Abstract: A damping brace having an axial force member for providing bearing forces against tensile or compressive forces, a constraining member for constraining the axial force member, and a stiffening part for supplementing the stiffness of the axial force member. An adhesion preventive coating is provided for preventing adhesion between the constraining member and the stiffening part. A length of the stiffening part extending along the axial direction and the gap between the stiffening part and the constraining member are defined in such a way as to prevent an end of the axial force member from rotating in the axial direction beyond a specific angle when the compressive force is applied to the force member.

Abstract: Presented is an anchor bolt placement and protection device to facilitate setting of anchor bolts in concrete to facilitate placement of a mud sill. It is important that the anchor bolts that secure a mud sill to a foundation be properly spaced from the outside edge of the foundation. In one embodiment there is provided a device having a tubular projection open at one end to receive the threaded end of an anchor bolt. Projecting integrally from the bottom open end of the tubular projection are two lateral projections. One is adapted to place an anchor bolt when a 2×4 mud sill is used. The second projection positions the anchor bolt at the proper distance to receive a 2×6 mud sill. A second embodiment is provided with a single lateral projection extending perpendicularly from the open bottom end of the tubular projection. The top surface of the lateral extension is provided with cross-ribs and indicia that indicate the proper placement of either a 2×4 or 2×6 mud sill.

Abstract: A brick tie for interconnecting a brick wall with a back-up wall comprised of a plurality of spaced apart studs and a wall board secured to the studs wherein each stud includes a pair of opposed side flanges and a web formed between the flanges. The brick tie includes a plate having a series of spikes projecting from a backside. The spikes are adapted to be pushed into and through a portion of the wallboard so as to at least partially support the plate on the wallboard. Further, the plate is positioned on the wallboard such that it aligns with one side flange of a stud. Further, the brick tie includes a series of fasteners that are extended through the plate, through the wallboard and into the side flange of the stud. A loop or tie holder is secured or formed on the front of the plate. A tie is at least partially confined in the loop and the loop is of such a size that the tie can be vertically adjusted within the loop when the plate is secured to the wallboard.

Abstract: A two-ply flooring plank is disclosed having two layers or “plies” with a bottom layer having a grain that runs generally transverse to a top layer or “cross-ply” to provide dimensional stability to the plank. The bottom layer includes a number of strips secured to the bottom of the top layer. The bottom layer strips are also placed with gaps between the individual strips of the second layer to allow flexibility of the flooring plank, which allows the flooring to more easily conform to irregularities in a subfloor upon which the flooring plank is mounted.

Abstract: An improved siding clip includes a planar sheet having a lower fold section having a lower end and an upper generally triangular securement section including at least one fastener hole formed therein. The lower fold section includes a generally upright upper section generally adjacent the upper triangular securement section, and a siding edge receiving and retaining structure is mounted on the upper section of the lower fold section which includes a generally L-shaped wall extending rearwards and downwards from the upper section and a plate spring mounted adjacent the generally L-shaped wall operative to bias the siding clip upwards relative to the siding section held within the generally L-shaped wall to frictionally secure the siding clip on the siding section. The lower fold section is bent forwardly, then downwardly and then rearwardly to form a general “C”-shape channel operative to receive and retain a siding portion therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a post-framing system for building construction. The post-framing system includes support posts and wall sections that can be prefabricated and transported to the job site for assembly. The support posts are at least 3-ply, having an upper ply member, a lower ply member, and at least one middle ply member attached to and interposed between the upper and lower ply members. Pre-framed low and high wall sections are attached to the support post to form the building frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stud system where each respective stud (2) includes flanges (4, 4a) which are directly attached to each other and which constitute an essentially monolithic entity. Said flanges are formed of a wane edge wood material (3) in such a manner that each respective flange includes a bevelled side portion (6) which is directed towards the inner portion of said stud. A side portion is formed as a contact surface (8) for intermeshing co-operation with a corresponding contact surface (8) at an adjacent flange. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such studs where a first flange strip (4) is formed to include a generally toothed first contact surface (8) which is arranged in an inter-mesching disposition with a corresponding contact surface (8) at a corresponding second flange strip (4a). Further, the present invention relates to a method at such stud systems.

Abstract: A peripherally encapsulated product, such as an oven door outer shell, is molded in accordance with this invention by placing a piece of glass between mold clamping portions of relatively movable closed bodies when the latter are in an open position. Preferably both bodies are heated and thermosetting polymeric material (SMC or BMC) is placed upon selected areas of one of the mold bodies within and about an area corresponding to an annular mold cavity and outboard of a peripheral edge of a piece of glass. The glass is clamped between mold clamping portions of the mold bodies which are then progressively closed creating compression forces which extrude the thermosetting polymeric material into the annular cavity and into complete encapsulation of the continuous peripheral edge of the piece of glass. The handle can be integrally molded during the molding process.

Abstract: A self supporting panel system used to fabricate ceilings, floors, walls, or roofs. The panel system is assembled from a plurality of panels, each having a core that is sandwiched between opposing plate members. In a preferred embodiment, the core of each panel includes a unifying material to enhance the load bearing capacity of the panel.

Abstract: A device having a plurality of cassettes, each filed with a supply of pills and positionable over a target location. The device has a platen beneath the target location with receptacles configured to hold both vials and blister packs. The platen or the cassette is movable so that any blister of the blister pack or the vial can be positioned under the target location to receive a quantity of pills from a cassette.

Abstract: The present invention provides for method and system in which a heat-shrinkable plastic cover is placed over an individual conventional medicine container. The cover is heat shrunk around the container to form a tight-fitting seal which covers the majority of the original medication container. The seal must be opened in order to gain entry into an individual medication container just prior to the use or the administration of the product in the container. The seal includes an easy-open mechanism, such as a pull-tab or perforated tear strip. The purpose of the seal is to distinguish high-alert medications and requires an additional safety step in the medication administration process by requiring the removal of an additional cover which entirely encloses the container. The non-adhesive nature of the seal is significant in that the removal of the seal does not damage the original product labeling or leave unwanted residue on the medication container.

Abstract: An apparatus for making inflated articles from a film web having two juxtaposed film plies. One version of the apparatus generally includes a first rotary sealing device for producing transverse seals that bond the film plies together, an inflation assembly for directing gas between the film plies, and a second rotary sealing device for producing a longitudinal seal between the film plies. The longitudinal seal intersects the transverse seals so that the gas is enclosed between the longitudinal seal, transverse seals, and film plies to thereby form an inflated article.

Abstract: A method of producing a hinged-lid packet of cigarettes having an inner wrapping formed by folding a first blank of foil about a group of cigarettes: an outer package formed from a second blank folded about the inner wrapping to define a body and a lid hinged to each other; and a collar formed by folding a third blank and interposed between the inner wrapping and the outer package; the method including the steps of juxtaposing and connecting the third blank to the first blank in laterally offset mutual positions; forming on the first blank fold lines located as a function of the aforementioned mutual positions; and simultaneously folding the first and third blank about the group of cigarettes.

Abstract: A multipurpose cartoning machine for packets of cigarettes, having a packet conveying assembly wherein a first conveyor feeds single packets, arranged in an orderly succession on edge, to an accumulating station for forming subgroups of packets placed flat one on top of the other, and a second conveyor is associated with the first conveyor to receive the packets conveyed by the first conveyor and to feed the packets to a packing device; the conveying assembly assuming a first configuration wherein the second conveyor is connected to the first conveyor at the accumulating station to receive, from the first conveyor, a succession of subgroups of packets laid flat, and a second configuration wherein the second conveyor is connected to the first conveyor upstream from the accumulating station to receive an orderly succession of single packets positioned on edge.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device designed to be used in horse riding, consisting of a pivoting base provided with female fixing means so as to be secured to the rider's foot through a male fixing means attached on the sole of his shoes. The use of a single stirrup branch enables rapid release of the foot outwards. Said branch includes damping means so as to absorb part of the forces exerted on the stirrup by the rider's weight and thus avoid accidental release of the attachment. The automatic stirrup provides greater safety in case the rider falls by preventing the foot from being jammed through the use of a single branch prevents the rider from losing his stirrups as a result of the horse's sudden movements or loss of balance through the fixing means and dampens the rider's movements, particularly when jumping over an obstacle through its damper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a numnah for interposition between a saddle and an animal to be ridden. The numnah comprises a first layer that constitutes a base layer of polymer foam with an open cell structure and a second layer in the form of a cover fabric with an open structure intended to be applied against the back of the animal to be ridden. The base layer substantially consists of polyurethane foam and at least 50% recycled polyurethane foam with a high water absorption capacity. A suitable material may be a Poliyou® foam.

Abstract: The invention relates to textile machines with several spinning places, whereby each spinning place comprises a can feeding means, a spinning unit, and winding unit. The invention is based on the task to design the spinning places in such a manner, to minimize the downtimes due to failures of machine components, or during re-fitting. According to the invention, such a spinning place is furnished with modularly structured and exchangeable spinning units and or winding units.

Abstract: A rotor cup for an open-end spinning device comprises a supporting base body which is provided with an insert. The insert comprises the fiber guiding surfaces, namely a fiber sliding surface and a fiber collecting groove. The insert is centered radially in the base body and is supported axially with a stopping face at the base body and crimped therein.

Abstract: A device is provided which can serve one or more of the multiple functions of impeding rotation of a shaft de-coupled turbine rotor, selectively impeding rotation of a first spool of the engine, for example to permit a second spool to generate power for use in ground operation, and facilitating reduced aircraft ground speed.

Abstract: A NOx trap is associated with oxidation catalyst-forming structure integrated in a common medium, and is located in an exhaust line of a motor vehicle diesel engine. The engine can be controlled at least with a rich mixture control strategy and with lean mixture control strategies of level 1 and level 2. The system acquires the temperatures upstream and downstream torn the trap, and on detecting a request to purge sulfate, it compares the temperatures with first and second curves for controlling operation of the engine with a rich mixture if the temperatures lie between said curve, and otherwise with a lean mixture. The system also compares the temperatures with third and fourth curves for controlling operation of the engine to apply the level 2 strategy if the temperatures lie between said curves, Or otherwise to apply the level 1 strategy.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which makes it possible to ensure quick recovery of a storage amount of oxygen saturated due to a fuel cut, to restore the capacity of a catalytic converter to absorb air-fuel ratio disturbances, and to suppress torque fluctuations through prevention of overcorrection of the air-fuel ratio during normal operation. The control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention is equipped with a proportional gain changeover unit. This unit makes a changeover in a proportional gain for proportional calculation in a downstream-side control unit for a predetermined period from a normal proportional gain to a post-fuel-cut proportional gain set larger than the normal proportional gain by a predetermined value, when a fuel cutoff unit starts cutting the fuel supply.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal-combustion engine (1) which has at least one cylinder (10,20,30,40,50,60) with a combustion chamber (17,27,37,47,57,67) assigned to it, in the cylinder (10,20,30,40,50,60), a piston (11,21,31,41,51,61) carries out an oscillating movement between a lower dead center and an upper dead center. In the combustion chamber (17,27,37,47,57,67) a fuel-air mixture is ignited. Exhaust gas forming during the combustion of the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber (17,27,37,47,57,67) is fed to an exhaust pipe (5), and the exhaust gas is purified in an exhaust treatment device (6) arranged in the exhaust pipe (5). For the regeneration of the exhaust treatment device (6), the temperature in the exhaust pipe (5) is increased in that an outlet valve (16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66) opening up the combustion chamber (17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67) in the direction of the exhaust pipe (5) is opened in the range of the upper compression dead center of the piston (11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61).

Abstract: Process for the decontamination of the emissions from an internal combustion engine (1), the exhaust line (5) of which is equipped with a particle filter (7), characterized in that an NOx trap additive is added to the fuel, so that the said additive is found trapped within the soot, and in that, at the time of the regenerations of the particle filter (7), the engine (1) is controlled with a richness balance according to at least one alternation of a lean-mixture phase and of a rich-mixture phase, in order to bring about the adsorption of the NO2 from the exhaust gases by the said additive during the lean-mixture phase or phases and to bring about the oxidation of the soot particles by the adsorbed NO2 during the rich-mixture phase or phases. Device for the implementation of this process.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method and apparatus for converting NOx and comprises the step of controlling a temperature in a NOx-LNT by adsorbing NOx in the LNT at a temperature below a predetermined temperature value to a predetermined value being the maximum amount of NOx to be stored at the predetermined temperature value, thereafter heating the LNT to the predetermined temperature value, and thereafter starting a regeneration process by addition of reducing agents.

Abstract: An automobile exhaust filter that both traps particulates while altering the concentration of one or more gaseous species is provided. This dual functionality is combined in a single device by utilizing a reactive material that simultaneously alters gaseous component concentration while filtering out particulate material. The automobile exhaust filter is suitable for inclusion in the exhaust of a diesel-powered vehicle. A method utilizing the automobile exhaust catalyst is also provided.

Abstract: An impeller 3 configures a fluid chamber and includes impeller blades 17 and an annular impeller hub 18. A turbine 4 is disposed to face the impeller 3 and includes turbine blades 22 and an annular turbine hub 23 disposed at an inner peripheral side of the turbine blades 22. A ball bearing 8 is disposed between an inner peripheral surface of the impeller hub 18 and an outer peripheral surface of the turbine hub 23. A first stop ring 34 that engages with a first groove 19 and an engagement groove 31a fixes the ball bearing 8 with respect to the impeller hub 18 due to the ball bearing 8 and the impeller hub 18 being brought into close proximity to each other in the axial direction. A second stop ring 35 engaged with a second groove 24a fixes the ball bearing 8 and the turbine hub 23.

Abstract: In method and a device for controlling a vehicle, the vehicle includes an engine arranged to drive at least one pair of half shafts and to drive at least one pump. The pump is arranged to supply a hydraulic system including at least a first hydraulic component with hydraulic oil. According to the method, the power consumed by the hydraulic system is determined. In addition, the determined consumed power is compared with a reference value, and if the detected consumed power exceeds the reference value, the maximum available power for the hydraulic system is limited. The power limitation is carried out by the maximum available movement of at least a first flow-regulating valve in the hydraulic system being limited.

Abstract: In stopping apparatus and method for an oil pump, which are applied to a hydraulic actuator that works based on a hydraulic pressure derived from the oil pump driven by a motor, a backward rotation of the oil pump is prevented by resisting a remaining pressure that is acting on the oil pump from the hydraulic actuator after the hydraulic actuator is deactivated. A one-way clutch disposed on an oil pump drive train between the motor and the oil pump mechanically prevents the backward rotation of the oil pump. Moreover, in order to prevent the backward rotation, a controller of the stopping apparatus gradually decreases the rotation of the motor after the hydraulic actuator is deactivated, and eliminates the remaining pressure within the hydraulic actuator while decreasing the rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive apparatus having a center section located in a housing includes a hydraulic pump and motor disposed thereon and in fluid communication with a hydraulic porting system in the center section. The pump is driven by an input shaft extending out of the housing and the motor drives an output shaft that is generally perpendicular to the input shaft. A bypass actuator extends into the center section perpendicular to both the input shaft and the output shaft. Rotation of the bypass actuator acts to lift the hydraulic motor from the center section to break the hydraulic interface between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic porting system. The center section may include a second pump and motor with a second hydraulic porting system and a second bypass actuator.

Abstract: An axle driving system which houses in a housing thereof a hydrostatic transmission, axles, and a driving gear train for connecting output means of the hydraulic transmission and axles, so as to transmit power from a driving source to the hydrostatic transmission and to change the speed, thereby driving the axles. A first chamber therein contains the hydrostatic transmission and a second chamber therein contains the driving gear train. Both the first and second chambers are independent of each other so as to prevent a foreign object, such as iron powder produced in the driving gear train, from entering the hydrostatic transmission. The system includes an L-like-shaped center section on which the hydrostatic transmission is offset such that an imaginary plane which includes a motor mounting surface passes in proximity to the axis of a pump shaft. The pump shaft is disposed perpendicular to the axles. The motor shaft is disposed in parallel thereto.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having an exhaust-gas turbocharger allows for an optimized charge air pressure buildup. For this purpose, an actuator for influencing the charge air pressure generated by a compressor of the exhaust-gas turbocharger is triggered. A characteristic of a trigger signal of the actuator is specified as a function of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying water, such as for desalinization, includes a source of a heated air stream, the heated air stream having a temperature above an ambient temperature. A diffusion tower having high surface area material therein receives a water stream including at least one impurity and creates at least one region having thin films of water therein from the water stream. The heated air stream is directed over the thin films of water to create a humidified air stream that is at least substantially saturated. At least one direct contact condenser is in fluid communication with the humidified air stream for condensing the humidified air stream, thus producing purified water. A power plant can include the apparatus for purifying water, where energy to heat the air stream is provided by low pressure condensing steam.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, commercially available organic working fluid, which is operable under a broad range of temperatures, is thermally stable, has a high auto-ignition temperature, low freezing point and high critical temperature and is benign to the environment, and safe for human use. Such an organic working fluid is useful in organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power plants or units and other systems of the like; as an intermediate fluid for heat-recovery wherein heat from various heat sources is transferred using the intermediate fluid to a further working fluid and converted into work, and the intermediate fluid is also exploited to produce electricity. Such organic working fluids are also operable as heat transfer fluids either in ORC power plants or units or in other heat transfer systems. For this purpose the present invention presents a working fluid comprising at least one highly branched, heavy iso-paraffin hydrocarbons, or a mixture of two or more of such hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A turbine engine nozzle assembly has an upstream flap and a downstream flap pivotally coupled thereto for relative rotation about a hinge axis. An actuator linkage is coupled to the downstream flap along a forward portion thereof for actuating the upstream flaps and downstream flaps between a number of throat area conditions while permitting mode changes.

Abstract: A trapped vortex cavity afterburner includes one or more trapped vortex cavity stages for injecting a fuel/air mixture into a combustion zone. The trapped vortex cavity afterburner is operable to provide all thrust augmenting fuel used for engine thrust augmentation. Each stage has at least one annular trapped vortex cavity. The trapped vortex cavity afterburner may be a multi-stage afterburner having two or more trapped vortex cavity stages ganged for simultaneous ignition or operable for sequential ignition. One embodiment of the annular trapped vortex cavity is operable to raise a temperature of an exhaust gas flow through the afterburner about 100 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Each of the trapped vortex cavity stages may be operable to produce a single or a different amount of temperature rise of the exhaust gas flow through the afterburner. A chevron shaped trapped vortex cavity and having zig-zag shaped leading and trailing edges may be used.

Abstract: A system located with the housing of a gas turbine engine for increasing the pressure of working fluid from the compressor that will be utilized to cool a component. In one form the system includes a pump rotatable with a turbine component to increase the pressure of the working fluid.

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: A vapor compression system including an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser interconnected in a closed-loop system and a method of operating such a system. The method includes the conversion of expanded liquid heat transfer fluid from a liquid form to a high quality liquid vapor mixture before delivery to the evaporator.

Abstract: An ice making machine composed of a water tank for storing an amount of ice making water, an upright ice making plate arranged above the water tank, and a water sprinkler located immediately above the ice making plate to spray ice making water supplied from the water tank to the ice making plate so that the ice making water falls along the ice making plate, in which the ice making water sprayed to the ice making plate during operation at an ice making mode is frozen and formed into ice cubes in the course of falling along the ice making plate.

Abstract: An energy-efficient heat pump water heating system determines whether to energize a heat pump by interpreting readings from one or temperature sensors based on two thresholds. The heat pump is energized if the detected temperature falls below a first threshold and de-energized when the detected temperature rises above a second threshold. The thresholds may correspond to outputs of two or more sensors. Using multiple temperature thresholds improves the temperature sensing capabilities of the system, thereby improving energy efficiency by matching heat pump operation with hot water demand more closely than previously known systems.

Abstract: In a refrigerating cycle incorporating a second flow controller having a throttle section, which is composed of an inlet noise eliminating space 19, an inlet side porous permeable member 20 communicating in a refrigerant flow direction, an orifice 23, an outlet side foamed metal 25, and an outlet noise eliminating space 27, and a multi-directional valve, a gas/liquid two-phase refrigerant is caused to pass through the throttle section.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved air chiller unit mounted on an aircraft for sending cooled air to service carts used for serving meals. An air chiller unit 1 includes a refrigeration cycle unit housed in a casing 10. The refrigeration cycle unit comprises a compressor 20, a condenser 30 and an evaporator 40 for a refrigerant, and the cooled air is sent to a galley via a blower device 60. The casing 10 is formed of honeycomb panels. The compressor 20 is supported via a pair of vibration isolation mounting devices 26 on a base plate of the casing 10. The vibration isolation mounting device 26 is formed of a triangular prism-shaped bracket and an A-shaped vibration isolation rubber, which functions to isolate vibration at normal times, and when a large load is received, functions to support the compressor device 20 with high spring constant with the rubber vibration isolator compressed.

Abstract: Shipping containers, and more particularly insulated shipping containers, for holding temperature sensitive products and coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time. Containers of this type can be molded from rigid polyurethane foam or other materials for shipping or transporting products such as biological and similar products which need to be maintained at 2° to 8° Centigrade or frozen. Specific constructions are shown and described.

Abstract: A rotary food server for storing food in a chilled condition includes a dish rotatably mounted on a stationary base and having central and peripheral pockets for removably receiving food storage trays having removable lids. Coolant housings containing a chilled-retaining substance are refrigerator prior to use and then placed beneath and at the sides of the trays to chill food stored in the trays. In an alternative embodiment, a lower housing rotatably mounted on a stationary base has a cavity therein filled with a cooling medium such as a mixture of ice and water. Mounting of an upper housing on the lower housing causes cavities formed in the upper housing to displace the cooling medium to the sides as well as the bottoms thereof to chill food stored within the cavities.

Abstract: A triple effect absorption refrigerating machine comprising a high temperature regenerator GH, an intermediate temperature regenerator GM, a low temperature regenerator GL, a condenser C, an absorber A, an evaporator E, an auxiliary regenerator GX and an auxiliary absorber AX, either one of several combinations of paths for guiding a refrigerant among the components, thereby enabling an intermediate cycle between a double effect cycle and a triple effect cycle.

Abstract: For a purpose of preventing a compressor from being damaged by liquid compression without disposing any accumulator on a low-pressure side, there is disclosed a transition critical refrigerant cycle apparatus having a supercritical pressure on a high-pressure side. The transition critical refrigerant cycle apparatus constituted by connecting a compressor, a gas cooler, a pressure reducing device, an evaporator and the like in an annular shape, using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, and capable of having the supercritical pressure on the high-pressure side comprises: an internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant which has flown out of the gas cooler and a refrigerant which has flown out of the evaporator.

Abstract: An apparatus for and process for recovering LNG from reservoir natural gas which includes circulating a portion of the natural gas thru a gas cooling loop that includes heat exchanges, an expansion zone and compression zone. The process also includes removing liquids from the gas cooling loop, distilling those liquids to recover a distilled gas. The process also includes compressing and expanding various portions of the distilled gas and passing those portions thru heat exchangers shared with the gas cooling loop to effect heating/cooling as desired. The process also includes removing a portion of the LNG cooling loop as LNG product.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for optimization of integrated air separation systems. In an integrated process for the compression, cooling, and purification of air, an adiabatic compressor compresses an air stream to produce a compressed air stream. The compressed air stream is used to warm a first pressurized stream at a first pressure and a second pressurized stream at a second pressure. The produced streams include a first warmed pressurized stream, a second warmed pressurized stream, and a cooled compressed air stream. The first warmed pressurized stream is gaseous and is expanded in a turbine. At least part of the work produced by the turbine is used to power the adiabatic compressor. The cooled compressed air stream is further cooled by a cooling unit by heat exchange with water, and then purified in a purifying unit using a TSA process.

Abstract: A jewelry mounting includes a base having front and rear surfaces. The front surface is provided with means permitting the mounting of an article of jewelry or other ornament usable on an earring or pendant. The rear surface includes a pivotable mounting for an ear post. The base also includes side walls to which are pivotably mounted two hoops. When the device is being used as an earring, the hoops lie in opposite directions to one another coplanar with the base. When the device is being used as a jewelry pendant, the hoops are pivoted orthogonal to the base and, in that orientation, comprise bails through which a jewelry chain may be threaded. The piece of jewelry or ornament may include a rear surface including a slot that receives the ear post when the ear post is pivoted down. The slot frictionally retains an end of the ear post to retain the ear post and hoops in the position at which the device may be used as a pendant.

Abstract: An expandable jewelry ring. The ring has a split circular spring made of springy metal and having first and second ends separated by a gap. A tongue portion extends from the first end of the spring and into the gap. A mounting is made of metal and has a generally split circular shape with first and second ends separated by a gap and having a spring channel formed therein. The spring channel has a first portion and a second portion. The spring is positioned in the first portion of the spring channel, with the tongue portion being slideably moveable in the second portion of the spring channel. When pressure from a wearer's finger is exerted on the inside of the mounting, it will expand the effective size of the ring, and when pressure is relieved, the ring will spring back to its original size.