Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for providing visual expertise to objectively measure, evaluate, and visualize aesthetic change are provided. Example embodiments provide an Aesthetic Delta Measurement System (“ADMS”), which enables users to objectively measure and visualize aesthetic health and wellness and treatment outcomes and to continuously supplement a knowledge repository of objective aesthetic data based upon a combination of automated machine learning and surveyed human input data. The ADMS provides a labeling platform for labeling aesthetic health and wellness over large populations of individuals and a personal analysis application for viewing an individuals aesthetic changes over time. The ADMS provides labeling of images using guides with corresponding discrete scalar values or using pairwise comparison techniques.

Abstract: A turbocharger shaft is sealed with respect to the bore of the bearing housing at the turbine wheel end by one or more shaft seal rings. Conventionally these rings are seated in annular grooves provided in the shaft behind the turbine wheel. Problems can arise with this conventional shaft seal arrangement, particularly where the turbocharged engine has an engine brake valve located downstream of the turbine, and the back pressure in the exhaust line, and thus in the turbine wheel housing, can reach 7 bar. The inventive shaft seal design avoids grooves, and makes it possible to assemble a seal with ring seals with higher wear resistance and thus to maintain the seal's effectiveness over heavy use.

Abstract: A turbocharger shaft is sealed with respect to the bore of the bearing housing at the turbine wheel end by one or more shaft seal rings. Conventionally these rings are seated in annular grooves provided in the shaft behind the turbine wheel. Problems can arise with this conventional shaft seal arrangement, particularly where the turbocharged engine has an engine brake valve located downstream of the turbine, and the back pressure in the exhaust line, and thus in the turbine wheel housing, can reach 7 bar. The inventive shaft seal design avoids grooves, and makes it possible to assemble a seal with ring seals with higher wear resistance and thus to maintain the seal's effectiveness over heavy use.

Abstract: The propensity for oil leakage around the clearance seals of a rotating turbocharger assembly can be minimized by the addition of a variety of sealing systems using an externally pressurized cavity formed between the backface of the compressor wheel and the bearing housing. In one implementation, a pressure plate can be provided. In another embodiment, labyrinth seals can be provided. In addition to these various sealing arrangements, external pressurized air or internally supplied charge air can be selectively supplied to the space behind the pressure plate or labyrinth seal to maintain an inward directed pressure gradient across the seal interface regardless of operating conditions.

Abstract: To solve both axial and rotational constraint problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), a REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allowing for an oil damping film. At the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially and rotationally, so that the outer race does not rotate relative to the bearing housing. This dual purpose is achieved using a special dual-mode sliding clip with at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the bearing housing and at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the REB cartridge, thereby axially locating the REB cartridge and preventing rotation of the outer race.

Abstract: To solve both axial and rotational constraint problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), a REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allowing for an oil damping film. At the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially and rotationally, so that the outer race does not rotate relative to the bearing housing. This dual purpose is achieved using a special dual-mode spring clip with at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the bearing housing and at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the REB cartridge, thereby axially locating the REB cartridge and preventing rotation of the outer race.

Abstract: To solve heat soak and reduced heat rejection capability problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), the REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allows for an oil damping film, but, at the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially, to transfer thrust loads to the bearing housing, and rotationally, so that the REB cartridge does not rotate relative to the bearing housing, using male or female features in the REB and corresponding female or male features associated with the bearing bore or the turbine face of the bearing housing closure.

Abstract: A turbocharger using a high speed rolling element bearing system is improved in desired speed and life by providing an insulating spacer, with a thermal conductivity lower than that of the material in the inner race of the REB, between the turbine-end of the inner race of the bearing system and the compressor-end face of the piston ring boss to impede the flow of heat from the turbine wheel to the inner race of the rolling element bearing.

Abstract: A turbocharger uses a high speed rolling element bearing system. An exemplary rolling element bearing system includes a polymer sleeve to impede the flow of heat from the bearing housing into the outer race of the rolling element bearing system. In a second embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is supported by an oil film. In a third embodiment of the invention, the bearing cartridge is damped by a damping medium which also connects the bearing cartridge to the bearing housing.

Abstract: Radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management systems, apparatus, and methods are described. One implementation includes a wireless communication component and a controller that is integrated into the radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit. The controller is configured to obtain operational values of a luminaire driver or a luminaire. The controller is further configured to provide the obtained operational values to the wireless communication component for transmission.

Abstract: LED lighting fixtures, or luminaires, related components, driver circuit, methods, and software/firmware are described that can provide for among other things, ambient environment sensing, thermal self-monitoring, sensor-based power management, communications, and/or programmability. Driver and lighting circuits configured for electrical loads such as series arrangements of light emitting diodes are also described. Embodiments of PFC stages and driver stages can be combined for use as a power supply, and may be configured on a common circuit board. Power factor correction and driver circuits can be combined with one or more lighting elements as a lighting apparatus. Methods of hysteretic power factor correction start-up are also described.

Abstract: A turbocharger thrust bearing assembly, which maintains a constant relationship between the thrust faces, for example by use of gimbal or spherical segment geometry. Spherical geometry, while more difficult to manufacture than that of a flat thrust bearing, provides a more constant relationship between the thrust pads and thrust washers than is possible with a typical flat thrust bearing. As a consequence of this more constant relationship the thrust bearing operates with less oil flow, which ultimately may reduce vehicle emissions.

Abstract: To solve both axial and rotational constraint problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), a REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allowing for an oil damping film. At the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially and rotationally, so that the outer race does not rotate relative to the bearing housing. This dual purpose is achieved using a special dual mode spring clip with at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the bearing housing and at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the REB cartridge, thereby axially locating the REB cartridge and preventing rotation of the outer race.

Abstract: To solve both axial and rotational constraint problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), a REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allowing for an oil damping film At the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially and rotationally, so that the outer race does not rotate relative to the bearing housing. This dual purpose is achieved using a special dual mode sliding clip with at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the bearing housing and at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the REB cartridge, thereby axially locating the REB cartridge and preventing rotation of the outer race.

Abstract: A turbocharger uses a high speed rolling element bearing system. An exemplary rolling element bearing system includes a polymer sleeve to impede the flow of heat from the bearing housing into the outer race of the rolling element bearing system. In a second embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is supported by an oil film. In a third embodiment of the invention, the bearing cartridge is damped by a damping medium which also connects the bearing cartridge to the bearing housing.

Abstract: To solve heat soak and reduced heat rejection capability problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), the REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allows for an oil damping film, but, at the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially, to transfer thrust loads to the bearing housing, and rotationally, so that the REB cartridge does not rotate relative to the bearing housing, using male or female features in the REB and corresponding female or male features associated with the bearing bore or the turbine face of the bearing housing closure.

Abstract: A turbocharger using a high speed rolling element bearing system is improved in desired speed and life by providing an insulating spacer, with a thermal conductivity lower than that of the material in the inner race of the REB, between the turbine-end of the inner race of the bearing system and the compressor-end face of the piston ring boss to impede the flow of heat from the turbine wheel to the inner race of the rolling element bearing.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a polymer or ceramic polymer capacitor, of various sizes and voltage ratings. The fabrication equipment deposits a polymer or ceramic polymer dielectric layer on a carrier substrate with the electrode structure of the capacitor previously deposited on its surface. The sheet is often then fabricated into a capacitor by rolling into an axial style or the sheet is cut and stacked into a rectangular type. An alternate arrangement of the fabrication process has additional electrode layers deposited alternating with dielectric layers in continuous process until the desired number of layers is achieved. At that point the sheet is cut to form capacitors of a rectangular form.

Abstract: Power factor correction and driver circuits and stages are described. More particularly, power factor correction circuits are described that utilize an auxiliary inductor winding for power regulation. Driver circuits configured for electrical loads such as series arrangements of light emitting diodes are also described. An exemplary embodiment of a driver circuit can implement a comparator and/or a voltage regulator to allow for improved output current uniformity for high-voltage applications and loads, such as series configurations of LEDs. Embodiments of PFC stages and driver stages can be combined for use as a power supply, and may be configured on a common circuit board. Power factor correction and driver circuits can be combined with one or more lighting elements as a lighting apparatus.

Abstract: Power factor correction and driver circuits and stages are described. More particularly, power factor correction circuits are described that utilize an auxiliary inductor winding for power regulation. Driver circuits configured for electrical loads such as series arrangements of light emitting diodes are also described. An exemplary embodiment of a driver circuit can implement a comparator and/or a voltage regulator to allow for improved output current uniformity for high-voltage applications and loads, such as series configurations of LEDs. Embodiments of PFC stages and driver stages can be combined for use as a power supply, and may be configured on a common circuit board. Power factor correction and driver circuits can be combined with one or more lighting elements as a lighting apparatus.