Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a battery powering one or more electric components. The surface cleaning apparatus can have a cleaning fluid delivery system and/or a cleaning fluid recovery system. The battery, or battery pack, is removable and has a sealing structure configured to resist ingress of cleaning fluid and other liquids.

Abstract: A self-healing system for healing electronic devices in a network is provided. The system includes a memory configured to store pre-defined rules and a processor which is operatively connected to the memory configured to form a swarm the electronic devices connected in the network, store first data and second data which are related to the electronic devices on the formed swarm in a database of the swarm, compute third data of the electronic devices on the formed swarm based on the first data, compare the third data with the first data related to the electronic devices, identify a faulty of the electronic devices on the swarm based on the compared results, and correct the faulty of the electronic devices which are identified by applying the second data.

Abstract: A self-healing system for healing electronic devices in a network is provided. The system includes a memory configured to store pre-defined rules and a processor which is operatively connected to the memory configured to form a swarm the electronic devices connected in the network, store first data and second data which are related to the electronic devices on the formed swarm in a database of the swarm, compute third data of the electronic devices on the formed swarm based on the first data, compare the third data with the first data related to the electronic devices, identify a faulty of the electronic devices on the swarm based on the compared results, and correct the faulty of the electronic devices which are identified by applying the second data.

Abstract: A graphene-based membrane and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The graphene-based membrane may include a graphene-polymer composite, wherein the graphene-polymer composite may consist of an amine functionalized graphene and a polymer containing an anhydride group as a linker for linking the amine functionalized graphene to the polymer. The graphene-based membrane may be constructed of a single-layer. A method may include reacting a polymer containing an anhydride with an amine functionalized graphene in presence of a solvent to form an intermediate product; and thermal imidizing the intermediate product to form a graphene grafted polymer composite for use in fabricating a graphene-based membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrophilic polymer and membrane for oil-water separation. More particularly, this invention relates to a super hydrophilic polymer and membrane with zwitterionic property for oil-water separation, and method of producing the same. The hydrophilic polymer comprises polymer repeat units, each unit having at least one negatively charged carboxylic functional group and at least one positively charged amine functional group; and a monomer having a single aromatic ring and an imide functional group.

Abstract: A functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite and method of producing the same are disclosed. Furthermore, a functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite having water channels for low pressure desalination and method of producing the same are disclosed.

Abstract: For reducing oscillations in a technical system plurality of different controller settings for the technical system is received. For a respective controller setting signal representing a time series of operational data of the technical system controlled by the respective controller setting is received, the signal is processed, whereby the processing includes a transformation into a frequency domain, and an entropy value of the processed signal is determined. Depending on the determined entropy values a controller setting from the plurality of controller settings is selected, and the selected controller setting is output for configuring the technical system.

Abstract: A graphene-based membrane and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The graphene-based membrane may include a graphene-polymer composite, wherein the graphene-polymer composite may consist of an amine functionalized graphene and a polymer containing an anhydride group as a linker for linking the amine functionalized graphene to the polymer. The graphene-based membrane may be constructed of a single-layer. A method may include reacting a polymer containing an anhydride with an amine functionalized graphene in presence of a solvent to form an intermediate product; and thermal imidizing the intermediate product to form a graphene grafted polymer composite for use in fabricating a graphene-based membrane.

Abstract: A graphene-based membrane and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The graphene-based membrane may include a graphene-polymer composite, wherein the graphene-polymer composite may consist of an amine functionalized graphene and a polymer containing an anhydride group as a linker for linking the amine functionalized graphene to the polymer. The graphene-based membrane may be constructed of a single-layer. A method may include reacting a polymer containing an anhydride with an amine functionalized graphene in presence of a solvent to form an intermediate product; and thermal imidizing the intermediate product to form a graphene grafted polymer composite for use in fabricating a graphene-based membrane.

Abstract: A turbine engine combustion system is disclosed including a fuel nozzle assembly having three independently controlled stages of water injection. A first stage includes water mixed with a gaseous fuel upon inlet to the nozzle, where the first stage water mixes and travels with the gaseous fuel to be injected into a combustor. A second stage includes water injected into the combustor via a secondary liquid nozzle which is used for fuel oil during liquid fuel operation, but which may be used for the secondary water during gaseous fuel operation. A third stage includes water injected into the combustor via a plurality of nozzle holes known as an atomizing air cap. An algorithm and criteria are also defined for controlling the three stages of water injection to achieve the optimum balance of turbine operational criteria including NOx emissions, combustion dynamics and water impingement downstream of the nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrophilic polymer and membrane for oil-water separation. More particularly, this invention relates to a super hydrophilic polymer and membrane with zwitterionic property for oil-water separation, and method of producing the same. The hydrophilic polymer comprises polymer repeat units, each unit having at least one negatively charged carboxylic functional group and at least one positively charged amine functional group; and a monomer having a single aromatic ring and an imide functional group.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for continuously dehumidifying humid gas. More particularly, this invention relates to a system that continuously dehumidifies gas using a liquid desiccant dehumidifying module, a regeneration modules utilizing a membrane distillation module to regenerate diluted liquid desiccant and means for connecting the two modules together.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine operable using either one of a first fuel and a second fuel includes a water supply and a diffusion flame burner including an innermost spray cone, a plurality of spray cones positioned around the innermost spray cone and grouped into a plurality of stages, and a plurality of outlets positioned around the innermost spray cone. A plurality of valves is arranged to connect the first fuel, the second fuel, and the water supply to the diffusion flame burner and a controller is operable to configure the plurality of valves at least in part in response to which of the first fuel and the second fuel is being consumed. When consuming the first fuel, the valves are configured to deliver a mixture of the first fuel and a quantity of water to the plurality of outlets, and to deliver a quantity of water to the plurality of spray cones, and to selectively activate one or more of the stages to allow passage through only the spray cones of the activated stages.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum air gap membrane distillation system for desalination purposes. More particularly, this invention relates to a membrane distillation system with multiple cells in which the system's flux is increased due to the temperature and pressure differential within the system. The configuration of the vacuum air gap membrane distillation system allows for latent heat within the system to be recycled effectively reducing the energy consumption of the system.

Abstract: A functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite and method of producing the same are disclosed. Furthermore, a functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite having water channels for low pressure desalination and method of producing the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A graphene-based membrane and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The graphene-based membrane may include a graphene-polymer composite, wherein the graphene-polymer composite may consist of an amine functionalized graphene and a polymer containing an anhydride group as a linker for linking the amine functionalized graphene to the polymer. The graphene-based membrane may be constructed of a single-layer. A method may include reacting a polymer containing an anhydride with an amine functionalized graphene in presence of a solvent to form an intermediate product; and thermal imidizing the intermediate product to form a graphene grafted polymer composite for use in fabricating a graphene-based membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for continuously dehumidifying humid gas. More particularly, this invention relates to a system that continuously dehumidifies gas using a liquid desiccant dehumidifying module, a regeneration modules utilizing a membrane distillation module to regenerate diluted liquid desiccant and means for connecting the two modules together.

Abstract: This invention relates to a triple layer composite nanofiber membrane for Membrane Distillation (MD) applications. The triple layer membrane has an extremely hydrophobic nanofiber layer, a hydrophobic microporous middle layer and a hydrophilic backing layer for MD applications.

Abstract: A turbine engine combustion system is disclosed including a fuel nozzle assembly having three independently controlled stages of water injection. A first stage includes water mixed with a gaseous fuel upon inlet to the nozzle, where the first stage water mixes and travels with the gaseous fuel to be injected into a combustor. A second stage includes water injected into the combustor via a secondary liquid nozzle which is used for fuel oil during liquid fuel operation, but which may be used for the secondary water during gaseous fuel operation. A third stage includes water injected into the combustor via a plurality of nozzle holes known as an atomizing air cap. An algorithm and criteria are also defined for controlling the three stages of water injection to achieve the optimum balance of turbine operational criteria including NOx emissions, combustion dynamics and water impingement downstream of the nozzle.

Abstract: System and method related to a control system including an automation controller with a module bay configured to facilitate coupling with scalable modules. The module bay of the automation controller includes a plurality of bay connectors configured to communicatively couple with the scalable module connectors. The module bay may include an open end to facilitate extension beyond an edge of the open end by a module or a closed end.