Abstract: An improved heat exchanger mat and a method of dislodging and retrieving the mat from the bottom of a solar pond without disturbing an established thermal gradient. The mat is separated from the pond bottom by the injection of a dislodging medium between the mat and the bottom of the pond. When the pond contains a liner, the dislodging medium is injected between the mat and the pond liner. The mat (10) utilizes a dual conduit network of one integral conduit (12) for the flow of heat exchanger fluid and a second integral conduit (26) for the flow of dislodging medium. The dislodging medium enters the dislodging conduit via an inlet (28) and exits through a plurality of outlets (30) located on the underside of the mat. The medium, as it exits, forces the mat upward and frees it from the bottom of the pond. Once the dislodging medium has separated the mat from the pond bottom, attached retrieval cords (20) are used to remove the mat by drawing it up the side of the pond.

Abstract: An improved method for removing a component from a fluid mixture by transport of the component through an immobilized liquid membrane is described. The method includes introducing fresh membrane liquid into a first region of the membrane to effect emission of at least partially deactivated liquid from a second region of the membrane, thereby restoring or maintaining the separation efficiency of the membrane. Also described is an improved packaged membrane system including a plurality of at least partially spaced immobilized liquid membranes disposed in generally parallel surface-to-surface array to define both a first group of flow volumes and a second group of flow volumes alternating between the first group. Screens for spacing apart adjacent membranes are disposed in each of the flow volumes of at least one of the flow volume groups. Frames define the periphery of the flow volumes and flow passages provide separate access to and egress from the flow volumes in the two groups.

Abstract: An irreversible heat-activatable switch includes a heat-shrinkable plastic sleeve and a pair of elongate resilient electrical conductors mounted in cantilevered manner within the sleeve interior. The conductors have a pair of diverging-converging (e.g. arcuate) portions including regions proximate the sleeve. Each arcuate portion extends from the mounted end portion of its conductor and terminates in another end portion provided with an electrical contact. The end portions are so opposed that the open-closed electrical circuit character of the pair of contacts irreversibly changes responsive to movement of the arcuate portions resulting from heat-shrinking the sleeve.

Abstract: In a heat pipe the portion of the wicking material which receives the liquid condensed at the condenser surface at the heat output end of the heat pipe is provided with a plurality of large openings extending from the surface adjacent the condenser surface to the opposing surface thereof to avoid condensate accumulation adjacent the condensation surface. Such accumulation blocks access of the condensation surface to vapor and hence increases the thermal impedance of the heat output end of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A reservoir for holding and reprocessing foamy shed blood prior to reintroduction to a patient, the reservoir comprising a holding chamber divided by a filter into two sub-chambers, a foam killing chamber in open communication with one of the sub-chambers, and inlet and outlet ports for the blood. The apparatus removes cell debris and filterable products of hemolysis and avoids the need to return chemical foam killers and collapsed foam to the patient's body.

Abstract: In a heat pipe the portion of the wicking material which receives the liquid condensed at the condenser surface at the heat output end of the heat pipe is provided with a plurality of large openings extending from the surface adjacent the condenser surface to the opposing surface thereof to avoid condensate accumulation adjacent the condensation surface. Such accumulation blocks access of the condensation surface to vapor and hence increases the thermal impedance of the heat output end of the heat pipe.