Abstract: A gas velocity and temperature sensor system comprising a first thermistor driven at a constant temperature and configured to output a flow signal representative of the power dissipated as a function of the gas velocity and a temperature signal representative of the temperature of the first thermistor, a second thermistor configured to output a gas temperature signal representative of the gas temperature proximate the second thermistor, and a processor responsive to the flow signal and the temperature signals, the processor configured to calculate gas velocity using an empirically derived equation in which gas flow velocity is function of a constant and the ratio of the power dissipated to the temperature difference between the temperature of the first thermistor and the gas temperature proximate the second thermistor, the processor deriving a signal representing the gas velocity.

Abstract: A heat sink with fins has a flat, planar surface soldered to a metallic layer at one surface of a flat, planar ceramic layer. The opposite surface of the ceramic layer has a metallic pattern including base areas for high power, high frequency load switching MOSFETs. Lead frames are soldered between the lead frame base areas and base contact areas of the MOSFET packages. Thermal conduction between the MOSFETs and the heat sink dissipates the heat from switching losses. A gate drive circuit board for the load switching system is supported spaced from the and is separated from the MOSFETs by a thermally blocking air gap, with the component side of the gate drive circuit board facing away from the MOSFETs. Spade terminals of the lead frames extend through openings in the gate drive circuit board to route high power signals independently of the gate driver circuit board.

Abstract: An information capturing system and method is provided that enables chat stream data to be automatically and periodically extracted from a chat room to one or more files. In particular, contiguous time-delimited segments of chat stream data are automatically and serially extracted from a chat room hosted on a computer network and the segments are stored to a plurality of files, where each file stores only a single time-delimited segment of chat stream data. The information capturing system and method also generates a searchable index of the chat stream files so that a search criterion can be used to locate words and phrases in the saved chat stream files. The system also records the date and time when the chat stream data stored in the one or more files was extracted.

Abstract: An information capturing system and method is provided with a file authentication feature. The system generates and insert authentication codes into files selected for inclusion into a database. The system also compares the authentication code of a file selected from the database with one or more attributes about the selected file to detect whether the individually selected file was compromised. In one embodiment, the authentication code is derived from the content of the file itself. In another embodiment, the authentication code is derived from the date and time the system expects to save the file to the database. Yet another embodiment of the authentication code combines these two approaches.

Abstract: An information capturing system and method is provided for retrieving financial transaction information and related images from a financial institution web site. First, an account transaction history web page is accessed having a first set of links to processed financial transaction document images and a second set of links to an assortment of other objects. The first set of links is distinguished from the second set of links in order to automatically download the processed financial transaction document images without downloading the assortment of other objects. The method further comprises specifying a folder in which to download the processed financial transaction document images; saving the processed financial transaction document images into the specified folder; and generating or updating a searchable index of the contents of the specified folder.

Abstract: A security system for confining movement of an object to a predetermined area. The security system has a cable, with a length, and a housing. The housing is guidable slidingly along the length of the cable and capable of being fixed at a plurality of different locations spaced along the length of the cable. The cable has a first portion that can be fixed relative to the housing. With the first portion fixed relative to the housing, the cable defines a loop with an effective diameter that is variable by sliding the housing along the length of the cable. The cable has a second portion that can be secured to a support relative to which an object is to be confined by the securing system.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied in an electromagnetic filter for use with a feedthrough conductor. An inductor having a metallized surface is disposed about the conductor, and a capacitor is joined to the inductor. One set of capacitor plates are electrically connected to a first conductive contact to provide a connection to the metallized surface. Another set of capacitor plates are electrically connected to a second conductive contact to provide a connection to the feedthrough conductor. A method of providing such a filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for regulating the voltage across a resistive or inductive load by phase angle control of the applied load voltage. Instantaneous load voltage is compared with a preset reference value to control the phase angle of the applied load voltage by means of rms voltage approximation feedback control. A visual display can be provided to assist the user in establishing the preset reference value.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleic acid reference standards comprising a nucleic acid comprising a known target sequence bound with a microparticulate binding agent where the binding agent includes liposomes, polyamines (e.g., nylon), siliceous compounds (e.g., silica gel, fumed silica, diatomaceous earth, glass particles, amine-modified silica, and the like), zeolites (e.g., low alumina zeolyte), polystyrene (e.g., amine-modified polystyrene, carboxy-polystyrene particles, and the like), chitin, chitosan, and combinations of these compounds. The reference standard is useful for use as a standard in any nucleic acid assay where the presence or absence of a nucleic acid of interest is being assessed. The reference standard is stable and provides a control for assessing whether the nucleic acid assay was performed properly. The invention further relates to methods of producing such reference standards and kits for using and producing the same pursuant to the teachings of the invention.

Abstract: An exemplary oil delivery system comprises a dual pump system configured for reducing the buildup of pressure by unloading one or both pumps, thus reducing the buildup of heat within the hydraulic system. The dual pump system is configured for delivering oil in combination to a single hydraulic system or to two completely separate hydraulic systems. In addition, the oil delivery system can also be configured to unload one or both of the pumping sections at a pre-determined speed to again limit the flow to any existing open centered hydraulic system. As a result, the oil delivery system recirculates oil back to the reservoir and/or the inlet to the pump in the absence of a buildup of pressure, and thus an absence in the buildup of heat to conserve energy.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, an adapter and a seal ring. The apparatus may be coupled to provide a seal that has a primary metal to metal seal and a secondary seal obtained via extrusion of the seal ring.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises a substrate having an array of pressure sensors and a membrane overlying the substrate. The membrane includes physical parameters which vary with position. The membrane may include discontinuous regions and protrusions which affect the way in which forces on the membrane are distributed to the substrate. A pressure sensor may also include a controller for receiving pressure information from the substrate, with a signal processor being programmed to localize the depressed region or regions of the substrate.

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: A two, three or four-way valve includes two stages each with working valve components linked by a feedback spring so that a first stage servo unit is auto-nulling and the stroke of the valve member in a second stage valve unit is proportional to the input current to the first stage. An inherently balanced clevis member in the first stage controls flow of pressurized control media, which in combination with direct pressure flow, controls the position of a spool member in the second stage. The spool in turn controls pressure flow to a either one or two metering or input/output flow ports. Transient movement of the clevis due to change in input current to a magnetic servo drive assembly is opposed by bending of the feedback spring arising from the associated movement of the spool, which returns the clevis to its centered null position and stops the spool.

Abstract: A rotating machine which includes a stator having a number of field winding slots, a number of field windings disposed in each of the field winding slots, at least two of the field windings have an outer jacket; and a number of conductive wires disposed within and enclosed by the outer jacket such that longitudinal passages are defined between the conductive wires. A pump circulates a coolant into and from the rotating machine through the longitudinal passages. Preferably, the rotating machine includes a housing that has a cavity for acceptance of the stator therein. The housing and stator define and second plenums at first and second ends of the stator. The coolant enters the rotating machine into the first plenum and exits the rotating machine from the second plenum.

Abstract: A touch pad for controlling electronic equipment includes a deformable touch surface and a compressible pad body in contact with the touch surface. The compressible body is formed from a material which scatters or diffuses light within the material. Multiple sources of light or other wave energy are directed into the interior of the substrate to form multiple illuminated cells inside the pad body. Each illuminated cell forms an integrated cavity within the pad body. A detector in communication with the compressible material detects light intensity within the integrated cavity. A processor receives signals from the detector and converts the signals into useable information relating to the position of regions of compression of the pad.

Abstract: A fueldraulic metering valve uses pressurized liquid fuel to control flow of gaseous fuel to a jet engine combustion chamber. The valve has a disconnectable body defining a piston chamber and a cavity for an interchangeable venturi nozzle module, both disposed about a stroke axis. A servo valve controls flow of the liquid fuel through the piston chamber and supply and return ports. The liquid fuel drives a piston and pintle assembly to open and close off the throat of the venturi passageway, and thereby control metering of the gaseous fuel, which flow through separate intake and exhaust ports. The gas and liquid fuel are separated by a high temperature seal. The liquid fuel is routed through the piston and a special baffle to dissipate heat transferred to the seal and piston from the hot gaseous fuel. A LVDT position transducer provides feedback to the controller for correcting position error.

Abstract: A laser absorption spectrometer for making measurements of absorption spectra which includes a wavelength sensor that can measure the average wavelength of pulses from a laser on a pulse-by-pulse basis and that can measure the internal wavelength variation of laser pulses. The laser absorption spectrometer can be used with pulsed lasers like the quantum cascade laser to perform sensitive measurements of the absorption spectra even when there is pulse-to-pulse variation of average wavelength and when there are internal changes in the wavelength of the pulses.

Abstract: A thermal flow control valve uses a cylindrical valve sleeve in a stepped bore to regulate fluid flow between an inlet and an outlet. A wax filled actuator is coupled to the valve sleeve to move the sleeve from an open position in which radial flow openings in the sleeve communicate with a larger diameter portion of the stepped bore to a closed position in which the radial flow openings are closed by a sleeve chamber closely surrounding the sleeve. A flow-through end cap closes one end of the stepped bore and provides an axially aligned fixed stop for the actuator piston. Two-way, three-way and mixing embodiments of the valve are disclosed.