Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula wherein A is R is lower alkyl, —(CH2)z-C3-7-cycloalkyl or —(CH2)z—C4-6-heterocycloalkyl, which are optionally substituted by one to three hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halogen, or is (endo)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a pressure drop of a fluid is disclosed. A sleeve includes a plurality of flow passages in a wall of the sleeve. A member slides relative to the sleeve to reveal at least a portion of the plurality of flow passages to control flow of the fluid through the flow passages. The plurality of flow passages are at azimuthally-and axially-staggered locations around the sleeve.

Abstract: A bypass directional control valve has a valve sleeve, and two sets of outlet ports on each of two axial sides of the inlet ports. The outlet and the inlet ports all are formed to be cylindrical holes, and a diameter of the inlet ports is greater than a diameter of the outlet ports. A valve sleeve, a spool, a fluid flow system and a method are all also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of metering fuel with a fuel valve. The method includes arranging a spool within to a sleeve along an axis, wherein the spool includes four seal lands. The sleeve includes a fuel inlet aperture, a fuel outlet aperture, and a shutoff port. A first cavity and a second cavity are defined between the spool, the sleeve, and subsets of the seal lands. The fuel inlet port and the fuel outlet port abut one such cavity. Sliding the spool along the axis results in the fuel outlet aperture extending longitudinally beyond the second seal land in the upstream direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.

Abstract: A rotary metering valve assembly includes a stationary body plate having a first contact surface. Also included is a valve plate having a second contact surface disposed in contact with the first contact surface of the stationary body plate, wherein the valve plate is configured to rotate relative to the stationary body plate. At least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface comprises a surface flatness of less than about 2.4 ?m (about 93 ?in) and a surface roughness of at least about 0.2 ?m (about 8 ?in).

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.

Abstract: A coated valve assembly includes a sleeve having a sleeve outer surface and a sleeve inner surface. Also included is a spool having a spool outer surface. Further included is a hardened surface formed on the sleeve inner surface and the spool outer surface. Yet further included is a coating disposed on the hardened surface of at least one of the spool outer surface and the sleeve inner surface, the second coating comprising a diamond-like carbon coating.

Abstract: A method of metering fuel with a fuel valve. The method includes arranging a spool within to a sleeve along an axis, wherein the spool includes four seal lands. The sleeve includes a fuel inlet aperture, a fuel outlet aperture, and a shutoff port. A first cavity and a second cavity are defined between the spool, the sleeve, and subsets of the seal lands. The fuel inlet port and the fuel outlet port abut one such cavity. Sliding the spool along the axis results in the fuel outlet aperture extending longitudinally beyond the second seal land in the upstream direction.

Abstract: A bypass directional control valve has a valve sleeve, and two sets of outlet ports on each of two axial sides of the inlet ports. The outlet and the inlet ports all are formed to be cylindrical holes, and a diameter of the inlet ports is greater than a diameter of the outlet ports. A valve sleeve, a spool, a fluid flow system and a method are all also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a pressure drop of a fluid is disclosed. A sleeve includes a plurality of flow passages in a wall of the sleeve. A member slides relative to the sleeve to reveal at least a portion of the plurality of flow passages to control flow of the fluid through the flow passages. The plurality of flow passages are at azimuthally- and axially-staggered locations around the sleeve.

Abstract: A pump sharing valve for a gas turbine engine fuel system includes a housing having multiple ports. A sleeve is arranged in the housing and includes an inlet window and first, second and third windows axially spaced apart from one another. A spool is slidably received in the sleeve and includes a diameter and first and second cylindrical portions. The first cylindrical portion selectively connects the inlet window to the second and third windows. The second cylindrical portion selectively connects the inlet window to the first window. The spool is movable between first and second positions relative to the first, second and third windows to regulate flow. The first and second cylindrical portions respectively includes first and second widths. A first ratio corresponds to the first width to the spool diameter and a second ratio corresponds to the second width to the spool diameters. The first ratio is between 1.83 and 1.93 and the second ratio is between 1.22 and 1.32.

Abstract: A minimum pressure shut-off valve closes off fuel flow responsive fuel pressure being below a predefined pressure. A sleeve includes at least a first flow window and a second flow window. The second window includes a notch providing a flow area based on an axial position of a spool moveable within the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.

Abstract: A method of forming a photovoltaic device includes a plurality of quantum wells and a plurality of barriers. The quantum wells and barriers are disposed on an underlying layer. The barriers alternate with the quantum wells. One of the plurality of quantum wells and the plurality of barriers is comprised of tensile strained layers and the other of the plurality of quantum wells and the plurality of barriers is comprised of compressively strained layers. The tensile and compressively strained layers have elastic properties. The method includes selecting compositions and thicknesses of the barriers and quantum wells taking into account the elastic properties such that each period of one tensile strained layer and one compressively strained layer exerts substantially no shear force on a neighboring structure; providing the underlying layer; and forming the quantum sells and barriers on the underlying layer according to the derived compositions and thicknesses.

Abstract: A method of forming a photovoltaic device includes a plurality of quantum wells and a plurality of barriers. The quantum wells and barriers are disposed on an underlying layer. The barriers alternate with the quantum wells. One of the plurality of quantum wells and the plurality of barriers is comprised of tensile strained layers and the other of the plurality of quantum wells and the plurality of barriers is comprised of compressively strained layers. The tensile and compressively strained layers have elastic properties. The method includes selecting compositions and thicknesses of the barriers and quantum wells taking into account the elastic properties such that each period of one tensile strained layer and one compressively strained layer exerts substantially no shear force on a neighboring structure; providing the underlying layer; and forming the quantum sells and barriers on the underlying layer according to the derived compositions and thicknesses.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic device that includes a lower photovoltaic cell fabricated from semiconductor material having a first bandgap, and having first electrical contacts for extraction of current from the lower cell; an electrically insulating layer monolithically fabricated on the lower photovoltaic cell; and an upper photovoltaic cell monolithically fabricated on the electrically insulating layer from semiconductor material having a second bandgap larger than the first bandgap, and having second electrical contacts for extraction of current from the upper cell. The photovoltaic system also includes one or more first photon sources operable to supply photons to the photovoltaic device, the photons having wavelengths in a first wavelength range associated primarily with the first bandgap.

Abstract: A method for cutting a chamfer on an edge of a concrete slab, the method comprising the steps of: making a generally planar cut, beginning a distance from the edge, with a generally circular, generally laminar concrete saw blade rotatably powered by a right-angle grinder motor, the generally planar cut being made at a desired angle and creating a cantilevered ledge above the generally planar cut; fracturing and removing at least a portion of the cantilevered ledge from the slab whenever an edge of the cantilevered ledge is proximate the hub; and continuing the generally planar cut until the cantilevered ledge is severed from the slab.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a chamfer on an upper edge of a concrete slab includes a hub designed for installation on the threaded output spindle of an angle grinder, and a specially-modified diamond-grit-edged rotary blade which mounts on the hub. For a preferred embodiment of the hub, an attachment collar is unitary and concentric with both a blade mounting flange having countersunk attachment screw holes and a blade centering shoulder on the flange. The attachment collar has at least one pair of flattened parallel sides for receiving a wrench used to tighten the hub on the output spindle. The blade, which is equipped with both countersunk attachment holes and a central positioning aperture sized to fit closely over the blade centering shoulder, is attachable with countersinking screws to the mounting flange so that the head of each screw is flush with the surface of the blade.