Abstract: A base plate assembly and method of forming a base plate assembly for use with a wall panel structure that is pleasing in appearance, simple in construction, and easy to install. The base plate assembly is generally unshaped with top and bottom flanges. Prongs are associated with the top flange that snap into slots on each side of the base of adjacent vertical members that hold wall panels. Slots are located in the bottom flange of the base plate assembly and fit over vertical tabs on each side of spaced supports that enable the height of the vertical members to be adjusted. Pivoting the base plate assembly upward about the vertical tabs allows the prongs to be inserted and locked in the corresponding slots in each side of the base of the adjacent spaced vertical members thereby forming a volume in which electrical wiring, including electrical outlets, may be located.

Abstract: A method for making a reclosable bag (56) with gussets (36, 38) in which a zipper profile (16) is attached to bag-making film (10), while leaving side margins (20, 22) of the film. The film (10) is folded as a tube (26). Gusset-forming wheels (34, 35) indent the tube (26) to form the side gussets (36, 38). The side gussets (36, 38) are sealed to the tube (26) and/or the zipper profile (18) with the profile sealed to the tube. The tube (26) is sealed and cross-cut to form the bag (56). In an alternative method, lengths of tubular gusset material (112) are positioned on a lower web (110) of film (101) transverse to a bag-forming direction. A zipper (124) is sealed in the bag-forming direction to the webs (108, 110), and the gusset material (112). The webs (108, 110) and the material (112) are sealed to each other to form an end seal (140) as well as cross-cut and sealed to form the gussets (144, 148) of a reclosable bag (147).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing or handling a substantially pure object includes shielding the substantially pure object from the environment by substantially enveloping the object in a fluid. A system for manufacturing a substantially pure object includes a mold for forming the object, and a machine adapted to remove the object from the mold. The machine includes a handling device for gripping the object and removing it from the mold. The handling device includes at least one nozzle through which fluid is delivered to substantially envelope the object during, for example, removal of the object from the mold. The object may be a medical object, such as a syringe, or a component or part thereof, such as a syringe barrel or plunger. In a preferred aspect, a molding process is conducted in a room exhibiting less than Class 100 conditions and/or in such a way that the object does not need to be subsequently cleaned or rinsed, as by air or water washing.

Abstract: A sorting and conveying line provided at an X-ray film cutting and collection operation includes a defective sheet gate, a collection gate and a sample gate for sorting X-ray film sheets, which have been cut to a predetermined size at a cutting section, while the X-ray film sheets are conveyed. Film detection sensors are disposed at entrance and exit sides of each of the defective sheet gate, the collection gate and the sample gate, and each film detection sensor detects the X-ray film sheet at times when the X-ray film sheet should be conveyed and sorted. Based on the results of detection, a determination is made as to whether or not there is any failure in control on a number of produced X-ray film sheets, and the like, as well as conveyance and sorting operations. This allows smooth and quick handling in the event of a failure.

Abstract: Form-fill-seal machine for making bag-shaped packagings for products, such as edible products, from a web of foil material, such as synthetic foil, the machine comprising a frame having a stock of web of foil material and a supply of the web of foil material in flat condition, and a form-fill unit positioned at a front side of the machine, wherein the form-fill unit comprises a form shoulder for transforming the flat web of foil material into a foil tube, as well as a form-fill tube connecting to the form shoulder, having a vertical main plane of section, in which the machine furthermore comprises transverse sealing jaws that are positioned below the lower end of the fill tube for forming transverse seals in the foil tube and which are reciprocally moveable in a vertical plane perpendicular to the front side of the machine and the said vertical plane of section, the form shoulder being asymmetrically shaped for forming an overlap in the foil tube which extends to at least a short distance from or near the sai

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for capturing centrifugally-liberated liquid from a gas stream including separator components installed in a cyclonic vessel. A plurality of concentric shells supported on a base form annular cavities arranged about a gas outlet for capturing separated liquids from a spinning gas stream. The shells can be suspended from an insert manufactured with or retrofit to a vessel. Helical vanes aid in maintaining the spinning gas stream. In low moisture conditions, liquid removal through annular cavities can be supplemented with an annular layer of packing adjacent the vessel wall.

Abstract: An air return grille which may be constructed of wood or other materials and includes a frame having side frame members closed by top and bottom frame members, the side frame members having multiple, angled slat seats therein for receiving the ends of corresponding spaced-apart, parallel slats. One or more centerbar is spaced-apart between the side frame members and each centerbar is fitted with multiple, angled slat openings to receive and support the slats in the center portion of the frame. Trim strips are provided on both sides and the top and the bottom of the frame for trimming the frame around the perimeter of an air return opening in a wall. Frame seating brackets are provided on the side frame members for removably engaging seating screws driven into the vertically-oriented, parallel studs that frame the mount opening, for removably seating the frame in the mount opening.

Abstract: A mid-mount mower having a body frame supported above the ground by front wheels and rear wheels, the body frame having a front cross frame in a forward portion thereof with respect to a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, and a mower unit disposed between the front wheels and rear wheels. A main jack body is mounted on the front cross frame to be pivotable about a pivot shaft extending longitudinally of the vehicle body. The main jack body is in a storage position extending along the front cross frame when pivoted to a first pivot position about the pivot shaft, and in a substantially vertical position relative to the ground when pivoted to a second pivot position about the pivot shaft. The main jack body has a controlled portion exposed upward when the main jack body is in the vertical position.

Abstract: A walk-behind greensmower includes an operator presence control for selectively determining when power from a source is delivered to an output. The operator presence control includes a handle, a bale coupled to the handle, a control arm and an electromagnet. The bale is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The control arm is moveable between a neutral position and a drive position where the control arm causes delivery of power from the source to the output when in the drive position. The electromagnet is selectively energizable in response to the position of the bale such that the control arm is retained in the drive position when the bale is in the engaged position.

Abstract: An adjustable spindle assembly is described and includes a spindle housing, a grooved spindle shaft rotatably connected to the spindle housing, a pulley connected to one end of the grooved spindle shaft, a mow ball rotatably connected to a second end of the grooved spindle shaft, and a string carrier assembly adjustably connected in between the spindle housing and the mow ball. The string carrier assembly includes a pair of string guides and string holders for securing cutting string to the string carrier assembly without the use of tools. In addition, the string carrier assembly can be adjusted between the spindle housing and the mow ball without the use of tools. Alternative embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A trimming and edging attachment for all types of riding mowers and garden tractors used for residential and commercial needs. The attachment consist of a mounting plate to mount to the front of the mower with three sections of arms extending outward to the left of said mower and just ahead of the left front wheel. The trim head is powered from an engage mechanism with a drive belt off of the main shaft of the mower motor. The power of the pneumatic cylinders that operate the up and down motion of the arms comes from a twelve volt dc motor and pump combination. This pump is an on demand pump and only operates when some type of adjustment or movement is needed. This unit does not depend on the mowing deck to be in operation while using the trim and edge attachment.

Abstract: A mid-mount mower having a front frame unit including a pair of right and left front longitudinal frames, a first cross frame interconnecting the front longitudinal frames in forward positions thereof longitudinally of the vehicle body, and a second cross frame interconnecting the front longitudinal frames in rearward positions thereof longitudinally of the vehicle body, the front frame unit supporting the front wheel unit and also supporting a lift mechanism for vertically movably suspending the mower unit; a rear frame unit including a pair of right and left rear longitudinal frames, the rear frame unit being connected to the front frame unit; and a rear wheel drive unit interconnecting the rear longitudinal frames. The second cross frame has a downwardly opening recess disposed adjacent a middle position thereof, the recess allowing entry thereto of an upwardly protruding portion of the mower unit without interference when the mower unit is raised by the lift mechanism.

Abstract: An implement for clearing brush and trees which includes a self-propelled vehicle and at least one boom mounted upon the vehicle. The boom is constructed for articulated motion of a distal end thereof. A cutting disk is operatively mounted for rotation to the distal end of said boom to cut brush and trees when rotated. A secondary power source is supported on the self-propelled vehicle and used to primarily power the cutting disk. The implement is configured to allow field replacement of a cutting wheel support cartridge.

Abstract: A channel plate adapter 24 is provided for an open-end spinning arrangement 1 having a spinning rotor 3 which turns at a high number of revolutions inside a rotor housing 2 chargable with an underpressure. The channel plate adapter 24 is made of a plastic material, defines the orifice area of a fiber guide conduit and a center through-bore 26 for a yarn withdrawal nozzle 27, and is adapted to be exchangeably arranged in a receiver 22 of a fiber channel plate 10 for closing the rotor housing during a spinning operation. The channel plate adapter (24) has a unitary one-piece clip-on closure (37) at inlet area of the through-bore (26) for centering and fixing the yarn withdrawal nozzle (27) in place.

Abstract: The new concept design proposed by Feodor Koudinov of the configuration of heat engines combustion chamber in the earth atmosphere and airless conditions with intended use in:

Abstract: A propulsion system for a jet- or rocket-propelled vehicle in which the resulting jet exhaust nozzle profile is a 3D spiral. The propulsion system can be applied to any jet- or rocket-propelled vehicle, including aircraft and watercraft.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a variable area nozzle having a plurality of flaps. The flaps are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to vary fan exist nozzle area. The SMA actuator has a deformed shape in its martensitic state and a parent shape in its austenitic state. The SMA actuator is heated to transform from martensitic state to austenitic state generating a force output to actuate the flaps. The variable area nozzle also includes a plurality of return mechanisms deforming the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator is in its martensitic state.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for reducing NOx emissions from engines, comprising an exhaust recovery means for passing an exhaust gas stream in molecular contact with a clean air engine intake stream. A molecular diffusion means separates particulate matter in the exhaust stream by molecular diffusion by exposing the two streams to each other and allowing molecular transfer to occur between the two streams, until near gas phase equilibrium is achieved. Little or no particle transfer takes place between the two streams due to their slow diffusion relative to gas phase species so that some of the oxygen present in the intake air stream is replace with with C02 and H2O molecules from the exhaust.

Abstract: The exhaust gas purifying system (1) for the internal combustion engine, comprising the first exhaust gas purifying device (31) provided with the NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst arranged in the exhaust gas passage (30) of the internal combustion engine (10), and also comprising the respective oxygen concentration sensors (34, 35) arranged at the upstream and downstream of the first exhaust gas purifying device (31), and which controls to end the rich control when a difference between the oxygen concentrations detected by both of said oxygen concentration sensors (34, 35) falls not higher than a predetermined judgment value during the rich control for restoring the catalytic ability of the first exhaust gas purifying device (31), is provided with the second exhaust gas purifying device (32) for cleaning HC and CO at the downstream of said first exhaust gas purifying device (31).

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and process for enhancing internal combustion engine aftertreatment applications by superheated fuel injection. The system includes a fuel supply upstream of a fuel injector of an aftertreatment application. The system also includes a heater for heating the fuel in the fuel supply. A temperature controller can be used to maintain the heated fuel in a liquid form. When liquid fuel in the pressurized fuel supply is heated, then upon exiting the injector the pressure of the fuel drops rapidly, resulting in atomization of the liquid. The vaporized fuel thereby produced is comprised of extremely small droplets and is elevated in temperature, which reduces the possibility of condensation on internal surfaces of the aftertreatment system. This fine droplet size and resistance to condensation enhances the NOx conversion efficiency of adsorbers. Problems related to premature aging of catalysts and fuel penalties can also be reduced.

Abstract: When a NOx-releasing unit is operated to change an air-fuel ratio to a rich side to thereby establish a low-oxygen-concentration atmosphere of an exhaust gas such that NOx is released from a NOx catalyst, a reducer-supplying unit additionally supplies a reducer during an operating period of the NOx-releasing unit for reducing NOx released into an exhaust path such that release of NOx balances with reduction of NOx, thereby reducing NOx released from the NOx catalyst and thus suppressing worsening of exhaust gas performance.

Abstract: A muffler assembly for an internal combustion engine of a portable handheld work apparatus such as a motor-driven chain saw, cutoff machine or the like includes an exhaust-gas muffler (1) which has a muffler housing (10). The muffler housing (10) is formed essentially from two half shells (24, 25) connected substantially fluid-tight to each other. The interior space of the muffler housing (10) includes at least two chambers (2, 3) which are partitioned from each other by a partition wall (4). A catalytic converter (5) is mounted in the partition wall (4). In the interior space of the muffler housing (10), an exhaust-gas inlet (6) opens which is connected to an exhaust-gas stub (9) of the cylinder (8) of the engine. The exhaust-gas muffler has an exhaust-gas outlet (7) which conducts exhaust gas from the interior space.

Abstract: A serial, multi-unit hydraulic system which utilizing a single hydraulic fluid circuit each for extending and retracting all constituent hydraulic units. The fluid circuit for retraction of a remote hydraulic unit extends through intervening, primary hydraulic unit(s), and, after retraction of the remote hydraulic unit, provides retraction oil flow to primary hydraulic unit(s). Control valves effect a prescribed sequence of extension and retraction of the constituent hydraulic units, without involving separate, external control apparatuses.

Abstract: A fluid coupling comprising a pump having an annular pump shell with an annular core ring mounted on a pump hub and a plurality of impellers radially arranged in the pump shell, and a turbine arranged facing the pump and having an annular turbine shell with an annular core ring mounted on a turbine hub that can rotate relative to the pump hub and a plurality of runners radially arranged in the turbine shell, wherein the turbine shell is so constituted to slide on the turbine hub in the axial direction, and provision is made of a centrifugal pushing means for pushing the turbine toward the pump by the action of the centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the turbine.

Abstract: A fluid coupling comprising a pump having an annular pump shell with an annular core ring mounted on a pump hub and a plurality of impellers radially arranged in the pump shell, and a turbine arranged facing the pump and having an annular turbine shell with an annular core ring mounted on a turbine hub that can rotate relative to the pump hub and a plurality of runners radially arranged in the turbine shell, wherein the turbine shell is so constituted to slide on the turbine hub in the axial direction, and provision is made of a resilient urging means for pushing the turbine toward the side of the pump.

Abstract: Flow way structure of pneumatic tool, including: a main body; a connector rotatably disposed on the main body; an air inlet, a water inlet and at least one air outlet concentrically arranged on the connector, inner end of each air outlet communicating with an air chamber of the main body; an air inlet switch and a water inlet switch mounted in the main body for controlling the flow of the fluid; an air way for conducting the air into the main body and communicating with a pneumatic cylinder disposed in the main body; and a water way for conducting the water into the main body. Two ends of the air way and water way are concentrically respectively connected with the air inlet and water inlet. When the connector rotates on the main body, the air inlet and the water inlet respectively still keep communicating with the air way and water way. In use, the air and water are respectively conducted from the air way and water way into the main body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to controlling an operation oil supplied to an option apparatus without changing a design of a control valve assembly which controls an operation oil supplied to a traveling motor, etc. when additionally engaging an option apparatus to a small size excavator.

Abstract: The speed control apparatus for a hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic source, an actuator connected with the hydraulic source and driven based on a supply of an operation oil, a direction switching valve which is switchably installed in a flow path between the hydraulic source and the actuator, an inclination piston which is installed between a parallel flow path in parallel connected with a flow path in a supply side of the actuator and the actuator for thereby controlling an inclination angle of an inclination plate of the actuator, a multi-step adjusting inclination piston which is driven when an operation oil is supplied, and adjusts an inclination angle of an inclination plate of the actuator based on multiple steps, and a multi-step adjusting control valve which is switchably installed in a flow path between the parallel flow path and the multi-step adjusting inclination piston, controls an operation oil supplied to the multi-step adjusting inclination piston, and adjusts a speed of the actuator.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in tile housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L).

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact power generation apparatus for the generation of energy for powering various appliances, such as domestic appliances, comprising a housing accommodating an air cooled or a liquid cooled internal combustion engine, generator driven by the engine for the generation of electrical power, an exhaust system, an inlet communicating with an outlet and flow generating means for circulating a cooling air flow through and around the generator, the engine and the exhaust, wherein heat exchanging means are provided for extracting heat from the exhaust system and from the circulating air flow and passing said extracted heat on to a utility medium, such as air or water for utility purposes. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of generating energy, a method of automated power management of a compact power generation apparatus, and a power management system for carrying out this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the design and fabrication of a micro solar electric power generating apparatus and, more particularly, a method of using microsolar thermal jets to produce electrical power by economical means for residential and commercial buildings. A simple rotary jet engine has been developed to drive an electrical generator. A hybrid solar concentrator that combines the benefit of both parabolic dish and trough has been used to raise the enthalpy of the working fluid without having end thermal flux leakage that is common to the conventional troughs.

Abstract: A combustion control system controls a turbine engine that includes a fuel manifold and a plurality of fuel injectors. The control system includes a fuel pulsator and a controller. The fuel pulsator is coupled in flow communication with the plurality of injectors and the fuel manifold. The controller is coupled to the fuel pulsator such that the pulsator is between the controller and the fuel manifold. The controller is variably selectable and configured to facilitate promoting stable combustion.

Abstract: A three-stage lean burn combustion chamber (28) comprises a primary combustion zone (36), a secondary combustion zone (40) and a tertiary combustion zone (44). Each of the combustion zones (36,40,44) is supplied with premixed fuel and air by respective fuel and air mixing ducts (54,70,92). The fuel and air mixing ducts (54,70,92) have a plurality of air injection slots (62,64,76,98) spaced apart transversely to the direction of flow through the fuel and air mixing ducts (54,70,92). The air injection slots (62,64,76,98) extend in the direction of flow through the fuel and air mixing ducts (54,70,92) to the reduce the magnitude of the fluctuations in the fuel to air ratio of the fuel and air mixture supplied into the at least one combustion zone (36,40,44). This reduces the generation of harmful vibrations in the combustion chamber (28).

Abstract: A fuel system having an ecology valve controlling liquid flow through a retention passage when pressurized liquid is passed through the valve is presented. The retention passage winds between the valve outlet and a cavity such that no matter which way the valve is oriented gravity alone is unable to drain liquid from the cavity to the outlet. The ecology valve serves to suction fuel from fuel nozzle passages upon engine shutdown. Fuel is temporarily stored in the cavity and the retention passage. The ecology valve also provides a fuel splitting function for providing a port geometry determined split between fuel nozzles in the fuel system.

Abstract: An assembly for providing a seal at an aft end of a combustor liner for a gas turbine engine including a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough. The sealing assembly includes a substantially annular first sealing member positioned between an aft portion of a support member and the liner aft end so as to seat on a designated surface portion of the liner aft end and a substantially annular second sealing member positioned between the support member aft portion and a turbine nozzle located downstream of the liner aft end so as to seat on a designated surface portion of the support member aft portion. Accordingly, the first sealing member is maintained in its seated position as the support member aft portion moves radially with respect to the liner aft end and the second sealing member is maintained in its seated position as the support member aft portion moves axially with respect to the turbine nozzle.

Abstract: A constant volume combustor device includes detonative combustion. In one form the wave rotor of the constant volume combustor is supported by magnetic bearings.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine. The engine is based on the use of a gas turbine driven rotor having a compression ramp traveling at a local supersonic inlet velocity (based on the combination of inlet gas velocity and tangential speed of the ramp) which compresses inlet gas against a stationary sidewall. The supersonic compressor efficiently achieves high compression ratios while utilizing a compact, stabilized gasdynamic flow path. Operated at supersonic speeds, the inlet stabilizes an oblique/normal shock system in the gasdyanamic flow path formed between the rim of the rotor, the strakes, and a stationary external housing. Part load efficiency is enhanced by use of a lean pre-mix system, a pre-swirl compressor, and a bypass stream to bleed a portion of the gas after passing through the pre-swirl compressor to the combustion gas outlet. Use of a stationary low NOx combustor provides excellent emissions results.

Abstract: The engine (10) has a compressor (12) for compressing air, a plurality of combustion chambers (22a-f) in which fuel mixed with the compressed air combusts, and a turbine (16) which is driven by the products of combustion. Each combustion chamber operates in a cycle comprising the phases of: A. charging the combustion chamber with a charge of compressed air from the compressor while preventing air from escaping from the combustion chamber, B. then compounding by charging with a compounding charge of gas to form a compounded charge; C. then injecting fuel into the combustion chamber so that there is spontaneous ignition and combustion of the fuel with the compounded charge; and D. then exhausting the products of combustion to the turbine.

Abstract: A combustion chamber 10 for a gas turbine operates in a highly diluted mode of combustion has a substantially toroidal plenum 30. At least one combustion fluid injector is located at the periphery of the plenum. The shape of the plenum and the disposition of the combustion fuel injectors are such that a vortex flow 2 is established in the combustion chamber in use. Gasses are entrained in the vortex which provides high enough levels of the gas re-circulation to allow for the onset of highly diluted combustion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an annular combustor (13) for a gas turbine (10), into which combustor (13) burners (14, 15) open on an inlet side, and which combustor (13) extends in the axial direction from the inlet side to an outlet side (33) and is lined on the insides with cooled liner segments (16, 17) for protection from the hot gases.

Abstract: Engine (30) has a compression fan (36) coaxially mounted with reaction member (38). Casing (32) extends around reaction member (38) to form volute (52) and extends to turbine wheel (54) which is connected to compression fan (36) via axle (40). Reaction member (38) comprises vanes (60), flame grid (62) and supporting members in the form of side casings (64). A mixture of fuel and air enters engine (30) via inlets (34). The mixture is drawn into compression fan (36) which causes an increase in the pressure of the mixture. From the compression fan (36) the mixture is directed towards the reaction member (38). Because the compression fan (36) is rotating in a first sense and the reaction member (38) is rotating in a second sense, the velocity of the fuel and air mixture entering the reaction member (38), relative to the reaction member (38), is approximately the sum of the external rim velocity of the compression fan (36) and the internal rim velocity of the reaction member (36).

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine with intermittent burning cycle, converting heat energy into the rotary motion, having a multi stage compression rotor (3) with centrifugally-axial air compression impellers (3.2), valve (5.1), which alternatively filling up the combustors (4.3) with the compressed air and closing them. A fuel pump (6) compresses fuel and through fuel distributor (6.1) supplies it to the combustors (4.3) to achieve combustion when sprinkled on the hot-red spirals of the ignition plugs (4.5). The gas generated in the combustors (4.3) passes through a cascade turbines (5.10; 5.3; 5.11), driving the power rotor (5) and through the coupling-gear (5.4) transfering rotary motion to a drive shaft (7). A hollow impeller (3.5), mounted onto the compression rotor (3), pumps air through a diffusor-shade (3.8) for cooling the compressor from outside.

Abstract: A device for storage of an opened food container such as a wine container. The device includes a housing for receiving the opened food container in a substantially vertical orientation. A poppet valve assembly is provided for insertion in an opening in the opened food container and biased to enable it to accommodate opened food containers of varying sizes. The device includes a pressurized source of heaver-than-air inert gas located within the housing, a regulator for reducing the pressure of the inert gas from a first pressure at the pressurized source of the heavier-than-air inert gas to second pressure at the poppet valve assembly. The poppet valve assembly also includes a spring-loaded check ball, low-pass port, shuttle and orifice to control pressure and flow path of the heavier-than-air inert gas and to direct the heavier-than-air inert gas to the opened food container thus displacing any air that may have been present therein through an exhaust port.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus (10, 10, 10b) for selectively heating and/or cooling a process fluid (38). A process fluid tubing 14 is wrapped around a primary thermally conductive cylinder (12) having a spiral groove (24) therein adapted for closely accepting the process fluid tubing (14) and increasing the area in thermal contact therebetween. The process fluid tubing (14) is a generally chemically inert tubing. The spiral groove (24) supports the process fluid tubing (14) such that the process fluid tubing (14) can be bent in a radius smaller than the natural minimum bend radius of the process fluid tubing (14). Various embodiments have a cooling apparatus (26, 26a) for cooling the process fluid (38). The cooling apparatus (26, 26a) has a outer thermally conductive cylinder (16) or an outer thermal reservoir (50) cooled alternatively by coolant fluid (44) passing through cooling fluid tubing (18), by a plurality of thermoelectric modules (54), or by a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water cooler assembly including a receptacle to hold water to be cooled and from which water can be dispensed; a cover attached to said receptacle via a hinge, said cover including formations to receive and hold a water bottle, and further including an inlet passage through which water from said bottle can flow into said receptacle; said cover having mountings to receive a cooling assembly, said cooling assembly being mounted in said cover close and extending away from said cover. The present invention also provides a water cooler assembly including a receptacle to hold water to be cooled and from which water can be dispensed, means to receive and hold a water bottle, and further including an inlet passage through which water from said bottle can flow into said receptacle; a cooling means associated with said receptacle to cool said water, and a trough attached to said inlet, from which trough water can enter said receptacle to be cooled.

Abstract: A method and system for venting accumulations of leakage from a vehicle cryo fuel tank system, whereby elements of the tank system like lines, valves and/or a storage container for the fuel are enveloped at least partially by a capsule, the interior of the capsule is vented regularly as a function of at least one boundary condition by a pressure differential, and the exhausted gas from the capsule is treated to reduce its environmental impact. The venting may be performed using an inert gas as the rinsing medium. The gas can be burned or oxidized catalytically, and may be disposed of by a separate burner or by an internal combustion engine of the vehicle. A blower, arranged outside the capsule may generate the pressure differential. Alternatively, the pressure differential may be generated within the capsule by convective forces or a stagnation pressure generated by movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved method for vaporizing and heating compressed liquefied gas and pressurized cryogenic fluids by using a pressure reduction system to control the vaporization pressure and temperature. By using this pressure management system, the vaporization temperature is reduced permitting a lower temperature-heating medium such as ambient air or ambient water to be used to effect full vaporization and super heating of the compressed liquefied gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the processing of an ingredient of a manufactured product, particularly one that is manufactured “one-the-spot” to a consumer's specification, such as ice cream, among other products. A tag encoded on a container for the product carries indicia that, directly or indirectly, define one or more formulations for the product. Apparatus into which the ingredient is loaded sets the processing of ingredients in accordance with the formulations so specified. By connecting the apparatus which is to process the ingredients to a control station, the formulations may be changed at will.