Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of first computing devices, wherein each first computing device is wearable by a user or is affixed to an asset within an environment and configured to generate and transmit a message; and a plurality of second computing devices installed within the environment, wherein a portion of the plurality of second computing devices are configured to detect at least one of the plurality of first computing devices, receive messages transmitted by a detected first computing device, and timestamp the messages before transmitting the messages to a computing server system. The computing server system is configured to determine at least a location of the detected first computing device based at least upon the messages received from the portion of the plurality of second computing devices.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a vacuum system. The vacuum system includes a vacuum pump; and a heat exchanger for receiving a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid comprising a gas. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the vacuum pump and is operable to absorb thermal energy from the vacuum pump. Aspects of the present invention also relate to a method of operating a vacuum system; and a controller for controlling operation of a vacuum system.

Abstract: An enclosure system may be formed of a lightweight panel with a thin non-porous membrane that enables the extraction and leak detection of hazardous gases from housing equipment such as vacuum pumps, valves, abatement equipment and the like. Additionally, the enclosure system includes a one or multiple layers of wire mesh which prevent projectiles with a high kinetic energy from escaping from the housing equipment thereby minimising the risk of an explosion causing parts or panels to be ejected from the enclosure system.

Abstract: A twin-shaft pump comprising: a pumping chamber; two rotatable shafts each mounted on bearings is disclosed. Each of the two rotatable shafts comprises at least one rotor element, the rotor elements being within the pumping chamber and the two rotatable shafts extending beyond the pumping chamber to a support member. The support member comprises mounting means for mounting the bearings at a predetermined distance from each other, the predetermined distance defining a distance between the two shafts. A thermal break between the pumping chamber and the support member is provided for impeding thermal conductivity between the pumping chamber and the support member, such that the pumping chamber and support member can be maintained at different temperatures. The support member and the rotor elements are formed of different materials, a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material forming the support member being higher than a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material forming the rotor elements.

Abstract: A pump cooling system may include a cooling body configured to be fitted to a pump housing to receive heat from the pump housing via a heat conducting path between the cooling body and pump housing. The cooling body may have a passage through which, in use, a cooling fluid is passed to conduct heat away from the cooling body. The pump cooling system includes a cooling control mechanism configured to provide a gap in the heat conducting path at pump operating temperatures below a predefined temperature so heat conduction from the pump housing to the cooling body is interrupted.

Abstract: A vacuum pumping system comprises a plurality of vacuum pumping arrangements for evacuating an enclosure and an auxiliary vacuum chamber for evacuation by at least one first vacuum pumping arrangement. The vacuum pumping system has a first state for evacuating the enclosure and a second state for conserving power consumed by the system. In a first stage of the second state the first vacuum pumping arrangement is arranged to evacuate an exhaust of at least one second vacuum pumping arrangement and in a second stage the exhaust of the first pumping arrangement is arranged to be evacuated by the auxiliary vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A pump cooling system may include a cooling body configured to be fitted to a pump housing to receive heat from the pump housing via a heat conducting path between the cooling body and pump housing. The cooling body may have a passage through which, in use, a cooling fluid is passed to conduct heat away from the cooling body. The pump cooling system includes a cooling control mechanism configured to provide a gap in the heat conducting path at pump operating temperatures below a predefined temperature so heat conduction from the pump housing to the cooling body is interrupted.

Abstract: A twin-shaft pump comprising: a pumping chamber; two rotatable shafts each mounted on bearings is disclosed. Each of the two rotatable shafts comprises at least one rotor element, the rotor elements being within the pumping chamber and the two rotatable shafts extending beyond the pumping chamber to a support member. The support member comprises mounting means for mounting the bearings at a predetermined distance from each other, the predetermined distance defining a distance between the two shafts. A thermal break between the pumping chamber and the support member is provided for impeding thermal conductivity between the pumping chamber and the support member, such that the pumping chamber and support member can be maintained at different temperatures. The support member and the rotor elements are formed of different materials, a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material forming the support member being higher than a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material forming the rotor elements.

Abstract: A blended composition when used for the removal of persistent organic pollutants persistent organic pollutants (POP) such as perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) from water, the blended composition comprising Bauxsol and an additive wherein the additive is selected from activated carbon and an oxidizing agent. Also disclosed is a method of using the blended composition in the treatment of contaminated water.

Abstract: An enclosure system may be formed of a lightweight panel with a thin non-porous membrane that enables the extraction and leak detection of hazardous gases from housing equipment such as vacuum pumps, valves, abatement equipment and the like. Additionally, the enclosure system includes a one or multiple layers of wire mesh which prevent projectiles with a high kinetic energy from escaping from the housing equipment thereby minimising the risk of an explosion causing parts or panels to be ejected from the enclosure system.

Abstract: A vacuum pumping system comprises a plurality of vacuum pumping arrangements for evacuating an enclosure and an auxiliary vacuum chamber for evacuation by at least one first vacuum pumping arrangement. The vacuum pumping system has a first state for evacuating the enclosure and a second state for conserving power consumed by the system. In a first stage of the second state the first vacuum pumping arrangement is arranged to evacuate an exhaust of at least one second vacuum pumping arrangement and in a second stage the exhaust of the first pumping arrangement is arranged to be evacuated by the auxiliary vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum pumping system comprises a plurality of vacuum pumping arrangements for evacuating an enclosure and an auxiliary vacuum chamber for evacuation by at least one first vacuum pumping arrangement. The vacuum pumping system has a first state for evacuating the enclosure and a second state for conserving power consumed by the system. In a first stage of the second state the first vacuum pumping arrangement is arranged to evacuate an exhaust of at least one second vacuum pumping arrangement and in a second stage the exhaust of the first pumping arrangement is arranged to be evacuated by the auxiliary vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A CT scanning apparatus includes a control apparatus arranged to cause a first rotation of a gantry and trigger an x-ray source to emit x-radiation at a first x-ray energy when an angular encoder reports that the gantry is at each of multiple predetermined angular locations, and cause a second rotation of the gantry and trigger the x-ray source to emit x-radiation at a second x-ray energy differing from the first x-ray energy when the angular encoder reports that the gantry is at each of the same predetermined angular locations. An image processing means receives the projection images and reconstructs them into a volumetric image. A support couch is provided for the patient, and to minimize the likelihood of movement artifacts, the support couch includes a patient immobilisation system such as an evacuatable bead bag, bite post, or stereotactic frames, or the like.

Abstract: An oral care implement generates cavitation within the oral cavity. One or more cavitation cleaning elements may be located in the head area of the oral care implement. The cavitation cleaning element vibrates at a frequency that produces cavitation of fluids within the oral cavity. The oral care implement may include an elastomeric cavitation cleaning element. A cleaning element may be configured to vibratory release an oral care substance from a container; and a body for gripping the implement.

Abstract: A pump includes a plurality of pumping stages comprising a respective plurality of pumping mechanisms driven by one or more drive shafts for pumping fluid through the pumping stages from a pump inlet at a high vacuum stage to a pump outlet at a low vacuum stage; a lubrication chamber housing a bearing assembly for supporting the drive shaft for rotational movement, the drive shaft extending from the high vacuum stage to the lubrication chamber through an opening of a head plate of the lubrication chamber; an inter-stage purge port through which gas can enter the pump at an inter-stage location downstream of the high vacuum; a lubrication chamber purge port located in the lubrication chamber through which purge gas can flow from a source of purge gas; wherein the inter-stage port is connected to the lubrication chamber for controlling the pressure of purge gas in the lubrication chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum pumping system comprises a plurality of vacuum pumping arrangements for evacuating an enclosure and an auxiliary vacuum chamber for evacuation by at least one first vacuum pumping arrangement. The vacuum pumping system has a first state for evacuating the enclosure and a second state for conserving power consumed by the system. In a first stage of the second state the first vacuum pumping arrangement is arranged to evacuate an exhaust of at least one second vacuum pumping arrangement and in a second stage the exhaust of the first pumping arrangement is arranged to be evacuated by the auxiliary vacuum chamber.

Abstract: Described is a method for administering an online conference. The method includes receiving an electronic communication from a conference participant. A group is determined to be associated with the conference participant. An action is performed on the conference participant based on the group association.

Abstract: Described is a conference management system for administering an online conference. The conference management system receives an electronic communication from a conference participant. A group is determined to be associated with the conference participant. An action is performed on the conference participant based on the group association.

Abstract: A pair of Northey rotors for a vacuum pump, in which each rotor comprises two opposing, substantially parallel faces, and a peripheral surface located between the opposing faces. In order to reduce damage caused by pumping a gas stream containing liquid or solid particulates, a plurality of grooves is located on the peripheral surface for accommodating the particulates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-stage vacuum pump which has a plurality of pumping stages. The pump comprises a stator forming the pumping chambers of respective pumping stages and at least one shaft, for supporting a plurality of rotors for rotation in respective pumping chambers. The stator comprises: a stator envelope which extends over an axial extent of a plurality of stator stages thereby circumscribing said at least one shaft and forming an internal profile of a plurality of stator stages: and a plurality of transverse walls located on either axial side of the stator stages to form respective said pumping chambers. At least one of the transverse walls is an inter-stage between stator stages and the stator envelope is configured to circumscribe the inter-stage for location of said inter-stage radially inward of the stator part.