Abstract: A gas mixer (10) for mixing a first gas stream with a second gas stream includes an impact labyrinth (24) in the first gas stream having structures (25), e.g., corrugated walls, forming a tortuous path through which the first gas stream must pass en route to a mixing point (20) in the gas mixer. The labyrinth fosters ignition of particles entrained in the first gas stream. Elongate, straight pipes (30) receive the first gas stream from the impact labyrinth (24) and carrying the first gas stream to the mixing point (20) the pipes (30) are positioned with a vessel (12) carrying the second gas stream. The pipes (30) have openings which are substantially aligned with the flow direction of the second gas stream at the mixing point (20) thereby introducing the first gas stream into the second gas stream in a low shear manner.

Abstract: A method of mixing an oxygen gas with a hydrocarbon-containing gas includes the steps of wet scrubbing the oxygen gas in a wet scrubber, supplying oxygen gas from the wet scrubber to a gas mixer and mixing the oxygen gas with the hydrocarbon-containing gas in the gas mixer. Wet scrubbers for use in the method may take various forms, including packed-tower, bubble cap, and sparger-type wet scrubbers. The removal of the particulate matter reduces the risk of ignition of the hydrocarbon-containing gas in the gas mixer. The use of a wet scrubber in the oxygen supply line overcomes many problems currently faced with screen and filters, as per current practice.

Abstract: A gas mixer is disclosed which includes a vessel (10) (e.g., pipe) containing a stream (12) of a first hydrocarbon-containing gas. The mixer includes a hollow pipe (14) located internal to the vessel containing a stream of a second gas, e.g., an oxygen-containing gas stream such as a stream of pure oxygen gas or air enriched with oxygen. The internal pipe further includes a mixer tip (30) at the peripheral end thereof. The mixer tip includes a body having an internal passage for conducting the second gas out of the pipe and an opening introducing the second gas stream into the first gas stream in a radial plane at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The pipe further includes a deflector (20) on its external surface in longitudinal alignment with the opening of the mixer tip. The deflector serves to deflect any entrained particles within the first gas stream away from the mixing zone where the two streams mix, minimizing the risk of ignition of the hydrocarbon-containing gas.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-containing gas is mixed with an oxygen-containing gas in a gas mixer in the presence of a water mist. The water mist surrounds and contacts entrained particles in either the oxygen-containing gas stream or the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream. The water acts to suppress and prevent ignition of the hydrocarbon gas in the mixer by serving as a sink for heat created by energetic collisions between such particles and structures within the gas mixer. The water mist also acts to quench ignition caused by such collisions. The water mist can be introduced into the gas mixer in a number of different configurations, including via nozzles injecting a mist into a hydrocarbon gas manifold or an oxygen gas manifold, nozzles placed within the gas mixer adjacent to ends of the oxygen supply pipes, and nozzles placed coaxially within the oxygen supply pipes in the gas mixer.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-containing gas is mixed with an oxygen gas in a gas mixer in the presence of coarse water droplet environment, e.g., a ‘rainy’ or ‘driving rainstorm’ environment in which the water droplets generally have a size greater than 200 microns SMD. The water droplets surround and contact entrained particles in either the oxygen gas stream or the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream. The water acts to suppress, prevent and quench ignition of the hydrocarbon gas in the mixer which would otherwise be caused by energetic collisions between such particles and structures within the gas mixer. In one configuration the gas mixer includes water pipes having coarse water droplet-producing nozzles at the peripheral end thereof concentrically located within oxygen supply pipes. Additionally, nozzles introduce coarse water droplets into a pipe carrying the hydrocarbon gas and forming a mixing chamber for the hydrocarbon and oxygen gases.

Abstract: A gas mixer (10) for mixing a first gas stream with a second gas stream includes an impact labyrinth (24) in the first gas stream having structures (25), e.g., corrugated walls, forming a tortuous path through which the first gas stream must pass en route to a mixing point (20) in the gas mixer. The labyrinth fosters ignition of particles entrained in the first gas stream. Elongate, straight pipes (30) receive the first gas stream from the impact labyrinth (24) and carrying the first gas stream to the mixing point (20) the pipes (30) are positioned with a vessel (12) carrying the second gas stream. The pipes (30) have openings which are substantially aligned with the flow direction of the second gas stream at the mixing point (20) thereby introducing the first gas stream into the second gas stream in a low shear manner.

Abstract: A method of mixing an oxygen gas with a hydrocarbon-containing gas includes the steps of wet scrubbing the oxygen gas in a wet scrubber, supplying oxygen gas from the wet scrubber to a gas mixer and mixing the oxygen gas with the hydrocarbon-containing gas in the gas mixer. Wet scrubbers for use in the method may take various forms, including packed-tower, bubble cap, and sparger-type wet scrubbers. The removal of the particulate matter reduces the risk of ignition of the hydrocarbon-containing gas in the gas mixer. The use of a wet scrubber in the oxygen supply line overcomes many problems currently faced with screen and filters, as per current practice.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-containing gas is mixed with an oxygen gas in a gas mixer in the presence of coarse water droplet environment, e.g., a ‘rainy’ or ‘driving rainstorm’ environment in which the water droplets generally have a size greater than 200 microns SMD. The water droplets surround and contact entrained particles in either the oxygen gas stream or the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream. The water acts to suppress, prevent and quench ignition of the hydrocarbon gas in the mixer which would otherwise be caused by energetic collisions between such particles and structures within the gas mixer. In one configuration the gas mixer includes water pipes having coarse water droplet-producing nozzles at the peripheral end thereof concentrically located within oxygen supply pipes. Additionally, nozzles introduce coarse water droplets into a pipe carrying the hydrocarbon gas and forming a mixing chamber for the hydrocarbon and oxygen gases.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-containing gas is mixed with an oxygen-containing gas in a gas mixer in the presence of a water mist. The water mist surrounds and contacts entrained particles in either the oxygen-containing gas stream or the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream. The water acts to suppress and prevent ignition of the hydrocarbon gas in the mixer by serving as a sink for heat created by energetic collisions between such particles and structures within the gas mixer. The water mist also acts to quench ignition caused by such collisions. The water mist can be introduced into the gas mixer in a number of different configurations, including via nozzles injecting a mist into a hydrocarbon gas manifold or an oxygen gas manifold, nozzles placed within the gas mixer adjacent to ends of the oxygen supply pipes, and nozzles placed coaxially within the oxygen supply pipes in the gas mixer.

Abstract: A gas mixer is disclosed which includes a vessel (10) (e.g., pipe) containing a stream (12) of a first hydrocarbon-containing gas. The mixer includes a hollow pipe (14) located internal to the vessel containing a stream of a second gas, e.g., an oxygen-containing gas stream such as a stream of pure oxygen gas or air enriched with oxygen. The internal pipe further includes a mixer tip (30) at the peripheral end thereof. The mixer tip includes a body having an internal passage for conducting the second gas out of the pipe and an opening introducing the second gas stream into the first gas stream in a radial plane at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The pipe further includes a deflector (20) on its external surface in longitudinal alignment with the opening of the mixer tip. The deflector serves to deflect any entrained particles within the first gas stream away from the mixing zone where the two streams mix, minimizing the risk of ignition of the hydrocarbon-containing gas.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for a vehicle includes a steering wheel (12) and a vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is mounted to the steering wheel (12) and is actuatable for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. At least a portion of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) is movable relative to the steering wheel (12) for actuating an electric device (108) associated with the vehicle when a force is applied to any one of various locations on the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) also includes a mechanism (104) for substantially blocking tilt of the movable portion of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) relative to the steering wheel (12) during movement for actuating the electric device (108).

Abstract: An apparatus for the brewing of a beverage by transmission of an aqueous fluid through a sachet containing a beverage brewing ingredient. The apparatus includes one or more injectors to inject the aqueous fluid into the sachet during the brewing and a clamp for the sachet. The clamp has one or more members that are movable to open and close the clamp, the members having inner surfaces which in a closed position of the clamp define a cavity adapted to substantially enclose and support the sachet during the brewing. The members further define a beverage exit pathway in a lower part of the cavity wherein the inner surface of at least one clamp member includes at least one deformable region mounted on a support that is movable while the clamp is in the closed position. The shape of the cavity or of the exit pathway can be changed while the clamp is in the closed position to provide a desired brewing configuration of the sachet.

Abstract: An apparatus for the brewing of a beverage by transmission of an aqueous fluid through a sachet (4,16,39) containing a beverage brewing ingredient, the apparatus comprising: one or more injectors (14,63) to inject the acqueous fluid into the sachet (4, 16,39) during the brewing; and a clamp for the sachet, the clamp comprising one or more members (1,2,12,13,30,31,61) that are movable to open and close the clamp, the members having inner surfaces which in a closed position of the clamp define a cavity adapted to substantially enclose and support the sachet (4, 16, 39) during the brewing and further adapted to define a beverage exit pathway in a lower part of the cavity, and wherein the inner surface of a least one clamp member comprises at least one deformable region (3, 30,43) mounted on a support that is movable while the clamp is in the closed position, whereby the shape of the cavity or of the exit pathway can be changed while the clamp is in the closed position to provide a desired brewing configuration o

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus for controlling various functions of a liftgate of an automotive vehicle. The apparatus includes an elastomeric member which is operably disposed in connection with a gear which imparts a driving force to a drive shaft of a window wiper member. The elastomeric member, in one embodiment, is a coiled spring which allows movement between the drive shaft and the gear driving the drive shaft in the event the wiper becomes frozen to the window of the vehicle or otherwise immovable. In this manner various other functions can be carried out by the apparatus regardless if the wiper becomes temporarily immobilized.

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus for controlling various functions of a liftgate of an automotive vehicle. The apparatus includes an elastomeric member which is operably disposed in connection with a gear which imparts a driving force to a drive shaft of a window wiper member. The elastomeric member, in one embodiment, is a coiled spring which allows movement between the drive shaft and the gear driving the drive shaft in the event the wiper becomes frozen to the window of the vehicle or otherwise immovable. In this manner various other functions can be carried out by the apparatus regardless if the wiper becomes temporarily immobilized.