Abstract: A housing which encloses the trimmer of a combined weed whacker, blower and vacuum to prevent grass and weeds from dispersal once cut so as to capture them after a trimming action by dropping them where they can easily be vacuumed into a container bag.

Abstract: The method is for harvesting a crop. A harvesting device (10) is provided that has an upper harvesting device (16) and a lower harvesting device (16). The upper harvesting device is in front of the lower harvesting device. The upper harvesting device detaches crop sections (24) of stalk sections (26) of crops (18). An intermediate engagement member (42) bends the stalk sections forwardly and the lower harvesting device cuts root sections (28) of the crops.

Abstract: This invention provides a filamentous material for rubber reinforcement having excellent corrosion resistance, comprising: a steel filament and a coating layer containing Cu and Zn on a surface of the steel filament, wherein: a sum total in a length of a peripheral direction of the steel filament in a peripheral direction area in which the coating layer has a thickness of not less than 0.1 micrometers is not less than 50% in a full length in the peripheral direction of the steel filament when a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the filamentous material is observed, and in the above peripheral direction area, (1) an average Cu content is 50% to 95% by mass in a depth direction area extending from an outermost surface of the coating layer to a position having a depth of 0.01 micrometers, and (2) an average Zn content is not less than 60% by mass in a depth direction area extending from a position having a depth of 0.

Abstract: A procedure to introduce a reagent substance into the exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine and a device to implement the procedure are proposed. At least one catalytic converter is disposed in the exhaust duct of the internal combustion engine. In front of the aforementioned catalytic converter(s), a reagent substance subjected to pressure is sprayed into the exhaust gas. The reagent substance pressure set point is established as a function of a parameter. The procedural approach allows for a targeted employment of the reagent substance and a high degree of utilization of the converter.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and system for purification of an exhaust gas stream from a combustion engine containing hydrocarbons, soot, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide. The process comprises the steps of oxidising the hydrocarbons and part of the soot in a first reactor in the presence of a first catalyst active in oxidising hydrocarbons and soot without oxidising sulphur dioxide and forming a partly purified exhaust gas stream, of cooling of the partly purified exhaust gas stream, of converting the carbon monoxide of the partly purified exhaust gas stream in a second reactor in presence of a second catalyst active in oxidising carbon monoxide without oxidising sulphur dioxide and of withdrawing a purified exhaust gas stream.

Abstract: The inventors' concept relates to controlling a power generation system having an exhaust aftertreatment system comprising a fuel reformer and an LNT in series. Over the course of a desulfation, a fuel injection upstream of the fuel reformer is pulsed to create alternating lean and rich phases and control the LNT temperature. The LNT temperature is controlled by manipulating a minimum temperature for the fuel reformer at the end of the lean phase, a length of the lean phase, or a pulse frequency. Preferably, the rich phases end when the fuel reformer reaches a predetermined maximum temperature. The method is effective in regulating the fuel reformer temperature while accurately controlling the LNT temperature.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to customize the properties of the drive assembly of motor vehicles comprising an intake system, an exhaust system, and/or an internal combustion engine. For this purpose, the mechanical properties of a serial drive assembly, the engine parameters efficiency and rotational torque, and the acoustics of the serial intake and/or exhaust system are stored in a database in an initial step. Furthermore, the construction features of the serial drive assembly that can be customized are stored in the database with their variation parameters and limitations. After varying at least one construction feature, the modifications of the engine parameters resulting therefrom are calculated and stored as a parameter difference. Likewise, the resulting changes of the acoustic features are calculated and stored as sound difference. Thereafter, the original values of the serial drive assembly are overwritten with the difference values and reproduced acoustically.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water cooled exhaust assembly for use in association with an internal combustion engine in a marine environment. Inner and outer nested tubes are affixed to a mounting flange to form, in conjunction with an access port in the mounting flange, a cooling water flow channel to provide cooling of exhaust gases from the engine. The inner tube is formed with a flattened portion to produce a reduction in exhaust gas turbulence in the flow channel with a consequent increase in heat transfer capability.

Abstract: An exhaust-carrying component (2) of an exhaust system (1) for an internal combustion engine is provided, in particular for a motor vehicle. The component (2) includes a pipe (4) through which exhaust gas can flow from one longitudinal end (6) to the other longitudinal end (7) and which has between its longitudinal ends (6, 7) a longitudinal section (8), the wall (9) of which is provided with perforations (10). The component (2) also has a housing (5) which surrounds the pipe (4) in a circumferential direction and to which the pipe (4) is fixedly connected in both one end area (11) having a longitudinal end (6) and in another end area (12) having the other longitudinal end (7). In order for the component (2) to nevertheless be able to resist the thermal stresses that occur during operation, the perforations (10) are designed so that the longitudinal section (8) can absorb thermal longitudinal expansion forces between the pipe (4) and the housing (5) through elastic deformation.

Abstract: There is provided a pump unit configured to be capable of transmitting a rotational power from a driving power source which is operatively connected thereto to an actuator through a pair of hydraulic fluid lines. The pump unit includes: an input shaft; a hydraulic pump main body; a PTO shaft; a PTO clutch mechanism; an auxiliary pump main body; a suction line; a discharge line; a charge line; a PTO hydraulic fluid line; a pressure-reducing valve; and a resistance valve. The PTO hydraulic fluid line and the charge line are fluidly connected to the primary side and a secondary side of the pressure-reducing valve, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system includes first and second user inputs. The hydraulic system in configured to give priority to the first input over the second input.

Abstract: A stand pipe is disposed so as to be fitted with the inner periphery surface of a piston rod with a hollow structure and a reservoir is incorporated into the inside of the stand pipe, whereby it becomes possible to reduce the size of an EHA device. Besides, since the reservoir is separated from both an annulus-side oil chamber and a bore-side oil chamber, a stable reservoir performance can be exhibited without being influenced by a fluid pressure resulting from an external force. Moreover, as a result of installation of the stand pipe, a difference between the amount of fluid required per unit stroke in the annulus-side oil chamber and that in the bore-side oil chamber becomes smaller, so that the required volume of the reservoir oil chamber can be reduced and it is possible to constitute an efficient EHA device with little difference between the energy consumption during compressing and that during extending.

Abstract: The system to generate power uses a freeze expansion pressure powered turbine and supporting devices for tapping the energy of cold weather from the environment, and associated methods to achieve power generation. The freeze expansion pressure powered turbine system comprises of flexible water chambers that enable motion for the rotor shaft. Gears enable transformation of linear motion to shaft rotation, and associated power generator coupling achieves the generation of electricity. The inner part of flexible water chamber is fitted with an immersed heating coil to de-freeze water, so that it can be subjected to freezing and exertion of pressure to rotate the turbine continuously. Freezing of water in flexible chamber happens by exposing portion of chamber to atmospheric cold. The turbine rotor speed, temperature, water chamber pressure, and atmospheric pressure are monitored by sensors to ensure overall system safety and performance.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes: an exhaust heat recovery unit that produces motive power by recovering thermal energy from exhaust heat, wherein the produced motive power is combined with motive power produced by a heat engine and is output together therewith; an auxiliary that is driven by at least the exhaust heat recovery unit; and a power transmission-switching device that is provided between the heat engine and the exhaust heat recovery unit, the same power transmission-switching device being provided between the heat engine and the auxiliary, and that cuts off the connection between the heat engine and the exhaust heat recovery unit when there is no request to drive the heat engine. Thus, it becomes possible to effectively use the surplus motive power produced by the exhaust heat recovery unit when there is no request to drive the heat engine.

Abstract: A brake lever assembly for actuating a hydraulic disc brake system is shown and described. The brake lever assembly provides two-stage braking by operatively connecting a lever to first and second pistons contained in a master cylinder. The first and second pistons are operatively connected to one another such that they move together until the first piston reaches a threshold distance from a top end of the master cylinder, after which the second piston moves with respect to the first piston.

Abstract: A turbocharger turbine housing with at least two volutes utilizing multiple nozzle rings to optimize the turbocharger's proficiency per application, and a valve to control the exhaust flow to selected volutes in the turbine housing.

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine using model based control, the engine including a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) driven in response to a VGT command signal and/or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve driven in response to an EGR valve command signal to recirculate exhaust to an engine intake manifold.

Abstract: This invention relates to an actuator assembly for a turbocharger pressure control valve assembly and a method of assembling a pressure control assembly of a turbocharger. The assembly comprises an actuator coupled to an actuator rod which in use is coupled to the valve assembly to control the position thereof. The actuator rod comprises an elongate member at least a portion of which is flexible. The actuator rod may be a resilient member which may be substantially straight when stressed. In use the actuator rod may extend in a substantially straight line between the actuator and the valve assembly.

Abstract: The system and method for an apparatus to generate electricity by utilization of solar energy. This system uses a solar lens powered steam turbine and supporting devices for tapping the energy of sun. An insulated container having boiling water inside and convex-lenses mounted on the cover emits steam through a pointed jet to drive turbine blades. Over the greater solar catchment's area in the space around the container, larger convex lenses gather solar energy and beam the focused light to comparatively smaller convex lenses mounted on the container. There can be various levels of lens placement. These lenses act as energy amplifiers and send sharp light energy beams to super-heat water inside the container. The steam so generated passes through a directed tube and is fed to the jet nozzle that releases it at a significant velocity to impact the turbine blades.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for storing heat energy in a body of graphite at an elevated temperature are disclosed. The method comprises heating an inner region of a body of graphite when it is required to store the heat energy and recovering the heat by way of a heat exchanger, when the energy is required to be used. The apparatus is suitable for the storage of renewable energy and electric energy obtainable from off peak periods of supply.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustion chamber wall has an outer wall skin and an inner wall skin, with the outer wall skin (9) and the inner wall skin (10) being arranged essentially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a gap (14). The outer wall skin (9) is provided with inlet openings (8) for the supply of cooling air. The inner wall skin (10) is provided with dampening openings (17), whose center axes are perpendicular to the inner wall skin (10), and with cooling openings (18), whose center axes are inclined at a certain angle to the inner wall skin (10).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for recovering power from hot flue gas of a catalyst regenerator in an FCC unit and an integrated fluid catalytic cracking steam pressure letdown. The system includes a flue gas power recovery system including an expander and a turbine for generating power by letting down steam from a higher pressure to a lower pressure for use in a refinery process such as an FCC unit.

Abstract: A fan assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a turbine rotor adapted to be disposed aft of a core of the gas turbine engine; a row of turbine blades carried by the rotor, each turbine blade extending from the rotor to a tip, the turbine blades adapted to extract energy from a stream of pressurized combustion gases generated by the core; and at least two rows of axially-spaced apart, radially-extending fan blades carried by the row of turbine blades for rotation therewith.

Abstract: An air-conditioning device includes a pump for sending a thermal medium, a thermoelectric conversion unit for absorbing heat from the thermal medium, a target setting unit for setting a target cooling value, and a controlling unit. The controlling unit increases a flow amount of the thermal medium to be larger than a predetermined amount and stops the thermoelectric conversion unit from absorbing heat, when the target cooling value is smaller than a predetermined value. The controlling unit increases a heat-absorbing amount of the element and keeps the flow amount of the thermal medium to be larger than the predetermined amount, when the target cooling value is equal to or larger than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A cooling system configured to cool an interior of an enclosure includes a cabinet, and a vortex tube secured within the cabinet. The cabinet defines a venting chamber. The vortex tube includes a hot pipe within the venting chamber, and a cool gas delivery pipe extending outwardly from the cabinet. The cool gas delivery pipe is configured to deliver cold gas to the interior of the enclosure. A dampening sleeve may be secured around at least a portion of the hot pipe, such that the dampening sleeve dampens noise produced by the vortex tube. Additionally, at least one dampening sheet may line at least a portion of the interior and exterior surfaces of the cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention discloses multi-component gas mixtures adapted to provide condensed phase cryogenic refrigerants with normal boiling points below about 80° K. for cooling sensor device components. Exemplary gas mixtures generally include 19-40% Ar and 20.1-80.5% Ne. Open-loop Joule-Thomson systems in accordance with the present invention may be suitably adapted (with varying relative mass ratios of cryogenic gas mixtures) for cooling sensor devices to temperatures between 27° K. (100% Neon) and about 80° K. (0% Neon).

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a heat exchanger in a vehicle includes a bracket having a main body. A first portion is secured to the heat exchanger and a second portion includes a mounting feature adapted to be secured to another component of the vehicle. A foot is formed on the first portion of the bracket. The foot defines an interface surface brazed to the heat exchanger in an installed position.

Abstract: An air conditioner that can decompose and remove bacteria, viruses and the like, which are sources of odor, with efficiency is provided. The air conditioner includes a resin part and an apatite having a photocatalytic function. The resin part forms an air distribution path. The apatite is disposed on at least part of the resin part.

Abstract: A no-frost refrigerator includes at least one storage compartment, an evaporator, which can be switched on and off and is disposed in a chamber that is separate from the storage compartment, and a fan for driving an exchange of air between the storage compartment and the chamber. Of the evaporator and fan, at least one can be operated while the other is switched off.

Abstract: A defrost heater relay control circuit having reduced power consumption during a de-energized mode of operation is provided. The relay drive circuit utilizes a series connected capacitor to introduce a phase shift in the AC current waveform such that the amount of real power dissipated in the circuit during periods when the defrost heater control relay is de-energized is greatly reduced. This effectively shorts out the relay drive voltage without generating heat due to real power dissipation through the switched circuitry that disables the relay.

Abstract: A method for controlling the defrost of an evaporator in a refrigeration appliance provided with a compressor and in which a temperature sensor is used for detecting the temperature inside a cell of the appliance, comprises the steps of estimating the temperature of the evaporator on the basis of the cell temperature and of a mathematical model of the refrigeration appliance, and controlling the compressor on the basis of the estimated temperature of the evaporator.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is described that includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit comprises a controller configured to output a coded compressor activation signal that is based at least partially on a compressor run signal received from a thermostat. The second unit comprises at least a compressor relay. The second unit is configured to receive and decode the coded compressor activation signal from the first unit and is operable to operate the compressor relay based on the decoded content of the coded compressor activation signal.

Abstract: A vehicle integrated power and control strategy for cold plate refrigeration system for a mobile vehicle. The system is essentially a hybrid refrigeration system that includes a conventional cold plate cooling system as well as an onboard refrigeration system that will charge the cold plates when the plates lose some of their chilling capacity. The system requires minimum generator capacity because the onboard integrated system has a low power draw gradual starting compressor. When the vehicle is in use the compressor will only energize if the residual cooling effect diminishes from the plates, hence the hybrid effect. After the vehicle is returned to its home base, there is capacity to engage a shore power hookup and run the compressor from shore power.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for cooling a heat-generating chip mounted in a socket on a circuit board, the socket including a cradle having a standard heat-sink receiving configuration, includes an evaporator having a thermally conductive front face, a compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator for delivering refrigerant thereto, and an evaporator mount for coupling the evaporator to the heat-generating chip with the front face adjacent thereto. The mount includes a housing having coupling elements for connection to the cradle. The housing has an interior in which a housing insulation pack is provided for retaining the evaporator therein. The mount further includes a cradle insulation pack for maintaining the socket in moisture-free condition.

Abstract: A superconductor refrigeration system incorporates thermal superconducting heat transfer. The system includes an intensifying heat exchanger, a refrigerating heat exchange coil formed from thermal superconductor material, and a dissipating heat exchange coil formed from thermal superconductor material. The system can also include a switch connected to condenser and evaporator heat exchange segments, a refrigeration switch segment and a dissipating switch segment such that in a first switch position a refrigerating mode is provided and in a second switch position a defrost mode is provided. Additional embodiments include thermostat controllers and blowers for enhanced control. Heat exchange and reuse is described for multiple heat exchangers coupled by thermal superconductors. A defrosting element is described for refrigeration heat exchangers.

Abstract: An automatic icemaker of the present invention includes a control box, an ice-making tray supporting frame rotatably supported and rotated by the control box, at least one ice-making tray rotatably supported by the ice-making tray supporting frame, a rotation limiter fixed to the ice-making tray supporting frame and limiting the rotation of the ice-making tray, a stopper fixed to the control box, and a projection provided to the ice-making tray. Irregularities are provided to at least one of the contact surfaces of the stopper and projection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cold air guide structure of an ice-making chamber of a cold chamber door. The structure including: the cold chamber door; an insulation case disposed inside of the cold chamber door, thermally insulated and having an ice-making chamber therein; an ice-making unit installed in the ice-making chamber of the insulation case, for icing a supplied water by an ice-making cold air and housing pieces of ice; an insulation cover for opening and closing the ice-making chamber of the insulation case; a cold air inlet port for sucking the ice-making cold air into the ice-making chamber; a cold air outlet port for exhausting the ice-making cold air from the ice-making chamber; and an ice-making cold air guide unit for guiding the ice-making cold air to a predetermined air passage to suck or exhaust the ice-making cold air into or from the ice-making chamber.

Abstract: A preconditioned air system for cooling an interior cabin space of a parked aircraft includes a thermal energy storage unit, which contains a thermal energy storage medium for storing cooling capacity. During use, a ground-based air-cooling unit is placed in thermal communication with the thermal energy storage medium. The ground-based air-cooling unit draws upon cooling capacity that has been stored previously within the thermal storage medium for cooling the interior cabin space. Storage of cooling capacity is performed during off-peak demand times and/or during low power cost times. System modularity supports cooling of variously sized aircraft even under extreme temperature conditions.

Abstract: A multi-purpose ice holding assembly is disclosed for the making and storing of ice. Parts of the assembly include an external chamber, a bucket that inserts snugly into the external chamber and a lid for closing the assembly. Pockets for the forming of ice may be formed in the external chamber or the internal bucket, depending on the embodiment. The device may also be used for the serving of ice, as well as the chilling of wine bottles and other cold beverage containers.

Abstract: A humidity control system (10) is disclosed which includes a refrigerant circuit (60). The refrigerant circuit (60) includes first and second absorbent-supported heat exchangers (61, 62) and performs a refrigeration cycle by the circulation of refrigerant. In addition, in the refrigerant circuit (60), the circulation direction of refrigerant is reversible. The first and second heat exchangers (61, 62) are disposed in a casing (11). In the humidity control system (10), the distribution route of air is changed such that a first air stream is passed through either one of the first and second heat exchangers (61, 61) that is functioning as an evaporator while a second air stream is passed through the other heat exchanger that is functioning as a condenser. A compressor (63), an expansion mechanism (65), and a four-way valve (64) in the refrigerant circuit (60) are disposed together with the heat exchangers (61, 62) in the casing (11).

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use as an evaporator includes a heat exchange core having a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged in a left-right direction at a spacing, and a refrigerant turn tank as a lower tank disposed toward a lower end of the heat exchange core. The heat exchange tubes are inserted through respective tube insertion holes formed in the turn tank and joined to the tank, The turn tank has drain grooves each extending from a forwardly or rearwardly outer end of each of the tube insertion holes for discharging condensation water to below the turn tank therethrough. Each of the drain grooves has a bottom extending gradually downward as the bottom extends away from the tube insertion hole.

Abstract: To provide an expansion valve which is capable of preventing the temperature of refrigerant compressed by a compressor from becoming too high, when a refrigeration load on a refrigeration cycle using an internal heat exchanger is high. A thermostatic expansion valve is applied to a refrigeration cycle provided with an internal heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between high-temperature refrigerant flowing from a condenser to the expansion valve and low-temperature refrigerant flowing from an evaporator to a compressor via the expansion valve. The expansion valve comprises a bypass passage or for causing refrigerant in a high-pressure refrigerant inlet or a low-pressure refrigerant outlet to flow to the downstream side of a temperature-sensing section, such that moist refrigerant is mixed with refrigerant whose degree of superheat is controlled by the expansion valve.

Abstract: A method for the cryogenic separation of air having defined temperatures for condensed feed air passed into a double column system relative to liquid oxygen and preferably to shelf vapor, and wherein kettle liquid is not subcooled from the higher pressure column to the lower pressure column.

Abstract: A system for separating air by cryogenic rectification whereby liquid production is increased by employing two separate turboexpanders, one which exhausts at a pressure no higher than that sufficient to feed the lower pressure column, the other which exhausts at a pressure no lower than that sufficient to feed the higher pressure column, and wherein one of the turboexpanders is fed with ambient temperature or modestly cooled feed air and preferably operates intermittently depending upon whether greater or lesser amounts of liquid product are desired.

Abstract: A multiplet gemstone is described having a first and a second layer of gemstone material, the first and second layers each having an interfacial surface; and wherein one of the interfacial surfaces has a translucent image printed thereon. A method of making the multiplet gemstone is described including a first step of providing a first layer of gemstone material having at least one flat surface; a second step of providing a second layer of gemstone material having at least one flat surface; a third step of direct printing a translucent image onto the flat surface of the first layer; and a fourth step of bonding the flat surface of the first layer to the flat surface of the second layer to manufacture the multiplet gemstone.

Abstract: A modifiable piece of jewelry has at least two ornamental display components. The first display component has opposite front and back sides which are finished as jeweled, gemstone, precious metal exterior or other finished ornamental display surface. The display surfaces are different and, in most cases, contrasting in ornamentation, color, jewelry setting, gemstone design, or precious metal exterior surface. A second ornamental display component also has opposite front and back sides with jeweled, gemstone, precious metal exterior or other finished ornamental display surfaces. The second ornamental component fits snugly within a cut-out of the first ornamental component. Internal surfaces of the first component and external surfaces of the second component form tight surfaces-to-surfaces connections, in order to maintain the components one within another.

Abstract: Methods of making particles and materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of constructing a curved optical device includes assembling of at least one cell having opposed flexible substrates with a controlled distance therebetween to form a gap adapted to receive a fluid. The process continues by holding only a portion of the cell in a fixture, positioning a curved mold surface proximal the cell and heating at least one of the curved mold surface and cell. Next, the cell is conformed to the mold surface so that the cell substantially retains the curved shape when the heat and the mold surface are removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image display device capable of displaying a good image by suppressing yellowing of a glass substrate, and a high-yield manufacturing method of the glass substrate. The image display device is formed of a front-side glass substrate and a back-side glass substrate. In this manufacturing method, a glass substrate is used as the front-side glass substrate when Sn++ content in the glass substrate is a predetermined value or less, and the glass substrate is used as the back-side glass substrate when the Sn++ content exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing float glass and a device therefor, which are capable of stably holding both edges of a molten glass ribbon. In accordance with gutter-like bodies 12 of a device for manufacturing float glass 10, a portion of molten tin 16 that flows out of outlets 32 of lateral ducts 34 of the gutter-like bodies 12 into vessel edge areas 14A can be directed to a vessel central area 14B through vertical ducts 30 and through holes 36. Since the flow rate q1 of the molten tin 16 that flows from each of the vessel edge areas 14A into each of the inlets 28, and the flow rate q2 of the molten tin 16 that flows from the vessel central area 14B into each of the inlets 28 are substantially equalized along the forward direction of the molten glass ribbon 20.