Abstract: The present invention provides a connector for use in a beverage dispense system, the connector defining a conduit for connecting a beverage line to a beverage supply. The connector comprises an electrical sensor (e.g. a capacitive sensor) for measuring an electrical parameter of a beverage within the connector conduit. The electrical parameter and/or changes in the electrical parameter can be used to detect bubbles in the beverage and/or identify the type/brand of beverage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector (18) for use in a beverage dispense system (1), the connector (18) defining a conduit for connecting a beverage line (2) to a beverage supply (4). The connector (18) comprises an electrical sensor (21) (e.g. a capacitive sensor) for measuring an electrical parameter of a beverage within the connector conduit. The electrical parameter and/or changes in the electrical parameter can be used to detect bubbles in the beverage and/or identify the type/brand of beverage.

Abstract: Cooler control system for a beverage dispense system 1 having a beverage line (2) extending from a beverage source to a dispense site via a cooler (6). The cooler control system comprises: a controller (51) for adjusting the cooling of the beverage line; a flow rate sensor (41) measuring the flow rate in the beverage line, a temperature sensor (40); and an electronic control unit (31) for receiving a signal from the temperature sensor and/or the flow rate sensor and sending a signal to said controller. Cooler monitoring system comprising: at least one sensor (45) for monitoring energy consumption of the cooler (6); and an electronic control unit for receiving a signal from the at least one energy consumption sensor and for sending a signal to a remote location when energy consumption increases above a predetermined maximum value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector (18) for use in a beverage dispense system (1), the connector (18) defining a conduit for connecting a beverage line (2) to a beverage supply (4). The connector (18) comprises an electrical sensor (21) (e.g. a capacitive sensor) for measuring an electrical parameter of a beverage within the connector conduit. The electrical parameter and/or changes in the electrical parameter can be used to detect bubbles in the beverage and/or identify the type/brand of beverage.

Abstract: A method for installing an outdoor unit, the outdoor unit for receiving signals from a satellite, the method including determining, with an electronic device, pointing information to be applied to the outdoor unit; receiving signal quality information on the electronic device and from an indoor unit, the indoor unit including a modem or receiver and being connected to the outdoor unit, and pointing the outdoor unit according to the received signal quality information.

Abstract: Cooler control system for a beverage dispense system 1 having a beverage line (2) extending from a beverage source to a dispense site via a cooler (6). The cooler control system comprises: a controller (51) for adjusting the cooling of the beverage line; a flow rate sensor (41) measuring the flow rate in the beverage line, a temperature sensor (40); and an electronic control unit (31) for receiving a signal from the temperature sensor and/or the flow rate sensor and sending a signal to said controller. Cooler monitoring system comprising: at least one sensor (45) for monitoring energy consumption of the cooler (6); and an electronic control unit for receiving a signal from the at least one energy consumption sensor and for sending a signal to a remote location when energy consumption increases above a predetermined maximum value.

Abstract: According to a method herein, a number of pixels marked and times of printing are automatically determined for a plurality of images. A time-based moving window of pixel counts for a subset of the plurality of images being contiguously processed in a current time window is automatically calculated, based on the number of pixels marked and the times of printing of the subset of the plurality of images processed in the current time window. Marking material usage to print the plurality of images for the current time window is automatically determined, based on the time-based moving window of pixel counts of the current time window. The method automatically determines if the marking material usage for the current time window exceeds a threshold. A notification is automatically output if the marking material usage for the current time window exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A method for installing an outdoor unit, the outdoor unit for receiving signals from a satellite, the method including determining, with an electronic device, pointing information to be applied to the outdoor unit; receiving signal quality information on the electronic device and from an indoor unit, the indoor unit including a modem or receiver and being connected to the outdoor unit, and pointing the outdoor unit according to the received signal quality information.

Abstract: Devices and methods to determine media size in a printing device. Media being added to a media sheet tray of a printing device is detected. A size of the media in the tray is estimated based only on at least one of: a size of the media in the tray prior to the media being added, a size of the media recently used prior to the media being added, and a size of the media most frequently used. A selection of previously used sizes of media is displayed on a user interface. The selection comprises: the size of the media in the tray prior to the media being added, the size of the media recently used prior to the media being added, and the size of the media most frequently used. Confirmation of the size of the media added to the tray is received, on the user interface.

Abstract: According to a method herein, a number of pixels marked and times of printing are automatically determined for a plurality of images. A time-based moving window of pixel counts for a subset of the plurality of images being contiguously processed in a current time window is automatically calculated, based on the number of pixels marked and the times of printing of the subset of the plurality of images processed in the current time window. Marking material usage to print the plurality of images for the current time window is automatically determined, based on the time-based moving window of pixel counts of the current time window. The method automatically determines if the marking material usage for the current time window exceeds a threshold. A notification is automatically output if the marking material usage for the current time window exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Devices and methods to determine media size in a printing device. Media being added to a media sheet tray of a printing device is detected. A size of the media in the tray is estimated based only on at least one of: a size of the media in the tray prior to the media being added, a size of the media recently used prior to the media being added, and a size of the media most frequently used. A selection of previously used sizes of media is displayed on a user interface. The selection comprises: the size of the media in the tray prior to the media being added, the size of the media recently used prior to the media being added, and the size of the media most frequently used. Confirmation of the size of the media added to the tray is received, on the user interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to beverage dispense systems and methods. The systems comprise a beverage line having a distal end connectable to a beverage supply for transporting beverage from the beverage supply to a dispense font at a dispensing site. They also include a cooler for cooling beverage. The beverage line comprises a first beverage line portion extending from the distal end to the cooler within a first insulated carrier. The first insulated carrier comprises a first cooling line for transporting cooling medium through the first insulated carrier so as to allow heat exchange between the cooling medium in the first cooling line and the beverage in the first beverage line portion.

Abstract: In an oscillating water column (OWC) assembly power may be generated based on a power reference that is derived from an estimate of the available mechanical power in the air turbine 2 or a measured pressure drop across the turbine. The power reference is used to derive a power control torque reference within a power controller 14. A speed controller 16 uses a comparison of a measured speed of the generator 8 and a maximum speed limit to derive a speed control torque reference. A selector function 22 selects whichever of the power control and speed control torque references is the maximum at any time instant. The selected torque reference is input to an anti stall torque function 24 where it is selectively modified by applying a speed dependent gain that decreases with decreasing turbine speed, preferably so that the main torque reference is zero for a minimum speed limit.

Abstract: Coated products are described comprising a metallic substrate, an aluminium-rich layer, a chromia-forming layer and a thermally insulating top coat. The chromia-forming layer is located between the substrate and the thermally-insulating top coat. The aluminium-rich layer is located between the substrate and the chromia-forming layer. The coating may be used to provide protection of parts exposed to conditions of relatively high temperatures, heat flux, and/or corrosive environments, such as the conditions in industrial gas turbines using poorer-quality fuels (such as bio-fuels).

Abstract: In an oscillating water column (OWC) assembly power may be generated based on a power reference that is derived from an estimate of the available mechanical power in the air turbine 2 or a measured pressure drop across the turbine. The power reference is used to derive a power control torque reference within a power controller 14. A speed controller 16 uses a comparison of a measured speed of the generator 8 and a maximum speed limit to derive a speed control torque reference. A selector function 22 selects whichever of the power control and speed control torque references is the maximum at any time instant. The selected torque reference is input to an anti stall torque function 24 where it is selectively modified by applying a speed dependent gain that decreases with decreasing turbine speed, preferably so that the main torque reference is zero for a minimum speed limit.

Abstract: A titanium aluminide turbine blade (10) includes an aerofoil (12), a platform (14) and a root (16). A protective coating (2) is applied to the aerofoil (12) and the platform (14) of the turbine blade (10). The protective coating (2) comprises austenitic stainless steel. A chromium oxide layer (22) is formed on the protective coating (2). The protective coating (20) and chromium oxide layer (22) provides oxidation and sulphidation resistance for the titanium aluminide article (10).