Abstract: A filter system for a surface maintenance machine having a hopper assembly for receiving brush-thrown debris including a cyclonic separator for separating dust and debris from air drawn through the hopper via vacuum action. The cyclonic separator may include multiple cyclone and may be in fluid communication with the hopper assembly so as to periodically receive dust and debris exiting the filter system.

Abstract: A recirculating water extractor includes a swirl vane, a converging nozzle, and two sumps. The recirculating water extractor may be designed to reintroduce uncollected water droplets back into the air stream upstream of both sumps, which may provide additional opportunities for separation. The Coanda effect may be exploited to increase the discharge of water along a surface. Utilizing a converging nozzle may intensify the centrifugal force applied to the air stream rich with entrained water and may move more of entrained water into contact with the wall of the nozzle, which, in turn, may enhance the liquid/vapor separation compared to prior art water extractors. The recirculating water extractor utilizing the Coanda effect and the method for removing entrained water from an air stream may be suitable for, but not limited to, applications in the aircraft and aerospace industries, for example, by being included in environmental control systems of aircraft.

Abstract: An improved ceramic honeycomb filter wherein the ceramic honeycomb filter has at least one outer corner having a shape, when viewed looking down the channels of the honeycomb, that is comprised of (i) at least two circular arcs wherein at least one of said circular arcs has a different radius of curvature than the other circular arc or arcs, (ii) a non-circular arc, or (iii) at least four straight chamfers in the absence of any arcs.

Abstract: An air cleaner includes a housing and an access cover. The internal volume of the housing can be reached through an opening in a side wall of the housing. A filter element having fluted filter media is removable and replaceable from the air cleaner. The housing is constructed and arranged to cam the element into sealing engagement with the housing. The access cover includes structure to help support and ensure proper seating of the filter element within the housing. A method of installing the filter element in the air cleaner includes sliding a portion of the filter element against a slide surface in the housing. A method of servicing an air cleaner includes tilting the filter element against a tilt surface in the housing to release a seal between the filter element and the housing. The filter element can have a handle to assist in servicing of the air cleaner.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a fixed line trimmer head is configured such that the trimmer head is not loaded or unloaded from the bottom. In an embodiment, the trimmer head is loaded from the periphery and unloaded from the top. In and embodiment, the trimmer head may include a gripping mechanism that is located near enough to the center of the trimmer head such that if the trimmer line breaks, the trimmer head does not become imbalanced to the point of vibrating. In an embodiment, a spacer is located below the trimmer head. In an embodiment, the spacer has a socket that is contoured to mate with a bolt head. The bolt is inserted into the socket, and through a hole at the bottom of the socket. As a result of the contoured socket, the spacer may be used instead of a wrench to screw the bolt to trimmer head.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically coupling fluid systems and electrical systems, respectively, of a header and a feeder of an agricultural combine as the header is lifted by the feeder. The feeder and header include lifting elements pivotably engageable with lower portions of the feeder and header spaced apart, such that when the feeder is raised, the header will be lifted by the feeder and pivoted so as to bring the lower portions together. A first coupler block is supported on the feeder and includes at least one fluid coupler and at least one electrical contact, and a second coupler block is supported on the header and also includes at least one fluid coupler and at least one electrical contact. The fluid couplers and the electrical contacts are configured and positioned so as to couple and be brought into contact, respectively, as the lower portions of the feeder and the header are brought together. They can also automatically uncouple when the header is removed from the feeder.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a horizontal rotary cutting system and a method for using such system to cut plant material, such as crops and tall grasses. The axis of rotary motion of the cutting blade is essentially horizontal, i.e., or parallel to the ground and is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis stalk of the plant material to be cut. The cutting blade has an elongated cutting surface that rotates perpendicularly toward, and passes through and cuts the plant material stalks. A cutting diameter of about two inches or less is used to achieve lower horsepower requirements, lower friction losses, and lower vibration of the system when compared to prior systems. High speeds of rotation of the cutting blade permit and facilitate the use of high ground speeds of the cutting system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for baling a crop with stiff stalks such as corn stalks has a frame with a front and a rear. At least one ground engaging wheel operatively attached to the frame for facilitating movement of the frame in a forward direction. An accumulator is operatively attached to the frame for holding the crop in various amounts. A pickup is operatively attached to the front of the frame for picking up the crop from a field and transferring the crop into the accumulator. A baler is operatively attached to the frame behind the accumulator for transforming a crop into a bale. A transfer mechanism such as a conveyor is provided in the accumulator for moving the crop in the accumulator to the inlet of the baler. In another embodiment, a pickup of a first predetermined width is provided for picking up the crop from a field and transferring the crop into the accumulator.

Abstract: A cable protection and guide device, wherein: the warp in front and rear side portions of link plates in the width direction is reliably limited so that an inadvertent disengagement between the link plates is completely blocked. The connection between the link plates is easy and manufacturing of the link plates is easy. Short arc-shaped warp limiting lock grooves are formed along a path coaxially spaced from a connecting pin or a connecting pin hole. Short arc-shaped warp limiting lock pieces are fitted to the short arc-shaped warp limiting lock grooves in a concave element/convex element engagement opposed surfaces of the link plates connected in the longitudinal direction so that warping in the front and rear side portions of the link plates in a width direction is limited.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a plasma motor for the extraction of a positive ion flow. The plasma motor has a single ionization stage (1) and means (6) of supplying said ionization stage with an ionizable electronegative gas. Means are provided for creating an electric field so as to produce the ionization of the gas in the ionization stage; First means for extracting a negative ion flow are provided and, second means are provided for extracting a positive ion flow, connected to the ionization stage. The extraction of a positive ion flow and the extraction of a negative ion flow are of the same amplitude, ensuring the electrical neutrality of the motor. According to the invention, the extraction of a positive ion flow and the extraction of a negative ion flow allow the neutrality of the motor to be ensured without recourse to a neutralizer as in the prior art. The application is useful for propulsion of spacecraft in space.

Abstract: According to the invention, a plurality of hatches (21) are provided in the rear part (15R) of the engine cowl (15), said hatches being distributed on the periphery of said rear part (15R) and being opened only when the turbojet engine power corresponds to a high power greater than the cruising power. In open position, the hatches (21) draw, on the hot flow, individual hot air jets (9d) passing through the intermediate chamber (16) before ejecting same through communication means (18) distributed about the longitudinal axis (L-L).

Abstract: A transcowl for a gas turbine engine thrust reverser includes an arcuate outer wall; an arcuate inner wall; and an arcuate baffle positioned between the inner and outer walls at a forward end of the transcowl. The baffle has an arcuate cross-sectional shape which defines a forward-facing interior area. An arcuate forward seal is carried at a forward end of the inner wall. The forward seal includes a plurality of axially-extending, spaced-apart arcuate seal teeth which collectively define a labyrinth seal.

Abstract: A bleed air cooler assembly of a gas turbine engine comprises a cooler body defining a fluid passage therein and a connector detachably affixed with the cooler body installed in an annular bypass air passage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a reductant in an exhaust gas feedstream of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine upstream of a hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reduction catalyst. The method comprises injecting a quantity of fuel into the exhaust gas subsequent to a combustion event whereat a temperature of the exhaust gas is in a range of 670 K to 1100 K at a start of the injection. The generated reductant comprises an active species including an oxygenated fuel species.

Abstract: A deterioration diagnosis system for an air fuel sensor mounted to an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine. The air fuel sensor determines a mixture ratio of air and fuel fed into the internal combustion engine. In the system, an inclination of an output signal of the air-fuel ratio sensor is calculated; variance of the inclination is calculated; deterioration of the air-fuel ratio sensor is determined based on the variance of the inclination.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an HCCI internal combustion engine effective for robust engine warm-up operation. The method includes selectively implementing ones of a plurality of operating modes in response to predetermined catalyst and engine temperature conditions.

Abstract: An intake air temperature detected by an airflow sensor is corrected based on a rotation speed of an engine and a fuel supply amount to thereby estimate an atmospheric temperature. The atmospheric temperature is estimated by calculating a dynamic temperature error caused by heat generated around an engine and a correction factor in regard to thermal influence which changes according to the flow rate of an intake air, and correcting the intake air temperature detected by the airflow sensor with the temperature error corrected with the correction factor. On the basis of the atmospheric temperature, an electric heater is controlled, which is provided on at least a part of a system of supplying a reducing agent or its precursor, for example, a supply pipe mutually communicating a reducing agent container with a reducing agent supplying apparatus.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement are provided for maintaining the oxidation of NO to NO2 in an oxidation catalytic converter arranged in a vehicle, the vehicle including an internal combustion engine which in operation emits exhaust gases to an exhaust gas after treatment system including the oxidation catalytic converter. A predetermined quantity of hydrocarbon is delivered to the exhaust gas aftertreatment system or the engine over at least one predetermined time interval for the purpose of maintaining the working temperature or regenerating an exhaust gas aftertreatment unit. The quantity of hydrocarbon is delivered to the exhaust gas aftertreatment system or to the engine through an injection with at least one predetermined fragmentation frequency and an injection period in order to maintain an NO2 production in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system that prevailed immediately prior to said time interval for the hydrocarbon injection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust line (10) for a heat engine, comprising a nitrogen oxide trap (28) which is installed on a filter section (24) between an exhaust inlet (12) and an exhaust outlet (14). The invention also comprises: a bypass section (26) which is disposed between the nitrogen oxide trap (28) and the exhaust inlet (12) in order to divert the exhaust gas away from the nitrogen oxide trap (28), and exhaust gas switching means (32, 24) which enable the gases to flow through the filter section (24) or the bypass section (26).

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an aftertreatment device coupled downstream of an internal combustion engine, the aftertreatment device including a urea-based selective catalyst reduction (SCR) catalyst. The method comprises establishing a threshold urea deposit accumulation for regeneration of the SCR catalyst; determining that the threshold urea deposit accumulation in the SCR catalyst has been met; and in response to the determination, regenerating the SCR catalyst by maintaining the SCR catalyst at a predetermined regeneration temperature for a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas purification catalyst for automobile which is capable of raising temperature of exhaust gas exhausted from combustion engines such as diesel engine cars and converting NO in the exhaust gas to NO2, in addition, an exhaust gas purification catalyst system to purify soot, soluble organic component and NOx component exhausted from diesel engines, and a purifying process of exhaust gas. The present invention is an exhaust gas purification catalyst composition to oxidize NO in automobile exhaust gas comprising a catalyst composition in which a noble metal catalyst component (A) is supported on a heat-resistant inorganic oxide (B), and an exhaust gas purification catalyst composition etc. for automobile characterized in that the noble metal catalyst component (A) comprises platinum (Pt) existing in a state of elemental substance in the catalyst composition and platinum-palladium (Pt—Pd) existing in a state of alloy in the catalyst composition are provided.

Abstract: An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an oxidation catalytic converter disposed in a first exhaust gas manifold section with which the exhaust gas outlets of a first portion of the cylinders communicate, and a hydrolysis catalytic converter disposed in a second exhaust gas manifold section with which the exhaust gas outlets of the remaining portion of the cylinders communicate. The hydrolysis catalytic converter, together with the oxidation catalytic converter that annularly surrounds it, are installed in a common housing. A tubular portion of the second exhaust gas manifold section extends into the housing and accommodates the hydrolysis catalytic converter in its end portion. A tubular portion of a first exhaust gas manifold section surrounds the tubular portion of the second exhaust gas manifold section, resulting in an annular in-flow chamber for the oxidation catalytic converter that simultaneously serves as a heating chamber.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of an exhaust gas flow includes at least one inflow channel with a front region and a rear region and at least one return flow channel. A first coating is provided in the rear region of the at least one inflow channel. The coating assists an exothermal reaction of the exhaust gas flow. A device is formed in the front region of the inflow channel for the transfer of heat from a return flow channel. A method for operating a device for the treatment of an exhaust gas flow, a vehicle having the device and an operating method for an exhaust gas system of a vehicle having the device, are also provided.

Abstract: A return to neutral mechanism includes a hub, a lever and a biasing member. The hub is configured to connect fast to a control rod of an associated hydraulic pump. The lever connects to the hub and includes a location configured to connect to an associated linkage that is connected to an associated steering mechanism. The biasing member connects to the lever for biasing the lever and the control rod toward a neutral position.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for synchronized movement of multiple cylinders in a horizontal plane includes a bidirectional pump, a shuttle valve cross-connected between pump outlets, flow-control check valves, and control valves which combine to reduce the number of valves in the hydraulic circuit and to reduce total cost of components for the system. The shuttle valve of the hydraulic system provides fluid for resynchronizing extension and retraction of multiple cylinder assemblies without disconnection of lines, provides air removal without disconnection of lines, allows easy addition/refill of hydraulic fluid, and allows excellent control of the extendable cylinder assemblies.

Abstract: A master cylinder for a bicycle hydraulic disc brake comprises a housing defining a cylinder, the cylinder having a first and a second end along its axis. A hydraulic fluid reservoir has a port between the hydraulic fluid reservoir and the cylinder, the port having an opening between the first and second cylinder ends. A piston having a seal resides in the cylinder with the seal between the piston and the cylinder. The seal has a leading seal edge with the leading seal edge being movable solely between the first cylinder and the port opening to vary the dead band distance between the leading seal edge and the port opening with the piston in a starting position. A lever is pivotably associated with the housing and operatively associated with the piston for moving the piston within the cylinder between the starting and a pressurized position as the lever is actuated between a rest position and an actuated position.

Abstract: A method includes supplying combustion air to a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement device from a turbocharger. During periods of low turbo boost pressure, combustion air is supplied to the fuel-fired burner from an auxiliary source. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising an engine, a turbo charger, and a particle burner is provided. The particle burner is disposed between the engine and a turbine of the turbo charger. The particle burner receives exhaust from the engine, heats the exhaust to a combustion temperature of particles within the exhaust, and then directs the cleaned exhaust to the turbine. The particle burner can include a reverse flow heat exchanger to heat the exhaust received from the engine. The particle burner can also include a catalyst to catalyze the further combustion of gaseous products of incomplete combustion from within the engine. The heat produced by the further combustion at the catalyst provides a further boost to the temperature within the particle burner.

Abstract: A turbocharger having a sliding piston for regulating exhaust gas flow into the turbine wheel includes a set of fixed vanes mounted on a fixed first wall of the turbine nozzle and projecting axially toward an opposite second wall of the nozzle, and a set of moving vanes mounted on the end of the piston and projecting in an opposite axial direction toward the first wall of the nozzle. The two sets of vanes are circumferentially staggered relative to each other and overlap each other, the degree of overlap depending on the piston's axial position. The turbine wheel can be a splittered turbine wheel having long blades alternating with shorter blades.

Abstract: A power system including an exhaust producing engine, an exhaust system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may include an EGR flowpath and an air intake system. The EGR system may also include an EGR valve configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gases through the EGR flowpath. The power system may also include a monitoring system configured to monitor operating parameters of at least two components of the EGR system. The power system may also include a controller configured to determine, based on the monitored operating parameters, a maximum flowrate value for each of the components. Each of the maximum flowrate values may represent the maximum EGR flowrate for that component. The controller may be configured to control the EGR valve, based on the maximum flowrate values, to result in an EGR flowrate no greater than the lowest of the maximum flowrate values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for recirculation of exhaust gases of a supercharged combustion engine. The arrangement comprises an exhaust line intended to lead exhaust gases out from the combustion engine, an inlet line intended to lead air to the combustion engine, a compressor adapted to compressing the air in the inlet line to above atmospheric pressure, and return line which connects the exhaust line to the inlet line. The arrangement comprises an EGR cooler in which the recirculating exhaust gases in the return line are cooled by the air in a portion of the inlet line which is situated upstream of the compressor with respect to the direction of flow of the air in the inlet line.

Abstract: A method for controlling fueling of an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine may include an intake manifold, one or more exhaust manifolds and a turbocharger coupled between the intake and exhaust manifolds. The method may comprise estimating an operating condition of the turbocharger, determining a maximum value of an operating parameter as a function of the estimated operating condition of the turbocharger, measuring a value of the operating parameter, determining an error value as a function of the maximum value of the first operating parameter and the measured value of the operating parameter, and limiting fuel supplied to the engine based on the error value.

Abstract: A system for producing electricity by pumping a mixture of melted sodium/potassium metals through tubing within the walls of equipment which extends downward to the geothermal zone of the earth. The mixture of melted metals passes through a first heat exchange area producing steam, then passes downward through an insulated low pressure vacuum area from where it is pumped from the tubing into a high pressure, super conductive heat transfer zone at the bottom of the equipment located in the geothermal zone. The geothermal heated mixture of melted metals passes through insulated tubing in the insulated vacuum area into a super heat exchange area passing through water forming steam and into a super steamer producing super heated steam. The super heated steam passes through a line into turbines producing electricity.

Abstract: A steam powered engine system wherein hot exhaust gas produced by a small secondary engine is used to heat water to a temperature above 212 degrees F., the superheated water being injected into a cylinder containing hot compressed gas. The water then flash expands into steam to drive a piston. The hot exhaust gas from the secondary engine is further utilized to scavenge spent gas and liquid from the cylinder during the return stroke of the piston, as well as to maintain a suitably high temperature within the cylinder.

Abstract: A Power Chamber that effectively and rapidly mixes within itself the heated air and combustion products from burning of a heat producing fuel with the injected and atomized spray of a “liquid cryogenic fuel”. This regulated and efficiently balanced mixing causes rapid expansion of the cryogenic fluid within the Power Chamber which creates rapid pressure build-up. The excess pressure that is built-up over the threshold point of the minimum operating pressure within the power chamber is channeled, via the mechanism of a door or a gate or a valve, through the Pressure Delivery Channel and made available for use to create motive power or some other kind of useful work.

Abstract: A turbine fuel supply system is disclosed as including a first sub-system having: a first nozzle for injecting fuel into a combustor of a turbine engine; a first valve controllable to communicate fuel to the first nozzle; and a first fuel manifold for communicating fuel to the first valve from a fuel source; the system further including a controller assembly for raising the pressure of fuel in the first fuel manifold; and the system being characterized in that the first valve is adapted to open in response to a predetermined pressure difference between the first fuel manifold and the pressure in the combustor, thereby allowing fuel to be communicated from the first fuel manifold to the first nozzle. The system may include a first recirculating conduit in fluid communication with the first fuel manifold and the fuel source, the first recirculating conduit allowing fuel not communicated by the first valve to be returned to the fuel source.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor liner, including a shell having a first end adjacent to an upstream end of the combustor and a second end adjacent to a downstream end of the combustor, where the shell also has a hot side, a cold side, and a centerline axis therethrough. A plurality of small, closely-spaced film cooling holes are formed in the shell through which air flows for providing a cooling film along the hot side of the shell. Each cooling hole has a non-uniform diameter as it extends through the shell. In particular, each cooling hole includes a first opening located at the cold side of the shell having a first diameter and a second opening located at the hot side of the shell having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter of the second opening is larger than the first diameter of the first opening. It is preferred that the shape of each cooling hole be substantially frusto-conical.

Abstract: A jet impingement array design and method are disclosed for efficiently cooling the liner of a gas turbine combustion chamber, while eliminating almost all effects of coolant gas crossflow. The design includes an array of extended jet ports for which the distance between the ends of the jet ports and the surface to be cooled progressively decreases from upstream to downstream. Spent air from upstream jets is directed away from downstream jets, thereby reducing the detrimental effects of crossflow, and optimizing heat transfer.

Abstract: A method and system for regulating a cooling fluid within a turbomachine in real time. The system may an external flow conditioning system for adjusting at least one property of the cooling fluid, wherein the external flow conditioning system comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The system may also include at least one heat exchanger; at least one control valve; at least one bypass orifice; at least one stop valve; and a control system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a gas moisturizing system are provided. The system includes a plurality of gas sources configured to supply a flow of gas to a plurality of gas loads, a single gas moisturizer coupled in flow communication to the plurality of gas sources and the plurality of gas loads wherein the single gas moisturizer is configured to supply a flow of gas having a predetermined moisture content to the plurality of gas loads, and a control system configured to maintain the predetermined moisture content.

Abstract: A method of starting a turbine engine at a first engine speed value which is lower than a second engine speed value designed for a normal engine starting operation, comprises varying a fuel flow into a combustor of the engine to start the engine in repeatedly alternating speed acceleration and deceleration cycles in order to create an engine speed augmentation in each of the speed acceleration and deceleration cycles, thereby achieving the second engine speed value while preventing the engine from being overheated, and then beginning the normal engine starting operation

Abstract: A heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system includes: a fan blower; and a cross-flow heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fan blower. The cross-flow heat exchanger includes a first set of conduits which define a first communication path, a second set of conduits which define a second communication path and a thermoelectric device therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides a measuring system to determine the quality of the heat pipe, comprising a heat pipe comprising a first end connected to a first temperature sensor and a second end connected to a second temperature sensor, a heater being connected to said first end and being connected to a multi-function heater controller; a multi-function heater controller being electrically connected to said heater and said one of the first or second temperature sensor, a thermal-electric cooler (TEC) module being connected to said second end; and a TEC controller being electrically connected to said TEC module and said one of the first or second temperature sensor, wherein said TEC controller comprises a proportional-integral-derivative controller, and said multi-function heater controller comprises both constant heating power and constant temperature control modes.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for selectively cooling heat-generating electronic components in an enclosure. According to one embodiment, an enclosure houses a plurality of heat-generating electronic components. Air enters the enclosure at the front and is exhausted at the rear. After passing through one or more upstream components, air diverges into at least first and second airstreams within the enclosure. The first airstream is re-cooled by a cooling system having a thermoelectric cooling module. The thermoelectric cooling module is configured such that a first side is cooled and a second side is heated in response to an applied voltage. A voltage regulator may govern the voltage in response to one or more temperatures sensed within the rack system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioning system for an aircraft which utilizes high pressure bleed air. The bleed air is pressure controlled and introduced into a vortex cooler which can be operated in two modes using a valve. In a first mode, the bleed air is divided into cold and hot streams. The cold stream is directed into the cabin for cooling purposes. The hot stream is released from the aircraft in a manner that it pulls ambient air across a heat exchanger. In a second mode, the bleed air is not divided, but passes through the vortex cooler as a common stream. The second mode is more commonly used in colder ambient air conditions.

Abstract: A method system for providing a purified liquified gas including a vessel containing adsorbent submerged within a liquified gas and an impurity contained inside a storage tank wherein the liquified gas is purified by the adsorbent.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical cryostat defining an axial imaging region, the cryostat housing a magnet which, in use, provides a substantially homogeneous magnetic field in the imaging region, further comprising a refrigerator arranged to cool certain elements of the cryostat, said refrigerator comprising a magnetic material which, in use, oscillates along an axis of the refrigerator. The cryostat is arranged such that the axis of the refrigerator is substantially tangential to a circle centred on the axis of the cylindrical cryostat.

Abstract: A portable air conditioner (10) that has a loading chamber (30) substantially separated from a cooling chamber (32) within a housing (20). Heat-transfer cells (40) for holding a phase-changeable, frozen substance such as ice (3), have an open end that is accessible from the loading chamber (30) and have cell housings (40, 44) disposed within the heat-transfer chamber (32). An air-flow mechanism (62) causes air to be drawn in through at least one air-intake opening (60), circulated among the heat-transfer cells (40) and urged outwardly of the unit housing (20) through at least one air-outlet opening (70, 72).

Abstract: An automated ice transport device and method that can service one or more remote locations is provided. When ice is needed, the container is automatically filled, and then is transported mechanically along a predetermined pathway to the ice storage device in need, where the ice is dispensed therefrom. The container is returned to the source of ice following the predetermined pathway, remaining there until ice is needed at a location.