Abstract: The invention refers to a cover, comprising a fleece arranged between a top and a bottom layer which holds a super absorber. At least in one layer a permeability area which is permeable to moisture is provided through which the cover can be moistened in a controlled way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning loop (8) inside of which flows a coolant, and including a compressor (9), an outer heat exchanger (15), a restitution heat exchanger (12, 32) and a first expansion member (17) provided downstream from the restitution heat exchanger (12, 32) in the flow direction (11) of the coolant in the heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning loop (8). The heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning loop (8) includes means (20) for bypassing the inner heat exchanger (12) and the first expansion member (17). The present invention also relates to a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning equipment (1) including such a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning loop (8).

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber, a door provided to the main body, including an outer door and a door liner. The door liner includes support steps, a liner plate, and a seating step that define an installation space. An ice maker is located at least partially in the installation space. A cold air duct is provided in one side of the storage chamber to supply the ice maker with cold air. An ice maker cover is provided having a cold air inlet on a top portion thereof and a viewing window on a lower portion thereof. The viewing window allows the ice maker to be seen from outside of the ice maker cover. An ice bank is removably located below the ice maker to transfer ice received from the ice maker to a dispenser.

Abstract: A freezer apparatus for a product includes a chamber; a mechanical refrigeration assembly having a portion thereof disposed within the chamber for reducing a temperature of the product; and a cryogen injection assembly disposed within the chamber for reducing the temperature of the product and operatively associated with the mechanical refrigeration assembly to provide power to move a flow of cryogen refrigerant through the mechanical refrigeration assembly.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigeration compartment arranged on an upper side of a main body, a freezer compartment arranged on a lower side of the main body, and a dispenser arranged on a ceiling of the refrigeration compartment to be adjacent to one edge of the ceiling of the refrigeration compartment. The dispenser includes a housing attached to the ceiling of the refrigeration compartment, a water lever provided to the housing such that one side of the water lever is pivotably movable, a discharge valve housed in the housing and connected to the water lever to selectively discharge water according to an operation of the water lever, and a filter unit provided to the housing to filter water.

Abstract: A system and process for liquefying a gas, comprising introducing a feed stream into a liquefier comprising at least a warm expander and a cold expander; compressing the feed stream in the liquefier to a pressure greater than its critical pressure and cooling the compressed feed stream to a temperature below its critical temperature to form a high pressure dense-phase stream; removing the high pressure dense-phase stream from the liquefier, reducing the pressure of the high pressure dense-phase stream in an expansion device to form a resultant two-phase stream and then directly introducing the resultant two-phase stream into a storage tank; and combining a flash portion of the resultant two-phase stream with a boil-off vapor from a liquid in the storage tank to form a combined vapor stream, wherein the temperature of the high pressure dense-phase stream is lower than the temperature of a discharge stream of the cold expander.

Abstract: A method is described for use in the separation of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide. The method includes the steps of: (i) compressing and cooling the gas mixture using a compressor to form a two-phase mixture including liquid carbon dioxide (ii) separating a liquid carbon dioxide stream from the two-phase mixture; and (iii) recirculating at least a part of the liquid carbon dioxide stream and introducing the recirculated liquid stream into a process stream by recirculating separated liquid CO2 into an upstream process stream, cooling of the process stream can be obtained. By using the liquid stream, additional cooling is possible as cooling is affected by the evaporation of the liquid CO2. Thus the recirculated liquid can be used to reduce the temperature of the process stream.

Abstract: An objective of the invention is to provide a glass-substrate manufacturing method that is capable of increasing the amount of production of glass substrates and improving warpage quality. A glass-substrate manufacturing method according to an aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing glass substrates by employing a down-draw process. In down-draw processing, a molten glass is made to overflow from a forming member and formed into a sheet glass and the sheet glass is then cooled while being drawn in a downward-flow direction. In this glass-substrate manufacturing method, after the sheet glass has separated from the forming member and when the temperature of the sheet glass is within a temperature region ranging from a temperature higher than the softening point to a temperature near the annealing point, the sheet glass is cooled by maintaining the viscosity of side sections of the sheet glass within a range of 109.0-1014.5 poise while applying a tension toward the side sections.

Abstract: A method of processing an optical fiber includes introducing fiber that has passed a pulling mechanism to a shredding unit with an introducing unit. The introducing unit includes a movable unit including a notch configured to fit with a capstan roller included in the pulling mechanism, a sliding mechanism that attaches the movable unit slidably with respect to a main body of the introducing unit, and a restoring mechanism configured to restore the movable unit to an initial position when the movable unit has slid. The method includes shredding the fiber introduced by the introducing unit into fiber pieces, and suctioning, carrying, and collecting the fiber pieces. A method of drawing an optical fiber includes drawing the fiber while controlling a drawing speed, adjusting a diameter of the fiber to a diameter passable through a die, and arranging the die around the fiber having the diameter passable through the die.

Abstract: This optical fiber manufacturing method includes: forming a bare optical fiber by drawing an optical fiber preform; forming an intermediate optical fiber by providing a coating layer, which is formed of resin, on the outer periphery of the bare optical fiber; performing primary curing of the coating layer which forms the intermediate optical fiber; pressing the outer periphery of the intermediate optical fiber; and performing secondary curing of the pressed coating layer of the intermediate optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of constructing a warp knit fabric is disclosed. The warp knit fabric is constructed using polyester yarn for both the base yarn and the surface yarn. The resulting warp knit fabric is napped on the top side of the fabric to form a fabric that is soft to the touch.

Abstract: A washing machine with a vibration reducing apparatus is capable of reducing a tub by use of the gyroscopic effect. If the drum is rotated in an imbalanced state where the laundry is positioned at a side of the drum without being uniformly distributed, a biased force is applied to a rotary shaft, and the drum performs an eccentric motion, causing vibration of the tub. The vibration of the tub is increased when the drum rotates at a high speed. The washing machine measures vibration of the tub at the high speed, and generates a vibration restraining force, thereby preventing the vibration from being transmitted to the outside due to a reaction force. The efficiency in reducing the excessive vibration of the tub is enhanced, so that the interval between the tub and the frame is reduced, thereby increasing the capacity of the washing machine.

Abstract: A drum washing machine provided with a dynamic absorber capable of reducing the vibration of a low frequency band, the drum washing machine including a body, a drum rotatably installed at an inside the body, a tub installed to vibrate while surrounding the drum, and a dynamic absorber installed at the tub to directly reduce vibration delivered to the tub, wherein the dynamic absorber includes a mass body and an elastic member configured to elastically support the mass body for the mass body to move toward a direction of the vibration of the tub to reduce the vibration of the tub.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a main body defining an outer appearance, a tub disposed within the main body, a main drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a sub drum mounted in the main drum to be relatively rotatable with respect to the main drum, an outer shaft for rotating the main drum, an inner shaft for rotating the sub drum, being disposed inside the outer shaft, and a driving motor having a stator, an outer rotor connected to the inner shaft that is rotatable outside the stator, and an inner rotor connected to the outer shaft that is rotatable inside the stator, wherein the driving motor independently drives the main drum and the sub drum.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a driving motor having a stator, an outer rotor connected to the inner shaft and rotatable outside the stator, and an inner rotor connected to the outer shaft and rotatable inside the stator. Stator slots, which are fixedly-installed as a coil are wound on stator teeth. The outer rotor and the inner rotor include rotor teeth, a permanent magnet and a bushing, spaced from an inner circumference of the stator and rotates centering around a rotor shaft by magnetic force. The rotor teeth includes a teeth extension portion extending from a side end of an outer circumference of the rotor teeth in a circumferential direction, a cut recess cut in a concaved manner from the outer circumference of the rotor teeth toward the center of the rotor shaft, and an insertion recess cut in a concaved manner in a radial direction from an inner circumference of the rotor teeth.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a main body defining an outer appearance, a tub disposed within the main body, a main drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a sub drum mounted in the main drum to be relatively rotatable with respect to the main drum. The washing machine includes an outer shaft for rotating the main drum, an inner shaft for rotating the sub drum, being disposed inside the outer shaft, and a driving motor having a stator, an outer rotor connected to the inner shaft and rotatable outside the stator, and an inner rotor connected to the outer shaft and rotatable inside the stator. The washing machine also includes a spring washer inserted into a connection part of the outer shaft and the inner rotor that attenuates vibrations of the outer shaft to prevent noise and to prevent separation of the outer shaft due to the vibrations.

Abstract: A padlock that can be locked and unlocked by both dials and a secondary opening mechanism, the padlock including a lock body, a shackle with a long leg and a short leg where the shackle can move between a locked configuration in which the short leg is secured in the lock body and an opened configuration in which the short leg is removable from the lock body. The padlock includes a combination mechanism, including a plurality of clutches mounted around the long leg of the shackle and corresponding dials mounted in the lock body each having teeth configured to engage with an extended fin of one of the clutches and a top cap seal configured to prevent the combination mechanism from being pulled apart from the lock body. A cam having a hole formed therein is configured to allow a key-user to decode a code used to unlock the padlock.

Abstract: A battery operated device includes a housing, an operating mechanism and an internal battery disposed within the housing, and an access member assembled with the housing and movable between first and second positions. The operating mechanism includes first and second sets of electrical contacts for transmitting power to the operating mechanism, with the internal battery being electrically connectable with the first set of electrical contacts for powering the operating mechanism. The access member is movable between a first position blocking external access to the second set of electrical contacts and connecting the first set of electrical contacts to the internal battery, and a second position permitting external access to the second set of electrical contacts and disconnecting the internal battery from the first set of electrical contacts.

Abstract: A drawer block of a support system, the drawer block including at least one drawer accommodation including a housing defining a receptacle, a drawer including a lock having an actuator and a mechanism configured to lock the drawer in the receptacle of the drawer accommodation, and a receiver assembly that is electrically connected to the actuator and configured to convert an opening signal to an opening instruction for the actuator.

Abstract: In a lock assembly, a spindle that is inserted into a rectangular latch operating tube is arranged to be rotatable from an unlocked state to a first locked state, and to be movable axially from the unlocked state to a second locked state. The spindle is connected to a key-operated lock of an outer lock unit and to an operator of an inner lock unit. The key-operated lock is rotatable to operate the spindle to the first lock state from the unlocked state, and the operator is pressable to move the spindle to the second locked state from the unlocked state.

Abstract: A word-based combination locking device comprising a body, a locking mechanism and a plurality of wheels. The wheels rotate relative to the body and locking mechanism and display a plurality of letters across the device. The wheels and the letters are configured to simultaneously spell two or more words across the device.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method for shot peening for producing a high compressive residual stress in a gas carburized steel that has a soft layer. In this method, a depth where the maximum compressive residual stress is generated is estimated and the hardness on the surface or near the surface is not used. The depth where the maximum compressive residual stress is generated is estimated by multiplying the depth where the maximum stress is generated under contact stresses caused by the collision of shot media by the constant K. A processed steel that comprises a gas carburized steel and that has a hardness at that depth that exceeds 750 HV is used. Shot media that have a hardness that is greater than that of the processed steels at that depth by 50 HV or more are shot onto the processed steels to produce a high compressive residual stress in the processed steels.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic system, the hydraulic system including a ram cylinder unit having a cylinder and a ram, and a hydraulic pump and a reservoir used to supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinder, and hydraulically driving the ram using the hydraulic fluid so as to move against a specific load, the method includes determining what a present state is one of an initial state, a proportional steady state, and a later state, controlling the pumping rate, which is obtained by adding the flow rate corresponding to the volume loss due to the compression of the hydraulic fluid thereto, to control the ram in the initial state, and controlling the pumping rate, which is obtained by subtracting the flow rate corresponding to volume recovery of the hydraulic fluid due to the relief of compression of the hydraulic fluid therefrom, to control the ram in the later state.

Abstract: A twisting apparatus (30) of preformed bar conductors (25) for bar windings of electric machines is described, each of said conductors (25) comprising one or more legs (5), the twisting apparatus (30) comprising a twisting device (50) having at least a first (51) and a second body (52) coaxial to one another and extending around a twisting axis (Zt-Zt) defining an axial direction and respectively comprising a first (A1) and a second (A2) circular array of pockets with centre on such an axis (Zt-Zt), the pockets being suitable for receiving legs (5) of the preformed bar conductors, the bodies (51, 52) being rotatable relative to one another around the twisting axis.

Abstract: An elongated grid runner, and its manufacture, comprising a pair of overlying metal strips roll-formed together into a shape suitable for use in a rectangular grid to support ceiling panels, one of said strips serving as a visible cap for concealing the other strip forming the main body of the grid runner when the grid member is employed in a completed ceiling, the strips being lanced at each end of the grid runner to lock the cap strip on the main body strip whereby when the overlying strips are simultaneously cut to a finish length prior to finish roll-forming, the ends of the strip are maintained in substantially overlying end-to-end registration where the cap is visible in a finished ceiling.

Abstract: A pipe bender, including: a base; a frame including a position switching mechanism, a first position switching assembly, and a bending stand including a second position switching assembly; a calibration device; a feeding device; a cutting device; a feeding path arranged transversely; a bending device; a receiving device arranged longitudinally; and a controller. The calibration device includes two calibration mechanisms including separate processing paths to calibrate two kinds of pipes having different diameters. The feeding device includes two feeding channels for transporting the two kinds of pipes, and the first position switching assembly is used for aligning the two feeding channels with the feeding path in turn. The bending device includes two bending channels for bending the two kinds of pipes, and the second position switching assembly is used for aligning the two bending channels with the feeding path in turn.

Abstract: A handling mechanism to convey workpieces, includes a mounting seat, a first sliding member, a first driving assembly, a second sliding member, a second driving assembly, and a clamping assembly. The first sliding member is slidably mounted on the mounting seat. The first driving assembly is mounted on the mounting seat and capable of driving the first sliding member to slide along the longitudinal direction of the mounting seat. The second sliding member is slidably mounted on the first sliding member. The second driving assembly is mounted on the first sliding member and capable of driving the second sliding member to slide along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting seat. The clamping assembly is fixed to the second sliding member for clamping workpieces. The present invention further discloses a punching machine using the same.

Abstract: An impact test fixture includes a rolling frame structure, a ballast attachment feature coupled to the rolling frame structure, a position-adjustable attachment assembly coupled to the rolling frame structure, and a specimen attachment member coupled to the position-adjustable attachment assembly. The specimen attachment member is adjustable in a vertical direction and a transverse direction relative to the rolling frame structure.

Abstract: Provided are a device (10) and a method for measuring the crispness of a food product. An item to be measured (22) comprising a porous food product is broken apart by causing the blade of a knife (14) to penetrate into the item. A vibration detector (18) attached to the knife (14) detects crack vibrations from cracks that form when the item to be measured (22) is broken apart. In a computer (20), the small crack vibrations of a predetermined vibration power or less that are included in the crack vibrations within an individual cracking duration time are extracted from the detected crack vibrations. Crispness is measured on the basis of the number of extracted small crack vibrations counted (number of cracks).

Abstract: A composite, analyte sensor includes a substrate; a micro- or nano-electro-mechanical (MEMS; NEMS) resonator that is coupled to the substrate at least two edge locations (i.e., it is at least doubly-clamped) of the resonator, wherein the resonator is in a statically-buckled state near a buckling transition point of the resonator; and a chemically-responsive substance covering at least a portion of the surface of the resonator that will undergo a conformational change upon exposure to a given analyte. The resonator may be a double-clamped, statically-buckled beam (or bridge), a multiply-clamped, statically-buckled dome (or crater), or other resonator geometry. The sensor may include two or more at least double-clamped, statically-buckled, composite MEMS or NEMS resonators each operating near a buckling transition point of the respective resonator, and each characterized by a different resonant frequency. A method for sensing an analyte in ambient air.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to be able to restore a setting of an exhaust gas analyzing device to an initial setting at the time of product shipment or the latest maintenance setting performed prior to the corresponding maintenance in the maintenance of the exhaust gas analyzing device. The present invention includes a setting data storage part (55) storing initial setting data indicating initial setting information of each part constituting an exhaust gas analyzing device (2) in a state of product shipment and the latest maintenance setting data indicating the latest maintenance setting information of each part constituting the exhaust gas analyzing device (2) in the latest maintenance.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to a method for testing containers for foreign substances, wherein a standard gas is blown into a container to be tested, at least a part of the test gas escaping from the container is tested by a measuring device, and the part of the test gas remaining outside the measuring device is removed from the measuring area in a clocked manner, e.g. by blowing it away or sucking it off.

Abstract: A device for conserving helium gas in a gas chromatograph system is characterized in that during the majority of an analytical separation, helium is used as the carrier gas while an auxiliary non-helium gas is used to pressurize the inlet and provide for septum purge and split vent flow. Prior an injection period, a coaxial helium flow is established at the column entrance wherein the coaxial helium flow is less than the column flow. Following the injection and sample transfer period, a coaxial helium flow is established wherein the flow is greater than the column flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and device for monitoring an ambient humidity sensor in a combustion engine, where the monitoring of the ambient humidity sensor is made by comparing the ambient humidity measured by said humidity sensor and an ambient humidity determined from an oxygen measurement of at least another sensor in the engine system, such as a NOX, or Lambda and/or an oxygen sensor. Said comparison is made using an offset of the oxygen signal reading of said at least another sensor, in a fuel cut condition where the drift or offset of said another sensor is related to the variation of the ambient humidity.

Abstract: Apparatuses for evaluating the integrity of a container seal and methods of using same are provided. The apparatuses include a sealed container having a conductive fluid and a first probe therein, a conductive solution bath having a second probe therein, a conductivity meter and a pressurized fluid supply. A pressurized fluid is supplied from fluid supply to an interior of the sealed container through the first probe until the seal on sealed container ruptures, first and second probes create an electrical circuit, and the conductivity meter detects a flow of electrons between the two probes. In this manner, apparatuses of the present disclosure are able to quantify the amount of internal pressure in the container at the time the container seal ruptures.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring air amount of engine oil includes an inflow pipe in which the engine oil flows in connection with an engine and an inflow valve, a measuring burette having an inflow hole connected with the inflow pipe and an outflow hole formed at the other side and a measurement camera provided at the side of the measuring burette to photograph graduations, a vent pipe branched from the outflow hole of the measuring burette and a bent valve provided on the vent pipe, a drain burette having a drain pipe connected with the outflow hole provided at one side thereof and having a drain valve provided on the drain pipe, an auxiliary drain pipe having one side branched from the inflow hole and the other side connected to the drain burette and an auxiliary valve provided on the auxiliary drain pipe, and a control unit.

Abstract: A method of determining rheological properties can include dispensing a fluid into a rheometer including a stator having at least one helical blade, measuring torque (T) due to relative rotation between the stator and a rotor of the rheometer at different rotational speeds (RPM's), calculating shear stress (SS) as follows: SS=T?/K, and calculating volume averaged shear rate (VASR) as follows: VASR=k1*RPM?, where K, k1, ? and ? are experimentally-derived coefficients. A method of mixing fluids and performing a rheological test on the admixed fluids can include dispensing a fluid into a rheometer, then dispensing another fluid into the rheometer, then mixing the fluids with at least one helical blade of the rheometer, and then measuring torque due to relative rotation between a stator and a rotor of the rheometer. A rotary rheometer can include a rotor, and a stator having at least one helical blade.

Abstract: The effects of pollution in an aquatic mass may be monitored by measuring changes in various parameters of sessile organisms, particularly bivalves such as mussels. Particular parameters measured include particle clearance rate, oxygen consumption and apical growth.

Abstract: In a closed system having a large number of containers connected via pipes, a leakage of a liquid from the closed system can be more reliably detected by a convenient and inexpensive method. Provided is a cell processing device (1) including a plurality of processing containers, processing liquid containers, waste liquid containers, a plurality of pipe lines, a pump, weight meters for weighing the processing container, the waste liquid containers, and/or the processing liquid containers, and a leakage determination section for determining the occurrence of a leakage of the processing liquid or the waste liquid based on outputs from the weight meters.

Abstract: A liquid mixture, comprising a) at least one compound selected from polyols, polyol ethers wherein at least one hydroxyl group is unetherified, or polyalkylene ethers wherein at least one terminal hydroxyl group is unetherified, b) 1,3-bis(caprolactam-1-yl) butane, and c) diacetoxybutane mimics the solubility properties of a graft copolymer comprising a poly(alkylene glycol) backbone and a vinyl acetate/N-vinylcaprolactam copolymer grafted onto the backbone. In a method for evaluating the compatibility of a biologically active substance with the graft copolymer i) the biologically active sub-stance is brought into contact with the liquid mixture, and ii) the phase behavior of the test system and/or the solubility of the biologically active substance in the mixture is determined.

Abstract: A remote water quality monitoring arrangement, a distributed water quality monitoring system with said remote water quality monitoring arrangement, and a method for replacing or installing said remote water quality monitoring arrangement in said distributed water quality monitoring system are provided. The remote water quality monitoring arrangement may include a position detection device, for example a GPS-receiver (Global Positioning System), while a current location of said remote water quality monitoring arrangement is automatically detectable/detected. Water quality measurements, i.e., measurement data, of said remote water quality monitoring arrangement can automatically be assigned with the detected location facilitating a central server—receiving the measurements, i.e.

Abstract: A method of collecting data to determine a moisture content of a sample of plant material is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of providing an analysis chamber with a window and a scanner located outside of the analysis chamber; moving the sample of plant material through the analysis chamber; compressing the sample of plant material against the window as the sample of plant material is being moved through the analysis chamber; and analyzing the sample of plant material with the scanner through the window to produce data.

Abstract: A method for determining the composition of a fuel mixture consisting of a first fuel and a second fuel to operate an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder pressure sensor for determining the cylinder pressure in at least one cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The calorific value of the fuel mixture or a characteristic variable correlating to said calorific value is determined from the cylinder pressure and the composition of the fuel mixture is determined from said calorific value or the characteristic variable correlating to said calorific value.

Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a housing, a sensor, and a conduction member. The housing defines a bypass flow passage through which taken-in air passes. The sensor is accommodated in the bypass passage and produces an electrical signal as a result of heat transfer between taken-in air and the sensor. The conduction member includes first and second terminals. The first terminal outputs the electrical signal produced by the sensor to outside. The second terminal supplies electric power to the sensor. The housing is provided through an assembly process and a molding process. In the assembly process, the conduction member is held by a primarily shaped product defining the bypass passage to provide an assembly. In the molding process, the assembly, with the conduction member held by the primarily shaped product, is inserted into a predetermined die and a secondary molded part is injection-molded in the die.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine having multiple cylinders, a cylinder to be checked is diagnosed for an injection quantity error. During a normal operation, a first air/fuel ratio is predefined for the multiple cylinders, and a first uneven running is ascertained. During an adjustment operation, a second air/fuel ratio for the cylinder to be checked is predefined during a number of working cycles. During the adjustment operation, a second uneven running is ascertained. The injection quantity error is ascertained for the cylinder to be checked as a function of the first uneven running and the second uneven running.

Abstract: The exhaust gas analysis system urges a user to conduct a purge in an exhaust gas flow line by not only informing the user of the timing that the purge is necessary from the exhaust gas analysis system but also making it easy for the user to recognize the information. The exhaust gas analysis system comprises an exhaust gas flow line (L) where an exhaust gas flows, a measurement device 2, 3 that is arranged in the exhaust gas flow line (L) and that includes a pollutant component meter to measure a pollutant component to be a cause of pollutant of the exhaust gas flow line, and a display control device 5 that compares a measurement signal value obtained by the pollutant component meter or its arithmetic value with a predetermined pollutant tolerance and that displays a warning window on a display 21 in case that the measurement signal value or the arithmetic value exceeds the predetermined pollutant component tolerance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting an abnormal air-fuel ratio variation between cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine in which the output of an air-fuel ratio sensor is acquired at each sampling interval, a parameter correlated with the degree of fluctuation of the sensor output is calculated from a plurality of the acquired sensor outputs, and the presence or absence of the abnormal air-fuel ratio variation between cylinders is determined by comparing the parameter with a determination value. A cylinder air amount is estimated at each sampling interval. Every time the air-fuel ratio sensor output is acquired, the value of the cylinder air amount at the point earlier, by a transport delay time, than the point of the acquisition is determined based on the time-series data, and a corresponding determination value corresponding thereto is calculated. The determination value is determined based on a plurality of the calculated corresponding determination values.

Abstract: The shut-off valve testing system provides for the testing of the main shut-off valve of a combustible gas supply line in such facilities as refineries, factories, or other plants utilizing such gaseous fuel. The system includes a double-ended hydraulic cylinder receiving hydraulic pressure from a suitable source, the cylinder communicating hydraulically with a hydraulic actuator for the main shut-off valve. The system provides for testing of the shut-off valve by actuating the valve through a portion of its full travel, thus confirming that the valve is free. This is accomplished by shutting off the pressure to one side of the double-ended hydraulic cylinder, and opening the hydraulic line between the cylinder and the actuator. Thus, hydraulic pressure from the actuator can bleed to the cylinder, allowing the actuator to move to the extent of the limiting spring and/or hydraulic pressure to the opposite side of the cylinder.

Abstract: Reinforced directional drilling assemblies and methods of forming reinforced directional drilling assemblies are provided. Strengthening materials may be incorporated into a resilient layer and/or a polymer-based composite material within a directional drilling assembly to improve the durability and performance of a power section within the directional drilling assembly. Inclusion of strengthening materials within a directional drilling assembly may provide a method to detect the status of a power section and send a signal from downhole upon detecting status of the power section. Inclusion of strengthening materials also may provide a method to collect data about operating conditions, including pressure, temperature, torque, RPM, stress level, shock, vibration, downhole weight on bit, and/or equivalent circulating density to send to the surface or to MWD/LWD systems. The strengthening materials may collect data by themselves or in conjunction with a sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are disclosed for estimating a property of a fluid downhole, the apparatus including but not limited to a carrier that is conveyable in a borehole; a test cell carried by the carrier for capturing a fluid downhole; a fluid channel immersed in the fluid downhole, the fluid channel having a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall faces the second wall; at least on charged particle source placed at location along the first wall of the fluid channel; and at least one charged particle detector placed at a location along the second wall of the fluid channel, wherein the at least one radioactive detector is in positioned to be in particle communication with the at least one of the charged particle source.