Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.

Abstract: A method of irradiating a target with a high power density irradiation beam is described. The method can use an irradiation system configured to output an irradiation beam through a vacuum window. The irradiation beam is scanned repetitively back and forth between two angular orientations of the irradiation beam as the irradiation beam strikes and traverses the vacuum window. The target is moved as the irradiation beam is scanned. The irradiation beam and the target are aligned. The scanning of the irradiations beam and the moving of the target are synchronized to each other. The scanning of the irradiation beam prevents localized overheating of the vacuum window and allows the irradiation beam to have a power density that would damage the vacuum window if the irradiation beam were not scanned.

Abstract: A method of irradiating a target with a high power density irradiation beam is described. The method can use an irradiation system configured to output an irradiation beam through a vacuum window. The irradiation beam is scanned repetitively back and forth between two angular orientations of the irradiation beam as the irradiation beam strikes and traverses the vacuum window. The target is moved as the irradiation beam is scanned. The irradiation beam and the target are aligned. The scanning of the irradiations beam and the moving of the target are synchronized to each other. The scanning of the irradiation beam prevents localized overheating of the vacuum window and allows the irradiation beam to have a power density that would damage the vacuum window if the irradiation beam were not scanned.

Abstract: A system and method for irradiating a product in order to obtain an irradiated product that has a suitable irradiation dose uniformity ratio and is less expensive and faster than existing systems. The system includes a controller that varies the speed at which a product to be irradiated is moved across a radiation beam. The speed is varied in accordance with a speed function that can be a quadratic function of the distance between a position at which the surface of the product is irradiated and a reference position.

Abstract: An electron beam from an accelerator is injected into a vacuum chamber and bent approximately 90 degrees by an electromagnet, which can be translated along the vacuum chamber and along the propagation direction of the electron beam. Under the influence of the electromagnet, electrons exit the scan chamber through a thin metal vacuum barrier and are directed toward the product to be irradiated. There can be an x-ray converter located between the electron beam and the product. As the electromagnet moves along the scan chamber and along the direction of the electron beam, the bending angle of the electron beam can be adjusted as a function of the position of the electromagnet with respect to the product.

Abstract: An electron beam from an accelerator is injected into a vacuum chamber and bent approximately 90 degrees by an electromagnet, which can be translated along the vacuum chamber and along the propagation direction of the electron beam. Under the influence of the electromagnet, electrons exit the scan chamber through a thin metal vacuum barrier and are directed toward the product to be irradiated. There can be an x-ray converter located between the electron beam and the product. As the electromagnet moves along the scan chamber and along the direction of the electron beam, the bending angle of the electron beam can be adjusted as a function of the position of the electromagnet with respect to the product.

Abstract: A system and method for irradiating a product in order to obtain an irradiated product that has a suitable irradiation dose uniformity ratio and is less expensive and faster than existing systems. The system includes a controller that varies the speed at which a product to be irradiated is moved across a radiation beam. The speed is varied in accordance with a speed function that can be a quadratic function of the distance between a position at which the surface of the product is irradiated and a reference position.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer reflective coating for application to a lighting housing assembly, including a polymer substrate adjacent a polymer base coat layer applied to the lighting housing. Atop the polymer base coat layer is an aluminum adhesion layer, followed by a diffusive barrier layer, and a silver reflective layer. The aluminum adhesion layer promotes adhesion between the polymer base coat layer and the silver reflective layer. The diffusive barrier layer prevents aluminum and silver interaction, which could form a silver and aluminum alloy. A spectrum tunable layer is applied atop the silver reflective layer for spectrum tuning the silver reflective layer for maximum compatibility with a light emitting diode (LED) lighting source.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer reflective coating for application to a lighting housing assembly, including a polymer substrate adjacent a polymer base coat layer applied to the lighting housing. Atop the polymer base coat layer is an aluminum adhesion layer, followed by a diffusive barrier layer, and a silver reflective layer. The aluminum adhesion layer promotes adhesion between the polymer base coat layer and the silver reflective layer. The diffusive barrier layer prevents aluminum and silver interaction, which could form a silver and aluminum alloy. A spectrum tunable layer is applied atop the silver reflective layer for spectrum tuning the silver reflective layer for maximum compatibility with a light emitting diode (LED) lighting source.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for reducing electrostatic deposition of charged particles on wetted surfaces that are exposed, periodically or substantially continuously, to high velocity fluid flow within a coolant flow path in a nuclear reactor. The method may include depositing a first or base dielectric layer and a second or outer dielectric layer on a conductive surface that forms a portion of a high velocity flow path to attain the apparatus. The first dielectric layer material is selected to provide improved adhesion and insulation to the conductive surface and the second dielectric layer material is selected to provide suitable adhesion to the first dielectric layer and improved corrosion and/or mechanical resistance in the anticipated operating environment.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for reducing electrostatic deposition of charged particles on wetted surfaces that are exposed, periodically or substantially continuously, to high velocity fluid flow within a coolant flow path in a nuclear reactor. The method may include depositing a first or base dielectric layer and a second or outer dielectric layer on a conductive surface that forms a portion of a high velocity flow path to attain the apparatus. The first dielectric layer material is selected to provide improved adhesion and insulation to the conductive surface and the second dielectric layer material is selected to provide suitable adhesion to the first dielectric layer and improved corrosion and/or mechanical resistance in the anticipated operating environment.

Abstract: Optical interference multilayer coatings of alternating first layers and second layers are provided. The first layers comprise alumina and have a refractive index that is about 1.38 to about 1.55 at 550 nm, while the second layers having a higher refractive index than the first layers. The first layers may be formed via chemical vapor deposition from an alumina precursor. Lamps comprising a light source and a light-transmissive envelope having a surface and at least partially enclosing the light source are also provided. At least a portion of the surface of the light-transmissive envelope is provided with an optical interference multilayer coating. Methods of forming an optical interference multilayer coating are also provided via chemical vapor deposition from an alumina precursor.

Abstract: A method of effecting a chemical, physical or transmutational change in a target material using a high power particle beam concentrated on the target material. The particle beam is scanned in a controlled manner to reduce its power density and to avoid damage to equipment which is unable to tolerate high power densities. Movement between the target and the scanned beam is synchronized to cause the scanned beam to persistently or continuously strike the target to effect the chemical, physical or transmutational change, thereby concentrating the beam on the target.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing electrostatic deposition of charged particles on wetted surfaces that are exposed, periodically or substantially continuously to high velocity fluid flow within a coolant flow path in a nuclear reactor. The method includes depositing a first or base dielectric layer and a second or outer dielectric layer on a conductive surface that forms a portion of a high velocity flow path. The first dielectric layer material is selected to provide improved adhesion and insulation to the conductive surface and the second dielectric layer material is selected to provide suitable adhesion to the first dielectric layer and improved corrosion and/or mechanical resistance in the anticipated operating environment.

Abstract: A lamp and method for the reduction of gas loss in a high temperature lamp includes providing a light source and a surrounding shroud, using a fill gas outside of the light source and inside the shroud having a thermal conductance greater than nitrogen, and modifying the shroud so that it contains at least 20% of the initial fill gas for at least the rated life of lamp operation. The shroud is preferably modified by one or more of selecting the shroud material, controlling the thickness of the shroud, providing a coating on the shroud, and the selection of the fill gas.

Abstract: An electric lamp assembly 10 for emitting near infrared radiation includes a reflector housing 20 and a lamp vessel 24 positioned within the reflector housing. A source of illumination 28 is enclosed within the lamp vessel. A continuous multi-layer interference film 40 on an exterior surface 42 of the lamp vessel transmits near infrared radiation within the range of 850-1100 nm and is substantially non-transmissive towards visible radiation.

Abstract: An electric lamp assembly 10 for emitting near infrared radiation includes a reflector housing 20 and a lamp vessel 24 positioned within the reflector housing. A source of illumination 28 is enclosed within the lamp vessel. A continuous multi-layer interference film 40 on an exterior surface 42 of the lamp vessel transmits near infrared radiation within the range of 850-1100 nm and is substantially non-transmissive towards visible radiation.

Abstract: An optical interference coating for reflecting infra-red radiation and transmitting visible light. The coating comprises alternating layers of high index of refraction material and low index of refraction material. As the total number of layers increases, the ratio of high index of refraction material to low index of refraction material must also increase.

Abstract: A piston for a direct fuel injection engine is described. The piston comprises a cylindrical skirt and a piston face. The cylindrical skirt has an axis. The piston face has a bowl. The bowl has a wall extending about an axis in inclined relation to the cylindrical skirt axis. An engine is also described. The engine comprises an engine block defining an engine cylinder and a piston moveable axially in the engine cylinder. The piston comprises a cylindrical skirt and a dome-shaped piston face, the piston face having therein a bowl. The bowl located with the cylinder axis passing therethrough. The bowl is defined by a cylindrical wall extending about an axis extending in inclined relation to the axis of the cylinder. The bowl includes a bottom wall extending perpendicularly to the bowl axis. The engine also comprises a fuel injector nozzle adapted to direct a spray of fuel toward the bowl for deflection toward a spark plug disposed on the opposite side of the cylinder axis from the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel primer pressure accumulator for an internal combustion engine fuel supply system capable of storing fuel under pressure when the internal combustion engine is stopped. The accumulator has a chamber formed by a casing and a pressure element. The accumulator is connected at a fuel inlet passage to the fuel supply line between the fuel pump and the carburetor. The accumulator is connected at a fuel outlet passage to a primer valve and through the primer valve to at least one fuel primer. A check valve is contained in the fuel inlet passage. The check valve permits the passage of fuel into the chamber when the internal combustion engine is running and restricts the passage of fuel out of the chamber when the internal combustion engine is stopped, thereby trapping fuel in the chamber.