Abstract: A fruit chiller has a semispherical bowl-like container for holding fruit or other food products with the bowl forming with the supporting base a cooling air supply passage. Cooling air flows into the bowl over the upper edge and variations in the cross section of the cooling air supply passage induces a turbulence in the cooling air that enhances air distribution and cooling efficiency.

Abstract: An effects generation system structured to produce a controlled special effects cloud and comprising a cryogenic fluid source including a container wherein a quantity of a cryogenic fluid is stored. The container includes a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being disposed in fluid flow communication with a pressurization assembly that is structured to maintain an outflow of the cryogenic fluid, under pressure, through the fluid outlet and into a delivery assembly operatively connected with the fluid outlet and structured to deliver the cryogenic fluid into a predetermined area through a plurality of delivery ports and into reactive proximity with a quantity of a reactive fluid so as to bring about a phase change in the reactive fluid sufficient to result in the formation of the special effects cloud.

Abstract: A multi-function receiver attenuates pressure fluctuations of refrigerant flowing from an evaporator to a compressor in an air conditioning system. The receiver includes a body housing having an inlet for receiving the refrigerant from a condenser and an outlet for sending the refrigerant to the compressor. A cap housing covers the body housing. The receiver also includes first and second ports defined within the cap housing. The first port communicates with the evaporator for sending the refrigerant to the evaporator, and the second port communicates with the evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from the evaporator. An internal wall defines an outer and an inner cavity. The outer cavity communicates with the inlet for receiving the refrigerant from the condenser and with the first port for sending the refrigerant to the evaporator. The inner cavity communicates with the second port to receive the refrigerant from the evaporator and to attenuate the pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: The cryogenic refrigeration system of the present invention includes: a shield plate for preventing a radiant heat from entering a superconducting magnet; a helium refrigerator for generating a liquid helium, the helium refrigerator including a pre-cooling refrigerator for pre-cooling a helium gas; and a nitrogen refrigerator for cooling nitrogen in a nitrogen tank; and a controller, whereby when a vehicle is running, a low pressure side compressor and a high pressure side compressor are operated, and the helium refrigerator and the nitrogen refrigerator are operated, whereas when the vehicle is not running, the operation of the pre-cooling refrigerator of the helium refrigerator is stopped while the operation of the nitrogen refrigerator is continued.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooling system (12) for cooling electromagnetic energy detectors (50). The cooling system (12) includes a first mechanism (18) that accommodates cryogen fluid in one or more spaces (58, 60). A second mechanism (16, 42) freezes the cryogen fluid in the one or more spaces (58, 60) adjacent to the electromagnetic energy detectors (50). In a specific embodiment, the electromagnetic energy detectors (50) comprise an infrared focal plane array (50). The second mechanism (16, 42) includes a heat exchanger (16) that is mounted separately from the first mechanism (18). The one or more spaces (58, 60) are fitted with three-dimensional cooling interface surfaces (62, 64). The three-dimensional cooling surfaces (62, 64) are implemented via a thermally conductive matrix (62, 64). The thermally conductive matrix (62, 64) is a copper metal matrix or carbon/graphite matrix, and the solid cryogen reservoir (18) is a beryllium reservoir (18).

Abstract: A method for cryogenic air separation wherein at least a portion of the feed air to the cryogenic air separation plant is partially condensed and the resulting two-phase feed air stream is turboexpanded to produce refrigeration and a resulting two-phase feed air stream, which has a liquid portion less than that of the input two-phase feed air stream to the turboexpander, prior to being passed into the cryogenic air separation plant.

Abstract: A liquefaction system includes a source tank containing a supply of liquid nitrogen with a head space there above filled with nitrogen vapor. A pump transfers the liquid nitrogen to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger also receives natural gas that has been processed in a purifier. The natural gas is liquefied by free cold from the liquid nitrogen so that liquid natural gas (LNG) is produced. The LNG travels to an LNG destination tank for storage and/or transport. The liquid nitrogen is vaporized in the heat exchanger. The resulting nitrogen gas is directed to a process system that may include, for example, cylinders for welding or other applications. Between liquefaction cycles, the purifier is regenerated by a vacuum and nitrogen vapor from the head space of the source tank. Steel shot is mixed with absorbent in the purifier so that the absorbent is cooled for increased performance.

Abstract: A Stirling refrigerating machine, comprising a regenerator provided in a flow path for a working medium reciprocating between an expansion space and a compression space formed in a cylinder, wherein a flow strengthener making uniform the flow of the working medium passing through the regenerator is provided on one or both of the expansion and compression space sides of the regenerator, whereby, because the nonuniformity of the flow of the working medium passing through the regenerator is improved, a regenerated heat exchanging efficiency can be increased, and thus the performance of the refrigerating machine can be increased.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit for performing a refrigerating cycle by circulating R32 as a refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit composed of a compressor (23), a condenser (22), expansion means (26), and an evaporator (2). An amount of R32 for filling the refrigerant circuit is set to be in a range of 120 g to 450 g per kW of refrigerating capacity, or an amount of R32 for filling the refrigerant circuit is set to be in a range of 400 g to 750 g per liter of unobstructed capacity of the condenser (22). By using R32 as a refrigerant that is small in Global Warming Potential (GWP), an energy-saving refrigeration against global warming with high coefficient of performance (COP) is obtained.

Abstract: A method for providing refrigeration to a refrigeration load which enables the use of environmentally friendly refrigerants with lower power consumption than with conventional refrigerants wherein the low side pressure of the circuit exceeds the critical pressure of the refrigerant fluid and the refrigerant fluid is compressed to a higher supercritical pressure prior to expansion.

Abstract: In the method for producing a particulate material (58) from an at least partially liquid material (35) containing a solvent and/or dispersant, this material (35) is atomized in a process chamber (21) into droplets which are frozen to particles (131) by contact with a freezing fluid. The particles (131) are then dried by freeze-drying in the or in another process chamber (22) having a filter (18) at the top. For the freeze-drying, cooled process gas is passed upward from below through the process chamber (22) and through the filter (18) in such a way that at least a substantial part of the particles (131) rest against the filter (18) at least for a substantial part of the freeze-drying taking place in the process chamber (22). This makes it possible to dry a batch of particles (131) in a short time.

Abstract: A refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a cabinet and a refrigeration deck slidably positioned within the cabinet. The refrigeration deck may include a Stirling cooler unit.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery system includes an insulated storage tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid, a pump, a heat exchanger and a gas and liquid mixer. The pump includes a pumping cylinder within which a sliding pumping piston is positioned. The pump also includes an actuating cylinder within which a sliding actuating piston is positioned. The pumping and actuating pistons are joined by a connecting rod. A portion of the cryogenic liquid pumped from the storage tank by the pumping piston and cylinder is vaporized in the heat exchanger and introduced into the actuating cylinder on alternating sides of the actuating piston to power the pump. The vaporized cryogen is also used to heat the pumped cryogenic liquid in the mixer. The conditioned cryogenic liquid is then dispensed from the mixer via a dispensing line.

Abstract: A mechanical resonator for a thermoacoustic device having a compressible fluid contained within a housing, the housing having a pair of heat exchangers and a thermodynamic medium therebetween. The resonator includes a member for mimicking dynamic conditions at a position of the housing; and a linear suspension element suspending the member in the housing. The mechanical resonator saves length and eliminates high-velocity flow losses. A transducer may also be mounted with the mechanical resonator to derive power in another form from the system, for example, electricity, or introduce power into the system. In combination, the transducer and mechanical resonator allow for cool-side driving of a thermoacoustic system.

Abstract: A device for evaporation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) on board a vessel. The device includes a pipeline through which LNG flows. The outside of the pipeline may be brought in contact with a heating medium, for example seawater. The pipeline is immersed in the sea and is connected to the vessel. The pipeline is enclosed by a shell through which seawater is pumped by a pump, which is operated by a motor on board the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to cool the hollows found in many extrudates. Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight and/or processing time. A fluid below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit is released into the hollow so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Additionally, the exterior of the molded material may be subjected to the cooling fluid so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Cooling may be further augmented by conventional methods such as a water bath. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.

Abstract: A liquid nitrogen cooling assembly incorporating a liquid detector which feeds back to control the nitrogen supply is disclosed. A pressure-controlled nitrogen source (e.g., a dewar) feeds liquid nitrogen to a heat exchanger mounted to a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) cell. The DSC cell is cooled as liquid nitrogen in the heat exchanger contacting the cell is vaporized into nitrogen gas. The exhaust (nitrogen gas and, occasionally, nitrogen liquid) is fed to a liquid detection/evaporator assembly. If liquid nitrogen is detected in the exhaust by the liquid detection/evaporator assembly, an indication is fed back using a liquid detection feedback loop to a pressure control device. The pressure control device reduces the amount of pressure on the nitrogen source in order to eliminate liquid in the exhaust. When there is liquid in the exhaust, the liquid detection/evaporator assembly also collects and vaporizes the exhaust liquid so that it can be properly vented to atmosphere in gas form.

Abstract: An inhalation device has a container 2 for an aerosol volume inhaled via a channel 15 and a mouthpiece 14, the container being located within a housing 12. The aerosol, in particular vitamin A, is introduced from a cartridge 17 into the interior of the container 2 via a nebulizer 18. The breath flow in the inhalation device is controlled via a control means 5 that keeps the inhalation flow essentially constant during the entire inhalation period.

Abstract: To provide a refrigerating unit using ammonia as a refrigerant, which uses a lubricant that is excellent in the compatibility with an ammonia refrigerant as well as in the lubricity and the stability.

Abstract: There is provided an inhalation device suitable for dispensing medicament, particularly medicament for use in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The device comprises a body; a medicament carrier, locatable within said body; a mouthpiece, reversibly movable from a storage position wherein said mouthpiece is within the body to an in-use position wherein a portion of the mouthpiece protrudes from the body and wherein the mouthpiece is in communication with the medicament carrier to allow passage of medicament therebetween; and a mouthpiece actuator coupled to the mouthpiece such that actuation of the mouthpiece actuator moves the mouthpiece towards said storage position and deactuation of the mouthpiece actuator moves the mouthpiece towards the in-use position. The body is shaped to be holdable in one hand and the mouthpiece actuator is actuable in response to a motion of the thumb on the same hand.