Abstract: A metal-gas battery that utilizes an exhaust gas stream from a combustion engine as reactive gases is provided. Almost constant concentration of exhaust gases are supplied to the metal-gas battery via an existing engine systematic combustion system. The systematic combustion system keeps a definite air fuel mixture (A/F) that acts to enhance the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the metal-gas battery leverages the existing vehicle air management system. Exhaust heat of the exhaust gases is sometimes utilized for the heat control of the vehicle, and then the cooled exhaust gases are introduced into the metal-air battery to be consumed during a cathode reduction reaction to create and store electrical energy. The metal-gas battery supports the cleaning of exhausted gases using existing emission catalysts.

Abstract: In a machine for molding colored plastic foam material, a cleaning cycle is performed, before changing color, to clean a feed circuit having a reservoir and interposed, in the machine, between a storage bin and a mold; the cleaning cycle including: emptying the reservoir by suction to remove any material still inside the reservoir; injecting compressed air into the feed circuit so that any material remaining along the feed circuit is at least partly expelled from the feed circuit and at least partly fed into a header located at the bottom of the reservoir; and emptying the header by suction.

Abstract: Magnetic field manipulation devices and magnetic actuators are disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic field manipulation device includes an iron base substrate having a surface, and at least four electrically conductive loops embedded in the surface of the iron substrate. The at least four electrically conductive loops are electrically coupled to one another, and are arranged in the surface of the iron substrate such that the magnetic field manipulation device diverges magnetic flux lines of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field source positioned proximate the magnetic field manipulation device. In another embodiment, the at least four electrically conductive loops are electrically isolated such that the magnetic field manipulation device converges magnetic flux lines of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field source positioned proximate the magnetic field manipulation device.

Abstract: A method is taught of creating one or more targeted fractures in a subterranean formation. The method comprises the steps of drilling and completing two wells in the formation, conditioning said wells to create a stress condition favorable for forming a fracture zone connecting said two wells and initiating and propagating the fracture zone in said formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a discharge mechanism has a drive unit that moves a rod reciprocally, and a discharge unit including a liquid chamber allowing the rod to pass therein and a valve seat communicated with a nozzle, the nozzle discharging a liquid mixed with solid particles with an operation of moving the valve seat and a tip of the rod relatively away from each other. The discharge unit includes an inflow path through which the liquid mixed with the solid particles flows into the liquid chamber, and an outflow path through which the liquid mixed with the solid particles in the liquid chamber flows out. The inflow path and the outflow path are connected in a V-shape, the liquid chamber is disposed in a valley portion of the V-shape, and the valve seat is disposed at a lower end of the V-shape.

Abstract: The structure for the reduction of noise occurring when a fluid flow passes over a surface is disclosed by the present application. The structure comprises a surface with a top face that is roughly parallel to the flow wherein the face has an array of multiple separate and discreet cavities inset into the surface. Each cavity may be tuned to mitigate the noise of a specific frequency of the flow by altering the size, shape, position, angle in relation to the flow and ratios of depth, width, and length of the cavity. The cavities may be divided by partitions into sub-cavities of differing sizes, shapes and positions to mitigate noise as well. The structures may be applied to any application where a flow exists over a surface including, but not limited to, aerospace, automotive, naval and electronics. The structure may be flat, curved, tubular or any other shape subject to fluid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for changing the shape of a wing using a plurality of morphing structures. One example method includes coupling a plurality of morphing structures to each other. Each morphing structure includes an anchor, a plurality of hinges, a plurality of shape-memory alloy members wherein each shape-memory alloy member extends from the anchor to a different hinge, a plurality of springs wherein each spring extends from the anchor to a different hinge, and a plurality of rigid members wherein each rigid member extends between two hinges. The method further includes actuating the plurality of shape-memory alloy members in at least some of the morphing structures wherein the shape-memory alloy members contract when actuated to pull against the hinges and anchors within the actuated morphing structures to rotate the rigid members and change the shape of the actuated morphing structure.

Abstract: A capacitive detection device (20) for a vehicle comprises a sensing electrode (26) for generating an oscillatory electric field in a detection space and a shielding electrode (28) arranged on a side of the sensing electrode turned away from the detection space. The capacitive detection device comprises a circuit ground and a ground connector for connecting the circuit ground to chassis ground of the vehicle. At least one shunt capacitor is connected between circuit ground and the shielding electrode. The at least one shunt capacitor has a capacitance at least 25 times higher than the capacitance between the shielding electrode and the chassis ground of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for efficiently operating a vehicle wheel balancing system having a wheel mounting structure upon which a vehicle wheel assembly is mounted for rotation during a measurement or service procedure, and a load roller assembly disposed in operative proximity to the wheel mounting structure for engaging a surface of the vehicle wheel assembly and applying a controlled load there to during rotation. After mounting a vehicle wheel assembly to the mounting structure, the wheel assembly is rotationally driven and a measurement of imbalance is initially acquired and the results displayed to an operator. Subsequently, the load roller assembly is engaged with the still rotating wheel, while measurements of radial forces and/or runout of the wheel are acquired, before the wheel rotation is stopped.

Abstract: Provided is a damping apparatus for a moonpool, which has a simple driving mechanism. The damping apparatus includes one or more damping plates which cover a moonpool of a hull entirely or partially. The damping plates are pivotally hinged to a sidewall of the moonpool, and one or more conveying units are disposed above the moonpool to convey drilling equipment. Driving wires are coupled between the conveying units and the damping plates, and the conveying force of the conveying units is transferred through the driving wires to the damping plates. Thus, the damping plates are pivoted to open and close the moonpool entirely or partially.

Abstract: A quad flat non-leaded package including a leadframe, a chip, a plurality of first bonding wires and a molding compound is provided. The leadframe includes a plurality of first leads, and each first lead has a first portion and a second portion that extend along an axis. The length of the first portion is greater than the length of the second portion. The thickness of the first portion is greater than the thickness of the second portion. The chip is disposed on the leadframe and covers a portion of the first portions. The first bonding wires are connected between the chip and another portion of the first portions or the chip and the second portions, such that the chip is electrically connected to the first leads through the first bonding wires. The molding compound encapsulates a portion of the first leads, the chip and the first bonding wires.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conversion of a carbon containing fuel to CO2 and H2O. An air stream is fed to a first ion transport membrane unit obtaining a pure oxygen stream from a permeate side and an air stream with a reduced oxygen content from a retentate side. The air stream with a reduced oxygen content is fed to a second ion transport membrane unit and a gaseous first carbon containing fuel is fed to a permeate side of the second ion transport membrane. The first carbon containing fuel is reacted with oxygen transported through the second ion transport membrane forming an at least partially combusted first fuel. The at least partially combusted first fuel, at least a part of the pure oxygen stream and optionally a second carbon containing fuel is fed to a combustion chamber for combustion. An exhaust stream comprising essentially CO2 and H2O is obtained.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of accommodating a hazard mitigation system in a system including one or more fluid guides is described. The method includes forming a one-way valve in at least one of the one or more fluid guides. The one-way valve may be configured to substantially prevent the egress of fluid from the at least one of the one or more fluid guides through the one-way valve. The one-way valve may be further configured to allow ingress of a neutralizing agent supplied by a source outside the at least one of the one or more fluid guides through the one-way valve.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system comprises at least one antenna electrode to be arranged in a seat and an evaluation unit operatively coupled to said at least one antenna electrode, said evaluation unit being configured for applying, during operation, an alternating voltage signal to said antenna electrode and for detecting an amplitude and/or phase of a displacement current flowing from said antenna electrode towards ground. According to the invention said antenna electrode comprises an antenna electrode conductor and at least one dedicated ground electrode, said ground electrode being arranged at a predetermined distance of said antenna electrode conductor and extending along said antenna electrode conductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite data transmission interface and a judgment method thereof which is based on metal contacts shared by a smart card and a USB and comprise steps as follows: link a composite pin to a socket; electrical conductivity is completed with a socket linking a composite pin; a controller connected to the composite pin is activated by electricity; a smart card's or a USB's electrical conductivity mode is enabled by the controller by means of the smart card's or the USB's electrical connection mode.

Abstract: A mechanical seal includes an elastomeric member, a spring biasing device, a longitudinally floating first member, a longitudinally non-floating second member and a longitudinally floating seal face. The elastomeric member is in a sealing engagement with the seal face. The first and second members and the spring biasing device are longitudinally positioned between the seal face and the second member. The first member and the second member are longitudinally restrained and rotationally coupled by at least one substantially male radially protruding portion in one of the members engaging in at least one substantially female portion in the other member of the two members. The first and second members are arranged for a sealing engagement with the seal face in a single seal utilizing the elastomeric member, or with the seal face and an additional seal face in a double seal utilizing an additional elastomeric member.

Abstract: A vehicle temperature control system including a first and second heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising a first compressor, a first blower, and a first heating element and a first ducting in fluid communication with the first HVAC unit that selectively directs air to a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone of a vehicle through a plurality of outlet vents. The vehicle temperature control system also includes an electronic controller electrically coupled to the first HVAC unit and the second HVAC unit, the electronic controller comprising a synchronization device, a processor, and a memory, where the processor controls operation of the first HVAC unit and the second HVAC unit by controlling operating states of the first and second HVAC units and selectively modifies an operating state of the second HVAC unit to match the operating state of the first HVAC unit.

Abstract: Provided are processes for making one or more unsaturated oligomeric acids and one or more saturated hydrocarbons. In one form, a process for making one or more saturated hydrocarbons includes oligomerizing one or more unsaturated carboxylic acids having from 4 to 38 carbon atoms in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst to form one or more unsaturated oligomeric acids including less than 90% by weight of cyclic oligomers, and hydrogenating the one or more unsaturated oligomeric acids via contact with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form one or more saturated hydrocarbons. The oligomerizing of unsaturated fatty acids is from renewable biological sources to form dimer acids. The one or more saturated hydrocarbons are useful as lubricant base oils.

Abstract: A preparation process for a cyclic conjugated polymer, includes the steps of deprotonating a monohalogenated cyclic conjugated compound of a 5- to 7-membered ring using a deprotonation catalyst comprising secondary amine represented by R1NHR2 (R1 and R2 are the same or different and are each a branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or a phenyl group) and a Grignard reagent represented by R3MgX (X is a halogen atom selected from chlorine, bromine and iodine, and R3 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and polymerizing the deprotonated monohalogenated cyclic conjugated compound.