Abstract: This invention relates to an airway dilation device comprising a catheter; an inflation tube within the catheter, and having a lumen defined by its inner wall; a duct within the catheter, for the insufflation of a fluid, the duct being sealed against any fluid flow between it and the tube; a cluster of balloons, arranged about the catheter, the balloons being manipulated between a stowed condition, in which the balloons are deflated, and a deployed condition, in which the balloons are inflated; and inflating means, for inflating the balloons; characterised in that, when stowed, each balloon is folded and staggered relative to each adjacent balloon, and such that continuous insufflation remains possible, even when deployed. This invention relates, further, to corresponding methods of deployment of devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to cooling element (5) having a fastening device (16) for upgrading any standard, commercially available photovoltaic module (1) for increasing the efficiency of the photovoltaic module (1). According to the invention, it comprises a heat insulation mat (6) having an upper surface (7), in which pipe channels (8) aligned parallel with each other are created, wherein the borders of the pipe channels (8) and the upper surface (7) of the heat insulation mat (6) are constructed with heat conduction plates (9), preferably aluminium plates. It further comprises a pipe (10) that is routed in loops (11) in all of the pipe channels (8) constructed with the heat conduction plates (9). The invention also relates to a method for attaching a cooling element (5) according to the invention to a photovoltaic module (1).

Abstract: An installation for carrying out a continuous multi-stage industrial process includes a housing that defines a first space and a second space that is connected to the first through a first connecting channel. Different pressure conditions prevail in these spaces during the course of the process. A process material is passed sequentially through the first space, the first connecting channel and the second space. A transported material is provided in the first connecting channel to form a free-flowing sealing zone with the process material and ensures that different process conditions will be maintained in the two spaces, and in particular that different pressures will be maintained in the two spaces. The invention also relates to a multi-stage continuous industrial process using such an installation.

Abstract: An installation for carrying out a continuous multi-stage industrial process includes a housing that defines a first space and a second space that is connected to the first through a first connecting channel. Different pressure conditions prevail in these spaces during the course of the process. A process material is passed sequentially through the first space, the first connecting channel and the second space. A transported material is provided in the first connecting channel to form a free-flowing sealing zone with the process material and ensures that different process conditions will be maintained in the two spaces, and in particular that different pressures will be maintained in the two spaces. The invention also relates to a multi-stage continuous industrial process using such an installation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an airway dilation device comprising a catheter; an inflation tube within the catheter, and having a lumen defined by its inner wall; a duct within the catheter, for the insufflation of a fluid, the duct being sealed against any fluid flow between it and the tube; a cluster of balloons, arranged about the catheter, the balloons being manipulated between a stowed condition, in which the balloons are deflated, and a deployed condition, in which the balloons are inflated; and inflating means, for inflating the balloons; characterised in that, when stowed, each balloon is folded and staggered relative to each adjacent balloon, and such that continuous insufflation remains possible, even when deployed. This invention relates, further, to corresponding methods of deployment of devices.

Abstract: An installation for carrying out a continuous multi-stage industrial process includes a housing that defines a first space and a second space that is connected to the first through a first connecting channel. Different pressure conditions prevail in these spaces during the course of the process. A process material is passed sequentially through the first space, the first connecting channel and the second space. A transported material is provided in the first connecting channel to form a free-flowing sealing zone with the process material and ensures that different process conditions will be maintained in the two spaces, and in particular that different pressures will be maintained in the two spaces. The invention also relates to a multi-stage continuous industrial process using such an installation.

Abstract: A skin care fabric for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic use includes at least 80% by weight of microfibers that are a mixture of polyamide and polyester and have a diameter of less than 50 microns. Each microfiber is split to produce fine fibers closely packed in a parallel structure having a capillary effect and an abrasive effect. The fabric has a surface weight of less than 180 g/m2 and is loaded with medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic active agents. The skin care fabric includes a warp-knitted fabric having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, which is mechanically roughened and cut to become fluffy and yet short-haired and compact and resulting in a further surface enlargement of the fabric structure and a water absorbency of at least four times the surface weight of the fabric.

Abstract: A low-temperature distillation facility for distilling a mixed fluid into a pure fluid. An aggregation device has an inlet connected to the vapour space of a supercooling chamber, wherein captured mixed fluid from an evaporator enters the supercooling chamber. The aggregation device's outlet is connected to the vapour space of a superheating chamber, wherein captured pure fluid from a condenser can be sprayed into the superheating chamber. An energy source cools the temperature in the supercooling chamber and heats the temperature in the superheating chamber. A heat exchanger is arranged between the exits of the supercooling chamber and of the superheating chamber. During the process, vapour flows from the supercooling chamber via the aggregation device to the superheating chamber.

Abstract: A multi-stage distillation system includes multiple stages, and each stage Si includes an evaporator Ei and a condenser Ci. Each condenser includes a steam chamber in pressure-connection with a steam chamber of each evaporator of the same stage. Each evaporator has a steam chamber outlet connected to a spray inlet of the next evaporator Ei+1, and the outlet of the last evaporator En connects to the spray inlet of the first evaporator E1 with a respective fluid line to form an evaporator circuit. Each outlet of each condenser Ci connects to the one spray inlet of the previous condenser Ci?1, and the outlet of the first condenser C1 connects to the spray inlet of the last condenser Cn with a fluid line to form a condenser circuit. A steam line connects between condensers Ci+1 and Ci or between the evaporators En and E1.

Abstract: A skin care fabric for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic use includes at least 80% by weight of microfibers that are a mixture of polyamide and polyester and have a diameter of less than 50 microns. Each microfiber is split to produce fine fibers closely packed in a parallel structure having a capillary effect and an abrasive effect. The fabric has a surface weight of less than 180 g/m2 and is loaded with medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic active agents. The skin care fabric includes a warp-knitted fabric having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, which is mechanically roughened and cut to become fluffy and yet short-haired and compact and resulting in a further surface enlargement of the fabric structure and a water absorbency of at least four times the surface weight of the fabric.

Abstract: A low-temperature distillation facility for distilling a mixed fluid into a pure fluid. An aggregation device has an inlet connected to the vapour space of a supercooling chamber, wherein captured mixed fluid from an evaporator enters the supercooling chamber. The aggregation device's outlet is connected to the vapour space of a superheating chamber, wherein captured pure fluid from a condenser can be sprayed into the superheating chamber. An energy source cools the temperature in the supercooling chamber and heats the temperature in the superheating chamber. A heat exchanger is arranged between the exits of the supercooling chamber and of the superheating chamber. During the process, vapour flows from the supercooling chamber via the aggregation device to the superheating chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to cooling element (5) having a fastening device (16) for upgrading any standard, commercially available photovoltaic module (1) for increasing the efficiency of the photovoltaic module (1). According to the invention, it comprises a heat insulation mat (6) having an upper surface (7), in which pipe channels (8) aligned parallel with each other are created, wherein the borders of the pipe channels (8) and the upper surface (7) of the heat insulation mat (6) are constructed with heat conduction plates (9), preferably aluminium plates. It further comprises a pipe (10) that is routed in loops (11) in all of the pipe channels (8) constructed with the heat conduction plates (9). The invention also relates to a method for attaching a cooling element (5) according to the invention to a photovoltaic module (1).

Abstract: A multi-stage distillation system includes multiple stages, and each stage Si includes an evaporator Ei and a condenser Ci. Each condenser includes a steam chamber in pressure-connection with a steam chamber of each evaporator of the same stage. Each evaporator has a steam chamber outlet connected to a spray inlet of the next evaporator Ei+1, and the outlet of the last evaporator En connects to the spray inlet of the first evaporator E1 with a respective fluid line to form an evaporator circuit. Each outlet of each condenser Ci connects to the one spray inlet of the previous condenser Ci?1, and the outlet of the first condenser C1 connects to the spray inlet of the last condenser Cn with a fluid line to form a condenser circuit. A steam line connects between condensers Ci+1 and Ci or between the evaporators En and E1.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actively controlled valve (1) having a housing (6) and comprising a displaceably supported valve plate (4) having aperture openings (4a) and a counter plate (2) disposed in a fixed manner relative to the housing (6) and having aperture openings (2a), wherein the valve plate (4) is slidably supported relative to the counter plate (2), such that the penetration openings (2a, 4a) form an open or closed aperture (24), and comprising a drive device (8) driving the valve plate (4), wherein the valve plate (4) is connected to the drive device (8) by means of a drive spring (7), and an actuatable clamping device (10) is provided for fixing the location of the valve plate (4).

Abstract: A method for distilling a starting material that includes a liquid Fd to be distilled, uses a gas-tight container system that is resistant to excess and/or negative pressure. The container system includes a condenser for condensing the liquid Fd, which has turned to vapor and whose temperature can be adjusted, to give the condensation product, and a vapor chamber connecting the evaporator and the condenser. The pressure and temperature in the vapor chamber are monitored and controlled so that distillation is always carried out in a range close to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid Fd to be distilled. If the pressure is too high, it is reduced so that especially foreign gas is removed. An installation includes a container for distillation according to method.

Abstract: A method for drying a wet material, which comprises a liquid Fd to be distilled, uses a gas-tight container system resistant to excess and/or negative pressure and a drying container, a condenser and a vapor chamber connecting the drying container and condenser. The temperature adjustable drying container contains the wet material. The liquid Fd is turned to vapor in the temperature adjustable vapor chamber. The condenser condenses the vapor to give the condensation product. The pressure in the vapor chamber is monitored and controlled so that drying and distillation are always carried out in a range close to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid Fd to be distilled. The pressure and the temperature in the vapor chamber are continuously determined. If the pressure goes above the upper limit of the range, the pressure is reduced in such a manner that especially foreign gas is removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actively controlled valve (1) having a housing (6) and comprising a displaceably supported valve plate (4) having aperture openings (4a) and a counter plate (2) disposed in a fixed manner relative to the housing (6) and having aperture openings (2a), wherein the valve plate (4) is slidably supported relative to the counter plate (2), such that the penetration openings (2a, 4a) form an open or closed aperture (24), and comprising a drive device (8) driving the valve plate (4), wherein the valve plate (4) is connected to the drive device (8) by means of a drive spring (7), and an actuatable clamping device (10) is provided for fixing the location of the valve plate (4).

Abstract: A method for distilling a starting material that comprises a liquid Fd to be distilled, uses a gas-tight container system that is resistant to excess and/or negative pressure. The container system comprises a condenser for condensing the liquid Fd, which has turned to vapor and whose temperature can be adjusted, to give the condensation product, and a vapor chamber connecting the evaporator and the condenser. The pressure and temperature in the vapor chamber are monitored and controlled so that distillation is always carried out in a range close to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid Fd to be distilled. If the pressure is too high, it is reduced so that especially foreign gas is removed. An installation includes a container for distillation according to method.

Abstract: A method for drying a wet material which comprises a liquid Fd to be distilled, uses a gas-tight container system that is resistant to excess and/or negative pressure. The container system comprises a drying container containing the wet material whose temperature can be adjusted, a condenser for condensing the liquid Fd, which has turned to vapor and whose temperature can be adjusted, to give the condensation product, and a vapor chamber connecting the drying container and the condenser. The pressure in the vapor chamber is monitored and controlled in such a manner that drying and distillation are always carried out in a range close to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid Fd to be distilled. The pressure and the temperature in the vapor chamber are continuously determined. If the pressure goes above the upper limit of the range, the pressure is reduced in such a manner that especially foreign gas is removed.

Abstract: The inventive device for distilling a medium comprises at least one reservoir (11, 51) or accommodating the medium (15, 55) to be distilled, a heating element (12, 52) for vaporizing the medium (55), and comprises at least one collecting vessel (20, 60), which is situated downstream and which is provided with a cooling element for condensing the produced distillation vapor. In addition, a pipe (19, 59) or the like is provided on the top side of the reservoir (11, 51). Said pipe leads into the collecting vessel (20, 60) and connects the vapor space (14, 54) located inside the reservoir (51) to that which is located inside the collecting vessel (20, 60). To this end, means are provided, which, for the most part, completely remove foreign gases from the vapor spaces (14, 24; 54, 64) before or at the beginning of the distillation process.