Abstract: A method and circuit for measuring impedance of a sense-only capacitive sensor operated in loading mode. The method carried out by the circuit includes the steps of: combining a plurality of synchronized output signals; applying low-pass filtering to the summed output signals to generate a sinusoidal test signal; applying the sinusoidal test signal to a sensor signal voltage divider circuit and to a reference voltage divider circuit; determining amplitude and relative phase, with respect to the sinusoidal test signal, of a sensor voltage signal and a reference voltage signal; obtaining a difference voltage signal by subtracting the reference voltage signal from the sensor voltage signal; and feeding the difference voltage signal to a vector demodulator unit for obtaining a real part and an imaginary part of the complex impedance of the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated process and apparatus for liquefaction of natural gas and recovery of natural gas liquids. In particular, the improved process and apparatus reduces the energy consumption of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) unit by using a portion of the already cooled overhead vapor from a fractionation column from an NGL (natural gas liquefaction) unit to, depending upon composition, provide, for example, reflux for fractionation in the NGL unit and/or a cold feed for the LNG unit, or by cooling, within the NGL unit, a residue gas originating from a fractionation column of the NGL unit and using the resultant cooled residue gas to, depending upon composition, provide, for example, reflux/feed for fractionation in the NGL and/or a cold feed for the LNG unit, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the LNG unit and rendering the process more energy-efficient.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a motor, which begins with robotically positioning a flexible insulating sleeve over a first motor sub-assembly to produce a second motor sub-assembly. The first motor sub-assembly includes a motor assembly and an end-cap. The motor assembly includes a stator, a rotor, and wiring connected to the stator. The end-cap includes an electrical fitting for feeding the wiring externally of the motor. The method continues with robotically positioning a flexible enclosure, that includes a formed housing section and a connecting section, loosely over the second motor sub-assembly. The method continues with tightening the connecting section until the formed housing section tightly fits over the second sub-assembly compressing the flexible insulating sleeve to produce an insulating seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for soil disturbance at the back of a shield tunnel, wherein: the apparatus is formed by a fitting I and a fitting II connected by means of three bolts that form equal angles; the fitting I is a short circular pipe; an end surface of a fitting end of the fitting I is provided with a water passage; a pipe wall of the pipe is provided with 2-8 water spouts; the fitting II is a long circular pipe whose inner and outer diameters are consistent with those of the fitting I; a fitting end of the fitting II is provided with two O-shaped water stop rings; a pipe wall of the fitting II is provided with three water inlets that form equal angles and are in communication with the water passage of the fitting I.

Abstract: Thermally isolated devices may be formed by performing a series of etches on a silicon-based substrate. As a result of the series of etches, silicon material may be removed from underneath a region of an integrated circuit (IC). The removal of the silicon material from underneath the IC forms a gap between remaining substrate and the integrated circuit, though the integrated circuit remains connected to the substrate via a support bar arrangement that suspends the integrated circuit over the substrate. The creation of this gap functions to release the device from the substrate and create a thermally-isolated integrated circuit.

Abstract: A system and methods for vehicle build information management in an assembly plant are disclosed. Once example method includes receiving, from a first information source, identification information for at least one vehicle being assembled in the vehicle assembly plant. The method further includes receiving, from a second information source, build instructions describing at least one work process to be performed for the at least one vehicle. The method further includes receiving, from a third information source, inventory information identifying a plurality of components required to comply with the build instructions. Finally, the method further includes sending for display, to a user interface, a visual representation of at least two of the identification information and the build instructions and the inventory information.

Abstract: A composition that includes one or more compounds represented by the formula R1—O—R2 wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or polyaryl group having from about 4 to about 40 carbon atoms, and R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched, alkyl group having from about 4 to about 40 carbon atoms. The composition has a viscosity (Kv100) from about 1 to about 10 cSt at 100° C. as determined by ASTM D-445, a viscosity index (VI) from about ?100 to about 300 as determined by ASTM D-2270, and a Noack volatility of no greater than 50 percent as determined by ASTM D-5800. The disclosure also relates to a process for producing the composition, a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil containing the composition, and a method of reducing boundary friction and improving dispersancy of polar additives of a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve having a balancing function for a fluid distribution system. A valve closing member is movable between a closed position and a fully opened position. An actuation device is provided for changing the position of the valve closing member. A control unit is provided and comprises an electronic memory adapted to receive and store an opening limitation value, said opening limitation value being representative of a selected intermediate position between said closed position and said fully opened position of the valve closing member, wherein the control unit controls the actuation device to limit the movement of the valve closing member to positions from said closed position to said selected intermediate position. The invention also relates to a valve system and to a method of operating a valve.

Abstract: In a process for producing a phosphorus-modified zeolite catalyst, an aqueous reaction mixture comprising a source of silica and a source of an organic directing agent effective to direct the synthesis of a desired zeolite is heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce crystals of the desired zeolite. Wet zeolite crystals can then be separated from the reaction mixture and, without removing all the water from the wet zeolite crystals, the zeolite can be converted into the ammonium form by ion exchange, and the crystals can be treated with a phosphorus compound. The phosphorus-treated, ammonium-exchanged zeolite can then be formed into a catalyst to be heated in one or more stages to remove the water and organic directing agent from the zeolite crystals and to convert the zeolite to the hydrogen form.

Abstract: An electroabsorption modulator incorporates waveguiding regions along the length of the modulator that include quantum wells where at least two of the regions have quantum wells with different bandgaps. In one embodiment of the invention, the regions are arranged such that the quantum wells have bandgaps with decreasing bandgap energy along the length of the modulator from the modulator's input to its output. The bandgap energy of the quantum wells may be decreased in discrete steps or continuously. Advantageously, such an arrangement better distributes the optical absorption as well as the carrier density along the length of the modulator. Further advantageously, the modulator may handle increased optical power as compared with prior art modulators of similar dimensions, which allows for improved link gain when the optical modulator is used in an analog optical communication link.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a syringe having a nozzle or access portion and a discharge port including a closure cap or syringe cap having a access engaging portion removably connectible in flow restricting relation to the discharge port. A connecting structure is mounted on the access engaging portion and disposed and configured to define an interactive engagement with an attachment structure of the nozzle or access portion of the syringe. Structural and operative features of the connecting structure enable a “push-on connection” of the closure cap or syringe cap to the nozzle or access portion and a “rotate-off disconnection” of the closure cap or syringe cap from the nozzle or access portion. The closure cap or syringe cap may be used independently of or in combination with an end cap and an included indicator member, wherein the combination closure cap or syringe cap and end cap define a tamper evident cap for the syringe.

Abstract: The object is to suitably satisfy a condition for preventing smearing of a printed object and a condition for endowing glossiness to the printed object. As a solution therefor, a plurality of inkjet heads (12y, 12m, 12c, 12k), a print heater (104) being a medium heating heater, and a sub-scan driving unit (16) being an opposing position changing unit that sequentially causes each of positions in a medium (50) in a moving direction of the medium (50) to oppose the respective inkjet heads (12y, 12m, 12c, 12k) are provided, where ink is ink containing solvent and is fixed onto the medium (50) by the solvent being dried, and the print heater (104) dries the ink that has been discharged from one of the inkjet heads and struck onto the medium before another inkjet head further discharges an ink droplet onto a struck position of the ink.

Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to identification and mitigation of spurious energies or signals (aka “spurs”) in radar imaging. Spurious energy in received radar data can be a consequence of non-ideal component and circuit behavior. Such behavior can result from I/Q imbalance, nonlinear component behavior, additive interference (e.g. cross-talk, etc.), etc. The manifestation of the spurious energy in a radar image (e.g., a range-Doppler map) can be influenced by appropriate pulse-to-pulse phase modulation. Comparing multiple images which have been processed using the same data but of different signal paths and modulations enables identification of undesired spurs, with subsequent cropping or apodization of the undesired spurs from a radar image. Spurs can be identified by comparison with a threshold energy. Removal of an undesired spur enables enhanced identification of true targets in a radar image.

Abstract: A tailsitter aircraft includes one or more rotatable wings. The tailsitter aircraft optionally includes a fuselage from which wing supports extend. Each rotatable wing optionally includes a rotatable wing section having an inboard portion proximate to the fuselage, and an outboard portion distal from the fuselage. The rotatable wing section may be rotatably attached to the wing support and configured to rotate between a vertical flight configuration in which the inboard portion is positioned on an opposing side of the wing support relative to the outboard portion, and a horizontal flight configuration different from the vertical flight configuration. The wings may be rotated during flight to transition between horizontal and vertical flight configurations, and they may be rotated about multiple axes.

Abstract: A droplet forming device (1) for discharging a droplet in a flying fashion from a nozzle (32), the device includes a liquid chamber (29) that is communicated with the nozzle (32) and is supplied with a liquid material (37), a plunger rod (6) having a tip (34) that is moved to advance and retreat within the liquid chamber (29), a spring (8) that applies a biasing force to the plunger rod (6), a pressurization chamber (11) that is supplied with a pressurized gas (10) acting to retreat the plunger rod (6), a pressure source (15) that supplies the pressurized gas (10) to the pressurization chamber (11), and a controller (45). The droplet forming device (1) further includes a magnetic field generating mechanism (21, 22) that generates an attraction force to act in an advancing direction when the plunger rod (6) approaches a most advanced position thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to low cycle fatigue testing are described. For example, some embodiments may contain a control box, two fitting connections, a pressure gauge, a plurality of clamps, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, a plurality of control cables, and a strain gauge, for testing the low cycle fatigue properties of a testing specimen, for example, a steel tube umbilical.

Abstract: A liquid catholyte as well as electrochemical cells and automotive vehicles employing the liquid catholyte are disclosed. The liquid catholyte includes a quinone as redox active material and a fluoroalkylsulfonyl salt as charge balancing agent and is characterized by a liquid form of the redox active material regardless of redox state. The liquid catholyte can thus have utility as a catholyte in a flow battery.

Abstract: A warning light for attachment to a vehicle comprising a thermally conductive longitudinally extending base, a plurality of light head mount assemblies, a plurality of LED warning light assemblies, and a plurality of electronic control circuits. Said base has a pair of generally parallel longitudinal edges and a pair of ribs projecting perpendicularly from said base. Said light head mount assemblies comprise a bracket and a light head retention shoe. Said bracket has a generally planar bracket first portion and a generally planar bracket second portion oriented perpendicular to said first portion. Said light head shoe has a sole configured to engage said bracket first portion, a rib engaging portion, and a brace extending angularly therebetween. Said LED assemblies are mounted on said bracket second portion. Said dome has a main body portion, sidewalls configured to engage said edges, and end walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inspection device and particularly to a device using an array of light sources and photo-detection devices to evaluate threaded workpieces for conformance to spatial form criteria. The invention provides for improved identification of flaws in threaded components to identify the conformance of parts.

Abstract: An article composed of sintered particles is produced by depositing ligand-containing particles on a substrate, then scanning the substrate with an electron beam that generates sufficient surface and subsurface heating to substantially eliminate the ligands and melt or sinter the particles into a cohesive film with superior charge carrier properties. The particles are sintered or melted together to form a polycrystalline layer that is substantially ligand-free to form, for example, a film such as a continuous polycrystalline film. The scanning operation is conducted so as to heat treat a controllably localized region at and below a surface of the particles by selecting a rate of deposited energy at the region to exceed a rate of conduction away from the substrate.