Abstract: The present invention relates generally to mammalian ?-N-acetyglucosaminidase and to genetic sequences encoding same and to their use in the investigation, diagnosis and treatment of subjects suspected of or suffering from ?-N-acetyglucosaminidase deficiency.

Abstract: An integrated system to provide both heat and electric power. The integrated, or cogeneration, system operates with an organic working fluid that circulates in a Rankine-type cycle, where the organic working fluid is superheated by a heat source, expanded through an involute spiral wrap (scroll) expander such that the organic working fluid remains superheated through the expander, cooled in a condenser, and pressurized by a pump. Heat exchange loops within the system define hot water production capability for use in space heating and domestic hot water, while the generator is coupled to the scroll expander to generate electricity.

Abstract: An integrated system to provide both heat and electric power. The integrated, or cogeneration, system operates with an organic working fluid that circulates in a Rankine-type cycle, where the organic working fluid is superheated by a heat source, expanded through an involute spiral wrap (scroll) expander such that the organic working fluid remains superheated through the expander, cooled in a condenser, and pressurized by a pump. Heat exchange loops within the system define hot water production capability for use in space heating and domestic hot water, while the generator is coupled to the scroll expander to generate electricity.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a prime mover subsystem and a Rankine-cycle heat energy utilization subsystem. The waste heat stream from the prime mover subsystem provides sufficient thermal content to power the heat energy utilization subsystem. The heat energy utilization subsystem can include a hermetically sealed scroll device, which can expand the working fluid through a single or dual scroll pair configuration. The heat energy utilization subsystem may also include a load-splitting controller, quick-start features and a capacity control module to facilitate rapid response to variable load conditions, as well as provide stand-alone operational capability. The load-splitting controller may incorporate a fuzzy logic controller to coordinate operation between the two subsystems. Energy generated by the heat energy utilization subsystem can be in the form of heat for various domestic and process needs, or can provide supplemental electric current.

Abstract: An evaporator for a micro combined heat and power system. The evaporator includes a heat source, an enclosure made up of at least a heating chamber and a primary fluid flowpath, and tubing that intersects the primary fluid flowpath. In one embodiment, the heat source is a burner such that the primary fluid is an exhaust gas formed by a combustion process at the burner, and the primary fluid flowpath is for the transport of the exhaust gas. The tubing defines a secondary fluid flowpath with a proximal portion adjacent the heat source and a distal portion downstream in the flowpath from the proximal portion. Working fluid first flows through the distal portion in counterflow relationship with the exhaust gas, then flows through the proximal portion in co-flow relationship with the exhaust gas. This circuiting avoids the excessive working fluid temperature of traditional counterflow heat exchangers, while providing better heat transfer efficiency than traditional co-flow heat exchangers.

Abstract: Microprocessor-based control sub-systems which control the thermal and electrical output of integrated micro-combined heat and power generation (M-CHP) systems used to supply domestic electrical power, domestic space heating (SH) water, and domestic hot water (DHW). The M-CHP system uses a microprocessor controller to control the internal operating conditions, such as pump speeds, gas flow rate, and evaporator outlet temperature. Controlling these parameters enables setting the capacity of the system at any instant in time, thereby permitting load following, using a variable capacity operation. The controller also monitors through sensors a number of additional safety controls and system protection devices, such as relays/contactor of the alternator to grid, and electrical trips to the feed pump, the oil pump, the hydronic pump, the blower, the gas valve, the expander bypass valves, and other electrically powered devices in the system.

Abstract: A micro combined heat and power system includes at least a heat source, an expander, a condenser, a pump, recuperator and conduit for circulating a working fluid. After the working fluid is expanded, its thermodynamic properties allow it to remain in a superheated state so that it selectively can give up at least a portion of its excess heat first to the recuperator and then to the condenser, which can then subsequently exchange heat with a circulating air, water or related loop to provide space heat or domestic hot water that can be used, for example, to heat a dwelling. The amount of heat exchange in the recuperator can be adjusted to allow the output ratio of heat to electricity to be varied while maximizing overall system efficiency. Additional componentry, such as an accumulator, enhances system operability by smoothing out working fluid flow rates during transitional operation, such as start-up and shut-down.

Abstract: A micro combined heat and power system includes at least a heat source, an expander, a pump, a staged, counterflow condenser and a conduit for transporting a working fluid. The heat source can be, for example, a burner, while the expander is preferably a scroll expander. The heat source superheats the working fluid, which is preferably an organic working fluid. The superheated organic working fluid passes through the expander, which is coupled to a generator to produce electricity. After the working fluid is expanded, its gives up at least a portion of its excess heat first to the condenser. By placing the condenser in a counterflow arrangement, the fluid receiving the heat from the condensing working fluid can be of a higher temperature, thus allowing more system variation in the heat to power output ratio. The fluid receiving heat from the condenser may include circulating air, water or related fluid to provide space heat or domestic hot water.

Abstract: An evaporator for a micro combined heat and power system. The evaporator includes a heat source, an enclosure with a heating chamber and a primary fluid flowpath, and tubing that can carry a working fluid through a secondary fluid flowpath that intersects the primary fluid flowpath. The tubing is grouped into stages, including a first, or proximal, stage situated closest to the heat source, a second, or intermediate, stage downstream of the heat source relative to the proximal stage, and a third, or distal, stage downstream of the heat source relative to the proximal and intermediate stages. The stages of the evaporator tubing, while preferably circuited in a hybrid co-flow and counterflow arrangement, can also be used with purely co-flow or purely counterflow configuration. The proximal stage can be made from a first, relatively robust material, while the distal stage can be made from a second, relatively high thermal conductivity material.

Abstract: An integrated system to provide both heat and electric power. The integrated, or cogeneration, system operates with an organic working fluid that circulates in a Rankine-type cycle, where the organic working fluid is superheated by a heat source, expanded through an involute spiral wrap (scroll) expander such that the organic working fluid remains superheated through the expander, cooled in a condenser, and pressurized by a pump. Heat exchange loops within the system define hot water production capability for use in space heating and domestic hot water, while the generator is coupled to the scroll expander to generate electricity.

Abstract: An integrated system to provide both heat and electric power. The integrated, or cogeneration, system operates with an organic working fluid that circulates in a Rankine-type cycle, where the organic working fluid is superheated by a heat source, expanded through an involute spiral wrap (scroll) expander such that the organic working fluid remains superheated through the expander, cooled in a condenser, and pressurized by a pump. Heat exchange loops within the system define hot water production capability for use in space heating and domestic hot water, while the generator is coupled to the scroll expander to generate electricity.

Abstract: An involute spiral wrap scroll-type device uses two pairs of spiral wrap members connected together at opposite ends of a common rotational shaft. The device can be operated in either an expansion mode or a combination hybrid mode where each pair of spiral wrap members functions as a compressor and expander, respectively. In an expansion mode, electric current is produced via generator electrically responsive to shaft rotation. In hybrid mode, a first spiral wrap member pair functions as an expander with the second spiral wrap member pair functioning as a compressor. In this mode, the balance of shaft power between that produced by the expander and that absorbed by the compressor is either supplied by the motor/generator functioning as a motor, or converted into electricity by the motor/generator functioning as a generator. The housing can be hermetically sealed, thus promoting contamination-free operation.

Abstract: An involute spiral wrap scroll-type device uses two pairs of spiral wrap members connected together at opposite ends of a common rotational shaft. The device can be operated in either an expansion mode or a combination hybrid mode where each pair of spiral wrap members functions as a compressor and expander, respectively. In an expansion mode, electric current is produced via generator electrically responsive to shaft rotation. In hybrid mode, a first spiral wrap member pair functions as an expander with the second spiral wrap member pair functioning as a compressor. In this mode, the balance of shaft power between that produced by the expander and that absorbed by the compressor is either supplied by the motor/generator functioning as a motor, or converted into electricity by the motor/generator functioning as a generator. The housing can be hermetically sealed, thus promoting contamination-free operation.

Abstract: An open steam generator system is disclosed which comprises a substantially enclosed vessel having an opening for exhausting steam generated and an opening for draining residual water from the vessel. Within the vessel also is a heat exchange coil having a heat transfer fluid circulating through its runs. The vessel also includes an injector for spraying water onto the heating coil to form steam. The disclosed steam generator achieves tolerance for low water quality by minimizing surface areas in contact with water. In addition, the system promotes self-cleaning of heat exchange surfaces using thermal shock to dislodge scale deposits.

Abstract: A perforated drum (10) rotates in a coaxial cylindrical housing (18) having three circumferential ports (19,22,23), and an axial outlet (24) at one end. The axis (11) is horizontal. A fibrous filter medium (20) is fed through a port (19) on or near the top of the housing (81) by a distributing mechanism (36) which lays a uniform mat (26) of the desired thickness onto the rotating drum (10). This mat (26) is carried by the drum (10) to a second port (23) through which dirty fluid (13) enters. The fluid (13) passes through the filter (26) and the cleaned stream (16) exits through the open end (15) of the drum (10) and the axial port (24) in the housing (18). The dirty filter material (20) is carried on to a third port (22) near the bottom of the housing (18) and drops into a receiver (31) from which it is continuously removed, cleaned (30), and returned (32) to the charging port (36) at the top.

Abstract: An entrained bed combustor may provide constant temperature, superheated steam to a power generating steam turbine independent of the load on the turbine. In a conventional utility boiler heat is transferred in series to the steam generator, superheater and reheater. With the present invention these components may be run in parallel with heat transfer from the entrained bed particles enabling faster start-up and a turn-down capability without a reduction in the superheated steam temperature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing heat from a liquid fuel in an oil burner with a low NO.sub.x -gas effluent. A small relatively higher velocity stream of air is directed concentric about a divergent spray or stream of ignited fuel oil in a primary flame zone in such amount that only a minor portion of the fuel can be combusted in said primary flame zone. The air is directed in such manner as to produce toroidal fluid circulation pattern atomizing the liquid fuel and establishing a stable flame. A small amount of recirculated flue gas (RFG) is immediately thereafter introduced concentrically about said primary flame zone in the general direction of fluid flow. Air is introduced concentrically thereabout in a secondary flame zone in the fluid flow path of said primary flame zone in at least sufficient quantity to burn the remaining combustibles. Oxides of nitrogen in the resultant effluent are suppressed by adjusting the amount of RFG and hence the flame composition and temperature.