or

APPARATUS FOR AND METHODS OF RAPIDLY CHILLING A BEVERAGE

Apparatus for and method of rapidly chilling a beverage in which a vessel having high thermal mass relative to the amount of beverage to be introduced into the vessel is cooled through contact with a cooling module to a temperature low enough that a volume of beverage introduced into the vessel is rapidly cooled.




or

APPARATUS FOR THE COOLING OF A DRINKING LIQUID, IN PARTICULAR DRINKING WATER, WITH INNOVATIVE COOLING SYSTEM WITH PELTIER EFFECT

The disclosed apparatus cools a drinking liquid utilizing the Peltier effect, and optionally includes a system of gasification for gasifying the drinking liquid, once cooled. The cooling system in turn includes: a first cooling circuit, in which an operating fluid circulates, associated with a hot side of a Peltier cell; and a second cooling circuit, in which the drinking liquid circulates, associated with a cold side of the Peltier cell. The Peltier cell is integrated in a cooling unit exhibiting a special sandwich structure which integrates, as well as the Peltier cell, a first and a second heat exchanger, apt respectively to exchange directly the heat between the operating fluid which circulates in the first cooling circuit and the hot side of the Peltier cell and between the drinking liquid which circulates in the second cooling circuit and the cold side of the Peltier cell to cool the drinking liquid.




or

PORTABLE COOLING UNIT

Disclosed herein is a powered air cooling device contained within a single portable unit and a method of using said device. The portable solar powered cooling unit can include some or all of the following: solar panels, a rechargeable power source, a thermostat unit, a thermoelectric (TE) cooling unit, a heat dissipation unit, a cooling unit resembling a heat sink or an actual heat sink, an air distribution device, for example in one preferred embodiment, a low power high volume fan, and a structure that directs air intake and outflow. The unit features the ability to maintain a stable ambient air temperature via heating, cooling, humidity control, or all of the above. The unit may also feature a form factor which allows the dissipation of the desired cooling or heating to occur at a faster rate. The unit itself although portable, may be fixed in place for more permanent applications. The unit can be used to provide temperature and humidity control.




or

HEAT EXCHANGER FOR A VAPOR COMPRESSION SYSTEM

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vapor compression system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor along the refrigerant loop, where the condenser includes a plurality of tubes disposed in a shell and a diffusion area configured to enhance thermal energy transfer within the condenser, where the diffusion area is defined by a cavity of the condenser without a tube of the plurality of tubes, and an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser along the refrigerant loop.




or

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND STORING LIQUID REFRIGERANT IN REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT

An apparatus for separating and storing liquid refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit including a housing configured as a refrigerant collection container, the housing having a refrigerant outflow line disposed therein. The refrigerant outflow line extending from an inlet opening, which is disposed in a gas refrigerant region and above a level of the liquid refrigerant, via a liquid refrigerant region to the outside, and has a through-opening formed in the liquid refrigerant region. The housing includes a boiling element for liquid refrigerant disposed therein. The boiling element is connected to the refrigerant outflow line in the region of the through-opening, such that a liquid passing through the through-opening from the housing passes through the boiling element by suction of a gas refrigerant.




or

HELIUM COMPRESSOR WITH DUAL AFTER-COOLERS

This invention relates generally to oil lubricated helium compressor units for use in cryogenic refrigeration systems, operating on the Gifford McMahon (GM) cycle. This invention provides redundancy between water cooling and air cooling if there is a blockage in the water or air supply by having air and water cooled after-coolers in series or parallel.




or

CONTAINER TREATMENT INSTALLATION WITH REFRIGERATION INSTALLATION, AND METHOD FOR STARTING THE OPERATION OF A REFRIGERATION INSTALLATION OF A CONTAINER TREATMENT INSTALLATION

A container treatment installation having a refrigeration installation, and a method for starting the operation of a refrigeration installation of a container treatment installation, are provided. The refrigeration installation comprises a refrigerant vessel for receiving a refrigerant which can be used for cooling a component of the container treatment installation, and a control device for controlling an amount of the refrigerant in the refrigerant vessel such that, after operation of the refrigeration installation, only a predetermined residual amount of refrigerant remains in the refrigerant vessel for the transport of the refrigerant installation, and after the transport of the refrigeration installation, the predetermined residual amount is filled up with a predetermined replenishment amount of refrigerant.




or

SUCTION CONDUIT FLOW CONTROL FOR LUBRICANT MANAGEMENT

A system includes first and second compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser, expansion device, evaporator, and flow control device fluidly connected. The first compressor includes a first lubricant sump and the second compressor including a second lubricant sump. A lubricant transfer conduit fluidly connects the first lubricant sump and the second lubricant sump. The flow control device is disposed between the evaporator and the first and second compressors, and includes a fluid inlet and two fluid outlets. A first of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to the first compressor, a second of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to the second compressor. The second fluid outlet includes a nozzle disposed within a flow passage of the flow control device such that a space is maintained between an outer surface of the nozzle and an inner surface of the flow passage.




or

ICE MACHINE WITH A DUAL-CIRCUIT EVAPORATOR FOR HYDROCARBON REFRIGERANT

An ice making machine having a refrigeration system designed for hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants, and particularly propane (R-290), that includes dual independent refrigeration systems and a unique evaporator assembly comprising of a single freeze plate attached to two cooling circuits. The serpentines are designed in an advantageous pattern that promotes efficiency by ensuring the even bridging of ice during freezing and minimizing unwanted melting during harvest by providing an even distribution of the heat load. The charge limitations imposed with flammable refrigerants would otherwise prevent large capacity ice maker from being properly charged with a single circuit. The ice making machine includes a single water circuit and control system to ensure the proper and efficient production of ice. Material cost is conserved as compared to a traditional dual system icemaker.




or

EVAPORATOR ASSEMBLY FOR ICE-MAKING APPARATUS AND METHOD

An evaporator assembly for an ice-making apparatus having a vertical, substantially flat freeze surface, a refrigerant circuit, and a freeze template. The freeze template is thermally coupled between the freeze surface and the refrigerant circuit, and is formed of a plurality of regions arranged in a plane and interconnected by strips having a smaller dimension in the plane than the regions. Interface locations between the freeze template and the freeze surface define where on the freeze surface ice is to be formed. During a freeze cycle, expanded refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, and water is run over the freeze surface. During a harvest cycle, compressed refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, wherein heat transfers from the refrigerant circuit to the freeze surface until the freeze surface is warmed to a temperature sufficient to allow ice formed on the freeze surface to fall from the freeze surface by a force of gravity.




or

ICE MACHINE INCLUDING VAPOR-COMPRESSION SYSTEM

An ice machine may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, an evaporator, an ice tray, and a water pump. The first heat exchanger may receive compressed working fluid from the compressor. The expansion device may receive working fluid from the first heat exchanger. The evaporator may receive working fluid from the expansion device. The ice tray may be in a heat transfer relationship with the evaporator. The ice tray may include a plurality of ice molds. The water pump may be in fluid communication with the ice molds and may be configured to pump water from a water source to the ice molds.




or

REFRIGERATOR

A refrigerator has a storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, an ice-making machine and an ice storage compartment. The ice-making machine is used to produce an ice cube. The ice storage compartment is disposed below the ice-making machine, so as to accommodate an ice cube. The ice storage compartment has a discharge port. A movable blocking member and an ice-crushing cutter are located in the ice storage compartment. A distributor is located on the door and used to distribute the ice cube from the ice storage compartment to the outside. The ice storage compartment further includes an opening and closing mechanism for opening or closing the discharge port. Because the discharge port of the ice storage compartment can be closed, the ice-crushing cutter disposed above the discharge port will not be unconsciously touched, and a user is avoided from being hurt by the ice-crushing cutter.




or

Cooled storage system

A cooled storage system comprises a grid structure (20) of storage cells, where each cell is arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storage bins and having a top level, at least one remotely operated vehicle (27) arranged to move at the top level of the grid structure (20) and receive a bin from a storage cell at the top level of the grid structure (20), where there is provided thermal insulation between at least a section of the grid structure (20) and the remotely operated vehicle (27), and said section of the grid structure (20) has a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the remotely operated vehicle (27).




or

REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

Disclosed are a refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator according to one aspect includes a main body having a storage chamber; a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; an evaporation expander configured to depressurize the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; a first evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant depressurized by the evaporation expander and thus to cool the storage chamber; a condensing expander installed between the condenser and the evaporation expander and configured to depressurize the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; and a subsidiary condenser installed between the condensing expander and the evaporation expander and configured to condense the refrigerant depressurized by the condensing expander.




or

REFRIGERATOR

A refrigerator includes a storage chamber, an evaporator configured to cool the storage chamber, and an air passage through which cold air generated by the evaporator flows. The air passage includes a blower fan configured to blow the cold air to the storage chamber, and a trap part in which warm air generated by a defrosting operation stays, such that warm air generated by the defrosting operation is prevented from being introduced into the inner space of the refrigerator through the air passage. The refrigerator reduces the defrosting operation time, efficiently prevents increase of the inner temperature of the refrigerator due to warm air during the defrosting operation, reduces a temperature difference in inner temperature of the refrigerator, and prevents food stored in the refrigerator from being rotten due to a temperature change.




or

APPARATUS FOR AND METHODS OF RAPIDLY CHILLING A BEVERAGE

Apparatus for and method of rapidly chilling a beverage in which a vessel having high thermal mass relative to the amount of beverage to be introduced into the vessel is cooled through contact with a cooling module to a temperature low enough that a volume of beverage introduced into the vessel is rapidly cooled.




or

Systems and Methods for Recovering Desired Light Hydrocarbons from Refinery Waste Gas Using a Back-End Turboexpander

Systems and methods for recovering light hydrocarbons from refinery waste gas using a back-end turboexpander to generate a higher recovery of the light hydrocarbons for use as petrochemical feedstock and to remove the liquid light hydrocarbons before entering the turboexpander.




or

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR HEAVY HYDROCARBON REMOVAL FROM LEAN NATURAL GAS BEFORE LIQUEFACTION

A process is described herein for removing high freeze point hydrocarbons, including benzene compounds, from a mixed feed gas stream. The process involves cooling process streams in one or more heat exchangers and separating condensed compounds in multiple separators to form a methane-rich product gas stream. Select solvent streams from a fractionation train and/or separate solvent streams are employed to lower the freeze point of one or more streams that contain high freeze point hydrocarbons. A corresponding system also is disclosed.




or

HEAT DISTRIBUTION IN A MOTOR VEHICLE

A device and method for heat distribution in a hybrid motor vehicle are provided. The device includes an engine cooling circuit; and a refrigerant circuit for a combined operation in a refrigeration heat pump mode and a reheating mode, includes an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger to supply heat from the refrigerant to air being conditioned for a passenger compartment; and a heat exchanger to transfer heat between a refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit and coolant of the engine cooling circuit, wherein the heat exchanger operates as an evaporator for the heat transfer, and as a condenser for the heat transfer from the condensing refrigerant to the coolant.




or

CHARGE AIR COOLER FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A CHARGE AIR COOLER

A charge air cooler for an internal combustion engine, includes a charge air inlet and a charge air outlet which are fluidly connected with each other via multiple charge air channels which are arranged parallel to each other and arranged parallel to each other and subjectable to a coolant flow; and at least one flow guide element arranged upstream of the charge air channels, wherein the flow guide element at least in one operating state of the internal combustion engine deflects charge air entering through the charge air inlet the direction of a condensate accumulation volume of the charge air cooler.




or

IMPROVED INTERFACE FOR A VALVE FOR A CRYOGENIC FLUID DUCT

An assembly comprising a duct (1) for passing a flow of cryogenic fluid, and a valve (2); the assembly being characterized in that the duct (1) includes an interface for inserting the valve, the interface forming an internal abutment (51) and an external abutment (52);the valve (2) being configured in such a manner as to be inserted into said insertion interface by sliding, the valve (2) comprising a valve body (3) presenting a first end (31) and a second end (32), the valve body (3) being adapted to be bolted in said insertion interface in such a manner that the first end (31) and the second end (32) come into abutment respectively against the internal abutment (51) and against the external abutment (52), the assembly including an internal sealing element (61) arranged between the internal abutment (51) and the first end (31), and an external sealing element (62) arranged between the external abutment (52) and the second end (32).




or

HYBRID SOLAR HEAT ABSORPTION COOLING SYSTEM

Provided is an hybrid solar heat absorption cooling system comprising: an absorption refrigerator; a solar heat steam generator configured to generate steam using solar heat; a daytime steam supplying unit configured to supply steam generated by the solar heat steam generator during the day as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a daytime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the day; a nighttime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the daytime hot water storage tank during the night as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a nighttime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the night; and a daytime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the nighttime hot water storage tank during the day to the solar heat steam generator.




or

OIL SEPARATOR

An oil separator includes a container having an inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical shape; an inlet pipe that penetrates through from an outside of the container to an inside of the container, comprises an inlet port through which the oil-containing refrigerant is introduced to the container; and a refrigerant discharge pipe that is provided coaxially with a central axis of the container in a top of the container, projects from the top of the container toward a bottom of the container, and comprises a discharge port which is disposed below the inlet port and allows oil removed refrigerant to be discharged. The oil-containing refrigerant flowing out of the inlet port of the inlet pipe is not branched by the refrigerant discharge pipe, and forms a single flow flowing in one direction along an outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant discharge pipe and the inner circumferential surface of the container.




or

SYSTEM FOR CALIBRATION OF A COMPRESSOR UNIT IN A HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

The present invention provides for a system for calibrating operation of a compressor unit in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A measuring device measures an operating parameter of the HVAC system at a position where the measuring device is mounted on a refrigerant line of the HVAC system. The measuring device switches states when the value of the measured operating parameter reaches a switching value. A controller estimates a value of the first operating parameter at the position where the first measuring device is mounted on the refrigerant line, and the controller determines whether the estimated first operating parameter is within a threshold percentage of the switching value.




or

REFRIGERATOR

A refrigerator is provided. More particularly, a refrigerator having a rotating guard unit is disclosed. A part of disclosed embodiments provides a refrigerator, in which a door guard of a rotation guard unit rotates in one direction among the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction when the rotation guard unit is moved forward.




or

FLEXIBLE MODULAR HIERARCHICAL ADAPTIVELY CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC-SYSTEM COOLING AND ENERGY HARVESTING FOR IC CHIP PACKAGING, PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS, SUBSYSTEMS, CAGES, RACKS, IT ROOMS, AND DATA CENTERS USING QUANTUM AND CLASSICAL THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS

A system for adaptive cooling and energy harvesting comprising at least one thermoelectric device capable of acting as a thermoelectric cooler and as a thermoelectric generator, a hierarchical multiple-level control system, and electronics controlled by the control system and connected to the thermoelectric device. The electronics selectively configure the thermoelectric device in at least in a thermoelectric cooler operating mode and in a thermoelectric generation operating mode. The thermoelectric device can incorporate quantum-process and quantum-well materials for higher heat transfer and thermoelectric generation efficiencies. The invention provides for thermoelectric devices to additionally operate in temperature sensing mode. The hierarchical control system can comprise a plurality of control system, each of which can operate in isolation and can be interconnected with additional subsystems associated with other hierarchical levels. The hierarchical control system can comprise linear (additive) control, bilinear (additive and multiplicative) control, nonlinear control, and hysteresis.




or

Barney Norris adapts Blood Wedding for Salisbury Playhouse

Wiltshire becomes a metaphor for today's Britain in Barney Norris' retelling of Lorca's Blood Wedding at Salisbury Playhouse. The blood feud of the original is replaced by laddish drunkenness and Mediterranean passion by English reticence in which ‘Sorry’ is the most used word.




or

Freedom is worth the fight

IS war ever justified?




or

Change is still to come for the UK - Ian Murray gives his verdict on the No vote in Scotland

Despite a surge in support for independence in the last few weeks, the Better Together campaign came through with a majority sufficient to put to bed the question of independence for Scotland, at least for now.




or

Anti-fluoride campaign now needs to focus on stopping child tooth decay

The end to the fluoride saga in the Southampton city region will put a big hole in the correspondence bag for this paper’s daily letters page.




or

Just another evening on the motorway

IT had seemed a simple plan: to drive from Basingstoke to Ringwood, leaving the function I was attending around 10pm.




or

Exclusively yours at Cain Manor

Cain Manor is an exquisite Elizabethan oak-framed manor house near Farnham. It is set in 30 acres of landscaped grounds and woodland with wonderful views over Surrey’s Golden Valley. The whole venue has been discerningly renovated and furnished in a tasteful, contemporary style.




or

Meon Valley, a perfect backdrop for your special day

Set in 225 wooded acres in the rolling Hampshire countryside just north of Fareham, Meon Valley offers 2 beautifully designed banqueting rooms for both Civil Wedding Ceremonies and Wedding Breakfasts.














or

Bracing for the Budget

Coronavirus Journal: Virus hitting unincorporated areas in Alameda County hard. The forecast for Alameda County's short-term fiscal health will come into focus this week and it could be sobering news for those who depend greatly on the county's safety net services. County supervisors will learn at a budget workshop session on Thursday the extent of the damage caused by COVID-19 on the local economy.…



  • News & Opinion/News

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Wednesday's Briefing: Alameda County to allow some outdoor activities to resume; Layoffs hit Bay Area tech companies



News you don't want to miss for April 29:

1. Alameda County and five other Bay Area counties issued a revised shelter in place order on Wednesday that will allow for some outdoor activities to resume, such as, construction work, landscaping, gardening, golf and tennis, SFGate reports.…




or

Ike's Love & Sandwiches Feeds Entire Hospital, Nursing Home Staffs for Free


To celebrate National Nurses' Week, Ike's Love & Sandwiches is offering all healthcare workers with ID 50 percent off the price of their in-store takeout orders tomorrow, May 6.

Boasting over seventy locations in five states — including locations in Berkeley and Oakland — the cult-favorite San Francisco-based sandwich outfit is also donating hundreds of sandwiches throughout the next seven days to healthcare facilities throughout California and Arizona.…



  • Blogs/Food & Drink

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Bracing for the Worst

East Bay governments plan for revenue declines and budget cuts while bemoaning lack of federal assistance The massive $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act set aside $339.8 billion in federal aid for state and local governments affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic.…



  • News & Opinion/Seven Days

or

REBBL Wins NEXTY For Cocoa Elixir

Gold Label Mayan Cocoa Elixir, made by Emeryville-based REBBL, has just won the 2020 NEXTY Award for "Best New Ready-to-Drink Beverage."

Its ingredients include maca, reishi, maitake, turkey tail mushrooms, lion's mane mushrooms, cayenne, and ashwagandha, among others.…



  • Blogs/Food & Drink


or

Concord Dunkin' Worker Inspires Nationwide DIY Donut Kits


An employee at a Dunkin' (formerly Dunkin' Donuts) restaurant in Concord has inspired the company's brand-new DIY Dunkin' Donut Kits.

Norma Valkenaar asked the restaurant's franchisee, Matt Cobo, whether she could bring home some donuts, frosting, and sprinkles so that her young nephews could experiment with customizing their own treats.…



  • Blogs/Food & Drink