45results about How to "Eliminate maintenance" patented technology

Provided is a highly accurate optical pumping magnetometer, in which a static magnetic field and an oscillating field to be applied to a vapor cell are stabilized. To this end, the optical pumping magnetometer includes: Helmholtz coils for applying a constant static magnetic field to a vapor cell serving as a magnetic field detector; fluxgate magnetometers for detecting environmental magnetic noise in two directions of X-axis direction and Y-axis direction other than Z-axis direction which is a direction for detecting a magnetic field coming out of a measurement object while locating the vapor cell in the center thereof; magnetometer drive circuits for driving the fluxgate magneotometers; current converters for converting outputs of the magnetometer drive circuits into amount of currents; and magnetic field generating coils for generating a magnetic field in a phase opposite to the environmental magnetic noise in the two directions.

There have been problems in that a dedicated apparatus is needed for a conventional method of manufacturing an organic thin film transistor and in that: a little amount of an organic semiconductor film is formed with respect to a usage amount of a material; and most of the used material is discarded. Further, apparatus maintenance such as cleaning of the inside of an apparatus cup or chamber has needed to be frequently carried out in order to remove the contamination resulting from the material that is wastefully discarded. Therefore, a great cost for materials and man-hours for maintenance of apparatus have been required. In the present invention, a uniform organic semiconductor film is formed by forming an aperture between a first substrate for forming the organic semiconductor film and a second substrate used for injection with an insulating film formed at a specific spot and by injecting an organic semiconductor film material into the aperture due to capillarity to the aperture. The insulating film formed at the specific spot enables formation of the organic semiconductor film with high controllability. Further, the insulating film can also serve as a spacer that holds the aperture, that is, an interval (gap) between the substrates.

Provided is a highly accurate optical pumping magnetometer, in which a static magnetic field and an oscillating field to be applied to a vapor cell are stabilized. To this end, the optical pumping magnetometer includes: Helmholtz coils for applying a constant static magnetic field to a vapor cell serving as a magnetic field detector; fluxgate magnetometers for detecting environmental magnetic noise in two directions of X-axis direction and Y-axis direction other than Z-axis direction which is a direction for detecting a magnetic field coming out of a measurement object while locating the vapor cell in the center thereof; magnetometer drive circuits for driving the fluxgate magneotometers; current converters for converting outputs of the magnetometer drive circuits into amount of currents; and magnetic field generating coils for generating a magnetic field in a phase opposite to the environmental magnetic noise in the two directions.

A wastewater treatment tank with influent gates (24) and pre-react zone with an outwardly flared lower portion. Influent passes over influent gates (24), which introduce turbulence, causing aeration, and reducing flow velocity. As influent flows out of the influent gate housing (20), flow velocity is further reduced by contact with the surface of the wastewater in the basin and influent flow is directed laterally by an influent gate bottom (30). A pre-react zone director (34) spaced apart from the bottom (42) of the basin encloses the influent gate housing (20) and utilizes an outwardly flared lower portion, or flap (38), to further reduce flow velocity and enhance laminar flow. This results in minimal disturbance of settled sludge blanket, allowing it to act as a natural biological filter, which in turn results in a superior supernatant.

A method for collecting and transmitting information desired for a commercial transaction from a debit or credit card uses a processor configured with optical character recognition (OCR) capability. At least one optical image of the debit or credit card is collected by the processor. The edges of the card are algorithmically defined from the collected image. Predefined offsets are applied to the algorithmically defined edges of the debit or credit card to algorithmically locate an area in the collected image having the desired transactional data. The transactional data within the located area is encoded and transmitted for further processing of the commercial transaction.

A computer system and method tests various language installations of an application program using a single test script. The various language translations existing with the application program are used to provide translations of test command strings from one language to the specific language of the application program (operating system locale for executing the program). The test script may then be translated at runtime using the predefined program-established translations to allow the testing program to test the application program in accordance with the language of the application program / operating system locale.

Injection-molded devices and systems for graft or other tissue delivery, methods for their single-use in delivery of an implant, and kits for their sterile delivery to a practitioner are disclosed herein. Systems for implant delivery comprise an injection moldable implant body and an insertion device comprising: an inner and outer shaft that form a locking mechanism that secures an implant body in place and releases it upon placement within a patient. Systems are configured to be manufactured by injection molding, such that they can be cost-effectively manufactured and discarded after a single use to avoid costs and risks associated with re-sterilization and cleaning, but can in some cases optionally also be manufactured by machining to be re-sterilized and reused.

Fill material for a direct contact heat exchanger wherein the fill material has flow pathways bounded by an array of linear elements, namely a mesh. The invention intentionally uses surface tension and capillary action to anchor the fluid / fluid interface in a desired location. The heat exchanger is wick or collector in direct contact with the fill material (matrix) to extract fluid without formation of large droplets. The mesh is made from a neutrally wetting material.

The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, a power rack apparatus for lifting dumbbells. The apparatus can have a conventional cage design or a novel cage design with dual pull up bars. The apparatus also has novel dumbbell trays configured to attach to a novel horizontal support. The horizontal support is configured to attach to the cage in a plurality of vertical positions and the horizontal support contains a plurality of slots for horizontal width adjustment of the dumbbell trays. The slots on the horizontal support are configured to receive a plurality of inclined dumbbell trays. The apparatus can be a combo power rack configured to hold barbells and dumbbells or a simplified power rack apparatus configured to just hold dumbbells.

A transponder that may be used as an RFID tag includes a passive circuit to eliminate the need for an “always on” active RF receiving element to anticipate a wake-up signal for the balance of the transponder electronics. This solution allows the entire active transponder to have all circuit elements in a sleep (standby) state, thus drastically extending battery life or other charge storage device life. Also, a wake-up solution that reduces total energy consumption of an active transponder system by allowing all non-addressed transponders to remain in a sleep (standby) state, thereby reducing total system or collection energy. Also, the transponder and wake-up solution are employed in an asset tracking system.

A computer system and method tests various language installations of an application program using a single test script. The various language translations existing with the application program are used to provide translations of test command strings from one language to the specific language of the application program (operating system locale for executing the program). The test script may then be translated at runtime using the predefined program-established translations to allow the testing program to test the application program in accordance with the language of the application program / operating system locale.

A renewable energy, single well, primarily self-flow, geothermal heat / power production system that acquires naturally occurring sub-surface geothermal heat to heat water and / or produce mechanical / electrical power using a heat exchangers or a turbine / generator. The sub-surface structures defining a working fluid flow path may be insulated, such as with vacuum insulation, to increase system efficiency and ensure a substantially self-generating working fluid flow.

An amphibious vehicle capable of high speeds on the water has a buoyant hull with driven tracks on each side of the hull. The tracks are movable between an upper position and a lower position relative to the hull. The tracks propel the vehicle both for land travel and water travel. Water diverter vanes at the aft end of each track divert water being carried forward by the tracks. Water diverter vanes at the forward ends direct water carried on the upper runs in a downward and aft direction. A cavitation plate is located behind each of the tracks while waterborne and below the waterline of the hull. A tiltable transom flap is attached to the transom and extends rearward.

A renewable energy, single well, primarily self-flow, geothermal heat / power production system that acquires naturally occurring sub-surface geothermal heat to heat water and / or produce mechanical / electrical power using a heat exchangers or a turbine / generator. The sub-surface structures defining a working fluid flow path may be insulated, such as with vacuum insulation, to increase system efficiency and ensure a substantially self-generating working fluid flow.

An automatic and electronic freeze protection system for solar energy collector systems. The system includes a solar collector for collecting solar energy in the form of heat, a circulation pump operated by a DC power source (typically a small photovoltaic module), a storage tank, an ac current connection to provide freeze protection at times when no sun is available, and various valves and piping to complete. Sensors are provided at both the storage tank and the solar collector to monitor the temperature of the water and also the temperature of the collector (more specifically, the temperature of the fluid in the collector). Whenever the fluid in the collector approaches its freeze point, the electronic freeze protection will use AC or battery power to energize the DC circulation pump, thereby circulating water from the storage tank to and through all components of the system. When the temperature of the collector (the temperature of the fluid in the collector) rises to a predetermined point and freezing is no longer imminent or possible, the electronic freeze protection will shut off the circulation pump. This process will repeat as often as is necessary to protect the collector and system components that are exposed to freezing temperatures. The primary difference between our current invention and existing systems is that there is no electronic freeze protection device available for DC-solar systems. In addition, we have combined existing DC differential control with electronic freeze protection for a truly unique and extremely useful improvement. Differential control of the circulation pump will increase efficiency of the system, thereby increasing total solar gain. Finally, and uniquely, this invention includes fault protection in the event of an open or shorted sensor at the collector. In the event of a fault, the present invention will energize the circulation pump, thereby preventing freezing and making the system fail-safe. The invention is unique by three means: combination of electronic freeze protection AND differential control in a single unit, automatic backup with battery and ac power, and fault protection for fail-safe operation.

An annealing apparatus includes a gas tight hollow main body, a conveying apparatus and a gas grid. A heating apparatus and a cooling apparatus are installed at an inlet and an outlet of the main body, respectively. The gas grid is installed between the inlet and the outlet to blow the protecting gas into the main body, so as to form a gas screen. The conveying apparatus extends to the inlet and the outlet to convey process material such as heat pipe. Thereby, an open, non-pressure differential environment is established for performing annealing on the process material.

A heat transfer bridge for absorbing heat from electronic circuits and electrical distribution transformers to thereby cool said components is disclosed. The heat transfer bridge includes a passive pump for pumping a fluid having a low boiling point that readily creates bubbles when heated to its boiling point. The bubbles are directed via selected flow paths to effectively push or drive the fluid from adjacent a heat source such as an electronic circuit or transformer to heat dissipating components such as cooling fins. In one embodiment, the fluid in the inventive heat transfer bridge comprises a fluid comprising metallic slurry that provides many times the heat dissipation rate as compared to a clear fluid.

An Extensible Markup Language (XML) Application Server for storing, processing, communicating, and displaying dynamic semi-structured information. It comprises a declarative specification language, a transactional indexed XML data store, and an XML application server engine. An integrated architecture (a) provides for optimization, indexing, and backtracking search in a business logic layer, (b) provides for general-purpose programming idioms including recursive function definitions, iteration, and dynamic dispatch in data layer queries and updates, and (c) eliminates processing overhead and maintenance issues caused by transforming between relational, object-oriented, and semi-structured data paradigms.

An amphibious vehicle capable of high speeds on the water has a buoyant hull with driven tracks on each side of the hull. The tracks are movable between an upper position and a lower position relative to the hull. The tracks propel the vehicle both for land travel and water travel. Water diverter vanes at the aft end of each track divert water being carried forward by the tracks. Water diverter vanes at the forward ends direct water carried on the upper runs in a downward and aft direction. A cavitation plate is located behind each of the tracks while waterborne and below the waterline of the hull. A tiltable transom flap is attached to the transom and extends rearward.

A self-calibrating gas sensor comprises a steady current measuring gas line composed of valves, pumps and a current-type electrochemical sensor, and a coulomb analyzing gas line composed of said valves, said pumps, said current-type electrochemical sensor and a sample chamber. The two gas lines can be interchanged between measurement and analysis by controlling valves. The sensor can measure gas concentrations, and self-calibrate its sensitivity without the need of standard gases for external calibration.

A system and method of conducting a securities auction through the use of a computer network including programs and databases to be accessed by participants through the Internet using a standard browser. The seller inputs bid requests through a website that may be accessed by bidders once they are logged into the host computer network. All bids are entered into the computer and are accessible to all bidders on a real time basis as the auction proceeds. Additionally the bids and their times of entry are updated automatically as the auction proceeds so that all bidders are aware of the prices and status of all bids and whether any trades have been executed.

An Extensible Markup Language (XML) Application Server for storing, processing, communicating, and displaying dynamic semi-structured information. It comprises a declarative specification language, a transactional indexed XML data store, and an XML application server engine. An integrated architecture (a) provides for optimization, indexing, and backtracking search in a business logic layer, (b) provides for general-purpose programming idioms including recursive function definitions, iteration, and dynamic dispatch in data layer queries and updates, and (c) eliminates processing overhead and maintenance issues caused by transforming between relational, object-oriented, and semi-structured data paradigms.

The present invention is a process, a method, and system for recovery and concentration of dissolved ammonium bicarbonate from a wastewater containing ammonia (NH3) using gas separation, condensation, and crystallization, each at controlled operating temperatures. The present invention includes 1) removal of ammonia from waste (sludges, semi-solids, and solids and liquids) without the use of chemicals at a temperature of at least 80 degrees Celsius, 2) condensing the gaseous containing ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor to remove water vapor concentrating the amount of gaseous ammonia and carbon dioxide, 3) concentrating the ammonia and carbon dioxide in the water by established means, such as concentrating the gas using partial condensation followed by passing the concentrated gas through an absorption column at a temperature of between about 20 and 50 degrees Celsius to form dissolved ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate, or total condensation followed by dewatering using reverse osmosis, and 4) crystallizing concentrated dissolved ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate at a temperature of less than about 35 degrees Celsius to form solid ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate.

The present invention is directed to an underground as well as above ground system and method of determining the intrusion into a security zone. One or more transceivers would transmit a unique electromagnetic signal which would power a response from one or more RFID transponders. Each of the transponders would transmit a unique code to the transceiver indicating that there has been no intrusion in the vicinity of that transponder. Failure of a transponder to receive a signal produced by a transponder, would indicate the existence of an intrusion. The transponders as well as the transceivers can be provided in a PVC pipe buried in the ground, or provided in or on a structure located on or above the ground.

An improved electrical-utility steam-turbine power-plant cooling system including a condenser with heat-exchange surfaces and cooling means. The cooling means has a closed-loop system with an intake, a discharge and a cooling portion. Substantially all of the cooling portion is tunneling beneath the surface of the Earth. Water substantially fills the closed-loop system and a pump facilitates flow through the closed-loop system whereby water flows through the tunneling and is geothermally cooled.

Injection-molded devices and systems for graft or other tissue delivery, methods for their single-use in delivery of an implant, and kits for their sterile delivery to a practitioner are disclosed herein. Systems for implant delivery comprise an injection moldable implant body and an insertion device comprising: an inner and outer shaft that form a locking mechanism that secures an implant body in place and releases it upon placement within a patient. Systems are configured to be manufactured by injection molding, such that they can be cost-effectively manufactured and discarded after a single use to avoid costs and risks associated with re-sterilization and cleaning, but can in some cases optionally also be manufactured by machining to be re-sterilized and reused.

In one preferred form there is provided an excavation system (10) for a vehicle (12). The excavation system (10) comprises a body (14) for connection to the vehicle (12). An excavation device (18) is provided for being moved by the vehicle (12) to excavate material from the ground. A steering system (24) is provided for altering the steering of the excavation device (10).