Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for manufacturing flexible, reclosable containers is described herein. A continuous web of flexible film is formed into a tube around a forming tube. The lateral edges of the continuous web are guided so as to extend substantially perpendicularly from the forming tube, thereby forming a longitudinal seam. A pair of interlocked continuous fastener profile strips are then directed downwardly into the seam between the lateral edges of the film. Intermittent impulse sealing bars are utilized for heating the exterior surfaces of the seam so as to heatseal the bases of the fastener strips to the interior surfaces of the seam. Vertical longitudinal sealing bars are further provided externally from the impulse sealing bars which seal the longitudinal seam proximate the lateral edges of the continuous web. A pair of transverse sealing bars form the top seal of a first container and the bottom seal of a second container.

Abstract: A molded suture retainer is provided for retaining and storing long suture lengths. Both absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures fabricated from natural or synthetic materials can be advantageously retained and stored therein. The retainer is characterized by a wide spiraling oval passageway with minimal convolutions covered by a cover sheet. The length of the passageway is preferably proportional to 1/3 to 1/2 the overall length of the suture to be retained therein. In accordance with the method of the invention, sutures are doubled or tripled over and inserted into the retainer under vacuum. Sutures packaged in accordance with the invention exhibit fewer kinks and bends than prior packaged sutures.

Abstract: A method and machine whereby a first and second rigid packet are fed in a first direction parallel to the longer longitudinal axes of the packets; are transferred to the input of respective feed channels, the second packet being rotated 180.degree. in relation to the first; are fed at different speeds along the respective channels, in a second direction perpendicular to their longer longitudinal axes, until they are positioned coaxial but axially spaced in relation to each other; the end wall of one of the two packets is gummed; and the packets are brought together so that the end walls adhere to each other, thus forming a double packet.

Abstract: A load of compressible, fibrous insulating mats can be unified in the form of a roll or substantially parallelepiped set of panels by disposing a pallet vertically on a vertically oriented support, laying a layer of horizontally oriented products on a horizontal portion of the support such that they abut the vertical pallet, and stacking at least another layer of the products on the first layer to form a load. The resulting load is rotated by 90.degree. so as to bring the pallet into a horizontal position, after which the load is assembled with a wrapping film and covered with a cover.

Abstract: A method for filling packaging including an outer paper packaging member and an inner plastic film bag member with a filling material that is contained in a filling material container arranged above the packaging. The method includes, in the vicinity of the filling material container, forming the plastic film bag member from a tubular film by providing a welded seam along a lower edge. The bag is spread apart at an open upper edge. The plastic film bag member is separated from the tubular film. The plastic film bag member is inserted over the filling material container. The filling material container is lowered together with the plastic film bag member into the outer packaging member. The filling material container is emptied into the plastic film bag member. The material filling container is moved back to a starting position above the packaging.

Abstract: A one piece flat bottomed gusseted bag is provided which may be bottom filled and flat sealed. This structure permits a resealable bag to be filled and sealed without opening the resealable seal. The bag is formed with a revertive pocket at the bottom extending transversely from one side seam of the bag to the other which may be formed before or after sealing. The shape and attachment of the pocket is such as to produce a flat gusseted bottom on the bag when the bag is filled and the pocket forced outwards.

Abstract: A continuously operating machine is provided for wrapping articles with a heat shrinkable plastic film automatically and sequentially. Articles are continuously, transferred along a horizontal pathway to a plurality of processing stations. At a first station, articles are tubularly overwrapped and sealed along a side edge thereof with excess film material being automatically trimmed away. Next, the articles are separated one from the other at a second station and at a last succeeding station, the resulting wrapped articles are subjected to thermal film shrinking. The side seal and trim apparatus includes a heat seal and trim unit which engages free side edges of the film tube to one another and trims excess away, the unit being sandwiched between drive and alignment members.

Abstract: A farm machine and particularly a mower or harvester, which includes a load-lightening and lifting device having an elastically deformable element mounted parallel with a jack or lift cylinder. According to the invention, the farm machine includes a piston which is separated from a rod of the jack and the rod includes a stop against which the piston is intended to come to rest, such that in a first mode of operation (during work), the rod can slide in the cylinder without a stop of the rod touching the piston, which allows a normal operation of an elastically deformable element. In addition, in a second mode of operation (during transport), the piston is brought into contact with the stop of the rod under the action of the fluid of a feed source, to displace the rod in relation to the cylinder.

Abstract: An improvement to roll-forming baling machines of the type having a plurality of endless belts supported on belt rollers that extend between a pair of transversely opposite sidewalls. One or more notches are created in the outside edge of the pair of belts that travel adjacent the sidewalls of the baler machine. The notches act to provide a cleaning effect for the baling machine to remove crop material unincorporated into the forming bales from the areas which result in undesired accumulation of such crop material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a horse mucking rake device. It includes a substantially straight, elongated handle as well as a base frame and a plurality of tines and, finally, a cage. The base frame is connected to the handle and extends outwardly at right angles from the angle at its area of connection in a substantially flat plane to establish a predetermined framed width. The tines extend from the base frame at right angles to the frame width and each of the tines are parallel to one another and have an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment is connected at its top to the base frame and its bottom is connected to the top of the lower segment. The lower segment ends in a terminus, that is, a tip or ending. The upper segment of each of the tines runs in a direction parallel to the handle and the lower segment of each of the tines forms an angle with an imaginary axis extending from the handle of about 30.degree. to about 60.degree.. The cage has a bottom, sidewalls, a back and a front.

Abstract: A traveller changer in which a first operating portion having a tensor for absorbing the slack of yarn passed through a traveller in a ring spinning frame, and a second operating portion having a yarn hooking lever, a traveller removing element and a traveller mounting elements are provided on a carrier unit, the first operating portion being disposed at a predetermined certain height relative to the carrier unit, and the second operating portion being disposed vertically movably in arrowed directions with respect to the carrier unit so that it can follow up the height of a ring rail.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite yarn and composite yarn produced thereby in which a spandex yarn is fed to an air entangling or covering jet while being pre-elongated. Simultaneously, a multifilament partially oriented thermoplastic yarn is fed to the yarn entangling or covering jet while being partially or completely drawn to orient further or completely the thermoplastic yarn. The thermoplastic and spandex yarns are fed through the yarn jet while the filaments of the thermoplastic yarn are entangled to produce a composite yarn with the spandex yarn as the core and the thermoplastic yarn as a covering therefor. The composite yarn is then fed through a false twister and false twisted with the false twist being heat set in the thermoplastic yarn at a temperature which does not adversely affect the spandex core to produce an air entangled false twist texturized composite yarn.

Abstract: The device comprises a support body (15) fixable to the machine structure and an operating lever (20) pivoted to the support body (15). Two parts (18a, 18b) are axially slidable within the support body (15), one carrying a brake shoe (19) arranged to act on the shank (11) of the spindle and the other engaged with the operating lever (20), the two parts (18a, 18b) being maintained axially spaced apart by a compression spring (24). A return spring (23) acts between the support body (15) and the part (18b) engaging the operating lever (20) to maintain the device in its inactive position. On pressing the lever (20), the brake shoe (19) is urged against the spindle shank (11) with a pressure which depends on the spring (24) interposed between the two parts (18a, 18b), independently of the force exerted on the operating lever (20), so preventing damage or operational problems arising in the spindles if the operator presses excessively on the operating lever (20).

Abstract: Industrial dust mop having a homogenous yarn composed of high melt staple fibers and low melt staple which has been heated to homogeneously melt the low melt fibers throughout the yarn to form a fused yarn product in the mop.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a cooled bipropellant thruster 70 for controlling the on-orbit position and orientation of a spacecraft is provided. The cooled bipropellant thruster 70 uses a liquid fuel and liquid oxidizer. The liquid fuel is decomposed in a first chamber 72 with a catalytic bed of decomposition material 74 and produces at least one reaction gas, which flows to the second reaction chamber 90. The second reaction chamber 90 is heated by the reaction gas, but is cooled by liquid oxidizer flowing through cooling passages 92, 94, 98, and 102, which brings the oxidizer into a heat exchange relationship with the second reaction chamber 90. During the heat exchange relationship, heat is transferred from the second reaction chamber 90 to the oxidizer and the oxidizer transforms into a gas. The gaseous oxidizer is fed into a second reaction chamber 90 to secondarily react with the reaction gas.

Abstract: A tile mounting system for mounting tiles of stone or other material to a supporting body in a fixed position relative to the supporting body and, at the same time, for anchoring the tiles to the supporting body. The tile mounting system includes a tile having a front face and a rear face, the rear face of the tile having at least one groove therein, at least a portion of which is undercut in cross-section; and an anchor member for both mounting and anchoring the tile to the supporting body. The anchor member includes an insert portion for being fixedly secured within the undercut portion of the at least one groove, and an attachment portion extending from the insert portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear face of the tile when the insert portion is secured within the at least one groove, the attachment portion preferably being at least partially threaded for being threadedly attached to said supporting body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the combined generation of electrical and mechanical energy from the oxidation of fuel. In particular a hydrogen-containing gas is generated by endothermic reaction of hydrocarbon compounds, in which a portion of the hydrogen-containing gas is burned for generating a combustion gas. An oxygen-containing gas is then compressed and introduced into the combustion stage, and the energy is generated by expanding the hot combustion gas in at least one gas turbine. Further, the expanded combustion gas is used for indirect heating of the endothermic reaction. According to the present invention, at least a part of the generated hydrogen-containing gas is to be guided as anode gas through a fuel cell system for generating electrical energy and the anode exhaust gas is used for generating the combustion gas.

Abstract: A hybrid combined cycle power plant including a solar central receiver for receiving solar radiation and converting it to thermal energy. The power plant includes a molten salt heat transfer medium for transferring the thermal energy to an air heater. The air heater uses the thermal energy to preheat the air from the compressor of the gas cycle. The exhaust gases from the gas cycle are directed to a steam turbine for additional energy production.

Abstract: A partial regenerative dual fluid cycle gas turbine assembly can reduce the amount of steam injected to the combustor and can reduce the pressure loss in the heat exchanger and in pipes around the heat exchanger, thereby improving the efficiency of the gas turbine. The partial regenerative dual fluid cycle gas turbine assembly has a gas turbine unit including a compressor for compressing air, a combustor for burning fuel, and a turbine, driven by the combustion gas, for driving the compressor. A steam-driven mixer boosts the air and mixes the steam and the air. A heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the turbine for heating the mixed gas from the mixer with heat from the turbine exhaust gas. A heat recovery steam generator is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger for producing steam with heat from the exhaust gas. An air line is provided for introducing a first portion of the compressed air from the compressor to the combustor and for introducing a second portion of the compressed air to the mixer.

Abstract: A self-purging fuel injector for a combustor of a gas turbine engine wherein the fuel injector comprises an injector body having first and second air discharge orifices for discharging air to the combustor and first and second fuel passage means having respective first and second fuel discharge orifices for discharging fuel to the combustor. The first and second fuel passages are in communication upstream of the fuel discharge orifices. The first air and fuel discharge orifices have a relationship to establish a pneumatic pressure at the first fuel discharge orifice and the second air and fuel discharge orifices have a relationship to establish a different pneumatic pressure at the second fuel discharge orifice such that, in the event the supply of fuel to the first and second fuel discharge orifices is interrupted, the fuel residing in the fuel passages between the first and second fuel discharge orifices is subjected to a pressure differential effective to purge the resident fuel into the combustor.

Abstract: This invention provides a valve for diverting fluid flow in a tandem fan type engine. The valve comprises an axially displaceable sleeve 38 which is provided with two circumferentially extending sealing lands 40, 42 which in operation cooperate with two locating surfaces 50, 52 provided on the duct 22 between the first and second compressors 20, 24 of said engine to seal an outlet opening 36. The free unsprung length between the sealing lands 40, 42 is greater than the length between the locating surfaces 50, 52. Gas pressure is used to compress a contractable portion 54 in said sleeve and hence ensure sealing takes place between both pairs of locating surfaces and sealing lands. This apparatus ensures centralisation of the upstream and downstream ends of the sleeve 38 is independently obtainable and accommodates thermal expansion differentials between the sleeve 38 and the duct 22.

Abstract: An augmentor screech suppressor for a gas turbine engine includes a screech suppressor liner mounted on a screech housing and an actuator for translating the screech suppressor liner axially forward and aft, with the actuator located outside the outer duct of the engine. In a preferred embodiment in a variable cycle gas turbine engine, a variable area bypass injector (VABI) valve with a circumferentially conical surface slopes into the screech suppressor liner surface and inner and outer crank arms transfer linear motion from the actuator through the outer duct wall, cooperating with idler arms to translate the screech suppressor housing, and thus the VABI valve and screech suppressor linear, axially between open and closed valve position.

Abstract: An improved thermodynamic drive which accelerates exhaust gases through a convergent-divergent exhaust nozzle (14) from a high pressure combustion chamber 12 to an ultra high velocity and by entraining atmospheric air therein; transfers a portion of the inertia from those exhaust gases to the atmospheric air flowing through an atmospheric air nozzle 16. Cool water is injected by water injectors (25) into the flow of air which is isothermally compressed by rapidly decelerating into a high pressure water separator (28). The water separator separates water condensed from the air by the compression and water cooling, and also the water injected into the air. Some of this water is cooled in a heat exchanger (30) and re-injected into the air flowing through the atmospheric air nozzle for cooling the compression. The remainder of the water is mixed with the fuel by mixer (35).

Abstract: A device for detecting the deterioration of a catalytic converter for an engine having two or more cylinder groups, and a catalytic converter disposed in a common exhaust passage with which exhaust passages individually connected to the respective cylinder groups are merged, wherein the air-fuel ratio of the respective cylinder groups are controlled independently based on the output of the upstream air-fuel ratio sensors disposed in the respective individual exhaust passages. Since the air-fuel ratios of the respective cylinder groups are controlled independently, the phases of the air-fuel ratio oscillations of exhaust gases flowing into the common exhaust passage from the individual exhaust passages are usually not synchronized. However, during the engine operation, the phases of the air-fuel ratio oscillations of the exhaust gases are occasionally spontaneously synchronized due to slight differences of the periods of the cycle of the air-fuel ratio feedback controls in the respective cylinder groups.

Abstract: A burner system for cleaning exhaust gases in the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine during start-up of the engine. The burner system serves to heat the catalytic convertor during start-up. The burner system has a burner including a combustion chamber for supplying combustion gases to the catalytic converter. A fuel line connected to the fuel injection system of the engine supplies fuel to the burner and a fuel regulator is provided in the fuel line. A secondary sir supply system supplies secondary air to the burner and includes an air fan, an air line connecting the air fan to the burner and a pressure regulator in the air line. The pressure regulator is subjected to the pressure prevailing in the combustion chamber or in the exhaust line for the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An air fuel ratio controlling apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprises: a catalytic converter, provided in an exhaust system for purifying an exhaust gas of the engine; a first oxygen density sensor, provided upstream from the catalytic converter in the exhaust system, responsive to a first oxygen density of a first exhaust gas of the engine for detecting whether an air fuel ratio of the engine is in a rich condition or a lean condition with respect to a theoretical air fuel ratio of the engine; a second oxygen density sensor, provided downstream from the catalytic converter in the exhaust system, responsive to a second oxygen density of a second exhaust gas passed through the catalytic converter for detecting whether the air fuel ratio of the engine is in a rich or a lean condition with respect to a theoretical air fuel ratio of the engine; and an air fuel ratio control portion for controlling the air fuel ratio in accordance with the detection results of the first and second oxygen sensors, wh

Abstract: A device for detecting the deterioration of a catalyst wherein oxygen sensors are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the catalytic converter. Circuitry is provided for calculating integration values corresponding to areas surrounded by output signals of the oxygen sensors and designated signals; for calculating time periods between which the sensor signals reverse polarity with respect to the designated signals; for calculating a parameter for determining deterioration of the catalyst based on the integration values, the time periods or a combination of both; for determining deterioration of the catalyst by comparing the calculated parameter with a predetermined value; and for issuing an alarm when the catalyst is determined as deteriorated.

Abstract: A catalytic converter configuration for cleaning exhaust gases of internal combustion engines includes at least one first partial catalytic converter, at least one second partial catalytic converter, and an electric heater disposed between the at least one first and the at least one second partial catalytic converters. The at least one first partial catalytic converter has a smaller volume and/or a smaller catalytically active surface area than the at least one second partial catalytic converter.

Abstract: A hydraulic system which includes a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to a load and receiving hydraulic fluid therefrom wherein the pump is acoustically isolated from the surrounding water medium. The pump and a motor which drives the pump is enclosed in a pressure vessel, the interior of which is supplied with a gas at a certain pressure less than the ambient water pressure. The pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the return line is maintained at a pressure less than the ambient by a reservoir arrangement which includes a piston and rod assembly with the rod being subject to the ambient water medium. A certain pressure within an oil filled compartment of the reservoir is maintained at a fraction of the ambient water medium pressure by making the ratio of the cross sectional area of the piston to the rod equal to that predetermined fraction. This reduced pressure compartment is hydraulically connected to the fluid return line as well as to a gas regulator.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator, which apparatus has a delivery duct, a return duct, a pressure accumulator for the delivery duct and a hydraulic accumulator or reservoir for the return duct in which the delivery duct and the return duct are connected by way of back-pressure valves to a common single-conduit connecting line provided with a bayonet joint for disengagingly coupling the single-conduit connecting line with a twin-conduit supply circuit including a hydraulic pump and a reservoir and provided with a valve whose various positions are to be used for alternately setting each conduit of the supply circuit in a flow communication with said single-conduit connecting line.

Abstract: An oil pressure device for a jack whereby a hydraulic jack is adapted to raise rapidly until the lifting portion of the jack reaches a load sufficient to overcome a spring operating force, at which point the operation of the jack shifts to a slower, more powerful mode to raise the load.

Abstract: In a Stirling engine, a thermal isolating space is provided between an expansion space and a heating portion so as to establish a thermal isolation of the expansion space from the heating portion.

Abstract: A piston arrangement for a master cylinder having a pin for linking a center compensation valve in primary and secondary pistons with a stop members. The primary and secondary each have a pin located in a blind bore which has a cylindrical body with a first semi-spherical head on a first end and a second semi-spherical head located on a second end. A valve return spring acts on a poppet assembly of each compensation valve to position a stem between the first and second semi-spherical heads to hold the pins in the primary and secondary pistons. When a piston return spring moves the primary and secondary pistons toward a rest position, the second semi-spherical heads are held stationary as the pins pivots about the first semi-spherical heads to act on stems and move poppets away from seats and communicate fluid from a source to pressurizing chambers associated with the primary and secondary pistons.

Abstract: Exhaust flow system for a split exhaust flow in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine (3) fitted with an exhaust-driven supercharger (2) of the turbocompressor type, whose exhaust system incorporates a catalytic exhaust cleaner (58; 58'), where each cylinder of the engine has both a first exhaust valve (51), from which released exhaust gas is fed to a first exhaust collector (53) common to the cylinders, which collector is connected directly to the exhaust turbine inlet by a first exhaust branch pipe (54), and a second exhaust valve (52), from which released exhaust gas is fed to an exhaust pipe (56), which incorporates a silencer (61). At least one valve (50) adjustable according to the operating conditions of the engine (3), is arranged downstream from the second exhaust valves (52) of the cylinders, in their connection (59, 55, 57) to the exhaust pipe (56) between the exhaust turbine outlet (20) and the silencer (61).

Abstract: A separator for an annular gas turbine engine combustion chamber is disclosed having a plurality of separator segments arranged in a generally annular configuration to form an annular separator extending from an upstream end wall of a combustion chamber into the combustion chamber so as to separate first and second combustion zones within the combustion chamber. Each of the separator segments has a hollow interior defined by a front wall, an outer wall, an inner wall which has at least a portion tapering or converging towards the outer wall in a direction extending away from the front wall, and first and second sides. The sides define an array of holes communicating with the hollow interior, the positioning of the array of holes on a first sides being different from that of the array of holes on the second sides such that the axes of the holes are out of alignment with each other.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel injection apparatus comprises a fuel spray atomizer which directs a fuel spray onto the radially inner surface of an annular flow deflector. The fuel flows in a film over the flow deflector surface towards an annular lip at the downstream end of the deflector. Swirling air flows are directed over the radially inner and outer surfaces of the flow deflector so as to atomize the fuel as it leaves the annular lip. The fuel is evaporated in the swirling airflows and thoroughtly mixed with the airflows in a mixing duct before being discharged into a combustion chamber. The thorough mixing of the evaporated fuel and the airflows prior to combustion results in the production of reduced quantities of the oxide of nitrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-temperature regenerative type refrigerator installed in a low temperature environment, in which a cooling water flow rate controller for adjusting the flow rate of cooling water automatically in accordance with the temperature of gas fed to an expansion unit from a compressor, is provided in a water cooling type cooler for cooling the compressor, to keep the temperature of the gas discharged from the compressor high to the extent of not deteriorating the function of a seal due to shrinkage or not causing convection or deflecting flow in a regenerator, whereby it is made possible to prevent the deterioration in the cooling efficiency of the regenerator which is caused by a lowering of the ambient temperature in the refrigerator installed place, and hence possible to prevent the deterioration of the refrigerating capacity as the entire refrigerator.

Abstract: A cryogenic device comprises a vessel to be maintained at a cryogenic temperature. The vessel is mounted on a storage tank in a pressure Eight relationship. Cryogenic fluid under pressure is forced into the vessel through a transfer tube. The temperature in the vessel is controlled by flow of cryogenic fluid through the vessel. A throttle valve in a line leading from the cryogenic vessel regulates the cryogenic fluid flow in relation to a sensed temperature in the vessel.

Abstract: A Cryogenic Cooling System generally comprises a portable Dewar and a charging station for the Dewar. In the preferred embodiment, a HTSC device, such as a MRI coil, is contained in the Dewar which uses liquid nitrogen as a cryogenic coolant. The Dewar includes a reservoir for holding cryogenic fluid, an optional wicking material, a transfer tube between the reservoir and the HTSC device (or wick), and a vacuum space. Preferably a vent channel is adjacent the reservoir and provides an escape path for evaporating gas from the wick and/or HTSC device. The vent channel preferably provides a feed-back system: as more cryogenic coolant is transferred via the transfer tube, more cool gas is vented through the channel which cools the reservoir and thereby reduces the transfer. A charging system may also be provided as a source of cryogenic coolant. In the preferred embodiment, the charging system comprises a relatively large reservoir for liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for rapidly crust or through freezing a particle by simultaneously moving the particle through a bath of cryogenic liquid and exposing the particle or portions of the particle not submerged in the liquid to a spray of the cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for purification of refrigerant that includes a replaceable filter/dryer unit for removing water from refrigerant passing therethrough and having a predetermined water absorption capacity, and a compressor for pumping refrigerant through the filter/dryer unit. Refrigerant vapor pressure is measured at the compressor inlet, and mass flow rate of water in the refrigerant pumped through the filter/dryer unit is determined as a function of measured pressure. The mass flow rate of water so determined is monitored over time of operation of the refrigerant pump to determine when the mass of water in refrigerant pumped through the filter/dryer unit reaches the predetermined water absorption capacity of the unit. Filter status may be indicated to an operator and/or operation of the pump may be terminated.

Abstract: A broad range cooling system is provided which can operate to cool a product load to a predetermined temperature in the range of -25.degree. F. to +75.degree. F. over an ambient temperature range of -60.degree. F. to 150.degree. F. The system includes two compressor systems which are configurable to operate independently as single compressor cooling systems each having a unique cooling range, or together as a cascade system, depending upon the desired temperature requirements of the load and the ambient. In the event of a failure of one or the other compressor, the system is configured to continue operation with the other compressor as a single compressor system until a repair can be affected.

Abstract: The temperature of air leaving a cooling coil is monitored for dropping below various threshold values. The number of cooling stages which chill the refrigerant flowing through the cooling coil is first reduced when the temperature drops below a first threshold and continues to drop relative to a previously sensed temperature. Damper positions governing the amount of air flowing to zones to be cooled are thereafter adjusted when the temperature continues to drop relative to a previously sensed temperature. All adjusted positions are at least maintained relative to a calculated offset value until the temperature rises above a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value. All cooling stages are turned off if the sensed temperature drops below a third threshold value lower than the first threshold.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow control system for regulating the flow of a refrigerant liquid from a condenser sump to an evaporator wherein the control system regulates the liquid flow as a function of both the level of the liquid in the condenser sump and the system pressure differential between the condenser and evaporator of the refrigeration system. The flow control system includes a stop, biasing means, a guidepost, a standpipe, a generally tubular metering sleeve, and a float member.

Abstract: A modular refrigeration apparatus containing a cabinet with a front opening and divided into lower and upper portions, for separately receiving a plurality of removable modular units, said removable modular units including one of a selected plurality of interchangeable storage units and a universal refrigeration unit. A selected one of the plurality of interchangeable storage units is positioned within the upper portion of the cabinet for storing a plurality of containers. The refrigeration unit is positioned within the lower portion of the cabinet and in communication with the upper portion for cooling the entire interior of the cabinet. The cabinet is designed so that the interchangeable storage units and refrigeration unit can be respectfully removed or inserted from the cabinet without affecting the other units.

Abstract: A mist-emitting apparatus for a vegetable crisper, having a sprayer attached to an upper portion of a housing. A portion of the housing defines a closable reservoir for a supply of water. Means are provided in the housing for operatively communicating with a lower portion of the reservoir to communicate the water under pressure to the sprayer at predetermined intervals for a predetermined period of time. The water, being communicated to the sprayer, is emitted as a mist. A false bottom extends laterally from a lower portion of the housing for supporting fruits and vegetables above the false bottom. The closable container may be a bag or a cavity in the sidewall of the vegetable crisper, separate from the housing and communicating through a tube that connects with a lower portion of the housing. When originally installed in a refrigerator, the sprayer attaches to an interior wall and extends into a vegetable crisper drawer.

Abstract: A modular refrigeration apparatus containing a cabinet with a front opening and divided into lower and upper portions, for separately receiving a plurality of removable modular units, said removable modular units including one of a selected plurality of interchangeable storage units and a universal refrigeration unit. A selected one of the plurality of interchangeable storage units is positioned within the upper portion of the cabinet for storing a plurality of containers. The refrigeration unit is positioned within the lower portion of the cabinet and in communication with the upper portion for cooling the entire interior of the cabinet. The cabinet is designed so that the interchangeable storage units and refrigeration unit can be respectfully removed or inserted from the cabinet without affecting the other units.

Abstract: An insulated container for maintaining a product at a specific constant temperature during shipping or storage using two constant temperature coolants of different temperatures on either side of a highly conductive product storage box to establish a temperature gradient. Two pieces of insulated material of different thicknesses are placed between the product storage box and the constant temperature coolants. The selected thicknesses of the insulated material determine the specific temperature of the product, which will be between the temperatures of the two constant temperature coolants. U-shaped heat equalizers are disposed around the insulated material to conduct ambient heat leakage directly to the coolants and thereby help to insure a uniform temperature throughout the product storage box.

Abstract: A variable flow rate expansion valve designed for in-line installation in a fluid conveying conduit such as between the high pressure condenser and lower pressure evaporator of a refrigeration system includes an integrally defined restrictor disc and a closure disc for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve. The restrictor disc has a first set of flow apertures and the closure disc a second set of flow apertures. The closure disc is rotatably coupled to the restrictor device in a plane parallel to the plane of the restrictor disc and perpendicular to refrigerant flow. A stepper motor is coupled to the closure disc through a linear actuator. Movement of the linear actuator causes the closure disc to rotate relative to the restrictor disc such that the flow apertures of the closure disc are selectively brought into and out of registry with the apertures of the restrictor disc.

Abstract: In a vacuum concentrating plant, a feed liquid supplied into a vacuum pan evaporator is heated indirectly by a latent heat by introducing depressurized vapor into a steam jacket added to an outer periphery of a lower portion of the vacuum pan evaporator. In this manner, the feed liquid in the vacuum pan evaporator is boiled and concentrated in a concentrating zone within the vacuum evaporator. The depressurized vapor used for heating the feed liquid is obtained by heating water in a depressurized vapor generator by means of a heating source in a heat pump. On the other hand, the vapor generated in the vacuum evaporator is cooled and condensed in a vapor condenser by means of a cooling source in the heat pump and removed in the form of a drain outside a circuit system. A concentrate as a product is withdrawn outside the circuit system through a concentrate withdrawing line by an operation of a pump.