Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the metered feeding of stock into an aluminium electrolyser. The device comprises a hopper for the material to be metered, a metering chamber with a rod having a pneumatic drive, an upper shut-off element which is rigidly fixed on the rod in the upper part of the metering chamber and is in the form of a valve, a lower shut-off element which is fixed on the end of the rod and is in the form of a cone valve with a conical cover, and charging apertures which are arranged around the perimeter in the upper part of the dosing chamber above the base of the hopper. The upper limits of the charging apertures are arranged above the upper position of the valve, and the distance from the base of the cone valve to the lower section of the metering chamber in an upper position of the rod is not less than the distance from the lower surface of the upper shut-off element to the lower limit of the charging apertures.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting the properties of an asphalt fraction that contains two or more asphalt components based on measurements of the viscosity versus temperature profile for the components of the asphalt fraction. The viscosity versus temperature profile for each component can be used to determine characteristic (such as limiting) values for the viscosity and temperature for a components. Examples of characteristic values for an asphalt component are the asymptotic values of viscosity at infinite temperature (?inf) and the finite temperature at which the viscosity diverges (T0). Once these characteristic values are determined, the characteristic values for each component can be combined in a weighted average to determine ?inf and T0 for the asphalt blend.

Abstract: A metal-nitric oxide electrochemical cell which is fed a gas comprising nitric oxide (NO) and at least one gas selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen oxide of formula NxOy, oxygen, water vapor, a gaseous hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide is provided. Also provided is a rechargeable battery containing the metal-nitrogen oxides electrochemical cell. A vehicle system wherein exhaust gas from a combustion engine serves as a feed of active cathode material to a metal-nitrogen oxides battery is additionally provided.

Abstract: A probe operable to measure a fluid level including a tip movably mounted to a housing, the tip including a multiple of steps and a sensor mounted within the housing, the sensor selectively activated in response to movement of the tip toward the housing. A method of measuring a fluid within a chamber of a vehicle includes locating a probe with a tip including a multiple of steps into a fill port of a chamber, only one of the multiple of steps associated with the fill port; and pressing the probe toward the fill port such that a sensor within the probe is selectively activated in response to movement of the tip toward the housing, the sensor determining a distance to a fluid within the chamber.

Abstract: A metal-nitric oxide electrochemical cell is provided. Also provided is a rechargeable battery containing the metal-nitric oxide electrochemical cell. A vehicle system wherein NO from a combustion engine exhaust is fed to a metal-nitric oxide battery is additionally provided.

Abstract: A rear suspension bicycle in which a lower linkage member between the front triangle and the rear wheel swingarm includes a flexible portion of material rather than a discrete pivot point.

Abstract: A remotely controlled automatic camera tracking system for self-photography is disclosed. The systems hereof combine the functions of remote camera operation, including closed loop automatic zoom control, and camera tracking by employing a system architecture that eliminates the requirement to have microprocessors coupled to the tracking station for the calculation of range and bearing. The system enables range and bearing information to be viewed by the operator, if desired, and conserves radio power.

Abstract: A metal-NxOy electrochemical cell is provided. The cell contains a partition which inhibits diffusion of NxOy+ active species from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment. Also provided is a rechargeable battery containing the metal-NxOy electrochemical cell. A vehicle system wherein NxOy from a combustion engine exhaust is fed to a metal-NxOy battery is additionally provided.

Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell with an excess of reformable fuel relative to the amount of oxidation performed in the anode of the fuel cell. Instead of selecting the operating conditions of a fuel cell to improve or maximize the electrical efficiency of the fuel cell, an excess of reformable fuel can be passed into the anode of the fuel cell to increase the chemical energy output of the fuel cell. This can lead to an increase in the total efficiency of the fuel cell based on the combined electrical efficiency and chemical efficiency of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of protecting an integrity of a wellhead includes the steps of affixing a subsea structure to the wellhead, installing a plurality of piles into the subsea floor adjacent the wellhead, extending lines between the subsea structure and the piles, and tensioning the lines such that each of the lines applies tension to the subsea structure. The plurality of lines are secured to an upper portion of the subsea structure. The tensioning mechanism has a tensioning cylinder having a ratchet rod extending therefrom. The ratchet rod is connected to either the line, the pile or the subsea structure.

Abstract: An actuating drive for safety valves has a high actuating torque. The actuating drive can be driven by a motor by means of a gear train. When the safety valve is opened, the motor simultaneously preloads a mechanical energy store that is connected to the input shaft of the safety valve and that can be locked. After the lock has been released, the mechanical energy store outputs the stored energy and closes the safety valve in the process. The output of the motor is connected to a planetary gear train, the output rotor of which is connected to the input shaft of the safety valve. The mechanical energy store consists of a number of leg springs that corresponds to the number of planet gears. The leg springs are connected at one end to one of the planet gears and at the opposite end to the housing of the actuating drive in a rotationally fixed manner.

Abstract: A method for monitoring content of a coating solution for coating components includes supplying a tank with the coating solution containing a concentration of a solvent and a concentration of a coating material. The concentration of the coating material is tested using a titration process. The titration process may include controllably contacting a volume of the coating solution with a reagent solution to form a mixture and using a color processing device to obtain input color data of the mixture to detect an end-point of the titration process. One or both of the solvent and the coating material is supplied to the tank based on an amount of coating solution contacted with the reagent solution when the color processing device detects an input color data signaling the end-point of the titration process.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic and display system includes a vehicle diagnostic system including one or more sensors and a diagnostic processor that receives a signal from the one or more sensors indicative of a vehicle condition and determines if a warning condition is present based on the signal. A vehicle display system includes a first display, a second display and a display processor that displays a visual warning received from the diagnostic processor on only one of the first and second displays.

Abstract: An electronic protection device for protecting at least one electrical load, connectable to the protection device, whereby the electronic protection device has an input terminal and an output terminal, and whereby the protection device includes a fuse element, which is thermally self-resetting, and whereby the fuse element is provided and set up to conduct or limit a first current as a function of a fuse element temperature, whereby a limiting component is provided to limit the first current, and whereby the limiting component has a first transistor that is connected in series to the fuse element and a monitoring circuit that influences the first transistor. The monitoring circuit blocks the first transistor when the first current reaches or exceeds a predefined maximum current value and unblocks it when the first current reaches or falls below a predefined reset current value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing CO2 from a combustion source using molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). The fuel cells are operated to have a reduced anode fuel utilization. Optionally, at least a portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as a fuel for the combustion source. Optionally, a second portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as part of an anode input stream. This can allow for a reduction in the amount of fuel cell area required for separating CO2 from the combustion source exhaust and/or modifications in how the fuel cells are operated.

Abstract: A system for shifting an automatic or continuously variable transmission of a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of wheels, an engine, a transmission, a memory, a processor, and a paddle shifter. The engine provides a torque to the plurality of wheels through the transmission. The transmission has a plurality of set gear ratios to shift through. The processor detects when the paddle shifter is pressed and held, to instruct the transmission to perform a first half shift. When the paddle shifter is subsequently released, the processor instructs the transmission to perform a second half shift, completing a full shift.

Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell to reduce or minimize losses due to loss of heat energy. A molten carbonate fuel cell can be operated based on a desired ratio of heat generated by exothermic reactions in the fuel cell relative to heat consumed by endothermic reactions in the fuel cell and any optional integrated endothermic reaction stages.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a side cover that can be opened and closed in order to attach and detach a spool or the like. The fishing reel having the quick-opening side cover can be operated with one hand, in which a quick-opening system is employed such that a fisher can open the side cover by moving a lock by manipulating it with one hand. A grip of the lock can stay in the protruded state when the side cover is opened such that the fisher can close the side cover surely and securely, thereby preventing the side cover from being opened during fishing.

Abstract: Obstacle detection for a sliding door of a vehicle including a sensor apparatus located on or near a hinge of the sliding door and arranged to detect an obstacle in a path of the hinge of the sliding door. A controller connected to the sensor apparatus is configured to receive an obstruction signal from the sensor apparatus indicating detection of an obstacle in the path of the hinge of the sliding door.

Abstract: Tire changing machines including force and position sensors facilitating automated detection of wheel rim and tire features by a controller. Dimensional and location information for features of interest may be detected and recorded for use by the controller to perform tire change procedures. Positioning error and malfunctioning machine components, including feedback sensors, may also be detected in an automated manner.