1312 results about "Ice formation" patented technology

An ice detector for providing a signal indicating ice formation includes a probe protruding into an airflow. The probe extends into the airflow from a strut. The strut has one or more features which allow the probe to accrete ice at a higher temperature than would conventionally be possible. Strut features can include a notch formed therein in an upwind direction relative to the probe, and a curved surface adjacent a point of extension of the probe from the strut.

In an air conditioning system for an aircraft, two pre-mixing units respectively mix cold air from two air conditioning units with recirculated fuselage interior air from two recirculation units, to prepare two pre-mixed air flows that are both directed into and mixed together in a common air distribution mixing chamber, from which mixed air distribution lines branch off to respectively associated separate air conditioning zones within the fuselage. Post-mixing units are respectively interposed in the mixed air distribution lines and respectively mix additional quantities of recirculated fuselage interior air into the mixed air distribution lines. Thereby, the admixture of recirculated air is divided into at least two stages, the system provides redundant failure tolerant operation, and the danger of ice formation in the air lines is reliably prevented even while the air conditioning units provide cold air at a temperature below the water freezing point.

The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for the preservation of cells using drying, freezing, and other related techniques. In one set of embodiments, the invention allows for the preservation of cells in a dried state. In another set of embodiments, the invention allows for the preservation of cells within a glass or other non-viscous, non-frozen media. In some embodiments, the invention allows for the preservation of cells at temperatures below the freezing point of water, and in some cases at cryogenic temperatures, without inducing ice formation. The cells, in certain embodiments, may be preserved in the presence of intracellular and / or extracellular carbohydrates (which may be the same or different), for example, trehalose and sucrose. Carbohydrates may be transported intracellularly by any suitable technique, for example, using microinjection, or through non-microinjected methods such as through pore-forming proteins, electroporation, heat shock, etc. In certain instances, the glass transition temperature of the cells may be raised, e.g., by transporting a carbohydrate intracellularly. In some cases, the cells may be dried and / or stored, for example, in a substantially moisture-saturated environment or a desiccating environment. The cells may also be stored in a vacuum or a partial vacuum. The cells may be protected from oxygen, moisture, and / or light during storage. In certain cases, an inhibitor, such as a cell death inhibitor, a protease inhibitor, an apoptosis inhibitor, and / or an oxidative stress inhibitor may be used during preservation of the cells. The cells may be stored for any length of time, then recovered to a viable state, e.g., through rehydration, for further use.

An electro-thermal ice protection system for an airfoil comprises: a metal foil heater including an integral parting strip, the metal foil heater configurable to cover at least a portion of a leading edge of the airfoil with the integral parting strip disposed along an air-stagnation zone of the leading edge; and a controller coupled electrically to the metal foil heater for controlling electrical energy from a power source to the metal foil of the heater in accordance with a pulse duty-cycle and for controlling power to the parting strip of the heater to maintain the air-stagnation zone virtually free of ice formation. A method of making an exemplary metal foil heater for use in ice protection of an airfoil comprises the steps of: preparing a sheet of Titanium foil in a rectangular shape having a length substantially greater than a width thereof for covering at least a portion of the leading edge of the airfoil; applying a layer of Nickel material over an area along each width edge of the Titanium foil; applying a layer of Copper material over the Nickel layer along each width edge of the Titanium foil; and attaching conductor wires to the Copper layers at each width edge.

Multiple detectors arranged in a ring within a specimen chamber provide a large solid angle of collection. The detectors preferably include a shutter and a cold shield that reduce ice formation on the detector. By providing detectors surrounding the sample, a large solid angle is provided for improved detection and x-rays are detected regardless of the direction of sample tilt.

Investigations on the formation and growth behavior of ice crystallization in aqueous solutions reveal an important phenomenon-ice crystal transformation. It leads to very rapid growth of ice crystals and result in grain-shaped and agglomerated large crystals without inside entrainment of solute. This provides a practical basis for a new technology of freeze concentration. The efficient physical process for freeze concentration of aqueous solutions comprises, mainly, refrigerating solutions to a supercooled status without ice nucleation, or without ice formation on the heat transfer surface, instantaneously nucleating the supercooled solution to generate fine ice crystals and make the solution concentrated, producing large, grain / sphere-shaped ice crystals at high rate by growth, transformation and agglomeration of ice crystals under environment of well-controlled endo / exothermal balances. Apparatus for performing the process including, mainly, refrigerating heat exchangers, nucleators, filters and multi-function crystallizers are described. Single-stage and multistage operations can be used for the process and the major steps can be flexibly arranged.