Abstract: A method by which a freeze-drying process may be developed from a single freeze-drying experiment. The method uses in-process manometric temperature measurement (MTM) data to optimize the primary drying conditions. Manometric temperature measurement is a procedure by which the product temperature at the sublimation interface and the resistance of the previously dried product to vapor flow may be determined. The inventive method can be used in an inventive freeze-drying system. The system comprises a freeze-dryer, a measurement system including hardware and software necessary for generation of MTM data and a control system including hardware and software for interpretation of the generated MTM data and control of the freeze-dryer. The measurement system and control system may be combined into a single device.

Abstract: A burner (1) for heat generation, in particular in a gas turbine, is disclosed as well as a method for the stabilization of the flame of a burner (1). The burner (1) comprises inlet openings (3) for a combustion air stream, at least a swirl generator (2) for the combustion air stream and one or more first fuel supplies (4) with first fuel outlet openings (5) for injection of fuel into the combustion air stream. At least one resonance tube (6) with an open (7) and an essentially closed end (8) is arranged in or at the burner (1), whose closed end (8) is positioned in the region of a flame front (9) which forms during operation of the burner (1) on the side of the burner (1). An outlet opening (10) of a supply (11) for a compressible medium is arranged at the open end (7) of the resonance tube (6).

Abstract: A multi-tray fireplace tray system has a first tray and second tray. The first tray includes a hook. In use, the first tray and the second tray positioned proximate each other. The hook extends from the first tray into the second tray. Each tray includes a bottom surface and side walls extending from the bottom surface to form a walled surface for the for the collection of ash The hook starts from an upper edge of a side wall of the first tray and extends in a substantially C-shape over an upper edge of a side wall in the second tray. The hook terminates at a free end below the upper edge of the second tray side wall. When the first tray is moved, the hook moves the second tray in concert.

Abstract: A freeze dryer having a collector chamber is provided with a sensor for detecting the presence of moisture in the chamber so that the vacuum pump cannot be operated if moisture is present. The refrigeration system can also be deactivated. This precludes moisture from being pulled into the vacuum pump where it will mix with pump oil and shorten the life of the pump. The moisture sensor is also coupled with a warning circuit which advises the operator that the system is inoperable and is capable of displaying the reason for inoperability.

Abstract: A fireplace afterburner is presented including a shell having a first open shell end for receiving fireplace emissions and a second open shell end for expelling fireplace emissions, a flue inside said shell having a first flue end which can be closed, and a second flue end which is open, wherein when the first flue end is closed fireplace emissions flow around said flue, and wherein when said first flue end is open fireplace emission flow through said flue, a heating element connected to said shell and encircling said flue, wherein said heating element heats emissions that pass in proximity to the element, and a catalyst bed connected to said shell and encircling said flue. A method for reducing products of incomplete combustion in fireplace emissions is presented including receiving fireplace emissions into a shell, heating said fireplace emissions to at least 900° F. (482° C.), reacting said fireplace emissions with a catalyst substrate, and releasing the results of said reaction from said shell.

Abstract: A lighter includes a shielding frame including a wind shielding guard and two safety guards integrally and rearwardly extended from two sidewalls of the wind shielding guard respectively. The shielding frame has a top ceiling and a top flame gate formed thereon to align with a gas nozzle, wherein the wind shielding guard has a height that a root portion of the lighter flame is positioned below the top flame gate for preventing the lighter frame from being blown out. Each safety guard has a top edge rim horizontally extended from the top ceiling of the wind shielding guard to a position above a top circumferential edge of the respective driving wheel, such that the safety guards form as a physical barrier for preventing a thumb of a child from fully engaging with the driving wheels to drive the striker wheel to rotate.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for a portable fire container comprising a single piece of non-flammable material, wherein the container has a solid bottom portion, the container has a contiguous side portion at least six inches in height, the side portion has holes, the container is adapted to contain combustible material during the combustion, and the container is adapted to contain the resulting residual ashes and embers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-speed drying apparatus for drying objects which are rinsed with non-volatile or volatile liquid. The drying apparatus is capable of quickly drying such objects at a reduced cost, not permitting their oxidation. First, the rinsing liquid remaining on objects is substantially removed, still allowing small quantities of rinse to remain thereon. The substantial removal step is immediately followed by the complete removal of the still remaining liquid in the super dry atmosphere.

Abstract: A single-phase asynchronous motor with an auxiliary winding in which non-rotation is detected by the absence of an induced voltage across the auxiliary winding when it is briefly disconnected from its power source. Before the detection, the motor is briefly provided with a higher operating voltage.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a frame with an upper section for holding a pot and a lower surface for resting upon an underlying support surface. The frame has a burner element that can be a nozzle tube having a commercially available burner nozzle for generating a cooking flame during use. The nozzle can be fueled with propane, butane or the like using a commercially available tank, regulator and supply hose. The frame can include upper and lower rings, the lower ring providing the lower surface and the upper ring having pot support members for holding the bottom of a pot. One or more heat shields positioned below the flame during use lessen heat transfer from the flame to the underlying support surface.

Abstract: A moisture removal mechanism comprises a drying zone through which product to be dried passes. A fluid circulation path is in fluid communication with the drying zone. A forced fluid feed device directs drying fluid to and from the drying zone, the fluid feed device being mounted in the fluid circulation path. A heater is arranged in the fluid circulation path for heating the drying fluid prior to entry of the fluid into the drying zone. A fluid control arrangement is arranged in the fluid circulation path for controlling moisture content of the drying fluid, the fluid control arrangement being responsive to flow of fluid in the fluid circulation path.

Abstract: A washer-dryer has a tub, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, and warm air feeding means for feeding warm air to dry laundry put in the drum. The washer-dryer further has an ion generating device that generates ions for sterilizing the laundry. The ion generating device feeds the ions to the drum and the tub. This makes it possible to realize a washer-dryer that can kill germs attached to clothes or floating in circulated air and thereby keep clothes clean.

Abstract: In one of the many embodiments, a method for processing a substrate is disclosed which includes generating a first fluid meniscus and a second fluid meniscus at least partially surrounding the first fluid meniscus wherein the first fluid meniscus and the second fluid meniscus are generated on a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing nitrogen dioxide emissions in a flueless heating appliance or heater includes a heat-exchanger for exchanging heat contained in fumes produced by the combustion of a fuel in the heating appliance. A heating appliance or heater without a fume flue includes a burner supplied with a gaseous fuel, an evacuator for discharging into an environment outside the heater fumes produced by combustion of the fuel, and a heat-exchanger for receiving the fumes from the burner and sending them to the evacuator. A method for reducing nitrogen dioxide emissions in a flueless heating appliance, supplied with a gaseous fuel, includes removing heat in a controlled manner from fumes produced by the combustion of the fuel so as to minimize the conversion of NO into NO2 in the fumes.

Abstract: A dryer vacuum box suppresses occurrence of sticking at an exit portion of a dryer roll in a dryer part of a paper machine to prevent paper break in the dryer part of the paper machine upon high speed paper making. The dryer vacuum box is provided for applying a vacuum suction force generated by a vacuum source through a canvas to a paper web. A first vacuum box has an opening faced with a surrounding area of a peeling point on the canvas, where the canvas is separated from the circumferential surface of the dryer roll, and the opening is covered by the surrounding area of the canvas so that an enclosed space is defined within the first vacuum box. The first vacuum box is connected with the vacuum source so that the a degree of vacuum in the first vacuum box is set to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and a system for implementing a burner for burning ignitable gas mixed with air for providing heat. Pressurized ignitable gas and forced air are conducted from inside a distribution chamber through minor and major channels running through a burner head of the burner. A mixture of the ignitable gas and the forced air is ignited in at least one of the minor channels, and the ignited mixture is mixed with an inhomogeneous mixture of non-ignited ignitable gas in a flame stabilization chamber of the burner. An air rich mixture is forced in the at least one minor channel wherein at least one spark plug is installed in an extension void associated with an at least one minor channel but remote from the flame stabilization chamber, for igniting the air rich mixture into an ignition flame, which will ignite a flame in the flame stabilization chamber.

Abstract: A safety lighter includes a lighter body comprising a casing defining a liquefied gas chamber for containing a predetermined volume of liquefied gas therein, a supporting frame having an outer sealing surface engaged with an inner surface of the casing, a gas emitting nozzle mounted on the supporting frame to communicate with the liquefied gas chamber, and an ignition device supported by the supporting frame for ignition. A sealing arrangement includes upper and lower sealing rims spacedly and integrally provided along an opening portion of the inner surface of the casing in a step-shouldering manner wherein the upper and lower sealing rims are sealed with the outer sealing surface of the supporting frame to form two sealing lines along the upper and lower sealing rims respectively to sealedly mount the supporting frame on the lighter body for sealedly retaining the liquefied gas within the liquefied gas chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes a filter positioned with a sample flow path such that it restricts or prevents the passage of foreign materials, liquids or debris into a device such that, if not filtered, the elements harm the operational ability of the device.

Abstract: A steam blower box for the application of steam on a material web, particularly paper, which travels past the steam blower box includes a housing wall which faces the material web and extends transversely of the web travel direction. A plurality of steam outlet openings are arranged in the housing wall. The steam outlet openings are arranged in at least two separate groups, wherein at least one section which is free of steam application is provided between two adjacent groups, and wherein the air entrained by the material web is discharged through this section.

Abstract: The invention provides a dryer for a printer such as a print on demand wallpaper printer. The dryer has a compartment with an opening across the top. The opening is in a path of a moving media web which is printed on by the printer. The opening is optionally covered by a door. A source of heated air is located above the opening and blows heated air downwardly onto the door, or the opening if the door is open. In general, the door covers the opening and acts to support the web when the door is closed. When the door is open, the moving web can enter the compartment.