Abstract: A mixer facilitates dissolving a lower density material into a higher density material using a rotating paddle to create a highly turbulent mixing zone in a mixing chamber adjacent to the flow of the higher density material. In an illustrated example, the mixer includes a motor that drives a mixing paddle to create a highly turbulent mixing of a liquid and a gas in the mixing chamber. The mixing paddle resides in a paddle chamber connected to the liquid transfer pipe by the mixing chamber. The mixing paddle is preferably just outside the opening from the paddle chamber to the mixing chamber for increased turbulence in the mixing chamber. A portion of the liquid flowing in the transfer pipe enters into the mixing chamber, mixes with the gas, and the mixture flows back into the transfer pipe.

Abstract: A water filtering device equipped with a water level adjustment unit is provided. The water filtering device includes an external air inlet through which dust-containing air flows in, a dust separator communicating with the external air inlet and separating dust in the inflow air, exhaust outlets communicating with the dust separator and discharging the air from which the dust has been separated, a dust container communicating with the dust separator and being filled with water, and a water level adjustment unit installed in the dust container to adjust the level of the water in the dust container. The water level adjustment unit includes a supercharged water drainage tube installed on a bottom of the dust container, and a manual opening/closing device for adjusting the level of the water through the supercharged water drainage tube.

Abstract: Provided is a method, liquid distributor and reactor for contacting a gas with a liquid in a rotating packed bed. The method comprises providing a rotating packed bed comprising two sets of rotatable packing rings disposed within a chamber and defining an interior region. The rotating packed bed also comprises at least one liquid distributor with an inlet for accepting a liquid, the inlet in communication with an exit port for infusing the liquid into the interior region. The liquid distributor also comprises at least one gas outlet for accepting gas which has passed through the packed bed and for removing the gas from the interior region. The two sets of rotatable packing rings are caused to rotate. Liquid is infused into the interior region by way of the liquid inlet, and gas is injected through at least one gas inlet into the interior region, with the liquid and gas passing through each of the packing rings in countercurrent flow.

Abstract: A device and a method for generating therapeutic foam from a sclerosing solution such as polidocanol and a gas which is absorbable or dissolvable in the body comprises a disposable cassette including a liquid container and a flexible chamber containing gas, chamber being formed as a loop. Located in the loop chamber is a foam generating mesh. In use, liquid is introduced into the chamber and then the cassette is inserted into a pumping machine where it is engaged by a peristaltic pump which circulates the contents of the loop chamber through the mesh, thus creating foam. When a steady state is reached, foam may be withdrawn using a syringe via either a port or septum.

Abstract: A wet-type dust collector for a vacuum cleaner. The disclosed wet-type dust collector includes a first separating portion, the inside of which is filled with water for separating dust from air that is suctioned in from the outside; an exhaust pipe unit having an exhaust outlet and installed inside the first separating portion; and a passage-closing unit installed inside the exhaust pipe unit, wherein the passage-closing unit closes the exhaust outlet of the exhaust pipe unit by means of the combined forces of the suctioning force through the exhaust pipe unit and the buoyant force of the water, in order to prevent the water from leaking out from the first separating portion.

Abstract: A process and system for separating CO2 from a flue gas stream is disclosed. The process involves (a) contacting a flue gas stream containing water vapor and CO2 with an ionic absorbent under absorption conditions to absorb at least a portion of the CO2 from the flue gas stream and form a CO2-absorbent complex; wherein the ionic absorbent comprises a cation and an anion comprising an amine moiety; and (b) recovering a gaseous product having a reduced CO2 content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing gas into a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a conduit (20); a fluid directing formation (10) arranged within said conduit and defining a plurality of discrete channels within said conduit, said channels being isolated from each other in a direction perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow through said channels, each channel providing a flow accelerating constriction to said fluid flow such that fluid flowing in each of said channels is caused to accelerate as it flows through said flow accelerating constrictions; wherein at least some of said channels comprise orifices within said flow accelerating constrictions, said orifices being in fluid communication with a gas source, such that said gas is drawn through said orifices to be entrained in said fluid flow by virtue of a reduced pressure in said channels caused by said fluid flow.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting an anomaly in fuel demand data and fuel supply data generated by a fuel metering system for an engine, The method comprises collecting the fuel demand data and the fuel supply data during operation of the fuel metering system, generating expected fuel supply data based on the collected fuel demand data and a nominal response model describing the expected behavior of the fuel metering system, and detecting the anomaly if a difference between the expected fuel supply data and the collected fuel supply data exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An aeration system for treating liquid contained in a vessel is provided. The aeration system includes a header pipe and a plurality of lateral pipes coupled to the header pipe. The lateral pipes each have one or more tubular diffuser membranes sleeved therearound. Also provided is a coupling for sealingly joining end portions of two adjacent pipes is provided. The coupling includes two saddle sections and a deformable gasket extending between the pipes. The coupling is adapted for enabling one pipe to be removed and replaced from a series of pipes without substantially moving any adjacent pipes.

Abstract: A self regulating and constant pressure maintaining beverage dispenser assembly comprises a dispensing device and a beverage container defining an inner space constituting a beverage space filled with carbonated beverage and communicating with the dispensing device for allowing dispensation of the carbonated beverage, and a head space communicating with the beverage space and filled with CO2 having an initial pressure of 0.1-3 bar above the atmospheric pressure when subjected to a specific temperature of 2° C.-50° C. preferably 3° C.-25° C. and more preferably 5° C.-15° C. The beverage dispenser assembly further comprises at least one carbonisation canister communicating with the head space via a hydrophobic labyrinth and comprising a particular amount of adsorption material having adsorbed a specific amount of CO2.

Abstract: Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an amoule may having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer.

Abstract: Various apparatus provide for spraying high velocity droplets of liquid into a low velocity gas stream. Finely atomized droplets may quickly transfer their momentum to the gas, resulting in deceleration of the spray and acceleration of the gas. A high velocity spray of atomized liquid may transfer a substantial fraction of its kinetic energy to the gas before contacting a surface, in some aspects, suspended particles in the gas phase may be removed by high velocity liquid droplets passing through the gas. Certain aspects provide for controlling a gas flow by controlling the relative amounts of upstream and downstream momenta transferred to the gas by one or more liquid sprays.

Abstract: A drinking container for decanting, filtering, mixing and/or aerating a beverage. The drinking container comprises a bowl having an upper opening and an aerating cell having a wall, an upper opening along the top of the cell and a plurality of openings or perforations through the wall. The cup-shaped cell has an upwardly facing hollow or concave configuration, optionally with a central upwardly extending protrusion, and is attached to and within the bowl, to decant, filter, mix and/or aerate a beverage that is poured through the bowl upper opening and into the cell upper opening, and subsequently flows through the at least one perforation into the bowl. Preferably, the drinking container is a wine glass having a base and stem supporting the bowl and the beverage is wine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed distribution device in separation columns and a method of operation. In particular it relates to distillation columns in which the feed stream is substantially liquid phase, or a mixture of gas and liquid upstream of the column, but where the feed vaporizes or vaporizes prior to or as it enters the column. More specifically, the feed distribution device contains a plurality of opening which allow the feed to vaporize prior to or as it enters the column and where the openings are maintained in critical condition during operation. Significant advantage is achieved through the implementation and use of the present feed distribution devices.

Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses comprising a primary contacting zone and a secondary contacting zone are disclosed. A representative secondary contacting zone is a secondary absorption zone, such as a finishing zone for subsequent contacting of the vapor effluent from the primary contacting zone to further remove impurities and achieve a desired purity of purified gas exiting the secondary absorption zone. The secondary contacting zone is disposed below the primary contacting zone, such that the secondary contacting zone, which must operate efficiently in removing generally trace amounts of remaining impurities, is more protected from movement than the more elevated, primary or initial contacting stages for bulk impurity removal. The apparatuses are therefore especially beneficial in offshore applications where they are subjected to rocking.

Abstract: A dispensing element of an anesthetic vaporizer is provided that can be manufactured in a simple manner and makes it possible to dispense anesthetic over a broad setting range. The dispensing element (11) includes two, longitudinally extending dispensing channels (14, 15), which are connected to one another in terms of flow by means of a connection channel (16). The gas flows from one of the dispensing channels (14) into the other dispensing channel (15) via the connection channel (16).

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages includes a touch panel assembly, removable fittings in a carbonator, a carbonator probe, and a carbonator pump assembly removable from a front of the beverage dispenser. The touch panel assembly includes a light source for backlighting a user interface and providing the dispenser with a visual presence. Electrode traces in the touch panel assembly detect interruptions in electrode fields and are accepted as user inputs for dispensing a beverage. A controller conducts the lighting, dispensing, and reconfiguring operations for the flavor selection areas on the user interface. The touch panel assembly further includes provisions for increasing a user interface area to increase visibility of a particular flavor, as well as bonus flavors on a beverage dispenser. The removable fittings each include an orifice for entry of water to be carbonated into the carbonator. The carbonator probe is a single wire probe with timed refill.

Abstract: A device for carbonating a liquid (L) in a container (10) with a pressurized gas (G) comprises a receiving flask (20) for the container (10) and a filling head (30) which has means (31) for adding gas into said liquid in the container (10). The receiving flask (20) and the filling head (30) are movable in relation to each other between an insertion position (I) and a carbonating position (C). In the insertion position (I) the filling head (30) is spaced from the receiving flask (20). In the carbonating position, the receiving flask (20) and the filling head (30) are in contact with each other such as to form a substantially closed cavity (19). An interlocking connection directly connects the receiving flask (20) to the filling head (30).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods employed in wet cleaning semiconductor devices are provided. In particular, systems that can deliver deionized water with the desired concentration of CO2 and methods of generating deionized water with a desired concentration of CO2 for use in wet cleaning of semiconductor devices are provided.

Abstract: An air system in which the supply air from a compressed air source is supplied to a pneumatically driven device through a pneumatic line, including humidity conditioning tubes used for the whole or a part of the pneumatic line. This humidity conditioning tube includes a polymer material having moisture selective permeability in both inward and outward directions according to steam partial pressure in and outside thereof, and the supply air supplied to the pneumatically driven device through the tube is dehumidified or humidified by this humidity conditioning tube. An air system can suppress generation of mist or the like in supply air without shortening a life of a device caused by supply of low dew-point air to the pneumatically driven device.

Abstract: Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an amoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer.

Abstract: A static fluid mixer which can perform processing such as generation of ultrafine uniform bubbles and has small pressure loss. A static fluid mixer has mixing units having outflow openings for allowing fluid having passed through mixing flow paths to flow through the outflow openings. The mixing units are arranged in a tubular casing body at intervals in the axis direction of the casing body. Adjacent mixing units and the casing body forma flow path forming space. Each mixing unit has an annular outflow path communicating with the end of each mixing flow path. The annular outflow path is open in a ring-like form having a substantially constant width along the entire circumference. The opening at the end of the annular outflow path functions as an outflow opening connecting to the flow path forming space.

Abstract: A float for a humidification chamber has formed-in-place conformable seal, which may be accomplished by overmolding a thermoplastic elastomeric material to the float. The float may be comprised of sections sealingly joined together at an elevation above the water level defined by the buoyancy of the float and also above the water level within the humidifier chamber when filled.

Abstract: A drinking container for decanting, filtering, mixing and/or aerating a beverage. The drinking container comprises a bowl having an upper opening and an aerating cell having a wall, an upper opening along the top of the cell and a plurality of openings or perforations through the wall. The cup-shaped cell has an upwardly facing hollow or concave configuration, optionally with a central upwardly extending protrusion, and is attached to and within the bowl, to decant, filter, mix and/or aerate a beverage that is poured through the bowl upper opening and into the cell upper opening, and subsequently flows through the at least one perforation into the bowl. Preferably, the drinking container is a wine glass having a base and stem supporting the bowl and the beverage is wine.

Abstract: A canister apparatus for supplying a precursor material is disclosed. The canister apparatus includes a container defining an interior volume adapted to confine a precursor material, a tubular member adapted to introduce a carrier gas into the container, wherein the tubular member includes a distal end, and perforated portion spaced apart from the distal end that includes a plurality of radial holes, and an outlet adapted to flow out the precursor material and the carrier gas.

Abstract: A device and a method for generating therapeutic foam from a sclerosing solution such as polidocanol and a gas which is absorbable or dissolvable in the body comprises a disposable cassette including a liquid container and a flexible chamber containing gas, chamber being formed as a loop. Located in the loop chamber is a foam generating mesh. In use, liquid is introduced into the chamber and then the cassette is inserted into a pumping machine where it is engaged by a peristaltic pump which circulates the contents of the loop chamber through the mesh, thus creating foam. When a steady state is reached, foam may be withdrawn using a syringe via either a port or septum.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a device for generating a cleaning foam includes a female housing and a male plug. The plug includes an aperture into which a fluid flows from another component of the cleaning system. The plug includes a premix chamber which receives the fluid from the aperture and into which a gas is injected to form a foam. In an example embodiment, the chamber is a hollow cylinder and the gas is injected into the cylinder through channels which are tangential to the cylinder. The plug also includes a solid cylinder with a continuous helical indentation on the outside of the solid cylinder. When the male plug is inserted into the female housing, the continuous helical indentation and the inner surface of the housing form a helical channel through which the foam flows and is further mixed on its way back into the cleaning system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas liquid contactor and effluent cleaning system and method and more particularly to an array of nozzles configured to produce uniformly spaced flat liquid jets shaped to minimize disruption from a gas. An embodiment of the invention is directed towards a gas liquid contactor module including a liquid inlet and outlet and a gas inlet and outlet. An array of nozzles is in communication with the liquid inlet and the gas inlet. The array of nozzles is configured to produce uniformly spaced flat liquid jets shaped to minimize disruption from a gas flow and maximize gas flow and liquid flow interactions while rapidly replenishing the liquid.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for generating a large amount of nanofluid continuously and stably with a relatively simple, inexpensive and easy-to-use structure, and for efficiently performing an intra-apparatus cleaning operation to substantially reduce the nanofluid manufacturing cost. A nanofluid generating apparatus 1 for generating nanofluid containing nanobubbles, wherein the nanobubbles are gas bubbles with diameter less than 1 ?m, comprises a gas-liquid mixing chamber 7, comprising a turbulence generating mechanism for forcibly mixing supplied gas and liquid by generating turbulence, and a nano-outlet 20 for discharging the gas-liquid mixture fluid to outside of the gas-liquid mixing chamber to generate nanofluid; a gas-liquid supply apparatus 21, 23, . . .

Abstract: A device for producing a mixture of two phases that are insoluble in each other comprises a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel which lead into a contact region. Also, a third fluid channel is provided which leads into the contact region. The device comprises an imparter configured to impart a rotation on the fluid channels, a first phase being centrifugally supplied to the contact region through the first fluid channel, and a second phase, insoluble in the first phase, being supplied to the contact region through the second fluid channel, compressive and/or shearing forces in the contact region which are centrifugally/hydrodynamically induced by the rotation causing drops to break away in one of the phases supplied in order to produce the mixture of the first and second phases.

Abstract: A system and method for inhibiting and precluding the buildup and offgas of offensive odors and corrosive sulfuric acid in wastewater in a variety of locations in a sewage system through the use of superoxygenation. The system comprises an oxygenator having an inverse conical section for a downward flow of oxygen gas injected into the sewage stream prior to entering the oxygenator. In one embodiment, the system is inserted directly into the main sewage stream, while in another embodiment, the system is used to treat a sidestream from the main sewage stream.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for facilitating dissolution of one or more gases into a liquid. Preferred gases for use with the apparatus are oxygen, air, and ozone. An apparatus of the present invention comprises a dissolution tank that includes a pressure vessel, at least one liquid spray nozzle, and a fluid outlet. The apparatus also comprises a gas source, means for passing fluid into the pressure vessel, and a discharge device connected to the fluid outlet, which discharge device is provided with at least one orifice. Preferred applications include wastewater treatment, treatment of drinking water, fermentation, and bioremediation.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a moisture trap for drying air; at least one of a first container and a second container; and a mechanism for at least one of: bubbling dried air from the moisture trap through a hydrogen peroxide solution in the first container for producing a hydrogen peroxide vapor, and passing dried air from the moisture trap into a headspace above a hydrogen peroxide solution in the second container for producing a hydrogen peroxide vapor. A method according one embodiment includes at least one of bubbling dried air through a hydrogen peroxide solution in a container for producing a first hydrogen peroxide vapor, and passing dried air from the moisture trap into a headspace above the hydrogen peroxide solution in a container for producing a second hydrogen peroxide vapor.

Abstract: Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may include an amoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resuting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment.

Abstract: A stacked packing column for heat and/or mass transfer has individual horizontal layers including a lower layer that has a greater density that initiates an accumulation, in particular flooding, and that is 1.5 to 10, preferably 2 to 3 times, greater than the density of an overlying upper layer. The upper layer forms oblique flow channels having lower sections that are more vertically aligned than respective upper sections. The lower sections of the flow channels have a larger cross section than the upper sections, and the sections of larger cross section open into the lower layer.

Abstract: Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus includes a housing providing a gas flow path, a heater apparatus, and a water supply distribution member configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to the gas flow path. The water distribution member is provided to the housing and in thermal communication with the heater apparatus.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods employed in wet cleaning semiconductor devices are provided. In particular, systems that can deliver deionized water with the desired concentration of CO2 and methods of generating deionized water with a desired concentration of CO2 for use in wet cleaning of semiconductor devices are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an evaporator comprising a casing (1; 21) and a heater (7; 27). Gas is supplied through an inlet (4; 24) and discharged through an outlet (5; 25). The casing forms an evaporating space (2; 22) and a heating space (3; 33) heated by the heater (7; 27). The evaporating space (2; 22) may be partially filled with a liquid (16; 36). The gas flows from the inlet (4; 24) via the heating space (3; 23) to the evaporating space (2; 22) and further to the outlet (5; 25). This invention moreover relates to an evaporator comprising an outer and an inner tub. The outer tub is heated. The inner tub may contain a water reserve and is inserted into the outer tub. The upper side of the bottom of the outer tub (8; 28) or the underside of the bottom of the inner tub (10; 30) is made of a soft elastic material. The invention finally relates to corresponding methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the transfer of organic compounds from a first liquid phase to a gaseous phase and from said gaseous phase to a second liquid phase, comprising a packed stripping column (2), a housing (5), a shell (1), a means for introducing the gaseous phase at the bottom end of said packed stripping column (2), a distributor (4) for distributing said first liquid phase onto said packed stripping column (2), causing said first liquid phase to trickle down said packed stripping column (2) counter-currently to the flow of the gas phase and causing the gas stream leaving said packed stripping column (2) at its top end to have a higher content of organic compounds than the gaseous phase introduced at the bottom end of said packed stripping column (2), one or more ducts (9/26) allowing the gaseous phase leaving said packed stripping column (2) to flow downwards to the bottom end of a packed scrubber (3) enclosed in a housing (25), a distributor (12) on top of said packed scrubber (3) ca

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying a liquid wherein a liquid feedstock (2) to be gasified is passed down a surface (8) in the presence of a gas and into standing liquid (6), the surface having at least one change in gradient (8a, 8b) to provide a surface for the development of turbulence which is essential in drawing gas into the liquid.

Abstract: A water aerator apparatus having a base with a receptacle area, an aerator having an effluent port opening from the base, a container removably received within the receptacle area of the base, and an air delivery channel formed on an interior of the container. The container has an effluent port opening at a bottom of the container. The effluent port is cooperative with the influent port. The air delivery channel communicates with the influent port such that air from the aerator passes into the air channel through the influent and effluent ports. A mesh screen is positioned directly over the air delivery channel with the container.

Abstract: An enclosed tank with a water inlet, a water outlet, an air inlet, and an air outlet. A flavor additive cartridge is attached in-line with the air inlet. It evaporates flavoring or other additives into the air inlet. Water is forced to flow turbulently through the tank. Simultaneously air is pumped through the tank via the additive cartridge. Turbulence induced in the water encourages pollutant gases dissolved in the water to transfer to the pumped air and then to exit the air outlet. It also encourages flavoring and/or homeopathic medicine in the additive cartridge to dissolve from the pumped air into the water. Water pressure is provided externally to the invention, such as by a water utility or house water pump. The water level in the tank is stabilized by controlling the air pressure in the tank, via various alternative means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing dissolution of gases in liquids by ejecting the gas-liquid mixture through nozzles in a reaction vessel. The nozzles are pressurized, sized and directed to produce micro-fine gas bubbles in the liquid and to initiate rotational flow of the gas-liquid mixture in the reaction vessel. The small bubble size and rotational flow maximizes the time the gas is in contact with the liquid. The apparatus and method are used to increase the dissolution of ozone gas into aqueous solutions to increase the decomposition of aqueous-based organic compounds, precipitation of heavy metals, and destruct and/or deactivate enteric viruses, enteric bacteria, and protozoans. An alternative embodiment mixes the gas with the liquid prior to ejection through the nozzles.

Abstract: A device for introducing ozone uniformly into water flowing through a conduit for disinfecting the water. An ozone-contacting vessel is provided and includes a downflow tube through which water is caused to flow. The downflow tube is positioned vertically within a diffusion chamber. Within the downflow tube are a plurality of layers of transversely extending porous elements that are in communication with a source of ozone to provide a relatively uniform distribution of fine ozone bubbles over the cross-sectional area of the downflow tube. The downflow tube can be J-shaped, to convey ozonated water into downstream ozone reaction cells to permit oxidation or disinfection of the water being treated. An outlet seal plate is provided at the J-tube outlet to prevent backflow into the J-tube upon shutdown of the contactor cell containing the J-tube.

Abstract: A liquid enriched with a high concentration of gas, in particular, water enriched with oxygen, is produced by mixing the gas and liquid in an overpressurized system using a series of pressure reduction containers which sequentially reduce the pressure on the gas-enriched liquid in a slow incremental fashion, thereby allowing a high concentration of the gas to be maintained within the liquid phase.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser system for forming a desired beverage, includes a beverage dispensing assembly and a carbonator cartridge unit removably secured to the beverage dispensing assembly for providing a supply of carbonated water to the beverage dispensing assembly. The beverage dispenser system includes a connector for removably securing the carbonator cartridge unit to the beverage dispensing assembly. A carbonated water line, linked with the carbonator cartridge unit and linked with the beverage dispensing assembly, is provided for delivering carbonated water from the carbonator cartridge unit to the beverage dispensing assembly. The beverage dispensing assembly provides beverage fluid lines so that beverage fluids flowing therein are combined within the beverage dispensing assembly and are ultimately dispensed from the beverage dispensing assembly as the desired beverage.

Abstract: A humidifier assembly includes a cartridge secured in the humidification chamber cavity for displacing between about 20% and about 80% of the volume of the cavity.

Abstract: A bubbler ampoule and bubbler assembly for containing highly corrosive chemicals is configured so as to provide enhanced strength which allows safe transport and usage of high vapor pressure chemicals. The enhanced assembly strength is provided by controlling the ratio of the bottom wall thickness to the side wall thickness of the ampoule; and by providing properly radiused corners on the ampoule.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a biased by-pass throttle valve that trims the flow of supplementary combustion air for mixing with basic combustion air and fuel induced in carburetor venturi. The by-pass throttle valve is controlled by an electrical stepmotor that is regulated by a pre-programmed microprocessor in response to sensed engine speed and engine manifold pressure conditions to thereby improve engine operating efficiency and reduce noxious emissions without utilizing catalytic converter equipment.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser comprising: a sub-system for making and dispensing a chilled, carbonated beverage from syrup concentrate; a sub-system for making and dispensing a chilled, still beverage from flavor concentrate; and a sub-system for making and dispensing a hot beverage from either concentrate or powder. Each of the concentrates for the respective sub-systems are provided in bag-in-box supply packages of a conventional type. Also included are two carbonator designs for operating under zero gravity conditions without forming a gaseous phase within the carbonator tanks thereof. The first of these unique carbonators is a batch carbonator and the second is a continuous carbonator.The batch carbonator includes an outer rigid shell and an accordian-type inner container which contracts or expands when fluids are dispensed or introduced.