Abstract: A nuclear power plant includes a nuclear structure, a frontline support equipment, and a support structure. The nuclear structure includes, and is configured to protect from incurring damage due to a damaging event, at least one of a nuclear reactor or a nuclear fuel storage. The frontline support equipment is configured to perform a fundamental safety function. The support structure is spatially separate from the nuclear structure and includes an initiating support equipment configured to trigger the frontline support equipment to perform the fundamental safety function such that the fundamental safety function is performed independently of the initiating support equipment subsequent to the triggering. The support structure may be a non-protected structure that is not configured to protect the initiating support equipment from incurring damage due to the damaging event.

Abstract: A system includes a scroll compressor having a first scroll member interleaved with a second scroll member to define at least two moving fluid pockets that decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position. A valve in fluid communication with the compression chamber is movable between an open state allowing fluid to the compression chamber and a closed state preventing fluid to the compression chamber. A controller continuously cycles the valve between the open state and the closed state at a rate that is faster than a thermal time constant of a load on the system.

Abstract: Methods of using an ultrasound signal to promote tissue repair by causing cells to form focal adhesions without the involvement of syndecans, in particular syndecan-1, syndecan-4 or PKC? are disclosed.

Abstract: A compressor includes an orbiting member and a non-orbiting member mounted relative the orbiting member to define first and second chambers disposed between the orbiting and non-orbiting members. The non-orbiting member forms a seal to generally prevent fluid communication between the first and second chambers when in a first position and breaks the seal to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers when in a second position. A structure supports the orbiting and non-orbiting members for relative orbital movement therebetween and a time pulsed actuation apparatus is coupled to the structure and configured to selectively break the seal.

Abstract: A control system for a cooling system includes a first sensor for sensing a property indicative of demand for cooling and a controller coupled to the sensor. The controller produces the variable duty cycle control signal in response to the property and causes the compressor and valve to vary a cooling capacity of the cooling system in response to the variable duty cycle control signal. The sensor may sense the pressure, temperature, or both. The valve may be a suction-side pressure regulator or a liquid-side expansion valve of the solenoid or stepper type.

Abstract: A system includes a scroll compressor having a first scroll member interleaved with a second scroll member to define at least two moving fluid pockets that decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position. A valve in fluid communication with the compression chamber is movable between an open state allowing fluid to the compression chamber and a closed state preventing fluid to the compression chamber. A controller continuously cycles the valve between the open state and the closed state at a rate that is faster than a thermal time constant of a load on the system.

Abstract: A compressor includes an orbiting member and a non-orbiting member mounted relative the orbiting member to define first and second chambers disposed between the orbiting and non-orbiting members. The non-orbiting member forms a seal to generally prevent fluid communication between the first and second chambers when in a first position and breaks the seal to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers when in a second position. A structure supports the orbiting and non-orbiting members for relative orbital movement therebetween and a time pulsed actuation apparatus is coupled to the structure and configured to selectively break the seal.

Abstract: A control system for a cooling system includes a first sensor for sensing a property indicative of demand for cooling and a controller coupled to the sensor. The controller produces the variable duty cycle control signal in response to the property and causes the compressor and valve to vary a cooling capacity of the cooling system in response to the variable duty cycle control signal. The sensor may sense the pressure, temperature, or both. The valve may be a suction-side pressure regulator or a liquid-side expansion valve of the solenoid or stepper type.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for a cooling system includes producing a control signal for adjusting a valve position of a regulator valve as a demand for cooling, as well as providing an ambient temperature measurement, coil inlet temperature measurement, and coil exit temperature measurement. The valve position and at least one of the ambient temperature measurement, coil inlet temperature measurement, and coil exit temperature measurement are monitored and compared with at least one predetermined fault value indicative of a fault condition to diagnose the system. An alert module responsive to the diagnostic module issues an alert signal when at least one of the ambient temperature measurement, coil inlet temperature measurement, and coil exit temperature measurement bears a predetermined relationship to the fault value. When monitoring and comparing, an error value percentage indicative of a percentage of sampled error within an accepted offset range for a defined period of time is determined.

Abstract: A method and controller for a refrigerant pressure effecting component of a cooling system includes providing closed loop control over a pressure effecting component based on an error signal, performing a control algorithm that includes at least one programmably adjustable gain factor, and adaptably changing the programmably adjustable gain factor by periodically generating a new gain factor. More specifically, the system and method includes monitoring fluctuation in the error signal and generating a numeric value indicative of the percent fluctuation in the error signal over a predetermined period of time, then fuzzifying a numeric value to generate a set of fuzzy input values. A predetermined set of rules are applied to the fuzzy input values to generate a set of fuzzy output values, which are then defuzzified by a combining operation to yield the new gain factor.

Abstract: A refrigeration system and method for controlling defrost includes a refrigeration case, an evaporator disposed in the refrigeration case, and a condenser and compressor coupled in fluid communication with the evaporator. The condenser is disposed on the refrigeration case and the compressor is a pulse width modulated variable capacity compressor. The system also includes a controller responsive to a load sensor disposed in the refrigeration case and is coupled to the compressor for providing a variable duty cycle control signal to the compressor, wherein the compressor is modulated between a first capacity and a second capacity while operating to adjust the operating capacity of the refrigeration system. The system further includes a module for periodically defrosting the refrigeration system as a function of duty cycle.

Abstract: A method and controller for a refrigerant pressure effecting component of a cooling system includes providing closed loop control over a pressure effecting component based on an error signal, performing a control algorithm that includes at least one programmably adjustable gain factor, and adaptably changing the programmably adjustable gain factor by periodically generating a new gain factor. More specifically, the system and method includes monitoring fluctuation in the error signal and generating a numeric value indicative of the percent fluctuation in the error signal over a predetermined period of time, then fuzzifying a numeric value to generate a set of fuzzy input values. A predetermined set of rules are applied to the fuzzy input values to generate a set of fuzzy output values, which are then defuzzified by a combining operation to yield the new gain factor.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for a cooling system includes producing a control signal for adjusting a valve position of a regulator valve as a demand for cooling, as well as providing an ambient temperature measurement, coil inlet temperature measurement, and coil exit temperature measurement. The valve position and at least one of the ambient temperature measurement, coil inlet temperature measurement, and coil exit temperature measurement are monitored and compared with at least one predetermined fault value indicative of a fault condition to diagnose the system. An alert module responsive to the diagnostic module issues an alert signal when at least one of the ambient temperature measurement, coil inlet temperature measurement, and coil exit temperature measurement bears a predetermined relationship to the fault value. When monitoring and comparing, an error value percentage indicative of a percentage of sampled error within an accepted offset range for a defined period of time is determined.

Abstract: A refrigeration system and method for controlling defrost includes a refrigeration case, an evaporator disposed in the refrigeration case, and a condenser and compressor coupled in fluid communication with the evaporator. The condenser is disposed on the refrigeration case and the compressor is a pulse width modulated variable capacity compressor. The system also includes a controller responsive to a load sensor disposed in the refrigeration case and is coupled to the compressor for providing a variable duty cycle control signal to the compressor, wherein the compressor is modulated between a first capacity and a second capacity while operating to adjust the operating capacity of the refrigeration system. The system further includes a module for periodically defrosting the refrigeration system as a function of duty cycle.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a controller adapted for coupling to a compressor or electronic stepper regulator valve. The controller produces a variable duty cycle control signal to adjust the capacity of the compressor or valve position of the electronic stepper regulator valve as a function of demand for cooling. The diagnostic system further includes a diagnostic module coupled to the controller for monitoring and comparing the duty cycle with at least one predetermined fault value indicative of a system fault condition and an alert module responsive to the diagnostic module for issuing an alert signal when the duty cycle bears a predetermined relationship to the fault value.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a controller adapted for coupling to a compressor or electronic stepper regulator valve. The controller produces a variable duty cycle control signal to adjust the capacity of the compressor or valve position of the electronic stepper regulator valve as a function of demand for cooling. The diagnostic system further includes a diagnostic module coupled to the controller for monitoring and comparing the duty cycle with at least one predetermined fault value indicative of a system fault condition and an alert module responsive to the diagnostic module for issuing an alert signal when the duty cycle bears a predetermined relationship to the fault value.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a capacity modulation system. The capacity modulation system has a piston that is connected to the non-orbiting scroll that disengages the non-orbiting scroll from the orbiting scroll when a pressure chamber is placed in communication with the suction chamber of the compressor. The non-orbiting scroll member moves into engagement with the orbiting scroll when the chamber is placed in communication with the discharge chamber. The engagement between the two scrolls is broken when the pressure chamber is placed in communication with fluid from the suction chamber. A solenoid valve controls the communication between the pressure chamber and the suction chamber. By operating the valve in a pulsed width modulated mode, the capacity of the compressor can be infinitely varied between zero and one hundred percent.

Abstract: A scroll-type machine is disclosed which is particularly well suited for use as a compressor in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and incorporates a unique arrangement for modulating the capacity thereof. In one group of embodiments the capacity of the scroll-type machine is modulated by relative axial movement between the scroll members so as to form a leakage path across the wrap tips and opposed end plates. In another group of embodiments, modulation is achieved by reducing the orbital radius of one of the scroll members to thereby form a leakage path across the flank surfaces of the wraps. Both types of scroll separation may be accomplished in a time pulsed manner to thereby enable a full range of modulation with the duration of the loading and unloading periods being selected to maximize the efficiency of the overall system.

Abstract: A scroll-type machine is disclosed which is particularly well suited for use as a compressor in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and incorporates a unique arrangement for modulating the capacity thereof. In one group of embodiments the capacity of the scroll-type machine is modulated by relative axial movement between the scroll members so as to form a leakage path across the wrap tips and opposed end plates. In another group of embodiments, modulation is achieved by reducing the orbital radius of one of the scroll members to thereby form a leakage path across the flank surfaces of the wraps. In the second group, a plurality of pin members are moveable from a first and second positions. In a first position the plurality of pin members operably enable the scroll members to orbit and in a second position the pin members restrict the orbiting motion of the first scroll members.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a controller adapted for coupling to a compressor or electronic stepper regulator valve. The controller produces a variable duty cycle control signal to adjust the capacity of the compressor or valve position of the electronic stepper regulator valve as a function of demand for cooling. The diagnostic system further includes a diagnostic module coupled to the controller for monitoring and comparing the duty cycle with at least one predetermined fault value indicative of a system fault condition and an alert module responsive to the diagnostic module for issuing an alert signal when the duty cycle bears a predetermined relationship to the fault value.