Abstract: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage. [Solving Means] The present invention provides a beverage dispenser 1 which supplies a beverage brought into a supercooled state at a solidifying point or less and which releases the supercooled state in the outside, and the beverage dispenser includes a primary cooling device 13 which cools the beverage to an ice point or so, a beverage supply circuit 7 which supplies the beverage cooled by the primary cooling device 13 to the outside, a brine circuit 31 through which an antifreezing liquid cooled to the solidifying point or less of the beverage is circulated, and a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling the beverage, which performs heat exchange between the beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 and the antifreezing liquid flowing through the brine circuit 31.

Abstract: There is provided an air conditioning register which can prevent or effectively suppress a reduction in an effective opening surface area at an air-conditioned air blow-out portion, and which has good blow-out efficiency of air-conditioned air. A first flow path 42 and a second flow path 44, whose directions toward a blow-out bezel 26 differ, are formed within a retainer 12 of an air conditioning register 10. A first damper 52 and plural second dampers 58, which are interlocked with one another, are provided at the retainer 12. The first damper 52 opens and closes the first flow path 42, and the second dampers 58 open and close the second flow path 44. The first damper 52 and the second dampers 58 are operated such that either one of the first flow path 42 and the second flow path 44 is opened and the other is closed, and the flow path of the air-conditioned air is switched.

Abstract: Provided is a rail assembly of a refrigerator. The rail assembly includes a pair of extendable rails, a rack, pinions, and restricting units. The rails are disposed at left and right sides of an inner wall of a storage space. The rack is disposed under the rails. The rack includes teeth continuously formed in a length direction of the rails and a flat alignment part disposed at a front side of the rack. The pinions are respectively disposed at the rails and movable in mesh with the teeth of the rack. The restricting units are disposed at sides of the rails for restricting a movement of the rails when the rails are extended, so as to prevent the pinions from departing from the rack. When the rails are maximally extended, the pinions are placed at the alignment part.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a body, a door, a support bracket, a door bracket, a fixing part, and an adjustment part. The body defines a storage chamber. The door opens and closes the storage chamber. The door is rotatably coupled to the body by a hinge. The support bracket supports a load of the door. The door bracket is coupled to a lower side of the door. The fixing part is disposed between the support bracket and the door bracket. The adjustment part is coupled to the fixing part and supports the door bracket to adjust a vertical movement of the door.

Abstract: An expander-compressor unit (200A) includes a closed casing (1), a compression mechanism (2), an expansion mechanism (3), a shaft (5), and an oil pump (6). The shaft (5) couples the compression mechanism (2) to the expansion mechanism (3) so that power recovered by the expansion mechanism (3) is transferred to the compression mechanism (2). The oil pump (6) is disposed between the compression mechanism (2) and the expansion mechanism (3), and supplies an oil held in an oil reservoir (25) to the compression mechanism (2). An oil supply passage (29) is formed in the shaft (5) so that the oil discharged from the oil pump (6) can be supplied to the compression mechanism (2). A lower end (29e) of the oil supply passage (29) is located below an inlet (29p) of the oil supply passage (29) formed in an outer circumferential surface of the shaft (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cryogenic refrigeration device intended to transfer heat from a cold source to a hot source via a working fluid flowing through a closed working circuit including the following portions in series, namely: a portion for the substantially isothermal compression of the fluid, a portion for the substantially isobaric cooling of the fluid, a portion for the substantially isothermal expansion of the fluid, and a portion for the substantially isobaric heating of the fluid. The compression portion of the working circuit includes at least two compressors disposed in series and the expansion portion of the working circuit includes at least one expansion turbine, said compressors and expansion turbine(s) being driven by at least one high-speed motor including an output shaft.

Abstract: Method of driving two or more refrigerant compressors in a hydrocarbon cooling process. In such a hydrocarbon cooling process a hydrocarbon feed stream (10) may be passed against partly evaporating refrigerant streams. The at least partly evaporated refrigerant streams (35a, 37a) are compressed through refrigerant compressors (34, 36). One or more gas turbines (54) are driven to provide electrical power (56) and hot gas. The hot gas (57) is passed through one or more steam heat exchangers (58) to provide steam power, which is used to drive one or more steam turbines (82) to drive at least one of the refrigerant compressors (34). The electrical power is used to drive (76) at least another one of the refrigerant compressors (36).

Abstract: This method comprises cooling the feed natural gas in a first heat exchanger and introducing the cooled, feed natural gas into a first separation flask. It comprises the dynamic expansion of a turbine supply flow in a first expansion turbine and introducing the expanded flow into a separation column. This method comprises removing, at the head of the separation column, a head flow rich in methane and removing a first recirculation flow from the compressed head flow rich in methane. The method comprises forming at least a second recirculation flow obtained from the head flow rich in methane downstream of the separation column and forming a dynamic expansion flow from the second recirculation flow.

Abstract: Provided is a method of modifying a size of body jewelry.

Abstract: Process for a fast ion-exchange between an alkaline metal ion in glass and another ion in gas atmosphere, in which process the glass surface is heated with a flame and the ion exchange takes part at the portion heated by the flame essentially simultaneously with heating. The process is fast enough to be integrated to a glass manufacturing or processing line.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine that performs washing using bubbles. The washing machine may include an air bubble unit to generate air bubbles in detergent water using external air naturally introduced thereinto by pressure difference caused when the detergent water passes therethrough, a water tub having an introduction port to allow the detergent water containing the air bubbles to be introduced thereinto, and a washing tub rotatably provided in the water tub, the washing tub having a plurality of through-holes having a size less than the introduction port such that the air bubbles rise to a surface of the detergent water contained in the water tub.

Abstract: A controller for a washing machine includes a memory storing an ultraviolet protection wash cycle and another wash cycle, and a selector that selects one of the ultraviolet protection wash cycle and the another wash cycle.

Abstract: A leather-marking method and its device mainly includes a marking machine combined with a special marking needle having ball shaped needle head such that the marking needle will be punched on the leather with a certain degree of force to form the indents but not penetrate through. And, the marking needle will be displaced through an automatic control method to create the continuous or intermittent indented lines sequentially on the leathers and become the distinct symbols that can conveniently be provided for the subsequent processing procedures of leathers to obtain the practicability.

Abstract: A gooseneck trailer lock is provided including a body having a coupler engaging portion and a trailer frame engaging portion. A lock secures the body to the trailer.

Abstract: A lock device for use with a key is disclosed. The lock device includes a locking spindle including a plurality of locking spindle bores and a passage extending axially along an axial length of the locking spindle, and a driver structure including a plurality of driver structure bores. An interface between the driver structure and the locking spindle forms a shear line. The lock device also includes a plurality of combination pins in the plurality of locking spindle bores, and a plurality of driver pins in the driver structure bores in the driver structure, the plurality of driver pins being respectively associated with the plurality of combination pins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a window lock having a trigger and a bolt, the trigger being rotatable about an axis of rotation and the bolt being movable from a locked position to an unlocked position. The bolt also includes a first clip and a second clip and the trigger includes a stop and a ramp. The trigger rotates about the axis for engaging and disengaging the ramp and the stop with the first and second clips for moving the bolt between the locked and unlocked positions. The invention further relates to a window lock that automatically locks without user intervention.

Abstract: A door lock with transmission mechanism, in which a main lock is installed at the side of the door, and an auxiliary lock is installed at each side of the main lock respectively, whereof the main lock has a main lock-tongue, and each of the two auxiliary lock has an auxiliary lock-tongue, whereby the main lock-tongue drives the auxiliary lock-tongue in each of the two auxiliary locks to move together corresponding to the rotation of door handle.

Abstract: A fuel door locking system for a fuel door and hinge arm combination in which the fuel door is slidably interfaced on the hinge arm. The fuel door has a pin aperture. An abutment of the hinge arm is disposed adjacent said pin aperture. A locking pin is adapted for being inserted into the pin aperture with an interfering relationship with respect thereto which impedes the locking pin from being removed from the pin aperture. When the fuel door is slidably interfaced on the hinge arm and the locking pin is inserted into the pin aperture, then the abutment interferingly abuts the locking pin to prevent the fuel door from being slid off from the hinge arm.

Abstract: Several new components are provided for a mortise lock. First, a non-handed clutching assembly, including a pair of spindle hubs rotatable within a pair of outer hubs, is provided for a mortise lock. Second, a spindle-mounted lock-handing selector—which can be removed from one side of the lockset body while the lockset body is installed in the mortise of a door—is provided to set the handing of the clutching assembly. Third, an escapement mechanism is provided for a reciprocating-slide-based clutch-actuator assembly, enabling the slides to move into a position biasing a locker-carrying lever toward a hub-coupling position, even if the outer and spindle hubs are misaligned. Fourth, a guardbolt-actuated blocking assembly for a lockset is provided to block movement of the stop works or clutch works when the door is closed and the outside door handle is disabled.

Abstract: Handle device for operating doors, windows and the like, comprising a first element, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, a second element, and a coupling device which is connected to the first and the second element and is designed to selectively allow or prevent relative rotation about the axis of rotation between the first and the second element, the coupling device comprising an outer coupling member (3, 50) and an inner coupling member (5, 31), which is concentrically accommodated, rotatable about the axis of rotation, in the outer coupling member. The handle device comprises at least one engaging member (20), which is radially displaceable in the inner coupling member (5, 31), and an activating member (12, 60) which is accommodated in the inner coupling member and axially displaceable therein, parallel to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of fertilizer granules. The process is particularly suitable for the preparation of finely divided fertilizer granules. Furthermore, the invention relates to the granulated fertilizers obtainable by this process, and to their use for fertilizing agricultural and/or horticultural crops.

Abstract: A metal forming machine for cold forming a metal product to a desired dimension and/or configuration includes a forming means with at least one movable part for applying load to the metal product. A position sensing means establishes a measured position of the movable part indicative of a measured dimension and/or configuration of the metal product, and a load measuring means establishes a measured load applied by the moving part. A control means selects a nominal load (nom load) setting to achieve the desired dimension and/or configuration (pos nom), and enables actuation of the forming means until a calibration load (cal load) is reached where the position sensing means establishes the measured dimension and/or configuration (pos cal), whereupon the load is lowered. The control means then establishes a new load setting as a function of (pos nom) minus (pos cal), and reactivates the forming means to the new load setting to form the metal product.

Abstract: There is provided a lubricant for hot plastic working, which contains 20 to 40 mass % of iron oxide and 10 to 30 mass % of sodium silicate, wherein impurities are 3 mass % or less, and the lubricant contains 40 to 60 mass % of water. By virtue of combined action of these components, the lubricant exhibits excellent lubricity and suppliability and does not adversely affect the corrosion resistance of product. The lubricant is suitably used for lubricating a guide shoe in piercing-rolling, for example, a high-Cr steel and achieves a great effect of preventing a seizure flaw from occurring on the outer surface of product by being applied directly to the outer surface of a workpiece just before piercing rolling, preferably, within one second before starting piercing rolling.

Abstract: A method for coiling thin metal strip, especially hot-rolled or cold-rolled thin steel strip, on a coiler mandrel, which is adjusted in diameter, in which, at the beginning, the inner windings of the coil are coiled on the adjusted coiler mandrel diameter, and, after the final winding of the coil, the coiler mandrel is pulled out, or the coil is taken off, wherein one or more profile grooves are pressed into one inner winding or into several adjacent inner windings on the circumference during rotation of the coil.

Abstract: A method of forming includes applying a stretching force along a linear axis of a work piece and forming the work piece while the stretching force is applied.

Abstract: There is provided a method of bending a medical suturing needle curved at different curvature radii in a length direction more reasonably.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manifold for a vehicle transmission. The manifold defines a plurality of laterally extending channels suitable for simultaneously transferring oil at separate flow rates and pressure signals and may be subdivided to provide a plurality of like defined manifolds. The manifold, formed through an extrusion process, is fittable within or around a transmission shaft.

Abstract: A machining device used to machine a workpiece into a tube includes a punch and a cavity die. The cavity die includes a cavity and an extruding portion. The extruding portion is curved. The unilateral clearance between the punch and the cavity die is less than a thickness of the sidewall. A method for manufacturing a tube is also provided.

Abstract: A fixing device is configured by: a pushing device of the die unit capable of pushing the die unit from ahead in the direction of extrusion; and a pressing device of the die unit capable of pressing a die ring and the die cassette from above in a direction intersecting the direction of extrusion. The fixing device of the die unit is arranged between the discard cutting device and an end platen and at the same time, the pressing device of the die unit is provided with a fixing metal fitting of the pushing device of the die unit and a pressing metal fitting of the die ring and when the pressing device of the die unit operates and presses and fixes the die ring and the die cassette, the pushing device of the die is fixed.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching edging (13) to a sheet (12) has two stationary guides (5, 8) at each end. An upper hollow guide (8) is mounted on top of a lower guide (5). A fixed base (4) is placed between the lower guides (5). A hollow profile (1) is vertically movable between the guides. A binding rail (2) is placed on the underside of the profile (1). The upper guide (8) is placed inside the profile. A space (9) is created between the upper interior of the profile and the upper exterior of the upper guide. Another space (7) is created between the lower interior of the profile and the lower exterior side of the upper guide. A flexible element (10,11) is placed in each space. The elements can in turn be filled or emptied with a gas or a liquid. The fixed base is preferably provided with magnets. In use the upper flexible element (10) is filled and the lower (11) is emptied. An edging and a sheet is placed between the fixed base (4) and the binding rail (2).

Abstract: A die assembly is provided, which is structured to be affixed to a shell press. The die assembly includes at least one die shoe having first and second opposing ends, and a number of divisions between the first end and the second end. The divisions are structured to divide the at least one die shoe into a plurality of pieces to accommodate thermal expansion. Each of the divisions between the pieces of the at least one die shoe has a profile. Preferably, the profile is not straight. Each of the divisions of the at least one die shoe form a gap between the pieces of the die shoe, thereby spacing the pieces apart from one another. The pieces are independently coupled to a corresponding mounting surface of the shell press. A shell press and a method for employing the die assembly in a shell press are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cover of an electronic device includes steps of offering a metallic green piece comprising a top plate, a bottom plate and a connecting plate interconnecting a side of the top and bottom plates; offering a profile molding insert and a lower mold, the profile molding insert forming a shaping surface, the lower mold defining a cavity to receive an end of the green piece; putting the profile molding insert in the green piece, the shaping surface of the profiling molding insert being oriented towards the end of the green piece; inserting the end of the green piece in the cavity of the lower mold and punching the lower mold to enable the top and bottom plates at the end of the green piece bent along the shaping surface of the profile molding insert toward each other.

Abstract: A planarizer for a probe card assembly. A planarizer includes a first control member extending from a substrate in a probe card assembly. The first control member extends through at least one substrate in the probe card assembly and is accessible from an exposed side of an exterior substrate in the probe card assembly. Actuating the first control member causes a deflection of the substrate connected to the first control member.

Abstract: Testing of a safety valve is described in relation to a valve stem biased relative to a valve body, and comprising a rotor mounted helically on said valve stem, and a driver adapted to rotate the rotor. Rotation of the rotor causes an axial force between the valve stem and the rotor and allows the rotor to be moved into and out of engagement. When engaged the rotor can apply a pre-load to the stem, and may provide sufficient force to achieve valve lift. Alternatively a two stage actuator system may be employed, the second stage providing lift after application of the pre-load.

Abstract: A gas sensor extending along an axial direction, the gas sensor including: a housing having a through hole, the through hole including an expanding portion at a leading end thereof; a gas sensing element inserted into the housing, having a closed leading end, and provided with a sensor electrode on an outer surface of the leading end side thereof; a heater inserted into the gas sensor, and including a contact portion where the heater contacts an inner surface; an protector fixed on the leading end side of the housing and having an outer protector including an outer air hole and an inner protector being positioned within the outer protector and spaced apart from the outer protector in the radial direction; and an inner air vent provided between the inner protector and the leading end of the housing.

Abstract: An effective sensor for indicating exposure to a toxic gas includes a non-conductive, inert substrate such as glass or polyethylene, a two-dimensional film of nanoparticles of a conductive metal such as silver or copper on the substrate and an electrode connected to each end of the film. When an electrical current passes through the film and the sensor is exposed to a toxic gas, changes in the electrical resistance of the film provides an indication of the presence of the toxic gas.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor apparatus includes a sensing portion at least partially insertable in the porous medium. The sensing portion has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a water-repellant membrane mounted in the gas exchange aperture, the water-repellant membrane preventing water communication through the gas exchange aperture. The sensing portion also has a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is inserted.

Abstract: To provide a quartz sensor capable of detecting a sensing target with high sensitivity also in measurement in a liquid phase in which a difference in Q values at the time of measurement in the liquid phase and in a vapor phase is small. In a quartz sensor 1 including an AT-cut quartz plate 11 having a capture layer (absorbing layer) 12 formed on one surface (XZ? surface) thereof and detecting a sensing target based on an amount of change in a frequency of a quartz resonator 10 caused when the sensing target is absorbed by the capture layer 12, there are formed electrodes 13 for oscillating the quartz plate 11 on end faces (XY? surfaces) mutually opposite in a Z? direction of the surface of the quartz resonator 10 on which the capture layer 12 is formed (XZ? surface).

Abstract: A method of operating an engine includes determining a relative position between a first camshaft and a second camshaft during a startup event of the engine when the first camshaft is at a first home position and the second camshaft is at a second home position. The first home position is a first preset angular position of the first camshaft relative to a crankshaft. The second home position is a second preset angular position of the second camshaft relative to the crankshaft when the engine is in an OFF state. The method includes generating a first estimate of the first home position. The method also includes diagnosing a mis-build of the engine based on the relative position, the first estimate and a second estimate of the second home position.

Abstract: A method for determining engine crankshaft position determines the position of a rotating crankshaft using one or many crankshaft position sensors. The sensor output signals representing crankshaft position are digitized and specific timing positions are derived. The sampled timing positions are compared to a known position template to determine crankshaft position.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus and method for measuring the local stiffness of a tire. The apparatus includes a force producing mechanism, a force measuring device, a force transmitting member, and a measuring device. The force transmitting member applies a force to a tire surface and the measuring device measures the distance of the displacement of the tire surface caused by the force. A tire testing method comprising mounting a tire on a tire testing apparatus to measure a local stiffness of the tire. The method further comprises inflating the tire, applying a force to a local area of the tire, monitoring the force, measuring a distance corresponding to the local deflection, and calculating a local stiffness.

Abstract: A downhole tool for measuring a diameter within a borehole includes a mandrel having a first end and a second end with an axis defined therethrough. A tapered surface is formed on an outside surface of the mandrel such that a first end of the tapered surface has a larger diameter than a second end of the tapered surface. The downhole tool further includes a collet disposed about the mandrel such that the collet is configured to move along the axis of the mandrel with respect to the mandrel in a direction from the first end of the mandrel to the second end of the mandrel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for analyzing a downhole fluid are disclosed. An example method may involve the steps of admitting the downhole fluid in a test volume, controllably inducing a pressure change in the test volume based on at least one prescribed rate, measuring pressures in the test volume at a plurality of times, using the pressures measured at the plurality of times to determine a time at which an actual rate of the pressure change in the test volume deviates from the at least one prescribed rate, and detecting an occurrence of phase transition of the downhole fluid based on the determined time.

Abstract: A tank sensor circuit board for a fill level sensor in a vehicle tank, including a support element, on which contact surfaces containing silver are applied using thick layer technology. The contact surfaces are made up of a silver layer and a top layer containing nickel, palladium and gold, completely or partly covering the silver layer.

Abstract: A system and device that provides for the retention of a sensor shield for a sensor such as a microphone, hydrometer, chemical sensor, or other detector. This invention provides for the quick attachment and release of a reduced visibility and reduced bulk shield retention assembly. In a battlefield environment, a smaller profile sensor shield presents less visibility as a prospective target of interest to enemy forces. Also, the sensor shield may be readily replaced without the use of any tools. The snap-lock feature provides a positive means for holding, for example, a windscreen in its respective position, requiring reasonable, but yet not objectionable force to install and remove the windscreen from the sensor's mounting shaft. Furthermore, the snap-lock feature, when engaged, may provide positive location of the sensor shield's sweet spot by maintaining a slight air space between the sensor shield and the sensor, and thereby precluding direct physical contact.

Abstract: An inertial sensor has a transducer with a sense resonator. The sense resonator is oscillated. A signal responsive to the oscillation is provided. A first baseband signal and a second baseband signal are provided responsive to the signal responsive to the oscillation of the sense resonator. A signal for controlling a resonance frequency of the sense resonator is provided responsive to performing a Goertzel algorithm on the first baseband signal and the second baseband signal. One use of controlling the resonance frequency is to control an offset between the resonance frequency of the sense resonator and the frequency of the oscillation of drive masses in the sense resonator. Using the Goertzel algorithm is particularly efficient in controlling the resonance frequency.

Abstract: In an angular velocity sensor, driven mass portions are disposed on a surface of a base plate at point-symmetrical locations with respect to a central point O. The driven mass portions are connected to a coupling beam to be interconnected. The coupling beam is flexibly supported through connecting portions and driven beam. Detecting mass portions are disposed inside the driven mass portions, and the detecting mass portions are supported by detecting beams to be displaceable in the Z-axis direction. Two adjacent ones of the driven mass portions in the circumferential direction are vibrated by vibration generation portions in opposite phases to each other. When angular velocities are exerted in such a state, the detecting mass portions are caused to displace and vibrate in the direction of thickness of the base plate. Displacement detecting portions detect displacements of the detecting mass portions in the direction of the thickness.

Abstract: A tri-axis accelerometer includes a proof mass, at least four anchor points arranged in at least two opposite pairs, a first pair of anchor points being arranged opposite one another along a first axis, a second pair of anchor points being arranged opposite one another along a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to one another, and at least four spring units to connect the proof mass to the at least four anchor points, the spring units each including a pair of identical springs, each spring including a sensing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for fatigue testing test articles (104) including wind turbine blades. The apparatus (100) includes a test stand (110) that rigidly supports an end (106) of the test article (104). An actuator assembly (120) is attached to the test article (104) and is adapted for substantially concurrently imparting first and second forcing functions in first and second directions on the test article (104), with the first and second directions being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis. A controller (130) transmits first and second sets of displacement signals (160, 164) to the actuator assembly (120) at two resonant frequencies of the test system (104). The displacement signals (160, 164) initiate the actuator assembly (120) to impart the forcing loads to concurrently oscillate the test article (104) in the first and second directions. With turbine blades, the blades (104) are resonant tested concurrently for fatigue in the flapwise and edgewise directions.

Abstract: Evaluating casing thickness by inducing SH0 and SH1 modes of a shear wave in the casing. The SH0 group velocity and SH1 mode group velocity (Vg) are measured and the measured SH0 mode group velocity is assigned as the tubular material shear velocity (Vs). A shear wave wavelength ? from the ratio of SH0 mode frequency (fo) and the measured SH0 group velocity is estimated. The tubular thickness (d) is estimated from the estimated shear wave wavelength ? The transmitter can be calibrated to operate at an optimum frequency.