Abstract:
A diverter valve and actuator assembly for diverting flow of a fluid from one path to another under the control of a power driven actuator, including a valve body having a chamber therein with an inlet port and two outlet ports, each outlet port having a valve seat therearound, a valve shaft extending through the body into the chamber, and a valve member carried by the valve shaft and disposed to be mated selectively with either of said valve seats by appropriate rotation of the valve shaft, and the assembly further including an actuator having a power driven shaft carrying a pivot which provides a reciprocatory component of motion with respect to the valve shaft when the actuator is driven. A control arm assembly is carried by the valve shaft and has two rigid arms extending from the valve shaft and a resilient leaf spring arm fixed with respect to the valve shaft and extending radially therefrom between the rigid arms and spaced therefrom, the end of the resilient arm being pivotally connected by a link to the reciprocating pivot, and the actuator overdriving the link beyond the motion required to move the valve member between the seats whereby the resilient arm is bent when the valve member is seated.
Abstract:
A tunnel boring machine (90) having a rotating cutter head (93) that rotatably supports a plurality of cutter assemblies (10). A plurality of instrument packages (50) are attached to the rotating cutter head, each instrument package having a distal end in contact with an associated cutter assembly. The instrument packages include a plurality of sensors including an accelerometer (32), magnetometer (33) and temperature sensor (34), for monitoring the associated cutter assembly. The sensors are mounted in a distal end of the instrument packages that is biased to remain in contact with the cutter assembly. The instrument packages include a wireless transmitter, and they are interconnected in a mesh or peer to peer network. A power supply (176) such as a battery pack is provided for each instrument package. The data from the sensors may be used to control operation of the tunnel boring machine and/or to monitor the condition of the cutter assemblies.
Abstract:
A tunnel boring machine (90) having a rotating cutter head (93) that rotatably supports a plurality of cutter assemblies (10). A plurality of instrument packages (50) are attached to the rotating cutter head, each instrument package having a distal end in contact with an associated cutter assembly. The instrument packages include a plurality of sensors including an accelerometer (32), magnetometer (33) and temperature sensor (34), for monitoring the associated cutter assembly. The sensors are mounted in a distal end of the instrument packages that is biased to remain in contact with the cutter assembly. The instrument packages include a wireless transmitter, and they are interconnected in a mesh or peer to peer network. A power supply (176) such as a battery pack is provided for each instrument package. The data from the sensors may be used to control operation of the tunnel boring machine and/or to monitor the condition of the cutter assemblies.
Abstract:
Metal injection molding methods and feedstocks. Metal injection molding methods include forming a feedstock, molding the feedstock into a molded article, substantially removing a lubricant, a thermoplastic, and an aromatic binder from the molded article, and sintering the molded article into a metal article. In some examples, metal injection molding methods include oxygen reduction methods. In some examples, metal injection molding methods include densification methods. Metal injection molding feedstocks include a lubricant, a thermoplastic, and aromatic binder, and a metal powder.
Abstract:
Metal injection molding methods and feedstocks. Metal injection molding methods include forming a feedstock, molding the feedstock into a molded article, substantially removing a lubricant, a thermoplastic, and an aromatic binder from the molded article, and sintering the molded article into a metal article. In some examples, metal injection molding methods include oxygen reduction methods. In some examples, metal injection molding methods include densification methods. Metal injection molding feedstocks include a lubricant, a thermoplastic, and aromatic binder, and a metal powder.
Abstract:
A rubber article formed from a rubber composition having a rubber component is provided wherein the article has a texture coating thereon. A texture coating mixture is formed from a mixture of a rubber composition having a rubber component substantially the same as employed to form the rubber article, and rubber particles also having a rubber component substantially the same as that of the rubber article. A method of forming a rubber article is also provided which includes coating a rubber article with such a texture coating mixture.
Abstract:
In one example embodiment, a method is provided that includes interfacing with one or more end users via a central website and managing information related to one or more of the end users. The method also includes determining a personality type for one or more end users and matching end users based on relationship rules of the personality types that outline compatibilities between the personality types. In more specific embodiments, the determining of the personality type includes an evaluation of a hand of a selected end user. The personality types can be based on inferred levels of testosterone, serotonin, or estrogen. The personality type determination can also be made based on a set of questions. The personality type determination can also be based on evaluating a selected end user's word choice and/or the frequency in their word choice in their writing.
Abstract:
A process for the removal of acidic gases from carrier gases employing a finely divided alkaline sorbent material is disclosed. The process includes, optionally, the step of conditioning the carrier gas to lower its temperature. The process comprises introducing a stream containing the alkaline sorbent material and mixing the alkaline sorbent material and the carrier gas, introducing a stream of vapor and liquid droplets and mixing the stream of vapor and liquid droplets with the stream of carrier gas containing the alkaline sorbent material. Thereafter a portion of the vapor is condensed and the alkaline sorbent material reacted with the acid gases to form products of reaction. Finally, the products of reaction and the remaining alkaline sorbent material are separated from the carrier gas stream. Preferably, the alkaline sorbent material is calcium based, e.g., calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate and the vapor and liquid droplets comprise low pressure steam and water, respectively. The mixing process is facilitated by a free jet nozzle operated with a low pressure drop across the nozzle. The separation step may be formed in a fabric filter (baghouse) or an electrostatic precipitator.