Engineering Measurements Company

Other

Hemotec, Inc.

Nutronics, Inc.

Robert L Poland

Louis T Yoshida

Gerald L Schlatter

Charles E Miller

John H Altshuler

James M Forbis

Walter Jacob Braun

Method and apparatus for managing alternator loads on engines

The improved engine load management system of the present invention includes an apparatus that will de-excite the field coils of an alternator that is driven by an internal combustion engine when the battery that the alternator charges is above a required minimum voltage and when the engine is operating under high load conditions such as acceleration or climbing. When the battery charge falls below the required minimum, the apparatus excites the alternator field coils and permits the alternator to charge the battery despite a high engine load condition. When the battery charge is above the minimum required voltage, but below the voltage at which charging is discontinued, and the engine is under high load, the alternator field coils are energized and de-energized in a cycle that reduces alternator drag on the engine, but permits limited battery charging to occur. The limited charging rate is greater as the battery voltage is lower, and the change from lesser battery charging to greater battery charging is linear and inversely related to the charge of the battery. When the engine is operating at normal load conditions, such as cruise, battery charging is accomplished on demand under normal circumstances. Deferring battery charging by limiting alternator field coil excitation, reducing alternator drag on the engine during heavy load conditions (an inherently inefficient operating regime for internal combustion engines) increases fuel economy and decreases atmospheric pollutants from automobiles equipped with the apparatus of the current invention.

Method & apparatus for managing alternator loads on engines

A flowmeter has an elongated probe with a rotor positioned at the distal end of the probe for insertion into a fluid flow and an elongated conductor in the probe that terminates adjacent the rotor. A signal generator induces a standing wave on the conductor, and rotation of the rotor, which acts as a capacitor, induces a reciprocating phase shift in the standing wave. The rate of reciprocation of the phase shift, as well as the change in amplitude at a point on the conductor, is proportional to, and indicative of, the flow rate of the fluid and is detected and measured as an instrumentation signal. The probe, rotor, circuit insulation, and seal components are all fabricated of materials that withstand extreme temperatures.

Extreme temperature flow meter

A steam system management method and apparatus includes a condensate collection reservoir with a pilot operated, pressure actuated dump valve that has a quick, snap action fully open/fully closed mode of operation. The pilot operation of the dump valve is actuated by a very low voltage solenoid actuator powered by a thermal-electric generator which thermionically converts heat from the steam system directly to electricity. Condensate dumps are controlled by liquid level sensing switches positioned near the top and bottom of the reservoir and electrically connected to a relay logic that turns the solenoid on and off. Temperature sensors positioned in the steam system and adjacent the thermal-electric generator are utilized in combination with the thermal electric generator and a microprocessor to monitor the air content in the steam system and to open the dump valve to purge excess air from the steam system. A voltage converter and voltage regulator are provided to convert very low voltage output from the thermal-electric generator to a higher voltage necessary to operate the microprocessor, and management information output displays are provided to indicate valve status, modes of operation, quantities of condensate dumped, and failure alarm.

Method and apparatus for managing steam systems

A system for determining the coagulation time of blood and components thereof, the amount of anticoagulant to be injected before and during surgery, and the amount of additive required to neutralize the anticoagulated blood during and after surgery. With collected samples of anticoagulated blood inserted into the system coagulation of the blood is accelerated through the controlled injection of a neutralizing additive by a corresponding injection of regulated gas. Failsafe means determine if gas is being injected into the sample and detection means detect the event of coagulation and indicate the elapsed time for coagulation. Before surgery, an anticoagulant is added to the patient's blood in a quantity necessary to avoid coagulation during surgery. The system responsive to the parameters of the patient's sex, height, and weight and/or pump volume and blood volume determines the amount of anticoagulant to be injected. During operation, samples of blood are periodically taken and analyzed to determine additional amounts of anticoagulant or neutralizing additive to inject. To neutralize the anticoagulant by the injection of a suitable additive immediately after surgery, the system determines the strength of the anticoagulant and calculates the amount of additive to be injected. To prevent the possibility of internal bleeding due to a rebound situation after surgery, additional samples of blood are taken and analyzed to calculate the amount of additive to be injected for neutralization.

Measuring system for the pharmacological manipulation of the coagulation

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

Robert L Poland