Abstract: Methods and apparatus to test acoustic emission sensors are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a process control device, an acoustic emission sensor coupled to the process control device, where the acoustic emission sensor detects an operational condition of the process control device, and a piezoelectric tuning fork acoustically coupled to the acoustic emission sensor to test the operational condition of the acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing effects of friction on process control devices are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining, by executing an instruction with at least one processor, a first value corresponding to friction associated with at least one of an actuator or a process control device to be operated by the actuator; determining a second value indicative of an effect of the friction on operation of the process control device via the actuator based on the first value corresponding to the friction and a first threshold value; and changing a force input to move a plug of the process control device 1) a distance or 2) a distance within a time period when the second value satisfies a second threshold value.

Abstract: An aerosol valve movable from a closed position to an open position for retaining a product in, and spraying the product from, a container, comprising: a valve cup positioned on a first end of the container that orients the aerosol valve in the container, wherein the valve cup has a lip that defines a valve cup opening into the container; a valve stem disposed in the valve cup opening so that a first portion of the valve stem is disposed above the lip and a second portion of the valve stem is disposed below the lip within the container, the valve stem having an open first end, a closed second end and defining a longitudinal passageway therebetween with the open first end defining an outlet from the passageway of the valve stem, a side of the valve stem defining at least one inlet into the passageway near the closed second end; a resilient seal disposed in the valve cup opening between the valve stem and the lip, wherein the resilient seal comprises a seal body having a first portion disposed above the lip and

Abstract: A voice coil motor displacement sensor and a voice coil motor controller that uses said sensor. The sensor configured to apply an alternating measurement signal at a predetermined frequency to a voice coil motor, the sensor configured to use a measure of a voltage across and a current through the voice coil motor to determine its impedance at the predetermined frequency and determine an estimated displacement of said voice coil motor using said impedance and a predetermined displacement-impedance function.

Abstract: An engine speed of work vehicle can be controlled automatically based on various conditions. For example, an excavator can include a first sensor for detecting a vehicle characteristic and transmitting an associated first sensor signal, and a second sensor for detecting an engine characteristic and transmitting an associated second sensor signal. The excavator can include a control circuit for receiving the sensor signals. The control circuit can determine the vehicle characteristic based on the first sensor signal and the engine characteristic based on the second sensor signal. The control circuit can determine that at least one vehicle condition of multiple vehicle conditions is satisfied based on the vehicle characteristic, and that at least one engine condition of multiple engine conditions is satisfied based on the engine characteristic. The control circuit can transmit a signal configured to cause the excavator to reduce an engine speed to a low idle engine speed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating useful life of a seal in a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a body including an inlet and an outlet; a stem to move a plug within the body to control a flow of fluid between the inlet and the outlet; a seal to deter fluid from exiting the body along the stem; and a positioner including a processor, the processor to estimate a total amount of useful life of the seal consumed based on 1) a number of operational cycles that the seal is exposed to; and 2) stresses experienced by the seal during the respective operational cycles.

Abstract: One example discloses an acoustic pairing device, comprising: an acoustic processor configured to receive a first acoustic signal and a second acoustic signal; a signal comparison module configured to identify a propagation delay or amplitude difference between the first and second acoustic signals; and a pairing module configured to output a pairing signal if the propagation delay or amplitude difference is between a first value and a second value. Another example discloses a method for acoustic pairing between a first device and a second device, executed by a computer programmed with non-transient executable instructions, comprising: receiving a propagation delay or amplitude difference between a first acoustic signal and a second acoustic signal; pairing the first and second devices if the propagation delay or amplitude difference is between a first value and a second value.

Abstract: Aspects include performing online condition monitoring. Online condition monitoring includes compiling the digital sensor data to produce compiled data and processing the compiled data via a signal analysis operation to produce digitally analyzed data. Further, online condition monitoring includes comparing the digitally analyzed data to at least one threshold to output corresponding values and utilizing the corresponding value to determine whether to issue an event notification.

Abstract: One example discloses an acoustic pairing device, comprising: an acoustic processor configured to receive a first acoustic signal and a second acoustic signal; a signal comparison module configured to identify a propagation delay or amplitude difference between the first and second acoustic signals; and a pairing module configured to output a pairing signal if the propagation delay or amplitude difference is between a first value and a second value. Another example discloses a method for acoustic pairing between a first device and a second device, executed by a computer programmed with non-transient executable instructions, comprising: receiving a propagation delay or amplitude difference between a first acoustic signal and a second acoustic signal; pairing the first and second devices if the propagation delay or amplitude difference is between a first value and a second value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use vibration data to determine a condition of a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vibration monitoring circuit to: collect first vibration data associated with a process control device during calibration of the process control device; calculate an operating threshold of the process control device based on the first vibration data; collect usage information associated with the process control device, the usage information indicative of a remaining portion of useful life associated with the process control device; adjust the operating threshold based on the usage information, the adjusted operating threshold reflective of the remaining portion of useful life associated with the process control device; and determine a condition of the process control device if second vibration data associated with the process control device collected after the calibration exceeds the adjusted operating threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating useful life of a seal in a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a processor to: determine a plurality of operational cycles of a stem or shaft of a process control device; determine a first value corresponding to a stress experienced by the seal for each of the operational cycles; and estimate a total amount of useful life of the seal consumed based on each of the first values; and a database to store data associated with the total amount of useful life of the seal consumed.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for use with fluid valves are described. An example apparatus includes a cage; a plug including a seal gland; and means for sealingly engaging an inner surface of the cage at least partially positioned in the seal gland and including a first portion and a second portion, in response to a fluid acting on the first portion in a first direction, the first portion to engage, outwardly urge, and splay the second portion to sealingly engage the cage, in response to the fluid acting in a second direction, the second portion to deter the fluid from acting on the first portion, the first direction opposite the second direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use vibration data to determine a condition of a process control device are disclosed. An example method includes collecting first vibration data from a first sensor operatively coupled to a process control device during a calibration. The example method further includes calculating an operating threshold of the process control device based on the first vibration data, and determining a condition of the process control device if second vibration data associated with the process control device collected after the calibration exceeds the operating threshold.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for use with fluid valves are described. An apparatus includes a cage, a plug having a seal gland and a seal assembly to be at least partially positioned in the seal gland. The seal assembly includes a back-up ring having a wedge-shaped protrusion and a seal defining a wedge-shaped groove to receive the protrusion. A pressure is to act on the back-up ring to urge the protrusion into the groove. An engagement between the protrusion and the groove is to urge the seal into sealing engagement with an inner surface of the cage.

Abstract: Improvements in compressor manufacture are achieved by utilizing polymeric components which retain at least 90% of their dimensions after being exposed to a mixture of refrigerants and/or lubricants for 30 days at 60° C. Polymeric materials include (i) polyetherimides, (ii) polyphenylene sulfides, (iii) polyketones, (iv) polysulfones, (v) liquid crystal polymers, and (vi) combinations thereof. Metal coatings on the polymers are the preferred embodiments for housings.

Abstract: Mixotrophic fermentation method performed to make one or more bioproducts such as alcohols, organic acids of less than 7 carbons, acetone, 2,3-butanediol and mixtures thereof with a microorganism. The mixotrophic fermentation method includes providing an isolated organism and providing a first feedstock and a second feedstock for use in a fermentation medium. The first feedstock includes a carbon source that is metabolized by the native form of the organism at a rate of less than 0.01 g/hr/g cell mass, and the second feedstock includes CO, CO2, carbonate, bicarbonate, H2, glycerol, methanol, formate, urea or mixtures thereof. The mixotrophic fermentation method also includes culturing the organism in the fermentation medium, whereby both feedstocks are metabolized and a fermentation broth is formed, the broth having at least one bioproduct. Optionally, the bioproduct may be separated from the broth.

Abstract: Improvements in compressor manufacture are achieved by utilizing polymeric components which retain at least 90% of their dimensions after being exposed to a mixture of refrigerants and/or lubricants for 30 days at 60° C. Polymeric materials include (i) polyetherimides, (ii) polyphenylene sulfides, (iii) polyketones, (iv) polysulfones, (v) liquid crystal polymers, and (vi) combinations thereof. Metal coatings on the polymers are the preferred embodiments for housings.

Abstract: Solid-state battery structures and methods of manufacturing solid-state batteries are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments relate to solid-state batteries having one or more subdivided electrode layers. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Solid-state battery structures and methods of manufacturing solid-state batteries, such as thin-film batteries, are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments relate to solid-state batteries having an intermediate adhesive layer between several electrochemical cells. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Solid-state battery structures and methods of manufacturing solid-state batteries, such as thin-film batteries, are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments relate to solid-state batteries having a current collector tab between multiple electrochemical cells. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.