Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus and process for vaporizing liquefied natural gas using groundwater. The invention provides for an apparatus including: a groundwater well; a vaporizer for vaporizing LNG; and an LNG tank. The invention also provides for a process including vaporizing LNG in a vaporizer using groundwater.

Abstract: Gaseous fluid production apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention includes a fluid container containing fluid substantially in the liquid state. A first fluid line is connected to the fluid container so that it receives from the fluid container a first fluid stream substantially in the liquid state. A gas generator is also connected to the fluid container so that it receives from the fluid container a second fluid stream substantially in the liquid state. A product discharge manifold is connected to the gas generator and to the first fluid line. A controller means is operatively associated with the first fluid line and the product discharge manifold for controlling at least one parameter of the first fluid stream. A second controller means is operatively associated with the gas generator and the product discharge manifold for controlling at least one parameter of the second fluid stream.

Abstract: A refrigerator with a water dispenser for dispensing water from a source of water through a user accessible water outlet. The water dispenser can include a water valve, a dispensing actuator, and a water dispensing control connected to the water valve and to the dispensing actuator to control operation of the water valve. The water dispenser can include a microcontroller including a user operable calibration routine to determine a calibrated flow rate based on the time to dispense a standard quantity of water, and a non-volatile storage to store the calibrated flow rate. The microcontroller can store the most recent calibrated flow rate in the non-volatile storage. The water dispenser control can include a measured fill mode of operation. The microcontroller can be arranged to calculate a measured fill time to dispense a user selected amount of water based on the calibrated flow rate.

Abstract: A refrigerator and method for controlling the refrigerator including a plurality of storage chambers, in which a defrosting operation is executed based upon operation conditions of the storage chambers, to minimize a degradation in cooling efficiency which may occur when a defrosting operation is carried out in an independent manner for each storage chamber. When the refrigerator control method is applied to a refrigerator including a plurality of storage chambers, and a plurality of heaters to defrost the storage chambers, respectively, the refrigerator control method includes determining whether defrosting is required, for each of the plurality of the storage chambers, and selecting, from the plurality of the storage chambers, storage chambers having similar temperature ranges, when if is determined that defrosting is required, and controlling the plurality of the heaters to collectively defrost the selected storage chambers.

Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit installed in an outdoor, comprising a compressor, a refrigerant flow controlling part connected to a discharge end of the compressor for guiding the refrigerant proper to operation conditions selectively, an outdoor heat exchanger connected to the refrigerant flow controlling part, a defrosting device at a side of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a piping system connected between the parts, a plurality of indoor units each installed in a room and having an indoor heat exchanger and an electronic expansion valve having one end connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger, and a distributor between the outdoor unit and the indoor units for selectively guiding refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units proper to operation conditions, and guiding the refrigerant passed through the indoor units to the outdoor unit again.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit 30 is made so as to correspond to refrigeration specifications of both refrigeration and freezing. Both refrigeration and freezing programs Px and Py are stored in a control 45 of each refrigeration unit 30. The refrigerating program Px is initially set to be executable. A pressure sensor 51 is mounted on a unit mount 38 of each refrigeration unit 30. A presser 52 is mounted only on the upper side of a ceiling of the freezing compartment 16. When the refrigeration unit 30 (unit mount 38) is mounted on the freezing compartment 16, the pressure sensor 51 is pressed by the presser 52 and switched on, so that the refrigerating program Py is selected. At the side of the refrigerating compartment 15, the pressure sensor 51 remains off even when the refrigeration unit 30 has been mounted. Accordingly, the refrigerating program Px is kept selected.

Abstract: Adaptive intelligent circulation control methods and systems are used to help increase the comfort and/or reduce energy usage and equipment wear. In one illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is adjusted based on one or more environmental conditions inside or outside the building structure. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time may be adjusted based on the current time of day, current time of year, and/or the current schedule period. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is randomized over time. The start time, end time, and/or length of a circulation and/or ventilation cycle may be randomly set.

Abstract: With a method for controlling the temperature of feed air supplied to a cabin area of a passenger aircraft (10), a measurement value for the ambient temperature in the cabin area is determined by means of a temperature sensor system (24). The temperature of the feed air is controlled, dependent upon a deviation of the ambient temperature measurement value in relation to an ambient temperature optimum value. In accordance with the invention, the ambient temperature measurement value is deduced from a number of individual temperature values for different points in the cabin area. In accordance with an example, the temperature sensor system used to establish individual temperature values for a cabin zone includes a number of discreet temperature sensors (24) positioned in this cabin zone, each of which provides an individual temperature value. Preferably, the temperature sensors (24) are distributed evenly over the whole length of the cabin zone in question.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a refrigeration system (1) comprising at least one compressor (4), at least one condenser (5) and at least two refrigeration entities (2), each comprising at least one evaporator (9). Based on information relating to the gas production by the evaporators (9) it is determined whether or not two or more evaporators (9) are running in a synchronized manner, i.e. are switching between an active and an inactive state at least substantially simultaneously. In case two or more evaporators (9) are running in a synchronized manner, the refrigeration system (1) may be controlled in order to desynchronize the evaporators (9). This may, e.g., be done by changing a cut-in temperature and/or a cut-out temperature for one of the corresponding refrigeration entities (2). Synchronization causes undesired variations in the suction pressure, and preventing synchronization therefore results in a more appropriate control of the refrigeration system (1). Reduces wear on the compressors (4).

Abstract: An automatic defogging system of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an input unit used for receiving a directly sensed window relative humidity value from a defogging sensor so as to directly sense a humidity generation degree in a window; a controller which controls operations of an air conditioning system programmed as a type of a logic that is selectively and phasedly controllable depending on the sensed relative humidity and; an output unit that is a selection mode of the air conditioning system that can be controlled by the controller. Accordingly, an automatic defogging system of a vehicle and a control method thereof automatically removes fog or frost on an inner surface of a window while maintaining comfortable conditions inside a vehicle.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with a multiple-speed motor. A control selects a speed for operating the motor, along with selecting between several available options for the system capacity adjustment to meet external load demands in a most efficient and reliable manner. The disclosed embodiment includes an economizer circuit, an unloader function, and an optional suction modulation valve. By utilizing each of these features in combination with the multi-speed motor for the compressor, the present invention is better able to tailor provided capacity to desired capacity.

Abstract: A novel system for detecting inefficiencies in a refrigeration circuit, such as an air conditioner system, is disclosed whereby a sensor sends a signal to a controller which will cause the compressor of the refrigeration circuit to be shut off when the evaporator is at risk of freezing out. The shutdown system of the present invention provides for controls that maintain the compressor in the shutdown condition allowing the evaporator a chance to recover, after which, the shutdown system will restore power to the compressor and will allow the operation of the refrigeration circuit to re-commence without experiencing a loss of efficiency that would occur if the refrigeration circuit continued to operate with a frozen evaporator for extended periods of time.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for vehicles includes a compressor and a variable displacement compressor provided in a refrigeration cycle, means for operating the variable displacement compressor, compressor operation switching means for switching the compressor operation between the compressor and the variable displacement compressor, and variable displacement compressor feedforward displacement value calculation means for calculating a displacement control value of the variable displacement compressor as an input to the refrigeration cycle so as to obtain a target control displacement after the compressor operation is switched. After the operation is switched from the compressor to the variable displacement compressor, the variable displacement compressor is started based on the calculated variable displacement compressor feedforward displacement value.

Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a plurality of compressors and a plurality of condensing units comprising a first condensing unit having a first control module and at least one additional condensing unit having an additional control module. Each condensing unit has at least one compressor of the plurality of compressors. A communication link is connected to the first control module and at least one additional control module. The first control module controls the plurality of compressors based on communication with the at least one additional control module via the communication link.

Abstract: A heat exchanging device includes two piping members coupled between a compressor and a evaporator, a condenser coupled to one of the piping members, and two control valves for controlling the medium to flow through either of the piping members. A tubing may receive a heat exchanging fluid and may supply the heat exchanging fluid to the evaporator and to heat exchange with the medium. The control valves may control the medium to flow either through the condenser or to flow through the other piping member without through the condenser and the capillary tube, for allowing the compressor to be continuously operated without being stopped and for increasing the working life of the compressor.

Abstract: An air conditioner has a heat source refrigerant circuit, utilization refrigerant circuits, a pressurizing circuit, and a cooler. The heat source refrigerant circuit is configured by an interconnection of a compression mechanism, a heat source heat exchanger, and a heat source expansion valve that reduces a pressure of refrigerant condensed in the heat source heat exchanger. The pressurizing circuit is disposed in the heat source refrigerant circuit and causes high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed in the compression mechanism to merge with a refrigerant having a pressure that is reduced in the heat source expansion valve. The refrigerant is sent to the utilization refrigerant circuits. The cooler cools the refrigerant having the pressure that is reduced in the heat source expansion valve.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention relates to a piece of freezing furniture comprising a storage space (3), intended for products to be frozen, and a primary air duct (4), which partly surrounds a suction duct (11), having an inlet (12) that mouths at one side of the opening (13) of the storage space (3), as well as a rising duct (14), having an outlet (15) that mouths at the opposite side of said opening (13), and a temperature-change unit (36), which is located in the primary air duct (4) and separates the suction duct (11) from the rising duct (14) and includes a fan (16), a heating element (17) and a cooling element (18), wherein, in normal operation, cooled air flows from the temperature-change unit (36) via the rising duct (14), over and past said opening (13), through the suction duct (11) and back to the temperature-change unit (36). In a second aspect, the invention also relates to an insert for such a piece of freezing furniture.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a blower case to guide air blown by a blowing fan to an indoor discharge port. The blower case includes a discharge guide space to guide discharged air to the indoor discharge port, and an air distribution member positioned in the discharge guide space to guide distribution of the discharged air. The air conditioner has uniform volume and velocity of air discharged through an indoor discharge port, and suppresses blowing noise from being generated from the indoor discharge port.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling apparatus for intravenous fluids comprises a flexible, air permeable sleeve having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A plurality of cooling chambers containing polymer crystals are attached to the inner surface of the air permeable sleeve to facilitate evaporative cooling. Each cooling chamber is spaced from an adjacent cooling chamber.

Abstract: An ice-making machine includes a control faceplate and formed with a water tank and an accommodating hollow. The water tank has a water intake connected with the feed water pipe of the accommodating hollow. The accommodating hollow is bored with a draining channel communicating with the water tank and has an insert hole in a side and a trigger switch on an outer side. A water trough pivotally assembled in the accommodating hollow has a push plate at the front side and a pivot at the opposite sides to be fitted with the trigger switch. A freezing system installed in the machine body is composed of a compressor, a condenser, an electric magnetic valve, a dryer with a capillary tube, a vaporizer with plural ice-making rods and a liquid reservoir. The water tank has an ice-collecting box.

Abstract: Ice making machine that uses PETD harvest technology, evaporators, ice molds and cooling system. One evaporator makes thin layers of ice that are laminated to form a larger ice piece. Other evaporators include an ice forming surface on a material that has good thermal conductivity for forming ice in a freeze mode and good electrical conductivity to serve as a resistive heater during a harvest mode. One evaporator has a plate and an array of freezing sites that extend above a surface thereof. Another evaporator has a plate that is divided into strips of good and poor thermal conductivity by. Another evaporator has a refrigerant tube that is sandwiched between a pair of corrugated sheets that have ice forming surfaces. Another evaporator has a waffle style pan that is constructed of a dielectric layer sandwiched between a pair of copper layers. Another evaporator forms an ice slab on an inclined flat surface, which after harvest is diced into cubes with a wire grid.

Abstract: An ice making and unfreezing control device for an ice-making machine includes a compressor, a condenser, an electric magnetic valve, a dryer, a vaporizer, a liquid reservoir and a temperature sensor. The vaporizer has its underside provided with plural ice-making rods. The temperature inductor is positioned on the exit pipe of the vaporizer. By so designing, ice blocks can be made quickly, and when the temperature of the exit pipe of the vaporizer, detected by the temperature sensor, reaches the set value of unfreezing temperature, all the ice blocks will be separated from the ice-making rods, and the unfreezing work will be stopped and the electric magnetic valve will be turned off. Then, shoveling of the ice blocks begins and next cyclic ice-making work proceeds, able to quickly make ice blocks with a same size and shape and convenient to carry out unfreezing.

Abstract: A damper for controlling air flow into at least one refrigeration compartment of a refrigerator is provided. The damper includes a damper, and a first damper door and a second damper door movably mounted on the frame. The damper frame defines a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate thereon. The first door is positionable to selectively close at least one of the first gate and the third gate, and the second door is positionable to selectively close at least one of the second gate and the third gate. One of the first gate and the second gate facilitates flowing cool air into the refrigeration compartment when the first gate or the second gate is open. The third gate facilitates air circulation within the refrigeration compartment when the third gate is open.

Abstract: A food bar for controlling the temperature of a food in a food pan inserted into the food bar is described. The food bar comprises an energy source that circulates a fluid at a desired temperature through ducts and then into the interior of the bar.

Abstract: A condensing unit including a heat exchanger with end plates and a compressor. The heat exchanger is disposed below the compressor so that the end plate takes the load of the compressor. This eliminates the use of a compressor-anchoring base plate, and thus the number of structural parts is reduced. Accordingly, the condensing unit can be further downsized, and cost reduction can be achieved.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigerating system includes a compressor, a radiator connected to the compressor via a first tube, a first pressure reducing mechanism connected to the radiator via a second tube, and a separator connected to the first pressure reducing mechanism via a third tube and the compressor via a fourth tube. The separator includes an oil separator which is configured to separate an oil from the refrigerant, and a liquid and gas separator formed integral with the oil separator. The liquid and gas separator is configured to separate a liquid portion and a gas portion from the refrigerant, and the separator is further configured to transmit the oil and the gas portion to the compressor via the fourth tube. The system also includes a second pressure reducing mechanism connected to the separator via a fifth tube, and an evaporator connected to the second pressure reducing mechanism via a sixth tube and operationally coupled to the compressor via a seventh tube.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigerating system includes a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, and a radiator connected to the compressor, in which the radiator is configured to receive the refrigerant from the compressor and to reduce a temperature of the refrigerant. The system also includes a pressure reducing mechanism connected to the radiator, and the pressure reducing mechanism is configured to receive the refrigerant from the radiator and to reduce a pressure of the refrigerant. The system also includes a separator connected to the pressure reducing mechanism and to the compressor, a pump connected to the separator, and an evaporator connected to the pump and to the separator. The separator is configured to receive the refrigerant from the pressure reducing mechanism, to separate a liquid portion of the refrigerant from a gas portion of the refrigerant, and to transmit the gas portion to the compressor.

Abstract: A humid compressed-gas dryer comprises a plate-type heat-exchanger that includes a plurality of stacked plates (2) associated to each other in a gas-tight manner all along the perimeter of adjacent plates (2), said adjacent plates (2) defining channels (3) therebetween for two or more fluids to be guided therethrough in a heat-exchange relation, said plates (2) having a plurality of apertures (4, 15-21) in a mutually aligned arrangement to define fluid conduits that extend through the heat-exchanger in a fluid communication with said channels (3). Said plates (2) are each formed of an aluminium sheet having a smooth surface and a corrugated aluminium fin (5) is provided between adjacent sheets defining said channels. The fin (5) comprises corrugations associated to the smooth surface of said sheets by brazing.

Abstract: A method is proposed for converting a portion of associated gas generated during crude oil production into a liquid form which permits the transport of a large amount of methane at moderate temperatures.

Abstract: A low temperature air separation process and apparatus for producing pressurized gaseous product in an air separation unit using a system of distillation columns which include cooling a compressed air stream in a heat exchange line to form a compressed cooled air stream, sending at least part of the compressed, cooled air stream to a column of the system, liquefying a process stream to form a first liquid product, storing at least part of the first liquid product in a storage tank, sending at least part of the above first liquid product from the storage tank to the air separation unit as one of the feeds, extracting at least one second liquid product stream from a column of the column system and pressurizing the at least one second liquid product stream, vaporizing the above pressurized second liquid product stream to form pressurized gaseous product in the heat exchange line and extracting a cold gas without warming it completely in the heat exchange line.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a reliable substrate in good yield, by suppressing bleeding of boric acid from a green sheet comprising a powder of borosilicate glass to improve printability of a conductive pattern thereby to prevent disconnection. A process for producing a substrate which comprises firing a green sheet comprising a powder of borosilicate glass, wherein the powder is one prepared by holding borosilicate glass before pulverization, at a temperature higher by at least 30° C. than the glass transition temperature and lower by at most 50° C. than the softening point of the borosilicate glass for at least 3 hours in the atmosphere, followed by pulverization.

Abstract: A method of a drawing a glass ribbon from molten glass sheet via a downdraw process by creating a temperature drop across a thickness of the molten glass flowing over forming surfaces of a forming wedge. The forming wedge includes an electrically conductive material for heating the glass above the root.

Abstract: Disclosed are process and apparatus for making high purity fused silica glass materials. The process involves depositing soot particles onto an essentially planar deposition supporting surface and modulation of motion of the soot-generating device relative to the deposition supporting surface to result in a low local soot density variation. The apparatus is designed to implement the planar deposition process. The invention makes it possible to produce fused silica glass without the use of potentially contaminating refractory bricks.

Abstract: A method of making optical quality films is described. A silica film is deposited on a wafer by PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition). The deposited film is then subjected to a first heat treatment to reduce optical absorption, wafer warp, and compressive stress. A second film is deposited. This step is then followed by a second heat treatment to reduce optical absorption, wafer warp and tensile stress. The two heat treatments have similar temperature profiles.

Abstract: A knitting tool which is suitable for embodying both large and small loops has two needles (6, 7), disposed coaxially to one another, whose hooks are oriented identically. The hook of the larger needle (6) is split in two in the middle and comprises hook halves. The finer needle (7) can be driven between the two hook halves upon spreading of the two hook halves apart from one another. For selectively closing the hooks, a slide is provided, which can be brought into engagement both with the tip of the fine needle and with the tip of the coarser needle. To raise and lower the slide to the various positions of the hook tips relative to the needle back, a sliding control block may be provided. The sliding control block may be embodied on the coarse needle and the fine needle (7).

Abstract: The present invention relates to laundry machines, and more particularly, to a control unit assembly in a laundry machine which enables easy assembly and accurate alignment of an input device of a printed circuit board with a button portion of a control panel.

Abstract: This invention consists of a floating clutch for two concentric shafts. This is achieved by means of a movable body transmitting energy from one shaft to the other via cogs that engage or disengage vertically depending on the presence of fluid; torque of the inner shaft is transmitted to the coupler and from the coupler to the movable body, and in turn, to the fixed cog, and then to the outer shaft, when it is in the clutch position. The invention also consists of a group of chambers and peripheral walls that allow the assembly to operate in optimal conditions, avoiding malfunctions, breakdowns and unhealthy conditions by preventing the buildup of fluff, scale, fibers, sediments, dirt or undesired objects hampering the correct operation of the invention and of a home-type washing machine.

Abstract: A detergent supply apparatus of a washing machine, which prevents water, which is not discharged from a detergent tub through a siphon unit, from overflowing the detergent tub and being discharged to the outside of the washing machine. The siphon unit includes a siphon pipe formed on a bottom of a chamber of the detergent supply apparatus, and a cover member installed above the siphon pipe. The cover member includes a siphon cap surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the siphon pipe so that a siphon channel is provided between the siphon pipe and the siphon cap, and a bypass channel for circulating water overflowing the siphon channel to the siphon channel.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine reducing damage of a shaft system, and a method for assembling the shaft system are disclosed. The shaft system comprises a flange shaft coupled to a rear side of the drum to transmit the rotational force of the motor to the drum. A buffering material is provided between the drum and the flange shaft to distribute or absorb load or vibration transmitted from the drum to the flange shaft. The buffering material comprises a material having a liquid phase initially and changing to a solid phase having elasticity a predetermined period of time after contacting air. The buffering material is applied to a rear side of the drum or to a rear side of the shaft flange when assembling the shaft system.

Abstract: A method and device helps to prevent theft of sonar devices and GPS units from the brackets they are normally installed on or mounted to. The present invention provides for a unique locking device having a threaded end. The locking device is capable of alternatively permitting and prohibiting rotation of the threaded end. When a key is turned to lock the device, the handle of the device is permitted to rotate freely and the device does not permit rotation and removal of the threaded end. The device also provides for a hardened spacer that directly abuts the handle such that it prevents a thief from getting access to, and thus cutting the threaded end of the locking device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle having a closure with a handle surrounded by a handle bezel, and a method of assembling the handle bezel to the closure. The handle bezel, which may contain a key cylinder, mounts around the handle and includes a retainer bracket having a retaining clip. The retaining clip includes fastener retention tabs that engage with a fastener extending from an inner surface of the closure. The fastener retention tabs allow the handle bezel to be installed from the outer surface of the closure without requiring extra fastener installation. But the handle bezel cannot be removed from the closure without access to the inner surface of the closure.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a key interlock device for a steering column lock device realizes rapid and smooth operation so as not to inconvenience a user, and, when a gear shift lever is switched between a P range and R range, does not generate noise due to performance of a key interlock function in the key interlock device implemented in the steering column lock device of a smart key system.

Abstract: A lock system having a remote actuating device, e.g., a portable member arranged to wirelessly transmit a wireless signal, and a passive lock for receiving that signal. The lock includes an acuatable trigger mechanism and a control circuit. The control circuit receives the wireless signal, which powers it. The control circuit also determines if the wireless signal is appropriate to unlock the lock, whereupon it produces a trigger signal. The trigger mechanism is responsive to the trigger signal to actuate and enable the lock to be opened.

Abstract: A key assembly includes a key, a cap and a fastener to selectively secure the cap to the key. The cap may include an opening for receiving a key ring, or other structure, therethrough. In one embodiment, the key includes a grip, and the cap and grip cooperate to enclose the key when the cap is secured in place.

Abstract: A lock includes an actuation indicator that displays a unique actuation identifier. The actuation identifier changes with each actuation of the lock to provide an indication that the lock has been actuated.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for providing an improved pick-resistant lock structure. Contact edges associated with individual combination and driver pins are moved away from the true shear lines to deny a lock picker the ability to feel any contact between a selected pin and a pin hole edge. Methodologies and apparatus are also provided to prevent a lock picker from obtaining an impression of the lock shear plane.

Abstract: Compositions are described comprising a granular substrate, which may or may not be substantially devoid of microbes, and a coating on at least a portion of the granular substrate comprising a soluble component and a plurality of microbes dispersed in the soluble component. Methods of using the compositions in agricultural operations are also described. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments of a fertilizer composition. The fertilizer compositions include one or more compounds having a high nitrogen content, which may be measured by a carbon to nitrogen atom ratio. Also provided are methods for increasing nitrogen content in soil, promoting crop production and fertilizing.

Abstract: A method of improving the crushing strength, impact resistance and the compressibility of urea granules by the addition of a compound to the molten urea, wherein the compound comprises both a polyvinyl compound and an organic molecule consisting of 1-10 carbon atoms and 1-10 polar organic groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid component comprising a sheet-metal metal body and a plastic body injection-molded onto the sheet-metal body. The sheet-metal body is produced by cutting, edging, stamping and/or plastic forming a plate-shaped metal sheet, and has a surface coating on at least one visible side, as well as at least one uncoated cut or stamped edge. The plastic body is injection-molded so that it seals the at least one uncoated or stamped edge of the sheet metal body and stiffens the sheet metal body.