Abstract: Several embodiments include a method of computing void fraction in a two-phase mixture in a pipe. A driver and a transmitter antenna can transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal through the pipe. The pipe can convey the two-phase mixture extracted from a geothermal well. The RF signal can pass through the two-phase mixture. A receiver antenna in the pipe can receive the RF signal. A receiver circuit can measure signal strength attenuations of the RF signal at the receiver antenna over a time window. A computation engine can compute an average of the signal strength attenuations over the time window. The computation engine or another computing device can then compute, in real-time, a change in a void fraction of the two-phase mixture based on the average of the signal strength attenuations.

Abstract: Several embodiments include a method of computing a phase composition ratio of a two-phase mixture in a pipe. For example, the phase composition ratio is a void fraction or a dryness fraction. The two-phase mixture can have one or more material substances that do not travel as a whole (e.g., at least two of solid phase, liquid phase, and gaseous phase or two liquid materials of different densities that do not mix). A load cell can measure, continuously, weight of the pipe and content of the pipe. Then, a computing system or a circuit can compute, continuously, a moving average of the continuously measured weight. The computing system or the circuit can compute a change in the phase composition ratio of the two-phase mixture based on the computed moving average.

Abstract: Maintenance of reliable and highly available electronic systems to perform servicing and preventive maintenance may need to be performed without interruption of operations. Removal of circuit cards from a chassis may render the connectors on a chassis vulnerable to inadvertent short circuiting of power sources by stray metallic objects. A configuration where the power is removed from a connector as the circuit card is being extracted eliminates his possibility. The control circuits for the power supply connections and the power supplies are themselves redundant so that they may be similarly serviced.

Abstract: Several embodiments include a method of computing void fraction in a two-phase mixture in a pipe. A driver and a transmitter antenna can transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal through the pipe. The pipe can convey the two-phase mixture extracted from a geothermal well. The RF signal can pass through the two-phase mixture. A receiver antenna in the pipe can receive the RF signal. A receiver circuit can measure signal strength attenuations of the RF signal at the receiver antenna over a time window. A computation engine can compute an average of the signal strength attenuations over the time window. The computation engine or another computing device can then compute, in real-time, a change in a void fraction of the two-phase mixture based on the average of the signal strength attenuations.

Abstract: Several embodiments include a method of computing a phase composition ratio of a two-phase mixture in a pipe. For example, the phase composition ratio is a void fraction or a dryness fraction. The two-phase mixture can have one or more material substances that do not travel as a whole (e.g., at least two of solid phase, liquid phase, and gaseous phase or two liquid materials of different densities that do not mix). A load cell can measure, continuously, weight of the pipe and content of the pipe. Then, a computing system or a circuit can compute, continuously, a moving average of the continuously measured weight. The computing system or the circuit can compute a change in the phase composition ratio of the two-phase mixture based on the computed moving average.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and embodiments related to estimating void fractions in real-time or substantially real-time without disrupting a production flow of, e.g., a geothermal power plant. Some embodiments describe methods and systems of determining void fraction of a two-phase mixture extracted from a geothermal well by measuring the attenuations of one or more radiofrequency signals in a fixed span of a transportation unit (e.g., a pipe). Depending on void fraction of the two-phase mixture in the transportation, the RF signals would attenuate differently across the fixed span. For example, a monitor system can utilize one or more transmitter antennas in the transportation unit to transmit one or more RF signals and utilize one or more receiver antennas to measure attenuations of these RF signals over the fixed span. In some embodiments, an antenna can be configured to serve as both a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna.

Abstract: Maintenance of reliable and highly available electronic systems to perform servicing and preventive maintenance may need to be performed without interruption of operations. Removal of circuit cards from a chassis may render the connectors on a chassis vulnerable to inadvertent short circuiting of power sources by stray metallic objects. A configuration where the power is removed from a connector as the circuit card is being extracted eliminates his possibility. The control circuits for the power supply connections and the power supplies are themselves redundant so that they may be similarly serviced.

Abstract: A method of making a multilayer printed circuit board providing sufficient internal distributed capacitance so as to eliminate the need for the by-pass capacitor conventionally provided in the vicinity of each integrated circuit mounted to the board. The method includes providing one or more fully-cured power-ground plane sandwich components which are laminated together with other partially cured component layers of the board. Each sandwich component comprises a conductive power plane layer and a conductive ground plane layer having a fully cured dielectric material therebetween. The thickness of the dielectric layer of each sandwich is chosen sufficiently thin to provide the desired distributed capacitance.

Abstract: An improved housing (15, 17) and associated latching mechanism that render practicable the implementation of a completely modular computer system. The latching mechanism effects simple positive engagement and disengagement of the pin and socket connectors (22, 20) as respective outer surfaces of a first wall (25) on a first module housing (15) and a second wall (27) on a second module housing (17) are brought together or separated. The second wall (27) carries a plurality of hooking members (30) which pass through corresponding apertures (32) in the first wall (25) and are captured and restrained by a reciprocable latch bar (50) inside the first housing (15). A rotary latch (37) engages the latch bar (50) such that actuation of a handle (40) on the rotary latch (37) causes reciprocation of the latch bar (50) between a first accommodating position and a second capturing position.