Abstract: A method and ultrasonic meter system for determining pipe roughness. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are ultrasonic meters comprising a spool piece that couples within a flow of fluids, and a first transducer pair mechanically mounted to the spool piece and acoustically coupled to the flow of fluids (wherein the first transducer pair comprises an upstream transducer and a downstream transducer in operational relationship to the upstream transducer and defines a first chord there between). The ultrasonic meter is configured to determine diagnostic data based on acoustic signals transmitted between the first transducer pair (wherein the diagnostic data comprises an asynmmetry of the flow of fluids in the spool piece, a cross flow of the flow of fluids in the spool piece, and a profile factor of the flow of fluids in the spool piece).

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide from a gas stream includes the step of contacting the gas stream with aqueous and gaseous ammonia in a closed vessel in the presence of solid iron. An apparatus for removing hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide from a gas stream includes a closed vessel for containing aqueous and gaseous ammonia and an iron source. The vessel is partitioned into inlet and outlet chambers and may itself serve as the iron source.

Abstract: A wrist device is provided for use with a prosthetic limb. The wrist device includes a base plate that is configured for attachment to a prosthetic limb and a sliding lock plate that is slidably engaged with the base plate. Both the base plate and the sliding lock plate have openings. Also included in the invention is a semi-cylindrical rotator that is configured for attachment to a prosthetic hand. The semi-cylindrical rotator has slots configured to receive the sliding lock plate and is coupled to the base plate in a manner that allows the sliding lock plate to lock into the slots.

Abstract: A current sensing transformer having a low impedance primary winding is connected in series with a filter and load circuit supplied with output current by a high frequency switching PWM power supply such as a sinewave dimmer. Sensed output current is supplied to a microprocessor based programmable controller. The controller performs a routine including a family of overcurrent tests. Tests of the family are satisfied by the presence of different output current values for different time durations. At least one of the tests is enabled only at low requested output voltages or dimming levels. In response to satisfaction of any of the tests, a series power switching stage of the power supply is rendered nonconductive to shut down the power supply.

Abstract: The solid state switching section of a high frequency PWM switching power supply may encounter problems in accurately regulating output power when the requested output power is above a threshold level, the threshold level typically being a high level approaching one hundred percent of the power of the sinusoidal AC power source. Below the threshold level, the power supply is operated in a full PWM mode to regulate the output power level. Above the threshold level, the power supply is operated in a full on, continuously conducting mode in a central part of the half cycles of the AC supply. Outside of this central portion, the power supply is operated in the in the PWM mode, using a duty cycle within the capability of the solid state switching section. The output power level is regulated by varying the duration of the central full on portion of the half cycle. A similar control method is used for reducing heat generated by the solid state switching section of the power supply.

Abstract: A fire fighting nozzle for extinguishing industrial scale fires including improved automatic pressure regulating features, enhanced educting features including central and peripheral channeling for foam concentrate, and combining with a capacity to throw dry chemical. Improved pressure regulating features include a double acting baffle and preferably a relief valve. Method and apparatus for automatically metering an additive such as foam concentrate into a conduit having a variably flowing fire fighting fluid therethrough, the conduit including a discharge device, proximate or downstream.

Abstract: A fuel valve for use in regulating the pattern factor of a gas turbine has a highly accurate pressure balanced clevis valve assembly. The clevis valve is pivotally mounted inside the valve housing by a flexure pivot, and has a pair of legs at each side of a valve body that control flow through pairs of flow orifices. An armature mounts to the clevis valve, and when energized, an electromagnet inside the valve housing generates magnetic flux that moves the armature to pivot the clevis valve to open or closed the orifices. The clevis valve is inherently balanced and can meter fuel through multiple orifices simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refrigeration system control includes a control system operable to meet cooling demand and control suction pressure for a plurality of refrigeration circuits each including a variable valve and an expansion valve. The controller controls the variable valve independently of the expansion valves to meet cooling demand by determining a change in a measured parameter and controlling at least one of the variable valves based upon the change to an approximately fully open position.

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: The combination of a portable article and a security system. The security system has a flexible element/tether with a length. The flexible element/tether is connected between the portable article and a support to confine movement of the portable article within a range dictated by the length of the flexible element/tether. The flexible element/tether has a flexible core and a protective layer over the core. The protective layer is made at least partially from a material that is resistant to being cut to thereby avoid severance of the flexible core.

Abstract: A technique for operating a vehicle detection system involves obtaining samples randomly from a detector of the vehicle detection system and determining the presence of a vehicle in response to the random samples. When multiple detectors are located in close proximity to each other, the likelihood of interference caused by concurrent sampling events is reduced because of the randomness of the sampling, which in turn reduces the occurrence of incorrect vehicle detection results. Control systems for vehicle detection systems obtain the random samples independently from each other. Because the random samples are obtained independently from each other, multiple inductive loop vehicle detection systems can be operated in close proximity to each other without having to be coordinated or synchronized in any way. The possibility of an incorrect vehicle detection as a result of concurrent sampling events can be further reduced using validity checking techniques.

Abstract: A system for wafer handling employing a complex numerical method for calculating a path of wafer travel that controls wafer acceleration and jerk, and results in maximum safe speed of wafer movement from a first point to a second point. Motion is begun along a straight line segment while accelerating to a first path velocity. During this acceleration, the system computer calculates a series of straight line segments and interconnecting sinusiodally shaped paths over which the wafer is to be guided to the second point. The straight line segments and sinusiodally shaped paths are calculated so as to minimize total path length and the time required to move the wafer from the first point to the second point. The system computes the point of entrance and exit to and from each straight and sinusoidal path.

Abstract: A spark gap for protecting an electrical circuit from voltage surges includes a first electrical circuit trace element having a first end face of defined thickness and length, and a second electrical circuit trace element having a second end face of defined thickness and length. The first and second end faces are spaced from each other along their respective lengths to provide an air gap having a defined gap width. The gap width is of a size to provide a required spark gap breakover voltage under design conditions of temperature, humidity and air pressure. The air gap also has a defined gap length corresponding to the length of the first and second end faces. The gap length is of a size that maximizes spark gap life over repeated discharge cycles without introducing undesirable amounts of capacitance.

Abstract: A vent and relief valve having a valve body that is in fluid communication with the interior of a tank containing a fluid. A vent valve and relief valve are positioned within the valve body. The vent valve is capable of being configured into an open position to vent fluid from the interior of the tank. The relief valve is capable of being configured into an open position to relieve pressure within a tank. The relief valve is also capable of engaging the vent valve to form a seal to substantially prevent fluid from flowing from the tank. The valve body also includes a valve seat having a first surface that releasably engages the vent valve when the vent valve is in a closed position and a second surface that releasably engages the relief valve when the relief valve is in a closed position.

Abstract: A cage in which two pulley wheels are mounted with tangent circumferences so that their circumferential cable grooves surround a cable passing between the wheels. The cage freely rotates about an axis that passes between the wheels. The cage axis is normal to the plane of the parallel wheel axes. The cage extends forward of the wheels and forms two curved edges on opposed sides of the cage axis. Each curve has an apex at its forward-most point. A flexible cable passes through the cage, between the wheels, and forward between the curves. Extending the cable substantially away from the plane of the wheels causes it to contact one of the curves. This rotates the cage so that the wheels are aligned with the cable deflection. This switches the cable to one or the other of the wheels, and provides low friction cable operation for any cable direction.

Abstract: A torque transfer limiting arrangement for a rotational drive shaft. The arrangement includes a torque sensing device for sensing torque within the drive shaft and outputing a signal indicative of the sensed torque. A braking device of the arrangement is actuatable for stopping the drive shaft from rotating. The arrangement also includes a portion for electrically causing operation of the braking device responsive to the signal indicative of the sensed torque above a predetermined value. In one example, the portion for electrically causing operation of the braking device includes a processor. In one example, the rotational drive shaft is part of an aircraft flap actuator system.

Abstract: A tubing conveyed tool for use in perforating a well bore utilizing abrasive perforating techniques. The perforating tool is particularly useful in non-vertical wells. The perforating tool is designed to permit running and setting a bridge plug, and then perforating the well bore without requiring the removal of the tool string. An eccentric weight bar can also be used to allow for directional perforating in non-vertical wells. The eccentric weight bar uses gravity to cause the bar to rotate to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A gate valve having a polymeric monolithic liner, the liner having cylindrical flange portions projecting from either side to form a fluid passageway through the liner, first and second housing portions forming a liner cavity, the liner being disposed in the liner cavity, a first face ring having a first cylindrical tubular portion and a first radially outwardly projecting, annularly extending face ring flange, the first tubular portion being received in the first annular flange portion of the liner, a second face ring having a second cylindrical tubular portion and a second radially outwardly projecting, annularly extending face ring flange, the second tubular portion being received in the second annular flange portion and a gate valve element slidably received in a valve element cavity formed in the liner.

Abstract: A portable test compartment allows for on-site pressure testing of a workpiece at the site where the workpiece is utilized, instead of having to haul the workpiece to an off-site testing location. A test vehicle carries the elongated test compartment, and travels to the on-site location to test the workpiece. The vehicle has a lift assembly that pivotally connects the vehicle and the compartment. The lift assembly moves the compartment from a storage position alongside the vehicle to an operational position alongside the ground. The compartment has an interior portion that receives the workpiece. Inside the compartment, a safety blanket is fastened to the bottom of the compartment. The safety blanket envelops the workpiece by folding several portions of the blanket around the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a vibration isolating mount used to mount a furring channel to a mounting surface wherein the furring channel comprises a channel portion and two opposing furring channel flanges. The vibration isolating mount comprises a vibration isolator of a size and shape to fit snugly around the furring channel flanges, wherein the vibration isolator has opposing flanges extending away from the furring channel flanges; and mounting brackets, wherein the mounting brackets wrap around the vibration isolator flanges, and wherein the mounting brackets are isolated from the furring channel by the vibration isolator.