Abstract: A temporary building structure for providing a modular shelter which can be quickly set up and taken down. The temporary building structure includes a plurality of side panels each of which includes a top edge; and also includes a plurality of elongate side panel support members being securely attached along the top edges of the side panels; and further includes a plurality of cross beams being removably attached to the elongate panel support members; and also includes a plurality of roof panels being removably mounted upon the side panels and each having a top edge and a bottom edge; and further includes a plurality of elongate roof panel support members being attached along the top and bottom edges of the roof panels; and further includes at least one peak cap member being removably and securely attached upon the top edges of the roof panels.

Abstract: A concrete contraction and expansion joint with a mechanism providing adjustable height, enabling fast, efficient pouring of concrete over layout surfaces, achieving accurate thickness and desired slope of the concrete slab. In a preferred embodiment, the concrete section joint assembly (35) is pre-formed by using longitudinal sections having a channel (37) for holding elastomeric material (42), with the section supported from its underside by shaped support units, each mounted on two threaded studs (24). A specially designed nut (28) threaded on each stud (24) provides height adjustability and by rotation raises or lowers the height of support unit sides. The height adjustment, provided from above the assembly, can be performed before concrete pouring is completed and an upper edge portion of the elastomeric material or the upper edges of the channel are visible with the concrete surface, providing a reference height and slope for the concrete surface.

Abstract: An impact and energy absorbing product for floors, walls, panels, crash mats and other flat surfaces. More particularly, the invention teaches the usage of coiled springs in conjunction with polymeric materials or metals such as titanium or steel, to help absorb and dissipate forces of humans and other objects coming in contact with said flat surfaces. Depending upon the exact environment in which the same are to be used, the coiled springs may be constructed of polymers or metals such as titanium or steel—lightweight, yet durable materials to accomplish the purposes of the invention. In the preferred mode of attachment, an insert is fitted to each end of each spring, with a flared insert then placed into a molded female slot upon a flat surface to hold the spring in place. Thus, a floor or wall surface may comprise a series of female slots such that multiple springs can easily slide therein.

Abstract: A modular raised floor system includes rectangular floor panels, each of which has four hollow projections that define a cross-shaped groove. Each adjacent pair of the panels are locked together by a positioning member, which is disposed in two of the grooves and which is formed with two fixed posts that are inserted into two holes in the pair of the panels. A plurality of long and short cover strips are bolted on L-shaped strip-supporting surfaces of the projections, and are located on a horizontal plane. Each of the long cover strips extends on a row of the floor panels, and has cable holes for passage of cables. Each of the short cover strips extends on one or two floor panels. The long and short cover strips are arranged in a net shape to cover the grooves.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal packaging machine produces a dummy bag from a film by starting to move seal jaws after the film has been pulled over a specified length or for a specified length of time from the moment when an eye mark on the film is detected by a detector. If the position on the film at which it was cut is displaced from the intended position, this displacement is inputted such that the specified length or the specified length of time is automatically corrected. If any of the parameters defining the pattern of transverse sealing operation is changed, the specified length or the specified length of time can also be automatically adjusted.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for retaining cotton in a bottle using a cottoner machine which inserts cotton via a pair of rotatable cylinders alignable with a mouth of the bottle, the apparatus including a disk secured to the cylinders via a pair of collars and having a pair of apertures aligned with the cylinders, and the method including a process of positioning a planar surface of the disk closely superjacent the mouth of the bottle after insertion of the cotton.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a net wrapping mechanism for wrapping a bale with net material that is wider that the width of the baling chamber so that the net material extends over the opposite ends of the bale. The baler has a baling chamber defined in part by a plurality of bale-forming belts mounted in side-by-side relationship on a plurality of belt support rolls extending between opposite sidewalls of the baling chamber. The net material is fed beneath the discharge gate of the baler to a crop inlet located between a lower front belt support roll carried by the discharge gate, the net being carried into the baling chamber by a fore-and-aft runs of the belts that extend between a lower rear and the lower front belt support roll, and carry the net along a guide surface defined by a plurality of channel members respectively located beneath the fore-and-aft runs of the belts.

Abstract: In a device for recovering exceeding articles from a blister band on a blistering machine, the blister band is moved in a forward movement direction through a station for feeding the articles to the blisters. A displacing device is situated very close to the blister band for removing exceeding articles while a conveying device recovers the exceeding articles removed from the blister band by the use of a rotating drum. The rotating drum is hollow and has a plurality of radial separating plates defining a number of niches. The niches receive the exceeding articles removed from the blister band and a transport conveyor receives the exceeding articles present in the niches and brings the articles to the feeding station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling with high accuracy a finely divided powdered medicament having a particle size smaller than 10 &mgr;m into cavities having a size corresponding to the volume of powder to be filled, wherein said device comprises oscillating and rotating means for breaking down aggregates formed in the finely divided powdered medicament and filling and for compacting it in said cavities. The invention also includes a method of filling with high accuracy of a finely divided powdered medicament having a particle size smaller than 10 &mgr;m and to fill said finely divided powdered medicament into cavities, wherein the finely divided powdered medicament is transported and compacted in said cavities by oscillating and rotating means.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a cloth-like appearance suitable for use in the formation of flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming inflated containers generally includes a mechanism that conveys a web of film along a path of travel, the film web including one or more pre-formed flexible containers; an inflation assembly positioned adjacent the travel path to direct gas into the containers, thereby forming inflated containers; and a device for sealing closed each inflated container. Various features for improving the reliability and consistency of inflation of the containers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for filling flexible receptacles or bags with bulk or particulate material is provided. In one aspect, an automatic sand bag filling apparatus is disclosed which includes a bulk fill channel which may be placed within the interior of each bag to be filled. The filling apparatus may have a metering device for providing the desired amount of bulk material to the fill channel. The fill channel may be moveable along a fixed path for engaging and advancing a series of interconnected bags. Articulating spreader bars may be provided to support the bag during filling. In one embodiment, the filling apparatus is mounted on a trailer assembly and includes a reservoir for storing the bulk sand. The sand may be transferred from the reservoir to the filling apparatus using augers, conveyors, etc. A preferred construction of a series of interconnected sand bags and a method of making a series of interconnected bags is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to fit a box lid to a box tray a pair of opposed plates are used. Each plate is pivotably mounted intermediately of its upper and lower edges such that upper edges of the opposed plates may pivot toward and away from each other. Each plate is biased to an inclined position whereat the upper edges of the opposed plates are more proximate than the lower edges of the plates. With this arrangement, a lid may be placed with respect to the pair of opposed plates such that opposed lower edges of the lid are positioned below the upper edges of said plates and at an outward side of said plates. A box tray may then be raised between the plates such that the box tray urges each of the plates away from its inclined position.

Abstract: The apparatus for dispensing change and packing cash in a change pack, according to the present invention, comprises: a data input device for inputting change data; a change data divider for calculating an amount of cash corresponding to the change data based on the change data input from the data input device, comparing the calculated amount of cash with a predetermined reference value, and dividing the change data into a plurality of pack data so that the amount of cash corresponding to each divided change data is below the reference value, when the calculated amount of cash exceeds the reference value; and a change pack producer for producing the change pack based on the change data when the change data is not divided, and producing the change pack based on the divided pack data when the change data is divided by the change data divider.

Abstract: In a folding and guiding apparatus for use in a filling and packing machine, film F that is drawn out and guided from a film winding core and fed continuously is double-folded up along the longitudinal direction thereof, and pack-target material is filled and packed while the four sides of the double-folded film are sealed. A film guide member 12 for regulating and holding the outer surface portions of the folded portions of the double-folded film is provided between a film folding mechanism 4 and a longitudinal sealing mechanism 5 so as to be adjacent to the longitudinal sealing mechanism 5.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a roller (6, 7) wherein the roller (6, 7) is mounted in a frame and rotationally driven (for example, a roller (6, 7) carrying a roll of stretch wrapping film (4) in a stretch wrapping head (1)). The quick release mechanism includes a pair of stub axles (22, 43) which support either end of the roller (6, 7) in the frame. One of the stub axles (22) are fixed within the frame and driven by a motor (8). The connection between this driven stub axle (22) and the roller (6, 7) ensures that no relative rotational movement occurs. The other stub axle (43) is “lockable” in a hole in the frame but is removable therefrom. The connection between the removable stub axle (43) and the roller (6, 7) allows free relative rotational movement. Withdrawal of the removable stub axle (43) from the frame allows the roller (6, 7) to be disconnected from its connection with the driven stub axle (22) and removed from the frame.

Abstract: A new and improved film wrapping or packaging machine has incorporated therein a new and improved mechanism or system for implementing the downward folding of outwardly projecting edge or tab portions of slip sheets interposed between successive tiers, levels, or layers of articles or goods forming a palletized load. The folding mechanism or system comprises a plurality of vertically oriented posts which are initially disposed above the outwardly projecting tab portions, subsequently independently aligned with outer edge portions of the outwardly projecting tab portions of the slip sheets, and thereafter lowered so as engage the tab portions of the slip sheets and fold the same vertically downwardly against the vertical sides of the palletized load such that the downwardly folded tab portions can now be enveloped within the wrapping or packaging film.

Abstract: A method and the relative device for packaging ordered groups of products in a carton comprises the following stages: feeding one carton at a time, in the form of a flat pre-folded blank, to a loading table and simultaneous opening of the blank, by means, to form a tubular carton body with two opposite openings one on either side, two first pairs of smaller flaps and two second pairs of larger flaps or lids; folding of the two pairs of smaller flaps, by first means, during carton feed in a preset direction, so as to form a first partial closure of the openings; and closing of the carton body, by second means, by simultaneous folding of the pair of lids towards the two openings so as to obtain a closed package. FIGS.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pivoting the dividers of an agricultural machine for the harvesting of row crops. A multiple-part attachment having feeder housings to receive the row crops is attached to the front of the agricultural machine. The multiple-part attachment has side frames that are pivotable from a working position to a non-working position. Outer row crop dividers are arranged on the side frames in such a way that when the side frames are pivoted, the outer row crop dividers move relative to the adjacent inner row crop dividers. The relative movement of the outer row crop dividers prevents them from colliding with each other when the side frames are in a non-working position and allows for maximum feeder housing width when the side frames are in a working position.

Abstract: A bracelet includes a series of nonferrous metal units, each of the metal units including a body part having connection holes in opposite sides at one end and having several elongated grooves in an inner surface thereof, right and left connection parts extending from the body part and having protruded rods such that adjacent metal units are linked together by the engagement of the connection holes with the protruded rods, each connection part having elongated grooves in an inner surface, and gold rods inserted into the elongated grooves of the body part and the connection parts so as to protrude partially out therefrom; a locking member at one end of the series of nonferrous metal units; and a linking member at an opposite end of the series of nonferrous metal units for connecting with the locking member to secure the bracelet around a wrist of a person.

Abstract: A nozzle configuration and control methodology adapted to provide a compact means for configuring and operating an industrial gas turbine on either gaseous or liquid fuel while utilizing fuel staging to achieve very low emissions. More specifically, the outer fuel nozzles are used for delivery of a portion of the premix gaseous fuel and all liquid fuel, but not diffusion gaseous fuel. Water injection for emissions control on liquid fuel and atomizing air for the liquid fuel are also supplied entirely by the outer fuel nozzles. The central fuel nozzle is thus used for the supply of both premix gaseous fuel and all diffusion gaseous fuel. The disclosed configuration reduces the number of required fluid passages thus simplifying the endcover structure while enabling fuel staging to achieve very low emissions on gaseous fuel.

Abstract: An intake shield (3) comprises a hollow chamber (4) which locates over the intake (2) of a gas turbine engine (1). The chamber (4) has one or more walls (5) which are pervious to air but impervious to vortices and debris.

Abstract: A multi-stage pilot valve is disclosed for selectively supplying a working fluid to and venting from a reaction jet main stage actuation chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pilot valve comprises a solenoid actuated ball and socket flapper valve having a pressure inlet, an exhaust outlet and a service port. The first stage service port is in fluid communication with a second stage actuation chamber. A piston disposed in the second stage actuation chamber operatively engages a ball member of a ball-and-seat type valve comprising the second stage valve. The second stage valve also comprises a pressure inlet, an exhaust outlet and a service port. The piston and ball are sized relative to each other such that when the second stage actuation chamber is pressurized by the first stage, the force is sufficient to seat the ball against the second stage pressure inlet.

Abstract: A thrust reverser system that has one or more moveable thrust reverser components for redirecting the thrust of a jet engine. The thrust reverser system has a torque limiter coupled between synchronization mechanisms that mechanically couple actuators used to drive the thrust reverser. The torque limiter reduces the potential for the transmission of excessive torque between thevdifferent moveable thrust reverser components, and reduces the likelihood of secondary system damage due to a jam in the system. Thus, the cost and/or weight associated with each of the components comprising the system may be reduced.

Abstract: A diesel engine equipped with an exhaust gas particulate filter includes a control system that reduces exhaust gas smoke emissions normally resulting from an extended period of engine idling. The control method periodically raises the exhaust gas temperature in order to purge the particulate filter of water and hydrocarbons that build up during extended engine idling and cause exhaust smoke. A timer records the elapsed period during which the engine remains at idle and the exhaust temperature is below a threshold level. When the recorded time period exceeds a preselected value, the filter is purged by elevating the exhaust gas temperature to a level sufficient to oxidize the gaseous hydrocarbons and evaporate any water that may have accumulated in the filter.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine includes intake and exhaust manifolds that respectively receive ambient air and expel exhaust gas. A recirculation line fluidly connects the exhaust and intake manifolds. An exhaust gas recirculation valve is included in the recirculation line and is controlled to distribute exhaust gas into the intake manifold. A particle trap is arranged to receive all of the exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold and includes a particle collection chamber therein. A stagnation region is provided within the particle trap such that all the exhaust gas passed through the exhaust gas particle trap is directed toward the stagnation region therein and at least a portion of debris carried with the exhaust gas is retained within the particle collection chamber.

Abstract: A heat shield provides thermal insulation and reduced noise transmission for under-the-hood vehicular engine components, such as exhaust manifolds. The structure is formed in three layers: an outer metal layer to provide structural integrity, a center insulation layer to isolate heat and dampen noise, and an inner metal layer directly adjacent the shielded component for reflecting heat back to the shielded component. As disclosed, the insulation layer is sandwiched between the two metal layers. The heat shield is formed in two integral mating halves to define a unitary structure containing grommets. The grommets incorporate capscrews rotatably secured in respective halves of the structure for attachment to mounting bosses on the component. Finally, the edges of the two metal layers of the heat shield are folded over to prevent injury to installers, and to reinforce the heat shield structure for enhancing its useful life under severe conditions of vibration and heat.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe has a manifold; one end of the manifold is connected to a distal end of a connecting tube. Another ends of the manifold are extended with a left branch tube and a right branch tube. The left branch tube is connected to a first muffler tube and the right branch tube is connected to a second muffler tube. The feature is that an interior of a middle section of the manifold has a valve which is controlled by a controller. The valve controls the area of the opening of the left branch tube communicated with the first muffler tube and the area of the opening of the right branch tube communicated with the second muffler tube. The driver may control the variation of exhaust gas without needing to adjust the exhaust pipe. The noise may be reduced easily and the performance of acceleration is enhanced.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electro-hydraulic valve arrangement to provide make-up fluid to a hydraulic actuator are disclosed. The system includes an electro-hydraulic valve arrangement actuated by a control lever and disposed between a pump having a stand-by pressure and a hydraulic actuator. A pressure, representative of the fluid in the hydraulic actuator, is sensed and compared to the stand-by pressure of the pump. The control of the control lever over the electro-hydraulic valve arrangement is overridden when the difference between the pump stand-by pressure and the pressure of the fluid in the hydraulic actuator is greater than a predetermined pressure limit.

Abstract: A compressed gas engine includes a plurality of reciprocating pistons within cylinders, the pistons being driven by compressed gas from a source tank. Intake and exhaust valves selectively open to direct compressed gas to the piston to drive the piston, and to exhaust air, respectively. The valves are opened by a lift rod in engagement with cams on a crankshaft, and are closed by the compressed air.

Abstract: A system for steering the wheels of a vehicle. The system includes a steering gear provided with a steering rack reciprocable in a power cylinder. A steering shaft has a pinion meshing with the steering rack. A hydraulic fluid system assists the reciprocation of the steering rack. The hydraulic fluid system includes a power piston reciprocable in the power cylinder. A control valve directs hydraulic fluid from a pump to the power cylinder at one side or the other of the piston, depending on the direction of rotation of the steering shaft. A lock valve is operable when closed to lock the rack against reciprocation to prevent steering of the wheels by preventing fluid flow in the hydraulic fluid system. The lock valve is controlled by a solenoid-operated electronic controller.

Abstract: A control circuit for a construction machine using a control lever for revolving a boom swing in common with a traveling motor and switching pilot pressure via a switching valve has a switch for supplying a switching signal to the switching valve. A pressure switch detects whether the pilot pressure is output from a remote control valve or not. A switching control circuit switches a position of the switching valve to a position for the boom swing cylinder when the switching signal is output from the switch and holds the position of the switch at the position for the boom swing cylinder when the pilot pressure is detected by the pressure switch, to thereby prevent wrong operation in switching.

Abstract: In an exhaust-gas turbocharger having a compressor and an exhaust-gas turbine, which drives the compressor and comprises a multipart exhaust gas supply duct manifold and a turbine rotor, to which pressurized exhaust gas can be delivered by way of the exhaust gas supply duct, the exhaust gas supply duct manifold includes at least three flow passages, which, except for one, are provided with shut-off flaps, which are adjustable independently of one another.

Abstract: A piston-pumped EGR system for an internal combustion engine includes first and second stationary regenerators. Alternating flow through the first and second stationary regenerators is controlled by a regenerator directional flow control valve in fluid communication with at least one check valve disposed between the regenerator directional flow control valve and an exhaust manifold of the engine. Flow through the stationary recuperators is controlled so that exhaust gas and cooling bleed flow are alternatingly directed through the stationary recuperators whereby heat is removed from the recirculated exhaust gas prior to reintroduction into an intake manifold and one of the stationary regenerators is cooled by bleed air, which is subsequently discharged into the exhaust manifold of the engine.

Abstract: An integrated system to provide both heat and electric power. The integrated, or cogeneration, system operates with an organic working fluid that circulates in a Rankine-type cycle, where the organic working fluid is superheated by a heat source, expanded through an involute spiral wrap (scroll) expander such that the organic working fluid remains superheated through the expander, cooled in a condenser, and pressurized by a pump. Heat exchange loops within the system define hot water production capability for use in space heating and domestic hot water, while the generator is coupled to the scroll expander to generate electricity.

Abstract: A low or no pollution engine is provided for delivering power for vehicles or other power applications. The engine has an air inlet which collects air from a surrounding environment. At least a portion of the nitrogen in the air is removed using a technique such as liquefaction, pressure swing adsorption or membrane based air separation. The remaining gas is primarily oxygen, which is then compressed and routed to a gas generator. The gas generator has an igniter and inputs for the high pressure oxygen and a high pressure hydrogen-containing fuel, such as hydrogen, methane or a light alcohol. The fuel and oxygen are combusted within the gas generator, forming water and carbon dioxide with carbon containing fuels. Water is also delivered into the gas generator to control the temperature of the combustion products. The combustion products are then expanded through a power generating device, such as a turbine or piston expander to deliver output power for operation of a vehicle or other power uses.

Abstract: An integrated power plant comprises a gas-turbine set with a compressor, a combustion chamber and a gas turbine, a heat-recover boiler arranged downstream of the gas turbine, and a water/steam circuit with a steam turbine, a condenser, a feedwater tank and a separately fired steam generator having a flue-gas NOx-reduction unit arranged on the flue-gas side downstream of the steam generator, the heat-recovery boiler for the generation of steam being incorporated in the water/steam circuit. In such a power plant, in order to improve the part-load behavior, a branch line is provided at the heat-recovery boiler, by means of which branch line a predetermined portion of the exhaust gases coming from the gas-turbine set and flowing through the heat-recovery boiler can be branched off and added upstream of the flue-gas NOx-reduction unit to the flue gases coming from the steam generator.

Abstract: A cogenerating recuperated microturbine includes a recuperator, an air compressor and a combustor. The combustor burns a fuel along with the compressed air received from the recuperator to create products of combustion. A turbine generator operates in response to expansion of the products of combustion to generate electricity. The products of combustion then flow through the recuperator to preheat the compressed air. The products of combustion then flow out of the recuperator as an exhaust flow. A heat exchanger is movable into and out of the exhaust flow to selectively heat a fluid in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is actuated by a piston-cylinder type actuator that operates under the influence of compressed air selectively bled from the air compressor. The actuator may be a single-acting cylinder used in conjunction with a biasing spring, or may be a double-acting cylinder.

Abstract: A gas turbine, a combined cycle plant and compressor by which both augmentation of the power output and augmentation of the thermal efficiency can be realized by injecting liquid droplets into inlet air introduced into an entrance of a compressor with simple equipment which is suitable for practical use. The gas turbine includes a compressor for taking in and compressing gas, a combustor in which fuel is combusted with the gas discharged from the compressor, and a turbine driven by the combusted gas of the combustor. The gas turbine further includes a liquid droplet injection device provided on the upstream side of the compressor for injecting liquid droplets into inlet air to be supplied into the entrance of the compressor to lower the temperature of the inlet air to be introduced into the compressor so that the injected liquid droplets may be evaporated while flowing through the compressor.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation type gas turbine apparatus includes a compressor for compressing air, a combustion chamber for burning fuel and compression air exhausted from the compressor, a gas turbine driven by exhaust gas from the combustion chamber, a recirculation path for recirculating a part of the exhaust gas to an intake of the compressor, a recirculation amount control unit for adjusting the amount of exhaust gas to be returned to the intake of the compressor corresponding to a change in load of the gas turbine, and a spray unit for introducing liquid droplets into the interior of the compressor in which mixing gas, consisting of gas turbine exhaust gas passing through the recirculation path and air, flows so as to vaporize the introduced liquid droplets appearing to flow in the compressor.

Abstract: A thermoelectric cooling system integrating quantum cold point connections with lateral thermoelectric element formation. A preferred system has an n-type and p-type thermoelectric element, each connected to a common conducting section. The thermoelectric elements are each tapered at the end where they contact the common conducting section. The thermoelectric elements preferably all occupy substantially the same plane as each other and as the common conducting section.

Abstract: Described herein is a temperature control system for cooling magnetic elements (14) in MRI apparatus (10). The control system comprises a wax (16) in contact with the elements (14) which is substantially maintained at its phase transition temperature between a solid state and a liquid state, but in a substantially solid state. A sensor (18) is immersed in the wax (16) and operates to provide a signal on the change of state of the wax (16). The sensor (18) is connected to a controller (20) which controls the operation of a heating element (26) also immersed in the wax (16) to control the temperature thereof. When the MRI apparatus is operational, heat is generated by the magnetic elements (14) is used to change the wax (16) to a liquid, this change being detected by the sensor (18) which sends signals to the controller (20) to turn off the heating element (26).

Abstract: An improved efficiency thermoelectric power generation system is disclosed wherein convection is actively facilitated through a thermoelectric array, and the thermoelectric array is used to generate electrical power. Thermal power is convected through the thermoelectric array or arrays toward at least one side of the thermoelectric array, which leads to increased efficiency. Thermal power is applied to the array, creating a temperature gradient across the array. The thermoelectric system may also be combined with other power generation systems, forming a co-generation system.

Abstract: A piston includes a circumferential groove having a seal ring and spring mounted within the groove. The spring exerts an axial force on the seal ring thereby preventing motion of the seal ring within the groove. Preferably, the spring in a wave spring, wherein small changes in deflection of the wave spring produces small changes in the load generated by the spring on the seal ring. The seal ring has at least one radial spring ring mounted within the seal ring to create a radial force on the seal ring. The piston can also include a sleeve that mounts to the piston body, the sleeve forming a wall of the groove. The piston can be a displacer mounted within a cylinder of a refrigerator.

Abstract: A liquid CO2 injection system produces a negatively buoyant consolidated stream of liquid CO2, CO2 hydrate, and water that sinks upon release at ocean depths in the range of 700-1500 m. In this approach, seawater at a predetermined ocean depth is mixed with the liquid CO2 stream before release into the ocean. Because mixing is conducted at depths where pressures and temperatures are suitable for CO2 hydrate formation, the consolidated stream issuing from the injector is negatively buoyant, and comprises mixed CO2-hydrate/CO2-liquid/water phases. The “sinking” characteristic of the produced stream will prolong the metastability of CO2 ocean sequestration by reducing the CO2 dissolution rate into water. Furthermore, the deeper the CO2 hydrate stream sinks after injection, the more stable it becomes internally, the deeper it is dissolved, and the more dispersed is the resulting CO2 plume.

Abstract: An LNG carrier having onboard regasification capability that includes a primary source of heat for regasifying the LNG is disclosed. Further, the LNG carrier includes at least one secondary source of heat for regasifying the LNG, a vaporizer, an intermediate fluid, and a pump that circulates said intermediate fluid through said vaporizer and said primary and secondary sources of heat.

Abstract: A miniature vapor compression cycle thermal management device includes a dropwise condenser and ejector. The device includes a flexible compressor membrane serving as the compressor. The compressor can be stimulated electrostatically and drives refrigerant charge through a closed loop defined by interconnected compressor, condenser, expansion, and evaporator structures. The condenser includes a flexible condensing membrane for dropwise condensation and for propelling condensed droplets of refrigerant from a cooled condensing surface into an expansion chamber. The overall structure and size of the device is similar to microelectronic packages, and it may be combined to operate with similar devices in useful arrays.

Abstract: A refrigerator has a cold storage and freezer zones with individual fans and evaporators, a switching valve that allows refrigerant to flow simultaneously through each zone or through only one of the zones and a control which when power is supplied causes simultaneous flow, starting the compressor and a condenser fan while driving the cold storage fan at a high speed and the freezing zone fan at a low speed until such time that a set point time has been exceeded or the temperature set points of the zones has been reached by cooling.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system in which a sealing member is provided with, as an integral part, plates of main lips and sub-lips that are pressed against an air conditioning case in such a manner that the sub-lips stem from the surfaces of the plates. Since the sub-lips are formed to branch from the surfaces of the plates, which form the main lips, the stiffness of the main lips can be improved when rubbed against the air conditioning case when an evaporator (heat exchanger) is inserted into the air conditioning case. Accordingly, unwanted deformation occurring at the end portions of the respective main lips can be controlled, thereby making it possible to enhance the sealing ability of the sealing member for sealing a clearance between the air conditioning case and the evaporator.

Abstract: A set of interchangeable adapters for coupling an evaporation head of a pipe freezer apparatus with pipes of different diameters is described. Each adapter includes a thermally conductive body having a first surface defining a first channel shaped and sized to securely and releasably receive the evaporation head. The body of each adapter also has at least one pipe-engaging surface defining a substantially semicircular pipe channel conforming to a selected standard pipe diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the set includes a plurality of adapter pairs, each adapter of a pair having pipe channels of the same radii as its mate and each pair having pipe channels of different radii than those of the other pairs. Thus, the set of interchangeable adapters is well suited for holding a pair of evaporation heads in thermal communication with pipes of several different diameters.