Abstract:
Carbonaceous deposition on the surface of steel cracker tubes in chemical plant for the thermal cracking of hydrocarbons is a serious problem. It is met, in the invention, by providing the surface with a refractory oxide coating by contacting the surface with a sol comprising an aqueous dispersion of substantially unaggregated primary particles, the sol being capable of conversion to a gel the bulk density of which being at least 40% of the theoretical density of the refractory oxide when measured at ambient temperature and the gel being convertible to the refractory material, converting the sol to the gel, and firing.
Abstract:
The invention is concerned with providing substrates with coatings obtainable from sols, for example to protect the substrate (such as in nuclear reactors or hydrocarbon cracking plant) or to provide a carrier for catalytically active material.Hitherto, coatings obtained from sols have had a high porosity and high surface area so that they have not been entirely satisfactory for the above applications.In the invention, dense, low-porosity coatings are provided by contacting the substrate with a sol of refractory material (e.g. CeO.sub.2 or SiO.sub.2) convertible to a gel of density at least 40% of the theoretical density of the refractory material, and converting the sol to the gel. Optionally, the gel may be converted to a ceramic coating by firing.
Abstract:
There is described a focusing apparatus having a deformable membrane that at least partially defines a cavity and an optical fluid disposed in the cavity. An actuator assembly can be provided for imparting a force to the deformable membrane. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly can include a piezoelectric actuator.
Abstract:
A cell phone includes: a device for wireless communication; an imager sensor for capturing an image of an object; a lens system for projecting an image of the object onto the imager; a battery for powering the cell phone; a lens system for focusing images of the object onto the imager comprising: a focus element; at least two electrodes associated with the focus element; a control system to adjust the state of focus of the focus element by controlling the at least two electrodes.
Abstract:
A cellular camera telephone is provided with aiming, illumination, and decoding functionality to enable the economical and ergonomic reading and decoding of bar code symbols. The aiming and illumination are preferably a single system to minimize power consumption, such as by projecting a rectangle of light to both frame and illuminate the image area containing the target bar code. The cell phone is further provided with a lens system that permits switching between the ‘normal’ picture-taking focal range of from a few feet to infinity, and a bar code-reading focal range on the order of from a few to several inches. The lens system may involve, or combine, conventional autofocus/autozoom technology, fluid or adaptive lens technology, and liquid crystal lens technology. The cell phone may both acquire information from scanning bar codes, and transmit information by creating and displaying bar codes. Wireless connectivity allows the cell phone to communicate with the Internet or any of a number of network types, enabling the user to request, review, and authorize transactions.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for modifying the feature set of data collection devices are disclosed. Requests are receiving at a computer system different from the data collection device for a new configuration of the data collection device, the request including an identifier for the data collection device, identification of one or more features, and for each identified feature, an indication to modify the operation of a feature. The identifier may comprise an identifier that is unique for a particular data collection device or an indication of a group of devices. e.g. a model number. Prior to authorizing the new configuration, a determination may be made as to whether the identified data collection device(s) are suitable for the new configuration by consulting a configuration database. To implement the new configuration, an encoded authorization file is generated based on the requested configuration and the identifier of the data collection device(s). The encoded authorization file is transmitted to one or more data collection devices. Each data collection device that receives an encoded authorization file attempts to decode of the license using its identifier(s). If the authorization file is successfully decoded, a license key on that device is updated to implement the new configuration.
Abstract:
A catalyst for the oxidation of carbonaceous particulates carried in a gaseous phase, for example for the treatment of Diesel engine exhaust emissions, comprises a substrate for permitting flow of the gaseous phase therethrough coated with a high surface area ceramic oxide (for example alumina made by a vapor phase condensation method such as flame hydrolysis), cerium(IV) oxide, and a compound such as an oxide, carbonate or nitrate of an element of Group 1A of the Periodic Table. The substrate may be in the form of a ceramic honeycomb such as of cordierite, or of metal sheets (e.g. of an aluminium bearing ferritic alloy) shaped and wound to define gas flow channels, or of ceramic or metal foams, particles or wires in random or structured arrangement. The catalyst may include other components (e.g. transition metals such as Co, Cu, and Mn; Pb; and precious metals such as Pt and Pd) for enhancing performance.
Abstract:
A substrate is provided with a refractory oxide coating by contacting the substrate with a dispersion of a solid particulate phase in a liquid phase, subsequently followed by firing to produce the coating, the dispersion comprising at least a first and a second refractory oxide component.In order to produce a coating of controlled purity, e.g. for certain catalytic, electronic or other appications, the first refractory oxide component (e.g. an alumina) is obtained from a purifiable liquid or solid precursor therefor and constitutes part at least of the solid phase, and the second refractory oxide component is either obtained from a purifiable liquid or solid precursor therefor and constitutes part of the solid phase or is a purifiable liquid precursor (e.g. a water-soluble silicone) constituting part at least of the liquid phase.
Abstract:
A catalyst suitable for use in the treatment of motor vehicle exhaust emissions is made by contacting a substrate, preferably of an aluminium bearing ferritic alloy, with a first sol of refractory material followed by drying and firing, and preferably then contacting with a second sol of refractory material, which additionally contains a salt convertible to catalytic material, followed by drying and firing. The sols are obtained from refractory material, e.g., alumina, made by a vapor phase condensation method.
Abstract:
A device for treating fluid, in particular a supported catalyst for motor vehicle exhaust gas purification. The device comprises a plurality of short helical lengths of smooth surfaced wire of aluminium containing iron based alloy wound to avoid self contact, coated with ceramic material and catalytically active material, and assembled together in a container having a gas inlet and a gas outlet.