Abstract: A cooling apparatus is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an cowling with an outer surface defined by a skin exposed to an external air flow. The cooling apparatus includes at least one heat pipe disposed in the cowling. The heat pipe has a first end thermally coupled with the outer surface of the casing and a second end thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe to the external air flow.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular inlet cowling. The heat transfer system includes at least one heat pipe disposed in contact with an interior of the casing. The heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe and into the inlet cowling.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes a cooling duct system that locates a ram air intake and an exhaust through a first aircraft surface above a second aircraft surface which locates a fan intake. During ground operations, an anti-re-ingestion door is open and a ram air door is closed such that the fan system may draw relatively cooler air from below the aircraft and exhaust the heated air above the aircraft to minimize re-ingestion of the heated exhaust. During flight operations, the anti-re-ingestion door is closed and the ram air door is open such that ram airflow communicates through the fan system prior to communication through the heat exchanger. Both the anti-re-ingestion door and the ram air door may also be operated in flight.

Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine includes channeling fluid from a cooling fluid source to a combustor that includes at least one deflector and flare cone. The deflector and flare cone are coupled together and are configured to define a cooling fluid channel therebetween. The flare cone has a plurality of cooling injectors extending therethrough. The plurality of injectors are spaced circumferentially about a centerline axis of the flare cone and are coupled in flow communication with the fluid source. The plurality of injectors has a plurality of first injectors and a plurality of second injectors. The method also includes directing a portion of the fluid through the plurality of first injectors. The method further includes directing a portion of the fluid through the plurality of second injectors, wherein the first plurality of injectors facilitates cooling a portion of the deflector more than the second plurality of injectors.

Abstract: A heat shield for a gas turbine engine combustor includes an apparatus for providing a spiral flow to improve at least the cooling of the heat shield.

Abstract: As population density increases, the transportation of hazardous chemicals, including acids and disinfectants, lead to an increased incidence of spills while the consequences of spills become more serious. While solutions of halide acids, hypohalites and halites are safer disinfectants for transportation, handling, storage and use than traditional gaseous chlorine, the manufacturing cost of these disinfectants has here-to-fore limited their use. Economical processes are presented for the manufacture of O2, halogen oxides, halide acids, hypohalites, and halates; as well as polynucleate metal compounds, metal hydroxides and calcium sulfate hydrate (gypsum). The instant invention presents methods and processes that incorporate the use of sulfur. This is while environmental regulators, such as the US EPA, require an increased removal of sulfur from hydrocarbon fuels, thereby creating an abundance of sulfur, such that the refining industry is in need of a way to dispose of said abundance of sulfur.

Abstract: A bleed valve assembly for discharging bleed air into a gas turbine engine bypass plenum includes a bleed flow duct, a bleed valve, and a flow deflector. The bleed flow duct is contoured such that it delivers uniformly flowing bleed air to the flow deflector when the bleed valve is in the open position. The flow deflector has a plurality of openings formed therein. Each opening fluidly communicates the bleed air flow passage with the bypass plenum. A portion of the openings are oriented at a discharge angle such that bleed air is discharged from each opening in a direction that does not have a vector component in the direction in which air is flowing in the bypass plenum, and another portion of the openings are oriented to provide stress relief to the deflector.

Abstract: A method of removably securing a reusable component to a replaceable component with a bonding agent is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, preparing a first surface of the reusable component so that a bonding energy between the first surface and the bonding agent has a first level, preparing a second surface of the replaceable component so that a bonding energy between the second surface and the bonding agent has a second level, the second level being greater than the first level, and applying the bonding agent so that the bonding agent bonds the first and second surfaces to one another.

Abstract: One embodiment of a transition-to-turbine seal (300) comprises a first, flattened section (302) adapted to be received in a peripheral axial slot (320) of a transition (325), and a second, generally C-shaped section (301). The generally C-shaped section (301) comprises a flattened portion (305) near the first, flattened section (302), and a curved portion (306) extending to a free edge (307). A fiber metal strip component (309) may be attached to the flattened portion (305) to define a first engagement surface adapted to engage an upstream side (336) of an outer vane seal rail (337), and a second engagement surface 308, adjacent the free edge (307), provides an opposed wear surface adapted to engage a downstream side (338) of the outer vane seal rail (337). System embodiments also are described, in which such transition-to-turbine seal (300) is isolated from a hot gas path (350) by provision of a plurality of cooling apertures (327) in the transition (325).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoelectric refrigeration module, comprising a TEC refrigerating piece (8) having a top surface and a bottom surface, a radiator (16) closely contacted to the bottom surface of the TEC refrigerating piece (8), and a cold eliminator (18) including a brick body (4) having a bottom surface adhered to the top surface of the TEC refrigerating piece (8), characterized in that a thermal insulation frame structure (7) is disposed between the radiator (16) and the cold eliminator (18); the brick body of the cold eliminator and the TEC refrigerating piece are located within thermal insulation frame structure (7); the radiator and the cold eliminator are connected to the thermal insulation frame structure (7) via a connecting piece respectively; the cold eliminator has an end portion at which a plurality of cold aluminum fins are provided; a locating frame structure (1) having an inside frame, within which the end portion of the cold eliminator is located, is provided; the inside fr

Abstract: A cooling device for beverage containers includes a shell member having dimensions so as to encircle a beverage container. In use, the shell member has an outer face and an inner face disposed against the beverage container. The shell member defines an interior space, and a first cooling substrate is disposed within this interior space. The cooling substrate includes a web having a generally uniform application of a first cooling composition applied thereto, the cooling composition being activated by contact with an aqueous liquid. An aqueous liquid source is disposed within the interior space and is separated from the first cooling substrate by a barrier member. The cooling device is activated by manual manipulation to breach the barrier member, whereby liquid from the liquid source moves within the interior space to contact and activate the cooling composition, and generate a cooling reaction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for vaporizing cryogenic fluids in which an intermediate heat transfer fluid is first heated across a heat transfer surface with ambient air, and then the heat transfer surface provides heat to vaporize the cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: A freeze plate is provided. The freeze plate includes a freeze plate surface, a sealed chamber adjacent the freeze plate surface, one or more refrigerant lines in said sealed chamber, and a fluid in said sealed chamber in thermal contact with the freeze plate surface and the one or more refrigerant lines.

Abstract: An ice making device may include an ice tray, a raking member disposed on an upper side of the ice tray for raking out ice pieces from the ice tray, a water-supply port disposed on a side of the ice tray for supplying water to the ice tray, and a drive control part for driving the raking member and for controlling supply of water from the water-supply port to the ice tray. The raking member is provided with a plurality of raking parts which are protruded sideward from the rotation shaft for raking out the ice pieces from the respective recessed parts for ice making, and the drive control part supplies water from the water-supply port to the ice tray at a time when the raking parts are located to be apart from the water-supply port. Preferably, the drive control part supplies water when the raking parts are located on an opposite side to the water-supply port with respect to the rotation shaft.

Abstract: A method and system for an improved display case, comprising a display case having air flow paths for circulating air around one or more objects displayable in a display area in the display case, and one or more ultraviolet radiation elements suitably positioned within the air paths for sanitizing the circulating air to reduce the amount of airborne contaminants therein. The display case may comprise a produce display case, meats display case, vegetables display case, floral display case, dairy display case, a frozen foods display case, or a similar type case.

Abstract: A variable capacity modular combined refrigerating installation, which has several modular refrigerating units. Each modular unit has a refrigerating circle, which includes a refrigerating compressor set (1), an evaporator (4) and a condenser (10). A flow control valve (6) is mounted at the refrigerating medium inlet/outlet port of the evaporator (4); and/or a flow control valve (11) is mounted at the inlet/outlet port of the condenser (10). The refrigerating compressor set (1) comprises an adjustable frequency motor (1A) and a compressor (1B) with magnetic suspend bearings. Each modular unit is also provided with an inlet pressure sensor (26) and/or discharge pressure sensor (27).

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for regulating temperature in a system comprises receiving, at a building management system, information concerning a degree of opening of a plurality of control valves. Each of the plurality of control valves is associated with at least one terminal that is in communication with a supply header line of a system, and is operable to open or close according to its own logic based on the demand of the associated terminal or terminals. A determination is made, based on the degree of opening of the plurality of control valves, as to whether changes need to be made to the operating parameters of production equipment of the system. The changes to the production equipment operation of the system are operable to change at least one parameter of a fluid being supplied to the supply header line of the system. An initiation of changes is made if it is determined that the change needs to be made.

Abstract: A portable evaporative cooler includes a first reservoir for holding a working fluid and having an air inlet and an air outlet. A partition separates the first reservoir from a second reservoir which stores a reserve fluid. A chute curved from the partition through the second reservoir directs the flow of air from the air outlet through a curved path. A valve in the partition replenishes the working fluid from the reserve fluid in the second reservoir and is responsive to a sensor disposed within the first reservoir.

Abstract: Self-cooling food and beverage containers and processes for manufacturing such containers with cryogenic high-pressure refrigerant cooling apparatus are disclosed. A self-cooling beverage container apparatus containing a beverage or other food product, a method of storing cryogenic gases which then cool said food products, and to methods of assembling and operating the apparatus. A self-cooling beverage container includes a container body having an openable portion, a pressure vessel substantially housed within said container body, the pressure vessel having a first chamber for containing a refrigerant, an actuation valve configurable from a closed configuration wherein the refrigerant is maintained within the pressure vessel to an open configuration wherein said refrigerant is allowed to expand and exit the pressure vessel upon opening of said container whereby refrigerant expansion and flow through said outlet conduit cools the contents of said container.

Abstract: A water-cooled air conditioner and a method controlling the same are provided. The water-cooled air conditioner includes a first heat exchanger where indoor air is heat-exchanged with refrigerant, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, a plate-shaped second heat exchanger where the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is heat-exchanged with the water, and a freeze-crack preventing unit that is provided at a side of the second heat exchanger to prevent the water in the second heat exchanger from freezing.

Abstract: A cooling unit has a refrigeration control system configured to receive coded user inputs to control functions of the unit. The coded user input is a combination of at least two user inputs and evokes a command signal in the control system that is different from either of the command signals corresponding to the constituent user inputs. The constituent user input signals come from input to different control buttons. The coded user input signal comes from input to a combination of the different control buttons, for example, a hold input to one button and a monetary touch or repeated touching input to another button.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit, an indoor unit and a plurality of communication pipes. The outdoor unit including has a gas close valve, a compressor driven by a compressor motor controlled by an inverter, an outdoor heat exchanger, an electrically powered expansion valve, and a liquid close valve. The an indoor unit has an indoor heat exchanger. The communication pipes interconnect the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The air conditioner determines, on the basis of compressor power supplied to the compressor motor from the inverter, whether or not a pump down operation is being performed in a state of a refrigeration cycle operation that causes the indoor heat exchanger to function as an evaporator of refrigerant. When the pump down operation is being performed, the air conditioner stops the compressor after a predetermined stop time has elapsed.

Abstract: A water-cooled air conditioner includes a first heat exchanger where indoor air is heat-exchanged with refrigerant, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, an accumulator that is installed adjacent to the compressor to filter off liquid-phase refrigerant so that only gas-phase refrigerant can be introduced into the compressor, a plate-shaped second heat exchanger where the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is heat-exchanged with the water, and a refrigerant bypassing unit that selectively operates to allow a portion of the refrigerant compressed in the compressor to be directly returned to the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: An air conditioning system equipped with at least one first air conditioning system in which an outdoor unit is connected to plural indoor units through an inter-unit pipe and the plural indoor units are allowed to execute one of cooling operation and heating operation concurrently, at least one second air conditioning system in which an outdoor unit is connected to plural indoor units through an inter-unit pipe and the plural indoor units are allowed to execute both cooling operation and heating operation in mixture concurrently, and a controller that is connected to the first and second air conditioning systems through a communication line so that communications can be performed between the controller and each of the first and second air conditioning systems, wherein the controller transmits a switching instruction signal for instructing switching of an air conditioning operation to cooling operation or heating operation through the communication line to the first and second air conditioning systems all tog

Abstract: A burn-in oven is provided with a plurality of spaced, stacked burn-in-boards, each with a plurality of individual circuits being tested under heated conditions, and a plurality of valve trays positioned between two burn-in-boards to form a heat exchange compartment below the valve tray. Each valve tray has a plenum formed above it to provide a separate chamber that is a source of cooling air. Each valve tray has a plurality of valves, one over each of a number openings in the tray. Each opening overlies an integrated circuits or device under test on the burn-in-board below the valve tray. The valves control the flow of air for cooling the integrated circuits. The flow of air through the valves is the only path for cooling airflow to the integrated circuits on the burn-in-boards.

Abstract: A refrigeration and freezing control system and method thereof, which stores an object for preservation without quality deterioration for a long period, and which controls a supercooling or maintains freshness by controlling a frequency range. The refrigeration and freezing control system includes an electrode module having an anode and a cathode which faces the anode, and an electric field applying module which applies a voltage to the anode and the cathode, which generates an electric field having at least two frequency ranges between the anode and the cathode, and controls a frequency range of the applied voltage.

Abstract: To provide an expansion device which shortens cool down time when an automotive air conditioner is started under a high-load condition. An expansion device having a differential pressure control valve is configured such that a temperature-sensing actuator (shape-memory alloy spring) is disposed at an refrigerant outlet of the expansion device, and when an air conditioner is started under a high-load condition in which the temperature of refrigerant at the refrigerant outlet is high, the shape-memory alloy spring senses the high temperature, to urge a spring determining a valve-opening point of the differential pressure control valve, whereby the differential pressure control valve is opened in advance or placed in a state capable of opening in response to a very low differential pressure, thereby making it possible to cause refrigerant to flow at a large flow rate until the temperature of refrigerant at the refrigerant outlet is lowered to a temperature assumed when the air conditioner functions.

Abstract: An aircraft air-conditioning system is disclosed, which includes at least one heat exchanger (14) to which coolant circulating in a cooling circuit of a cooling system and air are fed. The coolant cools the fed air in the heat exchanger (14), and the air leaving the heat exchanger (14) enters the aircraft cabin. The coolant of the cooling system is always in the liquid state in the cooling circuit. The liquid coolant can also cool an aircraft seat (2) or a sitting area of the aircraft seat (2).

Abstract: A heat pump includes an evaporator 10 evaporating water; a steam compressor 1 compressing the vapor generated by the evaporator 10; a vapor supply duct 31 adapted to supply the vapor 30 compressed by the compressor 1 to steam-utilizing facility 2; a measuring device 91 for measuring a state of vapor between the evaporator 10 and the compressor 1; and a valve 81 adjusting an amount of vapor flowing in the compressor 1 based on information from the measuring device 91.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, when a passenger set temperature of a vehicle compartment is changed through an operation portion by a passenger, a storage portion updates a value of a control set temperature corresponding to a predetermined point of a detection area at a time of the changing operation to a value of the changed passenger set temperature, and stores therein the value of the updated temperature. Furthermore, when the detection point is not any one of the predetermined points, a control portion interpolates and calculates a control set temperature corresponding to the detection point from the control set temperature stored in the predetermined point of the detection area and the control set temperature stored in the predetermined point of a surrounding area around the detection area, and then controls the air-conditioning state in the vehicle compartment based on the interpolated and calculated control set temperature.

Abstract: An vehicle rooftop cooling system includes a radiator located outside of the engine compartment of a vehicle, the radiator having a liquid coolant inside the radiator; a fan coupled to the radiator and configured to extract hot air from the radiator; a first sensor proximate to the radiator configured to measure coolant temperature of the coolant in the radiator; and a controller communicably coupled to the first sensor, the controller configured to receive inputs from the first sensor, to make determinations based on the received inputs, and to communicate control signals across a controller area network (CAN) in response to said determinations, wherein the controller is further configured to communicate a first control signal to cool the liquid coolant upon determining that the first sensor has measured temperature above a threshold.

Abstract: A geothermal cooling device is couplable to a ground coil formed from a thermal superconductor material. The device includes a thermal superconductor heat exchange coil, and a thermostat controller and a blower. The device uses a high thermal transfer superconductor to efficiently move heat to the earth source for the purpose of cooling. The device operates by controlling the blower operation in response to the difference between a set point and a measured temperature. Optionally cooling device is enclosed in a housing mounted in standard structural spaces. Alternative simplified versions, without a thermostat, operate manually with a switch or power connection.

Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes an indoor unit casing, a front panel, and a moving mechanism. A first suction port is provided at a front surface of the indoor unit casing. The front panel is provided at the front surface of the indoor unit casing, and opens and closes the first suction port. The moving mechanism moves the front panel to: a closed state, in which the front panel closes the first suction port; a first open state, in which the front panel moves frontward from the closed state and opens the first suction port; and a second open state, in which the front panel moves further frontward from the first state and more widely opens the first suction port.

Abstract: A refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor having a damper that delays closing of a duct cap is disclosed herein. The refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor include a duct cap, an opening and closing device, a connecting rod, a packing holder, a packing, and a cylinder. The duct cap opens and closes an ice duct of the refrigerator, and the opening and closing device opens and closes the duct cap. The connecting rod is connected to one of the duct cap and the opening and closing device. The packing holder is connected to the connecting rod. The packing is disposed in the packing holder. The cylinder may include at least one slot formed at a predetermined portion of a periphery of the cylinder and the packing makes a reciprocating motion within the cylinder while generating a frictional force.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided which includes a duct cap disposed so as to open and close an ice duct formed in the refrigerator, an opening and closing device connected so as to open and close the duct cap, and a damper connected to one of the duct cap and the opening and closing device such that a closing operation of the duct cap is delayed. The opening and closing device allows the duct cap to be manually opened and closed, and the damper is interlocked with the opening and closing device so as to delay a closing operation of the duct cap. With this structure, cost may be reduced and noise and/or vibration minimized, compared with mechanisms with the closing operation of the duct cap delayed using electric driving parts, such as solenoids.

Abstract: In the vicinity of a suction port of a drain pump in a drain pan of an air conditioner, an antibacterial agent unit having an antibacterial agent capable of being brought into contact with drain water is disposed so that the antibacterial agent unit disposed in the vicinity of the suction port of the drain pump at the lowest portion in the drain pan is reliably immersed into the drain water when the drain pump is operating and not operating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a very simple cooling system that uses the evaporation of water present in a cloth sheet that can lower the temperature of the air that passes through the wet cloth.

Abstract: A method includes operating a compressor of a heat pump system and is selectively providing vapor to a vapor injection port of the compressor via a vapor injection line and vapor injection valve. The method further includes determining a frost condition of a first and second heat exchanger of the heat pump system and closing a vapor injection valve to prevent fluid flow into the compressor at the vapor injection port. A direction of refrigerant flow is reversed to direct vaporized refrigerant to the one of said first and second heat exchangers experiencing the frost condition. The vapor injection valve is opened after a first predetermined time period following reversal of the refrigerant flow. The method further includes closing the vapor injection valve and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow within the heat pump system once the vapor injection valve is closed for a second predetermined time period.

Abstract: An evaporator including a refrigerant inlet header having a refrigerant inlet at one end thereof, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged at a spacing longitudinally of the inlet header and each having one end joined to the inlet header. The interior of the inlet header is divided by a flow dividing control wall into an upper space for admitting a refrigerant thereinto through the refrigerant inlet and a lower space communicating with the heat exchange tubes. The control wall has a communication hole formed in an end portion thereof opposite to the refrigerant inlet. The upper and lower spaces communicate with each other through the communication hole so that the refrigerant flows through the lower space in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the refrigerant in the upper space. The evaporator achieves a high heat exchange efficiency.

Abstract: A refrigerator with a storage chamber and a door to open and close the storage chamber, the refrigerator having: an ice making chamber, which is provided in the storage chamber; an ice making device, which is provided in the ice making chamber to make ice; an ice storage part, which stores the ice transferred from the ice making device; and a dispenser unit, which is provided in the storage chamber to dispense the ice stored in the ice storage part.

Abstract: A refrigerator with an ice dispenser includes a spiral type time delay unit for controlling the opening and closing of an ice duct. A duct cap opens and closes an ice duct formed in the refrigerator. A rotating shaft of the time delay unit is operably connected to the duct cap. Foldaway catching members on a rotating shaft intersect with a threaded cylindrical body. The catching members fold back to allow a quick opening of the ice duct. The catching members then interact with the threaded cylindrical body as the ice duct closes to delay the closing process.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an ice making device which includes an ice tray, a heater for heating the ice tray, and a drive unit having a drive source for discharging ice pieces from the ice tray and is capable of supplying power to the heater, may include integrating the ice tray with the heater to previously manufacture an ice making unit, and then connecting the ice making unit with the drive unit to manufacture the ice making device. The ice making device in which assembling efficiency can be enhanced and sticking of fragments and dirt to an ice tray can be prevented is manufactured by the above-mentioned method.

Abstract: A water-cooled air conditioner and a method controlling the same are provided. The water-cooled air conditioner includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant, a plate-shaped heat exchanger where the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is heat exchanged with water, water inflow and outflow pipes for guiding inflow and outflow of the water, and a water detecting unit for detecting if the water exists in the heat exchanger. The water inflow and outflow pipes are provided in the heat exchanger. The water detecting unit is provided at a side of one of the water inflow and outflow pipes.

Abstract: A water cooling type air conditioner is provided. The water cooling type air conditioner includes first and second heat exchangers, a refrigerant pipe, and a direction controlling unit. The first heat exchanger performs heat exchange between air and refrigerant. The second heat exchanger performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and cooling water. The refrigerant pipe is connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to guide a flow of the refrigerant. The direction controlling unit is disposed on one side of the second heat exchanger and controls the refrigerant and the cooling water flowing inside the second heat exchanger to flow in respectively opposite directions.

Abstract: To provide a protective coat on a refrigerated sample collector for a corrosive environment a unitary frame includes a support unit with condenser and evaporator coils mounted to the support unit and an orifice connecting the condenser and evaporator coils. The evaporator coils, condenser coils and a restrictor are powder coated after being connected, whereby an effective seal is provided for the restrictor, condenser coils and evaporator coils after they are assembled to the support. The unitary frame can be easily removed or connected as a unit to the sample collector. The bottle rack for the sample collector is made by injection molding two halves of the rack each of which has a matching surface and a bottle positioning surface. The matching surfaces are fastened together by placing the matching surfaces together back to back whereby locating members are spaced apart a sufficient distance. To position a distributor in the sample collector, an index disk rotates with the distributor.

Abstract: An air conditioner is configured by appropriating, existing refrigerant pipes, of an existing air conditioner to update indoor units and an outdoor unit of a refrigerant circuit of the existing air conditioner. The air conditioner is disposed with an updated refrigerant circuit and a mixer disposed in the updated refrigerant circuit. The updated refrigerant circuit is filled with working refrigerant and refrigerating machine oil that include an acid trapping agent that detoxifies acid components remaining in the refrigerant pipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of refrigeration using refrigerant composition for multistage refrigeration systems, such as a pre-cooled mixed refrigeration system with one or more phase separators. The refrigerant composition can include nitrogen; methane; ethane, ethylene, or combinations thereof; propane, n-butane, iso-butane, or combinations thereof; and neon, helium, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Relationship indicator jewelry (1) having a base (2) and a colored status indicator insert (3). The base (2) has at least one aperture (4) located thereon to permit viewing of the colored indicator insert (3) and at least one slot (5) for insertion of the insert (3). The colored insert (3) is used to indicate the relationship status of a wearer. For example, a red insert (3) may be used to indicate that the wearer is in a serious, committed relationship and is not available; a yellow insert (3) may be used to indicate that the wearer is currently dating but is still looking to date other individuals; a green insert (3) may be used to indicate that the wearer is not dating and is looking to date and a multi-colored insert (3) may be used to indicate that the wearer is seeking a same-sex relationship.

Abstract: An earring system including a substantially curved wire member having a front end and a rear end is provided. A decorative element is attached to the front end of the wire member. The earring system further includes a securing element for releasable engagement with the rear end of the wire member.

Abstract: An item of jewelry (1) consisting of a central stone (2) and several peripheral stones (3) arranged on a support (4). Said support (4) comprises a first ring (5) concentric with and connected to a second ring (6) smaller in diameter and greater in height than the first ring (5). The second ring (6) comes to a T-shaped shoulder (8) on its top edge with one side designed to be snapped into a longitudinal groove (9) passing all the way around the circumference of the pavilion (10) of the central stone (2) and its other side is snapped into a groove (11) present in one of the facets near the edge of each peripheral stone (3). The peripheral stones are held firmly in their positions by a slot (12) formed on the inside of the perimeter of the first ring (5).