Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for the purification of water that use a heat pump. The purification system comprises a heat pump and the heat pump comprises a refrigerant condenser, a refrigerant evaporator, a compressor, and a throttle valve that are fluidly connected with a circulating refrigerant along a refrigerant line. The circulating refrigerant transfers heat to a contaminated feedstock at the refrigerant condenser to vaporize at least a portion of the contaminated feedstock. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water, washing systems comprising a washer and a water purification system, washing and drying systems comprising a washer, a dryer, and a water purification system, and methods for cleaning and/or drying of clothes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for the purification of water that use a heat pump. The purification system comprises a heat pump and the heat pump comprises a refrigerant condenser, a refrigerant evaporator, a compressor, and a throttle valve that are fluidly connected with a circulating refrigerant along a refrigerant line. The circulating refrigerant transfers heat to a contaminated feedstock at the refrigerant condenser to vaporize at least a portion of the contaminated feedstock. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water, washing systems comprising a washer and a water purification system, washing and drying systems comprising a washer, a dryer, and a water purification system, and methods for cleaning and/or drying of clothes.

Abstract: A fail-safe system is provided for an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle has a source of electrical power and electrical loads. The fail-safe system includes an operator controlled remote unit, a wireless transmitter connected to the remote unit for transmitting a wireless keep alive signal, a wireless receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving the keep alive signal and a fail-safe unit connected to the receiver. The fail-safe unit includes first and second processing units, both connected to each other, to the receiver and to relay units which are operable to connect and disconnect the source of electrical power from the electrical loads in response to a signal from one of the processing units. Both processing units are operable to open their respective relay units and shut down all vehicle operations in response to a variety of fault conditions, including loss of the keep alive signal from the remote unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric power supply system for a by-wire vehicle system. There is a need for a power supply system which allows the integrity of the battery and alternator to be monitored. A vehicle electric power supply system includes a battery, an alternator, a key operated switch and at least two electronic control units (ECUs). A battery line is connected to the battery, to the second ECU, and to the key switch. An alternator line connects the alternator to the first ECU and to the key switch. A relay includes a relay switch which opens and closes a connection between the battery line and the alternator line. A relay coil is energizable to cause the relay switch to connect the battery line to the alternator line. Energization of the relay coil is controlled by one of the ECUs. This ECU causes the relay coil to move the switch element disconnect the alternator line from the battery line so that voltage from the alternator and battery can be independently tested.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical system or circuit for a by-wire control system. The control system includes a hydraulic pump, a reservoir, a bi-directional function actuator, and solenoid operated valves for controlling the actuator in response to control signals from the electronic system. The electronic system includes first and second pairs of command device position sensors, a first channel and a second channel. Each channel includes main processing unit and a supervisory control unit. Each main processing unit is connected to a pair of the command device position sensors, and a pair of the solenoid operated valves.