53rd week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 4 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090320472 | Cylinder Block Mounted Pedestal and Turbocharger System for Internal Combustion Engine - A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine includes a turbocharger with a utility pedestal extending between the turbocharger and hard point associated with the cylinder block. The utility pedestal includes a mounting pad for attaching the combined turbocharger and pedestal assembly to an engine, as well as internal oil and coolant supply passages for supplying the turbocharger with coolant and lubricating oil under pressure. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320473 | MULTI-HEAT SOURCE POWER PLANT - According to present invention, a method is provided for operating a multi-heat source power plant using a low-medium temperature heat source fluid, wherein the multi-heat source power plant includes a turbine or expander run by an organic motive fluid, comprising preheating the organic motive fluid using the low-medium temperature heat source fluid and thereafter providing further heat from an additional heat source to vaporize the motive fluid which is supplied to the turbine or expander. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320474 | HEAT RECOVERY FROM GEOTHERMAL SOURCE - Water, air, other fluid flows downwardly through a tube which extends from the surface of an underground mine to a number of conduits arranged in loops which extend into bore holes at or near the bottom of the shaft. The fluid in the conduits remains isolated from the walls of the bore holes to prevent contamination by minerals in the walls. The fluid remains in the conduits while its temperature rises by geothermal action. The heated fluid is then pumped through a second tube to a station at which the ambient temperature is lower than that of the fluid. Thermal energy is extracted from the heated fluid at the station. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320475 | System and method of capturing geothermal heat from within a drilled well to generate electricity - A closed-loop, solid-state system generates electricity from geothermal heat from a well by flow of heat, without needing large quantities of water to conduct heat from the ground. The present invention contemplates uses for depleted oil or gas wells and newly drilled wells to generate electricity in an environmentally-friendly method. Geothermal heat is conducted from the Earth to a heat exchanging element to heat the contents of pipes. The pipes are insulated between the bottom of the well and the surface to minimize heat dissipation as the heated contents of the pipes travel to the surface. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320476 | CRYOGENIC ENGINES - Slush gas, i.e. a gas or a mixture of gases cooled so that it is partially solid and partially liquid is employed as a drive fluid in a cryogenic engine. A cryogenic engine has a working chamber ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320477 | Supplementary Thermal Energy Transfer in Thermal Energy Recovery Systems - A system for controlled recovery of thermal energy and conversion to mechanical energy. The system collects thermal energy from a reciprocating engine (for example, from engine jacket fluid) and may also collect further thermal energy from a natural gas compressor (for example, from compressor lubricating fluid). The collected thermal energy is used to generate secondary power by evaporating an organic propellant and using the gaseous propellant to drive an expander in production of mechanical energy. Secondary power is used to power parasitic loads, improving energy efficiency of the system. A supplementary cooler may provide additional cooling capacity without compromising system energy efficiency. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320478 | Reduced boundary layer separation steam jet air ejector assembly and method - A steam jet air ejector and a method for improving the performance of a steam jet air ejector in a nuclear reactor, the boundary layer separation reduction assembly for the steam jet air ejector includes a discharge diffuser including a plurality of vacuum ports positioned along an inner surface of the discharge diffuser and a vacuum source coupled to the vacuum ports. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320479 | NESTED CHANNEL DUCTS FOR NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION AND THE LIKE - A multiple conduit system for a gas turbine engine, the multiple conduit system extending between a plurality of conduit inlet and outlets. A channel, adapted for conveying fuel flow, is formed in a surface of a gas turbine engine component. The channel includes at least a first discrete conduit and a second discrete conduit. The first and second discrete conduits are each adapted to direct an independent fluid flow from respective inlets to respective outlets. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320480 | Fuel control arrangement - Fuel control arrangements provide and control fuel flow to injectors through fuel control valves. The injectors are connected to respective fuel control valves which in turn are connected to a first fuel flow path. The injectors are also connected to a second fuel flow path. The fuel paths are associated with a fuel source and generally have a recirculation valve between them. When flow in the flow path is stopped, recirculation of fuel can be provided across the recirculation valve to prevent fuel degradation. By provision of a restrictor valve in the second fuel flow path control of fuel recirculation can be achieved, as well as greater flexibility by presenting fuel flow separately through the second flow path to the injector whilst the first flow path is inhibited. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320481 | Fuel control arrangement - Fuel control arrangements for gas turbine engines generally comprise an injector and a fuel control valve. Typically the fuel control valve is controlled in terms of fuel demand through fuel pressure presented to the valve. Fuel demand may vary and in such circumstances stagnation of fuel adjacent to the valve may cause degradation of the fuel and therefore spurious operational performance. By providing a dedicated working fluid, and typically hydraulic, pressure to the valve a variable aperture port can be displaced to alter the fuel flow configuration within the valve. In such circumstances different fuel valve conditions can be generated by altering the available area of aperture in the port to divert or present fuel to the injector between and across first or primary fuel paths and second or pilot fuel paths as required. Thus more flexibility with regard to fuel presentation to the injector is achieved as well as consistency with respect to avoiding fuel degradation as fuel demand varies. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320482 | Fuel control arrangement - The present invention addresses fuel supply in gas turbine engines. A splitter valve | 2009-12-31 |
20090320483 | Variable Orifice Plug for Turbine Fuel Nozzle - A fuel nozzle for use about an end cap of a combustor. The fuel nozzle may include a flange attached to the end cap, an aperture extending through the flange, a plug positioned in the aperture, and an orifice positioned within the plug. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320484 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO FACILITATE REDUCING FLASHBACK/FLAME HOLDING IN COMBUSTION SYSTEMS - A method for assembling a premixing injector is provided. The method includes providing a centerbody including a center axis and a radially outer surface, and providing an inlet flow conditioner. The inlet flow conditioner includes a radially outer wall, a radially inner wall, and an end wall coupled substantially perpendicularly between the outer wall and the inner wall. Each of the outer wall and the end wall include a plurality of openings defined therein. The outer wall, the inner wall, and the end wall define a first passage therebetween. The method also includes coupling the inlet flow conditioner to the centerbody such that the inlet flow conditioner substantially circumscribes the centerbody, such that the inner wall is substantially parallel to the centerbody outer surface, and such that a second passage is defined between the centerbody outer surface and the inner wall. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320485 | Swirler for Use in a Burner of a Gas Turbine Engine - Disclosed is a swirler for use in a burner of a gas turbine engine, the swirler comprising a pluralkity of vanes arranged in a circle, flow slots being defined between adjacent vanes in a circle, each flow slot having an inlet end and an outlet end, in use of the swirler a flow of air and fuel traveling along each flow slot fom its inlet end to its outlet end such that the swirler provides a swirling mix of the air and fuel, at least one vane being configured to generate a flow vortex that extends from an edge of the vane adjacent an outlet end of a flow slot to within the swirling mix thereby to improve the mix of air and fuel in the swirling mix. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320486 | DUPLEX TAB EXHAUST NOZZLE - An exhaust nozzle includes a conical duct terminating in an annular outlet. A row of vortex generating duplex tabs are mounted in the outlet. The tabs have compound radial and circumferential aft inclination inside the outlet for generating streamwise vortices for attenuating exhaust noise while reducing performance loss. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320487 | Systems and methods for reducing noise from jet engine exhaust - Jet engine nozzles with projections (e.g., chevrons) and injected flow, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes generating a first flow of gas with a jet engine, delivering the first flow through a nozzle having a trailing edge perimeter that includes multiple projections extending in an aft direction, and injecting a pressurized second flow of fluid into the first flow proximate to the projections. In other embodiments, other mixing enhancement devices (e.g., vortex generators) are carried by the projections. It is expected that the combination of the projections and the mixing enhancement devices will reduce engine exhaust noise levels below the levels achievable with either projections or injected flow individually. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320488 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE WITH NOISE ATTENUATING VARIABLE AREA FAN NOZZLE - A high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a variable area fan nozzle with an acoustic system having an acoustic impedance. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320489 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INCREASING MODIFIED WOBBE INDEX CONTROL RANGE - A system and method for controlling the temperature of a fuel gas. The system and method includes mixing an intermediate pressure feedwater stream from the heat recovery steam generator with a high pressure feedwater stream from the heat recovery steam generator, then using that mixture to heat the fuel gas mixture. The system and method may provide for improved control over the Modified Wobbe Index of the fuel gas, which may allow for greater variation in the composition of the fuel gas. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320490 | Gas Turbine Combustor - A gas turbine combustor is provided, which comprises: a combustion chamber having an axial direction and a radial direction; air passages for feeding an air stream into the combustion chamber which are oriented such that the flowing direction for each air stream flowing into the combustion chamber includes an angle with the combustion chamber's radial direction so as to introduce a swirl in the in-flowing air and an angle of at least 60° with the combustion chamber's axial direction; and fuel injection openings which are located in the air passages. Each air passage defines a turning flow path with a turning between 70° and 150° in a radial direction of the combustion chamber and a turning between 0° and 235° in an axial direction of the combustion chamber. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320491 | DUAL CLUTCH ARRANGEMENT - A dual clutch arrangement is disclosed herein. The dual clutch arrangement includes a first input rotatable member. The dual clutch arrangement also includes an output rotatable member. The dual clutch arrangement also includes a first clutch coupling the first input rotatable member and the output rotatable member such that the first input rotatable member drives the output rotatable member in rotation. The first clutch is operable to be overrun. The dual clutch arrangement also includes a second input rotatable member. The dual clutch arrangement also includes a second clutch operable to selectively couple the second input rotatable member and the output rotatable member such that the second input rotatable member drives the output rotatable member in rotation. The first clutch is overrun when the second clutch is engaged. The dual clutch arrangement can be one exemplary way of practicing the method of operating a turbine engine to produce thrust for a vehicle, directing air into the turbine engine with a fan during said operating step, and changing a speed of the fan during said operating step to change a bypass ratio of the turbine engine. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320492 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GAS TURBINE IN MATERIAL TREATMENT UNIT - This invention discloses systems and methods for control of a gas turbine or a gas turbine generator, where the gas turbine is connected to a dryer vessel in which gas turbine exhaust gases are used to heat treat a material in the dryer vessel. The control system comprises one or more sensors for temperature, moisture and/or flow rate in the dryer vessel and/or of the material inside, entering and/or exiting the dryer vessel and a controller responsive to the sensor for controlling the fuel and/or air flow into the gas turbine. This control system and method enables providing the appropriate heat output from the gas turbine to meet the process heat required for the desired material treatment. Optionally, the gas turbine can be a liquid fuel turbine engine, or a reciprocating engine can be substituted for the turbine engine. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320493 | METHOD FOR PRIMARY CONTROL OF A COMBINED GAS AND STEAM TURBINE ARRANGEMENT - A method for primary regulation of a combined gas and steam turbine installation in network operation, wherein the combined gas and steam turbine installation includes a gas turbine and a steam turbine arranged along at least one shaft includes operating at least one steam turbine actuating valve on a restricted basis along a working steam supply line to at least one pressure stage of the steam turbine so as to provide a steady-state steam turbine reserve power, wherein the at least one steam turbine actuating valve is changed to a less restricted state if a network frequency decreases so as to require network frequency support. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320494 | Hydrogen gas generator for jet engines - A hydrogen gas generator for jet engines includes a device that utilizes photons and a catalyst to disassociate hydrogen gas from water. The generated hydrogen gas is directed to the combustion chamber of a jet engine and combined with air therein for burning and powering the jet engine. The device is connected to a source of electric energy and pressurized water. The electric energy is supplied to an anode and a surrounding cathode. The cathode is designed to glow white-hot and emit photons and heat when an electric current is supplied thereto. The anode is fabricated from a catalytic material and is designed to become red-hot when supplied with electric energy. Water is supplied through a conduit and is converted to superheated steam, which is thermolytically decomposed to form hydrogen and oxygen. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320495 | FAST ACTING AIRCRAFT ENGINE BLEED AIR CHECK VALVE - An engine air supply system includes an air source, which is a gas turbine engine in one example. A component, such as an environmental control system component, is interconnected to the air source by a conduit that includes a supply flow direction. A check valve is arranged in the conduit. The check valve includes a valve portion moveable in the supply flow direction from a closed position to an open position. The closed position is arranged at an acute angle relative to the supply flow direction. The check valve includes first and second valve portions that are hemi-elliptical in shape. The first and second valve portions are non-planar and arranged approximately 90 degrees apart when in the closed position. The first and second valve portions move toward one another from the closed position to the open position. Each of the first and second valve portions moves approximately 30-40 degrees from the open position to the closed position in response to a stall condition, which significantly reduces the response time and forces generated by the first and second valve portions when closing. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320496 | System for diffusing bleed air flow - In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed an apparatus configured to diffuse a flow of bleed air. The apparatus having an inlet collar configured to receive the flow of bleed air in a direction substantially along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus. The apparatus further having an end wall longitudinally spaced apart from the inlet collar and configured to block the flow of bleed air in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also having a first diffuser wall spaced concentrically relative to a second diffuser wall, each of the first and second diffuser walls positioned between the inlet collar and the end wall and including a plurality of perforations configured to permit the flow of bleed air to exit the apparatus at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320497 | COOLING AIR BLEED DEVICE IN A TURBINE ENGINE - Air bleed device for cooling components in a turbine engine, including an annular conduit ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320498 | COOLING AIR BLEED DEVICE IN A TURBOMACHINE - Air bleed device for cooling components in a turbine engine, including an annular conduit ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320499 | MAGNETOCALORIC THERMAL GENERATOR - The present invention concerns a compact, multi-purpose magneto-calorific thermal generator of high thermal efficiency, having a maximal heat exchange coefficient, while being simple to industrialise in order to respond to a wide range of both industrial and domestic applications. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320500 | COOLING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE - The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus for an electronic device. In the present invention, a coolant passing through a condenser | 2009-12-31 |
20090320501 | Automatic ice making machine and operation method therefor - To restrict the deposition of stain on an ice making unit, and prevent damage to resin components or the like. The above problems are solved by the followings. Ice making water is supplied to the front surface of an ice making plate cooled by refrigerant supplied to an evaporation tube during an ice making cycle to produce ice blocks. During a deicing cycle, deicing water is supplied by opening a water feed valve WV to the rear surface of the ice making plate to be heated by hot gas supplied to the evaporation tube. When a water feed time has elapsed, the water feed valve WV is closed to temporarily stop deicing water supply. After the water feed time elapsed, a cycle, in which the water feed valve WV is opened as much as an intermittent water supply time every time an intermittent stopping time has elapsed to intermittently supply deicing water, is repeated until a deicing cycle completes. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320502 | AIR CONDITIONER AND AIR CONDITIONER CLEANING METHOD - A method of cleaning an air conditioner utilizing carbon dioxide as a working refrigerant includes three steps. In a charging step, a refrigeration cycle is charged with carbon dioxide. In a venting step, a charging target with which the refrigeration cycle is charged is vented after the charging step. In a repeating step a unit operation is performed at least one time or more. The unit operation includes the charging step and the venting step. An air conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle configured to perform the unit operation at least one time, and a counter configured to count and output the number of times that the unit operation has been performed. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320503 | COGENERATION SYSTEM - A cogeneration system includes a coolant circuit through which a coolant is circulated for conducting a heat exchange with an exhaust heat generated by a power generation unit, a buffer tank provided at the coolant circuit and storing the coolant, a heating circuit including a heating power source and a heating terminal, the heating power source generating a heating water that is circulated to be supplied to the heating terminal, a heating water bypass circuit bypassing a flow passage of the heating circuit at a portion between an exit of the heating terminal and the heating power source, and a heat exchanging device performing a heat exchange between the heating water flowing through the heating water bypass circuit and the coolant. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320504 | Method for Defrosting an Evaporator in a Refrigeration Circuit - Method for defrosting an evaporator in a refrigeration circuit ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320505 | METHOD FOR COOL DRYING - Method for cool drying gas containing water vapour, whereby this gas is led through the secondary part of a heat exchanger ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320506 | REFRIGERANT SYSTEM WITH EXPANSION DEVICE BYPASS - A refrigerant system is provided with an expansion device that may be a thermostatic expansion device or an electronic expansion device. A bypass line selectively allows a portion of refrigerant to bypass the expansion device and to flow through a fixed restriction expansion device such as an orifice positioned in parallel configuration with the main expansion device. A valve selectively enables or blocks refrigerant flow through this bypass line depending on the volume of refrigerant required to circulate through the refrigerant system as defined by environmental conditions and a mode of operation. The valve can be a simple shutoff valve or a three-way valve selectively allowing or blocking refrigerant flow through a particular refrigerant line or lines. In one embodiment, the expansion device is the main expansion device for the refrigerant system. In the other embodiment, the expansion device is a vapor injection expansion device for expanding refrigerant for performing an economizer function. The present invention allows the use of a smaller expansion device, which can be more precisely controlled, while still allowing the accommodation of higher refrigerant mass flow when necessary. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320507 | AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL DEVICE - A control device includes a microcomputer and a storage element. The microcomputer is configured to execute an inspection operation mode in which an air conditioner is operated in inspection process in a manufacturing site, and a normal operation mode in which the air conditioner is operated at an installation site. When the operation state of the air conditioner fails to satisfy predetermined conditions, the microcomputer is configured to confirm that there is an error, and abnormally stop the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is abnormally stopped, the microcomputer is configured to cause the storage element to store predetermined operation information obtained during a period until abnormal stoppage of the air conditioner and to store the operation mode being executed at the time of occurrence of the error in the air conditioner. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320508 | DUAL COMPRESSOR COOLER - A dual compressor beverage cooler having a central beverage storage area and at least one external beverage dispensing unit. A first compressor maintains the central beverage storage area at typical refrigeration temperatures and a second compressor maintains the external beverage dispensing units at below freezing temperatures. The central beverage storage area may house “energy” drinks and the external beverage dispensing units may house alcoholic drinks. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320509 | MULTI-DOOR REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING A HEATABLE DOOR BAR - A refrigerator including a body unit and a pair of doors which are attached on opposite sides of the body unit and which jointly delimit a first internal space, wherein a first door of said pair supports a bar that extends into the internal space when the first door is in a closed position, said bar having a locating face, against which a rear side of the second door fits closely when both doors are in a closed position, and containing an electrical heating device, the refrigerator including a control circuit for the electrical heating device including at least one electric contact through which a current supply circuit of the electrical heating device is routed, the at least one electrical contact being attached to the body unit and conductively connected to a complementary contact disposed on the first door when the first door is closed. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320510 | Domestic Appliance With a Water Filter - A domestic appliance has a water conduit, in which a replaceable water filter and a valve are arranged, and a monitoring unit for calculating a value which is representative of the degree of wear of the water filter, which monitoring unit in each case increments the representative value by a given step width with a first delay after the valve is opened and, while the valve is open, at a time interval which is longer than the delay. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320511 | Ice dispenser - An ice dispenser including a storage compartment for ice cubes having a dispensing opening through which ice cubes can exit; and a slider movable over the dispensing opening along a predefined path, the slider including a first set of fingers and a module having a second set of fingers, with the first set of fingers being formed with at least two axially interspaced fingers delimiting therebetween an intermediate space, and during movement of the slider on the predefined path, a finger of the second set of fingers passes through the intermediate space, the module of the slider being movable between a partial covering position in which the module partially covers the dispensing opening and a release position in which the module does not cover the dispensing opening to the same extent as it covers the dispensing opening in its partial covering position. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320512 | REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING A WATER TANK - A refrigerator including a water tank having an inlet connection and an outlet connection in fluid communication with a water dispenser wherein the water tank includes a mixing area and a laminar flow area connected in series with the mixing area. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320513 | Automatic ice making machine - An automatic ice making machine with enhanced heat discharge efficiency, is provided. An ice making machine body | 2009-12-31 |
20090320514 | Universal fluid flow transitional connector for use with refrigeration units of refrigerated trailers - A universal fluid flow transitional connector, for use in connection with refrigeration units disposed within refrigerated cargo trailers, has a corner configuration that is adapted to be mounted within the upper front corner region of the refrigerated cargo trailer as defined between the front wall member and the ceiling member of the trailer. In this manner, the connector can fluidically connect the cooled air outlet portion of the refrigeration unit to an air distribution chute member which is attached to and extends axially along the ceiling member of the trailer such that the cooled air, outputted from the refrigeration unit, can be distributed throughout the entire interior cargo space of the refrigerated trailer. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320515 | REFRIGERATING DEVICE COMPRISING A PRESSURE COMPENSATION OPENING - A refrigerating device having a body and a door that enclose a refrigerated interior, have frame surfaces oriented toward each other and delimit a gap filled by a seal, the refrigerating device including at least one wall in at least one frame surface being forming with a passage therein, said passage being configured to bridge the seal, thereby allowing the interior to communicate with the environment. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320516 | Diaper bag with heated and cooled compartments - A diaper bag having a major compartment with pockets on the walls or bottom thereof for one or more of the following accessories needed either by the mother or baby for travel: wipes, diapers, spare clothes, Mom's ipod, cell phone, keys and/or wallet, a changing mat, snacks, formula, baby food, and having actively or passively heated and cooled insulated compartments for formula, baby food included on the inside or outside of the main compartment. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320517 | COOLER AND COOLER ACCESSORY WITH INTEGRATED LIQUID DISPENSER - A cooler comprising a container body having an exterior surface and at least a partially hollow interior. The container body has one or more receptacles formed within its exterior surface and extending into the hollow interior. The receptacles have enclosed bottom and side surfaces and open tops. The hollow interior of the container body is sealed and provides a fluid-tight reservoir to hold a fluid or a frozen or partially frozen fluid or gel. The container further contains a dispenser to permit the controlled release of fluid stored in the interior of the container. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320518 | REFRIGERANT EXCHANGE ARRANGEMENT - A refrigerant exchange arrangement is claimed with a first oil-trapping chamber ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320519 | Recovery of Hydrofluoroalkanes - A mixture of air and one or more halogenated alkanes is directed to a gas separation membrane where it is separated into an oxygen, nitrogen, and moisture-enriched and halogenated alkane-depleted permeate and a halogenated alkane-enriched and oxygen, nitrogen, and moisture-depleted retentate. The retentate is directed to a cryogenic condenser where an amount of halogenated alkane is condensed therein. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320520 | NITROGEN LIQUEFIER RETROFIT FOR AN AIR SEPARATION PLANT - A method is disclosed for increasing liquid production involving retrofitting an existing air separation plant with a nitrogen liquefier. The nitrogen liquefier liquefies a nitrogen-rich vapor stream withdrawn from the higher pressure column to return a nitrogen-rich liquid stream to the higher pressure column. This increases liquid nitrogen reflux to the higher pressure column to in turn increase the production of liquid oxygen containing column bottoms of the higher pressure column and therefore, the production of oxygen-rich liquid in the lower pressure column. The increased production of the oxygen-rich liquid allows a liquid oxygen product to be taken at an increased rate or for the liquid oxygen product to be taken in the first instance, if the plant is not designed to produce such a product. Also liquid nitrogen and argon products can be produced at an increased rate as a result of the retrofit. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320521 | Method of producing a quartz glass crucible - A method of producing a quartz glass crucible for pulling a single crystal comprising: providing a melting mold comprising a wall having passages between outside and inside; providing an outer layer granulation consisting of first coarser SiO | 2009-12-31 |
20090320522 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING OPTICAL GLASS DEVICE - It is an object of present invention to select the most suitable composition and molding condition for obtaining a glass having a desired refractive index by press molding without any annealing treatment, for a short period of time so as to produce efficiently the glass. In the invention, a glass composition showing a target refractive index in the case where annealing is conducted is regarded as a basic composition, a component ratio of the basic composition is changed with defining as a predetermined range a range where values of the target refractive index+(100 to 850)×10 | 2009-12-31 |
20090320523 | METHOD FOR BENDING A GLASS SHEET AND APPARATUS FOR BENDING A GLASS SHEET - The present invention relates to an apparatus for bending a glass sheet and a method for bending a glass sheet including an apparatus and a method for conveying a glass sheet, and it aims at producing with good efficiency a glass sheet of high quality, having complicated configuration. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320524 | Glass sheet cutting by laser-guided gyrotron beam - Disclosed are systems and methods for separating a sheet of glass by directing a microwave beam and a laser beam at a sheet of glass to propagate a crack across the sheet. A laser beam spot formed on the glass sheet by the laser at least partially overlaps a microwave beam spot produced on the sheet by the microwave beam and can be used to generate an increased power density in the overlap region, thereby forming a preferential direction for crack propagation. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320525 | Method of bubbling a gas into a glass melt - Feed materials are melted in a furnace to form a glass melt in a first vessel, transferred through a first refractory metal connecting tube to a second vessel for conditioning, then transferred through a second refractory metal connecting tube to a third vessel where the glass melt is fined. A gas is bubbled into the glass melt through an injection tube disposed in the first connecting tube, optionally in the second connecting tube, and optionally in both connecting tubes. The gas may be used to mix the melt and/or recharge a fining agent with oxygen. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320526 | Pre-Form For And Methods Of Forming A Hollow-Core Slotted PBG Optical Fiber For An Environmental Sensor - A preform for forming a hollow-core, slotted photonic band-gap (PBG) optical fiber for use in an environmental sensor, and methods of forming such a fiber using the preform are disclosed. The preform comprises a slotted cladding tube that surrounds a slotted, hollow-core PBG cane. The slots in the cladding tube and PBG cane are longitudinally formed and substantially aligned with each other. When the preform is drawn, the slots merge to form an elongated side opening or slot in the resulting hollow-core PBG fiber. In one case, the slot reaches the hollow core upon drawing, while in another case a second step is used to extend the slot to connect to the hollow core. The fiber is used to form an environmental sensor for sensing the presence of a target substance in an environment. The slot formed in the PBG region of the fiber forms a ridge waveguide wherein a portion of the light that otherwise is confined to the hollow core as a bound mode travels in the slot. The target substance affects the light traveling in the fiber, allowing for the target substance to be detected. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320527 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TAPERING OPTICAL FIBERS TO CONFORM TO A DESIRED RADIAL PROFILE - An apparatus and method for tapering an optical fiber segment having an initial radial profile to substantially conform to a pre-specifiable desired radial profile for controlling mutually coordinated elongation and softening of different axial portions of the segment according to control parameters derivable based on a normalized axial coordinate reference by which points of the initial profile map to corresponding points of the desired profile. The softening and/or elongation may progress substantially in either a step-wise, time-discrete manner or time-continuously. The invention is useful for forming tapered fused couplers as well as for tapering individual fibers. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320528 | Spinner for manufacturing dual-component irregularly-shaped hollow insulation fiber - A novel spinner, for fiberizing hollow, irregularly-shaped insulating fibers is the subject matter of the present invention. The spinner is unique in a sense that its hole/slot pattern can be done by some standard drilling/milling techniques, which lower the cost of manufacturing. The invention uses two molten glasses (A and B) of different coefficients of thermal expansion, which are moved outwardly around the corresponding gas orifices by centrifugal force in a spinner pot. A stream of pressurized combustion gases is thrust through these central gas orifices to produce a hollow, non collapsible fiber of irregular shape. Molten glass A is introduced from the bottom of the spinner, and molten glass B is introduced above an uppermost flange and by means of centrifugal force, the two glasses A and B are forced upwardly and downwardly, respectively, into fiberizing centers. The improvement of the present invention is that by using both horizontal baffles and vertical compartments, a greater number of fiberizing orifices can be created on the spinner outside peripheral side wall. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320529 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MICROMACHINING BULK TRANSPARENT MATERIALS USING LOCALIZED HEATING BY NONLINEARLY ABSORBED LASER RADIATION, AND DEVICES FABRICATED THEREBY - Thermal 3-D microstructuring of photonic structures is provided by depositing laser energy by non-linear absorption into a focal volume about each point of a substrate to be micromachined at a rate greater than the rate that it diffuses thereout to produce a point source of heat in a region of the bulk larger than the focal volume about each point that structurally alters the region of the bulk larger than the focal volume about each point, and by dragging the point source of heat thereby provided point-to-point along any linear and non-linear path to fabricate photonic structures in the bulk of the substrate. Exemplary optical waveguides and optical beamsplitters are thermally micromachined in 3-D in the bulk of a glass substrate. The total number of pulses incident to each point is controlled, either by varying the rate that the point source of heat is scanned point-to-point and/or by varying the repetition rate of the laser, to select the mode supported by the waveguide or beamsplitter to be micromachined. A wide range of passive and active optical and other devices may be thermally micromachined. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320530 | Control panel of laundry machine - A control panel of a laundry machine is disclosed. A control panel of a laundry machine includes a first operation part for selecting one of plural washing courses, a display part displaying the washing course selected by using the first operation part and a control part controlling the display part to display the washing course selected by using the first operation part. According to the control panel, it is unnecessary to print letters of the washing courses in the surface of the control panel. As a result, the exterior design of the control panel | 2009-12-31 |
20090320531 | Bicycle Lock - A bicycle lock in the form of a cable lock includes an elongated lock body and a cable having first and second ends. The first end is fixed to one end of the elongated lock body and another end of the lock body has an insertion opening for an insertion pin that is attached to the second end of the cable and provided with two lateral, diametrically opposed recesses that are oriented parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lock body. Two locking bolts are insertable into the recesses in a translatory manner in the longitudinal direction of the lock body for securing the insertion pin in the lock body. The locking bolts form a part of a locking device. A driver, which lies with inner ends in an effective area of the drive, is rotatable by means of a closing cylinder. By actuation of the closing cylinder, the locking device is drivable in the longitudinal direction of the lock body. The locking device has a first section extending in the longitudinal direction of the lock body and a second, bracket section oriented perpendicular to the lock body longitudinal direction on its outer end. The locking bolts, which are preferably cylindrical, are insertable into the first and second sections on opposite sides of the bracket section. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320532 | ANTI-THEFT DEVICE - An anti-theft device comprising an electrically conducting flexible cable which is connected, at one end, to elements for detachable engagement with an item to be retained and is provided with elements for detecting the engagement of said detachable engagement elements for detachable engagement with the item to be retained, and a supporting base which can be associated with a control unit which is designed to act in response to the detection, by the detection elements, of the engagement/disengagement of the detachable engagement elements for detachable engagement with the item to be retained, the device further comprising elements for detachable connection between the flexible cable and the supporting base. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320533 | FASTENER AND LOCKING STRUCTURE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An exemplary locking structure for a portable electronic device includes an engagement portion and a fastener. The engagement portion includes an upper plate and a lateral plate perpendicular to the upper plate. Two protrusions are fixed on a fringe of the upper plate and lateral plate. The lateral plate defines a through hole. The fastener includes a main body, a first holding sheet, two second holding sheets, and a third holding sheet. The main body abuts the lateral plate. The first and second holding sheets extend from the upper plate in a first direction and the second holding sheets are engaged with the protrusions. The third holding sheet extends from a bottom end of the main body and passes through the through hole so that a locking hole of the third holding sheet is exposed outside of the housing. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320534 | Lock device - The invention discloses a lock device. The lock device is used for detachably mounting a cover on a base. A recess is formed on the cover. A first hole is formed on the bottom of the recess, and a first retainer is extended out of the bottom of the recess. The lock device includes a first sliding member, a first elastomer, and a second sliding member. A column which is capable of passing through the first hole is formed on the first sliding member. A second retainer which is used for the first retainer to lock is formed on the second sliding member. When the first sliding member slides toward the base along a first axle, the column pushes the second retainer to make the second sliding member slide toward a second axle, so as to make the second retainer separate from the first retainer. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320535 | METHOD FOR MAKING A ROTATING LOCK FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE - The invention relates to a method for making a rotating lock ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320536 | Electric Steering Lock Device - An electric steering lock device is provided that includes a column pipe, a steering shaft pivotably passed through the interior of the column pipe, and electric lock means that has an electric motor and that can switch in response to operation of the electric motor between a locked state in which pivoting of the steering shaft is prevented and an unlocked state in which pivoting of the steering shaft is permitted, wherein the electric lock means ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320537 | TAMPER EVIDENT SECURITY LOCK - A tamper evident security lock includes a tamper evident security system to indicate whether the tamper evident security lock has been improperly accessed. The tamper evident security system includes a tamper evident security module that invokes different sets of logic to generate a sequence of characters displayable through a viewing window incorporated into the tamper evident security lock. The tamper evident security system may also include a processor activatable by an actuator in communication with a shackle or other component of the tamper evident security lock. The shackle works in conjunction with the actuator to activate the processor, and when the processor is activated, the tamper evident security system generates the sequence of characters. The sequence of characters may change each time the processor is activated so that a person authorized to unlock the tamper evident security lock can identify whether the tamper evident security lock was improperly accessed. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320538 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE LOCKING OF A LOCK, AND LOCK - Method for controlling the locking of an electronic lock ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320539 | LOCK ASSEMBLY CAPABLE OF RECORDING THE NUMBER OF TIMES OF UNLOCKING OPERATION - A lock assembly includes a housing, a shackle having a pivotal portion, which is disposed in the housing and axially moveable and pivotable, and a free end insertable into a top hole of the housing, a latch movably disposed in the housing and engagable with the pivotal portion or a free end of the shackle, and a lock unit disposed in the housing and having a block portion. When the lock unit is unlocked, the block portion allows a disengaging movement of the latch from the insertion groove such that the shackle can be move upwards to start the counter. When the lock unit is locked, the block portion prohibits the disengaging movement of the latch from the insertion groove such that the shackle can't be moved upwards, and the counter can't be started. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320540 | BOLT SEAL - A sealing device is provided that includes a bolt having a shaft, a tapered end and a circumferential groove; a lock body having an open end leading into a bore; an overmold substantially surrounding the lock body and including an aperture aligned with the open end of the lock body; a lock ring located in the bore of the lock body; and a washer having a hole aligned with the aperture in the overmold and the opening in the lock body and located between the overmold and the lock ring, the lock ring including a plurality of spokes extending inwardly from an outer ring portion. Some of the spokes can include an inner flange extending generally perpendicular to the spoke, and the inner flanges form a non-continuous inner ring portion. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320541 | BOLT SEAL - A sealing device is provided that includes a bolt having a shaft, a tapered end and a circumferential groove; a lock body having an open end leading into a hollow portion; an overmold substantially surrounding the lock body and including an aperture aligned with the open end of the lock body; a lock clip located in the hollow portion of the lock body; and a washer having a hole aligned with the aperture in the overmold and the opening in the lock body and located between an end of the overmold and the lock clip, the lock clip including a plurality of spokes extending inwardly from an outer periphery portion. Some of the spokes can include an inner flange extending generally perpendicular to the spoke, and the inner flanges form a non-continuous inner ring portion. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320542 | Tube making machine with diameter control and method - A spiral pipe forming system and method which include automatic diameter or dimension sensing and correction. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320543 | DEVICE FOR INTERNAL HIGH PRESSURE FORMING - The invention relates to a device for the internal high-pressure forming of components from tubular workpieces, in particular microcomponents, comprising an at least two-part mould, in which a workpiece can be placed, and means for sealing and/or applying pressure to the workpiece at the ends of the workpiece, in which device at least one guide ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320544 | COILING FURNACE - A coiler furnace having a heat-insulated enclosure delimiting a furnace interior, a strip coiling device includes a coiler drum having a slotted receiving opening for the hot-rolled strip in the furnace interior. A controlled rotational drive for a coiler shaft is located outside the furnace interior. An inlet and outlet opening to the enclosure for a hot-rolled strip. A strip guiding device between a roller table and the coiler drum. In order to avoid any winding errors, a feeding shield extends through the enclosure of the coiler furnace and is coupled to a displacement drive arranged outside the furnace interior. The displacement drive can be displaced between an insertion position and a withdrawal position of the shield. The feeding shield, in the insertion position, interacts with the strip guiding device to form a feed funnel, mounted upstream the slotted receiving opening on the coiler drum for the hot-rolled strip together. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320545 | Gutter guard forming machine - The gutter guard forming machine accepts relatively narrow, elongate sheets of imperforate materials and foraminous screen materials from a series of supply rollers and passes those sheets of material through a series of forming rollers and dies to crimp the sheets mechanically together along their common elongate edges to form the desired cross-sectional shape for the finished gutter guard. The raw sheet materials are fed into the machine in two overlying and two underlying streams, which are joined together and shaped by the forming rollers and dies. The process is continuous, with an automated cutoff saw cutting the completed gutter guard to practical lengths after formation. The mechanism is primarily electrically-powered, with a pneumatic-hydraulic cylinder being used for one of the operations. Various components are adjustable to allow the configuration of the completed gutter guard to be adjusted as desired. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320546 | Method and Finishing Train for Hot-Rolling Starting Material - The invention relates to a method and a finishing train for hot-rolling starting material. Starting material is finished in several successive roll stands ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320547 | Hot Stamping Die Apparatus - A hot forming die that includes a first die and a second die. The first die has a first die structure that is formed of a tool steel. The first die structure has a first die surface and a plurality of first cooling apertures. The first die surface has a complex shape. The first cooling apertures are spaced apart from the die surface by a first predetermined distance. The second die has a second die surface. The first and second die surfaces cooperate to form a die cavity. Related methods for forming a hot forming die and for hot forming a workpiece are also provided. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320548 | Apparatus and methods for material fabrication - Apparatus and methods for fabricating materials by die-forming that may be implemented to form a joggle in a bendable workpiece by securing the workpiece to each of at least two respective adjacent working areas, and then by displacing at least one of the at least two working areas relative to an adjacent working area in order to induce the joggle within the workpiece. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320549 | DISCARD CONVEYING APPARATUS - A discard conveying apparatus comprising a chute provided below a die of an extrusion pressing machine in which discards are freely dropped along the chute through which the discards are guided, in which the discard conveying apparatus comprises a chute having a discharging port in a position which is approximately just under the dies, a bucket for containing the discards disposed in the discharging port of the chute, and a transporter capable of freely moving the bucket in a forward and backward direction, the transporter being attached to a machine base in the direction of crossing to an axis line of the machine base in the manner of being passed through the machine base and supporting an inversion axis of the bucket, and the bucket is turned and inversed when the bucket is transported to an end portion of the forward movement. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320550 | Anti-Vibration Die Holder Technology for Fabricating Press - The invention involves an anti-vibration die holder for a press, such as a metal-fabricating press. The anti-vibration die holder preferably includes at least one resilient surface adapted to contact a die when the die is mounted operatively on the die holder. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320551 | Thread rolling die - A thread rolling die having a nitride diffusion layer formed in a surface layer portion of a form rolling surface portion for thread rolling to plastically deform a surface of a workpiece, the nitride diffusion layer being formed in an ion nitriding treatment such that a compound layer depth is 1 μm or smaller, a practical nitride layer depth ranges from 5 to 40 μm, and either of that a surface hardness is 1300 HV or larger or that a surface hardened amount is 400 HV or larger. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320552 | Parallel flow meter device for measuring flow rate in pipes - The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for measuring flow rate in pipes. The standard method of installing flow meters inside pipes to measure flow rates are costly and result in loss of energy and reduction of flow. The present invention solves the problems of standard flow measuring method. The present invention uses an apparatuses comprising of a first pipe and a by-pass second pipe. The flow is partitioned between the first pipe and the by-pass second pipe. A flow meter is installed in the by-pass second pipe. The flow rate is measured through the by-pass second pipe, and using the by-pass second pipe flow rate, the combined flow rate through the first pipe and the by-pass second pipe is calculated. The invention describes two methods to calibrate the apparatuses and relate the flow rate in the by-pass second pipe to total combined flow rate. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320553 | Surface Measurement Probe - Apparatus and method of determining drift for a surface measurement probe. The surface measurement probe has a housing, a surface contacting stylus, a vibration generator which causes vibration of the stylus, a sensing device for determining a parameter related to change in vibration of the stylus, and a comparator for determining the relationship of the parameter with a threshold. Readings of the parameter are taken when the stylus is not in contact with a surface and average over a time t, which is significantly larger than the transition time when touching a surface. The average of the readings of the parameter is compared to a reference parameter. The comparison is used to determine whether there has been significant drift of the parameters. Thus drift due to temperature change is corrected. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320554 | TROLLEY WIRE WEAR MEASURING DEVICE - [Object] To ensure a wear measurement over an entire section of a trolley wire and to facilitate the wear measurement, and also to perform the measurement during daytime, without being affected by structures existing around the trolley wire. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320555 | TEST DEVICE FOR TRIBOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF MATERIALS - A test device for the tribological examination of materials, including at least one first test body that has a first test surface, a drive unit for this at least one first test body that can be driven in oscillating and/or rotating fashion, a measurement device for measuring forces that act on the one hand essentially parallel to the direction of an oscillating introduction of force and/or in the circumferential direction of a rotational introduction of force of the drive unit of the at least one second test body and on the other hand for acquiring the test forces that act between the at least one first test body and the at least one second test body, in addition, a load regulating device is provided that regulates the test force acting between the two test bodies, the prespecified test force being applied to the test bodies with the aid of a decoupled bearing of the drive unit. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320556 | MONITORING APPARATUS - The invention provides a device for measuring the dynamic coefficient of friction of a surface. The device includes a track having an arcuate portion which is shaped to mimic an arc of travel of a pendulum; a shoe mounted so as to be movable along the track, and a biasing device for biasing part of the shoe into contact with the surface as it moves along the arcuate portion of the track; a propulsion device for providing an initial propulsion force to propel the shoe along the track; a velocity detector for measuring the velocity of the shoe at a plurality of points during its travel along the track; and computing means for calculating the coefficient of friction from changes in velocity of the shoe as it moves along the track. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320557 | MEMS Stiction Testing Apparatus and Method - A MEMS stiction testing method applies a first electrical signal to a MEMS device having two opposing surfaces to cause the two opposing surfaces to make physical contact. The two opposing surfaces produce a second electrical signal when in physical contact. The method then substantially mitigates the first electrical signal after detecting that the second electrical signal has reached a prescribed maximum value. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320558 | Method of Making a Structure Comprising Cavities and Volumes, a Structure Comprising Cavities and Volumes, and a Gas Analyser Comprising a Structure Comprising Cavities and Volumes - Method of making a structure, a structure and a gas analyzer comprising cavities and volumes in which a multilayer structure is made by laminating single layers on top of each other to form the multilayer structure and combining them all together, in which method before the laminating step at least one layer is processed by cutting pneumatically constrictive openings therein to form pneumatic filters comprising constrictive cavities and volumes with the surfaces of the adjoining layers. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320559 | Evaluation of the Fragrance Characteristics of a Substance - Apparatus for evaluating the fragrance characteristics of a substance comprises a cylindrical chamber ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320560 | RECIRCULATING TEMPERATURE WAVE FOCUSING CHROMATOGRAPHY - Systems and methods for performing chromatography separations or analyses are disclosed. The methods are based upon an equilibrium gradient focusing mode in contrast to conventional transient migration-based modes. By matching the migration speed of one or more analyte(s) of interest to the wave speed of a thermal gradient induced to travel along a region in which chromatographic partitioning occurs, significant improvements in detection limits are achieved. In particular, a temperature gradient focusing strategy is described in which analyte(s) of interest are circulated around a continuous chromatography system in order to focus the analyte(s). Also described are various devices and systems that can be used in the methods described herein. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320561 | PHOTOACOUSTIC CELL - Embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods relate to a photoacoustic cell including an excitation source, a chamber, and a quantum dot substrate between the excitation source and the chamber. The excitation source generates a light spectrum. The quantum dot substrate, when subjected to the light spectrum, emits a specific wavelength of light to be received by the chamber. The photoacoustic cell apparatus may be part of a portable gas sensing system, and may be used to detect and measure the concentration of one or more gases. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320562 | PARTICULATE MONITOR - A particulate monitor includes a housing, an air-moving device coupled to the housing, and an air passageway disposed at least partially within the housing. The air-moving device is operable to create an airflow through the air passageway. The particulate monitor may include a real-time measuring device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway and a particulate collection device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway. A collection device may be positioned downstream of the real-time measuring device. At least one impactor may be movably coupled to the housing to be movable between a first position adjacent the air passageway and a second position displaced from the air passageway | 2009-12-31 |
20090320563 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING PERMEATE FLOW AND PERMEATE CONDUCTIVITY OF INDIVIDUAL REVERSE OSMOSIS MEMBRANE ELEMENTS - The present disclosure relates to a system comprising integrated sensors ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320564 | Method and Device for Measuring the Gas Permeability Through Films and Walls of Containers - A device for measuring permeability to a gas sample through a thin film, or a wall ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090320565 | Method and apparatus for providing leak-before-burst failure of a pressurized component - In a pressure vessel, pressure fitting, or pressure component, service use may result in the propagation of fatigue cracks. According to embodiments, a leak channel may be designed and formed to cause a pressurized fluid nominally contained by the pressure member to leak after formation of a fatigue crack, rather than undergoing a more catastrophic burst failure. According to an embodiment, a method is taught for determining the propensity of fatigue cracks to form, determining the location of the possible fatigue cracks, and determining a location for a leak channel, leak hole, weep hole, etc. for preventing burst failure. According to an embodiment, a computer program performs steps to design leak channels for prevention of burst failures in favor of leak-before-burst (LBB) failures. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320566 | Systems and Methods for Monitoring the Integrity of a Tank - A conduit is connected to the interstice between an outer and inner wall of a storage tank or the liner thereof and may be used to monitor the integrity of the interstice. The conduit comprises a coupling in fluid communication with the interstice, a tube connected at one end to the coupling and having a length sufficient to extend into a riser pipe of the tank. The conduit may also include a bushing holding the tube apart from the tank and providing for the variable positioning of the tube with respect to the tank. A method of monitoring the integrity of the interstice uses monitoring equipment connected to the conduit. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320567 | Broken piece detecting sensor - To provide a broken piece detecting sensor assembly capable of stably detecting broken piece admixed in a fluid, which broken piece is made of material characterized by non-metal, non-magnetic and non-electroconductive characteristics such as ceramics. This broken piece detecting sensor assembly is a sensor for detecting broken piece admixed in a fluid. Provided are two opposed flat plates, a shift mechanism for moving at least one of the two flat plates in a confronting direction to allow the broken piece to be sandwiched between those two flat plates, and measuring and determining section. The measuring and determining section is operable to measure the distance between the two flat plates to thereby detect the presence or absence of the broken piece, the size of the broken piece or the amount of the broken piece accumulated. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320568 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING VISCOSITY AND SURFACE TENSION - Methods and apparatus for measuring viscosity and/or surface tension of a liquid are described in which droplets are formed at a needle or pipette containing a sample of the test liquid and a size-related characteristic of the droplets such as droplet size, volume, diameter, or weight of the test liquid are measured by means of by capturing an image of the droplets and obtaining the size-related characteristic from the captured image. Subsequently or previously, a volume of the same sample of the test liquid is drained from the needle or pipette under pump pressure or a hydrostatic pressure, and an elution time is measured. The method and apparatus allows or includes determining the viscosity from the elution time, and determining the surface tension from the viscosity and the size-related characteristic of the droplet such as droplet size, volume, diameter, or weight of the test liquid. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320569 | Adjustable height liquid level management tools and systems - A lift mechanism positioned on a tank containing potentially explosive gases, corrosive material and/or poisonous material with the motor of the mechanism on top of the lift and more than 5 feet away from any vent or outlet of the tank and one or more devices inside the tank being moved and positioned by the lift mechanism. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320570 | DETECTION OF FREE CHLORINE IN WATER - The present invention describes methods and kits for determining the concentration of free chlorine in water. To avoid false readings from other species present in the water, the free chlorine is reacted with ammonia to form monochloramine, which is then reacted to form an indophenol or an indonaphthol. The concentration of the indophenol or indonaphthol is proportional to the total monochloramine present. Subtracting the concentration of residual monochloramine from the total monochloramine yields the concentration of monochloramine formed from the free chlorine and ammonia, and is proportional to the concentration of free chlorine. Embodiments of the present invention will simplify and accelerate accurate measurements of free chlorine in water, without interference from compounds impacting present measurements of free chlorine. | 2009-12-31 |
20090320571 | DISPERSION AND SEPARATION OF NANOSTRUCTURED CARBON IN ORGANIC SOLVENTS - The present invention relates to dispersions of nanostructured carbon in organic solvents containing alkyl amide compounds and/or diamide compounds. The invention also relates to methods of dispersing nanostructured carbon in organic solvents and methods of mobilizing nanostructured carbon. Also disclosed are methods of determining the purity of nanostructured carbon. | 2009-12-31 |