Abstract: A pump is provided which includes a rotating element, and a volute housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. In operational state, the rotating element rotates, drawing fluid through the fluid inlet of the volute housing and expelling the fluid at a higher pressure through the fluid outlet. Further, the pump includes a bypass mechanism integrated, at least in part, within the volute housing and exposing in nonoperational state of the pump, a bypass path through, at least in part, the volute housing that allows the fluid to pass from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet of the pump.

Abstract: An advisory element of an acclimation system for an item being shipped from a source to a destination is provided with the item being disposable in a polybag. The advisory element is attachable to or is disposable remotely from the polybag. The advisory element is configured to receive shipment information input at the source, to sense environmental conditions to which the item and the polybag are exposed during shipment and at the destination and to calculate an acclimation time for the item based on the shipment information and the sensed environmental conditions. The advisory element is further configured to provide operational guidance to a user in accordance with the acclimation time at the destination.

Abstract: An advisory element of an acclimation system for an item being shipped from a source to a destination is provided with the item being disposable in a polybag. The advisory element is attachable to or is disposable remotely from the polybag. The advisory element is configured to receive shipment information input at the source, to sense environmental conditions to which the item and the polybag are exposed during shipment and at the destination and to calculate an acclimation time for the item based on the shipment information and the sensed environmental conditions. The advisory element is further configured to provide operational guidance to a user in accordance with the acclimation time at the destination.

Abstract: A pump is provided which includes a rotating element, and a volute housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. In operational state, the rotating element rotates, drawing fluid through the fluid inlet of the volute housing and expelling the fluid at a higher pressure through the fluid outlet. Further, the pump includes a bypass mechanism integrated, at least in part, within the volute housing and exposing in nonoperational state of the pump, a bypass path through, at least in part, the volute housing that allows the fluid to pass from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet of the pump.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods for thermally managing a heat generating device. In one aspect, a method of thermally managing a heat generating device is provided that includes placing a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the heat generating device. The heat exchanger has an interior space. A membrane is in the interior space between a first chamber and a second chamber. The membrane has a gas impermeable portion and at least one gas permeable portion to enable vapor bubbles in the second chamber to pass through the membrane at the at least one gas permeable portion and into the first chamber. A liquid is moved through the second chamber.