Abstract:
A fire detector includes a sensor (4) for, in use, detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by a flame and generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected electromagnetic radiation. The detector further includes a processing device (2) configured to select a portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a first time period and compare the selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine an initial presence or absence of a flame, the processing device being further configured, upon determining the initial presence of the flame, to select a further portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a further time period and comparing the further selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine a definite presence or absence of the flame.
Abstract:
A computer trading system includes a quote screening function configured to accept quotes specifying a quote amount in a price where the quote amount is greater than a minimum quote amount to produce screen quote messages and to reject quotes specifying a quote amount less than the minimum quote amount. A market view generator generates market views from those quotes which specify an amount greater than or equal to the minimum quote amount. An order screening function only-accepts orders specifying an amount less than a maximum transaction amount submitted in response to the market views to produce screened order messages. A transaction processor receives screened quote messages and screened order messages and matches appropriate messages with each other. The minimum quote amount is substantially equal to or greater than the maximum transaction amount whereby a screened order message can be matched entirely with one screened quote message.
Abstract:
A fire detector includes a sensor (4) for, in use, detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by a flame and generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected electromagnetic radiation. The detector further includes a processing device (2) configured to select a portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a first time period and compare the selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine an initial presence or absence of a flame, the processing device being further configured, upon determining the initial presence of the flame, to select a further portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a further time period and comparing the further selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine a definite presence or absence of the flame.
Abstract:
Methods and devices for inline sampling of a bulk material, such as a powder, are provided. The material's bulk density can be determined from samples drawn using methods and devices described herein. One embodiment of a method of sampling a material allows the material to flow through a sampling compartment, closes off the flow of material below the sampling compartment, builds up a column of material through the sampling compartment, shifts the sampling compartment to remove a slice of material in the column, and places the slice of material into a sample container. A device for sampling a material is provided in another embodiment. The device includes an inlet, an outlet aligned with the inlet, and a sample collector. The sample collector can include at least one through hole and be configured to move such that the at least one through hole can be moved into and out of alignment with the inlet and the outlet.
Abstract:
A system including an extraction force transfer coupling link assembly is provided that extracts a cargo from an airborne aircraft with an extraction parachute and then deploys the cargo with a descent parachute. During a normal extraction the link assembly transfers a force from an extraction line to a deployment lanyard that deploys a descent parachute. In the event of a failed extraction, the assembly severs the deployment lanyard and jettisons the extraction parachute. The extraction force transfer coupling link assembly includes an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene rope that has one end of the deployment lanyard braided with the extraction line. The rope acts as both the extraction line for the cargo and the deployment lanyard for the descent parachute. By virtue of the ability to use a single rope, the link assembly is of simple construction and employs pyrotechnic cutters to effect the release of the extraction line and deployment lanyard rather than conventional mechanical interlocks.
Abstract:
A computer trading system includes a quote screening function configured to accept quotes specifying a quote amount in a price where the quote amount is greater than a minimum quote amount to produce screen quote messages and to reject quotes specifying a quote amount less than the minimum quote amount. A market view generator generates market views from those quotes which specify an amount greater than or equal to the minimum quote amount. An order screening function only accepts orders specifying an amount less than a maximum transaction amount submitted in response to the market views to produce screened order messages. A transaction processor receives screened quote messages and screened order messages and matches appropriate messages with each other. The minimum quote amount is substantially equal to or greater than the maximum transaction amount whereby a screened order message can be matched entirely with one screened quote message.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for monitoring laboratory animals includes a tag comprising an inductive element and a capacitive element attached to a portion of a laboratory animal. The position of the portion is detected by monitoring the effect of the tag on a time-varying magnetic field having different frequencies, one near tag resonance, and one away from tag resonance.
Abstract:
An enclosure, method and apparatus for influencing the swimming behaviour of fish is disclosed. The enclosure defining a space within which the fish can swim, said enclosure having a series of light output members disposed along a path, said light output members being operable to provide a moving visual stimulus along the path by output of light in sequence from the series of light output members thereby to influence the swimming behaviour of the fish.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a modular test tube rack. The rack contains multiple sub-racks that can be coupled together to form the test tube rack. The sub-rack can be designed to fit into a variety of scientific instrumentation including a fixed rotor centrifuge. The assembled test tube rack can be of a format and size that allows use of standard array pipetters. Thus, a system is provided allowing use of standard array pipetters and high g centrifugation.
Abstract:
An apparatus, and particularly, a wafer carrier for polishing the face of a semiconductor wafer are provided. The wafer carrier forms a first cavity which can be pressure controlled to vary the shape of a face of a platen which contacts the wafer during polishing. A second cavity within the first cavity is provided. The second cavity can be independently pressure controlled to form a vacuum for holding the wafer against the platen surface or for forming a pressure stream to separate the wafer from the platen and/or to purge the holes in the surface of the platen. A non-contact displacement sensor capable of measuring a distance between the wafer carrier mount and the platen, may be provided. An endpoint detector capable of detecting a relative surface roughness of the wafer, to determine when the wafer has been sufficiently polished, may also be provided. A ring is peripherally located about an outer edge of the platen, and is mounted and positioned to resist lateral forces on the wafer during polishing. The ring is adjustably mounted so as to be variably and controllably vertically positioned, with respect to the wafer to help control standing waves in the polishing media and uneven polishing of the wafer surface.