Abstract: A microchannel for processing microparticles in a fluid flow comprises a first and second pairs of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes is configured for generating an asymmetric first electric field and for sorting the microparticles to provide sorted microparticles. The second pair of electrodes is configured for generating an asymmetric second electric field and for trapping at least some of the sorted microparticles.

Abstract: A method of sorting municipal solid waste by creating a frictional force in refuse particulate using at least one frictional roller assembly to electrically charge waste material in the refuse particulate, and separating the waste material using an electrostatic force. A system of sorting municipal solid waste, including at least one frictional roller to electrically charge a waste material contained within refuse particulate, and at least one electrostatic separator to separate the waste material from the refuse particulate.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator is provided with a base and a substantially vertical spindle upstanding from the base. A rotary vessel is mounted on the spindle. A housing is connected to the base and encloses the rotary vessel. A liquid supply duct supplies a liquid to be filtered to the rotary vessel. The rotary vessel has an open top and an upper edge at the open top. The rotary vessel is provided with a filter material and has a weir arranged at the upper edge, wherein the filter material extends upwardly to the weir. The housing has a passageway adjacent to the weir and the passage way communicates with the weir to enable discharge of waste material that is contained in the liquid to be filtered and does not pass through the filter material during supply of liquid to be filtered to the rotary vessel and rotation of the rotary vessel.

Abstract: A separator disk for use in centrifugal separation of components is designed to automatically position itself during separation at the interface between the supernatant and the remaining components. Preferably the interface is between plasma and red blood cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge (10), in particular a laboratory centrifuge, comprising a rotor (12) for receiving containers with material to be centrifuged, a drive shaft (14) on which the rotor (12) is supported, a motor (18) which drives the rotor (12) via the drive shaft, a bearing unit (30) with damping elements (36) each having a spring axis (36a), and a support element (54) for fixing the motor (18) in the centrifuge via the bearing unit (30), wherein the spring axes (36a) of the damping elements (36) are placed at an acute angle ? to the rotational axis Y of the motor (18). The invention is characterized in that the bearing unit (30) comprises a plurality of struts (34), preferably 3 to 21, which are connected to the damping elements (36), wherein the struts (34) are placed and arranged so that they are concentrically aligned with the respective spring axis.

Abstract: A vortex finder (18,27,40) for a cyclonic separator (1) through which air flowing in a helical path ‘D’ about an axis A-A of a cyclone chamber (4) passes to an outlet (6) is disclosed. The vortex finder comprises a plurality of stationary overlapping vanes (13,19) extending in an axial direction and spaced radially around said axis ‘A’, the vanes (13,19) being positioned relative to each other so a helical flow of air about the axis of the cyclone chamber (4) passes over an outer surface (16) of the vanes (13,19) with a portion of the air flow being redirected around a leading edge (14) of each vane (13,19) and through a gap between adjacent vanes (13,19) to the outlet (6).

Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing apparatus capable of improving thickness uniformity. The substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber including a shower head, a feeding block including a tube to provide a source gas and a reaction gas to the shower head, and a mixing block configured to provide a channel connected between the shower head and the feeding block to mix the source gas and the reaction gas, and the mixing block includes an internal space having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the tube provided in the feeding block, and a collision part provided on a path of a gas mixture of the source gas and the reaction gas to collide with the gas mixture.

Abstract: A system for accurately dispensing small droplets from a positive displacement pumps is actuated by a linear actuator. Preferably the linear actuator is a piezo-actuator. In a method to use the device the system pressure is stabilized before dispensing a plurality of droplets.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes an indexer block, a first processing block, a second processing block, and an interface block. The indexer block includes a pair of carrier platforms and a transport section. A carrier storing a plurality of substrates in multiple stages is placed in each of the carrier platforms. The transport section includes transport mechanisms. The transport mechanisms concurrently transport the substrates.

Abstract: A spray gun for spraying of interior surfaces of cylindrical items such as cans, containers, etc. may nod, changing angle in relationship to the can while spraying. This allows more efficient distribution of coating, reduce cost & coating material, and may reduce the number of spray guns and spray machines required. The spray gun may be used with a system having vertical spray or a rotating spray gun turret. The spray gun mount embodiment of the device may use a linear or curved electrical motor, and a linear electrical motor embodiment may be used for traditional lancing. In use, the device may spray a greater thickness of coating, in a liquid or semi-liquid phase, onto a first portion of the interior surface as compared to a second portion, allowing gravity to draw the coating into a different thickness profile.

Abstract: An overspray collection system comprises a hood designed to allow spray gun operation through the hood, an air flow system to pull air with entrained overspray, a vortex/cyclone to separate the air from the overspray and a collection container into which the overspray is deposited. An airflow control device such as an air hose, vacuum supply or vacuum chamber may assist by controlling an airflow within the can during spraying, thus providing that a higher percentage of the spray adheres to the can interior, allowing denser and more uniform coating.

Abstract: A spray gun mount, and retrofit kit spray gun mount based thereon, and a method of retrofitting, adjusting and spraying based thereon, are structured that the motion of the spray gun occurs about a point of rotation located at the exact nozzle of the spray gun rather than at a location on the gun mount. An arcuate slot may be provided on a fixed mounting plate and extensions (partially threaded screws) pass through the arcuate slot. The extensions in turn are firmly attached to a movable gun mount plate to which the spray gun is affixed. In adjusting the spray gun, all that may be necessary is to loosen a fastener which holds the gun mount plate and gun from rotating relative to the fixed plate, rotating it relative to the fixed plate and fastening it back into place again.

Abstract: An electrically powered water feature includes a wirelessly rechargeable power source, detachable from parts of the water feature to allow recharging thereof.

Abstract: A thin-film coating applicator assembly is disclosed for coating substrates in outdoor applications. The innovative thin-film coating applicator assembly is adapted to apply performance enhancement coatings on installed photovoltaic panels and glass windows in outdoor environments. The coating applicator is adapted to move along a solar panel or glass pane while applicator mechanisms deposit a uniform layer of liquid coating solution to the substrate's surface. The applicator assembly comprises a conveyance means disposed on a frame. Further disclosed are innovative applicator heads that comprise a deformable sponge-like core surrounded by a microporous layer. The structure, when in contact with a substrate surface, deposits a uniform layer of coating solution over a large surface.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a nozzle and an application apparatus which can obtain sufficient application quality even when fluid with high viscosity is applied, and a method of applying the fluid thereof. The nozzle includes a discharging means having a wide discharge port that is opened so that the fluid is dischargeable in a belt shape to be applied to an application object, and a cutting means for cutting the fluid discharged from the discharge port. In the nozzle, the cutting means is cuttable of the fluid by a wire that is movable from one side to the other side of an opening area that constitutes the discharge port.

Abstract: Sealant injection systems for injecting sealant into a cavity, the sealant injection systems including a sealant dispensing tip having a proximal end portion, a body portion, and a distal end portion that define a continuous channel to an aperture in the distal end portion for dispensing sealant material into a cavity, where the aperture is surrounded by a compressible material.

Abstract: A foam gun flashlight capable of dispensing foam, the foam gun flashlight comprising: a flashlight comprising a flashlight body, an on/off switch, a front end with a light source, at least one battery and at least one battery compartment door located at the front end or an opposing back end of the flashlight; and a foam gun comprising a foam gun body, foam container receptacle, a flow control mechanism, a barrel, a nozzle, and a trigger, wherein the flashlight is positioned to illuminate a foam application site.

Abstract: A deposition nozzle has a housing, an inlet into the housing arranged to receive a solution carrying randomly oriented fibers, an orientation component within the housing, the orientation component positioned to receive the solution from the inlet and operate to produce aligned fibers in a predetermined, single direction, and an outlet on the housing arranged to receive the aligned fibers and deposit them on a substrate. A system includes a porous substrate, a deposition nozzle, a reservoir of randomly oriented fibers in solution connected to the deposition nozzle, the deposition nozzle position adjacent the porous substrate and connected to the reservoir, the nozzle to receive the randomly oriented fibers and output aligned fibers, and a vacuum connected to the porous substrate to remove fluid from the porous substrate as the deposition nozzle deposits the aligned fibers on the porous substrate to produce a fiber pre-form having aligned fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coating of tubes, and more particularly to a system and method for coating and/or renovating deteriorated or pitted tubes to extend tube life and enhance performance. Using this system and method a thin coating is applied to the interior of a tube such that the coating is uniform in thickness and covers all regions of the tube. The coating material may be selected to minimize changes in heat transfer or may be selected to provide for the change in working fluid within the tube such that the working fluid does not negatively interact with the tube material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing cleaning and providing barrier coatings to interior wall surfaces of small diameter metal and composite piping systems in buildings. An entire piping system can be cleaned in one single pass by dry particulates forced by air throughout the building piping system by an external generator, and the entire piping system can be coated in one single pass by a machine connected exterior to the piping system. Small pipes can be protected by the effects of water corrosion, erosion and electrolysis, extending the life of piping systems such as copper, steel, lead, brass, cast iron piping and composite materials.

Abstract: An acoustophoretic device is disclosed. The acoustophoretic device includes an acoustic chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector. The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric material driven by a voltage signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber emanating from a non-planar face of the piezoelectric material. A method for separating a second fluid or a particulate from a host fluid is also disclosed. The method includes flowing the mixture through an acoustophoretic device. A voltage signal is sent to drive the ultrasonic transducer to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber such that the second fluid or particulate is continuously trapped in the standing wave, and then agglomerates, aggregates, clumps, or coalesces together, and subsequently rises or settles out of the host fluid due to buoyancy or gravity forces, and exits the acoustic chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound transducer assembly (10), in particular for intravascular ultrasound systems. The ultrasound transducer assembly comprises at least one silicon substrate element (30) including an ultrasound transducer element (14) for emitting and receiving ultrasound waves and including electrical connectors for electrically connecting the transducer element. The substrate element has a top surface (44), a bottom surface (46) and a side surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. An isolation layer (32, 50) forms the side surface for electrically isolating the substrate element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mechanical-vibration-generating-device for generating a mechanical vibration, the mechanical vibration having a vibration direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor including a case having a bottom portion, and a piezoelectric element that is bonded to an inner surface of the bottom portion and performs bending vibration together with the bottom portion. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric layer having a transmission region and a reception region, a common electrode, a transmission electrode opposing the common electrode with the transmission region interposed therebetween, and a reception electrode opposing the common electrode with the reception region interposed therebetween. The transmission region and the reception region are formed at positions adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A rotating suction chamber apparatus for sorting a mixture of materials comprises a cylindrical drum with its upper end is at a higher elevation than its lower end. An upper housing connected to the upper end has a material intake for receiving the mixture of materials for introduction to the upper end. The mixture of materials includes a light fraction and a heavy fraction, and the upper housing has an outlet for the light fraction. A suction hood connected to the light fraction outlet includes a light separator shaft with a substantially vertical portion, and an air blower is adapted to create an airflow from the lower end, to the upper end, through the light fraction outlet and through the suction hood. A rotator rotates the drum about its longitudinal axis so that the heavy fraction is moved through the drum and falls out of the lower end.

Abstract: A separator may include a housing with a separation space in which a ventilation base is disposed and in which separation stock is perfusable by separation gas so as to separate fine stock from coarse stock. A separation-gas inlet and a separation-stock inlet may open into the separation space, and a fine-stock outlet and a coarse-stock outlet may lead out of the separation space. A bypass duct may be integrated in the housing for bypassing the separation space. The bypass duct may lead out of the separation-gas inlet and open out downstream of the separation space.

Abstract: A gold panning assembly for vibrationally separating gold from dirt includes a pan that may receive a mixture of the dirt and the gold. A vibration unit is coupled to the pan. The vibration unit vibrates the pan such that the vibration unit urges the gold to separate from the dirt thereby facilitating the gold to be removed from the dirt.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: A method for processing core wheels is disclosed. Images of known wheels having unique identifying numbers and other wheel information is received from third party providers and are processed to determine the features of the known wheels. These images, features and other wheel information are stored in a database for future reference. A supply of core wheels is then provided and sorted in order to separate at least a first portion of the wheels conforming to a first set of criteria from the supply of wheels and are transported to second location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a residue removal device for extracting leftover material from a narrow-necked vessel. The residue removal device may include a receptacle adapted for collecting material from sides and bottom of a vessel. The receptacle may include a material collecting channel formed by two side walls connected along a base at an angle, an open top, a distal end, and a proximal end. The residue removal device may further include an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end of the shaft may be connected to the base of the receptacle and offset in a first direction from the proximal end of the shaft. The open top may also be offset from the base of the receptacle in the first direction.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a novel scraper assembly having a plurality of interchangeable scraper heads and handles and corresponding method for use. The scraper assembly further comprises a plurality of abrasive mechanisms, namely spring bristles, coiled springs, chainmail abraders and wire cloth abraders capable of effectively cleaning a surface without scoring or otherwise damaging the surface. The invention may be particularly useful for cleaning grills and ovens. Additionally, the invention may also be useful for shaping, adding texture to, stripping materials from or otherwise preparing a surface, including wood, metal or ceramic surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for treating a substrate and a method of treating substrates. The apparatus includes an inlet valve through which the supercritical fluid flows into the process chamber until an inner pressure of the process chamber reaches a first pressure and a turbulent flow generator turbulently supplementing the supercritical fluid into the process chamber until the inner pressure of the process chamber is recovered to the first pressure. A pressure drop module partially removes a supercritical mixture from the process chamber until the inner pressure of the process chamber is dropped to the second pressure. A pressure drop mode and a supplemental mode may be alternately repeated by the flow controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive roll comprising at least one sheet of adhesive material, the sheet comprising an adhesive and being doped with at least one optically detectable dopant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concepts provide a method of cleaning a furnace-type semiconductor apparatus that is equipped in a clean room and includes a process chamber in which a process of forming a thin film is performed on a substrate. The method includes supplying air of the clean room into the process chamber after the process of forming the thin film, and thermally treating an inside of the process chamber using the air of the clean room supplied to the inside of the process chamber. An adhered material containing chlorine is formed on an inner surface of the process chamber by the process of forming the thin film, and the chlorine of the adhered material is removed by the thermal treatment of the inside of the process chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for displacing fluid from a pipe. The method includes engaging a fluid-displacement system with the pipe. A displacement agent is pumped into the pipe via the fluid-displacement system. Fluid present within the pipe is displaced by the displacement agent. The pipe is manipulated in a desired manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus including a chamber, a first measuring unit, an exhaust pipe, a regulation valve, an opening degree detection unit, a valve controller, and a clogging detection unit. The chamber accommodates therein a substrate to be processed by using a processing fluid. The first measuring unit measures an internal pressure of the chamber. An exhaust from the chamber flows through the exhaust pipe. The regulation valve regulates an exhaust volume of the exhaust pipe. The opening degree detection unit detects a valve opening degree of the regulation valve. The valve controller controls the valve opening degree of the regulation valve based on a measurement result of the first measuring unit to keep the internal pressure within a specified range. The clogging detection unit detects clogging of the exhaust pipe based on the valve opening degree detected by the opening degree detection unit.

Abstract: A system and process for cleaning a vessel is described. In embodiments, the system has one or more manway adapters configured to fit one or more manways of the vessel and deliver a cleaning solution through them. Further, in embodiments the system includes one or more actuators which are configured to position the one or more manway adapters horizontally or vertically to allow for optimal alignment and positioning of the manway adapters within the manways. Movement of the manway adapters may be facilitated by way of a frame assembly mounted on one or more horizontal rails. The system may be used to clean tanks and other vessels such as those that are on tanker trucks, tanker cars, or frac tanks.

Abstract: Provided are washout devices for cleaning the interior of a frac tank. In embodiments, the devices may comprise (i) a wand comprising a first pipe and a second pipe; wherein the second pipe is positioned in parallel below the first pipe; wherein one or more trusses connect the first pipe and the second pipe; (ii) a support member in communication with a proximal end of the wand such that the wand is suspended above and at a desired angle relative to the ground; (iii) one or more washout nozzles disposed along the length of the first pipe. Embodiments may also include a system and a process for cleaning the interior of a frac tank.

Abstract: A system and process for cleaning a vessel is described. In embodiments, the system has one or more manway adapters configured to fit one or more manways of the vessel and deliver a cleaning solution through them. Further, in embodiments the system includes one or more actuators which are configured to position the one or more manway adapters horizontally or vertically to allow for optimal alignment and positioning of the manway adapters within the manways. Movement of the manway adapters may be facilitated by way of a frame assembly mounted on one or more horizontal rails. The system may be used to clean tanks and other vessels such as those that are on tanker trucks, tanker cars, or frac tanks.

Abstract: There are many manufactures, makes, and models of solar radiometers to choose from. There are also many radiometer housings to choose from. I have not observed or deployed any of the combinations available for solar radiometers to satisfy the requirements of unattended perfect solar radiation measurements in cold climates. There is a large expense involved with deploying radiometers in remote Arctic and Alpine regions. Huge expense is continually lost due to the lack of consistent quality data. My concept has continually proven and guarantees that time and money will not be lost. This was proven with an intensive parametric comparison study that by focusing a volume of air with the proper amount of force, specifically with the Albee Arctic Kick-ice System Radiometer Housing (Patent pending #61/934,754, Patent pending #62/107,441), is completely effective in combating all icing issues using a variety of radiometers from quality radiometer manufacturers.

Abstract: A system for recovering antifreeze from a dust prevention system of a mineral material processing plant, wherein the system includes an antifreeze tank, a pump configured to circulate water and/or antifreeze, a first valve configured to connect to a water inlet and/or antifreeze tank to the pump, a nozzle manifold connected to the pump, a second valve configured to connect the nozzle manifold to the antifreeze tank and/or a third valve, and a control system. The control system is configured to operate the system according to a method including the steps of sucking water using a pump from a water inlet via a first valve, displacing the antifreeze via a nozzle manifold into an antifreeze tank until the water reaches a second valve, and connecting the second valve to a third valve to allow circulation of water in the system.

Abstract: An integrated medical waste management and treatment system may include sensors, interlocks, communications links and/or other features for determining if the waste itself, the decontaminating disinfectant used in the process, or the status of the system are consistent with recommended or authorized system operation. System operation may be terminated if a condition inconsistent with recommended or authorized system operation is detected. Such compliance apparatus may include an electronic scale for determining the weight of the waste loaded into the receiver compartment, a metal detector, or a sensor for determining if the decontaminating disinfectant is a recommended or authorized disinfectant. A communications link may be provided to transmit information to a central station or to deliver updates or commands associated with the recommended or authorized operation of each system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for infectious waste treatment. First, the infectious waste may be shredded into a mixture of liquid and shredded solid waste, then the mixture may be poured into a plurality of perforated bags. The liquid waste drips from the perforated bags onto a preheating subsystem and the solid waste remains in the perforated bags. The preheating subsystem heats up the liquid waste to a pre-disinfection temperature. Finally, steam may be utilized to heat up the liquid waste and the solid waste to a disinfecting temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of remediating contaminated soil with heavy metal using a microorganism of Sporosarcina sp. Contaminated soil is inoculated with the Sporosarcina sp. KM-01 (Sporosarcina pasteurii KM-01) strain includes a base sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1, the Sporosarcina sp. KM-07 (Sporosarcina pasteurii KM-07) strain includes a base sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2, and the Sporosarcina sp. KM-12 (Sporosarcina pasteurii KM-12) strain includes a base sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3. The strains are capable of producing urease.

Abstract: A method is provided for roll-forming a sheet metal strip (35) by driving the sheet metal strip through a row of forming stations (17, 18) having pairs of rollers (19, 20; 29, 30) directed towards each other and both holding the sheet metal strip therebetween and forming the sheet metal strip over roller edges. In every second forming station (12), two angles (41, 42) are gradually formed and in every second forming station two other angles (43, 44) are gradually formed.

Abstract: An instantaneous value of a learning coefficient is calculated based on a gap between a result value and a result recalculation value, and an update value of the learning coefficient is calculated from the instantaneous value. The calculated update value is recorded in a cell corresponding to present rolling conditions. At the time of setup calculation, the predetermined number of neighboring cells having small spatial distances from a target cell corresponding to next rolling conditions in a space having rolling conditions as coordinate axes are selected from cells in which respective evaluation results of recency, saturation, and stability of the learning coefficient satisfy criteria. An estimation value of the learning coefficient in the target cell is then calculated by polynomial interpolation using representative values of the learning coefficients in the selected neighboring cells.

Abstract: Provided is a rolling mill, a tandem rolling line including the same, and a rolling method capable of using small-diameter work rolls for rolling hard materials and capable of high-quality strips.

Abstract: An apparatus for the electrohydraulic control of the parallelism of a roller in a bending machine for working metal pieces, has a first and second pumps for supplying with an operating fluid a first and second actuators, position transducers and a first and second proportional valves to adjust the flow of the operating fluid into the first and second actuators according to signals of the position transducers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new bending apparatus and bending method of a tube material which makes it possible to achieve all of bending by a large bending radius not requiring large scale equipment or die, bending resistant to wrinkling and buckling at an inner side of the bending, and bending with a high productivity, that is, a ram bending apparatus using a punch 12 and a set of rolls 13, 13 for three-point bending of a tube material wherein the punch 12 has a groove 12a of a width of the width of a circular tube 11 or more and wherein the set of rolls 13, 13 are supported by a frame 14. The rolls 13, 13 can freely move on the frame 14 in directions away from each other in a state contacting the punch 12. The frame 14 has a hollow space 14a enabling free movement of the descending punch 12 and the circular tube 11 bent along with this during the bending of the circular tube 11.

Abstract: A method for forming bulging portions on a metal plate by performing cold-pressing on the metal plate is provided. The method includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, a pre-formed body including pre-formed bulging portions is formed with a first die. Each pre-formed bulging portion includes sidewalls. Each sidewall includes dents. In the second step, the sidewalls are pressed by a second die so that the dents of the pre-formed body disappear.