Abstract: A system for measuring quality of fuel in an engine is disclosed. The system includes a fuel quality measuring unit and a controller in communication with the fuel quality measuring unit. The fuel quality measuring unit includes a first valve, a second valve, and a quality measurement sensor disposed between the first valve and the second valve. The controller is configured to determine whether the engine is running in a steady state condition, and identify a measurement window based on a pressure of the fuel at an inlet, an Intake Manifold Pressure (IMP), and the steady state condition. The controller is configured to control an opening and a closing of the first valve, the second valve, and a fuel metering valve during the measurement window. The controller is configured to determine the quality of the fuel captured between the first valve and the second valve by the quality measurement sensor.

Abstract: A pressure-balanced enclosure for subsea use, and in particular for use as a submersible junction box in which subsea cables can be joined. The apparatus maintains a balanced pressure within the termination chamber; it is field installable, testable, and repairable. The termination chamber is not oil-filled; instead, it is substantially filled with a solid particulate fill material which includes a portion of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A coupler mechanism comprising plug and receptacle units sealably mates and de-mates first and second reservoirs. In the mating sequence, the plug and receptacle units are brought together so that their end-seals are pressed tightly against each other axially, thus forming a sealed barrier between the units and the outside environment. Once the face-to-face seal between the units has been established, further engagement displaces slidable seal elements laterally, thereby creating an opening between the reservoirs, the opening remaining sealed from the outside environment before, during and after mating. The sequence for demating the units is just the reverse of the mating sequence. One embodiment of the invention applies the aforementioned construction to harsh-environment electrical, fiber-optical, and hybrid electro-optical connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealably joining cables to pressure-balanced submersible junction boxes. The apparatus maintains a balanced pressure within the termination chamber; it is field installable, testable, and repairable. The termination chamber is not oil-filled; instead, it is substantially filled with a solid particulate fill material. An apparatus and method for sealably containing the cable's bitter end within the termination chamber are further provided. The apparatus includes a cable termination assembly having a chamber with a first end including a load bearing cable-attachment to sealably join a cable to the chamber, and a second end including an underwater connector. Within the chamber one or more optical and/or electrical conductors from the cable are terminated to respective one or more attachment points of the connector. The apparatus prohibits cable pistoning into the termination chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing one or more flexible lines such as optical fibers, wherein each fiber has two fixed ends. Optical fibers are arranged in a curved figure-eight pattern lying in three-dimensions and having two adjacent loops on the exterior curved winding surface of a tubular shell. The configuration is guided by winding tracks lying axially on the exterior side of shell. The curvatures of the shell and winding tracks are such that the bend of the managed fibers is everywhere equal to or greater than the fiber minimum bend radius.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing one or more flexible lines such as optical fibers, wherein each fiber has two fixed ends. Optical fibers are arranged in a curved figure-eight pattern lying in three-dimensions on the exterior curved winding surface of a tubular shell. The configuration is guided by winding tracks on either exterior side of shell. The curvatures of the shell and winding tracks are such that the bend of the managed fibers is everywhere equal to or greater than the fiber minimum bend radius.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealably joining cables to pressure-balanced submersible junction boxes. The apparatus maintains a balanced pressure within the termination chamber; it is field installable, testable, and repairable. The termination chamber is not oil-filled; instead, it is substantially filled with a solid particulate fill material. An apparatus and method for sealably containing the cable's bitter end within the termination chamber are further provided. The apparatus includes a cable termination assembly having a chamber with a first end including a load bearing cable-attachment to sealably join a cable to the chamber, and a second end including an underwater connector. Within the chamber one or more optical and/or electrical conductors from the cable are terminated to respective one or more attachment points of the connector. The apparatus prohibits cable pistoning into the termination chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 1-[(indol-3-yl)carbonyl]piperazine derivative according to the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said 1-[(indol-3-yl)carbonyl]piperazine derivatives, and to the use of these derivatives in the treatment of pain, such as peri-operative pain, chronic pain neuropathic pain, cancer pain, and pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: A connector may include first and second connector portions being movable between unmated and mated positions. First and second bladders may be in respective first and second connector portions and cooperate therewith so that opposing ends of the first and second bladders are urged together and moved from a closed to an open position as the first and second connector portions are moved from the unmated to the mated position. At least one of the first and second connector portions may define a circular constriction for closing an end of a respective bladder into a circular peripheral shape when the first and second connector portions are in the unmated position. One or both of the bladder ends may define a generally rectangular aperture when in the open position.

Abstract: A connector, such as for harsh environments, may include first and second connector portions being movable between unmated and mated positions. The first connector portion may include a first base, at least one male contact carried by the first base and extending outwardly therefrom, and a first shell carried by the first base and surrounding the at least one male contact. The second connector portion may include a second base, at least one female contact carried by the second base and extending outwardly therefrom, and a bladder carried by the second base and surrounding the at least one female contact. The second connector portion may further include an end cap having at least one passageway therein for retaining and aligning end portions of the bladder opposite the second base, and a second shell carried by the second base and surrounding the bladder and the end cap. The end cap and adjacent portions of the second shell may include respective mating portions to provide a snap fit engagement therebetween.

Abstract: A connector, such as for harsh environments, may include first and second connector portions being movable between unmated and mated positions. The first connector portion may include a first base, a male contact carried by the first base and extending outwardly therefrom, and a first shell carried by the first base and surrounding the male contact. The second connector portion may include a second base, and a female contact carried by the second base and extending outwardly therefrom. The second connector portion may further include a single-level bladder carried by the second base and defining only a single-level bladder chamber surrounding the female contact, and a second shell carried by the second base and surrounding the single-level bladder. A dual-level bladder connector embodiment may include an end cap defining a seal to end portions of the inner bladder opposite the second base, and an outer bladder surrounding the inner bladder.

Abstract: A tubular cable seal member of elastomeric material has at least one axial slit for allowing the seal member to be installed transversely over a cable. The seal member is installed in an annular seating cavity in a housing which encloses at least part of the cable, and is squeezed between opposing surfaces of the cavity and cable to provide a sealing pressure. At the same time, opposing surfaces of the axial slit are squeezed together with the same sealing pressure. The housing may be a clamshell-like, two part housing and may have an internal chamber extending between two cable seal members which provide a seal between opposite end ports and the cable at opposite ends of the chamber. Side runner face seals extend between the cable seal members along opposite sides of the chamber to seal the chamber when the housing parts are closed together.

Abstract: An elongate face seal of elastomeric material which may be formed as a continuous ring is adapted to provide a seal between two opposing, substantially flat surfaces. The seal is of relatively soft material to conform to the opposing surfaces to be sealed, and is of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape with opposing, generally flat seal faces for sealing engagement with the opposing surfaces to be sealed. Opposite side edges of the seal are rounded. The seal is elongated in the transverse direction to provide a greater area of contact with the surfaces to be sealed, allowing the seal to bridge over larger irregularities than would be possible with an O-ring face seal.

Abstract: A two-part housing grips and surrounds a portion of a pipe, with ports at first and second ends of the housing through which the pipe extends. An annular end seal of elastomeric material at each end of the housing provides a seal between the pipe and housing. The end seals each have one slit for allowing the seals to be engaged transversely over the pipe. Each port has an annular recess for enclosing the respective end seals. The cross-sectional area of each end seal in a relaxed condition is greater than the cross sectional area defined between the outer surface of the pipe and the annular recess in the housing when the housing is closed around the pipe, so that the end seals are squeezed between the opposing surfaces of the pipe and housing when the two parts of the housing are secured around the pipe. Face seals extend between the end seals on opposite sides of the housing to seal the intersection between the two housing parts.

Abstract: A reagent system comprises a first reagent which includes a high pH phosphate buffer, and a second reagent which includes luciferase, luciferin, a magnesium salt and an enzyme stabilizer. The second reagent has a low pH and a buffer with a pK which is near the optimum pH for activity of luciferase. The reagent system may be used in a process for measuring total adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and/or dissolved extracellular ATP, in a fluid containing microorganisms. The reagent system may also be used in a microbiological remediation or production process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 1-[(indol-3-yl)carbonyl]piperazine derivative according to the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said 1-[(indol-3-yl)carbonyl]piperazine derivatives, and to the use of these derivatives in the treatment of pain, such as peri-operative pain, chronic pain neuropathic pain, cancer pain, and pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: A dry mate connector has first and second connector modules, and a coupling member or slidable retention sleeve mounted on the first module. Resilient latch formations are provided for releasably securing the modules together in a mated position. The modules each have at least one contact for communication with the contact of the other module within a closed, locked and sealed contact chamber formed by the coupling member and modules in the mated position. Mating, locking and sealing are achieved by movement of the parts in a single, mating direction, and the modules are separated by motion in a single direction opposite to the mating direction, using the same two grip surfaces for both mating and unmating. A collapsible fluid-filled hose with bellows portions may extend between a first connector module and a second connector module in an optical cable arrangement using the dry mate connector.

Abstract: A dry mate connector has first and second connector modules, and a coupling member mounted on the first module for releasably securing the modules together in a mated position. The modules each have at least one contact for communication with the contact of the other module within a closed, locked and sealed contact chamber formed by the coupling member and modules in the mated position. Mating, locking and sealing are achieved by movement of the parts in a single, mating direction, and the modules are separated by motion in a single direction opposite to the mating direction, using the same two grip surfaces for both mating and unmating.

Abstract: In the fields of environmental and industrial pollution control there is a need for improvements in the removal of fine particulates, especially of sizes in the sub-micron ranges, from gas streams. The disclosure relates to an apparatus including a container for a liquid submerged in which in some embodiments, is a pipe transporting a particulate-containing gas. The pipe permits passage of the gas through the liquid before it exhausts from the container. The liquid is such as to wet the particulates, thereby retaining them in the liquid while the gas passes through the liquid to the exhaust.

Abstract: There is described a method of chemically depositing a substance. The method is of utility in the direct manufacture of integrated circuits and in the manufacture of a photomask for use in production of integrated circuits. The method involves the use of a compound which degrades into a deposit and a residue when a radiant beam (e.g. a laser beam) or a particle beam (e.g. an electron beam) is applied. The residue and any unreacted compound may be washed off the substrate to which it has been applied. Nanoscale dimensions of the deposit can be achieved. A particularly suitable organometallic compound is tetra-sec butyl diaurum difluoride.