Abstract: This apparatus and method introduces to the internal combustion engine, with a centrifugal compressor or positive displacement air supercharger, a high speed electric motor/generator which is drivingly coupled to a drive shaft system for the purpose of acceleration and generation of pressurized air at low engine speeds and incorporation of one-way and/or magnetic clutches to provide maximum power to the engine operation at all times. The motor/generator when not driving the supercharger is putting energy back into the engine battery.

Abstract: An engine comprising a detonation chamber in thermal communication with a tank, a fuel system connected to the chamber, and a controller wherein energy from fuel detonations in the chamber is transferred to a fluid in the tank. By rapidly transferring the energy from the chamber, the detonation produces little or no toxic by-products. The fluid in the tank is energized to provide power for a wide range of machines from large equipment to small appliances.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor burns a fuel mixture at a high combustion efficiency and a low NOx emission, is simple in construction and exercises improved ignition performance, and an ignition method can efficiently igniting a fuel mixture in the gas turbine combustor. A gas turbine combustor provided with fuel nozzles each having a pilot fuel injection nozzle and a main fuel injection nozzle, and fuel nozzles each having a pilot fuel injection nozzle and a main fuel injection nozzle. The fuel nozzle disposed close to an igniter is provided with a local fuel injection port through which fuel is jetted out from a predetermined position in an air passage in the main fuel injection nozzle to create a combustible fuel mixture zone in the vicinity of the igniter at least while the igniter is in an ignition operation.

Abstract: High performance propellants flow through specialized mechanical hardware that allows for effective and safe thermal decomposition and/or combustion of the propellants. By integrating a sintered metal component between a propellant feed source and the combustion chamber, an effective and reliable fuel injector head may be implemented. Additionally the fuel injector head design integrates a spark ignition mechanism that withstands extremely hot running conditions without noticeable spark mechanism degradation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for operating an oxygen blown integrated coal gasification combined cycle gas turbine (IGCC) system having a gasifier and an air separation unit. A supply of low pressure nitrogen is passed to a gas turbine compressor along with sufficient air to provide sufficient compressed air to the gas turbine combustor for gasified fuel combustion. Subsequently, at least a sufficient portion of the compressor discharge flow is passed to a combustor for combustion of the gasified fuel flow to the combustor. The gasified fuel is combusted to produce hot combustion gases and then the combustion gases are passed to a turbine.

Abstract: A thermoelectric system includes a pair of substrates, a plurality of semiconductor elements, and first, second, and third terminals. The semiconductor elements are positioned between the opposing faces of the substrates, and the semiconductor elements comprise at least two groups of dissimilar semiconductor elements. The semiconductor elements are electrically coupled in series by conductor elements arranged so the two groups of dissimilar semiconductor elements are connected in an alternating pattern. The first, second and third terminals are connected to the conductor elements with the third terminal positioned between the first and second terminals. The electrically coupled semiconductor elements comprise first nodes and second nodes. The first and second nodes emit or absorb heat according to electric current flowing through the semiconductor elements, and impedance of the thermoelectric system is controlled by switching the switch.

Abstract: A refrigerator with thermal-electric semiconductor comprises: a power supply, a thermal-electric semiconductor, a cooling water box, a cyclic water box, and a low temperature heat transfer unit; the cooling water box being a hollow box with cooling water therein; the water inlet tube and water outlet tube of the cooling water box being connected to the cyclic water box; a cold surface of the thermal-electric semiconductor being adhered to one side of the low temperature heat transfer unit; another side of the low temperature heat transfer unit entering into a body of a refrigerator; the low temperature heat transfer unit separating the refrigerator into a freezer and a freezing compartment; the low temperature heat transfer unit being with a temperature sensor and a temperature control circuit for controlling temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of an electrical device is described. The system includes a heat sink system in conjunction with a thermoelectric assembly. The systems and methods are particularly suitable in NEMA-4 electrical enclosures used in electrical submersible pump applications.

Abstract: A fibrous packing material (210) is distributed throughout the interior space of a surge tank (118). The packing material (210) makes the compression and expansion of gas within the surge tank (118) relatively more isothermal as compared to an empty tank. Thus, a smaller volume tank can be used without sacrificing performance. As a result, the size and weight requirements of the surge tank (118 ) have been reduced.

Abstract: A cylinder used for a cold head of a regenerative cryocooler, the cylinder includes an inside having a hollow-shaped configuration for a regenerative material, wherein the thickness of the cylinder at a high temperature end is greater than the thickness of the cylinder at a low temperature end.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a dispenser including a moving chute configured to move from a stored position in which an outlet of the moving chute is positioned in a space defined in a refrigerator door to an operable position in which the outlet of the moving chute is positioned outside of the refrigerator door.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cooling an object with a cryogen having a critical point defined by a critical-point pressure and a critical-point temperature. A pressure of the cryogen is raised above a pressure value determined to provide the cryogen at a reduced molar volume that prevents vapor lock. Thereafter, the cryogen is placed in thermal communication with the object to increase a temperature of the cryogen along a thermodynamic path that maintains the pressure greater than the critical-point pressure for a duration that the cryogen and object are in thermal communication.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a motor vehicle having a coolant circuit (1) that contains an electrically driven compressor (2), a condenser (4), an expansion valve (10) and a latent cold accumulator (12). Heat is removed from the latent cold accumulator (12) by the cooling circuit (1); this is referred to as the charging of the latent cold accumulator (12). The system is also equipped with an arrangement for cooling air, which are configured in such a way that heat is removed from the air and supplied to the latent cold accumulator (12). Thus, a cost-effective, efficient air conditioning system can be used, in particular, when the vehicle is stationary.

Abstract: A fluid compression system includes a compressor operable to produce a first flow of compressed fluid and a refrigerated dryer coupled to the compressor and operable to separate the first flow of compressed fluid into a second flow of compressed fluid and a flow of liquid. A first sensor is positioned to measure a property of the second flow of compressed fluid, and a controller is operable to initiate operation of the refrigerated dryer at a first time and at least partially in response to the measured property, and to initiate operation of the compressor at a second time. The first time is before the second time.

Abstract: A cooling tower includes an evaporator vessel, a gas delivery tube partially disposed within the evaporator vessel to deliver a gas into the evaporator vessel and a water inlet that provides water to the evaporator vessel at a rate sufficient to maintain a controlled constant level of water within the evaporator vessel. A weir is disposed within the evaporator vessel adjacent the gas delivery tube to form a first fluid circulation path between a first weir end and a wall of the evaporator vessel and a second fluid circulation path, between a second weir end and an upper end of the evaporator vessel. During operation, gas introduced through the tube mixes with the water and the combined gas and fluid flow at a high rate with a high degree of turbulence along the first and second circulation paths defined around the weir, thereby promoting vigorous mixing and intimate contact between the gas and the water.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler includes an arrangement of a combination of fluid components including flow control valves, spray bars, spray bar orifices, spray bar distribution channels, and distribution caps that produce a water application profile on the media that is adjusted to match the heat load introduced to the media by the air to be evaporatively cooled. The water evaporation rate is a direct function of this heat load profile. Applying water in this profile takes advantage of the wicking rate and flow through time constant of evaporative cooling media to effectively distribute the water through the media. This results in a once through system that allows the volume of water being applied be the lowered such that water not evaporated and exiting the media is limited and does so at very high cycles of concentration while maintaining high levels of cooling effectiveness and scale free media.

Abstract: A vehicle air compressor controller includes a compressor electronic control unit receiving a plurality of signals representing respective vehicle parameters. A variable torque transmitter is controlled by the compressor electronic control unit. The variable torque transmitter receives an engine speed from an engine of the vehicle and delivers a variable torque to a compressor of the vehicle for controlling a speed of the compressor. The variable torque is determined as a function of the engine speed and the vehicle parameters.

Abstract: A heat pump system and method is presented having a primary compressor, a booster compressor, an economizer, a microprocessor, an air temperature sensor, and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature commensurate with the boiling temperature of refrigerant in the outside coil. The microprocessor effects controlled operation of the primary compressor, the booster compressor and the economizer when a thermostat calls for heat and in accordance with predetermined ranges of air temperature. The microprocessor calculates a defrost trigger temperature, and defrost operation is initiated when the sensed refrigerant boiling temperature is lower than the trigger temperature for a period of time.

Abstract: Mini, split-system dehumidifier that provides three modes of operation: heating and dehumidification, cooling and dehumidification, and dehumidification only. The dehumidifier maintains a set temperature of the supply air by controlling the amount of heat of rejection at the primary condenser that is cycled back into the supply air.

Abstract: A method and system of cooling components of a computer system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are computer systems comprising an enclosure, a motherboard within the enclosure, a heat generating component coupled to the motherboard and within the enclosure, a canister comprising a compressed fluid (the canister coupled to the enclosure), and a gas cooling device selectively fluidly coupled to the compressed fluid (the gas cooling device produces chilled gas when fluidly coupled to the compressed fluid). The chilled gas is directed upon the heat generating component.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute oriented closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, a liquid dispensing actuator oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator and the ice dispensing chute, and a liquid dispensing chute oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, and the liquid dispensing actuator. The ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, the liquid dispensing actuator, and the liquid dispensing chute are arranged in a serial order, along a vertical plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the refrigerator door within which the cavity exists, from a relatively deep position within the cavity to a relatively shallow position within the cavity or the front of the cavity.

Abstract: A machine for making ice-cream products comprises a whipping and freezing unit with a horizontal axis, an inspection door connected to one end of the whipping and freezing unit to allow access to the inside of the unit. The inspection door has a dispensing hole so that the whipping and freezing unit can be put in fluid communication with the outside environment and a dispensing door for selectively opening and closing the dispensing hole. The dispensing door comprises a separator, having an opening, able to rotate relative to the inspection door so that the dispensing hole is selectively opposite the opening and allows controlled dispensing of ice-cream products from the whipping and freezing unit.

Abstract: An ice making device may include an ice making unit having an ice tray and a heater; and a drive unit connected with the ice making unit. The drive unit may include a drive source, a cam body driven by the drive source, a leaf switch in which a leaf contact piece is displaced by a cam face of the cam body to perform “ON” or “OFF” operation, and a case body. The case body is provided with a first partition wall which partitions the inside of the case body into a first space and a second space, and the leaf switch and at least the cam face of the cam body is disposed in the second space. The first space may be preferably located on an ice making unit side and the first space is interposed between the second space and the ice making unit.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body which forms an external appearance and has a storage chamber to be opened at a front side, and an ice making device which is disposed in the storage chamber to make ice. The ice making device includes an ice making tray which has ice making grooves for making ice, an ejector which rotates and separates the ice made in the ice making grooves, blocking members which are disposed at an upper portion of one side of the ice making grooves to prevent the ice separated from the ice making grooves through the other side of the ice making grooves from returning to the ice making grooves, and a guide member which is disposed above the other side of the ice making tray to guide the ice separated from the other side of the ice making grooves by the ejector toward the blocking members.

Abstract: A container and cold plate combination that keeps liquids cold includes a pitcher made from a pitcher housing material, or having outside and/or inside metallic liners that are integral to the pitcher bottom which is metallic and configured to be in direct surface contact with an underlying cold plate of a cold plate station system. The cold plate lowers the temperature of the metallic liners or pitcher housing and the cold is transferred to a liquid in the container.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration circuit comprises a compressor, a heat radiator, a high-temperature section of an internal heat exchanger, a pressure reducer, an evaporator, an accumulator and a low-temperature section of the internal heat exchanger disposed in this order in a circulation passage through which a refrigerant circulates, when viewed along a direction of flow of the refrigerant. The pressure reducer, the accumulator and the internal heat exchanger are integrally formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the liquefaction of a hydrocarbon-rich stream, preferably a natural gas containing stream, by heat exchanging against a refrigerant (1a-d). The liquid refrigerant (19) is evaporated using heat from the hydrocarbon-rich stream, thereby obtaining an evaporated refrigerant (3a-d). The evaporated refrigerant (3a-d) is subsequently compressed (5), cooled (10) against ambient thereby fully condensing the compressed refrigerant. Next, the fully condensed compressed refrigerant (12) is further sub-cooled (14) by indirect heat exchange against an auxiliary refrigerant being cycled in an auxiliary refrigerant. Then the subcooled refrigerant (16) is expanded (18) thereby forming the liquid refrigerant (19).

Abstract: A body modification device including a post base, wherein the post base is configured to be disposed subcutaneously, and one or more retainer posts coupled to the post base for receiving at least one attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with jewelry comprised of: a back portion and a substantially clear front portion in which the back and front portions form a chamber therebetween and precious materials contained within the chamber. The substantially clear front portion allows the precious materials to be seen. The apparatus can further include end caps that match the precious materials, liquid within the chamber to suspend the precious materials, and be in the shape of a number or letter.

Abstract: A latch needle (1) having on its latch (7) a latch head (9) that is provided with a recess or a depression (12) for receiving a section of a tip (14) of the hook (4), said tip having the configuration of a truncated cone. The latch head (9) is wider than the latch shaft (8) of the latch (7), however, distinctly narrower than the needle shaft (20). Due to this measure, too great an expansion of the loops during the casting-off process is avoided, and the risk of a collision of the latch head with other components, for example, sinkers, is reduced.

Abstract: A motor speed controller is structurally integrated into an electric motor for a belt drive in a circular knitting machine. The motor speed controller is connected by means of a cable strand with an interface unit placed at the circular knitting machine. The motor speed controller directly controls the electric motor windings and receives in the cable strand only the motor supply current and a motor speed target value.

Abstract: A set of handcuffs which has a first bracelet, a second bracelet, and a central holder. In one embodiment, the central holder contains a one-way clutch and a retraction mechanism. In a second embodiment, the central holder comprises a retraction mechanism. One end of a line is attached to the second bracelet and the other end of the line is attached to the retraction mechanism, which urges the second bracelet toward the central holder. When the first bracelet is open, the line may be extended from the central holder or retracted to the central holder. When the first bracelet is closed, the retraction mechanism is engaged, causing the retraction mechanism to allow retraction of the bracelet toward the central holder, but to prevent extension of the bracelet away from the central holder. A line stopper is disclosed which connects with the line between the retraction mechanism and the second bracelet.

Abstract: A combination lock includes a lock body, a shackle axially moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, a locking mechanism, and a dial secured to the front side of the lock body. The locking mechanism is movable from a locked condition to an unlocked condition to permit movement of the shackle from the retracted position to the extended position. The dial includes an outer ring portion surrounding a stationary lock body face and rotatable with respect to the face, and a locking mechanism engaging portion disposed between the lock body face and the rear side of the lock body, wherein successive rotation of the dial to a series of one or more predetermined rotational positions causes the locking mechanism to move from the locked condition to the unlocked condition.

Abstract: A lock assembly, which includes a casing with two lock through holes at one side, a combination lock mounted in the casing, a locking plate axially sliably mounted in the casing to block/open the lock through holes of the casing and having a hook portion at one end, an operating member operable to move the locking plate to block/open the lock through holes of the casing, a cylinder lock mounted in the casing and having a bottom actuating block rotatable with a key, and a link, which has a protruding block suspending at one side of the combination lock and movable by the bottom actuating block of the cylinder lock between a first position where the link is engaged with the hooked portion of the locking plate for movement with the locking plate and a second position where the link is disengaged from the hooked portion of the locking plate.

Abstract: A lock core structure including a housing, a lock core, at least two latch elements and plural lock piece sets. Each lock piece set includes a division plate and a first lock and the second lock piece are embedded in two sliding tracks on the division plate, and an elastic element is mounted between the first lock piece and the second lock piece for interlocking the first and the second lock pieces. Through the interlocked structure between the first lock piece and the second lock piece, it will be harder for the thief to break the lock core.

Abstract: There is provided a method for highly treating distillation waste generated in the process of separating a distilled alcoholic material after alcoholic fermentation of starchy materials. The method includes the steps of adding sodium polyacrylate to the distillation waste from the starchy materials, then adding chitosan to treat the distillation waste, and further adding sodium polyacrylate to the waste. Furthermore, solid-liquid separation is then carried out. A liquid material thus separated is brought into contact with a reverse osmosis membrane.

Abstract: Improved, low-pH aqueous polymer mixtures are provided which can be applied directly to soils or incorporated within ammoniacal nitrogen-containing fertilizers to inhibit nitrification in soils, thus enhancing plant uptake of ammonium and yields. The polymers are advantageously used as metal (e.g., Ca) salts or complexes at pH levels of up to about 2. The polymers have anionic functional groups and are highly water dispersible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to control of volatile emissions from a pile of composting organic material. Specifically, the present invention relates to covering the composting pile with a blanketing layer of finished compost material. The invention further relates to mixing finished compost with composting material either by itself or mixing the blanketing layer into the composting material during aeration. The invention also discloses adding additional blanketing layers of finished compost as previous layers are mixed into the composting material during aeration.

Abstract: The invention concerns a deep rolling head (2) of a deep rolling tool of a shears-type deep rolling unit of a deep rolling machine used for the deep rolling of radii or fillets (5, 6) on the bearing pins (9) of crankshafts (7) with the aid of deep rollers (4) that are rotatably supported in the deep rolling head (2) with appropriate clearance, whereby the deep rolling head (2) is mounted and the outer end of one of the two shears arms (1) of the deep rolling unit. The deep rolling head (2) is pivotably attached to the end (1) of the shears arm.

Abstract: A bending device used in a spring forming machine is disclosed to include a vertical rail at the machine frame, an upper slide and a lower slide respectively driven by a respective power source to move along the vertical rail relative each other, an oblique upper holder and an oblique lower holder respectively affixed to the upper slide and the lower slide, and an upper push member and a lower push member respectively driven by a respective power source to move along the oblique upper holder and the oblique lower holder for bending a metal strip into a coiled spring.

Abstract: Work hardenable aluminum alloy sheet material is progressively stamped to a final stamped shape in a succession of stamping operations. A blank sheet of annealed starting material is stamped into a least a first preform shape between heated stamping tools to form a preform shape and subsequently anneal the worked preform shape. After one or more annealed preform shapes have been progressively attained, the last preform shape is cooled, if necessary, and stamped to its final stamped shape between unheated stamping tools.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to an apparatus for forming a shell. The apparatus has a die center and a panel punch located in opposed relation to the die center. A panel punch piston is coupled to the panel punch. The panel punch piston has an upper end and a spacer member is disposed concentrically around an outside surface of the panel punch piston at or proximate to the upper end of the panel punch piston. The upper end of the spacer member is in contact with a lower end of the panel punch and the spacer member is located proximate to a peripheral surface of the lower end of the panel punch. A method for manufacturing a shell is additionally provided as well.

Abstract: A skin and a method for restructuring the inner surface of a tube of long length includes manufacturing a skin, in a material with expansion rate greater than 50%, the external surface of which includes a restructuring print determined in order to take into account the longitudinal and radial expansions that the skin is going to undergo, and as a function of the desired final surface state for the tube to be restructured, longitudinally expanding the skin up to the required length for the tube, longitudinally introducing expanded skin inside tube to be restructured, and radially expanding the skin to realize the restructuring.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming conduit or pipe of various sizes into undulating, helical pipe by feeding a length of conduit at a controlled rate through a bending mechanism while also continuously rotating the pipe at a controlled rate so that bending occurs in multiple axis directions and the diameter of the helical path of the conduit centerline of the coil is less than the conduit diameter, the pitch is greater than the pipe diameter, and a straight open channel is retained through the pipe coil.

Abstract: Crimping apparatuses for reducing the diameter of an intraluminal medical device from a first diameter to a second diameter prior to loading the medical device into a catheter delivery system and loading apparatuses for introducing the medical device into a catheter delivery system, the devices constructed and arranged for matingly engaging one another, combinations thereof, and methods of using the devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fitting device for producing the arrangement for locking a sealing element, arranged at the front end on a rotor of a turbine, against a displacement in the circumferential direction, the sealing element locking moving blades arranged on the rotor against an axial displacement. Furthermore, the invention comprises a method of producing the arrangement for locking a sealing element, arranged at the front end on a rotor of a turbine, against a displacement in the circumferential direction. The quality of the fitting can be further increased by means of a modular, mobile fitting device which secures the sealing element for the duration of the bending operation.

Abstract: A torsional wire treatment drawing system for increased drawing speeds and die life by using wet or dry lubricant and by distributing the heat of drawing over two or more drawing dies, thus increasing the ability to remove heat from the system, is provided.

Abstract: In a method for calibrating a biosensor for the amperometric determination of creatinine in biological liquids, consisting of one electrode system each for measuring the concentrations of creatinine and creatine, with at least two calibration solutions being used, the electrode system for measuring the creatinine concentration is calibrated with a creatinine solution which, prior to the calibration measurement, was mixed in the form of an acidic solution with an alkaline buffer solution, and the electrode system for measuring the creatine concentration is calibrated with a solution in which creatinine and creatine are at a thermodynamic equilibrium.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a gas sensor that generates an output related to the concentration of a sensed gas, the method comprising: i) obtaining the value of said output or a related value at each of a set of known values of a first variable and at each of a set of known values of a second variable, one of the variables being gas concentration; ii) for each value of said second variable, determining a first best fit function relating said output or related value to the first variable, each best fit function utilizing at least one coefficient whose value is determined; iii) for the, or the corresponding, coefficient values from each of the first best fit functions, determining a second best fit function relating said coefficient to the second variable, and replacing the coefficient values in the first best fit functions by the second best fit function, and, iv) repeating step iii) for each further coefficient, if any, in the first best fit functions so as to generate a final function relating said output or

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system are utilized for testing the performance of a gas monitor against predetermined monitor characteristics to determine if performance of the gas monitor is validated in a manner whereby testing gas is directly delivered to the gas sensor.