Abstract: The present application provides a heat exchange device and a dishwasher. The heat exchange device includes an evaporator, a first liquid storage tank, a second liquid storage tank and a power unit. A medium inlet and a medium outlet are defined in the evaporator, the first liquid storage tank is in communication with the medium inlet, and the second liquid storage tank is in communication with the medium outlet and the first liquid storage tank. A liquid inlet and a gas discharge port are defined in the second liquid storage tank. The power unit is arranged between the evaporator and the first liquid storage tank, or between the evaporator and the second liquid storage tank, so as to drive a liquid medium to circularly flow between the first liquid storage tank, the evaporator and the second liquid storage tank.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an energy storage device having improved thermal performance. More specifically, the energy storage device includes a housing with side walls that define an internal volume. The side walls include bottom and front side walls, with the front side wall having an air inlet and outlet configured to circulate cooling air therethrough. The energy storage device also includes a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix within the internal volume atop the bottom side wall. Further, the cells define a top surface. Further, the energy storage device includes an exhaust manifold adjacent to the front side wall between at least a portion of the cells and the air inlet. Thus, the exhaust manifold is configured to direct airflow from the top surface towards the bottom side wall and then to the air outlet so as to provide an airflow barrier between cooling air entering the air inlet and the cells.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a central core element for a reverse osmosis separator assembly, the central core element comprising a pair of central core element components, each of said core element components comprising at least one porous exhaust conduit and at least one friction coupling, the friction couplings being configured to join said core element components to form a central core element defining a cavity configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly; wherein each core element component comprises a first section defining an exhaust cavity and a second section comprising a porous exhaust conduit, wherein said porous exhaust conduit comprises a removable wall member configured to form a substantial portion of a porous exhaust conduit wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an energy storage device having improved thermal performance. More specifically, the energy storage device includes a housing with side walls that define an internal volume. The side walls include bottom and front side walls, with the front side wall having an air inlet and outlet configured to circulate cooling air therethrough. The energy storage device also includes a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix within the internal volume atop the bottom side wall. Further, the cells define a top surface. Further, the energy storage device includes an exhaust manifold adjacent to the front side wall between at least a portion of the cells and the air inlet. Thus, the exhaust manifold is configured to direct airflow from the top surface towards the bottom side wall and then to the air outlet so as to provide an airflow barrier between cooling air entering the air inlet and the cells.

Abstract: Fuel feed systems capable of providing substantially consistent flow of fuel to a fuel cell and also capable of tolerating varying pressures from a reservoir (also referred to as fuel supply or fuel cell cartridge) and the fuel cell while maintaining substantially consistent control flow to the fuel cell are disclosed.

Abstract: Fuel feed systems capable of providing substantially consistent flow of fuel to a fuel cell and also capable of tolerating varying pressures from a reservoir (also referred to as fuel supply or fuel cell cartridge) and the fuel cell while maintaining substantially consistent control flow to the fuel cell are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a central core element for a reverse osmosis separator assembly, the central core element comprising a pair of central core element components, each of said core element components comprising at least one porous exhaust conduit and at least one friction coupling, the friction couplings being configured to join said core element components to form a central core element defining a cavity configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly; wherein each core element component comprises a first section defining an exhaust cavity and a second section comprising a porous exhaust conduit, wherein said porous exhaust conduit comprises a removable wall member configured to form a substantial portion of a porous exhaust conduit wall.

Abstract: A direct methanol fuel cell unit is provided with a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode with a hydrophobic microporous layer, an electrolyte membrane put in-between, and a fuel supply path supplying fuel to the anode. The fuel supply path is provided with an upwind water barrier preventing back-diffusion of water and a gas flow path channeling gas generated at the anode and disposed between the barrier and the anode. A water-rich zone is formed between the water barrier and the cathode microporous layer. Water loss from either side of this zone is eliminated or minimized, thereby permitting direct use of highly concentrated methanol in the fuel flow path with good fuel efficiency and power performance. The cell unit can be applied equally well to both an active circulating air cathode and an air-breathing cathode.

Abstract: Fuel feed systems capable of providing substantially consistent flow of fuel to a fuel cell and also capable of tolerating varying pressures from a reservoir (also referred to as fuel supply or fuel cell cartridge) and the fuel cell while maintaining substantially consistent control flow to the fuel cell are disclosed.

Abstract: A system-to-reservoir connector is disclosed in which a system-side-sub-connector and a reservoir-side-sub-connector provide for a fluid connection that is resilient to external forces, is substantially leak-proof upon insertion and retraction, and is orientation independent.

Abstract: A direct methanol fuel cell unit is provided with a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode with a hydrophobic microporous layer, an electrolyte membrane put in-between, and a fuel supply path supplying fuel to the anode. The fuel supply path is provided with an upwind water barrier preventing back-diffusion of water and a gas flow path channeling gas generated at the anode and disposed between the barrier and the anode. A water-rich zone is formed between the water barrier and the cathode microporous layer. Water loss from either side of this zone is eliminated or minimized, thereby permitting direct use of highly concentrated methanol in the fuel flow path with good fuel efficiency and power performance. The cell unit can be applied equally well to both an active circulating air cathode and an air-breathing cathode.