Abstract: Black liquor is subjected to high shear to cause a breakdown of macromolecules contained therein and provide a reduction in viscosity, thereby improving the processability of the black liquor and enabling the solids content to be increased.

Abstract: Sodium hydroxide is formed from sodium sulphate by a three step operation comprising converting the sodium sulphate to sodium sulphide, converting the sodium sulphide to sodium bicarbonate, and converting the sodium bicarbonate to sodium hydroxide. The operations preferably are effected in conjunction with a bleached kraft pulp mill operation, so as to utilize by-product sodium sulphate from chlorine dioxide generation to produce useful sodium hydroxide as sulphur without co-producing chlorine.

Abstract: An AC power line current regeneration method and circuitry energizes an AC power line from a DC power source through pulse width modulated switch means. The method and circuitry involves sampling the required peak line regeneration current value from a previous PWM cycle, I(peak last), sampling line regeneration current value at turn-on of the switch means, I(turn-on), and calculating the required peak line regeneration current value for the present PWM cycle, I(peak present), from both I(peak last) and I(turn-on).

Abstract: High speed fast response PWM current control regulation methodology and circuitry samples the required peak motor current value from a previous PWM cycle and calculates the required peak motor current value for the present PWM cycle and repeats the sampling and calculating every PWM cycle and updates the new required peak motor current value every PWM cycle. The required peak motor current value for the present PWM cycle is calculated according to the equationI(peak present)=I(command)+0.5I(peak last)-0.5I(turn-on),where I(peak present) is the required peak motor current value for the present PWM cycle, I(command) is the commanded motor current value, I(peak last) is the previous required peak motor current value from the immediately preceeding PWM cycle, and I(turn-on) is the turn-on motor current value.

Abstract: An oximeter sensor assembly (40) includes a thin elongated flexible sheet-like strip (42) having an integral end portion (44) for flexibly wrapping at least partially around a human body part (26), a plurality of electrical conductors (46-50) on the strip, light emitting and receiving electrical components (28a, 30a) mounted on the strip on the end portion and electrically connected to the conductors, and encoding means provided by a pair of auxiliary conductors (202, 204) and resistance material (206) therebetween for providing signals to the oximeter indicative of the known wavelength of the light emitting electrical component for calibrating the oximeter.

Abstract: An oximeter sensory assembly (40) includes a thin elongated flexible sheet-like strip (42) having an integral end portion (44) flexibly wrapping at least partially around a human body part (26), a plurality of electrical conductors (46-50) on the strip, and light emitting and receiving electrical components (28a, 30a) mounted on the strip on the end portion and electrically connected to the conductors. Flexible conductive encompassing shielding layers (62, 66) are also provided, together with outer insulating layers (61, 67). Connection adapter structure (94) is also provided.

Abstract: In a plural phase electric motor, a control method senses regeneration current from a non-energized phase and commutates to the next state. In the next state, the unenergized phase of the present state is energized in a polarity opposing the regeneration current of the present state, such that during the next state, energization current is directed in the last noted phase in a direction opposite to the regeneration current of the present state. In the state prior to the present state, the unenergized phase of the present state is energized in a polarity aiding the regeneration current of the present state, such that during the prior state, energization current is directed in the last noted phase in the same direction as the regeneration current of the present state. In the preferred embodiment, all of the commutation switches are periodically simultaneously turned off for a given blanking interval, and the regeneration current is sensed on a common DC bus during such interval.

Abstract: In a plural phase electric motor, a control system provides a variable commutation delay interval between commutations from state to state, during which delay interval all phases are unenergized, to minimize current spikes upon commutation. The duration of the delay interval is varied according to a given motor operating parameter during operation of the motor to optimize the delay interval for different operating conditions, to provide maximum delay when needed to eliminate current spikes, and to provide minimum delay when unneeded, to in turn provide maximum energization current to the phases. In one embodiment, motor speed is sensed, and the duration of the delay interval is varied in response thereto by shortening the delay interval with increasing motor speed. In another embodiment, DC bus current is sensed, and the duration of the delay interval is varied in response thereto by preventing termination of the delay interval until the level of DC bus current drops below a given value.

Abstract: An oximeter sensor assembly (40) includes a thin elongated flexible sheet-like strip (42) having an integral end portion (44) flexibly wrapping at least partially around a human body part (26), a plurality of electrical conductors (46-50) on the strip, and light emitting and receiving electrical components (28a, 30a) mounted on the strip on the end portion and electrically connected to the conductors. Flexible conductive encompassing shielding layers (62, 66) are also provided, together with outer insulating layers (61, 67). Connection adapter structure (94) is also provided.