Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence measuring system and related measuring methods are disclosed, the system using X-ray energy at a level of less than 80 KeV may be directed toward a material, such as coal. The energy fluoresced may be detected (10) and used to measure the elemental composition of the material, including trace elements. The material may be moving or stationary.

Abstract: An elevator cab includes primary and auxiliary light sources. A light sensor responsive to light from the primary light source causes activation of the auxiliary light source when the primary light source fails. The light sources are inside the cab for passenger use and/or outside the cab for maintenance worker use. A battery for auxiliary light is selectively charged by first and second current levels in response to the battery voltage being above or below first or second different thresholds.

Abstract: An optical system design for measuring the velocity of fluids flowing through pipes or other conduits is disclosed. The optical system is comprised of a means for delivering two beams through a window in the wall of the pipe, focused to two points aligned along an axis of the pipe and separated by a known distance, and means for detecting light that is scattered by particles carried in the fluid stream through a second window, that is disposed on the opposite side of the pipe. By measuring the time delay between detected signals, the velocity of the fluid can be determined. The delivered light beams are focused in a shallow cone of light and are blocked by an obstruction disposed behind the second window. The scattered light passes through an aperture behind the second window that surrounds the obscuration, and is focused on to a detector surface.

Abstract: A system for actively damping the low-frequency coloration of sound in a listening room is provided comprising an acoustic wave sensor, an acoustic wave actuator, and an electronic feedback controller. The listening room defines at least one mode of low-frequency coloration. The acoustic wave actuator is substantially collocated with the acoustic wave sensor within the listening room. The electronic feedback controller is operative to generate a signal at its output by applying a feedback controller transfer function. The feedback controller transfer function comprises a second order differential equation including a first variable representing a predetermined damping ratio and a second variable representing a tuned natural frequency and creates a 90 degree phase lead substantially at the resonant frequencies of at least one mode of low-frequency coloration. The feedback controller output signal represents a rate of change of volume velocity to be produced by the acoustic wave actuator.

Abstract: The combination of a portable article, a first support assembly, and a tethering system. The first support assembly has at least a first connecting element for maintaining the portable article in a secured state relative to the first support assembly. The tethering system connects to the first support assembly and is connectable to a base/support. The tethering system prevents the first support assembly from being moved beyond a predetermined range from a base/support to which the tethering system is connected. The combination further includes an alarm system.

Abstract: A device that is useful for applying pre-threaded closures onto threaded containers with improved sensitivity. The device allows for the adjustment of the torque that is required for capping containers such that variable sizes and variable types of containers can be capped.

Abstract: A method and system for driver configuration for an ultrasonic meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are ultrasonic meters comprising a spool piece that couples within a flow of fluids, a first upstream transducer mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a first downstream transducer mechanically coupled to the spool piece (the first downstream transducer in operational relationship to the first upstream transducer), and a first transducer driver that selectively couples to the first upstream and first downstream transducers. The transducer driver drives the first upstream transducer, and also drives the first downstream transducer.

Abstract: A storage system having one or more storage modules each comprising a substantially cylindrical housing having a curved sidewall portion extending between a top wall portion and a bottom wall portion, with the housing being disposed about a central axis. A carousel is mounted within the housing for controlled rotation about the central axis. The carousel has a plurality of storage locations disposed in vertical arrays about the axis to receive articles to be stored. A first door opening is formed in the sidewall portion to provide for access from the exterior of the housing to at least one of the vertical arrays adjacent to the first door opening. A means for controlling the temperature within the housing is also provided.

Abstract: An improved control device and method is usable with flexible heating wire having a conductive core with a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) layer and a helically wound heater conductor within an insulative outer sheath. The conductive core is coupled to a control circuit, a phase shift relative to the AC power supply being indicative of the temperature of the wire. The nonlinear nature of the NTC layer enhances the detection of local hot spots anywhere along the length of the wire. Precise temperature measurement is achieved by measuring the time differences between two zero crossings and the power to the heater compensates for abnormal use such as bunching of the heater wire. The control of the heater wire is particularly suitable for use with appliances such as heating pads and electric blankets.

Abstract: A transducer housing for an ultrasonic fluid meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments a transducer housing comprising a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal volume, the housing couples to a spoolpiece of an ultrasonic meter, and an acoustic matching layer that fluidly seals the distal end from the internal volume (wherein the housing accepts a piezoelectric element within the internal volume and proximate to the acoustic matching layer). The acoustic matching layer has an acoustic impedance between that of the piezoelectric element and a fluid within the ultrasonic meter.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for an ultrasonic fluid meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are transducer assemblies comprising an elongated outer housing defining an interior and an exterior, the elongated outer housing having an axis along its elongated direction, a piezoelectric element coupled to and at least partially occluding a first end of the elongated outer housing, a pin holder coupled to and at least partially occluding a second end of the elongated outer housing, the pin holder comprising a first electrical pin, and a first wire coupling the first electrical pin to the piezoelectric element (wherein the first wire runs through the interior of the elongated outer housing).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending an existing simplex or multiplex lock-and-key system that includes a family of first keys each having a first profile and of a corresponding plurality of first locks each operable by a first key and each having a first keyway configured for accepting the first key profile. Second keys of a new family are defined with a core section corresponding to the first key profile and a narrowed projection extending from the bottom of the core section. Corresponding second locks have a second keyway profile defined as the compliment of the second key profile, thus including a complimentary core section and a foot recess extending from the bottom of the second keyway core section. The second locks accept a second key positioned at the second keyway baseline to normally lift the lock pin stacks and operate the second lock.

Abstract: An apparatus to evaluate an illuminated panel comprises a camera to acquire a real-time digital color image of the illuminated panel and a stored digital color image of a standard illuminated panel. A monitor is provided to alternately display the real-time image and the stored image to detect any differences in the illuminated panel.

Abstract: A controller for motor activation providing accurate and repeatable position changes by pressing and releasing a push button switch. Repeatable position changes are made in an advance direction by triggering a digital counter for a predetermined number of cycles of a reference clock signal. Backlash in retard motion of the motor is reduced by similarly asserting a retard motor input for an amount of time determined by another digital counter with a following advance correction made automatically after the retard signal is applied, by applying a predetermined retard-advance movement amount, as again counted by a digital counter. The advance binary amount, the retard binary amount and the retard-advance binary amount of set through binary switch inputs to respective counters to count the respective time periods (TG3, TG1, and TG2).

Abstract: A system for draining fuel from the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine in the event of a false start includes associated passageways and a straight through flow pilot air actuated poppet valve. The valve is normally open and actuated by the pilot air to close off the combustion chamber from the drain. A return spring biases the valve to open upon release of pilot air pressure acting on the valve. The valve housing has a piston section with a pilot air chamber and a section defining the passageways for the drain. The drain passageway extends along a straight path at an oblique angle to a piston axis along which a piston actuator moves in response to the return spring and/or the pilot air pressure. The valve also includes a position feedback system for detecting the state of the valve.

Abstract: A field replaceable sensor module having a housing, that is capable of being ready connected and disconnected to a multipurpose device The housing includes one or more input ports and one or more electtical interface connectors. One or more sensors are operatively connected to the one or more input ports and attached to a surface of the housing. An electrical subsystem capable of receiving one or more signals from the one or more sensors provides one or more digitized output signals. A computer readable memory is also included to store sensor calibration data.

Abstract: An apparatus for gauging the dimension of an object. The apparatus has a wall with a generally flat front surface, facing a first direction, and a peripheral edge. Space graduations are provided on the wall relative to which a dimension of an object placed in front of the wall can be gauged. The surface on the wall reflects an image of an object located in front of the wall. At least one of i) a depiction of at least one of a) an animate object; b) an inanimate object; and c) a scene; ii) at least one word; iii) a design; and iv) a logo is provided on the wall and is viewable from in front of the wall in conjunction with the spaced graduations and a reflected image from the surface on the wall.

Abstract: A method for winding a stator of a multi-phase motor includes successively winding each of a plurality of teeth on the stator with a continuous winding wire to connect each of the phases in the motor together. The wound wire is disconnected between any two phases where respective ends of the two phases connected by the winding wire are not neutral ends. A jumper wire is connected between a neutral end of any one of the phases to a neutral end of at least one other phase if the neutral end of any one of the phases is not connected to the neutral end of at least one other phase by the winding wire.

Abstract: Methods and related systems for determining transducer delay time and transducer separation in ultrasonic flow meters. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a method comprising measuring a delay time for a first transducer pair, measuring a total measured time for ultrasonic signals transmitted between a second transducer pair in an ultrasonic meter in which both the first and second transducer pairs are installed, calculating a parameter associated with the second transducer pair using the delay time of the first transducer pair and the total measured time for said second transducer pair.

Abstract: A probe and method for simulating refrigerated product temperature includes a housing containing a thermal mass having thermo-physical properties similar to refrigerated food product, a temperature sensing element operable to measure the temperature of the thermal mass, and a transceiver in communication with the sensing element and operable to wirelessly transmit data from a refrigeration display case to a remote receiver.