Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present inventive technology focuses on a vaneless diffuser adapted for establishment extra-radially of a centrifugal fan, wherein the diffuser may effect an optimal transformation of velocity pressure into static pressure of a fluid (e.g., air) impelled by a centrifugal fan by decreasing that fluid's tangential velocity as it travels through the diffuser, without causing recirculation of air output from the diffuser back into the diffuser. Such diffuser may effect such a decrease in tangential velocity by radially extending the interface through which impelled air is output from the diffuser to a downflow fluid handling environment such as, e.g., a scroll and/or a plenum. The diffuser may converge in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifugal fan to avoid fluid recirculation and/or may incorporate acoustical material so as to reduce the amount of material necessary for effective noise reduction as compared with convention noise reduction methods.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present inventive technology focuses on a vaneless diffuser adapted for establishment extra-radially of a centrifugal fan, wherein the diffuser may effect an optimal transformation of velocity pressure into static pressure of a fluid (e.g., air) impelled by a centrifugal fan by decreasing that fluid's tangential velocity as it travels through the diffuser, without causing recirculation of air output from the diffuser back into the diffuser. Such diffuser may effect such a decrease in tangential velocity by radially extending the interface through which impelled air is output from the diffuser to a downflow fluid handling environment such as, e.g., a scroll and/or a plenum. The diffuser may converge in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifugal fan to avoid fluid recirculation and/or may incorporate acoustical material so as to reduce the amount of material necessary for effective noise reduction as compared with convention noise reduction methods.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for air flow improvement in central air handling systems primarily for buildings and clean rooms. It may include a return flow path, a reversing element, an axial flow device, and a supply flow path where at least a portion of a supply flow path is substantially parallel to the return flow path and one of the flow paths at least partially surrounds the other flow path and could include an annulus between the supply and return flow paths and may provide uniform flow to the axial flow device. The system could include a filter which could be inclined, converging, or a skewed flow face filter, or combinations thereof. It may also include a coil, with a variety of shapes including flat, circular, or frustoconical and could be arranged perpendicular to a primary flow direction of the one or both of the flow paths. The system might also include at least one boundary layer affecting element. A remote access and replacement filter changing element may be included.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for air flow improvement in central air handling systems primarily for buildings and clean rooms. It may include a return flow path, a reversing element, an axial flow device, and a supply flow path where at least a portion of a supply flow path is substantially parallel to the return flow path and one of the flow paths at least partially surrounds the other flow path and could include an annulus between the supply and return flow paths and may provide uniform flow to the axial flow device. The system could include a filter which could be inclined, converging, or a skewed flow face filter, or combinations thereof. It may also include a coil, with a variety of shapes including flat, circular, or frustoconical and could be arranged perpendicular to a primary flow direction of the one or both of the flow paths. The system might also include at least one boundary layer affecting element. A remote access and replacement filter changing element may be included.

Abstract: The production of hot soup from soup concentrate involves the use of an apparatus that includes a housing having a refrigerated first section and a second section. A soup concentrate container is positioned within the refrigerated section for receiving soup concentrate and a discharge device is operatively associated with the soup concentrate container for discharging a predetermined amount of soup concentrate from the soup concentrate container. A nozzle which is adapted to be connected to a source of hot water is positioned in the second section of the housing for producing a stream of water. A movable tray is also positioned in the second section for receiving a cup or the like in which is to be mixed hot water and soup concentrate. A tray driving device is connected to the tray for moving the tray between various positions at which a cup is placed on the tray, soup concentrate is discharged into the cup and hot water is dispensed into the cup.