Abstract: The present invention provides a heat pump apparatus comprising a Rankine cycle and an Carnot cycle part when implemented for cooling. The Rankine cycle comprises an evaporator configured for evaporating by direct evaporation water received from an external water source. An expander receives steam from the evaporator and drives a compressor compressing the fluid of the Carnot cycle. The fluid is thereafter condensed in a condenser and evaporated in an absorber.

Abstract: A manifold is part of the hydraulic system of a transport vehicle and controls both the product pump from the tank for unloading product and a hydraulically powered and controlled hose reel. The manifold includes a high pressure input port and a main return port tied into the hydraulic circuit on the vehicle, as well as two ports for the product pump and two ports for the hose reel. Control valves for both the product pump and the hose reel are mounted on and connected within the manifold block. The control valve for the hose reel preferably allows either forward (winding) or reverse (unwinding) of the hose reel under hydraulic power, as well as easy free spooling of the hose reel. A priority flow valve is also mounted on and connected within the manifold block, providing a higher flowrate to the product pump than to the hose reel motor.

Abstract: Described are technologies relating to transaction processing. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described herein can be embodied in methods that include the actions of calculating, in relation to a transaction, one or more tax amounts associated with a price of the transaction, obtaining, in relation to a payment source, an approval for at least the price of the transaction and the one or more tax amounts, thereby defining an approved sales transaction, and, subsequent to obtaining the approval, (a) settling at least a revenue portion of one or more approved sales transactions in favor of a first account, and (b) settling the one or more tax amounts in favor of a second account that is different than the first account.

Abstract: A transaction processing system suitable for processing a merchant transaction includes a computer having a processor, a memory, a plurality of connections over a network for receiving and settling the merchant transaction; and a separator module operative to separate funds associated with the merchant transaction. The separator module further includes a revenue settlement module operative to settle a revenue portion of the merchant transaction in favor of a first account accessible over the network, the first account being associated with the merchant; a tax settlement module operative to settle the tax portion associated with the merchant transaction in favor of a second account accessible over the network, the second account being different than the first account; and a fee resolution module operative to resolve fees associated with operation of the tax settlement module, such that an amount equal to the tax portion is settled in favor of the second account.

Abstract: Described are technologies relating to transaction processing. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described herein can be embodied in methods that include the actions of calculating, in relation to a transaction, one or more tax amounts associated with a price of the transaction, obtaining, in relation to a payment source, an approval for at least the price of the transaction and the one or more tax amounts, thereby defining an approved sales transaction, and, subsequent to obtaining the approval, (a) settling at least a revenue portion of one or more approved sales transactions in favor of a first account, and (b) settling the one or more tax amounts in favor of a second account that is different than the first account.

Abstract: A hydraulic fan powered in a branch of a vehicle-carried working load hydraulic circuit helps cool hydraulic fluid in a cooler. A switching block has a bypass mode which kicks in whenever sensed hydraulic fluid temperature indicates an overheat condition. The bypass mode shuts off hydraulic fluid to all the working loads of the system, while circulating hydraulic fluid as fast as possible through the cooler and running the cooling fan at a slower rate. After the hydraulic fluid cools below the overheat threshold temperature, a start button must be pressed before the switching block will again power the working loads and run the fan at a higher speed.

Abstract: A transaction processing system suitable for processing a merchant transaction includes a computer having a processor, a memory, a plurality of connections over a network for receiving and settling the merchant transaction; and a separator module operative to separate funds associated with the merchant transaction. The separator module further includes a revenue settlement module operative to settle a revenue portion of the merchant transaction in favor of a first account accessible over the network, the first account being associated with the merchant; a tax settlement module operative to settle the tax portion associated with the merchant transaction in favor of a second account accessible over the network, the second account being different than the first account; and a fee resolution module operative to resolve fees associated with operation of the tax settlement module, such that an amount equal to the tax portion is settled in favor of the second account.

Abstract: Separate from the vehicle's engine, a self-contained internal combustion engine supplies hydraulic power to drive a product pump on a bobtail. The self-contained engine, which can itself run on propane, is provided as part of a preassembly which includes the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic fluid tank, a heat exchanger, and a solenoid controlled start-up valve. The preassembly is mounted as a unit to the side of the bobtail in front of the rear wheels, powering the product pump at the rear of the bobtail while the vehicle's engine is off.

Abstract: A hydraulic fan powered in a branch of a vehicle-carried working load hydraulic circuit helps cool hydraulic fluid in a cooler. A switching block has a bypass mode which kicks in whenever sensed hydraulic fluid temperature indicates an overheat condition. The bypass mode shuts off hydraulic fluid to all the working loads of the system, while circulating hydraulic fluid as fast as possible through the cooler and running the cooling fan at a slower rate. After the hydraulic fluid cools below the overheat threshold temperature, a start button must be pressed before the switching block will again power the working loads and run the fan at a higher speed.

Abstract: Described are technologies relating to transaction processing. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described herein can be embodied in methods that include the actions of calculating, in relation to a transaction, one or more tax amounts associated with a price of the transaction, obtaining, in relation to a payment source, an approval for at least the price of the transaction and the one or more tax amounts, thereby defining an approved sales transaction, and, subsequent to obtaining the approval, (a) settling at least a revenue portion of one or more approved sales transactions in favor of a first account, and (b) settling the one or more tax amounts in favor of a second account that is different than the first account.

Abstract: A computer-implemented transaction processing system includes a card reader and a plurality of modules each comprising code that executes in the processor. The card reader transfers credit card data from a credit card of a customer to a memory of the computer. A check presentation module is operative to calculate a sales tax associated with a price of a product sold to the customer. An approval module is operative to obtain an approval against the credit card data in the memory for at least the price of the product and the sales tax and thereby define an approved sale transaction. A revenue settlement module and a tax settlement module are operative to settle respective portions of the sales transaction(s) to different accounts, such that a revenue portion goes to a first account free of any sales tax, and a sales tax portion goes to the other account.

Abstract: A computer-implemented transaction processing system includes a card reader and a plurality of modules each comprising code that executes in the processor. The card reader transfers credit card data from a credit card of a customer to a memory of the computer. A check presentation module is operative to calculate a sales tax associated with a price of a product sold to the customer. An approval module is operative to obtain an approval against the credit card data in the memory for at least the price of the product and the sales tax and thereby define an approved sale transaction. A revenue settlement module and a tax settlement module are operative to settle respective portions of the sales transaction(s) to different accounts, such that a revenue portion goes to a first account free of any sales tax, and a sales tax portion goes to the other account.

Abstract: Separate from the vehicle's engine, a self-contained internal combustion engine supplies hydraulic power to drive a product pump on a bobtail. The self-contained engine, which can itself run on propane, is provided as part of a preassembly which includes the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic fluid tank, a heat exchanger, and a solenoid controlled start-up valve. The preassembly is mounted as a unit to the side of the bobtail in front of the rear wheels, powering the product pump at the rear of the bobtail while the vehicle's engine is off.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system, for e.g. a vehicle, includes a tank for holding fluid product, such as propane, a pump for pumping the fluid product from the tank, the pump being driven by hydraulic fluid, and a heat exchanger for using the fluid product to cool the hydraulic fluid. The heat exchanger also causes the fluid product to increase in temperature. The heated fluid product is returned to the tank, in the form of a vapor, for example. Embodiments of the invention provide a number of advantages, including increased pump flow rates, reduced cavitation, increased pump life, and elimination of a heat-exchanger fan.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained apparatus for cooling automotive engine fluid, e.g. engine coolant, includes quick couplers for connection to an automotive engine. The apparatus receives hot engine fluid from the engine, cools the engine fluid, and returns the cooled engine fluid to the engine. A fluid reservoir and one or more heat exchangers aid in the cooling process. Corresponding methods provide similar advantages.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained apparatus for cooling automotive engine fluid, e.g. engine coolant, includes quick couplers for connection to an automotive engine. The apparatus receives hot engine fluid from the engine, cools the engine fluid, and returns the cooled engine fluid to the engine. A fluid reservoir and one or more heat exchangers aid in the cooling process. Corresponding methods provide similar advantages.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package is compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The fold lines in the package are marked by a machine readable marking so that the strip portions from the package can be cut into strip elements with the cut lines being arranged at the fold lines.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack by a traverse portion extending between the stacks. The package can be compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material comprises a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package is compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The preferred package arrangement uses the package for pay off of the strip in an orientation in which the stacks are horizontal The spliced connection portions are flat against opposed sides of the package.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material comprises a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package is compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The preferred package arrangement uses the package for pay off of the strip in the orientation in which it is formed with the bottom of the stacks resting on a support and the package tilted to one side so that the stacks lean against a support surface for stability.