Abstract: An apparatus for controlling humidity in a fuel cell is provided. The apparatus can include a housing having an interior surface defining a volume and containing at least one fuel cell disposed within the volume. The apparatus may also include a plurality of electrodes disposed within the volume. The apparatus can include an aperture defined by the housing through which at least one air gas stream can be in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of electrodes. The apparatus can include a humidity-controlling component, wherein the humidity-controlling component is in fluid communication with the air gas stream prior to the air gas stream contacting the at least one of the plurality of electrodes, and humidity-controlling component being capable of controlling a relative humidity of the air gas stream. A method for controlling humidity in a fuel cell is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for tuning a turbine comprises a turbine controller coupled to the turbine, a first computer system coupled to the turbine controller and located locally to the turbine, and a second computer system for exchanging data with the first computer system. The second computer system is located remotely from the turbine and exchanges data with the first computer system via a network connection such as the internet, an intranet or a virtual private network (VPN). Data relating to a characteristic such as turbine combustion dynamics and/or emissions is transmitted by the first computer system to the second computer system. The second computer system transmits control data over the network connection to the first computer to tune the turbine.

Abstract: An in-line particulate detector comprises a housing having an inner flow portion. The housing Is disposed between adjacent portions of pipeline to permit a fuel flow from a fuel source through the inner flow portion to a fuel consumer. A light source is positioned within the housing for emitting a light beam within the inner flow portion. A first photodetector is positioned within the housing to detect the full strength of the light beam. A second photodetector is positioned within the housing to detect low, baseline levels of the light beam. Circuitry is coupled to first and second photodetectors to monitor the ratio of light intensities. When a fuel containing particulates is introduced, the light beam is scattered and the intensity measured by the second photodetector will increase and the intensity measured by the first photodetector will decrease.

Abstract: A corrosion sensor for use within a fluid flow path includes a sensing element and circuitry coupled to the sensing element for detecting corrosion of the sensing element. Another embodiment of a corrosion sensor for use within a fluid flow path comprises a hermetic housing, a sensing element attached to an external portion of the housing for exposure to the fluid flow path, and circuitry disposed within said hermetic housing, which circuitry is coupled to the sensing element for detecting corrosion of the sensing element.

Abstract: A rotary doser valve includes a stator with a plurality of ports therein which cooperates with a rotor having a plurality of channels therein. The rotor is rotatable against the stator in first and second positions which alternately channel water to and from a doser for refilling an icemaker in a preferred use.

Abstract: A system for continuously removing alkali metal contaminants from liquid fuel supplied to a combustor of a gas turbine comprising a source of fuel; means for supplying the fuel to the gas turbine; a prefilter downstream of the source and upstream of the gas turbine for removing solid particulates from the liquid fuel; and a coalescer located downstream of the prefilter and upstream of the gas turbine for separating water containing alkali metals from the liquid fuel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating contaminated media. The method comprises introducing remediating ions consisting essentially of ferrous ions, and being peroxide-free, in the contaminated media; applying a potential difference across the contaminated media to cause the remediating ions to migrate into contact with contaminants in the contaminated media; chemically degrading contaminants in the contaminated media by contact with the remediating ions; monitoring the contaminated media for degradation products of the contaminants; and controlling the step of applying the potential difference across the contaminated media in response to the step of monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method for tuning a turbine comprises a turbine controller coupled to the turbine, a first computer system coupled to the turbine controller and located locally to the turbine, and a second computer system for exchanging data with the first computer system. The second computer system is located remotely from the turbine and exchanges data with the first computer system via a network connection such as the internet, an intranet or a virtual private network (VPN). Data relating to a characteristic such as turbine combustion dynamics and/or emissions is transmitted by the first computer system to the second computer system. The second computer system transmits control data over the network connection to the first computer to tune the turbine.

Abstract: A corrosion sensor for use within a fluid flow path includes a sensing element and circuitry coupled to the sensing element for detecting corrosion of the sensing element. Another embodiment of a corrosion sensor for use within a fluid flow path comprises a hermetic housing, a sensing element attached to an external portion of the housing for exposure to the fluid flow path, and circuitry disposed within said hermetic housing, which circuitry is coupled to the sensing element for detecting corrosion of the sensing element.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and access door. An icemaker is disposed in the freezer compartment. An upper hopper is disposed inside the freezer door below the icemaker, and includes a rotary auger and first and second ice ports below opposite ends thereof. A receptacle is disposed outside the freezer door below the upper hopper, and a lower hopper is disposed inside the freezer door below the receptacle. A chute joins the second port of the upper hopper to the lower hopper for storing ice cubes therein.

Abstract: An icemaker assembly is disposed within a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment and respective freezer and fresh food door assemblies. The icemaker assembly comprises a conveyor assembly positioned within the freezer compartment having a flexible conveyor belt with a multiplicity of individual ice cube molds for creation of individual ice cubes. An ice cube storage bin is positioned below the conveyor assembly for storing the ice cubes and a fullness sensor is positioned for determining the fill level of ice cubes within the ice cube storage bin.

Abstract: A system for continuously removing alkali metal contaminants from liquid fuel supplied to a combustor of a gas turbine comprising a source of fuel; means for supplying the fuel to the gas turbine; a prefilter downstream of the source and upstream of the gas turbine for removing solid particulates from the liquid fuel; and a coalescer located downstream of the prefilter and upstream of the gas turbine for separating water containing alkali metals from the liquid fuel.

Abstract: A rotary doser valve includes a stator with a plurality of ports therein which cooperates with a rotor having a plurality of channels therein. The rotor is rotatable against the stator in first and second positions which alternately channel water to and from a doser for refilling an icemaker in a preferred use.

Abstract: A fluid analyte measurement system includes an extraction unit having a fluid flow path in intimate contact with an extraction solution flow path. The fluid flow path includes a fluid entry port and a fluid exit port and the extraction solution flow path includes an extraction solution flow entry port and an extraction solution flow exit port. The extraction unit extracts analytes from a fluid flow introduced within the fluid flow path through exposure of the fluid flow to an extraction solution introduced within the extraction solution flow path. A sample head vessel is coupled to the extraction solution flow exit port and at least one probe is coupled to the sample head vessel to generate signals indicative of the characteristics of the fluid flow analytes within the extraction solution flow. For example, this measurement system can be used to determine Na+ level within fuel oil. Circuitry is coupled to the probe(s), which circuitry is configured to measure the signals generated by the probe(s).

Abstract: An ice tray includes mold cells each having an open top and closed bottom. The bottom is air permeable for venting released air during formation of ice cubes therein. And, external sides of the ice tray may be thermally insulated for enhancing directional solidification of the ice cubes.

Abstract: An ice tray is filled with water and exposed to freezing temperature in a freezer. The freezing temperature is measured and integrated over time to obtain a monitoring parameter. The parameter is compared with a predetermined freezing standard for detecting transformation of the water into ice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating contaminated media. The method comprises introducing remediating ions consisting essentially of ferrousions, and being peroxide-free, in the contaminated media; applying a potential difference across the contaminated media to cause the remediating ions to migrate into contact with contaminants in the contaminated media; chemically degrading contaminants in the contaminated media by contact with the remediating ions; monitoring the contaminated media for degradation products of the contaminants; and controlling the step of applying the potential difference across the contaminated media in response to the step of monitoring.

Abstract: An icemaker dose dispenser includes a housing with a septum therein defining opposite chambers having corresponding water ports. Water is routed alternately through the ports for dispensing water from the chambers in sequence for accurately filling an ice tray.

Abstract: An icemaker assembly is disposed within a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment and respective freezer and fresh food door assemblies. The icemaker assembly comprises a conveyor assembly positioned within the freezer compartment having a flexible conveyor belt with a multiplicity of individual ice cube molds for creation of individual ice cubes. An ice cube storage bin is positioned below the conveyor assembly for storing the ice cubes and a fullness sensor is positioned for determining the fill level of ice cubes within the ice cube storage bin.

Abstract: A process treats contaminated media and comprises detecting a non-uniform contaminated media property selected from electrical conductivity or electroosmotic permeability; and selectively applying an electric field to the contaminated media to effect the process in a selected area of the contaminated media.