Author: claimsbot

1. An optical adddrop module for adding and dropping one or more channels from a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal, the optical adddrop module comprising:
a drop portion comprising a plurality of thin film filters, wherein each thin film filter drops a particular channel from a WDM signal;
an add portion that adds channels of the WDM signal dropped by the drop portion back to the WDM signal, wherein the add portion comprises:
a first stage of interleavers, wherein each interleaver in the first stage is a fused-fiber interleaver; and
a final stage including a thin film interleaver, wherein the thin film interleaver has a flat-top frequency response.
2. The optical adddrop module of claim 1, wherein each thin film filter of the drop portion is configured to reflect a particular channel from the WDM signal while allowing other channels to pass through the thin film filter.
3. The optical adddrop module of claim 1, wherein each thin film filter of the drop portion is configured to allow a particular channel to pass through the thin film filter while reflecting other channels.
4. The optical adddrop module of claim 1, wherein at least one of the thin film filters of the drop portion is configured to deinterleave a multiplexed signal by allowing a first group of channels to pass through the thin film filter while reflecting a second group of channels.
5. The optical adddrop module of claim 4, wherein each group of channels comprises alternating channels.
6. The optical adddrop module of claim 1, wherein the flat-top frequency response is essentially constant over a bandwidth about a defined carrier channel wavelength.
7. The optical adddrop module of claim 1, wherein the final stage exhibits isolation of channels at a bandwidth edge.
8. The optical adddrop module of claim 1, the thin film interleaver comprising:
a plurality of cavities, each cavity comprising one or more thin film layers and a spacer; and
a final cavity comprising a spacer that comprises a matching layer designed with an index of refraction intended to match the thin film interleaver to surrounding air or to another device.
9. An optical adddrop module for adding and dropping one or more channels from a coarse wavelength division multiplexed (CWDM) signal, the optical adddrop module comprising:
a drop portion configured to extract at least one optical channel from a multiplexed optical signal; and
an optical add portion comprising:
a plurality of interleavers disposed in stages, the stages in a cascade arrangement; and
a final stage that interleaves the most densely packed channels, the final stage including a thin film interleaver with a flat-top frequency response.
10. The optical adddrop module of claim 9, wherein the drop portion comprises a plurality of thin film three-port devices.
11. The optical adddrop module of claim 10, wherein each thin film three-port device of the drop portion is configured to reflect a particular channel from the CWDM signal while allowing other channels to pass through the thin film three-port device.
12. The optical adddrop module of claim 10, wherein each thin film three-port device of the drop portion is configured to allow a particular channel to pass through the thin film three-port device while reflecting other channels.
13. The optical adddrop module of claim 10, wherein at least one of the thin film three-port devices of the drop portion is configured to deinterleave a multiplexed signal by allowing a first group of channels to pass through the thin film three-port device while reflecting a second group of channels.
14. The optical adddrop module of claim 13, wherein each group comprises alternating channels.
15. The optical adddrop module of claim 9, wherein the flat-top frequency response is essentially constant over a bandwidth about a defined carrier channel wavelength.
16. The optical adddrop module of claim 9, wherein the final stage exhibits isolation of channels at a bandwidth edge.
17. The optical adddrop module of claim 9, the thin film interleaver comprising:
a plurality of cavities, each cavity comprising one or more thin film layers and a spacer; and
a final cavity comprising a spacer that comprises a matching layer designed with an index of refraction intended to match the thin film interleaver to surrounding air or to another device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A single-side expandable shelter system having a transport mode in which a side expandable shelter section is completely nested within a main shelter section having a main floor surface, and a deployment mode in which said side expandable section is completely protracted from said main shelter section, said single-side expandable shelter system comprising:
a side flooring structure with a side floor surface provided by a hinged flooring panel assembly comprising at least first and second floor panels hinged together for stacking compactly in a vertically elongated direction when said side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode;
wherein said side expandable section includes a front wall panel, a top panel, and first and second side panels, fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and said foldable flooring assembly;
wherein said first and second floor panels are hinged together at a point and also with the bottom of said front wall panel and the edge of the main floor structure of said main shelter section; and
wherein said main floor surface and said side floor surface are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode.
2. The single-side expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein equipment is permanently mounted on said main floor surface of said main shelter section; and wherein said side expandable shelter section has an interior volume that is substantially the same as the interior volume of said main shelter section, thereby maximizing the total utilizable volume of said single-side expandable shelter system during said deployment mode.
3. The single-side expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein equipment is permanently mounted to the upper half of the three side panels of said expandable shelter section, thereby allowing for permanent interconnection of said equipment.
4. The single-side expandable shelter system of claim 1, which further comprises a side expandable section support mechanism for supporting said side expandable shelter section during said deployment mode.
5. A double side expandable shelter system comprising:
a main shelter section having a main floor structure with a main floor surface;
a first side expandable shelter section having (i) a first front wall panel, a first top panel and first side panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other and (ii) a first flooring structure with a first side floor surface provided by a first hinged flooring panel assembly including at least first and second floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said side expandable shelter section;
a second side expandable shelter section having (i) a second front wall panel, a second top panel and second side panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and (ii) a second flooring structure with a second side floor surface provided by a second hinged flooring panel assembly including at least third and fourth floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said side expandable shelter section;
a transport mode in which said first and second side expandable shelter sections are completely nested within said main shelter section; and
a deployment mode in which said first and second side expandable shelter sections are completely protracted from said main shelter section;
wherein said first hinged flooring panel assembly is folded in a vertical manner when said first side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode;
wherein said second hinged flooring panel assembly is folded in a vertical manner when said second side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode;
wherein said first hinged flooring panel assembly can be unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said first side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said second hinged flooring panel assembly can be unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said second side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said first and second floor panels are hinged together at a point and with the bottom of said front wall panel and to the edge of the floor structure of said main shelter section; and
wherein said main floor surface and said first and second side floor surfaces are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode.
6. A single-side expandable shelter system comprising:
a main shelter section having a main floor surface;
a side expandable shelter section having a flooring structure with a side floor surface provided by a hinged flooring panel assembly including at least first and second floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said side expandable shelter section;
a transport mode in which said side expandable shelter section is completely nested within said main shelter section; and
a deployment mode in which said side expandable shelter section is completely protracted from said main shelter section, and where said main floor surface and said side floor surface are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode;
wherein said at least first and second floor panels are stacked compactly in a vertical direction when said side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode; and
wherein said at least first and second floor panels are unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said side expandable shelter section comprises a front wall panel, a top panel, and first and second side panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and said hinged flooring panel assembly, and
wherein said at least first and second floor panels are hinged together at a point and with the bottom of said front wall panel and the edge of said floor surface of said main shelter section.
7. The single-side expandable shelter system of claim 6, wherein equipment can be permanently mounted on said floor structure of said main shelter section; and said expandable shelter side section has an interior volume that is substantially the same as the interior volume of said main shelter section, thereby maximizing the total utilizable volume of said single side expandable shelter system in said deployment mode.
8. The single-side expandable shelter system of claim 6, wherein equipment is permanently mounted to the upper half of the three side panels in said side expandable shelter section, thereby allowing for permanent interconnection of said equipment.
9. The single-side expandable shelter system of claim 6, which further comprises a side expandable section support mechanism for supporting said side expandable section during said deployment mode.
10. A plurality of single or double side expandable shelter systems of claim 6, 1 or 5 docked together to form a larger functioning unit, such as a command center, or medical hospital, for use in diverse field applications.
11. A command, control and communications (C3) systems comprising said expandable shelter system of claim 6, 1 or 5.
12. A medical station comprising said expandable shelter system of claim 6, 1 or 5.
13. A single-side expandable shelter system comprising:
a main shelter section having a main floor surface;
a side expandable shelter section having (i) side and top panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and (ii) a flooring structure with a side floor surface provided by a hinged flooring panel assembly including at least two floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said side expandable shelter section;
a transport mode in which said side expandable shelter section is completely nested within said main shelter section; and
a deployment mode in which said side expandable shelter section is completely protracted from said main shelter section;
wherein said at least two floor panels are stacked compactly in a vertical direction when said side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode; and
wherein said at least two floor panels are unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said main shelter section includes (i) a main floor structure supporting said main floor surface, beneath which a replaceable full-length skid structure is affixed thereto, (ii) a top panel, a front panel with a front door having open and closed configurations, and (iii) first and second side panels interconnected within a framework constructed from a frame member and being fixedly arranged with respect to each other, so as to form a five-sided box container with an open side along its length dimension;
wherein said main floor surface and said side floor surface are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode.
14. A single-side expandable shelter system comprising:
a main shelter section having a main floor section with a main floor surface;
a side expandable shelter section having (i) side and top panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and (ii) a flooring structure with a side floor surface provided by a hinged flooring panel assembly including at least first and second floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said side expandable shelter section;
a transport mode in which said side expandable shelter section is completely nested within said main shelter section; and
a deployment mode in which said side expandable shelter section is completely protracted from said main shelter section and where said main floor surface and said side floor surface are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode;
a side expandable section support mechanism for supporting said side expandable shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said at least first and second floor panels are stacked compactly in a vertical direction when said side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode; and
wherein said at least first and second floor panels are unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said side expandable section support mechanism includes a pair of hinged horizontally-extending expansion section support members that are hingedly connected at one end to the bottom exterior of said main shelter section, and to their other ends by a pair of diagonally-extending support members connected to the top portion of said main shelter section.
15. A double side expandable shelter system comprising:
a main shelter section;
a first side expandable shelter section having side and top panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and a first flooring structure with a first side floor surface provided by a first hinged flooring panel assembly including at least first and second floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said side expandable shelter section;
a second side expandable shelter section having side and top panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and a second flooring structure with a second side floor surface provided by a second hinged flooring panel assembly including at least second and third floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said side expandable shelter section;
a transport mode in which said side expandable shelter sections are completely nested within said main shelter section; and
a deployment mode in which said side expandable shelter sections are completely protracted from said main shelter section;
wherein said first hinged flooring panel assembly is folded in a vertical manner when said first side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, as to be completed contained therewithin during said transport mode;
wherein said second hinged flooring panel assembly is folded in a vertical manner when said second side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner,so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode;
wherein said first hinged flooring panel assembly can be unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said first side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said second hinged flooring panel assembly can be unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said second side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode; and
wherein said main shelter section has (i) a main floor structure with a main floor surface, beneath which a replaceable full-length skid structure is affixed thereto, (ii) a top panel, a front panel with a front door having open and closed configurations, and (iii) first and second side panels interconnected within a framework constructed from frame member and being fixedly arranged with respect to said top and front panels, so as to form a five-sided box container with an open side along its length dimension; and
wherein said main floor surface and said first and second side floor surfaces are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode.
16. The double side expandable shelter system of claim 15, wherein equipment is permanently mounted on said main floor sfurface of said main shelter section; and said first and second side expandable shelter sections each have an interior volume that is substantially the same as the interior volume of said main shelter section, thereby maximizing the total utilizable volume of said double side expandable shelter system in said deployment mode.
17. The double side expandable shelter system of claim 15, wherein equipment is permanently mounted to the upper half of the three side walls of at least one of said first and second side expandable shelter sections, thereby allowing for permanent interconnection of said equipment.
18. A single-side expandable shelter system having a transport mode in which a side expandable section is completely nested within a main shelter section, and a deployment mode in which said side expandable section is completely protracted from said main shelter section, said single-side expandable shelter system comprising:
said side expandable section including side and top panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and
a side flooring structure with a side floor surface provided by a hinged flooring panel assembly including at least first and second floor panels hinged together for stacking compactly in a vertically elongated direction when said side expandable section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode; and
wherein said main shelter section including (i) a main floor structure having a main floor surface, beneath which a replaceable full-length skid structure is affixed to said main floor structure, (ii) a top panel, a front panel with a front door having open and closed configurations, and (iii) first and second side panels interconnected within a framework constructed from a frame member and fixedly arranged with respect to said top and front panels, so as to form a five-sided box container with an open side along its length dimension; and
wherein said main floor surface and said side floor surface are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode.
19. A single-side expandable shelter system having a transport mode in which a side expandable section is completely nested within a main shelter section with a main floor surface, and a deployment mode in which said side expandable section is completely protracted from said main shelter section, said single-side expandable shelter system comprising:
side and top panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other; and
a flooring structure with a side floor surface provided by a hinged flooring panel assembly including at least two floor panels hinged together for stacking compactly in a vertically elongated direction when said side expandable section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode; and
a side expandable section support mechanism for supporting said side expandable section during said deployment mode;
wherein said side expandable section support mechanism includes a pair of hinged horizontally-extending expansion section support members that are hingedly connected at one end to the bottom exterior of said main shelter section, and to their other ends by a pair of diagonally-extending support members connected to the top portion of said main shelter section; and
wherein said main floor surface and said side floor surface are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode.
20. A double side expandable shelter system comprising:
a main shelter section with a main floor surface;
a first side expandable shelter section having (i) a first front wall panel, a first top panel and first side panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and (ii) a first flooring structure with a first side floor surface provided by a first hinged flooring panel assembly including at least first and second floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said side expandable shelter section;
a second side expandable shelter section having (i) a second front wall panel, a second top panel and second side panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and (ii) a second flooring structure with a second side floor surface provided by a second hinged flooring panel assembly including at least third and fourth floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said second side expandable shelter section;
a transport mode in which said side expandable shelter sections are completely nested within said main shelter section; and
a deployment mode in which said side expandable shelter sections are completely protracted from said main shelter section;
wherein said first hinged flooring panel assembly is folded in a vertical manner when said first side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode;
wherein said second hinged flooring panel assembly is folded in a vertical manner when said second side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be completely contained therewithin during said transport mode;
wherein said first hinged flooring panel assembly can be unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said first side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said second hinged flooring panel assembly can be unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said second side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said first and second floor panels are hinged together at a point and with the bottom of said front wall panel and the edge of the main floor structure of said main shelter section and
wherein said main floor surface and said first and second side floor surfaces are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode.
21. The double expandable shelter system of claim 20, which further comprises: a first side expandable section support mechanism for supporting said first side expandable shelter section during said deployment mode; and a second side expandable section support mechanism for supporting said second side expandable shelter section during said deployment mode.
22. An expandable shelter system comprising:
a main shelter section having a floor structure with a main floor surface;
a side expandable shelter section having a flooring structure with a side floor surface provided by a hinged flooring panel assembly including at least first and second floor panels hinged together and operably connected between said main shelter section and said side expandable shelter section;
a transport mode in which said side expandable shelter section is substantially nested within said main shelter section; and
a deployment mode in which said side expandable shelter section is substantially protracted from said main shelter section;
wherein said at least first and second floor panels are stacked compactly in a vertical direction when said side expandable shelter section is retracted within said main shelter section, in a nested manner, so as to be substantially contained therewithin during said transport mode; and
wherein said at least first and second floor panels are unfolded and arranged in a horizontal direction when said side expandable shelter section is protracted from said main shelter section during said deployment mode;
wherein said side expandable shelter section comprises a front wall panel, a top panel, and first and second side panels fixedly arranged with respect to each other, and said hinged flooring panel assembly;
wherein said at least first and second floor panels are hinged together at a point and with the bottom of said front wall panel and to the edge of the main floor structure of said main shelter section; and
wherein said main floor surface and said side floor surface are disposed in substantially the same plane during said deployment mode.
23. The expandable shelter system of claim 22, wherein equipment is mounted on said floor structure of said main shelter section; and
wherein said side expandable shelter section has an interior volume that is substantially the same as the interior volume of said main shelter section, thereby maximizing the total utilizable volume of said expandable shelter system in said deployment mode.
24. The expandable shelter system of claim 22, wherein equipment is mounted to the upper half of the three side panels of said side expandable shelter section, thereby allowing for interconnection of said equipment.
25. The expandable shelter system of claim 22, which further comprises a side expandable section support mechanism for supporting said side expandable shelter section during said deployment mode.

1. A method for separating carbon dioxide from a flue gas generated in a combustion plant, comprising supplying the flue gas to a membrane unit comprising at least one membrane module having a CO2-selective polymer membrane having a CO2N2 selectivity of 40:1, whereby a portion of the CO2 is separated in the module from the flue gas as enriched CO2 permeate, and a remaining portion of the flue gas that is CO2-depleted being retentate, supplying the retentate to at least one additional CO2 separating unit, whereby a portion of the CO2 in the retentate is separated from the flue gas by an absorbent.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the CO2 is separated from the flue gas by a plurality of membrane modules, each having a CO2-selective membrane.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a partial pressure difference is produced inside a membrane module either by pressure on the feed side, or by a vacuum on the permeate side, or by a flushing medium, or by the combination of two or more of these options.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one additional CO2 separating unit is an absorption scrubber or a membrane contactor.
5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising performing a multistage absorption in CO2 separating units.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least 30% by volume of the CO2 is separated from the flue gas in the membrane unit.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least 80% by volume the CO2 is separated from the flue gas generated in the combustion plant through the combination of CO2 separation in the membrane unit and the additional CO2 separating unit.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein more than 40% by volume of the CO2 is separated from the flue gas in the membrane unit.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein more than 50% by volume of the CO2 is separated from the flue gas in the membrane unit.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least 90% by volume of the CO2 is separated from the flue gas generated in the combustion plant through the combination of CO2 separation in the membrane unit and the additional CO2 separating unit.
11. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least 95% by volume of the CO2 is separated from the flue gas generated in the combustion plant through the combination of CO2 separation in the membrane unit and the additional CO2 separating unit.
12. A device for separating CO2 from a flue gas, having a membrane unit, comprising at least one membrane module having a CO2-selective polymer membrane having a CO2N2 selectivity of 40:1, and an additional CO2 separating unit, comprising an absorbent.
13. A device according to claim 12, comprising a plurality of membrane modules, each having a CO2-selective polymer membrane having a CO2N2 selectivity of 40:1.
14. A device according to claim 12, a wherein the additional CO2 separating unit comprises a means for regenerating an absorbent.
15. A device according to claim 14, wherein a heat exchanger is disposed between the membrane module and the means for regenerating the absorbent.
16. A device according to claim 12, further comprising a means for combining the CO2 obtained from the from the membrane unit and the additional CO2 separating unit.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A filling machine for filling product into a packaging container comprising:
at least one filling nozzle for ejection of liquid in a first general direction into the packaging container, wherein the filling nozzle is arranged in a dishbox having an opening through which the product is ejectable towards a package provided in a volume, the dishbox possessing a lower surface facing the volume, the opening being selectively sealable by a sealing valve having a valve body with a portion dimensioned to be inserted in said opening to seal the opening, and a recess in the lower surface of the dishbox such that the valve body is at least partly insertable into the recess in the lower surface of the dishbox to abut against the recess when the sealing valve is in a rest position during filling of the product into the packaging container.
2. The filling machine of claim 1, wherein an effective diameter of the opening is smaller than the effective diameter of the recess, referring to a diameter of engagement with the valve body, such that a part of the valve body exposed towards the filling nozzles in a use position has not been exposed to atmosphere inside the volume when in the rest position.
3. The filling machine of claim 1, wherein the sealing valve is movable in a first general direction and perpendicular to said first general direction between a use position and the rest position.
4. The filling machine of claim 1, wherein the valve body is coupled to a turning shaft extending from an annular channel in the dishbox, and further comprising sealing means for sealing between the turning shaft and said channel when the valve body is positioned in the recess.
5. The filling machine of claim 4, wherein the turning shaft comprises individual projections abutting the inner wall channel, said projections being distributed around the circumference of the shaft.
6. The filling machine of claim 1, wherein the valve body comprises a resilient cover.
7. The filling machine of claim 4, wherein the sealing means are vulcanized to the turning shaft.
8. The filling machine of claim 5, wherein the projections are arranged at a lower end of the turning shaft and are configured to allow passage of dishing or sterilizing agents.
9. A valve arrangement for sealing an opening in a dishbox of a filling machine relative to a volume in which packages to be filled may be arranged, said system comprising:
a sealing valve having a valve body for sealing the opening;
the dishbox possessing a lower surface facing the volume, the lower surface including a recess; and
the valve body being at least partly insertable into the recess in the lower surface of the dishbox to abut against the recess when the sealing valve is in a rest position during filling of the product into the packaging container.
10. A valve arrangement for sealing an opening in a dishbox of a filling machine relative to a volume in which packages to be filled may be arranged, said system comprising:
a sealing valve having a valve body for sealing the opening;
the valve body being at least partly insertable in a recess arranged in a lower surface of the dishbox; and
wherein the valve body is coupled to a turning shaft extending from an annular channel in the dishbox, further comprising sealing means for sealing between the turning shaft and the channel when the valve body is positioned in the recess, the sealing means having one state in which the opening is sealed by the valve body while the annular channel is open and another state in which the valve body is arranged in the recess and the sealing means provides a seal between the turning shaft and the channel.