Abstract:
A thermoacoustic refrigerator includes at least one pair of pulse combustion tubes (10), preferably Rijke tubes, each tube (10) having a pair of spaced-apart Stirling engines (12), coupled together but with no separating membrane therebetween.
Abstract:
A cable user interface, such as a cable for audio headphones, enables control of one or more aspects of operation of a device to which such cable is connected. A user touches/applies pressure to the cable user interface, either along the full length of the cable, or to a localized part of the cable, in order to control the device. A mechanism is included for interfacing the pressure sensitive controller(s) to the device so that pressure/touch applied by a user can be translated to control of the device. In one embodiment, a headphone cable itself is an input device for volume and playback control of a portable media player.
Abstract:
An electronic device has a single display panel that operates in multiple modes to support different display capabilities. In one implementation, the device operates the display panel in a first mode to support a rich user experience, such as watching video, playing games, reading and writing email, and so forth. In the first mode, the entire display panel is operational, where substantially all of the pixels are active and available to depict image data. The device alternatively operates the display panel in a second mode that provides limited display capabilities, while conserving power. In the second mode, a portion of the display panel is operational while the rest of the display panel is powered off. This partial display mode may be implemented by activating a subset of the pixels, certain backlights, and/or a part of the circuitry that supports the display (e.g., frame buffer, display controller).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a continuous process for the enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of β-ketoesters comprising providing a catalytic hydrogenation zone and maintaining it under conditions of temperature and pressure effective for the catalytic hydrogenation of β-ketoesters; continuously supplying to the catalytic hydrogenation zone a substrate comprising a β-ketoester to be hydrogenated, a catalyst effective for enantioselective hydrogenation of the β-ketoester and hydrogen; contacting the substrate, the catalyst and the hydrogen in the hydrogenation zone for a residence time effective for at least partial enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of the β-ketoester; (d) continuously withdrawing from the hydrogenation zone a reaction product mixture comprising enantioselectively hydrogenated β-ketoester, unreacted β-ketoester, catalyst and hydrogen; (e) supplying the reaction product mixture to a separation zone and separating at least some of the enantioselectively hydrogenated β-ketoester from the reaction product mixture; (f) withdrawing the separated enantioselectively hydrogenated β-ketoester as product; and (g) optionally supplying at least part of the remaining material from the separation zone to the hydrogenation zone.
Abstract:
A muffler has a pair of spaced baffle plates that each receive a flow tube. The flow tubes have spaced ends such that an intermediate chamber is defined to receive air flow to be dampened. In existing mufflers, a bracket needed to be formed to the desired length to support the two spaced baffle plates. The inventive support tube is cut to the desired length, and then utilized to provide the support between the two baffle plates. The support tube is preferably of a diameter that is much smaller than the flow tubes. The support tube may be deformed to have a blockage preventing flow of air through the support tube.
Abstract:
A microstrip hybrid ring coupler providing the same function as a convental magic Tee in waveguide or a coaxial rat-race. The ring is comprised of four equal electrical length arcs between the input-output ports. The 180.degree. phase shift is introduced in one of the four ring arcs by a tightly coupled parallel strip conductor which extends towards the interior of the ring and has an electrical length of .lambda./4 where .lambda. is the wavelength at the midband operating frequency of the coupler.
Abstract:
Video cyclic sexual movement detection and synchronisation apparatus (10) includes a selector (12), an analyser (14) and a output generator (16). In use, the apparatus (10) receives an input signal (18) which comprises a sequence (94) of video frames (20), each frame (20) comprising a plurality of image areas (22). In a selection phase, the selector (12) selects one of the image areas (22) as a subject area (24) and another of the image areas (22) as a reference area 26. In an analysis phase, the analyser (14) analyses a set (28) of the video frames (20) to determine a subject speed parameter (30) which relates to the speed of movement of the subject area (24) relative to the reference area (26). In a synchronisation phase, the output generator (16) generates an output signal (38) which comprises a speed signal (40) which is dependent on the subject speed parameter (30).
Abstract:
A portable media player device is capable of operating in a wireless network. The wireless portable media player device can bootstrap and synchronize with an ad hoc network with low power consumption. Neighbor portable media player devices in an ad hoc network can be discovered by the wireless portable media player device. The portable media player device can establish and terminate connections to neighbor portable media player devices. The portable media player device can transfer data in a high speed data transfer mode or a power save data transfer mode, while concurrently permitting discovery by other devices. The portable media player device operates in a power save mode during an inactive portion of a periodic discovery interval.
Abstract:
A portable media player device is capable of operating in a wireless network. The wireless portable media player device can bootstrap and synchronize with an ad hoc network with low power consumption. Neighbor portable media player devices in an ad hoc network can be discovered by the wireless portable media player device. The portable media player device can establish and terminate connections to neighbor portable media player devices. The portable media player device can transfer data in a high speed data transfer mode or a power save data transfer mode, while concurrently permitting discovery by other devices. The portable media player device operates in a power save mode during an inactive portion of a periodic discovery interval.
Abstract:
A method for the selective capture and removal of gases and vapors from a gas stream using a thermo-acoustic device includes the steps of first cooling the gas stream using at least one heat exchanger and then passing the stream to a thermo-acoustic refrigeration process and removing gases in a cascade process. The gases that are captured and removed, such as CO2, can be deposited, for example, in a marine environment.