Abstract: The method consists of filling a soft container (2) comprising two thin sheets sealedly joined together along a bounding perimeter by the following steps: providing an internally sterile container (2), inserting a nozzle (8) with a delivery mouth (9) through an aperture (5) formed in the container (2), conveying the fluid material into the container through said mouth (9), extracting the nozzle (8) from the container (2) after conveying the material; closing said aperture (5) by sealing the two sheets of the container (2).

Abstract: In an elongated strip of desiccant packages each package includes a body formed from spun bonded non-woven polyethylene; a lateral seal at each end of the body, the seal comprising a knurled direct, adhesive free, seal having intersecting sealing lines each of which is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the package; a longitudinal seal extending between the lateral seals printed indicia on the package disposed substantially between the lateral seals, and spaced from the longitudinal seal, the longitudinal and lateral sealing areas being substantially free of printing; at least one registration mark( on the body, the mark disposed at a known distance from at least one of the lateral seals, and outside of the sealing area; a sorbent material within the body.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasonic sealing of food product packaging is provided. The ultrasonic sealing system preferably includes a food product packaging-positioning system that delivers food product packaging and food product into direct on-item-packaging forming box. The direct on-item-packaging forming box then receives the food product packaging and forms it directly around the supplied food product forming a partially packaged food product. The partially packaged food product is then ultrasonically edge sealed around the food product by an ultrasonic food product packaging fin-sealing unit forming a partially sealed food product packaging. The partially sealed food product packaging then enters a food product packaging end-sealing unit which ultrasonically seals and crimps the ends of the food product packaging resulting in a fully packaged and ultrasonically sealed food product.

Abstract: An apparatus for capping bottles, comprising: gripping devices for bottles containing products, constrained to a transporter, each of which gripping devices exhibits on a side thereof a gripping means of a corresponding bottle, and on an opposite side thereof hooking-receiving-stabilizing organ of a cap; at least a channel for supplying caps, arranged superiorly of the transporter upstream of a capping zone overlying the hooking-receiving-stabilizing organs transiting below the channel, into which a row of caps is conveyed, a head cap of the row of caps being held elastically by a lower end of the supply channel in order to position an internal surface of a relative head such as to intercept a front head (96a) of an underlying hooking-receiving-stabilizing organ in order to enable the head cap, in combination with the advancing of the transporter and with the striking and guiding action exerted by the supply channel, to disengage from the supply channel in order to locate in the corresponding hooking-receivin

Abstract: A blister pack making mechanism includes a console, a piercing device, a sealing device, and a control unit. A roller and a blower are provided on the console. The roller takes up a bag film. An air inlet block is provided to be inserted into the bag film. A cutting unit is provided on the piercing device for piercing the bag film to admit air to inflate the bag film. The opening of the bag film is sealed up with the sealing device, and the bag film is cut into a proper length to form a blister pack.

Abstract: Bagging machines may include a packing density measurement system. The packing density measurement system includes an anchor assembly and a force measurement assembly. The anchor assembly includes at least one drag member adapted to be operatively coupled to the bagging machine and to extend rearwardly beneath at least a portion of a bag to resist forward movement of the bagging machine. The force measurement assembly is operatively coupled to the anchor assembly and is adapted to measure the anchoring force applied to the bagging machine. The anchor assembly may be adjustable, either manually or automatically, to allow control over the anchoring force.

Abstract: A pad for use with an animal harness is disclosed. The pad comprises a first side and a second side with a padding material disposed between the first side and the second side. The pad is configured to prevent contact between a shaft, such as a carriage shaft, and an animal, such as a horse.

Abstract: A fitted hood for equines with openings over the Forelock and Mane allow access to the Mane while on the horse. The hood conforms to the shape of the head allowing ears to protrude through openings at the poll and muzzle through a corresponding muzzle opening. The neck section of the hood conforms closely to the neck so not to snag or become a hazard to the horse. A body section may be constructed separately and connected to the hood or the hood may be made as one head, neck, and body covering form fitted to the body covering from withers to rump. Head, neck, and body portions of the hood keep dust, dirt and insects away from the horse and provide warmth in cool weather. A chest to chin opening allow the hood to be removed without disrupting completed bands or braids.

Abstract: A sheet member including inorganic fibers includes a first outer layer; a center layer; and a second outer layer. The first outer layer, the center layer, and the second outer layer are laminated with each other such that both the first and the second outer layers are outermost layers; the center layer includes inorganic fibers having diameters equal to or less than approximately 3 micrometers; and the first and the second outer layers include inorganic fibers having diameters greater than approximately 3 micrometers.

Abstract: A base board heater having a dust screen or dust filter, located upstream of the heat convection inducing heat exchanger unit, captures the airborne dust particles prior to their entrance into the heat unit chamber where the heat exchanger is located. The use of a dust screen so located, protects the heat exchanger from the dust particles, preventing dust buildup and accumulation, and dust particle distribution into the atmosphere of the room.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control adapter for use with an existing dual lever lawn tractor that allows an operator to use a single hand in operating tile dual lever lawn tractor. Existing dual lever lawn tractors require an operator to use one hand on each lever to operate the lawn tractor. The control adapter of the present invention is operatively connected to the first control lever and to the second control lever of the dual lever lawn tractor which allows the operator to use a single hand in operating the dual lever lawn tractor.

Abstract: The multifunction brush cutter head attachment is versatile and designed for forestry operations, ground preparation for tree plantation, side road maintenance and other areas where precise cleaning of brushes and small trees is required. The invention consists of rotary shafts cutters as a cutting means to chop the brushes and small trees into wood chips or log sections. The steel welded frame of the invention includes two large opening ports on each side to avoid machine jams. The invention can reach hidden parts behind objects using a rotational system mounted on the top of the frame. Lengthways knives are secured with wedge blocks on the rotary shafts cutters and are easily removable for sharpening or maintenance. As the rotary shafts cutters have a low moment of inertia, the invention requires little power and is particularly suitable for small size excavator.

Abstract: Removable scale for articulated receiving platform equipping small fruit machines such as for example, grape harvesting machines. The removable scale is made of two parts, namely a first anchor and articulation part. The first part has a fastening lug attached onto the carrying boom of a row of scales and a flexible articulation and assembling lug attached to the fastening lug. There is a second flat part forming the scale itself. The first and second parts are provided with additional quick assembly and disassembly device formed by an automatic locking device in an assembling position, accessible from the top of the removable scale.

Abstract: An inlet bleed heat and power augmentation system utilizing a bi-directional and common piping arrangement is disclosed. The piping arrangement includes a plurality of feed tubes arranged to communicate either steam to a compressor discharge plenum or compressed air from the compressor discharge plenum. Various embodiments of the invention are discussed including operation methods.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes a rotor having one or more combustion chambers connected to an exhaust passageway extending radially outward from the combustion chamber to an exhaust port adjacent a peripheral edge of the rotor. The exhaust gas is expelled at an angle to thereby generate cause the rotor to rotate. The housing may include reflective surfaces that reflect shockwaves from the exhaust gas back towards vanes on the rotor to thereby capture additional energy from the exhaust gas. The housing may also include stators that capture additional energy from the exhaust gas and rotate the rotor. An intake port fluidly connected to the combustion chamber is aligned with an opening in the housing as the rotor rotates to thereby allow comprised air to flow into the combustion chamber. As the combustion chamber rotates, it is closed off by a closed portion of the housing, fuel is injected, and ignited, to thereby generate exhaust gases and generate power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas turbine, especially an aircraft engine, with at least one compressor, at least one turbine and one combustion chamber, whereby fuel is supplyable to the combustion chamber by a fuel pump, and whereby upon identification of a break of a shaft, which couples a compressor with a turbine, the gas turbine can be shut off. According to the invention, at least one current conductor is arranged on the or each shaft, which current conductor is a component of a current supply for the fuel pump or a component of a current supply for a fuel pump regulation, whereby the integrity of the or each current conductor is monitored in such a manner that upon a change of the integrity of the or each current conductor the current supply of the fuel pump or of the fuel pump regulation is interrupted in order to automatically shut off the gas turbine.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for augmenting the amount of NOX in the exhaust of an exhaust flow simulation system. These methods and system can be “combustion” or “post combustion”. A combustion embodiment injects a nitrogen-containing compound (doping agent) into the burner, so that it mixed and combusted with the fuel.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a reductant delivery and storage system in an emission control system, comprising of correlating a change in a monitored operating condition with a refill event to determine whether a reductant-diluting substance has been added to the reductant storage system; and limiting vehicle operation based on the correlation.

Abstract: A system for removing particulates from the exhaust gas of a vehicle internal combustion engine, particularly during those times that the emission of such particulates into the atmosphere would be of greatest danger to persons in the vicinity of the vehicle, includes a valve connected to the vehicle exhaust manifold for normally directing exhaust to the atmosphere, when in the non-activated condition. The valve directs exhaust to a particulate filter, when in the activated condition. Starting of the engine activates the valve for a predetermined period of time. The valve optionally is GPS-controlled and can be disabled manually or automatically by a switch, which detects the backpressure in the exhaust system. An exhaust pressure sensor monitors the exhaust backpressure, and a circuit device responsive to the exhaust pressure maintains the valve continuously in the non-activated condition, when the exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas heat exchanger, in particular, to an exhaust gas cooler for exhaust gas recirculation in a motor vehicle comprising heat exchanging channels (3) which are coolable by a fluid and passed through by the exhaust gas, wherein the inventive exhaust gas heat exchanger (1) is integrated into an oxidation catalyst comprising a support provided with an oxidation catalyst coating (6) in such a way a deposit (5) is formed in the channels (3).

Abstract: An emission gas purification system is provided capable of making EM clearer and further improving NOx purification capacity. An emission gas purification system 1 is provided for an exhaust system of an engine 3, and includes a purification unit 16 having a catalyst for purifying NOx according to an air-fuel ratio of an emission gas, and an air-fuel ratio control unit 2 adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the emission gas supplied to the purification unit 16. The air-fuel ratio control unit 2 purifies the emission gas by setting the emission gas A/F to be near stoichiometric or rich by reducing an intake air mass in an air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust emission control system has a first passageway and a second passageway disposed to receive exhaust in parallel. The exhaust emission control system also has a valve arrangement configured to regulate the flow of exhaust to the first and second passageways, and at least one sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a constituent of the exhaust. The at least one sensor generates a signal corresponding to the sensed parameter. The exhaust emission control system also has a controller in communication with the valve and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to affect operation of the valve in response to the signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a volume quantity dispensing unit, in particular as a unit for metering an aqueous solution such as a urea/water solution, which can be used in an exhaust gas aftertreatment unit (17), comprising a pressure transducer (1), in particular comprising an electric pressure sensor, the volume quantity dispensing of the volume quantity dispensing unit following an electric signal (2) and the volume quantity dispensing unit being calibrated. There is provided at least one means (3) for changing a pressure value (4), which means changes the pressure value (4) in such a way that the pressure value (4), which is intended to correspond to the pressure in the volume quantity dispensing unit, is an input signal for a volume quantity (5) to be dispensed.

Abstract: Improving the beneficial use of waste material from a vegetation source, a biomass is fermented to produce a bio-fuel and carbon. The bio-fuel can be at least ethanol and bio-diesel and the resulting carbon can used to produce ink for printers. When the biomass is tree matter, a biocatalyst can extracted from the tree matter prior to fermentation. A component of the biocatalyst is used to cleanse internal combustion engine exhaust emissions by spraying the biocatalyst onto a exhaust emission gas. The sprayed exhaust emission gas can be filtered and the filtration by-product can be collected.

Abstract: A catalytic apparatus is used for a motorcycle with an engine. The catalytic apparatus includes an engine exhaust manifold, a silencer, a front exhaust pipe positioned between the engine exhaust manifold and the silencer, a front supply pipe connected to the engine exhaust manifold and configured for supplying secondary air, and at least one catalytic converter positioned in the silencer. A catalyst is coated on an inner wall of the front exhaust pipe. The catalyst receives the secondary air supplied by the front supply pipe to clean engine exhaust gases. Particularly, when the motorcycle is started in a cold state, the present catalytic apparatus can enhance the temperature of the engine exhaust gases, and the at least one catalytic converter can be accelerated to reach its operating temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kind of devices with trace emission resulted for treatment of exhaust gas. The device comprises a vessel having only one opening that serves as inlet. At least two gas exchange sections in sequence are provided inside the vessel after inlet of exhaust gas, between two gas exchange sections there is a gas mixture chamber at their connection part. The gas exchange chamber at first gas exchange section has a through opening leading to outside atmosphere area. With this configuration, on entering into the gas exchange section, exhaust gas will be ejected inwards and causes very strong entrainment, which makes the gas chamber become vacuum and sucks air with oxygen from atmosphere into gas chamber via the through opening to atmosphere. Formed high-pressure gas is burned furiously with combustible gas in the gas chamber at next stage, and the remaining exhaust gas is transferred into next gas exchange section with very high-speed revolution occurring on exhaust gas and momentum transfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an engine including a secondary air supply apparatus for supplying a secondary air to an exhaust gas passage in a cylinder head. the engine comprises a secondary air passage of the secondary air supply apparatus which is extending from an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder head through an under-portion of the exhaust gas passage into the exhaust gas passage. The secondary air passage has a groove geometry of passage portion on a matching surface between the cylinder head and a cylinder body.

Abstract: An end cap for an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The end cap has a cylindrical housing with an axial direction, a radial direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction, a first open end, and a second closed end opposing the first open end in the axial direction. The end cap also has an integral port member extending from an annular surface of the cylindrical housing. The integral port member has a central axis aligned in the radial direction, and an exterior surface of the integral port member tangentially connects to an exterior surface of the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: An electrical power supply system comprises an air-powered alternating current electrical generator in which pressurized air from a single source is used to drive an air turbine secured on the shaft of the alternating current electrical generator. One uncontrolled nozzle continuously directs air from the single source to the air turbine. At least a second controlled nozzle directs air from the single source. A solenoid-controlled shut-off valve is placed in a conduit between the source of compressed air and the second nozzle.

Abstract: An improved anti-cavitation hydraulic manifold for hydraulically coupling the hydraulic input and output of two, drive coupled, reversible hydraulic motors and a reversible source of hydraulic power for winding and unwinding systems is described wherein a stop confines a shuttle ball within each of two input/output (I/O) chambers receiving driving hydraulic input liquid from the reversible source of hydraulic power between an annular valve seat around a bypass passage communicating between the bases of the input/output (I/O) chambers and any ports penetrating into the respective input/output (I/O) chambers supplying high pressure or driving hydraulic input from the reversible source of hydraulic power where, responsive to supplied high pressure or driving hydraulic input to a particular I/O chamber, the shuttle ball in the chamber seats upon the particular annular valve seat translating a shuttle rod in the bypass passage unseating the particular shuttle ball from the annular valve seat around the passageway

Abstract: A heat engine enclosing a chamber in a housing has two zones maintained at different temperatures. The first zone receives heat energy from an external power source. The second zone is connected to the hot zone by two conduits, such that a fluid (e.g., air, water, or any other gas or liquid) filling the chamber can circulate between the two zones. The expansion of the fluid in the hot zone and the compression of the fluid in the cold zone drive the rotation of the housing to provide a power output. The fluid may be pressurized to enhance efficiency. A cooling fluid provided in a stationary reservoir maintains a preferred operating temperature difference between the hot zone and the cold zone. A heat storage structure containing a fluid with a high heat capacity may be provided as a heat reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-pipe generator. The blade is assembled into the heat pipe, a magnetic rotor is arranged around the blade, and generating coils are assembled externally onto the heat pipe opposite to the magnetic rotor. When the working liquid within the heat pipe is evaporated into vapor to drive the blade and the magnetic rotor, the generating coil outside of the heat pipe will yield inductive power, thus maintaining a vacuum state in the heat pipe for heat conduction. The magnetic rotor and generating coils may generate power accordingly.

Abstract: An integrated power plant cooling system for an electrical generating power plant driven by a gas turbine to cool power plant components is provided. The integrated cooling system includes a heat source extracted from the power plant and an absorption chiller utilizing energy from the heat source to cool a chilling medium. An integrated cooling skid includes heat removal devices for a plurality of power plant components. The chilling medium output from the absorption chiller is circulated to the heat removal devices for the power plant components of the integrated cooling skid. Plant cooling water may remove heat from the absorption chiller.

Abstract: Arrangement of a two stage turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine comprising an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, comprising a low-pressure turbocharger, a high-pressure turbocharger and a bypass duct in flow communication with an outlet of the low-pressure compressor, an inlet of the high-pressure compressor, an outlet of the high-pressure compressor and an inlet of the intake manifold. The bypass duct comprises a first bypass valve for opening and closing the bypass duct. The first bypass valve and the high-pressure compressor are accommodated within a common housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an engine air intake system. There is a need for a simple and low cost device for aspirating a pre-cleaner in an engine air intake system. The system includes a pre-cleaner aspiration system for an engine intake air system having a turbo-compressor with a turbine and a compressor, a pre-cleaner and a filter. The aspiration system includes an air amplifier having an inlet, a throat, a nozzle in the throat, and an outlet. A first line communicates the inlet to a dirty air outlet of the pre-cleaner. A second line communicates compressed air from the compressor to the nozzle. The nozzle injects compressed air into the throat and creating a suction which is communicated to the pre-cleaner via the first line.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine includes at least one compressor wheel. The at least one compressor wheel of a single stage or multiple stage turbocharger system is formed, such as by pressure casting, from at least one of an aluminum metal matrix composite and an aluminum alloy containing up to 5 weight percent scandium.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of engines based on a new physical principle in which the engines will extremely quickly change the physical state of fluids or solids, especially the substances with low boiling points such as liquid water, liquid nitrogen, CO2 powder, in which the outputted mechanical energy is significantly greater than the inputted energy to operate the engine. The engine is called engine for dispersing matter into the surrounding space in order to produce mechanical energy, or in short, matter-dispersing engine. At the same time, this invention also relates to the production of engines based on the concept of extremely quickly changing of matter (or high-speed dispersion of matter into the surrounding space) with the result that the elements being changed their physical states in the engine will move at a great positive acceleration and apply to members of the engine and generate great amount of mechanical energy.

Abstract: An external combustion engine formed with a plurality of heaters for improving output, provided with a container in which a working medium is sealed flowable in a liquid state, the container being formed with heaters for heating part of a working medium to generate vapor of the working medium and coolers for cooling the vapor to liquefy, the generation and liquefaction of the vapor causing the working medium to change in volume and the displacement of the liquid part of the working medium caused by the change in volume of the working medium being converted to mechanical energy for output, wherein at least the parts of the container connected with the heaters being branched into pluralities of tubular parts, a plurality of heaters are formed so as to be connected with the plurality of tubular parts, a plurality of vapor reservoirs for storing the vapor of the working medium are formed so as to be connected with the plurality of heaters, and the plurality of vapor reservoirs are connected with each other.

Abstract: A fuel-injection device in a turbomachine, comprising a high-pressure pump (10) supplying a flow control valve (16), whose outlet is connected via a pressurization and cut-off valve (20) to a fuel-injector (18) feed pipe (22), the valve (20) being connected to the inlet and to the outlet of the pump (10) in order to define two fuel pressurization thresholds, one being used to start-up and restart the turbomachine, and the other being used for operating the turbomachine as from an idle speed and for commanding an equipment with variable geometry (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of turbomachines and concerns a device (20a, 20b) for injecting a mixture of air and fuel into a combustion chamber (4) of a turbomachine (1). It relates more specifically to an injection device (20b) provided with a novel sliding bushing (30b) and with a novel annular cup (50b) for retaining the sliding bushing, making it possible to improve the air feed of the injection device.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of turbomachines and an injection device (10) for injecting a mixture of air and fuel into a combustion chamber (4) of a turbomachine (1). It is more specifically concerned with an injection device (10) equipped with two fuel circuits and relates to a novel Venturi (50) the shape of which improves the carburation.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes an annular combustor shell having an inner liner and an outer liner respectively with inner and outer flanges at least partly overlapping to form a dome end portion of the shell, at least the outer flange including intersecting upstream and downstream wall portions defining a corner therebetween, the upstream wall portion having a plurality of cooling apertures defined therethrough immediately upstream of the corner, and the cooling apertures being oriented to direct a cooling air flow from outside the combustor shell therethrough and adjacent an inner surface of the downstream wall portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for initializing dynamic model states using a Kalman or similar type filter. In one embodiment, an adaptable model-based control system for controlling a gas turbine engine is provided. The system can include at least one sensor adapted to obtain dynamic-type information about a current state of the engine. Furthermore, the system can include an engine model adapted to receive information from the sensor, and further adapted to reflect the current state of the engine. In addition, the system can include a model filter adapted to initialize the model with at least a portion of the dynamic-type information, wherein at least one value based at least in part on the dynamic-type information is input to the engine model. Moreover, the model can be further adapted to determine an output from the engine model based at least in part on the at least one value.

Abstract: A combustion turbine power generation system (10) includes a combustion turbine assembly (11) including a main compressor (12) constructed and arranged to receive ambient inlet air, a main expansion turbine (14) operatively associated with the main compressor, combustors (16) constructed and arranged to receive compressed air from the main compressor and to feed the main expansion turbine, and an electric generator (15) associated with the main expansion turbine for generating electric power. A compressed air storage (18) stores compressed air. A heat exchanger (24) is constructed and arranged to receive a source of heat and to receive compressed air from the storage so as to heat compressed air received from the storage. An air expander (28) is associated with the heat exchanger and is constructed and arranged to expand the heated compressed air for producing additional electric power.

Abstract: A combustion turbine power generation system (10) includes a combustion turbine assembly (11) including a main compressor (12) constructed and arranged to receive ambient inlet air, a main expansion turbine (14) operatively associated with the main compressor, combustors (16) constructed and arranged to receive compressed air from the main compressor and to feed the main expansion turbine, and an electric generator (15) associated with the main expansion turbine for generating electric power. A compressed air storage (18) stores compressed air. A heat exchanger (24) is constructed and arranged to receive a source of heat and to receive compressed air from the storage so as to heat compressed air received from the storage. An air expander (28) is associated with the heat exchanger and is constructed and arranged to expand the heated compressed air for producing additional electric power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the rotational speed, in a gas turbine engine, of a turbine comprising a rotor (6) driving a shaft (8) and able to rotate inside a stator (7) in the event of breakage of said shaft. This method is one which consists in measuring (11) the temperature at a point on a surface of the stator (10A) which surface lies downstream of the rotor (6), in transmitting the measurement signal to a control means (100) that controls the slowing of the rotor, said control means being designed to control the slowing of the rotor when the temperature reaches a threshold. The invention also relates to the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing power, heat and steam employing: a cogeneration unit comprising: a gas turbine producing power and combustion gases and a heat recovery unit fed with water and heating said water by recovering the heat from the combustion gases from the gas turbine; and a steam production unit heating water by combustion of a fuel with air, and in which the air for the steam production unit is preheated at least partly by heat exchange with the water that feeds the heat recovery unit of the cogeneration unit.

Abstract: A portable compact refrigerator especially designed for infant milk bottles, pacifiers, baby food jars and the like. The refrigerator houses a bottle and food jar warmer that has an LCD indicator for both the bottle and jar warmer, a safety lock, a start button and a timer. The refrigerator has a main compartment and a door attached to the main compartment. The door houses a medicine cabinet with a roll up cover that sounds an alarm when opened. The roll up cover has a lock that can be either a key lock, cyfer lock, or combination. The shelves on the door hold pacifiers, baby food jars and baby bottles. The door creates an air-tight seal when closed. Wheels attached to the bottom of the refrigerator allow for the portability of the compact refrigerator.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides multistage thermoelectric coolers and methods for their fabrication. For example, in one aspect, a multistage thermoelectric cooler is disclosed that includes at least two cooling stages, each of which comprises a p-type leg portion and an n-type leg portion coupled to form a p-n junction. The p-n junctions of the two stages are thermally and electrically coupled such that at least a portion of a current flowing, during operation of the device, through one stage is coupled to the other. Further, at least one of the p- or n-type leg portions of one stage forms a unitary structure with a corresponding p- or n-type leg portion of the other stage.

Abstract: A beverage dispense font incorporating a portable cooling device is provided wherein the portable cooling device cools an outer housing of the dispense font in order to encourage ice formation on the dispense font. Unique visual effects can be obtained with ice formation on the outer housing of the dispense font, and the portable cooling device therefore enables independent cooling of the outer housing without redesign or modification of the existing glycol cooling system used to cool the dispensed beverage. The portable cooling device can be inherently small in size due to relatively minimal cooling capacity requirements for cooling just the outer housing of the dispense font. The dispense font and portable cooling device may be moved from location to location thereby greatly enhancing the capability to provide a frozen-appearing dispense font to many locations.