Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing and installing a roof structure, in which clay is formed into tiles which simulate wood shakes, and the tiles are attached atop a supporting surface in a predetermined manner in a substantially unrecognizable pattern. The tile configuration provides a structure which is light in weight yet is structurally sound, which lends itself to ready installation upon a wide variety of structures. Secondary supporting ribs for strength and upwardly-directed support ridges for improved stackability are also provided.

Abstract: A trilaminated roofing shingle comprising:(a) an anterior layer consisting essentially of a rectangular, granular surfaced shingle sheet having an undivided headlap portion and a butt portion comprising a plurality of tabs of an average given breadth separated by spaces approximately 0.50 to 1.

Abstract: A constructional component for a wall structure capable of resisting high gravity and lateral loads, both uniform and cyclical, is defined by a partially hollow building block having a generally solid rectangular exterior configuration in which one entire end surface of the building block exhibits a positive deep key geometry and the opposing end surface exhibits a negative deep key geometry, complemental to the positive geometry of the opposite end. Deep key interlocks also exist between opposing horizontal block surface. As partition between vertical cavities of the block narrows in the negative vertical direction. There is resultingly created a substantially rigid and load-resilient interlock between vertical and horizontal complemental surfaces when joined as components of a wall structure.

Abstract: A joist element for fastening a flat, plate-shaped structural element to a pitched roof. In particular for fastening a solar energy collection module, whereby the joist element, laid in the ridge-eaves direction, can be fastened to the roof substructure.

Abstract: A sill plate that is mounted on a cement footing of a building structure with anchor bolts being fixedly embedded within the cement footing in spaced apart locations with these anchor bolts protruding from the uppermost surface of the cement footing. Each anchor bolt is to be located within an oversized hole formed in the sill plate. An anchoring plate is to be fixedly secured to the sill plate with there being a separate anchoring plate for each anchor bolt. There is a closely conforming hole formed within the anchoring plate through which this anchor bolt is to extend. A fastening arrangement is utilized to fixedly secure each anchoring plate on the sill plate.

Abstract: A device for blind mounting of window panes can be designed optionally as a friction locking or positive-locking fixing variation.The device for fixing a movable window pane on a window regulator of a motor vehicle preferably has a substantially U-shaped base member which is open for inserting the edge area of the window pane. Side arms, with a first side arm, of the device are connected together through a base, as well as with at least one locking element mounted displaceable and/or swivelling. When the window pane is inserted in a gap of the base member, the locking element is supported on one side with the first side arm and on the other side with a side face of the window pane.

Abstract: A structure for use in conjunction with a recessed fixture is provided which includes a substantially rectangular housing defining a top wall and side walls. Each of the walls has exterior and interior wall surfaces, and at least the interior wall surfaces of the housing are coated with a fire resistant material. Flanges depend outwardly from bottom edges of side walls of the housing to facilitate mounting of the housing between spaced apart building joists. The housing is coated with the fire resistant material prior to installation.

Abstract: A low-cost process for exterior wall insulation retrofit, or new wall construction by stacking layers of fabric tube filled with insulating material against a wall and covering them with mesh and stucco provides a durable structure with good insulating value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-insulating multiple glazing and a vacuum multiple glazing. Conventionally, this type of glass does not provide sufficient heat-insulating performance. And, it has been necessary to form the heat-insulating multiple glazing thick, in order to enhance the heat-insulating performance. The present invention comprises a first vacuum multiple glazing (2) including two sheet glasses (3), (4) having peripheries thereof sealed and a plurality of layers of spacer (5) disposed within a gap therebetween, with the gap being depressurized; and a second vacuum multiple glazing (2) or an ordinary sheet glass (10) overlapped with the first multiple glazing (2) with a gap relative thereto and having the periphery thereof sealed with a sealing material (12), with the gap being charged with dry air or rare gas. Thus, it is possible to enhance the heat-insulating performance, without increasing the thickness of the entire heat-insulating multiple glazing.

Abstract: A system which stacks and folds waterproof tube film in a zigzag configuration in a film receiving box and then inserts the tube film in the film receiving box into an interior of a cylindrical bag. The system also includes a film unwinding means, which is provided with guide rollers for guiding tube film pulled from bobbin and tension controlling rollers. The film is preferably sealed to the interior of the cylindrical bag to form a waterproof bag.

Abstract: A case packer includes a mass flow conveyor moving containers in defined lanes and lane deflectors for urging containers laterally across the conveyor into a selectively actuable metering station. Containers are selectively metered into row groups of select count and segregated by transfer guides on an underlying transfer conveyor. The row groups are directed to move rearwardly or upstream on the forward moving transfer conveyor into alignment with an open case mouth. A rotary loader has extensible can pushers maintained in parallel with open case mouth during a substantial portion of movement of the cases past the rotary loader. This maintains the rows of cans in proper alignment for final case loading and prevents undesirable "A" pattern lock up. The transfer guides and rotary loader can be adjusted and/or modified to handle varied row counts of cans.

Abstract: A method for making a suture package includes injection molding a shallow polymer tray for holding a suture. Fenestrations formed in a substantially flat floor area of the package cause the package to lay flat by interrupting material stresses set up by, e.g., differential cooling during injection molding.

Abstract: Unsealed packets of cigarettes emerging from a packaging machine present an outer surface that consists of an opaque wrapping material, to which a revenue stamp and a coupon are affixed as the packets are transferred directly and in an ordered succession from the packaging machine to a cellophaner; on reaching the cellophaner, each packet in turn is enveloped in a sheet of transparent overwrapping material covering the opaque wrapping material, the revenue stamp and the coupon, and the overwrapping sealed in such a way that the finished packet will remain substantially airtight

Abstract: A process is provided for displacing air from containers prior to seaming a lid to a container. In the process, a container body is filled with contents and is then injected with liquid nitrogen. A lid is immediately placed on the container body, and a biasing force is immediately applied against the lid to maintain the lid on the liquid nitrogen filled container bodies until the container body reaches the seaming mechanism. The biasing force is sufficient to allow a portion of nitrogen gas from vaporization of the liquid nitrogen to escape from the container body, and to allow air originally present in the container body to escape from the container body, while preventing surrounding air from entering the container body.

Abstract: In a package for contact lenses, especially single-wear contact lenses, the receiver is configured to contain a contact lens and protective cleaning liquid, and is configured as a plastic bottle with a detachable stopper.

Abstract: A capping machine (10) and method for installing a cap (12) having a threaded portion onto a container (14) having a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the cap corresponding to the threaded portion of the container, the capping machine having a rotatable turret (20) and a rotatable cap chuck (16) which grips the cap and positions the cap on the container. The cap chuck is rotated by a spindle (22) driven by a servo motor (24) at adjustable and reversible rotational velocities independent of the rotational velocity of the turret. The number of rotations of the cap is determined by monitoring the number of rotations of the servo motor compared to the number of rotations of the turret and is transmitted to a spindle drive control(70). The torque imparted to the cap is monitored by a torque monitor (50) and is transmitted to the spindle drive control. The rotational velocity of the cap is adjustable in response to the compared monitored number of rotations and monitored torque.

Abstract: A reel holder for rotatably holding a band reel in a vertical position on one side of a pool box. A relay roller for relaying the band pulled out from the reel holder to a pair of pre-feed rollers is also provided. The pair of pre-feed rollers is arranged above the relay roller. The nip of the pair of pre-feed rollers is positioned in the same plane as the pool box of a packing machine. Each axis of the pair of pre-feed rollers is inclined so that the nip of the pair of pre-feed rollers inclines in an opposite direction of the reel holder. Accordingly, a band loading operation can be easily executed. The pair of pre-feed rollers is preferably arranged adjacent to a working table of the packing machine, i.e., above the pool box so that an operator does not have to crouch during the band loading operation.

Abstract: A safety apparatus and method for riding an animal using a rigging that assists a rider in maintaining balance on the animal but allows the rider to be quickly separated from the animal if a limb of the rider becomes caught in the rigging when the rider is thrown from the animal. The apparatus and the method of its use involve a rigging that can be cinched about the body of such an animal, that includes a holder or handle interfittingly engaged by a limb of the rider while mounted on the animal to aid the rider in remaining balance on the animal, and that further includes a latch that is normally closed but that can be released either by the rider if possible or by an attendant or otherwise if the limb if the rider is entangled with and caught in the rigging when the rider is thrown from the animal whereby the rider and the rigging can be pulled from or otherwise separated from the animal.

Abstract: A bit has two cheeks which are rotatably mounted in respective sleeves. The sleeves are connected to one another by a mouth having an adjustable width. Each of the sleeves is rotatable independently of the other on an axis extending in a direction from one of the sleeves to the other.

Abstract: A conveying device for material to be chopped with conveying rollers comprises a foreign body detection device and a chopper mechanism whose signals are fed to a control device which controls rapid stopping of the conveying rollers when a foreign body detection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Upon reversing operation of the conveying rollers, the detection device is used to end the reversing operation when the foreign body is positioned in front of the conveying rollers.

Abstract: A safety cut-off system prevents the running of a motor of a self-propelled lawn mower having left and right drive wheels, and forward and reverse gears. The safety cut-off system includes a first forward presence lever manipulatable, by an operator, between an ON state and an OFF state, wherein the forward presence lever is biased to the OFF state, and a reverse presence lever manipulatable, by an operator, between an ON state and an OFF state, wherein the reverse presence lever is also biased to the OFF state. A preventing element, which is responsive to the forward and reverse presence levers, is provided for preventing the motor from running, when the lawn mower is in neutral or a forward gear and neither the forward presence lever nor the reverse presence lever are in the ON state, and when the lawn mower is in a reverse gear and the reverse presence lever is not in the ON state.

Abstract: A lawn mower including a liquid-cooled engine having a radiator grille positioned over the radiator thereof. The radiator grille includes a perforated screen member having a series of alternating grooves and ridges formed therein which run downwardly and rearwardly from the forward end of the screen member. The design of the screen member and the radiator grille permit the perforated screen member to self-clean and also provides a convenient means by which the screen member may be manually cleaned, if necessary.

Abstract: A grass catcher assembly 10 includes a hopper 15 has as inlet 16a for receiving a stream of air and grass clippings and an outlet 16b for venting air. A manifold 30 is operatively connected to the hopper 15. The manifold has an entrance for receiving the vented air and an exit for venting the air. The exit has a first orifice 33b and a second orifice 34b for venting air to the right and left side of the hopper. A baffle 40 selectively channels the vented air to the first or second orifices.

Abstract: A mowing machine for cutting plants with radially protruding blades of upper and lower blade disks which are coaxially disposed and rotated under the hood that is disposed at the end of a handle. The upper blade disk has a ring gear, the lower blade disk has a sun gear, and a transmission gear is provided between the ring gear and the sun gear and meshes these gears so as to rotate the ring and sun gears in the opposite directions, thus rotating the upper and lower blade disks in the opposite directions for producing a shearing force that cuts the plants.

Abstract: The harvester for picking up berries comprises a frame adapted to be driven in a field of berries, a comb mounted between opposite sides of the frame and comprising a plurality of teeth extending substantially in a horizontal position to seize branches of berries as the frame is driven in the field. The harvester is provided with a sweeping system mounted on the frame above the comb for sweeping the berries of the branches seized by the comb. The sweeping system preferably comprises a brush parallel to the comb and comprising a rotatable shaft operatively mounted between the opposite sides of the frame and a plurality of bristles circumferencially distributed around the shaft.

Abstract: A baler for agricultural products has a chassis, a pickup, a transporting passage, a pressing chamber, a binding device, a discharging device, a working element performing working operations in the baler, a main drive shaft connected with the working element for driving the working means, at least one planetary summing transmission connected with an operative for driving the main drive shaft, a first drive unit including a cardan shaft and transmitting rotation with a first rotary speed to the planetary summing transmission, and a second drive unit transmitting a rotation to the planetary summing transmission with a second regulatable rotary speed, so that the planetary summing transmission summarizes the rotary speeds of the first and second drive units and produces a rotation with an output speed for driving the main drive shaft.

Abstract: A new and improved rake apparatus and methods are provided for the easy and safe exchange of process equipment towed behind the rake for combined raking and processing agricultural operations. The rake may be mounted on a large frame with a substantial extension PTO shaft capable of transferring power from the power source (usually a tractor) to a baler, fluffer rake, or other towed farm implement attached to the end of said frame, through connection to a tractor's PTO shaft via the use of a telescopic PTO shaft. Once connected to the power source, one has a combination of a rake having mounted swing arms that extend outwardly from the framed device and a PTO shaft driving the baler, tedder rake, or other towed farm implement, enabling the rake to swing hay and other cut materials into the path of the towed implement for further processing.

Abstract: An open-end spinning device (1) with a spinning rotor (3) whose rotor cup rotates at a high speed in a vacuum-loaded rotor housing (2) closable by a conduit plate (27). The spinning rotor (3) is supported with its rotor shaft (4) in the bearing nip of a support-disk bearing (5) free of axial thrust and positioned in axial direction by a magnet bearing (18). The direction of rotation (S, Z) of the spinning rotor (3) can be selectively set via the direction of the rotor drive (V or R). The conduit plate (27) comprises a receptacle (34) in which exchangeable conduit-plate adapters (12.sub.S or 12.sub.Z) can be fixed in coordination with the particular direction of rotation (S or Z) of the spinning rotor (3).

Abstract: A drive chain has a plurality of links (1) each comprising a pair of opposed cranked link plates (2). Each link plate (2) has two connection apertures (7) and is connected to an adjacent link plate (2) by a pin (6) passing through overlapping connection apertures. An aperture (7) at one end of each link plate is fitted with a sleeve (11) in which said pin (6) is releasably engaged by means of a key connection. The sleeve (11) is connected to said link plate (2) by means of an interference fit with the respective connection aperture (7).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making hollow links or rings and for making chain made from hollow links by receiving seamless wire which has an inner core and an exterior surface, for example, a gold alloy surface, making a perforation in the wire so as to expose the inner core at the perforation, and forming the wire into an open or closed link such that the perforation is located on a hidden portion of the link. The inner core may then be removed from the open or closed link by dissolving it in acid, wherein the acid contacts the inner core at the perforation thus allowing the acid to dissolve the inner core. A chain may be made by coupling each link with at least one preceding link to produce the chain.

Abstract: A jewelry rope chain having a double helix appearance formed from a plurality of interlaced links or rings of wire is disclosed. Each link is made from a wire loop having a gap, wherein the wire loop has a cross-section with a major axis defining a long diametrical dimension and a minor axis defining a short diametrical dimension. The long diametrical dimension is disposed in a plane defined by a diameter of the link and the short diametrical dimension is perpendicular to the long diametrical dimension. A ratio of the long diametrical dimension to the short diametrical dimension is less than 1.3:1. The gap of the wire loop is narrower than the long diametrical dimension of the loop cross-section.

Abstract: An efficiency enhanced turbine engine and method are disclosed for a turbine engine having a rotor and a fluid flow path that extends through compression, combustion, and expansion or turbine stages with fluid flowing through the fluid flow path driving the rotor. The turbine engine has one or more stator-rotor-stator assemblies, and use of a flat rotor disk with turbine blades provides simplicity in fabrication and operation. Increases in pressure during combustion above the pressure at the compression stage are prevented from flowing back to the compression stage and/or capturing of fluid during combustion enables elevation of the temperature and pressure while maintaining the fluid at near constant volume during combustion, both of which enhance the efficiency of the turbine engine.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustion chamber comprises a primary combustion zone and a secondary combustion zone downstream of the primary combustion zone. A catalytic combustion zone is arranged downstream of the secondary combustion zone and a homogeneous combustion zone is arranged downstream of the catalytic combustion zone. A pilot injector supplies fuel into the primary combustion zone. At least one primary premixing duct has a plurality of primary fuel injectors to supply a first mixture of fuel and air into the primary combustion zone. A secondary premixing duct has a plurality of secondary fuel injectors to supply a second mixture of fuel and air into the secondary combustion zone. A plurality of temperature sensors are arranged at the intake to the catalytic combustion zone and a processor controls the valves which adjust the supply of fuel the fuel injectors to ensure that the temperature at the intake to the catalytic combustion zone remains in a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A combination power station with power/heat cogeneration. The combination power station includes at least one gas turbine driven by combustion gases from a combustion chamber and at least one steam turbine working in a water/steam circuit. The water/steam circuit converts water into steam in a first apparatus by hot combustion gases emerging from the at least one gas turbine. The steam is supplied to the at least one steam turbine. A separate heat transfer medium is arranged in a heat exchange relationship with a heat consumer and is heated in a second apparatus by thermal energy extracted from the water/steam circuit at a plurality of extraction points each having a different temperature. The combination power station includes means for selectively connecting the second apparatus to the plurality of extraction points depending upon a thermal output and an inlet temperature required by the heat consumer.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant comprises a gas turbine system and a steam cycle system having a steam turbine to be driven by the steam generated by the waste heat of the exhaust gas of the gas turbine system, wherein the steam from the steam cycle system flows through a gas turbine cooling system of the gas turbine to cool the gas turbine blades and other elements of the gas turbine system to be cooled and the waste heat of the gas turbine system is effectively collected. The gas turbine cooling system is supplied selectively with bleed air from the compressor of the gas turbine or the steam provided from another steam cycle system in order to ensure a sufficient coolant supply at the time of starting and stopping the plant and during the operation with a partial load.

Abstract: A closed-loop cooling scheme for cooling stationary combustion turbine components, such as vanes, ring segments and transitions, is provided. The cooling scheme comprises: (1) an annular coolant inlet chamber, situated between the cylinder and blade ring of a turbine, for housing coolant before being distributed to the turbine components; (2) an annular coolant exhaust chamber, situated between the cylinder and the blade ring and proximate the annular coolant inlet chamber, for collecting coolant exhaust from the turbine components; (3) a coolant inlet conduit for supplying the coolant to said coolant inlet chamber; (4) a coolant exhaust conduit for directing coolant from said coolant exhaust chamber; and (5) a piping arrangement for distributing the coolant to and directing coolant exhaust from the turbine components.

Abstract: A turbofan engine is provided with a conventional air by-pass duct communicating with a plenum chamber downstream of the engine core, vectoring nozzles upstream of the by-pass duct, and a non-vectoring nozzle and a jet-pipe exhausting from the plenum chamber. In conventional forward thrust mode the two sets of nozzles are closed and the jet-pipe is open. In lift thrust mode the jet-pipe is closed and the two sets of nozzles are open, the non-vectoring nozzle providing vertical thrust. The closure member for the vectoring nozzle is arranged, when open, to divert turbofan air to the vectoring nozzles which would otherwise have passed along the by-pass duct, and to divert to the vectoring nozzles exhaust gases from the plenum chamber that are constrained to flow in reverse along the by-pass duct. The non-vectoring nozzle is sized to permit a suitable split between gases exhausting there through and gases reverse flowing along the by-pass duct.

Abstract: A new method, system, and apparatus are described for the adsorption and concentration of adsorbable pollutants. The invention allows for simultaneous pollutant adsorption and pollutant concentration. The invention is particularly useful in treating the exhaust of internal combustion engines containing adsorbable pollutants which can be concentrated and then treated to form harmless effluents.

Abstract: An emission control system is monitored by measuring time periods during which the signal of a post-catalyst lambda probe lies below or above an engine speed/load dependent threshold value. The measurements are weighted with an engine speed/load dependent value and subsequently summed so that a total reference time period, which constitutes a measure of the additionally emitted pollutants, can be related to the overall operating time period. If the ratio exceeds a predefined value, a faulty function of the pre-catalyst lambda probe is diagnosed. The method permits the onboard diagnosis of the lambda control of the catalytic emission treatment system.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system wherein differential pressures across flow control valves are controlled by pressure compensating valves to become the same value, i.e., a differential pressure .DELTA.PLS, and the differential pressure .DELTA.PLS is maintained at a target differential pressure .DELTA.PLSref by a pump displacement control system. For modifying the target differential pressure .DELTA.PLSref depending on change in rotational speed of an engine, a flow rate detecting valve is disposed intermediate between delivery lines of a fixed displacement hydraulic pump and a differential pressure .DELTA.Pp across a variable throttle of the flow rate detecting valve is introduced to a setting modifying unit to thereby modify the target differential pressure .DELTA.PLSref. The flow rate detecting valve changes an opening area of the variable throttle depending on the differential pressure .DELTA.Pp depending on the rotational speed of the engine.

Abstract: A method for capturing working fluid which includes a hazardous component and is discharged from a power generating system, includes directing the discharge to a container. There, the discharged working fluid is combined with a liquid in which the hazardous component is soluble to form a less hazardous mixture.

Abstract: A vapor generator includes a first plurality of tubes configured to direct a multicomponent working fluid so as to be subjected to process heat from a direct fired source, and a second plurality of tubes configured to direct a single component working fluid so as to be subjected to the process heat. The first plurality of tubes form a furnace wall with the multicomponent working fluid being supplied to the furnace wall in a vapor state. The multicomponent working fluid absorbs a portion of the process heat from the furnace wall thereby cooling the furnace wall. A backpass receives flue gases, and the second plurality of tubes are located in the backpass to absorb heat from the flue gases of the backpass so that the single component working fluid increases in temperature and the flue gases are cooled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for rejecting waste heat (12) from a system (10) including a combustion engine (14), an oxidizer supply (16), and a fuel supply (18). The method includes the steps of providing a fuel flow (32) from the fuel supply (18), providing an oxidizer flow (30) from the oxidizer supply (16), splitting one of the fuel flow and the oxidizer flow into cooling flow (34) and a combustion flow (36), rejecting system waste heat (12) to the cooling flow (34), combusting the combustion flow (36) with the other of the fuel flow (32) and the oxidizer flow (30) to supply combustion gas for the combustion engine (14), and directing the cooling flow (34) into the combustion gas to reduce the temperature of the combustion gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of air flows for cooling the axial walls of a high-temperature combustion chamber in which the walls are provided with through holes forming multiple perforations, and involves arranging the multiple perforations so that the cooling airflow permeability of the walls in the downstream zone of the chamber decreases in the downstream direction in order to compensate for the effects of the increase in pressure drop due to variation of the gas flow velocity. The invention is particularly applicable to sharply convergent combustion chambers such as twin-head combustion chambers.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor having a combustion chamber (10) with a steam-cooled peripheral wall (2) has an air hole (1) for injecting dilution air therethrough bored in the peripheral wall (2) on an upstream side of the combustion chamber (10). The air is thereby supplied through the air hole (1) into the vicinity of an inner surface of the peripheral wall (2) to form a film flow of air, and an increase of the fuel concentration there is suppressed. The dilution air is preferably supplied from a gas turbine compressor (6).

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a thermoelectric apparatus, which is excellent in performance and has sufficiently high thermoelectric conversion ability.Supply means 6,7 for supplying a liquid heat transfer medium 21 against a side of a substrate with N-type semiconductor layers and P-type semiconductor layers supported thereon, said side being opposite to a semiconductor-layer-supporting side of the substrate, is arranged so that the liquid heat transfer medium 21 strikes against the opposite side of the substrate.

Abstract: A process for treating an article of metal containing material, the process in including subjecting the article to a deep cryogenic treatment at a temperature of -120.degree. F. or lower, subjecting the article to at most a partial tempering treatment, and then nitriding a surface of the article so as to form nitrides near a surface of the article.

Abstract: A refrigerating cycle apparatus having a hot gas bypass heating mode that quickly recovers refrigerant in the condenser side to the evaporator side to maximize the work performed by the compressor in the hot gas bypass heating mode, to thereby maximize hot gas bypass heating capacity. Specifically, in a refrigerating cycle apparatus in which operation of a hot gas bypass heating mode is carried out with the inlet side of a condenser closed and the inlet side of a hot gas bypass conduit opened by valves, refrigerant in the condenser side is recovered to the evaporator side by operating the compressor for a predetermined time with the inlet sides of both the condenser and the hot gas bypass conduit closed by the valves.

Abstract: A mechanical control apparatus is provided for controlling the spray or misting of water into the immediate vicinity of the condenser coils in the compressor unit of an air conditioner, and comprises a hinged, vaned paddle member; and a water valve mechanically connected to and operable by the paddle member. The paddle member is mounted so that blown air flow from an air fan in the compressor unit will impinge on the paddle member, will and cause it to pivot upwardly about a hinge. The paddle member has a mechanical valve operating member, and is connected to a source of pressurized water, so that when the valve is open, water will pass through it to at least one nozzle mounted on the compressor unit to be sprayed or misted into the immediate vicinity of the condenser coils. The mechanical linkage between the paddle member and the valve is such that when the paddle member is pivoted upwardly, the valve will be opened; and when the paddle member is in its horizontal orientation, the valve will be closed.

Abstract: A temperature setting part sets a reference temperature of the interior of a refrigerating compartment of a refrigerator. A door opening/closing detection part detects opening and closing of a door of the refrigerating compartment. First and second temperature detecting parts detect the interior and exterior temperatures of the refrigerating compartment respectively. An air curtain fan driving part drives an air curtain fan. A control part performs a normal cooling operation to control the interior temperature of the refrigerating compartment by driving the cooling fan when the interior temperature is under a reference temperature, drives the air curtain fan with each of the numbers of rotations corresponding to each of several temperature ranges, and performs the normal cooling operation by stopping the driving of the air curtain fan if the closing of the door of the refrigerating compartment is detected.