Abstract: A novel football field grille is disclosed. The novel football field grill includes a firebox; a retractable lid mounted on the firebox, capable of retracting from a first closed position to a second open position; a hollow goalpost, having a first end and a second end, the first end of the goalpost mounted on the retractable lid, and the second end of the hollow goalpost in fluid communication with the firebox when the retractable lid is in the first closed position; and a support leg, mounted to the firebox to engage a surface.

Abstract: A method of generating a high-level vacuum comprises evacuating a chamber having a substantially-pure gas therein to a medium-level vacuum, and freezing the residual gas to generate the high-level vacuum within the chamber. Impurities, such as atmospheric air, may be purged from the chamber by evacuating the chamber to a medium level vacuum (e.g., around 10?2 Torr) and subsequently filling the chamber with the gas. This purging process may be repeated multiple times to decrease the level of impurities in the gas filling the chamber. The substantially-pure gas may have an impurity-level of less than approximately 100 PPM and may comprise carbon-dioxide, although the scope of the invention is not limited in this respect. The medium level vacuum may range between approximately 1×10?2 Torr and 5×10?2 Torr allowing the use of a roughing pump, and the high-level vacuum may range between approximately 1×10?5 and 1×10?8 Torr.

Abstract: An apparatus for freezing a biological sample having a frame, an enclosure adapted to conduct a cryogenic fluid therethrough, and a block in the enclosure such that the block is cooled to a temperature capable of freezing the sample. A force generating device is mounted on the frame generally above the enclosure. A sample holder is removably attached to the force generating device having a cavity at its free end for receiving a sample to be frozen. The force generating device, sample holder, and block are constructed to compress the sample between the block and the sample holder such that the holder penetrates the surface of the block and effectively seals the sample during compression.

Abstract: A heat exchanger transfers heat between primary and secondary fluid coolants. A housing has a longitudinal central axis lying within a transverse housing plane. A bottom wall with a concave inner surface faces upward and extends along the central axis. A plurality of arcuately helical lower sector fins are spaced apart along the central axis on the bottom wall inner surface. A cover has a longitudinal central axis lying within a transverse cover plane. A top wall with a concave inner surface faces downward and extends along the central axis. A plurality of arcuately helical upper sector fins are spaced apart along the central axis on the top wall inner surface. A copper tube is assembled into the housing in a direction transverse to the housing axis with the tube closely adjacent the lower sector fins. First and second sealing means seal the tube ends to the housing. The cover is assembled into the housing in a direction transverse to the housing axis with the upper sector fins closely adjacent the tube.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid storage/processing system which includes a tank for storing the cryogenic fluid, and a containment wall surrounding the tank and defining an impoundment area. The system further includes a vaporizer for regasification of the cryogenic fluid. Piping is discharges the vaporizer heating medium into the impoundment area, and/or routes it beneath the tank to heat the ground beneath the tank. Further, the system provides for all liquid hydrocarbons to be contained within the impoundment area with the pumps inside and the vaporizers mounted on the containment walls.

Abstract: A multi-function miller cutter includes a shank with a receiving portion defined in the shank at an end of the shank. A threaded hole is defined in the receiving portion so as to secure a disposable cutter. An angle is defined between an axis of the shank and a center of the threaded hole.

Abstract: A system and method of cooling a CCD camera may employ a composite material housing design that allows the cold side of a TEC to be mounted relatively close to the CCD and the hot side of the TEC to be isolated from the housing cavity in which the CCD resides. An efficient heat transfer path may facilitate cooling the CCD to a predetermined or selected operating temperature and isolate the CCD from the heat loads generated by operation the TEC.

Abstract: An intake assembly is provided for a sequentially fired eight cylinder V-type internal combustion engine including a cylinder block having a first band of cylinders and a second bank of cylinders. The assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth intake plenums mounted with respect to the engine. The first bank of cylinders includes a first group of two cylinders that fire ninety crank angle degrees apart from each other and the second bank of cylinders includes a second group of two cylinders that fire ninety crank angle degrees apart from each other. The first and second intake plenums are operable to communicate intake air to a respective one cylinder of the first group of two cylinders. The third and fourth intake plenums are operable to communicate intake air to a respective one cylinder of the second group of two cylinders.

Abstract: There is a cooling system and method for its use that cools carcasses prior to their being placed into cold storage units, such as refrigeration units or freezers. The cooling system includes cooling units having a wall therein, to redirect airflow in a circular pathway from a first side of the wall to a second side of the wall. The cooling unit includes at least one cooling apparatus positioned proximate the first side of wall, for directing airflow of cooled air produced in the cooling apparatus, vertically downward in a direction toward the floor, and over the animal carcass. The wall is above the floor, such that this cooled air moves from the first side of the wall to the second side of the wall, and completes the circular pathway by returning to the area proximate to the cooling apparatus. An apparatus for creating condensation can be placed on the second side of the wall, such that condensation falls to the floor, and not into contact with the animal carcasses.

Abstract: A double cooler device consistent with certain embodiments has an outer housing shell and an inner housing shell disposed within the outer housing shell and coupled thereto to form an outer reservoir to make up the housing. An inner core resides within the inner shell to form an inner reservoir. A first tap is coupled to the outer reservoir and a second tap is coupled to the inner reservoir to permit dispensing of a liquid stored in each respective reservoir. The inner reservoir has a drain and a vent spout. A lid is provided for closing the housing. The lid has an outer seal adjacent a periphery thereof to seal the outer reservoir and an inner seal to seal the inner reservoir. When the lid is in a first position with respect to the housing, both the inner and outer reservoirs are sealed by the inner and outer seals and the vent and spout are closed.

Abstract: A grill cooker that efficiently cools a grilling unit to prevent food from sticking to the grilling unit, and a multipurpose cooking apparatus in which the grill cooker is installed. The grill cooker includes a grilling unit on an upper portion of a cabinet, an air cooling unit on an outside of the cabinet, and a connection member on the upper portion of the cabinet. The grilling unit includes a grilling pipe having an inlet and an outlet. The air cooling unit includes a blowing fan and an air discharging pipe. The connection member has a tapered hole. The inlet of the grilling pipe is connected to an upper portion of the tapered hole, and the air discharging pipe is connected to a lower end of the tapered hole. The grill cooker is removably set in a recess in an upper portion of the multipurpose cooking apparatus.

Abstract: A desiccant-assisted air conditioning system utilizes a compressor (10), a condenser coil (11), an evaporator coil (13), supplemental desiccant coils (19, 20) connected therewith, and damper (18A, 19B) and valve arrangements that direct air and refrigerant through the system coils in several different thermodynamic operating paths. The system combines, transfers and reverses thermodynamic energies between the desiccant, the refrigerant and the crossing air, and simultaneously maximizes the refrigerant vapor compression closed cycle and desiccant vapor compression open cycle. The desiccant coils (19, 20) not only provide an effective gas phase change in their crossing air streams, but also simultaneously provide endothermic and exothermic energy exchanges between the air streams and the passing refrigerant that maximize the operating efficiency of the compressor, condenser coil, and evaporator coil, conserves energy, and produces quality conditioned air output.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a housing, a drive source, a rotary unit and a pumping mechanism. The drive source is accommodated in the housing and includes a rotary member for rotation. The rotary unit includes the rotary member and a rotary shaft, which is operatively connected to the rotary member for rotation. The rotary unit forming an engaging portion for engaging with a maintenance tool which is prepared outside the housing. The pumping mechanism is placed in the housing and is operated in accordance with the rotation of the rotary shaft. An allowing means is formed in the housing for allowing the maintenance tool to engage with the engaging portion so as to face the engaging portion. The rotary shaft is rotated by rotating the maintenance tool in a state that the maintenance tool is engaged with the engaged portion.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved air chiller unit mounted on an aircraft for sending cooled air to service carts for serving meals. An air chiller unit is equipped with a refrigeration cycle unit disposed on a casing. The refrigeration cycle unit is equipped with a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and so on for a refrigerant, and the cooled air is sent via a blower device 60 to a galley etc. A housing 630 of the blower device 60 has an inlet and two outlets 650, 652 for cooled air. A duct member is inserted to one of the two outlets 650 and 652, and the other outlet is sealed. The casing 10 is formed of a honeycomb panel. Since the honeycomb panel has high flexural rigidity, the base plate can support the refrigeration cycle unit by itself. Further, since the panel has superior heat insulating property, the air cooling efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator (accumulator) is arranged at a refrigerant suction side of a compressor of a refrigerant cycle system mounted in a vehicle. The gas-liquid separator includes a gas-liquid separation portion for separating refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and a liquid refrigerant storage portion for storing therein the separated liquid refrigerant. In the gas-liquid separator, the gas-liquid separation portion is arranged approximately vertically, and the liquid refrigerant storage portion is arranged approximately horizontally with respect to the approximately vertically arranged gas-liquid separation portion. Therefore, mounting performance of the gas-liquid separator in the vehicle can be effectively improved while gas-liquid separation can be accurately performed.

Abstract: An air conditioner for an automobile having a passenger compartment comprising is provided, including an air control system to control a property of air entering the passenger compartment, a manual setting member through which the property of the air is manually controlled, and a control system that automatically controls the property of the air based on a control characteristic. The control system updates the control characteristic based on an input from the manual setting member and based on a variable learning rate. The variable learning rate may be based on a time value measured between a first adjustment of the manual setting member and a second adjustment of the manual setting member and based on a magnitude of the second adjustment of the manual setting member. The property of the air entering the passenger compartment may be volumetric flow rate or temperature.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a liquid comprising a cavity (2) containing a refrigerating liquid capable of evaporation under the effect of a depression maintained by a pump. The cavity includes at least a first wall (21) in contact with the liquid to be cooled, the first wall (21) being substantially conical such that its cross-sectional surface tapers from the base towards the top, and at least a second wall (22) forming the base of the conical shape and incorporating communication (30) between the cavity (2) of the exchanger and the pump.

Abstract: A method for providing inventory for expedited loading and transport of compressed natural gas entails obtaining pressurized high-energy content gas; separating the high-energy gas into saturated gas and liquids; and removing impurities from the saturated gas. Water is removed from the gas forming a dry pressurized gas. The dry gas is cooled forming a two-phase gas. The gas is loaded into a storage element located on a floating vessel, while the liquids are loaded into the storage element forming a mixture. One or more storage elements are collected on the land to create an inventory that is quicker to load than comparable loading of natural gas unto the floating vessel. The floating vessel transports the inventory to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.

Abstract: A method for preventing explosions while transporting compressed natural gas by a floating vessel entails obtaining pressurized high-energy content gas; separating the pressurized product stream into saturated gas and liquids; and removing impurities from the saturated gas. The saturated gas is dehydrated forming a dry pressurized gas that is subsequently cooled forming a two-phase gas. The two-phase gas, natural gas liquid, and condensate are loaded onto a storage element forming a mixture. The storage elements are loaded onto the deck to provide open ventilation of the storage element. The floating vessel transports the storage elements to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.

Abstract: A method for processing and transporting compressed natural gas by a floating vessel with a power plant entails obtaining pressurized high-energy content gas, separating the pressurized product stream into saturated gas and liquids, and removing impurities from the saturated gas. Water is removed from the gas forming a dry pressurized gas. The dry pressurized gas is cooled forming a two-phase gas. The gas is loaded into a storage element located on a floating vessel, while the liquids are loaded into the storage element forming a mixture. The floating vessel transports the storage modules and elements to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.