A vertically-elongated member, which is preferably a support post used in a molten metal pump, includes a ceramic tube and tensioning structures to add a compressive load to the tube along its longitudinal axis. This makes the tube less prone to breakage. Another vertically-elongated member, such as a support post, includes one or more reinforcement members to help alleviate breakage. A device, such as a pump, used in a molten metal bath includes one or more of such vertical members.

A method of controlling a vehicle includes steps of: detecting a temperature of oil; detecting a temperature of a drive motor; identifying a target rotational speed of an oil pump corresponding to the detected temperature of the oil and the temperature of the drive motor; when the identified target rotational speed is less than a limit rotational speed, controlling an operation of the oil pump based on the identified target rotational speed; and when the identified target rotational speed is greater than or equal to a limit rotational speed, adjusting the identified target rotational speed based on a temperature gradient of the drive motor in a current period and a temperature gradient of the drive motor in a previous period and controlling the operation of the oil pump based on the adjusted target rotational speed.

A method of controlling a vehicle includes steps of: detecting a temperature of oil; detecting a temperature of a drive motor; identifying a target rotational speed of an oil pump corresponding to the detected temperature of the oil and the temperature of the drive motor; when the identified target rotational speed is less than a limit rotational speed, controlling an operation of the oil pump based on the identified target rotational speed; and when the identified target rotational speed is greater than or equal to a limit rotational speed, adjusting the identified target rotational speed based on a temperature gradient of the drive motor in a current period and a temperature gradient of the drive motor in a previous period and controlling the operation of the oil pump based on the adjusted target rotational speed.

Disclosed is a centrifugal molten metal pump assembly and associated system for controlled delivery of molten metal to molds. The pump assembly comprises a shaft, an impeller coupled to the shaft, a controller to control a rotational speed of the impeller according to a programmable fill profile while delivering the molten metal to the mold. In some embodiments, the pump assembly further comprises a throttle to manipulate a flow rate or pressure of the molten metal relative to a rotational speed of the impeller. The associated system comprises a melting furnace and one or more holding furnaces, each holding furnace including at least one pump assembly therein. Each holding furnace may be of an open configuration to allow for uninterrupted flow of the molten metal from the melting furnace. The system may provide controlled delivery of the molten metal to the mold at a desired flow rate or pressure.

Disclosed is a centrifugal molten metal pump assembly and associated system for controlled delivery of molten metal to molds. The pump assembly comprises a shaft, an impeller coupled to the shaft, a controller to control a rotational speed of the impeller according to a programmable fill profile while delivering the molten metal to the mold. In some embodiments, the pump assembly further comprises a throttle to manipulate a flow rate or pressure of the molten metal relative to a rotational speed of the impeller. The associated system comprises a melting furnace and one or more holding furnaces, each holding furnace including at least one pump assembly therein. Each holding furnace may be of an open configuration to allow for uninterrupted flow of the molten metal from the melting furnace. The system may provide controlled delivery of the molten metal to the mold at a desired flow rate or pressure.

Apparatus and methods are described including placing, into a subject's body, a blood-pump tube, with a blood pump disposed within the blood-pump tube. At least one blood-pressure-measurement tube, which defines an opening at a distal end thereof, extends to at least an outer surface of the blood-pump tube, such that the opening at the distal end of the blood-pressure-measurement tube is in direct fluid communication with a bloodstream of the subject outside the blood-pump tube. Blood is pumped through the blood-pump tube, using the blood pump. Pressure of the bloodstream of the subject outside the blood-pump tube is measured by measuring pressure of blood within the blood-pressure-measurement tube. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including placing, into a subject's body, a blood-pump tube, with a blood pump disposed within the blood-pump tube. At least one blood-pressure-measurement tube, which defines an opening at a distal end thereof, extends to at least an outer surface of the blood-pump tube, such that the opening at the distal end of the blood-pressure-measurement tube is in direct fluid communication with a bloodstream of the subject outside the blood-pump tube. Blood is pumped through the blood-pump tube, using the blood pump. Pressure of the bloodstream of the subject outside the blood-pump tube is measured by measuring pressure of blood within the blood-pressure-measurement tube. Other applications are also described.

An inducer includes a hub and a blade which radially protrudes from the hub and is helically provided. The inducer has a thick portion in which a first distance and a second distance coincides with each other in a region outside a position at which a height ratio of the blade is 0.5 while the first distance is shorter than the second distance in a region inside the position at which the height ratio of the blade is 0.5, in which the height ratio is a ratio of a distance from a connection portion between the hub and a root portion of the blade with respect to a height of the blade which is a distance from the connection portion between the hub and the root portion of the blade to a tip portion of the blade in the radial direction of the blade.

Methods and apparatuses for determining operational parameters of a blood pump comprising a rotor which transports the blood are provided. The change in the behaviour of at least one first and one second operational parameter, independently from each other, of the pump, is determined. A determination of the flow through the pump and/or the difference in pressure across the pump and/or the viscosity of the blood takes into account the determined change in behaviour of the at least two operational parameters. A modelling for a dynamic model of the known quantities may be carried out and an estimation method using a Kalman filter may be used.

Methods and apparatuses for determining operational parameters of a blood pump comprising a rotor which transports the blood are provided. The change in the behaviour of at least one first and one second operational parameter, independently from each other, of the pump, is determined. A determination of the flow through the pump and/or the difference in pressure across the pump and/or the viscosity of the blood takes into account the determined change in behaviour of the at least two operational parameters. A modelling for a dynamic model of the known quantities may be carried out and an estimation method using a Kalman filter may be used.