Abstract: A device for mixing fuel and air of a jet engine includes at least one air-carrying duct and at least one further fuel-carrying duct. Guide elements extending over the duct height and distributed over the circumference of the duct are provided at least in the air-carrying duct, in the area of which guide elements a twist can be imparted to the air flowing in the air-carrying duct in order to improve mixing between the air and the fuel downstream of the ducts. The guide elements are provided at a trailing edge with at least one downstream extending projection and/or upstream extending recess designed at least approximately or at least in some areas with a sharp edge.

Abstract: A combustion chamber for an aviation turbine engine, the combustion chamber being annular about a longitudinal axis and including an outer side wall, an inner side wall, and an annular chamber end wall connecting one end of the outer side wall to one end of the inner side wall. The outer side wall includes, distributed along its circumference, spark plugs, primary holes, and dilution holes situated downstream from the primary holes in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The primary holes situated in each of the adjacent zones adjacent to one of the spark plugs present a configuration that is different from the configuration of the primary holes situated outside the zones, such that the supply of air in the adjacent zones is different from the supply of air outside the zones.

Abstract: A door latch system for a heating system is provided. The door latch system may be installed with a fireplace, wood stove, pellet stove, or other suitable system. The door latch system comprises a handle, a handle head and a catch. The handle head may be configured to engage the catch. Moreover, the catch may be configured with a self adjusting tension system, such that when the handle head engages the catch, the catch is configured to exert a tension force on the handle head. This tension force also causes the handle head to compress the seal of a fireplace door where the door latch system is installed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for automatically shutting down a boiler system when it is not needed (e.g., during warm weather) based upon calls for heat output by a temperature control element (e.g., thermostat) within a facility. The apparatus has a temperature control element that provides calls for heat to a controller when a temperature within a facility is below a setting value. The controller controls operation of a boiler, having a medium with a temperature between a low limit and a high limit, in response to the call for heat. A monitoring element determines a prevalence of calls for heat and selectively adjusts the low limit based upon the determined prevalence of calls for heat. Therefore, when calls for heat are less frequent the monitoring element will reduce the low limit to reduce fuel consumption of the boiler.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat medium side device with plural pumps for circulating the heat medium related to the heating or the cooling of plural intermediate heat exchangers. Plural use side heat exchangers exchange heat between the heat medium and air. Plural flow path switching valves switch the flow path for supplying the heat medium related to a selected system among the heating media circulating in plural systems to each use side heat exchanger. A relay unit side control device controls the flow path switching valves so as to circulate the heat medium between the use side heat exchanger causing the heat medium to absorb the heat and the use side heat exchanger causing the heat medium to emit the preferentially set heat, when it is determined that it is impossible to perform the heating or the cooling of the heat medium by the intermediate heat exchanger.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler 10 comprises a housing 12 defining an inlet 14 for air. An air cooling arrangement 16 located in the housing between the inlet and an inlet to a duct 18 extending to an air outlet 20. A bath 24 for water is located towards a bottom region of the housing. Ducting 22 extends from the bath to a liquid outlet 26 in a top region of the housing, for releasing liquid onto the air cooling arrangement. The bath is configured to capture the released liquid. A fan 30 cooperates with the duct 18 to draw air through the air inlet, the air cooling arrangement and into the duct towards the outlet. The same electrical motor 32 is used to drive both the fan and the rotor or impeller of a water pump 34 for moving the liquid from the bath to the liquid outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air purifier able to maintain the normal state of drive of a disk-shaped humidification filter by controlling the state of rotation of the humidification filter. The air purifier can maintain the normal state of drive of the humidification filter by using a stepping motor and the control unit in order to vary the state of rotation of the humidification filter and thereby remove extraneous material when the humidification filter is rotating abnormally due to extraneous material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reducing the usage of a ventilation system. For example, one or more of the exemplary systems comprise a thermostatic controller that has at least two settings for the delay occurring between turning the ventilation system off and then turning the system back on. One setting being for a first interval and at least a second setting for a second interval that is longer than the first interval. A processor is in communication with the thermostatic controller and is configured to evaluate one or more parameters including at least the temperature outside the structure conditioned by the ventilation system. The processor is further configured to determine whether to adopt the first interval or the second interval based upon the values of the parameters.

Abstract: A thermostat management system facilitates an automatic pairing of a thermostat with a thermostat communication account. The thermostat management system receives a public network address associated with a computer device on a private network accessing the thermostat management account. The system retrieves the thermostat metadata including a public network address associated with a registration of the thermostat with the thermostat management system. The public network address registered with the thermostat metadata is provided by a router on the private network and therefore should match the public network address used by computer devices on the private network. The thermostat management account is paired with the thermostat if the thermostat has the same public network address as the computer device accessing the thermostat management account.

Abstract: A computerized method for diagnosing a damper condition in a flow control unit includes providing a control signal to a damper. The control signal instructs the damper to move into a target position or to achieve a target flow rate through the flow control unit. The method further includes receiving pressure information including one or more pressure measurements from a differential pressure sensor of the flow control unit and using the pressure information and the control signal to conduct a damper performance diagnostic. The damper performance diagnostic includes at least one of: a stuck damper diagnostic, a predictive damper failure diagnostic, an improperly-sized damper diagnostic, and a damper leakage diagnostic.

Abstract: Method and apparatus provide for cooling a system. For example, a network communication system may include a central processing unit (CPU) and a fan controller. A chassis includes a plurality of receiving portions, each portion configured to receive a field replaceable unit (FRU). The chassis may also include a fan and a temperature sensor. The system CPU is configured to load a plurality of environmental profiles into fan controller memory, each profile indicating a fan speed for the fan based on a temperature reading from the temperature sensor. The fan controller is to determine a first configuration of the network communication device as to which FRUs are installed in the chassis and to select an environmental profile from the fan controller memory to use based on the determined first configuration.

Abstract: A method of forming an energy exchange assembly may include forming a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits in a membrane sheet according to a predefined pattern, positioning a first spacer on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet, folding the membrane sheet over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer, sealing a first portion of the first forming area to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer, and positioning a second spacer on top of the second forming area, thereby stacking the second spacer over the first spacer.

Abstract: A heating system is disclosed, which includes a main body having a duct formed therein, an air flowing guiding member, and a heating unit. The duct has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air flowing guiding member is disposed in the duct. The heating unit includes a substrate and a plurality of electronic components disposed on the substrate in a matrix form and embossed from a surface of the substrate, wherein each of the electronic components is capable of individually producing heat to directly heat up the air flowing in the duct. Also a heating system using the heating unit is disclosed.

Abstract: A concentrator having a reflective surface (1) and a pair of flexible members (2) supporting the deformable reflective surface so as to define its shape. A mechanism (3) is movably mounted to a vertical support and has one end of each of the flexible members (2) attached thereto. A controller drives rotation-changing linkage and tension-varying linkage so as to move the mechanism (3) to impart a toric shaped curvature on the reflective surface (1). This toric shaped curvature minimizes astigmatic aberration due to obliquely incident radiation and changes as the solar point moves throughout the day.

Abstract: A solar energy system includes a solar energy receiver and a matrix of pipes containing a working fluid attached to the bottom side of the receiver. The matrix is a plurality of vertically-tilted pipes and at least three horizontal pipes arranged in a specific order and have a defined function. The working fluid absorbs heat and changes from a liquid to a gas. The system further includes a thermal storage tank, which includes a heat storage medium and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger receives evaporated working fluid from one of the horizontal pipes, condenses the working fluid vapor by transferring heat to the heat storage medium. When water is the working fluid, a distilled water storage tank may be connected to the heat exchanger to receive distilled water. When recirculation of the working fluid is desired, condensed liquid from the heat exchanger is flowed to a horizontal pipe.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for provisioning a site with an energy system such as a solar energy system. A system according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a user interface module providing a graphical user interface for receiving information from a user, for example a potential purchaser. The information includes location information for the site to be provisioned. An image retrieval module is coupled to the user interface module and to a source of geographical information. The image retrieval module retrieves at least one image of the site corresponding to the location provided by the user. A sizing module is configured to enable a user to measure an installation surface represented in the image. Energy system components are selected based on the measurements.

Abstract: A facade element for heat-insulation purposes has at least two parallel panels (101, 102), a cavity (103), which is formed between these two panels (101, 102) and has fluid flowing through it, and at least one inlet (13), for feeding a radiation-absorbing fluid, and at least one outlet (13?), for discharging the fluid. The inlet (13) is arranged on a first side of the panels (101, 102) and the outlet (13?) is arranged on an opposite, second side of the panels (101, 102). The at least one inlet (13) and the cavity (103) have arranged between them a first flow distributor (14), which extends for distribution along the length of the first side. This facade element makes straightforward and cost-effective industrial production possible.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for thermal management of a precursor for use in substrate processing are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for thermal management of a precursor for use in substrate processing may include a body having an opening sized to receive a storage container having a liquid or solid precursor disposed therein, the body fabricated from thermally conductive material; one or more thermoelectric devices coupled to the body proximate the opening; a heat sink coupled to the one or more thermoelectric devices; and a fan disposed proximate to a back side of the heat sink to provide a flow of air to the heat sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insert for a collector of a condenser, having a main body with a sealing lip for abutment against the inner wall of the collector axially between the two flow transfer openings of the collector, having a filter element for the fluid to flow through, having a fluid diverting element, and having a fluid duct such that the fluid diverting element diverts the radially inflowing fluid stream into an axially flowing fluid stream, and the fluid duct conducts the diverted fluid flow to the filter.

Abstract: Disclosure relates to an accumulator heat exchanger. The accumulator heat exchanger is capable of guiding only a gas-phase refrigerant to a compressor by allowing a high pressure refrigerant passing through a condenser to pass through an accumulator and to be heat exchanged with a low pressure refrigerant, thereby promoting evaporation of a liquid-phase refrigerant.

Abstract: A part replacement method for replacement of a part of a refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit in which a flammable refrigerant is circulated and a container connecting device for controlling the refrigerant such that the refrigerant is allowed to flow out of the refrigerant circuit. The method includes a refrigerant recovery step of allowing the refrigerant to flow out of the refrigerant circuit through the container connecting device, a pressure reduction step of connecting a pressure reducing device to the container connecting device to reduce a pressure in the refrigerant circuit until the pressure in the refrigerant circuit reaches a set pressure or a setting time is reached, and a part replacement step of removing the part from the refrigerant circuit by heating to replace the part.

Abstract: A first bypass pipe has one end connected to a main pipe extending from a compressor to an indoor heat exchanger, and its other end branched off into parts that are each connected to the main pipe on an inlet side of an outdoor heat exchanger, and a second bypass pipe has one end connected to an injection port communicating with the compression chamber of the compressor in which compression is taking place and its other end branched off into parts that are each connected to the main pipe on an outlet side of the outdoor heat exchangers. During a defrosting operation that removes frost on the outdoor heat exchangers, a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is supplied from the first bypass pipe to the outdoor heat exchanger to be defrosted, and is then passed through the second bypass pipe and injected from the injection port of the compressor.

Abstract: A refrigerator provided with an inner panel molded through injection molding while an accommodation groove in which an installation member is accommodated is formed at the inner panel, and as a gasket is installed at an installation groove of the installation member, the use of a complex mold such as a slide core is minimized while making it easy to install the gasket at the inner panel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to storage systems for milk bags. A storage system for milk bags receives milk bags and management of the stored milk bags. The milk bags are stored in compartments for easy storage and retrieval.

Abstract: An intelligent refrigerator based on the Internet of Things and an application system thereof, relating to the technical field of the Internet of Things, and in particular, to the aspect of intelligent refrigerator system module improvement based on the Internet of Things. The intelligent refrigerator comprises a refrigerator main body and a refrigerator control module which is arranged in the refrigerator main body and used for controlling the operation of the refrigerator main body. The refrigerator main body also comprises a central processing system module, the refrigerator control module being in communication connection with the central processing system module through a UART interface. A touch display module for man-machine interaction, and a network communication module for connecting the Internet network are also connected to the central processing system module. The intelligent refrigerator can realize managing the storage information of foods in a refrigerator in a graphical manner.

Abstract: A cooler for cooling a gaseous medium includes: a housing; a heat exchanger in the housing, the heat exchanger having an inlet portion at a flow inlet side of the heat exchanger, an outlet portion arranged at a flow outlet side of the heat exchanger, and tubes through which a coolant flows and about which gaseous medium to be cooled circulates; at least one inflow, through which the medium to be cooled can be introduced into the housing and fed to the inlet portion of the heat exchanger; at least one drain, through which cooled medium originating from the outlet portion of the heat exchanger can be discharged out of the housing; and at least one perforated plate-like flow homogenization element positioned in the housing at a position upstream of the inlet portion of the heat exchanger, seen in a flow direction of the medium to be cooled.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation method and apparatus in which first and second liquid streams are produced. The first liquid stream has a higher oxygen content than air and can consist of a higher pressure distillation column bottoms and the second liquid stream, for instance, air, has a lower oxygen content than the first liquid stream and an argon content no less than the air. The second liquid stream is subcooled through indirect heat exchange with the first liquid stream and both of such streams are introduced into the lower pressure column. The second liquid stream is introduced into the lower pressure column above that point at which the crude liquid oxygen column bottoms or any portion thereof is introduced into the lower pressure column to increase a liquid to vapor ratio below the introduction of the second liquid stream and therefore, reduce the oxygen present within the column overhead.

Abstract: This drying/carbonizing device is formed from providing within a drying chamber: a plurality of tubes, to one end of which an inlet is formed and to the other end of which an outlet is formed, of which the upper and lower ends are interconnected to each other to form a single chain, and which have rotatable screw conveyers therewithin that are disposed in a manner so that the outward paths and return paths vertically alternate; horizontal tubes that are attached at appropriate intervals along the lengthwise direction of the plurality of tubes and that are horizontal discharge tubes connected to the plurality of tubes; vertical tubes that are connected to the ends of the horizontal tubes and that are provided in the vertical direction; and a bottom collection tube that is provided horizontally to the bottom, links the ends of the vertical tubes, and removes gas.

Abstract: This application discloses devices, articles, and methods useful for producing lyophilized cakes of solutes. The devices and articles provide for a method of freezing liquid solutions of the solute by the top and the bottom of the solution simultaneously. The as frozen solution then provides a lyophilized cake of the solutes with large and uniform pores.

Abstract: A coalescing dryer passes air downwardly through items to be dried in a container. The air can be diverted to change direction following passage of the air through the items to be dried. The moving air causes liquid on the surface of items to be dried to coalesce and travel downwardly and from the items being dried. A vacuum dryer applies a vacuum to the container of items to be dried when placed in a vacuum chamber after pre-drying by the coalescing dryer so as to evaporate liquid in the items to be dried that has not been removed by the coalescing dryer.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for making phlegmatized metal powder or alloy powder has a retort crucible with a heat-proof, coolable cover, a heatable reduction furnace into which the retort crucible may be inserted, and an inner crucible placed within the retort crucible and removable therefrom. At least one inlet is built into the coolable cover for adding a passivating gas. A heat-proof flange welded onto the retort crucible attaches the retort crucible to the heat-proof, coolable cover. A cooler welded onto a lower face of the heat-proof flange provides a cooling agent to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A kiln tool plate for firing a ceramic material used during the firing of an article to be fired, where at least uneven conformations are imparted to a front surface side on which the article to be fired is mounted and a back surface side, and opening areas are formed. In the ceramic material firing kiln tool plate, the decrease of heat capacity and the reduction of costs can be achieved, a contact area with the article to be fired is decreased to improve outgassing, and the atmosphere can be made uniform to uniformly manufacture the fired article. Above all, the kiln tool plate for firing the ceramic material has excellent thermal shock resistance, creep resistance, high strength at high temperature and oxidation resistance, and enables weight saving.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section. The indirect evaporative heat exchange section includes a series of serpentine tubes, and an evaporative liquid is passed downwardly onto the indirect heat exchange section. The evaporative liquid is collected in a sump and then pumped upwardly to be distributed again across the indirect heat exchange section. An improved heat exchange apparatus is provided with a top and a bottom indirect evaporative heat exchange section including a series of serpentine tubes A secondary system to distribute evaporative liquid below the first indirect heat exchange section and a direct heat exchange section may be provided between the two indirect heat exchangers.

Abstract: A HVAC system includes a cabinet configured as a duct, a coil assembly disposed within the cabinet, and at least one barrier configured to substantially segregate a low pressure zone associated with a downstream side of a heat exchanger of the coil assembly from a high pressure zone, wherein a leakage path is provided between the high pressure zone and the low pressure zone.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle air-conditioning system includes: an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tube has a first path inlet and a first path outlet through which a first fluid is permitted to flow. The inner tube is disposed within the outer tube and has a second path inlet and a second path outlet through which a second fluid is permitted to flow. The inner tube branches off in a first region into at least two heat exchanger tubes.

Abstract: An exemplary heat dissipation device includes a heat pipe and a fin unit. The heat pipe includes an evaporation section and a condensing section formed at opposite ends thereof, respectively. The fin unit includes plural stacked parallel fins. Each of the fins defines a through hole therein for receiving the condensing section of the heat pipe. A flange extends from a periphery of the through hole. The flange defines two slits to divide the flange into two separate portions. The slits communicate with the through hole. A compressible structure is formed in each fin at opposite sides of the through hole. The compressible structure is aligned with the slits such that when the fin is compressed along a direction transverse to the alignment, the compressible structure is compressed and the separate portions of the flange move toward each other and closely contact the condensing section of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A device having a heat exchanger includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet for a fluid and an inner tube having a first end face extending in axial direction, an opposite second end face and a circumferential surface having openings. A plurality of heat exchanger tubes is disposed parallel to the axial direction on the outside of the circumferential surface. The housing encloses the heat exchanger tubes and the inner tube and the inlet is fluidically connected to the first end face. Guide elements are disposed between the heat exchanger tubes so that the fluid entering the inner tube through the first end face flows out across the heat exchanger tubes in radial direction starting from the inner tube. The device is used particularly for constructing a thermoelectric generator for positioning in the underbody of a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.

Abstract: A fin and tube heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes arranged in parallel and a plurality of plate-shaped fins provided orthogonally to the heat transfer tubes, each of the heat transfer tubes is in contact with fin collars of the plate-shaped fins and is inserted along the fin collars. Each fin collar is configured to include a bend in each of a re-flared portion and in a root portion of the fin collar. A thickness of the re-flared portion is smaller than a thickness of the root portion and a radius of the bend of the re-flared portion is larger than a radius of the bend of the root portion.

Abstract: A heat sink for power modules can be incorporated into a power module of a machine. In embodiments, an alloy is extruded to form a body with a plurality of divider webs integral thereto and defining a plurality of longitudinal passage segments inside the body. The body is machined to remove alternating end portions of the divider webs to define a fitting end turn area and a return end turn area disposed in opposing relationship with each other, thereby forming a serpentine fluid passage. A fitting end cap is welded to the body. A fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the fitting end cap are respectively in fluid communication with a passage inlet and a passage outlet of the serpentine fluid passage.

Abstract: The plate-fin heat exchanger includes a first fluid pathway running along a first axis, a second fluid pathway running along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a blocker bar having an inlet face and an outlet face. The blocker bar inlet face coincides with a heat exchanger face. The blocker bar is at an inlet of the second fluid pathway and receives a second fluid. The outlet face of the blocker bar is at the inlet of the second fluid pathway. The blocker bar includes a set of spaced apart pores that extend from the inlet face to the outlet face.

Abstract: A sootblower having a nozzle that includes one or more deep reaching jets aligned with its respective platen bank to clean slag deposits inset from the leading edge of the platen bank. The nozzle also includes one or more edge cleaning jets substantially angled with respect to the platen bank for cleaning the leading edges of the platen bank. For most applications, the major axis of the sootblower is perpendicular to the major axis of its respective platen bank, resulting in a sootblower with a nozzle having angled and perpendicular jets, referred to as angled-perpendicular nozzles. The jet sizes are selected to balance the opposing components of force perpendicular to the sootblower to avoid the imposition of torque on the lance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to kits and associated methods for converting a semi-automatic firearm into a bolt single action firearm, as well as the converted firearm itself. The kit includes a housing (e.g. upper receiver) that accommodates a bolt carrier and a charging handle and a carrier key, if desired. The housing has ends which mount to the existing lower receiver of the semi-automatic firearm to convert the semi-automatic firearm into a manual bolt-action firearm.

Abstract: An improved M1911 pistol, method of making an improved M1911 pistol, and system for improving performance of an M1911 pistol. Replacement parts for the M1911 pistol include stainless steel, which may be a 17-4Ph metal. Improved replacement parts include an improved frame and an improved slide.

Abstract: A front sight for a weapon, the front sight having: a mounting block; a tower pivotally mounted to the mounting block for movement between a first position and a second position; a first locking mechanism comprising a plurality of spring biased members for retaining the tower in the first position and the second position, the plurality of spring biased members being configured to allow movement of the tower between the first position and the second position in response to a force applied to the tower; and a second locking mechanism configured to lock the tower in the second position, wherein the second locking mechanism must be manually released before the tower can be moved from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A device and related method are disclosed for efficient loading of a spring powered magazine. The magazine body is configured with equal and opposite lateral channels extending from the magazine floor to near the magazine top. The channels are located approximately at a longitudinal midpoint of the magazine body. The follower of the magazine is configured with a follower sleeve having a longitudinal dimension approximately equal to the longitudinal dimension of the opposite lateral channels and aligned with the opposite lateral channels as the follower slidably travels along a vertical axis of the magazine body. As the follower sleeve aligns with the opposite lateral channels, it is configured to be engaged by a compression tool to relieve, as the compression tool acts upon the follower, spring tension between the latest round loaded and the retainer lips of the magazine opening.

Abstract: A rifle having a receiver with an integral hand guard and a barrel. The barrel is connected to the receiver. The hand guard extends over and surrounds the barrel. A removable hand guard is attached to the receiver by an attachment that stably holds the removable hand guard to the receiver. The attachment is arranged for allowing detachment and removal of the removable hand guard from the receiver without removal of fasteners.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barrel device capable of using various calibers of flanged centerfired ammunition in a breech loaded firearm. The barrel device is able to position and secure various caliber ammunition, whereby the action and firing pin will strike the center of the ammunition and cause it to be fired from the weapon. In some embodiments, the unique barrel device may comprise a non-newtonian type of fluid housed and contained in the barrel by a para-aramid synthetic material. In other embodiments, the barrel device may comprise a mechanical construct and may or may not use a synthetic fiber inner lining. In another embodiment, the barrel device may contain a foam type material to house and center the ammunition. In further embodiments, the barrel device may comprise both a non-newtonian type of fluid and a mechanical construct.

Abstract: A firearm bolt cleaning tool includes a tool core defining a plurality of scraper surfaces. The scraper surfaces include a first gas ring scraper surface, a first bolt face scraper surface extending from a terminus of the first gas ring scraper surface, and a first bolt cylinder scraper surface extending from a terminus of the first bolt face scraper surface. Opposing positioned are a second gas ring scraper surface, a second bolt face scraper surface extending from a terminus of the second gas ring scraper surface, and a second bolt cylinder scraper surface extending from a terminus of the second bolt face scraper surface. The first gas ring scraper surface and the second gas ring scraper surface are spaced apart from each other at a distance that is less than a diameter of a cylindrical gas sealing ring holding section of the firearm bolt.

Abstract: An exemplary adjustable archery support system is disclosed. An exemplary system comprises an offset brake housing for mechanically interfacing the adjustable archery support system to a support post that provides a stable support for the archery bow from the ground. The offset brake housing positions the support post substantially to a side of the archery bow and out of the line of sight for the archer shooting the bow. When an actuator lever is pulled by the archer, its causes actuation, via a linkage, of an internal brake so that the entire system (and therefore the bow to which the system is mechanically attached) may be adjusted up and down the support post. Once positioned, the user may release the first actuator lever, thereby allowing the internal brake to reengage with the exterior surface of the support post so that the bow is stabilized and supported for a shot.

Abstract: A projectile launcher includes a barrel mount, a tubular barrel, and a biasing member disposed in the barrel. The barrel mount can assume a barrel-securing configuration and a barrel-releasing configuration in which the barrel is longitudinally movable relative to the barrel mount from a forward position to a rearward position. The biasing member is compressible from an initial relaxed position to a first compressed position with the barrel in the rearward position, and to a second (further) compressed position the barrel in the forward position. The projectile can thus be launched at different speeds according to the barrel position. The launcher may also include a trigger release, a handgrip, and indicia markings on the barrel to denote approximate launch distance or other information. Optionally, the projectile is attached to a lead line that loops over a tree branch upon launching, such as for suspending a food container at a campsite.