Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma generating system that includes: a plurality of plasma reactors. Each plurality of plasma reactors includes: a waveguide for transmitting a microwave energy therethrough; a plasma chamber coupled to the waveguide and configured to generate a plasma therein using the microwave energy; a gas inlet for introducing a gas into the plasma chamber; an exhaust gas pipe for carrying an exhaust gas from the plasma chamber, wherein the plasma converts the gas into the exhaust gas; and a pressure control device installed in the exhaust gas pipe and configured to control a pressure of the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas pipe. The plasma generating system also includes a manifold coupled to the exhaust gas pipes of the plurality of plasma reactors and configured to receive the exhaust gas from the exhaust gas pipes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enabling a plurality of non-invasive, physiological sensors to obtain physiological measurements from the same tissue site. Each of a plurality of sensors can be integrated with or attached to a multi-sensor apparatus. The multi-sensor apparatus can orient the plurality of non-invasive, physiological sensors such that each of the plurality of non-invasive, physiological sensors obtains physiological data from the same or a similar location.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method of operating same for the purpose of automatically determining a soil level of a laundry load from two turbidity readings taken before a washing cycle commences, such as during a pre-wash, filling phase. The machine is configured to detect a load size, add a first amount of water and take a first turbidity reading. A first dose of detergent is then added, a second amount of water added and the wetted load is gently tumbled/agitated before taking a second turbidity reading. A value based upon a ratio of the turbidity readings can determine the soil level of the load in order to choose a wash-related parameter, such as how much detergent to use for the subsequent complete wash cycle and/or the duration thereof.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enabling a plurality of non-invasive, physiological sensors to obtain physiological measurements from the same tissue site. Each of a plurality of sensors can be integrated with or attached to a multi-sensor apparatus. The multi-sensor apparatus can orient the plurality of non-invasive, physiological sensors such that each of the plurality of non-invasive, physiological sensors obtains physiological data from the same or a similar location.

Abstract: Use of an additive selected from nitrate compounds, peroxide compounds, nitrite compounds and polyether compounds, and mixtures thereof in a diesel fuel composition for reducing the build-up of deposits in an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system of a compression ignition internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A gas reactor may include a reactor chamber having a first end, a second end, and a lateral surface that extends between the first end and the second end. The gas reactor may include a torch inlet positioned at the first end of the reactor chamber, and the torch inlet may be configured for input flow of a fuel in a first flow direction. The gas reactor may include a reactant inlet positioned at the second end of the reactor chamber and configured to cause a reactant to flow into the reactor chamber in a second flow direction. The fuel or the reactant may move through the reactor chamber in a vortex flow pattern. The gas reactor may include an outlet port positioned at the second end of the reactor chamber in which the outlet port is configured for output flow of a product from the reactor chamber.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for archiving image, audio, and text data with metadata encapsulation in a client-server storage library is described. The server receives and holds the images, audio, or text to be archived in an image, audio or text logical partition which includes a directory of the images, audio, or text. The information is encapsulated in a metadata wrapper and stored in the library as a closed image, audio, or text file along with a closed copy of the directory. The closed image, audio, or text directory is also stored in the client. The images may be encapsulated in MXF, DICOM, Tape Archive (TAR) or GZIP formats. The storage library may have magnetic tapes, magnetic disks or optical disks as storage media.

Abstract: A plasma reaction system may include a plasma chamber and an ancillary reaction chamber. The plasma chamber may include a plasma chamber inlet for introducing reactant gases into the plasma chamber, plasma chamber walls that form an interior space in which chemical reactions between the reactant gases may occur, a plasma generated within the plasma chamber, a waveguide for directing energy towards the plasma generated within the plasma chamber, and a plasma chamber outlet for carrying first outlet gases from the plasma chamber. The ancillary reaction chamber may include an ancillary reaction chamber inlet configured to obtain the first outlet gases from the plasma chamber, ancillary reaction chamber walls that form an interior space of the ancillary reaction chamber in which second chemical reactions between the outlet gases may occur, and an ancillary reaction chamber outlet for carrying second outlet gases from the ancillary reaction chamber.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method of operating same for the purpose of automatically determining a soil level of a laundry load from two turbidity readings taken before a washing cycle commences, such as during a pre-wash, filling phase. The machine is configured to detect a load size, add a first amount of water and take a first turbidity reading. A first dose of detergent is then added, a second amount of water added and the wetted load is gently tumbled/agitated before taking a second turbidity reading. A value based upon a ratio of the turbidity readings can determine the soil level of the load in order to choose a wash-related parameter, such as how much detergent to use for the subsequent complete wash cycle and/or the duration thereof.

Abstract: Use of an additive selected from nitrate compounds, peroxide compounds, nitrite compounds and polyether compounds, and mixtures thereof in a diesel fuel composition for reducing the build-up of deposits in an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system of a compression ignition internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A process for the production of expanded material based on sulfone polymers includes an extrusion step in an extruder of virgin sulfone polymer with the injection of at least one expanding agent and in the presence of at least one nucleating agent, and a recycling step of part of the expanded material, which provides a recycled product used as raw material fed to the extruder in combination with the virgin sulfone polymer.

Abstract: A process for the production of expanded material based on sulfone polymers includes an extrusion step in an extruder of virgin sulfone polymer with the injection of at least one expanding agent and in the presence of at least one nucleating agent, and a recycling step of part of the expanded material, which provides a recycled product used as raw material fed to the extruder in combination with the virgin sulfone polymer.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric agglomerate obtained from expanded sulfone polymer recovered from extrusion or injection molding processes of sulfone polymer, the agglomeration of said expanded sulfone polymer being effected in said process. With respect to the known art for the production of expanded sulfone polymers that use starting virgin sulfone polymers, the present invention offers the advantage of providing a recovered expanded sulfone polymer which can be used as starting material together with the corresponding virgin sulfone polymer.

Abstract: A motor vehicle cylinder head is provided with a single flat planar surface in which are formed spaced apart integral inlet and outlet ports used for connecting respective coolant supply and returns to a coolant jacket defined within the cylinder head. The use of a common planar surface for the location of the inlet and outlet ports provides a more reliable sealing of the cylinder head to the respective coolant supply and returns.

Abstract: A plasma generating system includes a waveguide for transmitting a microwave energy therethrough and an inner wall disposed within the waveguide to define a plasma cavity, where a plasma is generated within the plasma cavity using the microwave energy. The plasma generating system further includes: an adaptor having a gas outlet through which an exhaust gas processed by the plasma exits the plasma cavity; and a recuperator directly attached to the adaptor and having a gas passageway that is in fluid communication with the gas outlet in the adaptor. The recuperator recovers heat energy from the exhaust gas and heats an input gas using the heat energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma generating system that includes: a plasma cavity for generating a plasma therewithin by use of microwave energy; an adaptor electrically grounded and having a gas outlet through which an exhaust gas processed by the plasma exits the plasma cavity; and an ignition device mounted on the adaptor. The ignition device includes: a first electrode electrically grounded; and a second electrode electrically floating and configured to convert a portion of the microwave energy into an electrostatic discharge to thereby develop a voltage difference between the first and second electrodes, where the voltage difference generates a spark discharge between the first electrode and the second electrode to create the plasma.

Abstract: A plasma generating system includes a waveguide for transmitting a microwave energy therethrough and an inner wall disposed within the waveguide to define a plasma cavity, where a plasma is generated within the plasma cavity using the microwave energy. The plasma generating system further includes: an adaptor mounted on a first side of the waveguide and physically separated from the waveguide by a first gap and having a gas outlet through which a gas processed by the plasma exits the plasma cavity; and an EM seal disposed in the first gap and configured to block leakage of the microwave energy through the first gap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma generating system that includes: a waveguide for transmitting a microwave energy therethrough; an inner wall disposed within the waveguide to define a plasma cavity, wherein a plasma is generated within the plasma cavity using the microwave energy; a first gas inlet mounted on a first side of the waveguide and configured to introduce a first gas into the plasma cavity and generate a first vortex flow within the plasma cavity using the first gas, the first gas inlet having a through hole through which a gas processed by the plasma exits the plasma cavity; and a plasma stabilizer having a shape of a circular hollow cylinder and installed on a second side of the waveguide, an axial direction of the plasma stabilizer being in parallel to a rotational axis of the first vortex flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma generating system that includes: a waveguide for transmitting a microwave energy therethrough; an inner wall disposed within the waveguide to define a plasma cavity, wherein a plasma is generated within the plasma cavity using the microwave energy; a first gas inlet mounted on a first side of the waveguide and configured to introduce a first gas into the plasma cavity and generate a first vortex flow within the plasma cavity using the first gas, the first gas inlet having a through hole through which a gas processed by the plasma exits the plasma cavity; and a plasma stabilizer having a shape of a circular hollow cylinder and installed on a second side of the waveguide, an axial direction of the plasma stabilizer being in parallel to a rotational axis of the first vortex flow.