78results about How to "Maximize energy" patented technology

An ultrasonic probe assembly comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a linear motor assembly, a swivel base, and an extension arm disposed therewithin. An imaging transducer is mounted on a free end of the extension arm and is specifically adapted to be moved along an arcuate path as a result of mechanical interconnection of the swivel base to the linear motor assembly. The swivel base upon which the extension arm is mounted is configured to be pivotable about a pivot axis oriented transversely relative to the longitudinal axis such that reciprocative motion of the linear motor assembly is converted in swiveling motion of the swivel base and oscillating translation of the transducer along an arcuate path such that the transducer axis is oriented generally perpendicularly relative to an anatomical structure having a convexly shaped outer surface.

Apparatus and process for plasma treatment of moving webs, or films, are disclosed. The apparatus includes magnets and multiple hollow cathodes, which, in the presence of a plasma, magnetically focuses and thereby intensifies the plasma to one side of the film surface. The moving web is positioned either between the hollow cathodes and the magnets or in front of the hollow cathodes and the magnets. The plasma treatment functionalizes the film surface.

An initial image is subjected to a plurality of segmentations into uniform components by using various criteria to identify and isolate several series of objects constituted by segmented thumbnail images associated with geometrical descriptors for boxes that cover said objects, the results of the segmentation methods are fused, numerical values are used to characterize each object thumbnail image that results from fusion, and each of the thumbnail images is compared with indexed thumbnail images in an indexed database containing a set of textual descriptions for everyday elementary objects. The list of textual descriptions of everyday elementary objects matching the object thumbnail images that result from the segmentation and fusion operations is provided together with pertinence levels.

The present invention generally relates to a device and method for the management of a collection of battery cells. In one embodiment, the present invention permits the management of a collection of battery cells composed of an overall battery pack manager unit, individual cell manager units, and wireless communication links between these units. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a device and method for the management of a collection of battery cells in the field of rechargeable batteries, such as batteries based on lithium-based chemistries, nickel-based chemistries, and lead-acid chemistries. In still another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method that permits the maximization of battery pack capacity during a charge-discharge cycle and / or permits the maximization of the total number of charge-discharge cycles.

The invention concerns a coupling device for at least one optical fibre (10, 12) with a view to optical tomography-type examination of a medium (11) to be examined, comprising:a mass (30) in diffusing material for a wavelength guided by the optical fibre, this mass comprising a bearing surface (22) to be applied against the surface (110) of the medium (11) to be examined,at least one housing (27, 29) provided in the mass and capable of receiving the end of an optical fibre (10, 12).

An electricity supply apparatus includes a control device configured to calculate an amplitude of a control signal and to generate the control signal; an energy station configured to draw a current from a mains, to provide part of the drawn current to the load, to receive the control signal from the control device, and to vary the drawn current according to the amplitude; and a battery configured to recharge by drawing part of the drawn current and to discharge by supplying the load. The apparatus is characterized in that the control device is further configured to calculate the amplitude of the control signal also according to battery information relating to a recharge and / or a discharge condition of the battery.

Systems and methods are presented that enable a legged robot to maintain its balance when subjected to an unexpected force. In the reflex phase, the robot withstands the immediate effect of the force by yielding to it. In one embodiment, during the reflex phase, the control system determines an instruction that will cause the robot to perform a movement that generates a negative rate of change of the robot's angular momentum at its centroid in a magnitude large enough to compensate for the destabilizing effect of the force. In the recovery phase, the robot recovers its posture after having moved during the reflex phase. In one embodiment, the robot returns to a statically stable upright posture that maximizes the robot's potential energy. In one embodiment, during the recovery phase, the control system determines an instruction that will cause the robot to perform a movement that increases its potential energy.

A coupling device for an optical fiber used in optical tomography examination of a medium includes a mass of diffusing material for a wavelength guided by the optical fiber. This mass includes a bearing surface to be applied against the surface of the medium. At least one housing is provided in the mass to receive the end of the optical fiber.

A revolutionary solar collecting system for effectively and efficiently harnessing the sun's energy is shown. This system tracks the sun and maintains a constant focal point or sub-focal point to at least partially condense the sun's rays into a high-energy beam that is then redirected to a predetermined location for generating electrical power, heat energy, steam, and / or any other well-known application. The revolutionary system of the invention is low-cost, low maintenance, and is capable of significantly reducing energy costs.

A fixture and method for repairing superalloy articles. The fixture ideally holds the article in place if repairs are made. An interface between the fixture and the article facilitate transfer of heat between the article and the fixture so that the article can be differentially heat treated. A portion of the article extends from the fixture. This portion of the article, which may be repaired within the fixture or may be repaired elsewhere, is solution heat treated while in the fixture so that the area extending from the fixture is solutioned, while heat is transferred from the article through the fixture, thereby preventing the temperature of the portion of the article within the fixture from being elevated so as to modify its microstructure. The solutioned portion can then be heat treated, while in the fixture, to precipitation harden it as desired.

An antenna apparatus that can increase capacity in a cellular communication system. The antenna operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit and provides a plurality of antenna elements, each coupled to a respective signal control component such as a phase shifter. The phase shift for each antenna element is programmed for optimum reception during, for example, an idle mode when a pilot signal is received. The antenna array creates a beam former for signals to be transmitted from the mobile subscriber unit, and a directional receiving array to more optimally detect and receive signals transmitted from the base station. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference. The phase shifters are adjusted in a coarse and a fine mode. In the coarse mode all phase shifters are jointly incremented through several phase shift values until a signal quality metric is optimized. The coarse adjustment mode is followed by a fine adjustment mode during which the phase shifters are independently adjusted to further optimize the signal quality metric.

Narrowband quadrupole resonance (QR) probes were developed from thin-film high-temperature superconducting (HTS) resonators. The QR probes are useful in analyte-detection systems, in particular for the detection of nitrogen-containing compounds. Embodiments of the invention provide greater than an order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity and the ability to reject RF interference sources located outside the pass-band of a superconducting QR probe. Methods and apparatus are described for analyte detection and resonance frequency adjustment.

An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.

A secondary game in communication with a primary gaming machine, is preferably based on a sport, namely American football. The present invention, unlike previous secondary games is triggered in response to both predefined winning and non-winning primary game outcomes. The secondary game awards a bonus pay out in response to a player achieving a predefined bonus event. The bonus event may be scoring a touchdown, getting a first down or any desired football related event. Once the secondary game is triggered by one or more predefined winning primary game outcomes, a random number generator selects a secondary game football related outcome (e.g. five yard gain, two yard loss, etc). In a preferred embodiment, the football outcome is revealed on a display depicting video football footage. Moreover, if the primary game outcome is a predefined non-winning outcome, the secondary game is instructed to advance the football a pre-established modest distance.

A method of operating a variable speed wind turbine as a function of a wind speed is disclosed. The method comprises following a power curve describing the operation of the wind turbine as a function of wind speed in steady-state conditions. The method further comprises changing the pitch angles of the blades in transient conditions in which the wind turbine cannot follow the power curve in the second operational range.

A device (100) harvests energy from vibration and / or strain and utilises both capacitive (102a, 102b) and piezo-electric elements (105). The principle of operation is out-of-plane capacitive harvester, where the bias voltage for the capacitive element is generated with a piezoelectric element (105). The device utilizes a thin dielectric film (104) between the capacitor plates (102a, 102b) maximizing the harvested energy and enabling the harvester operation in semi-contact mode so that short circuits are prevented. For example when utilised in a wheel or the like, the capacitor is closed and opened at every strike or every turn of a wheel being thus independent of the harvester's mechanical resonance frequency.

A wheel assembly removal apparatus for use in the automotive maintenance and repair industry. The apparatus is adapted to remove a seized wheel assembly, and associated components, from a vehicle chassis for maintenance and repair while minimizing time and cost, and the possibility for damage. The wheel assembly removal apparatus preferably incorporates, among other elements, a slide hammer assembly that includes a hammer secured to a hollow slide tube. The hollow slide tube is received on a slide shaft. The slide shaft also preferably incorporates a hammer stop near a distal end and a distally projecting support extension. A coupler is formed at a proximal end of the slide shaft and is configured to releasably engage an interchangeable rotor securing tool. The interchangeable rotor securing tool releasably attaches to the coupler at the distal end and to a rim mounting surface at the proximal end. In operation, the slide hammer assembly is accelerated from the proximal end of the slide shaft to impact with the hammer stop, which creates linear momentum transfer in the form of an operational impact load. The impact load is transferred to the wheel assembly to break free the various components that may be seized together from the accumulation of dirt, dust, moisture, and corrosion. The apparatus includes at least one releasably engagable retainer assembly to loosely retain the wheel assembly to the vehicle chassis for controlled separation of the seized components. The apparatus may also preferably include a dual hand operation mechanism.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention's self-optimizing hybrid power system includes a generator, a solar array, batteries, a GPS, a thermometer, a pyranometer, a power manager, and a computer. The computer: (i) establishes maximum and minimum state-of-charge set points; (ii) receives measurement data from the generator (load), the GPS (location), the thermometer (temperature), and the solar irradiance sensor (solar irradiance); (iii) accesses a historic database that relates to generator load, location, temperature, and solar irradiance; (iv) based on the historic database, predicts a solar profile and a generator load profile; (v) calculates an optimized maximum state-of-charge set point and an optimized minimum state-of-charge set point, based on the predicted solar profile, the predicted generator load profile, the measured location, the measured temperature, and the measured solar irradiance; (vi) transmits control signals to the power manager to vary the maximum and / or minimum state-of-charge set point.

The invention discloses a calcium carbide furnace tail gas dry dedusting, waste heat recovery and synthesis gas production device. The device comprises calcium carbide furnaces, a high-temperature calcium carbide tail gas dedusting system, a calcium carbide tail gas component reforming system, a high-temperature calcium carbide tail gas waste heat recovery system and a low-temperature calcium carbide tail gas deep purification system sequentially connected via pipelines, and the low-temperature calcium carbide tail gas deep purification system is provided with a gas fan. Dust carried in calcium carbide furnace tail gas can be removed at high temperature, CO in tail gas is partially converted by performing sulfur tolerant conversion with the aid of own high temperature of the calcium carbide furnace tail gas and contained sulfur so as to regulate carbon hydrogen ratio in the tail gas, then waste heat in the high-temperature tail gas is recovered to generate steam, the steam produced with the recovered waste heat serves as high-temperature dedusting counter-blow gas to enter the system to serve as conversion steam, and finally mixed tail gas is purified to obtain pure synthesis gas meeting the requirement of carbon 1 chemical production.

A collapsible steering assembly features a guide bracket for attachment to a vehicle. A steering mechanism is interconnected with the guide bracket by a steering mechanism support. A plurality of guide rods are arranged about a common collapse axis and extend in non-parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the steering mechanism. The guide rods support the steering mechanism for axial movement along the collapse axis in response to a predetermined collapse force on the steering mechanism.

An integrated and modular approach is provided to convert electrical power to ionic momentum and a resulting high differential voltage field potential using an integrated multi-planar or axial microwave array and energetically sympathetic dielectric antennae to convert distilled liquid water to steam plasma and propagate the resulting water derived ions and electrons, steam and microwave energy into a modular energetic planar arrangement for integration into reactor vessels of various designs for the reduction of waste stream and fossil sourced feedstocks into their fundamental gaseous components and simultaneous reformation into desired synthesis or methane gas. The formed steam plasma (initiating plasma) generates electrons and ions which are propagated differentially to create a high differential voltage field potential which in conjunction with dielectric heating and far infrared radiation induced feedstock ionic polarization effects creates a series of primary feedstock reducing plasma fields for efficient plasma gasification with simultaneous product gas reformation.

Generating an optimal planning of building retrofit for a portfolio of buildings may include providing a plurality of objective functions that may be selected for maximizing cost reduction, maximizing green house gas emission reduction, or maximizing energy reduction, or combinations thereof. The objective function may be solved based on information including at least a retrofit cost for retrofitting a building, payback period specifying the length of time needed to recover the retrofit cost, a budget available for retrofitting the building, expected price of energy, estimated energy savings from retrofitting and estimated green house gas emission from retrofitting. The planning of building retrofit may be generated based on the solutions of one or more of the objective functions, which may provide for an optimal plan of building retrofit.

An excitation device for downhole seismic testing, includes an excitation hammer, a holding arm connected at one end thereof to the excitation hammer to allow the excitation hammer to rotate about the other end thereof, a support post having the other end of the holding arm rotatably coupled to an upper end thereof to support the excitation hammer and the holding arm at a certain height, and an excitation source configured to allow the support post to stand upright on the upper side thereof and which generates a seismic wave when struck by the rotated excitation hammer. The support post is formed at a lower end thereof with a securing section detachably inserted into a groove for the support post formed on the upper side of the excitation source such that the support post, the holding arm, the excitation hammer and the excitation source can be separated from each other.

A self-configurable resonance antenna includes a main antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves of a plurality of mutually different frequency bands, a coupling element having at least two radiating patches with different effective electrical lengths for configuring the impedance of the self-configurable resonance antenna, and a matching circuit disposed between the main antenna and the coupling element. The matching circuit has a filter, a RF detector, a switching logic and a RF switch, the RF switch switching between at least the two radiating patches with different effective electrical lengths for adjusting the main antenna operating in different frequency bands.

An integrated wind and hydro power generation system includes at least one wind turbine generator device configured to generate output power from a common cavity being occupied by water and air. The hydro generator device is powered by water flow, while the wind generator is primarily powered by the vacuum occurring with the water's exit from the cavity.