Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator door and an ice maker. The ice maker includes an ice storage container disposed on the refrigerator door, a stirrer provided in the ice storage container and an ice knife assembly provided in the ice storage container. The stirrer includes a rotary shaft and the rotary shaft of the stirrer is in a first fixed position relative to the ice storage container. The ice knife assembly includes a rotary shaft and the rotary shaft of the ice knife assembly is in a second fixed position relative to the ice storage container. The rotary shaft of the stirrer is located above the rotary shaft of the ice knife assembly, and an orthographic projection of the rotary shaft of the stirrer in a horizontal plane is perpendicular to that of the rotary shaft of the ice knife assembly in the same horizontal plane.

Abstract: A food management system that manages food items in a refrigerator includes: a pressure-sensitive sensor that acquires information including shapes, weights, and positions of the food items; a comparator that performs comparison of the information acquired at different times; and an identifier that identifies at least one of (i) fluctuations in the number of food items or (ii) presence or absence of the food items.

Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet including a storage compartment, a cool air supply means configured to operate to supply cool air to the storage compartment, a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the storage compartment, and a controller configured to control an output of the cool air supply means based on a difference between a set temperature and a current temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and increase or decrease in temperature of the storage compartment sensed by the temperature sensor at a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A household refrigeration appliance has a housing and an inner compartment configured in the housing with a cover, which extends along a rear wall of the inner compartment and divides the inner compartment into a storage compartment for chilled goods and a cold air distribution region with a cold air distribution system arranged therein and with a first visible surface formed by the cover and facing an access opening of the inner compartment. The cold air distribution system has a vertical cold air duct segment extending in the direction of a top wall, which is arranged parallel to the rear wall in the longitudinal direction and has a horizontal cold air duct segment branching from the vertical cold air duct segment and extending in the direction of a left or right side wall, which is arranged parallel to the rear wall in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A built-in refrigerator which includes a body; a door configured to open and close an inside of the body; a hinge configured to connect the body with the door; and a wire cover unit configured to guide a wire drawn from the body while a portion thereof slides according to an opening and closing of the door.

Abstract: A locker assembly insert 10 for a cabinet 11. The cabinet 11 is a two door cabinet having a first door 12 and a second door 13. A central mullion 19 having a rear cover plate divides the cabinet 11 down the middle and the doors 12 and 13 close the cabinet. The locker assembly insert 10 in this case is applied to a two door cabinet and has a central support member 20 (which is put in place by first removing the rear cover plate behind the central mullion 19, the rear cover plate is tucked in behind the central support member 20 before assembly allowing it to be reused if the refrigerator is ever restored to its original condition). The insert is completed using vertical divider sets 27, 28 and 29 and ten door locker door assemblies 30 and 31.

Abstract: The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment therein, an illumination device for illuminating the interior of the storage compartment, a door hinged to the cabinet for opening and closing the storage compartment, the door having an opening formed therein and a panel assembly having a front panel provided at the front thereof, a knock sensor module including a microphone module for sensing a sound wave generated by knock vibration applied to the door and a module microcomputer for determining whether the knock vibration is a predetermined knock based on the sensed sound wave, and a controller provided separately from the module microcomputer for receiving a knock-on signal from the module microcomputer and operating the illumination device such that light is transmitted through the panel assembly, whereby the interior of the storage compartment can be seen from outside the door.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the technical field of vending machines and provides a vending machine refrigeration module, including a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser controller and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor feeds back a detected temperature value to the controller. The detected temperature value is compared with a set temperature value to automatically adjust the motor speed of the compressor, the fan speed of the evaporator, and the fan speed of the condenser. The refrigeration module provided by the invention can automatically adjust the rotation speed of the compressor motor, the evaporator fan and the condenser fan according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, thereby avoiding full speed operation and reducing energy consumption and avoiding energy waste, improving energy efficiency.

Abstract: Included are systems, methods and devices for cooling beverages, comprising an upper insulated basin sized to allow placement of cooling fluid and beverage containers; a separator device sized to restrain the beverage containers such that during agitation, each of the beverage containers does not impact any other of the beverage containers or the side surface of the upper insulated basin and allows for cooling fluid to contact an exterior surface of each of the beverage containers; and an agitation section placeable in physical communication with the upper basin that can provide, when activated, motion to the upper insulated basin.

Abstract: A heat exchanger system includes a core-in-shell heat exchanger and a liquid/gas separator. The liquid/gas separator is configured to receive a liquid/gas mixture and to separate the gas from the liquid.

Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon, an overall nitrogen recovery of 98 percent or greater and limited gaseous oxygen production. The air separation is configured to produce a first high purity oxygen enriched stream and a second lower purity oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column, one of which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption pre-purifier unit. All or a portion of the first high purity oxygen enriched stream is vaporized in the main heat exchanger to produce the gaseous oxygen products.

Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon, an overall nitrogen recovery of 98 percent or greater and limited gaseous oxygen production. The air separation is configured to produce a first high purity oxygen enriched stream and a second lower purity oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column, one of which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption pre-purifier unit. All or a portion of the first high purity oxygen enriched stream is vaporized in the main heat exchanger to produce the gaseous oxygen products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating air in which an oxygen-rich liquid stream is pumped and then heated within a heat exchanger to produce an oxygen product through indirect heat exchange with first and second boosted pressure air streams. The first boosted pressure air stream is cold compressed at an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger, reintroduced into the heat exchanger at a warmer temperature and then fully cooled and liquefied. The second boosted pressure air stream, after having been partially cooled, is expanded to produce an exhaust stream that is in turn introduced into a lower pressure column producing the oxygen-rich liquid. The second boosted pressure air stream is partially cooled to a temperature no greater than the intermediate temperature at which the cold compression occurs so that both the first and second boosted pressure air streams are able to take part in the heating of the oxygen-rich stream.

Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.

Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.

Abstract: Provided is a paddle processor and a method for processing material within the paddle processor. In one example, the paddle processor may include a trough comprising an inlet to receive a feed of material and an outlet for exiting the material after processing, rotational paddles disposed in the trough and configured to rotate about each other to move the material from the inlet to the outlet, an overflow weir disposed in association with the outlet and having a dynamically adjustable height for controlling a rate at which the material exits the trough, and a control system configured to dynamically adjust the height of the overflow weir and/or other dryer parameters based on a temperature of the material within the trough.

Abstract: An RF laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, an RF applicator having a perforated body and anode and cathode elements, a fan arranged relative to the perforated body to flow or draw air through the perforated body and an electromagnetic shield protecting the fan from the e-field. Both anode and cathode elements are operably coupled to the RF generator to generate an e-field between the anode and cathode upon the energizing of the RF generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for ultrasonic assisted drying of materials, in particular, but not exclusively, for the low temperature drying of materials that are heat sensitive. In particular, there is provided an apparatus for dehydration of water containing material comprising: an ultrasound emitter; an ultrasound transmission platform that directly or indirectly supports said material; a fluid retained between said emitter and said platform, through which ultrasound energy is transferred; and a gas stream device that directs drying gas to said material.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatuses for lyophilizing, storing, and transfusing materials are described. In embodiments, the materials may include whole blood or a component of whole blood such as plasma.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating or minimizing the non-uniformity of edge vials compared to center vials during freezing or primary drying of product therein in a freeze dryer. A temperature controlled surface is positioned in close proximity to or in contact with the edge vials to control the temperature thereof. The method and apparatus may be used to simulate in a development freeze dryer the conditions of the center and edge vials in a larger batch target freeze dryer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous sublimation of a substance includes cascading a material containing a substance capable of sublimation, such as water, between a plurality of trays vertically stacked within a processing zone provided within a processing chamber. A substantially atmospheric environment is maintained within the processing zone at a temperature whereby the substance sublimes forming a sublimate within the environment. The environment containing the sublimate is contacted with a drying agent such as a desiccant to maintain the environment whereby the substance sublimes at substantially atmospheric pressure and at the controlled temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of metal including a furnace for melting metal provided with a crucible inside which a metal charge is melted. The furnace provides for tapping a liquid metal disposed on the bottom of the crucible and includes a tapping channel for the transfer of the liquid metal from the furnace. The apparatus also includes a delivery unit for delivering inert material (S) having a delivery device for the selective delivery of the inert material (S) into the tapping channel.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger, each of a plurality of heat exchange members includes: a flat pipe; and a heat transfer plate integrated with the flat pipe along a longitudinal direction of the flat pipe. A width direction of each of the flat pipes intersects with a direction in which the plurality of heat exchange members are arranged side by side. Each of the heat transfer plates includes an extending portion extending outward in the width direction of each of the flat pipes from at least one of one end of a corresponding one of the flat pipes in the width direction and another end of the corresponding one of the flat pipes in the width direction. Each of the flat pipes has one or more flat pipe bent portions, each forming a groove extending along the longitudinal direction of the flat pipes.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger comprises first and second end plates, a lower bar extending from the first end plate towards the second end plate, a pack of heat transfer plates arranged between the first and second end plates and extending above the lower bar and a support foot. The lower bar comprises a groove having a length axis extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lower bar, and a depth axis extending perpendicular to the length axis. An upper portion of the support foot is receivable in the groove and a lower portion of the support foot is arranged to extend from the lower bar and contact the ground to keep the lower bar at a distance from the ground. The upper portion of the support foot is slidable in the groove along the length axis to enable adjustment of a position of the support foot along the lower bar.

Abstract: A conformal thermal ground plane is disclosed according to some embodiments along with a method of manufacturing a conformal thermal ground plane according to other embodiments. The method may include forming a first planar containment layer into a first non-planar containment layer having a first non-planar shape; forming a second planar containment layer into a second non-planar containment layer having a second non-planar shape; disposing a liquid cavity and a vapor cavity between the first non-planar containment layer and the second non-planar containment layer; sealing at least a portion of the first non-planar containment layer and at least a portion of the second non-planar containment layer; and charging at least the liquid cavity with a working fluid.

Abstract: A temperature plate device includes a plate body and a bent supporting structure. The plate body includes a first plate and a second plate. A chamber is defined by the first plate and the second plate. The first plate has a first step section. The second plate has a second step section corresponding to the first step section. The bent supporting structure is connected to and traverses the first step section between the first step section and the second step section.

Abstract: An evaporator structure comprises a heat exchange component, a thermal conductive shell and a top cap wherein: the heat exchange component is accommodated in the thermal conductive shell; the top cap mounted on the thermal conductive shell encloses the heat exchange component; the heat exchange component comprises a plurality of transverse channels thereon, two first lengthwise cooling fluid channels near two side edges at the bottom respectively and a plurality of minor second lengthwise cooling fluid channels near the center. When the thermal conductive shell is heated, cooling fluids flowing to first lengthwise cooling fluid channels at both sides through transverse channels are guided into second lengthwise cooling fluid channels via the first lengthwise cooling fluid channels and the transverse channels and distributed throughout heat sources uniformly for full-area heat dissipation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to providing a heat pipe that can exhibit excellent heat transport properties under tougher use conditions such as a situation in which an amount of heat generation by electronic components further increases.

Abstract: A heat transfer sheet assembly for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger has first and second heat transfer sheet elements stacked one against the other with a first repeat of a first profile on one sheet element opposing a second repeat of a second profile on the other sheet element. The sheet elements are spaced apart by a plurality of wide-gauged parallel sheet spacing features of the first profile repeat R1 of the second profile repeat to form a generally close sided elongate channel for gaseous flow therethrough. The second profile of repeat includes an elongate fifth sheet spacing feature in the form of a lobe contacting undulations of the adjacent first profile of repeat.

Abstract: Provided is an energy storage device, including: a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between gas and solid particles; a gas supplier configured to supply gas to the first heat exchanger; a heater configured to consume power to heat any one of or both of gas fed from the gas supplier to be supplied to the first heat exchanger and gas present in the first heat exchanger; a solid-gas separator configured to separate gas and solid in a solid-gas mixture discharged from the first heat exchanger; a high-temperature tank and a low-temperature tank each configured to store the solid particles separated by the solid-gas separator; a first heat utilization device configured to use thermal energy of the gas separated by the solid-gas separator; a high-temperature particle supplier configured to supply the solid particles stored in the high-temperature tank to the first heat exchanger; and a low-temperature particle supplier configured to supply the solid particles stored in the low-temperature tank to the

Abstract: The present invention relates to phase-change materials (PCM) which store and release thermal energy by undergoing melt/crystallisation cycles. More particularly, there is described a thermal storage system where sub-cooled phase change material (PCM) is nucleated via a controlled thermal region(s).

Abstract: Certain aspects of natural gas liquid fractionation plant waste heat conversion to simultaneous power and cooling capacities using modified Goswami system can be implemented as a system. The system includes a waste heat recovery heat exchanger configured to heat a buffer fluid stream by exchange with a heat source in a natural gas liquid fractionation plant.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerant distributor including: a first space forming portion having a first refrigerant port and a second refrigerant port; and a second space forming portion, which extends laterally from a lower part of the first space forming portion, and has a plurality of heat transfer pipe connecting portions. A gas-liquid refrigerant mixture flows into the first space forming portion through the first refrigerant port. Heat transfer pipes are connected at positions of the plurality of heat transfer pipe connecting portions in the second space forming portion.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to improve the heat exchange performance of a heatsink. The heatsink includes: a substrate portion; a plurality of plate-like fin portions which rise integrally from a surface of the substrate portion and are arranged mutually in parallel, forming groove portions therebetween; and a porous body portion comprising at least one porous body with which the groove portions between the fin portions are filled and which has a three-dimensional mesh structure. The substrate portion and the fin portions comprise a solid non-porous material of aluminum. The porous body portion comprises a sintered body of aluminum fiber. The porous body portion is joined to the fin portions and the substrate portion via a sintered joint portion.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a fin structure including a main body and at least one minor structure. The main body includes a main plate and two side plates. The main plate has at least one through hole. The two side plates are respectively connected to two opposite sides of the main plate and protrude from the main plate. The at least one minor structure protrudes from the main plate and is located at a side of the main plate. The at least one minor structure is spaced apart from the two side plates. The at least one minor structure partially covers the at least one through hole. The at least one minor structure has a length, in a longitudinal direction of the main plate, less than a length of the at least one through hole of the main plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heat transfer tube having rare-earth oxide deposited on a surface thereof and a method for manufacturing the same, in which the rare-earth oxide can be deposited on the surface of the heat transfer tube to implement a superhydrophobic surface even under the high temperature environment and a plurality of assembled heat transfer tubes can be coated by coating a complex shape by depositing rare-earth oxide using a method for dipping a surface of the heat transfer tube and coating the same, thereby reducing or preventing the heat transfer tubes from being damaged during the assembling of the heat transfer tubes after the coating.

Abstract: A heat sink comprising a heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a surface boundary with respect to a heat transfer fluid, having a fractal variation therebetween, wherein the heat transfer fluid is induced to flow with respect to the plurality of fractally varying heat exchange elements such that flow-induced vortices are generated at non-corresponding locations of the plurality of fractally varying heat exchange elements, resulting in a reduced resonance as compared to a corresponding heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements that produce flow-induced vortices at corresponding locations on the plurality of heat exchange elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning HVAC cooling coils comprises a supply and collection assembly having a housing defining an interior space for containing a quantity of cleaning solution. A pump has a pump inlet positioned to be in fluid communication with the cleaning solution and is operative to deliver the cleaning solution to a supply outlet of the supply and collection assembly. A vacuum source has a vacuum inlet positioned to be in fluid communication with an ullage space above the quantity of cleaning solution such that the vacuum source creates negative pressure in the ullage space during operation. A collection inlet is in fluid communication with the ullage space such that the cleaning solution is returned to the interior space through the collection inlet during operation of the vacuum source. A nozzle device is in fluid communication with the supply outlet via outlet piping so as to deliver the cleaning solution to a surface of an HVAC coil unit.

Abstract: A translational yoked trigger for a firearm has an integral trigger safety.

Abstract: An apparatus for designing a rifling rate to increase a lifespan of a gun barrel includes: a node selection module selecting and distributing the predetermined number of node points according to preset constraints between preselected starting and end rifling angles; a sorting module sorting distributed node points; and a profile generation module calculating a rifling rate curve using sorted node points, and generating a rifling rate profile using the rifling rate curve.

Abstract: An inertial decoupler and suppressor assembly, associated components, and associated methods. The inertial decoupler is adjustable to change a preload of a spring biasing a piston toward an at-rest position and/or to change a permitted travel distance of the piston away from the at-rest position. The inertial decoupler can be removable from the suppressor and usable with other suppressors, or can be integrated with a dedicated suppressor.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for the maintenance, repair, modification, cleaning, disassembly, and reassembly of firearms and firearm components are disclosed. Particular embodiments include tools to aid in the removal and insertion of an extractor pin from the bolt assembly of an AR-15 or M-16 rifle. Preferred embodiments are directed to bolt assemblies for .223 and .308 imperial caliber firearms, as well as 5.56 and 7.62 metric caliber firearms. The tools include a housing with a channel to receive the bolt, a channel to insert a locking rod to orient and secure the bolt in the housing, a channel for inserting a removal rod to remove the extractor pin from the bolt or an inserting rod to insert the extractor pin into the bolt.

Abstract: An archery riser and method are disclosed herein. The archery riser, in an embodiment, includes a grasp structure and a mounting portion coupled to the grasp structure. The mounting portion has a plurality of side surfaces that extend along a shooting plane, a plurality of first mount surfaces that extend along a first mount plane, and a plurality of second mount surfaces that extend along a second mount plane. The shooting plane intersects each of the first and second mount planes. Each of the first mount planes intersects with one of the second mount planes at an angle that comprises less than ninety degrees. The mounting portion defines a plurality of cavities, each of which is associated with one of the angles.

Abstract: An archery training aid is provided including a body and a finger rest extending outward at an angle from a base. The finger rest can include a finger rest surface configured to engage one or more fingers of a hand. The base can be configured to be placed in engagement with a first lateral grip surface of a bow grip so that the finger rest surface is disposed at a first angle between 25° to 65°, inclusive, or between 30° and 50°, inclusive, relative to the first lateral grip surface. A related method of use is provided to impair or prevent bow torque imparted by an archer's hand on a bow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the orientation of a rear stock of a portable firearm relative to a barrel of the portable firearm, comprising a ball joint, which is arranged between the rear stock and a front part fixedly connected to the barrel and which has a first joint part connected in a positionally fixed manner to the front part or the rear stock and a second joint part, which can be pivoted relative to the first joint part and which is connected in a positionally fixed manner to the other of the rear stock or the front part, wherein the first joint part and the second joint part are connected to each other in a pivotable and fixable manner by means of a releasable and fixable fixing apparatus, the fixing apparatus has at least one fixing element, the first joint part has a spherical, in particular ball-shaped, joint head, which is mounted in a corresponding recess of the second joint part, the fixing apparatus has a clamping part, which likewise has a recess for at least partly receiv

Abstract: A hand guard of a firearm for receiving an accessory of the firearm includes: one or more Picatinny accessory rails running longitudinally along a barrel of the firearm; a linear cavity parallel to the barrel of the firearm and parallel to an accessory receiving surface of the one or more Picatinny accessory rails; the one or more Picatinny accessory rails including one or more through holes fluidly connecting the linear cavity to the accessory receiving surface; and wherein the one or more Picatinny accessory rails includes a flange facing toward the linear cavity and running parallel to the barrel of the firearm, the flange including a track with a flat surface as a guide for a nut or ferrule for attaching the accessory of the firearm to the one or more Picatinny accessory rails of the hand guard.

Abstract: This disclosure extends to systems, apparatus, and methods for the rapid deployment of a sling or strap on a rifle, firearm, tool, or implement from a storage mode to a deployment mode in a reliable and repeatable manner, while minimizing snagging, binding or tangling during storage or transport. In one exemplary system in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a capture device may include a single closed loop interface adjacent to an open interface. A first strap may be looped through the closed interface and secured therein. Another portion of the sling system, such as a loop of strap or webbing may be secured by tensioning in the open interface to tightly secure the system against the rifle or tool in a secured position. By slightly loosening the loop, the secured portion can exit the open interface rapidly as the sling is deployed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved concealed carry clip, that attaches with machine screws to the slide rear cover plate, and which has friction features on the clip to facilitate drawing back the slide with the thumb and index finger. In addition, the cover plate can be equipped with projections that reduce shearing forces on the machine screws. A drilled and tapped replacement cover plate is provided with the improved concealed carry clip. Though the improved concealed carry clips have, to date, been designed for Glock®, M&P®, and Springfield Armory® handguns, the concealed carry clips may be adapted for use on other similarly constructed handguns in the future.

Abstract: An adjustment cap assembly is provided. The adjustment cap assembly includes a disc with an top end, an opposed bottom end, and a side portion. The adjustment cap assembly includes an O-ring disposed about the disc, and a sleeve configured to secure the disc within the sleeve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying smart munitions may provide targeting metadata generated by surveillance networks to munitions deployment and guidance systems for smart munitions. Targeting metadata may be received by a conduit system and automatically processed to generate guidance and deployment data actionable by a munitions deployment platform.