Abstract: A means to exploit the Dean Vortices for dynamic filtering on a macro scale intended for application in utility and industrial processes is disclosed. This method relies on an apparatus of computed construction to optimize the centripetal force and minimize the effect of gravity on the separation and effectiveness of the Dean Vortices. The method is also supported by an apparatus of construction which results in an optimized elliptical flow channel that enhances the formation and persistence of the Dean Vortices.

Abstract: A sheet of glass can be formed in a batch process by introducing molten glass onto a layer of molten tin within a tank. The tank may be outfitted with infrared emitters to control the amount of heat delivered to the tank while the sheet of glass is formed. A lower surface of the tank can have a three-dimensional shape, and the molten tin may be removed from the tank while the sheet of glass is ductile so that the sheet of glass is molded by the three-dimensional shape, thereby producing a shaped sheet of glass. The delivery of infrared energy to the tank may be facilitated by one or more ceramic glass surface.

Abstract: A system for heat treating a part includes an oven chamber, a first infrared (IR) emitter configured to deliver a first amount of IR energy to a first region of the part, a second IR emitter configured to deliver a second amount of IR energy different from the first amount of energy to a second region of the part, and a receiver with an outer surface configured to contact a second surface of the part and shield the second surface of the part from infrared radiation. The part can be heat treated by delivering different amounts of IR energy to the first and second regions of the part. The system can be used to heat treat different thicknesses of a part without overheating a thinner region, or to apply different heat treatments to the different regions.

Abstract: A metal casting is heated using infrared energy by introducing the metal casting into a heating system with infrared emitters directed towards the casting, and activating at least a portion of the emitters. The heating system includes a heating chamber, a plurality of directional infrared emitters in the heating chamber, an optical temperature sensor directed towards a part location in the interior of the heating chamber, and a thermal shield that is movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, the thermal shield comprising an observation duct. The observation duct provides a line-of-sight path between the optical temperature sensor and the part location when the thermal shield is in the deployed position, and the thermal shield is between the plurality of infrared emitters and the part location when the thermal shield is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A sheet of glass can be formed in a batch process by introducing molten glass onto a layer of molten tin within a tank. The tank may be outfitted with infrared emitters to control the amount of heat delivered to the tank while the sheet of glass is formed. A lower surface of the tank can have a three-dimensional shape, and the molten tin may be removed from the tank while the sheet of glass is ductile so that the sheet of glass is molded by the three-dimensional shape, thereby producing a shaped sheet of glass. The delivery of infrared energy to the tank may be facilitated by one or more ceramic glass surface.

Abstract: A system has conveyance segments arranged in series. Each segment has an infrared emitter directed towards a material bearing surface, and outlets of the segments are above inlets of subsequent segments. The segments are coupled to vibrators which are configured to convey a material from the inlet end to the outlet end of the segments. A system of this disclosure can be used to create lime or clinker with a substantial increase in efficiency, and without emitting any carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A receiver is formed as the physical inverse or relief of at least a portion of a machined part or casting. The receiver has accommodations for sensor systems that monitor the temperature of the part during a radiant heating process which is placed on top of the casting receiver to move through the radiant heating process.

Abstract: A furnace structure includes a roof assembly of at least one layer of refractory material, and a metal plate that covers the at least one layer of refractory material and is configured to dissipate heat from the furnace structure; a plurality of sidewalls fixed to the roof, each of the sidewalls comprising refractory material at an interior surface and a metal wall plate at an outer surface; and a plurality of infrared emitters disposed in an opening in at least one of the refractory material of the sidewalls or the refractory material of the roof.

Abstract: A metal casting is heated using infrared energy by introducing the metal casting into a heating chamber with infrared emitters directed towards the casting, and activating at least a portion of the emitters. The infrared emitters may have a metal coil that is partially embedded in a refractory material, and be tunable to emit wavelengths from about 2 ?m to about 3.3 ?m. The infrared wavelength used to heat the metal casting may be selected based on a surface roughness of the casting. Surface roughness can be measured by measuring a roughness of a part cast from the same mold as the heated casting, which can be the casting that is being heated. Heating may be controlled by measuring the temperature of the casting while a shield is deployed that covers the emitters, which prevents radiations from the emitters from affecting the temperature measurement.

Abstract: An infrared emitter includes a first refractory layer of a first refractory material, a coiled wire disposed over the first refractory material, and a second refractory layer of a second refractory material, and a portion of the second refractory layer is disposed within a void of the coiled wire.

Abstract: A smart glass window that receives power and control signals without physical wiring connections to the window simplifies the installation procedure, reduces wiring and labor costs and enables moving windows or movable glass curtain walls.

Abstract: A glass laminate is produced using infrared emitters to deliver thermal energy to an unbonded glass laminate assembly. Heat may be conducted to the glass laminate by at least one ceramic glass substrate that absorbs at least a portion of the infrared radiation from the emitters, thereby bonding the glass laminate assembly more quickly and efficiently than a conventional vacuum bag process.

Abstract: A sheet of glass can be formed in a batch process by introducing molten glass onto a layer of molten tin within a tank. The tank may be outfitted with infrared emitters to control the amount of heat delivered to the tank while the sheet of glass is formed. A lower surface of the tank can have a three-dimensional shape, and the molten tin may be removed from the tank while the sheet of glass is ductile so that the sheet of glass is molded by the three-dimensional shape, thereby producing a shaped sheet of glass. The delivery of infrared energy to the tank may be facilitated by one or more ceramic glass surface.

Abstract: A glass laminate is produced using infrared emitters to deliver thermal energy to an unbonded glass laminate assembly. Heat may be conducted to the glass laminate by at least one ceramic glass substrate that absorbs at least a portion of the infrared radiation from the emitters, thereby bonding the glass laminate assembly more quickly and efficiently than a conventional vacuum bag process.

Abstract: A low-noise current sensor enables large dynamic range current measurements of alternating and direct current flows. The current sensor includes a first substrate, a first conductor, a magnetic flux conductor comprising a first portion orthogonal to the first conductor and a second portion, the second portion penetrating the first substrate, an inductive sensor comprising a first plurality of loops around the second portion of the magnetic flux conductor on the first substrate, wherein the first plurality of loops is orthogonal to the second portion of the magnetic flux conductor, and a Faraday cage that encloses the first plurality of loops and separates the first plurality of loops from the first conductor.

Abstract: An infrared heating apparatus includes a sheet of ceramic glass having a passband in the infrared spectrum, a metal resistive element having a first portion that is covered by a ceramic refractory material and a second portion that is exposed by the ceramic refractory material, and a controller that controls the metal resistive element to emit infrared radiation in a wavelength corresponding to the passband of the ceramic glass.

Abstract: A receiver is formed as the physical inverse or relief of at least a portion of a machined part or casting. The receiver has accommodations for sensor systems that monitor the temperature of the part during a radiant heating process which is placed on top of the casting receiver to move through the radiant heating process.

Abstract: A means to exploit the Dean Vortices for dynamic filtering on a macro scale intended for application in utility and industrial processes is disclosed. This method relies on an apparatus of computed construction to optimize the centripetal force and minimize the effect of gravity on the separation and effectiveness of the Dean Vortices. The method is also supported by an apparatus of construction which results in an optimized elliptical flow channel that enhances the formation and persistence of the Dean Vortices.

Abstract: A furnace structure includes a roof assembly of at least one layer of refractory material, and a metal plate that covers the at least one layer of refractory material and is configured to dissipate heat from the furnace structure; a plurality of sidewalls fixed to the roof, each of the sidewalls comprising refractory material at an interior surface and a metal wall plate at an outer surface; and a plurality of infrared emitters disposed in an opening in at least one of the refractory material of the sidewalls or the refractory material of the roof.

Abstract: A furnace containment structure includes a roof assembly including at least one layer of refractory material that includes a first layer of refractory material, a plurality of sidewalls, a plurality of pockets disposed in the first layer of ceramic refractory material, each pocket including a retainer that is spaced apart from sides of the pocket by gaps when the roof assembly is at room temperature, an upper plate disposed above the first layer of refractory material, and a first plurality of suspension rods that pass through first holes in the at least one layer of refractory material and the upper plate, wherein the plurality of suspension rods mechanically couple the retainers to the upper plate to retain the at least one layer of refractory material. The structure can use materials with different thermal expansion rates without cracking at elevated temperatures.