31results about How to "Less-expensive to maintain" patented technology

A high efficiency gasification process for converting carbonaceous solids to methane and apparatus for its practice are described. The process includes reacting steam and carbonaceous solids comprising ash in the presence of alkali metal catalyst in a gasification reactor to produce combustible gases and char particles comprising ash and alkali metal catalyst constituents, treating a stream of such char particles in an alkali metal catalyst recovery system to recover the catalyst constituents as alkali metal compounds, and recycling such recovered compounds. Within the alkali metal catalyst recovery system the process includes quenching the stream of char particles with water whereby such particles are cooled and fractured, dissolving soluble alkali metal catalyst constituents from the fractured solids to form a first alkali metal catalyst solution and washed solids, optionally reacting the washed solids in alkaline solution to form a second alkali metal catalyst solution, upgrading said first and optional second alkali solution to recover the alkali metal catalyst constituents as said alkali metal compounds.

A freezer arrangement includes a room having a storage area and a blast cell, with the volume of the storage area being greater than the volume of the blast cell. Frozen food product is positioned in the storage area. A refrigeration unit draws air from the storage area and through the blast cell to rapidly freeze the unfrozen food product. Air from the blast cell is chilled and blown back into the storage area. A method for rapidly freezing unfrozen food product includes providing a room with a large storage area and a smaller blast cell. Unfrozen food product is loaded into the blast cell and a refrigeration unit is operated to draw air from the large storage area, through the blast cell, chill the air, and exhaust the chilled air into the storage area, until the food product in the blast cell is cooled to a predetermined temperature.

A transceiver including, a codec, microcontroller, and radio. The codec including an analog to digital converter for receiving a first audio program and converting it to a first digital signal; a digital to analog converter for receiving a second digital audio signal and converting it to a second audio program; and, a control function for managing characteristics of the codec. The microcontroller is in electrical communication with the codec: for receiving the first digital audio signal from the codec and packetizing it into a first packet for transmission over a TCP/IP network; for receiving a second packet from network and converting it into the second digital audio signal and sending it to the codec; and for receiving control signals from the network. The radio is in electrical communication with the microcontroller for connection to the network to transmit the first packet to the network and receive the second packet from the network.

A gas flow control arrangement for use in an exhaust gas cleaning system, comprising a duct (20) through which flue gases flow from a first end (20a) toward a second end (20b). The duct is configured to have a longitudinal expanse between its first end and its second end, and a gas flow control device (80) arranged therein. The gas flow control device further comprises at least one expanded screen (81, 82, 83, 84) arranged at an angle within the duct to distribute gas flow. A method for controlling gas flow in an exhaust gas cleaning system is also described.

A guidance system for a robot includes a main monitoring station and an unmanned movable base station, which is in communication with the main monitoring station. A robot is provided which is adapted to operate within a predetermined radius of the base station. Either an umbilical cord connection or a wireless communication link can be provided for dynamically determining the distance and orbital positioning of the robot relative to the base station.

A lifting device and method therefore utilizing an air bag or the like for lifting an object supported by a wheeled platform or the like, from a stationary, parked configuration wherein the object conceals the wheeled platform and supports the object, to a lifted, configuration whereby the wheeled platform supports the object, allowing same to be easily moved via the wheeled platform. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a planter unit comprising a pot or the like for containing a plant, said pot having a false bottom wherein there is situated a support platform having castors or the like thereon, and an air bag or other flexible container configured to be filled with fluid situated between the wheeled platform and the underside of the pot. In use, the false bottom has a cavity formed therein to enclose the wheeled platform, the false bottom having a lower edge supporting the pot when the air bag is uninflated. To lift the pot and raise the lower edge of the false bottom from the floor, the air bag or the like is filled with air via a hand pump or compressed air source, which expands the bag so as to lift the planter such that the wheeled support then supports the planter. The walls forming the false bottom surround the air bag in its inflated condition, stabilizing the unit so that it may be wheeled to its desired location, and preventing “rolling” of the airbag and planter from the platform.

An embodiment of the present invention includes a system for communicating digital data from a preferably small battery powered device (e.g., key-chain or pocket-sized form-factor) to a personal electronic device (e.g., a smartphone such as an iPhone or a Nexus One). The communication mechanism of the present invention can be used as second factor authentication. The present invention can also be used as a key for accessing physical locations such as building. Alternatively, the present invention can be used as a manner for transmitting digital data to a personal electronic device such as a smart phone.

A cold forging apparatus for forming complex shapes at a single station includes a pair of confronting multiple function punch assemblies disposed on a common axis. Each of the multiple function punch assemblies includes an inner or a center punch and an outer or ring-shaped punch surrounding and in sliding contact with the inner punch. The apparatus also includes a die holder for positioning a mass or slug of metal between the punches. A computer system controls movement of the punches and is programmable to form parts of different shapes at a single station.

A cold forging apparatus for forming complex shapes at a single station includes a plurality of multiple function punch assemblies disposed on intersecting axes. Each of the multiple function punch assemblies includes an inner or a center punch and an outer or ring-shaped punch surrounding and in sliding contact with the inner punch. The apparatus also includes a die holder for positioning a mass or slug of metal between the punches. A computer system controls movement of the punches and is programmable to form parts of different shapes at a single station. Off axis punches and angularly offset punches and an additional punch or punch assembly are also disclosed.

A conveyor system includes first and second upstanding posts disposed in longitudinally spaced apart relation to one another. Each post is surmounted by forward and rearward support arms that form a “V”-shape. A forward drive belt is mounted for rotation along a path of travel perpendicular to the forward support arms. A first embodiment cradles a product container between the forward drive belt and a rearward primary support arm. A second embodiment includes the first embodiment structure and adds a rearward secondary support arm. A third embodiment includes the primary but not the rearward secondary support arm, the forward drive belt and a forward secondary support arm. A fourth embodiment includes the rearward primary and secondary support arms, the forward drive belt and a forward secondary support arm. The product container is tilted from vertical so that the conveyor follows a path of travel including curvatures having no guide rails.

The invention relates to a method for the simultaneous production of a solid transformation product of the substrate and crude ethanol comprising the following steps: • preparing a substrate from milled or flaked biomass comprising proteinaceous matter which originates from soya bean, rape seed, or mixtures thereof, optionally in further mixture with proteinaceous matter originating from fava beans, peas, sunflower seeds, lupine, cereals, and/or grasses, • mixing said substrate with live yeast in a dry matter ratio of from 1:1 to 10,000:1 and adding water in an amount which provides a ratio of wet bulk density to dry bulk density from 0.60 to 1.45 in the resulting mixture; • incubating said mixture for 1-48 hours at a temperature of about 20-60° C.; and • separating crude ethanol and wet solid transformation product from said mixture; further comprising that the incubation is performed as a continuous plug-flow process in a vertical, non-agitated, closed incubation tank with inlet means for said mixture and additives and outlet means for the solid transformation product and crude ethanol. The invention further relates to the products of this method as well as uses thereof.

The invention relates to a method for producing a solid transformation product of a substrate comprising the following steps: • preparing a substrate of biomass comprising carbohydrates and proteinaceous matter that originates from soya bean, rape seed, or mixtures thereof, optionally in further mixture with carbohydrates and proteinaceous matter originating from fava beans, peas, sunflower seeds, lupine, cereals, and/or grasses, • mixing said substrate with a live microorganism or a combination of live microorganisms, which live microorganism or mixture of live microorganisms is not live yeast, and adding water in an amount which provides an initial incubation mixture having a water content from 30 to 70% by weight, and a ratio of wet bulk density to dry bulk density from 0.60 to 1.45 in the resulting mixture; • incubating said initial incubation mixture for 1-240 hours at a temperature of 15-70° C.; and thereafter recovering wet solid transformation product from the incubation mixture; further comprising that the incubating step is performed as a continuous plug-flow process in a vertical, non-agitated incubation tank with inlet means for said mixture and additives and outlet means for said solid transformation product.

A novel abrasive cutting string for use in a string trimmer provides for a thermoplastic string with abrasives in the surface, but not in the central core of the string, the string being wound on a spool for rotation and incremental extension of at least one extremity in combination with the operation of the string trimmer.