263results about How to "Small mass" patented technology

Electrochemical cells, and more specifically, rechargeable batteries comprising lithium anodes for use in water and/or air environments, as well as non-aqueous and non-air environments, are presented. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising lithium and a multi-layered structure positioned between the anode and an electrolyte of the cell. A multi-layered structure can include at least a first single-ion conductive material layer (e.g., a lithiated metal layer), and at least a first polymeric layer positioned between the anode and the single-ion conductive material. The invention also can provide an electrode stabilization layer positioned within the electrode, i.e., between one portion and another portion of an electrode, to control depletion and re-plating of electrode material upon charge and discharge of a battery. Advantageously, electrochemical cells comprising combinations of structures described herein are not only compatible with environments that are typically unsuitable for lithium, but the cells may be also capable of displaying long cycle life, high lithium cycling efficiency, and high energy density.

A magnetically-levitated blood pump with an optimization method that enables miniaturization and supercritical operation. The blood pump includes an optimized annular blood gap that increases blood flow and also provides a reduction in bearing stiffness among the permanent magnet bearings. Sensors are configured and placed optimally to provide space savings for the motor and magnet sections of the blood pump. Rotor mass is increased by providing permanent magnet placement deep within the rotor enabled by a draw rod configuration.

Electrode protection in electrochemical cells, and more specifically, electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising lithium and a multi-layered structure positioned between the anode and an electrolyte of the cell. A multi-layered structure can include at least a first single-ion conductive material layer (e.g., a lithiated metal layer), and at least a first polymeric layer positioned between the anode and the single-ion conductive material. The invention also can provide an electrode stabilization layer positioned within the electrode, i.e., between one portion and another portion of an electrode, to control depletion and re-plating of electrode material upon charge and discharge of a battery. Advantageously, electrochemical cells comprising combinations of structures described herein are not only compatible with environments that are typically unsuitable for lithium, but the cells may be also capable of displaying long cycle life, high lithium cycling efficiency, and high energy density.

A stereo camera system in a motor vehicle, in particular for classifying objects and determining distance. In order to ensure secure installation and precise positioning of the camera system, in particular fixing of its lateral position, the camera system is provided with at least two camera modules, and a mount, in which camera modules are installed at a specified lateral distance apart, the mount being cemented to the inside of the windshield.

A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) and its fabrication are taught which incorporate a high contrast grating (HCG) to replace the top mirror of the device and which can operate at long-wavelengths, such as beyond 0.85 μm. The HCG beneficially provides a high degree of polarization differentiation and provides optical containment in response to lensing by the HCG. The device incorporates a quantum well active layer, a tunnel junction, and control of aperture width using ion implantation. A tunable VCSEL is taught which controls output wavelength in response to controlling a micro-mechanical actuator coupled to a HCG top mirror which can be moved to, or from, the body of the VCSEL. A fabrication process for the VCSEL includes patterning the HCG using a wet etching process, and highly anisotropic wet etching while precisely controlling temperature and PH.

Various configurations of micromachined optomechanical switching cells are disclosed herein. In accordance with the invention, an optomechanical switching cell is provided which includes an actuator positioned on a substrate and a mirror coupled to the actuator. The switching cell also includes an electrode disposed upon the substrate under the actuator. An insulator may also be interposed between the substrate and the electrode. In another aspect of the present invention the switching cell includes a latch having a first end region connected to the substrate and a second end region engaged by the mirror.

A microelectromechanical heating apparatus and fluid preconcentrator device utilizing same wherein heating elements of the apparatus are sized and spaced to substantially uniformly heat a heating chamber within a heater of the apparatus. Tall, thermally-isolated heating elements are fabricated in Si using high aspect ratio etching technology. These tall heating elements have large surface area to provide large adsorbent capacity needed for high efficiency preconcentrators in a micro gas chromatography system (μGC). The tall heating elements are surrounded by air gaps to provide good thermal isolation, which is important for a low power preconcentrator in the μGC system.

The invention provides a compact patch antenna having a cavity underneath the driver patch, so that the electromagnetic volume of the antenna is expanded without increasing the overall area of the antenna. More specifically, the compact patch antenna comprises a base layer having a cavity, a ground plane located on the base layer, and having an opening over at least a portion of the cavity, a substrate located on the ground plane, and a driver patch located on the substrate. The invention further provides a method for constructing a compact patch antenna, comprising the steps of providing a base layer having a cavity, providing a ground plane located on the base layer, and having an opening over at least a portion of the cavity, providing a substrate located on the ground plane, and providing a driver patch located on the substrate.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an air treatment assembly including a sorbent, such as a carbon fiber cloth, for cleansing circulating indoor air of VOCs. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the air treatment assembly is provided and may be configured for in-situ regeneration, using outside air to flush a sorbent and purge the air treatment assembly in a repeatable adsorption-regeneration cycle, allowing a relatively small mass of sorbent to be used for an extended period of time.

The object of the present invention is to provide a compact lightweight heat pump hot-water supply system. The hot-water supply system heats water through heat exchange between high-temperature refrigerant of a heat pump circuit and water of a water circulating circuit. The system is an instantaneous water heater unit for instantaneously heating, at a water heat exchanger, water supplied through a water supply pipe and supplying hot water to a using end unit. In this system, therefore, large-capacity hot-water storage tank in conventional systems is no longer needed. Sufficient heat of condensation to heat water can not be produced, because pressure conditions of the heat pump circuit is not stabilized just after the start of operation. Therefore, during a short period of rising time, hot water stored in a hot-water supply tank and water from the water heat exchanger are mixed and the mixture is supplied to keep the hot water at a preset temperature. It is, therefore, possible to downsize the hot-water supply tank.

Various 3-port and 4-port micromachined optomechanical matrix switches are disclosed herein. In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided an optomechanical matrix switch including a substrate and a first plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled thereto. Each of the first plurality of optomechanical switching cells is arranged to be in optical alignment with a first input port. A second plurality of optomechanical switching cells is also coupled to the substrate, each of the second plurality of optomechanical switching cells being in optical alignment with a second input port. In another aspect of the present invention an optomechanical matrix switch is provided which includes a substrate and a first plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled thereto. Each of the first plurality of optomechanical switching cells is placed in optical alignment with one of a corresponding first plurality of input ports and with one of a corresponding first plurality of output ports. The matrix switch further includes a second plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled to the substrate. Each of the second plurality of optomechanical switching cells is placed in optical alignment with one of a corresponding second plurality input ports and with one of a corresponding second plurality of output ports.

A heated fuel injector includes a heated body, liquid fuel flowing through a fuel passage within the body, and a member that increases heat transfer from the heated body to the fuel within the fuel passage. The thermal efficiency of the fuel injector is increased separately or in combination by diverting the fuel flow along an inner circumferential contour of the heated body, by limiting the volume of fuel bypassing the heated inner surface of the body, by redirecting heat from the body to unheated portions of the fuel flow field within the fuel passage, and by increasing the available contact surface area for heat transfer. Improved heat transfer from the heated body to the fuel is achieved by integrating features that increase the contact surface area into the inside surface of the body or by positioning an insulating or a thermally conductive spacer within the fuel passage.

A fluidically-controlled valve is provided. The fluidically-controlled valve includes a main flow channel with a main flow entrance, a flow exit and a constricted channel section located between the main flow entrance and the flow exit. The fluidically-controlled valve also includes a control flow channel including a jet forming control entrance, a first branch channel, a second branch channel, a common channel section, and a convex channel wall. The common channel section follows the control entrance, the first branch channel emerges from the common channel section and leads to the main flow entrance, the second branch channel emerges from the common channel section and leads to the constricted channel section, and the convex channel wall extends from the common channel section into the first branch channel. The fluidically-controlled valve can be used in bypasses present in turbines or in swirlers of gas turbine combustors.

Methods and apparatus for providing a stage with a relatively high positioning bandwidth and low transmissibility are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for positioning a stage including providing a first force of a first magnitude to the stage using a primary actuator and providing a second force of a second magnitude to the stage using a secondary actuator. The first force is arranged to cause the stage to translate along a first axis. The secondary actuator is also arranged to cause the stage to translate along the first axis, and has a relatively high positioning bandwidth. The first force is arranged to enable the stage to be relatively coarsely positioned and the second force is arranged to enable the stage to be relatively finely positioned. In one embodiment, the secondary actuator is one of a voice coil motor and a piezoelectric motor.

An integrated turbocharger/manifold (100) for an internal combustion engine comprises an inner ductwork (111-115, 120, 121, 125) and a turbine housing (130, 131). An outer shell (200, 210) covers a majority of the ductwork (111-115, 120, 121, 125) and the turbine housing (130, 131).

A method for manufacturing the integrated turbocharger/manifold comprising an inner ductwork (111-115, 120, 121, 125), a turbine housing (130, 131), a manifold inlet flange (110), a bearing housing flange (150), a turbine outlet flange (144), and two outer shell portions (200, 210) includes a first production stage wherein the manifold inlet flange (110), the bearing housing flange (150), and the turbine outlet flange (144) are held in mutually fixed positions as one of the outer shell portions (200, 210) is welded to said components.