Abstract: A simulator for a switched electronic power converter circuit feeding a load/device uses a modified FAMNM solver. Provided is a method/system for reducing/eliminating spurious power losses and transients inherently caused by the FAMNM solver using an L/C element approach, wherein a switching device in the ‘on’ state is featured as an inductor L, and a switching device that is in the ‘off’ state is featured as either a capacitance C or series-connected resistance and capacitance R-C. The invention uses cross-initialization of the L/C switching elements to their final state of current and voltage when they change their conduction state. The correct cross-initialization is enabled from optional pre-stored tables of events and the system-states at the time of the cross-initialization. The inventive method is an enhancement over known Dommel and Pejovic type FAMNM solvers. The simulator applies to real-time or non-real time simulators and is suitable for all power converter topologies.

Abstract: There are provided methods for detecting at least one odor in a gas sample. For example, such a method can comprise passing a gas sample into a thermal conditioning chamber or unit so as to control the temperature of the gas sample; dividing the gas sample into a plurality of portions and contacting each of the portions together with a different gas sensor. There is also provided an apparatus for detecting an odor that comprises a thermal conditioning unit adapted to control the temperature of a gas sample; a divider adapted to divide the gas sample into a plurality of gas portions; and a plurality of gas sensors disposed adjacently to the divider, each of the sensors being adapted to receive a portion of the gas sample in order to analyze it.

Abstract: Implementations of the accessory and associated methods allow for excavation of a ditch, wherein rotating grating means are used for expelling rubble and form a ditch. The accessory includes grating means which are moved with respect to the ditch to ensure contacting of the grating means with the road and alignment of a rotation axis of the grating means with the ditch axis. The ditch is progressively excavated when the grating means are rotated and displaced along the ditch axis. The grating means may be connectable to a mobile device through an arm assembly configured to controllably move the grating means from the mobile device. The accessory may be used for connection to a mining device for excavating the ditch along the road of an underground mining tunnel.

Abstract: A simulator for a switched electronic power converter circuit feeding a load/device uses a modified FAMNM solver. Provided is a method/system for reducing/eliminating spurious power losses and transients inherently caused by the FAMNM solver using an L/C element approach, wherein a switching device in the ‘on’ state is featured as an inductor L, and a switching device that is in the ‘off’ state is featured as either a capacitance C or series-connected resistance and capacitance R-C. The invention uses cross-initialization of the L/C switching elements to their final state of current and voltage when they change their conduction state. The correct cross-initialization is enabled from optional pre-stored tables of events and the system-states at the time of the cross-initialization. The inventive method is an enhancement over known Dommel and Pejovic type FAMNM solvers. The simulator applies to real-time or non-real time simulators and is suitable for all power converter topologies.

Abstract: There are provided methods for detecting at least one odor in a gas sample. For example, such a method can comprise passing a gas sample into a thermal conditioning chamber or unit so as to control the temperature of the gas sample; dividing the gas sample into a plurality of portions and contacting each of the portions together with a different gas sensor. There is also provided an apparatus for detecting an odor that comprises a thermal conditioning unit adapted to control the temperature of a gas sample; a divider adapted to divide the gas sample into a plurality of gas portions; and a plurality of gas sensors disposed adjacently to the divider, each of the sensors being adapted to receive a portion of the gas sample in order to analyze it.

Abstract: A system for the inspection of the optical quality of a part, object or product having a portion comprising transparent material such as ophthalmologic lenses, protective eyewear, visors, eyewear shield and the like is provided. A liquid crystal display (LCD) screen emits variable patterns of light through the transparent part under inspection to a charged coupled device (CCD) camera that captures the image and transmits the image data to an image processing module. The processed image data are then transmitted to an analysis module which then generally measures the dimensions of the part, the transparency, the colour and the optical strength. The analysis module also advantageously detects and measures the presence of dots, stains, scratches, optical distortions, fingerprints, cloudiness and other optical artefacts and/or defects in the transparent material. Accordingly, the patterns emitted by the LCD screen are designed to measure the optical specifications and highlight potential optical defects.

Abstract: An optical fiber winding tool for winding a strip of optical fiber. The optical fiber winding tool having a guiding body defining a guiding recess. A fiber inlet aperture extends into the guiding recess for allowing the slideable insertion of the strip of optical fiber thereinto. The recess peripheral wall is configured and sized such that as the strip of optical fiber is inserted through the fiber inlet aperture, a recess peripheral surface abuttingly guides the optical fiber strip into a generally parabolic configuration that sweeps against the recess peripheral surface while the optical fiber winds into a coil. The optical fiber winding tool is mountable over a flat surface with the peripheral edge of the guiding recess abuttingly contacting the supporting surface. A driving assembly is optionally provided for driving the strip of fiber into the guiding recess.

Abstract: An optical fiber winding tool for winding a strip of optical fiber. The optical fiber winding tool having a guiding body defining a guiding recess. A fiber inlet aperture extends into the guiding recess for allowing the slideable insertion of the strip of optical fiber thereinto. The recess peripheral wall is configured and sized such that as the strip of optical fiber is inserted through the fiber inlet aperture, a recess peripheral surface abuttingly guides the optical fiber strip into a generally parabolic configuration that sweeps against the recess peripheral surface while the optical fiber winds into a coil. The optical fiber winding tool is mountable over a flat surface with the peripheral edge of the guiding recess abuttingly contacting the supporting surface. A driving assembly is optionally provided for driving the strip of fiber into the guiding recess.