Abstract: A hydraulic assembly for driving and controlling small hydraulic units, such as hydraulic cylinders of a brake and/or clutch of a forestry winch, is disclosed. The hydraulic assembly includes a means for establishing and also maintaining a pre-determined pressure of a hydraulic media. The hydraulic assembly is characterized by as low as possible hydraulic loss. Also, a quantity of hydraulic media required for a regular operation and maintaining the pressure within the hydraulic assembly is as low as possible.

Abstract: The driving assistance system for power steering wheel provides various setting statuses of assisting power so that starting and stopping of the power assistance can be adjusted according to practical conditions. The adjustable contents can be set by manufactures, service technicians or drivers according to battery capacity, vehicle speed or both of them. The system can provide multiple control modes for power assistance to match various requirements.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a reliable and efficient support to various methods of tapping from the free, and tremendous clean energy contained in ocean waves or any such waves, in the form of pressurized fluid, or linear and rotational motion, the most efficient way, the most economically, with the broadest scope possible, while taking into account the exigencies of marine environment, in three essential parts: 1—The hull of a floating carrier designed to pitch the most possible around a pivot shaft under the influence of the energy contained in the ocean waves. 2—A dependable pressure point, as a necessary element, where any force carried by the floating carrier hull will interact, to make available the tapped energy. 3—A mooring system that keeps the floating carrier hull free of any restriction or interference with other components, while positioning it for maximum pitching when subjected to the action of ocean waves.

Abstract: A rotary Stirling cycle engine including motor and pump rotors located eccentrically in motor and pump chambers arranged endwise adjacent each other, with both rotors on a single drive shaft. The pump and motor chambers may be shaped as circular cylinders. Working fluid inlet and outlet ports are located in motor and pump chamber ends. A bypass conduit may include a valve allowing working fluid to bypass the motor chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic hybrid turbo transmission for reduced energy consumption is disclosed. A pneumatic hybrid turbo transmission configured as a multi-purpose unit (MPU). The MPU recovers energy from the cooling system, exhaust system, ram pressure and the breaking system. The MPU unit is an automatic transmission, supercharger, air compressor for other uses, and starter for the engine using a multi-purpose unit that will eliminate the need for a torque converter or clutch, flywheel, catalytic converter, starter and supercharger. The MPU reduces pollution to near zero and reduces the aerodynamic drag coefficient on the vehicle. The MPU uses two or more in-line compressors to transfer power from the power source, such as an internal combustion engine (ICE) to a turbine or multi-stage turbine that acts as an automatic transmission. The pneumatic hybrid turbo transmission system uses plug-in power as a second source of power.

Abstract: A turbocharger having a cleaning port communicating between an external surface of the turbocharger housing and an internal cavity which communicates with a component of a gas flow control mechanism.

Abstract: A system for controlling contaminant deposition in an exhaust recirculation cooler mounted in a vehicle to allow exhaust gas to recirculate along a gas recirculation path from the exhaust assembly of the engine to the intake assembly of the engine. The cooler includes a housing defining an exhaust gas inlet leading to an internal gas cooling passageway which, in turn, leads to an exhaust gas outlet. A controller receives flow dependent signals and, in turn, regulates the flow of exhaust gas through the cooler to establish a turbulent flow in order to control the production of deposits in the cooler. Multiple, varying size coolers can be employed, with separate exhaust flows to the coolers being varied in by determining which coolers should be active, while still maintaining turbulent flow patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaporizer for a working medium for operating a vapor circulation process, including a working medium inlet section, a heat exchanger section, and a vapor collection section for the vaporized working medium, which are constructed as a stacking sequence from a plurality of materially bonded plates having through openings, a first channel system for conducting the heat transfer medium and a second channel system for conducting the working medium, which is hydraulically separated from the first channel system, being applied in the heat exchanger section, and the first channel system and the second channel system each being implemented by a partial overlap of the through openings of adjacent plates.

Abstract: A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A heat engine, such as a Stirling engine, is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller. The heat engine has a thermal battery in thermal contact with it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat.

Abstract: A power generation system comprising: at least one solar collector arranged to heat deliver energy to a fluid so as to boil the fluid to form a vapour at least one prime mover arranged to receive the vapour and to be driven thereby so as to drive a load, and a condenser for returning the vapour to a liquid phase, and a compressor for compressing/pressurising the fluid, the power generation system further including a gas pressure reduction station for reducing the pressure of natural gas, and wherein the cold generated at the gas pressure reduction station is supplied to the condenser.

Abstract: A system and method for decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing contaminated water in to a vessel. The water is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the water to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or water input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated water may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.

Abstract: A unitary, hybrid engine which includes an internal combustion engine which is used both for locomotive and heat generation externally of the cylinders of the combustion engine, wherein the generated heat is employed in conjunction with an evaporator to generate steam, which is then stored in an energy accumulator which retains the stored energy by way of a pressured water containment unit. The pressurized water containment unit accretes the energy and, upon attainment of a predetermined pressure and liquid level, the steam is transmitted to one or more of the cylinders of the unitary engine to provide the motive power to the unitary engine. The engine includes control systems to permit the sole use of steam during such times as may be required for environmental or pollution control requirements. The control systems may also selectively permit the use of steam in one or more of the cylinders of the engine simultaneously with the use of fossil fuel in others.

Abstract: A convergent/divergent nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes liners that are attached to the convergent flaps and seals. The liner is formed of two separate plates. By splitting the liner into two separate plates, a thermal break is provided between the two. Thermal stresses on a downstream plate are not as readily transferred to an upstream plate. External stresses on the upstream plate are not transferred as readily to the downstream plate. The two liner plate portions, and a separate backing plate all have faces that abut and are riveted together. These faces provide a flow blocker to maintain a lower pressure downstream of the flow blocker.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling fuel in a gas turbine engine including a fuel supply system channeling fuel to a combustor are provided. The system includes a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between a working fluid and a first cooling medium. The system also includes a second heat exchanger in series flow communication with the first heat exchanger wherein the second heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between the working fluid and a second cooling medium. The system further includes a modulating valve configured to control the flow of at least one of the first and the second cooling media to maintain a temperature of the first or second cooling medium substantially equal to a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A low emission combustor includes a combustor housing defining a combustion chamber. A secondary nozzle is disposed along a centerline of the combustion chamber and configured to inject air or a first mixture of air and fuel on a downstream side of the combustion chamber. The secondary nozzle includes an air inlet configured to introduce a first fluid including air, a diluent, or combinations thereof into the secondary nozzle. At least one fuel plenum is configured to introduce a second fluid including a fuel, another diluent, or combinations thereof into the secondary nozzle and over a predetermined profile proximate to the fuel plenum. The predetermined profile is configured to facilitate attachment of the second fluid to the profile to form a fluid boundary layer and to entrain incoming first fluid through the fluid boundary layer to promote mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid and fuel to produce the first fluid.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of starting and stopping a gas turbine and a start-and-stop control device, which are capable of solving a problem of a failure in normally igniting a fuel gas due to a purge gas (nitrogen gas) remaining in a fuel gas pipe and thereby igniting the fuel gas stably.

Abstract: A bi-modal turbine assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine. In one embodiment, the bi-modal turbine assembly includes a housing assembly having a flow passage therethrough, a turbine wheel rotatably mounted in the housing assembly and positioned so as to be driven by pressurized air flowing through the flow passage, an output shaft rotatably mounted in the housing assembly, and first and second gear trains disposed in the housing assembly. A switching device is also disposed in the housing assembly and configured to mechanically couple: (i) the first gear train between the turbine wheel and the output shaft in a first operational mode, and (ii) the second gear train between the turbine wheel and the output shaft in a second operational mode.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes at least one multi-stage compressor unit 2, with the compressor unit 2 including several, independent compressor modules 3-5, which, independently of each other, are rotatably borne on a drive shaft 1 and are each engageable with the drive shaft 1 by at least one clutch unit 9-11.

Abstract: A turboprop engine (1) includes an engine nacelle (3) and at least one bleed air line (25) on the low-pressure compressor (4) and at least one ejector (21) formed by a cooling air duct (24) and a nozzle (22) to create a cooling air flow within the engine nacelle during critical ground idle operation (controlled or uncontrolled), and without undesirably increasing fuel consumption or disturbing the work cycle of the engine (1). The ejector (21) is arranged within the engine nacelle (3) in the forward part of the turboprop engine (1), with the cooling air duct (24) appertaining to the ejector (21) connecting at least one air intake (23) disposed on the periphery of the engine nacelle (3) with the interior of the engine nacelle (3), and with the at least one nozzle (22) being arranged in the cooling air duct (24).

Abstract: The method for operating a piston engine system that includes modifying valve timing such that the gas displaced from the piston chamber is at a pressure and temperature nearly equivalent to the temperature and pressure at the end of the combustion stroke rather than being throttled as is the case for traditionally valve timings. When the high temperature and pressure gas enters an exhaust channel, thermally isolating means may line the exhaust channel such that the high temperature of the exhaust gas is maintained. A heat exchanger and an expander may be placed along the exhaust channel such that the high temperature and pressure of the exhaust gas are captured for useful work.

Abstract: One embodiment of a heat exchange system is disclosed having a heat exchange compressor and multiple evaporators capable of operating at different heat transfer requirements. The heat exchange compressor may be a single-stage or multi-stage compressor. In one form the evaporators return working fluid in separate streams to the heat exchange compressor. The heat exchange compressor may be integrated with a gas turbine engine and includes a number of inlets that correspond to a number of separate evaporators. Each inlet can be configured to receive working fluid at different locations within a pressure and velocity flow field created in the compressor. The heat exchange compressor may be driven by a shaft of the gas turbine engine and may be positioned at a variety of locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having an inner container for the reception of refrigerated goods and/or frozen goods, having a magnetic cooler as well as having a heat exchanger with a heat carrier medium located therein for the refrigeration of the inner space of the inner container, wherein the heat exchanger is made such that the heat transfer from the inner space of the inner container to the heat carrier medium only takes place via the wall of the inner container or only via the wall of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A self-cooled electronic component comprising a vertical monolithic circuit, in which the vertical monolithic circuit is electrically connected in series with a Peltier cooler so that the D.C. current flowing through the circuit supplies the cooler and in which the circuit and the cooler are placed against each other so that the cold surface of the cooler is in thermal contact with the circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a re-configured valve design to accommodate a high volume of product in the delivery system and the dispensation of product upon the application of a predetermined vacuum condition on the downstream side of the valve.

Abstract: The injection device according to the invention, intended to be attached to the wall of the bottom of a container containing a product to be cooled in bulk, comprises a hollow cylindrical body in which a valve forced by a spring is inserted, a through-channel appreciably parallel to said valve intended to be fed by pressurized cryogenic fluid, one end of said through-channel being connected to the cryogenic fluid feed system and the opposite end opening into the seat of the valve.

Abstract: A cooling system for beverage dispense has a circuit 5 in which binary ice is circulated. A modular heat exchange unit 13 for a plurality of beverage lines 25,27,29,31,33 is connected to the circuit 5 for cooling beverage prior to dispense from a dispense tap 35 in a serving area such as a bar. The ice fraction in the binary ice provides a thermal store that can absorb heat without increasing the temperature of the binary ice and enables the system to respond quickly to changes in the cooling requirements in the circuit 5.

Abstract: A refrigerator that allows a user to receive supercooled beverage through a dispenser in the refrigerator door. The refrigerator includes a main body having a compartment and a door opening and closing the compartment, a supercooling compartment in the main body to supercool a beverage, and a dispenser in the door to dispense supercooled liquid from the supercooling compartment without opening the door. A supercooled liquid tank is detachably installed in the supercooling compartment to supercool beverage. The supercooling compartment is installed in the rear side of the door such that a supercooling compartment door may be installed in the front side of the door to open and close the supercooling compartment in front of the door.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for filling a fluid (2) into the cooling circuit (1) of air-conditioning systems, in particular into those of motor vehicle air-conditioning systems, in which method the fluid (2) which is to be filled in is stored at approximately atmospheric pressure in a container (3), in which method a filling line (11) is connected to the cooling circuit (1), which filling line (11) can be connected by means of an initially closed valve (10) to a riser line (7) which dips into the fluid (2) which is to be filled in, in which method the filling line (11) is then evacuated, and in which method the valve (10) is subsequently opened such that the fluid (2) which is stored under approximately atmospheric pressure rises through the riser line (7) into the evacuated filling line (11). The invention is based on the problem of preventing the undesired infiltration of moisture into the cooling circuit (1).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cooling or heating system including at least a compressor (2), a condenser (4), an expansion apparatus (17A; 17B) and a vaporiser (20). The invention is characterised essentially in that in the condenser or in proximity to an outlet of the condenser (4) there is a control apparatus (7A; 7B) arranged to receive liquid from the condenser (4) and that includes an outlet to a condensate channel (9) and an intake (14; 30) to a signal channel (6, 10; 31), in that the condensate channel (9) is connected to the expansion apparatus (17A; 17B), in that there is means (8, 11, 18, 30, 34) to vaporize liquid that comes into the signal channel (6, 10; 31), in that means (12, 13) are connected to the signal channel (6, 10; 31) to control the expansion apparatus' (17A; 17B) opening process whereby said control is affected by the amount of liquid that is vaporised in the signal channel (6, 10; 31). The invention also concerns a method for controlling a cooling or heating system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of flexible hoses capable of handling high pressure fluids and providing a barrier against permeation loss in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Such hoses are particularly suitable in air conditioning and refrigeration in which new, low global warming potential refrigerant alternatives are used.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting multiple physical characteristics of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice cube storage bin intermittently and compares the images to detect the presence of ice clumps. In addition, the digital image analyzing system evaluates the edges, ice size and/or image intensity of the ice cubes in the images in order to determine the presence of stale ice. An algorithm is utilized to estimate the volume of ice within the bin based on the number of pixels in an ice bin image, the number of pixels of the ice within the bin, and a known volume of the ice bin. Notifications for clumped ice, stale ice and ice volume within the bin are sent to a user interface.

Abstract: An air conditioner is provided with a refrigerant circuit, refrigerant stagnation judging means, and an operation controller. The refrigerant circuit is a circuit that includes a heat source unit, a refrigerant communication pipe, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization unit. A heat source unit and a utilization unit are connected to the refrigerant fluid communication pipes. The heat source unit has a compression mechanism and a heat source side heat exchanger. The refrigerant stagnation judging means can judge whether the refrigerant has stagnated inside the compression mechanism. The operation controller performs a refrigerant de-stagnation operation for eliminating stagnation of the refrigerant in the case that the refrigerant stagnation judging means has judged in advance that the refrigerant inside the compression mechanism has stagnated when a refrigerant quantity judging operation is carried out for judging the refrigerant quantity inside the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: Cooling is provided to the power electronics of a compressor speed control system by way of refrigerant that is routed from a refrigeration system, through the power electronics, and then back to the refrigeration system. The amount of refrigerant flowing to the power electronics is automatically regulated to that needed to cool the electronics since both are substantially proportional to compressor speed. The housing for the power electronics is mounted directly to the side of the compressor, and the compressor is resiliently mounted to a support to thereby provide shock protection to the power electronics.

Abstract: A sub-engine (30), a compressor (40) driven by the sub-engine (30), and a refrigeration circuit (70) connected to the compressor (40) and operable in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle are provided, and the interior of a refrigerator (13) of a refrigerated vehicle (10) is cooled. A rotational speed control unit (91) for linearly controlling fluctuations in the rotational speed of the sub-engine (30) such that the refrigeration capacity grows or declines in response to a refrigeration load is provided. A battery (51) for storing electric power and an electric generator (50) for generating electric power by the rotational drive of the refrigerating engine (30) to store the generated electric power in the battery (51) are provided. A fan motor (7a) for the refrigeration circuit (70) is selectively connectable to the electric generator (50) and the battery (51) such that power is fed from one of the electric generator (50) and the battery (51) to the fan motor (7a).

Abstract: An indoor unit for a multi-directional air supply air conditioner capable of performing at least a heating operation includes: an indoor fan (39) for sucking air in an axial direction thereof and radially blowing out the air; and a heat exchange part (38), connected in a refrigerant circuit (80) and disposed to surround the indoor fan (39), for exchanging heat between the air blown out of the indoor fan (39) and refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (80). The heat exchange part (38) includes a plurality of heat exchangers (48) separated from each other along the direction of the perimeter thereof and connected in parallel with each other in the refrigerant circuit (80).

Abstract: The invention concerns a refrigerator (10) which is suitable for supermarket use. The refrigerator has a refrigeration space (12) for accommodating and displaying food items and there is a thermally insulated bottom panel (16) beneath the refrigeration space. This panel has a relatively high, laterally extending front portion (16.1), a relatively low, laterally extending rear portion (16.3) and an intermediate, upstanding wall portion (16.2) joining the front and rear portions. The intermediate wall portion separates a front compartment (22) located forwardly of the intermediate wall portion beneath the front portion from a rear compartment (36) located rearwardly of the intermediate wall portion above the rear portion.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow divider is made up of an inlet pipe 12 through which refrigerant Xin flows in, a main body 11 of which the inside is a cavity, and a plurality of branching pipes 13 through which refrigerant Xout flows out. When the length of the above described main body 11 of the flow divider is L mm and the inner diameter of the above described main body 11 of the flow divider is D2 mm, the relationship 2 ?L/D2?8 holds, and thus, a flow divider can be gained, where discrepancy (variation) in the flow rate ratio in the respective paths for the flow discharged from the outlet of the flow divider and entering the heat exchanger is small and pressure loss is small when there is a change of approximately ±10° in the installation angle, a change in the dryness of the refrigerant at the inlet (0.2 to 0.4) or a change in the flow rate of the refrigerant (50% to 100%).

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning system with a main air conditioning loop (10) for a refrigerant including at least one compressor (11), a condenser (12), an expansion device (13) and an evaporator (14), a cold storage heat exchanger (21) suitable for storing cold during operation of the compressor (11), and a secondary air-conditioning loop (20a) comprising the cold storage heat exchanger (21). The secondary air-conditioning loop (20a) is suitable to cool the evaporator (14) when the compressor (11) is out of operation. The secondary air-conditioning loop (20a) includes a fluid circulation branch disposed in parallel with a main air conditioning loop (10) common section including at least the evaporator (14). The fluid circulation branch contains a cold production element (21) able to cool the refrigerant toward the evaporator. The invention is particularly dedicated to heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning systems in “Stop and Start” cars.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided. A fluid passage guide is formed in the water supply unit to prevent water discharged from the water supply unit from being splashed to an external side of the tray.

Abstract: A built-in refrigerator having a housing formed with a front dispenser opening therein, the refrigerator including a frame member for surrounding an opening in a decor plate covering at least a portion of a front side of the housing and disposed in front of the dispenser opening, wherein the frame member is formed as a cover piece overlapping the edges of the opening, and an inner sleeve arranged between the cover piece and the front side of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooled goods apparatus with cool circulating air and having a cooling compartment for receiving the goods to be cooled, a duct for cooling air and, a low temperature generator for generating cooling air. The low temperature generator is in fluid communication with the cooling compartment via the duct that leads into the cooling compartment via an outlet opening. A jet forming means is formed by a nozzle element and/or a spacer that is arranged at the outlet opening and that keeps the goods to be cooled at a distance from the outlet opening.

Abstract: A refrigerator with a cooled inner chamber and a cooling circuit for a refrigerant, wherein the cooling circuit has a heat exchanger in the cooled inner chamber, a compressor for the refrigerant and a condenser on the outside of the refrigerator. According to the invention, a heat-storage material is in contact with the condenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerating device having a cooled goods compartment and a door. The cooled goods compartment is provided with a front frame that is made of a low heat-conducting material such as plastic or similar and is backed by a first magnet. A door seal that is fitted with a second magnet seals against the front frame in the closed position of the door. Opposite first poles of the two poles of each magnet face the contact area between the seal and the front frame while second poles face away from the contact area.

Abstract: A cooler includes a box portion having a rigid outer shell and a rigid inner shell, an insulative material disposed between the outer shell and the inner shell. The inner shell defines a chamber therein having a floor and opening to a inner shell top, the floor sloping from a higher end to a lower end. The box portion defines a drain hole passing therethrough adjacent to the lower end. The inner shell and the outer shell define a cavity therebetween adjacent to the floor. The cavity, into which a tray fits, opens to a hole defined by the outer shell. The outer shell includes a bottom from which four feet that are molded into the outer shell extend so as to form an air gap between the bottom and any surface upon which the cooler is placed. A door is configured to cover the hole. The outer shell defines a first recess about the hole so that neither the door nor the attachment member extends beyond an outer surface of the outer shell when the door is in a closed position.

Abstract: Method of liquefying a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas from a feed stream (10), the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) passing the feed stream (10) through a first cooling stage (100a, 100b) having at least two heat exchangers (112) and against a first single component refrigerant in a first refrigerant circuit (110a, 110b), to provide a cooled hydrocarbon stream (30); (b) passing the cooled hydrocarbon stream (30) through a second cooling stage (200) against a second refrigerant in a second refrigerant circuit (210a, 210b), to provide a liquefied hydrocarbon stream (40); (c) passing the second refrigerant through one or more of the heat exchangers (112) of the first cooling stage (100a, 110b); wherein the heat exchangers of the first cooling stage (100a, 100b) are shell and tube heat exchangers (112) having two or more tube circuits, the feed stream (10) passing through the tube circuit in each shell and tube heat exchanger (112) and the second refrigerant passing through another tube circui

Abstract: An air distillation unit comprises an air distillation column (10) suitable for producing a nominal flow of gaseous nitrogen, the top of said column being connected to a liquid nitrogen source (8), and operates by carrying out the following steps: a flow of compressed, cooled and purified air is sent to an exchanger (11) and then to the column, a flow of gaseous nitrogen is withdrawn from the column, the level of liquid at the bottom of the column is controlled; and injection liquid (20), sent from the source to the column, is no longer sent if the required production reduces to at most the nominal production. Application to the separation of air by cryogenic distillation.

Abstract: A glass ribbon producing apparatus (1) which feeds molten glass (Y) to a forming member (2) and causes the molten glass (Y) to flow downward from the forming member (2) to form a sheet-like glass ribbon (G) includes reheating portion (5) provided on a transport route for the glass ribbon (G) caused to flow downward from the forming member (2), and is configured so that the glass ribbon (G) is reheated by the reheating portion (5) to cause the sheet thickness of the glass ribbon (G) below the reheating portion (5) to be smaller than that of the glass ribbon (G) thereabove.

Abstract: A glass material for mold pressing, comprising a core portion comprised of an optical glass with a degree of abrasion FA of 200 or higher and a covering portion comprised of a second glass covering at least a portion of the surface of said core portion. A method for manufacturing an optical glass element, wherein a glass material that has been preformed to a prescribed shape is heat softened and press molded with a pressing mold and the outer perimeter portion of the molded product obtained is removed by mechanical processing. The above-mentioned glass material for mold pressing is used as the glass material. To provide a means whereby an optical element does not bear scratches on optically functional surfaces through contact during handling after the press molding of press molded glass products despite being comprised of a glass material with a high degree of abrasion, and a means whereby even when scratched, the function of the optical element finally obtained is unaffected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a flat ribbon of precursor glass for a glass-ceramic, comprising the continuous floating of the molten glass on a bath of molten metal in a float chamber, said glass being poured in the molten state at a temperature above its devitrification onset temperature onto the molten metal upstream of the chamber, said glass progressively forming a ribbon that runs along said metal bath, the cooling rate of the glass being at least 18° C./min between, on the one hand, the moment when the glass is at the theoretical temperature for which the devitrification rate is a maximum and, on the other hand, the later moment when the glass is at the theoretical temperature at which the devitrification crystal growth rate becomes less than 1 micron per minute. The glass thus floated does not undergo any devitrification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing mineral wool, wherein a mineral base material is melted in a cupola furnace having a shaft to hold the base material, the lower section of said shaft being provided with a grate, and beneath said grate there is a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is heated by one or a plurality of burners, the burner or burners being run on liquid or gaseous fuel and an oxygen-containing gas. The burners are operated such that the length of the flames occurring during combustion of the fuel with the oxygen-containing gas is between 60% and 100% of the combustion chamber diameter.