Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described to help manage oil return such as in a chiller system of a HVAC system. A refrigerant/oil mixture can be directed out of the evaporator into an oil return heat exchanger that is configured to help vaporize a refrigerant portion of the refrigerant/oil mixture. Superheat refrigerant vapor can be directed from a condenser into the oil return heat exchanger as the heat energy to vaporize the refrigerant portion in the refrigerant/oil mixture. The oil return heat exchanger can be positioned lower than the evaporator so that gravity can help the refrigerant/oil mixture to flow into the oil return heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method to detect the charge level of a refrigerant within a refrigeration circuit, where the refrigeration circuit has a compressor, a sensor to detect a pressure, and a sensor to detect a temperature. The method has a key cycle that has a first part and a second part.

Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus, a controller controls an amount of refrigerant injection into a compressor by controlling an opening area of an expansion device such that the electric power consumption of the compressor becomes smaller, or such that a heating capacity or a cooling capacity of an intermediate heat exchanger becomes larger.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle system is capable of reducing an amount of information required to be specified in advance, reducing a computational processing load, reflecting differences in actual installation conditions, and speeding up stabilization of an operational state in which the total amount of required input energy is reduced. A refrigeration cycle system is provided with a plurality of actuators, including outdoor fan motors, compressors, indoor fan motors, and the like for causing a refrigerant circuit to carry out a refrigeration cycle. A control unit obtains the slope at the current evaporation temperature and/or the current condensing temperature on a graph of the function between the actuators and the evaporation temperature or the condensing temperature, and updates the value of the target evaporation temperature and/or the target condensing temperature so that the sum of the input energy to the actuators is less that the current level.

Abstract: An appliance includes an appliance housing, an interface adapted to receive power information, a plurality of sensors for sensing environmental conditions, a plurality of controls for controlling operations of the appliance, and an intelligent control. The intelligent control is disposed within the appliance housing and operatively connected to the interface and the plurality of sensors and adapted to dynamically select control values associated with the plurality of controls based on at least one of the power information, the environmental conditions, or a combination thereof to increase energy efficiency of the appliance.

Abstract: An ice making system for a refrigerator, comprises: a base member; an icemaker mounted to a front surface of the base member for making ice pieces; a driving unit mounted to a rear surface of the base member such that a motor shaft thereof is in a horizontal state; an ice bank horizontally inserted into the base member in a detachable manner, for storing the ice pieces made by the icemaker; a detachable mounting unit for detachably mounting the ice bank to the base member; and an ice crusher assembly provided at the ice bank so as to be connected to or separated from the driving unit, for crushing the ice pieces. Since the ice bank has only to be horizontally pushed into the base member for coupling, or horizontally pulled out of the base member for separation, processes for coupling or separating the ice bank to/from the base member are facilitated. This prevents the ice pieces stored in the ice bank from being discharged out of the ice bank.

Abstract: A clad metal ice forming tray assembly for a refrigerator is disclosed. The ice forming tray includes a clad metal comprised of at least a first alloy sheet and a second alloy sheet different from the first and having different coefficients of thermal expansion. The tray also includes ice recesses stamped in the clad bi-metal.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a method and scalable devices for hyperfast cooling and re-warming of samples. More specifically, it relates to cryogenic preservation of biological samples via vitrification. It includes: a liquid sample placed at ambient temperature in a flat thermo conductive container that in some embodiments additionally contains a detachable disposable or sterilizable thermo conductive spiral; transferring the sample to a cooling chamber using a linear percussion stepping motor drive; hyperfast cooling of the sample using streams of pressurized liquid coolant; transferring the sample to a detachable shipping/storage chamber filled with liquid coolant, from which the sample can be transferred to another vessel that contains liquid cryogenic coolant and moved back to the shipping/storage chamber.

Abstract: A method for freezing a plurality of conditioning tubes is provided, each tube filled with a predetermined volume of biological substance, including arranging each conditioning tube directly into a conditioning unit placed in a cooling enclosure then causing the enclosure to be passed through by a flow of cooling agent and simultaneously driving the conditioning unit (6) in rotation, and providing the unit (6) with a greater capacity than the plurality of tubes; wherein the step of arranging each tube directly in a unit is carried out by placing the plurality of tubes into the unit, and the step of driving the unit in rotation is implemented by setting each tube in motion with respect to the unit and with respect to the other tubes.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance, particularly a household refrigeration appliance, has a storage space for cooled material, wherein at least one passage for the flow of air into and out of the storage space is formed in a wall delimiting the storage space. The passage can be closed by a movable closure element. A fan for driving an air flow is arranged in the storage space and can be operated with the passage closed.

Abstract: A refrigerator including an evaporator to carry out heat exchange, a frost sensing unit to sense an amount of frost formed on the frost sensing unit, and a heater to be operated for removing the frost from the frost sensing unit is provided. The heater is operated in at least a portion of a defrosting section. Methods for operating the refrigerator are also provided.

Abstract: A generator assembly for mounting to a container. The generator assembly includes a container frame having a top casting and a receiver bracket. The generator assembly includes a frame, a generator coupled to the frame, a clamp mounting system including a first clamp coupled to the frame and configured to be coupled to the top casting, and a pin mounting system including a first bracket coupled to the frame and configured to be coupled to the receiver bracket. The generator assembly is such that one of the first clamp and the first bracket is repositionable on the frame to avoid interference with the container when the other of the first clamp and the first bracket is coupled to the corresponding one of the top casting and the receiver bracket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling unit (1) for chilled, in particular frozen, goods, comprising a cooling chamber (2), a housing wall (3) that at least partially delimits the cooling chamber (2), a carrier (8) that bridges the cooling chamber (2) at least in some regions and has a covering (14) and a support profile (15) for absorbing bending stresses, which profile is at least partially covered by the covering (14), and at least one sliding cover (4, 5, 6, 7), by means of which the cooling chamber (2) can be at least partially closed and which is mounted in a slidable manner on the covering (14) of the carrier (8) and on the housing wall (3) by way of linear guides (9, 10, 11) of the cooling unit (1). In order to provide a stable and user-friendly cooling unit (1), the support profile (15) runs at least partially beneath the linear guide (10, 11).

Abstract: A refrigerator may include a cabinet defined with a storage chamber therein, and a shelf assembly mounted in the storage chamber provided with a vertically movable shelf. The shelf assembly includes a guide member mounted in the storage chamber while having guide slots inclinedly formed at side walls of the guide member. The shelf is supported by the guide member to be vertically movable. Guide protrusions are provided at opposite lateral ends of the shelf to protrude laterally and are supported by the guide slots in a state of being slidably engaged in the guide slots. The guide slots have bent upper ends forming upper seats to support the guide protrusions. Each upper seat is formed such that a straight vertical line extending downwards from a center of the upper seat passes through a center of a lower seat formed at the corresponding guide slot.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet provided with a storage compartment, a lower drawer provided in the cabinet and connected to the door, an upper drawer provided in the cabinet, and positioned over the lower drawer, and an intermediate drawer positioned between the upper drawer and the lower drawer. The lower drawer includes a first stopper. The intermediate drawer includes an actuator movable forwards by the first stopper of the lower drawer when the door is opened, to move the upper drawer.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a storage compartment formed in a cabinet of the refrigerator by a fixed insulation wall, the storage compartment being provided with an access opening. The refrigerator also includes a door rotatably provided to the cabinet to open and close the access opening, a drawer provided in the storage compartment, a camera fixed to a ceiling of the storage compartment to photograph both a first region for storing of food arranged in an external space of the drawer and a second region for storing of food arranged in an internal space of the drawer, and a controller configured to separate, through a capturing time of a picture containing both the first region and the second region, a first region picture and a second region picture from the picture to individually divide and store the first region picture and the second region picture.

Abstract: Refrigerator appliances and methods for operating refrigerator appliances are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a user's presence, associating the user's presence with a heated beverage preference, and initiating heating of a liquid stored in the refrigerator appliance. The detecting step, the associating step and the initiating step are performed by a controller of the refrigerator appliance.

Abstract: The method according to the invention comprises the separation of a feed stream (16) into a first fraction (60) and a second fraction (62) and the injection of at least part of the second fraction (62) into a second dynamic expansion turbine (46) to form a second expanded fraction (80). It comprises the cooling of the second expanded fraction (80) through heat exchange with at least part of the first headstream (84) coming from a first column (28) and the formation of a second feed stream (82) of the first column (28) from the second cooled expanded fraction.

Abstract: An air circulation system adapted to dry floors that is segregated and separately controllable from the building's HVAC system. The system includes an air duct having an inlet and an outlet, a fan, and a heater. The inlet is adapted to drawn air in from either the surrounding environment or is connectable to the building's existing air circulation ductwork. The system is designed so that the outlet is positionable adjacently to a floor surface when the system is installed in a wall or to the exterior surface of a wall, thereby allowing the fan to blow air directly over the surface of the floor, increasing the efficiency with which the floor is dried. The present system further comprises a wireless transceiver for wirelessly controlling the functionality of the present system and various other activation mechanisms for separately controlling the fan and the heater without requiring direct user input.

Abstract: A dual tumble dryer unit that includes a housing that defines an interior, a divider that extends between first and second side walls and divides the interior into first and second sections, and first and second dryer assemblies that are positioned in the first and second sections. The first and second dryer assemblies each include a basket positioned to rotate about a horizontal axis, and a blower disposed positioned to blow air on the basket. A first drying path is defined between a first entry opening defined in the first side wall, the first basket and a first exit opening defined in the second side wall, and a second drying path is defined between a second entry opening defined in the first side wall, the second basket and a second exit opening defined in the second side wall.

Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus having a drying function comprises a cabinet to receive a rotatable drum therein, the cabinet defining an appearance of the apparatus, a module part mounted onto an outer surface of the cabinet, the module part comprising a heater assembly, a blower assembly, and a housing for accommodating the heater assembly and the blower assembly, and a link unit to connect the module part onto the rear side of the cabinet, wherein the heater assembly includes a heater module as an air heating device, a thermostat installed at a position adjacent to an outlet side of the heater module to turn the heater module on or off according to air temperature, and a slit formed between the thermostat and the heater module to allow for introduction of external air.

Abstract: An active cooling system for a furnace that establishes steep temperature gradients, reduces temperature variations and performs rapid cooling, improving mechanical and electrical properties of heat-treated materials, increases overall throughput and promotes low compositional variation in the growth of crystals.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously conveying and pre-heating a metal charge inside a container of a melting plant, includes at least a channel for conveying the metal charge, at least a hood disposed above the conveyor channel defining a tunnel and/or an expansion chamber, inside which at least part of the fumes exiting from the container advance, and apertures made in cooperation with lateral walls of the conveyor channel to discharge the fumes. The conveyor channel includes an activator that divert the fumes and/or delimit the zone occupied by the metal charge of the conveyor channel, and that cooperate longitudinally with at least part of the conveyor channel.

Abstract: A direct reduced iron manufacturing system includes a gas reformer for supplying steam to reform natural gas, a gas heater being a heating unit for heating a reformed gas reformed by the gas reformer to a predetermined temperature, a direct reduction furnace for reducing iron ore directly into reduced iron using a high-temperature reducing gas, an acid gas removal unit having an acid gas component absorber and a regenerator for releasing the acid gas, and a recovery gas introduction line for supplying a recovery gas released from the regenerator to each of a reforming furnace of the gas reformer and a furnace of the gas heater.

Abstract: This low-pressure condenser is provided with: a pressure bulkhead which partitions the inside of the container into an upper space and a lower space; a heat transfer tube which is arranged in the upper space; and a reheater which is arranged in the lower space and which, by means of high-temperature steam flowing from the outside into the lower space, heats water which condenses in the upper space and flows into the lower space. The reheater includes multiple partition members, a receiving plate which receives water flowing downward via the partition members, and a dam which is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the receiving plate. The lower ends of the multiple partition members are below the upper end of the dam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat exchanger in a vehicle including a supply manifold which supplies fluid introduced from the outside while distributing the fluid to first and second cooling units. The first and second cooling units cool the fluid supplied from the supply manifold by heat exchange action. A first return manifold collects and discharges the fluid discharged from the first cooling unit and a second return manifold collects and discharges the fluid discharged from the second cooling unit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided having a first fluid circuit defining a first volume and configured to permit a first fluid to flow therethrough with a first fluid supply. The heat exchanger includes a second fluid circuit defining a second volume separate from the first volume and sharing at least one common wall with the first enclosed volume, and configured to permit a second fluid to flow therethrough from a second fluid supply. One or more thermal transfer sheets having one or more channels therein are configured in structural and thermal contact with both the first and second fluid circuits, the channels having a thermodynamic fluid disposed therein and configured to transfer heat between the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A thermal transfer rate through the at least one common wall is less than a thermal transfer rate of the one or more thermal transfer sheets.

Abstract: A cooling recover system and method are disclosed. A fluid, such as water, is chilled and provided to a cooling coil to cool and dehumidify air passing over the cooling coil. The fluid is output from the cooling coil through an outlet, and at least a portion of the fluid from the outlet of the cooling coil is provided to an inlet of a heat transfer coil to reheat air passing over the heat transfer coil. The fluid is warmed as it passes through the cooling coil, which warmer temperature serves to reheat the air passing over the heat transfer coil.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing assembly 10 comprises a beverage distribution python 18 extending between a beverage storage area and a beverage tapping area. The beverage distribution python 18 comprises a liquid carrying line defining a center line 22. The liquid carrying line comprises a beverage tube 16 and/or a beverage guide tube. The beverage distribution python 18 further comprises a pipe 34 covering the liquid carrying line in a coaxial relationship to the center line and establishing a space in-between the pipe 34 and the liquid carrying line. An insulation layer 32 comprises at least 80% aerogel by volume is located in the space between the pipe 34 and the liquid carrying line and encircles the liquid carrying line.

Abstract: Plate suitable for acting as a bulkhead between two fluids flowing in a plate heat exchanger, the plate having a plurality of corrugations each having a bottom crest line and a top crest line, all or part of the corrugations locally having stiffeners formed by a substantial and local reduction of the height of the top crest line, the stiffeners being arranged in a first group of stiffeners distributed on the plate along at least one first line parallel to a diagonal of the plate, the diagonal being perpendicular to the crest lines of the corrugations, the stiffeners of the first group being alternately arranged on either side of the first line on each consecutive corrugation, wherein the distance measured perpendicularly to the first line between the center of the stiffeners of the first group and the first line is the same for each stiffener of the first group.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and battery unit structure is provided for cooling battery units (or cells) where the thermally conductive nature of the battery forms a cooling path. The heat exchanger is in the form of a cooling element provided with an engaging device formed on or attached to an outer surface of the cooling plate for receiving and/or engaging with a corresponding engaging portion on a battery unit (or cell). The interconnection between the battery unit (or cell) and heat exchanger creates a mechanical interlock between the two components that results in improved heat transfer properties between the two components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate-shaped heat exchanger for a cooling device comprising at least one heat exchanger package, in particular for a motor vehicle, consisting of a plurality of openings for accommodating a pipe conducting a coolant, wherein each opening is surrounded by an passage and a plurality of projections are distributed between the passages for the heat exchange with the medium to be cooled. In order to allow a high performance increase of a cooling device, yet a low increase in pressure loss of the charge air, a plurality of projections are arranged around an passage, wherein the projections have a shape that assures deliberate heat conduction from the projections to the passage.

Abstract: A cooling device configured to be connected to an object having a surface is disclosed. The cooling device may include a manifold configured to be deposited directly onto the surface of the object, wherein the manifold includes a first side configured to be deposited directly onto the surface of the object, a cavity formed in the first side, an inlet channel fluidly connected to the cavity, and an outlet channel fluidly connected to the cavity. The cooling device may further include a turbulator configured to be deposited directly onto the surface of the object, wherein the turbulator extends into the cavity of the manifold.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a housing that includes an inlet for receiving bulk solids having a first temperature, and an outlet for discharging the bulk solids. A plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel heat transfer tubes are disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet, for cooling the bulk solids that flow from the inlet into spaces between heat transfer tubes, to a second intermediate temperature, and a plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel heat transfer plate assemblies disposed within the housing and interposed between the plurality of heat transfer tubes and the outlet for further cooling the bulk solids that flow from the spaces between heat transfer tubes, to spaces between heat transfer plate assemblies and to the outlet, to a third temperature.

Abstract: Systems according to the present disclosure provide one or more surfaces that function as heat or power radiating surfaces for which at least a portion of the radiating surface includes or is composed of “fractal cells” placed sufficiently closed close together to one another so that a surface (plasmonic) wave causes near replication of current present in one fractal cell in an adjacent fractal cell. A fractal of such a fractal cell can be of any suitable fractal shape and may have two or more iterations. The fractal cells may lie on a flat or curved sheet or layer and be composed in layers for wide bandwidth or multibandwidth transmission. The area of a surface and its number of fractals determines the gain relative to a single fractal cell. The boundary edges of the surface may be terminated resistively so as to not degrade the cell performance at the edges.

Abstract: A vehicle computer is programmed to determine an expected thermal load for an autonomous driving compute cluster and a target temperature for the compute cluster under the expected thermal load. Based on a comparison of a current temperature of the compute cluster to an ambient temperature, the vehicle computer is further programmed to operate a switching valve in a first coolant path to open the path to one of a radiator portion and a condenser portion and operate, with the path open to the condenser portion, a pump in the first coolant path and a condenser in a second coolant path at speeds respectively based on at least one of the expected thermal load and the target temperature.

Abstract: Semi-automatic features can be eliminated from a weapon that originally had a bolt carrier that was reciprocated by a gas tube communicating with a barrel. After eliminating the gas tube, a carriage and pushing member can be taken from a kit and installed on the weapon. The carriage is reciprocatably mounted at the barrel forward of the bolt carrier, with the pushing member connecting between the carriage and the bolt carrier. The carriage can be manually reciprocated to reciprocate the push member and the bolt carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a digital detector apparatus for use with a sensor unit is provided wherein the sensor unit includes an emitter device and a receiver device, the receiver device having a capacitance. The digital detector apparatus comprises at least a first input port, first output port, and a second output port; and an A/D converter circuit wherein an input of the A/D converter circuit is coupled to the first input port for receiving an output of the receiver device; wherein the first output port of the digital detector apparatus is coupled for charging and discharging the capacitance of the receiver device; the second output port of the digital detector apparatus is coupled for driving the emitter device; and the A/D converter circuit derives a sensor output value from the output of the receiver device during a number of charging and discharging cycles. A digital smoke detector and a method of generating an output signal in a digital detector are also provided.

Abstract: An ammunition magazine is used with a reciprocally-cycled weapon for delinking and firing cartridges in close-end linked ammunition belts. The magazine includes a housing with an ammunition indexing mechanism fixed to one side of the housing. A magazine feed box is disposed above the ammunition indexing mechanism. The magazine feed box includes a movable follower having an upper and a lower position and cam pins that engage cam slots in the magazine feed box. The movable follower is configured to receive a cartridge from the weapon.

Abstract: A rifle apparatus and method wherein the rifle includes a replaceable, threaded, adjustable barrel assembly which is configured for quickly changing the barrel length of the rifle, converting the rifle for using a different caliber of ammunition, and/or accurately determining and quickly setting the headspace in the firing chamber of the weapon for firing the new ammunition. Further, the rifle apparatus preferably also includes a replaceable lower receiver with a well opening and a corresponding magazine retention and release assembly for receiving a magazine clip for the caliber of ammunition fired by the replaceable barrel.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a firearm provides modified and/or adjustable trigger pull length, reduced sear pressure, reduced reset trigger slap, and/or improved engagement of the trigger safety.

Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments for a paintball swab. For example, a disk is pivotably and slidably attached to the distal end of a rod so there is a proximal and distal limit along the rod. When the disk is at the distal limit, it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod. When the disk is at the proximal limit, it is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod.

Abstract: A spanning device of a crossbow includes a barrel, an action unit and an spanning unit. A space is defined in the barrel. A limb is connected close to the front end of the barrel. A string is connected between two ends of the limb. The action unit slidably located in the space and has a portion exposed from the space. The action unit has a slide, a restriction member, a safety member, a hook member and a trigger. The restriction member, the safety member, the hook member and the trigger are connected to the slide which is slidably engaged with the space. The spanning unit has a pull rod, a pivotal rod and a first link. The spanning unit drives the action unit to move in the space, so that when the hook member hooks the string, the string is easily pulled with less effort.

Abstract: An archery bow support has adjustable or movable jaws and adjustable legs to a permit a releasable attachment to a plurality of different types of bows for positioning the bow during a downtime or brief period of non use during a period of heavy use for the bow, to assist the archer with a rest period.

Abstract: A bow string release has a housing encasing a battery, circuit board, mechanical linkage, and a trigger to actuate the mechanical linkage. The trigger and circuit board operatively energize an electro-mechanical device such as a solenoid, which produces linear motion. A roller terminating the solenoid engages a pivotal drive cam to convert the linear motion into rotary motion. A follower link couples the pivotal drive cam to a string hook. Proper arrangement of the linkages ensures a slight over-center biasing of the linkages to securely hold a bow string, while also ensuring that only a minimal force generated by the solenoid will be required to release the string.

Abstract: A pneumatic firing device includes a rear section engaging a cylinder, a solenoid valve engaging the rear section from under, an adjusting element disposed inside the rear section, a piston disposed inside the cylinder to form a first chamber and a second chamber, an airflow guiding element engaging the cylinder at the front thereof, a moving rod having a tail end engaging the piston and a front end stretching through the cylinder into the airflow guiding element for controlling the operation of the airflow guiding element, and a front section engaging the front of the airflow guiding element. The solenoid valve holds control of the operation of a pressure release channel to change the pressure difference between the first and second chamber, making the pressured air entering a first passage from a first guiding hole of the airflow guiding element, pushing the delivery tube to a firing position, flowing into a second passage from a second guiding hole, and then firing a pellet with strong airflow.

Abstract: A bushing for mounting a grip panel to a firearm is provided. The bushing has a torquing surface distributed about the head of the bushing to provide improved torque and alignment for the bushing as it is assembled and disassembled into the firearm frame. The bushing may include an O-ring on the bushing itself and an additional O-ring fitted on the grip screws. The bushings and tools for replacing the OEM bushings may be provided as part of a kit.

Abstract: An electronically illuminated open sight for handguns and rifles utilizes one or more light-emitting diodes to illuminate fiber optic rods held within rid compartments within a plurality of sight posts, including a front sight post and a rear sight post. Each fiber optic rod is viewable through a rod viewing port in the rear surface of each housing, making the illuminated fiber optic rods viewable only to the user of the handgun or rifle. The LEDs are housed within a sight body or control housing and fiber optic cables are run from the LEDs to the fiber optic rods in order to transfer light from the LEDs to the fiber optic rods within the sight posts. The LEDs can be switched on or off by a power switch, and a potentiometer controls the intensity of the LEDs.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for providing accurate linear and angular positioning with a payload mounted to a beam having freely moveable ends. The payload can be a laser pointer mounted on a firearm, which maintains the initial precise pointing during and after exposure in high G shock and vibration environments. Vertical and lateral adjustment controls can adjust minute changes in beam orientation. Precision adjustments can be performed in a zero G, one G, or high G environment and maintains the adjustment during and after being exposed to a high G shock or vibration environment.

Abstract: An aiming sight for devices that shoot projectiles having a housing with an interior. A sight element is positioned within the interior by means of adjustment threads. The adjustment threads pass through channels in the sides of the front sight element so that the front sight element is movable along the adjustment threads from the bottom to the top of the housing. The sight element has a sighting aperture through which a specific target point, intended for penetration by an arrow, is visible. The sighting aperture may be constructed as a front sighting aperture of a front aiming sight to align visually with a rear sighting aperture of a rear aiming sight. When aiming, the specific target point is viewed in the voids of the front sighting aperture and the rear sighting aperture without obstruction.