Innovative Techniques for Two-Phase Flow Measurements, 2008, Vol: 1(1) Pp. 1-13
Wael H. Ahmed and Basel I. Ismail
[Abstract] [Full Text Article]


Recent Patents for Improving the Dynamic Range of RF Receivers, 2008, Vol: 1(2) Pp. 94-104
Aaron L. Walker
[Abstract] [Purchase Article]


Recent Developments in Electronic Coin Detectors, 2008, Vol: 1(2) Pp. 146-154
Antonio J. Lopez-Martin and Alfonso Carlosena
[Abstract] [Purchase Article]


Patents on Reconfigurable Reflectarray Antennas, 2009, Vol: 2(1) Pp. 19-26
Apostolos Georgiadis, Ana Collado and Julien Perruisseau-Carrier
[Abstract] [Purchase Article]


Transformers Made of Composite Magnetic Cores: An Innovative Design Approach, 2009, Vol: 2(1) Pp. 1-12
Themistoklis D. Kefalas
[Abstract] [Purchase Article]


Solutions to Reduce the Impact of Wind Prediction Errors on the Classical Electrical System Operation, 2009, Vol: 2(1) Pp. 13-18
François Vallée, Jacques Lobry and Olivier Deblecker
[Abstract] [Purchase Article]


Advances of LOC-Based Particle Manipulation by AC Electrical Fields, 2008, Vol: 1(3) Pp. 178-187
Jie Wu
[Abstract] [Purchase Article]


A Survey of Recent Patents on Radio Frequency Identification Systems and Applications, 2008, Vol: 1(1) Pp. 40-46
Abhijit Mitra
[Abstract] [Full Text Article]


RFID Technology for the Health Care Sector, 2008, Vol: 1(1) Pp. 22-31
Agusti Solanas and Jordi Castellà-Roca
[Abstract] [Full Text Article]


A Review of Recent Patents on Ultra Wide Band (UWB) Antennas, 2008, Vol: 1(1) Pp. 68-75
Ali Akdagli, Caner Ozdemir and Serhan Yamacli
[Abstract] [Full Text Article]




Abstracts


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Innovative Techniques for Two-Phase Flow Measurements, 2008, Vol: 1(1)
Wael H. Ahmed and Basel I. Ismail

Two-phase flow is important in an increasing number of applications and industries. For example, the safety analysis codes for the nuclear energy industry require closure relations for the vapor-liquid interfacial transfer terms, while accurate two-phase pressure drop models are necessary to design the piping systems in the oil and gas industry. Also, two-phase flow occurs in heat exchangers, steam generators, chemical reactors, oil transportation and many other process equipments. In addition, development of accurate and suitable instrumentations for on-line monitoring and measurement of the solids concentration and velocity in gas-solid two-phase flows has proven to be a challenging problem with many scientists and engineers worldwide developing novel techniques for this application. This paper presents a review on the electrical-based measurement techniques for gas-solid and gas-liquid two-phase flows along with the most recent patents developed for two-phase flow measurements. Also, development of a novel method for the design of capacitance sensors for void fraction measurement and flow pattern identification was presented in detail.


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Recent Patents for Improving the Dynamic Range of RF Receivers, 2008, Vol: 1(2)
Aaron L. Walker

The dynamic range of an RF receiver is the key parameter for determining the performance of the receiver, relating directly to the sensitivity and ability to tolerate interference without distortion of the desired signal. The definition of the dynamic range of a receiver varies with the spectral environment of use ranging from sparsely populated Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) settings, to dense, high-power co-site interference in wireless infrastructure deployments in an urban setting. Traditional approaches to improve receiver dynamic range consist of using filters to either pass only the bands of interest or reject the source(s) of known interference; or using time-division access techniques to eliminate simultaneous operation of powerful transmitters and receivers in a co-located system. Both of these approaches tend to constrain receivers to operate within narrow, fixed frequency bands or highly controlled emplacements. With the drive of modern wireless communications and electronic warfare towards flexible, multi-mode, multi-band operation, these constraints must be mitigated by the development of new receiver technologies and architectures to increase receiver dynamic range in a flexible manner. The following review covers recent patents advancing high-dynamic range receiver development through the use of: material properties for wideband signal processing, RF photonic components, and reconfigurable RF front-end circuitry.


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Recent Developments in Electronic Coin Detectors, 2008, Vol: 1(2)
Antonio J. Lopez-Martin and Alfonso Carlosena

A review on electronic coin detection technologies currently in use in coin selection devices is presented. Starting from conventional techniques employed in the last few decades, recent methods which exploit innovative sensors and signal processing techniques are presented which allow high-performance coin discrimination with low-cost electronics for the sensors and data processing. Some of the most relevant patents in the field of electronic coin detection are discussed in this article, ranging from foundational patents to recent proposals from the authors and other researchers.


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Patents on Reconfigurable Reflectarray Antennas, 2009, Vol: 2(1)
Apostolos Georgiadis, Ana Collado and Julien Perruisseau-Carrier

Reflectarray antennas have attracted significant attention due to a number of attractive properties, such as low cost, and conformal deployment capability. In addition, the drive towards flexible radio transceivers, enabling beam-forming and multi-beam operation has spurred significant interest towards the design of antenna elements and antenna arrays with reconfigurable capabilities. A review of recent publications and patents on reconfigurable reflectarrays is presented focusing on the different capabilities, technologies and architectures that have been proposed.


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Transformers Made of Composite Magnetic Cores: An Innovative Design Approach, 2009, Vol: 2(1)
Themistoklis D. Kefalas

Nowadays, transformers are made of conventional magnetic cores which are constructed of a single grain-oriented or amorphous, magnetic steel. Even though, the transformer is the most efficient of electrical machines, with efficiencies typically above 90%, it is possible to improve transformer performance by using composite magnetic cores. Patents related to this simple and effective technique can be traced back to 1929. The specific technique can be applied to wound core distribution transformers. By using wound cores constructed with a combination of conventional and high permeability grain-oriented steel the total owing cost (TOC) of the transformer can be reduced effectively. This paper presents a brief review of patents on wound and composite magnetic cores and introduces a generalized technique for the determination of the optimum design variables of a new composite wound core design.


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Solutions to Reduce the Impact of Wind Prediction Errors on the Classical Electrical System Operation, 2009, Vol: 2(1)
François Vallée, Jacques Lobry and Olivier Deblecker

Nowadays, wind energy is becoming a major contribution to balance the load with power production. However, wind production is highly fluctuating and its output can not be guaranteed at any particular time. This weather dependence of wind power makes difficult the planning between production and load. Moreover, it can also involve, in case of high wind penetration, problematic situations such as unpredicted stopping/start of high powered classical thermal or nuclear units. In this article, based on a self developed algorithm, the combined impact of wind geographical dispersion and prediction errors on the operation of classical production is studied. By the way, some interesting observations are drawn and show that the wind geographical dispersion does improve and facilitate the planning of the classical production system but that it has, however, to be nuanced in terms of produced wind energy. Finally, in order to define a new way to estimate wind production for the dispatch of classical units, a global mean wind distribution is also established. This last one is obtained via the calculation of hourly mean wind speeds based on the predictions made for each considered park. This article proposes such a study based on several important patents made in this wind area.


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Advances of LOC-Based Particle Manipulation by AC Electrical Fields, 2008, Vol: 1(3)
Jie Wu

This article presents recent patents and advances on electrical methods for particle manipulation in a microfluidic environment. At microscale, electric fields have unique advantages in performing analytical functions such as manipulation of biological molecules and cells. The advent of AC electrokinetics in recent years further promotes the development of laboratory on a chip, providing versatility and flexibility to interface with many current methods and technologies in multiple biological, chemical and physical disciplines. This article gives an overview of AC electrical principles and their applications, with an emphasis on particle manipulation by electric fields.


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A Survey of Recent Patents on Radio Frequency Identification Systems and Applications, 2008, Vol: 1(1)
Abhijit Mitra

The generic term radio frequency identification system has become important of late for its huge potential in business applications. These wireless systems usually have two parts, a tag and a reader, that can communicate with each other by using radio frequency energy even at a moderate distance. Since such systems work with non contact as well as non line of sight principle, they have already started replacing the common identification systems such as bar codes. This paper provides an overview of certain recent radio frequency identification systems and applications patents. An important patent in this field is also discussed at length. The current development constraints as well as a few key future development trends are also mentioned.


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RFID Technology for the Health Care Sector, 2008, Vol: 1(1)
Agusti Solanas and Jordi Castellà-Roca

Health care is the linchpin of a developed society. The general trend in developed countries is to increase public spending to improve the quality of health care. However, the economic model applied to the health care sector varies from one country to another. There are models in which health care costs are mainly supported by governments. On the contrary, there are other economic models such as the “fee-for-service" model in which patients pay for the services like in any other service industry. Whichever model is used, technology can help increase the efficiency of the service and the reliability of the diagnoses. Specially, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology can drastically improve the processing times associated to medical records retrieval, dispensing of medications, personnel management, etc.

In this article, we explore some of the most relevant patents, which propose the use of the RFID technology in the health care sector. We provide an overview of the field and a classification of the patents in several categories, being the aim to facilitate the task of researchers, practitioners and managers when looking for patents in this field. Moreover, we analyse a recent and relevant patent application from Kodak™ that provides a system for monitoring the ingestion of medicines by means of digestible RFID tags attached to the medicines.


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A Review of Recent Patents on Ultra Wide Band (UWB) Antennas, 2008, Vol: 1(1)
Ali Akdagli, Caner Ozdemir and Serhan Yamacli

In this article, recent patents on UWB antennas are reviewed; different geometries, design parameters and their experimental results are discussed. Several types of UWB antennas including special horn, patch and array antennas in recent patents are explained together while comparing their measured return loss, gain and radiation patterns. Projections to the future developments of UWB antenna technology are also given.