Abstract:
Disclosed are examples of apparatuses for evaporative purification of a contaminated liquid. In each example, there is a vessel for storing the contaminated fluid. The vessel includes a surface coated with a layer of superhydrophobic material and the surface is at least partially in contact with the contaminated liquid. The contaminants do not adhere to the surface as the purified liquid evaporates, thus allowing the contaminants to be harvested.
Abstract:
Disclosed are examples of apparatuses for evaporative purification of a contaminated liquid. In each example, there is a first vessel for storing the contaminated fluid. The first vessel includes a surface coated with a layer of superhydrophobic material and the surface is at least partially in contact with the contaminated liquid. The contaminants do not adhere to the surface as the purified liquid evaporates, thus simplifying maintenance of the apparatus.
Abstract:
An electromagnetic radiation sensor that exhibits improved performance by virtue of an ability to tune its sensitivity is disclosed. The electromagnetic radiation sensor incorporates thermal actuators that act in opposition to one another, but which have a slight difference in responsivity. A temperature controller is used to tune the sensitivity of the electromagnetic radiation sensor by controlling the temperature of the substrate on which the sensor is formed.
Abstract:
A radiation sensor array that exhibits improved fill factor is disclosed. The radiation sensor array incorporates sensors having support arms that are nested in vertical fashion with the support arms of neighboring sensors. This vertically-nested structure enables the radiation-sensing portions of the sensors to be more closely-packed.
Abstract:
A radiation sensor array that exhibits improved performance is disclosed. The radiation sensor array dissipates kinetic energy within a capacitive sensing element and establishes an electric field across a two capacitor bridge circuit that comprises the capacitive sensing element, wherein the electric field has substantially constant magnitude during both sensing and reset modes of operation. The electric field, however, has opposite polarity during the sense and reset modes.
Abstract:
Highly efficient binary and ternary gas mixtures for use in diffuse glow discharge closing switches are disclosed. The binary mixtures are combinations of helium or neon and selected perfluorides. The ternary mixtures are combinations of helium, neon, or argon, a selected perfluoride, and a small amount of gas that exhibits enhanced ionization characteristics. These mixtures are shown to be the optimum choices for use in diffuse glow discharge closing switches by virtue of the combined physio-electric properties of the mixture components.
Abstract:
A system for measuring the size distribution of particles on which radioactive atoms are attached including: an air flow channel for receiving an influx of the radioactive atoms, a fan for controlling the air flow rate in the channel, one or more wire mesh screens in the channel, and alpha particle detectors located in the channel so as to detect the radioactive atoms. The outputs of the detectors may be connected to a computer for analysis of the outputs.
Abstract:
A commercially feasible triple-enveloped metal-halide arc-discharge lamp having a hermetically sealed light-transmissive enclosure surrounding the arc tube and a hermetically sealed light-transmissive outer envelope. There is a vacuum within the enclosure and outside the arc tube. There is a gaseous fill within the outer envelope and outside the enclosure. Preferably, metal frame parts within the outer envelope are electrically isolated from the electrical circuit of the lamp in order to minimize sodium loss from the arc tube and providing superior luminous maintenance. The vacuum enclosure about the arc tube eliminates convective heat loss and redistributes reflected heat back to the arc tube such that arc tube operation is hotter and more nearly isothermal. As a result, lamp performance characteristics are comparable or improved with respect to double-enveloped prior art counterparts. Color temperature is substantially reduced. The enclosure acts as an effective containment device in the rare event of a burst of the arc tube. The gaseous fill within the outer envelope minimizes the implosion hazard. A triple-enveloped lamp in accordance with the invention is particularly well suited for high-wattage applications.
Abstract:
A metal halide arc discharge lamp includes an arc tube and a light-transmissive shroud mounted within a lamp envelope. The arc tube and the shroud are mechanically supported within the lamp envelope by resilient spring members. Since the support structure for the arc tube and the shroud is mechanically and electrically isolated from the lamp stem, leakage current between the support structure and the electrical inleads is eliminated, thereby reducing sodium loss from the arc tube and extending the operating life of the lamp. The spring-mounted construction enables the lamp to withstand mechanical shock and vibration.
Abstract:
Gas mixtures for use in spark gap closing switches comprised of fluorocarbons and low molecular weight, inert buffer gases. To this can be added a third gas having a low ionization potential relative to the buffer gas. The gas mixtures presented possess properties that optimized the efficiency spark gap closing switches.