Abstract: A power triad of an umbilical may be rotated during multiple transition lengths to position each power cable of the power triad equally at radial orientation over the length of the umbilical. A first portion of the umbilical includes the triad in a first radial orientation, a second portion of the umbilical includes the triad in a second radial orientation, and a third portion of the umbilical includes the triad in a third radial orientation. The triad is rotated a first one hundred twenty degrees from the first radial orientation to the second radial orientation during a first transition length. The triad is rotated a second one hundred twenty degrees from the second radial orientation to the third radial orientation during a second transition length. The use of three radial orientations along the length of the umbilical may reduce imbalances between the power cables of the triad.

Abstract: A power triad of an umbilical may be rotated during multiple transition lengths to position each power cable of the power triad equally at radial orientation over the length of the umbilical. A first portion of the umbilical includes the triad in a first radial orientation, a second portion of the umbilical includes the triad in a second radial orientation, and a third portion of the umbilical includes the triad in a third radial orientation. The triad is rotated a first one hundred twenty degrees from the first radial orientation to the second radial orientation during a first transition length. The triad is rotated a second one hundred twenty degrees from the second radial orientation to the third radial orientation during a second transition length. The use of three radial orientations along the length of the umbilical may reduce imbalances between the power cables of the triad.

Abstract: A method for detecting leaks in a plugged honeycomb structure includes directing a gas at a first end face of the honeycomb structure at a temperature that is different from a temperature of the honeycomb structure and observing a temperature distribution at a second end face of the honeycomb substrate using an infrared detector, wherein the gas directed at the first end face of the honeycomb structure emerges preferentially at the second end face of the honeycomb structure at locations where the cells in the honeycomb structure are defective and appear as thermal spots in the temperature distribution.

Abstract: A ceramic comprising predominately a cordierite-type phase approximating the stoichiometry Mg2Al4Si5O18 and having a coefficient of thermal expansion (25-800° C.) of greater than 4×10−7/° C. and less than 13×10−7/° C. and a permeability and a pore size distribution which satisfy the relation 2.108 (permeability)+18.511 (total pore volume)+0.1863 (percentage of total pore volume comprised of pores between 4 and 40 micrometers)>24.6. The ceramic is suitable in the fabrication of cellular, wall-flow, diesel particulate filters having a pressure drop in kPa that at an artificial carbon soot loading of 5 grams/liter and a flow rate of 26 scfm is less than 8.9−0.035 (number of cells per square inch)+300 (cell wall thickness in inches), a bulk filter density of at least 0.60 g/cm3 and a volumetric heat capacity of at least 0.67 J cm−3 K−1 as measured at 500° C.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure for a diesel engine or an automotive engine where the wall thickness is varied in a controlled manner from the front surface to the back of the honeycomb. One example is grading the web thickness continuously from thin webs on the front of the DPF to thick webs on the back of the DPF. Another example is to make a two layer honeycomb with thinner walls and/or perhaps even lower cell density on the upstream side of the honeycomb. This provides a lower thermal mass front while retaining the thicker webs and higher thermal mass at the back of the honeycomb. The honeycomb structure has a thermal mass or heat capacity ranging from above 8.5×10−3cal/cubic cm-K to below 0.25 cal/cubic cm-K along an axis from the inlet end to the outlet end.

Abstract: A ceramic filter which includes a plurality of end-plugged honeycomb structures which in combination act to trap and combust diesel exhaust particulates. The exhaust gas flows substantially equally through the end-plugged honeycombs. Preferably the ceramic filter includes two end-plugged honeycomb structures composed of a plurality of alternatingly end-plugged cell channels extending from an inlet face to an outlet face. The end-plugged honeycomb structures are arranged either parallel or perpendicular to the flow of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A replaceable gravity-flow cyst-reducing water filter cartridge for placement in a water filter carafe, comprising a filter cartridge housing with a cap having a plurality of untreated water inlet ports, wherein the cap is sealingly attached to a top rim of the housing. The filter housing further comprises a gooseneck conduit that is connected to a lower region of the filter housing, with the gooseneck conduit having at one end a treated water outlet port that opens into a side surface of the filter housing. The filter housing also includes a packed bed of ion-exchange resin that is disposed in an upper region of the filter housing and a high surface area cyst-reducing filter element that is disposed in the lower region of the filter housing. The filter element provides at least 99.95% removal of 3-4 &mgr;m particles when tested in accordance with NSF standard 53, Drinking Water Treatment Units—Health Effects (September 1997).

Abstract: A ceramic filter which includes a plurality of end-plugged honeycomb structures which in combination act to trap and combust diesel exhaust particulates. The exhaust gas flows substantially equally through the end-plugged honeycombs. Preferably the ceramic filter includes two end-plugged honeycomb structures composed of a plurality of alternatingly end-plugged cell channels extending from an inlet face to an outlet face. The end-plugged honeycomb structures are arranged either parallel or perpendicular to the flow of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A process for making a honeycomb article having longitudinal channels extending from one face to a second face supporting a uniform coating of activated carbon on the channel walls, the process comprising the step of providing a solid heat-activated oxidant within the channels and heating the article to release the oxidant and uniformly activate the carbon coating.

Abstract: A ceramic comprising predominately a cordierite-type phase approximating the stoichiometry Mg2Al4Si5O18 and having a coefficient of thermal expansion (25-800° C.) of greater than 4×10−7/° C. and less than 13×10−7/° C. and a permeability and a pore size distribution which satisfy the relation 2.108 (permeability)+18.511 (total pore volume)+0.1863 (percentage of total pore volume comprised of pores between 4 and 40 micrometers)>24.6. The ceramic is suitable in the fabrication of cellular, wall-flow, diesel particulate filters having a pressure drop in kPa that at an artificial carbon soot loading of 5 grams/liter and a flow rate of 26 scfm is less than 8.9−0.035 (number of cells per square inch)+300 (cell wall thickness in inches), a bulk filter density of at least 0.60 g/cm3 and a volumetric heat capacity of at least 0.67 J cm−3 K−1 as measured at 500° C.

Abstract: A preform for a z-flow honeycomb filter is formed by a pressing process wherein a batch charge is shaped in a press into a preform of finished plug-and-channel configuration, the shaped preform comprising opposing overlapping arrays of closed-end inlet and outlet channels wherein the end closures consist of bridging segments of batch material connected in continuous (seamless) or uninterrupted fashion with the adjoining channel walls.

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon and method of making involves forming a mixture of a high carbon-yielding carbon precursor that when carbonized yields greater than about 40% carbon on a cured basis, and an additive that can be catalyst metal and/or low carbon-yielding carbon precursor that when carbonized yields no greater than about 40% by weight carbon on a cured basis. When a catalyst metal is used, the amount of catalyst metal after the subsequent carbonization step is no greater than about 1 wt. % based on the carbon. The mixture is cured, and the carbon precursors are carbonized and activated to produce mesoporous activated carbon.

Abstract: Porous sintered ceramic materials having mullite as its primary phase and a method for producing them. The method includes preparing a plasticizable raw material mixture comprised, by weight, of 75 to 99% pre-reacted mullite powder, and 1.0 to 25% of a water-swelling clay, adding an organic binder system to the mixture and mixing the mixture to form an extrudable mixture, and extruding the mixture to form a substrate of the desired configuration. The green body is dried and fired for a time and at temperature sufficient to form a sintered mullite structure having a narrow through-pore size distribution comprised of pores exhibiting an average intrusion-pore size of between about 2-15 &mgr;m, and a total intrusion porosity, as measured by Hg intrusion method, of at least 30%.

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon and method of making involves forming a mixture of a high carbon-yielding carbon precursor that when carbonized yields greater than about 40% carbon on a cured basis, and an additive that can be catalyst metal and/or low carbon-yielding carbon precursor that when carbonized yields no greater than about 40% by weight carbon on a cured basis. When a catalyst metal is used, the amount of catalyst metal after the subsequent carbonization step is no greater than about 1 wt. % based on the carbon. The mixture is cured, and the carbon precursors are carbonized and activated to produce mesoporous activated carbon.

Abstract: A porous ceramic filter offering both increased thermal mass and controlled exhaust flow performance for the filtration of particulates from diesel exhaust gases includes a wall-flow honeycomb filter body incorporating a plurality of parallel end-plugged cell channels traversing the body from filter inlet to filter outlet, the wall thickness, cell density, and outer dimensions of the honeycomb being selected to provide a honeycomb bulk density of at least about 0.50 grams/cm3 and an effective honeycomb length-to-diameter aspect ratio not exceeding about 0.9.

Abstract: A gravity-flow water filter cartridge for use in a drinking water carafe or the like includes a high-surface area cyst reduction filter element disposed in a water-retaining reservoir within the cartridge; the reservoir retains sufficient water between filtering and during dispensing cycles to maintain the filter element in a fully immersed state, whereby the primed (air-free) condition of the filter necessary for fast gravity flow at high cyst reduction efficiency is maintained.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed at an apparatus for removing VOC's from an exhaust gas stream comprised of the following: a heatable adsorber located in the exhaust stream capable of desorption; and, an oxidizer structure having a lightoff temperature and located in the exhaust stream downstream from the adsorber structure. One particular embodiment of the apparatus comprises the following two elements: (1) a resistively heatable adsorber possessing an activated carbon phase located in the exhaust stream and having a desorption temperature; and, (2) an electrically heatable catalyst structure having a lightoff temperature and located in the exhaust stream downstream from the adsorber structure.The method enabled as a result of the development of the aforementioned apparatus, i.e.

Abstract: A regeneratable adsorber for adsorbing adsorbable contaminates from a fluid stream containing same is disclosed. The adsorber includes an adsorber housing in which there is a fluid stream inlet and a fluid stream outlet. The adsorber also includes a plurality of adsorber chambers which are arranged in an indexable wheel configuration. Each chamber includes an electrically conductive adsorbent, such as a monolithic activated carbon, a set of electrical conductors in contact with the adsorbent, and an inlet and outlet. A chamber is either in contact with a source of contaminate fluid or a desorbent fluid used to regenerate the adsorber. The adsorber includes selectively indexed chambers for adsorption or desorption to provide continuous contaminate adsorption and regeneration.

Abstract: A method is presented for uniformly heating plastically deformable material, which comprises particles of electrically conducting matter. This method comprises inducing an electric current, or causing hysteresis loss within such material, by using electromagnetic radiation with frequency between about 50 Hertz and about 10 MegaHertz, to cause heating of the material.

Abstract: A ceramic comprising predominately a cordierite-type phase approximating the stoichiometry Mg2Al4Si5O18 and having a coefficient of thermal expansion (25-800° C.) of greater than 4×10?7/° C. and less than 13×10?7/° C. and a permeability and a pore size distribution which satisfy the relation 2.108 (permeability)+18.511 (total pore volume)+0.1863 (percentage of total pore volume comprised of pores between 4 and 40 micrometers)>24.6. The ceramic is suitable in the fabrication of cellular, wall-flow, diesel particulate filters having a pressure drop in kPa that at an artificial carbon soot loading of 5 grams/liter and a flow rate of 26 scfm is less than 8.9-0.035 (number of cells per square inch)+300 (cell wall thickness in inches), a bulk filter density of at least 0.60 g/cm3 and a volumetric heat capacity of at least 0.67 J cm?3 K?1 as measured at 500° C.