Abstract: The invention concerns a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant circuit which comprises several evaporator paths and a distributor (5) which distributes the refrigerant on the evaporator paths. The aim of the invention is to improve the operation of said refrigeration system in a simple manner. According to the invention, the distributor (5) comprises a controllable valve (12) for each evaporation path.

Abstract: A micro fluidic system comprising at least one tube (1), a membrane (3) and at least one fitting member (4). The fitting member (4) is positioned around the membrane (3) and an end part (2) of the tube(s) (1), thereby fitting the membrane (3) to the end part(s) (2). The fitting member(s) (4) is/are made from a shrinkable material, and it/they is/are fitted tightly around the membrane (3) end part(s) (2). This is obtained by causing the shrinkable material to shrink, e.g. by heating the material, while the fitting member (4) is positioned around the membrane (3) and the end part(s) (2). It is an advantage that the fitting member (4) is made from a shrinkable material because this provides the possibility of fitting the membrane (3) tightly to the end parts) (2) in an easy and cost effective manner. The micro fluidic system is very suitable for use in a probe, such as a dialysis probe. Also claimed is a method of manufacturing the micro fluidic system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for controlling floor heating or climate regulating systems with long time constants. According to the invention, a flow of a fluid is provided through the floor or through a similar medium with large thermal inertia. An induced heat is determined by adding up a plurality of differences between an inlet temperature of the fluid when it enters the medium and an outlet temperature of the fluid when it leaves the medium. The temperatures are sampled with a fixed sampling time and within a fixed period of time, and a corresponding change in temperature of the medium over the fixed period of time is determined. In the future, the temperature of that medium is controlled by use of a ratio between the induced heat and the change in temperature.

Abstract: A device for mixing at least one first fluid and one second fluid in a micro-flow system, comprising at least two flow restrictors, a first transfer conduit in fluid communication the first og said fluids and a recipient, at least one second transfer conduit in fluid communication with the second of said fluids, the second transfer conduit having at least two fluid outlets in fluid communication with said first transfer conduit, where each of said outlets of said second transfer conduit is downstream and in fluid communication with the outlet of one of said flow restrictors, and wherein the flow restrictors are bubble-tolerant, being formed to prevent fragmentation of bubbles entering the flow restrictor, into a bubble train consuming the pressure difference between the source and the recipient. Pumping means may be attached to the flow system, possibly being constant-pressure pumps of the kind, where elastomer bladders squeeze a fluid into the channels.

Abstract: A method for controlling a temperature in a refrigeration system using a quality decay value expressing an expected decay rate in quality of the products being refrigerated, and which depends on the temperature of air present in the refrigeration system. The quality decay value is obtained using a mathematical model reflecting one or more physical and/or biological processes in the products. Prevents or reduces the quality degradation of the products in terms of shelf life, appearance or tastiness. Furthermore, a method for controlling the temperature in such a way that effects of scheduled events, such as temperature increase during defrosts, can be compensated prior to the event.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a fluid conduit, in particular a fluid conduit for a CO2 refrigerating plant. The aim of said invention is to develop a quick and inexpensive method. For this purpose, several pipes (5-9) are simultaneously supplied by means of at least one roller (11) which is provided with peripheral grooves (14) and are helically wound in a parallel direction with respect to each other, wherein each pipe (5-9) is guided along a helical line and the helical lines of all pipes (5-9) are parallel to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectric actuators or sensors of the kind wherein electrostatic attraction between two electrodes located on an elastomeric body leads to a compression of the body in a first direction and a corresponding extension of the body in a second direction. The dielectric actuator/sensor structure comprises a first sheet of elastomeric material having at least one smooth surface and a second surface and a second sheet of elastomeric material having at least one smooth surface and a second surface. The sheets are laminated together with their second surfaces exposed, and there is provided a first electrode on the second surface of the first sheet and second electrode on the second surface of the second sheet.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for actuating a valve includes an extensible bellow having an open end and a closed end, a stem operable to contact the closed end and to actuate a stopper mechanism, and a driver configured to move the bellow. The movement of the bellow effects movement of the stem to actuate the valve. In one embodiment, the driver acts to compress the bellow, the compression causing movement of the stem to open the valve. The bellow may be hermetically sealed to the valve housing, thereby allowing a higher range of fluid pressures.

Abstract: A composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. In accordance with the present invention, the composite also facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction and an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, as well as provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

Abstract: A multilayer composite includes at least two composites, each composite having a film and an electronically conductive layer. Several composites are laminated to provide an increased conversion between mechanical and electrical energies not only due to the multiplication of the effect of each layer, but also due to the fact that the multilayer structure itself renders the multilayer composite more rigid. In addition, the multilayer structure facilitates application of an electrical field over thinner portions of the structure, thereby requiring much less potential difference between electrodes.

Abstract: A flow system (1) comprising a first part (2) and a second part (3), the parts (2, 3) being made from materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. The first (2) and second (3) parts are positioned relatively to each other in such a way that when the ambient temperature changes corresponding changes are caused in a flow channel (4) formed in the first part (2), thereby changing the flow resistance of the flow channel (4). Thereby a change in flow resistance caused by a change in viscosity of a fluid being transported by the flow system (1) can be counteracted. The resulting flow resistance of the flow system (1) is thereby at least substantially independent of the ambient temperature. Furthermore, a micro fluidic system comprising the flow system (1). The micro fluidic system may be or form part of a medical device, a fluid analysis system, e.g. a device for measuring blood glucose levels of blood samples, or an infusion device.

Abstract: An insulated box, suitable as a refrigerator, having readily accessible conductor current tap capabilities for electrical/electronic components within the box. The box has a wall made with electrically separated layers and having an electrical conductor incorporated between the layers. The components are connected to the conductor via entry points through which a conductive member can penetrate one of the layers and thereby establish contact between the conductor and electronic components. Thereby it is achieved that electrical components can be fitted to the inner surface of the box by use of the conductor which is incorporated between the layers and without implying additional fastening of conductors to an outer surface of the box. In particular, the invention facilitates refitting of electrical components in a refrigerator.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting an abnormality of a heat exchanger exchanging heat between a first fluid flow flowing in a conduit and a second fluid flow flowing along a flow path, said conduit and said flow path each having an inlet and an outlet, whereby the method comprises the steps of establishing at least one parameter representative of the temperature conditions of the heat exchanger, establishing a second fluid inlet temperature, establishing a parameter indicative of expected heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the second fluid, processing the heat exchanger temperature, the second fluid temperature and the parameter indicative of expected heat exchange for establishing an estimated second fluid outlet temperature, and employing the estimated second fluid outlet temperature for evaluating the heat exchange between the first and second fluids by comparing the estimated second fluid outlet temperature, or a parameter derived therefrom, with a reference value.

Abstract: A method for coating an object (1). The object (1) is positioned in contact with holding means and the coating (4) is applied in such a way that contact parts (3, 8, 10) of the holding means form part of the coating (4). Contact parts (3, 8, 10) are made from a material having corrosion properties being substantially identical to the corrosion properties of the coating material, preferably from the same material. Thereby the contact parts (3) can form a natural part of the resulting coating (4). The contact parts (3, 8, 10) may subsequently be detached from the holding means and remain attached to the object (1) as part of the coating (4). Provides a substantially full coating (4) to the object (1) in one coating step. Avoids or reduces problems relating to pinholes in coatings. Further an object (1) having a coating (4) which has been provided using the method.

Abstract: A composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. In accordance with the present invention, the composite also facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction and an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, as well as provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

Abstract: The invention provides a system adapted to modify a temperature of a space based on a user selected set-point for the temperature of the space, e.g. a refrigerator, a sauna or a regular building with a HVAC system. The set-point is selected via a control structure which includes a handle being movable relative to a base. In order to simplify the installation and the structure of the space, and further to enable better thermal isolation of the space, the handle comprises a temperature sensing structure. Accordingly, no additional installation work, cabling, and penetration of the wall into the space are necessary for installing separate temperature sensing devices.

Abstract: A composite for a transducer facilitates an increased actuation force as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers. In accordance with the present invention, the composite also facilitates increased compliance of the transducer in one direction and an improved reaction time as compared to similar prior art composites for transducers, as well as provides an increased lifetime of the transducer in which it is applied.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heating and cooling mat (1) with a carrying sheet (2) having a top side (9) and a bottom side (11), and at least one heating and cooling unit (5) located on the carrying sheet (2), an adhesive being located on the bottom side (11) of the carrying sheet (2). It is endeavoured to improve the handling properties of the heating and cooling mat. For this purpose, the adhesive is located on a double-sided adhesive tape (12), which is fixed on the bottom side (11) of the carrying sheet (2), the adhesive on the bottom side of the adhesive tape (12) being covered by the top side of the carrying sheet (2) and the adhesive tape (12) bonding with the top side of the carrying sheet (2) in the rolled up state of the heating and cooling mat (1).

Abstract: This invention concerns a microfluid device (1) comprising a bag (3) inside a housing (2), wherein the bag (3) is made of a flexible material and the bag (3) is attached to a mounting (4), and a method for setting up a microfluid device. It is an object of the invention to simplify the construction of a microfluid device comprising a bag inside a housing and to simplify the installation of such a microfluid device. This is achieved in that the mounting (4) is a permanently fixed part of the housing (2). It is also achieved by a method for setting up a microfluid device, wherein at first, the mounting is fixed at the inside of the housing and then the bag is attached to the fixed mounting.

Abstract: A tactile sensor element includes a first pressure transfer layer and a second pressure transfer layer, an elastomeric body arranged between the first and second pressure transfer layers, the body having a first and a second surface opposed to each other, the first and second surfaces having corrugations to allow displacement of elastomeric body material in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the corrugations when exposed to a contact pressure on at least one of the surfaces, a first electrode arranged on the first surface and a second electrode arranged on the second surface, the first and the second electrodes being connectable to external means for determining the capacitance of a capacitor formed by the elastomeric body and the electrodes, where at least one pressure transfer layer has at least one portion of increased thickness. Further disclosed is a tactile sensor array comprising a plurality of sensor elements.