Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly (30) includes a jacket (34) having different portions comprising different polymer compositions. In a disclosed example, a plurality of tension members (32) are at least partially surrounded by a first portion (36) comprising a first polymer composition. A second portion (38) establishes at least one exterior surface (40) of the jacket (34) and comprises a second polymer composition. In one example, a surface-modifying agent is added to alter the composition of at least a portion of the jacket (34). In another example, co-extrusion techniques using different polymer compositions establish different portions of the jacket (34).

Abstract: A method of making a passenger conveyor handrail includes forming a drive member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced drive surfaces. The drive member has a longitudinal stiffness for maintaining a desired spacing between the drive surfaces. The drive member is inserted into a molding device. A gripping surface portion of the handrail is formed using the molding device such that the gripping surface portion and the drive member are secured together. Another method includes forming a belt drive member having a plurality of teeth that establish a plurality of longitudinally spaced drive surfaces. The belt has a longitudinal stiffness for maintaining a desired spacing between the drive surfaces. Each of the teeth extends across an entire width of the belt. The belt is secured to a gripping surface portion of the handrail.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a feed source, a first treatment unit for separating a feed into a first product and a concentrated feed containing less than about 7% total dissolved solids, and a membrane distillation unit for separating the concentrated feed into a second product and a superconcentrated feed containing at least about 14% total dissolved solids. The membrane distillation unit includes hollow fiber membranes having inner bores for receiving the concentrated feed and membrane walls for allowing vapor transmission of distillate. A method includes delivering feed to a first treatment unit where it is separated into first product and concentrated feed streams; delivering the concentrated feed to internal bores of hollow fiber membranes where it is separated into second product and superconcentrated feed streams as vapor passes across the hollow fiber membranes; delivering the superconcentrated feed to a liquid removal unit; and collecting the first and second product streams.

Abstract: A membrane distillation system includes a distillation vessel, an array of hollow fiber membranes pervious to distillate vapor but impervious to feed solution and an array of hollow tubes impervious to distillate vapor and feed solution but which allow thermal energy transmission. The system further includes a pump, a heat exchanger for heating the feed solution before it enters the hollow fiber membranes, and an outlet for removing distillate from the distillation vessel. A method for removing distillate from a feed solution includes delivering the feed solution through hollow tubes spanning a distillation vessel, heating the feed solution, delivering the feed solution through hollow fiber membranes spanning the distillation vessel to create a vapor pressure differential between the hollow fiber membranes and a distillation volume within the distillation vessel, and removing distillate from the distillation vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning septic system pipe in a leach field is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of curvilinear members each of which has portions that correspond to the outer circumference of a septic pipe to temporarily secure the pipe in a pre-designated position relative to other adjacent pipes. The curvilinear members can be fixed or variably positioned on an elongate beam that connects and sets the distances between adjacent curvilinear members. The use of multiple apparatuses enables the user to set the relative distances between septic pipes in a leach field with labor-reduced efficiency. A method for aligning pipe with the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through at least a portion of the interior region, and having exterior surfaces and inner hollow regions, where the inner hollow regions are configured to provide flow paths for a distillate fluid. The membrane module further comprises an opening extending through the outer casing for providing a feed solution to the interior region adjacent the exterior surfaces of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, where the feed solution provided to the opening has an elevated temperature that is greater than an atmospheric-pressure boiling temperature of the feed solution, and an elevated pressure at which an effective boiling temperature of the feed solution is greater than the elevated temperature.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor handrail (30) includes a sliding layer (40) that is non-woven in some examples and non-fabric in other examples. A first polymer material is used to establish a body portion (32) of the handrail (30) to provide, for example, a gripping surface (34). The sliding layer (40) is secured to a surface (38) of the handrail (30) to cover at least a portion of that surface to meet the needs of a particular situation. Disclosed examples include a variety of configurations and a variety of techniques for applying such a sliding layer (40) to a handrail (30).

Abstract: A method of making a passenger conveyor handrail includes forming a drive member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced drive surfaces. The drive member has a longitudinal stiffness for maintaining a desired spacing between the drive surfaces. The drive member is inserted into a molding device. A gripping surface portion of the handrail is formed using the molding device such that the gripping surface portion and the drive member are secured together. Another method includes forming a belt drive member having a plurality of teeth that establish a plurality of longitudinally spaced drive surfaces. The belt has a longitudinal stiffness for maintaining a desired spacing between the drive surfaces. Each of the teeth extends across an entire width of the belt. The belt is secured to a gripping surface portion of the handrail.

Abstract: A membrane distillation system includes a membrane distillation module, a brine loop and a distillate loop. The brine loop and the distillate loop each include means for regulating flow of brine solution and distillate, respectively, to the membrane distillation module. The flow of brine solution and distillate is regulated to prevent brine solution and distillate from penetrating membranes of the membrane distillation module. A method of membrane distillation includes delivering brine solution and distillate to the membrane distillation module at low pressures in a first mode. The method also includes heating the brine solution and cooling the distillate and delivering portions of each to the membrane distillation module in a second mode. The portions of heated brine solution and cooled distillate are adjusted to facilitate membrane distillation while preventing liquid from penetrating membranes of the membrane distillation module.

Abstract: A contactor module for separating a distillate from a feed solution includes an outer casing with an interior region, a distillate collection chamber, and pluralities of hollow fiber membranes and hollow tubes extending through the distillate collection chamber, where the hollow fiber membranes are configured to allow vapor transmission, and the hollow tubes are configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy.

Abstract: A distillation system and method includes open reservoirs and pluralities of hollow fiber membranes and hollow tubes extending through portions of separate open reservoirs. The hollow fiber membranes are configured to allow vapor transmission, and the hollow tubes are configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission but allow transmission of thermal energy. Feed solution is circulated through the open reservoirs. Distillate is separated from the feed solution by the hollow fiber membranes and thermal energy is recouped through the hollow tubes.

Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a seal disposed within the outer case, thereby dividing the interior region into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through the first chamber and the second chamber, where at least a portion of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes have first segments located within the first chamber and second segments located within the second chamber, the first segments being configured to allow vapor transmission therethrough, and the second segments being configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission therethrough, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy therethrough.

Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a seal disposed within the outer case, thereby dividing the interior region into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through the first chamber and the second chamber, where at least a portion of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes have first segments located within the first chamber and second segments located within the second chamber, the first segments being configured to allow vapor transmission therethrough, and the second segments being configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission therethrough, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy therethrough.

Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through at least a portion of the interior region, and having exterior surfaces and inner hollow regions, where the inner hollow regions are configured to provide flow paths for a distillate fluid. The membrane module further comprises an opening extending through the outer casing for providing a feed solution to the interior region adjacent the exterior surfaces of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, where the feed solution provided to the opening has an elevated temperature that is greater than an atmospheric-pressure boiling temperature of the feed solution, and an elevated pressure at which an effective boiling temperature of the feed solution is greater than the elevated temperature.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor handrail (30) includes a sliding layer (40) that is non-woven in some examples and non-fabric in other examples. A first polymer material is used to establish a body portion (32) of the handrail (30) to provide, for example, a gripping surface (34). The sliding layer (40) is secured to a surface (38) of the handrail (30) to cover at least a portion of that surface to meet the needs of a particular situation. Disclosed examples include a variety of configurations and a variety of techniques for applying such a sliding layer (40) to a handrail (30).

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic electricity generating system having a heat source generating a thermal emission having a plurality of wavelengths. There is an optical filter filtering the thermal emission into a filtered emission. There is also a thermophotovoltaic device receiving the filtered emission. The thermophotovoltaic device is configured to absorb the thermal emission converting the thermal emission into electricity.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly (30) includes a jacket (34) having different portions comprising different polymer compositions. In a disclosed example, a plurality of tension members (32) are at least partially surrounded by a first portion (36) comprising a first polymer composition. A second portion (38) establishes at least one exterior surface (40) of the jacket (34) and comprises a second polymer composition. In one example, a surface-modifying agent is added to alter the composition of at least a portion of the jacket (34). In another example, co-extrusion techniques using different polymer compositions establish different portions of the jacket (34).

Abstract: A deoxygenator includes a plurality of permeable membranes spirally wound about an exhaust tube for removing dissolved oxygen from a hydrocarbon fuel. The permeable membrane is spirally wrapped about the exhaust tube and defines fuel passages and exhaust passages. The fuel passages and exhaust passages alternate such that each fuel passage is bounded on each adjacent side by an exhaust passage. An oxygen partial pressure differential is generated across the permeable membrane to draw dissolved oxygen from fuel in the fuel passage. The dissolved oxygen is then communicated through openings about the circumference of the exhaust tube and out the deoxygenator.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polyetherester resin reinforced with aromatic polyamide fibers, exhibits good adhesion between the polyetherester resin and the aromatic polyamide fibers and could be used in automotive or other high strength applications.