Abstract: An solid oxide fuel cell stack having a metallic layer and a glass layer, and a method for preventing or reducing a chemical reaction between a metallic layer and a glass layer are disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell stack has a barrier layer disposed between the metallic layer and the glass layer. The barrier layer includes alumina and a phosphate. The phosphate includes an aluminum dihydrogen phosphate, an aluminum-containing phosphate, a phosphate of an element of the metallic layer, a phosphate of an element of the glass layer, or combinations thereof. The method includes disposing a barrier layer between the metallic layer and the glass layer.

Abstract: A refrigerator utilizes a quick fill dispenser that incorporates a fluid storage receptacle that is easily removable for cleaning and/or dispensing independently of the refrigerator, and that is coupled to a dock through a combined inlet/outlet through which the receptacle is filled and fluid is dispensed through the receptacle. A dock closure may also be used to inhibit fluid flow through the combined inlet/outlet when the fluid storage receptacle is removed.

Abstract: A method of forming an internally-arranged laser-beam weld from within a composite structure. The method includes arranging a welding apparatus within an internal passage of the composite structure, and emitting a laser beam from the welding apparatus to form the internally-arranged laser-beam weld between layers of the composite structure.

Abstract: A system includes at least one tube forming a portion of a transportation path, wherein the tube is maintained as a low-pressure environment, a propulsion system configured to propel at least one capsule through the tube, a levitation system configured to levitate the capsule within the tube, and at least one tube sealer arranged along the at least one tube and configured to selectively create an airlock in the at least one tube.

Abstract: A method of forming an internally-arranged laser-beam weld from within a composite structure. The method includes arranging a welding apparatus within an internal passage of the composite structure, and emitting a laser beam from the welding apparatus to form the internally-arranged laser-beam weld between layers of the composite structure.

Abstract: A system includes at least one tube forming a portion of a transportation path, wherein the tube is maintained as a low-pressure environment, a propulsion system configured to propel at least one capsule through the tube, a levitation system configured to levitate the capsule within the tube, and at least one tube sealer arranged along the at least one tube and configured to selectively create an airlock in the at least one tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic device (15; 55) for an evaporative system (11), comprising at least one pump (22; 62) and a housing (16; 56) with a water inlet (17; 57) and one or more water outlets (19; 59), wherein the at least one pump (22; 62) is mounted on the housing (16; 56) and a water tank (20; 60) is provided by the housing (16; 56), the water tank (20; 60) being arranged between the water inlet (17; 57) and the one or more water outlets (19; 59), wherein the at least one pump is provided for pumping water through the one or more water outlets. The invention furthermore relates to an evaporative system (11) with such a hydraulic device (15; 55).

Abstract: A high-speed transportation system, the system including at least one transportation tube having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube between stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the tube; a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the tube, and at least one tube sealer arranged along the at least one tube and configured to create an airlock in the at least one tube. In embodiments, the tube sealer may include a gate valve and/or an airbag.

Abstract: A tubular structure stability system includes at least one tube having tube sections and at least one pillar supporting the tube. A tube movement structure is also provided and configured to enable relative movement of the tube sections and/or movement of the tube relative to the at least one pillar.

Abstract: A high-speed transportation system, the system including at least one transportation tube having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube between stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the tube; a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the tube, and at least one tube sealer arranged along the at least one tube and configured to create an airlock in the at least one tube. In embodiments, the tube sealer may include a gate valve and/or an airbag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic device (15; 55) for an evaporative system (11), comprising at least one pump (22; 62) and a housing (16; 56) with a water inlet (17; 57) and one or more water outlets (19; 59), wherein the at least one pump (22; 62) is mounted on the housing (16; 56) and a water tank (20; 60) is provided by the housing (16; 56), the water tank (20; 60) being arranged between the water inlet (17; 57) and the one or more water outlets (19; 59), wherein the at least one pump is provided for pumping water through the one or more water outlets. The invention furthermore relates to an evaporative system (11) with such a hydraulic device (15; 55).

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system as described herein leverages a real-time onboard vehicle mass estimate to determine whether tire pressure is appropriate for the current loading conditions. The system is suitable for use with vehicles having two or more placard tire pressures (with two or more corresponding tire loading capacities). The system can notify the driver to adjust the tire pressure to the proper placard tire pressure for the given load conditions, and/or initiate automatic inflation or deflation by an onboard tire inflation system.