Abstract: A manifold for a gradient coil cooling manifold assembly of a MRI system includes a first main fluid passage defined by a first wall. The manifold also includes a first set of secondary fluid passages coupled to the first main fluid passage and defined by respective walls, wherein the first wall of the first main fluid passage and the respective walls of the first set of secondary fluid passages form barb connectors configured to couple to respective hoses. The manifold is formed as a single integral piece.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for storing heat. The apparatus comprises a thermal mass for storing heat, the thermal mass having a first surface and a second surface. Fins are provided on the first surface and the second surface for accelerating heat transfer to and from the thermal mass. A displacement mechanism is secured to the thermal mass for translating the first surface to a first environment, e.g., a duct, while removing the second surface and its fins from a second environment, e.g., outside, and for translating the second surface to the second environment while removing the first surface and its fins from the first environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for air flow generation for scent output is described. The device includes a scent system, a speaker, and an output channel. The scent system and the speaker share the output channel, and the speaker is to move air to release scent from the device. A membrane of the speaker may vibrate to produce the air flow.

Abstract: Techniques are described for incorporating distribution network analysis in the demand response scheduling process. In one example, a method includes receiving demand response (DR) request from a DR initiator, transmitting the DR request to an aggregator, for each customer, receiving customer location information and a customer DR value from the aggregator, aggregating DR at a distribution transformer in a distribution system, determining if there are any violations in the distribution system, determining an aggregated DR value for each electric node affected by the DR request, and transmitting each determined DR value to the DR initiator.

Abstract: Provided is a cold-storage heat exchanger. The cold-storage heat exchanger includes a pair of header tanks, and tubes which are arranged in three rows with respect to the direction of the flow of air and connected at opposite sides thereof to the header tanks. A cold-storage medium is stored in the tubes that are disposed in a middle row, and refrigerant circulates through the tubes that are disposed in front and rear rows. Therefore, the cold-storage medium can effectively store cold-energy transferred from the refrigerant. When the engine of a vehicle is stopping, the cold-storage heat exchanger can discharge the cold-energy that has been stored into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, thus preventing the temperature in the passenger compartment from rapidly increasing, thereby creating pleasant air-conditioned conditions for a user, and minimizing the energy and time required to re-cool the passenger compartment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities.

Abstract: An air/refrigerant heat exchanger includes a plurality of coiled tubes. A first tube of the plurality of coiled tubes has a phase change material therein. A second tube of the plurality of coiled tubes has a flow of cooled refrigerant flowing therethrough and the first tube is in thermal contact with the second tube. A third tube of the plurality of coiled tubes has a flow of air flowing therethrough and the third tube is in thermal contact with the first tube and the second tube.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for communication equipment includes an indoor module placed inside a base station and an outdoor module placed outside the base station. The indoor module has a first indoor heat exchanger installed on a brine pipe and having a heat exchange tube, an expansion valve installed on a refrigerant pipe, a second indoor heat exchanger having a heat exchange tube to which the refrigerant pipe is connected, a compressor for compressing refrigerant, and an indoor blower. The outdoor module has a brine pump installed on the brine pipe, a first outdoor heat exchanger having a heat exchange tube to which the brine pipe extending from the brine pump and the first indoor heat exchanger is connected, a second outdoor heat exchanger having a heat exchange tube to which the refrigerant pipe, extending from the compressor and the expansion valve, is connected, and an outdoor blower.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a water-soluble paramagnetic substance, in particular a magnetic resonance contrast medium, to reduce the magnetic resonance relaxation time of a coolant for magnetic resonance systems. Furthermore the invention relates to a corresponding method for reducing the magnetic resonance relaxation time of a coolant.

Abstract: A liquid cooling device includes a casing having an outer wall, a bottom base attached to a bottom end of the outer wall and a top cover attached to a top end of the outer wall. The casing defines a receiving space therein for receiving an impeller therein. A sealed chamber is defined in the casing and isolated from the receiving space. A motor driving unit is received in the sealed chamber and magnetically interacts with the impeller to drive the impeller to rotate. The motor driving unit comprises a motor having a stator and a printed circuit board electrically connecting with the stator. The top cover covers the motor driving unit and thermally contacts with electronic components on the printed circuit board for dissipating heat generated by the electronic components when the motor driving unit is operated.

Abstract: A temperature controlled service case for storage and display of chilled or frozen products, including at least one compartment for product storage, at least one access opening providing entrance to the compartment, at least one shelf within the compartment for holding product, and refrigeration operatively associated with the compartment for maintaining a selected temperature therein. The refrigeration includes at least one cooling coil above the shelf with a cooling medium flowing therethrough, and cooling within the shelf with a cooling medium flowing therethrough. Coolant supply is also provided for supplying cooling medium to the cooling coil and shelf.

Abstract: This invention relates to an airconditioning system which uses a plurality of absorption chiller-cells, for refrigerating an antifreeze fluid that is circulated through fan-coil units of an airconditioning system. The anti-freeze fluid passes through refrigerant evaporators in each cell structure in a consecutive order for lowering the temperature of the antifreeze fluid gradually. More particularly, it relates to an absorption chiller-cell system having a plurality of evaporators employing multi-refrigerant circulation circuits in an absorption cycle to produce sufficient refrigerant for the airconditioning system. The invention enables the physical size of the system to be relatively small, so that the system can replace conventional electric airconditioning units for home applications.

Abstract: A temperature controlled service case for storage and display of chilled or frozen products, including at least one compartment for product storage, at least one access opening providing entrance to the compartment, at least one shelf within the compartment for holding product, and refrigeration operatively associated with the compartment for maintaining a selected temperature therein. The refrigeration includes at least one cooling coil above the shelf with a cooling medium flowing therethrough, and cooling within the shelf with a cooling medium flowing therethrough. Coolant supply is also provided for supplying cooling medium to the cooling coil and shelf with separate coolant supply and discharge lines from the coolant supply to the cooling coil and shelf. In accordance with a further embodiment, the shelf is divided into separate sections. In accordance with a still further embodiment, means are provided to warm the coolant for at least one of said cooling coil and shelf.

Abstract: A temperature controlled service case for storage and display of chilled or frozen products, including at least one compartment for product storage, at least one access opening providing entrance to the compartment, at least one shelf within the compartment for holding product, and refrigeration operatively associated with the compartment for maintaining a selected temperature therein. The refrigeration includes at least one cooling coil above the shelf with a cooling medium flowing therethrough, and cooling within the shelf with a cooling medium flowing therethrough. Coolant supply is also provided for supplying cooling medium to the cooling coil and shelf.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for chilling an enclosure. The system may include a thermal transfer pathway with a cold producing unit and a thermal storage unit connected to the pathway via a number of quick disconnect fittings.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, such as an evaporator, a condenser, or the like, for a refrigerator, such as a chill cabinet, a freezer cabinet or the like, includes at least one surface with which a thermal energy storage medium is in at least as far as possible heat-conducting contact, and bag-like reception containers to be connected to the evaporator.

Abstract: A multiplex system is disclosed for maintaining the temperature of a product during a warehouse and distribution process employing a vehicle. The multiplex system may include a plurality of temperature control zones at which it is desired to maintain the temperature of the product. A cargo temperature control zone includes a parking area for a number of delivery vehicles having cargo containers. A primary refrigeration system is utilized to refrigerate a secondary fluid which is a non-compressible fluid that may be pumped over long distances to the cargo temperature control zone, as well as other temperature control zones. The secondary refrigerated fluid is pumped to air handling units which are advantageously disposed is heat exchange relationships to create and deliver refrigerated air into the cargo container of one or more parked delivery vehicles.

Abstract: A portable housing holds a quantity of ice and the melt water from the ice or cooled water or cooled liquid is circulated through a heat exchanger. A blower circulates air from the room through the heat exchanger and back into the room for cooling the room. The housing includes a relatively large chamber for holding the ice and a relatively smaller chamber in which the blower is disposed. Melt water from the ice, or cooled water or cooled liquid, is pumped through the heat exchanger and from the heat exchanger the liquid flows by gravity back to the ice and water chamber.

Abstract: Gradient coil for magnetic resonance (MR) devices has direct cooling by means of cooling lines that are embedded in the coil and through which a cooling agent flows. The cooling lines are arranged substantially parallel to one another, such as parallel to the axis of the gradient coil, and are combined to form heat exchanger modules whose individual cooling lines are coupled with one another so that the maximum length between the inlet and outlet of a module corresponds to twice the longitudinal length of the gradient coil.

Abstract: A heat source apparatus of ice storage type for performing the cool storage operation and the air-conditioning operation utilizing the stored cool, includes a heat source unit, a cool storage tank connected to the heat source unit, a water level sensor for measuring the stored cool amount by detecting the water level in the cool storage tank, and an operation panel having a menu screen for setting the starting and ending time of the cool storage operation and the air-conditioning operation, wherein the setting of the starting and ending time of the air-conditioning operation can be canceled and a predetermined stored cool amount can be set on the operation panel.

Abstract: A multiplex system is disclosed for maintaining the temperature of a product during a warehouse and distribution process employing a vehicle. The multiplex system may include a plurality of temperature control zones at which it is desired to maintain the temperature of the product. A cargo temperature control zone includes a parking area for a number of delivery vehicles having cargo containers. A primary refrigeration system is utilized to refrigerate a secondary fluid which is a non-compressible fluid that may be pumped over long distances to the cargo temperature control zone, as well as other temperature control zones. The secondary refrigerated fluid is pumped to air handling units which are advantageously disposed is heat exchange relationships to create and deliver refrigerated air into the cargo container of one or more parked delivery vehicles.

Abstract: An ice-storing tank for an air conditioner with an ice-storing tank includes a temperature-preserving tank and a spiral pipe set positioned in the tank. The spiral pipe set consists of a bottom base, a plurality of upright long posts spaced around an outer circumferential edge of the bottom base, and a plurality of independent spiral pipe units orderly placed on the bottom base. Each spiral pipe unit consists of supporting rods radially arranged and a spiral pipe supported on the supporting rods. The outer end of each supporting rod is fixed with the upright long post, and two ends of each pipe have a joint. A vertical inlet pipe and a vertical outlet pipe are provided to stand just outside the bottom base, having a plurality of connecting mouths to connect to the joints of each pipe and their upper ends extending out of the temperature-preserving tank to function as an inlet and an outlet for freezing liquid.

Abstract: This patent discloses a modular environmental control system for small cleanroom enclosures ("mini-enclosures"). Small environmental control units ("ECUs") are mounted on top of individual mini-enclosures, as near as possible to the process tool within the enclosure. Each ECU has the capability of controlling temperature, humidity, and airflow rate delivered into the enclosure. Temperature is adjusted by first cooling the air inside the ECU followed by reheating it to a selected temperature. The cooling capability is not generated by individual ECUs. Instead, a remote fluid cooling unit supplies chilled fluid to each ECU, which is circulated internally to cool the air. The same remote unit services different ECUs at the same time.

Abstract: A compound refrigeration system is provided for use with a thermal storage system. A water chiller and a brine chiller are provided, with a primary compressor pulling refrigerant through the water chiller and a booster compressor pulling refrigerant through the brine chiller and applying the refrigerant to the inlet of the primary compressor. The high pressure stage compressor and the low pressure stage booster compressor operate simultaneously during nighttime hours, chilling both water for air conditioning and brine for making ice. Only the high pressure stage compressor operates during daylight hours, chilling water which is further chilled by heat exchange with the ice formed during the night.

Abstract: A commercial refrigeration network including refrigeration system units constructed and arranged for placement in strategic proximity to corresponding product cooling zones within the shopping arena of a food store, each refrigeration unit having a condensing unit rack configured to accommodate the maximum refrigeration loads of its associated zone with an optimum floor space footprint in the shopping arena, and the condensing unit rack including a plurality of multiplexed compressors, condenser and associated high side and low side refrigerant delivery and suction conduits operatively connected to evaporators for cooling the corresponding zone, and the network also including another cooling source remote from said modular refrigeration units and constructed and arranged for circulating a fluid coolant in heat exchange relationship with the condenser to obtain optimum condensing and efficiency of said evaporators in cooling the corresponding zone.

Abstract: A novel simple, reliable and thermally efficient apparatus for incorporating thermal energy storage in domestic-sized air-conditioning systems is disclosed. This thermal energy storage apparatus for chilled water air-conditioning systems incorporates a chilled-water (or other chilled liquid) loop with two previously patented apparatus.

Abstract: An improvement in a water chiller of the kind used for industrial processes such as electrical discharge machining (EDM). The chiller includes a reservoir for water (frequently de-ionized water), an evaporator, refrigerating apparatus such as a condenser and a compressor, and a pump; there is a supply line connection to an electrical discharge machining apparatus or other industrial process apparatus, and a return line connection. The pressure in the return line is usually lower than the pressure in the supply line. The improvement includes a fitting connected in series in the supply line and a bypass line connected to that fitting to afford a bypass flow of water in parallel with the process apparatus. A flow-limiting orifice member in series in the bypass line limits the bypass flow to a predetermined rate; the rate may be determined by the pressure differential between the supply and return lines. All fittings are formed of non-ionizing resins such as nylon; the orifice member is stainless steel.

Abstract: An air conditioner with coolant pumped from a chiller first through a heat exchange conduit of an outside air heat exchanger to provide a minimum wetted surface temperature when treating undiluted outside air at its current temperature and humidity as it passes through this heat exchanger so to make maximum use of the available potential difference between the outside air and the coolant and therefore to cause maximum dehumidification. The leaving coolant from the outside air heat exchanger is the source of the coolant which then passes to the return air heat exchanger which cools and dehumidifies the return air. The leaving air streams from the return and outside air heat exchangers are mixed to become the supply air for a conditioned room which is economically dehumidified without need to overcool and reheat, nor to curtail the design flow rate of ventilation air and hence without contributing to conditions which are associated with the "sick building syndrome.

Abstract: A split-type air-conditioning apparatus is disclosed comprising the basic refrigeration component in combination with a chiller system defined by three water chambers, a refrigerant control before bare evaporator coil, a bare evaporator coil confined within said water chambers, a plurality of by-pass cooler tubes connecting two of said three water chambers, a blower means disposed on top of said reservoir, an air duct provided thereat to provide air flow defined by the entrance of air from the by-pass cooler tubes and leading to the blower means, and an endless net mesh disposed between said blower means and air duct directly along said air flow.

Abstract: A python for maintaining the drinking liquid flowing in lines therein at a predetermined temperature has a drinking liquid delivery line adapted to deliver drinking liquid, coolant tubes adapted to carry coolant and insulator tubing arranged in that order concentrically outwardly. The central drinking liquid delivery line consists of a central drinking liquid tube surrounded by secondary drinking liquid tubes. The central drinking liquid delivery line is in thermal contact with and surrounded by the coolant tubes. The coolant tubes are surrounded by insulator tubing in such a way as to restrict the free movement of both the drinking liquid delivery line and coolant tubes. The drinking liquid is thereby maintained at a predetermined temperature by the temperature of the coolant and the effect of the above-mentioned concentric arrangement of drinking liquid delivery line, coolant tubes and insulator tubing.

Abstract: A chill water system combining a storage vessel 10, a multiplicity of ice encapsulating units 11 contained in the vessel and a chiller system 60. The storage vessel contains a volume or glycol and water solution having a freezing point of about twenty six degrees F. The ice encapsulating units 11 comprise sealed containers filled with a deionized water. The containers have imperfect geometric shape and deformable wall structures to permit an increasee in enclosed volume as said water therein freezes. Chiller system 60 is operatively associated with the vessel and cools the glycol and water solution to about twenty six degrees to freeze the water in the containers 11. A topping tank 90 and an inventory tank 93 receive liquid from the storage vessel 10 as the ice encapsulating units 11 freeze and expand in volume.

Abstract: A chill water system combining a storage vessel 10, a multiplicity of ice encapsulating units 11 contained in the vessel and a chiller system 60. The storage vessel contains a volume of glycol and water solution having a freezing point of about twenty six degrees F. The ice encapsulating units 11 comprise sealed containers filled with a deionized water and having a volume of powered cholesterol therein to serve as an ice nucleating agent to lower the initial ice formation temperature of the unit. The containers have imperfect geometric shape and deformable wall structures to permit an increase in enclosed volume as said water therein freezes. Chiller system 60 is operatively associated with the vessel and cools the glycol and water solution to about twenty six degrees to freeze the water in the containers 11. A topping tank 90 and an inventory tank 93 receive liquid from the storage vessel 10 as the ice encapsulating units 11 freeze and expand in volume.

Abstract: An improved air conditioning system of the type wherein a conditioned fluid is conveyed from a central plant to a remote location where the fluid exchanges heat prior to being returned to the central plant for reconditioning. The system is provided with storage means for the fluid at the central plant and the remote location with a single conduit extending therebetween. Nonsimultaneously, pumps convey fluid through the single conduit from the central plant to the remote location and from the remote location to the central plant. In one embodiment, phase change may be employed to augment heat exchange capability at the remote location, or satellite.

Abstract: A continuous output brine freezing system is disclosed particularly applicable to the freezing of large fish such as tuna on board fishing vessels. The vessels include a series of fish freezing tanks within which the large fish, after being encapsulated in plastic bags and vacuum sealed, are loaded and frozen in sequence. One of said tanks is a brine storage tank and has means of precooling the brine to a temperature of -35.degree. C. Means are provided for feeding the precooled brine from the first tank to the next tank in line and to the remaining tanks in sequence as the tanks are loaded with fish. Means are also provided to remove the brine from the tanks in sequence and to return the brine to the first tank as the fish are frozen. Means are provided to maintain the quality of the brine and to recycle the brine through the system as fish are brought on board and loaded into the tanks, and to unload the frozen fish from the tanks by flotation with brine.

Abstract: A metal cooling wall surrounds a conveyor carrying solids such as steel slabs at high temperature through the chamber defined by the cooling wall and the wall receives heat from the slabs by radiation. A liquid such as water flowing under pressure within passages within the cooling wall removes heat from the cooling wall with the control of coolant temperature controlling the cooling speed of the solids. A gas such as water vapor or carbon dioxide gas having the absorbing ability of the radiation fills the space between the slabs and the cooling wall to further control the cooling speed of the steel billets.