Abstract: According to the invention, a method is provided of operating a combustion engine comprising more than three cylinders with cylinder valves that are operated in a cycle of fuel intake, pressurizing, firing and exhaust strokes. The method comprises carrying out the cycle for at least two cylinders in a simultaneous operation; and having the simultaneously operated cylinders to exhaust in a manifold that couples to a single turbine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting column, lifting system and method for lifting a vehicle. The lifting column according to the invention includes a frame with a carrier configured for carrying the vehicle; a drive for driving the carrier in at least one of the ascent or descent of the carrier; and a modular power system configured for providing power to the drive and adapted to comprise a variable number of energy storage systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile lifting column for lifting a vehicle, and system and method therefor. The lifting system according to the invention includes: a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle; a drive which acts on the carrier and is configured for raising and/or lowering the carrier relative to the frame; a displacement mechanism configured for positioning the lifting column; and a controller configured for controlling movement of the carrier, wherein the displacement mechanism has a displacement frame including a housing, a wheel that can be moved relative to this frame between a displacement and a stationary position, a counter force element, and a steering handle that is operatively coupled to the wheel with a linkage mechanism that is configured for moving the wheel relative to this frame.

Abstract: Provided is a lifting device, lifting system and method for lifting a vehicle. The lifting device according to the invention includes a frame with a carrier configured for carrying the vehicle; a drive which acts on the carrier, wherein the drive includes an integrated hydraulic cylinder drive unit configured for raising the carrier with the integrated hydraulic cylinder drive unit including: a housing of a cylinder; a piston rod movable in the housing; a height measuring system configured for measuring the displacement of the piston rod; and an integrated hydraulic fluid tank and motor unit that is configured for driving the piston rod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blocking device for blocking a vehicle and/or entrance to a loading-unloading station, a dock and/or distribution center provided therewith and method therefor. The blocking device includes: a guide track with guide track supports disposed along a driveway; a carriage attached to the guide track with a blocking element, with the carriage being capable of moving along the driveway; a blocking element extension mechanism configured to extend the blocking element between a retracted position and an extended blocking position; and a guide track drive configured for lifting and/or lowering the guide track. The guide track drive is further configured such that the guide track performs a horizontal movement when being lifted or lowered, and the vertical and horizontal movements are being performed simultaneously or successively.

Abstract: A lifting system and method of use thereof for lifting a vehicle. The lifting system includes one or more lifting devices. Each lifting device includes a frame with a carrier configured for carrying the vehicle, a drive for driving the carrier in at least one of the ascent or descent of the carrier, a transmitter/receiver for wireless communication with a central controller that is configured for centrally controlling the one or more lifting devices, and a sensor for measuring at least one of the ascent or descent of the carrier. The central controller includes a transmitter/receiver for communication with the individual lifting devices and a processor for determining required control actions for individual lifting devices. The central controller and/or at least one of the lifting devices includes a user input. The central controller controls two or more independent groups of selected lifting devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analyzing the composition of a gaseous stream comprising at least two gaseous components, one of which is methane; and to a sensor array and a gas sensor comprising such sensor array. The method comprises contacting the gaseous mixture with a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a sensor array comprising at least two sensor elements, wherein each of said sensor elements comprises a transducer coated with a coating comprising a polymeric material having at least one property that is responsive to one or more of said gaseous components when exposed thereto, wherein said sensor elements differ at least in the composition of the coating, providing an energy input to said transducers that is converted to output signals based on said property, and obtaining said output signals.

Abstract: A heat exchanger system is described for thermochemical storage and release. The system comprises a thermal exchange circuit with a heat exchanger fluid, the circuit further in thermal connection with a thermochemical module. The thermochemical module comprises a thermochemical material that stores and releases heat by a thermochemical exchange process under release or binding of a sorbate. The thermochemical module comprises a compartment structure that compartments the thermochemical material and further comprises a channel structure. This provides an exchange of the sorbate: and the thermochemical material via the channel structure to the compartment structure.

Abstract: The invention describes a composite material for heat storage comprising a thermochemical material (TCM) encapsulated in a water vapour permeable polymeric material. The thermochemical material preferably comprises at least one salt, at least one salt hydrate or a mixture of these, wherein the salt is preferably capable of binding water in an exothermic reaction, such as calcium chloride. Encapsulation in a water vapour permeable polymeric material results in an improved stability, cyclability of the thermochemical material, a reduced regeneration temperature and reduced corrosion of the environment. The composite according to the invention is particularly suitable for energy storage, preferably in the field of building and construction, and more preferably in the seasonal storage of solar energy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a closed system for thermochemical storage comprising at least one water condenser and at least two thermochemical modules, wherein a first thermochemical module comprises a first thermochemical material and a second thermochemical module comprises a second thermochemical material, and wherein the at least one water condenser and the thermochemical modules are connected so that water vapor can be exchanged individually between any two selected from the list consisting of the at least one water condenser and the at least two thermochemical modules. A method for desorption in the system according to the invention is also described. In this method, the first thermochemical module is used as a condenser to dry the second thermochemical module.

Abstract: The invention describes a composite material for heat storage comprising a thermochemical material (TCM) encapsulated in a water vapor permeable polymeric material. The thermochemical material preferably comprises at least one salt, at least one salt hydrate or a mixture of these, wherein the salt is preferably capable of binding water in an exothermic reaction, such as calcium chloride. Encapsulation in a water vapor permeable polymeric material results in an improved stability, cyclability of the thermochemical material, a reduced regeneration temperature and reduced corrosion of the environment. The composite according to the invention is particularly suitable for energy storage, preferably in the field of building and construction, and more preferably in the seasonal storage of solar energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for blocking a vehicle, a loading-unloading system provided therewith and a method therefor. The system includes a blocking device capable of moving along the vehicle; a blocking element attached to the blocking device capable of being positioned against a vehicle tire such that the vehicle is blocked; a blocking element extension mechanism configured to extend the blocking element from a retracted position to an extended position; height adjusting means for height adjustment of the blocking element; and calculation means for calculating the desired height of the blocking element with the blocking element in an extended position such that the blocking element is used for determining the position of the vehicle tire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blocking device for blocking a vehicle and/or entrance to a loading-unloading station, a dock and/or distribution center provided therewith and method therefor. The blocking device includes: a guide track with guide track supports disposed along a driveway; a carriage attached to the guide track with a blocking element, with the carriage being capable of moving along the driveway; a blocking element extension mechanism configured to extend the blocking element between a retracted position and an extended blocking position; and a guide track drive configured for lifting and/or lowering the guide track. The guide track drive is further configured such that the guide track performs a horizontal movement when being lifted or lowered, and the vertical and horizontal movements are being performed simultaneously or successively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting system for lifting a vehicle and method therefor. The lifting system according to the invention includes a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle, with the carrier including a carrying part and a guiding part; a drive which acts on the carrier and is configured for raising and/or lowering the carrier relative to the frame; a locking system for locking and unlocking the moveable carrier relative to the frame; and a controller configured for controlling the height of the carrier. The locking system includes a lock actuator, a locking rail, a locking drive configured for moving the lock actuator between a locked state and an unlocked state, and a lock and is configured for engaging and/or disengaging the locking rail in response to a movement of the lock actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate handling and exposure arrangement comprising a plurality of lithography apparatus, a clamp preparation unit for clamping a wafer on a wafer support structure, a wafer track, wherein the clamp preparation unit is configured for accepting a wafer from the wafer track, and an additional wafer track for transferring the clamp towards the plurality of lithography apparatus.

Abstract: A lifting column, lifting system and method for lifting a vehicle, such as a rail-car. The lifting column includes a frame having a movable carrier; a drive operably connected to the frame for the lifting or lowering of the carrier; and a lifter attached to the carrier for lifting the vehicle to be lifted. The lifter includes a positioner for moving of the lifter relative to the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting system for lifting a vehicle and method therefor. The lifting system according to the invention includes a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle, with the carrier including a carrying part and a guiding part; a drive which acts on the carrier and is configured for raising and/or lowering the carrier relative to the frame; a locking system for locking and unlocking the moveable carrier relative to the frame; and a controller configured for controlling the height of the carrier. The locking system includes a lock actuator, a locking rail, a locking drive configured for moving the lock actuator between a locked state and an unlocked state, and a lock and is configured for engaging and/or disengaging the locking rail in response to a movement of the lock actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting device system for lifting a vehicle, and lifting system and method therefor. The lifting device according to the invention includes a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle; a drive system which acts on the carrier and is configured for raising and/or lowering the carrier relative to the frame; and a controller and a control measurement system. The controller is configured for controlling the height of the carrier in response to a measurement signal from the control measurement system. The drive system comprises a motor with an integrated motor controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile lifting column for lifting a vehicle, and system and method therefor. The lifting system according to the invention includes: a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle; a drive which acts on the carrier and is configured for raising and/or lowering the carrier relative to the frame; a displacement mechanism configured for positioning the lifting column; and a controller configured for controlling movement of the carrier, wherein the displacement mechanism has a displacement frame including a housing, a wheel that can be moved relative to this frame between a displacement and a stationary position, a counter force element, and a steering handle that is operatively coupled to the wheel with a linkage mechanism that is configured for moving the wheel relative to this frame.