Abstract: A modular monolithic metal framed bulkhead panel having an outer frame, an inner frame, a non-metallic composite panel, a panel seal, and a frame seal common to a panel-bulkhead structure interface.

Abstract: A flashing panel mount for a plurality of air-conditioning lines of an air-conditioning unit located about an exterior of a building is provided. The plurality of air-conditioning lines defines an outer periphery. The panel mount may comprise a hood member and a cover. The hood member may be attachable to the building and may have a hood member aperture sized and configured to accommodate at least two of the plurality of air-conditioning lines so as to extend the air-conditioning lines from within the building to the air-conditioning unit located about the building exterior. The cover may be attached to the hood member aperture and may be sized and configured to accommodate the air-conditioning lines therethrough. The cover may be conformable to the outer periphery of the air-conditioning lines once the air conditioning lines are fed through the hood member aperture to prevent entrance of undesirable material from a building outside to a building inside.

Abstract: A system for mounting a partition, the system including a shoe with a slot for receiving an edge of the partition and an isolator that fits within the slot between the partition and a portion of the slot. A clamp assembly fits within the slot opposite the first isolator. The clamp assembly includes upper and lower blocks and, optionally, a center block. Surfaces of the blocks are angled with respect to each other so that drawing the upper and lower blocks toward each other will urge one of the blocks in one direction and the other block or blocks in the opposite direction. The blocks include engagement surfaces which engage a side wall of the slot and a side of the partition to selectively and releasably hold the partition within the slot.

Abstract: A corner defined where a wall panel and a ceiling panel meet is trimmed by a crown molding assembly comprising a wall platform, a ceiling platform, a crown molding member, a wall edge-trimming bead, and a ceiling edge-trimming bead. The wall platform is affixed to the wall panel, at or near the corner, and has an expansive surface spaced from the wall panel. The ceiling platform is affixed to the ceiling panel, at or near the corner, and has an expansive surface spaced from the ceiling panel. The crown molding member is affixed so as to bridge the expansive surfaces of the wall and ceiling platforms. The wall edge-trimming bead is affixed so as to cover an outer edge of expansive surface of the wall platform. The ceiling edge-trimming bead is affixed so as to cover an outer edge of expansive surface of the ceiling platform. Each platform may comprise a drywall layer or stacked drywall layers.

Abstract: A system for venting moisture from wall and building structures, especially masonry walls constructed from masonry elements such as of brick, block, stone, faux stone or the like, without weakening the wall or building structure, utilizes open matrix weep vent members that are fabricated, for example from a mass of intertwined and intertangled polymeric filaments that are bonded at a plurality of intersections thereby to form one-piece or unit-handled weep vent members that preferably are inserted in place of mortar at spaced locations along horizontally extending mortar joints between rows of bricks, blocks or other masonry wall elements.

Abstract: A mortar and debris collection device for insertion into lower portions of a cavity defined between outer and inner wall structures of a masonry cavity wall employs two relatively rigid mat elements each designed to permit moisture to pass readily therethrough. Bottom edge regions of the two mat elements are hinge connected to permit the mat elements to be folded into closely overlying relationship.

Abstract: A reverse molded fiberboard panel; a wainscot kit comprising a plurality of differently sized reverse molded panels, and a planar finishing or spacer panel, adapted to completely cover any size wall between a wall base board and a wall chair rail; and a method of reverse molding a loose cellulosic mat, in a single pressing step, to provide one or more relatively high density, raised panels without requiring preliminary pressing, or other pre-shaping step, such as scalping. The reverse-molded panels are molded in a conventional, multi-opening fiberboard press, in a single pressing step process, while achieving excellent transfer of mold detail (embossing fidelity) without visually noticeable fiber fracture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer decoupling system, in particular for the laying of ceramic paving according to a thin-bed method. Said system comprises a layered construction containing, from the base upwards, an anchoring fleece made of non-woven material, an anchorage layer that is configured from a lattice-type structural element and that is used to hold a filler material, which is to be incorporated into the upper face of the decoupling system and which is plastic during processing and subsequently cures, in addition to a reinforcement layer, which is fixed, at least in some sections, to the anchorage layer. This improves the load-bearing capacity of the decoupling system and the bonding properties of ceramic paving that is laid in a conventional manner on the decoupling system.

Abstract: A corner bracket member for use in an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) corner block or other form assembly having a pair of opposed inner and outer spaced apart panels for receiving concrete therebetween, the corner bracket member including at least a pair of side members, each side member having at least a pair of spaced apart flange members adapted for receiving and anchoring exterior facade or other surfaces thereto, and at least one concrete engaging member positioned and located so as to extend in a direction completely across the space formed by and between the inner and outer panels associated with the ICF corner block. The side members and flange members of the corner bracket member are encapsulated within one of the inner and outer panels and the at least one concrete engaging member includes a terminal end portion which is encapsulated within the other of the inner and outer panels when attached thereto.

Abstract: A building having windows and a window arrangement to aid in the reduction of unwanted air movement in or out of windows or even doors. The window arrangement is configured to be combined with louvered or jalousie windows to minimize the flow of air from one side of the louvered or jalousie windows to the other side.

Abstract: A compression post assembly for a soffit, canopy or like structure utilizing a suspended grid of inverted tees to support the soffit surface forming panels comprising a main strut and a saddle coupling, the main strut having a hollow cross-section along substantially its full length between its upper and lower ends, the saddle coupling being adapted to connect the lower end of the strut to a grid tee by receiving separate self-tapping screws, one in each of the main strut and grid tee, the saddle coupling having a pair of spaced depending legs, the legs being spread apart by a distance sufficient to straddle the bulb of a conventional grid tee and having a length sufficient to engage the upper surfaces of the lower flange of the grid tee and thereby stabilize the grid tee against pivotal motion about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: Building panel repair apparatus generally includes a substantially planar backplate for insertion through a hole in a building panel to be repaired. A front face of the backplate is provided with adhesive for mounting the backplate to the rear side of a building panel. At least one flap is defined in the backplate such that the at least one flap is movable between an open position providing an operative with backplate positioning means to facilitate mounting of the backplate to a building panel, and a closed position providing a substrate surface for hole repair material. Other aspects of the invention include methods of repairing building panels using a building panel repair apparatus, and methods of manufacturing building repair apparatus.

Abstract: A truss bearing supports a web-type construction truss and has an elongated metal member that is secured along its length to the primary supporting chord of a truss. The truss bearing can include a pair of substantially parallel spaced-apart elongated wooden members sandwiching the metal member extending along and secured to the bottom of the primary chord, with the metal member adhesively secured to the primary chord through being adhesively secured to the pair of wooden members. An optional metal bearing plate can be substantially rigidly secured to the bottom surface of the elongated metal member near one or both ends of the truss, forming therewith a T-shaped cross-section, and can be welded to a supporting member of a larger structure using metal-to-metal connection. The bearing plate can have an angled extension affixed to the first diagonal truss member.

Abstract: A floor panel and method of manufacturing wherein each panel comprises a sheet having at least two stiffening members extending from the lower surface and substantially the length of the sheet. A bead is defined along one of the stiffening members while a tab is defined along the other stiffening member. Clips are provided to fasten the bead and tab in a locking relationship to hold the sheet in position. A flange formed at one end of the panel is received within a recess formed at an opposite end of another panel to automatically space one panel from another.

Abstract: An improved sliding clip for a standing seam roof, the clip having a clip base supporting a clip tab adapted to connect to a standing seam, the clip tab slidably supported by the clip base along a slide track on the clip base, the clip tab permitted to travel a selected range along substantially the full length of the clip base so that the length of the travel path can exceed or be less than the length of the clip base. Stop members on the clip base and clip tab are positioned to abut when the clip tab is moved in either direction along the slide track. Alternate tab stops can be provided to selectively determine the extent of travel of the clip tab along the travel path.

Abstract: A framing system for adjustably connecting building components comprising an outer stud, an interior support member, and a connecting clip.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a method embodiment for making a stone wall manufacturing kit. The method embodiment includes providing a plurality of stones having a variety of thicknesses and lengths; sorting the stones based upon length and thickness of each of the stones; preparing an image of the stone wall; marking each stone within the image with an identifier to make a marked stone image; marking each stone of the plurality of stones with an identifier corresponding to the identifier of the stone in the image of the assembled stone wall; and packaging the marked stones and marked stone image to make a stone wall kit.

Abstract: A machine (100) for making filter bags (1) for infusion products, the machine (100) being of the type comprising, one after the other along a production line (P), a plurality of operating stations designed to form the filter bags (1) and at least one operating outfeed station (7) for handling the filter bags (1) made; the operating outfeed and handling station (7) comprises conveying means (8) designed to successively pick up and withhold the filter bags (1) along a certain section (T1) of the line (P); supporting guide means (9) along which an ordered and continuous succession of filter bags (1) is formed and fed along another section (T2) of the line (P); and means (11) for picking up and transferring the filter bags from the conveying means (8) to the supporting guide means (9).

Abstract: A split crimper for use in a crimping assembly for engaging and heat sealing overlapping layers of a packaging material includes a first crimper portion having a crimping surface and a second crimper portion that is secured to the first crimper portion to form a crimper. Portions of the first and second crimper portions cooperate to define an interior cavity, and a heating element is disposed completely within the interior cavity.

Abstract: Packaging machine for packaging lollipops provided with a stick and a head in a film/foil sheet, comprising a rotatably driven drum having a series of lollipop holders thereon, the drum furthermore being provided with a series of film/foil folding means for folding a respective film/foil sheet around the head around a longitudinal center axis substantially parallel to the stick, the device furthermore comprising a series of twisters for twisting a film/foil tube section protruding in the longitudinal direction of the lollipop head while continuing to clamp the lollipop head and while the drum continues to rotate.

Abstract: The invention is a combination of a short ground sensor arm mounted close to the cutter bar and a longer rod mounted towards the rear of the header. The short front sensor and long rear sensor are connected by a linkage which translates motions from either sensor to the other sensor. A second linkage translates the motions of both sensors rearward to a protected area under the header which contains the potentiometer. This configuration transmits useful ground position signals to the header height controller in both low and high cutting heights. The invention advantageously reduces the likelihood of damage to the short front sensor when the machine is reversed since the longer rear sensor arm pulls the shorter forward sensor arm up by means of the linkage to a position where damage is unlikely.

Abstract: A hydraulic driver for powering the conditioner mechanism on an agricultural mower-conditioner, the hydraulic driver being powered by the same hydraulic power circuit that powers the cutting mechanism, but which includes controls for varying the speed and/or direction of rotation of the conditioner mechanism independent from the speed of the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A header for a harvesting machine with a movable cutterbar includes a belt drive mechanism connecting a stationary pulley mounted on the frame of the header and a relatively movable pulley mounted on the movable part of the header. The belt drive mechanism includes two guide pulleys, a belt mounted along said pulleys, and a pivot assembly mounted on the auger shaft. The guide pulleys are mounted on opposite lever arms of the pivot and said belt drive mechanism further includes a tensioning mechanism.

Abstract: A disc cutter module mounting structure for an agricultural header that enables one or more disc cutter modules and interconnection spacers to be temporarily laterally displaced a distance sufficient to disengage the transverse drive apparatus from a failed module thereby allowing the failed module to be removed from the header for repair or replacement. The laterally displaced modules and spacers need only be disconnected from the outboard drive shaft; lateral displacement is accomplished by the incorporation of slotted mounting guides on the spacers and a plurality of spaced-apart support tabs on the header frame. The mounting structure also supports the modules and spacers during the removal/replacement process reducing the need for jacks to support modules as they are being repositioned on the header.

Abstract: An agricultural press has material receiver for picking up a swath of crop material from the ground and delivering it to the press chamber. A material hold-down device extends over the material receiver and is mounted for vertical movement relative to the material receiver. During normal operation the hold-down device moves over a first range of movement in response to changing swath thicknesses. If a material jam should nevertheless arise, the material hold-down device can be moved in total or in part, either mechanically or manually, over an second range of movement in addition to the first range of movement in order to be able to liberate the wedged material.

Abstract: A mower deck lift mechanism for a lawn mower includes a mower deck, a linkage mechanism for movably mounting the mower deck to the frame for raising and lowering movement relative to the frame, and an electro-hydraulic actuator assembly connected to the linkage mechanism for raising and lowering the mower deck relative to the frame. The actuator assembly is an integrated unit including a hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly connected to the linkage mechanism, a pump for supplying pressurized fluid to the piston-cylinder assembly, and an electric motor for driving the pump.

Abstract: A lawn mower, comprising a vehicle body that is supported by a plurality of wheels; a support frame that is connected to a rear part of the vehicle body; a grass collector that is supported on the support frame so as to be pivoted between a grass collecting position and a discharge position about an axis oriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, the grass collector having a bottom surface; a swiveling body that is connected to a rotating shaft of the grass collector to be rotated in unison so as to switch the grass collector between the grass collecting position and the discharge position; and a cylinder connected to the swiveling body and to the support frame; wherein the swiveling body and the cylinder are disposed below the grass collector in the grass collecting position, and the cylinder extends along the bottom surface of the grass collector.

Abstract: A header for a harvesting machine having a frame, a cutterbar mounted on the frame operable to cut standing crop, the cutterbar being adjustable relative to the frame in a fore-and-aft direction, and a reel rotatably supported between a pair of reel arms pivotally mounted on the frame and operable to sweep crop material towards and over the cutterbar, a hydraulic cylinder extending between each reel arm and a corresponding side wall of the header frame to effect a generally vertical movement of the reel, comprising an interlock mechanism operably interconnecting the cutterbar and the hydraulic cylinder at each side of the header for adjusting the vertical position of the reel in response to a fore-and-aft movement of the cutterbar to maintain substantially constant the spacing and avoiding interference between the reel and the cutterbar.

Abstract: A mower blade assembly (10) includes an elongated blade bar (11) having two oppositely disposed cutting ends (13). A pair of removable bottom blades (22) and a pair of removable top blades (23) are removably mounted to the blade bar. The bottom blade has two oppositely disposed serrated cutting edges (27) so that either of the two cutting edges may be utilized for cutting purposes. Each top blade has a forward portion (31) which includes a series of blade segments (32) with serrated cutting edges (33) and a series of mulching blades (34) with serrated cutting edges (35). The top blade also has an elongated rear portion (37) that is oriented at an angle with respect to the cutting blades and blade bar. The angle of the rear portion creates or defines an airfoil deflector which increases the vacuum effect of the rotating blades.

Abstract: An epicyclical drive having a generally flat, disk shaped flywheel, a flywheel to pinion carrier in the form of an inner hub of the flywheel, and a flywheel support bearing and structure incorporated into the flywheel itself, all of which are concentric about a rotational axis of the flywheel so as to be axially compact, and so as to be particularly well adapted for being located beneath, or incorporated into, the floor of a grain header of an agricultural harvesting machine, for reciprocatingly driving knife knives of a sickle thereof. In particular, the flywheel support bearing is located in an annular space between the inner hub and an outer flange which is rotated by a belt or other drive for rotating the flywheel.

Abstract: Said strap with articulated links, in particular for a watch, comprises at least three adjacent rows of links offset from one adjacent row to another, in which at least one friction surface (3, 13, 23-163) of each joint is made of a material of which the hardness is >800 HV. Said bearing surface (3, 13, 23-163) is in contact with at least one joint element (5, 15, 25-165) having at least one friction surface made of a second material selected from the following materials: ceramic, ceramic-metal composite, amorphous carbon, stainless steel without nickel, cobalt alloy, gold or gold alloy, platinum or platinum alloy, platinoid or platinoid alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, capable of reducing the frictional wear with the friction surface (3, 13, 23-163).

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process, such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process.

Abstract: A system for use in a combined cycle or rankine cycle power plant using an air-cooled steam condenser is provided and includes a steam turbine from which first and second steam supplies are outputted at high and low respective pressures, an air-cooled condenser configured to fluidly receive and to air-cool at least the first steam supply via a supply of air, a cooling tower from which a first water supply is cycled, a chilling coil through which a second water supply water is cycled to thereby cool the supply of air, and a vapor-absorption-machine (VAM) configured to fluidly receive the second steam supply and the first water supply by which a refrigeration cycle is conducted to thereby cool the second water supply.

Abstract: Provided is a gas turbine power plant in which a rotor of a generator is journalled by water lubrication bearings into which a part of cooling water for cooling the generator is fed. Since the lubrication water has a viscosity lower than that of lubrication oil, it is possible to provide a gas turbine power plant with less energy loss resulting in lower power consumption for accessories, and in high power generation efficiency.

Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine includes a forward fan section with a row of fan rotor blades, a core engine, and a fan bypass duct downstream of the forward fan section and radially outwardly of the core engine. The forward fan section has only a single stage of variable fan guide vanes which are variable fan outlet guide vanes downstream of the forward fan rotor blades. An exemplary embodiment of the engine includes an afterburner downstream of the fan bypass duct between the core engine and an exhaust nozzle. The variable fan outlet guide vanes are operable to pivot from a nominal OGV position at take-off to an open OGV position at a high flight Mach Number which may be in a range of between about 2.5-4+. Struts extend radially across a radially inwardly curved portion of a flowpath of the engine between the forward fan section and the core engine.

Abstract: A fan frame (10) for a gas turbine is provided. The fan frame (10) has fan exit guide vanes (100) that are connected to an intermediate case (50) for structural support, and are constrained from movement in a radial direction by a first joint (110, 110a) and constrained from movement in an axial and radial direction by a second joint (120a, 110a). The intermediate case (50) provides structural integrity while reducing weight by providing struts (56, 95) with a width that increases in a direction away from a central bearing (55) as the thickness of the struts (56, 95) decreases.

Abstract: A HC adsorbing material whose deterioration can be judged with high accuracy and reliability. The HC adsorbing material contains a zeolite having cation adsorption sites (Al sites) to which are bonded ions of an element (Ce+) that exhibits oxygen storage capacity (OSC) in a nonionic state (when present as an oxide).

Abstract: In a control system for a compression-ignition engine whose operation is switchable between a compression-ignition operation in which an air-fuel mixture supplied to a combustion chamber auto-ignites to burn owing to compression and a spark-ignition operation in which the air-fuel mixture is ignited to burn by a spark of a spark plug, it is determined whether a predetermined permissible condition to permit switching from the spark-ignition to the compression-ignition operation is satisfied, and switching from the spark-ignition operation to the compression-ignition operation is permitted when the predetermined permissible condition is satisfied, thereby enabling to expand the compression-ignition operation utilization region so long as permissible in light of the engine operating condition.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas purifying device, an exhaust gas temperature sensor, and temperature estimating device. The exhaust gas purifying device is provided to an exhaust duct of the internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas temperature sensor is provided in the exhaust duct on an upstream side of the exhaust gas purifying device. The temperature estimating device estimates a first exhaust gas temperature on a downstream side of the exhaust gas purifying device through a transfer function, which is expressed by a plurality of identical first-order lag elements, based on a second exhaust gas temperature on the upstream side of the exhaust gas purifying device sensed by the exhaust gas temperature sensor.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, an SOx trap catalyst (11) able to trap SOx contained in exhaust gas is arranged in an engine exhaust passage upstream of an NOx storing catalyst (12). When whether the SOx trap catalyst (11) has deteriorated should be judged, the SOx trap catalyst (11) is raised in temperature in the state with the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the SOx trap catalyst (11) maintained lean. At this time, the concentration of NOx released from the SOx trap catalyst (11) is detected by the NOx concentration sensor (24). When the NOx concentration is a set value or less, the catalyst is judged to have deteriorated.

Abstract: There is provided a technology that enables, in an exhaust gas purification apparatus regeneration system of an internal combustion engine, to prevent the remaining fuel quantity from decreasing to an unduly small quantity during execution of regeneration control for regenerating the exhaust gas purification ability of the exhaust gas purification apparatus by supplying fuel to the exhaust gas purification apparatus. The system of the invention has command device capable of being operated by a driver for sending a regeneration execution command to cause regeneration control execution device to execute the regeneration control and notification device for notifying the driver to prompt the driver to send the regeneration execution command to the regeneration control execution device through the command device.

Abstract: The exhaust gas purification device of an internal combustion engine of the present invention comprises an exhaust passage for guiding an exhaust gas exhausted from an engine to outside, a catalyst provided in the exhaust passage, an injection path connected on an upstream side of the catalyst in the exhaust passage, an additive injection valve installed in the injection path for supplying an additive to the catalyst through the injection path, and an inflow portion provided in a merging portion where the exhaust passage and the injection path merge for having a part of the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust passage flow into the injection path.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle with a hydrostatic circuit. The method includes providing a hydrostatic circuit having first and second hydraulic kits that are fluidly connected to one another by first and second fluid lines. A by-pass valve is placed between the first and second hydraulic lines and is controlled in order to actuate the by-pass valve when certain predetermined conditions are present in order to relieve pressure within the hydrostatic circuit.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes: an exhaust heat recovery unit that produces motive power by recovering thermal energy from exhaust gas discharged from a heat engine; an electric generator that is driven by the exhaust heat recovery unit; a first power transmission-switching device that switches between connection and disconnection between the heat engine and the exhaust heat recovery unit; and a second power transmission-switching device that switches between connection and disconnection between the exhaust heat recovery unit and the electric generator, wherein the heat engine or the electric generator is selectively connected to the exhaust heat recovery unit, depending on the operational status of the heat engine. The exhaust heat recovery apparatus makes it possible to effectively use surplus motive power produced by an exhaust heat recovery unit.

Abstract: A method for controlling engine operation, the engine having a turbocharger coupled between an intake and exhaust manifold of the engine via a turbocharger shaft, the method comprising dynamically determining turbocharger shaft speed based at least on intake and exhaust manifold conditions using a torque balance across the turbocharger; and adjusting turbocharger boosting to adjust turbocharger shaft speed in response to said dynamically determined turbocharger shaft speed.

Abstract: A splash plate dome assembly for a combustion liner of a turbine engine is disclosed. The splash plate may include an outer periphery having a plurality of corners and an inner periphery defining an aperture and an annular flange. The splash plate may include a plurality of first flow guides extending from the outer periphery to the inner periphery. The splash plate may further include a plurality of second flow guides extending from the outer periphery to a location intermediate the inner periphery and the outer periphery. The splash plate, annular flange, first flow guides, and second flow guides may be integrally formed by casting. The splash plate may be mounted to a combustion dome having a plurality of distributed through holes for forming impingement jets on an upstream face of the splash plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling the combustion in a gas turbine. The method includes measuring, with one or two calorimeters, the temperature, calorific value and relative density of a gaseous fuel in order to determine the Wobbe index, comparing the Wobbe index value measured with a predefined Wobbe index value for the gaseous fuel and regulating the temperature of the gaseous fuel with at least one heat exchanger in order to reach the predefined Wobbe index value. The method may also include using a second gaseous fuel, having a different Wobbe index from the gaseous fuel, or a fuel obtained by mixing the gaseous fuel and the second gaseous fuel, according to arbitrary proportions and variable with time.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for cogeneration ducting applications in which at least a desired effective flow stream control is maintained for stable combustion. A flow stream is directed through a flow control system to achieve the desired effective uniform flow rate and composition.

Abstract: A system (10) for cooling a thermally loaded device on board an aircraft comprises a distribution line (12) which is in communication with an installation space (14) of the thermally loaded device, a coolant supply line (20) which is in communication with a coolant source, and a heat removal line (28) which is in communication with a source of pressure below atmospheric pressure. A shut-off control device (34) is adapted so as, in a first position, to separate the distribution line (12) from the coolant supply line (20) and connect the distribution line (12) to the heat removal line (28) and, in a second position, to connect the distribution line (12) to the coolant supply line (20) and separate the distribution line (12) from the heat removal line (28).

Abstract: A compressor, a radiator, an expander, and an evaporator are connected in series to define a refrigerating cycle. A bypass circuit that bypasses the expander, an on-off valve disposed in the bypass circuit, and a controller C1 for controlling an opening of the on-off valve are provided in the refrigerating cycle. During defrosting, the controller C1 controls the on-off valve so that a refrigerant may flow through the bypass circuit, thereby avoiding reduction in the amount of flow of the refrigerant during defrosting and preventing the defrosting operation from being prolonged.