Abstract:
In accordance with the present invention, a compact laser system with nearly continuous wavelength scanning is presented. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned over a broad range. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can be scanned at high scan rates. In some embodiments, the compact laser system can have a variable coherence length. In particular, embodiments with wavelength scanning over 140 nm with continuously variable scan rates of up to about 1 nm/μs, and discrete increase in scan rates up to about 10 nm/μs, and variable coherence lengths of from 1 mm to about 30 mm can be achieved.
Abstract:
A tool for lowering, alternatively later retrieval, of a pipeline end which is provided with a connecting part designed for mating with and connection to a first connecting part on the seabed is shown. The tool is so arranged that the tool can be brought to the surface again for reuse. The tool comprises a central lifting frame, a guiding part forming an extension of the lifting frame and a lifting yoke, which tool includes gripping mechanisms which, in one situation, are actuatable to partly circumscribe and retain the pipeline end, and, in a second situation, the gripping mechanisms are releasable to release the pipeline end from the lifting frame.
Abstract:
A connecting device for mating and connection on the sea bed of first and second pipelines having first and second pipe ends at the connection point, is shown. The connecting device includes a first connecting part retaining the first end; a second submersible connecting part retaining the second end and a connector arranged between the connecting parts for final connection between the pipe ends. A guiding device engages with a guiding structure during a lowering motion of the second connecting part towards the first connecting part and pivots the second connecting part into coarse alignment of the second pipe end in a direction towards the first pipe end such that the first and second pipelines are brought to align with each other. An adjacent ramp structure with abutment surfaces and a guiding mechanism cooperate with the second connecting part and contribute to fine alignment of the pipe ends.
Abstract:
A method is provided for controlling the temperature of a traction battery in a hybrid vehicle, where the hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for traction power. The method includes providing a first temperature regulating circuit for the internal combustion engine, providing a second temperature regulating circuit for the traction battery, heating the traction battery by an electrical heater provided in the second temperature regulating circuit in series with a pump, a radiator and the traction battery, transferring power to the electrical heater via a DC/DC converter from the electrical motor, which electrical motor is driven by the internal combustion engine, while the battery is below a predetermined temperature interval.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for improving the efficiency of the packet data channel by interrupting transmissions from or to a first mobile station so as to allow a short message to be communicated between the communication system and a different mobile station. The packet channel feedback information includes several flags: Received/Not Received (R/N); Partial Echo (PE); and Partial Echo Qualifier (PEQ). The PEQ allows the communication system to interrupt the transmission to one mobile station to send a short message to another mobile station. By setting the PEQ to various values, a mobile station can determine whether subchannel ownership has been temporarily interrupted and reassigned to another station.
Abstract:
A data communications unit determines both efficiently and accurately when one or more data units should be received under a variety of conditions. In particular, the present invention compensates for transmission delays and for varying transmission rates over the communications channel. During a communication between first and second communications nodes, the first node receives a sequence of data units transmitted from the second node. The first communications node determines that one or more of the transmitted data units was either not received at all or was erroneously received (i.e., corrupted). The first node then sends a request to the second node to retransmit the one or more data units not received or erroneously received. A retransmit timer is started when the retransmission request is sent. The retransmit timer accounts for the delay time period required for the retransmit request to reach the second node, for the second node to retransmit the requested data units, and for the retransmitted data units to reach the first node. When the timer indicates that the delay time period has occurred/expired, a counter is started. Based on the counter's value, a determination is made whether all of the data units requested to be retransmitted have been properly received. If the determination indicates that the requested one or more data units has been retransmitted and properly received, no further action is taken. On the other hand, if the requested one or more data units to be retransmitted is not received or is erroneously received, the above-described procedure is repeated.
Abstract:
A method of operating a drive circuit of a solenoid of an electromagnetic device including an armature, the drive circuit including switch means in series with the solenoid, comprising closing the switch means to achieve a high rate of current increase in the solenoid, opening the switch means when the current reaches a predetermined level and allowing the current to decay, the movement of the armature from a first to a second position being completed whilst the current is decaying and monitoring the decaying current using a sensing circuit which includes means responsive to a discontinuity in the decaying current flow when the armature reaches the second position.
Abstract:
An actuator assembly for use within the vacuum field of a cyclotron, one embodiment of which comprises an interactor which is moveable between a first position and a second position, at least one support structure for supporting the interactor in the first and second positions, a shape memory alloy (SMA) element connected to the interactor and/or support structure and being adapted to exert a force on the interactor and/or support structure so as to urge the interactor from the first position to the second position, an electromagnetic activator operatively associated with the SMA element for causing the element to exert the force when the electromagnetic activator is selectably activated, and a return mechanism operatively connected to the interactor, the support structure and/or the SMA element so as to urge the interactor from the second position to the first position when the electromagnetic activator is deactivated.
Abstract:
A vehicle simulation system includes a first simulation model that when executed simulates a software ring along with other software of a vehicle module. The vehicle simulation system further includes a second simulation model of the software ring. A bypass switch that has a first state and a second state. A bypass switching module switches the bypass switch between the first simulation model and the second simulation model based on a bypass signal and a ring enabling signal. A simulation control module executes code of a vehicle simulation model including software in-the-loop (SIL) testing of a selected one of the first simulation model and the second simulation model based on state of the bypass switch.
Abstract:
An actuator assembly for use within the vacuum field of a cyclotron, one embodiment of which comprises an interactor which is moveable between a first position and a second position, at least one support structure for supporting the interactor in the first and second positions, a shape memory alloy (SMA) element connected to the interactor and/or support structure and being adapted to exert a force on the interactor and/or support structure so as to urge the interactor from the first position to the second position, an electromagnetic activator operatively associated with the SMA element for causing the element to exert the force when the electromagnetic activator is selectably activated, and a return mechanism operatively connected to the interactor, the support structure and/or the SMA element so as to urge the interactor from the second position to the first position when the electromagnetic activator is deactivated.