Abstract: A helical-acting snap roll for a harvesting header having straight flutes which are free of a formed twist. The snap roll includes elongated straight flutes that extend substantially the entire length of the snap roll but that are parallel misaligned with a central axis of rotation of the snap roll. A pair of opposing and counter-rotating snap rolls of the present invention chops and pulls crop stalks passing therebetween downward toward the ground while also creating a helical action such that the crop stalks are conveyed rearward.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system that permits a controlled motion member, joined to a base member, to selectively move with respect to said base member having a base support, an output structure, and a plurality of securing links including a fixed length securing link that is rotatably connected at one end thereof to the base support and rotatably connected at an opposite end thereof to the output structure. Further included is a variable length securing link that is rotatably connected at one end thereof to the base support and rotatably connected at an opposite end thereof to the output structure and having a force distributor therewith that can be directed to vary a separation distance between said ends thereof by a force imparting member capable of directing the force distributor to vary the separation distance between the variable length securing link ends.

Abstract: A casing of a solid-propellant engine comprising a core and a layer of elastomeric material, set as coating for at least part of the core to provide a thermal protection of the core itself is obtained by: inserting the core in a forming mould so as to make within the mould two annular chambers separated from one another by the core; forming a strand of elastomeric material; obtaining a defined portion of elastomeric material by cutting the strand transversely to size in an external environment; and injecting the cut portion of elastomeric material simultaneously within both of the annular chambers.

Abstract: A variety of embodiments of exhaust systems for engines including small off-road engines, and related methods of operation, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the exhaust system includes a first conduit that receives exhaust emissions from a first engine cylinder, and a second conduit that communicates air to a first port on the first conduit. The air mixes with the exhaust emissions within the first conduit so as to produce a chemical reaction, and a level of at least one undesirable component of the exhaust emissions is reduced. Further, the exhaust system does not include any catalytic converter. In some embodiments, the exhaust system further comprises a crankcase ventilation system.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system and a method for treating exhaust produced by a lean-burn engine are provided. The exhaust aftertreatment system may include an exhaust gas treatment subsystem and a clean-up oxidation catalyst located downstream of the exhaust gas treatment subsystem. The clean-up oxidation catalyst can selectively oxidize NH3 to N2 in the hot, oxygen-abundant exhaust flow emanated from the lean-burn engine and passed through the exhaust gas treatment subsystem to help prevent ammonia slip to the atmosphere. The clean-up oxidation catalyst comprises perovskite oxide particles and/or manganese-containing mixed metal oxide particles dispersed on a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst.

Abstract: An exhaust gas processing apparatus (26) has a bypass passage (31a) arranged in parallel with exhaust turbine (24b), an actuator (33) for opening/closing a bypass valve (32) to open/close the bypass passage, a fuel supplying valve (29) for supplying fuel to an exhaust passage (22a) upstream of a branch portion between the exhaust and bypass passages, a glow plug (30) for igniting the fuel supplied from the fuel valve, and an ECU (13) including a processing mode selecting unit (13k) for selecting a first exhaust gas processing mode for igniting the fuel to introduce the ignited fuel from the bypass passage to an exhaust emission purifier (25), or a second exhaust gas processing mode for introducing the fuel supplied to the exhaust passage through an exhaust turbine (24b) to the exhaust emission purifier without igniting the fuel, based upon whether or not there is a flame failure of the fuel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for skip fire spark ignition engine operation with a lean NOx trap after-treatment are provided. This system includes engine control circuitry capable of fueling and firing subsets of the engine's cylinders. Other cylinders are not provided fuel and are not fired (i.e. “skip fired”). The system includes an exhaust manifold for channeling the exhaust from at least some cylinders through a multistage catalytic converter. This may include a standard two-way or three-way catalytic converter. From the catalytic converter the exhaust may be channeled through a lean NOx trap. The lean NOx trap is able to chemically absorb the NOx emissions for regeneration according to a regeneration protocol. Lean NOx traps may include a substrate, an absorption material (also referred to as a ‘sorbent’) and a catalyst. The regeneration protocol may include monitoring NOx emissions downstream from the lean NOx trap, and comparing them against either a threshold or a lean NOx trap saturation model.

Abstract: A method for operating a device for the purification of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine which is operated with an excess of air includes heating at least one heating apparatus of the device above a predetermined first setpoint temperature. The at least one heating apparatus is at least partially in contact with the exhaust gas, can be activated by electrical energy and is formed at least partially with an oxidation coating. At least the temperature of the at least one heating apparatus or of the exhaust gas is subsequently monitored. An increase in the hydrocarbon fraction of the exhaust gas is initiated if at least the temperature of the heating apparatus or of the exhaust gas has reached a threshold temperature or a low-load phase of the internal combustion engine is present. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a reducing agent supply system for supplying an exhaust aftertreatment system of a motor vehicle is provided. In normal metering operation of the reducing agent supply system an at least approximately continuous air stream and a pulsed reducing agent stream are produced and are released at least partially via the nozzle into the exhaust line. In a cleaning operation for cleaning the reducing agent supply system an air stream formed from a number of air stream pulses and a reducing agent stream formed from a number of reducing agent stream pulses are produced and supplied to the nozzle means. The method can be used in particular in supply systems in which aqueous urea solution is used as reducing agent.

Abstract: The exhaust purification system of an internal combustion engine is provided with an NOX selective reduction catalyst which is arranged in an engine exhaust passage and which has the function of absorbing NOX which is contained in exhaust gas when an air-fuel ratio of inflowing exhaust gas is lean, releasing the absorbed NOX when the air-fuel ratio of the inflowing exhaust gas becomes a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or rich, and selectively reducing the NOX and with a fuel addition valve which feeds fuel to the NOX selective reduction catalyst. In the case of the region near the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in the region where the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the NOX selective reduction catalyst is lean, the fuel addition valve is used to feed fuel to the NOX selective reduction catalyst to selectively reduce the NOX.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system including an exhaust conduit transmitting exhaust from an engine, a reductant introduction system introducing a reductant into the exhaust, and a selective catalytic reduction catalyst (SCR) receiving the exhaust and reductant. A SCR length divided by a SCR width is greater than 4. A SCR cell density is less than 180 cells per square inch of cross-sectional area of the SCR. The SCR is vertically mounted adjacent a corner of a cab of a machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust gas cleaning device (2) of an exhaust system (1) of a combustion engine, more preferably of a motor vehicle, with a catalytic converter unit (3) having a catalytic converter support pipe (7) and at least one oxidation catalytic converter element (8) mounted in the catalytic converter support pipe (7), and with a particle filter unit (4) having a particle filter support pipe (11) and at least one particle filter element (12) mounted in the particle filter support pipe (11). A simple handling with simple construction can be achieved with a receiving pipe (5) in which one of the support pipes (7, 11) is axially inserted, and with a clamp connection (6) which sets the receiving pipe (5), the catalytic converter support pipe (7) and the particle filter support pipe (11) against one another.

Abstract: A power system is provided having a first power source including at least one engine configured to combust a first air/fuel mixture and produce a first exhaust stream. The fuel of the first air/fuel mixture may be liquefied petroleum gas. The system also has a first exhaust passageway fluidly connected to the first power source and configured to receive the first exhaust stream. In addition, the system has a second power source including at least one engine configured to combust a second fuel/air mixture and produce a second exhaust stream. Furthermore, the system has a second exhaust passageway fluidly connected to the second power source and configured to receive the second exhaust stream.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator includes a plurality of thermoelectric devices, through which an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine flows in succession. Each thermoelectric device forms at least one hot flow path for the exhaust gas and at least one cold flow path for a coolant. A plurality of p-doped and n-doped insulated semiconductor elements are connected in a targeted manner between the flow paths. At least part of the semiconductor elements in at least one of the thermoelectric devices are fixed to a flexible medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for homogenizing exhaust from an engine. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an automobile. The automobile can include a fuel delivery unit, an engine, an exhaust system, and a control unit. The exhaust system can include a swirl inducement unit, multiple sensors, and multiple catalytic converters. The swirl inducement unit can homogenize an exhaust from the engine. The swirl inducement unit can include a plurality of vanes and/or a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions can be a plurality of bumps and/or a plurality of semi-circular rings. The plurality of vanes can be rotatable with the rotation of the vanes being controlled by the control unit. The rotation of the vanes can be based on an operating condition of the engine.

Abstract: A method for predefining a rotational speed of a drive machine of a drive system is disclosed. The method involves at least the drive machine and a hydrostatic drive unit, wherein the rotational speed which is to be predefined for the drive machine is determined as a function of an instantaneous system state and a predicted system state of the drive system.

Abstract: A system for energy storage, in particular for mechanical energy, including a system for quasi-isothermal compression of a gas via a hydraulic fluid. The mechanical energy stored is then released by quasi-isothermal expansion of the gas. The system is also configured to store electrical energy, in particular from intermittent sources such as photovoltaic or wind energy. The storage of excess electrical energy can also be considered for use during consumption peaks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile hydraulic system for a hybrid vehicle, comprising a hydraulic accumulator device (22), which comprises a high-pressure accumulator chamber (34) and a low-pressure accumulator chamber (35), between which a hydraulic drive unit is connected, wherein the hydraulic drive unit is used to convey an incompressible fluid from the low-pressure accumulator chamber (35) into the high-pressure accumulator chamber (34) in an accumulator operating state, wherein the incompressible fluid can be discharged from the high-pressure accumulator chamber into the low-pressure accumulator chamber (35) in a drive operating state in order to hydraulically drive the hydraulic drive unit.

Abstract: A control device for a Stirling engine including: two cylinder units; and a decompression portion that brings about a decompression effect of reducing a degree of compression of a working fluid that flows back and forth between the two cylinder units, by letting out the working fluid that flow back and forth between the two cylinder units, when the Stirling engine is started; the control device including a control portion that controls the decompression portion so that the decompression effect is gradually weakened after the Stirling engine is started.

Abstract: A method of cooling a first region that is above the transition temperature of a phase change material having a cold phase and a warm phase and that is proximal to a second region into which heat may be exhausted. The method utilizes an article of the phase change material, and starting in the cold phase, places the article into thermal contact with the first region, thereby causing the phase change material to undergo a phase transition, changing size. When the phase transition is substantially complete, the article is taken out of thermal contact with the first region and is placed into thermal contact with the second region. At this point, force is applied to the article, causing it to transition to the cold phase, thereby exhausting heat into the second region. The process is begun again, by placing the article, once again, into thermal contact with the first region.

Abstract: An electromechanical brake booster is disclosed. The brake booster is constructed with two worm gears which run in opposite directions and whose axial forces compensate one another. The worm gears drive toothed rack gears which convert a rotational driving movement into a translatory output movement for activating a master brake cylinder. As a result of the provision of two gear paths, the loading of each gear path is halved and an application of force to a booster body, which forms a gear output, is symmetrical.

Abstract: A configuration for treating exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine having a predetermined displacement volume, includes an exhaust gas recirculation line. Exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas recirculation line interacts with a turbocharger. A screening layer is provided in the exhaust gas recirculation line upstream of the turobcharger. The screening layer is larger than an average cross section of the exhaust gas recirculation line. A motor vehicle having at least one such configuration is also provided.

Abstract: Providing a cam for lifting and lowering the exhaust valve so that the exhaust gas return-flow from one cylinder to another cylinder can be realized as greatly as possible, wherein the pistons and the exhaust valves do not come in contact with each other, and the valve control method does not depend on an electronic control approach.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery system and method in which pressure in a Rankine cycle (RC) system of the WHR system is regulated by diverting working fluid from entering an inlet of an energy conversion device of the RC system. In the system, an inlet of a controllable bypass valve is fluidly coupled to a working fluid path upstream of an energy conversion device of the RC system, and an outlet of the bypass valve is fluidly coupled to the working fluid path upstream of the condenser of the RC system such that working fluid passing through the bypass valve bypasses the energy conversion device and increases the pressure in a condenser. A controller determines the temperature and pressure of the working fluid and controls the bypass valve to regulate pressure in the condenser.

Abstract: A solar thermal power plant is provided. The solar thermal power plant includes a solar collection system configured for utilizing incident solar radiation to heat a heat transfer fluid (HTF) and a power block configured for utilizing the heated HTF to generate power. The solar collection system includes a plurality of pipes for carrying HTF characterized by a first degree of permeability to hydrogen, at least some of the pipes including portions exposed to the atmosphere, and including a membrane made of a material being characterized by a second degree of permeability to hydrogen, the second degree of permeability being higher than the first degree of permeability to hydrogen.

Abstract: An economical system for harnessing the sun's energy, storing this energy and/or converting this energy into a usable energy product on a sustainable cycle is provided. The system includes an enclosed volume chamber having a mirrored inner surface and an opening for receiving a condensed high-temperature solar energy beam and trapping thermal energy. A fluid source is injected into the chamber for converting this energy into a high pressure source which can be fed to an energy converting device. The enclosed volume chamber can include a thermal absorbing member to store thermal energy for use during sunless hours. A sustainable system including a plurality of interconnected chambers can be provided to form an additive system of thermal energy for use during the day and during sunless hours. The thermal energy can be converted to provide a clean energy source at zero carbon emission for use in numerous and diverse applications.

Abstract: A super critical water oxidation reactor (SCWOR) serves as an extremely efficient power source in a power plant by coupling the various output streams in thermal communication with multiply staged or cascaded compressor-expanders that are themselves mechanically coupled to a motor or generator. In one embodiment heat from re-circulating liquid brine loop either directly or indirectly preheats the exhaust gases of the SCWOR prior to expansion. In another embodiment the heat of compression is used to preheat the effluent of an expander prior to a subsequent expansion stage. The re-circulating brine loop also preferably preheats expander effluent prior to a subsequent expansion stage.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a turbine including a casing and a turbine bucket having a tip proximate to the casing and a trailing edge defined relative to a direction of fluid flow through the turbine and a diffuser, defined between a central surface and a downstream section of the casing, which is fluidly coupled to the turbine and disposed downstream from the trailing edge, a slope of the downstream section of the casing being angled by at least 6 degrees relative to a slope of the tip within about 0.5 turbine bucket chord lengths as measured at the tip from the trailing edge, and the central surface and the downstream section of the casing being at least substantially parallel or divergent from the trailing edge.

Abstract: A swirler for mixing fuel and air is provided. The swirler includes a plurality of vanes positioned radially around a central axis of the swirler and a plurality of mixing channels for mixing the fuel and the air. At least one mixing channel of the plurality of mixing channels is defined by opposite walls of two adjacent vanes of the plurality of vanes and is comprising at least one fuel injection opening and is further comprising at least one dimple for generating a vortex of the air. Further, a combustion chamber incorporating such a swirler and a gas turbine incorporating such a combustion chamber are provided.

Abstract: A closed-loop organic Rankine cycle apparatus to extract waste heat from the exhaust gas from a gas turbine engine is disclosed wherein the closed loop includes at least one additional heat exchanger. An additional heat exchanger for heating fuel may be in one of three locations relative to the ORC turbine and condensing heat exchanger. One location is a preferred location for adding heat to all fuels (liquid, gaseous and/or cryogenic). Another location is a practical location for adding heat to very cold or cryogenic fuels such as CNG or LNG. The closed-loop organic Rankine cycle apparatus, besides extracting waste heat from the exhaust gases, may also include an additional heat exchanger to recover heat from a compressor on a gas turbine engine prior to entering an intercooler on a gas turbine engine. In another embodiment, the exhaust stream can be directed, in selected proportions, to a closed organic Rankine cycle, a heat exchanger for pre-heating fuel or directly out an exhaust stack.

Abstract: High-pressure fuel is supplied at a controlled rate to a combustion chamber via a position-controlled valve and a variable-restriction stop-and-pressurizing cut-off valve. A value representative of the real mass flow rate of fuel as delivered is calculated by a calculation unit on the basis of information representative of the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the cut-off valve and of the flow section through the cut-off valve, e.g. as represented by the position X of the slide of the cut-off valve. The position-controlled valve has a variable position that is controlled by the calculation unit as a function of the difference between the calculated value representative of the real mass flow rate and a value representative of a desired mass flow rate.

Abstract: A consumption amount of high-calorific gas such as coke oven gas (COG) during operation of a gas turbine is reduced, halt of the gas turbine due to clogging of a pilot system, a malfunction of a compressor which compresses high-calorific gas is prevented, and reliability of the gas turbine is improved. When operation of the gas turbine (11) starts, with use of both a first fuel supply system (31) which supplies a high-calorific fuel for a first nozzle constituting a combustor (17), and a second fuel supply system (32) which supplies a low-calorific fuel for a second nozzle constituting the combustor (17), the high-calorific fuel and the low-calorific fuel are supplied to the combustor (17), and at a time when the gas turbine (11) reaches output power which enables continuous operation with only the low-calorific fuel, supply of the high-calorific fuel to the combustor (17) is shut off, and only the low-calorific fuel is supplied to the combustor (17).

Abstract: An inlet housing assembly for an Air Turbine Starter includes an outer flowpath curve of an inlet flowpath defined by a multiple of arcuate surfaces in cross-section.

Abstract: A manifold mounting arrangement comprising: a discrete manifold module; a clevis arrangement having a clevis straddling a flange and pivotally secured to the flange by a clevis pin; and a locking bar configured to be coupled to the clevis and to constrain the manifold module relative to the clevis arrangement in the locality of the locking bar. The invention finds utility for mounting case cooling manifolds to turbine casing for a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: The invention is new types of split-thermo-electric structures for cooling, heating, or stabilizing the temperature of an object or for electric power generation. In a first type of structure the transport of the electric current between the heat absorbing and the heat dispersing sides of the structure is disengaged from the flow of heat between the sides of the thermo-electric structure. In a second type of structure a layer of thermo-electric material on the heat absorbing side of the structure is connected by connection layers to two or more layers of thermo-electric material on the heat dispersing side of the structure. In a third type of structure the elements of which the structure is comprised are arranged to cause different values of electric current to flow at the heat absorbing and the heat dispersing sides of the structure and through different elements in the interior of the structure.

Abstract: Provided is an indoor unit for an air conditioner buried in a ceiling and including a heat exchanger with respect to an indoor space defined by a bottom surface, the ceiling, and a plurality of wall surface, including: a front panel where a suction part suctioning air of the indoor space; a discharge hole placed on at least one side of the suction part and discharging heat-exchanged air from the heat exchanger; an opening member provided movably to selectively open the discharge hole; a distance sensing unit sensing at least one of a distance up to the bottom surface from the front panel or the indoor unit and a distance up to the wall surface from the indoor unit; and a controller controlling the opening degree of the opening member based on a sensing result sensed by the distance sensing unit.

Abstract: A cooling element for cooling goods to be chilled is proposed, comprising a shell with at least one heat transfer wall for exchanging thermal energy with the goods. The cooling element further comprises at least one fluid space proximate to the heat transfer wall and at least one storage space separated from the fluid space by at least one separating element, wherein the storage space is configured to hold a supply of cooling medium in the solid aggregate state. The separating element is configured to substantially separate the supply of cooling medium in the solid aggregate state from the fluid space and to enable the cooling medium in the liquid aggregate state to pass over from the storage space to the fluid space.

Abstract: In a control method of a refrigerator having a storage chamber for aging of meat, an operation to keep the storage chamber at an aging temperature and an operation to cool the storage chamber to a cooling temperature lower than the aging temperature are repeated. This enables optimal aging of meat via an aging time and aging temperature suitable for meat.

Abstract: An electric machine system includes: an electric motor; and an absorption cooling system driven by heat generated by the electric motor and configured to cool a primary cooling fluid that removes the heat from the electric motor to a temperature below an ambient temperature of an ultimate heat sink. A method for operating the electric machine system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An appliance such as a refrigerator receives a demand response signal indicating a peak demand period and operates the refrigerator in an energy savings mode by disabling an anti-sweat heater. A sensor on an external surface of the refrigerator enables the anti-sweat heater during the peak demand period if moisture is detected by the sensor. A preselected location can be defined where incipient moisture would form such as reducing the amount of insulation in this location. By forming a depression in the location and using an impedance-type sensor, moisture can be easily detected. The sensor signal is sent to the controller which then activates the anti-sweat heater to remove the moisture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for terminating a refrigeration unit's defrost function. The refrigeration unit comprises an evaporator, a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the evaporator during a defrost function, and a controller configured to calculate the rate of temperature change and terminate the defrost function when the rate meets a specified criteria, such as a predetermined rate or a sharp increase in the rate after the evaporator temperature has increased above the freezing point of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are chiller apparatus containing cis-HFO-1336mzz. These chillers may be centrifugal chillers or positive displacment (e.g., screw) chillers and may comprise flooded evaporators or direct expansion evaporators. Also disclosed herein are methods for producing cooling comprising evaporating cis-HFO-1336mzz in the vicinity of a body to be cooled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator that facilitates keeping and drawing out a container for storing wine. A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber; a wine storage compartment that is formed between the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber and forms a storage chamber of a wine storage container; a wine door that selectively shields the storage chamber; a storage unit that is drawably provided in the wine storage compartment; and a holder that is formed in the wine storage compartment for holding the wine storage container and has a shape corresponding to the wine storage container. The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention has an advantage of easily keeping wine under a proper environment and conveniently drawing out wine.

Abstract: A refrigerator in which a right door that a user more frequently opens has a width less than that of a left door and a dispenser and a display unit are mounted at the center of a front surface of the refrigerator, resulting in enhanced usability. In the refrigerator, furthermore, a door handle is hidden and a drawer type storage container is installed below the dispenser and the display unit to enhance usability of the refrigerator.

Abstract: An air conditioner control apparatus capable of suppressing electric power consumed by an air conditioner which is for cooling the interior of a room, as well as a cooling system and an air conditioner control program, are provided. An air conditioner control apparatus 13 according to a first embodiment makes control to carry out a dehumidifying operation for removing moisture present in the interior of a room prior to execution of a cooling operation for cooling the interior of the room in which an indoor unit 11 is installed.

Abstract: A heat pump including a boiler is disclosed. The heat pump may include the boiler which may be selectively operated based on a temperature of external air or an electric power rate per unit heat quantity.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus capable of achieving enhancement of the system COP while suppressing product cost. The air-conditioning apparatus controls the difference between the temperatures of brine at a position before and at a position after an indoor heat exchanger or at a position before and at a position after an intermediate heat exchanger to be a preset target value and to be larger at the time of a heating operation than at the time of a cooling operation.

Abstract: An open-front refrigerated display case is provided having a medium temperature zone disposed above a low temperature zone in a generally vertically-stacked arrangement. A spillover airflow-diverting device is disposed between the medium temperature zone and the low temperature zone and is configured to direct spillover air from the medium temperature zone air curtain (and ambient air entrained therewith) in a direction away from the open front of the low temperature zone. The spillover airflow-diverting device may include louvers configured to direct a gravity-induced flow of the spillover air in an outward direction away from the open front of the low temperature zone, or may include fans to collect spillover air and forcibly direct it in an outward direction away from the open front of the low temperature zone. The outwardly directed spillover air may be discharged in the form of an ‘outer layer’ for an air curtain on the low temperature zone.

Abstract: The condensate evaporator has a pan that is pivotally mounted on a fulcrum defined by two posts to depress the plunger of a switch as condensate collects in the pan. The switch and posts form a three point support for the pan on a flat surface. The switch is actuated by the pivoting of the pan to deliver power to a heater pad for heating the condensate.