Abstract: An integral deaerator for a heat pipe steam condenser has a main steam duct connected to a heat pipe steam condenser duct by a riser. The heat pipe steam condenser duct is inclined slightly toward the riser and a weir is positioned at the connection between the riser and heat pipe steam condenser duct to prevent condensate from draining directly into the riser. The heat pipe steam condenser duct has a drain for draining a condensate from within the heat pipe steam condenser duct to a distribution header for distributing the condensate within the riser. Steam is provided to the main steam duct for condensation in the heat pipe steam condenser and while in transit, the steam heats and deaerates the condensate. At least one drain boot is connected to the bottom of the main steam duct for draining deaerated condensate.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for molding hollow items using the resin transfer molding technique in such a manner that the resin is more uniformly distributed about and along the molding region of the mold. This is accomplished by installing oppositely spaced grooves in the mold and injecting resin directly into these grooves. Upon such injection, the resin travels along and fills the groove (by taking the path of least resistance) before such resin is squeezed or forced out a minute gap that exists between the molding surfaces and into the molding region of the mold. As such resin is being forcibly injected into the cloths in the mold, a vent permits any air displaced from the cloths by the resin to be released. Such resin injection and mold venting occurs until such time that no more air is vented and instead 100% resin is being discharged from the mold. Upon this occurrence, further resin injection is curtailed and the resin previously injected is allowed to harden and cure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for roughening or otherwise changing the gasket face of a bolt-like header plug. This apparatus utilizes a cutting or etching tool that cuts into the originally flat gasket face. A threaded shank formed by a lathe or other screw cutting machine extends from the face and is not useable for modifying the face. Roughening or otherwise modifying of the gasket face is in the form of grooves cut into the face so as to increase the sealing effect of the header plug when in use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separately supporting and sealing a heat pipe within a heat exchanger. For support, the heat pipe with fins thereon passes through a support grid which consists of a series of rings secured or interconnected together. The fins of the heat pipe rest upon these rings of the support grid thereby supporting this region of the heat pipe. To seal these heat pipes in order to prevent any gas escape from the heat exchanger, a tubesheet with openings therein is placed over the ends of the heat pipe. These openings are oversized thus a considerable gap exists between the tubesheet and the heat pipe. This gap is covered or sealed by use of a cover disk which tightly fits around the heat pipe and spans across this gap before it is removably secured to the tubesheet. By this fashion, once the cover disk is removed from the tubesheet, it is a relatively easy task to then remove the tubesheet and the heat pipe from the heat exchanger for maintenance or repair purposes.

Abstract: An air-cooled steam condensing module with an integral vent condenser has a steam header, one or more rows of condensing tubes between the steam header and a (generally lower) common condensate header. The module also has at least one row of vent condenser or dephlegmator tubes located adjacent the condensing tubes which connect the lower header to a vent header. The dephlegmator tubes may be of the same or larger diameter than the condensing tubes.

Abstract: A flexible, pressurized insert for insertion within the hot (evaporator) side of an inclined heat pipe that forms a part of a heat pipe heat exchanger. This insert is employed in order to prevent such heat pipe from rupturing in the event the working fluid contained therein freezes. This insert is constructed of a thin-walled flexible material that is capable of being deformed (i.e. compressed) thereby absorbing the expansion pressures exerted by the working fluid should the working fluid freeze or be exposed to freezing temperatures. By such absorption, the outer heat pipe itself will not be over-pressurized which might otherwise lead to its rupture. Upon the thawing of the working fluid, the pressurized insert (which is at a pressure greater than that of the working fluid in its non-frozen state) will once again regain its shape.

Abstract: A cooling system for passively cooling an enclosure incorporating at least one inclined heat pipe having an evaporator side extending within the enclosure and a condenser side extending outside the enclosure in contact with the ambient environment. A thermal storage device within the enclosure is configured having a first portion extending adjacent the evaporator side of the heat pipe and a second portion extending within, and generally concentric with, the evaporator side of the heat pipe. A solid-to-liquid phase change material is sealed within this thermal storage device such that this material changes to a liquid upon the absorption of heat. To further enhance the transfer of heat from within the enclosure to outside the enclosure, a series of fins can be added to the first portion of the thermal storage device as well as to the condenser side of the heat pipe.

Abstract: An elongated heat exchanger tube has an internally located stiffener assembly which prevents the deflection of the tube wall due to pressure differentials between the tube internal and external surfaces while allowing the flow of fluid between the areas on opposite sides of the stiffener inside of the tube. The heat exchanger tube can have an elliptical, oval or flat cross-section. The internal stiffener can have a variety of cross-sectional configurations having uniform or non-uniform shapes.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing machine lines from the gasket groove in the flanges of a header box has a support plate mounted for linear movement on rails connected to the header box. The support carries a tool driver which can be pivoted below the support to bring a grinding or polishing tool, rotated by the tool driver, into and out of the groove for grinding and polishing away the machine lines in the groove as the support slides along the rail. This grinds and polishes the grooves while avoiding a wavy effect which was a disadvantage of using a hand-held grinder for the same purpose.

Abstract: A static efficiency enhancer for an axial fan having a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub, the enhancer comprising a plurality of airfoils connected to the hub and extending outwardly therefrom to provide additional air velocity at the periphery of the hub.

Abstract: A heat pipe heat exchanger utilizing a working fluid such as water incorporates heating means for preventing the freezing of the working fluid when the heat exchanger is non-operational. These heating means are located at or near the heat pipe in the lower region of the heat exchanger so as to prevent the freezing of the working fluid. Trapped gases within the heat pipe caused by the reaction of the working fluid with the metallurgy of the pipe are released by heating the working fluid with the heating means in order to increase the gas pressure within the heat pipe until the pressure is greater than the external pressure of the heat pipe. A venting means is used to vent the trapped gases from the heat pipe due to the force of the pressure within the heat pipe.

Abstract: A fan blade comprising a body having a tip end and an in-board end is configured with first and second fin portions that extend along the trailing edge of the body of the fan blade. The first fin portion extends from the in-board end of the fan blade along the trailing edge toward the tip end, while the second fin portion extends from the tip end of the fan blade along the trailing edge toward the in-board end. Both the first and second fin portions extend outwardly from the trailing edge of the body at an angle to this trailing edge. Generally a slot or gap would exist between these first and second fin portions and both such fin portions would have a tapered width which narrows in the direction of the tip end. Additionally, the width of the first fin portion would be greater than the width of the second fin portion. Furthermore, the two fin portions may or may not be co-planar in order to optimize air flow.

Abstract: A static efficiency enhancer for an axial fan having a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub, the enhancer comprising a plurality of airfoils connected to the hub and extending outwardly therefrom to provide additional air velocity at the periphery of the hub.

Abstract: A width extender is used to modify existing fan blades in order to enable them to rotate at slower speed thereby reducing the noise associated with them while at the same time maintaining a proper work efficiency. The width extender is fixably connected along the trailing edge of an existing fan blade by adhesive bonding, riveting, welding, or otherwise. Width extender can be made of an extruded plastic material, preferably nylon, or it can be constructed of the same material as the fan blade itself. Ideally, the width extender would increase the width of the fan blade by 20% to 25%. Additionally, this width extender would have a uniform length so as to uniformly increase the entire width of the fan blade.

Abstract: A molded hollow fan blade in which a preform (preferably constructed of glass fibers) is used to support the upper multiple layers of to-be-impregnated cloth within a mold. As resin is injected into the mold, the cloth and the preform become impregnated (this resin dissolving the temporary resin binder holding the preform together) thereby bonding the two together to form a single unit during the molding operation.

Abstract: A protection element containing a spring steel strip is bent to have a greater curvature than the curvature at the leading edge of a fan blade. This protection element is then fixed to the leading edge of the fan blade over an area of maximum erosion. Rubber or another elastomer can be extruded over the strip before or after it is fixed to the fan blade or the strip can incorporate an outer hardened layer to resist erosion. Attachment of the strip to the blade is advantageously accomplished using rivets or screws at spaced locations along the blade and at the leading edge of the blade.

Abstract: A protection element containing a spring steel strip is bent to have a greater curvature than the curvature at the leading edge of a fan blade. This protection element is then fixed to the leading edge of the fan blade over an area of maximum erosion. Rubber or another elastomer can be extruded over the strip before or after it is fixed to the fan blade or the strip can incorporate an outer hardened layer to resist erosion. Attachment of the strip to the blade is advantageously accomplished using rivets or screws at spaced locations along the blade and at the leading edge of the blade.

Abstract: A steam condenser with temperature regulating apparatus including an exposed surface of the condenser defining an upper portion and a lower portion for allowing outside air to come into contact with the condenser. A heating control mechanism is connected to the condenser at the upper portion of the exposed surface and utilizes articulated electrically heated blanket or electrically heated panels in order to provide a freeze-proof environment and efficient operation of the steam condenser.

Abstract: A method of molding a hollow fan blade in which a preform (preferably constructed of glass fibers) is used to support the upper multiple layers of to-be-impregnated cloth within a mold. As resin is injected into the mold, the cloth and the preform become impregnated thereby bonding the two together to form a single unit during the molding operation.

Abstract: A condensate storage tank assembly comprises a tank section having a condensate outlet at a lower end thereof. An upwardly enlarged steam chamber is connected to the upper end of the tank section and receives a condensate drain line which extends from the drain pot of a condenser. The upwardly enlarged steam chamber surrounds a portion of the condensate drain line at least up to the highest level of condensate in the drain line. A steam line from the source of steam which also feeds the condenser, is connected to the upper end of the tank section for supplying steam above the condensate level in the tank section. The steam heats the condensate drain line in the steam chamber to avoid freezing the condensate in the drain line. An upwardly enlarged deaerator may also be provided on the upper end of the tank section. The drain pot is also supplied with steam from the condenser for avoiding freezing of condensate in the condensate drain lines which supply condensate from the condenser to the drain pot.