Abstract: A vibrating wire placed in the humidity duct of a standard radiosonde is used to measure vertical profiles of the concentration of supercooled liquid water in clouds. An electronic circuit is provided for monitoring the natural frequency of vibration which varies according to the mass of ice accumulated on the wire by contact freezing. The time rate of change of ice accumulation is related to the supercooled liquid water concentration. By monitoring the natural frequency, the supercooled liquid water concentration can be found.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump apparatus and method, the apparatus including a reservoir, a pumping chamber, an evaporator, metering apparatus for metering a volatile liquid to the evaporator and a vapor standpipe for delivering vapor from the evaporator to the pumping chamber. The metering apparatus includes a metering cup and a siphon tube in the metering cup. The evaporator is configurated as a metal block having known heat capacity characteristics so as to store sufficient thermal energy to suitably evaporate the metered volatile liquid delivered thereto. Thermal energy for the evaporator may be provided by solar energy or by a conventional combustion source. The method includes heating the evaporator and delivering a metered quantity of volatile liquid from the pumping chamber to the evaporator to produce a predetermined quantity of vapor thereby displacing water from the reservoir with the vapor.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump including a flexible diaphragm as the pumping element with a volatile liquid as a working fluid. The flexible diaphragm is enclosed within a vessel and isolates the working fluid from the water to be pumped. One-way valves control the direction of water flow through the pump. A U-shaped siphon tube acts as a temporary reservoir for the pumped water and is siphoned empty after being filled. A portion of the water siphoned from the U-shaped siphon tube is recirculated through the vessel in heat exchange relationship with the working fluid to condense the working fluid. A reservoir of warm water is maintained in thermal contact with the flexible diaphragm to minimize condensation of the working fluid by thermal contact with the water through the diaphragm.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump including a flash boiler and a metering device for metering a predetermined quantity of condensate to the flash boiler. A flexible pumping member is enclosed in a pumping chamber and is expanded by the vapor to force water from the pumping chamber. The flexible pumping member also serves as the heat exchange surface for transferring heat from the vapor into the water surrounding the pumping member thereby condensing the vapor. The condensate is collected in a condensate reservoir and is valved into the metering device upon collapse of the pumping member during condensation of the vapor.

Abstract: A heat-powered water pump including a vapor generator and a vapor-inflatable pumping member enclosed in a pumping chamber. The vapor generator and pumping member form a closed system for a volatile working fluid. Check valves control the movement of vapor and condensate through the closed system as well as the direction of water through the pump. The vapor generator is configurated to be heated either by a solar concentrator or by heat from combustion of agricultural wastes. The expandable diaphragm/pumping piston operates in a pumping chamber having a diametrally enlarged check valve above the diaphragm to accommodate the rapid explusion of water from the pumping chamber upon expansion of the expandable diaphragm.

Abstract: A device having heat transfer characteristics generally corresponding to an egg and including an indicating means to indicate when a desired degree of cooking of an egg, of any size, subjected to the same treatment as the device, has been achieved. The device is produced by suspending a properly insulated thermometer in a transparent tube with an air space substantially surrounding the thermometer and thereafter sealing the open end of the tube.

Abstract: A device having heat transfer characteristics generally corresponding to an egg and including an indicating means to indicate when a desired degree of cooking of an egg, of any size, subjected to the same treatment as the device, has been achieved. The device is produced by suspending a properly insulated thermometer in a transparent tube with an air space substantially surrounding the thermometer and thereafter sealing the open end of the tube.