Abstract: A fuel supply system for a gas turbine engine including first and second positive displacement pumps operated simultaneously to supply fuel under pressure from a low pressure source, a combining spill valve controlling the output flows from the first and second pumps to combine the outputs of the first and second pumps for supply to a metering valve of the system, or to spill some or all of the output of one or both pumps back to the low pressure supply, a pressure raising and shut off valve arrangement downstream of the metering valve for isolating the fuel system from an associated engine until the fuel pressure upstream of the pressure raising and shut off valve arrangement exceeds a predetermined pressure, and, a control system dependent upon the position of the combining spill valve for reducing said predetermined pressure at which said pressure raising and shut off valve arrangement opens.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing an outlet nozzle (10) for use in a liquid fuel rocket engine. The nozzle forms a body of revolution having an axis (11) of revolution and a cross section that varies in diameter along said axis. The nozzle has a wall structure having a plurality of mutually adjacent cooling channels, helically extending substantially in parallel from the inlet end (13) of the nozzle to its outlet end (14). The nozzle includes at least two longitudinally arranged sections (10a, 10b, 10c). A shift between a positive and a negative channel angle in the transition from one section to an adjacent section balances any roll momentum generated by friction of rocket exhausts against the nozzle wall.

Abstract: An emission reduction apparatus includes first and second exhaust paths carrying respective first and second Nox traps. One trap has a smaller capacity than the other and is operative while the larger trap regenerates, allowing symmetric operation.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier filters exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine to collect particulates in the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas purifier includes an outer casing and an inner casing, which is located in the outer casing and accommodates a filter. The inner casing is selectively attached to and detached from the outer casing.

Abstract: Sound and power are an important part of the motorcycling experience. From the early days people have been attempting to get it “right” and have tried numerous ways to achieve the best of both worlds. Generally one had to be sacrificed to some degree to get the other. Tuning the exhaust rather than tuning the carburetor or increasing cubic inches is a less expensive and more efficient way to get both the sound and midrange power that motorcyclists are looking for. With the exhaust enhancement device of the present invention, exhaust pipes can be tuned for sound and increased midrange power very simply and easily by installing them in the exit end of an aftermarket straight type pipe using various combinations to achieve a desired sound and not sacrifice power.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and work machine are provided, the hydraulic system including at least one hydraulic cylinder with a first port and a second port connected by a first fluid passage. A first pump, which is a bi-directional hydraulic pump is positioned within the first fluid passage, and a second pump is positioned in parallel with the first pump and disposed within a second fluid passage. An accumulator fluidly connects with the second fluid passage.

Abstract: An integrated hydraulic transaxle (IHT) comprises a hydrostatic transmission (HST), an axle driven by the HST, and a housing incorporating the HST and the axle. The HST includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover, and a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump has a trunnion type movable swash plate. The internal displacement of the hydraulic motor is larger than the internal displacement of the hydraulic pump so as to increase the hydraulic deceleration activity of the HST. In the IHT, a mechanical deceleration drive train is interposed between the hydraulic motor and the axle. The mechanical deceleration activity of the mechanical deceleration drive train is reduced so far as the increase of the hydraulic deceleration activity of the HST.

Abstract: An improved diagnostic system for a hydrostatic apparatus such as a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle is disclosed. A fastener having a port formed therein is used to connect a hydraulic component such as a center section to a housing. A diagnostic system may be located external to the housing and connected to the hydraulic circuit at least partially through the fastener port. A relief valve may also be located in the fastener and connected to the fastener port, or in a different fastener having a separate fastener port, to permit the fluid in the hydraulic circuit to be discharged to a sump.

Abstract: An electronic steering control system for controlling the lateral movement of a vehicle powered by a pair of hydrostatic drive devices, where the system controls a pair of actuators. Each actuator is configured to move a control member associated with one of the hydrostatic drive devices.

Abstract: A housing for a turbocharger forms a housing jacket (6, 7) which surrounds a rotor space (15) for receiving a turbine rotor (18). The housing jacket consists of sheet metal at least in part. A connection pipe (4?) provides for communication with an exhaust gas manifold (3, 4) of a combustion motor (20). To reduce heat losses, it is not only the housing jacket (6, 7, 22) which surrounds the rotor space (15) and consists of sheet metal, but at least the connection pipe (4?) for communication with the exhaust gas manifold (3, 4) is shaped of sheet metal and is in heat conductive connection with the sheet metal of the housing jacket (6, 7, 22).

Abstract: A solar energy conversion device comprises a solar collector configured to collect solar energy. The solar collector comprises a plurality of roof panels. Each of the panels comprises at least one roof sheet comprising at least one wall, and further comprises a substantially transparent thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A method and device for decoupling combustor attenuation and pressure fluctuation from turbine attenuation and pressure fluctuation in a gas turbine engine. The engine has: a compressor; a combustor; and a turbine, that generate a flow of hot gas from the combustor to the turbine. An aerodynamic trip is disposed in at least one of; a combustor wall; and an inner shroud of the nozzle guide vane ring, and is adapted to emit jets of compressed air from cross flow ports into the flow of hot gas from the combustor. The air jets from the cross flow ports increase turbulence and equalize temperature distribution in addition to decoupling the attenuation and pressure fluctuations between the combustor and the turbine.

Abstract: In a gas turbine control apparatus, a frequency analyzing section frequency-analyzes at least one of pressure oscillation in combustors of a gas turbine and acceleration oscillation of each of the combustors and outputs a first frequency analysis result as the result of frequency analysis for a plurality of predetermined frequency bands. A control unit controls at least one of a first fuel flow rate of fuel and a first air flow rate of air based on the first frequency analysis result for the plurality of frequency bands. The fuel and the air are supplied to the gas turbine.

Abstract: The annular combustion chamber having ceramic matrix composite material walls is mounted inside a metal casing by linking members fastened to the chamber by brazing. The linking members comprise a plurality of inner linking tabs and a plurality of outer linking tabs connecting the chamber to the inner and outer metal shrouds of the casing, each linking tab has a first portion fastened to the outside surface of a wall of the combustion chamber by brazing, the first portions of the linking tabs being spaced apart from one another circumferentially so that the brazed connections between the chamber and the linking members occupy a set of limited zones that are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: A cryocooler system having at least one flow straightener which has a system of grooves on its perforated surface for enhancing gas flow uniformity through the system wherein pulsing gas which does not initially pass through the flow straightener through a perforation flows along the surface of the flow straightener within a groove prior to passing through a perforation and is effectively redistributed across the surface of the flow straightener and thus the cross section of the regenerator or thermal buffer tube.

Abstract: A metallic, reusable mold with one or more wells. The mold is kept within a cryostat at low temperature. The mold is removed from the cryostat and a tissue specimen is placed into a well within the mold. An embedding medium is added to the well around the tissue specimen. A pre-chilled chuck is then placed against the well opening. The mold with tissue specimen, embedding medium and chuck are returned to the cryostat and the specimen is frozen into a block. The mold and contents are removed and hot water poured against the mold releasing the block with attached chuck from the well. The chuck with attached block is then available for sectioning or other processing.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of evaporative cooling for reducing the volume of an evaporative cooler by considerably lowering the temperature of a cooling fluid are disclosed. A first cooling fluid, which comprises most part of the cooling fluid evaporatively cooled by an outside air while passing through an evaporative cooling section after circulating in an apparatus to be cooled, re-circulates in the apparatus to be cooled. A second cooling fluid, which is separated from the cooling fluid after being cooled in the evaporative cooling section, passes through a sensible air-cooling section placed at an outside air inlet. Thereby, the inflow outside air is sensibly cooled. The second cooling fluid, which passes through the sensible cooling section, re-circulates in the evaporative cooling section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a very low temperature or cryogenic refrigeration system with a scroll compressor and utilizing a mixed refrigerant that decreases refrigerant discharge temperature by refrigerant injection into the compressor.

Abstract: A heat pump is provided with a method and control for eliminating compressor un-powered reverse rotation at shutdown. In particular, the position of the four-way reversing valve is changed and the heat pump is moved to the opposite mode of operation as compared to the one it had been operated before shutdown. The compressed refrigerant, that might otherwise re-expand through the compressor and cause the compressor to run in reverse, is now communicated to the suction line of the compressor, while the discharge port of the compressor communicates with a refrigerant at suction pressure. Thus the unpowered reverse rotation of the compressor is no longer possible.

Abstract: A variable speed air handling system for cooling and/or heating a room including a sleep mode. The system includes a fan assembly to transport air from the system into the room, the fan assembly having a substantially continuously adjustable speed within a range of speeds defined by a predetermined upper limit and a predetermined lower limit. A user interface transmits a sleep mode signal upon activation of the sleep mode by a user. A control unit controls the fan assembly and the climate control unit to gradually raise an ambient temperature in the room over a predetermined period of time in response to the sleep mode signal transmitted by the user interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring system for connection to an air conditioning system. The monitoring system includes a primary monitor for sensing the suction temperature and suction pressure of the air conditioning system along with the air conditioning unit temperature. In addition, the monitoring system includes a remote sensing device that is placed in the structure to monitor and transmit return air temperature and relative humidity to the primary monitor. The collected data is then used to calculate the superheat condition of the air conditioning system which is related to its efficiency.

Abstract: A sealed well direct expansion geothermal heat exchange unit, whose sealed well can be placed in ground and/or in water, consisting of a conventional direct expansion, or other heat pump, system wherein the exterior refrigerant heat exchange lines are placed within an insulated and sealed container, which container is supplied with a circulating heat conductive liquid from and to a sub-surface sealed well encasement, which container liquid may be supplemented with heat from a solar heating system, and which unit's hot refrigerant vapor line may be supplementary cooled by means of condensate water evaporative cooling, as well as a means to provide any direct expansion, and any closed-loop water-source, geothermal heat pump system with an optional solar heating supplement in the heating mode, and with an optional water-cooled vapor line supplement in the cooling mode.

Abstract: Vehicles are provided with a first air conditioning system adapted to condition at least air in the driver compartment and a second air conditioning system distinct from the first air conditioning system and adapted to operate independently of the first air conditioning system. The second air conditioning system is adapted to condition at least air in the sleeper compartment and includes an exterior assembly mounted to a location outside the interior area and an interior assembly operably connected with the exterior assembly and mounted within the interior area. The exterior assembly includes an auxiliary condenser coil and an auxiliary condenser fan and the interior assembly includes an auxiliary evaporator coil, an auxiliary evaporator fan and an auxiliary compressor.

Abstract: A modularized high efficiency cooling device in a cooling mechanism, which includes at least one exchanger, at least one gas cooling device, at least one water cooling unit, at least one chiller unit, at least one chiller pump and at least one pair of copper tube. The cooling device adopts modularized design so that it can be assembled to form different units according to consumer demands and has an effect of frequency conversion. The assembled unit can be installed in different places. One machine of the cooling device can be maintained individually as well as the other machines of the cooling device that are in use normally. This reduces maintenance fees and is convenient.

Abstract: An air tunnel diverter for a refrigeration unit includes one or more leg members secured to a hub. The hub is generally formed to include a fitting through which cooler air is passed to the leg member and routed into the desired locations within the refrigerated space. The leg member is placed on the fitting by sliding one end of the leg member onto a leg portion of the fitting. The fitting is then secured to the leg member by an overmolding process in which a soft flexible plastic is cast or otherwise applied around the connection. Installation is further simplified by providing the leg member with a flexible portion. The air tunnel diverter is preferably secured in the refrigeration unit by foam insulation.

Abstract: A multiple stage, single pass and non-recirculating refrigeration system is provided for either outdoor use or for use with temporary structures such as emergency firefighter tents. The refrigeration system utilizes, for example, three evaporative coils in series to achieve a 48° F. reduction of temperature and 70% reduction of humidity in a single pass, i.e., the output airstream from the refrigeration system is not recirculated to the blower as it is in the case of conventional air conditioning systems. The large amounts of super cool air provided by the invention can be used to cool athletes on the sidelines of a football field or firefighters who need to cool off to prevent heat stroke.

Abstract: A refrigerant-filled thermosiphon comprising: a condensing member for condensing the refrigerant, the condensing member being provided on a heat-absorbing section of a Stirling cycle cooler; and a pipe formed in an annular shape and connected to the condensing member, the pipe being arranged around a container so as to absorb a heat of the container, wherein the pipe comprises two paths, each path being arranged so as to extend downwardly along a half-periphery of the container. By employing this structure, the inclination angle of each path can be increased, and thus the flow of the liquefied refrigerant in the pipe can not be easily prevented even if a cooling box equipping the thermosiphon tilts in some degree.

Abstract: A modular refrigeration unit for use in a refrigeration cabinet has a condenser assembly, an evaporator assembly, and a bulkhead assembly positioned between the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly. The refrigeration cabinet includes a condenser chamber and an insulated main chamber and mating surfaces defining an opening there between. The modular refrigeration unit includes a gasket assembly coupled to a periphery of the bulkhead assembly. The gasket assembly includes one vane mounted on a thermal breaker and engageable with the mating surfaces to form a substantially air-tight seal between the condenser chamber and the main chamber. The modular refrigeration unit is adapted for movement substantially transverse to the bulkhead assembly to engage the vane with the mating surfaces to form the substantially air-tight seal.

Abstract: A method for liquefying methane-rich gas in the form of a feed gas comprising the steps of cooling the gas and partially liquefying the gas by expansion within an expansion device. The pressure of the gas at the inlet of the expansion device is in the range from 40 bar to 100 bar and pressure of the gas at the outlet of the expansion device is in the range from 2 bar to 10 bar.

Abstract: Natural gas liquefaction system employing an enhanced nitrogen removal system capable of removing nitrogen from a relatively warm natural gas stream.

Abstract: A process for recovering liquefied C3 compounds from a natural gas stream containing C3 compounds which comprises (a) chilling the natural gas stream under conditions sufficient to liquefy the natural gas, whereby a mixture comprising liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid C3 compounds is formed; (b) fractionating the mixture comprising liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid C3 compounds in a separation zone under sub-atmospheric pressure and under conditions predetermined to vaporize a significant portion of the natural gas present while retaining the C3 compounds as a liquid fraction; and (c) recovering separately from the separation zone natural gas and liquid C3 compounds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling systems of cryogenic centrifugal compressors. A predetermined curve in the form of a first parameter as a function of a second parameter is selected. The first parameter represents the rotational speed of a compressor, and the second parameter represents the mass for rate of that compressor. The speed of rotation of a downstream compressor is regulated according to the value of the suction pressure of an upstream compressor and a variable set pressure. The variable set pressure is regulated according to both actual value of the first parameter for a downstream compressor, and the theoretical value of this parameter. The theoretical value is determined from a predetermine curve using the value of the second parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention provide for improved clothes rollover in automatic washer cycles using time-varying rotor oscillations. An automatic washer has a wash chamber with a central axis and a rotor being rotatable about the central axis. Items are loaded into the wash chamber. Wash liquid is supplied into the wash chamber. The rotor is oscillated about the central axis by time-varying oscillations.

Abstract: A lock device includes a lock housing unit, a jaw actuating unit, and a jaw unit. The lock housing unit includes an upper lock housing formed with a rod hole, and a lower lock housing formed with a jaw hole. The jaw actuating unit includes a jaw actuator operable to move between locking and unlocking positions, and an urging member for urging the jaw actuator to the locking position. The jaw actuator has a ring portion disposed adjacent to a positioning ring of the upper lock housing, and an operating rod extending through the rod hole. The jaw unit includes an overlapping pair of locking jaws received in the lower lock housing and each having a hooking section that extends out of the jaw hole and an opposite force bearing section, and two biasing members for biasing the force bearing sections of the locking jaws toward each other.

Abstract: A lockable container comprising an open-faced receptacle with a locking mechanism aperture, at least one lid covering at least a portion of the open face of the receptacle, and a locking mechanism for engaging with a padlock and securing the lid in a partially opened position over the receptacle open face. The locking mechanism has a receptacle engagement portion that is moveable into a receptacle engagement position, and when in such position, a lid engagement portion attached to the receptacle engagement portion receives the partially opened lid, and a lock engagement portion attached to the lid engagement portion is moveable into the receptacle and through the locking mechanism aperture, and out of the receptacle, where it is engageable with a padlock.

Abstract: A steering lock device including a sleeve assembly, a rear shaft rotated when a steering wheel is operated, and a lock bar for locking the steering shaft when engaged with a seat member fixed to the rear shaft. A sleeve assembly including an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve is shortened when the outer sleeve moves along the inner sleeve. The distal portion of the lock bar includes a slope that is abut against an open end of the inner sleeve. When the open end pushes the slope, the lock bar smoothly moves away from the steering shaft.

Abstract: A lock system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in one of two different positions. The lock system has a latching assembly with a first state and a second, maintaining state. An actuating system has a first actuating assembly that is changeable from a first state into a second state by movement of a part of the first actuating assembly in an operating path. A blocking assembly in a first state allows the first actuating assembly to be changed from the first state into the second state. The blocking assembly in a second state blocks the operating path to prevent the part of the first actuating assembly from moving so as to allow the first actuating assembly from being changed from the first state into the second state.

Abstract: A lock with an improved configuration comprises a housing and a cylindrical member mounted in the housing. A lock core is mounted in the cylindrical member. The lock is characterized in that the cylindrical member comprises either nine or eleven pin recesses at the front end, a disc and an engaging post having a dodecagonal section are mounted at the front end of the lock core, and the disc comprises nine through passages and three openings of different depths. Based on the configuration of the lock, the key to be inserted into the lock must have a dodecagonal inner passage to match the dodecagonal section of the engaging post of the lock. Because of the three openings of different depths, a thief cannot use specialized tools to explore the lock and unlock the lock. The number of codes of the lock is increased to keep the lock from being easily unlocked. The owner's property and privacy of are thus protected.

Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a plug body and carrier sub-assembly disposed therein. The plug body includes a plurality of spring-loaded pins and the carrier assembly includes a plurality of racks for engaging the pins to operate the lock cylinder. The racks and pins move in a transverse direction, in response to insertion of a first valid key into the lock cylinder, to unlock the lock cylinder. The carrier moves in a longitudinal direction, in response to insertion of a tool in a tool-receiving aperture, from an operating position to a rekeying position. In the rekeying position, the racks are disengaged from the pins and a second valid key can replace the first valid key. Rotation of the plug body from the rekeying position with the second valid key in the lock cylinder obsoletes the first valid key.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bending machine comprising a machine frame, and upper bar and a lower bar mounted on the frame and mutually mobile, a bending bar mounted on the frame, a bending bar mounted on the frame and mobile relative to the frame, to the upper bar and to the lower bar, said bending bar being provided with a support and a bending tool pressing on said support via a bending device actuated by a control unit. The invention aims at making the bending adjustment faster and more accurate. Therefor, said bending device is equipped with an adjusting device capable of being used during a bending operation; the adjusting device, which is actuated by the control unit, can be controlled during a bending operation; at least one sensor associated with the control unit enables detection, through the adjusting device of an adjustment performed by the control unit.

Abstract: On a machine for bending rod-shaped or tubular workpieces, which includes a bending head having a bending mandrel mounted on a rotational axis and rotatable by means of a rotary drive, and having a clamping device for pressing the workpiece to be bent against a forming groove on the bending mandrel and also a feeding device for the workpiece to be processed, whereby the clamping device is positionable relative to the bending mandrel and can is also pivotable concentrically to the rotational axis of the bending mandrel, the clamping device is attached to two mutually independent rotary drives, one of which performs its pivoting movement about the rotational axis of the bending mandrel, and via the other of which it can be moved with respect to the bending mandrel by using an interposed conversion transmission that converts a rotary motion to a linear motion, whereby the bending head includes three concentrically nested rotary shafts for transmitting the drive of the three rotary drives to the bending mandrel,

Abstract: A saddle for a backing assembly in a rolling mill has non-cylindrical bearing surfaces that accommodate wear by allowing the saddles to self-align. The non-cylindrical bearing surfaces help prevent the needle bearings from being pinched and driven into the gear rings. The non-cylindrical bearing surfaces are provided in different locations such as intermediate the eccentric and eccentric ring or intermediate the eccentric ring and the saddle ring.

Abstract: According to a method for producing head elements for heaters, a piece of sheet metal (1) is deep drawn and cut along the edge (9) of an open side (6) to obtain a hollow body (8) with larger and narrower sides (4,5,14,15). An aperture (12) is made on each opposite larger side (4,5) of the hollow body, and threaded rings (26) are then applied around the lateral through apertures (12). Notches (16) are made on the opposite large sides (4,5), along the edge (9) of the open side (6), and then three cores (18) are introduced through the edge (9), so that a flange (17) around the notches (16) can be made by pressing, so as to close the sheet metal (1) around the cores (18) widening the notches (16). After the cores (18) have been removed, the edge (9) is welded along the flange (17) of the widened notches (16), thus obtaining holes (21) separated from each other.

Abstract: A method and a tool are provided for producing structural parts from sheet metal which have a vault-structured stiffening zone and adjacent, flat connection zones. The starting point for producing these structural parts is vault-structured blanks which are smoothed in the region of the connection zones in the course of the forming, whereas the vault structure is retained unchanged in the region of the stiffening zone. These structural parts are produced by an embossing tool which has a die and a two-piece punch including of a fixing punch and a forming punch. In the process, the blank is first of all fixed relative to the fixing punch in the region of the vault-structured stiffening zone by a fixing element which is in a leading position with respect to the die. The connection zones are then shaped between the punch and the forming punch.

Abstract: A punch press that provides an arrangement of a motor and a crank mechanism so that the motor does not project far from the side of a frame. The punch press includes a servo motor, a ram which drives a press tool, a crank mechanism which converts a rotating motion transmitted to a crank shaft into an elevating and lowering operation of the ram, and a drive transmitting mechanism which transmits rotation of the servo motor to the crank shaft while reducing rotation speed. The servo motor is next to the crank mechanism and its rotating axis is parallel to the axis of the crank shaft. The drive transmitting mechanism includes servo motor side gears joined to respective output shafts of the servo motor. The servo motor side gears respectively engage, directly or via intermediate gears, with crank side gears joined to the crank shaft.

Abstract: An improved tubing bender of the type having a mounting base, a mandrel mounted upon the mounting base and having a tube recess, and a tube retainer mounted upon the mounting base. It is improved by the tube retainer being mounted upon the mounting base by a snap-lock journal.

Abstract: A braking/driving force fx is calculated at S102, and a lateral force Fy is calculated at S103. At S104, reference is made to a preset map to select a road surface ? estimation part to be used for determination (to select a first road surface ? estimation part 25 or a second road surface ? estimation part 26 or nonperformance of determination. At S105, a display flag Fla from the road surface ? selection part is read. Indication 1 is displayed (S107) in the case of a road having a high ?. Indication 2 is displayed (S109) in the case of a road having a medium ?. Indication 3 is displayed (S111) in the case of a road having a low ?. Indication 0 is displayed (S112) in other cases wherein the road surface ? is unknown.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and medium for detecting an impact sound and an apparatus, method, and medium for discriminating the impact sound using the same. The impact sound detecting apparatus includes: an onset detector separating an input signal of a frame unit into a low frequency signal and a high frequency signal, measuring powers of the separated signals, and detecting onsets by detecting changes in the measured powers; an event buffer buffering the powers measured by the onset detector and spectral data of the input signal; and an impact sound verifier determining whether each of the detected onsets is an impulse onset, and if each of the detected onsets is the impulse onset, detecting events starting from the impulse onsets by checking the powers stored in the event buffer and determining each of the detected events to be an impulse event if each of the detected onsets satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An object is to provide a gas sensor which can suppress positional shift of a to-be-held member such as a gas detection element, as well as a method of manufacturing the gas sensor. A gas sensor (101) includes a gas detection element (111), a metallic shell (131), a plate packing (157), and a first packing (159). A proximal end surface (113t2) of a projection (113) of the gas sensor element (111) and a central inner circumferential surface (135n) of the metallic shell (131) form an acute-angle clearance (120). The first packing (159), which has a wedge-like cross section, is disposed in the clearance (120) such that the first packing (159) is pressed against the proximal end surface (113t2) of the projection (113) of the gas sensor element (111) and the central inner circumferential surface (135n) of the metallic shell (131).

Abstract: A controller for cantilever-based instruments, including atomic force microscopes, molecular force probe instruments, high-resolution profilometers and chemical or biological sensing probes. The controller samples the output of the photo-detector commonly used to detect cantilever deflection in these instruments with a very fast analog/digital converter (ADC). The resulting digitized representation of the output signal is then processed with field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors without making use of analog electronics. Analog signal processing is inherently noisy while digital calculations are inherently “perfect” in that they do not add any random noise to the measured signal. Processing by field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors maximizes the flexibility of the controller because it can be varied through programming means, without modification of the controller hardware.