Abstract: The disclosure relates a metal seat for a ball valve, having a seating segment of the metal seat; a curved seating surface defined on the seating segment, wherein the curved seating surface is complementary to an outer surface of a ball of the ball valve; a primary spring unitary with the seating segment and the curved seating surface; and a base unitary with the primary spring, the seating segment, and the curved seating surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a retention arrangement for a seat in a valve body, wherein the seat has a first seat side and a second seat side, including: a seat spacer wherein the seat spacer has a first seat spacer side and a second seat spacer side, wherein the seat spacer is adjacent to the seat; a fastener inserted into the second seat spacer side, wherein the fastener includes a head above the second seat spacer side, and further wherein the head is movable towards and away from the second seat spacer side; and a seat retainer adjacent to the head of the fastener, wherein the seat retainer has a first seat retainer side and a second seat retainer side.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) is proposed for providing coupling between at least a first input signal with a first signal frequency, and a second input signal with a second, different signal frequency. The apparatus comprises: a first input port (3); a second input port (5); a first output port (9); a second output port (11); a first waveguide (13); a second waveguide (15), the second waveguide (15) being made of or comprising non-linear material such that a first electromagnetic field generated by a first-waveguide signal in the first waveguide (13) and a second electromagnetic field generated by a second-waveguide signal in the second waveguide (15) are arranged to overlap in the non-linear material; a periodic structure (31, 33); and a phase-matching arrangement (37).

Abstract: A microwave-to-optical photon transducer is provided for generating coupling between a microwave signal (Sin2) and an optical signal (Spi_in1, Spi_out1). The transducer comprises: a first input port; a second input port; a first output port for outputting the optical signal (Spi_out1) and one or more optical sideband signals (Sout1, Sout11, Sout12); a first waveguide disposed between the first input port and the first output port to allow the optical signal (Spi_in1) and the one or more optical sideband signals (Sout1, Sout11, Sout12) to propagate in the first waveguide; a second waveguide connected to the second input port, and extending in the transducer adjacent to the first waveguide to allow the microwave signal (Sin2) to propagate in the second waveguide; a phase-matching arrangement to cause at least the optical signal (Spi_in1) and the microwave signal (Sin2) to be phase-matched or quasi-phase-matched.

Abstract: Provided is a system for reclaiming glass fibers from a stock material. The system includes a chamber for holding the stock material in a low oxygen environment. and a pyrolyzer having a distributed heat source for heating the stock material. The distributed heat source uniformly heats the stock material to reduce the stock material to the glass fibers.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a retention arrangement for a seat in a valve body, wherein the seat has a first seat side and a second seat side, including: a seat spacer wherein the seat spacer has a first seat spacer side and a second seat spacer side, wherein the seat spacer is adjacent to the seat; a fastener inserted into the second seat spacer side, wherein the fastener includes a head above the second seat spacer side, and further wherein the head is movable towards and away from the second seat spacer side; and a seat retainer adjacent to the head of the fastener, wherein the seat retainer has a first seat retainer side and a second seat retainer side.

Abstract: The disclosure relates a metal seat for a ball valve, having a seating segment of the metal seat; a curved seating surface defined on the seating segment, wherein the curved seating surface is complementary to an outer surface of a ball of the ball valve; a primary spring unitary with the seating segment and the curved seating surface; and a base unitary with the primary spring, the seating segment, and the curved seating surface.

Abstract: There is provided a MOMS sensor comprising a fiber interface comprising a fiber passthrough for one or more optical fibers, a cavity comprising an element hermetically encapsulated within the cavity, wherein the element is movably anchored by SiN arms, which are movable with respect to walls of the cavity, wherein the SiN arms comprise anchor portions at first ends of the SiN arms, which are connected to the element, and at second ends of the SiN arms, which are connected to the walls of the cavity, and the fiber interface is configured to receive the fibers through the fiber passthrough into positions for communications of light between the element and the fibers. In this way a robust structure that supports sensitivity of the sensor is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) is proposed for providing coupling between at least a first input signal with a first signal frequency, and a second input signal with a second, different signal frequency. The apparatus comprises: a first input port (3); a second input port (5); a first output port (9); a second output port (11); a first waveguide (13); a second waveguide (15), the second waveguide (15) being made of or comprising non-linear material such that a first electromagnetic field generated by a first-waveguide signal in the first waveguide (13) and a second electromagnetic field generated by a second-waveguide signal in the second waveguide (15) are arranged to overlap in the non-linear material; a periodic structure (31, 33); and a phase-matching arrangement (37).

Abstract: A microwave-to-optical photon transducer is provided for generating coupling between a microwave signal (Sin2) and an optical signal (Spi_in1, Spi_out1). The transducer comprises: a first input port; a second input port; a first output port for outputting the optical signal (Spi_out1) and one or more optical sideband signals (Sout1, Sout11, Sout12); a first waveguide disposed between the first input port and the first output port to allow the optical signal (Spi_in1) and the one or more optical sideband signals (Sout1, Sout11, Sout12) to propagate in the first waveguide; a second waveguide connected to the second input port, and extending in the transducer adjacent to the first waveguide to allow the microwave signal (Sin2) to propagate in the second waveguide; a phase-matching arrangement to cause at least the optical signal (Spi_in1) and the microwave signal (Sin2) to be phase-matched or quasi-phase-matched.

Abstract: There is provided a MOMS sensor comprising a fiber interface comprising a fiber passthrough for one or more optical fibers, a cavity comprising an element hermetically encapsulated within the cavity, wherein the element is movably anchored by SiN arms, which are movable with respect to walls of the cavity, wherein the SiN arms comprise anchor portions at first ends of the SiN arms, which are connected to the element, and at second ends of the SiN arms, which are connected to the walls of the cavity, and the fiber interface is configured to receive the fibers through the fiber passthrough into positions for communications of light between the element and the fibers. In this way a robust structure that supports sensitivity of the sensor is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling microorganisms using fluid pressure, vacuum or a combination thereof to create fluid flow that collects biological and chemical material on a filter element. The filter element is secured in a cartridge replaceably coupled to a hand-held sample collection device that provides a fluid drain downstream of the filter element. The cartridge allows a fluid to pass through the filter element in a manner that prevents cross-contamination of subsequent samples. The sample makes contact with only the filter cartridge before the fluid is drained. Accordingly, the source of the fluid is not contaminated because it remains at a higher pressure than either the sample or the fluid drain during operation. Subsequent filter elements avoid contamination by biological or chemical material from a previous sample.