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: Method for compensating aberrations of an active optical system by a deformable mirror, comprising: (a) formation of a matrix N, binding the optical system aberrations with the displacements of the surface of a deformable mirror, presented as a superposition of natural frequency modes of a mirror simulator having the same geometric shape and the same elasticity characteristics as the deformable mirror but having zero density except for concentrated masses attached at points corresponding to the places of action of the force actuators onto the deformable mirror; (b) formation of the matrix M, binding the coefficients of the natural frequency modes of the mirror simulator with the forces or displacements of the force actuators that deform the mirror; (c) generation of the matrix of forces or displacements for loading the deformable mirror on the basis of the aberration measurement, using the matrices N and M.

Abstract: A three-phase full-wave rectifier (21) performs full-wave rectification of three-phase AC power (11A) supplied from ground power supply equipment, and supplies obtained DC power (12A) to a common bus (B). A ?-Y connection type three-phase transformer (2) outputs three-phase AC power (11B) of a voltage phase shifted by ?/6 from the three-phase AC power (11A). A three-phase full-wave rectifier (22) performs full-wave rectification of the three-phase AC power (11B) output from the three-phase transformer (2), and supplies obtained DC power (12B) to the common bus (B).

Abstract: A vehicle service system having a means for acquiring images of a three-dimensional region of a vehicle wheel assembly tire tread surface. The vehicle service system is configured to process the acquired images to produce a collection of data points corresponding to the spatial position of surface points in the region from which tire tread wear characteristics are identified. The acquired images are further utilized to provide both a graphical and a numerical display to an operator, with the numerical display linked to specifically annotated or indexed points or windows within the graphical display, thereby enabling an operator to quickly identify specific focus points or regions on the tire surface which have been measured at the numerically identified tread depths.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an oil filter-leak pressure-test station. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station comprises an air pump, a pressure gauge, a vent valve, an overflow reservoir, and a manifold configured to receive an oil filter. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station is configured to apply a desired internal air pressure to an oil filter for observing the oil filter assembly for any potential leaks, such as along a seal ring, rolled seam or a nut-end. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station is also configured to be mounted in a vise or similar mechanical attachment for observation to determine the extent or existence of any leak in the oil filter. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station may also be submerged in water using a submersion reservoir, so as to determine the existence and location of any leaks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for infotainment system startup are provided. One embodiment of a method includes determining a user-defined startup priority associated with a plurality of vehicle service classifications, where the plurality of vehicle service classifications are associated with a plurality of respective vehicle services. Embodiments also include receiving an indication of vehicle startup, determining whether at least two of the plurality of vehicle services in at least two of the plurality of vehicle service classifications are to be activated in response to vehicle startup, and in response to determining that at least two of the plurality of vehicle services are to be activated in response to vehicle startup, determining a startup order of the plurality of vehicle services, based on the user-defined startup priority. Embodiments also include initiating startup of the plurality of vehicle services according to the startup order.

Abstract: A tubeaxial fan housing has a planar support vane that is fixed at sides thereof to opposing interior sides of the tubular housing, toward an inlet of the housing. The support vane receives a shaft on an underside thereof, upon which a propeller is mounted near an outlet end of the housing. The support vane has a curved edge facing the propeller to change a pattern of eddies generated downstream of the support plate and thereby reduce the noise generated by the fan. The curve is an S-shape and may be a sine wave whose period is ? the propeller diameter. The propeller is positioned a relatively large distance from the curved edge of the support vane to reduce further the generation of eddies. That is, the closest point of the curved edge to the propeller is one chord length, which chord is at a tip of a propeller blade. A rounded inlet bell on the housing includes a rounded surface to reduce further turbulence across the propeller and support vane to further reduce sound.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods using thermal vias to increase the current-carrying capacity of conductive traces on a multilayered printed circuit board (PCB). In various embodiments, parameters associated with vias may be selected to control various electrical and thermal properties of the conductive trace. Such parameters include the via diameter, a plating thickness, a number of vias, a placement of the vias, an amount of conductive material to be added or removed from the conductive trace, a change in the resistance of the conductive trace, a change in a fusing measurement of the conductive trace, and the like.

Abstract: Ceramic end mill with cutting edge portion including gashes between cutting edges and adjacent in a rotation direction. Center cut edges are formed at end cutting edges close to and facing rotation axis O. Center grooves are formed on rear sides of center cut edges and end cutting edges in the rotation direction continuous with a radial direction. The center grooves are continuous with positions where end cutting edge second surfaces face or approach rotation axis O. End cutting edge second surfaces are laid between center cut edges and end cutting edges. Center grooves are formed between end cutting edge second surfaces and center cut edges positioned on a rear side of end cutting edge second surfaces in the rotation direction. The center grooves pass on rotation axis O. Center grooves double as rake faces of the respective center cut edges and are continuous with the gashes.

Abstract: A wideband signal is enhanced or suppressed to the same extent at each frequency without increasing the size of an overall sensor array. To achieve this, there is provided a signal processing apparatus including a direction estimator that obtains a direction of arrival of a signal for signals received from a plurality of sensors and each containing a target signal and noise, a first gain calculator that calculates a first gain using the direction of arrival of the signal, an integrator that obtains an integrated signal by integrating the signals received from the plurality of sensors, and a multiplier that multiplies the first gain by the integrated signal.

Abstract: A cardiac troponin I ultra-sensitive detection reagent kit, a preparation method, and a detection method. The reagent kit comprises at least one first anti-cardiac troponin I antibody marked with a trace marker and at least one second anti-cardiac troponin I antibody coated on magnetic microspheres, the first anti-cardiac troponin I antibody and cardiac troponin I binding site being different from the second anti-cardiac troponin I antibody and cardiac troponin I binding site. The reagent kit may further comprise a diluent capable of significantly reducing non-specific binding in a detection process, so as to further increase the detection accuracy and sensitivity. The method using the reagent kit to detect cardiac troponin I sensitively and accurately detects the amount of cardiac troponin I in a sample, and provides more timely and reliable information for the early diagnosis and treatment of AMI.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method to form a gradient thin film using a spray pyrolysis technique. The method comprises providing a base substrate, preparing a spray aqueous solution by mixing at least two precursor compounds comprising at least two different elements and spraying the spray aqueous solution onto the base substrate. According to the present invention, the ratio of the concentration of the at least two different elements within the spray aqueous solution is varied while performing the method. In this way, a thin film having a gradient of elemental composition over its layer thickness may be formed.

Abstract: A tactile fur sensing system and a method of operating thereof allow early detection of an impending contact with an object. A plurality of filaments or threads are positioned on a zone or area of a surface of robotic device in a cost-effective manner. One or more sensors are configured to detect electrical resistance and/or displacement of the plurality of filaments or threads. A processor determines that there is contact with an object based on the detected electrical resistance and/or displacement. The detection of electrical resistance can be based on adjustable baseline values and/or adjustable threshold values. A plurality of nubs may alternatively or in addition be positioned on a surface area. Each nub has an outer cast or protection layer defining a cavity therein. At least a portion of a sensor for detecting resistance and/or displacement is positioned within the cavity of the nub.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering an industrial slurry, a non-suspended mixture of solid particulate matter and liquid produced by an industrial process, is disclosed. A method and system for filtering an industrial slurry and recycling liquid filtrate are additionally disclosed. One example of an apparatus for filtering an industrial slurry can include a receptacle, a false bottom disposed within the receptacle and containing an effluent exit, and a filter disposed within the effluent exit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, systems, and method for conducting nucleic acid purification and quantification using sedimentation. In one example, a method includes generating complexes which bind to a plurality of beads in a fluid sample, individual ones of the complexes comprising a nucleic acid molecule such as DNA or RNA and a labeling agent. The plurality of beads including the complexes may be transported through a density media, wherein the density media has a density lower than a density of the beads and higher than a density of the fluid sample, and wherein the transporting occurs, at least in part, by sedimentation. Signal may be detected from the labeling agents of the complexes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plunger (20) for a dispenser, the plunger including a large diameter body portion (23) provided with ring-shaped contact surfaces (24, 25) that contact an inner wall surface of a syringe, a rear opening (26) formed in a backside of the large diameter body portion (23), and a small diameter body portion (22) provided with a front opening (28), wherein the front opening (28) is formed in a size allowing a liquid material to be directly pressed by pressurized air, and allowing at least the plunger (20) to move following a fall in water head position, which is caused with discharge and consumption of the liquid material. With those features, the liquid material can be prevented from adhering to the inner wall surface of the syringe, and the liquid material in the syringe can be prevented from flowing backwards.

Abstract: A catalyst for preparing aviation fuel from synthetic oil obtained by Fischer-Tropsch process, including: between 20 and 50 percent by weight of an amorphous aluminum silicate, between 5 and 20 percent by weight of alumina, between 20 and 60 percent by weight of a hydrothermally modified zeolite, between 0.5 and 1.0 percent by weight of a Sesbania powder, between 0.5 and 5 percent by weight of nickel oxide, and between 5 and 15 percent by weight of molybdenum oxide. The invention also provides a method for preparing the catalyst.

Abstract: A fuel-free spacecraft propelling system having an open-ended outer cylinder of a propelling device and an atomic oxygen collecting device is disclosed. The latter is arranged at the forwardly-propelled front end of the outer cylinder and is hermetically connected with an RF generating device and an ion cyclotron wave heating device through a magnetic confinement device. A spiral wave discharge oxygen plasma inlet and a spiral wave discharge oxygen plasma outlet in the ion cyclotron wave heating device are respectively provided with another magnetic confinement device. The propulsion of the invention does not need to carry the propellant, which greatly reduces the launch costs, and enables a spacecraft to advantageously have an increased orbit life over existing spacecraft systems.

Abstract: System and methods for pointing a device, such as a camera, at a remote target wherein the pointing of the device is controlled by a combination of location information obtained by global positioning technology and image recognition of the target.