Abstract: A device for mass transfer between blood and at least one gas/gas mixture, includes first and second chambers through which blood is able to flow and in each of which a respective plurality of mass-permeable hollow fibers are disposed around a respective axially extending core element, wherein a gas/gas mixture is able to flow through, and blood is able to flow around, the hollow fibers, wherein the second chamber follows the first chamber in the blood flow direction, wherein the first and second chambers are disposed next to one another, and in particular disposed spaced apart between the core element center axes thereof, and the two chambers have a connection in an axial end region by which the chamber volumes through which blood is able to flow are connected, and in particular are connected in the direction of the spacing.

Abstract: A faucet outlet screen filter, for solving problems that a water outlet flow rate of faucets is too large and even water splashes out from a water pool, includes a metal mesh having a plurality of layers. The metal mesh is formed by criss-crossingly connecting a plurality of metal wires. Mesh holes of each of the plurality of the layers of the metal mesh are staggered with each other. The metal mesh includes a plurality of side walls, a bottom wall, and open space regions, where the open space regions are defined between the plurality of the side walls and the bottom wall. Water flows into a faucet through an opening of the open space regions and flows out of the faucet after being filtered by the bottom wall.

Abstract: In a dirt disposal structure of an aquarium protein skimmer, a foam generating chamber formed in a container body is a porous bubble guide column having pores for interconnecting a dirt collection box with the foam generating chamber. Water in an aquarium tank is entered into the foam generating chamber by a liquid-gas mixing device to produce fine air bubbles. Since the air bubbles entered into the pores contain a very small amount of moisture, small protein or peptide dirt is discharged in a concentrated form. A dirt collection box collects concentrated small protein or peptide dirt with a small amount of water to prevent the dirt collection box from cleaning the dirt too frequently. The small protein or peptide dirt rises with the air bubbles from the pores to an outlet, and the continuously rising air bubbles can stop the dirt from returning into the aquarium tank.

Abstract: A wine aerator for pouring wine from a wine container such as a wine bottle into a receiver such as a wine glass. The wine aerator has a large mouthed vessel into which the wine is poured from any wine container and the wine passes through the vessel to an outlet having a plurality of radial holes to break up the flow of wine into small discrete flows to carry out the aeration process. The wine aerator has a base that is affixed to the vessel and has a plurality of outwardly extending projections that are dimensioned so as to contact the rim of a wine glass to position the wine aerator atop of the wine glass while the wine aerator is being used. The wine aerator is inexpensively constructed and has no moving parts where leakage could occur.

Abstract: A method and apparati for regulating introduction of ambient air begins with initiating a liquid flow through a venturi to induce a localized drop in pressure at a bowl situated at a venturi throat. Airflow is admitted at a barrel inlet, through a first barrel lumen segment to a first half-moon port at a throttle first side. The airflow is selectively obstructed by a second half-moon port whose rotational position relative to the first half-moon port defines a variable aperture. The airflow is conducted from the second half-moon port through a second barrel lumen segment to the barrel outlet and mixing with the liquid to produce an aerated liquid.

Abstract: A humidification chamber (10) for use in a breathing circuit to humidify gases before inhalation is disclosed. The humidification chamber (10) is adapted to contain a volume of liquid (20), and comprises a gas inlet port (16), a gas outlet port (16) and a fluid inlet (30) for introducing liquid into the humidification chamber (10). The fluid inlet (30) is provided with a filter member (60) including a plurality of exit apertures for enabling flow of liquid through the filter member (60). The filter member (60) also defines a collection chamber (69) that is disposed below the exit apertures, in use, such that foreign objects in the liquid that are unable to pass through the exit apertures fall under the influence of gravity into the collection chamber (69).

Abstract: An oxygenator combines, in a single structure, a heat exchanger, a gas exchanger and an arterial filter. Such an oxygenator permits fewer fluid connections and thus may simplify an extracorporeal blood circuit, including a heart-lung machine and a blood reservoir, in which it is used. In some cases, the oxygenator may be configured to include multiple purge ports for purging bubbles both before and after filtering the blood.

Abstract: A device for oxygenating blood in an extracorporeal circuit includes a first structure suitable to delimit a portion of space-containing capillaries made of microporous membrane. The capillaries convey oxygen and are wet externally by blood flowing through a portion of space between an intake connector, which is connected to a venous line of the extracorporeal circuit, and a delivery connector. The device includes a second structure monolithically connected and contiguous to the first structure. The second structure is suitable to contain blood filtration means that divide the portion of space delimited thereby into a blood distribution chamber, provided with an air vent and connected to the delivery connector of the first structure, and a blood collection chamber provided with a delivery connector connected to the arterial line of the extracorporeal circuit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor using a tantalum oxy nitride (TaON) film in a process for a semiconductor device. More particularly, a method for manufacturing a capacitor which reduces a number of steps and thus increases yield by in-situ performing P-doping after forming a MPS (Metastable Poly Silicon) on a lower electrode and forming a nitride film before forming a tantalum oxy nitride film to prevent the concentration of phosphor contained in the lower electrode from being reduced by removing the phosphor on the surface of the lower electrode in a cleaning process between the above two steps, for thereby increasing the capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for temperature control of biological/chemical samples employing liquid metal is described. A gallium-indium alloy may be used to provide excellent temperature control. Methods of using liquid metal to provide temperature control for biological/chemical samples are also described. A preferred use for the described liquid metal-heating apparatus is to provide precise temperature control for polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for delivering a controlled amount of scent to a target user. Such methods and systems will preferably provide carefully direct boluses or streams of scent(s) to a single or small group of individual(s) using a bolus generator so as to avoid cross-contamination of scents with other persons and other locations. The present invention preferably delivers the bolus of scent as an air ring. The scented air ring moves through the air between the scent generating device directly to the user as a cohesive unit of air. This phenomenon is similar to a “smoke ring” exhaled by a smoker. The scent ring can be directed with accuracy to a localized target as small as the nose of a single user, such that the entire dosage can be delivered to only the user's direct vicinity. Such targeted delivery minimizes the amount of scent that must be delivered to achieve a desired level of scenting at the target location.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of liquid waste such as sewage. The invention provides a method of screening of liquid waste to remove solid material therefrom, comprising passing the liquid waste in a downward stream through a suspended sack filter, and agitating the sack filter and the liquid stream by discharging a stream of bubbles upwardly through the liquid from below the sack filter. The invention also provides an inlet screen, comprising an upright hollow column (1), having an opening at the top across which a sack filter (6) is positioned, the sack filter extending downwardly into the column, and an air diffuser (8) at the lower end of the column, and an outlet (5, 23, 34) from the column, whereby in use liquid waste flows into the top of the column, through the sack filter to the outlet, the sack filter and liquid waste being agitated by discharge of air from the air diffuser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying a reservoir of water is disclosed employing an elongated lift tube suspended in a water tank for conveying water from and into the reservoir and introducing an air stream containing ozone in the bottom of the lift tube for causing passage of water through a filter into the lift tube upward movement of the water in the lift tube for purifying the water. Magnets (448) with their north poles facing one another are placed on opposite sides of the water received in the lift tube and ozone is diverted into water that is pumped into the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humidifier in which feed water is effectively fed into a purifier. The humidifier according to the invention comprises a ventilation tube through which the air between a valve body and the level of purified water in a humidifying cistern is outwardly ventilated, when the level of the purified water in the humidifying cistern is lowered below the valve body.

Abstract: The method and apparatus make use of the suction source which, for example, is developed in the automobile engine, and produce a vapor-and-air mixture that contains large amounts of high humidity, which is to be added to the air-and-fuel mixture, thereby enhancing the mixture ratio to a higher value than the theoretical air-and-fuel mixture. Thus, the complete combustion can be achieved, thereby improving the fuel economy and the air pollution problem.

Abstract: An improved pump and filter assembly for application in evaporative coolers comprising a molded plastic housing enclosing a pump and providing support for a replaceable cylindrical filter that protects the pump against contamination by air and waterborne particles, thereby assuring longer pump life and more reliable service.

Abstract: An air washing apparatus consisting essentially of two separate cyclic units. In the first cyclic unit, air is sprayed with a fluid consisting of water and a halogen. The spray removes impurities from the air, and brings the impurities into the fluid supply from which the impurities are removed in the second cyclic unit, by treating the fluid with ozone. After treatment, the fluid is returned to the fluid supply where the halogen in the fluid supply removes any ozone present, and thereby renders the fluid safe.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a spray nozzle having an orifice plate leading to a vertically oriented opening for directing liquid onto a dispersion plate which is disposed below. The dispersion plate is frusto-conically shaped and has a fluted outer periphery for breaking the liquid up into droplets. A central aperture is formed in the dispersion plate leading to a conical dispersion element which has raised projections on its surface for breaking liquid up into droplets. A filter screen can be removably mounted over the top of the orifice plate for filtering debris or the like prior to its entering the nozzle. The apparatus is especially adapted for use in cross flow water cooling towers.

Abstract: An air pumping and scrubbing apparatus which is suitable for use in spray paint booths is described. This apparatus uses liquid sprays directed into a conduit to cause an air pumping action to inject air into the conduit and dis-discharge to atmosphere using water pressure to move the air so as to avoid the necessity for any moving parts or electrical corrections in and around the air stream. The liquid sprays impinge on mist eliminator strips and are recovered along with foreign material from the air while the air is exhausted downstream of the strips. A novel transfer plate arrangement is provided between the strips and a sump to minimize foreign material buildup on structual surfaces while allowing stratification in the sump; and novel baffle means are provided to cause a controlled air blowback across the sump to facilitate collection of the floating material therein.