Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle to facilitate heat transfer to a passenger compartment is provided. A number of conditions are examined, and if it is found that one or more of these conditions matches a corresponding predetermined condition, the spark timing of the engine is retarded. In addition, a charge motion control valve is opened, thereby increasing the amount, and reducing the turbulence, of the air entering the engine. This facilitates hotter combustion within the engine, and therefore faster heat transfer to the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle is provided. The hybrid vehicle has a combustion engine and an electric motor each providing a torque for operating the hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle has an exhaust gas system with a catalytic converter system for at least one exhaust gas component. An energy storage device stores and returns electric energy. At least one value of a catalytic converter activity is ascertained. The at least one value of the catalytic converter activity is compared with at least one given limit value. A torque addition of the electric motor is provided in dependence on the comparison result and on a status value of the energy storage device in order to influence activity parameters of the catalytic converter system wherein the torque addition is a motor torque addition or a generative torque addition. A hybrid vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A NOx abatement system comprising: a first NOx adsorber (18) capable of being disposed in-line and downstream of and in fluid communication with an engine (12); a selective catalytic reduction catalyst (20) disposed in-line and downstream of and in direct fluid communication with the first NOx adsorber (18), wherein the selective catalytic reduction catalyst (20) is capable of storing ammonia; and an off-line reformer (24) disposed in selective communication with and upstream of the first NOx adsorber (18) and the selective catalytic reduction catalyst (20), wherein the reformer (24) is capable of producing a reformate comprising primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A regeneration controller that prevents overheating when performing burn-up heating for completely burning particulate matter by intermittent fuel addition to an exhaust system or intermittent increase of fuel addition to the exhaust system. The regeneration controller includes first and second exhaust temperature sensors (44, 46), each detecting the exhaust temperature at a location downstream from the exhaust purification apparatus. An ECU (70) determines the timing for stopping fuel addition to the exhaust system or increase of fuel addition to the exhaust system based on the elapsed time of fuel addition to the exhaust system or increase of fuel addition to the exhaust system.

Abstract: A method of treating an exhaust gas of a lean-burn reciprocating engine includes sorbing NOx on at least one NOx sorber when the exhaust gas is lean, intermittently contacting the at least one NOx sorber with an agent effective to convert NOx to N2, thereby to regenerate the at least one NOx sorber and feeding effluent of said intermittent contacting step to the engine inlet.

Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a constant force pyrotechnic actuator comprising a pyrotechnic gas generator, a body, a piston capable of moving in the said body under the effect of the gases emitted by the generator, and a pressure regulator member situated inside the piston, the said piston having a front face traversed by a duct making it possible to place in communication the space separating the gas generator and the said piston, and an inner space in which the regulator member is housed.

Abstract: A compact hydraulic cylinder may include a pressure chamber and a reservoir in coaxial, in-line arrangement relative to one another. The pressure chamber and reservoir are separated from one another in use by a piston and hydraulic seal. The piston may be withdrawn to a position in which the pressure chamber and reservoir are in fluid communication through a channel formed in the wall of the cylinder, which may be used for bleeding the pressure chamber. The piston may include a actuator shaft that extends through the reservoir. A follower adjacent the distal end of the shaft seals the reservoir from the exterior of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine provided with at least one cylinder and comprising a fuel injection system, an intake air charging system for supplying air under pressure to an air intake manifold, a controller for controlling the fuel injection system, a spark ignition system and the intake air charger. The control unit is adapted to switch the engine from a first combustion mode using a higher manifold pressure to a second combustion mode using a lower manifold pressure, and further adapted to control the intake air charging system to cause a surge in the intake air, in order to evacuate the higher manifold pressure. The invention further relates to a method for controlling the internal combustion engine and a vehicle provided with such an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An engine includes a throttle valve provided to an intake passage and a turbocharger, which includes an exhaust turbine and an intake compressor. The intake compressor is arranged in the intake passage. A waste gate valve operated using an electric actuator is provided to a bypass passage, which bypasses the exhaust turbine. A control apparatus for the engine includes a setting unit and a control unit. The setting unit sets the position of the waste gate valve at a target position in a normal operating condition of the engine. The target position is out of a position range, in which the waste gate valve is in a substantially full close position. The control unit controls the position of the waste gate valve such that the position of the waste gate valve coincides with the target position.

Abstract: Turbocharger apparatus (1) comprising a housing (4), a compressor mounted for rotation in the housing (4), a turbine (40) mounted for rotation in the housing (4), a first inlet (39) for enabling air to be conducted to the compressor, an outlet (36) for enabling air from the compressor to be conducted to an engine, a second inlet (53) for enabling exhaust gases from the engine to be conducted to the turbine (40) in order to rotate the turbine (40), a chamber (96) which surrounds the turbine (40) and which receives the exhaust gases from the second inlet (53) before the exhaust gases are conducted to the turbine (40), a bearing assembly (82) for permitting the rotation of the turbine (40), and a control system (5, 10) for controlling the speed of the turbine (40), the control system (5, 10) having an exhaust gas sealing system (8, 21, 26) for preventing exhaust gas leakage from the turbocharger apparatus (1), and the exhaust gas sealing system (8, 21, 26) being such as to allow expansion of parts within the exh

Abstract: A Stirling engine-equipped cogeneration system is capable of utilizing thermal energy, without waste, and of offering high thermal usage efficiency at every stage of the thermal energy utilization process.

Abstract: A platform mounted emissions control unit includes a first system to reduce Particulate Matter (PM), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and a second system to reduce Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). The systems serially process exhaust from a mobile or stationary pollution source. In one embodiment, first system is an Ionizing Wet Scrubber (IWS) and the second system is a Selective Catalytic Reducer (SCR), wherein the IWS processes the exhaust first to improve efficiency and service life of the SCR. A generator produces power required by the IWS and SCR, and heat from exhaust of the generator may be used convert urea to ammonia for use by the SCR, and to heat the exhaust flow into the SCR. The SCR may further include a heat exchanger to capture heat in the flow out of the SCR and use the captured heat to heat the flow into the SCR.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle assembly includes a plurality of interfitting flap assemblies that are moveable between a maximum area ratio and a minimum area ratio. Each of the pluralities of flap assemblies includes a slot and a wing. The wing fits within an adjacent slot of an adjacent flap assembly. Each of the flap assemblies includes a divergent element that provides a specific geometric shape forming the trailing edge surfaces. The flap element is attached to the divergent element and extends to a static structure. The flap element and the divergent element combine to form a continuous faceted outer surface of the exhaust nozzle assembly substantially void of gaps throughout the range of motion between the maximum and minimum area ratios.

Abstract: A convergent turbojet exhaust nozzle comprising a ring of hinged flaps made up of controlled flaps and of follower flaps disposed in alternation and co-operating at their upstream ends with a peripheral sealing gasket arranged at the outlet from an afterburner channel, each flap being made out of a ceramic-matrix composite material, and at its upstream end, each flap being made integrally with bearing means for bearing against the above-mentioned peripheral gasket, and with spherical-joint means between their upstream ends.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptive combustion controller and method for a turbine engine. The adaptive combustion controller and method modulates the fuel flow to the turbine engine combustor to reduce combustion instabilities. In particular, the adaptive combustion controller includes a fuel flow phase controller and a fuel flow magnitude controller. The adaptive combustion controller receives sensor data from the turbine engine. In response to the sensor data the fuel flow phase controller adjusts the phase of the modulated fuel flow to reduce instabilities in the combustor. Likewise, in response to the sensor data the fuel flow magnitude controller adjusts the magnitude of the modulated fuel flow to further reduce the instabilities in the combustor. By modulating the fuel flow to the combustor, and adaptively adjusting the phase and magnitude of the modulated fuel flow, the adaptive combustion controller is able to effectively reduce combustion instabilities.

Abstract: A pulse combustion device has a number of combustors with upstream bodies and downstream nozzles. Coupling conduits provide communication between the combustors. For each given combustor this includes a first communication between a first location upstream of the nozzle thereof and a first location along the nozzle of another. There is second communication between a second location upstream of the nozzle and a second communication between a second location upstream of the nozzle of a second other combustor and a second nozzle location along the nozzle of the given combustor.

Abstract: In a device for supplying secondary air in a gas turbine engine provided with an inner shaft (8) and a hollow outer shaft (7) coaxially nested with each other, a seal air introduction passage (71, 85, 88) is defined inside the engine for introducing a part of high pressure air drawn from a high pressure compressor into a seal section provided in each of the bearing boxes for supporting the inner and outer shafts; and a swirl air cooling turbine (59) is provided in the seal air introduction passage and attached to a part attached to the outer shaft in a rotationally fast manner. The swirl air cooling turbine (59) is formed around a section of the outer shaft intermediate between the high pressure compressor and the high pressure turbine, the swirl air cooling turbine including a spiral flow path extending in a substantially cylindrical plane coaxial with the outer shaft.

Abstract: A casing for a combustor of a gas turbine engine has a plurality of apertures, each aperture being reinforced with a band of material dividing the aperture. The casing and reinforcing member are forged simultaneously with the reinforcing member aligned with the direction of maximum stress field.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module includes a first insulated substrate formed in a plate shape, a second insulated substrate formed in a plate shape, the first insulated substrate and the second insulated substrate are provided so as to be paired, plural thermoelectric elements provided between the insulated substrates so as to be joined thereto, a first object joined to the first insulated substrate in a manner where the first object is cooled and a second object joined to the second insulated substrate in a manner where the second object is heated, wherein a thickness of the first insulated substrate is set on the basis of a linear expansion of the first object, and a thickness of the second insulated substrates is set on the basis of a linear expansion of the second object.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying the temperature of bottle contents comprises a housing having an interior volume, and a housing opening through which the bottle and a fluid can be introduced to the interior volume. The fluid may be hot water, and the apparatus used as a baby bottle warmer. An insert can be used to receive the bottle, the insert having a plurality of apertures through which the fluid contacts the bottle.

Abstract: A wine cooler is provided which may also function as a humidor. The wine cooler is embodied in a cabinet preferably made from wood. The cabinet includes a base and a lid. The wine cooler further includes a bottle tray positioned within an upper area of the base. The bottle tray includes a plurality of semicircular recesses formed in the tray, each of which are adapted to receive a wine bottle. A plurality of circulation slots are disposed through the bottle tray for assisting with air circulation within the wine cooler. The wine cooler further includes a thermoelectric cooling system comprising at least one thermoelectric couple, each thermoelectric couple having a cold and hot junction, wherein the cold junction is attached to the lower surface of the bottle tray and a first heat sink is attached to the hot junction, and wherein the at least one thermoelectric couple is adapted to be powered by a 12 VDC source.

Abstract: A thermal machine that can function as either a refrigerator or an external combustion heat engine is disclosed. A working gas undergoes four thermodynamic processes that comprise a Brayton cycle. Two of these processes, adiabatic compression and adiabatic expansion, take place in the same cylinder, within which a piston, driven by a crankshaft, reciprocates. The remaining two processes, each of which is a transfer of heat at constant pressure, take place in a high pressure heat exchanger and a low pressure heat exchanger. A rotary valve, rotating at one-half crankshaft speed, creates passages between the cylinder and the heat exchangers, and is constructed so that compression and expansion ratios are equal.

Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle system, temperature sensors measure the temperatures Tin and Tout of a refrigerant at the entrance and exit of an evaporator. A control circuit performs PID calculation based on signals from the temperature sensors in order to control a degree of superheat corresponding to the difference between the temperatures Tin and Tout at the entrance and exit to an aimed value, and calculates an operation amount for the opening degree of an expansion valve. In a case where the operation amount exceeds the limit of realizable velocity of driving an actuator that actuates the expansion valve, the control circuit performs a limiter process for limiting the operation amount so as not to exceed the limit value. The control circuit drives the actuator by using the operation amount after subjected to the limiter process, thereby to stably control the opening degree of the expansion valve.

Abstract: A heat-pump hot water supply apparatus, for dissolving problems of delaying in heating rise-up time when re-starting, and ill influences upon starting characteristics, due to liquid refrigerant residing in an evaporator when the operation is stepped, within a heat-pump circuit thereof, comprises a heat-pump refrigerant circuit, in which a compressor, a water/refrigerant heat exchanger, a refrigerant adjusting valve, and an evaporator, in series, through refrigerant pipes, a direct hot-water supply circuit, into which is supplied hot water heated, obtained by heating water supplied from an outside via a water pipe by means the water/refrigerant heat exchanger, and a compressor operation controller means for stopping the compressor and also closing the refrigerant adjusting valve when the compressor stops the operation thereof, and for re-starting the compressor after opening the refrigerant adjusting valve when the compressor starts the operation, again, wherein the refrigerant within the evaporator is collect

Abstract: An improved heat pump water heater of the type having a water tank with an exterior surface and defining a water chamber, a top on the water tank with at least one opening therethrough in communication with the water chamber, and a heat pump of the type having a compressor, the compressor being in fluid communication with an annular condenser assembly via a first refrigerant conduit, the annular condenser assembly being in fluid communication with an expansion device through a second refrigerant conduit, the expansion device being in fluid communication with an evaporator through a third refrigerant conduit, the evaporator being in fluid communication with the compressor through a fourth refrigerant conduit and control means therefore, the improvement comprising disposing the annular condenser assembly through the opening in the top of the water tank and into the water chamber, the water tank opening further comprising a geometric twisted sleeve positioned to form a helical insertion pattern in the annular co

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems for improved passive liquid cooling may be provided. In some embodiments, a system may comprise an evaporator and a condenser. According to some embodiments, the evaporator may comprise a first side to receive heat, a second side, and one or more fins protruding from the second side. In some embodiments, the condenser may comprise an inner surface defining a cavity and one or more grooves, a first end coupled to the evaporator such that the one or more fins of the evaporator are disposed within the cavity, and a second end, wherein the one or more grooves extend at least partially between the first and second ends of the condenser.

Abstract: An air conditioner is disclosed which includes a damper adapted to select a desired path of air humidified by a moisture release portion of a desiccant wheel in accordance with a humidification or dehumidification mode. In accordance with operation of the damper, humidified air is heat-exchanged in a heat exchanger in the dehumidification mode, so that the air is dehumidified. The dehumidified air is discharged into a room. In the humidification mode, the humidified air is directly discharged to the room. Thus, the air conditioner can be used as a humidifier or dehumidifier in accordance with a user selection.

Abstract: An ice bank of a refrigerator is provided. The ice bank includes an ice accommodation chamber storing ice pieces made by an ice maker, and an ice pressing unit circulating the ice pieces by pressing the ice pieces for preventing sticking of the ice pieces in the ice accommodation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing ices via rapid ice facture and rapid ice thaw is provided. A switching operation between ice making and ice thawing is easily performed by only a single valve, to thereby simplify the structure of the apparatus and save the manufacturing cost therefor as well as make users conveniently manipulate the apparatus. Liquid particles are effectively separated from coolant gas re-circulated to a compressor after performing an ice thawing operation, to thereby prevent the compressor from being in trouble. A capillary tube is integrally installed along the coolant tube connecting a condenser and an evaporator, at a position before a connection portion connecting a bypass tube and a coolant tube.

Abstract: In external unit 19, three-way valve 25 provided downstream of CPR 23 enables a switching connection between CPR 23 and branch line 21A of first bypass line 21 with respect to liquid line 18 A. In internal unit 20, second bypass line 27 connects inlet side of receiver 13 and inlet side of evaporator 16, and open/close valve 28 is provided along second bypass line 27. At de-icing, three-way valve 25 switches to first bypass line 21 side and open/close valve 28 opens. There upon, hot gas from compressor 11 circulates from first bypass line 21 to liquid line 18A to enter evaporator 16 through second bypass line 27 while squeezing out liquid refrigerant. Evaporator 16 is heated by manifest heat of introduced hot gas, and when the internal pressure of vaporator 16 rises to a condensation temperature over 0° C., de-icing is performed efficiently by manifest heat plus latent heat.

Abstract: An air conditioner principally includes a casing having a casing lower part formed by an alternating sequence of four panel side parts and four corner parts. The casing further has main outlets disposed along each of the panel side parts, and auxiliary outlets disposed at the corner parts. The air conditioner further includes horizontal flaps rotatable supported about longitudinal axes of the main outlets. A circumferential edge part of each of the auxiliary outlets is formed so that the air from each of the auxiliary outlets is blown out in a fixed direction.

Abstract: A carrier having a body with arcuate sidewall sections and an integrally formed base, the body being sufficiently rigid to support a plurality of individual canned or bottled beverages. The carrier also includes an internal coolant chamber, a durable handle, and an elastomeric, thermally insulative band that is releasably securable around the body to maintain the beverages in supported contact with the body until removed for consumption of the contained beverage. Upon removal of all beverage containers from the carrier, the band desirably contracts into engagement with the projecting portions of the body perimeter to reduce the overall volume defined by the carrier. Shoulders are preferably provided on the body of the carrier to assist in maintaining the elastomeric band in a preferred positional alignment relative to the body.

Abstract: A complex fluid machine has an expansion-compressor device, a pump, and a motor generator, wherein the expansion-compressor device, the pump, and the motor generator are operatively connected and arranged in series. A portion of an outlet side passage formed in the fluid machine, through which the working fluid flows from the expansion device, is arranged adjacent to a portion of a pump outlet-side passage formed in the fluid machine, through which the working fluid flows from the pump, so that heat of the working fluid in the outlet side passage is transferred to the working fluid in the pump outlet-side passage. As a result, efficiency of Rankine cycle for collecting waste heat is increased.

Abstract: A system includes an evaporator unit, a first condensing unit and a second condensing unit. The first condensing unit includes a first heat exchanger coil, a first compressor, and a first oil separator, which removes oil from a refrigerant prior to the refrigerant reaching the first heat exchanger coil. The second condensing unit includes a second heat exchanger coil, a second compressor, and a second oil separator, which removes oil from a refrigerant prior to the refrigerant reaching the second heat exchanger coil. The first oil separator is isolated from the second oil separator to prevent communication of oil therebetween.

Abstract: A compressor compresses a refrigerant. A radiator cools the refrigerant compressed by the compressor. An expansion valve receives the refrigerant from the radiator to depressurize and expand the refrigerant. An evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve to cool air passing through the evaporator. An accumulator receives the refrigerant from the evaporator to separate the refrigerant into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant. The accumulator includes an insertion portion inserted in the accumulator and included in a pipe arranged from the radiator to the expansion valve for exchanging heat between a refrigerant flowing through the insertion portion and at least the liquid-phase refrigerant in the accumulator.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a high pressure fluid from a low pressure gas source, includes a low pressure gas source for supplying a low pressure gas, a vessel for receiving the low pressure gas, cooling means for cooling the low pressure gas within the vessel to a condensation temperature sufficient to condense a desired portion of the low pressure gas into a liquid and for maintaining the temperature of the liquid during pressurization thereof; pressurizing means for pressurizing the liquid to yield a high pressure liquid, and optionally, treating means for treating the high pressure liquid to form a corresponding high pressure gas. The present invention is further directed to methods of generating a high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A compact and modular cryogenic method and apparatus for liquefying natural gas. The liquefaction process is highly efficient and requires no external refrigeration system, and the apparatus is small enough to be transportable from one remote site to another. A compressed natural gas feed stream is cooled and then expanded to form a bi-phase stream comprising a first refrigerated vapor component and a first liquid component. The first liquid component is then separated from the bi-phase stream and expanded to form a second bi-phase stream comprising a second refrigerated vapor component and a second liquid component. The second liquid component is then introduced into a means configured for storage and transport. The remaining feed stream can then be recycled, and at least a substantial portion of the original feed stream can be processed into liquefied natural gas (LNG).

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 an expander creating work output. A compressor may be 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.

Abstract: In order to reduce incoming atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in compressed air prior to cryogenic distillation, a water spray cooling tower equipped with biocatalytic packing, or fed with absorptive reagents, is used to convert gaseous carbon dioxide into bicarbonate ions which dissolve in the cooling water. The hydration reaction and refrigeration occur synergistically. The bicarbonate ions are subsequently removed from the solution using the heat from the compressed air in a regenerator re-boiler unit, and then fed to a percolation cooling tower for releasing CO2 and cooling.

Abstract: A jewelry article includes an elongated support and a multiplicity of beads strung along the support. At least one of the beads constitutes a locking bead consisting of a substantially closed hollow shell with a pair of aligned holes sized to slideably receive the support. A heat-shrinkable plastic tube is positioned inside the shell with its opposite ends captured by portions of said shell around the holes. The tube has a heat-deformed inner wall which substantially conforms to the support so as to permanently anchor the bead to the support. A method of stringing the locking bead is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the glass gob mass in the production of hollow glass containers, wherein at least one plunger (2,2?) is disposed in a feeder head (3) and a changeable plunger movement profile is provided for the purpose of influencing the discharge of molten glass from the feeder head. For the simultaneous production of an assortment of hollow glass containers of a different weight, an IS glass forming machine which is used comprises for each section a changeable movement profile per plunger. A mass reference value difference is determined from a mass reference desired value and a mass reference actual value on the basis of at least one of consecutive gobs for each preform station.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mold (10) for press molding articles, such as optical lenses. The mold includes a molding base (11) and a surface film (12). The molding base is made by a sintered composite of carbon nano fibers (13) and metal nano particles (14). The nano metal particles are selected from a group consisting of platinum, platinum-iridium alloy, rhenium and rhenium-iridium alloy. The surface film is formed on the molding base by a sputtering deposition method. A method for manufacturing the above-described mold is also provided. The mold has higher mechanical strength and better toughness than conventional molds that are made by metal alloy or metal ceramics.

Abstract: In a known method for the production of a blank mold for optical fibers, a fluorine-doped SiO2 enveloping glass is produced on a core glass cylinder that rotates about its longitudinal axis, wherein a silicon-containing starting substance is fed to a plasma burner, said substance is then oxidized in a plasma flame assigned to the plasma burner to obtain SiO2 particles, the SiO2 particles are deposited by layers on the enveloping surface of the cylinder of the core glass cylinder in the presence of fluorine and sintered into the enveloping glass. The invention aims at providing an economical method, which builds upon the above-mentioned method, in order to produce a blank mold from which optical multi-mode fibers (52) can be obtained.

Abstract: A glass base material manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a glass base material comprising: a plurality burners, arranged in a row at a predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of a starting base material of the glass base material, for forming a deposit, which is a base material of the glass base material by depositing glass soot on the starting base material while moving reciprocatory over a section of the entire length of the starting base material along the longitudinal direction of the starting base material; a plurality of flow rate regulators, at least one of which is connected to the plurality of burners, respectively, for regulating a flow rate of raw material gas of the glass soot, which is supplied to the plurality of burners; and a control unit connected to each of the plurality of flow rate regulators for controlling individually the plurality of flow rate regulators.

Abstract: A silica material having a higher purity than a cylindrical preform formed of a silica material is deposited on at least one of an inner side and an outer side of the preform to fabricate a cylindrical intermediate member. A part of the cylindrical intermediate member including at least a part of the preform is removed to fabricate a high-purity silica tube. A plurality of the high-purity silica tubes is bundled with a core rod arranged at a center axis of a bundle of the high-purity silica tubes, and the bundle of the high-purity silica tubes with the core rod arranged at the center axis is drawn to obtain a microstructured optical fiber.

Abstract: The specification describes methods for the manufacture of very large optical fiber preforms wherein the core material is produced by MCVD. Previous limitations on preform size inherent in having the MCVD starting tube as part of the preform process are eliminated by removing the MCVD starting tube material from the collapsed MCVD rod by etching or mechanical grinding. Doped overcladding tubes are used to provide the outer segments of the refractive index profile thus making most effective use of the MCVD produced glass and allowing the production of significantly larger MCVD preforms than previously possible.

Abstract: The needle is 8 inches long, round body and has two raised guide holes near the bottom and a tapered tip with an oval hole in the end to thread the yarn through from bottom to the top. It is made of lightweight plastic and easy to handle with a finger rest midway through the body. The needle is inserted through the yarn to create a loop and then reinserted to form another loop. The knotted loops are linked together by inserting the needle to create various items.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tape that comprises a weft-inserted warp knit fabric, which utilizes a combination stitch to secure the wales of the fabric. The combination stitch comprises a majority of successive chain stitches that are used with a minority of subsequent successive tricot stitches, such that the stitch follows the expression x+y, where x is the number of successive chain stitches and y is the number of subsequent successive tricot stitches. Contemplated x values are in the range of 5 to 15, and contemplated y values are in the range of 1 to 4. Multiple stitch formations can also be used (e.g., following an x+y/m+n/etc. configuration). The resulting weft-inserted warp knit fabric possesses superior dimensional stability and internal geometry, while maintaining the tearability requisite for a hand-tearable tape product.

Abstract: The invention provides a substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of first filamentary members oriented in a first direction. The first filamentary members are arranged in spaced apart relation to one another. The substrate also includes a plurality of second filamentary members oriented in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The second filamentary members are spaced apart from one another. The second filamentary members are interlaced with the first filamentary members to define an open mesh. The substrate also includes a plurality of elongated strips of non-woven material oriented in the first direction. Each of the non-woven strips is positioned between at least two of the first filamentary members and interlaced with the second filamentary members.