113 results about "Cycle rate" patented technology

A programmable card handling machine with a display and appropriate inputs for adjusting the machine to any of a number of games comprises inputs including a number of cards per hand selector, a card game selector, a number of hands delivered selector and a trouble-shooting input. These features also provide for interchangeability of the apparatus for many different games, for many types of cards or decks and in different locations thereby reducing the number of back-up machines or units required at a casino. The display may include a game mode or game selected display, and use a cycle rate and / or hand count monitor and display for determining or monitoring the usage of the machine. The card-handling machine is capable of randomly selecting numbers of cards to be delivered in a hand of cards to players and the dealer during a round of a casino table card game.

Rechargeable electrochemical cells, such as lithium batteries and asymmetric hybrid battery / supercapacitor systems, exhibiting exceptional specific capacity levels and stability over extended high-rate recharge cycling comprise nanostructure zero strain Li4Ti5O12 intercalation electrode material synthesized in a short duration process of annealing mixed TiO2 and Li-source precursor compounds at about 800° C. for a time of about 15–30 min which is not substantially longer than that required to effect maximum available reaction between the precursors, thereby substantially eliminating the growth of synthesized Li4Ti5O12 particles beyond nanostructure size. The process reduces by order of magnitude the time and energy required for synthesis of the active electrode material and fabrication of utilizing cell devices, and provides such nanostructure material which enables repeated, high-rate recharge cycling without loss of cell capacity or efficiency.

An integrated circuit (IC) controller for a switching power supply has a selectable operating mode for supporting multiple switching power supply topologies. The IC controls current by controlling a cycle rate of the switching power supply to provide a constant or variable output current, which may be provided to lighting devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The selectable operating mode includes at least a buck converter operating mode and another operating mode, which may be a flyback converter operating mode.

Methods and apparatus for more effectively managing humidity of an inside space using an air conditioner are provided. In one illustrative embodiment, the system determines whether the humidity level in an inside space is above a predetermined humidity threshold, and if so, changes a control parameter such as a minimum “on” time for the air conditioner. If the humidity level in the inside space is not above the predetermined humidity threshold, the control parameter is not changed, or changed less than when the humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold. Rather than changing (i.e. increasing) the minimum “on” time, it is contemplated that any control parameter that increases the “on” time of the air conditioner may be used including, for example, changing (i.e. decreasing) the maximum cycle rate allowed for the air conditioner.

According to various aspects of embodiments of the invention, the actual flow rate produced by a metering pump is continuously measured using a positive displacement flow meter. Based on the flow rate reported by the meter, the output of the metering pump is continuously adjusted via a pump controller to achieve a desired set point flow rate. The operator sets a desired flow rate, rather than setting the pump cycle rate, or the output rating per pump cycle to produce an approximate output flow rate. According to some embodiments of aspects of the invention, a fluid feed system commanded to a fluid flow rate set point by a set point signal includes: a metering pump receiving a control signal directing a cycle rate for the metering pump; a fluid flow meter connected to measure a fluid flow rate produced by the metering pump and which provides a fluid flow rate signal; and a metering pump controller responsive to the set point signal and the fluid flow rate signal to adjust the control signal to direct a cycle rate which produces a fluid flow rate equal to the fluid flow rate set point. According to other embodiments of aspects of the invention, there is a method of controlling a fluid flow rate, comprising: displacing an approximately defined quantity of fluid at a rate determined by a control signal; measuring an actual flow rate; and adjusting the control signal to produce a rate of displacing the approximately defined quantity of fluid such that the actual flow rate matches a desired flow rate. According to yet other embodiments of aspects of the invention, a metering pump may be constructed and / or controlled as described above, in a chemical processing facility or a fluid dispenser. The variations described may be interchanged and combined in any suitable manner determined by one implementing an embodiment of the invention.

A stream of products is packaged and biologically treated by the system. The system has an index conveyor with a filling station and a packaging station. Discrete packages are filled with the stream of products, sealed and moved on an index conveyor. The system moves the discrete packages an irradiation chamber at a steady rate on a continuous speed conveyor. A controller matches the cyclical rate of the index conveyor with the steady rate of the continuous speed conveyor and uses a buffer to transition from the cyclical rate to the steady rate.

A device includes a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode to define a volume. An anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane are disposed within the volume. A controller controls a supply of electrical current from an electrical source to the first electrode and to the second electrode. The electrical current supply is controlled to switch from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation providing electrical current having a reverse polarity during each cycle. The electrical current is supplied at a controlled cycle rate and for a controlled duration. The cycle rate is greater than about 100 hertz and less than about 10 kilohertz.

A slat positioning and placing machine is preferably configured to place slats on top of or between accumulated material layers. A set of actuating arms preferably includes complementary operating slat holding holders, such as pans or other holding devices. As a first slat holder is inserting a slat into a material package being formulated, a second slat holder is preferably positioned to receive a slat. As the second slat holder is being positioned to insert the slat into the package, the first slat holder is preferably being cycled back to receive a slat. A controls methodology preferably electronically profiles the forward and rearward movement of the actuating arms. The raising and lowering functions can also be electronically profiled. The profiles can also preferably be adjusted to increase the cycle rates for various lengths being processed, and various cycling and positioning methods are contemplated. Sticker rake-off fingers can also be provided that move from a non-obstructing position to a rake-off position to help position stickers in the material package being formed.

An apparatus and method for finishing the mating surfaces of a gear set or gear train includes at least a first and a second rotatably connected gear element in dynamic, lubricated contact and rotating at different cycle rates. A hardness differential is employed between mating gear surfaces to balance surface damage imparted by friction and plastic deformation. The mating surfaces are of a hardness of at least approximately 70 on the Rockwell superficial hardness scale (70HR-30N), and are subjected to a polishing process, such as isotropic chemical finishing, to shape the surface asperity profile, thereby reducing accumulative damage due to friction and plastic deformation.

The present invention controls a room temperature by controlling an environmental control unit. A total span about a setpoint temperature is adjusted in accordance with a previous total span and a multiplicative factor. The multiplicative factor is periodically updated from a desired cycle time and a previous cycle time. The room temperature may also be controlled by adjusting a duty cycle for controlling an environmental control unit. The duty cycle is adjusted based on an error associated with a previous control cycle and an attenuation factor. A new control cycle may be started by cutting the previous control cycle or a current control cycle may be extended if a predetermined condition is detected. The control mode is selected based on environmental characteristics and room characteristics. The control mode may include a span control mode and a duty cycle control mode that is selected from the cycle rate.

A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.

A method and a device for separating food products, including to permit a straight cut at high cycle rates, the food product is conveyed by a conveying device in the direction of transport. The food product is cut through, where a cutting element is moved in the direction of transport and transverse to the direction of transport, wherein the motion of the cutting element transverse to the direction of transport is controlled independently of its motion in the direction of transport and the food product does not rest on the cutting area on the conveying means.

A method for generating a magnetic resonance image is provided. A magnetic resonance imaging excitation is applied for a plurality of cycles at a cycle rate. A plurality of magnetic resonance image echoes is acquired for each cycle. A decay map is estimated from the plurality of magnetic resonance image echoes for each cycle. The estimated decay map is used to generate an image for at least two different species.

An apparatus 300 for simulating a pulsed pressure induced cavitation technique (PPCT) from a pressurized working fluid (F) provides laboratory research and development for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), oil, and gas wells. A pump 304 is configured to deliver a pressurized working fluid (F) to a control valve 306, which produces a pulsed pressure wave in a test chamber 308. The pulsed pressure wave parameters are defined by the pump 304 pressure and control valve 306 cycle rate. When a working fluid (F) and a rock specimen 312 are included in the apparatus, the pulsed pressure wave causes cavitation to occur at the surface of the specimen 312, thus initiating an extensive network of fracturing surfaces and micro fissures, which are examined by researchers.

Certain embodiments disclose rate reducer systems and methods to reduce the cyclic rate of self-powered firearms. The reduction in cyclic rate is achieved by mechanically delaying the firing step in the cycle of functioning. This delay is achieved by temporarily latching an inertia weight at the rear of the recoil stroke while the recoiling parts return to battery (i.e. a firing position). When the recoiling parts go into battery, the inertia weight is released and urged forward. At the forward end of its travel, the inertia weight actuates the firing mechanism.