Abstract: A molten metal treatment lance includes a refractory having at least one channel extending through the refractory. A first tubular member having two open ends is located in the channel of the refractory. The first tubular member has a side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A second tubular member having an open end and a closed end is positioned in the first tubular member. The second tubular member has a side wall having an inner surface, an outer surface and at least one opening extending from the inner surface of the side wall of the second tubular member to the outer surface of the side wall of the second tubular member. The second tubular member is positioned in the first tubular member so as to form a space between the inner surface of the side wall of the first tubular member and the outer surface of the side wall of the second tubular member.

Abstract: A request to establish a switched digital video session with high-definition content is received from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service. A determination is made that the subscriber only has capability of viewing standard definition content. Responsive to the request and the determination, the subscriber, in the session, is provided a signal with a standard definition version of the requested high-definition content. An exemplary switched digital video control apparatus and an exemplary system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A slide gate includes first and second frame members, first and second nozzles, first and second plates, a biasing member, a hinge and an actuator. The first plate is connected to the first frame member. A passageway in the first nozzle is aligned with an opening in the first plate. The second plate is connected to the second frame member. A passageway in the second nozzle is aligned with an opening in the second plate. The biasing member includes a channel having a shaft extending through a spring located in the first frame member. The spring biases a retainer and the channel toward the first frame member. The second frame member includes a portion that rides in the channel. The actuator moves the second frame member along the channel to align the nozzle passageways to allow material to flow through the slide gate.

Abstract: A request is received from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service, to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of the video content network, which group includes both preferred and standard subscribers and has a plurality of existing sessions. It is determined whether adequate bandwidth is available to establish the new switched digital video session without tearing down any of the existing sessions. Responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, at least one of the existing sessions is torn down. In this step, those of the existing sessions corresponding to the preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown. The new switched digital video session is established in accordance with the request. A switched digital video control apparatus, a set-top terminal, and a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A request is received from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service. The request is to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of the video content network. The service group includes both preferred and standard subscribers and has a plurality of existing sessions. It is determined whether adequate bandwidth is available to establish the new switched digital video session without tearing down any of the existing sessions. Responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, at least one of the existing sessions is torn down. In this step, those of the existing sessions corresponding to the preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown. The new switched digital video session is established in accordance with the request. A switched digital video control apparatus, a set-top terminal, and a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integral pressurized water reactor that combines all of the components typically associated with a nuclear steam supply system, such as the steam generator, reactor coolant pumps, pressurizer and the reactor, into a single reactor pressure vessel. The reactor pressure vessel is itself enclosed in a containment pressure vessel that also houses a number of safety systems, such as the core make-up tanks, the primary side of residual heat removal heat exchangers, an automatic depressurization system and a recirculation system that enables continuous core cooling through natural circulation over an extended period of time. Actuation of the passive systems is done by single actuation of valves, powered from redundant batteries.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first cold noise source, a first radiometer receiver, and a first detector. The first cold noise source generates a first thermal radiation signal having a first carrier frequency band. The first thermal radiation signal carries a first information signal. The first cold noise source also transmits the first thermal radiation signal through a first antenna. The first radiometer receiver receives the first thermal radiation signal through a second antenna, and the first detector extracts the first information signal from the first thermal radiation signal.

Abstract: A plurality of digital video recorders are polled to extract data indicative of recordings scheduled thereon. The polling is carried out over a video content network by a component at a node in the video content network that is remote from the plurality of digital video recorders. At least a portion of the data is used to obtain a prediction of future switched digital video channel usage for the video content network.

Abstract: A request is received from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service. The request is to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of the video content network. The service group includes both preferred and standard subscribers and has a plurality of existing sessions. It is determined whether adequate bandwidth is available to establish the new switched digital video session without tearing down any of the existing sessions. Responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, at least one of the existing sessions is torn down. In this step, those of the existing sessions corresponding to the preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown. The new switched digital video session is established in accordance with the request. A switched digital video control apparatus, a set-top terminal, and a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A request to establish a switched digital video session with high-definition content is received from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service. A determination is made that the subscriber only has capability of viewing standard definition content. Responsive to the request and the determination, the subscriber, in the session, is provided a signal with a standard definition version of the requested high-definition content. An exemplary switched digital video control apparatus and an exemplary system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides core technologies necessary for a portable, low cost LED-based handheld fluorometer. The fluorometer is based on a heater integrated within the walls of the reaction chamber, and an orthogonal geometry LED based light source to provide optical excitation. Power is supplied through either an internal power supply, and data is collected in real-time through standard serial interfaces of personal computers, which can also be used to provide power, or personal digital assistants. Thermal regulation is automatically maintained using temperature sensor feedback control. Such a handheld system can allow applications requiring temperature sensitive photometric measurements for real time analyte detection to be performed in the field.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first cold noise source, a first radiometer receiver, and a first detector. The first cold noise source generates a first thermal radiation signal having a first carrier frequency band. The first thermal radiation signal carries a first information signal. The first cold noise source also transmits the first thermal radiation signal through a first antenna. The first radiometer receiver receives the first thermal radiation signal through a second antenna, and the first detector extracts the first information signal from the first thermal radiation signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides core technologies necessary for a portable, low cost LED-based handheld fluorometer. The fluorometer is based on a heater integrated within the walls of the reaction chamber, and an orthogonal geometry LED based light source to provide optical excitation. Power is supplied through either an internal power supply, and data is collected in real-time through standard serial interfaces of personal computers, which can also be used to provide power, or personal digital assistants. Thermal regulation is automatically maintained using temperature sensor feedback control. Such a handheld system can allow applications requiring temperature sensitive photometric measurements for real time analyte detection to be performed in the field.

Abstract: Methods and systems for removing material from aircraft flight surfaces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an aircraft nacelle includes an inlet housing having a lip, a wiper positioned at the lip and movable relative to the lip, and a drive assembly positioned at least partially within the inlet housing and operably coupled to the wiper. The drive assembly is configured to move the wiper relative to the inlet housing to remove insect buildup and/or other material from at least a portion of the lip. The inlet housing can further include an interior surface and an exterior surface radially outward of the interior surface. The wiper can include a first end portion proximate to the interior surface and a second end portion proximate to the exterior surface.

Abstract: A process for converting municipal solid waste landfills to aerobic conditions that will allow for a highly accelerated and enhanced bioreduction of landfill mass, followed by the optional excavation of the landfill cell materials subsequent to the bioreduction process, separation of excavated materials using trommels, screens, and other means as necessary, production of useable compost materials, and reclamation of recyclable plastics, metal, and glass.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a planar transmission line transition system includes a coplanar waveguide transmission line that includes a first electrical path and a second electrical path. The planar transmission line transition system also includes a transmission line stub electrically connected in series to the first electrical path of the coplanar waveguide transmission line, wherein a signal output at a first connection of the transmission line stub is phase delayed approximately 180 degrees with respect to a signal input at a second connection of the transmission line stub. The planar transmission line transition system further includes a transmission line electrically connected to the second electrical path of the coplanar waveguide transmission line and the first connection of the transmission line stub.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a notch filter circuit includes a coplanar waveguide that includes a silicon substrate and at least one shunt stub bent at an angle to the coplanar waveguide. The notch filter circuit also includes at least one capacitor bridging at least one discontinuity of the shunt stub.

Abstract: A process for converting municipal solid waste landfills to aerobic conditions that will allow for a highly accelerated and enhanced bioreduction of landfill mass, followed by the optional excavation of the landfill cell materials subsequent to the bioreduction process, separation of excavated materials using trommels, screens, and other means as necessary, production of useable compost materials, and reclamation of recyclable plastics, metal, and glass.

Abstract: A process for converting municipal solid waste landfills to aerobic conditions that will allow for a highly accelerated and enhanced bioreduction of landfill mass, followed by the optional excavation of the landfill cell materials subsequent to the bioreduction process, separation of excavated materials using trommels, screens, and other devices as necessary, production of useable compost materials, and reclamation of recyclable plastics, metal, and glass.

Abstract: A radiometer calibrating system utilizes an adjustable noise source for calibrating a radiometer. The noise source includes a transistor configured as a noise equivalent circuit having a gate port, drain port and source port. A source inductance providing series feedback for the noise source has one end coupled to the source port of the noise equivalent circuit and another end connected to the ground. A bias circuit controls the amount of DC bias applied to the noise equivalent circuit. In order to match the impedances in the noise source, an output impedance matching network is connected to the drain port and an input impedance matching network is connected to the gate port of the noise equivalent circuit. The output and input impedance networks have an output port and input port, respectively.