Abstract: This invention provides for an apparatus and a method for operation of a cryogenic hydrogen storage system that contains a porous medium configured to adsorb hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and supply system includes a hydrogen source apparatus, a cryosorptive storage apparatus, and a fuel recycle loop. Methods and devices that allow for an energy efficient release of hydrogen from the cryosorptive apparatus are described. At the outset of a fuel release, the cryosorptive hydrogen storage apparatus contains cold, pressurized hydrogen. Release of hydrogen from the storage apparatus is a process that consumes heat, thereby drawing down both the temperature and pressure. Heat can be provided to the cryosorptive storage apparatus by various direct approaches, or through the influx of warm, recycled hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for densifying liquids, specifically the densification of cryogenic propellants. A preferred system of the present invention subcools and densifies liquid propellants by utilizing a countercurrent gas or liquid flow. The countercurrent flow preferably utilizes a gas having a lower boiling point than the propellants. A packed tower may then be used, at or above atmospheric pressure, to introduce the countercurrent flow to the propellant. This methodology avoids the costs and problems associated with subatmospheric operation. A preferred embodiment is directed toward the densification of liquid oxygen, with a similar embodiment directed toward the simultaneous densification of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Systems and methods of the present invention may also be used to densify other liquids in similar fashion.

Abstract: A machine (10) for making products such as iced beverages and the like comprises a tank (11) to contain the product in which cooling means (12) and stirring means (13) are present. The tank comprises a product-dispensing tap (14) having a slidable piston (15) and which is provided with sealing elements (17, 18) to offer a hydraulic outward seal to the tank when the tap is in a closed condition. The piston portion (23) between the sealing elements and in contact with the product in the tank has a reduced section to form regions (19) of free circulation of the product around the piston. The tank may comprise surfaces (20) for conveying the product towards such regions so as to facilitate circulation thereof. Thus the product stagnation that may cause bacteria and pollutant formation is avoided and the cleaning operation with use of sanitising solutions is facilitated.

Abstract: There is provided a multiform gas heat pump type of air conditioning system having: a plurality of indoor units that are each provided with an indoor heat exchanger and that perform a heat exchange between air inside a room and refrigerant; an outdoor unit provided with a compressor driven by a gas engine and an outdoor heat exchanger for performing a heat exchange between outside air and the refrigerant; and a split flow control unit for controlling a flow direction of the refrigerant in each of the indoor units and for performing a selection switching between cooling and heating operations. The outdoor heat exchanger that switches selection between cooling and heating operations is divided into a plurality of units that are connected in parallel and there is also provided a refrigerant supply switching means that controls the refrigerant flow in each of the divided portions of the outdoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: Thermal transfer devices according to the present invention comprise electrocaloric materials that increase in temperature upon application of an applied voltage thereto and decrease in temperature upon removal of the applied voltage. In specific embodiments of the present invention, the electrocaloric materials, described in further detail below, are configured such that the respective increases and decreases in temperature of the electrocaloric material extend from about ?10° C. to about 50° C. As a result, thermal transfer devices according to the present invention are suitable for use in a wide variety of practical refrigeration applications. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering vapor during de-pressuring of a vessel, and for those facilities with such a need, for recovering vapor during the liquid filling, or liquid removing, from a vessel. In de-pressuring mode, the vapor and inert gas purging the vessel are processed to recover multiple product vapors with vapor pressures from as low as 0.1 PSIG to about 100 PSIG. Higher values up to 250 PSIG are also processed economically by an optional third-stage, stand-alone system. This system produces overall product recovery rates over 99% and inert gas recovery over 99% at the latter part of the cycle as recycle gas. The system is purged after each use to prevent cross contamination. In the liquid filling mode, displaced vapor and pad gas (inert gas added to maintain pressure in tanks during liquid removing) are processed to recover multiple products and the pad gas.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigerant material exhibits sufficiently great magnetocaloric effect at or near room temperature. The magnetic refrigerant material has an NiAs type hexagonal structure in a ferromagnetic phase. The magnetic refrigerant material includes a first element Mn, a second element As and a third element to substitute for a portion of the second element, and exhibits a magnetic phase transition in a temperature range from about 230 K to less than about 318 K.

Abstract: The Flexible Natural Gas Storage Facility stores natural gas in one or more man-made salt caverns typically located in a single salt dome or in bedded salt. The Flexible Natural Gas Storage Facility can access different sources of natural gas. A first gas source is from a natural gas pipeline(s) and a second gas source is from LNG. Depending on economic conditions, supply conditions and other factors, the Flexible Natural Gas Storage Facility can receive gas from the natural gas pipeline(s) and/or from LNG to fill the salt caverns. Of course, the LNG must be warmed before being stored in a salt cavern.

Abstract: Weight, particularly suited for use in irrigation systems, includes a body having a chamber with inner and outer walls. The chamber is sized and configured for receiving a fluid such as water, storing the water in use, and adding to the weight of the overall device. The unfilled weight is lightweight when empty for shipment, and relatively heavy, in use. A portion of water coming into the weight is diverted, such as when irrigating a field and the weight is connected to an irrigation line. Such diverted water fills the chamber and increases the service weight. The weight may include an outlet configured for attaching to an irrigation sprayer head. When the flow of irrigation water is stopped, the weight retains some water, maintains the desired service weight, and prevents undesired movement of the weight and associated sprinkler head.

Abstract: An air conditioner contains one or more vertically positioned manifolds. Each manifold defines a vapor space, a liquid space, and capillary tubes connecting the two spaces. The manifold is filled with a refrigerant or heating fluid. The manifold is either cooled or heated by thermoelectric modules. The fluid cycles through evaporation and condensation within the manifold, without the aid of a condenser or pump. Alternating banks of heating and cooling manifolds may be combined so that thermoelectric modules positioned between the manifolds will heat the heating manifolds and cool the cooling manifolds. A combined air conditioner and heater may be used in automobiles and buildings. The heating manifolds my be used to heat air, water or other fluid streams.

Abstract: A cryostat configuration for keeping liquid helium, comprising an outer jacket (2) accommodating a helium container (5), a neck pipe (3) which is filled with gaseous helium during operation, and a refrigerator (1; 1b), wherein the outer jacket (2), the helium container (5) and the neck pipe (3) delimit an evacuated chamber (9) which surrounds the helium container (5); and wherein the refrigerator (1; 1b) has a cooling finger (4) which has a condensation body (15; 15b) in the region of the lower end of the neck pipe (3), is characterized in that the condensation body (15; 15b) is partially surrounded by a condensation chamber (16; 16b) which has a first lower opening (17) to permit draining of liquid helium, and a second opening which communicates with a lower end of a gas supply pipe (18), wherein the upper end of the gas supply pipe (18) terminates in the region of the upper end of the neck pipe (3). This improves the thermal properties of the cryostat configuration.

Abstract: A fountain aerator for propelling and aerating water includes a float having a flow tube extending therethrough for suspending the aerator in a body of water. A motor base assembly contains a motor provided with a rotatable output shaft. An open ended housing is spaced from the float and connected between the flow tube and the motor base assembly. A wear ring is secured within the housing and defines a central opening therein. A covered impeller is retained in the housing in spaced relationship with the float and is coupled to the motor output shaft for rotation therewith. The impeller has a series of radially extending blades which define a series of outlet passages in communication with the inlet. A flow straightener is spaced from the float and fixed to the housing in overlying, surrounding relationship with the impeller.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a compressor characterized in that a nonpolar solvent is used as a working fluid and an insulation part of a rotating section is formed from a low dielectric constant plastic film having a specific dielectric constant of 1.2 to 3.0. This compressor has been reduced in leakage current and improved in safety and reliability, and therefore can realize energy savings for devices such as a refrigerant system device.

Abstract: A high pressure cryogenic fluid dispensing system features a tank containing a cryogenic liquid with a liquid side and a head space there above. A pressure building coil featuring a section of parallel heat exchangers and a section of series heat exchangers receives liquid from the tank through a pressure building regulator valve and a pair of surge check valves. The liquid flashes to gas in the section of parallel heat exchangers and the resulting gas is forced to the section of series heat exchangers where it is pressurized and warmed. The gas may be directed to a warming coil for dispensing and to the head space of the tank to rapidly pressurize it. Gas traveling to the head space flows through an vapor space withdrawal control valve. The vapor space withdrawal control valve and pressure building regulator valve may be automated via a controller that provides pressure building when the tank pressure drops below the system operating pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooler and to a method for cooling hot bulk material. The hot bulk material is fed on a stationary aerating base through which cooling gas can flow and is transported by means of reciprocating conveyor elements disposed above the aerating base. In the cooler and cooling method, at least two groups of conveyor elements are used which are actuated jointly in the transport direction and separately from one another against the transport direction.

Abstract: A high capacity, continuous production blast freezer includes an insulated enclosure and a plurality of adjustable product-carrying trolleys, individually moveable with the enclosure from an entrance location to an exit location. A heat exchanger in the form of an evaporator is provided in the enclosure. The mechanical equipment for the refrigeration system can be placed within the enclosure and separated from the freezing cell by a bulkhead. In one embodiment the enclosure is in the form of a container adapted to be transportable by ship, rail or truck. The arrangement of the heat exchanger or evaporator relative to the product carrying devices and the enclosure is designed to maximize the capacity of the heat exchanger and minimize frost formation, while providing for a maximum amount of product space within the enclosure to maximize throughput of the system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a thermoacoustic device has a complaint enclosure which includes a rigid portion and a compliant portion. The compliant portion includes an oscillating member and a flexure seal with a pair of ends and a flexure body extending between the ends. One of the ends is sealed to the rigid portion and the other end is sealed to the oscillating member. The flexure seal has an average cross-sectional area and an end-to-end equilibrium length. A flexure volume is defined as the product of the average cross-sectional area and the end-to-end equilibrium length. A thermal core is disposed in the complaint enclosure and includes at least a first and a second heat exchanger. A working volume of gaseous working fluid fills the complaint enclosure. The working volume of gaseous working fluid has an equilibrium pressure.

Abstract: A improved interface is disclosed for delivering CPAP therapy to patients. The interface has a sliding engagement to the headgear. The sliding engagement allows substantial relative lateral movement eg: when face is distorted from sleeping on side, while still providing adequate compressive force to avoid side leakage. The sliding engagement also allows easy release from the headgear.

Abstract: A system that generates high pressure cryogenic gas includes a storage tank that contains a liquid cryogen and a feed line that supplies the liquid cryogen to a pressure pod. The pressure in the pressure pod gradually increases due to ambient heat to a first predetermined level. A regulator valve opens at the first predetermined level thereby directing the liquid cryogen to a heat exchanger where it is vaporized and directed back to the pressure pod to raise the pressure therein further. Once the pressure in the pressure pod reaches a second predetermined level, a dispense valve opens. The pressurized liquid cryogen is directed through the dispense valve to a vaporizer that vaporizes the high pressure liquid cryogen to a cryogenic gas that may be dispensed and stored in a tank.

Abstract: A plant for producing liquefied natural gas comprises a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus for natural gas absorbing and removing carbon dioxide from natural gas, a liquefying apparatus having a steam turbine, for liquefying the natural gas from which carbon dioxide has been removed by the carbon dioxide recovery apparatus, a boiler equipment for supplying steam to the steam turbine of the liquefying apparatus, and a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus for combustion exhaust gas including an absorption tower for absorbing carbon dioxide from combustion exhaust gas exhausted from the boiler equipment by absorbing liquid, and a regeneration tower for separating and recovering carbon dioxide from the absorbing liquid.