Provided is bearing steel excellent in workability after spheroidizing-annealing and in hydrogen fatigue resistance property after quenching and tempering. The bearing steel has a chemical composition containing, by mass %: 0.85% to 1.10% C; 0.30% to 0.80% Si; 0.90% to 2.00% Mn; 0.025% or less P; 0.02% or less S; 0.05% or less Al; 1.8% to 2.5% Cr; 0.15% to 0.4% Mo; 0.0080% or less N; and 0.0020% or less O, which further contains more than 0.0015% to 0.0050% or less Sb, with the balance being Fe and incidental impurities, to thereby effectively suppress the generation of WEA even in environment where hydrogen penetrates into the steel, so as to improve the roiling contact fatigue life and also the workability such as cuttability and forgeability of the material.

Apparatus and method are provided for making the longitudinal temperature distribution of the bulbous end of a longitudinally oriented workpiece, such as a rail's head, generally uniform when the head has a non-uniform longitudinal temperature distribution. A combination of crown and skirt electric inductors is used to achieve the generally uniform temperature distribution by modulating the magnetic field intensity produced by current flow through one or more of the combination of crown and skirt inductors as required for the non-uniformly heated regions of the rail's head.

A substrate processing apparatus that includes a process tank having a pair of opposed sidewalls for storing a chemical liquid, and processing a plurality of substrates by the chemical liquid; a substrate holding mechanism including a holding part for holding the plurality of substrates, and a back part connected to the holding part and interposed between the substrates held by the holding part and one sidewall of the pair of opposed sidewalls when the substrate holding mechanism is loaded into the process tank. A heating device is disposed on the process tank for heating the stored chemical liquid. The heating device includes at least a first heater disposed on the one sidewall, and a second heater disposed on the other sidewall of the pair of opposed sidewalls. Energy outputs of the first heater and the second heater are independently controlled.

A method for controlling thermal cycling of a faraday shield in a plasma process chamber is provided. The method includes: performing a first plasma processing operation on a first wafer in the plasma process chamber; terminating the first plasma processing operation; performing a first wafer transfer operation to transfer the first wafer out of the chamber; and, during the first wafer transfer operation, applying power to a TCP coil under a plasma limiting condition.

Disclosed is a vessel for melting and casting meltable materials. The vessel may be a surface temperature regulated vessel for providing a substantially non-wetting interface with the molten materials. In one embodiment, the vessel may include one or more temperature regulating channels configured to flow a fluid therein for regulating a surface temperature of the vessel such that molten materials are substantially non-wetting at the interface with the vessel. Disclosed also includes systems and methods for melting and casting meltable materials using the vessel.

The invention relates to a guiding device for guiding an oblong intermediate element while joining at least two decorative elements by means of this intermediate element.

A feeder movement compensation algorithm for use within a processor controlled sewing machine. The sewing machine configured with a reciprocating needle and thread, and including a stitch plate upon which fabric to be sewn is positioned beneath the needle and thread. The machine also includes a feeder mechanism driving a feed dog thru a movement. The feed dog movement pushes the fabric along the stitch plate and the reciprocating needle and thread form stitches in the fabric. During the stitch cycle, the feed dog movement completes at least one feeder stroke. The feeder stroke includes a portion of the feed dog extending above the stitch plate and moving along the direction of feed. The feeder stroke thus pushes the fabric along the stitch plate. The compensation algorithm calculates a theoretical feeder stroke length based upon a desired stitch. The compensation algorithm then calculates a modified feeder stroke length using the theoretical feeder stroke length and at least one feeder calibration data element. The modified feeder stroke length is then performed by the feed dog during the stitch cycle to form the stitch.

A tension release device for compensating mechanical error of a tension device for a sewing machine includes a rotary arm, a tension release shaft, a guiding member, an actuating member, and a micro-adjustment member, the rotary arm is located at one end of the tension release shaft which is inserted through the base, the tension release shaft is coupled to the guiding member, the guiding member is provided with an arc-shaped guiding flange which includes a first end and a second end higher than the first end. On the actuating member is provided a push portion which protrudes toward and is pushed by the guiding flange of the guiding member, a micro-adjustment hole is formed at one end of the actuating member or at the one end of the control shaft, and the micro-adjustment member is screwed in the micro-adjustment hole and extends toward the tension release shaft.

A temperature controlled showerhead assembly for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chambers enhances heat dissipation to provide accurate temperature control of the showerhead face plate and maintain temperatures substantially lower than surrounding components. Heat dissipates by conduction through a showerhead stem and removed by the heat exchanger mounted outside of the vacuum environment. Heat is supplied by a heating element inserted into the steam of the showerhead. Temperature is controlled using feedback supplied by a temperature sensor installed in the stem and in thermal contact with the face plate.

Apparatuses and embodiments related to compensated laser cutting of labels. A computer system receives an image of a label, and rasterizes the image. The computer system determines how much of each type of printer ink of a label printer to deposit at each pixel location of the image. The computer system determines which pixels intersect a cut line, and determines the characteristics of the ink of the pixels, such as the quantity or thickness of the ink at the pixel locations. The computer system determines laser data including power, cut speed, and/or frequency of a laser that is tuned to accurately cut through the ink that forms the image, the material(s) of the label, and the adhesive that removably adheres the label to base material(s), but to not excessively damage the base material(s). A laser cutting system uses the laser data to control a laser.

The invention relates to a temperature sensor comprising: a temperature-sensitive element (3); and a peripheral casing (7) accommodating the temperature-sensitive element (3) and having a closed end (9), the peripheral casing (7) being able to be inserted into a corresponding cavity (11), characterized in that the closed end (9) of the peripheral casing (7) has a peripheral portion (21) revealing, butted against the closed end, a flexible assembly stop (23) after said peripheral portion (21), said stop (23) being able to deform towards the peripheral portion (21) by shape cooperation with the bottom (15) of the corresponding cavity (11). The subject of the invention is also a process for manufacturing a temperature sensor as described above and a method of assembling said sensor.

Described herein are methods for training a machine learning-based predictor of affective response to stimuli. The methods involve receiving samples comprising temporal windows of token instances to which a user was exposed, and target values representing affective response annotations of the user in response to the temporal windows of token instances. This data is used for the training of the predictor along with values indicative of the number of the token instances in the temporal windows of token instances, which are used to compensate for non-linear effects resulting from saturation of the user.

A conveyor for a sheet glass tempering furnace, comprising a roller conveyor and an inclined airborne conveyor, as well as support and transport rollers at a lower edge of the airborne conveyor. The roller conveyor includes a horizontal level conveyor and an adapter conveyor between the horizontal level conveyor and the airborne conveyor. The adapter conveyor features a horizontal level upstream end and an inclined downstream end, the inclination angle of which matches substantially that of the airborne conveyor. The adapter conveyor has its rollers increase in inclination step by step when proceeding from the up-stream end towards the downstream end.

An RGB to RGBW brightness compensation method and device is disclosed. The method includes: retrieving multiple gray scale values of RGB color RGB(x, y, z), wherein x, y, z are gray scale levels of red, green and blue sub-pixels of an RGB model, 0≦x, y, z≦1; multiplying the gray scale values of RGB color RGB (x, y, z) by N to obtain an enhanced gray scale values of RGB color RGB (Nx, Ny, Nz), wherein N is 4/3 and a minimum value selected from x, y, z is taken to represent a first conversion value W1; and obtaining multiple gray scale values of RGBW color RGBW (Nx−W1, Ny−W1, Nz−W1, W1) according to the enhanced gray scale values of RGB color RGB (Nx, Ny, Nz) and the first conversion value W1. Accordingly, a brightness of the RGBW model of a liquid crystal panel is compensated.

The invention relates to a unit for simulating the pressure and temperature conditions of an air flow drawn in by a reciprocating internal combustion engine (1) at a height above sea level, corresponding to the operating height of said reciprocating internal combustion engine (1). According to the invention, the unit comprises at least: (a) a radial inward-flow turbine (2) for expanding an air flow towards the pressure and temperature of the air drawn in by the reciprocating internal combustion engine; (b) a first container (4) and (c) a second container (5) connected to the first container (4) by means of at least a connection pipe (7) in order to balance the pressure between the two containers; (d) a centrifugal compressor (3); and (e) a vacuum pump (6) for maintaining a pressure equal to the pressure of the air flow drawn in by the reciprocating internal combustion engine (1). The invention also relates to the use of said unit for simulating the pressure and temperature conditions of the air drawn in by a reciprocating internal combustion engine.

A phase-locked loop circuit and method for providing for compensation for an offset. A phase-locked loop circuit comprises a phase detector, a compensation circuit, a loop filter, and a VCO. The phase detector is coupled to receive a first input signal and a second input signal. The phase detector is configured to output one or more of a plurality of output signals indicative of a difference between the first input signal and the second input signal. The compensation circuit is coupled to receive the output signals and to reduce a voltage offset between the output signals. The compensation circuit is further configured to provide a plurality of compensated output signals. The loop filter is coupled to receive the compensated control signals. The loop filter is configured to output a first control signal. The VCO is coupled to receive the first control signal and to output the second input signal based on the first control signal. A method of operating a phase-locked loop circuit comprises receiving and comparing a first input signal and a second input signal and providing output signals indicative of the comparison. The method compensates for a voltage offset between the output signals and provides compensated output signals indicative of the compensation. The method filters the compensated control signals and provides a control signal indicative of the filtration. The method provides the second input signal based on the first control signal. Lower skew between the input and output may be achieved.

An inclination angle compensation system for determining an inclination angle of a machine is disclosed. The inclination angle compensation system may have a non-gravitational acceleration estimator configured to estimate a non-gravitational acceleration of a machine based on an estimated inclination angle and an acceleration output from a forward acceleration sensor. The inclination angle compensation system may also have an inclination angle sensor corrector configured to receive an inclination angle output from an inclination angle sensor, determine an inclination angle sensor acceleration based on the inclination angle output, and calculate a corrected inclination angle of the machine based on the non-gravitational acceleration and the inclination angle sensor acceleration.

A driven damper assembly, comprises a first main-damper cover plate comprising an inclined portion. The inclined portion comprises a notch. A first plane passes through the first pre-damper cover plate. A second plane passes through the first main-damper cover plate and is parallel to the first plane. The notch comprises a first wall and a second wall. The first wall is not parallel to the second wall. The inclined portion extends away from the second plane at an angle greater than zero degrees away from the second plane and less than ninety degrees away from the second plane. The first pre-damper cover plate comprises a tab with a first portion extending outwardly at an angle greater than zero degrees away from the first plane and less than ninety degrees away from the first plane, wherein the tab engages the notch at the first wall and the second wall.

A torsional vibration damper assembly for a hydrokinetic torque coupling device, comprises a torsional vibration damper, and a dynamic absorber operatively connected to the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member rotatable about a rotational axis, a first retainer plate rotatable relative to the driven member coaxially with the rotational axis, and a plurality of damper elastic members interposed between the first retainer plate and the driven member. The damper elastic members elastically couples the first retainer plate to the driven member. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member. The inertial member is mounted to the torsional vibration damper rotatably relative to the driven member. The inertial member is rotationally guided and centered relative to the rotational axis by the driven member of the torsional vibration damper.

A damper device has a dynamic damper that includes a mass body and vibration absorption springs that couple the mass body and an intermediate member to each other. The vibration absorption springs are arranged side by side with outer springs in the circumferential direction. The mass body has spring abutment portions that abut against end portions of the vibration absorption springs. The intermediate member has first outer spring abutment portions that abut against end portions of the outer springs and second outer spring abutment portions that abut against end portions of the vibration absorption springs on the radially inner side with respect to the spring abutment portions. The first outer spring abutment portions extend toward the radially outer side with respect to the second outer spring abutment portions.

An adaptive algorithm based battery-powered long distance wireless temperature and humidity sensor module. The sensor module uses an adaptive algorithm to transmit data on an event basis and/or a reduced basis to extend battery life to more than 10 years. It also uses a low power wireless transmitter which has frequency of sub-1 GHz and an effective transfer distance of up to 250 meters, a low power temperature and humidity sensor, and a long lasting lithium battery which has shelf life of 20 years.

Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a double-sealed high-temperature resistant DC ignitor for use with a wood pellet burner assembly. The DC ignitor includes a non-heating element portion. The non-heating element portion is connected to at least one of a battery or an AC to DC electrical transformer attached to the wood pellet burner assembly. A heating element is connected to the non-heating element portion, and extends by at least one inch into a combustion region of the wood pellet burner assembly. The heating element portion is configured to be heated by power received from the battery or the AC to DC electrical transformer. The DC ignitor provides safe, reliable, and fast combustion of wood pellets that congregate in a combustion region of the wood pellet burner assembly.

A heat-recovering oven system based on temperature gradient comprises: multiple chambers arranged in a sequence, the chambers configured for operating at various temperatures according to a temperature gradient arrangement that spans the sequence; a conveyor configured for transporting product through the multiple chambers in the sequence for heat treatment according to the temperature gradient arrangement; and multiple temperature-segregated heat exchanger systems, each heat exchanger system including a heat exchanger, a conduit to at least one of the chambers based on its temperature in the temperature gradient arrangement, and a return conduit from the at least one chamber to the heat exchanger.

An access system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a perimeter frame and least one display case door mounted within the perimeter frame. The perimeter frame and the at least one display case door are configured to move substantially vertically along a surface of the temperature-controlled storage device between a raised position and a lowered position. The at least one display case door is further configured to move substantially horizontally between an open position and a closed position when the perimeter frame is in the lowered position. The access system further includes a torsion spring and motor assembly coupled to the perimeter frame and configured to move the perimeter frame and the at least one display case door between the raised position and the lowered position.

An electronic display assembly having forced-air cooling. A thermally conductive plate or a thermally conductive backlight surface is located behind an electronic display of the electronic display assembly and within a housing thereof such that a gap is formed between the plate or backlight surface and an adjacent wall of the housing. External cooling air may be caused to flow in a top-to-bottom direction through the gap in order to remove heat from the electronic display that has been conductively transferred to the gap. A plurality of ribs may be placed within the gap and in thermal communication with the electronic display to enhance the conductive transfer of heat from the electronic display.

Provided are superconducting circuits and, more specifically, methods of forming such circuits. A method may involve forming a silicon-containing low loss dielectric (LLD) layer over a metal electrode such that metal carbides at the interface of the LLD layer and electrode. The LLD layer may be formed using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at a temperature of less than about 500° C. At such a low temperature, metal silicides may not form even though silicon containing precursors may come in contact with metal of the electrode. Silicon containing precursors having silane molecules in which two silicon atoms bonded to each other (e.g., di-silane and tri-silane) may be used at these low temperatures. The LLD layer may include amorphous silicon, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride, and this layer may directly interface one or more metal electrodes. The thickness of LLD layer may be between about 1,000 Angstroms and 10,000 Angstroms.

A furniture damper damps a movement of a movably mounted part of a piece of furniture or a movably mounted component of a furniture fitting. The damper includes a piston arranged in a fluid chamber, a damping action being carried out by a relative movement between the fluid chamber and the piston. A sealing device seals the fluid chamber, and the sealing device includes a first abutment element and a second abutment element that is movably mounted in relation to the first abutment element and designed to seal the fluid chamber. A spring is arranged between the first abutment element and the second abutment element, and the spring is compressible by the relative movement of the first abutment element and the second abutment element essentially up to the thickness of the cross-section of the spring.

A linear displacement damper structure includes a screw shaft, a metallic disk, a screw barrel, a controlling member, and a driving member. The screw shaft is fixed in a position, connected to the metallic disk, and threaded with the screw barrel. The screw barrel is connected to an external device and driven by the external device to perform a linear displacement along a length direction of the screw shaft relative to the screw shaft, so that the screw shaft drives the screw shaft and the metallic shaft. The controlling member has a permanent magnet and is disposed near to the metallic disk, so that the metallic disk generates a magnetic resistance to reduce the rotation speed of the metallic disk. The driving member drives the controlling member to move to change a distance between the controlling member and the metallic disk to adjust the magnitude of the magnetic resistance.

A cylinder (1), particularly for a vibration damper, includes a base (3) and a sleeve-shaped add-on part (5) which at least partially surrounds the cylinder (1) and which has at an end of the cylinder a radially inwardly directed edge profile. The edge profile (11) contacts an end face of the cylinder (1) in a noncontacting manner with respect to the base.

A shock absorber is disclosed having a pressure tube forming a working chamber, and a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube. The piston assembly may divide the working chamber into upper and lower working chambers. The piston assembly may have a piston body defining a first fluid passage extending therethrough and a first valve assembly controlling fluid flow through the first fluid passage. A second fluid passage, separate from the first fluid passage, extends from one of the upper and lower working chambers to a fluid chamber defined at least in part by the pressure tube. A plurality of digital valve assemblies are included and configured to exclusively control all fluid flow through the second fluid passage, and thus all fluid flow between the one of the upper and lower working chambers to the fluid chamber.

A friction disk brake system may comprise a plurality of rotor friction disks and a plurality of stator friction disks. At least one of the friction disks may be a split disk friction disk. The split disk friction disk may comprise a first disk half and a second disk half. A carbon foam damping feature may be located between the first disk half and the second disk half.

A vehicle suspension damper comprises a cylinder and a piston assembly including a damping piston along with working fluid within the cylinder. A bypass permits fluid to avoid dampening resistance of the damping piston. A fluid path through the bypass is controlled by a valve that is shifted by a piston surface when the contents of at least one predetermined volume is injected against the piston surface which acts upon the valve. In one embodiment, the bypass is remotely operable.

An integrated reformer and combustion apparatus for use in a fuel cell system comprises at least one reformer plate (3) at which in use a reforming reaction can take place and at least one combustion plate (1) at which in use a combustion reaction can take place. The plates are arranged in a stack such that the reformer plates (3) and combustion plates (1) are interspersed. The apparatus is arranged such that in use a reforming reaction and a combustion reaction can take place simultaneously, the combustion reaction providing heat for the reforming reaction. A further fluid circuit (19, 29) may be provided in thermal communication with at least one of the reformer unit and the combustion unit so as to allow the temperature of that unit to be controlled.

An alternator, such as for use in an electrostatic spray gun, comprises an electromagnetic alternator, a housing and an impeller. The electromagnetic alternator has a shaft. The electromagnetic alternator is disposed within the housing. The housing has an air aperture. The impeller is mounted to the shaft within the housing so as to be aligned with the air aperture. The impeller includes blades having curved leading and trailing edges. In one embodiment, each blade has a curvature so as to be perpendicular to the air aperture across an entire arc over which each impeller blade has a line of sight of the air aperture.

A heat-insulating shroud for facilitating temperature control of a heated article includes a flexible cover, made from a heat-insulating material, for covering a surface of the heated article, at least one air inlet defined in a first section of the flexible cover, and at least one air outlet defined in a second section of the flexible cover. In a cooling mode of operation, the flexible cover defines an air channel over the surface of the heated article for channeling an air stream from the air inlet(s) over the surface of the heated article towards the air outlet(s). The channeling of the air stream facilitates cooling the heated article. In a heat-conservation mode of operation, the flexible cover of heat-insulating material insulates the heated article from heat loss. Each air outlet may have a closure that opens during the cooling mode of operation and closes during the heat-conservation mode of operation.

An automobile interior temperature stabilizer includes a holder adapted for placing within a vehicle cabin and a temperature stabilizing member which is made of latent heat material that absorbs and releases heat without rising in its temperature and is disposed in the holder, wherein the temperature stabilizing member has a threshold temperature range that the temperature stabilizing member is arranged for absorbing cabin heat within the vehicle cabin to cool down the vehicle cabin when an interior temperature of the vehicle is higher than the threshold temperature range, and the temperature stabilizing member is arranged for releasing stored heat to the vehicle cabin to warm the vehicle cabin when an interior temperature of the vehicle is lower than the threshold temperature range. Therefore, the automobile interior temperature stabilizer is able to maintain the cabin temperature of the vehicle without using any power from the vehicle.

An analog to digital converter (ADC) system that includes a first amplifier configured to amplify an analog input signal to produce an amplified direct current (DC) signal, an ADC configured to receive the amplified DC signal and convert the amplified DC signal into a digital DC signal, a digital to analog converter configured to receive the digital DC signal and convert the digital DC signal into an analog DC signal, and a second amplifier configured to receive an analog alternating current (AC) signal comprising the analog DC signal subtracted from the analog input signal and amplify the analog AC signal to produce an amplified AC signal. The ADC is further configured to receive the amplified AC signal and produce a digital AC signal. The second amplifier has a gain greater than a gain of the first amplifier.

Methods and systems for time interleaved analog-to-digital converter timing mismatch calibration and compensation may include receiving an analog signal on a chip, converting the analog signal to a digital signal utilizing a time interleaved analog-to-digital-converter (ADC), and reducing a blocker signal that is generated by timing offsets in the time interleaved ADC by estimating complex coupling coefficients between a desired digital output signal and the blocker signal utilizing a decorrelation algorithm on frequencies within a desired frequency bandwidth. The decorrelation algorithm may comprise a symmetric adaptive decorrelation algorithm. The received analog signal may be generated by a calibration tone generator on the chip. An aliased signal may be summed with an output signal from a multiplier. The complex coupling coefficients may be determined utilizing the decorrelation algorithm on the summed signals. A multiplier may be configured to cancel the blocker signal utilizing the determined complex coupling coefficients.

The invention is a sound modification device used for a percussion instrument. It is comprised of a rigid clip that is spring-based to a closed position and an integrated dampening material, leather or plastic etc., that comes in contact with the vibrating surface. Once the clip is pulled apart it can be released to firmly attach over the hoop of any drum. The musician can choose the size or material of the dampening component to eliminate unwanted ring and or change the resonant note of the drum. The thickness of the dampening component can also be chosen by the drummer to increase or decrease the dampening characteristics.

An antenna system including: a metal base plate; an antenna element arranged on and extending away from the front side of the base plate; a circuit board including a ground plane, adjacent to, and in thermal contact with the base plate; a plurality of electrical components on the circuit board including a power amplifier and an I/O connector; a metal support plate separated from, parallel to, and facing the base plate, with the circuit board located between the base and support plates; a plurality of thermally conductive standoffs thermally connecting the base plate to the support plate; and a master board including an I/O connector mating with the I/O connector on the circuit board and electrically connecting the circuit board to the master board, the master board located between the circuit board and the support plate and including signal paths for routing signals to the circuit board.

A polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by Chemical Formula 1: wherein in Chemical Formula 1, groups and variables are the same as defined in the detailed description.

A compensation film includes an elongation film having an elongation rate of greater than or equal to about 200% in a uniaxial direction and having a surface energy of about 40 mJ/m2 to about 65 mJ/m2 and a liquid crystal layer disposed on one side of the elongation film and including liquid crystals.

A magnetically enhanced low temperature high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (LT-HDP-CVD) source has a hollow cathode target and an anode, which form a gap. A cathode target magnet assembly forms magnetic field lines substantially perpendicular to the cathode surface. A gap magnet assembly forms a magnetic field in the gap that is coupled with the cathode target magnetic field. The magnetic field lines cross the pole piece electrode positioned in the gap. The pole piece is isolated from ground and can be connected to a voltage power supply. The pole piece can have negative, positive, floating, or RF electrical potentials. By controlling the duration, value, and sign of the electric potential on the pole piece, plasma ionization can be controlled. Feed gas flows through the gap between the hollow cathode and anode. The cathode can be connected to a pulse power or RF power supply, or cathode can be connected to both power supplies. The cathode target and substrate can be inductively grounded.

The concentration measurement method includes: introducing a predetermined amount of the biological sample into the capillary; measuring a temperature of the biological sample by applying a first voltage to the electrode unit when the temperature of the biological sample is measured, the first voltage allowing the temperature measurement to be less affected by increase and reduction in an amount of the analyte contained in the biological sample; measuring the concentration of the analyte contained in the biological sample by applying a second voltage to the electrode unit; measuring an environmental temperature in a surrounding of the biological sample; and correcting the concentration of the measured analyte based on the measured temperature of the biological sample and the measured environmental temperature.

A sensored electrical jumper comprises a conductor having a first end and a second end, the first end including a first connection interface and the second end including a second connection interface, a sensor section including at least one sensor disposed over the conductor between the first and second ends, the sensor section sensing at least one of current and voltage of the conductor, and a sensor output conduit extending from the sensor and oriented substantially perpendicular to the conductor axis to protect at least one sensor output wire from leakage current or other potential electrical damage.

A universal, modular, temperature controlled MRI phantom for calibration and validation for anisotropic and isotropic imaging comprises an outer insulating shell configured to be received within an MRI chamber; an inner shell received within the outer insulating shell; a fluid conduits adjacent the inner shell for receiving temperature controlling fluid or gas cycling there-through; and a series of stacked layers of frames containing test points for the MRI phantom, each layer including at least one fiducial and including at least some anisotropic imaging test points in at least one frame and at least one isotropic imaging test point in at least one frame. The anisotropic imaging comprises hollow tubular textile fibers, wherein each hollow tubular fiber has an outer diameter of less than 50 microns and an inner diameter of less than 20 microns, wherein at least some hollow tubular fibers are filled with a fluid.

The present invention provides novel techniques for controlling the output of a distillation sub-process by controlling, using model predictive control, the temperature of steam used in the distillation sub-process, wherein the steam is generated in a milling and cooking sub-process. In particular, the present techniques are presented in the context of biofuel production, wherein the temperature of a cook tube generated in a milling and cooking sub-process may be controlled to optimize the energy utilization in the ethanol/water separation of a side stripper column, which uses the cook flash steam as an energy source. However, the present techniques may also be applied to other suitable applications, such as liquor processing, where steam generated in a different process may be used in a distillation process to help separate water from the liquor.

A method and system for cooling a device (preferably a micro-device), comprising cooling the device by using a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) mixture. Enhancement of heat transfer rates is achieved during phase separation of a two-component system (two-component mixture) with a LCST. Convective heat transfer rates in small diameter pipes and over a vertical (hot) plate are demonstrated.

The present invention provides a temperature adjusting apparatus for a focus ring, wherein heat radiated from the plasma onto the focus ring is transferred downward to a base through the first heat conducting pad contacting a lower surface of the focus ring, an insulating ring contacting a lower surface of the first heat conducting pad, and the second heat conducting pad contacting a lower surface of the insulating ring, so as to be cooled by a cooling system provided at the base; turning on a heater disposed in a grounded shielding ring to generate a controllable external heating source, heat from the heater being transferred to the focus ring through the shielding ring, a third heat conducting pad contacting the shielding ring, the insulating ring contacting the third heat conducting pad, and the first heat conducting pad, so as to perform controllable warming to the focus ring. By providing a good heat conduction path in conjunction with controllable heating power, the present invention achieves a fine control of the working temperature of the focus ring such that it is tunable in processing such as etching, thereby satisfying processing demands.

The present invention discloses a multi-zone active-matrix temperature control system, the control system having a temperature control matrix and a gate driver; the temperature control matrix comprising: N*M temperature control modules forming a N-row M-column matrix, a power supply line, and a power return line; each temperature control module comprising: a temperature control unit adapts to be heated up by electrical power for temperature controlling; a semiconductor switch provided with a gate electrode connected with the gate driver, two ends of the gate, which turn on or off, being connected with the power supply line, and with the power return line through the temperature control unit, respectively. In the temperature control matrix, one ends, which are connected with a power return line, of the temperature control units of temperature control modules in a same row or same column are serially connected, and connected with the power supply line; one ends, which are connected with the power supply line, of the semiconductor switches of the temperature control modules at a same row or a same column are serially connected, and connected with the power supply line. The present invention may precisely perform temperature control to each zone of the electrostatic chuck and significantly reduces the number of electrostatic chuck lead-out lines.