Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented which allow efficient environmental testing of components such as printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, sub-systems and other components. In one method of the invention, a component can be placed into a chamber having an internal space filled with a gaseous atmosphere. The component is indirectly cooled by smartly positioning one or more cooling coils near the component to be tested, and the cooling coils are fed with a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid. The warm cryogenic fluid is recycled by one of two means: a thermosiphon conduit loop, and a storage and compression facility for reusing the warm cryogenic fluid. The internal space is preferably filled with a dry gas.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus to measure specific mass increases (due to the absorption of moisture) that occur in materials and for predicting moisture absorption in materials. In one method, pre-dried plastic encapsulated microchip packages (PEMs) are exposed to moist air over a period of time and moisture absorption is determined over a period of time resulting in prediction of moisture absorption of a particular material and determination of methods of care and storage of material to prevent excessive moisture absorption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gasket for use in a service portion of a brake control valve in a railway braking system. The gasket comprises an elastomeric composition with a predetermined shape. There is a series of bead-like projections formed on the first surface of the gasket for sealing such gasket with a body portion of the valve. A first aperture is disposed in the gasket at a predetermined location for engagement with a projection on the filling piece of the service portion. A brass insert is molded into the elastomeric composition and has a second aperture formed therein. The second aperture is in fluid communication with an auxiliary reservoir of such railway braking system. A third aperture is formed in the gasket in a third predetermined location. A brass insert, which has a first predetermined configuration, is molded into the elastomeric composition of the gasket.

Abstract: In an integrated method of air separation, a plant comprises at least one first air separation unit (1, 101), a first air compressor (13), a first combustion chamber (17), a first expansion turbine (19), a second air compressor (15), a second combustion chamber (23) and a second expansion turbine (25) and a third air compressor (21) in which compressed air is sent from the first air compressor to the first combustion chamber and to the first air separation unit, compressed air is sent from the second air compressor to the second combustion chamber and to the first air separation unit.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser generally includes a housing and a valving rod disposed in and movable within the housing, the valving rod including a central bore, at least one inlet for receiving a cleaning solvent, and one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the bore, wherein the outlet ports are capable of directing cleaning solvent radially outwards from the bore and against an interior surface of the dispenser to facilitate the removal of at least a portion of any fluid product or derivatives thereof that may be in adherence with such interior surface.

Abstract: A method of determining a concentration of a component of a slurry includes the step of measuring change in refractive index associated with changes in concentration of the component of interest in the slurry.

Abstract: A device for sealing two plies of plastic film together generally includes an electrically conductive heating element and a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface, the cylinder being positioned in abutting relationship with the heating element and capable of rotating against the heating element, which is in fixed position, along a predetermined contact arc such that less than a complete circumference of the outer surface of the cylinder is in contact with the heating element.

Abstract: Provided are novel methods of preventing deposition on an optical component in an absorption spectroscopy measurement cell. The methods involve performing an absorption spectroscopy measurement of a sample gas introduced into the cell, and introducing a flow of purge gas from a purge gas inlet pipe across a critical surface of the optical element at a velocity effective to prevent deposition on the critical surface. The gas inlet is disposed adjacent said critical surface. Also provided are devices for practicing the inventive method, measurement cells useful in absorption spectroscopy measurements, apparatuses for performing an absorption spectroscopy measurement and semiconductor processing apparatuses. The invention allows for the performance of accurate spectroscopic measurements. Because deposits are prevented from forming on the surface of an optical element, interference therefrom can effectively be avoided.

Abstract: A shaft extension for attachment to a crankshaft of an electric motor driven air compressor to axially extend the crankshaft for engagement with an outboard rotational bearing. The electric motor driven air compressor includes a bearing plate, an inboard rotational bearing mounted on the bearing plate, the crankshaft projecting through both of the inboard rotational bearing and the bearing plate and terminating in a distal end disposed exterior of the bearing plate. The air compressor also includes an electric motor, the electric motor having a stator frame, a stator fixedly mounted within the stator frame, and a rotor fixedly mounted to the crankshaft for rotation therewith and disposed interior of the stator. The air compressor further includes the outboard rotational bearing disposed axially outboard of the stator frame, the stator, and the rotor.

Abstract: A method for operating a boiler using oxygen-enriched oxidants includes introducing oxygen-enriched air, or oxygen and air, in which the oxygen concentration ranges from about 21% to about 100% by volume. Fuel and oxygen-enriched air are introduced into the combustion space within the steam-generating boiler. The fuel and oxygen-enriched air is combusted to generate thermal energy. At least a portion of the flue gases are collected and at least a portion are recirculated through the boiler. In the steam-generating boiler, the oxygen-enriched oxidant is introduced at one or more locations within the radiation zone and the convection zone of the boiler. Additionally, flue gas is collected and recirculated into one or more locations within the radiation zone and/or the convection zone of the boiler.

Abstract: An air duct silencer can be used at the inlet of an air supply fan unit for a building or other large structure. The silencer has an exterior housing with exterior walls forming outer surfaces of the housing and interior walls arranged in the housing, connected to the exterior walls and defining an annular airflow passageway extending between an air inlet located at one end and a circular air outlet adapted for connection to the fan unit. The outlet defines a primary central axis extending through the center of the outlet and perpendicular to a plane in which the outlet lies. A central airflow defining member has a second central axis extending from an outer end thereof to an inner end and this axis is substantially coaxial with the primary central axis. This airflow defining member is substantially circular in transverse cross-section along its length and has a relatively wide bulb like end section at its outer end and a narrow end section at the inner end.

Abstract: A fabricated gear is provided which is formed from a plurality of plates disposed in series one on top of another. Each of the plates include a plurality of teeth along an outer circumference thereof. An aperture extending through a center portion of each of the plates is provided. This aperture forms an inner circumference within each of the plates and is capable of receiving a shaft member therethrough. The plates are secured together to form the fabricated gear. This fabricated gear may be keyed onto a shaft member. Alternatively, an anti-backlash mechanism may be provided in the fabricated gear to achieve one direction rotation of a shaft member in a manner similar to a pawl and ratchet mechanism. This anti-backlash mechanism is formed by providing at least one indentation within an inner circumference of at least some of the plates which cooperates with a cylindrical member positioned within an opening formed by this indentation.

Abstract: A foveated imaging system using a relatively simple optical imaging system with a spatial light modulator located at or near a pupil plane to correct aberrations. Maximum resolution is obtained for a limited region defined by a single fixation point (a foveal region) within the field of view. The fixation point can be changed manually, by using a predetermined scan pattern, or automatically varied for surveillance or tracking applications.

Abstract: Devices and methods for suspending a vehicle are disclosed. A suspension mechanism in accordance with the present invention includes a suspension arm having a first end and a second end, a swing arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the first end of the suspension arm and a second end pivotably coupled to a slide frame, a pivot arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the suspension arm proximate the second end thereof, the pivot arm further including a pivot axle and a second end, the second end of the pivot arm being pivotably coupled to the slide frame, a cradle pivotably coupled to the suspension arm between the first end and the second end thereof, an air spring having a first end seating against the cradle and a second end seating against a seating portion of the slide frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gasket for use in a service portion of a brake control valve in a railway braking system. The gasket comprises an elastomeric composition with a predetermined shape. There is a series of bead-like projections formed on the first surface of the gasket for sealing such gasket with a body portion of the valve. A first aperture is disposed in the gasket at a predetermined location for engagement with a projection on the filling piece of the service portion. A brass insert is molded into the elastomeric composition and has a second aperture formed therein. The second aperture is in fluid communication with an auxiliary reservoir of such railway braking system. A third aperture is formed in the gasket in a third predetermined location. A brass insert, which has a first predetermined configuration, is molded into the elastomeric composition of the gasket.

Abstract: An attachment for a feeder conveyor with the attachment comprising an angularly positionable gate that is angularly postionable within the trough of a feeder with the postionable gate having a secondary metering outlet so that when the postionable gate is in the down position it partially close off the material flow path within the feeder while allowing only a portion of the solid materials in the material flow path to pass therethrough to thereby extend the range at which material can be controllable and uniformly delivered from the feeder.

Abstract: The device (10) and method are used for ventilating an offset pocket space (12) located in a drying section of a papermaking machine by injecting air from at least one heated dry air supply inlet (11). The offset pocket space (12) is situated between three axially-parallel drying cylinders (20) over which consecutively runs a paper web (14). A first and a third of these cylinders (20) are vertically spaced from a second one. The paper web (14) is pressed against the first and the third cylinder (20) by a felt (16) which further runs around a felt roll (26) having a rotation axis parallel to that of the cylinders (20). The felt roll (26) is disposed between the three cylinders (20) in an offset position which is closer to the first cylinder (20) than the third cylinder (20).

Abstract: Corrosion resistant non-polar polymer coatings and method for applying the coatings to substrates is described, wherein a source of non-polar polymer powder is deposited as a coating onto the surface of a substrate by high temperature thermal spray, wherein the non-polar character of the powder and any additives thereto is substantially preserved during the high temperature thermal spray by using a mixture of a non-oxidizing shielding gas or reducing gas, or combination of the two, at one or more locations along the thermal spray to displace or react with ambient oxygen.