Abstract: A multi-stage turbocharging system recovers exhaust energy that is conventionally lost in bypassing exhaust flow from one stage to another in a multi-stage turbocharging system. The exhaust energy is preserved through converting a portion of the exhaust energy of the bypassed flow from pressure to kinetic energy (velocity) by passing the bypassed flow through a VGT vane outlet or other variable geometry valve/nozzle, and then not allowing the accelerated flow to dissipate energy before reaching the subsequent stage's turbine wheel, where the accelerated flow may then be converted to a mechanical rotational force by the lower pressure turbine's wheel.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling an engine system. The engine system comprises an internal combustion engine, a supercharging system having at least one supercharger to boost intake air to the internal combustion engine, a turbine, and a motor. The turbine receives an exhaust gas flow from an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine and is capable of at least partly driving the supercharging system. The motor is capable of at least partly driving the supercharging system.

Abstract: A method for meeting both base-load and peak-load demand in a power production facility. By integrating a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) hydrocarbon production facility with an electrical power generating facility, peak-load power demand can be met by reducing the temperature of the FT reactor thereby increasing the quantity of tail gases and using FT tail gases to fuel a gas turbine generator set. The method enables rapid power response and allows the synthesis gas generating units and the FT units to operate with constant flow rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic refrigerator comprising separated hot and cold heat exchange units wherein a heat transfer fluid that exchanges a heat with a magnetic heat exchange unit having the magnetocaloric material pieces arranged to have a gap therebetween separately circulates through a solenoid valve.

Abstract: A device is provided to cool and apply a product. The device includes a pressurized container configured to hold a liquefied refrigerant product. The pressurized container includes a longitudinal axis and is provided with a refrigerant product dispensing element with a product coating surface. The device also includes cooling means with at least one refrigerant product vaporization conduit connected in fluid communication with the refrigerant product dispensing element. The device further includes an applicator coating element disposed adjacent to the vaporization conduit so as to exchange heat with the vaporization conduit while the refrigerant product is dispensed from the dispensing element into the vaporization conduit. The applicator coating element typically includes a surface complimentary to an applicator so that the applicator may be coated with product.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration system having a refrigeration compartment and a quick chill/thaw pan. A main controller board, electrically connected to a temperature adjustment board and a dispenser board through the serial communications bus, controls the temperature of the refrigeration compartment and the quick chill/thaw pan. The control system accepts a plurality of inputs to determine a refrigeration mode and to execute a plurality of software algorithms to control the refrigeration compartment as both a chill pan to rapidly chill food and beverage items without freezing and a thaw pan to timely thaw frozen items at controlled temperature levels.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and managing a refrigeration system of a remote location includes a management center in communication with a refrigeration system through a communication network. The management center receives performance information of the refrigeration system. The management center employs software modules to analyze the performance information; diagnose system conditions; provide alarms for food safety issues, food quality issues and refrigeration system component failure; indicate maintenance conditions; and configure the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus comprises one or more cooling stations for installation in a support structure to provide a chilled surface for supporting a receptacle holding a comestible product. Each cooling station has a housing for being installed in the support surface and a cooling disc assembly mounted on the housing. The chilled surface is formed by a top disc of the cooling disc assembly in direct contact with a chilled fluidic cooling medium circulated through a cooling chamber of the cooling disc assembly. The housing provides a thermal barrier around the cooling disc assembly. The chilled surface provides heat transfer between the comestible product and the fluidic cooling medium in the cooling chamber to maintain the comestible product in a cooled state.

Abstract: CO2 refrigeration circuit (2) for circulating a refrigerant in a predetermined flow direction, comprising in flow direction a heat-rejecting heat exchanger (4), a receiver (10) having a liquid portion (12) and a flash gas portion (14), and subsequent to the receiver (10) a medium temperature loop (20) and a low temperature loop (24), wherein the medium and low temperature loops (24) each comprise in flow direction an expansion device (26, 28), an evaporator (30, 32) and a compressor (46, 38), the refrigeration circuit (2) further comprising a liquid line (16) connecting the liquid portion (12) of the receiver (10) with at least one of the medium and low temperature loops (20, 24) and having an internal heat exchanger (54), and a flash gas line (50) connecting the flash gas portion (14) of the receiver (10) via the internal heat exchanger (54) with the inlet of the low temperature compressor (46), wherein the internal heat exchanger (54) transfers in use heat from the liquid flowing through the liquid line (16

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering and separating anesthetic gas components from waste anesthetic gases to be purged from a healthcare facility. With minimal reliance on the utility infrastructure and supplies of a healthcare facility, the method and apparatus needs only electrical or mechanical power, a source of waste anesthetic gases, and an atmospheric vent in order to operate. A heat exchanger/condenser, which uses a dedicated heat transfer fluid as a refrigerant, is employed to condense anesthetic gas components from the waste anesthetic gases as either liquid condensates or solid frosts. The warmed heat transfer fluid is cooled in a separate refrigeration unit and recycled back to the heat exchanger/condenser. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a self-contained, packaged unit which can be easily accommodated in a physician's office, small animal clinic, dental office or other healthcare facility requiring effective waste anesthetic gas management.

Abstract: A pressure differential of a feed gas (110) between a compressor (120) and expander (160) is employed to cool the feed gas to condense and remove at least a portion of one component to produce a partially depleted feed gas from which another component may then be removed. In especially preferred aspects, the feed gas comprises C2-C5 hydrocarbons and hydrogen, wherein the hydrocarbons are condensed in the cooler and hydrogen is removed using a pressure swing adsorption unit (180).

Abstract: A short-arc discharge lamp capable of reducing the likelihood of cracks starting at an end face of a reflection mirror neck unit. Such cracks can be caused by heat generated from the discharge lamp. The short-arc discharge lamp includes a glass reflection mirror having a reflection surface of an even-order function on an inner surface thereof and formed by embossing. The short-arc discharge lamp is arranged with respect to an optical axis of the reflection mirror. A base of the discharge lamp is fixed to an insertion hole in a hollow neck unit formed in a bottom center of the reflection mirror. Furthermore, a base peripheral portion on the inner surface of the insertion hole in the hollow neck unit has a cylindrical shape with a narrow portion formed to extend from the cylindrical shape toward the reflection surface. Finally, an embossed portion extends from the narrow portion toward the reflection surface while diverging to contact the reflection surface.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for producing a plate glass, comprising a bath 14 for float-forming for reserving a molten metal 16 for forming a band-shaped plate glass having a predetermined thickness by feeding a molten glass ribbon 20 in a predetermined direction on the molten metal 16, and a pair of partition walls 46 provided substantially above left and right edges 22 of the molten glass ribbon 20 and substantially along the edges 22 to partition a space above a bath surface of the molten metal into an upper space A above a region covered with the molten glass ribbon 20 and upper spaces B above regions not covered with the molten glass ribbon 20; wherein the partition walls 46 each has a vertically dividable structure dividable into an upper partition wall 46A and a lower partition wall 46B, and the lower partition wall 46B is constituted by strip-shaped lower strip members 58 provided continuously to each other in a lateral direction, and the strip members 58 are configured to be removable or openable from the upper

Abstract: A vacuum valve for use with a blow mold in an I.S. machine. When the blow molds close around a parison, vacuum is applied to the wall of the blow mold. At some time following the application of the vacuum, final blow will occur blowing the parison into a bottle. This vacuum will be applied until the parison has been blown into a bottle. During the period during which vacuum is applied but final blow has not started, vacuum is reduced by operating a needle valve in the vacuum line.

Abstract: In a method for surface blasting hollow spaces or cavities, especially cavities of gas turbines, shot balls are accelerated with the aid of at least one vibrator, whereby the ultrasonically accelerated shot balls are directed onto surfaces of a cavity that is to be blasted. The vibrator is preferably positioned with a small spacing distance, preferably on the order of magnitude of the diameter of the shot balls utilized for the blasting, from the cavity to be blasted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum-assisted method and a device for forming an essentially flat blank (12) of metal into a thin-walled, shell-type body (14), especially for performing the method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, that has a supporting structure (16) forming a mold chamber (18) that holds the blank (12) during increasing deformation into the thin-walled, shell-body (14), a device (20) allocated to the supporting structure (16) for clamping the blank (12) about its circumference (22) to the supporting structure (16), that seals the reverse face (24) of the blank (12) facing towards the mold chamber (18) against the front face (26) of the blank (12) facing away from the mold chamber (18), and a device (28) allocated to the mold chamber (18) that also communicates with the mold chamber (18) for applying a vacuum and evacuating the mold chamber (18), and at least one forming tool (50) applied to the front face (26) of the blank (12) is/are allocated to the supporting structure (16), an

Abstract: A method for manufacturing hollow shafts having end portions of greater wall thickness and at least one intermediate portion of reduced wall thickness, from a tube having constant wall thickness. The method includes providing a mandrel having diameters stepped over its length, with a first longitudinal section having a smallest diameter and at least one further longitudinal section having a further larger diameter. Reducing the external diameter of a first portion of the tube over the first longitudinal section of the mandrel to produce the first end portion. Reducing the external diameter of a middle portion of the tube over the at least one further longitudinal section of the mandrel to produce the at least one intermediate portion. Reducing the external diameter of a further portion of the tube over the first longitudinal section of the mandrel to produce the second end portion.

Abstract: A sensor obtains transverse sensitivity in a sensitivity matrix of an acceleration sensor with a uniaxial vibration generator. The acceleration is measured by vibrating the table 12. As the measurement of the main axis sensitivity, transverse sensitivity Szx associated with the X-axis is obtained from measured results of the acceleration sensor 5 and measured results of a measuring instrument for measuring the surface motion of the table 12 independently. Likewise, transverse sensitivity Szy associated with the Y-axis is obtained by fixing on the table 12 the cubical block on which the acceleration sensor 5 is mounted in such a manner that the Y-axis direction defined with respect to the acceleration sensor 5 aligns with the vibration direction of the table 12.

Abstract: A method of testing a surgical system that takes advantage of the fact that in a balanced irrigation/aspiration system (inflow?outflow) the duration of the aspiration pressure recovery to the irrigation fluid source pressure immediately following pump stop is independent of pump run time. This method provides a more reliable way of detecting restricted irrigation flow configurations not detectable by the current methods, such as marginal irrigation flow cases that could potentially lead to surgical complications (e.g. chamber collapse during post-occlusion break surge).

Abstract: A synchronous signal processing circuit for a dual-axis vibratory rotation-rate sensor uses a hybrid analog/digital design to provide correction for parasitic quadrature errors by the addition of synthesized correction signals in the analog domain prior to digitization. Error correction, signal demodulation and data conversions are synchronized with a signal phase-locked to the measured motion of the vibratory mass. Similarly, cross-axis error correction signals are synthesized directly from the cross axis signals. Use of these precise phase references provides for various benefits in signal noise and error matching (tracking) over wide operation conditions.

Abstract: Displacement occurring by external force between a first member (a case, for example) and a second member (an LCD holder, for example) facing the first member is applied to a detection body (an external force detector), and a loading history of the external force (fracture surfaces) is detected by deformation of the detection body occurring when the force exceeds an allowable limit. Provided are a body section and a force receiving section (a head, arms) projected from the body section. The body section is provided between the first member and the second member facing the first member and is supported by either first or second members. The force receiving section deforms when external force acting in the direction crossing a gap between the first and second members or in the direction along the gap exceeds the allowable limit.

Abstract: A user-friendly photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) system and process (technique) provides an open-field PAS instrument, unit and device to remotely sense explosives, chemicals and biological agents. The PAS system and process can include: a pulsed tunable laser, such as a CO2 laser, a reflector, such as a parabolic reflector, an acoustic reverberant resonator in which a microphone is installed, and a data acquisition and analysis system.

Abstract: There is described a method for monitoring the load condition of a variable speed engine. Said method shows a determination of an actual speed and an actual load moment during operation. A warning signal is emitted when the actual load moment remains outside a monitoring range, predetermined depending on the speed, for the duration of a predetermined delayed reaction time.

Abstract: An intake air temperature (IAT) sensor diagnostic module comprises a measured noise module, an expected noise module, an excess noise module, and an IAT fault detection module. The measured noise module measures noise in an IAT signal from an IAT sensor in a vehicle. The expected noise module determines expected noise based upon the IAT signal. The excess noise module determines an excess noise value based upon the measured noise and the expected noise. The IAT fault detection module diagnoses faults in the IAT sensor based upon a comparison of the excess noise value and a first predetermined value.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a housing including a dielectric portion, a particulate matter (“PM”) sensor fixed inside the housing such that the exhaust streaming through an exhaust system passes near and in electrical isolation from the PM sensor, the PM sensor including a terminal couplable to a PM sensing circuit to produce a PM sensor indication associated with sensed PM and a fastener coupled to the housing and mountable to the exhaust system to dispose the housing into the exhaust system such that exhaust streaming through the exhaust system passes outside the dielectric portion of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for downhole formation fluid sampling include conveying a carrier into a well borehole that traverses a subterranean formation of interest, the carrier having a port and placing the port in fluid communication with the subterranean formation of interest. The method includes urging a fluid into the port using a fluid control device, the fluid containing a formation fluid and a contaminant, generating a first signal indicative of a first fluid characteristic of the fluid using a first test device in communication with the fluid, and generating a second signal indicative of a second fluid characteristic of the fluid using a second test device in communication with the fluid.

Abstract: A downhole fluid analysis tool capable of fluid analysis during production logging that includes a phase separator and a plurality of sensors to perform analysis on the fluids collected at a subsurface location in a borehole.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermal mass flow meter for determining a material flow through a vessel. The mass flow meter has at least two measuring elements immersed into a vessel with a flowing medium, with one of the measuring elements being heated. It is proposed that the heated measuring element is arranged in front of the unheated measuring element in the flow direction of the medium for at least part of the time, and for part of the time the unheated measuring element is arranged in front of the heated measuring element.

Abstract: A thermal flow sensor is equipped with a self-test unit that monitors the device and generates a fault signal in the presence of a malfunction. The self-test unit can e.g. monitor the integrity of a membrane carrying the heater and temperature sensors, or it can monitor various operational parameters of the device, thereby increasing the safety of the device.

Abstract: In a flow quantity measuring device, each of upstream side and downstream side sensing resistors, which are placed on an upstream side and a downstream side, respectively, of a heating resistor, includes resistor elements, each of which forms a folded path. The folded path has a generally constant width along an entire extent thereof and is returned at each of first and second longitudinal end edges of a sensing area. The heating resistor forms a folded path, which has a generally constant width along an entire extent thereof and is returned at the second longitudinal end edge of the heat generating area. First and second ends of the folded path of the heating resistor projects beyond the first longitudinal end edge of the sensing area on a first side of the flow quantity measuring device.

Abstract: A humidity sensor includes: a sensor chip including a capacitive humidity sensor element and a connection electrode, wherein the capacitive humidity sensor element includes a humidity sensitive film having relative permittivity changeable in accordance with humidity, and wherein the connection electrode is electrically connected to the humidity sensor element; a lead plate electrically connected to the connection electrode; and a mold for covering a connection portion between the connection electrode and the lead plate. The mold is disposed on the sensor chip and includes a groove. The humidity sensitive film is disposed in the groove. The humidity sensitive film has a height in the groove, the height equal to or lower than a surface of the mold. The height of the humidity sensitive film in the groove is homogeneous.

Abstract: A wheel balancing system determines a type of corrective weight for application to an edge of a rim of a wheel for correcting imbalance of the wheel. One or more corrective weights are identified from a varied inventory of corrective weights. An inventory database is incremented or decremented for each identified corrective weight. Database reports can be generated that specify weight usage and inventory status. One or more wheel balancers may be coupled to a network.

Abstract: An enclosed test stand may be enclosed by at least two reverberant boundary surfaces. Two of said at least two reverberant boundary surfaces may abut against each other to form an edge. A first linear array of microphones may be configured to detect acoustical signals of a sound field. The linear array of microphones may be arranged along the edge. An evaluating unit may be coupled to the linear array of microphones. The evaluating unit may be configured to locate sound sources of the sound field.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a radius area of composite parts with an ultrasonic inspection system, the system includes at least one ultrasonic probe, an upper sliding surface, a lower sliding surface, an adjustable guide rail, and an adjustable encoder wheel rotatably coupled to a rotary encoder, is provided. The method includes generating a high frequency sound wave using the probe including a radius of curvature extending from a center point, the sound wave travels partially through the part, adjusting the guide rail to align the center point of the probe with a center axis of a part corner portion, sliding the part through the inspection system to inspect the corner portion using the sound wave by rotating the wheel and rotary encoder such that the arcuate distance of the part is recorded, adjusting the wheel to avoid any apertures defined within the part, and processing the sound wave information.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator and an ultrasonic motor having the piezoelectric vibrator. A piezoelectric vibrator has a multilayered piezoelectric actuator, with special internal and surface electrodes making the body vibrate in a longitudinal and bending direction when an electrical signal is inputted. It can be manufactured using conventional multilayer piezoelectric actuator manufacturing techniques, therefore, it has reduced manufacturing time and cost, as it is not necessary to go through two polarization processes, and may simplify and decrease the volume, while improving the vibration performance.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a base body and a sensor element, in particular for transforming and/or transferring measuring variables. The sensor element is associated with a receiving element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor includes a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly defines closed channels and includes a conductive layer. A conductive membrane extends from the substrate assembly and is spaced from the conductive layer. The conductive membrane defines a plurality of apertures. A cap extends from the substrate assembly to cover the membrane.

Abstract: The present micro-electro-mechanical pressure sensor includes a substrate, a dielectric isolation layer, at least two electrodes, and a vibrating membrane. The substrate includes an acoustic cavity. The dielectric isolation layer is formed on the substrate, and the dielectric isolation layer includes a through hole corresponding to the acoustic cavity. The at least two electrodes are separately formed on the dielectric isolation layer. The vibrating membrane covers the through hole, and the vibrating membrane includes at least one carbon nanotube structure with two opposite ends. The two opposite ends of the carbon nanotube are respectively connected to at least a given one of the at least two electrodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensing apparatus includes a metallic stem having a diaphragm and a semiconductor sensor bonded to the diaphragm. The semiconductor sensor includes a gauge section and first and second bonding pads. The gauge section is configured to be deformed according to a deformation of the diaphragm. The first and second bonding pads are respectively connected to different positions of the gauge section so that an electrical resistance between the first and second bonding pads can change with a change in the deformation of the diaphragm. The gauge section is formed to a semiconductor layer of an silicon-on-insulator substrate. The semiconductor sensor is directly bonded to the diaphragm by activating contact surfaces between the semiconductor sensor and the diaphragm.

Abstract: An artificial sensor comprises at least one substrate, and a plurality of flow sensors disposed on the at least one substrate for providing a plurality of spatial-temporally varying signals representing a hydrodynamic stimulus. The plurality of flow sensors are spatially distributed on the at least one substrate. A processor is coupled to the plurality of flow sensors for receiving the signals and determining spatial-temporal information from the received signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing a differential pressure sense die based on a unique silicon piezoresistive technology for sensing low differential pressure in harsh duty applications is disclosed. The pressure sense die comprises of an etched pressure diaphragm and a hole that is drilled through the sense die wherein the pressure sense die possess a backside and a front side and are associated with varying pressures. A top cap can be attached to the front side and an optional constraint for stress relief can be attached to the backside of the differential pressure sense die. The top cap and the constraint comprise of glass and/or silicon and can be attached with an anodic bonding process or glass frit process.

Abstract: An ultrasonic load measurement transducer is mated with a thread-forming fastener to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener that can be used for the precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.

Abstract: Several methods and a system of a resistive force sensing device and method with an advanced communication interface are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment provides a force measuring device. The force measuring device includes a resistive sensor having a fixed surface and a movable surface. A spring assembly is positioned between the fixed surface and the movable surface. The spring assembly alters in height in response to a force applied perpendicular to the movable surface and causes a change in a resistance of the resistive sensor. A circuit generates a measurement of the force based on an algorithm that considers a change in the resistance of the resistive sensor. A universal serial bus (USB) interface of the circuit provides digital output of the measurement to a computing device.

Abstract: A tensile specimen measuring apparatus includes a generally elongated base, a generally elongated pin channel provided in the base, a measuring pin carrier slidably mounted in the pin channel of the base, at least one contact pin carried by the measuring pin carrier, at least one contact pin disposed at an end of the pin channel of the base in generally spaced-apart relationship with respect to the at least one contact pin carried by the measuring pin carrier and an electronic measuring device engaging the at least one contact pin carried by the measuring pin carrier. A tensile specimen measuring method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test bench that reproduces the performance of a gearbox. The invention consists of: at least one gearshift module (2) comprising a linear motor (12) and a ball joint (14) that can be used to convert a linear motion of the motor (12) into a rotational motion of a gearshift shaft (5) and a force sensor (17) that can be used to measure the force applied to the gearshift shaft (5). In particular embodiments of the invention, the test bench also comprises a vertical linear selection module or a horizontal selection module. The modules employed can be used to simulate forces as a function of the shift and selection position in a manner that is representative of a gearbox.

Abstract: An electronics component cabinet cover test device includes a housing that defines a test apparatus provided with first and second openings. A cover member is mounted to one of the openings, and an air moving device is arranged in the test apparatus. The air moving device includes an air inlet and an air outlet and generates airflow within the test apparatus. A sensor capable of measuring a characteristic of the airflow is mounted within the test apparatus. An airflow impedance device mounted to the inlet or the outlet of the air moving device. The airflow impedance device is configured to simulate an airflow obstruction. A controller establishes a flow rate of air from the air moving device and receives airflow data corresponding to the characteristic of the airflow from the sensor to determine one of an acoustical performance characteristic and a thermal performance characteristic of the cover member.

Abstract: A meter for reproducibly and accurately measuring the delivery or flow rate of known fluids in chromatography and other pressure driven pumping systems, comprising a sense tube of known effective radius and length, coupled to a temperature measuring device, and enclosed in such a way as to allow the temperature of the tube and fluid to be measured, and optionally regulated. The invention is also useful for determining the viscosity of an unknown fluid or combination of fluids.

Abstract: A vortex flowmeter has a vortex sensor and terminals that receive a thermal junction output from a thermowell assembly that is remote from the vortex flowmeter. The vortex flowmeter has a data input that receives data representing a thermal property of the thermowell assembly. The vortex flowmeter has a circuit that receives the first thermal junction output and the vortex sensor output, and that provides a flowmeter output that is compensated for temperature and for the thermal property.

Abstract: A device for determining the rotation angle of a shaft in an aircraft, the device having a shaft and a motor operable to rotate the shaft to operate a component and to detect first rotation data of the shaft. The device also includes a position pickup unit designed to detect second rotation data of the shaft, and a synchronization unit for synchronizing the first rotation data with the second rotation data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a position sensor which is intended, in particular, for detecting a steering column torsion. The invention consists of: a first magnetic rotor structure (10) comprising a plurality of radially-oriented magnets; a second stator structure comprising two rings (23, 24) which extend into axially-oriented overlapping teeth (25, 26); and a third fixed collector structure (30) comprising two flux-closing parts which define at least one air gap in which at least one magneto-sensitive element is placed. The invention is characterized in that the flux-closing parts and the stator rings (23, 24) define therebetween a constant collection surface that is independent of the relative radial position of the two structures.