Abstract: There is provided a mixing device (2) for a beverage and CO2 gas for producing carbonated beverage. The mixing device (2) comprising a mixing channel (4) extending in a main direction (10). The mixing channel (4) comprises wide channel sections (16) and narrow channel sections (18) along the main direction (10). The mixing channel (4) has an elongated cross section seen in a direction perpendicular to the main direction (10). At least a first delimiting surface (22) of the mixing channel (4) is provided with protrusions (20) extending at least partially along the first delimiting surface (22) in a direction across the mixing channel (4) and protruding towards a second delimiting surface (24) of the mixing channel (4) to form the narrow channel sections (18). A turbulent flow of beverage is created by the narrow and wide channel sections. Further a carbonator for producing carbonated beverage, an appliance comprising a carbonator, and a method of producing a carbonated beverage are provided.

Abstract: In at least one implementation a carburetor includes an intake bore with a port opening into the intake bore, a fuel chamber from which fuel is supplied to the intake bore, and an accelerator device including a fuel reservoir. A fuel flow control valve is provided between the fuel chamber and the port to control the flow rate of fuel to the port and at least one passage communicates the fuel reservoir with the port and fuel in the fuel reservoir is supplied to the port therethrough. The passage also communicates the fuel reservoir with the fuel chamber. The fuel flow control valve is located between the fuel reservoir and the port and between the fuel chamber and the port, and the passage includes a portion extending between the fuel reservoir and the fuel chamber independently of the fuel flow control valve.

Abstract: There is described a water carbonation apparatus in which two carbonation units (10, 11) are linked to a volumetric control unit (9) which stores a volume of carbonated water ready for use. When carbonated water is to be discharged, the stored carbonated water from the volumetric control unit (9) is discharged, while simultaneously carbonated water from one of the carbonation units (10, 11) is discharged into the other carbonation unit (11, 10) is filled with uncarbonated water from the volumetric control unit (9), and a volume of uncarbonated water is drawn from a water supply (2) into the volumetric control unit. The volumetric control unit (9) in one embodiment comprises a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies which together define four internal chambers (21, 22, 23, 24), the pistons being linked together such that the volumes of the four internal chambers vary at the same rate.

Abstract: A fuel injection and mixing system is provided that is suitable for use with various types of fuel reformers. Preferably, the system includes a piezoelectric injector for delivering atomized fuel, a gas swirler, such as a steam swirler and/or an air swirler, a mixing chamber and a flow mixing device. The system utilizes ultrasonic vibrations to achieve fuel atomization. The fuel injection and mixing system can be used with a variety of fuel reformers and fuel cells, such as SOFC fuel cells.

Abstract: Air humidification system using microwave energy to heat water to produce steam. The system may include an automatic controller.

Abstract: A carburetor 1 with a starting fuel supply mechanism 6 which additionally supplies a starting fuel at the start of an engine includes a choke valve in suction passages 4 and 4 extending through a main body 2; and a starting fuel supply path disposed as a bypass of a main fuel passage to connect a float chamber 3a to the suction passages 4 and 4, the starting fuel supply path being provided with an opening/closing valve opened by interlocking with the closing operation of the choke valve, and a valve body 5 of the choke valve which performs the closing operation presses valve opening/closing means 61 while abutting on one end of the valve opening/closing means 61, to open the opening/closing valve of the starting fuel supply path, so that the starting fuel can be prepared to be supplied.

Abstract: In a liquid substance supply device, a three port two valve directional control valve is provided in a transfer line, and a substance container and the transfer line are connected together by a four port three valve directional control valve in such a way that the four port three valve directional control valve and the substance container can be removed from the transfer line as a unit. Furthermore, in a vaporizer, an orifice member is provided to surround the end portion of an internal conduit in which flows a mixture substance consisting of a gas and a liquid substance mixed therewith, and gas for atomization is spouted into a vaporization chamber through a gap defined between the internal conduit and the orifice member. Yet further, the temperature of a vaporization surface in the vaporization chamber can be controlled independently in correspondence with the nature of the liquid substance.

Abstract: In one aspect, a steam humidifier is disclosed. The steam humidifier includes a tank for containing water to be heated to generate steam and a water connection manifold that has a manifold chamber in fluid communication with a water supply passage and a water drain passage. The steam humidifier further includes a rotary valve that is configured to control a fluid passage between the tank and the manifold chamber and that is further configured to control the position of one or more locking features. The rotary valve is rotatable between a first locked position and a second unlocked position. In the first locked position, the fluid passage between the tank and the manifold chamber is open and the one or more locking features are engaged with a structure of the steam humidifier. In the second unlocked position, the fluid passage between the tank and the manifold chamber is closed and the one or more locking features are disengaged from the structure of the steam humidifier. Other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A carburetor assembly includes a carburetor, a fuel supply valve, a valve member and a normally open switch. The fuel supply valve is coupled to the carburetor housing and is fluidly connected to the carburetor. The fuel supply valve includes a lever pivotable between first and second positions. The valve member is configured to move in response to the lever such that fuel is allowed to flow to the carburetor when the lever is in the first position and fuel is not allowed to flow to the carburetor when the lever is in the second position. The normally open switch is adjacent the fuel supply valve and includes a switch actuator. The lever is configured to engage and release the switch actuator to move the switch actuator between a non-actuated position and an actuated position respectively when the lever moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A carbonator for a beverage dispenser is characterized by a carbonator tank that is placed at a generally inaccessible first location in the beverage dispenser. Liquid and CO2 are supplied to the tank to carbonate liquid in the tank and carbonated liquid at an outlet from the tank is delivered to a beverage dispensing valve. To control delivery of liquid to the carbonator tank and thereby the level of liquid in the tank, a liquid level sensor is fluid coupled to an interior of the tank and is placed in the beverage dispenser at a generally accessible second location that is remote from the first location and from the tank. Placement of the liquid level sensor remote from the carbonator tank and at an accessible location facilitates its repair and replacement.

Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine including a body having an air inlet opening and air outlet opening. A throat is disposed in the body between the air inlet and outlet openings. A slide assembly is movably disposed in the body for crosswise movement across the throat. The slide assembly includes a stepped portion upstream of the throat and the lower portion of the air inlet opening is narrowed for concentrating and compressing the air entering the throat. A reservoir containing fuel is attached to the body. The fuel reservoir includes a fuel outlet located in the throat. An adjustable metering rod extends through the slide assembly and throat into the fuel reservoir. A recessed scoop is located in the body above the air inlet opening and is in air flow communication with the fuel reservoir.

Abstract: An engine fuel apparatus has a fuel and air mixing passage through which a rich fuel and air mixture is provided to an engine to support the operation of the engine at idle and low speed, low load engine operation, and a pressurized fuel delivery passage provides liquid fuel to a downstream fuel injector for operation of the engine at high load, high speed and wide open throttle engine operating conditions. A shut-off valve prevents the flow of fuel to the mixing passage when a throttle valve therein, which controls engine operation, is opened a predetermined amount from idle to prevent the flow of the fuel into the mixing passage at high load and/or high speed engine operation. Another shut-off valve prevents the flow of pressurized fuel to the downstream fuel injector device when the throttle valve is between idle and a predetermined position off of idle to prevent the flow of pressurized fuel to the fuel injector device under low speed, low load engine operation.

Abstract: Liquid is sprayed in two partial streams into a tank filled with a gas atmosphere and collects at the bottom of the tank. One partial stream sprayed into the atmosphere prevalent collects at the bottom of the tank. At least one other partial stream is fed into the liquid collected at the bottom of the tank. The partial streams are withdrawn from a shared liquid supply.