PRODUCING PHYSICOCHEMICAL EFFECTS IN FLUIDS
By S.I. Fishgal
International Design & Development Corporation, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 1978

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

   A method of producing physicochemical effects in fluids (gas, liquid or their mixtures, suspensions, etc.) by directing a pressurized fluid from a nozzle forming a jet to an obstacle deflecting the jet away from the latter to generate sonic oscillations in the treated fluid. For this, the obstacle returns at least a portion of the jet back on a closed loop to cross the initial jet.
   The obstacle can be a tubular spring. The receiving channel of the obstacle can be biased from the nozzle at a sharp angle and have the same mirror-positioned obstacle. At this, a ring channel situated along one plane with the latter can cross receiving and delivering channels of the two obstacles and the nozzle.
   A knife-edge of an outlet channel of the obstacle can also achieve the deflecting and returning of the jet portion. This channel can be biased from the nozzle at a sharp angle and have the same mirror-positioned outlet channel. In this case, the obstacle can be a chamber.
   An impeller submerged in the treated fluid and provided with the nozzle and obstacle can create the jet. The impeller can be situated along one plane with the axis of the rotation, or be crossing said axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

   This invention relates to methods of producing physicochemical effects in fluids by directing a pressurized fluid from a nozzle forming a jet to an obstacle to generate (ultra)sonic oscillations in the fluid.
   The most known device of such a type is an ultrasonic whistle described in ultrasonic textbooks and produced in many countries (see, for example, US patent No. 3,926,413). This device cannot work with both liquid and gas. In liquids, it is impossible to elevate the jet cavitation activity by raising the jet velocity and the physicochemical treatment intensity because of a wave-drag change of the medium by cavitation bubbles aroused in the high-speed jet (the velocity being around the critical one). That makes bringing the oscillating obstacle into resonance considerably difficult. Besides, there is fatigue failure in the oscillating blade of the ultrasonic whistle.
   The objective of the present invention is eliminating the above disadvantages and elevating the efficiency of heterogeneous and homogenous effects in all systems: liquid-liquid, gas liquid, liquid-solids, and gas-solids (emulsification, dispersion, enhancing chemical reactions, wastewater treatment, degassing, aerosol production, coagulation, etc.). Any movement of the details is also eliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

   Above objective is achieved by deflecting the jet away from the obstacle by means of returning at least a portion of the jet back on a closed loop to cross the initial jet. For this, in the second embodiment of the invention, the receiving channel of the obstacle is biased from the nozzle at a sharp angle and has the same mirror-positioned obstacle. In the third embodiment of the invention, a ring channel situated along one plane with the latter crosses the nozzle and the receiving and delivering channels of the two obstacles. In the fourth embodiment of the invention, a knife-edge of an outlet channel of the obstacle deflects and returns the jet portion. This channel can be biased from the nozzle at a sharp angle and have the same mirror-positioned outlet channel, and the obstacle can be a chamber.
   An impeller submerged in the treated fluid and provided with the nozzles and obstacles can create the jets. In the first embodiment of the impeller-type device, the nozzles and obstacles are situated along one plane with the axis of the rotation. In the second embodiment of the impeller-type device, they are crossed with said axis.
   Thus, the present method has a new approach of generating oscillations. At this, the initial jet shifts from one obstacle channel to another (EITHER … OR), a new (in this field) phenomenon (the Coanda effect) being involved. The first embodiment is also close to work on switching (for the obstacle) method (ON or OFF), although this switching is really shifting (EITHER the obstacle, OR the outlet). In the latter case, the obstacle (a closed loop channel or tube) is switched ON or OFF, but the initial jet is shifted EITHER to the obstacle, OR to the discharge channel.
   Several old techniques working on the initial jet interacting with the fluid volume of a vortex chamber may seem to bear resemblance to this method. In order not to confuse the latter (to make this description more “fool-proof”), several examples are provided below.
US patents Nos. 1,496,858 and 3,731,877 are founded on jet interaction (and so does this invention), but in the first case both the jets are initial, whereas in the present method, the initial jet interacts with the secondary one. Also, the device (No. 1,496,858) does not produce oscillations, and the device (No. 3,731,877) does, but with the help of a blade.
   Sonic generators (Nos. 3,071,145; 3,137,882 and 3,325,150) can be placed into the category of hydrodynamic radiators with resonating devices. Their work is founded on forming a vortex when a fluid jet is collided upon a non-stream-lined obstacle. The explanation given in the above patents is not strong enough. More correct explanation are available in e.g. B.A.Vonnegut, Vortex Whistle, JASA, 1954, 26, 18-20; Greguss P. Ultrasonic News, 1957, vol. 4, 10, 11, 17; R.C. Chanaud, Experiments Concerning the Vortex Whistle, JASA, 1963, 35, No. 7, p. 953-960).
   At the flow-around of non-stream-lined bodies the jet separates itself into a flow with another (in comparison with the principal flow) direction. Thus, interaction of two flows with a trajectory deflection of the resultant flow occurs, the latter being a vortex. The action of centrifugal forces when the flow rotates causes pressure rise on its periphery and pressure decrease in the center of the medium, i.e. a pressure gradient causing the oscillations of the medium appears. The rotating flow destroys itself forming vortexes. As the pressure in a cross-section of any vortex is variable, the acoustic oscillations propagate into the surrounding medium. Also, rarefaction in the chamber center when the jet rotates causes the counter-flow of the surrounding medium and promotes the jet instability. Therefore, in comparison with the present method, there is no shifting or even switching the initial jet in the vortex whistles. In a physical sense, the distinguishing characteristics of the first embodiment of the present invention is a closed loop channel instead of a vortex chamber (with a closed loop path – as pointed out in No. 3,071,145, and that is why it is not to be confused with).
   The device (No. 3,157,359) is a well-known generator named usually as Hartmann’s stem radiator. Here oscillations are generated by shock waves formed near a nozzle when the supersonic jet impinges upon a cavity resonator situated along the jet axis (our method does not use such a resonator).
   The devices (Nos. 3,506,244; 3,599,940 and Re 29,161) could be with some difficulties related to the ultrasonic whistle referred to above (No. 3,926,413). Yet, the device (No. 3,506,244) is not a generator (its blade is not flexible). Comparison of those devices with this method is shown above.
   When the devices are carried out as an impeller according to the present method, it is hard to believe they could be confused with colloidal mills (Nos. 1,587,063; 1,690,668 and 1,885,283). They work on the grinding action between their rotor and stator. Similarly, the centrifuges (Nos. 3,079,133 and 3,948,492) work on the phase density difference. In physical sense, the rotor-stator interaction is not only absent in the present method, but also the stator itself is absent. The same is correct in describing the difference with rotor-stator ultrasonic generators (Nos. 3,096,080 and 3,123,302).
   Reciprocating transducers (Nos. 3,980,280 and 3,997,145) should not be compared at all, as the present method does not use such a mechanical motion.
   The invention has also other distinguishing characteristics and objectives, which will be more apparent from the followed detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.

IN THE DRAWINGS

   Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention with a machined channel;
   Fig. 2 is the same as above with a tubular channel;
   Fig. 3 is the same as above with a non-circular tube;
   Fig. 4 is sectional view taken along lines B-B and C-C of Fig. 3;
   Fig. 5 is empty;
   Fig. 6 is a design of the second embodiment of the invention with machined channels;
   Fig. 7 is the same as above with tubular channels;
   Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the third embodiment of the invention;
   Fig. 9 is a design of the fourth embodiment of the invention;
   Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of an impeller-type device carried out according to Fig. 9;
   Fig. 11 is a cylindrical cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the impeller-type device carried out as above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

   According to this invention, physicochemical effects in fluids are achieved by directing a pressurized fluid from a nozzle 1 (Fig. 1) into an obstacle 2 carried out in the shape of a closed loop returning the fluid flow and deflecting the initial jet away from the inlet of the obstacle 2. The nozzle 1 and the loop of the obstacle 2 are machined in a body 3 provided with an inlet 4, an outlet 5, a cover 6 and a packing 7 fixed with screws 8.
   As the initial portion of fluid passes through the nozzle 1 into the channel of the obstacle 2 and returns back, the latter flow interrupts the initial jet and deflects it away from the entrance of the obstacle 2. This causes the pressure drop in the latter. That is why the deflected jet again enters the obstacle 2. Then the process repeats. Thus, the waves of increased and decreased pressure propagate along the obstacle 2.
   Geometrical parameters and the physical parameters of the treated fluid determine the operating frequency of the device. The fluid can be gas, liquid, aerosol, emulsion, dispersion, etc.
   If liquids are treated, then the most efficiency is achieved by combined action of jet cavitation (at critical velocity of the jet) and ultrasonic oscillations producing cavitation too, the possibility to generate the oscillations being not disturbed.
   The mechanism of creation of jet cavitation and its action have been described in my previous application under the same name. The treatment can be enhanced by special temperature and static pressure regimes described also in the above application.
   The obstacle 2 can be also a tube (Fig. 2) fixed to a disc 10 in the tubular body 3 provided with the inlet 4, outlet 5 and nozzle 1 assembled by means of collars 11, packing 7 and screw clamps 12. In this case, a tubular spring can be applied with its natural oscillation frequency matching the operating one.
In another design (Fig. 3-5), the tube has a non-circular shape. Other embodiments of the invention are based on the Coanda effect described by the Rumanian scientist in 1933 (see, for example, his US patent No. 2,052,869), although anyone trying to pour some water out of a pot could observe this effect oneself. The jet sticks to the wall of the pot and does not go into the cap.
   The device in Fig. 6 has two mirror-positioned closed-loop-shaped channels 20 and 21 biased from the nozzle 1 at a sharp angle.
Let the jet from the nozzle 1 is deflected to the right under an occasional influence. The flows of surrounding medium carried away by the jet on each its side are approximately equal, but the effective area through which the medium is carried away is decreased on the right and increased on the left. This causes the force directed into the same side in which the jet has been initially deflected. As a result, the jet is deflected farther to the right side and sticks to the right wall.
   Then the flow in the right channel 20 returns back to the initial jet and deflects it into the left channel 21. Next, the flow follows the left channel 21, returns back to the initial jet, deflects into the right channel 20, and the process repeats, (ultra)sonic oscillations being produced. The treated fluid goes out through the outlet 5.
   The analytical description of the process in the jet stuck to a wall is very difficult, and the most common method of such investigations is experimental.
Such a device can be easy carried out with pipes (Fig. 7). In the device in Fig. 8, a ring channel 25 situated along one plane with the latter crosses the two mirror-positioned closed-loop-shaped channels 20 and 21, biased from the nozzle 1 at a sharp angle. The fluid from the inlet 4 forms the jet in the nozzle 1 and can stick to the wall of the channel either 20 or 21. If it goes into the channel 20 (as shown in Fig. 8), then it forms a circular flow in an anti-clockwise direction in the ring channel 25.
   The flow returning from the channel 20 in a directing channel 26 is deflected to the right by the circular flow, their resulting action shifting the jet away from the channel 20 into that 21. This creates the fluid leaks between the jet and the left wall of the channel 21. As a result, the circular flow in the ring channel 25 changes its direction to the opposite one. Then the flow returning from the channel 21 in the channel 26 is deflected by the circular flow. The resulting action shifts the jet back into the channel 20. Thus, (ultra)sonic oscillations are created.
   The device of Fig. 9 has two mirror-positioned outlet channels 30 and 31 biased from the nozzle 1 at a sharp angle and having knifed edges 32 and 33 in a chamber 34. Here the shifting of the jet from the outlet channel 30 into that 31 and vice versa is achieved by branching-off the portion of the nozzle flow under the action of the knifed edge 32 or 33 and then returning it along the appropriate wall of the chamber 34 to shift the jet.
   Any of above devices can be installed in an impeller submerged in the treated fluid. They can be situated along one plane with the axis of the rotation (Fig. 10), or can cross said axis (Fig. 11).
   The difference between the impeller- and non-impeller-type devices lies only in methods of creating the jets (in the first case – under centrifugal forces of the fluid).
   The invention can be used for production of suspensions and emulsions, size reduction of particulates suspended in a liquid, degassing, aeration, activating chemical, electrochemical, and catalytic reactions, wastewater treatment, bacteria destruction, extraction of biologically active substances reduced to fragments and dispersed in a liquid, etc., and coagulation of gases.

I claim:

   1. A method of producing physicochemical effects in fluids by directing a pressurized fluid from a nozzle to an obstacle wherein said jet is deflected away from the obstacle by returning at least a portion of the initial jet back on a closed loop channel to cross the initial jet and to generate sonic oscillations in the fluid.
   2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said channel is that of a tubular spring.
   3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the receiving channel of said obstacle is biased from the nozzle at a sharp angle and has the same mirror-positioned obstacle channel.
   4. The method defined in claim 3 wherein the nozzle and the receiving and delivering channels of said two-channel obstacle are crossed by a ring channel situated along one plane with them.
   5. A method of producing physicochemical effects in fluids by means of directing a pressurized fluid from a nozzle to an obstacle with the jet deflecting away from the obstacle by a knifed edge of an outlet channel, at least a portion of the initial jet being returning back on a closed loop chamber to generate sonic oscillations in the fluid.
   6. The method defined in claim 5 wherein said outlet channel is biased from the nozzle at a sharp angle and has the same mirror-positioned outlet channel.
   7. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle and obstacle are installed in an impeller submerged in the treated fluid.
   8. The method defined in claim 5 wherein said nozzle and obstacle are installed in an impeller submerged in the treated fluid.
   9. The method defined in claim 7 wherein said nozzle and obstacle are situated along one plane with the axis of impeller rotation.
   10. The method defined in claim 8 wherein said nozzle and obstacle are situated along one plane with the axis of impeller rotation.
   11. The method defined in claim 7 wherein the plane of said nozzle and obstacle cross the axis of impeller rotation.
   12. The method defined in claim 8 wherein the plane of said nozzle and obstacle cross the axis of impeller rotation.

Modul sensor ultrasonik untuk mengukur jarak (Ultrasonic Range Finder).
Spesifikasi:
- Catu daya: 5 VDC.
- Frekuensi burst: 40 KHz.
- Range pengukuran: 3 – 300 cm.
- Input trigger: pulsa positif level TTL selebar 10us min.
- Output: pulsa level TTL, lebar pulsa positif proporsional terhadap jarak.

Download datasheet

Harga : Rp 430.000,-
Stok : Ada

Ultrasonic Range Finder buatan Parallax.
Spesifikasi:
- Supply = 5 Vdc @ 30 mA typ, 35 mA max
- Range = 3 cm – 300 cm
- Antarmuka digital (1 pin I/O dengan level TTL)
- Frekuensi burst = 40 kHz untuk 200 us
- Dilengkapi LED sebagai indikator aktifitas sensor

Download datasheet

Harga : Rp 425.000,-
Stok : Ada

You’ve probably heard this before – that you could download a ringtone for your cell phone that you can hear, but your parents can not.  Well, the typical range of frequencies that the human ear can ‘hear’ is 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz.  Obviously this range varies from person to person, but there is also a correlation with age.  As people age, their ability to hear the especially high frequencies tends to diminish.  This can be due to the aging process, exposures to loud sounds in life, etc…

That being said, it is possible to produce a high frequency sound that teenagers can hear (albeit annoying) and older people can not.  If you’d like, you can test this by playing a variety of sounds with others and seeing who can/can not hear them.  One place that you can try this is at this website.

enjoy!

-g-

is working on a sequencer to control his robotic gamelan. The software maps out the controllers that operate the musical robot, which play the traditional Indonesian instruments.

The controls use ultrasonic distance sensors that detect the proximity of the musician’s hands. This data is collected by an Arduino and sent to a computer for use with the sequencer. The controller body is an upside down salad bowl from Ikea; cheap, available, and creative!

[via @littlebirdceo]

Author : TANUJAYA, CHRISTIAN

Amphibi merupakan hewan yang mampu hidup pada kondisi daratan dan perairan. Sesuai dengan namanya, robot amphibi ini dibuat agar dapat menghadapi beberapa medan, yakni medan darat atau medan perairan. Robot ini dapat dilengkapi dengan sensor penunjang untuk tujuan pengukuran dan pengenalan kondisi suatu medan tertentu. Robot amphibi menggunakan penggerak motor DC 24 Volt dengan mikrokontroler AT89S51 yang dikombinasikan dengan modul RF Linx 433 MHz untuk pengendalian jarak jauh. Robot ini dilengkapi dengan sensor ultrasonik Ping))) dan sensor suhu LM35. Terdapat 2 sistem pada robot ini, yakni sistem remote control untuk pengendali dan sistem driver pada robot amphibi. Pada sistem remote control dipergunakan joystick untuk mengendalikan arah gerak robot. Robot amphibi dengan berat ? 5 kg berukuran 56cm ? 26cm ? 10cm telah teruji di berbagai medan (pasir, air, paving, ubin keramik, rumput dan berbatuan) dan mampu dikontrol pada jarak ? 30 meter. Sensor ultrasonik yang digunakan mampu mendeteksi 4 cm sampai dengan 200 cm dengan ketelitian ? 16,04%.

Keyword : robot, amphibious, ultrasonic

Sumber : http://repository.petra.ac.id/4349/

Author : ISMAIL, MOHAMMAD

Robot cerdas minimal mempunyai satu sensor sebagai indera untuk dapat mengenali sekitar lingkungan. Dalam tugas akhir ini dibuat robot cerdas dengan menggunakan tiga pasang sensor yang berada di sisi kanan, kiri dan depan sehingga diharapkan robot tidak akan menabrak halangan atau maze. Sensor ini digunakan untuk mengetahui jarak halangan. Metode yang digunakan dalam hal ini adalah metode Fuzzy Logic, dengan sensor ultrasonik sebagai input dan PWM sebagai output. Fuzzy ini diaplikasikan pada FPGA sebagai board utamanya yang menggunakan bahasa VHDL. Dengan menggunakan metode Fuzzy ini diharapkan output akan lebih akurat terhadap perubahan input. Pengujian dilakukan melalui simulator pada software Xilinx Foundation 2.1i dan secara hardware. Untuk sensor ultrasonik bekerja pada frekuensi 35 Khz sampai 45 Khz. Dalam project ini menghabiskan total jumlah CLB sebesar 565.

Keyword : ultrasonic , fuzzy logic, FPGA, VHDL

Sumber : http://repository.petra.ac.id/882/

[Ico Doornekamp] sent us his ultrasonic-entirely code based-thermin project in response to yesterdays Virtual theremin. By using the programming environment Pure Data, he is able to transform his laptop into a dual input device (while only using a single microphone) without modification. By being so open-ended theoretically anyone can have a theremin within a few moments of downloading, but he does mention it might not work on all hardware.

Also in relation to yesterday’s use of a Wii remote [blobKat] let us know about his thesis project, performance based music making. After studying the connection between musicians and their use of laptops decided that they would want more interaction and movement in their music creation. He combined gesture recognition and synth based movement with Wii remotes to achieve his ends. The video above is an explanation and example of his efforts.

PHYSICOCHEMICAL LOOP REACTOR
By S.I. Fishgal (International Design and Development Corp, Cedar Falls, Iowa, March 1977)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

   A physicochemical loop reactor comprises two loop channels and means for inducing a circulation of processed reactants through and around said channels. The letter are symmetrically biased at a sharp angle in relation to their common inlet, which is directed to the vertex of said angle and connected to the reactor. The channels are adjacent to each other at said vertex where their outlets oppose each other, cross the reactor inlet and are connected to the reactor outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

   The invention pertains to physicochemical loop-type reactors with the reactants circulating via loop channels, a pump, propulsion jet and the like inducing the circulation. The main function of such known reactors (see US patent No. 4,037,825 and the reference cited in) is mixing of liquids and gases.
   The objective of the present invention is enhancing the known uses and widening greatly the reactors possibilities by achieving heterogeneous and homogenous effects in fluids for emulsification, dispersion, enhancing chemical reactions, wastewater treatment, degassing, aerosol production, coagulation, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

   The above stated objective is attained by means of creation of (ultra)sonic oscillations of reactants in the reactor. For this, the loop channels are symmetrically biased at a sharp angle in relation to their common inlet. The latter is directed to the vertex of said angle and connected to the reactor inlet, the channels being adjacent to each other at said vertex wherein their outlets oppose each other, cross the reactor inlet and are connected to the reactor outlet.
   The invention will be more readily comprehended from the following description, drawings and appended claim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

   Fig. 1 is a design of the first embodiment of the loop reactor with machined the loop channels;
   Fig. 2 is a design of the second embodiment with tubular loop channels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

   The reactor is provided with loop channels 1 and 2, machined in a body 3 (Fig. 1), or tubular (Fig. 2). The channels are symmetrically biased at a sharp angle in relation to their common inlet directed to the said angle vertex 4 and connected to a reactor inlet 5. The channels 1 and 2 are adjacent to each other at said vertex. Therein their outlets 6 and 7 oppose each other, cross the inlet 5 and are connected to a reactor outlet 8. The body 3 (Fig. 1) is provided with a cover 9 and packing 10, all of them being fixed together with screws 11.
   The substances (gas, liquid, aerosol, emulsion, dispersion, etc.) enter the reactor through the inlet 5. Two or more reactants can be previously mixed by known methods (e.g. in counter flow, pumps, etc.), or several pipes 15 and 16 for reactants can be connected to the inlet 5 as it is shown in Fig. 2.
   The work of the reactor is based on the Coanda effect described for example in US patent No. 2,052,869, although one pouring water out of a pot can observe the effect oneself. The jet sticks to the wall of the pot and does not go into the cup.
   Let an occasional influence deflect the jet from the inlet 5 to the right. The surrounding medium flows carried away by the jet on its each side are approximately equal, but the effective area through which the medium is carried away is decreased on the right and increased on the left. This causes the force directed into the same side in which the jet has been initially deflected. As a result, the jet is deflected farther to the right side and sticks to the right wall.
   Then the flow in the right channel 2 returns back via the outlet 7 to the initial jet and deflects the latter into the left channel 1. Next, the flow follows the left channel 1, returns back via the outlet 6 to the initial jet, deflects the latter into the right channel 2, and the process is repeated, (ultra)sonic oscillations being produced. The treated fluid goes out through the outlet 8.
   The analytical description of the process in the jet sticking to a wall is very difficult, and the most common method of such investigations is experimental.
   Heterogeneous and homogenous effects of (ultra)sonic in all systems (liquid-liquid, gas-liquid, liquid-solids and gas-solids), obtained herein are well known and do not require further explanation. These effects provide the possibility to treat emulsion, dispersion, wastewater, aerosol, and the like, to enhance chemical reactions, degassing, coagulation, etc.

   What is claimed is:

   1. A physicochemical loop reactor, comprising two loop channels and means for circulating processed reactants through and around said channels biased symmetrically at a sharp angle in relation to their common inlet, which is directed to the vertex of said angle and connected to the inlet of the reactor, the channels being adjacent to each other at said vertex where their outlets oppose each other, cross the reactor inlet and are connected to the outlet of the latter.

We ask, who wouldn’t want a rotating motion and distance tracking radar? Sure in today’s day and age anyone could purchase a wide-angle sonar or IR solution that achieves the same goal, but [LuckyLarry] took it old school and made his own rotating radar. He used an Arduino, servo, and ultrasonic sensor as a base to gather data, and the open source programming language Processing to draw the data on the screen. He says it’s a little inaccurate currently, but will try out some other sensors in the future.

Chene has developed a valve proposal for companies with non-destructive-testing (NDT) needs. It focuses on machining artificial defects on metal pieces then used as reference standard models for NDT. Such testing using ultrasonic, Eddy currents or other methods is carried out in many industries requiring a high degree of reliability. The company works hand in hand with each customer to meet specific needs and is able to adapt its machining to complex designs.

Using highly precise electrical discharge machining, Chene is able to produce notches as narrow as 0.0008in (0.02mm) and holes with a diameter as small as 0.0008in on all kinds of metal pieces. Chene works with aerospace, nuclear energy and petroleum industries. The company currently operates in Europe, but is currently looking to expand its export activity on the North American market. Chene is exhibiting at the SAE Aerotech Congress and Exhibition in Seattle, which is scheduled to run until 12 November 2009.

Since I’ve been doing this feature on my blog, I’ve really started to notice homonyms, homophones–even antonyms and synonyms, in everyday conversations and on the radio (I listen all day and into the evening to my local public radio stations, KPCC Pasadena and KVCR San Bernardino, and talk radio KFI Los Angeles ).

It’s amazing what you discover when you listen carefully to a person’s choice of words. What is it they’re really trying to say? Especially when someone is speaking spontaneously and not from a prepared statement.

When moving quickly, sometimes the mind will slip on a word. Reminds me that I should explore malapropisms in my next post.

If you find yourself noticing homonyms, homophones, and other confusingly similar words, please leave a comment with your favorites.

compleat kuhm-pleet (adjective)  Highly skilled and accomplished in all aspects; complete
complete kuhm-pleet (adjective)  Having all parts or elements; lacking nothing; whole

exercise ek-ser-sahyz (verb)  To use; to exert oneself physically or mentally
exorcise ek-sawr-sahyz (verb) To expel, as an evil spirit

gouache goo-ahsh; Fr. gwash (noun)  A technique of painting with opaque watercolors prepared with gum
gauche gohsh (adjective)  Lacking social grace or sensitivity; awkward; crude

liter lee-ter (noun)  A unit of volume equal to 1000 cubic centimeters or 1 cubic decimeter (1.0567 quarts)
leader lee-der (noun)  A guiding or directing head, as of an army, movement, or political group

Two interesting antonyms

Regulation vs. Dysregulation
regulation (noun) a law, rule, or other order prescribed by authority, esp. to regulate conduct
dysregulation (medical) impairment of a physiological regulatory mechanism
People with Borderline Personality Disorder often experience emotional dysregulation.

OK, dysregulation is a stretch, you don’t hear it very often. Actually, you never hear it outside of medical school. I heard the word “dysregulation” for the first time last week at a NAMI meeting (check out my blog postings for more on the National Alliance on Mental Illness) when dysregulation was mentioned in a talk about borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD, a form of mental illness, explains why there are so many really annoying people among us. BPD is biologically based, so those people can’t help being assholes, and you have to grit your teeth and forgive them for they know not what they do.

Utopia vs. Dystopia
utopia (noun) any visionary system of political or social perfection
dystopia (noun) a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding
I don’t know if California has ever been a utopia, maybe before any Europeans showed up, but it sure is headed towards a dystopia, thanks to our dysfunctional “leaders” in Sacramento.

Other interesting “U” words
I like browsing through the u’s in my dictionary. First, it doesn’t take long because there are relatively few words beginning with “U,” nothing like the A’s, M’s, S’s, and T’s, but more to offer than the Q’s, X’s, and Z’s. And second, a lot of intriguing words start with “U.”

In a recent visit, I stumbled on “ultra” and its variations…
ultra going beyond others or beyond true limits; from the Latin “ultra,” beyond.
ultraconservative extremely conservative
ultrahigh frequency a radio frequency between 300 and 3000 megahertz
ultralight a very light recreational aircraft capable of carrying only one person
ultramarine a very bright deep blue color
ultramodern extremely or excessively modern in idea, style or tendency
ultramontane 1: of or relating to countries or peoples beyond the mountains 2: favoring greater or absolute supremacy of papal over national or diocesan authority in the Roman Catholic Church ( I actually had reason to look up “ultramontane” last month as I was reading a book about the Spanish Inquisition).
ultrapure of the utmost purity
ultrashort having a wavelength below 10 meters; short duration
ultrasonic having a frequency too high to be heard by the human ear
ultraviolet having a wavelength shorter than those of visible light and longer than those of X rays
ultra vires beyond the scope of legal power of authority

Then there’s all the words that “un” unravels the base word behind it, my favorites being “unlikely” and “unbelievable.”  Check it out, and let me know your ultrafavorite “un”-prefixed word. “Unforgettable” anyone?

Ultra Underpants, Unbelievable!

Kaz PersonalMist Ultrasonic Humidifier Review

I bought this humidifier for my wife who suffers with dry eye syndrom. She keeps it on at night next to her bed and has found it useful. We wanted a unit that was quiet and did not heat up the room, so picked the ultrasonic humidifier over the mechanical or hot steam types. This machine is compact enough for travel and easily runs all night on one tank of water. It is very quiet and starts producing a cool mist immediately when turned on.

Feature

• Perfect for travel, bedroom or office
• 2 quiet settings for maximum control
• High output
• 1 year warranty

Overview

* This compact humidifier offers the same plume of cool moisture as a full-sized humidifier-in a fraction of the space * 2-gallon output per day * Directional mist outlet * Soothing, visible mist up to 12 hours operation per filling * Helps combat excessive dryness * Keeps your respiratory system moist, allowing it to fight off pollutants * Relieves symptoms of hay fever * Helps you sleep and breathe more comfortably * Removable water tank * Two comfort settings with indicator light * 9-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ * Blue

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 08, 2009 09:10:07

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SGS Colombia SA has performed storage tank inspections for the expansion of the Cartagena Refinery. SGS was responsible for the inspection of floating-roof and conical-roof tanks with sizes between 20,000 and 130,000 barrels. In terms of the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Services for storage tanks, the inspection carried out by SGS Colombia included the evaluation of tank bottoms and roofs, as well as tank shells.

For the inspection of tank bottoms and roofs, SGS inspectors used Ultrasonic Testing (UT) methods, such as B Scan and C Scan, in order to detect corrosion. B Scan provides a cross-sectional image of the material and detects material thinning that is caused by corrosion in the inside of tank walls. The C Scan is able to make cross-sectional images and identify failures of items located underground.

For the assessment of the wall thickness of tank shells, SGS used an ultrasonic crawler, a tool designed to take ultrasound thickness measurements on above-ground ferromagnetic structures, without the need for scaffolding or industrial rope access. The SGS inspection services were carried out in accordance with applicable health, safety and environment requirements, as well as to the API 653 Programme.