Abstract: A variable nozzle for a turbocharger includes a plurality of vanes rotatably mounted on a nozzle ring and disposed in a nozzle flow path defined between the nozzle ring and an opposite nozzle wall. Either or both of the faces of the nozzle ring and nozzle wall include(s) grooves extending substantially transverse to a general flow direction of the flow through the nozzle, and there are clearances between the ends of the vanes and the adjacent faces. Leakage flow through the clearance between the end of each vane and the adjacent face having the grooves must proceed across the grooves, and thus a labyrinthine flow passage is presented to the leakage flow. The labyrinthine passage has a greater resistance to flow than would be the case without the grooves. Accordingly, leakage flow is reduced, which is beneficial to turbine efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for compression of boil-off gas produced in the storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG), in which the boil-off gas is compressed in a single-stage or multistage manner and then fed to a further use. The boil-off gas (1) that is to be compressed undergoes a pressure elevation by means of at least one ejector (Y) and then warmed (E2), before being compressed (V) in a single-stage or multistage manner> The motive gas (2) used for the ejector (Y) is a substream of the compressed boil-off gas and/or a gas, the composition of which is substantially identical to or similar to that of the boil-off gas (1) and/or the addition of which to the boil-off gas does not adversely affect the intended use of the compressed boil-off gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for converting heat energy into mechanical energy by means of a Rankine cycle. In the Rankine cycle the circulating working fluid is pumped to a pressure above its critical pressure prior to heat exchange with an external medium. During the heat exchange with the external medium, the working fluid is heated to a temperature above its critical temperature and sufficiently high for the working fluid to expand without partial condensation. The working fluid is then expanded and condensed. The maximum pressure of the working fluid is controlled by means of an expander controllable with regard to the mass flow rate of the working fluid and/or a pump controllable with regard to the mass flow rate of the working fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for mounting a switch or the like on a mounting plate having a front side, a back side as well as a mounting hole. The switch comprises a housing with a housing upper side and at least one fixing projection insertable into the mounting hole from the back side of the mounting plate. Moreover, both means to support the fixing projection against the front side of the mounting plate and counter-supporting elements to support the housing upper side against the back side of the mounting plate are provided. According to the invention the counter-supporting elements are formed by springs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling a single-component or multi-component stream, in particular a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, by indirect heat exchange with the refrigerant mixture of a refrigerant mixture circuit. The refrigerant mixture is compressed in at least two stages and is separated into a lower-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to the ultimate pressure of the refrigerant mixture circuit and at least one higher-boiling refrigerant mixture fraction compressed to an intermediate pressure. The latter is pumped (P11) to the pressure of the former and the two fractions are combined before or immediately on commencement of indirect heat exchange.

Abstract: A condensate valve for condensate that is connectable to the inlet side of at least one oil/water separator of a compressor. The condensate valve is triggered for opening and closing via a blocking element. The outlet of the condensate valve discharges directly into a condensate collecting tank. The condensate valve also forms a pressure reducer for reducing the pressure of the outflowing condensate and discharges directly to the condensate collecting tank. Preferably, the condensate valve comprises a movable piston which can be pressed against a small-diameter opening of the valve seat when the condensate valve is closed by a blocking element. The piston has a larger cross-sectional area at its outlet side than at its inlet side on which condensate acts via an overflow line when the condensate valve has been opened. The overflow line can be formed by at least one through channel which extends axially through the piston.

Abstract: To reduce stresses during closing of a manually closable body component, e.g. a door, a control device and a method of controlling closing movement in which, during the closing movement, from an opened position, the body component passes through first movement range in which the body component is moved towards the closed position without any action by a control member, and, thereafter, the body component passes through a second movement range in which the closing movement is varied by the action of the control member that residual kinetic energy of the body component does not exceed a predetermined limit value after passing through the second movement range, irrespective of the initial speed. The residual kinetic energy is not sufficient to close the body component automatically, so it is automatically drawn in a third movement range until a pre catch or main catch of a lock is reached.

Abstract: A clutch assembly and damper arrangement is provided that includes a driver hub and a driven element coupled to the driver hub by a compliance element. A clutch is provided that is selectively engageable to the driven element. The clutch has a housing supporting the compliance element and is torsionally unitary with the driven element.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for an air-throttled engine includes a variable flow expander (VFE) in the intake air conduit system that supplies intake air to the engine. At part-load operation, the VFE expands the air by an amount that is controllable, and thus regulates the air flow as needed by the engine. The power extracted by the VFE from the intake air flow is fed to the turbocharger, which helps to achieve quicker turbocharger response and improve scavenging of exhaust gases from the engine. The VFE can be a variable expansion ratio turbine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a railroad toggle switch for a plurality of switching positions, the toggle switch comprising a housing, an operating lever supported on the housing and having a pivot axis, a switching cylinder supported on the housing and having a rotational axis, a plurality of microswitches and an engaging mechanism for engagement of the operating lever in the switching positions. The switching cylinder is here provided with a plurality of cam disks for operating the microswitches. According to the invention the pivot axis of the operating lever is located in the area of the housing top side and is different from the rotational axis of the switching cylinder, the operating lever being in engagement with the switching cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich feed fraction, preferably natural gas, against a nitrogen refrigeration cycle. A feed fraction is cooled against gaseous nitrogen that is to be warmed, and liquefied against liquid nitrogen that is to be vaporized. The feed fraction is cooled and liquefied in an at least three-stage heat-exchange process. In the first section of the heat-exchange process, the feed fraction is cooled against superheated gaseous nitrogen to the extent that an essentially complete separation of the relatively heavy components is achievable. In the second section, the feed fraction freed from relatively heavy components is partially liquefied against gaseous nitrogen that is to be superheated. In the third section, the feed fraction is liquefied against nitrogen that is to be partially vaporized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for resolving a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-containing feed fraction (1, 1?), preferably natural gas, is described, wherein the feed fraction (1, 1?) is separated by rectification (T1, T2) into a nitrogen-enriched fraction (5) and a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-depleted fraction (10), and wherein the separation by rectification proceeds in a rectification column consisting of a preseparation column (T1) and a main separation column (T2). A liquid fraction (6) is taken off from the main separation column (T2) above the feed-in site(s) of the fraction (7, 7?, 7?) that is taken off from the preseparation column (T1) and fed to the main separation column (T2), and the liquid fraction (6) is applied to the preseparation column (T1) as reflux.

Abstract: A process for separating off a nitrogen-rich fraction from a feed fraction containing essentially nitrogen and hydrocarbons, wherein the feed fraction is separated by rectification a nitrogen-rich fraction and a methane-rich fraction, is described. According to the invention, during an interruption of the supply of the feed fraction, at least temporarily, the nitrogen-rich fraction (4?) and the methane-rich fraction (5?) are compressed and jointly supplied to the process as feed fraction, wherein the compression of the nitrogen-rich fraction (4?) and the methane-rich fraction (5?) can be performed separately and/or jointly.

Abstract: An electro-motor drive, in particular for a fan drive of a motor vehicle, includes a commutator motor, a motor shaft of which is rotatably mounted on axially opposite sides in shaft bearings facing away from the bearing shield in order to substantially dampen the sound of at least bearing play-related contact noise and vibration or humming noise.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for mounting a switch or the like on a mounting plate. The switch comprises a housing with a housing top side supported on the back side of the mounting plate, a fastening protrusion including fastening means, as well as a plurality of resilient tongues, each having a locking protrusion. The fastening protrusion and the resilient tongues are inserted for mounting purposes from behind into an opening of the mounting plate, with the locking protrusions locking in place with the front edge of the opening. Furthermore, the device comprises a fastening element that can be mounted from the front side of the mounting plate and cooperates with the fastening means of the fastening protrusion. According to the invention the resilient tongues extend from the housing top side substantially in vertical direction and are spaced apart from the fastening protrusion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the separation of a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-containing feed fraction (1, 101), preferably natural gas, wherein the feed fraction (1, 101) is at least in part liquefied (E1, E2) and divided by rectification (T1) into a nitrogen-enriched fraction (14, 110) and a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-depleted fraction (11, 111) and wherein, in the upper region of the rectification (T1), a nitrogen-enriched stream (14) is taken off, cooled (E3) and applied (20) at least in part to the rectification (T1) as reflux and/or the nitrogen-enriched fraction (110) is cooled and partially condensed (E3), applied at least in part to the rectification (T1) as reflux (115) and the remaining stream (116) of the nitrogen-enriched fraction (110) is subjected to a double-column process (T3).

Abstract: A process is proposed for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction (A), especially natural gas, by a) liquefying the hydrocarbon-rich fraction (A) against the coolant mixture of a cooling circuit, b) compressing the coolant mixture in at least two stages (C1, C2), c) partially condensing (E1) the compressed coolant mixture (2) at least downstream of the penultimate compressor stage (C1), d) compressing (C2) the lower-boiling gas fraction (2?) obtained to the final pressure, e) while cooling (E) the first higher-boiling liquid fraction (3) obtained, expanding it (a) to perform cooling and vaporizing it (E) against the hydrocarbon-rich fraction (A) to be cooled, f) partially condensing (E2) the coolant mixture fraction (4) compressed to the final pressure and separating the first lower-boiling gas fraction (5) obtained, after partial condensation (E), into a second lower-boiling gas fraction (7) and a second higher-boiling liquid fraction (6), and g) liquefying and subcooling (E) the second lower-boiling gas fra

Abstract: A process is described for separating off a nitrogen-rich fraction from a feed fraction containing essentially nitrogen and hydrocarbons, wherein the feed fraction is separated by rectification into a nitrogen-rich fraction and a methane-rich fraction and wherein the methane-rich fraction for the purpose of cold generation is vaporized and superheated at a pressure as high as possible against the feed fraction which is to be cooled. According to the invention the still liquid or partially vaporized methane-rich fraction (5?) is fed to a circulation vessel (D), only the liquid fraction of the methane-rich fraction (5?) occurring in the circulation vessel (D) is completely vaporized, preferably in natural circulation, and the top product (7) of the circulation vessel (D) is superheated (E1).

Abstract: A process is described for separating off a nitrogen-rich fraction from a feed fraction containing essentially nitrogen and hydrocarbons, wherein the feed fraction is separated by rectification into a nitrogen-rich fraction and a methane-rich fraction, the methane-rich fraction, for the purpose of cold generation at a pressure as high as possible, is vaporized against the feed fraction which is to be cooled and superheated and the nitrogen-rich fraction is compressed at least occasionally and/or at least in part and is fed to the rectification as reflux stream. According to the invention at least occasionally at least a substream (16) of the compressed (C) nitrogen-rich fraction (9?) is expanded (f) after condensation (E1) thereof and, for the purpose of cold generation, is at least in part, preferably completely, vaporized (E1).