Abstract: A method and device for making ice is disclosed. The icemaker assembly comprises an ice tray and an ice ejector. The ice tray has at least (i) a first ice forming compartment defining a first space, and (ii) a second ice forming compartment defining a second space. The ice ejector is positionable at a first position and a second position. The ice ejector has at least (i) a first ejector member, and (ii) a second ejector member. When the ice ejector is positioned at the first position, (i) the first ejector member is positioned in the first space and in contact with a first quantity of water, (ii) the second ejector member is positioned in the second space and in contact with a second quantity of water, and (iii) the first quantity of water is positioned in fluid communication with the second quantity of water.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods for synthesis of accurate visible speech using transformations of motion-capture data. Methods are provided for synthesis of visible speech in a three-dimensional face. A sequence of visemes, each associated with one or more phonemes, are mapped onto a three-dimensional target face, and concatentated. The sequence may include divisemes corresponding to pairwise sequences of phonemes, wherein the diviseme is comprised of motion trajectories of a set facial points. The sequence may also include multi-units corresponding to words and sequences of words. Various techniques involving mapping and concatenation are also addressed.

Abstract: A switched reluctance generator is provided in association with a controller (86 to 90). The controller is organized to operate in two modes depending on the speed and load of the generator. One mode is a discontinuous conduction mode where the current is a generator winding periodically returns to zero, whereas the other mode is a continuous conduction mode such that current is always flowing. The choice of modes enables a generator to work over a wide speed range while seeking to limit or reduce the volt-amp rating of the generator controller.

Abstract: An aero-engine is provided with an integrated switched reluctance generator permanently connected to the low speed spool of the engine such that “windmilling” of the engine enables the generator to be turned if the engine suffers a flame out. The generator is driven by a step up gearbox so as to provide reasonable electrical output, say 25 kW, during flameout whilst keeping the generator weight down.

Abstract: An electric motor of the brushless type is disclosed which is so constructed and arranged as to provide a low braking torque. An electric power steering system incorporating such a motor is also disclosed. In a preferred arrangement, the motor comprises an interior permanent magnet motor. An advantage of providing a motor which generates low levels of braking torque in the event of a fault is that a driver can easily turn the wheel of the vehicle in the fault condition against the motor. This reduces the requirements for motor fault protection.

Abstract: A control strategy for a multiple phase brushless motor (1) is disclosed in which the top (2, 3, 4) and the bottom (5, 6, 7) switching devices in two arms of the motor bridge are driven using complementary pulse width modulated waveforms, so that the top device (2, 3, 4) in one of the arms is in the ON state while the bottom device (5, 6, 7) is in the OFF state and vice versa. In an alternative arrangement, the control strategy described hereinbefore is used at high motor speeds while at low motor speeds a conventional modulation scheme is used in which a top switching device (2, 3, 4) in one arm of the bridge is in the ON state and a bottom device (5, 6, 7) in a different arm of the bridge is pulse width modulated. In another aspect, a method of calculating the position of the motor rotor is disclosed.

Abstract: A control strategy for a multiple phase brushless motor (1) is disclosed in which the top (2, 3, 4) and the bottom (5, 6, 7) switching devices in two arms of the motor bridge are driven using complementary pulse width modulated waveforms, so that the top device (2, 3, 4) in one of the arms is in the ON state whilst the bottom device (5, 6, 7) is in the OFF state and vice versa. In an alternative arrangement, the control strategy described hereinbefore is used at high motor speeds whilst at low motor speeds a conventional modulation scheme is used in which a top switching device (2, 3, 4) in one arm of the bridge is in the ON state and a bottom device (5, 6, 7) in a different arm of the bridge is pulse width modulated. In another aspect, a method of calculating the position of the motor rotor is disclosed.

Abstract: An electric actuator for use in a vehicle power steering system includes an electric motor (20) and a gearbox (22). The electric motor (20) has a stator (26) and an armature (27) concentric with the stator (26) that is adapted to rotate about a common axis. A single common output shaft (40) extends through the actuator (14) to transmit torque from the motor (20) to a drive portion (70) of the output shaft (40) remote from the gearbox (22), from whence torque is transmitted to the gearbox (22) through a transmission portion (60) of the shaft (40). A clutch (21) may be provided between the motor (20) and the output shaft (40).

Abstract: A surge protector system is provided including multiple surge protector circuits situated within a service panel of a structure. The surge protector circuits are connected between outlets of the structure and one of the surge protection devices of a power distribution network for filtering electric transients before they can reach the various outlets of the structure. This is accomplished by splitting up incoming current and voltage surges on bus bars within the service panel and directing such surges to ground.

Abstract: Improved system and method for speaker-independent speech token recognition are described. The system is neural network-based and involves processing a sequence of spoken utterances, e.g. separately articulated letters of a name, to identify the same based upon a highest probability match of each utterance with learned speech tokens, e.g. the letters of the English language alphabet, and based upon a highest probability match of the uttered sequence with a defined utterance library, e.g. a list of names. First, the spoken utterance is digitized or captured and processed into a spectral representation. Second, discrete time frames of the DFT are classified phonetically. Third, the time-frame outputs are used by a modified Viterbi search to locate segment boundaries, near which such segment boundaries lies the information that is needed to discriminate letters. Fourth, the segmented or bounded representation is reclassified using such information into individual hypothesized letters.

Abstract: The invention resides in improvements to refrigeration systems which rely on circulation of refrigerant gas through compression and expansion phases, and thereby discharging heat from a fluid to be cooled. The invention includes a subcooler (38) in the refrigerant loop, downstream of the refrigerant condenser (34) and a gas trap (36) between the condenser (34) and the subcooler (38), that assures temperature drop in the subcooler (38). The invention also comprehends a shut-off valve (44) between the compressor and the heat source heat exchanger (28). The invention further includes a high capacity-to-volume oil to air heat exchanger (48), for cooling the lubricating oil in the oil loop (26). Preferred refrigerant is ammonia. Incorporating the above improvements into refrigeration systems enables an overall reduction in system sizing. Such systems, having heat exchange capacity of at least 200,000 Btu/hr., up to at least 500,000 Btu/hr.

Abstract: A freezer box comprising an enclosure resting on soil, the soil having a tendency to freeze from the cooling effect of the freezer positioned above. Pipes, through which a warm fluid flows, thereby being cooled, buried under the freezer enclosure for warming and preventing the freezing of the sub-freezer soil. A refrigeration system having a condenser for receiving refrigerant vapor and condensing it to a warm liquid. An evaporator for producing cooling by evaporating the liquid refrigerant condensed by a condenser. A pipe for conveying the flow of warm liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator and a heat exchanger positioned to exchange heat between the flow of cool fluid, having warmed the soil under the freezer, and the flow of warm liquid refrigerant enroute through the pipe from the condenser to the evaporator, thereby warming the flow of fluid and cooling the flow of liquid refrigerant.

Abstract: The invention resides in improvements to refrigeration systems which rely on circulation of refrigerant gas through compression and expansion phases, and thereby discharging heat from a fluid to be cooled. The invention includes a subcooler (38) in the refrigerant loop, downstream of the refrigerant condenser (34) and a gas trap (36) between the condenser (34) and the subcooler (38), that assures temperature drop in the subcooler (38). The invention also comprehends a shut-off valve (44) between the compressor and the heat source heat exchanger (28). The invention further includes a high capacity-to-volume oil to air heat exchanger (48), for cooling the lubricating oil in the oil loop (26). Preferred refrigerant is ammonia. Incorporating the above improvements into refrigeration systems enables an overall reduction in system sizing. Such systems, having heat exchange capacity of at least 200,000 Btu/hr., up to at least 500,000 Btu/hr.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing bobbins and bobbin carriers in a sewing machine utilizes a magazine having an opening, containing a bobbin carrier, aligned between the bobbin housing and an electromagnet which pushes the bobbin carrier through the opening into the bobbin housing and then withdraws. The magazine withdraws; the electromagnet moves adjacent the bobbin housing, and in withdrawing pulls a spent bobbin carrier therefrom and drops it. The magazine moves into alignment again between the bobbin housing and the electromagnet, and the cycle repeats. A computer, responsive to apparatus positions, regulates pneumatic valves and an electrical source to automatically effect operations.

Abstract: A wing of an aircraft has a mass, for example an engine, secured to the wing by a pylon such that an imaginary line between the center of gravity of the mass and the region of the wing to which the pylon is attached is at an angle to the vertical, the force and the moment applied to the wing by the mass and the pylon being applied to the wing through at least one attachment member. The force and the moment can be applied to the wing through first and second attachment members respectively.