Abstract: There is described a patient lift apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a boom portion connected to the supporting frame, and a spreader element coupled to the boom portion via a coupling member. The boom portion and coupling member are joined by a pivot joint allowing the coupling member and associated spreader element to pivot with respect to the boom portion about a pivot axis. The patient lift apparatus can include a damping element coupled between the boom portion and the coupling member to damp rocking movement of the coupling member and spreader element, which damping element is a linear damper having a first end connected to the boom portion and a second end connected to the coupling member. The patient lift apparatus can include a quick release mechanism to release the spreader element from the boom portion.

Abstract: There is described a patient lift apparatus comprising a supporting frame a boom portion connected to the supporting frame and a spreader element coupled to the boom portion via a coupling member. The boom portion and coupling member are joined by a pivot joint (PJ2) allowing the coupling member and associated spreader element to pivot with respect to the boom portion about a pivot axis. According to one aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a damping element coupled between the boom portion and the coupling member to damp rocking movement of the coupling member and spreader element, which damping element is a linear damper having a first end connected to the boom portion and a second end connected to the coupling member According to another aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a quick release mechanism to release the spreader element from the boom portion.

Abstract: There is described a patient lift apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a boom portion connected to the supporting frame via a pivot joint (PJ1) to allow the boom portion to pivot with respect to the supporting frame about a pivot axis (PA1), and a boom actuator to mechanically assist pivotal movement of the boom portion with respect to the supporting frame. The boom portion is configured as a telescopic arm comprising an outer member and an inner member that is telescopically received inside the outer member to allow displacement of the inner member with respect to the outer member and adjustment of an effective length of the telescopic arm. The patient lift apparatus further comprises a centering system configured to center the inner member with respect to the outer member and suppress a clearance between the inner member and outer member.

Abstract: There is described a patient lift apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a boom portion connected to the supporting frame via a pivot joint (PJ1) to allow the boom portion to pivot with respect to the supporting frame about a pivot axis (PA1), a boom actuator to mechanically assist pivotal movement of the boom portion with respect to the supporting frame, and a leg/knee support connected to the supporting frame. The leg/knee support is configured to be selectively releasable from the supporting frame and comprises a manually-operable release mechanism forming an integral part of the leg/knee support, which manually-operable release mechanism is configured to allow selective release of the leg/knee support from the supporting frame.

Abstract: The bed includes a support structure and an actuatable mattress support platform, which actuatable mattress support platform has a reclinable back section and an actuatable leg section. The actuatable leg section includes a reclinable thigh section and a reclinable lower-leg section that are adapted to move in conjunction with one another. The reclinable back section and actuatable leg section are actuatable to adjust a configuration of the actuatable mattress support platform and change the configuration of the actuatable mattress support platform from a substantially flat configuration to a sitting configuration, or vice versa. During a first actuation phase, exclusively the actuatable leg section is actuated to raise the actuatable leg section with respect to the support structure, thereby bringing the actuatable leg section to a first intermediate position with respect to the support structure.

Abstract: There is described a patient lift apparatus comprising a supporting frame a boom portion connected to the supporting frame and a spreader element coupled to the boom portion via a coupling member. The boom portion and coupling member are joined by a pivot joint (PJ2) allowing the coupling member and associated spreader element to pivot with respect to the boom portion about a pivot axis. According to one aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a damping element coupled between the boom portion and the coupling member to damp rocking movement of the coupling member and spreader element, which damping element is a linear damper having a first end connected to the boom portion and a second end connected to the coupling member According to another aspect of the invention, the patient lift apparatus further comprises a quick release mechanism to release the spreader element from the boom portion.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a metallurgical furnace, comprising at least one upper stack (1), at least one lower stack (2), at least one fuel feeder positioned substantially between at least one upper stack (1) and the at least one lower stack (2), at least one row of tuyères (3, 4) positioned in at least one of the at least one upper stack (1) and at least one lower stack (2), the at least one row of tuyères (3, 4) providing a fluid communication between the inside of the furnace and the external environment, positioned in at least one of at least one upper stack (1) and at least one lower stack (2), and further comprising at least one permeabilizing fuel column fed through at least one hood (6), placed in the upper stack (1), which extends longitudinally through the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to metallurgical processes and equipment and, more particularly, to a metallurgical furnace capable of operating with a broad range of broad range of raw materials and fuels, including those with high levels of impurities. Accordingly, the metallurgical furnace of the present invention comprises (i) at least an upper tub, (ii) at least a lower tub, (iii) at least a fuel feeder positioned substantially between the at least an upper tub and the at least a lower tub, (iv) at least a row of tuyeres positioned on at least one of at least an upper tub and at least a lower tub, the at least a row of tuyeres fluidly communicating inside the furnace with the outside environment, and (v) at least a burner positioned on at least one of at least an upper tub and at least a lower tub. The use of at least a burner jointly with the at least a row of tuyeres generates a very intense release of heat by virtue of the exothermic reactions which occur by this combination.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a metallurgical furnace, comprising at least one upper stack (1), at least one lower stack (2), at least one fuel feeder positioned substantially between at least one upper stack (1) and the at least one lower stack (2), at least one row of tuyères (3, 4) positioned in at least one of the at least one upper stack (1) and at least one lower stack (2), the at least one row of tuyères (3, 4) providing a fluid communication between the inside of the furnace and the external environment, positioned in at least one of at least one upper stack (1) and at least one lower stack (2), and further comprising at least one permeabilizing fuel column fed through at least one hood (6), placed in the upper stack (1), which extends longitudinally through the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to metallurgical processes and equipment and, more particularly, to a metallurgical furnace capable of operating with a broad range of broad range of raw materials and fuels, including those with high levels of impurities. Accordingly, the metallurgical furnace of the present invention comprises (i) at least an upper tub, (ii) at least a lower tub, (iii) at least a fuel feeder positioned substantially between the at least an upper tub and the at least a lower tub, (iv) at least a row of tuyeres positioned on at least one of at least an upper tub and at least a lower tub, the at least a row of tuyeres fluidly communicating inside the furnace with the outside environment, and (v) at least a burner positioned on at least one of at least an upper tub and at least a lower tub. The use of at least a burner jointly with the at least a row of tuyeres generates a very intense release of heat by virtue of the exothermic reactions which occur by this combination.

Abstract: A self-contained vehicle refrigeration console includes an interior section mounted below the vehicle roof and including evaporator and compressor sections, and an exterior section mounted on the outer surface of the roof and supporting the condenser fan but providing a low vertical profile. The roof has two openings formed therein, one being adapted to receive a condenser coil therein and the other being located below the condenser fan. The condenser fan causes ambient air to flow under the exterior section, through said one opening and condenser coil, under the vehicle roof, and out the other opening to the ambient.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes an external housing and an internal housing supported by a vehicle roof. The internal housing includes an inner wall spaced from an outer wall with air located between to insulate the components of the refrigeration unit from an interior of a vehicle. The internal housing, a condenser, a compressor, and an evaporator may be assembled together into a refrigeration unit chassis prior to assembly with the vehicle roof. Fasteners are used to assemble the internal housing to the chassis. The external housing and a cover to reduce the amount of contaminants that enter the refrigeration unit. Water drains are located at the bottom of the internal housing along the inner wall to collect and dispose of any water within the refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes an external housing and an internal housing supported by a vehicle roof. The external housing is located primarily outside of a vehicle compartment, and the internal housing is located primarily inside of the vehicle compartment. External air enters the refrigeration unit through a first opening located between the vehicle roof and the external housing and exits through a second opening in the external housing. The external air is heated by a condenser and a compressor and exits the refrigeration unit through the second opening. A fan is located within the second opening to control the airflow through the refrigeration unit.

Abstract: An arrangement and method provide an optical thulium doped fiber amplifier utilizing a dual wavelength pumping scheme for amplifying an optical signal. The method includes the steps of: a first deposition (a) of energy into the fiber amplifier by pumping with radiation of a first wavelength; and a second deposition (b) of energy into the fiber amplifier by pumping with radiation of a second wavelength. The radiation of the first wavelength is arranged to induce, by single photon absorption, a population to the 3H4 level of the thulium dopant, and the radiation of the second wavelength primarily depopulates the 3F4 level, by excited absorption of a single photon, preferably by strong excited state absorption to the 3F2 level. The steps gives a population inversion between the 3H4 and the 3F4 levels and facilitate a power efficient high gain amplification.

Abstract: An arrangement and method provide an optical thulium doped fiber amplifier utilizing a dual wavelength pumping scheme for amplifying an optical signal. The method includes the steps of: a first deposition (a) of energy into the fiber amplifier by pumping with radiation of a first wavelength; and a second deposition (b) of energy into the fiber amplifier by pumping with radiation of a second wavelength. The radiation of the first wavelength is arranged to induce, by single photon absorption, a population to the 3H4 level of the thulium dopant, and the radiation of the second wavelength primarily depopulates the 3F4 level, by excited absorption of a single photon, preferably by strong excited state absorption to the 3F2 level. The steps gives a population inversion between the 3H4 and the 3F4 levels and facilitate a power efficient high gain amplification.

Abstract: An evaporator for a transport refrigeration system configured to be mounted in a conditioned space and having a downwardly facing intake and an air discharge end adapted to discharge conditioned air horizontally. The evaporator includes a structural frame for mounting the unit. The structural frame includes first and second lateral supports extending on opposite sides of the evaporator and at least one horizontal transverse member interconnecting the lateral supports. The evaporator fan is structurally supported by the transverse member at a location in fluid flow communication with the air intake. The evaporator coil extends between the lateral supports intermediate the air discharge end and the location of the evaporator fan. The lateral supports serve as tube sheets of the heat exchanger.