Abstract: A folding stage includes a folding linkage with cross members and a center lock. The center lock has a handle below the cross members and off to the side of the cross members to prevent pinching of operators' hands and fingers. The folding linkage folds from a use position wherein stage decks are horizontal to form a stage surface to a storage position wherein the bottom of the stage decks oppose one another. In the fully folded position, stage support legs are angled inward slightly. Casters mount at an oblique angle to the telescoping legs and are moved closer to the telescoping legs to decrease the moment of inertia about the legs while maintaining sufficient contact with the floor. Torsion bars mount at the pivoting access of the frame and the telescoping legs to control folding speed. The folding portions of the frame and decks have a center of gravity which is aligned with the pivoting access to decrease the moment of inertia about the pivoting axis.

Abstract: A snow-retaining bracket with an elongated body with a snow retention end and a roof attachment end. The snow retention end has a snow barrier means constructed and configured to inhibit sliding of snow from a roof to which the snow bracket is attached. The roof attachment end has mounting holes for attachment with a fastener to the upper surface of a roof. A cover extends over the mounting holes to cover heads of fasteners passing through the mounting holes. The cover includes structure for securing the cover without tools to the bracket.

Abstract: In a person transport vehicle, a roof structure is fixed on longitudinal sidewalls (1). In order to achieve a simple but highly functional structure, a longitudinal beam (3) for the roof is fixed to the area of the top side edges of each longitudinal side wall (1) and is provided with an at least approximately horizontal leg. The horizontal legs extend toward each other and carry in a weld-free and watertight manner an inherently stable roof plate (5) provided with integrated longitudinal channels (6, 7).

Abstract: An expanse of thermoplastic flashing material is provided with a flap of like material. Upon flexing of the flashing to accommodate corner surfaces of a roof structure, the flap may be heat welded to same to shape the flashing to correspond to the surfaces of the corner. A modified form of the flashing includes a trapezoidal flap heat welded to the flashing expanse and having an extension thereon for securement to an underlying portion of the flashing expanse subsequent to shaping of the flashing to an outside corner of a roof structure. Sloping walls may be sealed as well as vertical, perpendicular walls may be accommodated by the modified flashing. A still further flashing modification includes first and second flaps particularly suited for abutment with vertical intersecting wall surfaces with the flaps being permanently secured to an expanse of flashing by heat welds.

Abstract: A large structure enshrouder has a block collector that is secured to the top of the large structure, a plurality of outriggers secured to the top, below the block collector, and a plurality of booms secured to the legs of the large structure. A plurality of first cables are each secured to the shroud, pass through an outrigger, are secured to the block collector and terminate at a collector ring, the collector ring being connected to an appropriate pulling device for lifting the shroud. A plurality of second cables extend between the top and the outrigger for stability of the outrigger, while a plurality of third cables extend between the block collector and the outrigger for further stability. A plurality of fourth cables extend between the booms and the leg of the structure for stability of the booms, the booms also being anchored to the ground. A plurality of fifth cables and sixth cables extend between the outriggers and the booms for stability of the raised shroud during wind load conditions.

Abstract: An enclosure with an adjacent auxiliary fold-out room is useful as a utility building for cellular telephone equipment. The auxiliary fold-out room is selectively positionable in a collapsed configuration and alternatively positionable in a expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration the auxiliary fold-out room lies against the enclosure and in the expanded configuration, panels of the auxiliary fold-out room define an enclosed space adjacent an access opening of the enclosure and provide cover for maintenance personnel while servicing equipment within the enclosure.

Abstract: A structure formed from a new family of polyhedral models and rigid structures. The structure having discrete interior and exterior elements, and is formed from a plurality of rigid-stellate polygonal modules. Each rigid-stellate polygonal module has at least three polygonal structures coupled to a rigid stellate connector or axis by a base edge. The angle subtended between each of the at least three polygonal structures may be varied by changing the connector.

Abstract: An edge strip for being mounted along a base structure includes a first axially extending flange, a second axially extending flange obliquely extending from the first flange. The second flange includes a first support and a second support. The first support is configured for being mounted adjacent to the base structure and includes a first head portion, a first neck portion between the first head portion and the first flange, a second neck portion spaced from the first neck portion between the head portion and the first flange, and a first strut between the first and second neck portions. The first strut has a width greater than the widths of the first and second neck portions. The second support is adjacent the first support and is configured for being mounted adjacent to the base structure.

Abstract: A frame is formed of side walls that are extruded from vinyl. The side walls have interior channels. The side walls may be formed to effect a female-male connection between the ends of two adjoining side walls. Alternatively a locking member is provided that is sized to frictionally engage a selected channel. The side walls have a concrete retention fin positioned to extend away from the outer wall of the side wall to interconnect with the concrete as the and after the concrete cures. The frame may be formed into door jambs, doors, and the like. The frame may also be a window buck that may be formed into selected geometric shapes. Window bucks of different dimensions may be assembled on site by sawing.

Abstract: Wooden log walls are constructed from full or siding logs stacked one above the other. The logs engage each other at connecting portions including an interior loose tongue and groove joint and downwardly curved cylindrical load supporting surfaces extending to the outer sides of the logs.

Abstract: Self supporting panels with sterilization, impermeabilization and thermal characteristics, quickly assembled and fixed, with higher structural resistance; useful to form different areas that need to be heat and sanitary isolated, including stores and laboratories, hospitals and other sterilized places. Their external surfaces are perfectly smooth, sterilized and wash resistant. They have a dovetail assembly system and superior-inferior concave round edges which can be easily cleaned, forming perfectly hermetic walls, removing edging borders and filtrations between ceiling, panels and floor. They have a simple and safe system to fix ceiling panels and floor. Additionally, they are fixed to different intersection parts, forming concave round edging corner, avoiding edging borders between walls and obtaining different wall distribution combinations.

Abstract: A load bearing deck of a modular structural section for use in support structures such as a load bearing deck or highway bridge. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam and a load bearing deck preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The deck includes a core having elongate core members having a polygonal shape, preferably a trapezoidal shape. Alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications. Methods of constructing a support structure utilizing the modular structural section including the polygonal, preferably trapezoidal core deck, and support members are also provided.

Abstract: A landscape edging or border block has an essentially trapezoidal shape, and is capable of being used to form a linear, serpentine or combination border or edge. The blocks can also be used to enclose an area. By orienting each block such that its inner edge faces inwardly, a substantially circular shape is attained to enclose a circular area. To expand the area to be enclosed, at least two expansion blocks are added for each quadrant of the shape. The two expansion blocks are oriented so as to provide a linear segment in each quadrant between adjacent ends of each arcuate segment. Additional pairs of expansion blocks can be added for each quadrant to further expand the area to be enclosed. In all cases, the enclosed area is formed by placing adjacent blocks such that their edges engage each other to form a shape without the presence of gaps between adjacent blocks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a prefabricated concrete formwork module that may be assembled with others similar modules in the manner of a brick wall to form a mold into which concrete is poured. The formwork module has a reinforcing structure preferably made of parallel grids connected by transverse tie-rods. It also has a pair of opposite panels forming spaced apart longitudinal side-walls. It further has arms defining a bridge for providing stability between adjacent modules when assembled to form a wall. Preferably, the panels are made of an insulating material.

Abstract: A method for constructing a resilient floor on a solid base utilizes plate-shaped elements. Hollow, height-adjustable elements are fastened on the base and are filled with an elastically hardening material, which is adhesive in the flowable state. Prior to hardening, base plates are placed on the filled elements and are aligned. When lifted, the base plates move the elements located below them because of the adhesion of the filler material to the base plates. After hardening, at least one further floor layer is placed on the base plates. This method can be executed rapidly.

Abstract: A wall with enhanced fire resistance and thermal insulation is formed from first and second skins manufactured substantially from plate material, wherein insulating material manufactured from mineral wool is arranged between the skins, wherein the first skin is provided with noses arranged at regular distances and facing toward the inside of the wall, pointed connections are arranged between the noses and the second skin and a material strip manufactured from insulating material and dimensioned to absorb pressure forces is placed between the noses and the second skins.

Abstract: A clean room filter unit mounting system including a bracket, a bracket and fastener assembly, and individually mounted filter units. The bracket and fastener assembly includes a bracket having a relatively fixed member and a relatively movable member to allow misaligned mounting of parts such as the filter units in a clean room ceiling to fixed suspension rods without perfect registration of the bracket fixed member with the suspension rods, and a fastener able to pass through both bracket members in a first arrangement and to block such passage in a second disposition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-perforated, essentially orthogonal hip and ridge shingle having stepped side portions which shingle is foldable along its longitudinal axis over the ridge of a pitched roof and is additionally foldable upon itself on a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device for transferring blister packs comprises an intermediate station situated between a working station (3) and a packaging line. The intermediate station includes a clamp for receiving and holding at least one blister pack. First and second groups of suction cups are driven by a two-arm mechanism situated in the intermediate station. In a first position, the first group of suction cups is placed in the working station for picking up one blister pack while the second group of suction cups is over the intermediate station for picking up another blister pack temporarily held by the clamp. In a second position, the first group of suction cups is located over the intermediate station, to release the blister pack previously picked up, that is received and held by the clamp, while the second group of suction cups is over the packaging line to deliver the blister pack previously picked up.

Abstract: A unit for combing wrapped chocolates, wherein a combing drum, rotating continuously about a respective axis, has a number of combing devices, each of which has a gripping device rotating, crosswise to the aforementioned axis, between a radial gripping position to grip a chocolate, and an axial release position located along an axial path parallel to the aforementioned axis and along which travel a pusher and a counter-pusher; the path extending through an annular combing element.

Abstract: A feeder for the gripper head of wrapping machines for small- and medium-size products, comprising: a disk, which substantially lies horizontally and rotates about a vertical axis; recesses for receiving a respective product, which are distributed all around the disk, are spoon-shaped and have a slot which is open towards the outside of the disk and can be crossed substantially along a plane that passes through the vertical axis; an extractor which cooperates, in a transfer station which corresponds to one of said recesses and to a gripper, with a corresponding complementary element and with a device for dispensing a piece of material in sheet form and is suitable to intersect and pass beyond the recess with an active stroke in the vertical plane, passing through the slot in an upward and outward direction so that the product and the material in sheet form are secured against the complementary element and so that by means of the complementary element the product and the material are inserted in the gripper, w

Abstract: A device for opening a series of bags in a stack. The device comprises a rotatable element having a substantially circular cross section. This element rotates and grabs a front side of the bag. Attached to the rotatable element is a first drive mechanism for rotating the element. In addition, a sensor is attached to the first drive mechanism. The sensor reads when the rotatable wheel grabs the bag. A second drive mechanism is connected to the first drive mechanism. This second drive mechanism drives the wheel into and back away from the bag stack. In this way, when the rotatable element rotates and moves into the bag, it grabs the bag. Next, it wraps the bag around the element so that the bag trips the sensor. The sensor triggers the motor to stop the element from rotating. In addition, the sensor signals the second drive mechanism to move the element away from the bag stack, to open the bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles, such as bundles of newspapers, on one or three sides is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conveyor means, a paper guide and dispensing means for conveying a sheet of paper dispensed from a roll into the path of a bundle moving along the conveyor, a wrapping means for covering the bundle with paper on one or three sides, and a reciprocating, double-edged cutting means for cutting the desired length of paper from the roll. The three-way wrap assembly includes a pair of paper support means, preferably C-shaped flexible belts which contact the paper lightly at three points, allowing the paper to maintain a substantially vertical orientation relative to the path of the bundle during the wrapping operation. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an integrated bundle turner assembly for lifting and turning a bundle 90 degrees relative to its original path of travel.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a floral grouping, preferably an orchid, with a sleeve. The sleeve is preferably constructed from a laminated material made up of at least a waxy layer and a support layer which are superposed upon each other and connected or laminated to each other. A second waxy layer may be connected or laminated to the other surface of the support surface. The wrapped floral grouping may also contain a shredded material for cushioning the blooms of the floral grouping.

Abstract: In a method for producing a predetermined sequence of printed products with varying contents and varying numbers of pages, the pages of a printed product of the sequence are printed onto both sides of a quasi-endless paper web [P] in the form of at least one row of juxtaposed printed pages. The pages of the next printed product in the sequence are then printed in the same manner. The paper web is folded perpendicular to its length in alternating directions between the pages to be printed, or the printed pages, before or after printing. The web is then separated or brought into an easily separable condition along lines perpendicular to its length between groups of printed pages forming successive printed products. A sequence of Leporello-shaped printed products [5] is produced which can be further processed into differently shaped products.

Abstract: A method for producing hot pour product samplers that incorporates the genuine hot pour product through the use of bulk thin film application techniques such as extrusion or spray technology. The method comprises first applying a hot pour product to a base substrate, and then attaching a cover sheet by means of an adhesive or heat-seal die adhesive on either wide-web offset or narrow-web equipment.

Abstract: A wrapping method comprises the prior stretching of a film wherein the prior stretching of the film advantageously includes a step of paying out the film from a feed reel, a stretching step, and a step of winding the stretched film onto a mandrel or a take-up reel in readiness for subsequent use. The film of the present invention is previously-stretched under a large amount of tension, is released, and is then wound under moderate tension, under which the film is allowed to relax. The present invention is applicable to preparing film for wrapping loads that are optionally palletized and suitable for being put into place either manually, or mechanically.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stretch wrapping process wherein a roll of film is unwound and stretched, at a speed up to about 70 meters per minute, and the film is wrapped about the girth of a unitized plurality of goods, with the overlapping layers of film being held together by cling force. The film used in the present process is produced from a composition comprising about 85 to about 99 weight percent of a polymeric ethylenic containing component having a density no greater than 0.94 g/cc, and about 1 to about 15 weight percent of a propylene polymer comprising 0 to about 40 weight percent olefin comonomer units having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent propylene.

Abstract: Bags containing a particle, powder or granule product are packed inside a wrapper formed from an elongated laminar wrapping of thermo-bonding plastic. The wrapping is sealed along longitudinal seams to form a sleeve. The bags of product are advanced on a transporter and pressed to a compact and even shape. A first bag is placed on a temporary support and the wrapping formed into a sleeve about the bag. The first bag is allowed to fall into the sleeve. The sleeve and bag are caused to ascend at the same time, and the sleeve is closed with seams during its descent. The process is then repeated for successive bags until the sleeve contains a set number of bags. The sleeve is then closed into a welded wrapping about the bags.

Abstract: A carton folding apparatus operable to close the top of a carton having a front inner flap, a rear inner flap, a right outer flap, and a left outer flap. The carton folding apparatus comprises a frame which has an input end and an output end. Extending between the input end and the output end of the frame is a conveyor which is adapted to transport cartons from a position upstream of the input end of the frame to a position downstream of the output end thereof. A flap folding assembly is mounted for vertical movement along the frame in order to accommodate cartons of various sizes. The flap folding assembly is positioned above the conveyor and includes a stationary front flap folding bar, a rotatable rear flap folding arm, a right outer flap folding member, and a left outer flap folding member. Each of outer flap folding members includes an end. The ends of the outer flap folding members are adapted to be moved closer to or further from one another upon rotation of the outer flap folding members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means and method of exhausting air from, and sealing a container of the type used for sealing food products. The means includes a self adhering patch for attachment to the exterior side wall of the container, or alternately, a patch that is constructed as part of a commercial container such as a baggie, and a suction probe which may be attached to a source of suction such as a suction pump for drawing air from the container when the suction probe is inserted through the patch and into the container. When the air has been removed, the probe is removed and the patch self-closes to seal the puncture.

Abstract: Banknotes directed along the formation channels of a machine for making up bundles are caused to accumulate into an ordered stack at the outlet of each channel. The machine utilizes a bundling unit equipped with a sliding carriage and a first gripper, of which the operation is piloted by sensors associated with each outlet and governed by a monitoring and control unit in such a way that the gripper will address the single outlet each time a stack is formed, then pick up the stack and pass it to a second gripper forming part of a translate and tilt unit; this same unit proceeds first to offer the stack of banknotes to a binder, by which two wrapping bands are applied to the two ends to complete the bundle, and thereafter to tilt the bundle into the path of a push rod which directs it toward a packaging and/or storage station.

Abstract: The present practical new design is to provide a guide feeding device for thermal-shrinking film mechanism that mainly is related to the feed wheels which are mounted on the upper, middle and lower peripherals of the central guide rod and all connected by the connecting rod. The transmission gears are driven by a motor to let another meshed transmission gear adverse transmitted correspondingly and to stably transport the shrinking film downwards. By the opposed reverse threads at both ends of an axial rod, each feed wheel is mounted on the corresponding reverse thread and an adjusting wheel is mounted on the other end of the axial rod. And it only needs to rotate the adjusting wheel and move the two mutual opposed feed wheels along the axial rod in or out correspondingly to adapt the central guide rods with different sizes. The adjustment is very convenient and fast, and is able to upgrade the producing efficiency and the product quality.

Abstract: A bale wrapper includes a frame with a leading end having steerable wheels and a transport pole connected to the steerable wheels, a trailing end with braked wheels, and a central portion. A bale-loading deck adjacent the leading end includes spaced-apart guide rails, tubular supports between the spaced-apart guide rails which define a standard path and an elevated path, and a hydraulically powered pushbar for translating a bale. A single centrally located hoop assembly has two opposed rolls of plastic film and is carried and supported by and between a first idler assembly mounted on one side of the frame and a second idler assembly mounted on the opposite side of the frame, the hoop assembly having an inner edge and a powered rubber wheel bearing against the inner edge. The bale wrapper includes a power source.

Abstract: A device for preventing rocks and dirt from entering a combine including a plurality of grain saver dam sections secured to a bracket by a bolt, bushing, mounting bracket and nut. The grain saver dam section includes a series of cutout sections and horizontal support sections.

Abstract: A system for harvesting fruit from vertical plants arranged in rows. The system comprises a frame having two frame portions arranged on opposite sides of a given row during harvesting. A front wheel and one back wheel are mounted on one of the frame portions, and the other back wheel is mounted on the other wheel portion. A shaker system and collecting system are arranged on the frame to dislodge and collect the fruit. The collecting system defines an entryway through which the plants pass relative to the harvesting system during harvesting. The front wheel is arranged forward of the entryway and significantly increases the maneuverability of the harvesting system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fine-adjustment of moving part sequences in big square balers and, in particular, for adjusting the insertion point of the needle bar and the timing of the feeding mechanism for the baling material. The fine-adjustment is accomplished by pivoting an angle adjustment mechanism, which is jointly pivotable with an intermediate drive shaft, at a maximum pivot angle of 10 degrees, but preferably 2 to 3 degrees in either forward or backward pivot directions.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel compression and control system is disclosed which utilizes a helical flow compressor/turbine integrated with a permanent magnet motor/generator and driven by a torque controlling inverter to compress or expand gaseous fuels, precisely control fuel pressure and flow, and precisely control the operations (speed, combustion temperature and output power) of a gaseous fuel fired turbogenerator.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the rotational speed of a turbine for producing electrical power and a method for controlling the rotational speed of a turbine during load shedding include a control structure. The control structure can be connected to an actuator, which is used to control the rotational speed, and the control structure is used to control the rotational speed of the turbine during idling and/or insular operation of the turbine. An error signal which is dependent on a difference between a setpoint value and an actual value of the rotational speed, can be supplied to the control structure. During load shedding, the control structure supplies a closing signal to the actuator as a function of the error signal. The control structure combines the function of controlling the rotational speed during idling and/or insular operation of the turbine with the function of avoiding rapid shutdown of the turbine when load shedding occurs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve and a low pressure drop combustor bypass. The valve simultaneously controls both the supply of air to the premixer, and the amount of air directed into a large bypass duct. Air entering the bypass duct is reintroduced into the gas flowpath as dilution air downstream of the combustion zone. At low power settings the valve directs most of the air to the bypass duct, in effect bypassing the fixed area dilution ports, whereby the pressure drop across the combustor may be controlled at an optimal level.

Abstract: The fan duct of a ducted fan gas turbine engine is provided with a secondary duct at least partly within the downstream end of the primary duct. The secondary duct is provided with means such as flaps whereby the airflow therethrough may be varied to suit flight requirements of an associated aircraft, in a way which will control the maximum diameter of the free stream tube airflow at the intake of the engine, thus effectively reducing the frontal area of the fan duct, and therefor, drag.

Abstract: Hydraulic apparatus including hydraulic supply means and an accumulator with an accumulator piston and a means for sensing the accumulator piston position to indicate a load requirement to a control means to selectively actuate the hydraulic supply means to satisfy the hydraulic load requirement and to provide a relatively pressure pulse-free operation by actuating the hydraulic supply means in response to the position and motion of the accumulator piston.

Abstract: An engine for powering by water that includes a stator, a rotor rotatably mounted in the stator, and a plurality of blades movably mounted in the rotor. The stator has a throughchamber. The rotor is rotatably mounted in the throughchamber. By virtue of a throughbore in a top plate of the stator being offset from its longitudinal axis, a throughbore in a bottom plate of the stator being offset from its longitudinal axis, and a throughbore in the rotor being along its longitudinal axis, the rotor is offset in the throughchamber and has only one tangential point contacting a circular periphery of throughchamber at any one time as it rotates in the stator. The rotor rotates clockwise in the stator, by steam applying a greater force on a blade of a pair of blades of three blades that define a communicating power chamber that protrudes further than another blade of the pair of blades, by virtue of the fact that it presents a greater surface area exposed to the steam.

Abstract: A low emissions combustor includes a premixer for premixing liquid fuel and compressed air for achieving low NOx emissions without water or steam injection. The premixer includes a centerbody disposed in a shroud defining an annular flow channel extending between an inlet and outlet of the shroud. A plurality of fuel injection orifices are spaced circumferentially around the centerbody with each having an outlet being substantially flush with an outer surface of the centerbody. The fuel injection orifices inject liquid fuel into the flow channel wherein it is atomized by compressed air channeled through the shroud inlet. In a preferred embodiment, the fuel injection orifices are inclined at an acute angle for injection the fuel toward the shroud inlet to increase differential mixing velocity with the compressed air.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor comprises: an outer casing; a combustor inner cylinder disposed inside the outer casing; a combustion chamber formed in the combustor inner cylinder; a pilot fuel injection unit disposed to a head side portion of the combustion chamber, the pilot fuel injection unit comprising a first premixing combustion nozzle unit, a diffusing combustion nozzle unit and a second premixing combustion nozzle unit, the first premixing combustion nozzle unit being arranged at a central portion of the head side portion of the combustion chamber, the diffusing combustion nozzle unit being arranged so as to coaxially surround an outside of the first premixing combustion nozzle unit and the second premixing combustion nozzle unit being arranged so as to coaxially surround an outside of the diffusing combustion nozzle unit, respectively; and a premixing combustion chamber disposed to an outlet side of the first premixing combustion nozzle unit so as to be communicated with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combustion chamber containing a number of aerohanical injectors mounted in the end of the chamber that connects the upstream end of two annular walls and which are supplied with fuel permanently during operation. The injectors are arranged in two concentric rows around the axis of symmetry and in pairs in longitudinal planes passing through the axis of symmetry. The injectors of the two rows are more or less equidistant from the outlet of the chamber and have axes directed toward the outlet. A carefully considered distribution of the primary holes, dilution holes and the air flow allows the emissions of oxides of nitrogen to be reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a low-temperature fluid includes a source of the low-temperature fluid coupled to a device being cooled by one or more fluid hoses or lines. The lines are surrounded by a cover which is coupled to a source of gas. The gas flows between the fluid lines and the cover such that the dew point of the atmosphere inside the cover is below the temperature of an outer surface of the hose such that condensation on the fluid lines is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooler and a dewar assembly including a cooled surface; a cooling surface for removing thermal energy from said cooled surface; and an adapter disposed between said cooling surface and the cooled surface for conducting thermal energy therebetween. A first fluid is disposed between the cooled surface and the adapter for conducting thermal energy from the cooled surface to the adapter. A second fluid is disposed between the cooling surface and the adapter for conducting thermal energy from the adapter to the cooling surface whereby the cooling surface remains free to move axially relative to the adapter at a temperature of the cooling surface at which the first fluid is susceptible to freezing. This allows for movement of the cold finger relative to the dewar and adapter, due to differential thermal coefficients of expansion or support structure motion, without adversely affecting the communication of thermal energy from the load.

Abstract: A miniature refrigeration system and method of operation. A primary refrigerant is pressurized by a compressor to a relatively low pressure, for safety reasons. The compressed primary refrigerant is passed through a primary-to-secondary heat exchanger, to precool the gas mixture. The secondary side of the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger is cooled by a secondary refrigeration system. The primary refrigerant exiting the primary outlet of the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger passes to a primary Joule-Thomson expansion element where the high pressure gas is expanded to a lower temperature. This low temperature gas cools a heat transfer element mounted in the outer wall of the catheter or cryoprobe, to cool surrounding tissue. Return gas can flow back through a distal primary-to-primary heat exchanger to further cool the incoming high pressure gas mixture. A proximal primary-to-primary heat exchanger can be added between the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger and the primary compressor.

Abstract: Method of sequentially spraying a cryogenic liquid comprising sequentially applying a dose of a propellant gas to a dose of the cryogenic liquid and sequentially spraying this liquid, the pressure of the propellant gas being greater than that of the cryogenic liquid.