Abstract: Various arrangements for determining whether a liquid is in contact with a nebulizer element are disclosed. A nebulizer element may be energized with an electrical signal at a measurement frequency. An impedance of the nebulizer element may be measured, thereby obtaining a measured impedance value. The impedance value may be compared to a stored impedance value. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the liquid contacts the nebulizer element.

Abstract: A turbine exhaust case (TEC) of a turbofan aeroengine includes a mixer for mixing exhaust gases with a bypass air stream, the TEC comprising an annular hub and an annular shroud with the mixer attached to a downstream end of the shroud, the shroud and the mixer surrounding the hub to form an annular exhaust gas duct positioned radially therebetween, a plurality of deswirling struts circumferentially spaced apart with respect to a central axis of the TEC and located within an axial length of the mixer between an upstream end and a downstream end of the mixer, the deswirling struts each having a cambered profile and extending radially across the annular exhaust gas duct and interconnecting the mixer and the hub.

Abstract: An electronically tuneable surface. The surface comprises: a conductive sheet comprising at least one opening; and a biasing circuit. The biasing circuit comprises first and second conductors, separated from the conductive sheet by a dielectric, and arranged at mutually opposing sides of the opening such that each conductor is capacitively coupled to the conductive sheet at the respective side of the opening. The conductors define a gap between them corresponding to the opening. The biasing circuit also comprises an electrical control element bridging the gap, connected to the first and second conductors. When the element is in a first state, the surface exhibits a first frequency transmission characteristic with respect to incident electromagnetic radiation, and when the element is in a second state, the surface exhibits a second, different characteristic.

Abstract: Various arrangements for determining whether a liquid is in contact with a nebulizer element are disclosed. A nebulizer element may be energized with an electrical signal at a measurement frequency. An impedance of the nebulizer element may be measured, thereby obtaining a measured impedance value. The impedance value may be compared to a stored impedance value. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the liquid contacts the nebulizer element.

Abstract: An electronically tuneable surface. The surface comprises: a conductive sheet comprising at least one opening; and a biasing circuit. The biasing circuit comprises first and second conductors, separated from the conductive sheet by a dielectric, and arranged at mutually opposing sides of the opening such that each conductor is capacitively coupled to the conductive sheet at the respective side of the opening. The conductors define a gap between them corresponding to the opening. The biasing circuit also comprises an electrical control element bridging the gap, connected to the first and second conductors. When the element is in a first state, the surface exhibits a first frequency transmission characteristic with respect to incident electromagnetic radiation, and when the element is in a second state, the surface exhibits a second, different characteristic.

Abstract: A valve assembly controller is configured with a table having a set of command signal values representing commanded positions of a valve element to obtain a desired flow rates through a fluid pathway. The table also includes a set of empirically measured drive signal values representing the actual positions of the valve element required to obtain the desired flow rates through the fluid pathway. During operation, in order to obtain a desired flow rate through the fluid pathway, the controller intercepts a command signal from a command signal source and provides the valve assembly with a corresponding drive signal based upon the table values. The controller therefore controls the positioning of the valve element such that the valve element is opened to a position either greater or less than the commanded position in order to provide the desired flow through the fluid pathway.

Abstract: The actuator has a shaft having a starting point resistance feature, and a low resistance portion. The actuator has a motor configured to rotate the shaft, the motor outputting a current feedback signal to indicate current exiting the motor. The actuator has a interference portion in proximity to the shaft, the interference portion configured to facilitate a resistance to shaft rotation when the shaft rotates, the resistance to shaft rotation causing a magnitude of the current signal to be greater when the starting point resistance feature passes in front of the interference portion than when the low resistance portion passes in front of the interference portion.

Abstract: A method includes (a) electronically presenting to a user, graphical or audible representations of two or more possible reactions in a range of a reactions to an occurrence or a proposition, the two or more different graphical or audible representations sharing a common representational concept, (b) enabling the user to indicate a selected reaction to the occurrence or proposition that is within the range, and (c) associating the user's indication with one of the graphical or audible representations.

Abstract: In an AM system directed to commercial broadcasting, a pure unmodulated (CW) carrier signal and two sideband signals are generated and processed separately as three independent signals that are summed as output of a final linear mixer. The sideband signals are derived independently utilizing audio spectrum-sharing based on complementary comb filtering, quadrature phase-shifting at both audio and carrier sideband frequencies, and exclusive alternate toggling at a designated switching rate between the two sidebands so that at any instant in time only one of the two sidebands is present along with the continuous carrier. The overall performance provides the capability of advantageous modulation beyond the conventional 100% modulation limit.

Abstract: A novel laminar flow nozzle for fuel injected racing cars is described herein. One novel feature comprises a narrow angle between converging conduit component channels. These channels, in turn, supply vaporized fuel and nitrous oxide to the main chamber of the nozzle. Another important novel feature is the integral structure of the nozzle; the conduit components, generally rigid and cylindrical in shape, are physical integral components of the nozzle. The result of our invention is a nozzle with a smooth laminar flow of gases which results in less turbulence and greater horsepower.

Abstract: A fan-powered mixing box assembly through which conditioned air is supplied to a plurality of zones is controlled by a programmable fan-box monitor. The assembly comprises a mixing box, a multi-speed fan and a heating element having several stages. The monitor receives data from and transmits data to a plurality of programmable zone thermostats each of which controls a zone via a duct damper through which air enters the zone. The monitor receives data from duct temperature and duct air pressure sensors for use in controlling the fan and heating element. Also, the monitor is responsive to signals representative of the real time for operating the assembly in setback modes when the various zones are not occupied. The monitor modulates a master damper for control of supply air.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based system coordinator for variable air volume (VAV) system through which conditioned air is supplied to a plurality of zones. The VAV system coordinator (VSC) is used to coordinate a central system VAV cooling and heating operation based on the zone requirements of its associated slave thermostats and fan box monitors. The VSC is used as a slave VSC which receives information from zone thermostats and fan box monitors and communicates with a master VSC which is used for overall system coordination. The VSC also receives information from temperature and humidity sensors and the real time for use in system operation.

Abstract: An improved monitoring and control system for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit which provides zone control in plural zones in which each zone includes a thermostat which controls a damper for its zone. One thermostat is selected and programmed to function as a monitor or master thermostat for selective actuation of the HVAC unit as well as controlling its zone damper. The other thermostats are programmed to function as slave thermostats and are interfaced with the master thermostat thereby allowing for independent zonal control in a multiple zone system which uses a single zone HVAC unit. The master thermostat may also receive control signals and data from higher intelligence such as a computer. Each thermostat is microcomputer-controlled with provision for both local and manufacturer programming via supplemental memory devices. The master thermostat contains a real time clock for time-basing the entire system with attendant advantages.

Abstract: A microcomputer-controlled thermostat for use in monitoring and controlling a single zone HVAC system which provides conditioned air to one or more zones. The thermostat can be programmed and used either as a monitor thermostat to control the HVAC unit alone and/or to control the HVAC unit and its damper in a multiple zone mode. The thermostat is also programmed as a slave thermostat in a master-slave relationship with a monitor thermostat. The microcomputer memory is supplemented with additional ROM containing control algorithms for use in system operation.

Abstract: A microcomputer-controlled thermostat for use in monitoring and controlling a single zone HVAC system which provides conditioned air to one or more zones. The thermostat can be programmed and used either as a monitor thermostat to control the HVAC unit alone and/or to control the HVAC unit and its damper in a multiple zone mode. The thermostat is also programmed as a slave thermostat in a master-slave relationship with a monitor thermostat. The microcomputer memory is supplemented with additional ROM containing control algorithms for use in system operation. Logic circuitry is used to recognize commands as being for operation of the HVAC unit, the operation of the damper, or selection of which systems sensors are to be enabled. A real time clock circuit in the monitor thermostat is used to supply data for time-based system operation.

Abstract: A microcomputer-controlled bypass controller for use in maintaining a minimum airflow through a heating/cooling unit and limit the static pressure in the supply air truck duct. The bypass controller functions to control the operation of a bypass damper which regulates the airflow through a duct that bypasses air from the supply truck duct to the return. The bypass controller also measures the air flow via an air flow sensor and communicates with a microcomputer-controlled thermostat to coordinate transitions between heating and cooling cycles in association with a second sensor which monitors the duct temperature.

Abstract: A temperature control system used in association with a heating and cooling system supplying warm or cool air to a duct system for maintaining accurate temperature in a zone of multiple zones utilizing a microcomputer based thermostat for modulating a damper assembly in the duct system feeding the zone, thereby controlling the volume of air flow in the duct system to the zone to match the load in each zone. The thermostat has a digital readout display thereon indicating the temperature to be maintained in the zone and which can selectively display the duct temperature of air and/or the zone temperature of the air. The thermostat controls a damper assembly which includes a stepper motor for pivoting the damper blade between open and closed positions with the duct temperature sensor located before the damper blade in the duct. Calibration to provide setting of the zone temperature to conform with an accurate thermometer is provided in the thermostat, as well as selectable stop positions for the damper blade.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit which provides zone control in plural zones in which each zone includes a control thermostat that is interfaced with the monitoring system so that each zone thermostat controls the HVAC unit as well as a damper unit for that particular zone thereby enabling independent zonal control in a multiple zone system which uses a single zone HVAC unit. The monitor considers individual zone needs, damper positions, amount of demand in the zone, mode of the zone damper and other factors which affect the comfort of zone occupants and, in response to signals from the thermostats, decides how and when to control the HVAC unit so that, in effect, a single zone HVAC unit becomes a multiple zone system.