Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.

Abstract: An improved, efficient, and regenerable exhaust emission filter and filter system are provided which incorporate the use of an inorganic, non-woven fiber filter element. The filter is able to capture exhaust pollutants and particulates through the interwoven nature of the filter element and due to area enhancements applied to the filter element including microscopic enhancements. The filter has an improved life and is able to combust a greater percentage of trapped particulates due to the high temperatures the filter element can withstand. The filter element if formed from a non-woven fiber block which is machined or shaped into a filter foundation. The filter element can have a multitude of coatings and catalysts applied and can be wrapped in insulation and a casing. The improved exhaust emission filter is particularly useful for diesel engine exhausts.

Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester has a relatively wide mowing implement attached to its forward end and including right and left hand rotary mowing and drawing in drums together with right and left hand rotary conveying drums. A drive transmission for driving these drums includes a pair of identical slip clutches having respective first sections defined in principal part by a fluid tight cylindrical container having opposite end plates and through the respective centers of which a drive element extends, with the drive element of one clutch being coupled to the drive element of the other clutch by a central drive shaft assembly. The clutches include respective second sections which are in the form of a housing which has a ring-like hub at one end adapted for being coupled to an associated right-angle transmission unit that is in turn coupled for driving the mowing and drawing in drums at that side.

Abstract: The apparatus is a fluffing roll for installation on a crop harvesting machine to disperse the crop before it hits the ground thereby facilitating drying. The fluffing roll is a cylinder with auger flights on one half of the cylindrical surface that direct the cut crop in one direction, and auger flights on the other half of the cylindrical surface that direct cut crop in the direction opposite from the direction of the first half.

Abstract: A lawn mower for transmitting grass clippings cut by a mower unit (4) to a grass catcher (32) through a grass collecting duct (31). The lawn mower includes a body frame (1), and a bracket unit (39) attached to a rear of the body frame (1). A gate frame (40) is provided for supporting the grass catcher (32) to be displaceable between a collecting posture with an opening of the grass catcher (32) opposed to the grass collecting duct (31), and a discharging posture with the opening directed downward. The gate frame (40) defines first connecting areas (50) for enabling connection to a lift link mechanism (47) for vertically moving the gate frame (40) relative to the body frame (1), and second connecting areas (60) for enabling direct connection to the bracket unit (39). The first connecting areas (50) have connecting pins (51) connectable to distal ends of swing arms (45) of the lift link mechanism (47) used according to circumstances.

Abstract: For more than thirty-two years, extensive research studies involving various concepts of total vineyard mechanization have been carried out at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station under the direction of Justin R. Morris (22). Tommy Oldridge was one of the first growers in the region to commercially test, implement and improve upon the findings of these research studies. These studies at the University of Arkansas have involved the evaluation of trellising and training systems suitable for total vineyard mechanization, mechanical shoot positioning, mechanical pruning, mechanical thinning, mechanical harvesting, and the post-harvest handling and utilization of mechanically harvested grapes (2, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 35). The success of this approach to vineyard mechanization has been the fact that it has concentrated on minimizing or eliminating all limiting factors impacting the system while maintaining, or in some cases improving, fruit quality.

Abstract: A vehicle-carried Tree-Trunk Shaker (TTS) for harvesting tree fruit is configured to prevent the transmission of vibrations from a vibration generator (4) to the TTS and to the vehicle, and for optimal shaking efficiently. Currently, TTSs are allowed to shake multi-directionally and chaotically, convey destructive vibrations to the TTS and to the vehicle, and have low harvesting efficiency. The remedy consists of shaking the trunk only in perpendicular to a pair of jaws (6, 8) clamping the trunk (T), with a unidirectional linear vibration generator vibrating transversally to the trunk. A beam (16) is configured to support the clamping jaws and the vibration generator to form a rigid structure restricted to swivel about a vertical pivot shaft (42) coupled to the vehicle. Thereby there is allowed but a single lateral degree of freedom of motion. Possibly, two vertical pivot hafts (42, 48) are used to that end.

Abstract: A rake comprising:

Abstract: [OBJECT] An oil-tempered wire for a cold-formed coil spring having a quality equivalent of or higher than a hot-formed coil spring is provided. A cold-formed coil spring made from the oil-tempered wire is also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cleaning apparatus for the cleaning of a spin rotor of a spinning station with a cleaning head which can be insertably presented to the spin rotor and on which cleaning head are placed at least two scraper elements. In accord with the invention, the at least two scraper elements are pneumatically extendable, wherein the position of the at least two scraper elements are so secured on the outer circumference of the cleaning head, that the sum of the contact forces which are exerted from the scraper element in a radial direction onto the rotor is zero, or practically zero.

Abstract: A combing ring for an opening roller of an open-end spinning arrangement is provided with at least two surface coatings, one applied on top of the other. Of these two coatings, the bottom one is a wear-resistant, harder PVD coating, while the upper one is a less hard, but fiber-friendly coating having a maximum thickness of 5 &mgr;m, preferably a chemical nickel coating. The bottom PVD coating comprises in a known way so-called droplets, whereby the thickness of the top coating is at least equal to the height of the droplets.

Abstract: A system and a method for detecting gas turbine engine hot section condition using temperature measurements during engine operation. The system comprises a sensing unit for sensing a temperature distribution across a hot combustion gas stream generated by a gas turbine engine combustor. A signal processor receives temperature signals from the sensing unit and generates a combustor malfunction signal when the difference between a maximal temperature and a minimal temperature of the sensed temperature distribution is greater than a predetermined acceptable delta value.

Abstract: A gas turbine has a fuel injection system for supplying pressurized fuel gas to a combustion chamber of a gas turbine. The fuel injection system has at least one electrically controllable magnetic valve working with pulse-width modulation, i.e., controlling the gas flow by varying the length of its opening time pulses in relation to its closing time, in a gas supply conduit. The fuel injection system has at least one electrically controllable magnetic main valve arranged in the supply conduit. Moreover, at least one pilot valve is connected to the supply conduit with its upstream end after the main valve and with its downstream end connected to a conduit leading into a pilot flame chamber inside the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for augmenting thrust in a rocket traveling through atmospheric gas. Rocket motor designs are provided where a throat(s) from one or more rocket motors eject high-speed primary exhaust gas in a configuration which peripherally surrounds an outlet for induced, secondary gas. The secondary gas is mixed with the jet of primary exhaust gas to add momentum, and therefore thrust. Either expansion deflection or plug type rocket discharge nozzles can be utilized. In one embodiment, a thrust augmentation of over one hundred percent is achieved. In another embodiment, a plurality of rocket motor assemblies each containing a thrust augmenting rocket motor design is affixed to a rocket body. Such rocket motors enhance rocket thrust performance, and enables more efficient payload to rocket motor selection, or, alternatively, allows higher loads to be carried with the same amount of thrust.

Abstract: A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a wall around the turbofan engine and radially outwardly in part by a fan cowl of the engine. A bulkhead is adapted to be mounted on the fan cowl having a shaped surface defining an upstream wall. A translating cowl is supported for movement axially between a closed position substantially adjacent the bulkhead and an open position spaced axially apart from the bulkhead so as to form an outlet for discharge of air from the air duct. The translating cowl has a first wall and a kicker plate defining a shaped surface. The kicker plate and/or the bulkhead may have a dimension which varies at different radial locations about a circumference of the translating cowl to selectively control the forward component of velocity of the air discharged from the air duct. A plume control device may extend longitudinally across the outlet to divide the air discharged from the air duct into a plurality of plumes.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a construction for exhaust emission control, which can prevent thermal deterioration in a catalyst and can heat exhaust gas to a catalyst activation temperature. In the present invention, an electrically heated catalyst portion 10 is provided in a separator 12a in a silencer 3 located at a distance from an engine. This electrically heated catalyst portion 10 heats low-temperature exhaust gas to a catalyst activation temperature. The exhaust pipe 11a branches into three pipes 22a, 22b and 22c in the silencer 3. The electrically heated catalyst portion 10 has a shape surrounding the each outer peripheral surface of pipe 22a, 22b and 22c of an exhaust pipe 11a. Exhaust gas is warmed to a temperature close to the catalyst activation temperature when it flows in the pipes 22a, 22b and 22c, and flows out of the pipe 22a, 22b and 22c.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a catalyst operatively associated with the internal combustion engine for processing exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine, and a fuel cell thermally coupled with the catalyst in such a manner that heat in waste gases of the fuel cell is supplied at least partially to the catalyst to heat the catalyst.

Abstract: The invention concerns a control system of a device for lifting a load placed on a carrying element displaceable between a low position and an elevated position.

Abstract: A hydrostatic vehicle driving system structured from an engine to a drive axle in a working vehicle. A hydraulic pump driven by the engine and a variable displacement hydraulic motor for driving the drive axle are fluidly connected with each other through a hydraulic circuit. A motor capacity control system controls capacity of the hydraulic motor in correspondence to the condition of load on the engine. The motor capacity control system comprises load-detection means detecting hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit replacing the load on the engine, a hydraulic actuator for changing the capacity of the hydraulic motor, and actuator-control means controlling the hydraulic actuator according to the detection of hydraulic pressure by the load-detection means.

Abstract: Brake master cylinder (10) for a motor vehicle, of the type which comprises an essentially axial body (12) inside a bore (14) of which is slideably mounted at least one axial piston (16, 18), of the type in which the bore (14) comprises two sealing means, front (26, 28) and rear (30, 32), interposed between the piston (16, 18) and the bore (14), the front sealing means (26, 28) delimiting, in the bore (14), rear supply (34, 38) and front (36, 40) chambers, of the type in which the body (12) comprises a supply duct (42, 48) which connects an external reservoir to the rear supply chamber (34, 38) and which opens between the two sealing means (26, 28, 30, 32), characterized in that the front sealing means (26, 28) comprises a front seal (26, 28) which is mounted in a groove (110, 112) of the body (12), and of which an interior lip, arranged in contact with the piston (16, 18), is capable of lifting off the piston (16, 18) when it returns from a position of application to a position of rest to resupply the front

Abstract: A charge air condensation separation system for a turbocharged engine, especially suited for engines employing EGR, includes a turbocharger having a compressor providing charge air with a charge air cooler connected to the compressor to cool the charge air. A charge air delivery duct is connected to an outlet of the charge air cooler and a torroidal trap having an annular inlet is disposed in the charge air delivery duct with a sump for collecting condensation integral to the torroidal trap. A drain line for removing condensation from the sump for expulsion to the atmosphere is connected to the trap and a pump or other device for overcoming pressure differential in the drain line is employed in certain embodiments. For EGR systems employing a mixer, the condensation separator can be incorporated adjacent to or integral with the mixer to minimize additional volume requirements in the engine compartment.

Abstract: A method for conversion of heat in hot flue gases, vaporisation heat in the flue gases being released and converted into an energy carrier which converts from the liquid phase to gas phase.

Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine comprising a regenerative pump having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow channel extending between the inlet and the outlet along which fuel is transferred in use by rotation of an impeller of the regenerative pump, a fuel supply line in use supplying fuel at low pressure to said pump inlet, an output line in use receiving fuel at high pressure from said pump outlet for distribution to a gas turbine engine, and, a spill line into which fuel from said pump outlet can be spilled, said spill line being connected to said flow channel of said regenerative pump at a selected point between the inlet and outlet of said pump to discharge spilled fuel in use into said flow channel.

Abstract: A combustor liner for a gas turbine, the combustor liner having a substantially cylindrical shape; and a plurality of axially spaced circumferential grooves formed in an outside surface of the combustor liner.

Abstract: A liner for a gas turbine engine combustor having a trapped vortex cavity formed therein, wherein a dome plate is positioned at an upstream end of the combustor, includes: a first portion positioned adjacent and connected to the dome plate, wherein the first liner portion extends downstream from and substantially perpendicular to the dome plate; a second portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first liner portion and substantially parallel to the dome plate; a first arcuate portion having a predetermined radius located between the first and second liner portions; a third portion extending downstream and substantially perpendicular to the second liner portion; and, a second arcuate portion located between the second and third liner portions; wherein the first liner portion, the second liner portion, the first arcuate liner portion and a portion of the dome plate form the trapped vortex cavity.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a means for improving gas turbine engine performance by applying fluid flow control to the inter-turbine duct joining a high-pressure turbine spool and an associated low-pressure turbine spool, allowing the low-pressure turbine spool to have a relatively larger diameter than the high-pressure turbine spool. One or more unobstructed fluid flow paths between one or more boundary layer suction ports disposed within the upstream end of the outer-body surface of the inter-turbine duct and the suction side of the associated low-pressure turbine nozzle are provided. Advantageously, the natural static pressure difference between these points results in a self-aspirating assembly. The fluid flow control provided by the respective suction and blowing forces generated allows for a relatively larger diameter low-pressure turbine spool and/or relatively fewer low-pressure turbine nozzles to be used than is possible with conventional systems, assemblies, and methods.

Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine facilitates reducing an amount of emissions from a combustor. The combustor includes a mixer assembly including a pilot mixer, a main mixer, and a centerbody that extends therebetween. The pilot mixer includes a pilot fuel nozzle and a plurality of axial swirlers. The main mixer includes a main swirler and a plurality of fuel injection ports. The method comprises injecting fuel into the combustor through the pilot mixer, such that the fuel is discharged downstream from the pilot mixer axial swirlers, and directing flow exiting the pilot mixer with a lip extending from the centerbody into a pilot flame zone downstream from said pilot mixer.

Abstract: A fuel injector system that reduces and/or eliminates combustion instability. The fuel injector system includes a pilot fuel injector, a pilot swirler that swirls air past the pilot fuel injector, a main airblast fuel injector having an aft end, inner and outer main swirlers that swirl air past the main airblast fuel injector, and an air splitter located between the pilot swirler and the inner main swirler. The air splitter includes at least one aft end cone angled radially outboard and axially positioned downstream of the main airblast fuel injector aft end. The air splitter divides a pilot air stream exiting the pilot swirler from an inner main air stream exiting the inner main swirler to create a bifurcated recirculation zone.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus for power generation from biomass and other carbonaceous feedstocks are provided. The process integrates a pulse combustor steam reformer with a gas turbine to generate electricity such that (i) efficiency is higher than those of conventional and current advanced power systems, (ii) emissions are lower than those proposed in the new environmental regulations, and (iii) performance is comparable to that of combined cycle, even though a bottoming cycle is not included here. The pulse combustor steam reformer generates a hydrogen-rich, medium-Btu fuel gas that is fired in a gas turbine to generate electricity. The apparatus may be configured to produce only power or combined heat and power.

Abstract: A cogeneration system is provided which includes a prime mover for obtaining power for driving a generator by combustion of a fuel, a waste heat boiler for recovering thermal energy from exhaust gas discharged from the prime mover, and a heat exchanger for heating air that is to be fed into an air conditioner by heat exchange with the exhaust gas discharged from the waste heat boiler. Drain water that is generated from the exhaust gas cooled by heat exchange in the air-heating heat exchanger (5) with the air that is to be fed into the air conditioner (30) is recovered by drain water recovery/supply means (36). The drain water recovery/supply means (36) supplies the drain water thus recovered to appliances (37, 38) that require comparatively high temperature water. Thermal energy can thus be recovered effectively from the drain water discharged from the heat exchanger on the downstream side of the waste heat boiler, thereby improving the efficiency of recovery of waste heat energy.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for temperature regulation of physiological fluids is disclosed. In an exemplary system for use in cardiopulmonary procedures, blood is entered into a proportionally long, narrow disposable container, is heated or cooled to a desired temperature, and exits from an opposite end. The disposable container includes a pair of long, flat surfaces facing each other in relatively, close proximity. The blood is transitioned from transport tubing into a thin laminar flow layer and back into tubing, inside the container. This container is placed in a heat exchange device having thermoelectric modules that contact the majority of surface area, opposite the blood side in the container. The thermoelectric modules act as fully reversible heat pumps and move heat from one side of the module to the other, dependant on the direction of the current supplied to the modules. Feedback from sensors in the fluid path independently control each thermoelectric module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion apparatus having a thermoelectric conversion module and a temperature restoration module. The thermoelectric conversion module comprises hydrogen storage and release devices provided with circulating heating medium changeover valves and containers in which are formed inside a plate cassette laminate or a pipe aggregate provided with a hydrogen storage alloy in the form of a thin film on the outer surfaces of the plate cassettes or pipes, a pump device for an working liquid provided with a liquid piston, an electronic control device that controls the changeover valves, and an electric power generation device that converts the flowing force of the actuator liquid into electricity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a plurality of portions of a precooked food wherein the food is initially cooked at temperatures above 80° C. and prepared, the food is then cooled in a cooling phase within a maximum time of 120 min passing through the temperature range of 55° C. to 8° C. to a final temperature in the range of 8° C. to 0° C., and stored for a few days at the final temperature. The food is poured into an agitator vessel (22) during the cooling phase wherein the food is simultaneously thoroughly mixed and cooled during the cooling phase by an agitator (01, 26) constructed as a heat exchanger according to the invention.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging/pressure testing hose assembly meeting SAE standard J2196 is useable to both (1) check the pressure in a refrigerant circuit and, (2) if necessary, add refrigerant to the circuit. The assembly includes a length of refrigerant charging hose having a quick disconnect coupler disposed at one end and connectable to a service fitting portion of the circuit, a piercing-type shutoff valve disposed at the other hose end and connectable to a refrigerant charging canister, a pressure gauge installed in a longitudinally intermediate portion of the hose, and a check valve installed in the hose between the shutoff valve and the pressure gauge and permitting flow through the hose only toward the quick coupler.

Abstract: Control apparatus for an environmental control system comprises input circuitry receiving environmental information and output circuitry for controlling an HVAC system. Processing circuitry in the controller configures the output circuitry based at least in part on the signals received on the input circuitry. Information about the status of the HVAC system may be transferred to system administrators using a wireless link.

Abstract: An operational air conditioning mode is allowed to set to a temperature uniformization mode and a spot air conditioning mode, and is selectively switched between these modes automatically by a control means (53) or manually. In such an embodiment, a comfortably air-conditioned state is obtained in all the areas of a space to be air-conditioned W during air conditioning performed in the temperature uniformization mode, and the comfort is ensured by intensively air-conditioning the surroundings of a person during air conditioning performed in the spot air conditioning mode. At the same time, since an unnecessary air conditioning is not provided to a region without the presence of a person, energy conservation is improved, for example, and thus the comfort of air conditioning and energy conservation are both achieved.

Abstract: A hot gas heat treat system is employed to cool mix in a hopper and a freezing cylinder and to heat the mix for pasteurization. A hopper liquid line solenoid valve at the inlet of the hopper and a cylinder liquid line solenoid valve at the inlet of the freezing cylinder each control the flow of refrigerant to the expansion valves which further control the flow of refrigerant that flows around the hopper and the freezing cylinder, respectively. A hopper hot gas solenoid valve at the inlet of the hopper and a cylinder hot gas solenoid valve at the inlet of the freezing cylinder control the flow of refrigerant from the compressor that flows around the hopper and the freezing cylinder. The system further includes a hot gas bypass valve that is opened when only the hopper is being cooled to provide additional load to the compressor. An EPR valve is positioned proximate to the hopper discharge to vary the temperature of the refrigerant exchanging heat with the hopper.

Abstract: An automobile air conditioning system controls the high pressure of the refrigeration cycle in a wide range of airflows from a low airflow region during an intermediate period to a high airflow region. When a dehumidifying mode is selected, the target high pressure at which the cycle efficiency calculated from a gas cooler outlet refrigerant temperature is maximized is defined as a target value to a valve such as a heating variable throttle valve to control the high pressure of the refrigeration cycle to the target value. This permits control such that the cycle efficiency of the refrigeration cycle is maximized in a wide range of airflow from a low airflow region during an intermediate period to a high airflow region at a relatively low, about 10° C., outside air temperature.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an air conditioner with a variable capacity compressor (2) parallely connected to a fixed capacity compressor (4), and a method of controlling the operation of such an air conditioner. When it is required to start the fixed capacity compressor (4) in addition to an operation of the variable capacity compressor (2) due to an increase in the sum of the required cooling capacities of indoor units (9), an outdoor control unit (13) starts the fixed capacity compressor (4) during an unloading mode operation of the variable capacity compressor (2) where the pressure difference between the outlet side and inlet side of the variable capacity compressor is minimized. The fixed capacity compressor (4) is thus smoothly started without causing an induction of excessive starting current, and improves the operational reliability of the air conditioner.

Abstract: A compressor device compresses refrigerant of a refrigeration cycle system and is connected to an engine and a motor to selectively receive drive force from one or both of the engine and the motor. When the engine is operated in an idling mode, a control apparatus energizes the motor to drive the compressor device alone or in cooperation with the engine and controls the energization of the motor to adjust load on the engine.

Abstract: when a front-passenger seat occupant detecting sensor indicates absence of an occupant in a front-passenger seat, an air conditioning control ECU adjusts a temperature measurement measured with a non-contacting temperature sensor for measuring a surface temperature of the occupant in the front-passenger seat and controls air conditioning state around the front-passenger seat based on the adjusted temperature measurement associated with the front-passenger seat.

Abstract: A field and/or customer replaceable packaged refrigeration module with capillary pumped loop is suitable for use in standard electronic component environments. The field replaceable packaged refrigeration module portion is self-contained and is specifically designed to have physical dimensions similar to those of a standard air-based cooling system, such as a fined heat sink or heat pipe. The field replaceable packaged refrigeration module is coupled to a capillary pumped loop and serves to lower the base temperature of the capillary pumped loop sub-system, thereby allowing intermittent operation of the field replaceable packaged refrigeration module with the capillary pumped loop sub-system.

Abstract: System and method for reducing temperature variation among components in a multi-component system. In this respect, component temperatures are controlled to remain relatively constant (approximately within 5° C.) with respect to other components, while allowing for multiple fluctuating heat loads between components. A refrigeration system possessing a variable capacity (speed) compressor and an electronic valve is utilized to control the flow of refrigerant through the refrigeration system. The temperature of the components is reduced by metering the mass flow rate of the refrigerant cooling the components to compensate for the heat load applied to the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes a casing having an air passage from which air blows out to a passenger compartment of a vehicle, a carbon-dioxide-gas compression refrigerator including a compressor, a radiator and a evaporator, an air heater for heating air that blows out from the air passage by heat generated by the vehicle and a control unit for circulating compressed carbon-dioxide-gas through the radiator if heat energy of the air heater is less than a prescribed capacity but is sufficient to heat the air blowing out to the passenger compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing ice in a container and dispensing ice from the container is provided in the form of a storage bin, having ice agitating apparatus for engaging ice to loosen the same and to keep ice particles from adhering together in a common mass. An ice dispenser is provided for delivering ice from a lower to an upper end. The ice dispenser and the ice agitator are provided with separate drives.

Abstract: An ice maker for marine vessels having an evaporator assembly within which ice is formed for delivery to remote locations. An air and water cooled condensing unit delivers refrigeration fluid to the evaporator assembly and ice formed therein is driven by an auger into a distribution chamber defined by a distribution cap member located above the auger. Ice entering the distribution chamber passes through a comminution ring which breaks the ice up into smaller particles and the ice is then directed radially by a slanted wall into the blades of an impeller member which rotates about the same axis as the auger and which drives the ice particles into a discharge opening formed in the ice distribution cap. The evaporator assembly and the condensing unit are mounted separately so that the evaporator assembly may be located to reduce the path through which the ice must travel to reach its ultimate destination.

Abstract: A cold-storage appliance (2) includes an open-topped insulating container (16) defining an external surface; an insulating lid (22) adapted to close the open top of the container (16); a cooling means (24) adapted to cool the interior of the container (16); and a structure (4, 6) supporting the container (16), the lid (22) and the cooling means; wherein the container (16) is mounted to the structure (4) for movement relative to the structure (6) and the lid (22) to open the container (16) and afford access to its interior or to close the container (16). A circulating fan (340) or a heater (346) creating air currents to warm the external surface of the bin (16) warming of the external surfaces using heating elements (380).

Abstract: Adsorption cooling apparatus with an intermittently heated adsorbent container (12) containing an adsorbent (19) that exothermically adsorbs a working medium during an adsorption phase and again desorbs at higher temperatures while heat is added during a subsequent desorption phase, and with a condenser (4) that leads condensed working medium through a connection line (10) into the evaporator (4) which is in turn connected with the adsorbent through a working medium vapor line (9), wherein the condenser (4) is coupled to a buffer reservoir (14) that buffers at least a part of the condensation heat of the working medium vapor and that also can again dissipate the stored heat into the surroundings even during the adsorption phase.

Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas in conjunction with producing a liquid stream containing predominantly hydrocarbons heavier than methane is disclosed. In the process, the natural gas stream to be liquefied is partially cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a distillation column. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas. The residual gas stream from the distillation column is compressed to a higher intermediate pressure, cooled under pressure to condense it, and then expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.

Abstract: Nitrogen is rejected from a feed gas stream comprising methane and nitrogen so as to form a methane product. The feed gas is separated in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure rectification column 14, a lower pressure rectification column 16, and a condenser-reboiler 18. Product methane is withdrawn from the column 16 by a pump 42 and is vaporised. A flow of gas is recycled from the column 16 to the column 14, being warmed in main heat exchanger 4. A first part of the warmed recycle gas being compressed in compressor 48 to a first pressure and introduced into the higher pressure rectification column 14. A second part of the warmed recycle gas is compressed in the compressor 48 and condensed in a second condenser-reboiler associated with an intermediate main exchange region of the lower pressure column 16 and is returned to the higher pressure rectification column 14.