Abstract: A wind turbine lattice tower structure includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower, with the structural members including vertical leg members and diagonal braces extending between the vertical leg members. Pairs of the diagonal braces form cross braces having an intersection point therebetween. A damping bolt connection assembly is provides at the intersection point of the cross braces and is configured to attach the cross braces together at the intersection point while providing for relative movement of each individual cross brace along a defined longitudinal section of the other respective cross brace.

Abstract: An isolation base system for sensitive structures such as nuclear power plant modules is suggested. The proposed isolation system considers a base supported on specially designed hollow spherical balls and equipped with 3 linear hydraulic actuators to restrict the lateral motion of the base and provide a stable base under normal conditions. The actuators are released when an earthquake signal is detected to allow the base to oscillate freely during the earthquake attack. The hydraulic actuators are reactivated after shock wave ends to compress the springs and restore the base to its original position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skylight frame design that is adapted to receive at least two panels of glass. The skylight frame comprises a stepped frame section that includes a lower step surface and an upper step surface. The lower step surface is adapted to receive a first glass panel so that a section of the first glass panel lies flush against the lower step surface. Similarly, the upper step surface is adapted to receive a second glass panel so that the second glass panel lies flush against the upper step surface. The skylight frame design of the invention is either incorporated into a skylight frame that may be attached to a curb unit on a roof or it may be an integral part of a skylight frame-curb assembly that also contains a curb section.

Abstract: A thermally expandable fire-stop system for placement in a thermally stable conduit having an inner wall defining an inner space through which a single pipe, being a, relatively, thermally weakenable pipe having an outer wall, extends, or will extend, the system comprising at least a device which includes at least one component having a non-linear thermal expansion characteristic.

Abstract: A partition system generally including an adjustable work surface support bracket assembly, which attaches to a track member of the partition system for supporting a work surface. A first vertical member of the bracket assembly includes a mounting portion adapted to be received within the track member, and a first vertical plate portion downwardly extending from the mounting portion and including a plurality of vertically spaced apertures or a pair of elongated apertures. A second member includes a horizontal portion that attaches to a work surface using suitable fasteners. In a first embodiment, the second member includes a tab which is received within any one of the vertically spaced apertures in the vertical member located beneath the track member. In a second embodiment, the second member includes a second vertical plate portion including a plurality of apertures or a pair of elongated apertures for alignment with a pair of apertures in the first vertical plate portion of the first vertical member.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building system, and methods of making the system elements and constructing buildings, which provides wall, ceiling, and floor structural panels and corresponding walls, ceilings, and floors. The walls can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions, such that no concrete need be used except for floor slabs. Panels have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members. Structurally-reinforcing members extend, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of a wall, at spaced locations along the length of the wall. Spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with rigid foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel.

Abstract: In an anchor installation in a lightweight construction panel having spaced cover plates with a support core disposed therebetween, wherein an anchor installed in a bore extending through at least one of the cover plates and the support core includes an expansion body having engagement elements spreading outwardly behind the cover plate to lock the anchor in the bore, the expansion body includes an axial bore fittingly accommodating a needle for the injection of cement into the expansion body and distribution passages for the distribution of the cement to various cavities in and around the expansion body for firmly fixing the anchor in the lightweight construction panel.

Abstract: Deck planks with undercut side grooves can be attached to underlying joists by hidden fasteners with leading wings and trailing feet engaged into the side grooves of the deck planks. The bodies of the hidden fasteners space the deck planks so as to provide adequate drainage gaps between the top faces of the deck planks. A power driver tool can be used for rapidly positioning the hidden fasteners and for attaching the hidden fasteners to the joists.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing twisting of at least one purlin. A roof construction has purlins extending between support beams to provide extra stability for the roof. To prevent purlins from twisting, a torsional brace is provided. A beam of the torsional brace extends between two of the purlins. A static clip is connected to a purlin, and a pin is used to secure one end of the beam to the clip. The other end of the beam can be similarly clipped to another purlin, or alternatively, the other beam can be bolted to the purlin.

Abstract: A relocatable restaurant, method of assembly, and method of use are provided herein. The relocatable restaurant includes a slab positioned at a desired site, a plurality of modules, including in an exemplary embodiment one module for each of a kitchen, a dishwashing and bar, and bathroom facilities. The modules are positionable atop the slab adjacent exterior edges thereof. In an embodiment, a slab can be provided by an existing structure, such as a parking lot. The relocatable restaurant further includes a plurality of partitions sufficient for bridging the modules, at least one partition having a door structure, to create a substantially continuous exterior wall therearound. A roof is provided for the relocatable restaurant with the use of a substantially planar flexible element affixable about the exterior wall. A blower can be used to retain the roof in an upwardly extended state.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a process for initially combining and thereafter uniting two or more modular units to one another in order thus combined to be able to form a house body, for instance a cellar-adapted house body. A liquid-resistant layer is advantageously wholly or partly to be able to cover a base slab and in any event lower wall sections allocated to the wall portion, proximal the base slab, in order principally to prevent damp permeation. A first modular unit, with in any event a first open wall portion, is placed on a substrate prepared within a building site, a second modular unit, with in any event a second open wall portion, is placed on the substrate prepared within the building site, so that an open wall portion allocated to the first modular unit will connect to an open wall portion allocated to the second modular unit. The base slab of the one modular unit and the base slab of the second module form a free space defined by the mutually facing edges of the base slabs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal composite panel intended for construction, including at least two substantially parallel sheets (21) and (22) with at least three profiles (3) substantially parallel to each other arranged between and fastened to the sheets. The three profiles serve as separators, making it possible to separate the sheets and are arranged so that the average distance between two adjacent profiles is not necessarily uniform but suited to the local conditions of use of said panel. In order to obtain a panel having an optimal compromise between weight and performance, light alloys and, in particular, aluminum are advantageous. The composite panels are particularly useful as a floor of a rolling vehicle, as the floor, deck or ramp of a floating vehicle or as the floor of a flying vehicle.

Abstract: A door module for a refrigerated case includes a central panel with a peripheral flange. A first panel is disposed on one side of the central panel and is supported by the flange. A second panel is disposed on another side of the central panel and is supported by the flange. A first seal is disposed between the first side of the flange and the first panel, and a second seal is disposed between the second side of the flange and the second panel. A channel with a desiccant material is disposed within the flange. A first opening extends from the channel to a first space between the first panel and the central panel, and a second opening extends from the channel to a second space between the second panel and the central panel. A frame is coupled to the flange and overlaps the first and second panels.

Abstract: The device for the assembly of pocket spring strings includes a rack, on which a drum having receptacles for pocket spring strings is rotatably supported. An operator manually places the pocket spring strings into the receptacles and rotates, or initiates the rotation of, the drum about a predetermined angle, for example 60°. Now, the operator places a further pocket spring string into the subsequent receptacle , and at the same time an adhesive is applied to the advanced pocket spring string. Following a further rotational movement of the drum, the next pocket spring string is inserted, an adhesive is applied to the previously inserted pocket spring string, and at the same time the pocket spring string to which the adhesive was applied and which is now located in front of the assembly device is ejected.

Abstract: A packaging station of a packaging machine for filling containers with products, the station comprising a transport device for feeding the products along a feed path and via first and second charging paths which run parallel to said feed path and transport the containers. The containers are filled by a filling device designed to seize one or more of the products from the feed path and to place said seized products into one or more containers on one or other of the charging paths. The charging paths consist of the following sequence of items, listed in order in the displacement direction of the containers to be filled: a set-up assembly, a transport device and a sealing unit. The device and method permit a more rapid filling of packaging materials with products in a relatively small space, in particular on a platform.

Abstract: A machine for wrapping items to produce packages includes default settings which provide appropriate parameters for wrapping packages based on a ubiquitous feature of the item such as tray size. In addition, one or more exceptions to the default settings are included such that items of a given value for the ubiquitous feature which require special or unusual handling parameters will be detected and handled according to these different parameters. These parameters including exceptions are readily transferable between multiple wrapping machines. An autocalibration feature allows for specific differences in the tolerances and settings of different wrapping machines.

Abstract: A bit includes a mouthpiece. A tongue member is arranged on the mouthpiece such that, when the mouthpiece is received in an oral cavity of an animal, the tongue member bears against a tongue of the animal, inhibiting movement of the tongue over the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a conveyor assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper with a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot where the draper frame projects forwardly from the pivot, such that the draper frame is operable to swing relative to the header frame. The fore-and-aft draper includes a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly.

Abstract: A rotary mower has a concave cutting deck. The deck comprises three curved plates welded to two longitudinal supports. Concavity is provided in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The lift frame assembly comprises swiveling linkages that allow rotation of the deck with respect to a three point hitch. The lift frame assembly further comprises a pivot brace on the top of the frame for further rotation of the deck.

Abstract: A biomass harvesting system for harvesting agricultural plant growth from agricultural fields comprises a power source for providing mechanical and electric power to the system, a biomass accumulator for producing discrete units of accumulated biomass, a windrower for feeding biomass to the accumulator, a biomass quality analyzer for sensing and transmitting a set of quality characteristics of the biomass, a ground cover residue monitor for sensing and transmitting an optimal quantity of biomass residue to remain on the field, an active tracking system for identifying individual ones of the discrete units of accumulated biomass, and a central processing unit including a memory module storing an executable instruction set therein. The central processing unit executes the instruction set and integrates the sensed biomass quality characteristics and the sensed optimal quantity of biomass residue to remain on the field to determine a biomass quality index of the discrete units of accumulated biomass.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exhaust gas recirculation in which at least a desired effective oxygen concentration is maintained for stable combustion at increased recirculation rates. Oxygen-enriched gas is injected into the recirculated exhaust gas to achieve the desired effective oxygen concentration.

Abstract: An aircraft jet engine including a wall centered about a longitudinal axis and surrounding a stream of gas ejected at a downstream end of the wall in the direction of the axis, primary ducts distributed at the periphery of the downstream end of the wall configured on command each to eject a jet of primary fluid to interact with the ejected stream of gas, the primary ducts of each pair converging towards one another near the downstream end of the wall so that the primary jets ejected form two sides of a triangle that meet at the vertex thereof in a view projected onto a plane perpendicular to a transverse plane, and secondary ducts each associated with each pair of primary ducts and configured on command to eject a jet of secondary fluid directed into the triangle formed by the primary jets.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes controlling the engine to a preferred air/fuel ratio to generate an engine-out exhaust gas feedstream including preferred concentrations of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen, converting the nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen to ammonia across a first catalytic device; and storing the ammonia on an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device fluidly serially connected downstream of the first catalytic device.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring of the functionality of an After Treatment Injector (ATI) for injection of a fluid in an engine exhaust gas system upstream of an exhaust gas treatment unit. The monitoring is performed by using a pressure sensor which detects the pressure of the fluid delivered to the ATI for a specific condition or injection cycle. The pressure sensor is located downstream of a flow regulator and upstream of the ATI in a conduit for supplying of a substance from a container to the ATI. An ECU is programmed to perform a predetermined sequence of opening and closing commands for the flow regulator and the ATI in order to monitor the functionality of the flow regulator, the ATI and the pressure sensor. The can be used in connection with an On Board Diagnosis (OBD) system.

Abstract: A reductant dosing manifold is disclosed. The reductant dosing manifold may have a housing with a pump interface configured to directly connect the reductant dosing manifold to a reductant pump, and a reductant supply passage in fluid communication with the pump interface. The housing may also have a reductant outlet port, and a pressurized reductant passage connecting the pump interface to the reductant outlet port.

Abstract: A combustion engine has in the exhaust gas area a SCR-catalyzer with a NH3-filling level, a metering device for supplying the SCR-catalyzer with reactant for reducing nitrous gases, and a downstream NH3-sensitive NOx-sensor. One theoretical value for the NOx downstream of the SCR-catalyzer is compared to an actual NOx-value downstream of the SCR-catalyzer. A reasonability check includes determining a first value for one comparison parameter, which represents the state before a system intervention for adapting the NH3-filling level. A system intervention for adapting the NH3-filling level is carried out and a second value of the comparison parameter is detected. From the comparison of the first value and the second value the reasonability, the non-reasonability, or non-preciseness of the system intervention is assumed.

Abstract: SCR system for treating the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, this system comprising a line for feeding a urea solution into the exhaust gases and a pump capable both of feeding the urea solution into the exhaust gases and of purging at least one part of the line by sucking a gas therethrough by means of a suction device, this system also comprising a control unit capable of activating and/or deactivating the operation of the pump and that of the suction device in a sequential manner in the course of one and the same purge procedure.

Abstract: An exhaust gas post processing method may include regenerating a diesel particulate filter, reducing a part remaining in the diesel particulate filter by raising the concentration of a reducing agent included in the exhaust gas after the regeneration, oxidizing a part remaining in the diesel particulate filter by raising the concentration of oxygen included in the exhaust gas after the regeneration, and calculating a real ash amount trapped in the diesel particulate filter by detecting a front/rear pressure difference of the diesel particulate filter after the reducing and the oxidation. Accordingly, after regenerating the diesel particulate filter, impurities are sequentially eliminated in the reducing condition and the oxidation condition, and ultimately the real ash amount can be accurately estimated. Further, based on the accurate ash amount, the particulate matter amount can be accurately predicted.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control device is provided which is compact in size and has favorable dispersibility of exhaust gas from a muffling structure 2 to an oxidation catalyst 3. The muffling structure 2 arranged upstream of the oxidation catalyst in a direction D of gas flow has a dispersion plate 6 for dividing the interior of the casing 5 into dispersion chambers 7a and 7b upstream and downstream in the direction D of gas flow, respectively, and an inner pipe 8 inserted from outside of and into the chamber 7a and with a tip end fixed to the dispersion plate 6 and circumferentially formed with pores 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d having diameters gradually reduced in the order in the direction D of gas flow from upstream to downstream. The dispersion plate 6 facing the dispersion chambers 7a and 7b is formed with a plurality of radially-outward-larger-diametered and radially-inward-smaller-diametered pores 14, 15 and 16.

Abstract: An aftertreatment module for use with an engine is disclosed. The aftertreatment module may have a first chamber with an inlet, and at least one catalyst substrate disposed in the first chamber in a flow path through the inlet and having a flow direction from an inlet face to an outlet face in general alignment with the flow path. The aftertreatment module may also have a second chamber with at least one outlet in general alignment with the flow direction through the inlet. The aftertreatment module may further have at least one noise attenuation passage fluidly connecting the first chamber with the second chamber. The at least one noise attenuation passage may be oriented generally orthogonal to the inlet and the at least one outlet and be located between the inlet and the outlet face of the at least one catalyst substrate.

Abstract: A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

Abstract: The present invention is comprised of a wind powered energy amplification method and systems for capturing wind power and harvesting tangentially amplified energy. The harvested tangentially amplified energy is converted, processed and stored for use for generating continuous, on demand and stand by electricity to supply electricity. The present invention is further comprised of methods and systems for extracting, processing and storing water and carbon dioxide to supply water and supply carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A control for a variable displacement pump disposed in a hydraulic system obtains a requested signal from a manual control device and provides a command signal to a valve operating to adjust a displacement setting of the variable displacement pump. The control provides the command signal based on the requested signal, and scales the requested signal based on a sensed or calculated load of the system.

Abstract: A flow rate control device of a hydraulic pump in a power steering system, may include an upper cam ring having a cam profile, which is fixedly installed, a lower cam ring having a cam profile, which is engaged with the upper cam ring to be relatively rotatable about the upper cam ring, and a rotor including a plurality of vanes and engaged with the upper and lower cam rings to form an inner space therebetween to pressurize oil by protruding the vanes in the inner space by centrifugal force while rotating.

Abstract: An lubricating oil from an oil pump that is driven by rotation of an engine is supplied as a refrigerant to a rotor of an assist motor via a pressure valve. The pressure valve is configured to be closed when the pressure of the lubricating oil is less than a predetermined value, and to open when the pressure of the lubricating oil is greater than or equal to the predetermined value. As a result, when the rotor is in low need for cooling down because the temperature rise of the rotor is small although the rotation speed of the rotor rises, that is, when the engine is operating at a low rotation speed with a high load, the supply of lubricating oil to the rotor is reduced or stopped.

Abstract: To convert energy, firstly a non-gaseous carrier medium is converted into a gaseous carrier medium by the introduction of thermal energy, so that the gaseous carrier medium rises and gains potential energy. Then the gaseous carrier medium is converted back at a specified height into a non-gaseous carrier medium. The potential energy of the recovered non-gaseous carrier medium can then be converted into another desired energy form.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply assembly which includes a fuel manifold mounted to a casing surrounding a combustor of the engine, and a plurality of fuel nozzles mounted to the fuel manifold. A mating interface between the fuel nozzles and the fuel manifold has at least one sealing element, and at least one aperture defined in the fuel nozzle proximate to the mating interface. The aperture is a non fuel conveying passage, and reduces conductive heat transfer to the sealing element by preventing a direct conductive heat transfer path between a hot region of the fuel nozzle and the sealing element.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes an injector housing extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis. The second end of the housing is fluidly coupled to a combustor of the turbine engine and the housing includes a liquid fuel gallery annularly disposed about the longitudinal axis. The fuel injector also includes a stem extending longitudinally from the first end of the housing to a third end. The stem includes a liquid tube configured to deliver liquid fuel to the fuel injector. The fuel injector also includes an annular shell extending along the longitudinal axis from the first end to the third end and circumferentially disposed about the stem. The fuel injector further includes an insulating air shroud formed inside the shell. The air shroud includes a layer of air between the shell and the stem.

Abstract: A variable performance valve for use in a fuel nozzle is presented. The valve includes a spring, an inner spool having a port, an outer sleeve, and an orifice, which in a fuel nozzle application may be a calibration orifice. In a low flow condition, the inlet to downstream pressure is the spring force divided by the area on which the pressure acts. At low flow the orifice does not cause any appreciable pressure drop. As the flow increases, a pressure drop develops across the orifice. Since the pressure drop across the valve cannot be greater than the spring force divided by valve area, the valve is forced to open to compensate. As flow is increased, the valve will stroke completely open and the pressure drop at the port becomes negligible and the pressure drop across the orifice is nearly 100% of the pressure drop across the valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel nozzle for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle inlet, a combustion area and a swirler disposed between the nozzle inlet and combustion area. The swirler includes a plurality of swirler vanes, each swirler vane capable of creating a pressure difference in fluid flow through the swirler between a pressure side and suction side of the swirler vane. The swirler further includes at least one through airflow hole located in at least one swirler vane of the plurality of swirler vanes. The at least one through airflow hole is capable of utilizing the pressure difference between the pressure side and suction side to promote fluid flow through the at least one airflow hole. Also disclosed is a method for operating a combustor.

Abstract: A supersonic inlet with a cowl lip may be configured to capture the conic shock and exhibit a zero or substantially zero cowl angle. The inlet may be configured to employ a relaxed isentropic compression surface and an internal bypass. The nacelle bypass may prevent flow distortions, introduced by the capture of the conic shock, from reaching the turbomachinery, thereby allowing the cowl angle to be reduced to zero or substantially zero. Such a cowl angle may reduce the inlet's contribution to the overall sonic boom signature for a supersonic aircraft while allowing for an increase in engine pressure recovery and a subsequent improvement in generated thrust by the engine.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor for mixing fuel into combustion air introduced from a compressor, burning an air-fuel mixture, and supplying produced combustion gas to a gas turbine. The combustor has a liquid fuel nozzle for jetting out liquid fuel and a pre-mixture chamber wall having a hollow conical shape gradually spreading in the direction in which the fuel is jetted out from the liquid fuel nozzle, and defining a pre-mixture chamber therein. A plurality of gaseous fuel nozzles are disposed around the pre-mixture chamber wall in an opposing relation respectively to a plurality of air inlet holes bored through the pre-mixture chamber wall and jet out gaseous fuel substantially coaxially with the axes of the air inlet holes.

Abstract: A mixture of air and fuel is compressed in a compressor of a gas turbine system. The gas turbine system includes components that define one or more fuel leak locations, and leaked fuel is directed from the one or more leak locations to a reaction chamber of the gas turbine system. At least a portion of the leaked fuel is oxidized in the reaction chamber. The energy released by oxidation of the leaked fuel can be converted to mechanical motion.

Abstract: A combustion chamber having a burner and a burner insert surrounding the burner while leaving a gap open towards the combustion chamber interior is provided. The burner insert comprises a carrier and a burner insert wall located in front of the carrier towards the combustion chamber interior, wherein a flow passage connected to a cooling-fluid source is formed between the carrier and the burner insert wall. The flow passage opens out into the gap between the burner and the burner insert and is otherwise sealed off from the combustion chamber interior.

Abstract: A temperature control system includes an air duct, an air-blowing device, a seat back temperature control unit, and a seat cushion temperature control unit. The air-blowing device urges air to flow through the air duct. The seat back temperature control unit and the seat cushion temperature control unit performs heat exchanges between air flowing in the air duct and air supplied to a seat back and air supplied to a seat cushion, respectively. The air duct forms a single air passage passing by the seat back temperature control unit and the seat cushion temperature control unit so that the air flowing in the air duct undergoes heat exchange with one of the seat back temperature control unit and the seat cushion temperature control unit and then undergoes heat exchange with the other.

Abstract: A cryostat, comprising an outer vacuum vessel containing cryogenic equipment suspended from the outer vacuum vessel by a number of suspension rods. At least one of the suspension rods is provided with a tensioning and retaining mechanism for holding that suspension rod in tension braced against a suspension bracket). This tensioning and retaining mechanism includes a tubular rod carrier arranged, in use, to pass through a hole or slot in the suspension bracket, the rod carrier having an axial bore through which, in use, the rod may pass; a thread on its outer surface along at least part of its length; and a rod bearing surface for, in use, transmitting force to the rod. This tensioning and retaining mechanism also comprises a tensioning nut threaded onto the thread so as to, in use, brace against the suspension bracket to urge the tubular rod carrier in the direction of the rod bearing surface so as to apply tension to the rod.

Abstract: A method of detecting an amount of ice stored in a storage bin made by an ice maker of a refrigerator, the method comprises applying heat to the ice detecting sensor of the ice maker, detecting an amount stored in the storage bin, and controlling heat application according to the detected amount. The ice maker has an ice detecting sensor attached thereto. A sensor heater provides the heat.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a service method and a service device (50) for a liquid cooling system (1) of an aircraft, the service device (50) being adapted to send at least one instruction to a liquid cooling control device (10) of the liquid cooling system (1). A plurality of service lines (52, 54, 56, 58, 62) are then connected between the service device (50) and the to liquid cooling system (1). The entire liquid cooling system (1) or a sub-system (12) can then be filled, emptied, deaerated and checked in respect of a leakage. Further, it is possible to set the fill level of a reservoir (8) and to service a fill-level sensor (99) of the reservoir (8).

Abstract: To provide a protective coat on a refrigerated sample collector for a corrosive environment a unitary frame includes a support unit with condenser and evaporator coils mounted to the support unit and an orifice connecting the condenser and evaporator coils. The evaporator coils, condenser coils and restrictor are powder coated after being connected, whereby an effective seal is provided for the restrictor, condenser coils and evaporator coils after they are assembled to the support. The unitary frame can be easily removed or connected as a unit to the sample collector. A peristaltic pump may be used for drawing at least one sample into the refrigerated sample collector and depositing said sample into at least one sample bottle. The peristaltic pump may include contoured tube guides to reduce movement of the peristaltic pump as a roller paddle rotates.

Abstract: A water dispensing system for a refrigerator comprising a refrigeration compartment includes a manifold assembly, a monitoring device coupled to the manifold assembly and including at least one sensor, and a filter assembly including a filter housing removably mounted to the manifold assembly. The filter assembly is configured to be compatible with a plurality of suitable filter media. At least two indicators are in signal communication with the at least one sensor when the filter housing is mounted onto the manifold assembly. A controller is operatively coupled to the monitoring device. The controller is configured to identify the filter assembly and the filter medium based on a signal received from the at least one sensor and operate the water dispensing system based on the identification of the filter assembly and the filter medium.