Abstract: There is provided a means for uniformly controlling the in-plane temperature of a semiconductor wafer at high speed in a high heat input etching process. A refrigerant channel structure in a circular shape is formed in a sample stage. Due to a fact that a heat transfer coefficient of a refrigerant is largely changed from a refrigerant supply port to a refrigerant outlet port, the cross sections of the channel structure is structured so as to be increased from a first channel areas towards a second channel areas in order to make the heat transfer coefficient of the refrigerant constant in the refrigerant channel structure. Thereby, the heat transfer coefficient of the refrigerant is prevented from increasing by reducing the flow rate of the refrigerant at a dry degree area where the heat transfer coefficient of the refrigerant is increased.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a combined cooling and heating system comprises a hydrogen reservoir. The combined cooling and heating system may be used in an aircraft. During a charging of the hydrogen reservoir, with hydrogen, a kitchen appliance is heated, and during the discharging process, the hydrogen reservoir cools the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A portable liquid oxygen (PLOX) unit and method of filling. The LOX unit includes a LOX container. An inlet line communicates LOX from a LOX supply to an the LOX container, and an outlet line communicates LOX from the LOX container ultimately for consumption by a user. A vent line communicate the interior of the LOX container to ambient atmosphere. A vent valve is coupled to the vent line to selectively communicate the LOX container to the ambient atmosphere. An auto shutoff assembly is associated with vent line to substantially block the vent line when the LOX in the LOX container reaches a predetermined level. A reset element associated with the auto shutoff assembly causes at least a portion of the auto shutoff assembly to unblock the vent line for subsequent filling.

Abstract: An approach is provided for vaporizing liquefied natural gas (LNG). A system utilizing closed circulation of a heat transfer medium heated by ambient air and waste heat from a waste heat source vaporizes the LNG.

Abstract: A method for supplying hydrogen gas, comprising: loading liquefied hydrogen produced at a plant on a liquefied hydrogen delivery vehicle, and transporting the liquefied hydrogen to a user's site by the liquefied hydrogen delivery vehicle; and pressuring and gasifying the transported liquefied hydrogen on the liquefied hydrogen delivery vehicle after arrival at the user's site to produce hydrogen gas, and then filling a storage vessel at the user's site with the hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A system and method of impingement cooling are presented. A cooling apparatus for cooling food product containers to a predetermined temperature includes a thermal treatment apparatus and a container support apparatus. The thermal treatment apparatus includes an air duct, a plurality of plenums coupled to the air duct, and a fan. The air duct is adapted to receive air from a first area where food products are kept at a temperature below the predetermined temperature. The plenums have orifices and the fan is adapted to push air received from the first area into the plurality of plenums. The container support apparatus includes a plurality of container supports adapted to support food product containers. The container support apparatus is positioned to interleave the food product containers with the plurality of plenums. Air discharged through the orifices impinges on food product containers supported by the container support apparatus.

Abstract: An ice-making machine that includes an evaporator and a simple control system, with a single switch, that initiates a harvest cycle by determining a flow rate of water out of the evaporator. The evaporator is a coiled in a flat, space-saving spiral.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple air conditioners. The system includes a demand control unit configured to divide the multiple air conditioners into groups, to assign a priority level to each group, to calculate an estimated power amount used by the multiple air conditioners based on an amount of power consumed by the multiple air conditioners during a predetermined time period, and to forcibly control an operation of one or more air conditioners included in a respective group based on the priority level assigned to the respective group.

Abstract: A temperature controlled storage facility includes a room having an enclosed structure, and a plurality of multi-level storage zones within the room. Each of the storage zones include a supply of temperature controlled air having two outlets, one outlet positioned adjacent to a top area of the storage area, and a second outlet positioned adjacent to an aisle, wherein pressure barriers are created to prevent air flow from migrating to other storage areas or to a return duct without cooling (or heating) all of the inventory in the storage zone.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for condensing water from ambient air, the method comprising: providing at least one condensation surface for contact with the ambient air; heating a solution of a refrigerant and a fluid, to drive gaseous refrigerant from the solution; cooling the gaseous refrigerant to condense the gaseous refrigerant into liquid refrigerant, and collecting the liquid refrigerant; evaporating refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant such that heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the condensation surface which is thereby cooled to, or below, the dew point of the water in the ambient air; and contacting the cooled condensation surface with the ambient air to effect condensation of water from the ambient air onto the condensation surface.

Abstract: A bottle cooler includes an outer casing, an inner casing housed within the outer casing and being sized and shaped to receive bottles horizontally therein. A refrigeration package is housed externally of the inner casing within the outer casing, and a cooling fan is housed within the outer casing to cause airflow through the outer casing past the refrigeration package to cool the inner casing. The bottle cooler is designed to be affixed beneath a kitchen cupboard.

Abstract: A lighting device controller which controls a lighting device and provides a signal to an air conditioner controller indicating an operation state of the lighting device, and an air conditioner controller which receives a signal from a lighting device controller indicating an operation state of a lighting device, and controls an air conditioning unit corresponding to the lighting device in response to the signal are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle HVAC system to automatically defog a window and to prevent fogging or condensation of the window. In-cabin air temperature and relative humidity are used to determine a dewpoint. Further, ambient or outside air temperature is measured. Window glass temperature is either estimated/calculated or can be measured. A fog margin, which is based upon the difference between the dewpoint and the window temperature, is calculated. When the ambient air temperature is below a predetermined temperature, a corrected fog margin is substituted for the calculated fog margin. When this occurs, the controller operates a fan at a reduced voltage, and hence at a reduced speed, as compared to if the controller used the calculated fog margin. Using the corrected fog margin prevents a vehicle user from being exposed to excessive fan noise or air currents during low or cold ambient air temperatures.

Abstract: A refrigerator including a main body which has a plurality of storing compartments, a plurality of evaporators which are provided to correspond to the storing compartments respectively, a plurality of blowing fans which are provided to correspond to the evaporators respectively to supply cold air whose heat has been exchanged at the evaporators to the storing compartments, and a compressor and a condenser which are provided in the main body, the refrigerator further includes: a plurality of evaporator temperature sensors which sense temperature of each evaporator; and a controlling part which, if temperature of the evaporator sensed by the evaporator temperature sensor is lower than a defrosting temperature of the evaporator after the compressor stops operating, controls the blowing fan that corresponds to the evaporator having temperature lower than the defrosting temperature to be operated.

Abstract: A demand control system for the multi-type air conditioner includes a demand control unit for controlling the operational efficiency of the air conditioners by changing the operation mode of the air conditioners when the estimated wattage exceeds a set wattage while enabling the user to feel more comfortable.

Abstract: A beverage cooler for use in a land vehicle. The beverage cooler includes a housing having an inlet for receiving air from a register in the land vehicle and having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet for discharging air into the passenger compartment of the land vehicle carrying the register. A mounting bracket is connected to the housing for securing the housing to the register of a land vehicle. An insert is removably positioned within the housing. The insert includes a tubular sleeve for releasably holding a beverage container. The sleeve has a circular bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall that is affixed to, and extends upwardly from, the bottom wall. A peripheral collar extends outwardly from the top of the sleeve so as to engage the top of the housing. An absorbent pad is positioned the bottom of the tubular sleeve atop the bottom wall. A wicking strip contacts the absorbent pad and conveys, via capillary action, water away from the absorbent pad.

Abstract: A radiant-reflective shield for an air conditioner condenser unit has slatted or louvered sidewalls and a partial top cover. The partial top cover shades sunlight from impinging on all or most of the top surface of the condenser unit without obstructing exhaust air exiting from the unit.

Abstract: An apparatus harvests latent energy and water by adiabatically decompressing a controlled volume of atmospheric air to lower its pressure and temperature below the saturation point of included water vapor, thus causing the water vapor to change state to nonvaporous water and release to the decompressed air thermal energy associated with the change of state. The apparatus then extracts the nonvaporous water, leaving the released thermal energy in the decompressed air. The apparatus then recompresses the decompressed air, which will have a resulting temperature, and thus a thermal energy, greater than those of the initially ingested air, and harvests the recompressed air and its increased thermal energy. The apparatus can also humidify and warm atmospheric air before it is ingested to increase appreciably the amount of harvested thermal energy.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute, an ice dispensing housing positioned within a refrigerator door cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes, a liquid dispensing chute positioned closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes a dispenser assembly housing that is accommodated by a door surface hole having a sizing ratio that is defined by dividing a height with a width of the door surface hole. The dispenser assembly housing is configured to define a dispenser assembly cavity in at least a portion of the dispenser assembly housing. The dispenser assembly cavity has an opening at a front surface of the dispenser assembly housing and has a sizing ratio that is defined by dividing a height with a width of the dispenser assembly cavity along the opening. A control panel extends along at least one of a horizontal and vertical dimension of the front surface of the dispenser assembly housing proximate to the opening. The sizing ratio of the door surface hole is different than the sizing ratio of the dispenser assembly cavity.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, a liquid dispensing actuator configured to be actuated concurrently with the ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing mechanism configured to dispense ice responsive to actuation of the ice dispensing actuator, and a liquid dispensing mechanism configured to dispense liquid responsive to actuation of the liquid dispensing actuator. The refrigerator dispenser also includes a controller configured to cause the ice dispensing mechanism to dispense ice responsive to actuation of the ice dispensing actuator, to cause the liquid dispensing mechanism to dispense liquid responsive to actuation of the liquid dispensing actuator, and to prevent the ice dispensing mechanism and the liquid dispensing mechanism from both dispensing responsive to concurrent actuation of both the ice dispensing actuator and the liquid dispensing actuator.

Abstract: An insulated container that provides non-contact cooling. A cooling medium is maintained in a reservoir or pocket that is separate from a food compartment. In an embodiment, the insulated container includes a tube or manifold for moving cold water around the food compartment. A battery powered, solar powered, or hand operated pump may be provided for moving the fluids around the food compartment. A liner for the food compartment may be formed of a highly thermally conducted material, such as aluminum, to maximize heat transfer between reservoir, and/or the tube or manifold system and the liner.

Abstract: A system for use with a consumable beverage includes a container having a mouth. A lid is detachably engaged with the container. A collar is adapted to be seated in the mouth of the container. The collar defines an opening therein. A thermal energy storing member is detachably engagable with the opening in the collar and/or the lid. A collar for supporting an end of a thermal energy storing member; a lid for a container adapted to engage a thermal energy storing member; and method of providing a chilled consumable beverage are each separately detailed herein.

Abstract: An Electric device which improves Efficiency during warm weather in ammonia type refrigerators found in recreational vehicles. The system operates automatically to turn on a blower to dissipate heat from the refrigerator's condenser, and turns off automatically when the refrigerator is not being used, or when the refrigerator's thermostat cycles off.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and an overlying protective film thereon. In certain example embodiments, the protective film may be of or include both (a) an oxygen blocking or barrier layer, and (b) a release layer. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed. Other embodiments of this invention relate to the pre-HT coated article, or the post-HT coated article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an avatar image processing unit applicable to various kind of electronic products for representing information on operation or control of the product with an avatar, and a washing machine having the same applied thereto. The avatar image processing unit of the present invention applied to a home appliance enables to represent a basic direction of use, and states of operation progress and control with mobile characters. The voice presentation related to movement of the avatar enables more accurate transmission of information, which enhances visibility of information to improve information transmission performance, and permits to put emphasis on an entertainment factor of the present consumer trend. A variety of representation is possible by downloading and storing new avatar from a server with an external device, which permits a variety of operation state representations proper for operation conditions, thereby enhancing competitiveness of the product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laundry machine, which can wash or dry laundry. The laundry machine includes a housing provided between a washing tub unit and a mounting surface, on which a cabinet containing the washing tub unit is installed; and dynamic vibration absorbers provided to the housing, and configured to offset vibration transmitted from the washing tub unit.

Abstract: A mounting star stabilizing and rotationally mounting a washing drum of a washing machine. The mounting star comprises at least three arms near the center of the mounting star and a hollow molded body with a box-like open profile. Support points support the mounting star against the rear wall of the washing drum and are arranged at a distance from approximately the mid-length of each arm. The open profile of the arm is made of a pair of surfaces which are non-connected between themselves and are at least similar to a flat rectangle which forms the transversal section of the supports and the short sides thereof are oriented towards the rear wall of the washing drum. Both of the supports are connected by means of a third support of the identical transversal surface from arm to arm, with a support of the other arm.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet; an outer tub horizontally installed in the cabinet; an inner tub rotatably installed in the outer tub; and a planarized unit configured to planarize at least one of an inner surface of the outer tub and an outer surface of the inner tub, the inner surface of the outer tub and the outer surface of the inner tub facing with each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dosing and dispensing a laundry detergent, preferably a liquid laundry detergent, into a washing machine comprising the steps of: i) measuring a dose of laundry detergent into a dosing and dispensing device (10) comprising a hollow cavity defined by a base (11) and side-walls (12), wherein the base (11) and/or side walls (12) are at least partly covered by a sleeve (20), and wherein the sleeve (20) comprises a film of material comprising printed indicia (21) thereupon, wherein the printed indicia (21) are resistant to removal from the film when the dosing and dispensing device (10) is exposed to wash conditions inside a washing machine; ii) placing both the laundry and the dosing and dispensing device containing laundry detergent into a washing machine, and running the washing machine on a selected cleaning cycle; and iii) subsequently reusing the dosing and dispensing device (10) for steps i) and ii).

Abstract: An inventive electric washing machine is configured so that a gas to be used for performing a specific process (decontamination process) on laundry is prevented from leaking to the outside. In the electric washing machine, a packing (120) to be brought into intimate contact with a door (12) for sealing a gap defined between the door (12) and a peripheral edge of an outer tub opening (118) when the door (12) is closed is opposed to a housing opening (14) with a space (129) defined between a lower edge portion of the housing opening (14) and the packing (120). If the door (12) is closed with laundry protruding through the lower edge portion of the housing opening (14), the protruding laundry is caught between the door (12) and the packing (120), so that the packing (120) is not brought into intimate contact with the door (12).

Abstract: A shipping restraint system for an appliance having movable suspension components is provided which includes a plurality of locking pins engagable in apertures in the components to prevent their movement during shipping. The locking pins are held in place by a single cotter pin which is attached to a cord retention strap directed to the exterior of the appliance. A loop of the power cord is retained by the cord retention strap. The power cord is further retained to the appliance exterior with a plastic strap. The plastic strap is pinned to the appliance in a manner to retain a self-leveling support system in a position with the leveling legs retracted for shipment. During installation, the power cord must be removed from the retained position, thereby releasing the suspension components and the self-leveling assembly.

Abstract: A lock with a core rotatable in an intermediate shell that is rotatable in an outer shell of the lock's body resists attack by the application of excessive torque to the keyway or drilling into the core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for locking apparatuses having a profile frame for receiving at least one apparatus. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for receiving one or more apparatuses, which has a profile frame, as well as a modified apparatus foot and a method for locking. The system according to the present invention is characterized in that the apparatus has apparatus feet modified for the engagement of a locking hook and the profile frame has at least one receptacle and at least one locking hook and one unlocking slider for each apparatus foot to be received, no screw connection parts used for locking the apparatus being provided.

Abstract: A road saddlebag universal, self-aligning locking latch and receptacle assembly mechanism for a semi-rigid saddlebag assembly for a variety of road bike, motorcycle styles. It provides a toothed pawl, lock and receiver, self-aligning latch and keyed lock mechanism to provide secure, tamper proof locking functionality to the semi-rigid saddlebag high security motorcycle and rider gear stowage. It also provides a method for providing universal, self-aligning locking latch and receptacle assembly mechanism for a semi-rigid saddlebag assembly for a variety of road bike, motorcycle styles. It also provides a spring loaded pawl receiver, self-aligning mechanism with toothed pawl latch functionality guided into a lower pawl engagement receiver providing a full encapsulation of traveling pawl receiver. It can be easily adapted to various designs of the road bike, motorcycle saddlebag, gear stowage compartments. The security locking system is not dependent upon a particular design style.

Abstract: A built-in step is conducted by building a drive part which generates a rotation drive power, a rotation shaft to be rotated by the rotation drive power of the drive part through a gear mechanism, a lock stopper to be screwed with the rotation shaft to move axially by rotating of the rotation shaft, a lock bar which moves between a lock position for locking a steering shaft by movement of the lock stopper and an unlock position for unlocking the steering shaft, and a first spring interposed between the lock stopper and the lock bar for giving a bias load, into a lock body to be installed in a mounting hole part of a steering column post of a vehicle from the same direction. Thereafter, a screwing step for screwing the rotation shaft and the lock stopper after the built-in step is conducted to assemble an electric steering lock device.

Abstract: An electric steering lock device has a lock body to be installed in a mounting hole part of a steering column post of a vehicle, a drive part which generates a rotation drive power, a rotation shaft to be rotated by the rotation drive power of the drive part through a gear mechanism, a lock stopper to be screwed with the rotation shaft to move axially by rotating of the rotation shaft, a lock bar which moves between a lock position for locking a steering shaft by movement of the lock stopper and an unlock position for unlocking the steering shaft, and a bush. The bush has a load receiving part to receive thrust loading of the rotation shaft at least at one side of the rotation shaft, an installation claw part to be installed by inserting in a hole part of the lock body, and a bearing claw part to receive radial load by fitting to be slidably rotatable with an external diameter of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a shift lever includes a detent member movable along a predetermined path, a stopper member movable between a locking position wherein the stopper member is within the path of the detent member to block movement of the detent member along at least a portion of the path and an unlocking position wherein stopper member is positioned to permit the detent member to move along the path, and a control member comprising a shape memory alloy. The control member selectively applies a force to the stopper member to move the stopper member toward the unlocking position in response to heat being applied to the shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a predetermined position relative to a support therefor. The latch assembly is changed from a latched state into an unlatched state as an incident of the first actuator assembly being changed from a normal state into a release state. The first actuator assembly has a first handle that is repositionable relative to a base assembly between first and second positions. The first actuator assembly is in the normal state with the first handle in the first position and the release state with the first handle in the second position. The lock assembly cooperates with the first actuating assembly and in a locked state prevents the first handle from being changed from the first position into the second position. The lock assembly has a motor that is actuatable to change the lock assembly between the locked and unlocked states.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary cylinder lock (1) which is designed to be actuated with a multi-groove key. The inventive lock comprises: a rotor (10) which is mounted such that it can rotate inside a stator (20) and at least one spring which is mounted such that it can move inside a guide housing (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) between a locked position and an unlocked position each spring being coupled to an elastic return means which moves same into the locked position. The invention is characterised in that each guide housing (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) can receive two different types of springs which can co-operate respectively with each of the two key grooves which extend such as to oppose the drive force exerted by the associated elastic return means when the key is inserted into the rotor.

Abstract: A device for hands-free access to a vehicle (V) includes a portable remote control unit (1) and a central processing unit (2) installed in the vehicle, each integrating transmission element (1a, 3) making it possible to implement procedures for authorizing access to the vehicle (V), and a switch (8-11) integrated into the handle (P) of at least one door and designed to switch from a passive to an active state when a user makes access to the handle. The central processing unit (2) is programmed to control the supply of an actuator (13) for unlocking the door immediately after validation of an access authorization procedure, and the switch (8-11) is electrically integrated into the circuit (6) for supplying this actuator (13) so as to keep this supply circuit open in the passive state of the switch.

Abstract: A lock includes a casing, a core and an indicator. The core is disposed in the casing and configured in such a way that a private key and a general key can be used to activate the core. The indicator is disposed in the casing and movable from a first position to a second position by the general key and movable from the second position back to the first position by the private key.

Abstract: According to a bulging device and a bulging method using a profile element pipe, for example, even when a profile steel pipe having a cross sectional shape varying in the axial direction as in a tapered pipe is hydraulically bulged, a bulging in which an internal pressure loading and an axial pressing are combined with each other can be performed to provide a larger expansion ratio than a conventional case and a joining and socket connection thereof to the other part can also be easily performed.

Abstract: A golf club adjustment tool for adjusting at least one of loft angle or lie angle of a golf club. The golf club adjustment tool includes a body having a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion. A first end of a first lever is attached to the second clamping portion. A second lever may be removably mated with the body.

Abstract: A rotary ring (34) formed such that an outer circumference is eccentric with respect to an inner circumference is provided to an outer circumference of an eccentric drum (333) of an eccentric shaft (33). An adjustment ring (41) formed such that an outer circumference is eccentric with respect to an inner circumference is provided to the outer circumference of the rotary ring (34), and a slide (5) is mounted to the outer circumference of the adjustment ring (41). Since the slide (5) and a slide drive unit (30) are arranged to be superposed substantially at the same height, a distance between the slide drive unit (30) and a lower end of the slide (5) can be reduced and the entire height of a servo press (1) can be reduced. In addition, since the height position of the slide (5) can be finely adjusted by rotating the adjustment ring (41), a press working can be performed with high accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating emission data or other information signals collected during a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplification reaction, assay, process, or other reaction. Calibration of multiple detectable materials can be achieved during a single cycle or run, or during a plurality of runs of the reaction. A reading from every well, container, or other support region of a sample support does not have to be taken. Interpolation can be used to determine values for emission data or other information signals that were not taken, or are unknown, using detected emission data, or other detected information signals. By calibrating the detected emission data and the interpolated data, a more accurate reading of emission data or information signal can be obtained.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus includes a motion assembly, which is arranged to move an imaging probe through a calibration point having known coordinates. The imaging probe includes an ultrasound transducer and a position sensor for acquiring concurrently a first sequence of ultrasound images and a second sequence of position measurements. The apparatus further includes a marking circuit, which is arranged to mark an ultrasound image that is acquired by the ultrasound transducer in the first sequence when the imaging probe is at the calibration point. A processor is arranged to calibrate a time offset between the first and second sequences by associating the marked ultrasound image in the first sequence with a position measurement in the second sequence whose coordinates match the coordinates of the calibration point.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing an impact test of an object of test by use of a hammer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pendulum arm swingable in an up-down direction in response to rotation of a rotary cam. The rotary cam is driven to rotate by a rotational drive unit, so that the hammer provided on a distal end portion of the pendulum arm successively applies impacts to the object of test.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing an emission control system of an internal combustion engine, comprising during degraded performance of the emission control system, dynamically identifying a relationship between a plurality of operating conditions of the emission control system; and correlating the relationship to a plurality of potential sources of degraded performance of the emission control system to identify at least one degraded source among said plurality of potential sources.

Abstract: A soot detecting apparatus includes: a high voltage generating unit for generating a high voltage; a discharge sensor which includes a pair of electrodes to be, disposed in an atmosphere to be detected, for causing a spark discharge at a discharge voltage dependent upon soot concentration in the atmosphere when the high voltage is applied across the pair of electrodes; a first detection unit for detecting a first discharge voltage value when the spark discharge occurs in the discharge sensor upon application of the high voltage of a predetermined voltage polarity; a first output unit for determining a first soot concentration value based on the first discharge voltage value; and a changeover unit for converting the predetermined voltage polarity to an opposite voltage polarity for causing reverse spark discharge at the pair of electrodes of the discharge sensor.