Abstract: Hybrid components containing a ceramic material, in which detailed features of the components are formed of materials other than ceramic materials, yet result in a robust mechanical attachment of the ceramic and non-ceramic portions of the components. The components includes a first subcomponent formed of a ceramic-based material and a second subcomponent formed of a metallic material. The first subcomponent has a nub and the second subcomponent is separately formed and attached to the first subcomponent by casting the metallic material around the nub of the first subcomponent. The second subcomponent is attached to the first subcomponent by a compression fit and encapsulation of the second subcomponent on the nub of the first subcomponent. The nub has a compliant coating system that provides thermal expansion compliance between the metallic material of the second subcomponent and the ceramic-based material of the first subcomponent.

Abstract: Processes for producing a component containing a ceramic-based material and having detailed features formed from materials other than ceramic materials. Such a process entails producing the component to include a first subcomponent and at least a second subcomponent having at least one off-axis geometric feature that results in the second subcomponent having a more complex geometry than the first subcomponent. The first subcomponent is formed of a ceramic-based material, and the second subcomponent and its off-axis geometric feature are separately formed of a metallic material and attached to the first subcomponent to yield a robust mechanical attachment. The component may be, for example, a gas turbine airfoil component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a nonwoven filtration media comprising a bonded mix of different, discontinuous, thermoplastic resin fibers and optionally discontinuous cellulosic fibers. In some embodiments a tackifier is added to the nonwoven filtration media to provide a sticky or adhesive surface on the fibers. The nonwoven media has an advantageous combination of stiffness, foldability, efficiency and the ability to retain a fold. The nonwoven media can be thermally bonded during the production process. The advantageous combination of mechanical properties allow the disclosed nonwoven media to accept and retain folds and pleats better than some conventional filtration materials while the mix of different fibers provides desirable filtration properties.

Abstract: Systems and methods to monitor an asset in an operating process unit are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring one or more equipment parameters associated with an asset in an operating process unit, monitoring one or more process parameters associated with the asset, and determining an asset health value corresponding to the asset based on the one or more monitored equipment parameters, process parameters, and baseline data associated with the one or more equipment parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a solar-activated photochemical fluid treatment system, some of which comprise a fluid vessel, a porous enclosure positioned inside of the fluid vessel, a porous enclosure positioned inside of the fluid vessel, a fiber substrate contained within the enclosure, and a semiconductor photocatalyst coupled to the fiber substrate. The fluid vessel can be configured to contain a fluid in contact with the photocatalyst such that the fluid treatment system, responsive to solar radiation applied to the photocatalyst and to the fluid in the vessel, induces photochemical modification of contaminants and living organisms in the fluid. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the photochemical purification of fluids are disclosed. Fluids containing organic, inorganic and/or microbiological contaminants are treated by photochemical processes in a hybrid photoreactor incorporating a photocatalyst bonded to a light transmissive fiber substrate within at least a portion of the fluid and light sources to illuminate the fluid and photocatalyst. Photochemical processes include photocatalytic oxidation, photocatalytic reduction, photoadsorption, photolysis and photodisinfection. Some aspects of the disclosure include optimization of distribution of photocatalyst within the fluid, optimization of mass transport of contaminants by distribution of randomly-oriented fiber substrate, optimization of photoefficiency by control of light source wavelengths, use of LEDs to achieve optimized light source wavelengths, optimization of light delivery from light sources to fluid, and use of a microprocessor to optimize system performance.

Abstract: Hybrid components containing a ceramic material, in which detailed features of the components are formed of materials other than ceramic materials, yet result in a robust mechanical attachment of the ceramic and non-ceramic portions of the components. The components includes a first subcomponent formed of a ceramic-based material and a second subcomponent formed of a metallic material. The first subcomponent has a nub and the second subcomponent is separately formed and attached to the first subcomponent by casting the metallic material around the nub of the first subcomponent. The second subcomponent is attached to the first subcomponent by a compression fit and encapsulation of the second subcomponent on the nub of the first subcomponent. The nub has a compliant coating system that provides thermal expansion compliance between the metallic material of the second subcomponent and the ceramic-based material of the first subcomponent.

Abstract: Processes for producing a component containing a ceramic-based material and having detailed features formed from materials other than ceramic materials. Such a process entails producing the component to include a first subcomponent and at least a second subcomponent having at least one off-axis geometric feature that results in the second subcomponent having a more complex geometry than the first subcomponent. The first subcomponent is formed of a ceramic-based material, and the second subcomponent and its off-axis geometric feature are separately formed of a metallic material and attached to the first subcomponent to yield a robust mechanical attachment. The component may be, for example, a gas turbine airfoil component.

Abstract: Hybrid turbine airfoil components containing a ceramic material, in which detailed features of the components are formed of materials other than ceramic materials. The components include a first component formed of a ceramic-based material and a second component formed of a metallic material. The first component comprises an airfoil portion and a nub, and the second component is separately formed and attached to the first component by casting the metallic material around the nub of the first component. The second component includes a platform portion between the airfoil portion and the nub of the first component and a dovetail portion on the nub of the first component. Each of the platform and dovetail portions has at least one off-axis geometric feature that results in the second component having a more complex geometry than the first component.

Abstract: A dry eraser is disclosed including an eraser body having an upper region and a lower region, a layer of erasing material having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion affixed to the lower region of the eraser body, at least one socket on the upper region for accommodating at least a portion of a writing utensil, and a magnetic member operatively engaged to the eraser body between the top portion of the layer of erasing material and the upper region of the eraser body.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner dirt container having a chamber with an upper opening, and a removable filter element. The filter element has an upper portion with an opening and a peripheral edge that engages an upper edge of the chamber. A filter portion extends from the upper portion, and a handle extends across the opening. The filter portion extends into the chamber when the filter element is mounted thereto. Also provided is an upright vacuum cleaner with a base unit, body unit , and dirt chamber removably mounted to the body unit. A combined filter and lid is mounted to the dirt chamber, and includes a filter member, and a mounting ring extending from the filter member to a sidewall of the dirt chamber to hold the filtration device at a fixed location away from the chamber sidewall. Also provided is a cyclone lid having an annular wall, filter, and handle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a nonwoven filtration media comprising a bonded mix of different, discontinuous, thermoplastic resin fibers and optionally discontinuous cellulosic fibers. In some embodiments a tackifier is added to the nonwoven filtration media to provide a sticky or adhesive surface on the fibers. The nonwoven media has an advantageous combination of stiffness, foldability, efficiency and the ability to retain a fold. The nonwoven media can be thermally bonded during the production process. The advantageous combination of mechanical properties allow the disclosed nonwoven media to accept and retain folds and pleats better than some conventional filtration materials while the mix of different fibers provides desirable filtration properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to immobilized phosphatidic acid probes which can be used to identify important proteins for signal transduction, housekeeping and diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a switchgear apparatus. More particularly, the invention encompasses an electrical insulation barrier having knock-out features for a switchgear apparatus. The present invention also relates to enclosures for switchgear, panel boards, circuit breakers, and more particularly to an enclosure for low voltage switchgear and switchboard assemblies. The enclosure can be a walk-in type enclosure or a non-walk-in type enclosure. This invention further provides a rear barrier for switchgear vertical (section) bus insulation assembly. The rear barrier is made from a brittle material, such as, for example, a thermoset insulating material, a glass reinforced polyester laminate (GPO-2 or GPO-3) material, and has a plurality of knock-out pass-through-openings for the bus bars and other hardware.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electrical insulation barriers. More particularly, the invention encompasses an electrical insulation barrier having knock-out features for an electronic apparatus. The electrical insulation barrier is preferably made from a brittle material, such as, for example, a thermoset insulating material, a glass reinforced polyester laminate material (such as, for example, GPO-1, GPO-2, GPO-3), and the like. The electrical insulation barrier is preferably used to insulate and/or isolate electrical conductors. With this invention a single master or universal type part can be made and used in many configurations and locations dependent on the design of the electronic apparatus. The invention allows for the creation of one or more opening in the electrical insulation barrier by knocking-out or removing one or more pre-defined shapes to allow clearance for intersecting electrical parts.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a floor engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted on the base unit, and a dirt chamber removably mounted to the body unit. A filtration device is removably mounted to the dirt chamber, and includes a first member projecting into the dirt chamber and being adapted to allow air to pass therethrough and remove particles from the airflow, and a second member extending from the first member to a sidewall of the dirt chamber to hold the filtration device at a fixed vertical location within the dirt chamber.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for skin treatment or other applications includes a laser diode module controller that is configured to operate one or more laser diodes that are situated to provide optical radiation to an exposure aperture. A two-dimensional position sensor is secured to the exposure aperture and provides an exposure aperture translation signal that is coupled to the laser diode module controller. Delivery of optical radiation to the exposure aperture by the laser diode module controller is based on an exposure aperture translation or velocity that is estimated based on the exposure aperture translation signal. In addition, a clock or timer is coupled to the laser diode module controller to permit selection of laser diode pulse duty cycle or to provide safe or comfortable skin treatment. The two dimensional position sensor can be based on optical sensing such as provided in an optical mouse, and can also provide proximity sensing for safe, efficient operation.

Abstract: A system for controlling landing gear of an aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor for sensing water, wherein the sensor is coupled to the landing gear and a retracting device for retracting the landing gear when the sensor senses a body of water. In one alternative, the aircraft is an amphibious aircraft and the sensor senses electrical conductivity. In another alternative, the retracting device comprises a hydraulic system for deploying and retracting the landing gear, wherein the hydraulic system retracts the landing gear when the sensor senses a body of water. In yet another alternative, the retracting device comprises a locking mechanism that locks the landing gear to the aircraft, wherein the locking mechanism unlocks the landing gear so as to detach it from the aircraft when the sensor senses a body of water.

Abstract: A dry eraser is disclosed including an eraser body having an upper region and a lower region, a layer of erasing material having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion affixed to the lower region of the eraser body, at least one socket on the upper region for accommodating at least a portion of a writing utensil, and a magnetic member operatively engaged to the eraser body between the top portion of the layer of erasing material and the upper region of the eraser body.

Abstract: An upright suction cleaner having a base, a body pivotally mounted on the base, a suction device, and a dirt separation system. The dirt separation system has a first and second dirt separators. the first of which may include an air-pervious shroud having a plate extending from it. An airflow path extends from the base, through the separation system, and into the suction device. A dirt collecting system is mountable to the body, and includes a first chamber to receive dirt separated by the first dirt separator, and a second chamber to receive dirt separated by the second dirt separator. The chambers are adjacent one another when mounted to the body. A tube forming part of the airflow path between the dirt separation system and the suction device is selectively mountable adjacent the dirt collecting system. An elevator assembly is provided to attach the dirt collecting system to the body.