Abstract: An example system includes at least one acoustic sensor configured to generate at least one acoustic data signal indicative of an acoustic signal generated by a thermal spray system comprising a flowstream, a computing device, and an acoustic data signal processing module operable by the computing device to determine an ignition attribute of the thermal spray system by analyzing at least a pre-ignition window of the acoustic data signal received by the computing device.

Abstract: A method for estimating the location of a wireless terminal is disclosed that is based on using: the known location of one or more devices, empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal to the devices, and empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal (which is at an unknown location) relative to other wireless terminals that are also at unknown locations.

Abstract: An inspection probe for directly measuring a transmission spectrum of a solvent oil in a transformer includes a tube having a plurality of apertures spaced along a side of the tube to allow oil to pass therethrough, and first and second optical collimators disposed at opposing ends of the tube. The first and second collimators are aligned by the tube such that incident light is transmitted through the first collimator, the tube, and the second collimator to a spectrometer.

Abstract: A hydrogen permselective membrane, a method of forming a permselective membrane and an apparatus comprising a permselective membrane, a porous substrate and an optional intermediate layer are described. Using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at low reactant gas concentration, high permselectivities are achieved with minimal reduction in hydrogen permeance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel apparatus and method for volumetric dilatometry. A volumetric dilatometer includes an optical displacement sensor and a means for using a gap measurement obtained from the displacement sensor application in an application which requires the measurement of absolute distance and/or displacement. A novel signal-processing algorithm for volumetric dilatometry is also disclosed. The signal-processing algorithm includes a step for recovering the phase information from a spectral signal by taking the Fourier transform of a spectral signal and deriving a sensor gap measurement from the phase information. A micro-translation stage is provided for automated positioning of the optical sensor and automated re-leveling in an out-of-range condition. A heat source is consists of a vertical tube furnace, such as those found in drywell technologies.

Abstract: A non-human transgenic mammalian animal, as described above, contains an exogenous double stranded DNA sequence stably integrated into the genome of the animal, which comprises cis-acting regulatory units operably linked to a DNA sequence encoding human Factor VIII protein and a signal peptide, where the cis-acting regulatory units are active in mammary gland cells and the signal peptide is active in directing newly expressed Factor VIII into the milk of the animal. The promoter may be a milk protein promoter such as for whey acidic protein, casein, lactalbumin, or beta-lactoglobulin promoter. The transgenic mammals are preferably farm animals, for example, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits and pigs. Concurrent expression of a gene for human von Willebrand's Factor into milk may be used to stabilize newly-secreted Factor VIII.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced thermosetting matrix materials are advantageously created using fibers that are coated with a coating containing a nucleophilic initiator or have a surface treatment which creates a nucleophilic initiator on the surface. The fibers are combined with the thermosetting matrix materials just before curing of the matrix material is desired. These fibers and this methodology avoid premature curing, allow higher levels of initiator to be used to ensure rapid cure, and allow the thermosetting matrix materials to be heated to reduce viscosity.

Abstract: A zero-current transition pulse-width modulated (ZCT-PWM) d.c.-d.c. converter allows minority-carrier semiconductor devices such as, for example, bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), MOSFET controlled thyristors (MCTs), and gate turn-off thyristors (GTOs), to be used as switches for high-power, high frequency applications. The ZCT-PWM converter comprises a shunt resonant branch inserted into a conventional PWM converter circuit. The resonant branch comprises a resonant inductor (Lr), a resonant capacitor (Cr), an auxiliary switch (S1), and an auxiliary diode (D1). The resonant branch is only active during a relatively short switching time in order to create a zero-current switch condition for the main pulse-modulating switch (S) without substantially increasing voltage or current stresses.

Abstract: Fine coals are dewatered in an energy efficient process in which a non-polar liquid or a mixture of different hydrophobic liquids are used to displace the water from the coal surface. This process works with higher rank coals that are naturally hydrophobic so that the coal surface from which the water is displaced has a stronger affinity for the hydrophobic liquid than the water. Thermodynamically, this process is spontaneous and, hence, requires no energy. The only energy required for this process is to recover the spent hydrophobic liquid(s) for recycling purposes. The hydrophobic liquids are recovered in gaseous form either by lowering the pressure or by heating, and coverted back to liquid form for re-use. The most economical reagents that can be used for this purpose include propane, butane, pentane, and ethane. Carbon dioxide can also be used for the dewatering process described in the present invention.

Abstract: A full-bridge zero-voltage-switching pulse-width-modulated converter employs a saturable reactor in place of the linear inductor in order to reduce current stress on the active switches, reduce voltage stress on the rectifier diodes, and reduce secondary parasitic ringing. The zero-current-switching full-bridge pulse-width-modulated converter embodiment of the invention contemplates the provision of active switches that are zero-current-switched and passive switches, such as diode switches, that are zero-voltage-switched.

Abstract: The elastic-port immersion cell (10) is an optical oil immersion vessel which has a flexible latex (or other) sheath (24) protruding from its sidewall. The sheath is affixed to an opening in the wall of the vessel using a collar, O-ring (26) or other connecting means. The base of the vessel is an optical glass window. A sample (20) mounted on to the end of spindle (14) is placed into the cell. The end of the spindle (14), without the sample, is inserted into the sheath and the latex together with the spindle is attached to a goniometer head of a spindle stage such that the spindle is horizontal. Immersion oil (22) that has a refractive index similar to the sample is added to the cell until the sample is totally submerged. Minute features within the sample (20) may then be observed under the microscope as the sample is rotated 360 degrees about a vertical or horizontal axis. The latex sheath prevents the oil from escaping from the cell and also provides the flexibility required to orient and rotate a sample.

Abstract: .beta.-Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5 protective coatings have been developed for both dense and porous ceramics such as SiC and Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 using a chemical solution processing method involving the hydrolysis and condensation of aluminum tri-sec butoxide and titanium butoxide. The solution viscosities, pH values, H.sub.2 O/alkoxide molar ratios, and dip coating withdrawal rates required for crack-free .beta.-Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5 are 1.0 to 6.2 cP, pH 1-4.5, molar ratio 1.5-10, and withdrawal rate of 2.2-8.0 cm/min, respectively. Conversion of the amorphous coating to crystalline .beta.-Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5 is achieved by a succession of calcination below 450.degree. C. and a final heat-treatment at 1300.degree. C. for ten hours with controlled heating and cooling rates.

Abstract: Mineral content in processed ore and coal content in coal slurries are determined using a video system. A video image is taken of a sample, the video image is digitized, and gray levels are assigned to points or areas on the video image. The distribution of the gray levels for the image provides an indication of the purity of the minerals in the ore sample. The mean gray level for the image provides an indication of the mineral content of interest in the sample. The video system should be calibrated using ores that normally occur in the process environment and using samples of controlled moisture content. The video system has particular utility in determining phosphate content and calcium ratio in phosphate ores.

Abstract: Polymers containing the phosphine oxide moiety are identified as being particularly useful in applications where resistance to atomic oxygen etching is required and in applications where second order nonlinear optical effects will be utilized. Particularly preferred polymers for these two applications include poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s (PEPOS), and novel PEPOS which include phenolphthalein sub-units and derivatives thereof have been prepared.

Abstract: A trellis system which can be used with raspberry and other fruit production includes a plurality of structural units (36) which are essentially two dimensional in shape to allow for flat packing and shipping. Trellis wires (34) are strung over a plurality of structural units (36) positioned in a trellis row and are subsequently anchored (34) to the ground at each end of the trellis row. The structural units (36) are positioned directly on the ground surface at any location desired by the user and do not need to be staked in the ground. In one embodiment, the structural units are a rigid one piece construction (10, 12, 14, or 16). In another embodiment, the structural units are made on site by connecting to essentially identical linear pieces (52 or 60) together. A wire loop connector (42 or 44) allows for quick and effective connection of a wire (46) once the structural units are positioned.

Abstract: Fine particles of semi-crystalline ketone-containing aromatic polymers (PEEK, PEKK, etc.) are produced by controlling the rate and conditions of hydrolysis of an amorphous polyarylketimine intermediate. The choice of acid and its concentrations affects the rate of ketimine hydrolysis and subsequent particle formation. In addition, zero or reduced amounts of agitation during hydrolysis has been found to promote the formation of smaller (submicron) sized particles which are spherical in shape, while greater amounts of agitation or shear stress applied during hydrolysis results in nonspherical, larger particles. Carbon fiber reinforced composites were made from aqueous suspensions of these particles that were dispersed or stabilized by a water soluble polymer.

Abstract: An active noise control system using a compact sound source is effective to reduce aircraft engine duct noise. The fan noise from a turbofan engine is controlled using an adaptive filtered-x LMS algorithm. Single multi channel control systems are used to control the fan blade passage frequency (BPF) tone and the BPF tone and the first harmonic of the BPF tone for a plane wave excitation. A multi channel control system is used to control any spinning mode. The multi channel control system to control both fan tones and a high pressure compressor BPF tone simultaneously. In order to make active control of turbofan inlet noise a viable technology, a compact sound source is employed to generate the control field. This control field sound source consists of an array of identical thin, cylindrically curved panels with an inner radius of curvature corresponding to that of the engine inlet.

Abstract: The fibers are bound together about 1 cm apart. An oxy-propane torch is used to heat the fibers so that they fuse together. At the same time, the two relatively movable translational stages to which the fibers are clamped are pulled apart to form a biconical tapered region in the fibers. The fibers are tapered until a desired coupling ratio is achieved. After the insertion loss is measured, the torch is reintroduced into the taper region and one side (e.g., the right side) of the taper region is rotated with a minimal increase in the taper length, i.e., the distance between the two stations is increased only enough to keep an even tension in the taper region.

Abstract: Alkali corrosion resistant coatings and ceramic foams having superfine open cell structure are created using sol-gel processes. The processes have particular application in creating calcium magnesium zirconium phosphate, CMZP, coatings and foams.

Abstract: An electrically conductive hinge provides for the transmission of electrical power and signals between a pivotally connected display unit and system unit of a portable computer and eliminates cable connections between the display unit and the system unit. Either the system unit, the display unit, or both units have a set of wipers which contact the conductive lines in the electrical track. The conductive lines are long enough to allow the display unit to be pivoted to and from its open and shut positions while the wipers remain in contact therewith. In one arrangement, the electrical track is manufactured on the hinge pin. In another arrangement, the electrical track is manufactured on a disk positioned at or near one end of the hinge pin.