Abstract: A support structure for mounting a photovoltaic panel, wherein the support structure comprises a bracket assembly and a T-post with a top end and an engagement stud, wherein the bracket assembly comprises a cross angle positioned on the top end of the T-post, a vertical member extending from the cross angle, a plurality of angle mounts attached to the vertical member for mounting the photovoltaic panel, a cross bar positioned below the engagement stud of the T-post, a plurality of engagement fasteners extending through the cross angle and the cross bar, and a plurality of coupling fasteners configured to be tightened on the plurality of engagement fasteners to generate a clamping force between the cross angle and the cross bar so as to allow the cross angle to abut the top end of the T-post and allow the cross bar to abut the engagement stud of the T-post.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of manufacturing an article of manufacture comprising the steps of manufacturing a fabric softener and, including an amount of an insect repellent as a component of the fabric softener. The invention also includes a method of imparting insect repellence to an article comprising the step of adding an amount of insect repellent to an article within a washing machine during a rinse cycle. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention utilizes DEET, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, as the insect repellent.

Abstract: A double pass heat exchanger comprising: a first bank of thermoelectric devices that includes at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric devices having cooling surfaces capable of absorbing thermal energy and opposed heating surfaces capable of dissipating thermal energy; a second bank of thermoelectric devices that includes at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric devices having cooling surfaces capable of absorbing thermal energy and opposed heating surfaces capable of dissipating thermal energy; a first block of heat transfer material in concurrent thermal communication with a first fluid conduit and the heating surfaces of the first bank of thermoelectric devices and the heating surfaces of the second bank of thermoelectric devices; and, a second block of heat transfer material in concurrent thermal communication with a second fluid conduit and the cooling surfaces of the first bank of thermoelectric devices and the second bank of thermoelectric devices.

Abstract: A fluid heat exchanger apparatus and associated method for cooling a fluid having an exhaust component associated with an internal combustion engine, the apparatus including: at least one thermoelectric device, concurrently absorbing thermal energy on a cool side and dissipating thermal energy on a warm side; a cool fluid conduit containing a cool fluid within a first closed loop, the cool fluid being in thermal communication with the cool side of at least the one thermoelectric device; and, a warm fluid conduit containing a warm fluid within a second closed loop, the warm fluid being in thermal communication with the warm side of at least the one thermoelectric device; where the cool fluid conduit is positioned to be in thermal communication with an internal combustion engine fluid stream having an exhaust component, thereby cooling the internal combustion engine fluid stream having the exhaust component.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a method for transferring thermal energy in relation to a gas traveling through a gas intake to an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: providing at least one thermoelectric device having at least two surfaces, concurrently dissipating thermal energy on a warmer surface and absorbing thermal energy on a cooler surface; and establishing a thermal gradient between the gas within the gas intake to the internal combustion engine and the cooler surface of the thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A fluid cooling device for a beverage dispenser that includes: (a) a fluid accumulation vessel; and (b) a bank of thermoelectric devices provided on at least one external surface of the accumulation vessel and having cooling and heating surfaces, where the cooling surfaces are in thermal communication with the fluid accumulation vessel such that when power is supplied to the devices, the cooling surfaces decrease the thermal energy of the fluid within the accumulation vessel.

Abstract: A vehicle system for transferring thermal energy in relation to a vehicle fluid includes at least one thermoelectric device, having at least two surfaces, concurrently dissipating thermal energy on a first surface and absorbing thermal energy on a second surface, mounted in proximity to a contained vehicle fluid so as to provide thermal communication between the contained vehicle fluid and either the cooler or the warmer surface of the thermoelectric device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluid heat exchanger assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; a cooler fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet having a cooler fluid outlet; a warmer fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and having a warmer fluid outlet; and at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface, positioned between the warmer fluid conduit and the cooler fluid conduit, such that the cooling wafer surface faces the cooler fluid conduit and the warmer wafer surface faces the warmer fluid conduit; whereupon electrical activation of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device the cooling wafer becomes relatively cool in comparison to the warmer wafer surface becoming relatively warm.

Abstract: An apparatus for dosing a liquid in manufacturing paper products, the apparatus comprising: a mixed fluid conduit carrying a mixed fluid to be directed to an application station, at least a portion of the mixed fluid being a starch material from a starch material source; a starch material source feeding starch within a starch material supply line to the mixed fluid conduit; a resin source feeding resin within a resin supply line to the mixed fluid conduit; and, a mixing section of the mixed fluid conduit dispersing the resin throughout the starch material. The apparatus may also include: a tank for receiving the mixed fluid; a supply conduit for delivering the mixed fluid to an application station; and, a return conduit for delivering the mixed fluid back to the tank from the application station.

Abstract: A vehicle system for transferring thermal energy in relation to a vehicle fluid includes at least one thermoelectric device, having at least two surfaces, concurrently dissipating thermal energy on a first surface and absorbing thermal energy on a second surface, mounted in proximity to a contained vehicle fluid so as to provide thermal communication between the contained vehicle fluid and either the cooler or the warmer surface of the thermoelectric device.