Abstract: A method for protection of a object subject to damage under thermally hazardous conditions having a triggerable safety appliance in which an elongated shaped memory alloy material having a first end and a second end is extended over an entire area to be protected of the object and the first end of the elongated shaped memory alloy material is operably linked to a trigger for activation of the triggerable safety appliance.

Abstract: A pressure relief device which operates between a closed condition wherein a fluid is contained within a vessel and an open condition wherein the fluid is discharged from the vessel by flowing through the pressure relief device. A plug is mounted within a cavity of a plug housing which is secured with respect to the vessel. The plug housing and/or the plug form at least one passageway. In the open condition of the pressure relief device, the passage allows communication between an inlet and an outlet of the plug housing. In the closed condition of the pressure relief device, there is no communication through the passageway and thus the fluid does not flow from the inlet to the outlet of the plug housing. A void, preferably an annular space, is formed between the plug and the plug housing. A fusible alloy, or other suitable eutectic material, is at least partially filled within the void.

Abstract: A pressure relief device that is normally closed and that moves into an open condition under certain design parameters which require fluid to flow from a relatively high-pressure chamber within a vessel to a relatively low-pressure atmosphere surrounding the pressure relief device. A plug housing has a throughbore which forms communication between the chamber within the vessel and the outside atmosphere. A plug is positioned within the throughbore. A fusible alloy at least partially fills a void or a passageway which is preferably formed between the plug and the plug housing. In an upset condition, such as an external fire, the temperature of the fusible alloy rises and thereby softens or melts the fusible alloy. As the fusible alloy softens, the bonding and shear strengths of the fusible alloy are reduced. The relatively high-pressure fluid acting upon the plug preferably forces or blows at least a portion of the plug out of the throughbore.

Abstract: A pressure relief device that is thermally triggered by a shaped memory alloy element. The pressure relief device has a valve body with a passageway that is exposed on one end to a high pressure fluid and on another end to a low pressure fluid. A closure element is moveably mounted with respect to the valve body and operates between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the closure element preferably prevents communication between the high pressure fluid and the low pressure fluid. In the open position, the high pressure fluid is in communication with the low pressure fluid. The shaped memory alloy element either directly or indirectly interferes with movement of the closure element. The shaped memory alloy element preferably interferes with the closure element to retain the closure element in the closed position. Upon thermal activation, the shaped memory alloy element deforms and allows the closure element to move from the closed position toward the open position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for timed port injection and enriched stratified charge of fuel, preferably gaseous fuel, into an internal combustion engine. The process begins with forming a lean fuel/air mixture with a first fuel portion in an intake manifold upstream of a port injector. The lean fuel/air mixture is uniformly distributed into a combustion chamber during an intake phase of an engine cycle. A subsequent fuel portion is injected in a controlled manner during the intake phase so as to form a stratified charge near the ignitor within the cylinder. The stratified charge within the cylinder is ignited and combusted. Combustion products are then exhausted from the combustion chamber. This invention also provides an apparatus and process for injecting a gaseous fuel within a combustion chamber to form an enriched portion of a stratified charge near the ignitor.

Abstract: Utilizes an auxiliary chilled/heated medium to provide cooling/heating by interface to a compressor-based refrigerant cycle. Utilizes remotely obtained chilled or warmed thermal exchange media while enabling easy retrofitting and providing greater operating flexibility to compressor-based refrigerant systems.