42results about How to "Minimizing temperature variation" patented technology

The invention relates to liquid chromatography techniques for rapidly characterizing samples, such as polymer solutions, emulsions and dispersions, and to devices for implementing such techniques. The system includes a design that provides the ability to perform chromatographic separations by using mobile phase composition gradients and temperature gradients during separations. The invention accomplishes this by providing mixing zones for a plurality of fluids as well as heated and chilled feeds feeding the fluids to the mixing zones. Additionally, the system provides the ability to analyze separated components with a detector and/or collect separated fractions into vessels of a fraction collector for further separation and/or analysis.

Apparatus and methods according to the present invention preferably utilize electroosmotic pumps that are capable of generating high pressure and flow without moving mechanical parts and the associated generation of unacceptable electrical and acoustic noise, as well as the associated reduction in reliability. These electroosmotic pumps are preferably fabricated with materials and structures that improve performance, efficiency, and reduce weight and manufacturing cost relative to presently available micropumps. These electroosmotic pumps also preferably allow for control including venting or recapture of evolved gases and deposited materials, which may provide for long-term closed-loop operation. A gas permeable membrane removes and vents electrolytic gasses generated within the fluid chamber of the electroosmotic pump to ambient. A catalyst can be used to recombine electrolytic gases to form a vapor product that can be vented or condensed into a liquid state. An osmotic membrane provides for re-entry of condensed fluid to the fluid chamber.

Apparatus and methods according to the present invention preferably utilize electroosmotic pumps that are capable of generating high pressure and flow without moving mechanical parts and the associated generation of unacceptable electrical and acoustic noise, as well as the associated reduction in reliability. These electroosmotic pumps are preferably fabricated with materials and structures that improve performance, efficiency, and reduce weight and manufacturing cost relative to presently available micropumps. These electroosmotic pumps also preferably allow for recapture of evolved gases and deposited materials, which may provide for long,-term closed-loop operation. Apparatus and methods according to the present invention also allow active regulation of the temperature of the device through electrical control of the flow through the pump and can utilize multiple cooling loops to allow independent regulation of the special and temporal characteristics of the device temperature profiles. Novel microchannel structures are also described.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the delivery rate of an androgen transdermal therapeutic system through the skin. An androgen transdermal therapeutic system can be applied to a patient's skin for delivery of the androgen. A temperature modification apparatus which is capable of generating controlled heat is applied approximate to the androgen transdermal therapeutic system. The heating from the temperature modification apparatus raises the temperature of the androgen transdermal therapeutic system and raises the temperature of the patient's skin to achieve an increased rate of delivery of androgen through the skin. The controlled heat can also be used to adjust dosage rates of the androgen transdermal therapeutic system and to mimic natural circadian patterns. The controlled heating may also be used to improve or regulate the release of androgen from injected/implanted extended/controlled release systems.

A method recovering heat and water from a warm slurry, such as warm tailings from a oil sands extraction mining operation, is provided. The method comprises providing the tailings to a vacuum vessel, removing, from the vacuum vessel, warm vapor derived from the tailings, condensing the warm vapor in a condenser to produce water, and recovering the water from the condenser. Cool river or pond water can be warmed with the heat from the vapor for additional uses in the mining operation. Essentially pure water can be obtained in the process. This can also be achieved using one or flash vessels in series to condense the vapor. Power can also be generated from the vapor using a turbine.

A coolant flow control system includes an integrated pump for delivering an engine coolant to an engine, coolant flow control and heat exchange device. According to the system, coolant flow from the engine is delivered back to the engine after passing through the valve body part and then the heat exchange part in which it passes over the heat exchange part. Systems of the invention are particularly useful with all-electric and hybrid vehicles.

A cooling apparatus including a frost sensor to sense frost, a multiplexer having a first input terminal, to which the frost sensor is connected, and a second input terminal as a non-connected input terminal, a signal processor to subtract a signal input through the second input terminal from a signal input through the first input terminal, and to output a signal obtained by the subtraction, and a controller to detect an amount of frost sensed by the frost sensor, based on the output signal from the signal processor. It is possible to easily and accurately determine noise contained in a signal received from the frost sensor by determining, as noise, the signal received from the input terminal, to which the frost sensor is not connected, and subtracting the noise from the signal received from each input terminal, to which the frost sensor is connected.

A temperature control system in a refrigeration appliance comprising: a cabinet defining at least one refrigerating compartment closed by a door; a compressor; and a control means provided with a timer and which is constructed to activate and deactivate the compressor when the interior of the refrigerating compartment reaches activation and deactivation temperatures, respectively. The control system comprises an ambient temperature sensor and an open door sensor which are operatively connected to the control means, the latter being designed to adjust the activation and deactivation temperatures of the compressor as a function of the ambient temperature external to the cabinet and the opening pattern of the door, in order to minimize the temperature variations of the food stored in the refrigerating compartment.

The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such data in the conduct of an assay by an assay system. The present invention also relates to consumables (e.g., kits and reagent containers), software, data deployable bundles, computer-readable media, loading carts, instruments, systems, and methods, for performing automated biological assays.

A mix-in-the-cup automated beverage dispensing machine includes a powder dispensing system with a rotary support structure bringing each powder container to a common dispensing location in turn. The machine also provides a water heater with a thermal conduction block and a method for heating water based on pre-calculation of the required heating profile. Also provided is a fresh milk dispensing system which maintains a fully cooled flow path from the container to the cup while ensuring that all components contacting the milk are disposable single-use components. Additional features discussed relate to a mixer unit cleaned by spinning within the cup, a structurally simple cup conveyance arrangement, and an cup elevator with geometrical locking.

According to a coating method of the present invention, a second member 107 associated with the type of a silicon wafer 101 to be coated is selected, transferred into a coating chamber 102, and placed on a first member 103 thereby forming a susceptor 110. The associated second member 107 is most suitable for providing a uniform temperature distribution across the surface of the silicon wafer 110 and has a nonuniform thickness designed to correct the uniformity of the temperature distribution across the wafer. This arrangement allows minimization of the temperature variation across the surface of different types of silicon wafers 101 when a film is formed on them. The storage chamber 130 preferably includes heating means 131 for heating the second member.

A system and method for frequency conversion in a frequency-conversion receiver is disclosed. The frequency-conversion receiver receives input RF signals carrying multiple channels. The frequency-conversion receiver converts the input RF signals to a wide IF band. The IF band is further processed by dividing the IF band into one or more frequency segments or by selecting a wideband frequency segment from the IF band. The wideband frequency segment or the one or more frequency segments are further down-converted, filtered and amplified to provide desired output IF signals, based on the number of channels required in the output IF signals.

This invention has an objective to improve durability at elevated temperature in organic electroluminescent devices using coumarin derivatives as dopant in a luminescent layer. This invention attains the above objective by providing in the organic electroluminescent devices formed by laminating an anode, a hole injection layer, a hole transportation layer, a luminescent layer, an electron transportation layer and a cathode in this order, the luminescent layer which comprises as dopant the green light-emitting coumarin derivative and hole- and electron-transporting substances as host; said coumarin derivative consisting of a plurality of coumarin groups bound to an aromatic ring, heterocycle, or any combination thereof, and exhibiting a glass transition point of 150° C. or higher or a melting point of 297° C. or higher.

An apparatus for measuring electrical conductivity of liquid is disclosed. The present invention as disclosed accurately and consistently measures infinitesimal conductivity of liquid by applying a stable reference signal to a conductivity sensor controlled with a constant temperature, and by low-noise processing on an output signal from the conductivity sensor. More specifically, infinitesimal conductivity of liquid can be repeatedly and accurately measured and change in performance of the detection apparatus over time can be minimized, by minimizing temperature variations, unstability of a reference signal, and noise effects to ensure stablility of a baseline as a measurement reference of the conductivity and accuracy of conductivity measurements.