Abstract:
A cryogenic propellant storage tank system and method are disclosed that thermally couple LO2 and LCH4 tanks together by using either a single tank compartmentalized by a common tank wall or two separate tanks that are coupled together with one or more thermal couplers having high thermal conductivity. Cryogenic cooling equipment may be located only in the LO2 tank while the LCH4 is cooled by the LO2 tank interface. Embodiments of the invention may employ both LO2 and LCH4 liquid acquisition devices (LADs) for low-gravity use. In further embodiments, only the LO2 LADs may be integrated with thermal cooling equipment.
Abstract:
An evaporator and associated food pan refrigerator, such as sandwich-top refrigerators and those used for salads, seafood, ice cream, condiments, and so forth. The food pan refrigerator includes a number of food pans set into the top surface of the refrigerator. The angled fan housing blows the refrigerated air exiting the evaporator evenly across the bottom of the food pans, resulting in even cooling of all pans. In addition, the angled fans effectively and efficiently circulate the air from the fans to the warmest section in the front of the refrigerator and then to the air return located at the bottom of the evaporator. The result is an improved evaporator and associated food pan refrigerator that cools the food pans more evenly and efficiently than prior food pan refrigerators.
Abstract:
Mobile load handling apparatus for handling elongated loads includes an elongated platform supported at an elevation above ground, and a crane at each end of said platform for alignment with a corresponding end of an elongated load. Each crane has an elongated mast with a base by which it is attached to the platform for radial movement thereon between one position in which it is disposed substantially horizontally across the corresponding end of the platform and another position in which it is disposed substantially erectly at one side of the platform. A jack is interconnected between the mast and the platform and is extendable and contractable to move the mast between its two positions. The mast has a free end opposite the base and an arm attached thereto at the free end for swinging thereon between an outstretched position in which it is in substantial axial alignment with the mast and a jack-knife position in which it forms a sharply acute angle with the mast. A further jack is interconnected between the mast and the arm and is extendable and contractable to move the arm between the two positions aforesaid relative to the mast, the arm having a free end remote from its point of attachment to the mast and an extension at the free end which is retractably propellable to lengthen and shorten the arm. A double-ended beam is suspended from the extension and is balanced to retain a substantially horizontal orientation irrespective of the positioning of the arm, and each end of the beam has locking devices cooperable with the top of said load. The height of the platform and the proportions of the mast and arm are scaled to enable stacking of two standard freight containers one on top of the other on one side of the platform and loading of one such container on a vehicle of standard height on the other side of the platform.
Abstract:
A radio frequency (RF) coupler apparatus (312) suited for use in a multi-band wireless communication device (200), has a termination device (316) and couplers (314 and 315). Each of the couplers (314 and 315) has through-path coupling elements (318 and 320) and coupled-path coupling elements (319 and 321). Through-path coupling elements (318 and 320) pass a RF signal that is to be transmitted respective frequency bands (TX BAND 1, TX BAND 2) within which the device (200) operates. Coupled-path coupling elements (319 and 321) couple the RF signals passed by respective through-path coupling elements (318 and 320). The coupled-path coupling elements (319 and 321) and the termination device (316) are coupled in series, thereby permitting compatibilty with a RF power detector (313) that uses a single detection diode (322).