Abstract: An apparatus and a process for injecting fluids while prevents backflow are provided. The apparatus comprises a) a hollow core pipe with an open end and a closed end, and containing exit ports in the peripheral wall that are closed when there is no, or low fluid pressure; b) a stationary valve seat, fitted in said pipe; c) an axial sliding plug, disposed to be received in the valve seat where there is no or low fluid pressure thereby closing the exit ports. wherein an increase in fluid pressure causes the plug to slide toward the closed end and the opening of the exit ports; and d) a spring held in place between the slidable plug and the closed end, the spring continuously urging the plug in a direction away from the closed end.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the in-situ bioremediation of aquifers contaminated with chemicals by delivering a chemical degrading bacterial culture using a bacterial slurry delivery apparatus, which is designed to prevent backflow of soil and clogging of the apparatus, and a networked oxygen delivery system.

Abstract: A water treatment system having a reverse osmosis unit (14) includes a storage tank (40) having an outer tank housing (42) that encloses an expandable bladder (50). A pressurized region (62) is defined between the outside of the bladder (50) and inside of the housing(42). A control valve assembly (44) controls communication of source water under pressure to pressurizing region (62) and communicates the region (62) with a drain (22). The assembly (44) includes a pilot valve (70) that is responsive to a state of dispensing and includes a valve element (76) that moves between a first dispensing position and a second non-dispensing position.

Abstract: Methods of making and using annealable insulated metal-based powder particles are provided. The insulated metal-based powder particles are formed from metal-based core particles that are coated with an annealable insulating material. The annealable insulating material has at least one inorganic compound and at least one organic polymeric resin. The inorganic compound in the insulating material forms a nonporous insulating layer surrounding the metal-based core particles upon heating. The organic polymeric resin preferably aids in dispersing or binding the inorganic compound to the metal-based core particles prior to annealing. The insulated metal-based powder particles produced can be formed into core components that can be annealed to improve the magnetic performance of the core component. The core components produced are particularly useful under AC operating conditions of 500 Hz or lower.

Abstract: A communication protocol provides high-speed transfers of parallel data between an origination end and a destination end. The protocol involves regularly transmitting data from the origination end to the destination end, including transmitting idle data from the origination end when the destination end is busy and during periods when no commands, data or statuses are pending. When the destination end is not busy, data is sent from the origination end to the destination end by: sequentially transferring read or write commands and, according to a write protocol, pending write data; and transmitting idle packets during periods when no commands are pending.

Abstract: A built-in autotuning system of a motor control system provides an autotuning of the motor control system based on BQF. The system measures the effective inertia and determines whether there exists a high-frequency resonance. If there is a high-frequency resonance, the system sets the BQF as a low pass filter, otherwise the system sets the BQF as a high pass filter. The system then adjusts the gains of the controller to set the phase and gain margins within a specified values.

Abstract: Annealable insulated metal-based powder particles and methods of preparing and using the same are provided. The insulated metal-based powder particles are formed from metal-based core particles that are coated with an annealable insulating material. The annealable insulating material has at least one inorganic compound and at least one organic polymeric resin. The inorganic compound in the insulating material forms a nonporous insulating layer surrounding the metal-based core particles upon heating. The organic polymeric resin preferably aids in dispersing or binding the inorganic compound to the metal-based core particles prior to annealing. The insulated metal-based powder particles produced can be formed into core components that can be annealed to improve the magnetic performance of the core component. The core components produced are particularly useful under AC operating conditions of 500 Hz or lower.

Abstract: Methods of making and using annealable insulated metal-based powder particles are provided. The insulated metal-based powder particles are formed from metal-based core particles that are coated with an annealable insulating material. The annealable insulating material has at least one inorganic compound and at least one organic polymeric resin. The inorganic compound in the insulating material forms a nonporous insulating layer surrounding the metal-based core particles upon heating. The organic polymeric resin preferably aids in dispersing or binding the inorganic compound to the metal-based core particles prior to annealing. The insulated metal-based powder particles produced can be formed into core components that can be annealed to improve the magnetic performance of the core component. The core components produced are particularly useful under AC operating conditions of 500 Hz or lower.

Abstract: A built-in auto-tuning system of a motor control system provides an auto-tuning of the motor control system. The built-in tuning system generates and applies a plurality of test signals to the controller. In response to the test signals, the tuning system obtains response data such as the gain and phase. Based on the received data, the tuning system detects the crossover frequencies of the control system. The tuning system then calculates the phase and gain margins of the control system. The calculated gain and phase margins are compared with a set of predetermined values by the tuning system to automatically adjust the compensation parameters of the motor control system for a stable operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automated removal of cores from vegetables, especially floretting vegetables, comprises a conveyor (13, 14) including vegetable supports (15) for indexed advancing of vegetables (35) from a loading station (A) to a cutting station (B) and a cutting head assembly comprising one or more cutter elements (23) movable in a core-excision cutting movement, in which the cutting head assembly is movable between a cutting position in registration with a vegetable support in the cutting station and a core discharge position displaced from the pass of the conveyor. The apparatus may be single- or multi-lane. The cutter blades may be formed as lobes (23) which retain the excised cores in the closed-together condition pending ejection at the discharge position.

Abstract: A mounting device for a plasma arc torch which enables the plasma arc torch body to withstand impacts from objects or forces in its working environment which would otherwise require the entire plasma arc torch to be replaced; said device has a designed failure location, which thereby allows the user to replace only the failed mounting device instead of the entire plasma arc torch. An enhanced form of the invention includes a flexible mounting device that enables the plasma arc torch body to withstand impacts from objects or forces in its working environment and then return to its original position before failing at the designed failure location.

Abstract: A variable length balloon catheter having an inner tubular member extending over the length thereof with a guide wire lumen therethrough. The distal waist of a balloon is affixed proximate the distal end of the inner tubular member while the proximal end or proximal waist of the balloon extends into and is slidably received within an outer tubular member. Means for sealing or preventing fluid flow between the proximal waist and inside diameter of the outer tubular member are provided. The means for sealing can include a passive or close tolerance seal assembly, an active seal assembly, or an axially elongatable membrane seal assembly. Axial movement of the inner tubular member varies the length of balloon extending distally beyond the distal end of the outer tubular member, thus determining inflated balloon length.

Abstract: A video normalizer corrects for irregularities characteristic of video display monitor screens, so as to provide accurate and consistent light levels and color intensities. The normalizer is especially useful for computer controlled editing of video data for the graphics industry. The video normalizer includes a photo sensor for measuring the monitor light output at various locations on the monitor CRT screen, and digital circuitry for providing a correction value for each portion of the monitor screen, with the correction value being applied to the output of a conventional colorgraphics board (video display card) which drives the monitor.

Abstract: A video image processing system and method for encoding and storing a video image in a bit map array. The system receives a raster scan video signal which it converts into an analog luminosity signal. Then, during each of a preselected repeating sequence of raster scan cycle periods, it encodes a corresponding preselected portion of the information in the analog luminosity signal as a binary value and stores the value in a bit map memory array. As a result, the video image is encoded and stored over a plurality of raster scan cycle periods.