Abstract: An evaporator defines an evaporator volume, and boils the liquid inside evaporator volume. A mixing chamber is in communication with the evaporator volume and mixes the vapor or moisture from the liquid in the evaporator with the breathing gas of the patient. The mixing chamber is a separate structure than the evaporator. The mixing chamber and the evaporator are connected by a first connection that is repetitively connectable and disconnectable without significant destruction of a respective connection. A heater is arranged outside of the evaporator and in a heat conducting connection with the evaporator. The heater is a separate structure than the evaporator. The evaporator and the heater are connected by a second connection that is repetitively connectable and disconnectable. A liquid storage tank is in communication with the evaporator and supplies a liquid to the evaporator through a flow channel. The liquid storage tank is larger than the evaporator.

Abstract: A scent diffusion device including an air flow generator; an outlet, the generator and outlet defining a path for the flow of air therebetween; a plurality of scent diffusion modules comprising: a slide moveable by sliding inside a housing between at least one diffusion position and a non-fragrant position; at least one first window in the slide intended to receive a source of fragrant molecules; a second window in the slide, wherein, in the diffusion position, the first window faces a window in the housing and in the non-fragrant position, the second window faces the window in the housing, and wherein the modules are positioned such that window axes of the housings of different modules are aligned on the path; and a device permitting the slides to be brought individually onto one of the positions; the flow of air successively traversing the windows of the housings, the first window and the second window of the slides according to positions of the latter.

Abstract: An air humidifier is disclosed, the air humidifier including a caseless humidification module, wherein sealing properties of the humidification module are optimized.

Abstract: A diffuser module and system for diffusing gas into liquid such as in aeration/mixing of wastewater. Each module has a header pipe and diffusers which receive gas from the header pipe. Each pipe is equipped with a smaller internal pipe arranged concentrically to provide an annular space which receives the gas and supplies it to the diffusers. The volume within the internal pipe can serve as a ballast chamber or a buoyancy chamber or both.

Abstract: An aeration device or diffuser is disclosed. The diffuser preferably includes a porous hose adapted to allow gas to escape therefrom, a rigid element disposed within the hose, the rigid element being constructed of material denser than water and a fitting suitable for attaching the hose to an air supply, the fitting disposed within the hose at one end of the hose. Methods of use of the diffuser and of assembling the diffuser are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed in a hybrid humidifier for a fuel cell that has a plurality of humidifying tubes, each of the tubes defining thereon a plurality of through holes. Also disclosed is a method for humidifying dry air in a hybrid humidifier.

Abstract: A fabric packing has a plurality of layers made of a filament of metal or plastic and includes bulges for maintaining the fabric layers at a distance. The bulges have first protuberances of generally trough-shaped configuration and second protuberances formed on the first protuberances, thereby defining respective apexes. The second protuberances are sized smaller than the first protuberances, wherein neighboring fabric layers are supported on one another via the second protuberances.

Abstract: A fragrance disperser in one form includes a single fan that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance. A second form has the fan reversible to provide two different airstreams that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power. An alternative source has a reservoir for fragrance and a wick located in an air passage forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance. Where two fragrances are provided, the fragrance sources may be located side-by-side and matching fragrances may have, for example, matching indicia on the sources so that the match can be easily determined visually.

Abstract: An oxygen therapy humidification device is disclosed. The humidification device includes a hollow water reservoir that includes an upper end that has an upper cross-sectional area and a lower end that has a lower cross-sectional area. The lower cross-sectional area is smaller than the upper cross-sectional area. The device also includes an oxygen inlet and an oxygen outlet, both of which are positioned at the upper end of the hollow water reservoir and provide fluid communication to and from the hollow water reservoir. The oxygen inlet includes a bypass valve that is connected to a duct that extends from the oxygen inlet to a diffuser that is positioned at the lower end of the hollow water reservoir. The bypass valve allows the user to control the proportion of water vapor or humidity delivered to oxygen that is passed through the device, with the oxygen entering through the inlet and leaving through the outlet at the desired humidity level.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: A microbubble generator (20) includes an outer cylinder (201), bulkhead (202) and an inner cylinder (203) extending in the downstream direction from the bulkhead (202). A plurality of liquid passage holes (202a) is formed in the central portion of the bulkhead (202), and a circumferential flange (203a) is formed at the downstream end of the inner cylinder (203). A disk (204) is disposed adjacent to the rear edge of the inner cylinder (203). The disk (204) and circumferential flange (203a) define a restriction passage (17) in conjunction with each other. The circumferential flange (203a) forming one of the wall surfaces of the restriction passage (17) has a recess (206) formed therein.

Abstract: A container cap for providing a seal with an annular wall of a receptacle is disclosed. The cap includes a top wall, an annular seal wall, and cam structure. The annular seal wall extends axially from the cover portion. The annular seal wall is spaced radially inward of the cam structure. An end portion of the annular seal wall is configured to form a seal with the annular wall of the receptacle when the end portion is forced into engagement with annular wall of the receptacle.

Abstract: A counter current supersaturation oxygenation system preferably includes a down flow tube, an upflow tube and a gas diffuser. The gas diffuser preferably includes a porous tube and a support frame. The porous tube is preferably wrapped in a spiral from a bottom of the support frame to a top of the support frame. A non-porous gas supply hose is connected to the porous tube. The gas diffuser is suspended inside the down flow tube at substantially a bottom thereof. One end of the upflow tube is connected to substantially a bottom of the down flow tube. A second embodiment of the counter current supersaturation oxygenation system preferably includes a down flow tube, the gas diffuser and a buoyant platform. A stream of liquid becomes oxygenated by passing down the down flow tube. The oxygenated liquid may flow up the upflow tube or down to any appropriate destination.

Abstract: A sauna apparatus includes a heating section for heating air to generate heated air, a heated-air-blowing section for sending the heated air, a humidifying section for humidifying air to generate humidified air, a humidified-air-blowing section for sending the humidified air, a merging chamber for mixing the sent heated air and the sent humidified air to generate heated and humidified air, and an outlet for blowing the heated and humidified air generated. This sauna apparatus provides air having uniform temperature distribution and uniform humidity distribution, and allows temperature and humidity to be controlled easily.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing system includes a gas supply system configured to supply water vapor into a process chamber that accommodates a target substrate. The gas supply system is provided with a gas generating apparatus for generating water vapor from purified water. The gas generating apparatus includes a first vaporizing section configured to spray the purified water along with a carrier gas and heat the purified water, so as to generate preparatory water vapor containing mist, and a second vaporizing section configured to vaporize mist contained in the preparatory water vapor, so as to generate process water vapor from the preparatory water vapor. In the second vaporizing section, a thin film having a mesh structure is disposed across a passage for the preparatory water vapor and configured to trap mist between the first vaporizing section and the process chamber.

Abstract: Volatization of oil to impart a scent into air in an environment includes sensing a wireless transmitted signal in the environment and selectively outputting a control signal in response to the sensed wireless signal. The control signal activates a heater. Oil is transferred to a target region proximate the heater. The oil is actively volatized by the heater. Optionally, further wireless signals can be ignored until a cycle is complete, such that volatization occurs in response to only a portion of wireless signals in the environment. An apparatus can be so constructed to volatize oil in response to wireless signal events in the environment.

Abstract: Reduced size evaporative cooling apparatus utilizes a convex flare at the outlet of the apparatus to control air flow exiting the apparatus and cause air to flow along a helical path that produces an updraft off the ground below the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a flotatable aerator system that includes a concaved surface at the top of a fluid uptake chamber for diverting aerated fluid behind a chassis of the system. The chassis is supported by floats and includes a bank of fluid outlets created by a plurality of parallel baffle walls. The baffle walls add structural support to the chassis. Elongated end baffle walls create a semi-enclosed area for the discharge of the aerated fluid.

Abstract: Air humidification system using microwave energy to heat water to produce steam. The system may include an automatic controller.

Abstract: A humidifying apparatus is disclosed in which gas is provided to a first side of a membrane and liquid to a second side of the same membrane. The membrane is non-porous to the liquid but porous to vapor of the liquid and is liquidphilic to said liquid.