Abstract: A chiller system is provided. The chiller system includes a refrigeration fluid, an evaporative fluid, and an evaporator that contacts the refrigeration fluid and the evaporative fluid to cause a portion of the refrigeration fluid to evaporate. The chiller system also includes, an output heat exchanger that receives at least a portion of an adjacent refrigeration fluid and increase the temperature thereof by transferring the heat of an outside environment of the heat exchanger to the adjacent refrigeration fluid. The heat exchanger directs the portion of the adjacent refrigeration fluid back to the evaporator. The chiller system also includes, a separator that receives the evaporative fluid and the evaporated refrigeration fluid and separates the two by contacting them with a separator component resulting in a separated evaporative fluid and a processed refrigeration component allowing the separated evaporative fluid to return to the evaporator.

Abstract: An inner tube comprising a unitary tube segmented into a plurality of chambers, the plurality of chambers interconnected therebetween. A plurality of interconnections may be respectively configured between the plurality of chambers wherein the plurality of interconnections may be operable to control airflow between adjacent ones of the plurality of chambers. A valve coupled to the unitary tube, the valve operable to allow introduction of air into the plurality of chambers through the plurality of interconnections.

Abstract: A peristaltic transport device comprising a tube member having an inner space to receive material, the member includes a series of repeating sections wherein each of the sections includes a plurality of bladders to selectively occlude portions of the inner space according to a defined peristaltic sequence to transport the material through the inner space. An actuator assembly is coupled to the tube member to control the selective occlusion of the inner space by selectively expanding and contracting ones of the plurality of bladders according to the defined peristaltic sequence. The actuator assembly simultaneously controls corresponding ones of the plurality of bladders across the series of repeating sections.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses for electric radiant heaters. An electric radiant heater may include a cavity with a radiant heating element on an inner surface of the cavity. Electric radiant heat generated by the radiant heating element may be output through an aperture of the cavity. The inner surface of the cavity may have a greater surface area than an area of the aperture. The radiant heating element may be arranged in a helical pattern in some examples. In some examples, the electric radiant heater may be arranged with a lens for directing heat from the radiant heating element to a location outside the cavity.

Abstract: A dry urinal apparatus, comprising a receptacle configured to store urine, the urine having a layer of oil on its surface and a siphon assembly disposed within the receptacle and coupled to a reservoir. The siphon assembly includes a siphon tube and drain tube, the siphon tube operable to force urine down the drain tube, wherein the reservoir is configured to cease operation of the siphon assembly prior to the siphon tube pulling up the layer of oil with the urine. The reservoir is configured to cease operation of the siphon assembly in response to a distance required to pull air bubbles up the reservoir and into the drain tube being less than a distance required to raise urine into the drain tube.

Abstract: A peristaltic transport device comprising a tube member having an inner space to receive material, the member includes a series of repeating sections wherein each of the sections includes a plurality of bladders to selectively occlude portions of the inner space according to a defined peristaltic sequence to transport the material through the inner space. An actuator assembly is coupled to the tube member to control the selective occlusion of the inner space by selectively expanding and contracting ones of the plurality of bladders according to the defined peristaltic sequence. The actuator assembly simultaneously controls corresponding ones of the plurality of bladders across the series of repeating sections.

Abstract: An inner tube comprising a unitary tube segmented into a plurality of chambers, the plurality of chambers interconnected therebetween. A plurality of interconnections may be respectively configured between the plurality of chambers wherein the plurality of interconnections may be operable to control airflow between adjacent ones of the plurality of chambers. A valve coupled to the unitary tube, the valve operable to allow introduction of air into the plurality of chambers through the plurality of interconnections.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for using surface energy to assist in fluid transport or separation. One example includes removing mucus from a subject's lungs during mechanical ventilation of the subject using a tracheal tube. At least one wicking fluid pickup port is located more distal than a sealing device between the tracheal tube and the trachea. Surface energy assists in introducing mucus into the port. A peristalsis or other pump is used to remove from the subject a substantially contiguous column of the wicked-in liquid. Ventilation of the subject is not impaired by the mucus removal. Safety venting reduces or avoids damage to tissue occluding the port. Other structures may assist in directing the mucus toward the port. Various illustrative examples include single lumen tracheal tubes, double lumen tracheal tubes, two-piece tracheal tubes (having outer and inner cannulas) and bronchial blockers.

Abstract: A system, device or method uses surface energy to assist in fluid transport or separation. One example includes removing mucus from a subject's lungs during mechanical ventilation of the subject using a tracheal tube. At least one wicking fluid pickup port is located more distal or more proximal than a sealing device between the tracheal tube and the trachea. Surface energy assists in introducing mucus into the port. A peristalsis or other pump is used to remove from the subject the wicked-in liquid. Ventilation is not impaired by the mucus removal.