Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for a diesel engine mounted on a vehicle includes a regenerative diesel particulate filter, an accumulated amount detector, an exhaust gas temperature raising unit, and a forcible regeneration control unit. The forcible regeneration control unit measures an automatic regeneration enable time in which an automatic regeneration condition for regenerating the filter is satisfied when the diesel engine is operating, determines from the automatic regeneration enable time whether the probability is high in which a regeneration will be completed without being interrupted when the automatic regeneration condition is continuously satisfied, performs automatic regeneration when determining that the probability of regeneration being completed is high.

Abstract: A catalysed substrate monolith 12 for use in treating exhaust gas emitted from a lean-burn internal combustion engine, which catalysed substrate monolith 12 comprising a first washcoat coating 16 and a second washcoat coating 18, wherein the first washcoat coating comprises a catalyst composition comprising at least one platinum group metal (PGM) and at least one support material for the at least one PGM, wherein at least one PGM in the first washcoat coating is liable to volatilize when the first washcoat coating is exposed to relatively extreme conditions including relatively high temperatures, wherein the second washcoat coating comprises at least one metal oxide for trapping volatilized PGM and wherein the second washcoat coating is oriented to contact exhaust gas that has contacted the first washcoat coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a converter comprising a pump which is driven directly or indirectly by a natural force such as a water swell, it being possible for a hydraulic machine to be driven by the pump. The hydraulic machine is force-coupled to an electrical machine which may function as a generator or a motor. According to the present invention, the force acting on the pump is regulated via a control loop as a function of oscillation parameters of the natural force.

Abstract: An air engine system includes a motor coupled to the drive shaft of an air engine to control the speed of the air engine. The air engine uses compressed air from a compressed air source provided by an air compressor. The air engine may be used on a vehicle, providing a clean environmentally-friendly means of locomotion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for storing and releasing energy, comprising a generator/motor subsystem; a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid between first and second pump ports in response to force applied by the generator/motor subsystem and also capable of imparting force to the generator/motor subsystem in response to hydraulic fluid being caused to flow between the first and second pump ports; a first compression/expansion vessel for exchanging hydraulic fluid with the hydraulic pump via the first pump port; a second compression/expansion vessel for exchanging hydraulic fluid with the hydraulic pump via the second pump port; a gas storage subsystem for selectively storing gas from, or releasing gas to, the first and second gas compression/expansion vessels; an internal heat exchanger within each of the first and second compression/expansion vessels for exchanging heat between the hydraulic fluid and the gas therein, each internal heat exchanger having a very large thermal mass relative to the mass

Abstract: The pressure supply unit has a pressure generating aggregate (10), which generates a supply pressure (PL) for the intermittent operation of a power screwdriver (11). So as to allow also a tensioning cylinder unit (33) to be operated alternatively to the power screwdriver (11), which requires higher pressure, a pressure intensifier (30) is provided which is included in a separate module (31) and generates high pressure (PH) from the supply pressure (PL). The reversal of the pressure intensifier (30) for carrying out strokes is achieved by the same stroke switch valve (20) which otherwise performs the reversal of the power screwdriver (11).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a universal hole cutter in the field of mechanics, comprising an oil pump body, an oil cylinder and an oil storage chamber, in which the oil pump body could be fixedly connected with the oil storage chamber and the oil paths thereof could be communicated with each other. A pressure mechanism could be provided on the oil pump body for pressing the power oil within the oil storage chamber into the oil cylinder. The oil cylinder could be fixedly threaded with a pipe joint communicating with the internal cavity of the oil cylinder, and the pipe joint could be communicated with the oil pump body through a rigid movable linkage mechanism which could rotate the oil cylinder with respect to the oil pump body. Compared to the prior art, in the universal hole cutter thus described, the thread connection of the pipe joint and the oil cylinder is reliable and convenient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a damper for damping the reactionary motion of a wave energy conversion device to wave motion, comprising a damping energy absorber (7) having a reversible non-linear stress-strain response, arranged to damp the reactionary motion of the WEC. According to a first aspect, there is provided a damping structure (2) for a wave energy conversion device (1). The structure comprises a fixed member (6), and a damping member (7) having a reversible non-linear stress-strain response. The present invention also relates to a mooring component (2) for a mooring system (1) and to a method for manufacturing a mooring component (2). The component comprises a deformable element (6) having a reversible non-linear stress-strain response, wherein the response is a composite reversible non-linear stress-strain response.

Abstract: In various embodiments, coupling losses between a cylinder assembly and other components of a gas compression and/or expansion system are reduced or eliminated via valve-timing control.

Abstract: Reservoir in which the walls (111, 121) and the partitions (112, 122) are assembled by thermowelding the edges together with the exception of the edges (113a, 123a) of the well elements (113, 123), the edge (113a) of the upper element (113) and the edge (123a) of the lower element (123) of the well (104) have complementary shapes producing, by assembly under the pressure exerted by bringing together and welding the walls (111, 121) and the partitions (113, 123) of the reservoir (100), a fluid-tight joint between the edges of the two well elements, without generating projections that are deformed toward the interior of the well. The thermowelding hotplate (140) has a cut-out (143) along the line of the well elements (113, 123) so as to leave the edge (113a, 123a) of the well elements out of contact when the edge (111a, 121a) of the walls (111, 121) and that (112a, 122a) of the partitions (112, 122) of each of the reservoir parts (110, 120) is pressed against one face (141, 142) of the hotplate.

Abstract: An assembly can include a valve seat for an exhaust bypass valve of a serial turbocharger system where the valve seat includes a base portion and a wall portion that extends axially away from the base portion; and a gasket that includes a planar portion that defines a perimeter and a socket disposed interior to the perimeter, where the socket includes a valve seat surface axially recessed from the planar portion and configured to position the seat. In various examples, the valve seat is positioned in the socket of the gasket and fixed to the gasket. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a turbocharged internal combustion engine having at least one intake for supplying the internal combustion engine with fresh air or fresh mixture on an inlet side, a cylinder head having at least two cylinders which are arranged along a cylinder head longitudinal axis and each of which has at least one outlet opening which is adjoined by an exhaust line for discharging the exhaust gases out of the cylinder, the exhaust lines of at least two cylinders being merged on an outlet side, so as to form an integrated exhaust manifold within the cylinder head, to form an overall exhaust line. Also disclosed is at least one exhaust-gas turbocharger which comprises a turbine arranged in the overall exhaust line and a compressor arranged in the at least one intake.

Abstract: An arrangement in connection with a piston engine provided with a turbocompressor, which arrangement comprises a flow duct for conveying combustion air pressurized by a compressor to cylinders of the piston engine, an exhaust gas duct for conveying exhaust gas from the piston engine to a turbine, and means adapted in conjunction with the turbine for feeding a cleansing agent to the turbine. There are feeding means arranged in connection with the exhaust gas duct for introducing air and/or water into the exhaust gas duct for cooling the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A heat engine system configured to extract thermal energy from a heat source, convert a first portion of the thermal energy to work using an expansion device, and reject a second portion of the thermal energy to a heat sink. The system utilizes a second fluid to inhibit a temperature drop of the first fluid within the expansion device.

Abstract: A method for generating energy from low-density fluids is provided. The method includes placing a first object in a first portion of fluid having a first density, injecting low-density fluids into the first portion of fluid in order to reduce the density thereof to a second density less than the density of the first object and thereby induce buoyancy-dependent translation of the first object in response thereto, and generating energy based upon buoyancy-dependent translation of the first object. Related apparatuses and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for operating a plurality of independent, closed cycle power plant modules each having a vaporizer comprising the steps of: serially supplying a medium or low temperature source fluid to each corresponding vaporizer of one or more first plant modules, respectively, to a secondary preheater of a first module, and to a vaporizer of a terminal module, whereby to produce heat depleted source fluid; providing a primary preheater for each vaporizer; and supplying said heat depleted source fluid to all of said primary preheaters in parallel.

Abstract: A flameless burner for a gas turbine engine includes a burner body having a longitudinal axis, an upstream section and a downstream section. The upstream section of the burner body defines a primary swirl generating chamber having air swirlers associated therewith. The primary swirl generating chamber is adapted and configured to receive compressor discharge air through the air swirlers. The strong swirl of the compressor discharge air forms a recirculation zone that entrains combustion product gases toward the burner body. Fuel injectors are operatively connected to the downstream section of the burner body for issuing fuel into the recirculated combustion product gases.

Abstract: An enhanced cooling system for the downstream end of a combustor liner assembly is provided. The downstream end region of the combustor liner assembly is formed by a subassembly comprising an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member and a middle band. The middle band includes a plurality of undulations having alternating peaks and valleys. The middle band is operatively positioned between the inner and outer tubular members to form a plurality of elongated cooling passages. A turbulence generator is provided along each of the cooling passages and extends radially inward from a portion of the peaks such that the turbulence generator and the valleys contact an outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular member. The surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the inner tubular member is greater than the surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the outer tubular member.

Abstract: An aircraft nacelle comprising an outer cowl and an inner cowl located inward of the outer cowl with an air flow path formed therebetween. The inner cowl may comprise a forward portion and an aft portion slidable in a forward-to-aft direction via one or more actuators. When translated aftward, the aft portion may decrease the area of the nacelle's fan duct nozzle. The greatest radial distance between the inner cowl and a center axis of the nacelle may occur at or forward of a location in which the forward and aft portions overlap each other. The forward portion may be comprised of a different material than the aft portion.

Abstract: A turbine starter including a valve to modulate an amount of air permitted to flow to a turbine section, a sensor to detect a characteristic of the air at locations defined between the valve and the turbine section and downstream from the turbine section and an electrically powered motor coupled to the valve and the sensor to control the valve to modulate the amount of the air permitted to flow to the turbine section in accordance with the detected characteristic.

Abstract: Thermal storage air conditioner including an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, and at least one compressor for compressing refrigerant, an indoor unit having at least one indoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, a thermal storage unit having a thermal storage tank for holding thermal storage substance therein, a thermal storage heat exchanger for receiving refrigerant from an outside of the thermal storage unit to heat exchange with the thermal storage substance in the thermal storage tank, and a securing member for securing the thermal storage heat exchanger so as to maintain the thermal storage heat exchanger submerged under the thermal storage substance in the thermal storage tank, and a functional unit for selective control of refrigerant flows among the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the thermal storage unit according to an operation condition, thereby maintaining the thermal storage heat exchanger in the thermal storage tank securely, to prevent drop of he

Abstract: An air conditioner for communication equipment is provided. The air conditioner includes an indoor module disposed at an indoor space of a base station having communication equipment and including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor ventilator, an outdoor module disposed at an outside of the base station and including an outdoor ventilator, a brine cooling cycle including first and second outdoor brine heat exchangers, and first and second brine coolers, the indoor heat exchanger, and a brine pump, which are connected through a brine pipe, a first refrigerant cooling cycle including an expansion valve, the first brine cooler, a compressor, and a first outdoor refrigerant heat exchanger, which are connected through a first refrigerant pipe, and a second refrigerant cooling cycle including an expansion valve, the second brine cooler, a compressor, and a second outdoor refrigerant heat exchanger, which are connected through a second refrigerant pipe.

Abstract: A heat pump liquid heater (HPLH) system coupled to an array of photovoltaic cells that operate at enhanced efficiency is disclosed. The HPLH system comprises a panel or a box structure coupled to the HPLH. The box structure supports an array of photovoltaic cells and a circulation mechanism. The HPLH generates a coolant as a by-product using ambient air and electric power. The coolant that is circulated around the photovoltaic cells may extract the heat generated by the photovoltaic cells and the temperature of the photovoltaic cells may decrease to a specific level or maintained within an allowable temperature range. The reduction in temperature causes the photovoltaic cells to operate with enhanced efficiency and may generate more electric power. The size of the panel or the number of photovoltaic cells required to generate a required power may be reduced that reduces the cost of the HPLH system.

Abstract: A refrigerated point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold in compartments having cross sections that are substantially U-shaped. Food products are kept refrigerated using heat-absorbing, heat-exchangers thermally coupled to the U-shaped compartment. Refrigeration is provided by either a conventional reversed-Brayton cycle, one or more Peltier devices or a chilled, re-circulating liquid that does not change phase as it circulates but which is chilled by another refrigeration system, such as a conventional refrigeration system. An optional cover helps prevent food flavor transfers between compartments. Semiconductor temperature sensors and a computer effectuate temperature control.

Abstract: There is provided a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes an icemaker for making and discharging ice, an ice bank for storing the ice discharged from the icemaker, an ice discharge duct for discharging the ice stored in the ice bank to the dispenser, and an approaching prevention unit that is disposed in the ice discharge duct to prevent a user from approaching the ice bank through the dispenser.

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: An air conditioner for communication equipment is provided. The air conditioner includes an indoor module disposed at an indoor space of a base station having communication equipment and including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor ventilator disposed closely to the indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor module disposed at an outside of the base station and including an outdoor ventilator, a brine cooling cycle including the indoor heat exchanger on a brine pipe, a brine pump, first and second outdoor brine heat exchanger, and first and second brine coolers, which are connected in a brine circulating direction, and a refrigerant cooling cycle including first and second expansion valves on a refrigerant pipe, the first and second brine coolers on the brine pipe, first and second compressors, first and second outdoor refrigerant heat exchangers, which are connected in a refrigerant circulating direction.

Abstract: In this method, a refrigerant (52) is compressed (32) in a refrigerating circuit, then condensed by cooling in a condenser (44), then expanded in a throttle valve (62) and delivered in the expanded state, in the form of wet vapor (52), to an evaporator (60) that is in thermally conductive contact with a substrate (12) to be cooled. The cooling process thus operates similarly to a liquid cooling process, but with a higher mean logarithmic heat transfer temperature difference, which allows lower temperatures of the substrate (12) to be achieved and makes possible a better heat transition coefficient, since the refrigerant is present as wet vapor. A corresponding arrangement is likewise described.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for removing carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to intermediate pressure, and supplied to a fractionation tower at a top column feed position. The tower overhead vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and cooled to partially condense it, forming a condensed stream. The condensed stream is expanded to intermediate pressure, used to subcool a portion of the tower bottom liquid product, then supplied to the tower at a mid-column feed position. The subcooled portion of the tower bottom liquid product is expanded to lower pressure and used to cool the compressed overhead vapor stream. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the carbon dioxide is recovered in the tower bottom liquid product.

Abstract: An adjustable jewelry head or casting is provided. The head includes a track and a plurality of mounting members, at least one of which is slideable along the track. One or more pins connect the mounting members to the track. The pins are moveable to allow sliding adjustment of the mounting members with respect to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for force-fit connecting glass-like components to metals, particularly for connecting a glass plate (2) to a large-scale mounting element (19) as a central connecting element, particularly made of metal, having the following characteristics: a) an input and control device (6) for inputting process data, b) a storage and positioning device (15) for supplying individual fastener elements (1) as support elements of a central connection element (20), c) having mounting and fixing means (3) for fixing a glass plate (2), d) a thickness measuring device (7) for measuring the thickness of each of the components to be connected and layers of the same, e) a measuring machine (8) for measuring the resonant frequency of the glass plate (2) and a surface sensor (10) for determining the roughness of the glass plate (2), f) a sliding device (11) for pressing together the components to be connected by means of an ultrasonic horn (4), g) a device for generating ultrasonics by

Abstract: In order to permit more effective cooling in comparison to the prior art, in particular in its floor area, of a hollow glass article (1) standing upright on the base (2) of a setting plate (4) provided with transcurrent orifices (9, 9?, 9?) forming a cavity (8) between a base (2) and the facing surface of the setting plate (4) of the standing surface (2?), it is proposed to utilize a part of the orifices (9) situated inside the standing surface (2?) for the supply of cooling air into the cavity (8), and to utilize the remaining orifices (9?) inside the standing surface (2?) only for the extraction of cooling air from the cavity (8).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a primary preform for optical fibers, using an internal vapor deposition process, wherein a gas flow of doped undoped glass-forming gases is supplied to the interior of a hollow substrate tube having a supply side and a discharge side via the supply side thereof, wherein deposition of glass layers on the interior of the substrate tube is effected as a result of the presence of a reaction zone.

Abstract: An ozone laundry system and its method of use with continuous batch or tunnel washers is provided, wherein ozone can be injected into a plurality of different chambers along the continuous batch or tunnel washer and wherein the interfacing of a plurality of system controls occurs on a centralized HMI controller along with DOM and ORP monitoring. Vacuum sensors over vacuum switches are used to compensate for a slightly positive pressure at the ozone outlet, due to a long tube run with a weak vacuum.

Abstract: A lock assembly for retail packaging, having a lock assembly, a key assembly, a hinge assembly, and packaging comprising at least one wall. The lock assembly mounts exteriorly onto the packaging. The packaging lock assembly may further have a rail assembly mounted onto a display rack. The rail assembly comprises rail members and a transversal member. The packaging lock assembly may further have a plate assembly positioned in between the lock assembly and the plate. The lock assembly suspended from the rail members is placed in a locked position, whereby a locking shaft assembly is blocked by the transversal member to prevent removal of the packaging from the rail assembly. The key assembly is presented into a latch assembly comprising a key hole to cause the locking shaft assembly to shift from the locked position, to an unlocked position.

Abstract: The description relates to a latch such as a socket wrench latch, swivel lever latch (10), folding lever latch, sash latch for mounting in openings (12, 14) in a thin wall (16, 50), comprising a head part (24) which is to be arranged on one, outer side (18) of the thin wall (16) and which overlaps the outer rim (20) of the opening, and a body part (26, 28, 30, 32) which proceeds from the head part (24) and projects through the opening in the mounted position, and holding elements (36) which project from the body part (26, 28, 30, 32) and are flexible in direction of its outer surface, the free end of these holding elements (36) being provided with an inclined surface (38) for supporting the body part without play on the rim or edge (40) of the opening of the other, inner side (42) of the thin wall (16), characterized in that the body part (26, 28, 30, 32) and holding element (36) are two separate parts.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for manually or automatically fixing a slide bar in either of two positions. A lock body has a key barrel adapted to rotate a lock cam in a first rotational direction. A latch is biased in a closed position, the latch being adapted to move to an open position when the lock cam is rotated in the first rotational direction. A slide bar is fixable in a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the slide bar is biased in the unlocked position. A knob slider is adapted to move the slide bar into the locked position such that the latch moves to the closed position and engages a notch of the slide bar to fix the slide bar in the locked position. A servo motor is adapted to rotate a servo cam in a second rotational direction to move the slide bar into the locked position, and is adapted to rotate the lock cam in the first rotational direction to move the slide bar into the unlocked position.

Abstract: A fence control feature described herein may be used with a combination lock. The fence control feature includes a trigger plate having an overcenter arm, a stop arm, and a cam follower arm disposed around a common pivot point. A bracket is preferably vertically elevated above the overcenter arm. An apron is preferably formed on the overcenter arm. The apron may be for preventing a nose of a pivotable fence lever arm from catching on the trigger plate. The apron may be a half-moon-shaped apron.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of concealed handcuff keys including a key concealed as a bracelet.

Abstract: A tool for modifying a workpiece by either trimming or joining the workpiece. The tool is an electro-hydraulic tool that uses a pulse transmitted through a liquid to trim a workpiece or to join two thicknesses of metal together. A method of trimming the workpiece includes the steps of providing a high voltage discharge in a liquid that drives a workpiece into engagement with a cutting edge of a tool steel insert. A method of joining two or more thicknesses of metal together includes the step of creating a high voltage discharge through an electrode that accelerates one panel or thickness of metal into a second panel that is held stationary by a backing plate while the first thickness of metal is accelerated into the second thickness of metal.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for electro-hydraulic forming tool in which the insulation sleeve is assembled over an electrode rod. The insulation sleeve has a deflection surface that is beveled or oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the electrode rod. The electrode assembly may include a replaceable conical receptacle that facilitates placement of an electrode tip an insulation sleeve tip. An electrode tip profile that is shaped to minimize erosion caused by discharge of the electro-hydraulic forming machine.

Abstract: A coil spring forming apparatus including a core bar 2 which rotates around an axis thereof and on which a wire material W fed from a wire material-feeding means is wound; a clamping portion 22 which rotates integrally with the core bar 2 and grips an end of the wire material W on the core bar 2; and first guide rollers 30 and second guide rollers 40 for guiding the wire material W onto the core bar 2; wherein the first guide rollers 30 and the second guide rollers 40 are provided so as to move independently from each other in parallel with the axis of the core bar 2, and a coil spring formed by the above coil spring forming apparatus.

Abstract: A device for leveling metal stock, which is moved during operation from an infeed side of the device to an outfeed side, includes: an upper set of leveling rollers and a lower set of leveling rollers, each of which comprises a terminal leveling roller on the infeed side and another one on the outfeed side. A plurality of lower backup roller support blocks, each include a plurality of backup rollers, which serve to support the lower leveling rollers and are arranged in rows, wherein their axes of rotation are parallel to axes of rotation of the leveling rollers. At least one of the terminal lower leveling rollers of the set of lower leveling rollers is arranged so that it can be individually adjusted, wherein the at least one of the terminal lower leveling rollers is supported at each end in a lever arm.

Abstract: A roll-formed grid runner comprising a sheet metal strip folded into an upper hollow single wall reinforcing bulb, a double wall web below the bulb, a channel extending laterally from both sides of a lower end of the web to a bend and upwardly from the bend to a panel supporting elevation, the bend on each side of the web existing at a longitudinally extending score line where a thickness of the strip is locally reduced.

Abstract: A crankshaft production method includes: pressurizing both end portions of a shaft blank with a pressurization surface of a die, the pressurization surface being inclined in a specific direction so as to come close to the other end side of the shaft blank, and applying an axial compressive load to the shaft blank, while restricting a radial deformation in a predetermined zone of the shaft blank in a direction other than the specific direction, thereby swaging the shaft blank and causing the predetermined zone to buckle in the specific direction.

Abstract: A breath test simulator for supplying a breath test analyzer with a vapor including ethyl alcohol includes a heated thermal mass to heat an inlet passage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus utilize a rate of drop in pressure upstream of a gas flow controller (GFC) to accurately measure a rate of flow through the GFC. Measurement of the gas flow through the many gas flow controllers in production use today is enabled, without requiring any special or sophisticated pressure regulators or other special components. Various provisions ensure that none of the changes in pressure that occur during or after the measurement perturb the constant flow of gas through the GFC under test.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro viscometer comprising a body including an inlet where a fluid flows in, an outlet where the fluid flows out, a first chamber and a second chamber that is connected to the inlet and the outlet, respectively, a substrate and a cover that partition multiple micro channels that connect the first chamber and the second chamber; a first thin film that vibrates with the fluid within the first chamber and locates on the side of the first chamber; a second thin film that vibrates with the fluid within the second chamber and locates on the side of the second chamber; an actuating part that applies vibration onto the fluid within the first chamber by conducting vibration through the first thin film; a sensing part that senses vibration or pressure onto the fluid that transfers through the micro channels to the second thin film through vibration of the first thin film.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple, inexpensive, accurate, and rapid method of measuring particle settling velocity comprising: (i) providing a gravity settler such as a column; (ii) filling the column with a first homogenous particle suspension, wherein the particle concentration in the first homogenous particle suspension is X, (iii) separating the column into an upper sub-column and a lower sub-column with a height h after settling the first homogenous particle suspension for a period of time t, wherein some particles remain in the upper sub-column; (iv) removing the particle suspension in the upper sub-column and mixing the particle suspension confined in the lower sub-column with a height h to prepare a second homogenous particle suspension; (v) measuring the particle concentration in the second homogenous particle suspension X; and (vi) determining the particle settling velocity v with the formula: v=h(X?X)ltX. Also provided are device and system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A protective cap 2 is engaged with a latch 10 of a diluent container 5 so as to fix the diluent container 5 at a liquid holding position of a diluent container containing section 11. The engagement is released when the protective cap 2 is set to an open position against the engagement so as to expose an inlet 13. When the protective cap 2 is shifted from the open position to a closed position, the protective cap 2 pushes the diluent container 5 into a liquid discharge position. Thus, it is possible to preserve a diluent for a long period of time and to easily open the diluent container 5 without having to complicate the structure of an analysis apparatus.