A powered nose aircraft wheel system (130) for an aircraft (12) includes landing gear (104) that extends from the aircraft (12). A wheel axel (136) is coupled to the landing gear (104). A wheel (134) is coupled to the wheel axel (136). A wheel motor (106) is coupled to the wheel axel (136) and the wheel (134). A controller (120) is coupled to the wheel motor (106) and rotates the wheel (134). A method of taxiing an aircraft (12) includes permitting the wheel (134) of the aircraft (12) to freely spin during the landing of the aircraft (12). Power is transferred from an auxiliary power unit (73) of the aircraft (12) to the wheel motor (106). The wheel (134) is rotated via the wheel motor (106). The aircraft (12) is steered and the speed of the wheel (134) is controlled via one or more controllers selected from an onboard controller (18, 118, 120) and an offboard controller (45, 58, 59).

Powered nose aircraft wheel system

A refrigerated unit is well suited for storing fruits and vegetables. A household-sized refrigerated unit includes a storage space for retaining fruits and vegetables. The temperature within the storage space is controllable within a range of approximately 40-65 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity level within the storage space is regulated to prevent unnecessary desiccation of the fruit and vegetables, and to prevent excessive condensation. The unit is provided with a mechanism for regulating the level of ethylene gas within the storage space to either retard or accelerate ripening, as desired.

Produce preservation system

A modular thermoelectric cooling/heating unit is installed through an opening in a wall separating first and second temperature zones. This modular thermoelectric cooling/heating unit comprises a thermoelectric device including a cold surface, a hot surface, and a cooling/heating member between an electrical power supply and the cold and hot surfaces. A heat conducting block has a proximal end for thermally contacting with a first one of the cold and hot surfaces, and a distal end. A first heatsink thermally contacts with a second one of the cold and hot surfaces, a second heatsink thermally contacts with the distal end of the heat conducting block, and a thermally insulated housing covers at least a portion of the heat conducting block between the proximal and distal ends of this block. In operation, the first heatsink is located in the first temperature zone, at least a portion of the heat conducting block and the thermally insulated housing extend through the wall opening, and the second heatsink is located in the second temperature zone. The above described modular thermoelectric cooling/heating unit can be used in a modular cooling system for retrofit into an existing refrigeration unit.

Modular thermoelectric unit and cooling system using same

A refrigerated countertop snack container that can be styled in the form of a lidded cookie jar utilizes a Peltier effect thermoelectric element as the cooling module located beneath the main interior compartment formed by a hygienic thermally-conductive liner that is thermally insulated from the container's outer shell and is held at 38° F. nominal for optimal food refrigeration. The liner is specially designed with tapered thickness to minimize bottom-to-top temperature difference. Heat generated by the refrigeration process is dissipated from a finned aluminum heat sink that is cooled by forced air from a quiet "muffin" fan drawing in air from a first set of air vent openings configured around a lower region of the container, and exhausting air, warmed by the heat sink and fan motor, through a second set of air vents located above the first set. A high frequency type switching power converter located in the bottom region of the container converts 115 volts a.c. from the domestic power line to about 12 volts d.c. to power the thermoelectric element and the fan, and provides electrical isolation from the power line.

Refrigerated countertop snack container

A food chiller (14) includes a container (2) into which cool air is moved over the cold sink (10) of a Peltier effect thermoelectric device (12) and directly into the container (2). Return air from the container exits the bottom of the container directly into the fan (9) for recirculation. Elimination of a long air duct system simplifies the construction and reduces heat loss.

Food chiller with ductless air circulation

A self-contained storage and display unit intended to be used for fruit. Cooling of the device is accomplished by the use of commercially available thermoelectric cooling (TEC) chips. A heat sink is included to dissipate the heat generated by the TEC chips. The rate of fresh air flow through the storage area can be controlled by the user to speed or slow the ripening rate of the fruit.

Ed DeBoer

Papers

Self-contained refrigeration device for fruit