Abstract: A method of forming a thermoelectric device may include providing a substrate having a surface, and thermally coupling a thermoelectric p-n couple to a first portion of the surface of a substrate. Moreover, the thermoelectric p-n couple may include a p-type thermoelectric element and an n-type thermoelectric element. In addition, a thermally conductive field layer may be formed on a second portion of the surface of the substrate adjacent the first portion of the surface of the substrate. Related structures are also discussed.

Abstract: A packing nut assembly for a control valve having a valve body and a valve stem includes a packing box arranged for operative coupling to the valve body and having a primary bore sized to receive the valve stem and first and second counterbores. The first counterbore is sized to receive valve packing and the second counterbore includes internal threads. A packing nut having a central bore is sized to receive the valve stem and includes a threaded outer surface positioned to engage the second counterbore of the packing box. The packing nut includes an adjustment surface positioned to face the first counterbore, and includes an adjustment head having a plurality of tool-receiving apertures sized to receive an adjustment tool.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermoelectric device may include forming a pattern of conductive traces, and forming an electrically insulating matrix between the conductive traces of the pattern of conductive traces. In addition, a plurality of thermoelectric elements may be electrically and mechanically coupled to the pattern of conductive traces so that each conductive trace of the pattern of conductive traces has one of the plurality of thermoelectric elements thereon. In addition, the plurality of thermoelectric elements may be free of the electrically insulating matrix. Related methods and structures are also discussed.

Abstract: Universal fluid valve body apparatus and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example fluid control valve body includes opposing first and second openings and opposing third and fourth openings. Each of the third and fourth openings is disposed at a respective angle to at least one of the first and second openings and one of the third and fourth openings is configured to enable the fluid control valve body to be mounted directly to a vessel.

Abstract: In July of 2004 KTH Racing will attend at the Formula Student event in England. The Formula Student event is a competition between schools that has built their own formula style race cars according to the Formula SAE rules. In January of 2004 the Formula Student project started at KTH involving over seventy students. The aim of this thesis work is to design the suspension and steering geometry for the race car being built. The design shall meet the demands caused by the different events in the competition. The design presented here will then be implemented into the chassis being built by students participating in the project. Results from this thesis work shows that the most suitible design of the suspension is a classical unequal length double A-arm design. This suspension type is easy to design and meets all demands. This thesis work is written in such a way that it can be used as a guidebook when designing the suspension and steering geometries of future Formula Student projects at KTH.

Abstract: A control valve of the ball type with bi-directional shutoff capabilities is disclosed. The ball valve including an inlet and an outlet, a ball element and a seal assembly. When closing the valve, the ball element, which is eccentrically mounted on a shaft, rotates to abut the seal assembly. While closed, the seal assembly including a seal housing, a main seal and a resilient member, contacts the ball element at the main seal, while the resilient member biases the main seal toward the ball element. The seal assembly further includes a secondary flowpath between the main seal and seal housing, which is restricted by a high temperature seal.

Abstract: A control valve having a seat ring assembly constructed from a unitary piece of material is disclosed. The seat ring assembly may include a base which serves as a valve seat for the valve plug of the valve, and which includes a plurality of exterior threads adapted to rotatably attach to a plurality of interior threads provided within the valve body. The seat ring assembly may also include a post-guided bearing surface to maintain alignment of the valve plug to the valve seat. The seat ring assembly can be secured to the valve body simply by threadably attaching the elements. Moreover, by providing the valve seat and the guide surface as integral parts of the seat ring assembly, manufacturing costs and maintenance requirements are reduced and subsequent seal leak performance is increased.

Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a first frame having a first aperture therein, a second frame suspended in the first frame wherein the second frame has a second aperture therein, and a plate suspended in the second aperture. A first pair of beams support the second frame along a first axis relative to the first frame so that the second frame rotates about the first axis. A second pair of beams supports the plate along a second axis relative to the second frame so that the plate rotates about the second axis relative to the frame. The first and second axes preferably intersect at a 90° angle. A first actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the second frame relative to the first frame about the first axis. A second actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the plate relative to the second frame about the second axis. Accordingly, the plate can be independently rotated relative to the first axis and the second axis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a first frame having a first aperture therein, a second frame suspended in the first frame wherein the second frame has a second aperture therein, and a plate suspended in the second aperture. A first pair of beams support the second frame along a first axis relative to the first frame so that the second frame rotates about the first axis. A second pair of beams supports the plate along a second axis relative to the second frame so that the plate rotates about the second axis relative to the frame. The first and second axes preferably intersect at a 90° angle. A first actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the second frame relative to the first frame about the first axis. A second actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the plate relative to the second frame about the second axis. Accordingly, the plate can be independently rotated relative to the first axis and the second axis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a first frame having a first aperture therein, a second frame suspended in the first frame wherein the second frame has a second aperture therein, and a plate suspended in the second aperture. A first pair of beams support the second frame along a first axis relative to the first frame so that the second frame rotates about the first axis. A second pair of beams supports the plate along a second axis relative to the second frame so that the plate rotates about the second axis relative to the frame. The first and second axes preferably intersect at a 90.degree. angle. A first actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the second frame relative to the first frame about the first axis. A second actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the plate relative to the second frame about the second axis. Accordingly, the plate can be independently rotated relative to the first axis and the second axis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a first frame having a first aperture therein, a second frame suspended in the first frame wherein the second frame has a second aperture therein, and a plate suspended in the second aperture. A first pair of beams support the second frame along a first axis relative to the first frame so that the second frame rotates about the first axis. A second pair of beams supports the plate along a second axis relative to the second frame so that the plate rotates about the second axis relative to the frame. The first and second axes preferably intersect at a 90.degree. angle. A first actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the second frame relative to the first frame about the first axis. A second actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the plate relative to the second frame about the second axis. Accordingly, the plate can be independently rotated relative to the first axis and the second axis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a first frame having a first aperture therein, a second frame suspended in the first frame wherein the second frame has a second aperture therein, and a plate suspended in the second aperture. A first pair of beams support the second frame along a first axis relative to the first frame so that the second frame rotates about the first axis. A second pair of beams supports the plate along a second axis relative to the second frame so that the plate rotates about the second axis relative to the frame. The first and second axes preferably intersect at a 90.degree. angle. A first actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the second frame relative to the first frame about the first axis. A second actuator provides mechanical force for rotating the plate relative to the second frame about the second axis. Accordingly, the plate can be independently rotated relative to the first axis and the second axis. Related methods are also disclosed.