571 results about "Extreme temperature" patented technology

Child safety seats with alarms notify the driver of a vehicle that an infant is in its carrier inside of the vehicle when a door is opened. Forgetting a child inside of the vehicle can result in severe injury to or the death of the child from extreme temperature conditions and / or dehydration. Child safety seats with alarms not only protect the child in the event of accident, but also detect the opening of a vehicle door and remind the driver of the presence of the child through visual and audio alerts. The detector and alarm system are automatically engaged when the buckle of the child safety seat is closed. The condition of the batteries powering the detector and alarm system are also monitored so that the user can be confident that the detector and alarm system have adequate power to function. A pressure transducer is employed as a detector to sense the changing air pressure caused by the opening or closure of a vehicle door. When such a condition is detected, red LEDs light up and an alarm is sounded from a speaker.

An electrophoretic display (EPD) with thermal control is disclosed for controlling and maintaining an image in extreme temperature environments. Techniques are also disclosed for maintaining the EPD cell threshold voltage for EPD cells comprising an EPD display media at or above a desired level in an environment in which the EPD may be subjected to an extreme temperature. The techniques comprise sensing a sensed temperature associated with the EPD display media, determining whether the sensed temperature satisfies a criterion established to ensure that the display media temperature remains at a level associated with an acceptable EPD cell threshold voltage, and in the event it is determined that the sensed temperature does not satisfy the criterion, controlling the EPD display media temperature as required to bring the sensed temperature to a level that satisfies the criterion.

An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool is provided. The acoustic sensor includes a piezo-composite transducer element. In various exemplary embodiments, the acoustic sensor further includes a composite backing layer, at least one matching layer, and a barrier layer deployed at an outermost surface of the sensor. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. Exemplary embodiment of this invention may further provide improved signal to noise characteristics. Methods for fabricating acoustic sensors and downhole measurement tools are also provided.

A logging radar system and method for measuring propped fractures and down-hole formation conditions in a subterranean formation including: a radar source; an optical source; an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal from the optical source according to a signal from the radar source; a photodiode for converting the modulated optical signal output from the optical modulator to the source radar signal; a transmitter and receiver unit; and a mixer. The transmitter and receiver unit receives the source radar signal from the photodiode, transmits the source radar signal into the formation and receives a reflected radar signal. The mixer mixes the reflected radar signal with the source radar signal to provide an output. This technology can be used to describe all fractures connected to the wellbore and differentiate between the dimensions of the two vertical wings of a propped fracture.

This invention is concerned with the control and design of a LED lighting system that does not need electrolytic capacitors in the entire system and can generate light output with reduced luminous flux fluctuation. The proposal is particularly suitable, but not restricted to, off-line applications in which the lighting system is powered by the ac mains. By eliminating electrolytic capacitors which have a limited lifetime of typically 15000 hours, the proposed system can be developed with passive and robust electrical components such as inductor and diode circuits, and it features long lifetime, low maintenance cost, robustness against extreme temperature variations and good power factor. No extra electronic control board is needed for the proposed passive circuits, which can become dimmable systems if the ac input voltage can be adjusted by external means.

The present invention provides articles of footwear for use by firefighters in different activities such as emergency and rescue situations, as well as daily activity in and around the firehouse. Integrated handles enable the firefighter to quickly and easily put the article of footwear on while minimizing the possibility of accidentally catching on equipment, apparel or debris. Locking bands that wrap around the upper are used to adjust for comfort and a secure fit. A dual lacing and zipper system enables the firefighter to initially adjust for fit by selectively tightening the lace, while the zipper provides a quick means for securing the article of footwear. Different outsole lug configurations are suitable for different surfaces, wet, dry and of varying and extreme temperatures. Added protection is available with a tibia / shin protector and ankle protectors.

An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool is provided. The acoustic sensor includes a piezo-composite transducer element. In various exemplary embodiments, the acoustic sensor further includes a composite backing layer, at least one matching layer, and a barrier layer deployed at an outermost surface of the sensor. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. Exemplary embodiment of this invention may further provide improved signal to noise characteristics. Methods for fabricating acoustic sensors and downhole measurement tools are also provided.

An electrophoretic display (EPD) with thermal control is disclosed for controlling and maintaining an image in extreme temperature environments. Techniques are also disclosed for maintaining the EPD cell threshold voltage for EPD cells comprising an EPD display media at or above a desired level in an environment in which the EPD may be subjected to an extreme temperature. The techniques comprise sensing a sensed temperature associated with the EPD display media, determining whether the sensed temperature satisfies a criterion established to ensure that the display media temperature remains at a level associated with an acceptable EPD cell threshold voltage, and in the event it is determined that the sensed temperature does not satisfy the criterion, controlling the EPD display media temperature as required to bring the sensed temperature to a level that satisfies the criterion.

A vehicle thermal management system includes a vehicle heat pump system, a battery system coolant loop, a drive train coolant loop, and control electronics. The vehicle heat pump system includes a compressor, a cabin condenser, a cabin evaporator, a cabin blower, and a chiller. The battery system coolant loop is in thermal communication with a battery system and with the chiller and selectively in thermal communication with the drive train coolant loop. The control electronics control the components of the vehicle thermal management system to heat the cabin, cool the cabin, heat the battery system, cool the battery system, and cool the drive train. The control electronics may control the compressor to operate in an efficient mode or a lossy mode in which the compressor generates heat. The control electronics may also control the components of the vehicle thermal management system to precondition the battery.

A preconditioned air system for cooling an interior cabin space of a parked aircraft includes a thermal energy storage unit, which contains a thermal energy storage medium for storing cooling capacity. During use, a ground-based air-cooling unit is placed in thermal communication with the thermal energy storage medium. The ground-based air-cooling unit draws upon cooling capacity that has been stored previously within the thermal storage medium for cooling the interior cabin space. Storage of cooling capacity is performed during off-peak demand times and / or during low power cost times. System modularity supports cooling of variously sized aircraft even under extreme temperature conditions.

An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool includes a piezo-composite transducer element. In various exemplary embodiments, the acoustic sensor further includes a composite backing layer, at least one matching layer, and a barrier layer deployed at an outermost surface of the sensor. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. Exemplary embodiment of this invention may further provide improved signal to noise characteristics. Methods for fabricating acoustic sensors and downhole measurement tools are also provided.

The aim of the invention is to improve the moisture resistance of dry powder formulations for inhalation which contain a pharmaceutically ineffective carrier of not-inhalable particle size and a finely divided pharmaceutically active compound of inhalable particle size and to also improve the storage stability of said formulations. To this end, magnesium stearate is used in said formulations. One of the features of the inventive dry powder is that a high fine particle dosage or fine particle fraction can be maintained also under relatively extreme temperature and humidity conditions.

A reusable bag (10) made of materials, such as an FDA approved food-grade silicone, which may or may not include fillers, that can withstand the extreme temperatures used in the entire food preparation, cooking, and cleaning processes, including, but not limited to, storing, freezing, defrosting, marinating, baking, and washing for reuse. The bag (10) may be seamless and may have rounded corners and / or a rounded bottom (14), which allows for reversibility for the purpose of cleaning and prevents the accumulation of food, bacteria, or other contaminants thereby ensuring the safety and reusability of the invention. This bag may be closed and opened repeatedly by a sealing mechanism (12) that allows for an air and water tight seal.

An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool includes a piezo-composite transducer element. In various exemplary embodiments, the acoustic sensor further includes a composite backing layer, at least one matching layer, and a barrier layer deployed at an outermost surface of the sensor. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. Exemplary embodiment of this invention may further provide improved signal to noise characteristics. Methods for fabricating acoustic sensors and downhole measurement tools are also provided.

A silica cement blend having an insulating, fire retarding and high temperature characteristic capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from ambient to greater than 40000 F without degradation of the concrete structure. In addition to its high temperature capabilities the blend can be produced as ultra light weight to heavy weight concrete. The silica based mixture when added to cementitious materials such as Portland cement, Class C Fly Ash, silica fume and other cementitious materials. Presented also are methods for reducing fire damage by coating interior / exterior walls, ceiling, and roofs of a building with a water based latex coating containing a fire retardant material and low heat conductivity silicas. Methods for painting internal / external walls, ceilings, and roof are also presented. This coating retains thermal blocking properties comprised of processed, expanded and / or finely milled, pyrogenic silicas and micro spheres in combination of but not limited to, one, two or more component water based polymer / copolymer latex binders and a water born fluoropolymer emulsion. The combined properties of these elements create a coating similar to paint with a high level of thermatic resistance which slows the composition break-down from fire, extreme temperatures, and restricts the thermal conductivity which helps to preserve the integrity of the substructure or underlying materials. The properties of this coating reduce or slow the potential of catastrophic fire by retarding flashover and protecting the under structure; which in turn assist fire fighters and rescue personnel by helping to retard the potential of a catastrophic fire.

An improved remote vehicle starting apparatus with timer which allows for the remote starting of a motor vehicle to allow for the preheating or pre-cooking of the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle under extreme temperature conditions is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a transmitting unit, located with the driver, and a receiver unit that is located in the driver's vehicle. The transmitting unit allows the user to set predetermined times at which to start the vehicle, before work for example, and includes an LCD display that indicates both the time of day and the time(s) at which the vehicle will be started. The transmitter also includes a manual switch, by which the user may start the vehicle, regardless of the time settings. The receiver installs in the vehicle and is wired into the vehicle ignition circuitry, allowing the engine to be started by key in a conventional manner, or by the remote transmitter. Depending on the weather conditions, the user simply either leaves the cooling or heating system activated when leaving the vehicle before use of the present invention. In this manner, when the apparatus starts the motor vehicle, the passenger compartment will begin to warm or cool prior to the driver returning.

An ultrasonic monitor to measure the level of a fluid (e.g., oil or water) within a storage tank. The ultrasonic monitor is surrounded by a gas-tight, explosion-proof casing that is coupled to the top of the tank so that the acoustic axis of a (e.g., 59 KHz) ultrasonic transducer is directed downwardly towards the surface of the fluid. The ultrasonic transducer is encased within a protective (e.g., Delrin) housing so as to resist the hostile (e.g., acidic, gaseous vapors and extreme temperature) conditions within the tank. A main CPU is interconnected between the ultrasonic transducer and an RF transceiver having an antenna from which fluid level data calculated by the main CPU can be transmitted over a wireless communication path. A reference rod having at least one acoustic reflector located at a known distance therealong extends downwardly from the housing of the ultrasonic transducer towards the surface of the fluid. The main CPU is responsive to the time of flight between incident signals generated by the acoustic transducer and return and echo signals reflected off the surface of the fluid and the acoustic reflector for calculating the corresponding distance between the fluid and the transducer. The main CPU is adapted to adjust the time of flight to compensate for errors introduced by the environment (e.g, gas vapors, pressure, etc.) of the tank depending upon the echo signal that is reflected to the acoustic transducer by the reflector of the reference rod.

This invention is concerned with the control and design of a passive or an active LED lighting system that does not need electrolytic capacitors in the entire system and can generate light output with reduced luminous flux fluctuation. The proposal is particularly suitable, but not restricted to, off-line applications in which the lighting system is powered by the ac mains. By eliminating electrolytic capacitors which have a limited lifetime of typically 15,000 hours, the proposed system can be developed with robust electrical components such as inductor and diode circuits, and it features long lifetime, low maintenance cost, robustness against extreme temperature variations and good power factor. The proposed circuits can become dimmable systems if the AC input voltage can be adjusted by external means.

A vehicle safety system for preventing injury or death to persons or animals at risk of exposure to extreme temperatures within the vehicle. The system determines when a temperature within a vehicle is greater than or less than predetermined temperatures and also detects movement within the vehicle. As a result of a temperature being determined to be critical and movement being detected within a vehicle, certain responsive measures are automatically taken to alert the owner / operator and / or would-be rescuers of the potentially injurious situation present within the vehicle and / or to assist in a possible rescue.

A logging radar system and method for measuring propped fractures and down-hole formation conditions in a subterranean formation including: a radar source; an optical source; an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal from the optical source according to a signal from the radar source; a photodiode for converting the modulated optical signal output from the optical modulator to the source radar signal; a transmitter and receiver unit; and a mixer. The transmitter and receiver unit receives the source radar signal from the photodiode, transmits the source radar signal into the formation and receives a reflected radar signal. The mixer mixes the reflected radar signal with the source radar signal to provide an output. This technology can be used to describe all fractures connected to the wellbore and differentiate between the dimensions of the two vertical wings of a propped fracture.

An electrophoretic display (EPD) with thermal control is disclosed for controlling and maintaining an image in extreme temperature environments. Techniques are also disclosed for maintaining the EPD cell threshold voltage for EPD cells comprising an EPD display media at or above a desired level in an environment in which the EPD may be subjected to an extreme temperature. The techniques comprise sensing a sensed temperature associated with the EPD display media, determining whether the sensed temperature satisfies a criterion established to ensure that the display media temperature remains at a level associated with an acceptable EPD cell threshold voltage, and in the event it is determined that the sensed temperature does not satisfy the criterion, controlling the EPD display media temperature as required to bring the sensed temperature to a level that satisfies the criterion.

A silica cement blend having an insulating, fire retarding and high temperature characteristic capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from ambient to greater than 40000 F without degradation of the concrete structure. In addition to its high temperature capabilities the blend can be produced as ultra light weight to heavy weight concrete. The silica based mixture when added to cementitious materials such as Portland cement, Class C Fly Ash, silica fume and other cementitious materials. Presented also are methods for reducing fire damage by coating interior / exterior walls, ceiling, and roofs of a building with a water based latex coating containing a fire retardant material and low heat conductivity silicas. Methods for painting internal / external walls, ceilings, and roof are also presented. This coating retains thermal blocking properties comprised of processed, expanded and / or finely milled, pyrogenic silicas and micro spheres in combination of but not limited to, one, two or more component water based polymer / copolymer latex binders and a water born fluoropolymer emulsion. The combined properties of these elements create a coating similar to paint with a high level of thermatic resistance which slows the composition break-down from fire, extreme temperatures, and restricts the thermal conductivity which helps to preserve the integrity of the substructure or underlying materials. The properties of this coating reduce or slow the potential of catastrophic fire by retarding flashover and protecting the under structure; which in turn assist fire fighters and rescue personnel by helping to retard the potential of a catastrophic fire.

Method and apparatus for identifying and categorizing the weight and characteristics of the occupant currently occupying a vehicle seat. The method for identifying and categorizing the occupant or object involves measuring the deflection of the upper surface of the seat cushion at several points and therefore the weight distribution of the occupant. The system contains multiple weight sensors arrayed for detecting the distribution of the load causing the seat deflection. The system also includes a sensor to measure ambient temperature, preferably for temperature compensation due to the effects extreme temperatures may have on the compression properties of the seat cushion material and the weight sensors. A system processor interprets the data acquired by the sensors, and utilizes an algorithm and weight tables to simulate a neural network in providing an output a control signal indicative of the categorization of the occupant or object.

A logging radar system and method for measuring propped fractures and down-hole formation conditions in a subterranean formation including: a radar source; an optical source; an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal from the optical source according to a signal from the radar source; a photodiode for converting the modulated optical signal output from the optical modulator to the source radar signal; a transmitter and receiver unit; and a mixer. The transmitter and receiver unit receives the source radar signal from the photodiode, transmits the source radar signal into the formation and receives a reflected radar signal. The mixer mixes the reflected radar signal with the source radar signal to provide an output. This technology can be used to describe all fractures connected to the wellbore and differentiate between the dimensions of the two vertical wings of a propped fracture.

An improved hinge for a micro-mirror device composed of a conductive doped semiconductor and immune to plastic deformation at typical to extreme temperatures. The hinge is directly connected to the micro-mirror device and facilitates the manufacturing of an optically flat micro-mirror. This eliminates Fraunhofer diffraction due to recesses on the reflective surface of the micro-mirror. In addition, the hinge is hidden from incoming light thus improving contrast and fill-factor.

An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool is provided. The acoustic sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer and a matching layer assembly having at least one matching layer and a barrier layer. In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one matching layer includes first and second matching layers formed from a glass ceramic work piece and the barrier layer includes corrugated titanium. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. A method for fabricating an acoustic sensor is also provided.

A method for determining past-service conditions and / or remaining useful life of a component of a combustion engine and / or a thermal barrier coating (“TBC”) of the component comprises providing a photoluminescent (“PL”) material in the TBC, directing an exciting radiation at the TBC, measuring the intensity of a characteristic peak in the emission spectrum of the PL material, and correlating the intensity of the characteristic peak or another quantity derived therefrom to an amount of a new phase that has been formed as a result of the exposure of the component to extreme temperatures. An apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a radiation source that provides the exciting radiation to the TBC, a radiation detector for detecting radiation emitted by the PL material, and means for relating a characteristic of the emission spectrum of the PL material to the amount of the new phase in the TBC, thereby inferring the past-service conditions or the remaining useful life of the component.

An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool is provided. The acoustic sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer and a matching layer assembly having at least one matching layer and a barrier layer. In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one matching layer includes first and second matching layers formed from a glass ceramic work piece and the barrier layer includes corrugated titanium. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. A method for fabricating an acoustic sensor is also provided.

The present invention relates to a transport container which provides mechanical and thermal stability for a load and which container is fabricated as the container is loaded. In particular, the present invention relates to a container which can be readily transported on aircraft, such as an aircraft container. In the field of logistics, that is the field of movement and supply of produce and materials, in particular in the transport of intermediate and finished products, containers have been developed which safely protect from physical damage a wide variety of product. Food and pharmaceutical products not only need protection from physical shock and pressures but also require temperature stability during transportation; otherwise goods can be damaged and be unusable, whether such damage is apparent or not. However, air transport poses a particular problem: Goods can be transported in tropical heat, packaged and placed upon pallets and the like containers whereby they are presented in aircraft style containers. Such goods may be left on runways at extreme temperatures (+40° C.) and then placed within a hold where low pressures and low temperatures exist during flight. At a destination airport the temperatures may well be sub-zero. To simplify transport with respect to airports, planes and handling equipment, there have been developed aircraft Unit Load Devices (ULDs) which comprise any type of pallet or container that can easily be loaded to the aircraft by a ground handler. The present invention seeks to provide a transport container which can maintain goods within a narrow temperature range, can displace a considerably reduced volume before erection, is economical to manufacture, can readily and easily be constructed. The present invention further seeks to provide a transport container which is compatible with standard Unit Load Device specifications.