Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of operating internal combustion (IC) engines by combusting various fuel chemistries therein. Specifically, engines described herein can operate a wide range of fuel chemistries with varying molecular formulas. The chemical compositions of the fuels described herein make them more difficult to ignite than long chain hydrocarbons (i.e., fuels that include 6 or more carbon atoms in a molecule). In some embodiments, engines described herein can combust fuels that have the chemical properties of alcohols. In some embodiments, engines described herein can combust fuels that include hydroxide groups. Examples of such fuels include methanol and/or ethanol. In some embodiments, engines described herein can combust natural gas. These fuel chemistries are difficult to ignite, particularly at low temperatures and during initial engine startup. Systems and methods described herein address these ignition difficulties, particularly in diesel engine architectures.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to systems and methods of operating internal combustion (IC) engines, and more specifically to systems and methods of starting compression ignition (CI) engines when the surrounding environment is significantly colder than the normal operating temperature of the engine (i.e., “cold-starting”). In some embodiments, the CI engine can include an ignition-assist device. In some embodiments, a method of operating a CI engine during cold-start can include opening an intake valve to draw a volume of air into the combustion chamber, moving a piston from a bottom-dead-center position to a top-dead-center position in a combustion chamber at a compression ratio of between about 15 and about 25, injecting a volume of fuel, the fuel having a cetane number of less than about 30, closing the intake valve, and combusting substantially all of the volume of fuel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for utilizing profile information to set and maintain general and applications settings. In architecture, the system includes a computer device for performing the operation. The computer device comprises an operation module that determines an operation type and a setting module that determines the set of setting to perform the operation on the computer device. Moreover, the computer device further comprises an acquisition module that acquires the set of setting to perform the operation on the computer device. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for utilizing profile information to set and maintain general and applications settings. The method operates by (1) determining the operation on the computer device; (2) determining the set of setting to perform the operation on the computer device; and (3) acquiring the set of setting to perform the operation on the computer device.

Abstract: A Internet forwarding method, related system and related devices to be used for forwarding internet packets from a host connected to an internet towards a destination host connected to a private internet network and vice versa, where an internet network and a private internet network are coupled through at least one edge router, and where the destination host is assigned a global Internet address, and wherein the forwarding of the internet packets from one of at least one edge router towards the destination host and vice versa, is based only on the global internet address.

Abstract: A network contains at least two hosts, coupled to a network, a first and a second host. Besides these hosts there is a name system and an access node, both connected to the internet network. If the first host wants to contact the second host, this first host will request the name system for the Internet address. The name system will search, based on the host name of the second host for the Internet address of this host. If this second host is not active, the name server requests the access node to establish a connection between this access node and the second host. The access node will also assign then an internet address to this second host. Subsequently the access node will forward the assigned internet address of the second host to the name system which on its turn will forward the assigned internet address to the requesting, first host. Now, by using the assigned internet address, the first host is able to contact the second host.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump, which provides a relatively rigid tubular body (2); a contained substantially tubular elastic element (1), with an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of the body and statically sealed to the ends of the body (2), and a mechanism which may consist wholly of rigid members for intermittently expanding the entire periphery of radial sections of the element up to the whole of the inside diameter of the body in axial sequence between two ports (4) therein. A torus-like pumping chamber (3), fully sealed in all three dimensions, is thus created, which, in operation, progresses axially between the ports, transporting fluid trapped within it from one to the other.

Abstract: A surface treatment for a class of metallic articles is described. The treatment involves the melting of a thin surface layer of the article by a concentrated energy source, within a narrow set of parameters. The melting step is performed in a manner which maximizes the temperature gradient between the melted and unmelted portion of the article, consequently, cooling and solidification upon the removal of the energy source is extremely rapid and can produce unique microstructures. The preferred energy source is a continuous wave laser, and in the preferred embodiment, a flowing inert gas cover is used to minimize melt contamination and plasma formation. The technique may be used to produce amorphous surface layers in a specific class of eutectic alloys. In another class of alloys, based on the transition metals and containing precipitates rich in one or more metalloids, uniquely fine microstructures may be produced.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus suitable for shifting the plates of a plate filter press. The apparatus comprises supporting means for supporting the apparatus so that it can be moved longitudinally of the plate filter press, and a manually-operable, power-drivable device including first and second members capable of engaging plates of the plate filter press and movable relative to one another by a source of power along a line of action which, when the apparatus is in use is parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the plate filter press. The arrangement is such that, in use, the device can be rotated or swung in order to bring the first and second members into and out of engagement with plates of the plate filter press and, when in engagement with plates of the plate filter press, the device can be operated to cause movement of the first and second members relative to one another and hence movement of one or more plates of the plate filter press.

Abstract: Coatings are described which are particularly suited for the protection of nickel and cobalt superalloy articles at elevated temperatures. The protective nature of the coatings is due to the formation of an alumina layer on the surface of the coating which serves to reduce oxidation/corrosion. The coatings contain aluminum, chromium, and one metal chosen from the group consisting of nickel and cobalt or mixtures thereof. The coatings further contain a small controlled percentage of hafnium which serves to greatly improve the adherence and durability of the protective alumina film on the surface of the coating.

Abstract: A method for mixing liquids and solids to form a mixture, and preferably nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizers in which the liquid is introduced tangentially into a mixer to establish a continuous vortex and the solids in the form of a stream are deflected from the central portion of the vortex to form a mixture of the solids with the liquid. The means for deflecting the solids into the vortex may be mechanical or a corona discharge electrode.

Abstract: Coatings are described which are particularly suited for the protection of nickel and cobalt superalloy articles at elevated temperatures. The protective nature of the coatings is due to the formation of an alumina layer on the surface of the coating which serves to reduce oxidation/corrosion. The coatings contain aluminum, chromium, and one metal chosen from the group consisting of nickel and cobalt or mixtures thereof. The coatings further contain a small controlled percentage of hafnium which serves to greatly improve the adherence and durability of the protective alumina film on the surface of the coating.