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.

Abstract: A method for non-combustive gasification of a hydrocarbon material includes introducing a mass of hydrocarbon material into a chamber, wherein a transmissive wall of the chamber has a pass band in the infrared frequency spectrum, removing air from the chamber; heating the hydrocarbon material within the chamber by radiating, from an infrared emitter, infrared radiation at a frequency corresponding to the pass band to convert at least one component of the hydrocarbon material to a gas, and turning the hydrocarbon material within the chamber to expose inner material to the infrared radiation.

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 high-temperature 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.

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: A method for disrupting solid materials suspended in a fluid medium includes introducing a fluid comprising solid materials dispersed in a fluid medium into a fluid duct, flowing the fluid through an annular space between a cylindrical wall of the fluid duct and an outer surface of a cylindrical acoustic projector that is concentric with the cylindrical wall, the acoustic projector comprising a plurality of hammer elements spaced apart from one another by a first plurality of slots in the acoustic projector, supplying electrical energy to a transducer coupled to the acoustic projector to cause the acoustic projector to vibrate, thereby causing cavitations in the fluid, and flowing the fluid through an outlet of the disruptor after the fluid has been exposed to the cavitations. The cavitations can disrupt solid materials such as pulp, flowers, stems and seeds to release juice or oils from the materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting solid materials suspended in a fluid medium includes a plurality of hammer elements that transfer acoustic energy from an acoustic transducer into a concentration zone between heads of the hammer elements and inner walls of a fluid duct which act as an anvil, thereby causing cavitations to form within the concentration zone. The transducer may be a cylindrical transducer compression fit into an acoustic projector from which the hammer elements extend towards a distal end, and mass balance elements extend towards a proximal end. The apparatus can be used to efficiently extract juice from fruit pulp, separate oils from plant matter, and process various organic and inorganic materials.

Abstract: A low-noise alternating current sensor enables low-cost, large dynamic range current measurements of low-frequency alternating current flows. The low-noise current sensor offers enhanced dynamic range and fine-grained sensitivity unavailable in existing sensor technology. The sensor's dynamic range and sensitivity to low-frequency AC enable new capabilities in precision current control: a valuable and necessary capability in the control and management of circuit considerations, from applications for the grid to transportation, to the control of remote assets.

Abstract: Provided are a complex multifunctional relay system capable of complexly performing an overcurrent blocking function, an arc blocking function, and an earth leakage blocking function by a relay circuit, and a control method therefor. The complex multifunctional relay system includes an AC circuit including a hot line and a neutral line, a power control means connected in parallel to the hot line, insulation differential amplifiers circuit-connected to the hot line and the neutral line through current shunts, a microprocessor connected to the power control means and the insulation differential amplifiers to perform monitoring and control the power supply of the power control means, a first comparator connected to the current shunt and the insulation differential amplifier and connected to the microprocessor so as to check ground fault, and a second comparator connected between the current shunt/the insulation differential amplifier and the microprocessor so as to check arc fault.

Abstract: A low-noise alternating current sensor enables low-cost, large dynamic range current measurements of low-frequency alternating current flows. The low-noise current sensor offers enhanced dynamic range and fine-grained sensitivity unavailable in existing sensor technology. The sensor's dynamic range and sensitivity to low-frequency AC enable new capabilities in precision current control: a valuable and necessary capability in the control and management of circuit considerations, from applications for the grid to transportation, to the control of remote assets.

Abstract: The Robust Safe Switch and Control Device is an “Internet of Things” end effecter that provides a minimally dissipating, robust switch tightly integrated with circuit, life and property automated safety features. The device enables extended sensing and monitoring capabilities that enable the effective management of the “Internet of Things.

Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting solid materials suspended in a fluid medium includes a plurality of hammer elements that transfer acoustic energy from an acoustic transducer into a concentration zone between heads of the hammer elements and inner walls of a fluid duct which act as an anvil, thereby causing cavitations to form within the concentration zone. The transducer may be a cylindrical transducer compression fit into an acoustic projector from which the hammer elements extend towards a distal end, and mass balance elements extend towards a proximal end. The apparatus can be used to efficiently extract juice from fruit pulp, separate oils from plant matter, and process various organic and inorganic materials.

Abstract: The method of the managed sewer is a “Netcentric” distributed process that is managed in real-time and implemented through several apparatuses that enable the low capital cost and low installation cost of a smaller diameter pipe (smaller than typically used in gravity flow systems). The apparatuses enable the method of managing the grinding, pumping and staging processes to optimize the effectiveness of the collection process through the small pipe and increase system efficacy by using the pumping and transport action of the material in the pipe as part of the process activity.

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 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 method for non-combustive gasification of a hydrocarbon material includes introducing a mass of hydrocarbon material into a chamber, wherein a transmissive wall of the chamber has a pass band in the infrared frequency spectrum, removing air from the chamber; heating the hydrocarbon material within the chamber by radiating, from an infrared emitter, infrared radiation at a frequency corresponding to the pass band to convert at least one component of the hydrocarbon material to a gas, and turning the hydrocarbon material within the chamber to expose inner material to the infrared radiation.

Abstract: An improved method and novel apparatus to create an in situ pseudo-blackbody to enable the reliable temperature measurement of castings within an infrared oven environment and the improved, highly efficient delivery of wavelength-optimized thermal radiation to accommodate the effective heat treatment of metal alloys of any temperature, including those removed directly from the mold still containing as much as 90% of the heat of the melt, thus reducing the energy requirement for solutionizing by as much as 90%.

Abstract: Provided are a complex multifunctional relay system capable of complexly performing an overcurrent blocking function, an arc blocking function, and an earth leakage blocking function by a relay circuit, and a control method therefor. The complex multifunctional relay system includes an AC circuit including a hot line and a neutral line, a power control means connected in parallel to the hot line, insulation differential amplifiers circuit-connected to the hot line and the neutral line through current shunts, a microprocessor connected to the power control means and the insulation differential amplifiers to perform monitoring and control the power supply of the power control means, a first comparator connected to the current shunt and the insulation differential amplifier and connected to the microprocessor so as to check ground fault, and a second comparator connected between the current shunt/the insulation differential amplifier and the microprocessor so as to check arc fault.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a non-vented, novel, evacuated, continuous flow infrared gasification apparatus and a method for the controlled and adaptive thermophysical transformation of non-aqueous granular organic materials to a gaseous state and specific inorganic materials to a liquid and/or gaseous state.

Abstract: An infrared heating apparatus includes an infrared emitter with a coiled resistive wire embedded in a ceramic refractory material so that a first portion of the resistive wire is exposed and a second portion of the resistive wire is enclosed by the ceramic refractory material, such that the first portion forms an array of arcs that protrude above the ceramic refractory material.