Abstract: Compressor stators (22) for gas turbine engines (10) are disclosed. An exemplary compressor stator (22) comprises a circumferential array of stator vanes (28) and a shroud (24, 26) for supporting the stator vanes (28). The shroud (24, 26) has a circumferentially extending inner endwall (30, 32) exposed to an annular gas path (20) of the compressor (14). The endwall (30, 32) has a circumferentially uniform axial cross-sectional profile (42). The axial cross-sectional profile (42) comprises at least one deviation (48, 50) from a nominal axial cross-sectional profile (44) defining an overall shape of the annular gas path (20). The at least one deviation comprises a concave deviation (48) and a convex deviation (50).

Abstract: A stress concentrating apparatus and a method for a MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) sensors is provided. The apparatus includes a plate having an inner region and outer region, the inner region being separated from the outer region by slits defined in the plate. A stress concentrator bridge connects the inner region to the outer region, and to mechanically amplify stress applied on the inner region of the plate. At least one stress sensor is operatively connected to the stress concentrator bridge, whereby the at least one stress sensor converts the mechanically amplified stress applied on the inner region into an electrical signal.

Abstract: A motor assembly for use in a surgical tool, has a motor and a gear train. The gear train has an output shaft, a fixed ring gear, a movable ring gear, a cover, and a multi-stage planetary gear set. Each gear stage has a sun gear, a carrier, and planet gears mounted on one side of the carrier. The planet gears are in mesh with a sun gear and either the fixed ring gear or the movable ring gear. The movable ring gear has inner teeth formed on an inner peripheral surface and one of the carriers has outer teeth formed on an outer peripheral surface.

Abstract: A lifter assembly for actuating a needle of an automatic medication delivery device, includes a motor, a speed reduction device driven by the motor, an output shaft driven by the speed reduction device via a rigid transmission device, a driving lever configured to move the needle, the driving lever being connected to and driven by the output shaft, and a sensing device configured to sense the rotation position of the output shaft. The speed reduction device comprises a worm in mesh with a worm gear. The output shaft, the worm gear and the rigid transmission device cooperatively constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting signals. An apparatus comprises a tube comprising a number of layers of carbon forming a wall of the tube. The number of layers of carbon has a number of optical properties configured to propagate an optical signal and a number of electrical properties configured to conduct an electrical signal.

Abstract: An air control valve includes a body which includes a passage with an inlet and an outlet, and a chamber located between and communicated with the inlet and the outlet. The air control valve further includes a valve element rotatably disposed in the chamber, and a motor connected to the valve element for driving the valve element to rotate between a first position where the outlet communicates with the inlet and a second position where the valve element disconnects the outlet from the inlet.

Abstract: The presently disclosed invention uses a heating and cooling circuit to produce both heating and cooling effects through one single air-conditioning unit. It operates in one refrigeration cycle to provide both heating and cooling effects to control the temperature in an electric vehicle's passenger compartment. It also includes a self heat-up component to prevent the outside heat exchanger from getting frozen when the outside temperature drops below 32° F.

Abstract: A motor assembly for use in a surgical tool, has a motor and a gear train. The gear train has an output shaft, a fixed ring gear, a movable ring gear, a cover, and a multi-stage planetary gear set. Each gear stage has a sun gear, a carrier, and planet gears mounted on one side of the carrier. The planet gears are in mesh with a sun gear and either the fixed ring gear or the movable ring gear. The movable ring gear has inner teeth formed on an inner peripheral surface and one of the carriers has outer teeth formed on an outer peripheral surface.

Abstract: Composition production methods are provided that can include providing PdO nanoparticles on a nitrogen-doped titanium oxide surface to form a catalytic mixture. Catalytic compositions and/or bactericides are provided that can include a substrate supporting Ti, O, N, and Pd. Water purification methods are provided that can include exposing an aqueous solution to a composition comprising at least a substrate supporting Ti, O, N, and Pd. Photocatalytic methods are provided that can include: providing a composition comprising one or both of Ti and Pd; exposing the composition to visible radiation to activate the composition; and in the substantial absence of the visible radiation, contacting the composition with an aqueous solution to purify the aqueous solution. Embodiments of the disclosure provide visible light photocatalysts that can demonstrate faster photocatalytic disinfection rates on Escherichia coli (E.

Abstract: A stress concentrating apparatus and a method for a MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) sensors is provided. The apparatus includes a plate having an inner region and outer region, the inner region being separated from the outer region by slits defined in the plate. A stress concentrator bridge connects the inner region to the outer region, and to mechanically amplify stress applied on the inner region of the plate. At least one stress sensor is operatively connected to the stress concentrator bridge, whereby the at least one stress sensor converts the mechanically amplified stress applied on the inner region into an electrical signal.

Abstract: A lifter assembly for actuating a needle of an automatic medication delivery device, includes a motor, a speed reduction device driven by the motor, an output shaft driven by the speed reduction device via a rigid transmission device, a driving lever configured to move the needle, the driving lever being connected to and driven by the output shaft, and a sensing device configured to sense the rotation position of the output shaft. The speed reduction device comprises a worm in mesh with a worm gear. The output shaft, the worm gear and the rigid transmission device cooperatively constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism.

Abstract: Provided is circuitry for biasing a transistor amplifier with a DC-voltage signal, the transistor amplifier having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal coupled to the second input terminal. The circuitry includes a sensor capacitor connected to the first input terminal and an impedance transistor arranged in parallel with said capacitor, the transistor and capacitor forming a low-pass filter. The circuitry also includes a biasing circuit configured to controllably vary a DC-voltage signal for operatively biasing the amplifier, the biasing circuit including a cascaded current arrangement configured to subdivide a reference current into smaller currents for selectively generating voltage potentials for biasing the impedance transistor to adjustably filter a noise component of the DC-voltage signal via the low-pass filter before the DC-voltage signal is provided to the first input terminal.

Abstract: Provided is circuitry for biasing a transistor amplifier with a DC-voltage signal, the transistor amplifier having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal coupled to the second input terminal. The circuitry includes a sensor capacitor connected to the first input terminal and an impedance transistor arranged in parallel with said capacitor, the transistor and capacitor forming a low-pass filter. The circuitry also includes a biasing circuit configured to controllably vary a DC-voltage signal for operatively biasing the amplifier, the biasing circuit including a cascaded current arrangement configured to subdivide a reference current into smaller currents for selectively generating voltage potentials for biasing the impedance transistor to adjustably filter a noise component of the DC-voltage signal via the low-pass filter before the DC-voltage signal is provided to the first input terminal.

Abstract: A biasing circuit adapted for operative coupling to the first input terminal so as to provide a relatively high biasing impedance to ground at the first input terminal, said biasing circuit being adapted to controllably vary the DC-voltage signal which biases the transistor amplifier, whilst at least one component of the biasing circuit is configured to simultaneously form a low-pass circuit for filtering a noise component of the DC-voltage signal before the DC-voltage signal is provided to the first input terminal.

Abstract: A device for use in biasing a transistor amplifier with a DC-voltage signal, the transistor amplifier including: a first input terminal; a second input terminal; and an output terminal coupled to the second input terminal; wherein said device includes: a biasing circuit adapted for operative coupling to the first input terminal so as to provide a relatively high biasing impedance to ground at the first input terminal, said biasing circuit being adapted to controllably vary the DC-voltage signal which biases the transistor amplifier, whilst at least one component of the biasing circuit is configured to simultaneously form a low-pass circuit for filtering a noise component of the DC-voltage signal before the DC-voltage signal is provided to the first input terminal.