Abstract: Vapour absorption refrigeration is carried out by condensing, in a condensing stage (98), a refrigerant in vapour form to obtain condensed refrigerant, being passed into an expansion/evaporation stage (16) in which it is subjected to heat transfer with a higher temperature medium (29) such that at least some of the refrigerant evaporates. Vapourised refrigerant passes from the evaporation stage into an absorption stage (30) in which some of it is absorbed, at a first pressure, into an absorbent, thereby to obtain partially refrigerant-enriched absorbent. This absorbent is contacted, in a compression absorption stage (58) at a second pressure greater than the first pressure, with vapourised refrigerant, rendering refrigerant-enriched absorbent which is passed from the compression absorption stage into a refrigerant regeneration stage (62), in which refrigerant in vapour form is recovered, rendering refrigerant-depleted absorbent.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a refrigeration system having an operating point, comprising: a memory configured to store a relationship of at least an evaporator efficiency, an evaporator heat load, a refrigerant amount in the evaporator, and a variable dependent on a non-volatile liquid mixed with refrigerant in the evaporator an input port configured to receive a signal corresponding to at least a measured evaporator heat load during operation; an output port configured to present an output to selectively alter an operating point of the evaporator, by altering the refrigerant amount in the evaporator and thereby changing the variable; and a processor, configured to receive the signal, access the memory; and generate the output to selectively move toward an optimum operating point. A corresponding method and refrigeration system are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing beverages. The apparatus comprises a dispensing system, a mixing unit, and a control unit comprising a user interface, which interact to prepare a particular beverage when requested by a user. When the control unit receives user input requesting the particular beverage via the user interface, it causes the dispensing system to dispense various ingredients (e.g., fragmented ice, water, flavoring ingredients, milk product) that are mixed by the mixing unit in order to prepare the particular beverage, which is served in a cup. In various embodiments, the apparatus may produce frozen beverages that include fragmented ice (e.g., shaved or crushed ice) as one of their ingredients, such as slush beverages and smoothie beverages, and/or hot beverages that include heated water as one of their ingredients, such as coffee and flavored coffee beverages (e.g., French Vanilla, Mocha, etc.).

Abstract: An air heating, air conditioning and water heating system includes a multi-communicative valve unit, a compressor arranged for compressing the refrigerant in a state of superheated vapor, a condenser communicated with the compressor through the multi-communicative valve unit, a heat exchanger communicated with the condenser through the multi-communicative valve unit, an expansion valve, and a water heater communicated with the heat exchanger and the compressor through the multi-communicative valve unit, wherein the multi-communicative valve unit is arranged to be operated to selectively establish at least an air conditioning route, an air heating route, and a water heating route for the refrigerant so that the air heating, air conditioning and water heating system is capable of selectively providing air conditioning, heating and delivering hot water for a predetermined premises.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a refrigerant flow switching device, a refrigerant flow path of a heat exchanger related to heat medium that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a heat medium, an expansion device, and a heat source-side heat exchanger are connected by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigeration cycle, and a heat medium circuit in which a heat medium flow path of the heat exchanger related to heat medium, a pump, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected by a heat medium pipe. The air-conditioning apparatus includes an opening and closing device that is provided in a heat medium supply pipe that supplies the heat medium to the heat medium circuit from outside the circuit, and that passes or cuts off the heat medium flowing from the heat medium supply pipe to the heat medium circuit.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes a first refrigerant passage in which a compressor, a first solenoid valve, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, an indoor heat exchanger, and an accumulator are sequentially connected through pipes; a second refrigerant passage in which a second solenoid valve and a water refrigerant heat exchanger are sequentially connected to a pipe that connects a portion of a pipe between the compressor and the first solenoid valve to the pressure reducing device; heating means for heating a shell of the compressor; and a controller that performs control so as to close the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve in association with an operation of the compressor being stopped and so as to open the first solenoid valve when the heating means heats the compressor.

Abstract: A machine for processing and keeping ice cream, slush drinks and similar products, comprises a display counter comprising, a plurality of visible mixing and freezing cylinders for processing basic products and keeping ice cream, and a cooling circuit which allows the temperature of the basic products and of the ice cream to be adjusted; the cooling circuit is equipped with a first refrigerating circuit and a second heating circuit having respective offtake branches dedicated to each of the mixing and freezing cylinders and designed to maintain the temperature for processing the basic product at the same temperature for keeping the ice cream.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled display case is convertible between a full-service mode and a self-service mode and defines a temperature-controlled space therein. A base has a back side and a front side, and supports temperature-controlled food products within the temperature-controlled space. A pedestal is disposed beneath the base and includes a pocket. A back frame is coupled adjacent to the back side of the base and has openings to provide back side access to the food products during the full-service mode. A top frame is supported by the back frame. A front panel has an upper portion and a lower portion, and is movable between a deployed position for the full-service mode with the upper portion of the front panel adjacent to the top frame, and a stowed position for the self-service mode with the front panel disposed within the pocket to provide front side access to the food products.

Abstract: An ice vending structure for making and dispensing ice has an ice maker couplable to a water source. An ice bin is positioned under the ice maker for receiving ice made by the ice maker. A substantially horizontal ice moving auger is positioned in the bottom of the ice bin for ejecting ice out an aperture substantially horizontally, to be received by an ice chute coupled to the aperture. The ice chute directs the ice in a downward and rearward direction into bags supplied by a bag holder assembly.

Abstract: A modular chiller for an aircraft galley beverage cart compartment is disclosed characterized by a cassette that inserts into the galley compartment above the beverage cart and houses an air return duct, a heat exchanger, a fan, and an air supply outlet. The chiller further includes a control valve for controlling the amount of air passing through the heat exchanger, and an electronic control box for control over the chiller, where the cassette is disposed between the beverage cart and a galley work deck.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for utilizing outdoor air to cool an interior space has a rack for mounting a heating element, a unitized air conditioning device having a pair of unit portions including an interior unit and an exterior unit, and a partition wall disposed between the interior and exterior units. The unitized air conditioning device is disposed so that an air supply face of the interior unit faces an air inlet face of the rack. The exterior unit includes a first fan and a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the outdoor air and a refrigerant. The interior unit includes a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between returning air and the refrigerant to generate cool air, and a second fan. The unitized air conditioning device includes a piping connected to the first heat exchanger and second heat exchanger for circulating the refrigerant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying and liquefying a natural gas stream is described, in which: (a) the water containing natural gas feed stream is cooled; (b) the cooled natural gas feed stream is dried and further cooled; (c) the dried cooled natural gas stream is heated; (d) the dried rewarmed natural gas stream is cooled and liquefied and at least one compressed refrigerant feed stream is cooled by counter-current indirect heat exchange with an expanded cold refrigerant; and (e) the compressed cold refrigerant stream or streams are expanded, and thereby further cooled, to provide said expanded cold refrigerant; wherein the cooling of the natural gas feed stream in step (a) and heating of the dried cooled natural gas stream in step (c) is by indirect heat exchange between said two streams.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating air by cryogenic distillation includes a heat exchanger, a column system having at least one cryogenic distillation column, a conduit for supplying the column system with cooled air from the heat exchanger, a storage tank, a conduit for removing a liquid from the column system and sending it to the storage tank, at least one pump, at least one conduit for sending pumped liquid from the outlet of the or each pump to the heat exchanger, at least one conduit connected to the outlet of the pump or at least one outlet of at least one pump and to a column of the column system, said conduit passing directly to the column without passing via the storage tank.

Abstract: A jewelry piece comprising a ring shank, at least one first connector, at least one first linkage, and at least one charm.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for variable jewelry. A first magnetic element is secured to a backing A stabilizing layer is attached to the first magnetic element, the stabilizing layer defining a recess of a predetermined shape, and the recess exposes a portion of the first magnetic element.

Abstract: The present invention significantly modifies “The Overflow Process”. It includes a method and apparatus for measuring glass flow rate and maintaining a constant glass flow rate. It also embodies design features and methods that support and stress the forming apparatus in a manner such that the deformation that results from thermal creep is corrected, thus minimizing the effect of the thermal creep on the thickness variation of the glass sheet. The present invention also embodies design features that change the process from a single step (combined flow distribution and cooling) to a two step process; step one being flow distribution and step two being cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for monitoring and controlling a glass container forming process. The radiation emitted by each hot glass container is measured with measurement unit immediately after the forming machine. The described method normalizes the measurement from glass container to glass container and thereby removes the effects of overall temperature variations between glass containers, changing ambient conditions, and other variations affecting the measurements, which provides a unique quality reference for each glass container. By reviewing this reference for each produced glass container, the quality of the produced containers can be improved.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a chemically tempered glass whereby it is possible to increase the surface compressive stress. A process for producing a chemically tempered glass, which comprises holding a glass at a temperature of at least the strain point minus 40° C. and at most the strain point plus 70° C. for at least 30 minutes for heat treatment, and thereafter, immersing it in a molten salt for ion exchange without allowing the temperature to exceed the strain point plus 70° C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a glass sheet using a fusion down-draw process, wherein the heating powers of the heating elements are managed such that in case of a failure of one heating element, the heating power of the adjacent heating element is immediately increased. The method decreases the thermal stress the forming body is exposed to due to the failure of the heating element.

Abstract: A single cylinder circular knitting machine (1) for men's socks with needles on the dial, comprises a dial provided with a plurality of radial beams (146) which form radial seats (16) for the sliding of the dial needles (18). The beam (146) has a discharge groove (154) on the working side (148a), which the transfer spring (186) of the dial needle faces, which limits the raising of the needle.

Abstract: A touch-fastening anti-skidding material includes a knitted foundation layer and a plurality of synthetic yarns that is secured together by being collectively knitted in the foundation layer. The foundation layer is formed by knitting of pliable base yarns and synthetic yarns. The synthetic yarns are knitted in U-shaped loops and the base yarns are knitted between adjacent strands of the knitted synthetic yarns to make a large area cloth. The cloth may be in a planar form without hollow opening sections or it includes open sections to facilitate air permeability. The loops of the synthetic yarns have legs extending beyond the foundation layer by a predetermined length and the synthetic yarns show rigidity strength, whereby a flexible, resilient, light-weighted, and low-cost touch-fastening anti-skidding material is formed.

Abstract: A washing machine having a structure in which a drum can stably rotate. The washing machine includes a cabinet including an outer frame that constitutes an exterior, an inner frame connected to an inner side of the outer frame, and a lower frame coupled to a lower part of the outer frame; a drum rotatably disposed in the inner frame; a base plate coupled to a lower part of the drum; a driving unit coupled to the base plate and driving the drum; and a damping apparatus that connects the base plate and the lower frame so as to absorb vibration occurring while the drum rotates.

Abstract: A washing machine includes: a synchronous motor unit installed at the bottom of a tub; a drain valve housing installed at the bottom of the tub; a link unit disposed between the synchronous motor unit and the drain valve housing; a wire unit having one side connected to the synchronous motor unit and the other side connected to the link unit; a spring member having one side connected to the link unit and the other side connected to the drain valve housing; a clutch lever unit rotatably installed on a clutch base unit and rotated in connected with the movement of the link unit caused by the operation of the synchronous motor unit; a cam lever unit connected to the clutch lever unit; a lift lever unit contacted with the cam lever unit; and a coupling unit engaged with a rotor unit or clutch body unit.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a washing tub disposed in the cabinet, a detergent supply device to supply detergent to the washing tub, a valve housing, having valve devices to control water supply, connected to the detergent supply device, a coupling pipe coupled to a water supply hose outside the cabinet to guide water into the cabinet, and a connection pipe to connect the valve housing to the coupling pipe, wherein the valve housing is directly coupled to the detergent supply device, and the connection pipe is fixed to the valve housing and the coupling pipe.

Abstract: A storm grate locking device and method of use with a lock body. The lock body has at least one hook arm engaged with a latch assembly, a security flange nut engaged with the latch assembly, and a deep well socket. When the lock body is placed into the recessed area of a storm grate; and the hook arm engaged with the latch assembly may be extended to extend under the storm grate thereby preventing removal of the storm grate by rotating the security flange nut.

Abstract: A locking system including a lock box and a locking bar. The locking bar configured as an elongated member which engages a loading hook of a roll-off container. The locking bar including at least one hole defined therethrough and configured to engage a hasp of a lock. The lock box has an opening defined therethrough and is configured to receive a first portion of the length of the locking handle so that when the locking handle is engaged with the hook a second portion of the length of the locking handle projects from the lock box. This second portion includes at least one of the aforementioned holes and functions to receive a locking hasp. An alternative locking system including a locking sleeve preventing engagement of a bar of a roll-off storage container.

Abstract: A deadbolt latch lock can mount to a door and secure a deadbolt latch in a locked position. The deadbolt latch lock can prevent a would-be intruder or thief from manipulating the deadbolt lock and turning the lock to unlock it. By retaining the latch in a locked position, there is no way to unlock the lock, even with the key, from outside of the home or business.

Abstract: A lock assembly that includes an interior locking actuator, a biasing member that biases the interior locking actuator toward an unlocked position, a retaining member that retains the interior locking actuator in a locked position, and a driver rotatable from a locked position to an unlocked. The interior locking actuator is manually pushed and manually rotated to move the interior locking actuator from the unlocked position to the locked position. When the interior locking actuator is in the locked position, movement of the interior handle to retract a latch causes the biasing member to move the interior locking actuator toward the unlocked position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a locking arrangement 10 which includes a body 12 and a locking member 14 which is displaceable relative to the body 12. The locking member 14 defines at least one striker element engagement formation 18.1, 18.2 which is configured to engage a striker element 100 for part of its displacement relative to the locking arrangement 10 along a predetermined displacement path. The locking member 14 is displaceable between first and second spaced apart positions in each of which the engagement formation 18.1, 18.2 is positioned such that a said striker element 100 is releasably engageable therewith and between which a said striker element 100 is in engagement with the engagement formation 18.1, 18.2. The locking arrangement 10 further includes a securing mechanism 16 which is configured to secure the locking member 14 releasably in at least one of the first and second spaced apart positions.

Abstract: Multi-functional device for accommodating and providing a plurality of keys (27, 32) for key-lock locking systems, comprising a lockable housing (5) having an internal key receptacle, and at least one sorting means for inserted keys associated with the device. For this purpose, at least one key magazine of arbitrary type with an operating element (4c) for selecting and advancing the keys (27, 32) is provided. The housing (5) of the key magazine can be connected to arbitrary applications (24, 25, 25b, 33).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an agricultural blend and a process of forming an agricultural blend. The agricultural blend includes a slag by-product from a process having a slag other than stainless steel slag or includes 11 atomic % silicon from a soluble compound and total silicon of less than about 30 atomic % silicon or greater than about 39 atomic % silicon. The process includes producing a slag by-product and blending the slag by-product with a liquid binder system to form the agricultural blend, the slag not being stainless steel slag.

Abstract: In order to allow a more targeted intervention in a drawing procedure, in particular on a linear drawing device, the invention proposes a linear drawing machine for the linear drawing of a workpiece through a drawing ring, a drawing unit, in which one or more drawing tools grasp the workpiece and draw it linearly in the drawing direction, being situated behind the drawing ring, the linear drawing device being distinguished in particular by a drawing ring which is situated fixed in relation to the drawing direction during the drawing procedure, preferably perpendicularly, and by a workpiece guide situated in front of the drawing ring in the drawing direction, which is displaceable perpendicular to the drawing direction.

Abstract: When performing piercing-rolling by use of a plug with a protection film on its surface, applying a lubricant made of an aqueous solution containing a total of 5 to 30% mass % of one or more of boron oxide, boric acid, and amine borate to the protection film on the plug surface, and using this plug for piercing-rolling makes it possible to realize the increase of the life of plug for piecing-rolling without reducing the efficiency of piercing-rolling. The plug can be cooled after the piecing-rolling, the application of the above described lubricant is performed when the surface temperature of the front edge of plug decreases to 100° C. or less, and the plug is reused for the piercing-rolling. In this occasion, the protection film on the plug . surface can be formed by arc spraying iron wire material onto the surface of the base metal of plug, and comprises oxides and Fe.

Abstract: A method for processing a metal pipe 1 to make part of the metal pipe 1 in an axial direction thereof into a thick portion 10, the method includes: forming a shoulder as a stress concentration portion in an axial center of the metal pipe 1 to concentrate a stress thereon; setting the metal pipe 1 in an outer die 20; and forming the thick portion 10 by inserting an inner die 25 in the metal pipe 1 to provide space S for forming the thick portion 10 between the inner and outer dies 25 and 20, and applying the axial pressure to the metal pipe 1 to concentrate the stress on the shoulder to deform the shoulder after the forming and the setting, thereby forming the thick portion 10 from the deformed stress concentration portion as a starting point.

Abstract: A device for configuring foil for use in cooking food comprising: a base portion; a first plurality of rotatable elements operatively associated with the base portion; a support mounted on the base portion; and a second plurality of rotatable elements operatively associated with the support; the support operating to pivot relative to the base portion so as to allow entry of foil between the first and second plurality of rotatable elements in a first position and engagement of the first and second plurality of rotatable elements in a second position; whereby in the second position the first and second plurality of rotatable elements impart a configuration to the foil.

Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body defining a midline between the center of a detector and a printed circuit board within said body. Gas inlet and outlets are off axis of the midline to allow water that collects in conventional housing to drain from the housing. A maintenance mode button associated with a duct detector housing cover that is secured to a housing body of the housing provides a preselected time period during which removal of the cover is independent of a cover removal alarm. A printed circuit board within the housing has dedicated terminal blocks providing grouped connections with each of the groups segregated from another. An improved duct detector terminal has a hole in the terminal adapted to receive a test meter probe therethrough to provide an electrical contact between the wire.

Abstract: A method for gas analysis can include continuously diverting a portion of drilling fluid into a sample chamber from a drilling fluid stream, creating a bidirectional drilling fluid circulation to liberate gas from the drilling fluid, applying a suction to a gas capturing chamber, and allowing a sample of the liberated fluid to continuously flow through the gas capturing chamber, continuously be filtered, and continuously flow into a gas analyzer. The method can include maintaining the sample chamber in an open configuration or decompressing the gas capturing chamber by closing off one or more sample inlets and sample outlets and exhausting portions of the liberated fluid that do not flow to the gas analyzer. The method can include simultaneously providing analysis data to client devices.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operation of a pressure measuring cell (10) of a capacitive pressure sensor (1), wherein the pressure measuring cell (10) has a measuring capacitor (CM) and a reference capacitor (CR) and the pressure measuring value (p) is obtained from the capacity values of the measuring capacitor (CM) and the reference capacitor (CR), characterized in that a control pressure measuring value (p?) is obtained with an auxiliary capacitor (CZ) arranged outside the pressure measuring cell (10) and the operability of the pressure measuring cell (10) is inferred by comparing the pressure measuring value (p) to the control pressure measuring value (p?) is provided.

Abstract: In certain examples, a quadrature cancellation apparatus can include a drive charge amplifier configured to couple to a proof mass of a MEMS device and to provide oscillation motion information, a first sense charge amplifier configured to couple to the proof mass and to provide first sense information of a first movement of the MEMS device, a first programmable amplifier configured to receive the oscillation motion information and provide amplified oscillation motion information, a first summer configured to cancel quadrature error of the first sense information using the first sense information and the amplified oscillation motion information to provide quadrature-corrected first sense information, a phase shifter configured to receive the oscillation motion information and to provide carrier information, and a first multiplier configured to provide demodulated first sense information using the quadrature-corrected first sense information and the carrier information.

Abstract: A measuring device featuring ascertaining and monitoring optimized orientation of the measuring device.

Abstract: A method of detecting a crank signal error that includes incrementing a crank tooth counter in response to detecting a crank signal, comparing the crank tooth counter to an expected value when a cam signal is detected, and indicating a crank signal error if the crank tooth counter is not substantially equal to the expected value. This method is advantageous because a cam interval used to determine when to start and stop counting crank tooth pulses is automatically adjusted for variations in engine speed, while the prior art time based methods must adjust the time interval for variations in engine speed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a modular system having a base module, a mid-section control module, and a display module for preparing and administering a gas-enriched bodily fluid. Gas-enrichment is achieved by a gas-enriching device which can be in the form of a disposable cartridge. During operation, the gas-enrichment device is placed in an enclosure within the control module. An electronic controller manages the various aspects of the system such as the production of gas-enriched fluid, flow rates, bubble detection, and automatic operation and shut down. The system includes a combination bubble detector/flow meter that uses a single ultrasonic probe for measuring both bubbles and fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A sensor module is provided that monitors the odor within the physical enclosure of a computing device that includes one or more components. A recognition module determines whether the odor within the physical enclosure is indicative of an overheating component that is overheating within the physical enclosure of the computing device. The recognition module may use an artificial neural network (ANN) to determine whether the odor is indicative of an overheating component. An alert module initiates an overheating protocol in response to determining that the odor within the physical enclosure is indicative of an overheating component. The alert module may, for example, alert the user and/or applications that a component is overheating.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether an injector with a valve controlled by a PWM signal of an SCR system is at least partially clogged, the system including a pump, or a positive-displacement pump, driven by a motor and pressure of which is controlled by a controller that continuously measures the pressure and/or another parameter characteristic of energy transmitted by the motor to the pump. According to the method, during normal operation of the SCR system, specific portions of one of the measurements are compared with equivalent portions stored in a memory.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting at least one flow property of a fluid medium. The sensor device includes at least one sensor housing, in which at least one electronic module having at least one flow sensor for detecting the flow property is accommodated. The electronic module is at least partially accommodated in at least one electronic space. Furthermore, at least one pressure sensor and at least one humidity sensor are accommodated inside the sensor housing. The pressure sensor and also the humidity sensor are at least partially accommodated in at least one sensor space, which is designed separately from the electronic space.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose methods of estimating porosity from a pore volume and bulk density. The porosity is obtained by multiplying the pore volume and bulk density. Methods disclosed in the subject disclosure are minimally affected by errors in the bulk density measurement.

Abstract: A sensor device for a fuel system, the sensor device comprising sensing means configured to sense a property of fuel within the fuel system, and transmitting means configured to wirelessly transmit a signal representative of the sensed fuel property to a remote receiver. Also a sensor device comprising a photo-diode which is operable to function as an antenna or part of an antenna for the device. Also a method for communicating with a plurality of sensor devices.

Abstract: A lubrication-condition detector detects a lubricant shortage of a target portion that repeats a predetermined operation at a predetermined cycle. The lubrication-condition detector includes: a physical-quantity measuring unit for continuously measuring a physical quantity related to the target portion; and a computer for determining a presence of a lubricant shortage based on the physical quantity. The computer includes: a cycle extractor for extracting a cycle datum per an operational cycle from continuous data including the physical quantity and its measuring time; a representative-value calculator for calculating a representative value for each of plural cycle data; and determining unit for determining a presence of a lubricant shortage based on the plural representative values.

Abstract: An electrically passive device and method for in-situ acoustic emission, and/or releasing, sampling and/or measuring of a fluid or various material(s) is provided. The device may provide a robust timing mechanism to release, sample and/or perform measurements on a predefined schedule, and, in various embodiments, emits an acoustic signal sequence(s) that may be used for triangulation of the device position within, for example, a hydrocarbon reservoir or a living body.

Abstract: A chromatographic optical detection system includes an optical detector disposed to receive light scattered from a stream of particles and configured to convert the received light to an electrical signal; a signal-processing unit in signal communication with the optical detector to receive the electrical signal, and configured to convert the electrical signal to digital pulses and count the digital pulses to output a first signal corresponding to a number of particles detected in a time interval, and configured to integrate and digitize the electrical signal to output a second signal corresponding to the number of particles detected in the time interval; and a data station in signal communication with the signal-processing unit, and configured to select the first signal, if the number of particles detected in the time interval is less than a threshold criterion, and to select the second signal if the number of particles detected in the time interval exceeds the threshold criterion.