Abstract: A method for automatically operating a heating system controller for heating an indoor space so that the indoor temperature measurement signals are kept a) at approximately or above a default set point when the automatically obtained outdoor temperature indicator signals reflect an outdoor temperature indicator that is above a freeze protection point, or b) at approximately a computed set point that is higher than the default set point when the outdoor temperature indicator signals reflect an outdoor temperature indicator that is below the freeze protection point. The computed set point can be based on an outdoor temperature indicator. A heating system comprising a furnace, a thermostatic controller, a sensor of indoor temperature operatively connected to the thermostatic controller, a receiver operatively connected to the thermostatic controller for receiving a signal indicative of an outdoor temperature indicator, wherein the thermostatic controller is configured to operate according to the said method.

Abstract: A ceiling-embedded air conditioner includes: a decorative panel; a turbo fan; a heat exchanger; a drain pan including a drain sheet; an air suction path; cuboidal air blowoff paths that are provided at four places surrounding the air suction path; and rectangular air blowoff openings that are provided in the decorative panel. The air blowoff paths are integrated with the drain pan. Airflow guide vanes are provided in the air blowoff paths to direct part of the blown airflow toward the short side of the air blowoff opening. Attachment portions formed of the same material as that for the drain sheet and configured to attach the airflow guide vanes are provided at an inflow-side opening portions of the air blowoff paths.

Abstract: A ceiling-embedded air conditioner includes a decorative panel, a turbo fan, a heat exchanger, a drain pan, an air suction path, air blowoff paths provided at four places along the sides of a virtual square surrounding the air suction path, and an air blowoff opening communicating with the air blowoff path. The air blowoff path is formed in a cuboidal shape having a pair of long side walls disposed with a predetermined space therebetween in parallel to the sides of the virtual square and a pair of short side walls connecting the ends of the long side walls. Airflow guide vanes are provided in the air blowoff paths to direct part of blown airflow toward the short side of the air blowoff opening.

Abstract: A fan apparatus includes a fan and a mounting device that mounts the fan to a ceiling-suspended air conditioner at a position above an air outlet of the ceiling-suspended air conditioner. The fan of the fan apparatus is mounted to the ceiling-suspended air conditioner at a position above the air outlet of the ceiling-suspended air conditioner via the mounting device.

Abstract: A heat and humidity exchanger has example application in exchanging heat and water vapor between fresh air entering a building and air being vented from the building. The heat and humidity exchanger has a self-supporting core formed from layered sheets of a moisture-permeable material. Plenums are arranged to direct fluid streams into and out of the core. The plenums may be on opposing sides of the core to permit counterflow exchange of heat and water vapor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an energy exchange system that includes a supply air flow path, an exhaust air flow path, an energy recovery device disposed within the supply and exhaust air flow paths, and a supply conditioning unit disposed within the supply air flow path. The supply conditioning unit may be downstream from the energy recovery device. Certain embodiments provide a method of conditioning air including introducing outside air as supply air into a supply air flow path, pre-conditioning the supply air with an energy recovery device, and fully-conditioning the supply air with a supply conditioning unit that is downstream from the energy recovery device.

Abstract: An air-conditioning control device controls air conditioning in an air-conditioning zone by using a plurality of types of air conditioners each having a different air supply system. The air-conditioning control device includes a setting unit and an output unit. The setting unit sets air-conditioning load distribution of the air conditioners based on optimal load distribution functions generated based on models of the air conditioners so that total energy consumption of the air conditioners is reduced within a range of comfort of the air-conditioning zone set by a user. The output unit outputs, based on the air-conditioning load distribution set by the setting unit, control values for controlling the air conditioners to controlling devices of the air conditioners.

Abstract: A thermostat with voltage and current sensing capability is coupled directly to an HVAC unit and provides low latency failure detection and control using an on-board CPU. The thermostat can be configured to detect failure modes using current and voltage sensing and to make autonomous decisions to control the HVAC in response to such measurements.

Abstract: A mode selection unit selects a continuous operation mode when a dehumidifying operation is started. When an indoor temperature is less than or equal to a set first temperature threshold and indoor humidity is greater than a set humidity threshold in the continuous operation mode, the mode selection unit selects an intermittent operation mode. When the indoor temperature is less than or equal to a set second temperature threshold that is greater than the first temperature threshold and the indoor humidity is less than or equal to the set humidity threshold in the intermittent operation mode, the mode selection unit selects an operation stop mode.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating energy consumption in an HVAC system, the method including the steps of determining a system characteristic value, obtaining an operational condition value, determining a base power consumption value based at least in part on the system characteristic value and the operational condition value, determining an operational run time for the system, and determining an estimated energy consumption based at least in part on the operational run time and the base power consumption value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the health of a compressor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a prognostic-diagnostic unit (PDU) compares expected compressor power consumption, based on current operating conditions of the HVAC system, to actual compressor power consumption. If the actual power consumption is within a predefined range of the expected power consumption under current operational conditions, the HVAC system is determined to be operating properly. If the actual power consumption deviates from the expected power consumption, a fault is indicated. An appropriate action is taken, such as displaying a fault alert, transmitting a fault message to another device, and storing information relating to the fault for later retrieval to assist troubleshooting.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for adjusting controller set points based on outdoor temperature. In an exemplary embodiment, a climate control system controller for providing climate control in a structure includes a processor and memory configured to obtain adjusted heating and cooling set point values determined by combining adjustment amounts with heating and cooling set points set for the climate control system. The adjustment amounts are determined in accordance with deviations of sensed outdoor ambient temperature (OAT) values from an intermediate OAT value predefined in a range of OAT values. The controller, in response to sensed outdoor temperatures in the range of OAT values, controls heating and cooling in the structure in accordance with the adjusted heating and cooling set point values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively applying a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and an individual HVAC system are provided. The method includes analyzing comfort levels of a core zone and a perimeter zone in a building by comparing temperatures of the core zone and the perimeter zone with a set temperature, comparing a difference between the temperatures of the core zone and the perimeter zone with an environmental parameter, if only one of the core zone and the perimeter zone is comfortable as a result of the analysis, and changing a currently operating HVAC system based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: In the present invention pumps for transporting a heat medium to a load device are provided between the load device and heat source devices that supply the heat medium to the load device, and when the number of operating pumps changes, the number of operating heat source devices is determined on the basis of the state of the load device prior to the change in the number of operating pumps, until at least one of a prescribed condition with respect to time or a prescribed condition with respect to a value that varies due to the change in the number of operating pumps is satisfied. By means of this configuration it is possible to control the number of operating heat source devices appropriately without being affected by a transient change in a flow volume measurement value or measured load value caused by a change in the number of secondary pumps.

Abstract: In order to efficiently exchange indoor air and outdoor air, to reduce power consumption, and to reduce discomfort to a user, damper, which switches between a heat exchange exhaust air path and a normal ventilation air path, is provided in an exhaust air path. In addition, a discomfort index is calculated from detection results of indoor temperature sensor provided on indoor-side inlet and outdoor temperature sensor provided on outdoor-side inlet. Further, controller, which switches between the heat exchange exhaust air path and the normal ventilation air path so as not to cause discomfort to the user, is provided to control damper.

Abstract: A ceiling-embedded air conditioner includes: a pipe draw portion that is provided at one corner portion of a casing main body to draw refrigerant pipes together with an electric wire; a pipe cover that fixes the peripheries of the refrigerant pipes and has a draw hole for the electric wire; a wire cover that is provided on the bottom surface of the casing main body and cover a wire guide groove for the electric wire; a cover plate that is included in the wire cover, covers the wire guide groove, and is screwed to a predetermined place on the casing main body side; and a hold plate that is included in the wire cover and is folded at a right angle from one end of the cover plate to engage with a pipe cover end portion of the pipe cover on the bottom surface side of the casing main body.

Abstract: A tubing assembly includes a plurality of tubing structures connected to each other in a configuration providing one or more fluid pathways through the plurality of tubing structures from a fluid entrance to a fluid exit of the plurality of tubing structures. An electrical resistance heating filament wire is wound around the plurality of tubing structures in an unbroken manner from the fluid entrance to the fluid exit. The electrical resistance heating filament wire has a first electrical lead located proximate to the fluid entrance of the plurality of tubing structures and a second electrical lead located proximate to the fluid exit of the plurality of tubing structures. An encapsulation layer of thermal insulating material is disposed over an entirety of the plurality of tubing structures and covers the electrical resistance heating filament wire wound around the plurality of tubing structures with the first and second electrical leads exposed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electric water heater, including a casing, an inner tank, a drain valve and a protection cover. The casing defines an opening. An inner tank is disposed in the casing and defines a drain outlet. A drain valve is mounted at the drain outlet and exposed from the opening. A protection cover is detachably fixed on the casing or the drain valve and covers the drain valve. The protection cover of the electric water heater according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be detached from the casing during the sewage discharge and fixed on the casing again after the sewage discharge. Because of the protection of the protection cover, the drain valve is no more exposed so as to avoid the potential safety risk. In addition, the protection cover may further improve the integrity and the aesthetics of the appearance of the casing.

Abstract: A refractory panel for a heat exchanger is provided having a body including a first planar surface having a plurality of refractory openings formed therein. A sidewall is arranged about a periphery of at least one of the plurality of refractory openings. The sidewall extends outwardly from the first planar surface and is configured to extend through an adjacent component into an inlet of a heat exchanger coil.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system for using focused light to heat a fluid to ultra-high temperatures a light concentrator and onto one or more substantially monocrystalline ceramic elements. The light concentrator is selectively positioned to direct concentrated light onto one or more substantially monocrystalline ceramic elements. Each of the one or more substantially monocrystalline ceramic elements include metal ions that are naturally capable of substantially absorbing said concentrated light in order to reach a desired ultra-high temperature.

Abstract: A ground circuit in a low-energy system includes a connection pipeline (3), collection pipe system (2) and a return pipeline(4) for circulating a transfer fluid. The ground circuit is utilized for transferring thermal energy recovered from its surroundings, for instance, to a heat pump (5). The ground circuit collection pipe system (2) consists of a hollow profile (6) arranged to be a coil, whereby the hollow profile is connected at its first end to a connection pipeline (3) for conveying the transfer fluid along the hollow profile from the first coil end to the second, and at the second end of the coil, the second end of the hollow profile is connected to the return pipeline (4) for conveying the transfer fluid from the hollow profile towards the place where it is used. At the opposite ends of the hollow profile, means for controlling the fluid flow are arranged.

Abstract: Devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for an aqueous carbon dioxide (CO2) heat pump are described herein. One or more embodiments include a system comprising a compressor to lower a first CO2 pressure of a first chamber and increase a second CO2 pressure of a second chamber, a liquid pump to remove a liquid from the first chamber and provide liquid to the second chamber, wherein the liquid is a CO2 aqueous solution, and a heat exchanger to alter a temperature of the liquid when the liquid is removed from the first chamber and provided to the second chamber.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit, at least one variable speed compressor operating with a maximum pressure ratio of at least 5.0 and a variable speed range of at least three times (3×), a heat absorption heat exchanger, a heat rejection heat exchanger, an ejector disposed on the refrigerant circuit upstream of the compressor to extend a pressure ratio range and a volumetric flow range of the compressor in the cold climates, a separator disposed downstream of the ejector and upstream of the heat absorption heat exchanger, and at least one variable speed fan configured to move air through the heat rejection heat exchanger to provide a predefined an air discharge temperature greater than 90° F. A two-phase refrigerant is provided to an inlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger with a quality of less than or equal to 0.05.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converter capable of improving cooling efficiency.

Abstract: A heat storage and release unit includes a reactant formed body for reacting with a reaction medium to store and release heat; a reaction vessel for accommodating the reactant formed body and exchanging heat with the reactant formed body; a reaction medium flow path structure, connected to the reaction vessel, for supplying the reaction medium to the reaction vessel or discharging the reaction medium from the reaction vessel. The reactant formed body includes a plate-like heat transfer plate that contacts the reaction vessel, heat transfer elements extending from a surface of the heat transfer plate at substantially right angles, and a reactant formed unit that encloses the heat transfer elements in such a way that the heat transfer elements are partially exposed from the reactant formed unit, and the reaction vessel can change form by a pressure difference between the outside and the inside of the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A heat pump includes a closed circuit to contain a refrigerant fluid and a lubricant that is miscible with the refrigerant fluid. The closed circuit includes a fluid compressor and a fluid return circuit for returning fluid to the compressor. The compressor extends in the closed circuit between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The return circuit extends in the closed circuit, complementarily to the compressor, between the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet. The return circuit includes a condenser, an expander and an evaporator. The return circuit also includes a first line extending between the fluid outlet and the condenser, a second line extending between the condenser and the expander, a third line extending between the expander and the evaporator, and a fourth line extending between the evaporator and the fluid inlet.

Abstract: Heat pump including a closed circuit containing a refrigerant fluid and a lubricant, the closed circuit including a fluid compressor and a return circuit for returning fluid to the compressor, the compressor extending in the closed circuit between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the return circuit extending in the closed circuit between the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet. The return circuit includes a first line extending between the fluid outlet and the condenser, a second line extending between the condenser and the expander, a third line extending between the expander and the evaporator, and a fourth line extending between the evaporator and the fluid inlet. The closed circuit includes a first widening of a line of the return circuit. The fluid includes a mixture of a first Freon, a second Freon and a third Freon, and the lubricant includes a synthetic polyolester oil.

Abstract: A condenser having passages of varying geometry for cooling of fluid. The condenser apparatus includes substantially parallel tubes each defining a channel and having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, the first end having a greater hydraulic diameter than the second end. Inlet and outlet manifolds are provided. The tubes may be oriented substantially vertically with the inlets above the respective outlets. A heat exchanger core comprises the tubes and substantially horizontally oriented fin material connecting the tubes. The tubes may receive a relatively higher temperature vapor or vapor and liquid mixture into the inlets of the tubes, around the tubes coolant flows substantially horizontally to remove heat from the tubes, and relatively cooler saturated liquid is discharged from the outlets. In one embodiment, the tube's channel splits into multiple channels to reduce the hydraulic diameter and increase the surface area ratio.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes: a body; a storage compartment formed in the body; and a cold air generating unit installed in the storage compartment and including a heat exchanger for generating cold air, wherein the heat exchanger includes: a tube, which forms a heat-exchanging space and extends in one direction and in which a refrigerant flows; heat-exchanging fins disposed to be in contact with the tube in the heat-exchanging space; headers connected to one side and the other side of the tube, respectively; and a refrigerant pipe connected to the headers so that the refrigerant is introduced into/discharged from the tube, and a plurality of flow paths on which the refrigerant flows, are formed in the tube.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an inner case, an outer case, a vacuum space, and a liquid-gas interchanger. The inner case defines an exterior appearance of a storage space. The outer case is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the inner case. The vacuum space is provided between the inner case and the outer case, and maintains a vacuum to insulate the inner case from the outer case. The liquid-gas interchanger is arranged in the vacuum space to generate heat exchange between a refrigerant after it is exhausted from an evaporator and a refrigerant before it is drawn into an evaporator.

Abstract: It is difficult to avoid a decrease in cooling capacity without causing an increase in power consumption if a cooling device including a piping structure grows in size, therefore, a piping structure according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a tubular part including a first flow passage through which a refrigerant flowing and a shell region surrounding the first flow passage; an introduction part composing a part of the shell region and including a second flow passage connected to the first flow passage; and a connection located at an end, between ends of the introduction part, on the side opposite to an end on a side where the second flow passage being connected to the first flow passage.

Abstract: A caulking fixation type power element has a diaphragm, an upper lid member forming a pressure actuation chamber with a working gas, a receiving member provided with a through hole in its center portion and arranged in an opposite side to the upper lid member in relation to the diaphragm, and a stopper member arranged in a lower space formed between the diaphragm and the receiving member, and is integrated according to a circumferential welding by lapping the upper lid member, the diaphragm and the receiving member, the stopper member has a main body portion inserted to the through hole of the receiving member, and a flange portion having a larger diameter than the through hole and formed in one end of the main body portion, and the flange portion is arranged so as to come into contact with the receiving member from the lower space side.

Abstract: The present application provides a compressor for use with a flow of carbon dioxide. The compressor may include a first stage compression mechanism for compressing the flow of carbon dioxide from a low pressure to an intermediate pressure, an oil separator downstream of the first stage compression mechanism, and a second stage compression mechanism positioned downstream of the oil separator for compressing the flow of carbon dioxide from the intermediate pressure to a high pressure.

Abstract: A hose having an upstream end and a downstream end, each of the upstream and downstream ends including a connecting member to connect the hose arrangement to, for example, the high side or the low side of an air conditioning or refrigeration unit, or to a manifold. An intermediate access fitting is provided along the length of the hose, such as a T-shaped fitting, and provides a port to enable the hose arrangement to be connected to a device conveniently and without the necessity of adapters. Also disclosed is a method of evacuating or dehydrating an air conditioning or refrigeration system using the hose.

Abstract: A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system, said device comprising: an air passage, a refrigerant port, and an air conditioning port; the air passage communicates the refrigerant port and the air conditioning port; wherein, a valve and a T-shape connector are provided along the air passage, the valve controls the opening of the air passage; the first end of the T-shape connector communicates with the valve, the second end of the T-shape connector communicates with the air conditioning port, and the third end of the T-shape connector communicates with a pressure gauge. While adding refrigerant, users can read the pressure of the automobile air conditioning system through the pressure gauge.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for cooling systems. In some aspects, a cooling system is configured to enter into a storage configuration or a winterization configuration. In the winterization configuration, refrigerant used in the cooling system is stored in an adsorbent in an adsorbent chamber.

Abstract: An automatic descale and sanitize process for an ice maker which requires less user intervention and time. During descaling, a main water reservoir of an ice maker sump is filled with water to a descale water level and mixes with a cleaner placed in the main water reservoir. The water/cleaner mixture is pumped through the ice maker to descale the water system and freeze plate. During sanitizing, the sump is filled with water to a sanitize water level, above the descale water level, and mixes with sanitizer placed in a sanitizer reservoir of the sump. The water/sanitizer mixture is pumped through the ice maker to sanitize the water system and freeze plate. During descaling, the sanitizer placed in the sanitizer reservoir does not come into contact with the water in the main water reservoir. After the descale and sanitize process, the ice maker can return to making ice.

Abstract: The invention is a dual auto hydrant configured to interface independent pressurized water and compressed air sources with snowmaking equipment, such as a snowmaking gun and methods of using same.

Abstract: The invention is a snowmaking automation system and snowmaking automation modules for use with snowmaking guns and hydrants. Embodiments of the snowmaking automation modules described herein may be battery powered, and thus do not require fixed electrical infrastructure, but are designed to use such infrastructure if present on the mountain. In some embodiments, various components of the snowmaking automation system may be wireless and thus do not require hard-wired communications, for example between base stations, servers, databases, repeater nodes and remotely controlled snowmaking guns and hydrants with their snowmaking automation modules installed.

Abstract: An ice crushing system includes multiple sets of interleaved blades with some of the blades being provided with a series of raised protrusions on one or more faces. With this arrangement, the spacing between the interleaved blades is reduced and a finer crushed ice consistency is established. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the raised protrusions are staggered along each side of a set of fixed blades, with the raised protrusions on one side of a fixed blade overlapping the raised protrusions on the opposing side.

Abstract: This invention mitigates global warming substantially by combining elements from two separate fields in a novel way. It is based on the discovery that the volumetric rate of cold water upwelling that will result in a 1.08 C reduction in the Earth's Surface Air Temperature (SAT) is similar to the volumetric rate of cold water upwelling that would be produced by roughly 20,000 OTEC plant-ships of 400 MW size each. These can generate 7 terawatts of electric power converted to an ammonia energy carrier and shipped to on-land locations, where can be “cracked” and burned as CO2-free fuel for power plants. The large reduction in SAT enables proposal of an affordable financial strategy that would pay most of the costs of the system out of the revenue from CO2 emission allowances granted by governing agencies for alternative energy systems that also cause a direct reduction in SAT.

Abstract: A chest, which can comprise a refrigerated chest such as a freezer for example, includes an opening at the top of the chest through which access can be had to a chest interior. The opening is arranged substantially horizontally when the chest is maintained in its normal operational state. One or more doors mounted to the chest at the opening at the top of the chest are selectively movable between a position closing off the entire opening at the top of the chest and a position opening up the opening, including a horizontal position, thereby providing access to the refrigerated chest interior through the opening. The one or more doors can comprise two equal-sized doors. A respective door support can be provided outside the chest interior for each of the one or more doors at which a door of the one or more doors is supported in a horizontal position.

Abstract: The present invention as disclosed herein surrounds a cooling apparatus configured to provide an enclosed envelope and cooling-pack for a reduced form-factor. Embodiments of the present invention provide a cooling apparatus for the transportation of beverage containers in a manner that keeps them colder for longer periods than transport within a non-insulated transportation device. The efficient and compact cooling of beverage containers as provided by the present invention in certain embodiments allows the user to transport the cooling apparatus within a backpack, handbag or other secondary transportation device.

Abstract: A refrigerator that has a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and a door that provides access to the fresh food compartment is disclosed. An icemaker is mounted remotely from the freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A flow pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. A fan is operatively positioned to move air from the fresh food compartment across the warm side of the thermoelectric device. A pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold air, such as from the refrigerator compartment, is used to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold of the icemaker.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes an appliance housing. A liner within the appliance housing provides an upper interior storage chamber and a lower interior storage chamber. The upper interior storage chamber and the lower interior storage chamber are separated by a mullion. An upper movable closure is movable between an open position providing access to the lower interior storage chamber, and a closed position closing the upper interior storage chamber. A lower movable closure is movable between an open position providing access to the lower interior storage chamber, and a closed position closing the lower interior storage chamber. The mullion forms a storage pocket, and the refrigeration appliance further includes a deployable shelf configured to be withdrawn from the storage pocket in the mullion.

Abstract: Provided is a storage system and a refrigeration appliance including the storage system for storing food items in a temperature-controlled environment. The storage system includes a rail attached to a liner panel. The rail includes at least one mounting structure configured to pass through an aperture in the liner panel. A bin has an arm extending from a rear surface of the bin. The bin is placed in a storage position. The arm is placed between the rail and the liner panel when the bin is placed in the storage position. Another example of the storage system and refrigeration appliance includes a foot extending from a rear surface of the bin. Yet another example includes interaction between a bin tab and a plurality of bumps on the rail to prevent side to side motion.

Abstract: A tiered storage system for refrigerator door bins is established by providing an insert between opposing side walls of the bin, with the insert including a raised platform arranged spaced from a bottom wall of the bin. The insert is positioned such that the platform extends only part way from a rear wall to a front wall of the bin and maintained in this operational or in-use position by retainer structure acting between the bin and the insert. The insert also includes an upstanding front panel extending upward from a front end portion of the platform, with the upstanding panel extending between the opposing side walls of the bin, to prevent food containers stored on the platform from toppling upon movement of the refrigerator door.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liner, in particular for the cabinet of a refrigerator, allowing to leave out a deep thermoforming step. The method includes extruding a sheet, trimming the sheet, folding the sheet and joining adjacent edges of the sheet.

Abstract: An example functional member of a refrigerator, freezer or icemaker having two closing members intended to be separated by a first distance includes a structure to implement a function for the refrigerator, freezer or icemaker, and a gap gauge dimensioned for use in aligning the two closing members apart by the first distance. An example functional member is a divider, a hinge cover or a scoop having a gap gauge with a blade-shaped, an oval or a rectangular cross-section, where a dimension of the cross-section is the first distance. An example gap gauge may be further dimensioned for use in aligning one of the two closing members and a third closing members, or two additional closing members apart by a second different distance.