Abstract: Methods and systems are for determining the concentration of a chemical species in an analyte solution. At least one train of segments are injected into a microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end, each train of segments having segments of analyte solution and segments of sensing solution which are immiscible with the segments of analyte solution. The train of segments is circulated from the first end to the second end of the microfluidic channel such that a reversible chemical exchange is established between the chemical species of each segment of analyte solution and a chemical indicator of the at least one contacting segment of sensing solution. The response of the chemical indicator is measured at the second end of the microfluidic channel and the concentration of the chemical species in the analyte solution is determined based on the response.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a housing and a rotor with a shaft that is housed within the housing. The turbocharger also includes a bearing structure that supports rotation of the shaft within the housing and a locating fastener that retains the bearing structure in a position relative to the housing. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a heating system coupled to the locating fastener and that is configured for selectively heating the locating fastener.

Abstract: Needle assemblies and analysis systems for collection and optical interrogation of a biological sample is provide. The needle assembly includes a needle hub and a needle tip. A shaft portion extends between the needle hub and the needle tip. The shaft portion includes a cavity extending from the needle hub to the needle tip. The cavity includes a sample-receiving region opened at the needle tip. In some embodiments, the shaft portion includes a cladding structure surrounding the cavity and configured for longitudinal light guidance. In other embodiments, the shaft portion includes an optical window in line-of-sight alignment with the sample-receiving region. The needle assembly may advantageously be used to collect, within the sample receiving region, a biological sample from a biological medium and perform an optical interrogation of this sample directly in the needle assembly.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a housing and a rotor with a shaft that is housed within the housing. The turbocharger also includes a bearing structure that supports rotation of the shaft within the housing and a locating fastener that retains the bearing structure in a position relative to the housing. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a heating system coupled to the locating fastener and that is configured for selectively heating the locating fastener.

Abstract: An assembly can include an exhaust gas turbine housing that includes an inner wall and an outer wall that define a first exhaust gas channel and a second exhaust gas channel to a turbine wheel space where the inner wall includes an inner wall end at the turbine wheel space and the outer wall includes an outer wall end at the turbine wheel space; a first adjustable divider vane disposed adjacent to the inner wall end; a second adjustable divider vane disposed adjacent to the outer wall end; and at least one set of adjustable variable geometry nozzle vanes that define nozzle throats that direct flow of exhaust gas from one of the exhaust gas channels to the turbine wheel space.

Abstract: Methods and systems are for determining the concentration of a chemical species in an analyte solution. At least one train of segments are injected into a microfluidic channel having a first end and a second end, each train of segments having segments of analyte solution and segments of sensing solution which are immiscible with the segments of analyte solution. The train of segments is circulated from the first end to the second end of the microfluidic channel such that a reversible chemical exchange is established between the chemical species of each segment of analyte solution and a chemical indicator of the at least one contacting segment of sensing solution. The response of the chemical indicator is measured at the second end of the microfluidic channel and the concentration of the chemical species in the analyte solution is determined based on the response.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a variable turbine nozzle formed between first and second walls. A variable-vane assembly has a fixed nozzle ring and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes disposed in the nozzle and rotatably mounted on the nozzle ring such that the vanes are pivotable. The nozzle ring defines the first wall of the turbine nozzle, each vane having a first end adjacent the first wall and a second end adjacent the second wall. The second wall of the turbine nozzle is formed by a gas pressure-responsive member that is arranged to be axially movable relative to the vanes. A first stop is positioned so that the gas pressure-responsive member is urged against the first stop by a differential gas pressure exerted on the gas pressure-responsive member so that there is a non-zero first value for a clearance between the second ends of the vanes and the second wall of the turbine nozzle.

Abstract: An assembly can include an exhaust gas turbine housing that includes an inner wall and an outer wall that define a first exhaust gas channel and a second exhaust gas channel to a turbine wheel space where the inner wall includes an inner wall end at the turbine wheel space and the outer wall includes an outer wall end at the turbine wheel space; a first adjustable divider vane disposed adjacent to the inner wall end; a second adjustable divider vane disposed adjacent to the outer wall end; and at least one set of adjustable variable geometry nozzle vanes that define nozzle throats that direct flow of exhaust gas from one of the exhaust gas channels to the turbine wheel space.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a variable turbine nozzle formed between first and second walls. A variable-vane assembly has a fixed nozzle ring and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes disposed in the nozzle and rotatably mounted on the nozzle ring such that the vanes are pivotable. The nozzle ring defines the first wall of the turbine nozzle, each vane having a first end adjacent the first wall and a second end adjacent the second wall. The second wall of the turbine nozzle is formed by a gas pressure-responsive member that is arranged to be axially movable relative to the vanes. A first stop is positioned so that the gas pressure-responsive member is urged against the first stop by a differential gas pressure exerted on the gas pressure-responsive member so that there is a non-zero first value for a clearance between the second ends of the vanes and the second wall of the turbine nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of propellant devices and more particularly to the propellant devices used in weapon systems and munitions. The invention has the two advantages of minimizing the risk associated with accidental attack to which propellant devices may be exposed thanks to the filling of the central channel commonly provided along the core of the cylindrical explosive charge and of greatly increasing the effectiveness of these propellant charges by the use of explosive materials having a very high burn rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a safety lighter intended to initiate the combustion of a pyrotechnic device, the lighter including a lighter body (10) having a cylindrical void (12) of axis XX?, and a pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) including pyrotechnic means (70, 74, 30) of initiating the combustion of the pyrotechnic device, the pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) being able to be displaced in the cylindrical void, from a so-called safety position (Ps), providing isolation between the pyrotechnic means of the slide-in module and the pyrotechnic device to be initiated, to a so-called initiation position (Pi), intended to provoke the combustion of the pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of propellant devices and more particularly to the propellant devices used in weapon systems and munitions. The invention has the two advantages of minimizing the risk associated with accidental attack to which propellant devices may be exposed thanks to the filling of the central channel commonly provided along the core of the cylindrical explosive charge and of greatly increasing the effectiveness of these propellant charges by the use of explosive materials having a very high burn rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a safety lighter intended to initiate the combustion of a pyrotechnic device, the lighter including a lighter body (10) having a cylindrical void (12) of axis XX?, and a pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) including pyrotechnic means (70, 74, 30) of initiating the combustion of the pyrotechnic device, the pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) being able to be displaced in the cylindrical void, from a so-called safety position (Ps), providing isolation between the pyrotechnic means of the slide-in module and the pyrotechnic device to be initiated, to a so-called initiation position (Pi), intended to provoke the combustion of the pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: The slapper type initiator comprises essentially: a connector unit (2) having two connection pins (3, 4), a first dielectric foil (5) with two drilled holes (6, 7), with a fuse (8) formed on the rear face of this first dielectric foil, a second dielectric foil (9) on the front face of which there are formed two metal pads (10, 11) facing said holes, a perforated plate (12) and a body (13) containing a pyrotechnic charge 14. The assembly is hermetically sealed. The first foil introduces a galvanic discontinuity that ensures a well-defined firing voltage, with a value high enough to prevent induced parasitic currents.

Abstract: The slapper type initiator comprises essentially: a connector unit (2) having two connection pins (3, 4), a first dielectric foil (5) with two drilled holes (6, 7), with a fuse (8) formed on the rear face of this first dielectric foil, a second dielectric foil (9) on the front face of which there are formed two metal pads (10, 11) facing said holes, a perforated plate (12) and a body (13) containing a pyrotechnic charge 14. The assembly is hermetically sealed. The first foil introduces a galvanic discontinuity that ensures a well-defined firing voltage, with a value high enough to prevent induced parasitic currents.

Abstract: This detonator includes a cylindrical anvil of dielectric material bearing on one face an area of electrical contact and on the other a fusible bridge of which one end is connected to the area of electrical contact via a plugged conducting hole and of which the other end is connected to an annular conducting area around the edge of the anvil. A cylindrical hollow plug is connected to the anvil by a flanged ring soldered to the plug and to the annular conducting area of the anvil. Around this plug is fitted a cylindrical flexible contact part. A closing cylinder is soldered to the plug. Inside the plug are fitted a disk of plastic material, a barrel, and an explosive charge in a case. The assembly is closed by a cap laser welded to the closing cylinder. The invention is applicable to hermetic detonator structures for initiation in particular of warheads, propellors of rockets, missiles or other guided projectiles, or of gas generators.

Abstract: First and second panel members each formed with an elongate slot extending from one edge of the panel member and an enlarged opening into which the slot extends are connected together at an angle by sliding the slot of one of the panel members lengthwise through the slot and opening of the other panel member and into embracing engagement with material of the other panel member beyond the opening therein until the openings of the respective panels are mutually aligned in the lengthwise direction of the slots. A locking key device having substantial rigidity lengthwise of the slots is fitted in the openings when the panels are assembled to prevent their separation. The locking device may be provided in various decorative forms.