Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a refrigeration subsystem and a coolant subsystem. The refrigeration subsystem is configured to circulate a refrigerant between an evaporator (12,22) within which a refrigerant absorbs heat and a gas cooler/condenser (2) within which the refrigerant rejects heat to provide cooling to a temperature-controlled space. The coolant subsystem includes a heat exchanger (61) coupled to the refrigeration subsystem at an outlet of the gas cooler/condenser and configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant exiting the gas cooler/condenser to an external coolant when the external coolant flows through the heat exchanger, a control valve (64), and a controller (50) configured to operate the control valve to control a flow of at least one of the refrigerant or the external coolant through the heat exchanger based on a temperature of the external coolant relative to a temperature of the refrigerant exiting the gas cooler/condenser.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use with refrigerated LT and MT display cases in facilities such as supermarkets, has an absorption chiller that uses waste heat from a nearby source to provide cooling to the refrigeration system to take advantage of the synergy and improve overall efficiency of the refrigeration system. The cooling provided by the absorption chiller may be in the form of a coolant (e.g. water, glycol, water-glycol mixture, etc.) that circulates between the chiller and one or more of a pre-cooler, sub-cooler or condenser in the refrigeration system in a manner that uses waste heat from a nearby source to reduce the need for installed condensing capacity in the refrigeration system and improve thermal efficiency and obtain cost savings.

Abstract: A cascade CO2 refrigeration system includes a medium temperature loop for circulating a medium refrigerant and a low temperature loop for circulating a CO2 refrigerant. The medium temperature loop includes a heat exchanger having a first side and a second side. The first side evaporates the medium temperature refrigerant. The low temperature loop includes a discharge header for circulating the CO2 refrigerant through the second side of the heat exchanger to condense the CO2 refrigerant, a liquid-vapor separator collects liquid CO2 refrigerant and directs vapor CO2 refrigerant to the second side of the heat exchanger. A liquid CO2 supply header receives liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid-vapor separator. Medium temperature loads receive liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid supply header for use as a liquid coolant at a medium temperature. An expansion device expands liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid supply header into a low temperature liquid-vapor mixture for use by the low temperature loads.

Abstract: A C02 refrigeration system has an LT system with LT compressors and LT evaporators, and an MT system with MT compressors and MT evaporators, operating in a refrigeration mode and a defrost mode using C02 hot gas discharge from the MT and/or the LT compressors to defrost the LT evaporators. A C02 refrigerant circuit directs C02 refrigerant through the system and has an LT compressor discharge line with a hot gas discharge valve, a C02 hot gas defrost supply header directing C02 hot gas discharge from the LT and/or the MT compressors to the LT evaporators, a flash tank supplying C02 refrigerant to the MT and LT evaporators during the refrigeration mode, and receiving the C02 hot gas discharge from the LT evaporators during the defrost mode, and a control system directing the C02 hot gas discharge through the LT evaporators and to the flash tank during the defrost mode.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use with refrigerated LT and MT display cases in facilities such as supermarkets, has an absorption chiller that uses waste heat from a nearby source to provide cooling to the refrigeration system to take advantage of the synergy and improve overall efficiency of the refrigeration system. The cooling provided by the absorption chiller may be in the form of a coolant (e.g. water, glycol, water-glycol mixture, etc.) that circulates between the chiller and one or more of a pre-cooler, sub-cooler or condenser in the refrigeration system in a manner that uses waste heat from a nearby source to reduce the need for installed condensing capacity in the refrigeration system and improve thermal efficiency and obtain cost savings.

Abstract: A C02 refrigeration system has an LT system with LT compressors and LT evaporators, and an MT system with MT compressors and MT evaporators, operating in a refrigeration mode and a defrost mode using C02 hot gas discharge from the MT and/or the LT compressors to defrost the LT evaporators. A C02 refrigerant circuit directs C02 refrigerant through the system and has an LT compressor discharge line with a hot gas discharge valve, a C02 hot gas defrost supply header directing C02 hot gas discharge from the LT and/or the MT compressors to the LT evaporators, a flash tank supplying C02 refrigerant to the MT and LT evaporators during the refrigeration mode, and receiving the C02 hot gas discharge from the LT evaporators during the defrost mode, and a control system directing the C02 hot gas discharge through the LT evaporators and to the flash tank during the defrost mode.

Abstract: A cascade CO2 refrigeration system includes a medium temperature loop for circulating a medium refrigerant and a low temperature loop for circulating a CO2 refrigerant. The medium temperature loop includes a heat exchanger having a first side and a second side. The first side evaporates the medium temperature refrigerant. The low temperature loop includes a discharge header for circulating the CO2 refrigerant through the second side of the heat exchanger to condense the CO2 refrigerant, a liquid-vapor separator collects liquid CO2 refrigerant and directs vapor CO2 refrigerant to the second side of the heat exchanger. A liquid CO2 supply header receives liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid-vapor separator. Medium temperature loads receive liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid supply header for use as a liquid coolant at a medium temperature. An expansion device expands liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid supply header into a low temperature liquid-vapor mixture for use by the low temperature loads.

Abstract: A cascade CO2 refrigeration system includes a medium temperature loop for circulating a medium refrigerant and a low temperature loop for circulating a CO2 refrigerant. The medium temperature loop includes a heat exchanger having a first side and a second side. The first side evaporates the medium temperature refrigerant. The low temperature loop includes a discharge header for circulating the CO2 refrigerant through the second side of the heat exchanger to condense the CO2 refrigerant, a liquid-vapor separator collects liquid CO2 refrigerant and directs vapor CO2 refrigerant to the second side of the heat exchanger. A liquid CO2 supply header receives liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid-vapor separator. Medium temperature loads receive liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid supply header for use as a liquid coolant at a medium temperature. An expansion device expands liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid supply header into a low temperature liquid-vapor mixture for use by the low temperature loads.

Abstract: A refrigeration system with pressure-balanced heat reclaim includes at least one compressor configured to discharge a compressed refrigerant. A heat reclaim branch has a first end configured to receive at least a first portion of the compressed refrigerant and a second end, the heat reclaim branch also has a first refrigerant pressure drop. A condensing branch has a first end configured to receive at least a second portion of the compressed refrigerant and a second end, the second end of the condensing branch is fluidly coupled to the second end of the heat reclaim branch, and the condensing branch has a second refrigerant pressure drop. A pressure regulation device is disposed on one of the heat reclaim branch and the condensing branch and substantially equalizes the first refrigerant pressure drop and the second refrigerant pressure drop.

Abstract: A positive shutoff device is provided for a connection point of a refrigeration system. The connection point includes a manually-actuatable valve that permits charging and testing of the system. The device includes a first fitting engagable with the connection point and having a raised actuator that actuates the manually-actuatable valve when the first fitting engages the connection point, and a shutoff valve having a first end coupled to the first fitting and a second end coupled to a second fitting, the shutoff valve is operable in a closed position to prevent flow therethrough and an open position to permit flow therethrough, so that the refrigeration system may be charged or tested by connecting equipment to the second fitting and opening the shutoff valve, and the connection point may be positively shut off to prevent leakage of refrigerant through the connection point by closing the shutoff valve.

Abstract: A positive shutoff device is provided for a connection point of a refrigeration system. The connection point includes a manually-actuatable valve that permits charging and testing of the system. The device includes a first fitting engagable with the connection point and having a raised actuator that actuates the manually-actuatable valve when the first fitting engages the connection point, and a shutoff valve having a first end coupled to the first fitting and a second end coupled to a second fitting, the shutoff valve is operable in a closed position to prevent flow therethrough and an open position to permit flow therethrough, so that the refrigeration system may be charged or tested by connecting equipment to the second fitting and opening the shutoff valve, and the connection point may be positively shut off to prevent leakage of refrigerant through the connection point by closing the shutoff valve.

Abstract: A cascade CO2 refrigeration system includes a medium temperature loop for circulating a medium refrigerant and a low temperature loop for circulating a CO2 refrigerant. The medium temperature loop includes a heat exchanger having a first side and a second side. The first side evaporates the medium temperature refrigerant. The low temperature loop includes a discharge header for circulating the CO2 refrigerant through the second side of the heat exchanger to condense the CO2 refrigerant, a liquid-vapor separator collects liquid CO2 refrigerant and directs vapor CO2 refrigerant to the second side of the heat exchanger. A liquid CO2 supply header receives liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid-vapor separator. Medium temperature loads receive liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid supply header for use as a liquid coolant at a medium temperature. An expansion device expands liquid CO2 refrigerant from the liquid supply header into a low temperature liquid-vapor mixture for use by the low temperature loads.

Abstract: The present invention forms sidewall diffusion barrier layer(s) that mitigate hydrogen contamination of ferroelectric capacitors. Sidewall diffusion barrier layer(s) of the present invention are formed via a physical vapor deposition process at a low temperature. By so doing, the sidewall diffusion barrier layer(s) are substantially amorphous and provide superior protection against hydrogen diffusion than conventional and/or crystalline sidewall diffusion barrier layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming an FeRAM integrated circuit, which includes forming a multi-layer hard mask. The multi-layer hard mask comprises a hard masking layer overlying an etch stop layer. The etch stop layer is substantially more selective than the overlying masking layer with respect to an etch employed to remove the bottom electrode diffusion barrier layer. Therefore during an etch of the capacitor stack, an etch of the bottom electrode diffusion barrier layer results in a substantially complete removal of the hard masking layer. However, due to the substantial selectivity (e.g., 10:1 or more) of the etch stop layer with respect to the overlying masking layer, the etch stop layer completely protects the underlying top electrode, thereby preventing exposure thereof.

Abstract: The present invention forms sidewall diffusion barrier layer(s) that mitigate hydrogen contamination of ferroelectric capacitors. Sidewall diffusion barrier layer(s) of the present invention are formed via a physical vapor deposition process at a low temperature. By so doing, the sidewall diffusion barrier layer(s) are substantially amorphous and provide superior protection against hydrogen diffusion than conventional and/or crystalline sidewall diffusion barrier layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming an FeRAM integrated circuit, which includes forming a multi-layer hard mask. The multi-layer hard mask comprises a hard masking layer overlying an etch stop layer. The etch stop layer is substantially more selective than the overlying masking layer with respect to an etch employed to remove the bottom electrode diffusion barrier layer. Therefore during an etch of the capacitor stack, an etch of the bottom electrode diffusion barrier layer results in a substantially complete removal of the hard masking layer. However, due to the substantial selectivity (e.g., 10:1 or more) of the etch stop layer with respect to the overlying masking layer, the etch stop layer completely protects the underlying top electrode, thereby preventing exposure thereof.

Abstract: A drill pipe (10, 100, 220, 200, 210, 250) is disclosed which includes a cylindrical pipe section (12), a box end (14), a pin end (16) and a hydraulic hose assembly (202, 18) or tube (212, 90, 260) inserted between the box and pin ends and extending within the cylindrical pipe section. All, or the majority of drilling fluid passes through the hydraulic hose assembly (202, 18) or tube (212, 90, 260). The interior surface of the cylindrical pipe section (12) may or may not be exposed to the drilling fluid but any corrosion generated by metal-to-fluid contact is generally trapped between the hose or tube and the pipe section. The reduced volume of the hydraulic hose assembly (202, 18) or tube (212, 90, 260) relative to conveying the drilling fluid through the interior of the cylindrical pipe section reduces significantly the waste of drilling fluid, allows the fluid to be pressurized more rapidly to initiate drilling operation, and limits fluid spill damage to the environment.

Abstract: A cutting chain is provided which includes facing inner side bars (12) and outside members (14) which have substantially the same height. Further, the leading inner ends of the inner side bars (12) and the trailing inner end of the outside members (14) have a reduced radius to increase wear life while giving the chain a preferred direction of travel.

Abstract: An L-shaped digging tooth includes a trapezoidally configured shank having inner and outer sides. A toe portion projects laterally from one of its edges. An angle of about 90.degree..+-.30.degree. is defined between the general plane of the toe portion and the plane of the shank. The shank and toe portion terminate in a common, continuous cutting edge of L or V-shaped configuration having a convex outer boundary and a concave inner boundary. This cutting edge intersects at a leading cutter point, a free inner edge of the toe portion which extends along a line convergent with the shank portion plane. The tooth is hard-faced over a zone adjacent the common leading edge. The invention further relates to an endless chain excavating assembly which includes the described L-shaped teeth arrayed in a specific sequence with, and geometric relationship to, cup-shaped teeth of a known type, with both secured at spaced intervals to an endless chain.

Abstract: A mining apparatus for utilization in recovering coal includes a series of four cooperating legs: a right fore leg, left fore leg, right rear leg and left rear leg. Each leg is formed from a box-like shield. An inflatable bag is provided in each leg. When a particular bag is inflated, the bag expands extending the leg between the floor and roof of the mine. When deflated, the leg retracts. A series of hydraulic rams connect the legs together. These rams may be expanded and retracted as desired to move the support legs relative to one another. In this way the apparatus may be moved in substantially any direction about a 360.degree. arc. A microprocessor controller controls the operation of the apparatus. In accordance with further aspects of the invention, a number of mining apparatus of the type described may be connected together in series to form a line for roof support.