Abstract: The invention provides a gas turbine, a combined plant and a compressor by which both of augmentation of the power output and augmentation of the thermal efficiency can be realized by injecting liquid droplets into inlet air introduced into an entrance of a compressor with a single equipment which is suitable for practical use. The gas turbine includes a compressor for taking in and compressing gas, a combustor in which fuel is combusted with the gas discharged from the compressor, and a turbine driven by the combusted gas of the combustor. The gas turbine further includes a liquid droplet injection device provided on the upstream side of the compressor for injecting liquid droplets into inlet air to be supplied into the entrance of the compressor to lower the temperature of the inlet air to be introduced into the compressor so that the injected liquid droplets may be evaporated while flowing down in the compressor.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle for dispensing an atomized fluid spray into the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The nozzle includes a body assembly with an inner fuel passage and an annular outer atomizing air passage. An array of turning vanes is disposed within the outer fuel passage. Each of the vanes is configured generally in the shape of an airfoil in having a pressure side and an opposing suction side, the suction side of each vane being spaced-apart from a juxtaposing pressure side of an adjacent vane to define a corresponding one of a plurality of aligned air flow channels therebetween. Fuel is directed through the fuel flow channels to be issued from the nozzle as a generally helical flow having a substantial uniform velocity profile.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic device is formed with a resonator system defining at least one region of high specific acoustic impedance in an acoustic wave within the resonator system. A plurality of thermoacoustic units are cascaded together within the region of high specific acoustic impedance, where at least one of the thermoacoustic units is a regenerator unit.

Abstract: A vehicle refrigerating cycle device capable of preventing the air-conditioning from becoming inadequate and capable of improving vehicle fuel economy is installed in a vehicle having both, a vehicle engine capable of carrying out stratified combustion and a brake booster. Negative pressure generated in an intake system of the engine is accumulated as brake negative pressure, which drives the brake booster. The refrigerating cycle device has a variable displacement type compressor driven by the vehicle engine and a negative pressure detection means for detecting the brake negative pressure. In the stratified combustion operation and at the time of the brake operation to cause the vehicle to stop, the volume in the compressor is controlled to reduce the load on the compressor by a prescribed amount when the detected brake negative pressure is below a prescribed value. Then, the volume in the compressor is gradually increased.

Abstract: A vapor injecting ice and hot water generating device is disclosed. The Laffer nozzles are used as main working elements. When vapor from the vapor boiler flows through the Laffer nozzle; the suction end of the Laffer nozzle has a negative pressure so as to remove the latent heat of cycling water in the evaporator connected to the suction end. Thereby, the temperature of the water is reduced continuously to a preset value; then the water is sent to the ice water adjusting tank for being used. Another, the vapor passing through the Laffer nozzle enters into the condenser. The condensed water has a temperature lower than that of the vapor flowing down from a top of the condenser for condensing the vapor. The condensed hot water is collected to the cycling condensing water storage tank to be sent to the hot water adjusting tank for being used. By above mentioned structure, power is saved.

Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.

Abstract: A variable capacity refrigeration system which does not require a costly inverter compressor and does not exhibit low energy efficiency at high capacity. The system employs a constant speed compressor that operates continuously when the system is energized, irrespective of the heat load, and a refrigerant bypass path including a secondary expansion device, a heat exchanger, and a flow control device which is operable to permit a portion of the refrigerant exiting from the condenser to flow through the bypass path to an inlet of the compressor when the heat load is below a predetermined threshold, whereby the heat exchanger operates as a secondary evaporator, and to prevent refrigerant exiting from the condenser from flowing through the bypass path to the compressor inlet when the heat load is not below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A freezer component stores and removes frozen food in response to a signal. The freezer component includes a rotatable portion, a loading side and a feeding side. Two raiseable platforms are located in each of the loading side and the feeding side. Food is loaded into the freezer component by placing food onto the platforms positioned in the loading side. The rotatable portion then rotates 180° to position the food-loaded platforms in the feeding side. The empty platforms now located in the loading side are loaded with additional food. When a signal is received, food in the feeding side is removed from the freezer component by alternately raising the two platforms holding the food. When the feeding side is empty and contains no more food, the rotatable portion rotates 180° in the reverse direction. The food loaded platforms are now located in the feeding side. The empty platforms are located in the loading side and ready for loading of additional food.

Abstract: Dispenser for dispensing water or ice cubes, and refrigerator fitted with the same, the dispenser including a dispenser casing having a cup receiving space recessed from an outside surface of one side of a refrigerator, and view securing means provided in an upper front part for identifying a water level of a cup when a user looks down the cup receiving space from an upper front side, at least one lever fitted to the cup receiving space, and a dispensing device built-in the refrigerator for cold, or frozen storage of water supplied from outside of the refrigerator, and supplying the water or ice cubes to the cup when the cup presses the lever. The dispenser is fitted to an outside of the refrigerator, particularly, to an outside of the door.

Abstract: A system for use with a consumable beverage includes a container having a mouth. A lid is detachably engaged with the container. A collar is adapted to be seated in the mouth of the container. The collar defines an opening therein. A thermal energy storing member is detachably engagable with the opening in the collar and/or the lid. A collar for supporting an end of a thermal energy storing member; a lid for a container adapted to engage a thermal energy storing member; and method of providing a chilled consumable beverage are each separately detailed herein.

Abstract: A liquid injection type scroll compressor is used to a refrigerating apparatus using hydrocarbon fluoride refrigerant which does not contain chlorine (HFC-125/HFC-143a/HFC-134a) as an operating fluid and an amount of an injected liquid is controlled according to a discharge temperature of the compressor. Further, ester oil and/or ether oil is used as refrigerator oil and a dryer is disposed in a refrigerating cycle. With this arrangement, a refrigerating cycle operation can be stably realized in a wide range without almost changing the arrangement of a conventional refrigerating apparatus.

Abstract: There are provided a high-yield economical, refrigerant processing apparatus for collected equipment which can recover and regenerate a liquid refrigerant by highly efficient thermal conversion and charge collected equipment with the liquid refrigerant, without releasing the refrigerant into the air, and an oil separator for use with the refrigerant processing apparatus. In the oil separator, an oil is separated from an oil-containing refrigerant to be recovered, and in a condenser, a gaseous refrigerant is converted into a liquid refrigerant. The oil separator has a heat exchanging double spiral pipe in which a double pipe made of a central pipe and an external pipe is formed spirally about a vertical central axis of the oil separator, and a heating unit for vaporizing the liquid refrigerant.

Abstract: A high performance cooling device including multiple, relatively thin plates, each having patterns formed thereon that, as arranged within the device, cause turbulence in a fluid passing within the cold plate. Adjacent ones of the plates within the cold plate are arranged such that fluid passing channels within their patterns are arranged crosswise. The plates may be arranged such that the fluid passing channels within the adjacent plate patterns are at an included angle of between 36 and 60 degrees. Manufacturing of the device includes stacking the plates in an alternating fashion such that the channels within the pattern of each plate are crosswise with respect to the channels in the pattern of an adjacent plate. A pair of end plates, which are stacked at the top and bottom of the assembly, do not have an etched pattern and allow for fluid input and output ports. During operation of the disclosed device, the ports bring fluid, such as a coolant, into and out of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing liquefied natural gas. A liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream passes through a turbo expander creating work output. A compressor is driven by the work output and compresses the process stream. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is divided into first and second portions with the first portion being expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. The second portion of the cooled, compressed process stream is also expanded and used to cool the compressed process stream. Additional features and techniques may be integrated with the liquefaction process including a water clean-up cycle and a carbon dioxide (CO2) clean-up cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for making glass in which a glass melt is refined in a vessel with oxygen is described. It includes a melt-containing vessel (10) having a refining region (3) for refinement of the glass melt and a noble metal member for producing oxygen in the melt. The noble metal member (40) has an outer side facing the glass melt and an inner side facing away from the glass melt washed with and acted on with oxygen. Oxygen-containing bubbles are vigorously generated on the outer side of the noble metal member facing the glass melt when the inner side is washed with the oxygen.

Abstract: A glass substrate a vanadium dioxide-based switchable film and a visible-light anti-reflection film. The vanadium dioxide-based switchable film and said visible-light anti-reflection film are coated on to the glass substrate. The vanadium dioxide-based switchable film has a switching temperature set approximately at a proper temperature or a target air-conditioning temperature to be controlled in an interior space in contact with said glass, thereby providing a solar switching and heat-insulating functions to said glass.

Abstract: A photonic fabrication apparatus for making a waveguide in a glass substrate having a metal mask defining a region for the waveguide. The apparatus includes a molten salt, and a sacrificial anodic reaction material, in contact with the salt, that reacts with one or more contaminants in the salt. Also described is a salt-melt ion-exchange system having a chemical secondary reaction in the salt melt to prevent or reduce any primary reaction at or near the waveguide that would otherwise roughen sides of the waveguide and/or the surface over the waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a construction material for internal and external use in buildings and other architectural structures. The material is made from a glassy material that has been crystallized in the presence of crystalline seed particles. The construction material has higher mechanical strength and lower water absorption than conventional glass based construction materials. The invention also provides methods for producing these improved construction materials.

Abstract: A valve block assembly includes a cartridge block and a plurality of modular pilot valve operated poppet valve assemblies. The cartridge block has a plurality of bores therein dimensioned and configured for receiving respective modular pilot valve operated poppet valve assemblies. The cartridge block has a first side and each of the bores extend from the first side into the cartridge block. Each of the modular pilot valve operated poppet valve assemblies having a supply air port, an operating air out port and an exhaust passage and each of the modular pilot valve operated poppet valve assemblies are accessible for installation and removal from the cartridge block from the first side.

Abstract: A method of controlling process variables, for a fiberizing assembly including a rotary fiberizing disk in the manufacture of fibers from a high temperature, molten, clear or translucent, thermoplastic, fiberizable material, utilizes an optical sensor assembly. The optical sensor assembly includes a water-cooled optical fiber sensor probe which, in effect, only gathers light emitted from the external sidewall surface of the rotary fiberizing disk. The light is conducted from the probe to an electronic unit that converts the light energy into a temperature value. This temperature value is used to monitor the process and to make any changes in process variables, such as but not limited to heat input to the fiberizing disk, rate of rotation of the fiberizing disk, burner air/fuel ratio, required to produce fibers having desired fiber properties.

Abstract: A laundry appliance (100;200) comprises an outer housing (102;202) and a drum (122;222) rotatably mounted therein. The drum (122;222) comprises an inner wall (32;132;232,232a) and an outer wall (34;134;234,234a), the inner and outer walls (32,34;132,134;232,234;232a,234a) being perforated to allow washing liquid to flow into and out of the drum (122;222) via the perforations (42,44;42a,44a;42b,44b;42c,44c;42d,44d;42e,44e). According to the invention, the area of the perforations (44;44a;44b;44c;44d;44e) per unit area of the outer wall (34;134;234,234a) is greater than the area of the perforations (42;42a;42b;42c;42d;42e) per unit area of the inner wall (32;132;232,232a).

Abstract: A washing system may include a washing machine and dryer set that, for example, include top covers provided at upper sides of the washing machine and dryer; rear covers interchangeably provided at rear sides of the top covers, wherein the rear covers can maintain a single, unified appearance, wherein a front side of the rear covers each include an opening having a predetermined shape; control units detachably fixed within the openings, wherein the control units are capable of displaying an operational status of the washing machine and dryer and wherein the control units enable a user to input operation instructions; and controllers provided at lower sides of the rear covers for controlling operations of the washing machine and dryer.

Abstract: A padlock includes a casing having a opening for receiving a cylindrical tumbler and a cylinder assembly. The cylinder assembly has a rotary cylinder capable of being turned by a key. The rotary cylinder has a paw adapted to abut a butt of the cylindrical tumbler and thus to turn the tumbler. The tumbler is configured to push a pair of balls into curved notches of a shackle and allow the balls to exit from the notches. Furthermore, the tumbler is provided with a detent positioned in an angular space between the paw and the butt, so as to prevent the paw of the rotary cylindrical from being turned relative to the butt of the cylindrical tumbler.

Abstract: A shackle lock includes a lock casing, a lock core received in the lock casing, and a shackle unit which has first and second shackle connecting members extendible into first and second shackle holes in the lock casing and a flexible shackle portion connected to the shackle connecting members at two opposite ends. The first shackle connecting member engages the lock core when the lock core is operated to be in a locking state, and is disengaged from the lock core when the lock core is operated to be in an unlocking state, thereby permitting removal thereof from the lock casing. The second shackle connecting member is provided with a spring-loaded retaining member for engaging the lock casing. The retaining member is accessible with the use of a tool inserted into the first shackle hole after removal of the first shackle connecting member, and is adapted to be actuated by the tool for disengaging from the lock casing in order to permit removal of the second shackle connecting member from the lock casing.

Abstract: Although a door locking handle assembly is small as a whole in thickness, it permits through a computerized personal management system of users a plurality of persons or users to have access to instruments contained in a box provided with the door locking handle assembly in an easy manner. In the assembly, a combination lock (19) opened by turning each of a set of its specially marked dial discs (21) a given number of times to establish a unique combination of marks of the dial discs (21) is incorporated in a door handle (13) or a base body (1) of the assembly. In operation, a locking member (44) of the assembly prevents the door handle (13) from being pulled out of the base body (1), and is driven to reach its unlocked position when the combination lock (19) is opened.

Abstract: An assembly includes a handle having a key, and a piston, having a bore, attached to an axle mounted to a hub. A fork is disposed on the axle between the hub and the piston, and a cam has first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, in which one of the first and second ends has a keyway for accepting the key. An extension of the cap projects into the fork preventing rotation of the cap relative to the fork.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closing device for a vehicle comprising a lock, a drive for determining the locking state of the locking device, by means of which the locking device may he placed in at least four different locking states and a rotating shaped disc on the drive, which may he rotated by the drive to determine the individual locking states, whereby the individual locking states are each assigned a particular angular position for the shaped disc. According to the invention, the shaped disc (1) is of such a form that said disc may be taken from each angular position, corresponding to one of the various states (V, K, S) and different to the unlocked state (E), without a third locking state occurring on performing the above.

Abstract: Superplastic forming of sheet metal blanks is advanced both is quantity and quality with the utilization of a part separating and pressure distributing mid plate sandwiched between a pair of blanks. This arrangement is loaded between upper and lower die halves operatively mounted in a heated press which closes to effect the piercing of one of the blanks by a nozzle which subsequently delivers pressurized air or other inert gas to an intermediate chamber formed by the mid plate between the blanks to effect the simlayaneously forming of separate parts in both forming dies.

Abstract: The present invention is a crimping machine capable of forming an improved building panel that includes notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine imparts a unique design of notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine incorporates two sets of male and female crimping roller, wherein each set of crimping rollers imparts a notch in one of the inclined side walls. The crimping machine also includes a gap adjustment mechanism for simultaneously adjusting the distance between both sets of male and female crimping rollers.

Abstract: A method of making a flanged tubular metallic part by cold forging Is provided. The method comprises a step of forming an axial depression in a blank and a flange forming step of making the depression axially deeper while causing a metal of the blank to flow radially outward thereby forming the blank into an intermediate product having a flange. The flange forming step includes axially moving an inner punch of a die assembly so as to cause a leading end of the inner punch to be positioned more forward than a backward side surface of the flange thereby causing the intermediate product to be formed with a sleeve portion that is position backward of the flange while allowing an outer punch of the die assembly to apply a biasing force to a backward side surface of the flange during formation of the flange.

Abstract: A hollow rack shaft is manufactured through a first step, a second step and a third step. At the first step, the plate-like workpiece of substantial rectangular shape is press formed into a gutter-like shape. The first die set used at this step is provided with slant die surfaces for canceling elastic recovering generated at the workpiece when the workpiece is removed from the first die set. At the second step, a row of rack teeth is press-formed on the flat bottom portion of the workpiece formed in the first step. The die set used at the second step is provided with a recess for releasing surplus workpiece material within the die clearance at a stroke end of the pressworking. At the third step, each of a pair of legs of the workpiece is bent in a semi-circular shape so as to be butted to each other. At this time, a mandrel is inserted between the legs of the workpiece.

Abstract: A rescue tool is for use with emergency extrications from a structure. The tool includes a shaft and a pair of arms coupled to the shaft. The shaft has an axis of symmetry, and the pair of opposing arms include a first arm and a second arm. At least one of the first arm and the second arm is slidably coupled to the shaft and is configured to move along the shaft in a direction that is substantially parallel to the shaft axis of symmetry. Each of the arms includes an inner face and an outer face. At least one of the arm inner and outer faces includes a plurality of teeth configured to contact the structure. At least one of the first arm and the second arm extends substantially perpendicularly to the shaft.

Abstract: A portable, hand held, apparatus for crimping a hose fitting to the end of a hose, including a unitary frame having four sides surrounding an open middle section, wherein one of the sides is a base with a receiving opening extending therethrough for housing crimping componentry and another of the sides is a top portion for attaching a cylinder, piston, and a pusher. The outer surface of each of the remaining two sides has mounting holes for attaching a power unit. The unitary frame includes a handle for manual lifting purposes, and has multiple support surfaces enabling the crimping apparatus to be variably positioned during the crimping process. The unitary frame also includes blind mounting holes on three sides for attaching various mounting brackets, thus enabling the apparatus to be oriented in any desired angular position during the noted crimping process.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool having a frame, and a movable adapter. The frame defines a workspace with an anvil adapter at one end and a substantially flat face guide surface on one side of the workspace. The movable adapter is used for working a piece in the workspace against the anvil adapter. The movable adapter is movably mounted to the frame to move in the workspace relative to the frame along an axis of translation. The movable adapter has a substantially flat face seating surface seated against the guide surface of the frame. When the movable adapter is moved, the seating surface of the movable adapter rides upon the guide surface. The seating surface and guide surface interface with each other for maintaining the movable adapter in a predetermined orientation relative to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fastening a tool in a tool holder, which tool (2) comprises a front side (6) shaped for use in cold forming of metal wire into nails, screws, etc., and which tool holder (4) comprises a recess (8) recess (8) shaped for receiving the tool. The invention further relates to a tool system comprising a tool and a tool holder, and further a tool and a tool holder, and a use of said tool and tool holder. One object of the present invention is to provide a method of fastening a tool in a tool holder and a system comprising a tool and a tool holder, such that compressive stresses are initially present in the tool, when the tool is subjected to the tensile stresses caused by the nail making process, in order to at least reduce the resulting tensile stresses.

Abstract: A vehicle-straightening bench (20) is utilized to apply pulling forces to a damaged vehicle chassis to restore the damaged chassis to an original configuration. The bench includes a vehicle platform (22) with a carriage track (24) having a plurality of carriage assemblies (100) movably received by the carriage track (24). Each carriage assembly (100) supports a pulling assembly (200) for applying the pulling forces. A trapezoidal carriage body (102) of the carriage assembly (100) rolls in the carriage track (24), and the carriage assembly also includes a tower positioning mechanism (104) to hold the pulling assemblies (200) in place while the carriage body (102) is are rolled on the track (24). The carriage assembly (100) also includes a locking mechanism (106) to lock them in place during a vehicle a pull.

Abstract: Quadrature error occurs in vibrating gyroscopes because of manufacturing flaws that permit the sensing element (proof mass) to oscillate about an axis that is not orthogonal to the output axis. This creates an oscillation about the output axis that has a component of the sensing element's vibration acceleration. This output axis oscillation, which is in phase with the driven acceleration of the sensing element, is called quadrature torque since it is ninety degrees out of phase with the angular rate induced acceleration. In order to eliminate this output axis oscillation, the present invention generates sinusoidal forces on the dither mass by applying dc voltages on the dither mass pickoff electrodes. These forces create a counter dither motion about the output axis that cancels the output axis oscillation generated by the non-orthogonal dither axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using ultrasound to measure speed and acceleration in fluids is provided. Three exemplary embodiments are disclosed. The first exemplary embodiment measures fluid velocity, such as, for example, wind, under standard atmospheric pressure-temperature. The second exemplary embodiment measures gas velocity, such as, for example, wind, affected by and automatically calibrates for pressure-temperature. The third exemplary embodiment measures gas density, such as, for example, density altitude. Applications of the invention include wind direction and speed calculation in agriculture, aviation, hydraulics, and other industries. One of the advantages provided by the invention is there are no moving parts in making such measurements.

Abstract: An acoustic wave sensor to detect an analyte, the sensor comprising a piezoelectric material including a wide bandgap semiconductor material grown using plasma source molecular beam epitaxy.

Abstract: For leak testing closed containers (9) which are filled with a filling product containing at least one liquid component the container is introduced in a test cavity (1) which is evacuated at least down to vapour pressure of that liquid component. The pressure in the surrounding of the container (9) and thus within test cavity (1) is monitored. Monitoring is performed by a vacuum pressure sensor (7), whereas lowering pressure surrounding the container (9) is performed by a vacuum pump (5). Leakage is detected by monitoring a pressure change in the surrounding of the container which is due to evaporation of liquid emerging from a leak and being evaporated in the low pressure surrounding.

Abstract: The oil quality used in a machine, vehicle or system can be determined in response to determining a temperature and pressure within an oil supply. Once the oil quality is determined, an oil quality warning light can be activated, indicating the need to change the oil.

Abstract: A hardness tester generally comprises a tester assembly is supported on a frame assembly. The tester assembly has a tester housing that supports a motor drivingly connected to a load cell and an indentor. The frame assembly includes a vertically oriented plate having a general C-shape defined by upper and lower arms connected by a main body. The plate is fabricated from a unitary sheet of metal to provide rigidity in the vertical direction. The tester assembly is selectively attachable to the frame assembly, and may be remotely employed as a stand-alone unit. A unique ball screw assembly is also provided for applying the testing load.

Abstract: Ion current detection signal output section for outputting an ion current detection signal including a failure determination signal of an ignition operation is provided, and a failure determination as well as a combustion state can be performed based on this ion current detection signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an evaporated fuel system diagnostic apparatus. The evaporated fuel system diagnostic apparatus includes a malfunction determination unit which determines whether a malfunction occurs in an evaporated fuel system, by introducing a negative pressure of an intake passage into a fuel tank. An operating condition setting unit sets, when the malfunction determination unit has started the introduction of the negative pressure of the intake passage into the fuel tank, an operating condition of an internal combustion engine in a predetermined condition that causes the negative pressure of the intake passage to be within a predetermined pressure range. Further, the present invention provides a vehicle control apparatus for an automotive vehicle equipped with the evaporated fuel system diagnostic apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing tires in a repeatable manner. Testing steps are performed in a manner that minimizes impact on the tire characteristics being measured. In one aspect, tire rotation reversal is performed at a zero crossing of a first harmonic of radial load variation exerted on a load carriage by the tire. In another aspect, load carriage retraction is performed so that the tire is unloaded when the tire stops rotating.

Abstract: This method uses a simple relationship to compute total raw coal seam (coalbed) desorbed gas volumes from geophysical logs in a well bore. Laboratory total measured raw coal seam gas desorption volumes on coal core samples are calibrated to geophysical log measurements to obtain the relationship. The relationship has different constants and exponents for coal seams in each geologic basin and depositional setting. The calibrated relationship is applied to geophysical log measurements in cored and non-cored coal seams of the same type in the same basin to obtain a continuous total gas desorption volume estimate over the entire well in order to compute natural gas reserves in place. The method can be applied to coal seams where appropriate geophysical log measurements are available in any well.

Abstract: A method and sheet-like sensor for measuring stress distribution including a grid of members which change in resistance when subjected to strain, the members intersecting at internal nodes and intersecting at boundary nodes at the periphery of the grid defining a plurality of legs. An analyzer is electrically connected only to the boundary nodes and configured to calculate any change in resistance in all of the legs based solely on the measured resistance of the legs between the boundary nodes.

Abstract: A mass fluid flow sensor for determining the amount of fluid inducted into an internal combustion engine, for example, is disclosed. The mass fluid flow sensor includes an external intake fluid temperature element which improves the accuracy of the mass fluid reading. An external cold wire element is further provided which improves response time. The mass fluid flow sensor has an improved aerodynamic design which provides a lower system pressure drop. Moreover, the sensor is smaller and lighter and has fewer parts, thus providing better manufacturability. A molded one-piece isolated jet nozzle having a hot element disposed therein is included in the fluid sampling portion. The fluid sampling portion has a tubular sampling channel, wherein the sampling channel has one bend having a constant bend radius. Consequently, an improved lower internal flow passage pressure drop is achieved.

Abstract: A fluid flow rate measuring apparatus for measuring a flow rate of fluid, including a first heating element which is disposed at an upstream side in a direction of flow of the fluid, a first temperature detecting element which is formed in the vicinity of the first heating element, a second heating element which is disposed at a downstream side in the direction of flow of the fluid, a second temperature detecting element which is formed in the vicinity of the second heating element and a power source which is connected to the first and second heating elements and supplies electric power to the first and second heating elements so as to make a temperature of the first temperature detecting element higher by a predetermined value than that of the second temperature detecting element at all times such that the flow rate of the fluid is measured from a ratio of a quantity of the electric power supplied to the first heating element to that supplied to the second heating element.

Abstract: A magnetic level indicating system comprises a chamber for fluidic coupling to a process vessel whereby material level in the vessel equalizes with material level in the chamber. A magnet actuated visual indicator is mounted to the chamber for indicating level in the chamber. A float is in the chamber for rising and falling with material level in the chamber. The float comprises a tubular wall defining an interior space. A plurality of elongate magnets are in the interior space. The magnets are parallel to the axis of the tubular wall and are circumferentially spaced along the tubular wall. A circular retainer in the interior space has circumferentially spaced notches receiving the magnets and retaining the magnets along the tubular wall.