Abstract: An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

Abstract: A low-temperature storage device includes an inner vessel, an outer vessel about the inner vessel, a thermal insulation layer between the inner vessel and the outer vessel, and a single heat exchanger in thermal communication with an interior of the inner vessel and adapted to be connected to at least one of an evaporator in a closed-loop refrigeration circuit and an open-loop evaporator for an externally-supplied cryogen. The inner vessel can be a vacuum-insulated vessel, and the heat exchanger can be an internal heat exchanger including at least two fluid circuits: a first circuit with one external connection and one internal connection into the inner vessel and the second circuit with two external connections.

Abstract: An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

Abstract: An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

Abstract: A low-temperature storage device includes an inner vessel, an outer vessel about the inner vessel, a thermal insulation layer between the inner vessel and the outer vessel, and a single heat exchanger in thermal communication with an interior of the inner vessel and adapted to be connected to at least one of an evaporator in a closed-loop refrigeration circuit and an open-loop evaporator for an externally-supplied cryogen. The inner vessel can be a vacuum-insulated vessel, and the heat exchanger can be an internal heat exchanger including at least two fluid circuits: a first circuit with one external connection and one internal connection into the inner vessel and the second circuit with two external connections.

Abstract: An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

Abstract: A cryocooler is described that can include a pressure wave generator, and a refrigeration device (for example, a cold-head), which can be used to liquefy a gas when the gas is exposed to a surface of the refrigeration device. The pressure wave generator can include one or more motors. Each motor can include a stator, and at least one electrical coil wound around a portion of the stator. The electrical coil can generate a reversing magnetic field when alternating electric current is passed through the electrical coil. The motor can further include a pressurized container that can be placed within the space enclosed by the stator, and a piston that can be placed inside the pressurized container. The stators can be placed external to the pressurized container. The piston is made by combining magnets that have opposite and transverse polarities, and are combined adjacently on a common reciprocating axis.

Abstract: A cryocooler is described that can include a pressure wave generator, and a refrigeration device (for example, a cold-head), which can be used to liquefy a gas when the gas is exposed to a surface of the refrigeration device. The pressure wave generator can include one or more motors. Each motor can include a stator, and at least one electrical coil wound around a portion of the stator. The electrical coil can generate a reversing magnetic field when alternating electric current is passed through the electrical coil. The motor can further include a pressurized container that can be placed within the space enclosed by the stator, and a piston that can be placed inside the pressurized container. The stators can be placed external to the pressurized container. The piston is made by combining magnets that have opposite and transverse polarities, and are combined adjacently on a common reciprocating axis.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of foldable, collapsible window shades from a continuously moving strip of material. The method described herein is directed to a variety of methods of handling and processing preforms generated from the strip of material in order to ensure continuous movement of the strip of material during the process.

Abstract: A control circuit of an oxygen concentrator maintains pressure within a compressor of the oxygen concentrator. The control circuit includes a microprocessor that controls functioning of a controller based on two or more of: a user-adjustable flow rate of oxygen delivered by the oxygen concentrator to a user, an ambient temperature, and an ambient pressure. The functioning of the controller further controls the adsorption of various gases by sieve beds of the oxygen concentrator to produce oxygen enriched gas.

Abstract: A fabric for a window shade, a window shade including the fabric and a related method are disclosed. The fabric may include a relaxed condition in which the fabric is translucent or at least partially opaque; and at least one stretched condition caused by application of a tension in a single linear direction, wherein a degree of transparency of the fabric depends on an extent of the tension, The fabric exhibits substantially no dimension change other than in the single linear direction in response to tension. A roller shade for a window may include a roller including a position selectable, retraction system operatively coupled thereto; and the fabric on the roller.

Abstract: A cryocooler is described that can include a pressure wave generator, and a refrigeration device (for example, a coldhead), which can be used to liquefy a gas when the gas is exposed to a surface of the refrigeration device. The pressure wave generator can include one or more motors. Each motor can include a stator, and at least one electrical coil wound around a portion of the stator. The electrical coil can generate a reversing magnetic field when alternating electric current is passed through the electrical coil. The motor can further include a pressurized container that can be placed within the space enclosed by the stator, and a piston that can be placed inside the pressurized container. The stators can be placed external to the pressurized container. The piston is made by combining magnets that have opposite and transverse polarities, and are combined adjacently on a common reciprocating axis.

Abstract: A rail anchor assembly for a corded window shade is disclosed. The rail anchor assembly can include: a spool including a first aperture for allowing a cord of the corded window shade to pass axially into an interior cavity of the spool; and a second aperture for allowing the cord to exit the interior cavity of the spool; and a retaining component for affixing an end of the cord to a component of the window shade other than the spool.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of foldable, collapsible window shades from a continuously moving strip of material. The method described herein is directed to a variety of methods of handling and processing preforms generated from the strip of material in order to ensure continuous movement of the strip of material during the process.

Abstract: A window shade assembly includes a flexible shade material having a pair of non-beaded vertical edges positioned in a pair of opposed vertical side channels. A re-channeling system includes a lip to at least partially define a plane of the flexible shade material within the side channels, and a bottom rail irremovably and slidingly received in each side channel. The side channels can be two parts. A single resilient seal strip is used with the side channels to seal the flexible shade material. The seal strip can be an edge of the flexible wrapping material for the side channels.

Abstract: Embodiments of a window shade assembly include a headrail coupled to a source of a substantially opaque shade material. A pair of opposed vertical, opaque side channels open in a direction facing one another and configured to be mounted to a surrounding frame for receiving at least a portion of an edge of the substantially opaque shade material. Each side channel includes at least one light-absorbing inner surface.

Abstract: A window shade assembly includes a flexible shade material having a pair of non-beaded vertical edges positioned in a pair of opposed vertical side channels. A re-channeling system includes a lip to at least partially define a plane of the flexible shade material within the side channels, and a bottom rail irremovably and slidingly received in each side channel. The side channels can be two parts. A single resilient seal strip is used with the side channels to seal the flexible shade material. The seal strip can be an edge of the flexible wrapping material for the side channels.

Abstract: A window shade assembly includes a flexible shade material having a pair of non-beaded vertical edges positioned in a pair of opposed vertical side channels. A re-channeling system includes a lip to at least partially define a plane of the flexible shade material within the side channels, and a bottom rail irremovably and slidingly received in each side channel. The side channels can be two parts. A single resilient seal strip is used with the side channels to seal the flexible shade material. The seal strip can be an edge of the flexible wrapping material for the side channels.