Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) includes a first aluminum layer, having a first thickness, electrically insulated with a coating of alumina applied to a surface of the first aluminum layer; a second aluminum layer, having a second thickness that is different than the first thickness, insulated with a coating of alumina applied to a surface of the second aluminum layer; and a conductive layer bonded to the coating of alumina on the first aluminum layer, the coating of alumina on the second aluminum layer, or both.

Abstract: An electronics assembly drives an electric motor and receives a coolant fluid. The electronics assembly includes a heat sink including a thermally conductive material. The heat sink includes a frame extending between a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines at least a portion of a cavity for receiving the coolant fluid therein. The heat sink includes a plurality of cooling members coupled to and extending from the first surface of the frame into the cavity such that the plurality of cooling members are disposed within the coolant fluid. The electronics assembly further includes an electrical insulator directly bonded to the second surface of the frame and a semiconductor thermally coupled to the electrical insulator. The electrical insulator is a thermal conductor and facilitates heat transfer between the semiconductor and the heat sink. The electrical insulator electrically insulates the semiconductor from the heat sink.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB), including electrical components for controlling electrically-actuated turbochargers, having a switching device configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power source and electrically connected to an electric motor of an electrically-actuated turbocharger, wherein the switching device is physically attached to a side of the PCB within a cavity formed in the side of the PCB such that at least a portion of the switching device is below the side of the PCB.

Abstract: An application system includes one or more flow control mechanisms controlling a flow path to a dispenser device, one or more position control mechanisms controlling a position of the dispenser device, and a memory device storing data associated with the flow control mechanisms, the position control mechanisms, one or more target areas, and computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be executed to identify a target area, actuate the position control mechanisms to move the dispenser device toward the target area, actuate the flow control mechanisms to channel the sealant materials toward the dispenser device, dispense one or more first shots of the sealant materials onto the target area using the dispenser device for forming a dollop at the target area, and dispense one or more second shots of the sealant materials onto the target area using the dispenser device for forming a sealant layer that overlies the dollop.

Abstract: A compressor wheel that can be employed in devices such as turbochargers. The compressor wheel includes an axially extending hub having an inlet end, a shaft bore extending from the inlet end and an arcuate outer surface opposed to the shaft bore. The axially extending hub is composed of a metal and has a porous region located proximate to the arcuate outer surface of the axially extending hub. The compressor wheel also includes a blade array disposed on the arcuate outer surface of the axially extending hub. The blade array has an outer surface and an inner region. The blade array comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, radially and axially extending blades disposed thereon and is composed, at least in part of a polymeric material. Polymeric material located in the inner region of the blade array extends into the porous region defined in the axially extending hub.

Abstract: A product comprising a stator core having a stator base portion and a plurality of stator teeth extending from the stator base portion in a radially inward direction from the stator base portion, wherein adjacent stator teeth define, at least in part, a stator slot therebetween, and a stator slot closer having a portion for closing an associated stator slot.

Abstract: A variable position device (25) for a turbocharger includes a turbine wheel (24). A fluid diverter (26) for diverting exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel (24) is moveable inclusively between a first and a second end-stop position (80, 104, 82, 106) defining an end-stop span (84, 108). An actuator (46) is in operable association with the fluid diverter (26). The actuator (46) is configure to, in an operation mode, selectively move the fluid diverter (26) inclusively between a first and a second guard band position (88, 110, 90, 112) defining a guard band span (92, 114) that is less than the end-stop span (84, 108). The actuator (46) is configured to, in a first mode, move the fluid diverter (26) to a first reduced guard band position (94, 116) that is inclusively between the first end-stop position (80, 104) and the first guard band position (88, 110), and apply a constant force to the fluid diverter (26) to hold the fluid diverter (26) in the first reduced guard band position (94, 116).

Abstract: A compressor wheel that can be employed in devices such as turbochargers. The compressor wheel includes an axially extending hub having an inlet end, a shaft bore extending from the inlet end and an arcuate outer surface opposed to the shaft bore. The axially extending hub is composed of a metal and has a porous region located proximate to the arcuate outer surface of the axially extending hub. The compressor wheel also includes a blade array disposed on the arcuate outer surface of the axially extending hub. The blade array has an outer surface and an inner region. The blade array comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, radially and axially extending blades disposed thereon and is composed, at least in part of a polymeric material. Polymeric material located in the inner region of the blade array extends into the porous region defined in the axially extending hub.

Abstract: An engine system (40) includes an engine (42), and a turbocharger (1) that receives exhaust gas from the engine (42) and delivers charged air to the engine (42). The engine system (40) also includes an electrically-driven compressor-expander (60) disposed in the engine air intake passage (48) between a compressor section (10) of the turbocharger (1) and the engine (42). The compressor-expander (60) is configured to modify the pressure and temperature characteristics of the charged air flow exiting the turbocharger compressor section (10). A valve (50) controls the flow path and/or direction of the charged air flow as it enters the compressor-expander (60).

Abstract: A method of applying a coating material to a vehicle that includes defining a plurality of application zones on the vehicle. The application zones include a low visibility zone, a medium visibility zone, and a high visibility zone. The method further includes applying the coating material to the application zones in a predetermined sequence such that a first portion of the coating material is applied to the low visibility zone, then a second portion is applied to the medium visibility zone, and then a third portion is applied to the high visibility zone. A first overlap region is defined between the low visibility zone and the high visibility zone and a second overlap region is defined between the medium visibility zone and the high visibility zone. The third portion of the coating material is applied before the coating material previously applied in the first and second overlap regions has set for a predefined duration.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel and a primary inlet passage of variable axial width. The turbine has a secondary inlet passage provides a flow path for a working fluid which circumnavigates at least part of the primary inlet passage. A seal element and one or more apertures are cooperable to selectively allow or prevent fluid flow through the secondary inlet passage. The ratio of the minimum cross-sectional area of the flow path through the primary inlet passage to that of the secondary inlet passage is between 1.3 and 1.7.

Abstract: A system for controlling movement of an actuator includes an input power source that provides an input pulse width (PWM) signal; a motor driver that receives the PWM signal and provides a synthesized three-phase drive signal; a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor that receives the drive signal and operates in response to the received drive signal to reposition the actuator; and a controller that receives the PWM signal. The controller includes an amplitude detection module that detects the amplitude of the PWM signal, and a direction detection module that detects the polarity of the PWM signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the insertion of a pre-sterilized sensor probe into a sterile vessel. The system of the invention provides a reliable and straightforward way to insert one or more sterile probes into a sterile vessel. The present invention also provides a sterile vessel that includes one or more of the systems of the invention. The sterile vessel can be a flexible or semi-rigid bag or tubing of the type typically used for carrying out biochemical and/or biological processes and/or manipulating liquids and other products of such processes. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for aseptically inserting a probe into a sterile vessel where the method makes use of the system of the invention.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel and a primary inlet passage of variable axial width. The turbine has a secondary inlet passage provides a flow path for a working fluid which circumnavigates at least part of the primary inlet passage. A seal element and one or more apertures are cooperable to selectively allow or prevent fluid flow through the secondary inlet passage. The turbine wheel is of the radial-inflow axial-outflow type and secondary inlet passage has an outlet configured to direct working fluid to exit the secondary inlet passage in a direction which has an axial component in the opposite direction to the direction of axial outflow of the turbine wheel.

Abstract: An engine system (40) includes an engine (42), and a turbocharger (1) that receives exhaust gas from the engine (42) and delivers charged air to the engine (42). The engine system (40) also includes an electrically-driven compressor-expander (60) disposed in the engine air intake passage (48) between a compressor section (10) of the turbocharger (1) and the engine (42). The compressor-expander (60) is configured to modify the pressure and temperature characteristics of the charged air flow exiting the turbocharger compressor section (10). A valve (50) controls the flow path and/or direction of the charged air flow as it enters the compressor-expander (60).

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a turbocharger assembly, comprising: a turbocharger; one or more actuators for controlling a flow of fluid in, around, or associated with the operation of the turbocharger; control electronics for use in controlling actuation of the one or more actuators; and boost electronics configured to receive an input voltage, and to provide a boosted output voltage to the control electronics.

Abstract: A compressor comprises a housing defining an inlet, a volute, an outlet, and a compressor chamber between the inlet and the outlet within which a compressor wheel is rotatably mounted. The housing has discrete attached first and second housing portions, the first housing portion defining at least part of the inlet and the second housing portion defining at least part of a volute of the outlet. The first housing portion has a conductive element for conducting an electric signal and a second sensor arrangement in sensing communication with the inlet. The compressor further comprises a first sensor arrangement, the first sensor arrangement being configured such that it is in sensing communication with the volute or outlet and such that it is electrically connected to the conductive element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insert for reinforcement of bags made of plastic film, comprising a star-like plastic part having at least three jaws, wherein the insert is adapted for insertion and heat-sealing at a junction inside a three-dimensional bag where at least three plastic films meet, so that each jaw extends in a direction between two films. The invention also relates to a three dimensional bag incorporating such inserts and a method of producing such a bag.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine of the kind used in a turbocharger has a variable geometry element such as a nozzle ring that is operated by an actuator. The actuator comprises a motor which drives a cross-shaft in rotation. The cross-shaft in turn drives a pair of guide rods on which the nozzle ring is supported in translation so as to move the nozzle ring and control the width of the inlet passage of the turbine. The cross-shaft and guide rods are drivingly engaged by a rack and pinion or thread or another toothed or threaded formation suitable for converting rotational movement into translational movement. The cross-shaft can be located in close proximity to the guide rods and the output of the motor shaft so as to provide a compact package. Moreover, the torque required to resist movement of the nozzle ring in operation is much reduced in comparison to existing designs.

Abstract: A gas expander system suitable for use in a turbomachine, the gas expander system comprising: a gas expander provided with a moveable part; a magnetic gear arrangement; and a shaft; the moveable part of the gas expander being connectable to a load via the magnetic gear arrangement and the shaft, and movement of the moveable part of the gas expander being arranged to cause movement of the shaft, wherein the magnetic gear arrangement is used in a closed loop heat recovery system, with the inner and outer rotors of the magnetic gear separated by a wall that contains the stator.