Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotor brake includes a first braking surface having an opening therethrough, a second braking surface adjacent to the first braking surface, and an impeller disposed between the first and second braking surfaces such that rotation of the impeller pulls fluid through the opening of the first braking surface and expels the fluid out through a gap between the first and second braking surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for a temperature insensitive electro-absorption modulator and laser. The device comprising a laser capable of emitting light. The laser itself includes a laser gain section, a first mirror and a second mirror. Each of the mirrors are coupled to the laser gain section. The laser gain section contains quantum wells. The first mirror and the second mirror have a wavelength bandwidth sufficient for a lasing wavelength range of the laser. A modulator is coupled to the laser to receive the light and is capable of modulating the light to vary the output from the modulator. The modulator contains quantum wells and has a quantum well confinement factor that is greater than 0.1. An output coupler is coupled to the modulator and the output coupler has a back reflection that is less than half of a back reflection of the second mirror. The laser has a lasing wavelength that tracks the absorption spectrum of the modulator.

Abstract: A catheter hub for use with a medical device and a catheter, the hub includes a hub body defining a fluid passageway in communication with a first aperture. Optionally, the hub body defines a second aperture that intersects the first aperture. The hub body attaches to the catheter wherein the fluid passageway and the catheter are aligned for fluid flow therethrough. The first aperture extends from and communicates with the fluid passageway to an exterior surface of the hub body and the first aperture configured to receive the medical device. The second aperture extends from and communicates with the first aperture and the exterior surface. A sealing element is sized for and positioned in either the first or the second apertures. The sealing element is configured to receive the medical device and seal both of the first and the second apertures.

Abstract: A laptop computer housing includes a base, a lid, a hinge coupling the base and the lid, and one or more detection circuit for detecting multiple open lid angles between the lid and the base. A method includes detecting an open lid angle between the lid and the base of the laptop, and scaling power consumption of one or more components of the laptop in response to the detected open lid angle. For example, the method may enforce a first reduced power setting for the one or more components in response to detecting a first open lid angle, and may enforce a second reduced power setting for the one or more components in response to detecting a second open lid angle.

Abstract: A system for sampling a sample material includes a probe which can have an outer probe housing with an open end. A liquid supply conduit within the housing has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust conduit within the housing is provided for removing liquid from the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be provided for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, the first volumetric flow rate exceeding the second volumetric flow rate, wherein liquid at the open end will receive sample, liquid containing sample material will be drawn into and through the liquid exhaust conduit, and liquid will overflow from the open end.

Abstract: A method of operating a beverage preparation machine, the beverage preparation machine being of the type comprising a brewer comprising: a reservoir containing water; a delivery head for receiving in use a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients; a pump for pumping water from said reservoir to said delivery head; a primary heater for heating the water contained in said reservoir; a secondary heater in between the reservoir and the delivery head; a controller for controlling energisation of the primary heater and the secondary heater; and wherein the controller operates to prevent energisation of the primary heater simultaneous with energisation of the secondary heater. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed and methods and apparatus utilising first and second brewers.

Abstract: An adapter device that enables smaller drinking cups to fit within larger drinking cups for a beverage-drinking game, said smaller cups holding a different beverage than the larger cups. The device comprises a continuous planar band for covering the top rim of the smaller diameter cup; and a plurality of clips extending downwardly from the continuous planar band. Each device can be removed from the cups and worn as a wristband.

Abstract: A fluid collection system includes a reservoir element and a receiving element that communicates fluid to the reservoir element. The receiving element includes a first tab, a second tab that can enable the receiving element to stay open on its own during use, and a slot that can receive one of the first and second tabs when the receiving element is in a closed position. The receiving element also includes a first window and a second window, wherein the slot interfaces one of the first and second windows when the receiving element is in a closed position.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, recovering salt from fluid stream in a recycle loop of a flash separator has a desanding hydrocyclone located in the hot recycle loop of the flash separator; a first solids fluidization device located at the bottom end of the flash separator's brine column; a second desanding hydrocyclone arranged to receive a salt slurry stream created by the first solids fluidization device; and an accumulator located downstream of the second desanding hydrocyclone and having a second solids fluidization device located at its bottom end. Each solids fluidization device causes a motive fluid to exit the device in a swirling motion to fluidize the salt components contained in the resident fluid. The overflow from the second desanding hydrocyclone is the motive fluid for the brine column and a produced water, condensate water, or seawater stream is the motive fluid for the accumulator.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for detecting corona using audio data are disclosed. A method of processing audio data to detect corona includes determining an indicator of energy at a substantially fundamental frequency in the audio data, determining an indicator of the energy at a plurality of harmonic frequencies in the audio data, determining an indicator of the noise energy in the audio data, determining a comparison indicator of the noise energy relative to the energy at the harmonic frequencies, determining a masking indicator having thresholds for each of the harmonics relative to the fundamental frequency, and determining a corona detection indicator. An apparatus for detecting corona includes a memory, an audio detector configured to obtain the audio data near an electrical conductor in an AC system, and a processor to process the audio data, fundamental and harmonic frequencies of the audio data and their corresponding thresholds to detect corona.

Abstract: Capillary tube holder, a storage and shipping container in which a loaded capillary tube holder is securely held, a fixture for loading capillary tubes onto a capillary tube holder and a tube transfer fixture for transferring, removing or replacing individual capillary tubes from a loaded capillary tube holder.

Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.

Abstract: The invention is directed to manufacture of fertilizer having commercial levels of nitrogen supplemented with organic substances. The process treats organic matter with acid causing hydrolysis of organic polymers after which the mix is injected with nitrogen. The resultant sterilized and liquefied organic matter is disbursed over recycled material for the production of granules. Because the process allows for the controlled addition of acids and ammonia, desired levels of components can be achieved. The process is scalable, odor controlled and safe thereby allowing for the location of biosolid processing facilities in most any location. Further, the fertilizer of the invention provides a dual nitrogen-release profile when applied to crops. After application to soil, fertilizer of the invention releases an immediate bolus of nitrogen, similar to traditional ammonium sulfate, followed by continued slow release of nitrogen typically over a season.

Abstract: RFID tags are used for many purpose including tracking. RFID interrogators are used to retrieve information from tags. In many applications, a plurality of RFID interrogators are required. Synchronization between interrogators in the same theatre of operation is critical to ensure that their broadcasts do not interfere with each other. In fixed RFID interrogator applications, RFID interrogators can be wired together allowing a channel to synchronize the transmissions of the RFID interrogators. Methods described herein can ensure that synchronization is maintained in the event of the failure of a synchronizing master. Furthermore, additional methods for synchronizing RFID interrogators in wireless applications are described allowing synchronization in the absence of wired connections between interrogators.

Abstract: A system may include a motor drive that controls one or more operations of a motor. The motor drive may include a first processor that controls the operations of the motor according to a first control mode application. The system may include a second processor that controls the operations of the motor according to a first control mode profile that corresponds to the first control mode application, receives a request to operate the motor according to a second control mode application, and executes a set of computer-readable instructions upon receipt of the request. The set of computer-readable instructions may cause the second processor to load an executable file associated with the second control mode application onto the first processor and send a first command to the first processor to execute the executable file associated with the second control mode application.

Abstract: A pick arm for a pick and place apparatus for semiconductor devices, the pick arm comprising first and second ends along a longitudinal axis of the pick arm, and a pick tool located at the first end of the pick arm for picking up semiconductor devices. The pick arm further comprises a winged part extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends of the pick arm, wherein the winged part comprising a sloping surface. The sloping surface is inclined between a top portion and a bottom portion of the winged part such that the sloping surface is nearer to the longitudinal axis at the top portion than at the bottom portion of the winged part.

Abstract: A power supply system which connects a DC consumer to an AC supply includes an AC-DC converter and a UPS. The AC-DC converter has an input to which alternating current from the AC supply is applied and an output at which DC current is developed. The UPS has an input to which direct current from the AC-DC converter is applied and an output at which DC current is developed. The DC current developed at the output of the AC-DC converter and DC current developed at the output of the UPS are applied to the DC consumer selectively in parallel with each other or exclusively to each other.

Abstract: A two-part pivotable block component for mounting interposed a piece of industrial equipment and its mounting base. The two-part pivotable block component comprises an upper first part that is engageable with the base of the industrial equipment, and a lower second part that is engageable with a mount for the industrial equipment. The first part of the pivotable block component has an inclined surface in a first plane for pivotably engaging an inclined surface provided therefore on the second part of the pivotable block component. The inclined surface of the second part of the pivotable block component is in a second plane. The two-part pivotable block component is suitable for use with industrial equipment exemplified by electrical motors, hydraulic-driven motors, pressure-driven motors, and pumps. The two-part pivotable block component is also suitable for aligning arbors cooperating with industrial equipment.

Abstract: Charge air coolers (CACs) are commonly used in pressure-charged, internal combustion engines to reduce the temperature of the air entering the combustion chamber. Typically, one CAC is provided and all of the intake air is inducted past the one CAC. An intake manifold in which a plurality of CACs are provided in the intake runners, i.e., a parallel flow arrangement, is disclosed herein. By positioning the CACs in the intake runners, the CACs are more effective than when they are positioned upstream in the plenum. In some embodiments, the coolant is supplied and returned to the multiple CACs via headers. By providing coolant to each CAC that is substantially the same temperature, the cylinder-to-cylinder temperature variation is reduced compared to a single CAC.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for removing debris from a surface to be cleaned includes a suction chamber having a suction nozzle opening, a source of suction in fluid communication with the suction chamber, a brushroll provided within the suction chamber, and a roller provided in a roller chamber in front of the brushroll.