Abstract: A microwave appliance provides safe heating of packaged food products at an efficiency greater than 90%. A temperature sensor positioned about a product holder is configured to sense a temperature of the package. A product identification scanner identifies a type of food product, a type of packaging, and/or a size of packaging being inserted into the microwave appliance. The product identification may be used to obtain a dielectric constant and/or electrical conductivity of the product. An electric field detector verifies that a suitable product has been inserted into the microwave appliance and is used to estimate a volume of the packaged food product. Accordingly, even partially full packaged food products may be safely re-heated to a desired temperature. As opposed to a time-based operation with traditional microwave appliances, operation of the microwave appliance may be adjusted based on the product identification scanner, temperature sensor, and electric field detector.

Abstract: A packaged food product processing machine. The machine comprises a food consumer interface configured to receive a food consumer selection identifying an end state of a food product, a package cooling sub-system comprising a chilled fluid bath, a gripper component configured to agitate a package containing the food product in the chilled fluid bath, and a controller configured to command the gripper to control the rate of heat transfer from the package to the chilled fluid bath based on receiving an input identifying an end state selection from the food consumer interface and based on receiving an input containing a value of the physical parameter of the food product from the gripper component.

Abstract: A self-mating beam section for constructing a box beam, the self-mating beam section having a substantially “C” shape comprising a web with a first flange and a second flange extending outwardly from the web. The flanges may extend substantially perpendicularly to the web. The self-mating beam section further includes a first longitudinal groove and a second longitudinal groove disposed proximate the intersection of the web and the flange. Each groove configured for receiving a free end of each flange of another identical self-mating beam section, wherein the difference between a width of a groove and the flange thickness is limited to prevent deflection of the free end of the flange when received into a corresponding flange so that the flange does not experience local buckling prior to the beam being loaded to a design stress corresponding to a similarly shaped tubular section.

Abstract: A solenoid (10) includes a shell (12), a lower stator member (20) associated with the shell, and an upper stator member (30) in the shell. The upper stator member is separate from the lower stator member and has a wire receiving member (34). A half bobbin (40) is associated with the upper stator member and has a wire receiving portion (44). Wire is wound directly about the portion of the half bobbin and directly about the member of the upper stator member to define a winding (46). An armature (54) is movable with respect to at least the lower stator member upon energizing the winding.

Abstract: An electronic exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine selectably provides a recirculation path from engine exhaust to engine intake. A main spring biases the valve in a closed position. The main spring acts on a main spring receiving surface rigidly fixed to a pintle that operates the valve. A solenoid armature is biased against a surface rigidly fixed to the pintle by a spring acting between the pintle and the armature. The armature is permitted to move radially with respect to the pintle for alignment compensation. The main spring force does not affect frictional forces between the armature and the pintle.

Abstract: An electronic exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine selectably provides a recirculation path from engine exhaust to engine intake. A main spring biases the valve in a closed position. The main spring acts on a main spring receiving surface rigidly fixed to a pintle that operates the valve. A solenoid armature is biased against a surface rigidly fixed to the pintle by a spring acting between the pintle and the armature. The armature is permitted to move radially with respect to the pintle for alignment compensation. The main spring force does not affect frictional forces between the armature and the pintle.

Abstract: A solenoid (10) includes a shell (12), a lower stator member (20) associated with the shell, and an upper stator member (30) in the shell. The upper stator member is separate from the lower stator member and has a wire receiving member (34). A half bobbin (40) is associated with the upper stator member and has a wire receiving portion (44). Wire is wound directly about the portion of the half bobbin and directly about the member of the upper stator member to define a winding (46). An armature (54) is movable with respect to at least the lower stator member upon energizing the winding.