Abstract: The invention combines the features of a supercharger, a turbocharger and turbo-compounding into one system, utilizing a hydraulic or mechanical continuously variable transmission to drive the turbocharger up to a specific speed or intake manifold pressure and then holding the ideal speed to keep it at the right boost pressure for the engine condition. The benefits of a supercharger, which is primarily good for high torque at low speed, and a turbocharger, which is usually only good for high horsepower at high speeds are merged. Once the exhaust energy begins to provide more work than it takes to drive the intake compressor, the invention recovers that excess energy and uses it to add torque to the crankshaft. As a result, the invention provides the benefits of low speed with high torque and the added value of high speed with higher horsepower or better fuel economy all from one system.

Abstract: A closed loop vapor cycle generated by a special device formed by heat transfer and a vapor expander means it is utilized to convert waste heat from conventional power systems into additional thermodynamic work, thereby improving the overall power system efficiency. Superheated vapor (i.e. steam) is instantaneously produced inside special energy transfer means where waste heat is converted into fluid energy with desired thermodynamic properties. The superheated vapor is then converted into mechanical energy through special work-producing units (expanders), thereby returning a significant fraction of the energy contained in the waste heat to the power system. When the power system under consideration is an internal combustion engine the energy contained in the exhaust gases (waste heat) is transferred back to the engine through one or more expanders directly or indirectly coupled with the engine load.

Abstract: A catalytic combustor (28) includes a plurality of concentric tubular pressure boundary elements (46). The pressure boundary elements are arranged to form a first annular space (e.g., 50) conducting a first fluid flow (e.g., 60) and a second annular space (e.g. 49), separate from the first annular space, conducting a second fluid flow (e.g., 58). A catalytic material (32) is disposed on a surface (e.g., 64) of at least one of the pressure boundary elements and exposed to at least one of the fluid flows.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a gas generator configured to receive an oxygen stream and a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel stream at an inlet of the gas generator, and a turbine section disposed downstream from the gas generator to receive and expand a combustion product stream from the gas generator. A heat exchange section is provided to facilitate heat exchange between a liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply from a LNG supply source and at least one other stream flowing within the system such that at least a portion of the LNG stream is converted to the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel stream that is to be delivered to the gas generator and the at least one other stream is cooled to a selected temperature.

Abstract: A combustor liner for shielding an engine from heat generated in a combustion zone includes a sheet with a cool surface for intercepting a cooling air stream and a hot surface enclosing the combustion zone, the combustor liner further including an array of effusion holes extending from the cool surface to the hot surface to allow a portion of the cooling air stream to pass through the effusion holes into the combustion zone, where a portion of the array includes a plurality of upstream-pointed effusion holes oriented such that each upstream-pointed effusion hole has an orientation obtuse to a direction of main flow in the combustion zone so as to control the momentum of cooling air passing into the combustion zone.

Abstract: An engine for creating a propulsive force includes turbomachinery for generating a flow of hot exhaust gases and an initial thrust force, an augmentor positioned aft of the turbomachinery, and a system for injecting an oxidizer, which preferably undergoes thermal decomposition, into the hot exhaust gases so as to significantly increase the thrust force generated by the engine. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the oxidizer comprises liquid high test peroxide.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing an afterburner fuel-feed arrangement including an elongate fuel spraybar for distributing fuel to the afterburner section of a turbo-combustion engine. The spraybar has a longitudinal axis and includes a fuel-receiving spray head in fluid communication with a plurality of elongate fuel pipes surrounded by an elongate, aerodynamic-shaped shroud. The spray head is configured to be mounted in a casing of a turbo-combustion engine which projects the surrounded fuel pipes into an interior through-core of the engine in cross-wise orientation to a core gas flow thereof. The shroud has an interior lateral sidewall that includes a pipe-receiving portion configured to abuttingly engage a corresponding shroud-engaging portion of an exterior surface of one of the fuel pipes. The pipe-receiving portion is configured to substantially radially fix a fuel pipe, received therein, relative to the shroud.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a single shaft combined cycle power plant which can quickly switch from single operation of a gas turbine to combined operation of the gas turbine and a steam turbine, and can quickly increase output power, from low power to high power. The single shaft combined cycle power plant includes a means for maintaining the rotation speed of the steam turbine at a speed slower than but near a rated rotation speed when the steam turbine is separated from a coupled unit of a generator and the gas turbine.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a gas turbine engine having a plurality of nozzle vanes extending between an inner shroud wall and an outer shroud wall of the engine. Each of the vanes includes a leading edge and at least one cooling protrusion extending upstream from a center of the leading edge. A cooling system is provided that is operable to inject cooling air upstream from the vanes. The disclosure also provides a method of cooling a gas turbine engine. The method includes the steps of supplying cooling air to an engine nozzle upstream of a gas directing vane, and adjusting the flow of the cooling air with a cooling protrusion extending forward from a leading edge center of the vane.

Abstract: A starting system for starting the propulsion engines of gas turbine powered aircraft that combines power sources delivered by the APU so that essentially then entire power delivered by the APU for pneumatic, hydraulic and electric power is applied to corresponding starters on each propulsion engine during MES simultaneously.

Abstract: The annular combustion chamber having ceramic matrix composite material walls is mounted inside a metal casing by linking members fastened to the chamber by brazing. The linking members comprise a plurality of inner linking tabs and a plurality of outer linking tabs connecting the chamber to the inner and outer metal shrouds of the casing, each linking tab has a first portion fastened to the outside surface of a wall of the combustion chamber by brazing, the first portions of the linking tabs being spaced apart from one another circumferentially so that the brazed connections between the chamber and the linking members occupy a set of limited zones that are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: The downstream end portions of the inner and outer walls of the combustion chamber of the gas turbine are pressed against the inner and outer platforms respectively of the vanes of the high pressure turbine nozzle and they extend thereover substantially to the downstream end of the platforms, and the means for mechanically connecting the turbine nozzle to the downstream end portions of the combustion chamber walls are formed by connection screws implanted in the airfoils of the vanes of the turbine nozzle, passing through holes formed in the end portions of the combustion chamber walls. Thus, the downstream end portions of the combustion chamber walls contribute to preventing leakage from the gas stream at the interface between the chamber and the nozzle, and also along the nozzle.

Abstract: The high pressure turbine nozzle is mechanically connected to a downstream end portion of the combustion chamber and inner and outer connection ferrules connect the combustion chamber and turbine nozzle assembly to inner and outer metal shrouds in order to hold said assembly between the shrouds. Locking members are provided to prevent the turbine nozzle from turning about its axis relative to at least one of the metal shrouds so as to prevent the forces that are exerted on the turbine nozzle vanes by the flow of gas coming from the chamber being taken up by the portions of the connection ferrules that extend between the combustion chamber and turbine nozzle assembly and the metal shrouds.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical transmitter with a forward controlled Peltier driver. The temperature sensor generates a monitoring signal Sm. The comparator compares this monitored signal Sm with the target temperature signal St to generated the temperature difference signal Sn. The limiter restricts this difference signal Sn between the positive and negative maximum of the periodic signal Sw to generate the limiting signal Sa. The second comparator compares this limiting signal Sa with the periodic signal Sw to generate the control signal. The PWM signal generator, responding to this limiting signal Sa, generates a plurality of PWM signals, Sg1 to Sg4. The H-bridge including four transistors and two inductors, responding to this PWM signals, controls the direction of the current flowing in the Peltier device. The magnitude of the current can be determined by the duty ratio of the PWM signals.

Abstract: In a new boil-off gas removal system for a liquid storage tank, boil-off vapor from the storage tank is first pressurized in the low-stage compressor. The pressurized vapor may be cooled to near cryogenic temperature in a cooler that can include a preliminary cooler and/or a high-pressure gas exchanger in which the pressurized vapor is cooled against boil-off vapor. The pressurized vapor may also be cooled by the addition of cryogenic liquid through a branch on the liquid supply line running from the low-stage pump in the storage tank. The cooled, pressurized vapor is directed to a heat exchanger where the cool, pressurized vapor travels in a path in which it is condensed against cryogenic liquid that travels in another, separate path.

Abstract: A valve device, according to the invention, for connecting to a cryopump, wherein the valve device comprises a body with a through-channel and a connection flange at one end of the through-channel for connecting to a backing pump connection flange of the cryopump; a pressure relief valve which opens when an overpressure in the through-channel exceeds a limiting valve and which lets this overpressure out of the through-channel; a purge gas line in which a purge gas valve is arranged and which serves to supply a purge gas to a supply line of the cryopump during a regeneration process of the cryopump; wherein an end portion of the purge gas line by which the purge gas line can be connected to the supply line of the cryopump runs within the through-channel to the area of the end of the through-channel situated in the connection flange. A pump arrangement according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method and apparatus for the air conditioning and can be used for the buildings, individual homes, offices and production facilities wherein purified oxygen and nitrogen or mixture of these gases are injected into the air passage of the air conditioning system from the storage units that are connected to the air passages through the regulating valves and linked electronically to the control board and oxygen analyzer with the provision to regulate oxygen content during the day from 20-21% up to 100%.

Abstract: Wick-Containing apparatus capable of separating fluids and methods of separating fluids using wicks are disclosed.

Abstract: An injection molding device includes an injection unit (10), a lock unit, and a control unit. The injection unit includes a mold (11, 11?) and a cooling system. The cooling system includes one or more pipeways (18, 18?) in the mold, and a coolant received in the pipeways. The coolant is a superfluid with carbon nanotubes suspended therein. A coefficient of viscosity of the superfluid is virtually zero, therefore friction between the superfluid and the nanotubes is extremely small. This enables the nanotubes in the superfluid in the pipeways to undergo more turbulent flow, so that the nanotubes can conduct more heat from the mold. In addition, the nanotubes themselves have high thermal conductivity. Accordingly, the thermal conductivity of the cooling system is enhanced. Thus, the molten material injected into the mold can be cooled and solidified fast. This provides the injection molding device with a high molding efficiency.

Abstract: A water-heating dehumidifier includes a refrigerant loop including a compressor, at least one condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator including an evaporator fan. The condenser includes a water inlet and a water outlet for flowing water therethrough or proximate thereto, or is affixed to the tank or immersed into the tank to effect water heating without flowing water. The immersed condenser design includes a self-insulated capillary tube expansion device for simplicity and high efficiency. In a water heating mode air is drawn by the evaporator fan across the evaporator to produce cooled and dehumidified air and heat taken from the air is absorbed by the refrigerant at the evaporator and is pumped to the condenser, where water is heated. When the tank of water heater is full of hot water or a humidistat set point is reached, the water-heating dehumidifier can switch to run as a dehumidifier.

Abstract: A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor.

Abstract: A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor.

Abstract: A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor.

Abstract: A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a main body cabinet including a cooling compartment, a door opening and closing the main body cabinet, and an ice making device provided within the cooling compartment which makes ice from water supplied from a water supply source with cool air, including: a water supply valve between the water supply source and the ice making device; a water hose connecting the ice making device and the water supply valve and supplying the water to the ice making device; and a water amount controlling device between the water supply hose and the water supply valve, uniformly maintaining the amount of water supplied to the ice making device from the water supply source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for determining a temperature of a component that requires a maximum level of cooling apparatus operation. The system monitors the component's temperature, then may add a compensation offset to account for variations in the manufacture of the component, and then adds a compensation offset to account for variation in the system in which the component is installed. The result is used to determine when the system's cooling apparatus needs to be operated at a maximum level of operation. The sum may be compared to a threshold to make this determination. This same mechanism may be used to determine various other cooling system trigger points, both when to increase cooling as well as decrease cooling.

Abstract: A fluid passing flat hollow body 2 comprises an upper and a lower flat plate 15, 16 elongated laterally and spaced apart as positioned one above the other, and a channel forming body 17 interposed between and brazed to the two flat plates 15, 16.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an operation control method for a unitary air conditioner. The present invention improves the load response capabilities of compressors by operating them at three-stages of the maximum operation, minimum operation and intermediate operation using one or more compressors, and improves the energy efficiency and the amenity by determining the three-stage operation mode based on the previous operation status.

Abstract: A driving control method for a central air conditioner having at least two compressors of a small capacity and a large capacity, respectively, includes, upon a user's selecting a cooling mode between a weak cooling mode or a strong cooling mode, judging a load size in the selected cooling mode, and differently driving the compressors based on the judged load size. A load corresponding ability is enhanced thus to reduce power consumption, thereby increasing an energy efficiency and making the user feel comfortable.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an indoor heat exchanging unit, an outdoor heat exchanging unit, a compressor forming a closed loop together with the indoor and outdoor heat exchanging units to compress refrigerant, and a compressor driver to drive the compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of an air conditioner having a compressor for compressing refrigerant and a heat exchanger for heat-exchanging refrigerant with ambient air, includes a temperature sensor installed on a passage through which refrigerant passes, for detecting a temperature of refrigerant; and a control unit connected to the temperature sensor, for controlling the operation of the compressor in response to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. Accordingly, an overload of the compressor is determined on the basis of a temperature of refrigerant, which is detected by the temperature sensor, so that an effective compressor overload response can be made.

Abstract: A refrigerated display merchandiser in which is stored food products and which is ordinarily exposed to prevailing ambient light is provided with transparent sheets which function as filter media to prevent harmful light from reaching the foods stuffs. The filtering media comprises a transparent sheet affixed to the display merchandiser as well as about any fluorescent lighting disposed within the merchandiser. A transparent sheet passes either red or blue light or alternatively, absorbs ultraviolet light including both UV-A light and UV-B light.

Abstract: The compressor head, internal and/or external discriminator, and manifold design in general utilize ball valves on the suction and discharge of a cylinder head in the recovery of refrigerant liquid and/or vapor. The device facilitates the flashing of liquid refrigerant pumped to the compressor which, in turn, assists to cool the compressor head. The flashing of liquid refrigerant to vapor also deters liquid transfer into the compressor enhancing performance thereof. The vapor passages within the discriminator, cylinder head and/or manifold are sized for receipt of spring actuated ball's to open and/or close the vapor passages during suction and/or discharge of refrigerant vapor or liquid by the compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus for air conditioning the interior of a structure is shown which can be run entirely off a DC power source, such as a storage battery. A shell and tube heat exchanger is combined with a mechanical refrigeration system to provide a wet shell side and a dry tube side of the apparatus. In the operation of the air conditioner, a mass of distributed water is established on the wet shell side, and a flow of ambient air is passed through the wet shell side to form a resulting stream of moist air. A flow of ambient air is passed through the dry tube side and a resulting stream of dry cooled air is recovered. The streams of most and cooled air can either be combined or routed separately depending primarily upon the humidity of the surrounding environment to be cooled.

Abstract: A portable, evaporative cooling apparatus consists of a cabinet for storing cooling water, a water pump, a fan, and a spraying system. The fan is mountable on the cabinet lid and is removable from the cabinet lid for storage within the cabinet. The cabinet has wheels that allow it to be rolled along a surface and a handle for pulling the cabinet along the surface. The apparatus may be retrofit to a standard food cooler.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioner having an excellent air cleaning function, the air conditioner including a cabinet having a first air inlet and discharging conditioned air; and a filter unit provided at the cabinet and cleaning air drawn therein, and selectively performing an interlocking operation for supplying purified air to the cabinet or an independent operation for discharging the purified air directly to the outside thereof.

Abstract: A multiple path fluid circuit comprising a fluid reservoir and a fluid pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The fluid pump may have an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of a fluid cooling circuit. The fluid cooling circuit may then have an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The outlet of the fluid pump may also be in fluid communication with an inlet of a lubrication circuit, which may be in fluid communication with a delivery system capable of supplying a fluid to a moving component or to a component in contact with the moving component. A gas turbine engine comprising a multiple path fluid circuit is also disclosed as well as a method of utilizing a multiple path fluid circuit.

Abstract: An icemaker to freeze water into ice, includes an ice cube tray formed with cubes to be filled with the water. The icemaker also includes an ultrasonic vibrator attached to the ice cube tray, to apply ultrasonic vibration to the ice cube tray to undulate the water filled in the cubes. Thus, air included in water filled in cubes of an ice cube tray is uniformly removed.

Abstract: A stream down type ice making machine having an ice making plate in which an ice making region is defined between a pair of vertical ribs, the pair of vertical ribs being spaced apart in the width direction and projecting from an ice making face and an evaporator disposed meanderingly in the back face opposite to the ice making face of the ice making plate, the ice making region of the ice making plate is cooled by cyclically supplying the evaporator with a refrigerant as well as ice-making water is supplied to flow down thereon so that many a lump of ice is produced on the ice making region, wherein protrusions projecting to the ice making region side and having a slope formed on the upper face thereof, the slope being inclined from above to down as being away from the ice making face, are provided in the vertical rib.

Abstract: A refrigerator including a refrigerating compartment evaporator cover to partition a storage space of a refrigerating compartment and a refrigerating compartment evaporator accommodator, a ventilator which is provided in a lower part of the refrigerating compartment evaporator cover, a damper which is provided in an upper part of the refrigerating compartment evaporator cover to control entrance and exit of cooling air to the ventilator, and a refrigerating compartment evaporator and a freezing compartment evaporator which are connected in serial. The refrigerator allows cooling air to flow smoothly and prevents cooling air continuously generated from a refrigerating compartment evaporator from being rapidly discharged to a refrigerating compartment when a refrigerating compartment stops operating.

Abstract: A system for refrigerating ambient air flowing into a moving racing vehicle and delivering it to the passenger compartment, such as through the driver seat and/or other locations within the cockpit to mitigate the effects of excessive heat. The system includes a coolant container unit, such an insulated cooler having inflow and outflow ports connected to a delivery conduit system, that receives fresh air from the vehicle's air intake system and brings it in contact with a coolant material, such as a block or pellets of dry ice (CO2), thus refrigerating the air for distribution via the delivery conduit system to a desired location within the cockpit of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the conduit tubing of the refrigerated air delivery system includes a series of reductions in diameter to help accelerate the airflow as it enters the driver seat, where it is directed through a series of ports or jets that blow the refrigerated air against the driver in selected locations.

Abstract: A self-contained insulated container for maintaining an item at a predetermined temperature. The container has an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, which are spaced apart from each other and closed off to define an insulating chamber therebetween. The container includes a storage area, for receiving the item therein, which is defined by the inner sidewall. The storage area is at a first storage temperature. The insulating chamber is substantially filled with a first insulating material, which is a gel mixture. The first insulating material is at a first insulating temperature. The storage area attains a second storage temperature after the item is placed therein and the first insulating material maintains the second storage temperature and the item at the predetermined temperature for a storage period.

Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle apparatus which is operated at a supercritical pressure on a high-pressure side, for a purpose of maintaining or enhancing performances or reducing generation of clogging or a dimension of a capillary tube, a compressor has a first compression element, and a second compression element which compresses a refrigerant compressed by the first compression element, a gas phase refrigerant in an intermediate pressure receiver is sucked into the second compression element of the compressor, a liquid phase refrigerant in the intermediate pressure receiver is pressure reduced in a second pressure reducing device, and introduced into an evaporator, and the first pressure reducing device comprises a capillary tube on an upstream side of the refrigerant, and throttling means on a downstream side of the capillary tube.

Abstract: A refrigeration capillary tube inside suction tube heat exchanger assembly, including a suction tube whose ends each have a slot with a shaped inner end portion; two braze connectors, each including a sleeve portion with the free end having a shaped recess; a capillary tube adapted to be inserted into one of the suction tube ends and therethrough until each capillary tube ends extends from a suction tube end, each capillary tube end being deformed so as to emerge from the suction tube at locations abutting the shaped inner end portions thereof; and each of the braze connectors sleeve portions engaging one of the suction tube ends, with each suction tube slot cooperating with an adjacent one of the sleeve portion shaped recesses to contact, locate and subsequently fixedly secure the deformed capillary tube portions to the suction tube. Two methods of manufacturing the assembly are also set forth.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the second stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed.

Abstract: An adaptive jewelry apparatus includes a mechanism for allowing quick and secure interchange between stones or stone and base assemblies. In one embodiment, a stone is fixably joined to a base assembly, and the combined assembly is threadably interchanged with a receiving socket on a jewelry member. In an alternative embodiment the base assembly remains fixed to the jewelry member and includes mechanical or other means for release-ably securing a variety of interchangeable stones. In each embodiment the interchangeable stone is retained securely to the jewelry member while allowing ready release and replacement.

Abstract: A stone for suspending from an article of jewelry, the stone having a crown, a pavilion, a table, a girdle, and a culet. The improvement includes a throughbore extending from the crown to the pavilion of the stone allowing the stone to have improved structural integrity and to have improved luster by virtue of reducing refraction, reflection, and dispersion errors, and when suspended by the throughbore from the article of jewelry, by virtue of eliminating visually obstructive conventional settings, has improved scintillation, improved visibility, and gives an impression that it is floating in air or dancing relative to the article of jewelry.

Abstract: A device for supplying a work product and collecting a length of waste backing sheet byproduct during a manufacturing process for making windows, the work product having the waste backing sheet releasably attached thereto to prevent inadvertent adhesion.

Abstract: A continuous glass forming system includes a forming room and at least one forming unit which is advanced successively through a first loading/unloading station, a first heating station, a first forming station, and a first cooling station which are provided within the forming room. The forming unit includes lower and upper mold units, and a sleeve member removably assembled between the lower and upper mold units. The lower and upper mold units have respective first and second forming faces to form a glass blank into a lens. The sleeve member has support faces to support respectively the glass blank and lens. A transfer device moves into or out of the forming room to load or unload the sleeve member into or from the forming unit.

Abstract: A dual lock includes a housing, a shackle, a first locking mechanism, an identification member, a second locking mechanism, and an urging member. Thus, the identification zones of the identification member are exposed from the windows of the housing if the dual lock has been unlocked for checking the luggage so as to remind a user to inspect if contents of the luggage that has been checked are missed or lost.