Abstract: A process and system for storing and recovering a secondary refrigerant such as carbon dioxide in a secondary loop refrigeration system after a shutdown of the primary refrigeration system using ionic liquids is described. The process eliminates the release of the secondary refrigerant into the environment and the need to recharge the secondary loop after a shutdown of the primary refrigeration system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for cooling or heating a fluid or a body by means of a vapour compression circuit comprising a centrifugal compressor and containing a heat-transfer fluid, the heat-transfer fluid comprising at least two compounds selected from 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1-difluoroethane and 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, in which: the ratio of the Mach number of the centrifugal compressor to the Mach number which the centrifugal compressor has under the same operating conditions if the heat-transfer fluid is replaced with 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane in the vapour compression circuit is greater than or equal to 0.97 and less than or equal to 1.03; the compression ratio of the centrifugal compressor is less than or equal to the compression ratio which the centrifugal compressor has under the same operating conditions if the heat-transfer fluid is replaced with 1,1,12-tetrafluorethane in the vapour compression circuit.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a first flow rate regulator for controlling an amount of refrigerant supplied into a receiver, a second flow rate regulator for controlling an amount of refrigerant introduced from the receiver into a gas/liquid separator, a first detection unit for detecting an amount of refrigerant stored in the receiver, and a control unit for controlling an opening degree of the first or second flow rate regulator, based on information of at least one of the amount of refrigerant detected by the first detection unit and an amount of refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner.

Abstract: A highly efficient condensate-free cooling unit functionally based on vapor-compression refrigeration cycle has been described. The condensate collected from the evaporator of the cooling unit is routed through a sub-cooling heat exchanger where it exchanges heat with the primary heat exchange medium emerging through the condenser of the cooling unit, thus, sub-cooling the primary heat exchange medium to a lower temperature before it enters the expansion valve. Emerging from the sub-cooling heat exchanger, the condensate flows through a condensate outlet pipe into multiple spray nozzles disposed over the condensate outlet pipe. The spray nozzles sprinkle the condensate over the hot air blown into the condenser to reduce its temperature. The cooling unit has a substantially higher coefficient of performance compared to the conventional cooling units utilizing vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, and eliminates the problems of condensate removal persistent in the art.

Abstract: A multi-connected air conditioner unit and method of operating the same, wherein, when an air-side heat exchanger is put into operation, and a water-side heat exchanger is not put into operation, a four-way valve is used to control a refrigerant to pass through said air-side heat exchanger, in realizing the refrigerating or heating operation of said unit; when said air-side heat exchanger is not put into operation, and said water-side heat exchanger is put into operation, said four-way valve is used to control said refrigerant to pass through said water-side heat exchanger to heat water, in achieving full recovery of heat; when both said compressors are put into operations concurrently, a dispenser is used to transport refrigerant oil separated by a second oil separator to an oil inlet pipe, then it is input to said compressor via an air suction pipe; and when a portion of compressor is put into operation, and another portion of compressor is not put into operation, since said air suction pipe is installed up

Abstract: An environmental control system (ECS) includes an air cycle machine with an expansion turbine and a condenser having a cold air inlet connected to receive air from the expansion turbine. The condenser has hollow, internally finned hot bars positioned at the cold air inlet to prevent ice formation at the cold air inlet.

Abstract: An adaptive system for controlling a refrigeration appliance is provided. More particularly, a system for controlling the cooling of the refrigerator to achieve a desired temperature performance is provided. A variable damper and variable speed evaporator fan are used to dynamically control temperature of the freezer and fresh food compartments. A model of the refrigerator system can be used to determine the settings for the damper and evaporator fan needed to achieve the temperature performance desired.

Abstract: A heat source-side heat exchanger fan blowing air to a heat source-side heat exchanger performing heat exchange with refrigerant compressed in a compressor is controlled. A current detected temperature at a current time is converted to obtain a current converted high pressure value at the current time. The current converted high pressure is a pressure of refrigerant inside a high pressure-side pipe of the compressor. The current detected temperature is a temperature detected by a temperature detector attached to the heat source-side heat exchanger. A past detected temperature is converted to obtain a past converted high pressure value at the past time. A speed of the heat source-side heat exchanger fan is determined using a corrected converted high pressure value. The corrected converted high pressure value is obtained by correcting the current converted high pressure value based on the past converted high pressure value.

Abstract: A refrigerator and method are provided where the refrigerator includes at least a refrigerator compartment (C2) cooled by a refrigerator evaporator, a freezer compartment (C1) cooled by a freezer evaporator, a compressor, a controller, and a valve that selectively couples the compressor to a selected one of the refrigerator evaporator and the freezer evaporator. The method includes determining both refrigerator and freezer compartment cooling priorities as a function of the respective actual refrigerator or freezer compartment temperatures, desired refrigerator or freezer compartment temperatures, and refrigerator or freezer hysteresis. The refrigerator and freezer compartment cooling priorities having one of the following priority levels: high, medium, low, and satisfied. The method further includes selecting a current refrigerator system mode in response to the refrigerator and freezer compartment cooling priorities.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for auxiliary power units (APU). In one embodiment, the APU is provided with a control system having an automatic start process. The automatic start process enables operation of the APU within a preset range of battery voltage, time, temperature and other parameters. In yet other embodiments, the APU is provided with a control system having a data verification process. The data verification process can be configured to set the operating mode of the APU. In one embodiment, the operating mode of the APU is a “purchase” mode. In other embodiments, the operating mode of the APU is a “lease” mode.

Abstract: A refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus is provided, with which a cold-storage/refrigeration load and air-conditioning loads such as a cooling load and a heating load can be simultaneously processed and a stable heat source can be supplied throughout the year. In the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus, heating energy or cooling energy stored in the primary-side refrigerant is usable as an air-conditioning load through the indoor heat exchanger while cooling energy stored in the primary-side refrigerant is transferred to the secondary-side refrigerant circulated in the cold-storage/refrigeration refrigeration cycle through the first refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger so as to be usable as a cold-storage/refrigeration load.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle through which a refrigerant that transits in a supercritical state is allowed to flow, and a flow dividing device that divides the flow of a high-pressure liquid refrigerant in a subcritical state into two or more parts. The flow dividing device is configured such that the device is oriented substantially in the horizontal direction or substantially upward in the vertical direction relative to the direction of flow of the refrigerant in a liquid state. With such a configuration, the flow of refrigerating machine oil is equally divided, thus offering high energy saving while keeping heat-medium conveyance power at a low level without reducing the heat exchanging performance.

Abstract: Modular datacenter element (100), comprising: a modular space defined by at least a bottom panel (120); and a front wall (110) having substantially the same length as the bottom panel, placed substantially vertically on the bottom panel; further comprising a plurality of racks for holding equipment, the racks being aligned in an opening in the front wall (110) along the length of the bottom panel (120); wherein a first side of the aligned plurality of racks is spaced away from a first edge along the length of the bottom panel at a distance substantially smaller than the width of the bottom panel, thus creating a ledge bottom part (126) between the first edge of the bottom panel and the plurality of racks. By creating a datacenter comprising multiple modular datacenter elements, a datacenter with efficient inspection possibilities and efficient air handling is created.

Abstract: Provided is an air conditioner for an automobile capable of having uniform perfume performance in a width direction of the automobile by discharging air mixed with a perfume component supplied from a perfume generating unit through a discharging part.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet including a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment door opening or closing the refrigerating compartment, a dispenser disposed in the refrigerating compartment door to dispense water or ice pieces, and an ice bank disposed in the refrigerating compartment door to define an insulation space for storing the ice pieces dispensed by the dispenser. The refrigerator also includes an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment to make the ice pieces, a transfer device disposed in the freezing compartment to transfer the ice pieces supplied from the ice maker into the ice bank, and an ice chute connecting the transfer device to the ice bank.

Abstract: A device for regulating a temperature of a plurality of components of a vehicle is provided. The device has a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, which are connected to one another in order to form a closed refrigerant circuit. The device furthermore has a first multiway valve, a second multiway valve, a third multiway valve and a fourth multiway valve for connecting the first and the second heat exchanger to a first component and a second component of the vehicle.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a chiller comprises: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; an expander configured to expand the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; and an evaporator in which the refrigerant expanded by the expander cools cold water. The evaporator comprises: a shell comprising a space therein through which the refrigerant passes; an inner tube through which cold water passes and disposed such that the cold water exchanges heat with the refrigerant; and an oil overflow member disposed in the shell and defining an oil passage between the oil overflow member and the shell such that the oil overflow into the oil passage and then flows toward a lower inner portion of the shell along the oil passage.

Abstract: A helium charged refrigerator is capable of cooling a refrigerator box to a temperature of 6° C. (43° F.) and the freezer compartment to a temperature of ?9° C. (15° F.) when the ambient is at a temperature of 43° C. (110° F.). The total cubic area cooled is greater than or equal to six cubic feet. The unit includes a condenser, an evaporator, a liquid ammonia tube, and a gas heat exchanger. The liquid ammonia tube includes two vertical sections. The second section is downstream of the first and is noncontiguous with the heat exchanger so that no heat is exchanged between flowable fluids flowing in the second vertical section and in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes modifications to its inner and outer tubes to produce an increase in surface area of the corresponding surface.

Abstract: In an evaporator having plate-type construction, a plurality of stack plates are stacked atop one another such that a first fluid passage for a first fluid as a refrigerant and a second fluid passage for a second fluid as a coolant is provided and are formed between the stack plates. The stack plates have first apertures for supply and return of the first fluid, second apertures for supply and return of the second fluid, a first inlet opening and outlet opening for entry and exit of the first fluid, a second inlet opening and outlet opening for entry and exit of the second fluid, and an expansion valve for the first fluid that is built onto or integrated into the rest of the heat exchanger. The evaporator incorporates a shutoff unit for the first fluid that is built onto or integrated into the rest of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes refrigerant tubes through which refrigerant flows, and cooling-medium tubes through which coolant of a vehicle-running electric motor flows. The refrigerant tubes and the cooling-medium tubes are alternately lamination-arranged. The heat exchanger further includes outside air passages between the refrigerant tubes and the cooling-medium tubes which are adjacent to each other, and outside air flows through the outside air passages. The heat exchanger further includes outer fins arranged in the outside air passages to be capable of transferring heat between the refrigerant tubes and the cooling-medium tubes. Accordingly, appropriate heat exchange can be performed between the refrigerant and the outside air, between the coolant and the outside air, and between the refrigerant and the coolant.

Abstract: Process for the liquefaction of natural gas and the recovery of components heavier than methane where natural gas is cooled and separated in a first distillation column into an overhead vapor enriched in methane and a bottoms stream enriched in components heavier than methane, where the first distillation column utilizes a liquefied methane-containing reflux stream. This reflux stream may be provided by a condensed portion of the overhead vapor or a portion of totally condensed overhead vapor that is subsequently warmed. The bottoms stream may be separated in one or more additional distillation columns to provide one or more product streams, any of which are partially or totally withdrawn as recovered hydrocarbons. A stream of unrecovered liquid hydrocarbons may be combined with either the condensed portion of the overhead vapor or a portion of totally condensed overhead vapor that is subsequently warmed.

Abstract: Contemplated plants include a NGL recovery portion and a LNG liquefaction portion, wherein the NGL recovery portion provides a low-temperature and high-pressure overhead product directly to the LNG liquefaction portion. Feed gas cooling and condensation are most preferably performed using refrigeration cycles that employ refrigerants other than the demethanizer/absorber overhead product. Thus, cold demethanizer/absorber overhead product is compressed with the turbo-expansion and delivered to a liquefaction portion at significantly lower temperature and higher pressure without net compression energy expenditure.

Abstract: A dwell time control system and method for automatically adjusting the selection and timing of a sequence of pressures used to drive the plunger in a parison mold during the parison forming process. The timing of characteristics of the observed press curve from one or more previous parison forming cycles are ascertained and used to control the timing of the changes in pressure during a subsequent parison forming cycle. The timings of these changes of pressure are determined as predetermined percentages of the timings of the characteristics in order to prevent the blow mold from being forced open and in order to prevent the occurrence of an overpressed finish.

Abstract: There are provided a method for measuring strength of a chemically strengthened glass, that reflects the state of actual drop fracture more appropriately, and can reproduce slow cracking in the chemically strengthened glass, a method for reproducing cracking of a chemically strengthened glass, and a method for producing a chemically strengthened glass. Load is applied to an indenter having a tip formed into a sharp shape having a minimum angle ?min of cross-section of less than 120° , the indenter is pushed into a chemically strengthened glass under a static load condition such that the tip is vertical to a surface of the chemically strengthened glass, and the load when the chemically strengthened glass cracks is measured.

Abstract: An ion-exchanged glass article manufacturing method includes an ion-exchange step of bringing a glass article with a composition containing Li into contact with a molten salt dissolved solution containing an alkali metal element having an ionic radius larger than an ionic radius of the Li contained in the glass article, thereby ion-exchanging the Li in the glass article with the alkali metal element in the molten salt dissolved solution. At least one kind of additive selected from the group consisting of NaF, KF, K3AlF6, Na2CO3, NaHCO3, K2CO3, KHCO3, Na2SO4, K2SO4, KAl(SO4)2, Na3PO4, and K3PO4 is added to the molten salt dissolved solution so that the ion-exchange step is carried out while the additive is in a solid state.

Abstract: An optical fiber preform that is used in a method in which a core rod that forms a core is inserted into a quartz tube that forms a cladding, and at the same time as they are fiber-drawn, the quartz tube and the core rod are formed into a single body, includes: a tapered portion that is formed by grinding an outer circumferential portion of a distal end portion of the quartz tube into a tapered shape; and a conical portion that is formed by welding a dummy tube that has substantially the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of a distal end portion of the tapered portion to the distal end portion of the tapered portion, and by applying heat to the dummy tube and stretching out the dummy tube, where the core rod is inserted inside the quartz tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a drum (2) rotated by a motor around the horizontal axis, wherein the laundry is placed, a tub (3) wherein the drum (2) moves, a shaft (4) that transfers the movement received from the motor to the drum (2), a cylindrical stationary hub (5) disposed on the rear wall of the tub (3) and wherein the shaft (4) is supported, a bearing housing (7) disposed in the middle of the hub (5) and wherein at least one bearing (6) bearing the shaft (4) is placed, a cylindrical hub housing (8) connected to the rear wall of the drum (2), surrounding the hub (5) concentrically such that a gap remains between the hub (5) and rotating together with the drum (2) by transferring the movement of the shaft (4) to the drum (2), at least one balancing chamber (9) disposed in the drum (2) and into which water is transferred according to the unbalanced load status and a water distributing device (12) mounted between the hub (5) and the hub housing (8), having more than one

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a hub (5) which extends from the middle of the rear wall of the tub (3) into the drum (2) and wherein the shaft (4) is supported, at least one drum baffle (9) disposed at the inner surface of the drum (2), wherein water is transferred in case of an unbalanced load, a cylindrical housing (6) disposed at the center of the rear wall of the drum (2) around the horizontal axis, surrounding the hub (5) concentrically such that a gap remains between the hub (5) and the cylindrical housing (6) and rotating together with the drum (2), more than one ring-shaped gasket (7) arranged one after the other and in parallel to each other in the gap between the housing (6) and the hub (5), the outer edges of which are secured to the inner surface of the housing (6), rotating together with the housing (6) and the inner edges of which contact the cylindrical outer surface of the hub (5), more than one slot (8) disposed between the gaskets (7), at least two water in

Abstract: A motor having a structure capable of achieving an enhancement in durability and a washing machine, to which the motor is applied. The motor includes a stator including a plurality of stator cores arranged in a circumferential direction, and coils respectively wound around the stator cores, and a rotor rotatably arranged inside or outside the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor cores arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotor, a plurality of magnets each disposed between neighboring ones of the rotor cores, a molded body having a bridge to support the plurality of rotor cores and the plurality of magnets, and a coupler including coupling ribs outwardly extending from an outer circumferential surface of the bridge in a radial direction of the rotor, and coupling grooves formed at inner ends of the rotor cores supported by the bridge, to receive the coupling ribs, respectively.

Abstract: A motor having a structure capable of achieving a reduction in magnetic flux leakage occurring at a rotor and a washing machine, to which the motor is applied. The motor includes a stator including a plurality of stator cores arranged in a circumferential direction, and coils respectively wound around the stator cores, and a rotor rotatably arranged inside the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor cores arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotor, a plurality of magnets each disposed between neighboring ones of the rotor cores such that the magnet extends in an axial direction of the rotor outwardly of upper and lower surfaces of the neighboring rotor cores, and a molded body to support the plurality of rotor cores and the plurality of magnets. The molding body includes a shaft hole, to which a motor shaft is coupled.

Abstract: An improved cable lock device incorporating a lock housing incorporating both a cylindrical combination lock and axial friction fingers and associated with a flexible shackle that stores entirely inside handlebars of vehicles that utilize handlebars. The shackle is secured at one end to the lock housing and the other end to a toothed key to be inserted into the anterior end of the combination lock to form a locked loop for securing the vehicle. In the stored configuration of the device in the handlebar the toothed key is retained at the posterior of the lock housing. At its midpoint the shackle is bent substantially 180 degrees and attached to a small ball that will fit inside the handlebars. Resilient rings of fingers are attached on the axis of the lock housing.

Abstract: A key includes a shank having at least one groove and at least one recess, and the at least one groove has different lengths. At least one magnetic member is received in the at least one recess and a number of the at least one magnetic member is not more than a number of the at least one recess. The arrangements of the at least one recess, the at least one groove and the at least one magnetic member have multiple options. The magnetic members are located in different recesses and the magnetic poles of the magnetic members are arranged in different ways. The key is difficult to be copied and has higher safety standards.

Abstract: An electromechanical lock includes a spring-biased cylinder plug return mechanism for automatically rotating the rotatable plug to a home position after the plug has been rotated from the home position and thereafter released. In one embodiment, the cylinder plug return mechanism comprises a torsional spring coupled to the plug, In a second embodiment, the cylinder plug return mechanism comprises a slider that is coupled to the plug so that rotation of the plug moves the slider, thereby increasing the potential energy in a return spring, and when the plug is released, the increase potential energy is released by moving the slider, and the coupling between the slider and the plug causes the plug to rotate back to a home position.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of enhancing plant growth, comprising treating seed at least one month prior to planting with an effective amount of a plant signal molecule, wherein upon harvesting the plant exhibits at least one of increased plant yield measured in terms of bushels/acre, increased root number, increased root length, increased root mass, increased root volume and increased leaf area, compared to plants harvested from untreated seed, or compared to plants harvested from seed treated with the signal molecule just prior to or within a week or less of planting.

Abstract: A tube rolling plant (R) with multi-stand rolling mill having two or more rollers, for implementing a mandrel rolling process with controlled speed has a mandrel (31) which is inserted into the hollow body (39) from the frontal opening thereof by passing it first through the rolling mill (5). An opposite movement (L3) with respect to the rolling direction is imparted to the mandrel (31) by means of the hooking device (61) when rolling the hollow body (39) and the rear end of the rolled tube (42) is extracted at the end of the rolling operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a press-molded product with a preform including a pair of side wall portions and a connecting wall portion are taught. The preform is pressed with a mold until at least one wall portion is bent toward a gap within the mold, and a plate thickness is increased at the at least one wall portion and the connecting wall portion by pressing other wall portions.

Abstract: A multi-tool having a plurality of tool-receipt openings adapted to receive respective tools. The multi-tool can be used on turret presses, single-station presses, other industrial presses, or other fabrication equipment.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a transducer and transducer circuitry and additional elements useful in testing the transducer and transducer circuitry. A first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal are for being directly connected to an external power supply terminal. A power bus is connected to the first power supply terminal. A logic function is for determining if the second power supply terminal is receiving power and if an automatic calibration test of the transducer and transducer circuitry has been run. An automatic calibration is for running an automatic calibration test on the transducer and transducer circuitry if the logic means determines that the second power supply terminal is receiving power and the automatic calibration test of the transducer and transducer circuitry has not been run.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting surface height measurements for optical aberration is provided. Heights determined by an autofocus tool, which may depend on surface feature angles in a focus region of interest (ROI) and on the ROI location in the field of view, are corrected based on a novel error calibration. Error calibration data includes height corrections for different feature angles in images, and for multiple locations in a field of view. Height corrections are determined by weighting and combining the angle dependent error calibration data, e.g., based on a gradient (edge) angle distribution determined in the ROIs. When Z-heights are determined for multiple ROIs in a field of view, storage of image data from particular images of a global image stack may be efficiently controlled based on determining early in processing whether a particular image is a sufficiently focused “near-peak” focused image or not.

Abstract: A shim stack testing apparatus and method of determining a stiffness of the shim stick may be employed to assemble a shim stack kit. The apparatus includes a testing jig that receives either a compression or rebound shim stack. The testing jig may be used with a variety of testing machines capable of determining force versus deflection. The test jig includes a simulated piston rod coupled to a simulated piston valve having apertures. The shim stack being tested may be coupled to the piston at a selected location and then deflected by a pre-determined amount by a loading fixture having elongated prongs. Once the pre-determined deflection is achieved, a corresponding force is identified and then an overall stiffness value for the shim stack is obtained. Tested shim stacks may be assembled into kits with each having an identified stiffness that may be compared to a baseline stiffness value.

Abstract: A crash sled system for simulating the deceleration and pitching motion associated with vehicle crashes. A main sled is accelerated in accordance with vehicle deceleration that occurred during a crash event. A pitching platform is located above and moves with the main sled. Forward and rear guide assemblies are provided which are located along the sides of the pitching platform when the main sled and pitching platform are in the pre-launch position. During launch, the front and rear ends of the pitching platform travel along paths established by the guide assemblies. Prior to launch, the guide assemblies are set to angles of inclination that provide linear approximations to paths for the forward and all ends of the pitching platform that will result in pitching motion experienced by vehicles during the crash events being simulated. Variously configured guide assemblies are disclosed that provide design trade-off between simulation accuracy and system complexity.

Abstract: A crash sled system for simulating the deceleration and pitching motion associated with vehicle crashes. A main sled is accelerated in accordance with vehicle deceleration that occurred during a crash event. A pitching platform is located above and moves with the main sled. Forward and rear guide assemblies are provided which are located along the sides of the pitching platform when the main sled and pitching platform are in the pre-launch position. When the main sled is launched, the front and rear ends of the pitching platform travel along paths established by the guide assemblies. Prior to launch, the guide assemblies are set to angles of inclination that provide linear approximations to paths for the forward and aft ends of the pitching platform that will result in pitching motion experienced by vehicles during the crash events being simulated. Variously configured guide assemblies are disclosed that provide design trade-off between simulation accuracy and system complexity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the reproduction of an impact event of a projectile, with any ratio of energy and impulse, wherein a feed rate of an impress element is controlled by taking account of an alteration in velocity that is proportional to the quotient of a resistance force and a freely selected projectile mass; also disclosed is a device for the execution of the method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved systems and methods for providing an atomic sensor device. In one embodiment, the device comprises a sensor body, the sensor body enclosing an atomic sensor, wherein the sensor body contains a gas evacuation site located on the sensor body, the gas evacuation site configured to connect to a gas evacuation device. The device also comprises a getter container coupled to an opening in the sensor body, an opening in the getter container coupled to an opening in the sensor body, such that gas within the sensor body can freely enter the getter container. The device further comprises an evaporable getter enclosed within the getter container, the evaporable getter facing away from the sensor body.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the emission of greenhouse gas, in particular methane, by ruminants, in particular dairy animals includes counting eructations (“belches”) of the animal. This is done by measuring a signal linked to the eructations, for example sound with a microphone. Given that the methane content of an eructation of this type is more or less constant, the total methane emission can be derived therefrom by counting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spectral analysis of immiscible phases are disclosed. A flow cell for online absorption measurements of immiscible process phases can comprise: a body containing an inlet window and an outlet window in operable communication with a measurement instrument; and a series of partitions that divide the inside of the flow cell into three (3) or more vessels that have an inlet and an outlet, wherein the vessels are connected in series with one another. Optionally, the first vessel is equipped with a porous membrane to facilitate the separation of immiscible process phases.

Abstract: A test method for the determination of methanol in crude oils to levels as low as 0.5 ppm is disclosed. The method includes extracting methanol into a water phase from a test sample of the crude oil forming a test sample extract. The method further includes extracting methanol into a water phase from a reference sample of the crude oil forming a reference sample extract, wherein the reference sample having a predetermined amount of methanol added thereto. The method further includes measuring the methanol content in the test sample extract and the methanol content in the reference sample extract. The method also includes determining the methanol content of the crude oil based upon the methanol content in the test sample extract and the methanol content in the reference sample extract.

Abstract: There is described a filter arrangement for a particle detector for detecting particles in an environment. The particle detector can include one or more sensors for analyzing fluid in a detection region to produce sensor output. The filter arrangement includes structure defining flow paths, for conveying fluid from the environment towards the detection region, including a first flow path, which includes a filter, and a second flow path bypassing the filter. There is also provided a mechanism for controlling relative flow rates of fluid through the first flow path and the second flow path and a controller configured to receive the sensor output corresponding to at least two relative flow rates and apply logic thereto to generate an output indicative of a condition of the filter.

Abstract: A gas sensor, which is extremely compact to be arranged for separated gas piping in semiconductor device manufacturing equipment, a gas measuring system using such gas sensor, and a gas detection module for the gas measuring system. The gas sensor has a gas detection device containing a dielectric semiconductor, the electric conductivity of the gas detection device varying in response to the degree of adsorption of gases to the gas detection device, a capacitive element connected in series to the gas detection device, and a pair of electrodes which are connected to electric terminals of an electric element comprising the gas detection device and the capacitive element, wherein the gas sensor is capable of detecting the degree of adsorption of gases to the gas detection device from an electrical response to a voltage which is applied to the electrodes and which periodically varies and reverses in polarity.

Abstract: A method for testing a seal of a part that includes an electrolyte of an electrochemical cell, the method including: forming a closed cavity delimited by a first outer surface of the part including the electrolyte to be tested; contacting a second outer surface of the part, opposite the first surface, with a first fluid; circulating a second fluid, separate from the first fluid, through the closed cavity between an inlet and an outlet of this cavity; and analyzing the fluid extracted via the outlet of the cavity, to detect possible presence of the first fluid.