Abstract: A hair iron H in which a hair pinching region is formed between a heating surface 10 of a wrapping cylinder 1 and a presser inner surface 40 of a presser plate 4, wherein an elastic member 6 is mounted on the heating surface of the wrapping cylinder on the outer part of the hair pinching region, and at a position near the side edge of the aforementioned presser plate, the elastic member is mounted so as to extend in the long direction of the wrapping cylinder along the side edge of the presser plate in the state where its upper surface is equal with or slightly protruding from the heating surface. Also, the aforementioned elastic member 6 contains a multi-element mineral powder formed by crushing a multi-element mineral.

Abstract: A powered dental flossing device includes a gyroscopic or motion sensor. Powered functions of the flossing device, including floss winding, linear and transverse agitation or oscillation of the floss, and LED illumination are all activated and deactivated as a function of changes in the detected orientation of the flossing device, eliminating the need for manual switches and providing an intuitive user experience to increase speed and convenience of flossing.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning electronic packages comprises a tank containing cleaning fluid and a holder above the tank that supports the electronic packages above a top surface of the cleaning fluid with the electronic packages facing the cleaning fluid. Acoustic energy generators are immersed in the cleaning fluid for generating and propagating acoustic energy towards the top surface of the cleaning fluid to create streaming fluid jets projecting upwardly at the top surface to contact and clean the electronic packages supported on the holder.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for cleaning a surface of a substrate are presented. The method comprises positioning a substrate at a controllable distance from a piezoelectric transducer, supplying a cleaning liquid between the substrate and the transducer, applying an oscillating acoustic force to the cleaning liquid by actuating the transducer, and moving the transducer relative to the substrate. The method further comprises, while moving the transducer relative to the substrate, measuring a value that indicates a distance between a surface of the substrate and the transducer, comparing the measured value to a desired value, and adjusting the distance between the surface and the transducer so that the measured value is maintained substantially equal to the desired value. The measured value may be the distance between the surface of the substrate and the transducer or a phase shift between an alternating current and voltage applied to the transducer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and treatment system for rapid cleaning and protecting of automotive cooling systems containing controlled atmosphere brazed aluminum heat exchangers. The method and treatment system can optionally include a conditioning (passivating) step. The treatment system can comprise three different parts: (1) cleaner or cleaning solution; (2) conditioner or conditioning solution; and (3) compatible CAB aluminum protective heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: A spray device for cleaning residue from a filter member. In one embodiment, the spray device includes a tubular stem telescopically slideable in a sleeve. A coil spring surrounds the stem and resists movement of the stem out of the sleeve. A tubular halo with nozzles is fastened to the end of the tubular stem so that when a pressurized fluid is applied to the stem, the stem is forced out of the sleeve against the spring force, thereby causing the halo to travel along a cylindrical filter surface. The pressurized fluid is also jetted from the nozzles and cleans the cylindrical surface. When the pressurized fluid is removed from the spray device, the spring retracts the stem and the halo back to a rest position. In another embodiment, the halo is replaced with a nozzle head that moves within a cylindrical filter surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: Disclosed is a supercritical processing apparatus which can suppress the occurrence of pattern collapse, improve the throughput, and prolong a maintenance interval. In the disclosed supercritical processing apparatus to remove a liquid remained on a substrate by a super-critical state processing fluid, a heating unit heats the processing fluid to place the processing fluid into a processing receptacle in a supercritical state, and a cooling mechanism forcibly cools an area capable of transferring the heat to the substrate from the heating unit in order to suppress the liquid from being evaporated from the substrate until the substrate is disposed on a seating unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to remove residual fluorine left in a chamber surface without the use of a plasma device or temperature elevation. The disclosed methods may permit the next step in the deposition process to occur more quickly.

Abstract: A cup wash disk jig employed to clean photoresist from a spin-on chamber, receives cleaning solvent from both the bottom and the top, enhancing cleaning effectiveness. The cup wash disk includes a first set of channels allowing fluid communication between a hole positioned in a top surface of the cup wash disk jig, and a plurality of orifices distributed about the edge of the jig. Solvent is applied to the top surface of the jig, for example from an existing reduce resist control (RRC) nozzle normally utilized to dispense resist material. The solvent is flowed through these channels and ejected from the disk sides through the orifice, thereby facilitating removal of resist residue from coater cup portions of the chamber. Solvent may also be applied to an opening in a bottom surface of the jig, for example from a back rinse nozzle, to flow through a second set of channels and be ejected through different jig edge orifices.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a washing chamber includes at least one prewash cycle for removing loose soil from associated kitchenware, a steam cycle instituted after the at least one prewash cycle for softening soil not removed in the at least one prewash cycle, a main wash cycle commenced after the steam cycle cleaning the associated kitchenware, and at least one rinse cycle commenced subsequent to the main wash cycle for rinsing detergent and remaining soil off of the associated kitchenware. The dishwasher includes a housing having a wash chamber that receives associated kitchenware therein and a controller for selectively controlling water supply from an associated source, water removal to an associated drain, and energization of a heating element contained in the wash chamber.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a housing, a wash chamber in the housing that receives kitchenware therein, a detergent dispenser for introducing a detergent into the wash chamber, and a heater for raising temperature in the wash chamber. The dishwasher further includes a controller for selectively controlling water supply to and from the dish chamber. The controller establishes a temperature of the wash fluid circulating in the wash chamber during the first period in a range from about 115° F. (46° C.) to about 135° F. (58° C.) to enhance the wash performance of enzyme-based detergents and establishes a temperature of the wash fluid during a second period in the range from about 150° F. (65° C.) to about 160° F. (72° C.) to enhance wash performance of a chlorine-based detergent.

Abstract: Provided are a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method capable of processing of a substrate using a supercritical fluid without exposing the pattern formed on the substrate to an atmospheric environment. The substrate processing apparatus includes a cleaning bath configured to accommodate a substrate and clean the substrate by flowing a cleaning solution, and a processing vessel configured to accommodate the cleaning bath and process the substrate with a supercritical fluid.

Abstract: An umbrella in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a canopy that is extendable into an extra wide configuration to cover two users. In accordance with one embodiment the umbrella opens to a first open position to provide coverage for one person and expands to a second open position to provide coverage for a second person.

Abstract: A configuration, all components of which are man portable in some embodiments, for holding panels to protect assets against external force and impacts from airborne projectiles. An open box-like stackable frame module holds panels along a side of the frame. Multiple frames are connected to construct a protective barrier, such as a wall. Frames include provisions for connection in a vertical configuration so as to allow stacking of the frames to increase the height of the barrier. A method of installing is also provided.

Abstract: A solar central receiver system employing common positioning mechanism for heliostats relates to a system of concentrating and harvesting solar energy. The heliostats of said system are positioned like facets of a Fresnel type of reflector. The heliostats are placed in arrays, wherein each array has a common positioning mechanism. The common positioning mechanism synchronously maneuvers the arrays of heliostats in altitudinal and/or azimuthal axis for tracking an apparent movement of the sun. The common positioning mechanism is employed for synchronously orienting said heliostats with respect to a stationary object and the sun such that incident solar radiation upon said heliostats is focused upon said stationary object from dawn to dusk. Subsequent to each said orientation of said heliostats, collective disposition of said heliostats always forms an arrangement that is capable of reflecting and thereby focusing incident solar radiation upon said stationary object.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an assembly includes one or more thermoelectric modules, a compliant thermal interface, and a heat spreader. The compliant thermal interface is configured such that it may substantially conform against and intimately thermally contact an outer surface of a fluid conduit. The heat spreader is disposed generally between and thermally coupled to the compliant thermal interface and the one or more thermoelectric modules. The heat spreader may have greater flexibility than the one or more thermoelectric modules. The heat spreader may also have a thermal conductivity greater than the compliant thermal interface. The assembly may have sufficient flexibility to be circumferentially wrapped at least partially around a portion of the fluid conduit's outer surface, with the compliant thermal interface in substantial conformance against and in intimate thermal contact with the fluid conduit's outer surface portion.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device is provided. The thermoelectric device includes first and second electrodes, a first leg, a second leg, and a common electrode. The first leg is disposed on the first electrode and includes one or more first semiconductor pattern and one or more first barrier patterns. The second leg is disposed on the second electrode and includes one or more second semiconductor pattern and one or more second barrier patterns. The common electrode is disposed on the first leg and the second leg. Herein, the first barrier pattern has a lower thermal conductivity than the first semiconductor pattern, and the second barrier pattern has a lower thermal conductivity than the second semiconductor pattern. The first/second barrier pattern has a higher electric conductivity than the first/second semiconductor pattern. The first/second barrier pattern forms an ohmic contact with the first/second semiconductor pattern.

Abstract: There is provide a layered article with good snow sliding property and antifouling property, article having a substrate and a particle layer laminated on the substrate, wherein the particle layer is a layer formed by applying a particle dispersion liquid to the substrate, the particle dispersion liquid comprising first silicon oxide particles composed of branched rod-shaped particles, each of the branched rod-shaped particles having a diameter of 3 to 50 nm and the branched rod-shaped particles having an average particle diameter of 30 to 500 nm, second silicon oxide particles having an average particle diameter of 1 to 20 nm, third silicon oxide particles having an average particle diameter of greater than 20 mn, and a dispersion medium, wherein the content of the first silicon oxide particles is 15 to 50% by weight, the content of the second silicon oxide particles is 15 to 50% by weight, and the content of the third silicon oxide particles is 35 to 70% by weight where the total amount of the first, second

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for quickly and easily assembling PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the system includes various couplings having a first engaging portion adapted to engage a first PV module and a second engaging portion adapted to engage a second PV module. At least one of the engaging portions allows variable positioning of the engaged PV module along the engaging portion.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for quickly and easily assembling PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the system includes a leveling foot for engaging a PV module and supporting the PV module on a support structure. The leveling foot allow adjustment of the height of engaged PV modules relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin film solar cell is characterized by including a string formation step for forming a string of thin film photoelectric conversion elements which are electrically connected in series and each of which has a first electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer and a second electrode layer which are successively laminated on a surface of a translucent insulation substrate; a film removal step for removing the thin film photoelectric conversion element portion formed on the outer circumference of the surface of the translucent insulation substrate by a light beam to form a non-conductive surface region on the entire circumference; and a cleaning step for removing conductive extraneous matters generated in the film removal step and attached to the non-conductive surface region.

Abstract: A solar collector system including solar elements connected to form an array for intercepting the sun's radiation, a compression element that is positioned substantially perpendicular to the array, and pairs of cables that run from opposite sides of the array to the compression element to mutually stabilize each portion of the array to which the pair of cables connects. A support structure is provided for securing the array to a fixed structure. A tracking system further provides the system with two degrees of freedom for tracking the array with the sun's movement.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to easily and inexpensively provide a structure of effectively utilizing a light incident on an invalid area of a solar cell. Moreover, it is another object to improve output characteristics of the solar cell by effectively utilizing the light. The gist of the present invention resides in a solar battery module in which plate-like solar cells are held between a light penetrable sheet member on a light receiving surface side and a sheet member on a back surface side, and internal apertures are filled. with a sealing resin, wherein a light diffusion section for diffusely reflecting a light or a light diffusion section of a white color is arranged in an invalid region of each solar cell.

Abstract: A solar module is described having a flatly implemented solar cell configuration, on whose rear side a rear side construction is provided and on whose front side a radiation-transparent front pane is provided, having a solidifying grouting compound, which encloses the solar cell configuration between rear side construction and front pane and transmits mechanical loads, and which connects the surface of the front pane facing toward the rear side construction over its entire area to the rear side construction and completely encloses the solar cell configuration. The rear side construction is implemented as a separate module, which is a plastic carrier produced using injection molding, injection-compression molding, or compression, or in the form of a stiff ceramic or organic planar element.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a solar energy panel frame and installation system device there of. Said solar energy panel frame includes a frame body which is consist of a plurality of profile brackets abutting joint to each other. Wherein an automatic cleaning device is set on said frame body. And said automatic cleaning device comprises a motor located in the profile bracket symmetrically, a transmission mechanism connected to the output shaft of the motor, a cleaning brush moved in upper and lower direction by said transmission mechanism which it connected to, and a remote control integrated circuit system. Said installation system device of the solar energy panel frame includes a pedestal, a rail bracket which is fixedly connected to the pedestal by a bracket fixing part, and a frame fixing part which is used to lock up the solar energy panel.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.

Abstract: A method for producing an electroconductive polymer electrode that is excellent in electroconductivity and catalyst capability, is easily patterned, is high in use efficiency of a coating solution, and can produce conveniently with good reproducibility and productivity, and a dye-sensitized solar cell with an excellent conversion efficiency obtained by using the same are provided. Specifically, such a method is employed that a solution containing a monomer of an electroconductive polymer, a pyrrolidone compound represented by the following general formula (1) as a polymerization controlling agent and an oxidizing agent is coated on an electrode substrate, and then the monomer is polymerized by oxidation polymerization to form an electroconductive polymer electrode. wherein in the formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group or an aryl group.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for avalanche breakdown in a thin-film solar cell.

Abstract: An arrangement of a cathode electrode for plasma CVD forms a radio frequency capacity coupled plasma by applying radio frequency radiation, in which the cathode electrode is disposed so as to face an anode electrode. The facing surface which faces the anode electrode is formed to have a concavo-convex shape comprising concaves constituted by a bottom surface and convexes constituted by a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the anode electrode from the bottom surface constituting the concaves. At least one of the protrusions forming the convexes has at least one reactive gas ejection nozzle on a side surface, which is capable of ejecting a reactive gas. An ejection direction of the reactive gas from the reactive gas ejection nozzle is substantially parallel to the bottom surface constituting the concaves. The optimization of the cathode electrode allows generation of dense plasma.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell, includes: providing a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; creating at least one via between a front side and a back side of the semiconductor substrate; applying on the backside a front side contacting metal paste over the at least one via, the front side contacting metal paste including a first contacting metal; annealing the semiconductor substrate so as to melt the first contacting metal, and during annealing, creating at least on the walls of the at least one via an alloy of the first contacting metal and the semiconductor substrate material.

Abstract: An electrode paste for a solar cell, a solar cell electrode using the paste, a solar cell having such an electrode, and a fabrication method of the solar cell are described. The paste for a solar cell electrode comprises a first component that includes silver (Ag) or a metal alloy containing the silver (Ag); a second component that includes zinc (Zn), and at least one selected from a group consisting of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), bismuth (Bi), phosphorous (P), boron (B), barium (Ba), and palladium (Pd); a leaded or lead-free glass frit; and a resin binder that is dispersed in an organic medium.

Abstract: A high-efficiency solar cell device producible in a simplified manner, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. An insulation layer is formed on the back surface side of a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. Removing part of the insulation layer exposes part of the semiconductor substrate to form a plurality of first through holes. A first layer of the first conductivity type is formed on the insulation layer and on the part of the semiconductor substrate exposed in the plurality of first through holes, whereby first junction regions are formed. Removing part of the first layer and the insulation layer exposes part of the semiconductor substrate to form a plurality of second through holes. A second layer of an opposite conductivity type is formed on the first layer and on the part of the semiconductor substrate exposed in the plurality of second through holes, whereby second junction regions are formed.

Abstract: It is possible to reduce the contact resistance so as to improve the conversion efficiency of a photoelectric conversion element structure. Provided is a photoelectric conversion element structure of the pin structure which selects an upper limit energy level of the valence band of the p-type semiconductor or the electron affinity of the n-type semiconductor layer and the work function of a metal layer which is brought into contact with the semiconductor, so as to reduce the contact resistance as compared to the case when Al or Ag is used as an electrode. The selected metal layer may be arranged between the electrode formed from Al or Ag and the semiconductor or may be substituted for the n- or p-type semiconductor.

Abstract: A solar cell unit comprising a cylindrical shaped solar cell and a transparent tubular casing is provided. The tubular shaped solar cell comprises a back-electrode, a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor junction. The transparent tubular casing is circumferentially sealed onto the transparent conductive layer of the cylindrical shaped solar cell. A solar cell unit comprising a cylindrical shaped solar cell, a filler layer, and a transparent tubular casing is provided. The cylindrical shaped solar cell comprises a cylindrical substrate, a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on the cylindrical substrate, a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode, and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor junction.

Abstract: A photovoltaic shingle having a photovoltaic assembly with a photovoltaic cell or cells. The substrate has an outward face and an inward face and a profile having a plurality of traverse parallel ridges with each ridge separated from the next ridge by a traverse parallel trough. The substrate facilitates vertical and horizontal nesting and alignment. The photovoltaic cell substantially spans the outward face except for a portion thereof that is intended to be overlapped by another similar shingle. The substrate can have two tiers or more, each tier being separated by an integral riser that creates the appearance of two rows or more of shingles. The substrate can be produced from recyclable plastic. The shingles have a translucent color enhancing means for imparting an uniform color and can be produced in many colors and shapes. The shingle is attached directly to a building or roof structure without an intermediary support or framing structure therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solar cells. Such solar cells include a substrate containing a first impurity of a first conductive type and having a textured surface with a plurality of jagged portions. Such solar cells also have an emitter layer positioned on the textured surface and containing a second impurity of a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type, a first electrode having a plurality of first metal particles, electrically connected to the emitter layer, and a second electrode electrically connected to the substrate. The diameter of the first metal particles is larger than the peak-to-peak distance between adjacent jagged portions.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device with a low degradation rate and a high stability efficiency. In one aspect, the photovoltaic device includes: a substrate; a first electrode disposed on the substrate; at least one photoelectric transformation layer disposed on the first electrode, the photoelectric transformation layer including a light absorbing layer; and a second electrode disposed on the photoelectric transformation layer, wherein the light absorbing layer includes a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer, each of which includes a hydrogenated amorphous silicon based material respectively; and wherein the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer include a non-silicon based element, and the second sub-layer includes a crystalline silicon grain surrounded by the hydrogenated amorphous silicon based element.

Abstract: The invention discloses a non-imaging reflecting surface optimized for concentrating solar energy onto a high efficiency solar cell. It provides for accurate mapping of solar radiation from the reflector to the cell. Additionally it provides for using only that portion of the surface that participates in the radiation transfer and it creates substantially uniform radiation intensity on the cell surface. The uniformity applies to both the spectral and the intensity distribution of the radiation on the cell. The reflecting surface is an off-axis parabolic surface trimmed to include only ray intercepts that travel to the solar cell surface. The solar cell is located off-focus so that rays from the reflector intercept the cell surface according to a predetermined mapping.

Abstract: Systems and materials to improve photovoltaic cell efficiency by implementing a self-cleaning function on photovoltaic cells and on albedo surfaces associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided. Materials for protecting albedo surfaces that surround photovoltaic cell assemblies, thereby maximizing energy input into the photovoltaic cell assemblies, are provided. Materials for self-cleaning photovoltaic cell panels, thereby maintaining their efficiency, are provided. Portable albedo collecting devices associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, active diffusion junctions of a solar cell are formed by diffusing dopants from dopant sources selectively deposited on the back side of a wafer. The dopant sources may be selectively deposited using a printing method, for example. Multiple dopant sources may be employed to form active diffusion regions of varying doping levels. For example, three or four active diffusion regions may be fabricated to optimize the silicon/dielectric, silicon/metal, or both interfaces of a solar cell. The front side of the wafer may be textured prior to forming the dopant sources using a texturing process that minimizes removal of wafer material. Openings to allow metal gridlines to be connected to the active diffusion junctions may be formed using a self-aligned contact opening etch process to minimize the effects of misalignments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for depositing a film onto a substrate, with a sputter deposition process wherein the sputter deposition process is a direct current sputter deposition wherein the film consists of at least 90 wt-% of an inorganic material having semiconductor properties whereby the film of the inorganic material M2 is directly deposited as crystalline structure, so that at least 50 wt-% of the deposited film has a crystalline structure wherein the source material (target) used for the sputter deposition consists of at least 80 wt-% of the inorganic material M2. wherein the inorganic material is selected from a group including binary, ternary, and quaternary compounds including sulphur, selenium, tellurium, indium, and/or germanium.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module (and a manufacturing method and system thereof) is provided. The photovoltaic module includes a base substrate, a nano-porous layer of an inorganic material deposited over the base substrate, and a photovoltaic layer of an organic material formed over the nano-porous layer. The nano-porous layer includes a plurality of nano-pores in which the organic material is deposited. The photovoltaic layer is capable of converting solar energy into electricity. The photovoltaic module also includes at least two electrodes capable of collecting electricity generated by the photovoltaic layer.

Abstract: A solar energy collection and conversion system includes at least one mirror array, with each array including a multiplicity of mirrors, and each array of mirrors reflecting incident sunlight onto a common target. The common target serves as a collection point where the reflected sunlight energy converges and is thereby concentrated. The target comprises an energy to electricity conversion device, for example, a photovoltaic device, and/or a reservoir of material which can be heated by the incident light energy such that the energy may be subsequently extracted to generate electricity.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.

Abstract: A stack including a first electrode, a first impurity semiconductor layer having one conductivity type, an intrinsic semiconductor layer, a second impurity semiconductor layer having an opposite conductivity type to the one conductivity type, and a light-transmitting second electrode is formed over an insulator. The light-transmitting second electrode and the second impurity semiconductor layer have one or more openings. The shortest distance between one portion of the wall of one opening and an opposite portion of the wall of the same opening at the level of the interface between the second impurity semiconductor layer and the intrinsic semiconductor layer is made smaller than the diffusion length of holes in the intrinsic semiconductor layer. Thus, recombination is suppressed, so that more photocarriers are generated due to the openings and taken out as current, whereby conversion efficiency is increased.

Abstract: The method of transporting natural gas from a subsea location to shore by providing a subsea tanker with a storage tank which is a balloon, a loading tower for the docking of the subsea tanker at a certain depth, loading the storage tank with natural gas at the loading tower, transporting the gas subsea at the same depth, providing a sales tower for the docking of said subsea tanker at a the same depth and venting said natural gas into a pipeline for delivery shore.

Abstract: A tubular valving system includes, a tubular having a bore therethrough with at least one port defining fluidic communication between the bore and an outside of the tubular, and a valve stem disposed within the bore of the tubular that is longitudinally movable with respect to the tubular, the valve stem has an outer surface slidably engagable with the bore, the outer surface has features that provide variably choked fluidic communication between the bore and the at least one port, and an amount of choke varies depending upon a relative position of the valve stem with respect to the bore

Abstract: A supersonic inlet includes a cowl and an innerbody. An airflow duct entrance, between the cowl and the centerbody, receives an incoming airflow. An airflow duct exit, between the cowl and the centerbody, delivers a subsonic airflow. A controlled airflow separation initiator, on the innerbody and upstream of a lip of the cowl, which, when actuated, creates a separation in the incoming airflow. The separation region changes the local flow field aerodynamics such that an airflow weight flow at the cowl lip matches an airflow weight flow at a duct minimum area, between the airflow duct entrance and the airflow duct exit.

Abstract: The temperatures of fuel oils stored in fuel tanks 12a, 12b, 12c are separately detected by temperature sensors 52a, 52b, 52c, respectively. Based on the detection results, a CPU 49 heats a heat resistant fuel oil among the fuel oils using a heat exchanger 54, such that the temperature of an oil mixture generated by mixing the fuel oils satisfies a predetermined temperature condition. After the fuel oils including the heated heat resistant fuel oil are mixed in a blender 13, the CPU 49 detects the viscosity of the generated oil mixture using a viscometer 33. Thereafter, based on the detection result, the CPU 49 controls the mixture ratio or a heating temperature of the heat resistant fuel oil, such that the viscosity of the oil mixture satisfies a predetermined viscosity condition.

Abstract: A manual inflator having a status indicator that indicates whether a fully-charged, unspent gas cylinder has been installed on the inflator. The status indicator comprises a “single point” indicator having an indicator window that displays the color “green” when the automatic inflator is fully operational or the color “red” when the inflator is at least partially inoperable automatically due to the removal of the gas cylinder or due to the firing of the inflator resulting in a spent gas cylinder.