Abstract: A low profile, reversible weapon telescope mount is provided. The mount has a longitudinal planar top support having a series of ridges and recesses disposed thereupon in an alternating and parallel orientation to that of a central axis of the support. Attached to opposed peripheral side edges of the support are four downwardly depending legs. The support and legs form a channel of the scope mount that surrounds a top end of a weapon receiver, such as a rifle, such that a bottom surface of the top planar support rests upon a top surface of the receiver. Each leg has a movable guide finger supported in a vertical channel formed in each leg. Each guide finger has an inwardly extending ledge member for grabbing outwardly extending flanges of the rifle receiver. The finger is guided up and down by an pin inserted through the leg and finger when a screw, acting upon the finger is tightened or loosened.

Abstract: A light assembly having a pre-defined shape is provided to be removably attached to a guide provided on a weapon. The light assembly comprises a housing provided with a reflector having a lamp at one end thereof and batteries for powering the lamp through a switch. The housing has a pair of lateral members which are movable between a retracted position and an extended position so that, when the members are in the retracted position, the light assembly has the above-mentioned pre-defined shape and when the members are in the extended position, they are adapted to engage the guide. Means for preventing the longitudinal movement of the light assembly on the guide are also provided with the light assembly. The light assembly can thus be easily mounted and used as an aiming device with a weapon or be readily used as a separate and independent entity.

Abstract: A fishing weight used in conjunction with a method feeding bag such as a PVA or mesh bag. The fishing weight comprises an elliptical shaped body having an essentially equal upper and lower hemispheres. Mounted to the lower hemisphere and extending outward therefrom is a post. The post further includes a ring for fastening a fishing line thereto distally located from said hemisphere. The upper hemisphere contains a bore axially located therein for receiving the post of the lower hemisphere upon connection of the lower and upper hemispheres.

Abstract: Where a super-elastic alloy is used as a core material, boundary separation can be prevented on substantial deflection. The super-elastic alloy is used as the core material, an outside layer made with fiber-reinforced resin is provided outside except the tip part region of the core material, and a resin-rich layer greater in resin ratio than the outside layer is provided between the outside layer and the core material so as to be adjacent to the core material.

Abstract: A lure organizing device for permitting storage of lures to inhibit tangling of the lures during transport includes a base plate being insertable into a bucket. Each of a plurality of tubes is coupled to a top surface of the base plate. Each of the tubes extends upwardly from the top surface of the base plate. Each of the tubes removably receives one of a plurality of lures to organize the lures and inhibit the lures from becoming entangled. A handle is coupled to the base plate and extends between a portion of the tubes. The handle is graspable to facilitate lifting of the base plate and the tubes from the bucket.

Abstract: A flower mounting assembly for a headstone includes a block that has a top side, a bottom side, a first end, a second end, a first lateral side, a second lateral side. Each of a plurality of hook members is extended into the block. A plurality of discs is provided. Each of a plurality of fasteners is attached to one of the discs for securing a respective one of the discs to a front side, back side or top edge of a headstone. Each of a plurality of clasps is attached to one of the discs. Each of a plurality of bands is attached to and extended between one of the hook members and one of the clasps so that the bottom side of the block is abutted against and secured to the headstone. A plurality of flowers is extended into said top side of said block.

Abstract: A window for use in buildings for housing animals, such as barns, that is openable in two generally perpendicular directions, is provided. The window includes an outer frame secured within an opening in the structure, a middle frame that is pivotally secured to the outer frame, and an inner frame pivotally secured to the middle frame. A first pivoting mechanism includes a pair of hinges that enable one of the frames to be pivoted with respect to the outer frame along a generally vertical axis, and the second pivoting mechanism enables the other frame to be pivoted with respect to the outer frame along a generally horizontal axis. The second mechanism pivots and slides one of the frames in order to open the window for ventilation purposes while enabling the remaining frame to remain closed, thereby preventing the entering or exiting of large objects through the window, such as an animal's head.

Abstract: A door-closing assembly is used on a door and has a body, a drive device and a fastening device. The body is mounted on the door and has a connecting element, a longitudinal hole and a threaded hole. The longitudinal hole is defined in the bottom near the proximal end of the body. The threaded hole is formed in the body at the distal end and communicates with the longitudinal hole. The drive device is mounted in the body and has a mounting pillar, a jacket, a holding head and a spring. The mounting pillar is held inside the longitudinal hole. The jacket is slidably held inside the threaded hole and contacts with the mounting pillar. The holding head is screwed in the threaded hole. The spring is held between the jacket and the holding head. The fastening device is connected with the mounting pillar and has a bottom board.

Abstract: A door-closing assembly is used on a frameless glass door and has a body, a drive device, a mounting bracket and a holding device. The body has a mounting panel and a casing. The casing has an outer end, a transverse hole and a longitudinal hole. The longitudinal hole is formed in the outer end of the casing and communicates with the transverse hole. The drive device is mounted in the body and has a stationary post, a drive plug, a threaded plug and a spring. The stationary post is mounted inside the transverse hole. The drive plug is slidably mounted in the longitudinal hole and presses against the stationary post. The threaded plug is screwed in the longitudinal hole. The spring is held between the drive plug and the threaded plug. The mounting bracket is holds the stationary post in place. The holding device is mounted around the body.

Abstract: An overfilled arch bridge system includes a composite arch which has a precast layer and a cast-in-place layer. The system further includes means for reducing bending moments within the overfilled arch. The means include customizing the arch end geometry and prestressing the arch prior to or during loading. The system can be used in connection with the overfilled arch system disclosed in co-pending patent application titled “Top Arch Overfilled System” filed by the same inventor on Mar. 22, 2002.

Abstract: A brace apparatus having a core member adapted to absorb energy by undergoing plastic deformation and a buckling restraining assembly that maintains the structural integrity of the brace apparatus once the core member has undergone plastic deformation. A core member having a variable width middle portion is provided to control deformation of the core member such that the middle portion center undergoes plastic deformation before the middle portion first and second ends. A core member is provided which includes a core stiffener permitting the brace apparatus to have a longer longer length relative to the core member cross-sectional area while providing both a desired yield point and the stiffness needed rigidity required for structural support. One or more projections are provided having a stress reduction voids which reduce the cross sectional area of the core member to eliminate stress risers that would otherwise be present at the portion of the core member corresponding with the projections.

Abstract: An apparatus and assembly for retaining a substantially flat, protective panel within a frame such as a window frame. In one embodiment, the panel retention apparatus of the present invention includes a bracket member for fitting over an edge of the panel, such that the bracket member provides edge and lateral support for the panel. The apparatus further includes a rack and gear mechanism affixed to the bracket member. The rack and gear mechanism preferably includes a circular driving gear and a rack member having a foot member attached at one end and further having a rack gear engaging the circular driving gear such that the rack member is linearly movable with respect to the bracket member responsive to rotational actuation of the circular driving gear. In a preferred embodiment, the rack and gear mechanism components are fabricated of a Delrin composite material which provides a lightweight, corrosion resistant, and low surface friction actuation assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a flashing panel mount adapted for an air conditioning unit which is located about an exterior of a building. The panel mount features a generally rigid panel that is attachable to the building. The panel mount further features a hood member which extends outward from the panel. A plurality of panel apertures is formed through the hood member and is configured to extend through the panel. Each of the panel apertures are sized and configured to accommodate a respective one of the air conditioning lines extending from within the building.

Abstract: A floor squeak eliminator and floor joist stiffening apparatus, comprising a longitudinal member for extending along a length of a joist, fasteners for attaching each end of the longitudinal member to the joist, and mechanism for pre-tensioning the longitudinal member, the pre-tensioning perpendicular to a length of the longitudinal member and the joist, whereby the joist is pre-tensioned.

Abstract: A block construction system includes interlocking, self-aligning blocks that can be used to construct structures with mortarless joints. A typical block has a top face that is formed with a raised, substantially flat horizontal portion that extends between a pair of longitudinally aligned rounded edges. Longitudinally aligned horizontal stop surfaces extend from each rounded edge. A bottom face of the block is formed with a pair of longitudinally aligned stop surfaces and a substantially flat portion that is positioned between and recessed from the stop surfaces. For two stacked blocks, the recessed portion of the top block receives and engages the raised portion of the bottom block preventing lateral movement of one block relative to the other. To interlock adjacent blocks on a common course, one end face of each block is formed with a vertically aligned tongue and the other end face is formed with a corresponding groove.

Abstract: An outlet device for chocolates and like products (100) for use with a wrapping machine (50) which has a device (51) for moving each product (100). The outlet device has a first belt (2) for moving products (100) to be rolled, which is operated by an actuator (10), through a first connecting device (5), which connects the first belt (2) to the actuator (10), moving the first belt in a first direction (A) in accordance with the rotary motion of the actuator (10). A rolling device (4) faces the first belt (2) and is used for rolling products (100) moved by the first belt. A second belt (3) moves products (100) which do not require rolling, the second belt also operated by the actuator (10), through a second connecting device (6), the second belt rotated in a second direction (B) also in accordance with rotation of the actuator (10).

Abstract: A flexible package having an integrated reclose strip, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The reclose strip comprises a length of tacky two-sided adhesive tape. The apparatus for applying a reclose strip is incorporated into the mechanism which supplies the continuous sheet of packaging material to the vertical form, fill, and seal machine. The invention involves producing a pillow pouch or vertical stand-up pouch having an integrated reclose strip from a single sheet of packaging film. In one aspect, the reclose strip comprises a release liner on one side after package formation. In one aspect, the reclose strip comprises no release liner and is attached along the longitudinal axis of the sheet of packaging material such that the reclose strip is disposed in a channel or recess in the fill tube. The reclose strip permits the package to be reclosed after initial opening without folding the package.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns comprises a perforated vacuum turntable. Vacuum is applied to the vacuum turntable while bakery products are loaded thereon and positioned in a predetermined pattern. Once the bakery products are positioned on the turntable in the predetermined pattern, an air assist is applied to the vacuum turntable while the bakery products are unloaded therefrom. The air assist eliminates contact between the wrappers of the wrapped bakery product and the upper surface of the turntable thereby eliminating disorientation of the bakery products within the wrappers.

Abstract: A detecting and protecting device includes detecting devices, and an ultrasonic sensor; the detecting devices are connected to respective ones of expanding assemblies of a shrink film machine, and each include a seat behind a supporting rod of a corresponding expanding assembly, a movable rod passed through the seat and projecting below the supporting rod, a stopping board pivoted to one end of the movable rod, a shading block joined to one end of the stopping board, and a sensor positioned on the movable rod and normally shaded by the shading block; if the stopping board comes into contact with goods while a shrink film is being lowered, it will tilt, and the shading block will no longer shade the sensor; the ultrasonic sensor is used for measuring height of the goods such that sealing and cutting action will start immediately after the film encompasses the goods.

Abstract: A packaging machine moves its heater unit for longitudinal sealing of a tubularly formed film between a sealing position at which the heater unit contacts the film and a retracted position at which it is separated from the film. In addition to the mechanism for this motion, an air cylinder is provided for controlling the compressive force with which the heater unit at its sealing position compresses the film. A pressure controlling system regulates the air pressure supplied to the air cylinder. If the mechanism for moving the heater unit also employs another air cylinder, a higher pressure for moving the heater unit and a lower pressure for controlling its compressive force may be generated from a single air source and supplied to the two air cylinders by a switching mechanism. A single air cylinder with two air chambers may be used for the both functions.

Abstract: A device for cutting and fixing plastic film in machines for wrapping pallets comprises: means for spacing (1) at least one layer (2a) of the film (2) at a distance from the rest of the wrapping already applied to the pallet (13) so as to create an empty compartment (16) between said layer (2a) and the pallet (13); means for deforming (4; 17) said layer (2a) of film (2), able to render possible the access to the compartment (16); means for cutting (3) the film (2); means for withholding (8) the film (2) in the proximity of at least one end (7) of the cut film (2); and means for pushing (6) the end (7) of the cut film (2) within the compartment (16). A sequential process enables activation of the aforesaid device so as to perform the corresponding operations in series.

Abstract: A method is described for operating an agricultural vehicle to reduce the time taken for rotating components of the crop processing machinery driven by the vehicle engine to reach a standstill. The method comprises the steps of sensing when a signal is generated by the vehicle operator to disengage the drive from the engine to the rotating components, reducing the engine speed in response to the sensed signal to a minimum value below a steady idling speed of the engine, disengaging the drive to the rotating components after the engine speed has reached the minimum value, and increasing the engine speed to a value equal to or greater than the steady idling speed after the disengagement of the drive to the rotating components.

Abstract: A side-mount mowing attachment for a riding mower or yard tractor is removably secured to the riding mower by single hinge pin, allowing the side-mount mowing attachment to articulate and follow the ground contour independently from the primary mowing deck of the riding mower when in a lowered and operational configuration, and which may to be secured in an upright and vertical position when not in use. Power is provided to the cutting assemblies of the side-mount mowing attachment by a drive-belt and pulley assembly coupled to the primary mowing deck drive mechanism. A winch assembly facilitates lifting of the side-mount mowing attachment to the raised and upright position when not in use. When moved to the raised and upright position, tension is automatically released on the drive-belt in the belt and pulley assembly, thereby stopping the transfer of power from the primary mowing deck drive mechanism to the side-mount mowing attachment cutting assemblies.

Abstract: A deleafer apparatus including a drum assembly partially enclosed by a shroud. A rotating blade assembly is located within an interior volume of the drum assembly. An air circulation device, located beneath the drum assembly, draws air through an opening defined by the shroud and into the interior volume of the drum assembly. In use, the deleafer apparatus is carried by a transport in a direction of travel along a row of plants or vines. The rotating blade assembly strips leaves that extend into the interior volume of the drum assembly from the plants or vines. The deleafer apparatus also includes a break-away mechanism that permits a portion of the deleafer apparatus to rotate outward relative to a transport mounting to accommodate obstacles that may reside in the pathway of the plants or vines.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a cutter housing for receiving a cutter blade for cutting grass. To make the manufacture of molds easy, the cutter housing is divided into three members: a housing proper for receiving the cutter blade, a bottom member for forming a cut grass carrying passage, and a scroll guide member for forming a portion of a scroll part. The bottom member engages with the housing proper and the scroll guide member. The scroll guide member is co-fastened to the housing proper with an engine. As a result, molds needed for making the cutter housing can be made simple and the assembly of the lawn mower made easy.

Abstract: Safety arrester cables are provided to connect a wheel of a racing car to its chassis. The safety arrester cable is formed of a multitude of untwisted windings that form closed loops. An open tab is formed at both ends of each of the windings. The windings in the safety arrester cable are manufactured to be comprised of more than 70% nickel or an austenitic Ni—Cr alloy. A safety arrester cable comprised of such wires, and having a diameter of about 12 mm, achieves a maximal tear force of about 58 kN and a work absorption until reaching a maximal tear force of 8,900 N.m.

Abstract: Breakage in a coupling portion of a side plate subjected to repeated flexure is prevented by using fatigue resistant resin materials in the side plate. The coupling portion of the side plate due is subjected to repeated flexure. Excellent fatigue resistance is realized. The fatigue resistant resin material is selected from the group of an elastomer—or rubber component—compounded polyamide resin and polybutylene terephthalate resin. The rubber component is selected from the group of ethylene-propylene rubber (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR) and butyl rubber (IIR).

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

Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle includes a row of laterally sinuous chevrons extending from an aft end of an exhaust duct. The chevrons have radially outer and inner surfaces bound by a laterally sinuous trailing edge extending between a base of the chevrons adjoining the duct and an axially opposite apex of the chevrons. Each chevron has a compound arcuate contour both axially and laterally, and the sinuous trailing edge of the chevrons further compounds the arcuate configuration of each chevron.

Abstract: A first range of operation for an accumulator catalyst in a vehicle is carried out in a poor operating mode when the engine is supplied with a lean mixture and nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas is stored in the accumulator catalyst for nitrogen dioxide. In order to remove nitrogen dioxide from said accumulator catalyst for nitrogen dioxide at a determined switching moment when a given switching condition is achieved, an engine control unit switches the poor-operating mode into a rich operating mode.

Abstract: In a temperature control system of a plant such as an engine exhaust system, there are provided a catalyst heat model calculating a temperature estimated value of the plant, a temperature sensor model inputting the calculated value to calculate an output estimated value of a temperature sensor, a temperature controller controlling the plant temperature based on the estimated value, and a model parameter corrector correcting the plant model parameter so as to minimize error between the temperature sensor output and the calculated output estimated value. With this, even in the case where the temperature sensor has a large response lag, the temperature estimated value can nevertheless be corrected with high accuracy, without, for example, causing severe overshooting.

Abstract: A converter (70) which houses a NOx storage/reduction catalyst is provided in an exhaust passage (2) of an engine (1). At a front half portion (inlet side portion) (7a) of a carrier of the NOx storage/reduction catalyst in the converter (70), the amount of an oxygen storage component is made less than it is at a rear half portion (outlet side portion) (7b) of the carrier, and a NOx storage capacity is made larger than it is at the rear half portion (7b) of the carrier. As a result, unpurified NOx released from the front half portion (7a) of the carrier at the beginning of a rich spike due to an02 storage operation is able to be stored in the rear half portion (7b) of the carrier, and so is not exhausted outside the catalyst Moreover, the amount of HC and CO components in the exhaust gas that are needlessly consumed by the 02 storage operation without being used to purify NOx is reduced, making it possible to purify NOx efficiently.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus is provided to prevent failure that can occur due to hunting, to elevate performance of a hydraulic control valve, and to improve operation efficiency by effectively conducting bleed off. The hydraulic control apparatus can include a first change over valve group that can include a change over valve connected with a first delivery line associated with the variable capacity pump, and arranged to have load sensing function. A second change over valve group can also be provided, and can include at least one change over valve connected with a second delivery line associated with the variable capacity pump. An open and close motion valve and a compensation valve can be configured to constitute a pressure compensation flow control means connected through the second delivery line and the second change over valve group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydraulic equipment comprising input shaft (2) and output shaft; first and second plungers (8, 10) and first and second spool valves (9, 11) which are moved reciprocally axially; a cylinder block (7) which houses the plungers and spool valves and is rotated integrally with the input shaft; an input side swash plate (6) which touches the first plungers; and an output side swash plate (12) which touches the second plungers and is rotated integrally with the output shaft. The purpose of the present invention is to reduce number of parts concerning to the accuracy of the reciprocal movement of the first and second spool valves. Spool valve guides (37 and 47) on which guide grooves (37b and 47b) slanted against axis of the rotary shaft are formed, and the first or second spool valve is engaged with a holding member (38 or 48) attached to the guide groove or the guide groove.

Abstract: The invention relates to active impedance matching systems (AIMS) and methods for increasing the efficiency of a wave energy converter (WEC) having a shaft and a shell intended to be placed in a body of water and to move relative to each other in response to forces applied to the WEC by the body of water. The system includes apparatus for: (a) extracting energy from the WEC and producing output electric energy as a function of the movement of the shell (shaft) relative to the shaft (shell): and (b) for selectively imparting energy to one of the shell and shaft for causing an increase in the displacement and velocity (or acceleration) of one of the shell and shaft relative to the other, whereby the net amount of output electrical energy produced is increased. The apparatus for extracting energy and for selectively supplying energy may be implemented using a single device capable of being operated bi-directionally, in terms of both direction and force, or may be implemented by different devices.

Abstract: A power-off hold element for operating in cooperation with an actuator is disclosed. The power-off hold element comprises a material having selectively adjustable rigidity wherein a position or shape of said material is adjustable when energy is applied to increase the temperature of the material above a temperature where the material becomes flexible and the material is rigid in a position or shape when the temperature of the material decreases below the temperature where the material becomes flexible. Also disclosed is a process for operating a power-off hold element for operating in cooperation with an actuator.

Abstract: A turbine temperature control (TTC) system for regulating operation of an engine to control a temperature of a forced air induction device. The system includes a sensor that is responsive to an exhaust gas temperature and that generates a signal. A control module determines a temperature based on the temperature signal and compares the temperature to a threshold temperature. The control module regulates operation of the engine to decrease the temperature when the temperature exceeds the threshold temperature.

Abstract: Exemplary vanes for a turbocharger having variable nozzle geometries are disclosed. In one aspect, each of the vanes includes two axial surfaces that are on opposite sides of the vane. The opposite axial surfaces include two corresponding chambers. These chambers are partially exposed to each other through an aperture. Such an aperture allows for some degree of equalization of the pressures in the chambers and, thereby, reduces the axial load exerted by a vane, for example, on the unison ring. In another aspect, each of the vanes includes two opposite airfoil surfaces. At least one of the airfoil surfaces includes a notch that allows a chamber in the nozzle to be pressurized by the exhaust gas. The pressure in the chamber creates a counteracting force that reduces the axial load exerted by a vane.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a compressor wheel having back-to-back impellers (i.e., a forward-facing impeller and a rearward-facing impeller) mounted on the same shaft. The two impellers are independently supplied with inlet air via separate inlet ducts and discharge pressurized air to a common volute. The inlet duct for the rearward-facing impeller comprises a generally axially extending tubular conduit having an upstream end and a downstream end, the tubular conduit being bifurcated at the downstream end into a pair of separate duct branches that divide an air stream flowing through the tubular conduit into a pair of separate air streams. The duct branches direct the air streams radially inwardly and then re-join the streams and turn the air to an axial direction into the second impeller.

Abstract: A controller (70) controls the boost pressure of an internal combustion engine (60) comprising two intake/exhaust units, each intake/exhaust unit comprising a turbocharger (10) which supercharges intake air in an intake passage (20) using exhaust energy in an exhaust passage (30), and an exhaust gas recirculating device (40, 41) which recirculates a part of the exhaust gas in the exhaust passage to the intake passage. The controller (70) calculates an opening difference between valves in the two units (S121), and controls a regulating device (13) in each of the two units on the basis of this opening difference (S123-S125). As a result, the boost pressures of the turbochargers (10) match, and hence an equal amount of NOx can be discharged from each exhaust passage (30), and the NOx can be purified favorably by a catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing a closed loop thermodynamic cycle utilizing a multi-component working fluid to acquire heat from two or more external heat source streams in an efficient manner utilizing countercurrent exchange. The liquid multi-component working stream is heated by a first external heat source stream at a first heat exchanger and is subsequently divided into a first substream and a second substream. The first substream is heated by the first working stream at a second external heat source stream at a second heat exchanger. The second substream is heated by the second working stream at a third heat exchanger. The first substream and the second substream are then recombined into a single working stream. The recombined working stream is heated by the second external heat source stream at a fourth heat exchanger.

Abstract: In a gas turbine engine, a fuel inlet tube comprising a body, a channel defined in the body and in fluid communication with a manifold, and a side inlet in fluid communication with the channel, the side inlet being sealingly isolated by at least two annular sealing members concentric with each other and disposed about the tube body at longitudinally spaced part points thereon.

Abstract: A gas turbine adapted to operate in a highly diluted mode comprises a compressor 3 adapted to compress oxidant 5; a combustion chamber 3 adapted to accept the compressed oxidant 7 and provide an exit means for flue gas 9; a turbine 4; and a flue gas re-circulation means 12,13 adapted to re-circulate the flue gas 9 from the combustion chamber 3 and mix the said flue gas with the compressed oxidant 7 from the compressor 2 in order to provide a highly diluted mode of combustion with a flue gas re-circulation rate of from 100% to 200%.

Abstract: A work extraction arrangement (10) comprises a cooling assembly (12) for cooling a gas to provide a working fluid capable of doing work. The arrangement (10) further includes storage means (14) for storing the working fluid and a turbine assembly (18) for extracting work from the working fluid. A fluid delivery assembly (16) is also provided to deliver the working fluid to the turbine assembly (18).

Abstract: A cooling and warming apparatus includes a housing having a top side with a number of open receptacles for receiving perishable items. Thermally-conductive bases are attached to the bottom of the receptacles. Thermoelectric elements are provided in thermal communication with the thermally-conductive bases. A heat sink having heat-dissipating fins is provided in thermal communication with at least one of the thermoelectric elements. A fan draws air into the housing, through the heat-dissipating fins of the heat sink, and out of the housing. A temperature controller controls the operation of one of the plurality of thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for moving thermal energy with respect to at least one of a beverage and a food product positioned in a vehicle or a stationary beverage machine. The apparatus includes a vortex tube positionable in a vehicle or a stationary beverage machine. The vortex tube includes an inlet and a cold outlet and a hot outlet. The vortex tube divides a primary air stream received in the inlet into a cold air sub-stream exiting the cold outlet and an a hot air sub-stream exiting the hot outlet. The apparatus also includes a containing member having a first wall with an inner surface for receiving a product. The containing member also includes a second wall surrounding the first wall to define a first cavity. The apparatus also includes a first fluid line extending between the first cavity and one of the cold and hot outlets for communicating one of the cold and hot air sub-streams to the first cavity.

Abstract: The present invention applies to single or two stage pulse tube refrigerators that have one or more passive orifices at the hot end(s) of the pulse tube(s) through which gas flows to achieve phase shifting and the phase shifting gas flow circulates to a remote heat sink by adding check valves and an appropriate piping circuit.

Abstract: A cryogenic container includes an inner vessel for containing a cryogenic fluid, and an outer vessel for insulating the cryogenic fluid from the environment. The inner vessel includes a superconductive layer formed of a material having superconducting properties at the temperature of the cryogenic fluid. The superconductive layer forms a magnetic field around the cryogenic container, that repels electromagnetic energy, including thermal energy from the environment, keeping the cryogenic fluid at low temperatures. The cryogenic container has a portability and a volume that permits its' use in applications from handheld electronics to vehicles such as alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs). A SMES storage system includes the cryogenic container, and a SMES magnet suspended within the cryogenic fluid. The SMES storage system can also include a recharger and a cryocooler configured to recharge the cryogenic container with the cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: A method for improving the insulation characteristics of a cryogenic piping system wherein an insulation volume defined by a jacket coaxial to an inner pipe is evacuated to a moderate vacuum and then filled with a condensable gas in one or more evacuation and filling cycles, and then, after evacuation to a moderate vacuum, the condensable gas is condensed to effect a high vacuum within the insulation volume.

Abstract: Cooling air provided to a compressor air inlet such that water vapor in the inlet air condenses to lower a moisture content of the air provided to the compressor.