Abstract: A water separator is provided for use in an environmental control system that includes first and second housing portions at least partially defining an interior cavity. A coalescer assembly that may include a mesh material is disposed within the interior cavity for separating water from the air flowing through the interior cavity. First and second interlocking features, which may include a plurality of circumferentially arranged tabs received in the slots of circumferentially arranged flanges, secure the housing portions together. The tabs and flanges interlock with one another in response to moving the first and second housings relative to one another from and open position to a closed position in which the housing portions are secured to another. In this manner, V-band coupling of the prior art may be eliminated and the service time of the water separator may be reduced.

Abstract: An electronics assembly comprises:

Abstract: A washable air filter for an internal combustion engine which has high durability and can be washed with ease to reuse it is disclosed. The washable air filter includes an outer cylindrical member 10; an inner cylindrical member 11; a first filter element 30 formed from a stainless mesh sheet which is folded in a pleated-form having peaks and valleys arranged alternately and provided between the outer cylindrical member 10 and the inner cylindrical member 11; and a second filter element 33 provided between the outer cylindrical member 10 and the first tilter element 30. Since the washable air filter uses the filter element made from the stainless mesh sheet, it is possible to effectively remove dust particles from air. Further, the washable air filter can be reused because dust particles are removed off the filter element by washing after use.

Abstract: A device for crop processing. The device is autonomously movable, and is provided with a mowing unit for mowing the crop, with a rake unit for raking mown crop, and with a tedder unit for tedding mown crop. The device is further provided with a position-determining system for determining the position of the device, with a boundary-detecting system for detecting a boundary of mown crop, and with a control device for controlling the device with the aid of data from the position-determining system and/or the boundary-detecting system.

Abstract: An assembly for performing a crop harvesting operation. The device is provided with an autonomous harvesting machine that is movable over a parcel for performing the crop harvesting operation, the autonomous harvesting machine being provided with a machine container for containing a first amount of harvested product, and with a harvest container for containing the harvested product. The assembly is provided with a measuring device for measuring the amount of product in the machine container and with a control unit for automatically moving the harvesting machine to the harvest container with the aid of data from the measuring device. A device for baling. The device is an autonomous baler that is movable over a parcel. A device for chopping crop. The device is an autonomous chopper that is movable over a parcel.

Abstract: A harvesting header comprising a center frame section and two outer frame sections. The outer frame sections can pivot relative to the center frame section between an operating position and a transport position. The center frame section and the outer frame sections carry collection devices for gathering crops and there is a separating point that moves automatically between an operating position and a transport position in the pivot region between the center frame section and the outer frame sections. The separating points arranged in the pivot region between the center frame section and the outer frame sections move between the operating position and the transport position in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of travel and/or to pivot about the height axis.

Abstract: An agricultural machine for performing crop processing. The agricultural machine is provided with a movable agricultural device for performing the agricultural operation. The agricultural machine is an autonomous agricultural machine and is provided with an outlet for discharging processed crop from the agricultural machine, and with a protecting element for protecting the outlet. The protecting element has such a flexibility and such a weight that the processed crop is not harmfully influenced by the protecting element.

Abstract: A reel mower assembly comprises a mower reel rotatably mounted to a frame, and a drive operative to rotate the reel about a reel axis. A plurality of magnets are mounted on the frame and a bed knife is magnetically held against the magnets in an operating position such that the bed knife is oriented in cutting relationship with the reel. Engagement means are operative to prevent sliding movement of the bed knife with respect to the magnets while allowing the bed knife to move away from the magnets when a separating force is exerted on the bed knife in a direction away from the magnets that is greater than an attractive force exerted on the bed knife by the magnets when the bed knife is in the operating position.

Abstract: A method of relative positioning between agricultural machines and crops on their planting rows having the steps which are performed in real time and during a harvest work and include determining a positioning of each tree top on a trees row, a machine rotor column position, and simultaneously a traveling speed of an agricultural machine, sending tree positioning and machine speed data to a data processor, processing the data and controlling servo mechanisms that actuate actuators which, in turn, place one rotor column with stripping rods in accordance with a determined tree top position and format.

Abstract: Continuous process for the mercerizing of yarns effected on the yarn in the form of a bundle, introduced into one or more tubular reactors with an ejection nozzle fed as driving fluid under pressure with the mercerizing solution and then drawn in continuous in one or more drawing units.

Abstract: A synthetic rope for an elevator having improved resistance to compression and abrasion is provided and comprises a plurality of strands forming layers of the rope, each strand formed from a plurality of pre-twisted strands made from high modulus synthetic filaments. One or more of the strands or layers of strands may be impregnated with a lubricant, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, to reduce the abrasion among the strands and substrands, and increase the service life of the rope. The exterior of the rope may be covered by a jacket that provides for traction with the drive sheave. An elevator system comprising the claimed rope is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a combustion turbine assembly connected to a steam generator which utilizes deaerated potable water. The steam formed by the steam generator may be combined with air and injected into the combustor of the combustion turbine assembly to increase the mass flow of gas through the turbine for power augmentation. The deaeration of the feed water to the steam generator eliminates the need to demineralize the water and eliminates the use of more costly alloys for heat exchanger components of a steam generator.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine is provided, such as, for example, in a motor vehicle, in which at least two different fuels are simultaneously supplied to at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Inlet air (15) humidified in an air bubbling (or other) humidifier (35) that receives water from a tank (36) is sent to a hydrogen generator (27) along with vaporized (23) diesel fuel (22) to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide (28) for either (a) mixing with the mainstream of exhaust (18) fed to a catalytic converter (30) or (b) regenerating a pair of NOx adsorption traps (38, 39), thereby reducing oxides of nitrogen (NOx), to provide system exhaust (32) which may have less than 0.40 grams/bhp/hr of NOx and 0.28 grams/bhp/hr of non-methane hydrocarbons. In other embodiments, unhumidified air mixed with fuel feeds a homogeneous non-catalytic partial oxidizer (27) to provide the required hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method of reducing the amount of NOx produced by a diesel engine, by injecting a heat sink fluid into the combustion chamber after commencement of a combustion cycle, and before the natural cessation of NOx production during the same combustion cycle, thereby altering the NOx formation cycle associated with the combustion cycle.

Abstract: In the control of pollutants such as NOx in the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, ozone is reacted with NO to form NO2, which is then reduced catalytically to N2, by reacting NO2 with ammonia. The NO2 produced can react with the particulates of Diesel engine to exhaust gas to regenerate a particulate filter.

Abstract: The gas-dynamic pressure wave machine is intended for supplying charge air to an internal combustion engine and comprises a rotor (40) with cells (41), a low pressure fresh air inlet channel, a high pressure charge air channel leading to the internal combustion engine, a high pressure exhaust gas channel (31) coming from the internal combustion engine, and a low pressure exhaust gas channel (35), the low pressure exhaust gas channel (35) and the high pressure exhaust gas channel (31) being enclosed in a gas enclosure (34), and the low pressure fresh air inlet channel and the high pressure charge air channel being enclosed in an air enclosure, and the high pressure exhaust gas channel being provided on the rotor side with a widened portion (53).

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a hydraulic system from a fluid reservoir includes a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a first conduit fluidly connected to the pump inlet and fluidly connectable to the fluid reservoir, and a second conduit fluidly connected to the pump outlet and fluidly connectable to the system. The apparatus also includes an accumulator operatively connected to the second conduit, a third conduit interconnecting the first conduit and the second conduit, and an electrically actuated fill valve operatively disposed in the third conduit.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a plurality of inflation cells each have a respective internal gas generator connected to an external control processor for sequential inflation of the inflatable structure. Power and control lines feed through the inflation cells for powering the internal gas generator and for communicating control signals between the gas generators and the external control processor. A method of sequence inflation can use various types of exemplar gas generators, such as cellular containment evaporation gas generators and laser ablation gas generators.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a plurality of inflation cells each have a respective internal gas generator connected to an external control processor for sequential inflation of the inflatable structure. Power and control lines feed through the inflation cells for powering the internal gas generator and for communicating control signals between the gas generators and the external control processor. A method of sequence inflation can use various types of exemplar gas generators, such as cellular containment evaporation gas generators and laser ablation gas generators.

Abstract: A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission device includes: a variable displacement type hydraulic pump; a variable displacement type first hydraulic motor operated by a hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump; a fixed displacement type second hydraulic motor operated by the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump; a parallel circuit for continuously connecting hydraulic oil input ports of the first and second hydraulic motors and continuously connecting oil drain ports of the first and second hydraulic motors; and an output confluence mechanism for allowing a rotational output of the first hydraulic motor and a rotational output of the second hydraulic motor to interflow.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting energy contained in surface waves on a body of water to useful energy comprises a float from which is suspended a fully or effectively fully submerged inverted cup-shaped member having a closed top end and an open bottom end. Disposed within the top space is a compressible fluid separated by a flexible membrane from a column of water filling the bottom open end of the submerged member. Passing surface waves cause pressure variations at the bottom end of the member causing changes in the water column height and corresponding changes in the buoyancy of the member. The buoyancy changes induce vertical oscillations of the member relative to the float or, alternatively, relative movements of parts within the member. Known means are used for converting the relative movements of the float and submerged member, and the member parts, to useful energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel engine technologies for power generation and work applications. The engines transform sunlight, heat, or cold, directly into mechanical force. The invention uses a focusing means to apply temperature differentials to a thermally reactive material retained in moveable housings. Said thermally reactive material is mounted in contact with a bearing element configured to apply directional force to said thermally reactive material surface as it changes shape in response to said applied temperature differentials.

Abstract: A heat energy conversion apparatus having a heat exchanger into which a heating fluid is introduced and an inlet and an outlet for a gaseous second fluid that is to be heated and pressurized by heat transfer from the heating fluid. The heat exchanger outlet is connected to the inlet of a gas motor, and the heat exchanger inlet is connected to the outlet of a gas pump driven by the gas motor. The gas motor removes the heated gaseous second fluid from the heat exchanger at a higher volumetric flow rate than the pump delivers the gaseous second fluid in its unheated state into the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A swirl cup for a gas turbine engine combustor includes a tubular body having an inlet at one end for receiving a fuel injection nozzle, an outlet at an opposite end for discharging the fuel, and an annular septum therebetween. A row of first swirl vanes is attached to the septum adjacent the body inlet, and a row of second swirl vanes is attached to the septum adjacent the first swirl vanes and spaced upstream from the body outlet. Air from the first and second swirl vanes is swirled directly around the injected fuel without a flow barrier or venturi therebetween.

Abstract: A method enables a structural cover for a gas turbine engine to be manufactured. The method includes forming a torroidial body including an integrally-formed windage cover portion and a seal flange portion, and forming a plurality of fastener openings extending from a forward side of the torroidial body to an aft side of the torroidial body, such that when installed in the gas turbine engine, the windage cover portion facilitates shielding the fastener openings from a gas flow path.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes at least one storage chamber for accommodating cosmetics. The refrigerator further includes electrical parts for maintaining cosmetics accommodated in the storage chamber at appropriate temperature, a control means for controlling operations of checking and displaying failures of the electrical parts, and a display unit for displaying the results of the checking of the failures.

Abstract: An orifice pulse tube refrigerator uses flow resistance, compliance, and inertance components connected to a pulse tube for establishing a phase relationship between oscillating pressure and oscillating velocity in the pulse tube. A temperature regulating system heats or cools a working gas in at least one of the flow resistance and inertance components. A temperature control system is connected to the temperature regulating system for controlling the temperature of the working gas in the at least one of the flow resistance and inertance components and maintains a control temperature that is indicative of a desired temporal phase relationship.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is described. The apparatus has a container that includes a cold enclosure. A porous material capable of occluding hydrogen pervades the cold enclosure. The porous material contains a plurality of light elements including Be, B, C, N, O, F, Mg, P, S, Li, Na, Al, Si and Cl. The cold enclosure can have a temperature in a range between about 30K and 270K and can withstand pressures up to about 50 bara. The container can have a layered wall structure with at least two walls, and there can be a cavity between the walls, which can provide thermal insulation. A hydrogen-consuming system is described in which the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is used to provide hydrogen to a hydrogen-fueled device. A hydrogen production and distribution system, which used the hydrogen storage and supply apparatuses is described. Methods of storing, supplying and using hydrogen are also described.

Abstract: A double acting cold trap equipped with a set of exhaust gas condensing fins and a set of exhaust gas condensing plates is disclosed. The invention also discloses a double acting cold trap that incorporates a deflecting plate to direct the exhaust gases over the condensing fins and plates in a serial fashion. This increases the efficiency of the collection of unwanted particles.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an outdoor unit and multiple indoor units. Each of the indoor units has its own coil assembly and fan and is dedicated to heating a particular area within a building, for example. Not all of the indoor units operate at the same time. Managing the refrigerant charge level within the active part of the system includes controlling an amount of refrigerant flow through the inactive indoor units. When the active part of the system does not have an adequate charge, an increased return flow from the inactive indoor units to the outdoor unit serves to increase the charge. Under circumstances where there is an overcharge in the active part of the system, the inactive indoor units are effectively used as storage for excess refrigerant on a temporary basis.

Abstract: A compressor device for a refrigerant cycle includes a compressor and a control unit. The compressor is provided with a displacement changing mechanism for changing its displacement. The control unit changes a current value supplied to the displacement changing mechanism, thereby relatively changing the displacement of the compressor. In the compressor device, when a rotational speed of a vehicle engine is lower than a predetermined rotational speed, the control unit controls an upper limit of the current value between a first predetermined value and a maximum value. Accordingly, a displacement specification of the compressor device can be normalized for vehicle engines having different power outputs, while engine stall can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective awning system for air conditioning units and heat pumps on residences or businesses. The present invention creates a weather and sunlight shield for the condenser coils on these units decreasing power usage, and increasing the life of the air conditioning unit or heat pump. There are a series of rectangular members manufactured from styrene or other durable plastic material. Each rectangular member has detachable pieces that allow the user to create an angle to easily fit to the rectangular piece to its side on the air conditioning unit. Alternately, the user can leave the edges on the rectangular pieces and stack the pieces at the edge, protecting the air conditioning unit from weather and debris such as falling leaves. The rectangular pieces are attached to the air conditioning unit by use of two-sided adhesive tape. The two-sided adhesive tape is acrylic based and has stronger adhesion as the temperature rises outdoors.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a chiller unit and a freezer unit. The freezer unit is provided with a freezing compressor for compressing a refrigerant in a total of two stages together with a compressor in an outdoor unit. The freezing compressor is formed by an inverter compressor. An oil separator is disposed on the discharge pipe of the freezing compressor. On the inlet pipe of the freezing compressor, a heat exchanger is provided for cooling an inverter with an refrigeration oil separated by the oil separator and a suction refrigerant.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for high heat flux heat transfer. The subject invention can be utilized to transfer heat from a heat source to a coolant such that the transferred heat can be effectively transported to another location. Examples of heat sources from which heat can be transferred from include, for example, fluids and surfaces. The coolant to which the heat is transferred can be sprayed onto a surface which is in thermal contact with the heat source, such that the coolant sprayed onto the surface in thermal contact with the heat absorbs heat from the surface and carries the absorbed heat away as the coolant leaves the surface. The surface can be, for example, the surface of an interface plate in thermal contact with the heat source or a surface integral with the heat source. The coolant sprayed onto the surface can initially be a liquid and remain a liquid after absorbing the heat, or can in part or in whole be converted to a gas or vapor after absorbing the heat.

Abstract: A doubled wall container is disclosed having a fill cap that allows a user to alternately add or remove a liquid from an interior volume formed between the walls of the container.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for exploitation and liquefaction of natural gas in offshore stranded gas reserves. Two ordinary nautical vessels are used to produce, store and unload LPG and LNG. Typical front end processing is performed on the first vessel. The treated inlet gas is transported to the second vessel where the stream goes through liquefaction and storage until it is offloaded to a transport vessel for shipment. The liquefaction process utilizes two refrigerant cycles that utilize two expanded refrigerants, at least one of which is circulated in a gas phase refrigeration cycle. The refrigerants and the inlet gas stream are transported between the two vessels by the use of piping. Electricity can be generated to provide power for the compression sections of the refrigeration cycles. Turbines, engines, or boilers from the vessels can be used for generating electricity since they are no longer needed for locomotion purposes.

Abstract: An article of jewelry including a body having an outer major surface and a decorative pattern formed on the outer surface of the body, and a method for forming the decorative pattern, the pattern including pairs of intersecting grooves and an optically transparent synthetic decorative element formed in a respective well created by the intersection of each pair of intersecting grooves.

Abstract: A method for forming EUV LITHOGRAPHY GLASS STRUCTURES WITH VOIDS is disclosed which includes forming a slurry mixture including silica soot particles, and inserting the slurry mixture into a casting mold. The method provides low weight mass reduced rigid glass structures with beneficial thermal stability. The casting mold includes therein a casting form. The casting form is adapted to provide selected geometry void spaces within the glass lithography structure. The slurry mixture is dried to form a green ware object. The casting form is removed from the green ware and the green ware object is consolidated into a lithography glass structure with voids.

Abstract: A method for producing a silica glass body having a low bubble content includes melting silica sand in a chamber (62) of a rotating furnace housing (20) to form molten silica. Helium-containing gas is fed into the chamber, both during introduction of the sand and during the heating step. The helium diffuses more readily from the molten silica than other gases, resulting in lower bubble content. The furnace is heated by establishing a gas plasma arc (60) between spaced electrodes (64, 66) within the chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing titania-containing fused silica bodies are disclosed. The titania-containing fused silica bodies are subsequently processed to make extreme ultraviolet soft x-ray masks. The methods and apparatus involve providing powders external to a furnace cavity and depositing the powders in the furnace cavity to form a titania-containing fused silica body.

Abstract: Slurries to be supplied to the surface of a rotating glass substrate for texturing the surface to create streaks contain aggregates having diameters not larger than 0.51 &mgr;m of polycrystalline diamond particles that are dispersed in water or a water-based aqueous solution that is free of any substance having an etching effect on a glass material. A glass substrate is textured by supplying such a slurry material on its surface as the substrate is rotated and a polishing tape is pressed and run against the substrate surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circular knitting machine with a protective cover (17) at least partially surrounding a take down and/or winding up device (15) on the outside. The cover (17) which includes a guide fixed on the machine frame and segments (18 to 23) movably mounted on this. In accordance with the invention the segments (18 to 23) are so arranged at different radial distances from a machine axis (11) that they are movable relative to one another at least partially with mutual overlapping.

Abstract: An openwork tubular knitted fabric formed of closely knitted, fine gauge yarns formed into knitted loops utilizing at least 11 needles per inch and having at least 25 courses per inch. The fabric is formed by using needles having a hook formed in a top end of a needle shank and a latch pivotally mounted on the needle shank below the hook for opening and closing the hook, and including a deflector for deflecting a loop of yarn being formed by a needle into the vertical plane of an adjacent needle, and a needle cam mounted for reciprocal movement between first and second vertically-spaced positions. The fabric is characterized by having a fine, dense background with small, closely-spaced holes which enable a highly-detailed pattern suitable for a wide range of undergarments and hosiery products. The density and fineness of the fabric provides both the comfort and lack of show through necessary for many garments of this type.

Abstract: Device for the continuous treatment of yarns with process fluids comprising a Venturi nozzle fed with process fluid as driving fluid to feed the yarn to the treatment, a distributor for distributing the yarn in the treatment reactor according to a layer of superimposed swirls, a tank reactor, internally equipped with a saddle-shaped guiding surface on which the threads arranged in a layer first descend for immersion and then rise emerging from the process fluid.

Abstract: A continuous treatment system of yarns with process fluids, particularly for mercerization, wherein a bundle of threads to be treated is put into the reaction with a Venturi nozzle activated with process fluid, which entrains the bundle of yarn with it, and with a swirl distributor in the J-shaped treatment reactor, having an inner saddle-shaped guide surface for the downward and upward movement of the yarn in the process fluid bath.

Abstract: A helmet can be secured using a front fork lock by placing an end of the motorcycle's handlebars through the helmet and then locking the handlebars. In some configurations a sturdy protrusion, such as metal, graphite, etc., is affixed to an end of the handlebars or to a part of the motorcycle frame to make removal of the helmet in the locked position impossible, or very difficult. Different embodiments disclose a protrusion attached to an end of a hand grip, to a swing point on a handlebar, or some other portion of a handlebar. Protrusions can also be affixed to the motorcycle frame. Protrusions can be made to swing out for securing a helmet and to swing flush with the motorcycle frame to prevent unwanted encumbrance to a rider. Other embodiments disclose protective ways to attach the protrusions so that they cannot be easily removed.

Abstract: A sliding door having an improved handle and lock assembly associated therewith. The assembly enables a closed and locked sliding door to be unlocked and opened by manual application of a single-motion to the door handle, such as a substantially horizontally-directed force applied to the door handle in the opening direction to effect unlocking of the door followed by movement of the sliding door into an open position.

Abstract: An improved tubular-type locking cylinder and dedicated key that provides for both theft- and trip-resistant tumbler pin assemblies, wherein the locking cylinder is comprised of an outer housing, a main base, a locking cylinder shaft, and a plurality of tumbler pin assemblies. The improved features are that a detent slot is formed in the interior wall along the locking cylinder shaft recess through the center of the main base body. The locking cylinder shaft consists of a bore through the center of the shaft member up to its top extremity, a movably disposed catch bolt and spring, and a plug obstructing the opening of the bore. A horizontal passage for seating a steel ball is formed in the shaft member at the lower side of a tumbler pin disc. A locating pin is horizontally situated near the upper extremity at one side of the catch bolt. A keyway slot is formed in the shaft member that is contiguous to the upper end of the bore.

Abstract: Method of cold forming by rolling of a blank made of press sintered material, in which at least one tool of predetermined peripheral geometry is brought close to the blank, so that the tool can then be rolled over the blank, urging the one towards the other, characterized in that it comprises, after a phase (a) of approaching the blank, a penetration phase (b), with (bn) at least one phase of rolling under roughly constant load, as far as a chosen position, this load, the chosen position, and the corresponding number of passes being determined so as to control the surface densification and the dimensions of the rolled part.