Abstract: A particle blast apparatus includes a first restraint member connected to a wheel and a second restraint member which is moveable between a first position and a second position at which the second restraint member is in engagement with the first engagement member, and includes a bistable actuator which is moveable between and including a first stable equilibrium state at which the second restraint member is disposed at the first position and a second stable equilibrium state at which the second restraint member is disposed at the second position, the bistable actuator requiring input of activation energy to move between the first stable equilibrium state and the second stable equilibrium state

Abstract: A task-oriented virtual resource can be dynamically mapped to multiple physical resource types in order to better align resource allocation mechanisms. Mappings between the task-oriented virtual resource and the physical resource types may be managed in accordance with a workload associated with an underlying task being performed by the network on behalf of a user. The number of physical resource units that are mapped to the task-oriented virtual resource may be varied in accordance with one or more workload conditions using a finite state machine. The finite state machine can include nodes representing static or dynamic states for each physical resource type. The nodes may be interconnected via relationships, which can be governed by the workload conditions. Relationships between nodes may be modeled using hybrid graphs.

Abstract: A multilayered circuit board having a metal-free region vertically extending through at least a portion of a conductive layer, which lies generally parallel to a horizontal plane, vertically spaced from an outer surface. Heat-emitting and heat-sensitive components are mounted on the outer surface. The heat-emitting component is vertically and laterally spaced from the metal-free region, whereas the heat-sensitive component is vertically spaced and laterally aligned within the metal-free region such that the metal-free region is a thermal barrier that shields heat-sensitive component from radial heat flowing from the heat-emitting component.

Abstract: A multilayered circuit board having a metal-free region vertically extending through at least a portion of a conductive layer, which lies generally parallel to a horizontal plane, vertically spaced from an outer surface. Heat-emitting and heat-sensitive components are mounted on the outer surface. The heat-emitting component is vertically and laterally spaced from the metal-free region, whereas the heat-sensitive component is vertically spaced and laterally aligned within the metal-free region such that the metal-free region is a thermal barrier that shields heat-sensitive component from radial heat flowing from the heat-emitting component.

Abstract: A task-oriented virtual resource can be dynamically mapped to multiple physical resource types in order to better align resource allocation mechanisms. Mappings between the task-oriented virtual resource and the physical resource types may be managed in accordance with a workload associated with an underlying task being performed by the network on behalf of a user. The number of physical resource units that are mapped to the task-oriented virtual resource may be varied in accordance with one or more workload conditions using a finite state machine. The finite state machine can include nodes representing static or dynamic states for each physical resource type. The nodes may be interconnected via relationships, which can be governed by the workload conditions. Relationships between nodes may be modeled using hybrid graphs.

Abstract: A fluid preheater (10) includes a body (12) having an interior wall (28) defining a chamber (42) and having an inlet (50) and an outlet (52). One or more heaters (18) are disposed in the wall (28), but not exposed to the chamber (42). The chamber (42) has one or more baffles that cause turbulence in the flow of fluid through the chamber (42) from the inlet (50) to the outlet (52) in order to increase the exposure of the fluid to heat from the heaters (18, 64).

Abstract: A cartridge heater may include an elongated core assembly inside an elongated metal sheath having first and second ends and wherein the elongated metal sheath is made from at least one of aluminum alloy and copper alloy. The elongated core assembly includes a resistance heating element mounted to an elongated insulating core with electric leads extending outside the elongated metal sheath.

Abstract: A fluid preheater (10) includes a body (12) having an interior wall (28) defining a chamber (42) and having an inlet (50) and an outlet (52). One or more heaters (18) are disposed in the wall (28), but not exposed to the chamber (42). The chamber (42) has one or more baffles that cause turbulence in the flow of fluid through the chamber (42) from the inlet (50) to the outlet (52) in order to increase the exposure of the fluid to heat from the heaters (18, 64).

Abstract: A vehicle transmission lubrication communication system including a pump, a torque converter, an oil cooler, a shifting control assembly, a sump, a main shaft, a counter shaft, and a secondary shaft. The pump withdraws lubricating oil from the sump and pumps the lubricating oil throughout the lubrication system. The pump directs a first flow to the torque converter, a second flow to the shifting control assembly, and a third flow to the main shaft. Oil from the torque converter flows through the oil cooler and, downstream the oil cooler, separates into a first portion of cooled oil that is directed to the secondary and counter shafts and a second portion of the cooled oil that is directed to the sump. Increased flow through the torque converter and oil cooler, as well as directing cooled oil to the secondary and counter shafts, reduces the oil temperature during normal and lockup modes of operation.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission lubrication communication system including a pump, a torque converter, an oil cooler, a shifting control assembly, a sump, a main shaft, a counter shaft, and a secondary shaft. The pump withdraws lubricating oil from the sump and pumps the lubricating oil throughout the lubrication system. The pump directs a first flow to the torque converter, a second flow to the shifting control assembly, and a third flow to the main shaft. Oil from the torque converter flows through the oil cooler and, downstream the oil cooler, separates into a first portion of cooled oil that is directed to the secondary and counter shafts and a second portion of the cooled oil that is directed to the sump. Increased flow through the torque converter and oil cooler, as well as directing cooled oil to the secondary and counter shafts, reduces the oil temperature during normal and lockup modes of operation.