Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to causing fluid in a supercritical Brayton cycle power generation system to flow in a desired direction at cold startup of the system are described herein. A sensor is positioned at an inlet of a turbine, wherein the sensor is configured to output sensed temperatures of fluid at the inlet of the turbine. If the sensed temperature surpasses a predefined threshold, at least one operating parameter of the power generation system is altered.

Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include modular power infrastructure networks, distributed electrical power infrastructure networks, methods for operating a modular power infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a modular power infrastructure network.

Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a machine with a first chamber and a second chamber is provided. A rotating shaft extends through the first and second chambers, and rotates therein. The seal assembly has a seal housing, a seal ring and a seal pin. The seal housing is positionable in the machine housing. The seal housing has a seal pocket extending into a fluid side thereof, and a housing receptacle extending into an inner diameter thereof at the seal pocket. The seal ring is positionable in the seal pocket of the seal housing for forming a seal therewith. The seal ring has a ring receptacle extending into an outer diameter thereof. The ring receptacle is positionable adjacent to the housing receptacle for defining a pin hole therebetween. The seal pin is loosely positionable in the pin hole whereby movement about the seal ring is accommodated while preventing rotation thereof.

Abstract: Techniques for generating power are provided. Such techniques involve a thermodynamic system including a housing, a turbine positioned in a turbine cavity of the housing, a compressor positioned in a compressor cavity of the housing, and an alternator positioned in a rotor cavity between the turbine and compressor cavities. The compressor has a high-pressure face facing an inlet of the compressor cavity and a low-pressure face on an opposite side thereof. The alternator has a rotor shaft operatively connected to the turbine and compressor, and is supported in the housing by bearings. Ridges extending from the low-pressure face of the compressor may be provided for balancing thrust across the compressor. Seals may be positioned about the alternator for selectively leaking fluid into the rotor cavity to reduce the temperature therein.

Abstract: A powered appliance includes a working member, a handle operably coupled to the working member and a control movable between a first position proximate the handle in which movement of the working member is permitted and a second position distant the handle in which movement of the working member is at least reduced. One of the handle and the control is configured to at least partially receive the other of the handle and the control when in the first position. At least one of the handle and the control includes a flexible member adjacent the other of the handle and the control.

Abstract: A powered appliance includes a working member, a handle operably coupled to the working member and a control movable between a first position proximate the handle in which movement of the working member is permitted and a second position distant the handle in which movement of the working member is at least reduced. One of the handle and the control is configured to at least partially receive the other of the handle and the control when in the first position. At least one of the handle and the control includes a flexible member adjacent the other of the handle and the control.

Abstract: Integrated flywheel uninteruptible power supply (UPS) systems provide reliable back-up power protection in a single integrated housing unit. The integration of the two normally independent systems results in a synergism such that various components may be shared between the systems. For example, the flywheel unit and the UPS electronics unit may utilize a single cooling system that is less complex and requires less energy to operate than two independent cooling systems. Other shared components may include at least control circuitry, user and display interface circuitry, fusing, DC bus capacitors, and emergency shut-off circuitry.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring contamination in a hot melt flow. The apparatus includes a flow cell tube adapted to pass the melt flow. Apparatus is provided for directing laser energy through the tube and the melt flow passing through the flow cell tube to a laser energy detector producing an electrical signal representative of the size of a contaminant in the flow melt. A heater is provided for heating the melt flow as such melt flow passes through the flow cell tube. The apparatus is adapted to measure contamination in a hot melt where the temperature of the melt must be maintained as the melt passes through the flow tube. The flow tube, laser, detector and heater are disposed within a housing. The housing has a cooling chamber. The detector is disposed in the cooling chamber to thermally isolate the detector from the heating of the flow.

Abstract: Concentrated, structured liquid detergent compositions in the form of lamellar surfactant droplets dispersed in an aqueous electrolytic continuous phase comprises a mixture of:a) from about 10 to 45% by weight of surfactant;b) at least one detergent builder;c) from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of a deflocculating polymer composition containing polymer chains of the structure P-QR, wherein P represents a polymer chain segment of a hydrophilic polymer, and QR represents a hydrophobic end-cap group wherein R is an organic hydrophobic radical containing from about 4 to 28 carbon atoms, and Q is selected from the group consisting of O, S, SO, SO.sub.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor (12) delivers drill bits (10) to carrier tubes (24) which are on an endless conveyor. An optical micrometer (22) or the like identifies the drill bits (10), as to shank type, maximum diameter, overall length, helix angle, back taper, number of margins, etc., and produces an identification signal which is directed to a control computer (B). An identified drill bit (10) is delivered into a given carrier tube (24). The computer (B) controls the endless conveyor (EC) to move the conveyor tube (24) into a position adjacent a dedicated receptacle (30) for the identified drill bit (10) which is one of a large number of dedicated receptacles (30) which are arranged in series alongside the path traversed by the endless conveyor (EC).

Abstract: A first rotatable conveyor section (16) is positioned axially between upper and lower fixed sections (14,18) of a gravity conveyor. Rotatable conveyor section (16) rotates about an axis extending perpendicular to the conveyor section. A gate (42,44) is provided at each end of the rotatable conveyor section (16). An identification device (84) is positioned upstream of the rotatable conveyor section (16). It identifies the end-to-end orientation of an article (10) which is travelling along the gravity conveyor (12). A computer controls the gates (42,44) and a mechanism (104) for rotating the rotatable conveyor section (16). When an article (10) having an improper end-to-end orientation is encountered, the rotatable conveyor section (16) is rotated 180.degree. for the purpose of reversing the article's orientation. A second rotatable conveyor section (120) is mounted for sideways rotation about an axis which extends longitudinally of the slide conveyor (12).

Abstract: Articles (14) are moved downwardly along a slideway (52) which includes a stop gate (50). The stop gate (50) is moved into the slideway (52) to stop the article (14). Then an instrument (44) is moved toward the slideway (52) and the article (14) to place the instrument (44) contiguous the article (14). The instrument irradiates the article (14). This radiation excites the elements in the article (14), causing them to give off their own characteristic x-rays. The energy of the characteristic x-rays identifies the elements and possibly also the element's concentration. Following the analysis the instrument (44) is raised and the stop gate (50) is lowered, allowing the article (14) to move forward along the slideway (52). Drill bits (14) are analyzed in this manner to differentiate between drill bits (14) of different hardness but identical geometric characteristics.

Abstract: A first rotatable conveyor section (16) is positioned axially between upper and lower fixed sections (14,18) of a gravity conveyor. Rotatable conveyor section (16) rotates about an axis extending perpendicular to the conveyor section. A gate (42,44) is provided at each end of the rotatable conveyor section (16). An identification device (84) is positioned upstream of the rotatable conveyor section (16). It identifies the end-to-end orientation of an article (10) which is travelling along the gravity conveyor (12). A computer controls the gates (42,44) and a mechanism (104) for rotating the rotatable conveyor section (16). When an article (10) having an improper end-to-end orientation is encountered, the rotatable conveyor section (16) is rotated 180.degree. for the purpose of reversing the article's orientation. A second rotatable conveyor section (120) is mounted for sideways rotation about an axis which extends longitudinally of the slide conveyor (12).

Abstract: Elongated articles (16) to be singulated are conveyed in bulk into a conveyor (30) which by a shaking motion conveys the articles (16). The bed (80) of the conveyor (30) includes longitudinal channels (100) causing the articles (16) to be aligned lengthwise in the direction of article movement. The conveyor (30) delivers the aligned articles (16) into an alignment receptacle (34) which places a measured amount of the aligned articles (16) into valley regions of a singulator (26). The singulator (36) is composed of alternate and intermediate slat members (108,110), presenting upwardly directed peaks and valleys which are initially in alignment. The alternative slat members (108) are fixesd in position. The intermediate slat members (110) are movable lengthwise relative to the fixed slat members (108). The intermediate slat members (110) are retracted and then extended repeatedly and this motion separates the articles (116) and further advances them to the discharge end of the singulator (36).

Abstract: A frame is positioned about a vertical axis (z). A helical track composed of track sections (72) is supported on the frame and extends about the vertical axis (z). The helical track has a lower entrance end and an upper exit end. An endless conveyor (EC) comprising a series of article carriers (26) moves along an endless path, defined in part by the helical track. A plurality of article receiving receptacles (20) are supported by the frame, radially outwardly from the helical track. A helical ramp is located radially between the helical track and the plurality of article receiving receptacles. A support frame for the receptacles, the helical ramp and the helical track are all of sectional construction and each section is positioned between an adjacent pair of radially extending frame portions. A rotating drive drum is supported for rotation about the vertical axis. The helical track surrounds the drive drum. The drum is driven in steps, equal to the angular spacing of the receptacles.

Abstract: Drill bits (16) are delivered in a mixed, bulk form, in a random orientation, into an alignment unit (30). Aligned drill bits (16) move from the alignment conveyor (30) into the upper end of a singulator (36). Singulated drill bits (16) are delivered by the singulator (36) into a singulated drill bit conveyor (38, 49). Identifying means (202,236,240) identify each drill bit (16) as it travels and in conjunction with computers "A" and "B", cause a reversal of end-to-end orientation, if necessary, and movement of a deposit conveyor (52), and placement of each identified drill bit (16) into a dedicated receiving receptacle (54). The components of the system are arranged to take a small amount of floor space and provide good utilization of floor space.

Abstract: A walking beam conveyor (54) delivers drill bits (B), one at a time, into a feed position. A pushrod (52) moves a drill bit (B) from the feed position into the nosepiece (36) of a robot arm (28). The drill bit (B) enters the nosepiece (36) shank end first. The shank (84) enters into and is gripped by a collet (38) in the nosepiece (36). A stylus (66) is then lowered down onto the point end portion of the drill bit (B) and the drill bit (B) is rotated about its axis until the stylus (66) drops down to the bottom of the drill bit flute (70). Rotation is immediately stopped and the robot arm (28) is retracted and swung into a position of alignemnt with a drill bit holder (18) of a sharpening machine. The robot arm (28) is then extended to place the drill bit (B) into a collet (C) in the holder (18). The collet (C) is operated to grasp the drill bit (B) and the collet (38) in the nosepiece (36) is operated to release the drill bit (B).

Abstract: A walking beam conveyor (54) delivers drill bits (B), one at a time, into a feed position. A pushrod (52) moves a drill bit (B) from the feed position into the nosepiece (36) of a robot arm (28). The drill bit (B) enters the nosepiece (36) shank end first. The shank (84) enters into and is gripped by a collet (38) in the nosepiece (36). A stylus (66) is then lowered down onto the point end portion of the drill bit (B) and the drill bit (B) is rotated about its axis until the stylus (66) drops down to the bottom of the drill bit flute (70). Rotation is immediately stopped and the robot arm (28) is retracted and swung into a position of alignment with a drill bit holder (18) of a sharpening machine. The robot arm (28) is then extended to place the drill bit (B) into a collet (C) in the holder (18). The collet (C) is operated to grasp the drill bit (B) and the collet (38) in the nosepiece (36) is operated to release the drill bit (B).

Abstract: A walking beam conveyor (54) delivers drill bits (B), one at a time, into a feed position. A pushrod (52) moves a drill bit (B) from the feed position into the nosepiece (36) of a robot arm (28). The drill bit (B) enters the nosepiece (36) shank end first. The shank (84) enters into and is gripped by a collet (38) in the nosepiece (36). A stylus (66) is then lowered down onto the point end portion of the drill bit (B) and the drill bit (B) is rotated about its axis until the stylus (66) drops down to the bottom of the drill bit flute (70). Rotation is immediately stopped and the robot arm (28) is retracted and swung into a position of alignment with a drill bit holder (18) of a sharpening machine. The robot arm (28) is then extended to place the drill bit (B) into a collet (C) in the holder (18). The collet (C) is operated to grasp the drill bit (B) and the collet (38) in the nosepiece (36) is operated to release the drill bit (B).

Abstract: A walking beam conveyor (54) delivers drill bits (B), one at a time, into a feed position. A pushrod (52) moves a drill bit (B) from the feed position into the nosepiece (36) of a robot arm (28). The drill bit (B) enters the nosepiece (36) shank end first. The shank (84) enters into and is gripped by a collet (38) in the nosepiece (36). A stylus (66) is then lowered down onto the point end portion of the drill bit (B) and the drill bit (B) is rotated about its axis until the stylus (66) drops down to the bottom of the drill bit flute (70). Rotation is immediately stopped and the robot arm (28) is retracted and swung into a position of alignment with a drill bit holder (18) of a sharpening machine. The robot arm (28) is then extended to place the drill bit (B) into a collet (C) in the holder (18). The collet (C) is operated to grasp the drill bit (B) and the collet (38) in the nosepiece (36) is operated to release the drill bit (B).