting process based on the predicted process pour readiness time.

Abstract: A method of making a foam uses the following steps. A mixture is created having a polymerizable condensation polymer and a blowing agent. The polymerizable condensation polymer has hydroxy acid units and unsaturated di-functional units. The unsaturated di-functional units are unsaturated dicarboxylic acid units or unsaturated di-alcohol units. The mixture is expanded to create a froth. The polymerizable condensation polymer in the froth is reacted to create the foam.

Abstract: A method for preventing biodeterioration of fuel. The method reduces the microbial growth in fuel by administering an antimicrobial peptide (or efflux pump inhibitor) to a fuel phase of the fuel, an aqueous phase of the fuel, or both, which disrupts the cellular membrane (or the efflux pumps thereof) of microbes comprising the growth.

Abstract: An air-conditioner (10) is provided, including a casing (12), an evaporator (14), a front panel (16) and a temperature sensor (18). The casing (12) has an air inlet (120) and an air outlet (122). The evaporator (14) is arranged in the casing (12). The front panel (16) is arranged in front of the casing (12). The temperature sensor (18) is disposed to a back of the front panel (16) and is used for sensing an ambient temperature.

Abstract: A launcher for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), the launcher having a foldable UAV stowed within said launcher, the launcher includes, a launch tube configured as a UAV launcher and a UAV carrying case. The launcher further includes a pneumatic booster connected to said UAV for accelerating said UAV during launching phase. The launcher further includes a separation mechanism operated to permits separation of the booster from the UAV when the UAV leaves the launcher tube and to transfer the kinetic energy that is created from the pneumatic booster to the UAV in the launching phase. The UAV is propelled off of the launch tube by the booster that transmits thrust in the launch tube to the space below said booster. The UAV which is connected to the booster by the separation mechanism is pushed out of the launcher tube body and leaves the launch tube, the booster is separated from the UAV by the separation mechanism and the UAV is automatically deployed.

Abstract: Kites having an inflatable lifting-body shape with side wings or keels and a horizontal stabilizer or tail to control the angle of attack of the lifting body can be constructed efficiently and economically through a process that builds a laminate of flat sheets, then cuts and joins the sheets to produce an inflatable envelope. Other pieces are affixed to the envelope to produce a finished kite.

Abstract: An air conditioner device includes a housing or duct having an opening for exit of air and one or more rotatable flaps for adjusting air flow rate and angle exiting through the opening. Further provided are an ionizer having an electrode for ionizing air exiting through the opening, and a cleaning member adapted to automatically frictionally remove debris from the electrode consequent to rotation of the flaps without requiring manual operation of a user.