Abstract: A system for calorimetry includes a well having a volume for receiving a sample, an input feature to facilitate reception of the sample in the well, a light source to irradiate the well and the sample with incident light, and a photonic sensor chip disposed at the bottom of the well. The photonic sensor chip includes plural nanohole array (NHA) sensors. A light detector is configured to measure transmission of light through the NHA sensors to obtain a series of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) measurements. Frame elements secure and mutually couple the light source, the photonic sensor chip, the light detector, and the input feature to form a calorimetry unit. A processor is configured to calculate a calorimetry measurement as a function of the series of EOT measurements, the calorimetry measurement being indicative of energy released as a result of the sample in the well undergoing a change.

Abstract: A method for calorimetry includes providing a sample to a test chamber and applying heat to the test chamber with the sample provided therein, the heat being applied at a known heat rate. In a synchronized manner with respect to applying heat to the test chamber, transmission of light through plural Nano Hole Array (NHA) sensors coupled to the test chamber is measured to obtain a series of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) measurements. A calorimetry measurement is calculated as a function of the heat rate and the series of EOT measurements, the calorimetry measurement being indicative of energy released as a result of the sample undergoing a change during the application of heat to the test chamber. Samples, including fluids and solids, can be transferred into the test chamber by a pump or other suitable means. Example test chambers include a microchannel injection cell and a co-flow reactor microchannel.

Abstract: A method for calorimetry includes flowing a first fluid through a co-flow reactor microchannel having plural inlets and an outlet, the first fluid flowing through each of the inlets, and measuring transmission of light through a Nano Hole Array (NHA) sensor to obtain a baseline extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) measurement. The flow of the first fluid is stopped, the microchannel is emptied of the first fluid, and the first fluid and a second fluid are passed through the microchannel such that a reaction occurs, the first fluid flowing through a first of the inlets and the second fluid flowing through a second of the inlets. While flowing the first and second fluids, transmission of light through the NHA sensor is measured to obtain a reaction EOT measurement. A calorimetry measurement, indicative of energy released during the reaction, is calculated as a function of the baseline and reaction EOT measurements.

Abstract: A method for calorimetry includes flowing a first fluid through a co-flow reactor microchannel having plural inlets and an outlet, the first fluid flowing through each of the inlets, and measuring transmission of light through a Nano Hole Array (NHA) sensor to obtain a baseline extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) measurement. The flow of the first fluid is stopped, the microchannel is emptied of the first fluid, and the first fluid and a second fluid are passed through the microchannel such that a reaction occurs, the first fluid flowing through a first of the inlets and the second fluid flowing through a second of the inlets. While flowing the first and second fluids, transmission of light through the NHA sensor is measured to obtain a reaction EOT measurement. A calorimetry measurement, indicative of energy released during the reaction, is calculated as a function of the baseline and reaction EOT measurements.

Abstract: An internal heat exchanger assembly for an air conditioning system, having a substantial cylindrical cavity in which a helical coil tube is coaxially disposed within the cylindrical cavity. A bleed valve assembly is incorporated into the helical coiled tube, in which the bleed valve assembly is adapted to open at a predetermined differential pressure between the high pressure side and low pressure side of the internal heat exchanger. The bleed valve selectively bleeds refrigerant from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, thereby increasing the pressure and mass flow rate of the refrigerant to the suction side of a compressor.

Abstract: An integrated structural system for a vehicle, the system having: a structural member; a means for securing a first beam component to the structural member, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material; and a means for securing a second beam component to the first beam component, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.

Abstract: An integrated structural system for a vehicle, the system having: a structural member; a means for securing a first beam component to the structural member, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material; and a means for securing a second beam component to the first beam component, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.

Abstract: An integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided, the integrated structural system having: a structural member; a first beam component secured to the structural member by a molding process, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material, wherein the configuration of the first beam component is defined by the molding process; and a second beam component secured directly and only to the first beam component by a vibration weld, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for assembling polymer-forming molecular components such that highly-structured arrays of polymer strands, such as collagen fibrils, are formed without the need for cells. A polymer nanoloom is designed to control the self-assembly of monomers into fibrils and related tissue constructs including ligament, tendon, cartilage, and bone. A nanoloom system comprises a polymer printhead, a temperature controller, and a movable substrate for polymer printing. A polymer printhead contains one or more nanoreactors that can control the assembly of collagen fibrils or other polymers on a nanoscale. Methods are provided for temperature-driven, enzyme-driven, and cholesteric assembly of collagen or other polymers into two- or three-dimensional tissue constructs.

Abstract: An internal heat exchanger assembly for an air conditioning system, having a substantial cylindrical cavity in which a helical coil tube is coaxially disposed within the cylindrical cavity. A bleed valve assembly is incorporated into the helical coiled tube, in which the bleed valve assembly is adapted to open at a predetermined differential pressure between the high pressure side and low pressure side of the internal heat exchanger. The bleed valve selectively bleeds refrigerant from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, thereby increasing the pressure and mass flow rate of the refrigerant to the suction side of a compressor to reduce or eliminate compressor rattle.

Abstract: The assembly includes a pair of heat exchangers, each including an upper and lower manifold, parallel and spaced relative to one another. Tubes extend between each set of upper and lower manifolds with fins disposed between each of the tubes. A valve system controls fluid flow between the upper manifolds and the lower manifolds. The valve system is movable between a maximum cooling mode with fluid flow form the first upper manifold through both of the tubes and to said first lower manifold. A temperate mode allows fluid to flow from the first upper manifold to the first lower manifold and from the second upper manifold to the second lower manifold to prevent flash fogging. A maximum cooling mode allows fluid to flow from the second upper manifold through both of the first and second tubes to the lower manifolds.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided. The method including the steps of: securing a first beam component to a structural member by a molding process, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material, the structural member being formed from a material different than the first amount of thermoplastic material; and securing a second beam component to the first beam component, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided. The method including the steps of: securing a first beam component to a structural member by a molding process, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material, the structural member being formed from a material different than the first amount of thermoplastic material; and securing a second beam component to the first beam component, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.

Abstract: The assembly includes a pair of heat exchangers, each including an upper and lower manifold, parallel and spaced relative to one another. Tubes extend between each set of upper and lower manifolds with fins disposed between each of the tubes. A valve system controls fluid flow between the upper manifolds and the lower manifolds. The valve system is movable between a maximum cooling mode with fluid flow form the first upper manifold through both of the tubes and to said first lower manifold. A temperate mode allows fluid to flow from the first upper manifold to the first lower manifold and from the second upper manifold to the second lower manifold to prevent flash fogging. A maximum cooling mode allows fluid to flow from the second upper manifold through both of the first and second tubes to the lower manifolds.

Abstract: An air inlet assembly for an automotive heating and ventilating air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a casing extending along an axis (A). The casing defines a plurality of inlets for receiving air and an outlet for delivering air from the inlets. A filter filters air between the inlets and the outlet. An air moving device disposed about the outlet for expelling air from the casing. A valve mechanism supports the filter. Furthermore, the valve mechanism moves along the axis (A) between an outside-air position and a cabin-air position for controlling air from the inlets to the outlet.

Abstract: An endless filtering sheet, having an interior entrained about rollers, extends in a path of movement over an air inlet in a housing for receiving air flow and presents an exterior from which dirt and debris collected from the incoming air flow and which dirt and debris is removed in a horizontal reach by gravity and/or an air flow. A drive mechanism continuously moves the sheet in the endless path to provide a continuously operating air filtration system for a heat exchanger in a HVAC system that is self-cleaning.

Abstract: A method of mixing air in an HVAC system includes the step of simultaneously and differentially rotating the valve plates different degrees of rotation to differentially control air flowing in the housing. An assembly for controlling air flow in an HVAC system includes a mechanism for simultaneously and differentially rotating valves different degrees of rotation. The mechanism includes a control device on each shaft of each valve including a pin extending axially from each valve plate. A slide defines a plurality of serpentine slots with one of the pins slidably disposed in each of the slots. The slots each follow a path incongruent from one another for differentially rotating the valve plates in response to the slide sliding along the guide and the pins moving along the paths of the slots.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for assembling polymer-forming molecular components such that highly-structured arrays of polymer strands, such as collagen fibrils, are formed without the need for cells. A polymer nanoloom is designed to control the self-assembly of monomers into fibrils and related tissue constructs including ligament, tendon, cartilage, and bone. A nanoloom system comprises a polymer printhead, a temperature controller, and a movable substrate for polymer printing. A polymer printhead contains one or more nanoreactors that can control the assembly of collagen fibrils or other polymers on a nanoscale. Methods are provided for temperature-driven, enzyme-driven, and cholesteric assembly of collagen or other polymers into two- or three-dimensional tissue constructs.

Abstract: A valve includes a film having side edges and an opening to extend across a passage in a housing of a HVAC system. The film has a circular aperture in the film adjacent each rounded corner of each opening for relieving stress. Either or both of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the film are undulated to prevent deformation of the edges. A pair of racks is disposed on the film and sprockets engage the teeth of the racks for moving the racks and the film linearly. Each rack includes a strap and bearing member for retaining the associated sprocket in engagement with the teeth. The bearing member is in rolling engagement with a bearing surface of the associated strap as it rotates with the sprockets.

Abstract: A pair of rotary valves for opening and closing two outlets of an HVAC system. A shaft has oppositely threaded and axially spaced sections each engaging one of the valves for moving the valves axially. Each valve includes a guide plate defining an upper surface curved along the periphery of one of the outlets to define a guide for limiting rotational moving of each valve in response to rotation of the shaft. Each guide plate defines a lower surface that is a contoured shape and parallel to the axis for directing air flow through each outlet.