Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for preparing a beverage, the compositions comprise a microorganism and/or an enzyme capable of hydrolysing chlorogenic acids of a coffee extract to phenolic acids. When a beverage prepared with the compositions of the invention is consumed chlorogenic acids present in coffee extract is hydrolysed to improve antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties compared to a similar conventional beverage.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid-based device including an MR piston assembly. The MR piston assembly includes a ferromagnetic MR piston core and an electric coil. The MR piston core has a central longitudinal axis and has an outer circumferential surface substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The electric coil is positioned in the MR piston core and is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. A portion, or at least a portion, of the electric coil is buried in the MR piston core under the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of food and drinks. In particular, for example, a composition is provided that allows to provide tartaric and/or caffeic acid to a subject. One embodiment of the present invention is a composition comprising an ingredient containing caftaric acid and/or derivatives thereof, and a lactic acid bacterium capable of hydrolysing caftaric acid and/or derivatives thereof to generate tartaric and/or caffeic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of food and drinks. In particular, for example, a composition is provided that allows to provide tartaric and/or caffeic acid to a subject. One embodiment of the present invention is a composition comprising an ingredient containing chicoric acid and/or derivatives thereof, and a lactic acid bacterium capable of hydrolysing chicoric acid and/or derivatives thereof to generate tartaric and/or caffeic acid.

Abstract: A rotary velocity sensor includes a stator having a coil and a rotor having a permanent magnet. The rotor is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the stator, surrounds the coil, and is rotatable with respect to the stator about the axis. A rotary position and velocity sensor includes a non-magnetic stator having a magnetosensitive device and having at least one coil and includes a non-magnetic rotor having at least one permanent magnet. The magnetosensitive device has a sensing surface with a normal axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the stator axis. The at-least-one coil has a central coil axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the stator axis. The rotor is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the stator, surrounds the at-least-one coil, and is rotatable with respect to the stator about the stator axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uses of decarboxylated phenolic acid derived from chlorogenic acid of coffee as well as products comprising decarboxylated phenolic acid derived from chlorogenic acid of coffee, especially a coffee extract, and methods of producing such products. Coffee comprises chlorogenic acids, according to the invention these chlorogenic acids can be transformed into decarboxylated phenolic acids. The resulting decarboxylated phenolic acids have antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as ingredients in food and beverage products and to treat certain health conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a coffee extract with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and uses of the extract of the invention. The coffee extract comprises caffeic acid and/or ferulic acid and can be produced by hydrolysing chlorogenic acids present in coffee extract, e.g. with a microorganism or an enzyme. The coffee extract of the invention may e.g. be used as an ingredient of a food or beverage product.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for preparing a beverage, the compositions comprise a microorganism and/or an enzyme capable of hydrolysing chlorogenic acids of a coffee extract to phenolic acids. When a beverage prepared with the compositions of the invention is consumed chlorogenic acids present in coffee extract is hydrolysed to improve antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties compared to a similar conventional beverage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivery of a solid particulate fuel to a heating system. The present invention provides a lock-up transport system to deliver particles of solid fuel in a downstream direction while maintaining the position of the particles relative to each other. The lock-up transport system provides a linear mass flow through the gasification stages of the fuel.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a piston and a case element, both capable of acting to carry a magnetic flux. A passage exists between the piston and the case element, and an amount of MR fluid is positioned between the piston and the case element to flow within the passage. A first magnetic flux generator and a second magnetic flux generator cooperate to generate a net flux that is disposed to act upon the MR fluid in the passage to affect the flow of fluid in the passage. One of the flux generators comprises a permanent magnet to generate a bias flux between the piston and the case element, and the other flux generator comprises a means for providing a controllable magnetic flux between the piston and the case element.

Abstract: A rotary velocity sensor includes a stator having a coil and a rotor having a permanent magnet. The rotor is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the stator, surrounds the coil, and is rotatable with respect to the stator about the axis. A rotary position and velocity sensor includes a non-magnetic stator having a magnetosensitive device and having at least one coil and includes a non-magnetic rotor having at least one permanent magnet. The magnetosensitive device has a sensing surface with a normal axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the stator axis. The at-least-one coil has a central coil axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the stator axis. The rotor is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the stator, surrounds the at-least-one coil, and is rotatable with respect to the stator about the stator axis.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid-based device including an MR piston assembly. The MR piston assembly includes a ferromagnetic MR piston core and an electric coil. The MR piston core has a central longitudinal axis and has an outer circumferential surface substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The electric coil is positioned in the MR piston core and is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. A portion, or at least a portion, of the electric coil is buried in the MR piston core under the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: Certain circuit faults in a phase of a multi-pole, switched reluctance, rotary electrical machine are detected; and the machine is selectively operated with a detected circuit fault when the nature of the fault permits continued operation of the phase and the operation of the phase is desirable. The fault may be one of certain short or open circuits in which at least one of the two current controlling electronic switches is operable to control phase current within predetermined limits. In the continued operation when a fault is detected, (1) the phase current is switched off earlier than it would be in the absence of the fault and/or (2) the maximum phase current is reduced compared with that permitted in the absence of the fault; and either or both of these modifications may be a function of motor speed. If the circuit fault adversely affects current control by an electronic switch normally controlling current level, another electronic switch is substituted for current control.

Abstract: The subject invention provides an assembly for measuring movement of and a torque applied to a shaft extending between first and second ends and being hollow, specifically for measuring rotation and twisting of the shaft. A permanent magnet is disposed within the shaft for producing a parallel magnetic field emanating radially from the shaft. A sensor mechanism is positioned adjacent the shaft to detect the magnetic flux produced in response to the shaft being moved. The sensor mechanism includes a magnetostrictive (MR) material disposed annularly about the shaft and extends between first and second edges. A flux collector extends beyond the first and second edges of the magnetostrictive material to direct the magnetic flux through a Hall sensor to detect an axial component of the magnetic flux in response to twisting.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive force sensor universally usable in any environment with similar signals unaffected by the surrounding material. To this end, a sensor comprising a shaft of magnetostrictive material with an inductance coil wound around the shaft is provided with a magnetic shell enclosing the coil only or both the coil and the shaft. Upon application of the magnetic field, the resultant flow of magnetic flux is confined to a path through the shaft and the magnetic shell. By confining the magnetic flux path, the dependency of the sensor signal on the surrounding material and environment is essentially eliminated.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor provides an output voltage range having first and second linear slopes. Proper selection of magnetic sensor dimensions enables changes in magnetic flux density upon the passage of at least one tooth and one slot of a target wheel past the magnetic sensor to be represented as a linear magnetic sensor output comprised of at least one linear range whereby linear interpolation of position is possible with appropriate signal processing algorithms.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic field of a magnetostrictive material disposed on a shaft, the torque sensing apparatus having: a first integrating ring; a second integrating ring; a first fluxgate return strip and a second fluxgate return strip each being connected to the first integrating ring at one end and the second integrating ring at the other end; an excitation coil; and a feedback coil; wherein the first integrating ring and the second integrating ring are configured to be positioned to pick up flux signals along the entire periphery of the ends of the magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thin packaging film made out of a thermoplastic material with anti-UV properties, characterized in that its composition further comprises a combination of at least one organic compound with at least one inorganic UV-absorbent compound, for improved barrier against UV rays, and improved transparency. Preferably, the organic compound is a benzotriazole, and the inorganic compound is micronized zinc oxide. More preferably, the material for the film further comprises a binder compound, for example a benzophenone, in order to improve the compatibility between the organic component and the base-resin. Preferably, the film thickness is below 80 &mgr;m, more preferably below 35 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic flux in response to applying a torque to a shaft is disclosed. A magnetostrictive material is disposed on the surface of the shaft and is magnetically polarized. The apparatus includes a first flux collector and a second flux collector spaced from each other and extending annularly around the shaft. A first fluxgate is connected to the first flux collector at one end and to the second flux collector at the other end with a first excitation coil wound about the first fluxgate. A second fluxgate is connected to the first flux collector at one end and to the second flux collector at the other end with a second excitation coil wound about the second fluxgate. A feedback coil is positioned between the shaft and the flux collectors, the fluxgates, and the excitation coils.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic field of a magnetostrictive material disposed on a shaft, comprising: a first integrating ring; a second integrating ring; a first fluxgate return strip and a second fluxgate return strip each being connected to the first integrating ring at one end and the second integrating ring at the other end; an excitation coil; and a feedback coil; wherein the first integrating ring and the second integrating ring are configured to be positioned to pick up flux signals along the entire periphery of the ends of the magnetostrictive material.