Abstract: A non-aqueous, reduced toxicity diol based heat transfer fluid is provided comprised of at least one diol that acts as an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning, such as propylene glycol. The heat transfer fluid may also include corrosion inhibitors that are soluble in the diols used for the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be used as a coolant in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines.

Abstract: A reduced toxicity ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/heat transfer fluid concentrate is provided comprised of ethylene glycol, a polyhydric alcohol having a boiling point above about 150° C. and that acts as an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, such as propylene glycol or glycerol, and selected additives. The antifreeze/heat transfer fluid concentrate may be combined with water to form a coolant solution for use in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: Devices are provided for generating a plasma field for dissociating water into elemental hydrogen and water. The elemental hydrogen may be used directly to produce power, or may be stored for use as an energy source or as a commodity. The devices of the present invention can provide on site, point of use sources for producing elemental hydrogen. In addition, the devices can produce a net positive energy output.

Abstract: A piston ring assembly includes a piston, and at least one piston ring positioned within a piston groove. Stabilization and support of the piston is provided by a support arrangement, including at least one support member positioned radially between a back wall of the ring groove and the piston ring. The support arrangement desirably acts to accommodate transverse loads exerted upon the piston during normal operation, and can optionally be configured for enhanced sealing of gasses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat transfer system comprising a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid comprising non-buffered propylene glycol, and at least one propylene glycol soluble additive selected from the group consisting of a molybdate salt, a nitrate compound and an azole compound.

Abstract: A non-aqueous, reduced toxicity diol based heat transfer fluid is provided comprised of at least one diol that acts as an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning, such as for example propylene glycol. The heat transfer fluid may also include corrosion inhibitors that are soluble in the diols used for the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be used as a coolant in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines.

Abstract: A non-aqueous, reduced toxicity polyhydric alcohol based heat transfer fluid is provided comprised of at least one polyhydric alcohol that acts as an ADH enzyme inhibitor, such as for example propylene glycol, thereby reducing the toxicity of ethylene glycol if ethylene glycol. The heat transfer fluid may also include corrosion inhibitors that are soluble in the polyhydric alcohols used for the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be used as a coolant in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines, a coolant for cooling electrical or electronic components, as a heat transfer fluid for solar energy heating systems, or a heat transfer fluid for maintaining temperatures in industrial processes. A low toxicity preparation fluid for absorbing water from heat exchange systems prior to installation of the heat transfer fluid is also provided that is comprised of ethylene glycol and at least one polyhydric alcohol, preferably propylene glycol, that acts as an ADH enzyme inhibitor.

Abstract: A non-hazardous, reduced toxicity ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/heat transfer fluid concentrate is provided comprised of ethylene glycol, an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning, such as propylene glycol, and selected additives. The antifreeze/heat transfer fluid concentrate may be combined with water to form a coolant solution for use in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A reduced toxicity ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/heat transfer fluid concentrate is provided comprised of ethylene glycol, a polyhydric alcohol having a boiling point above about 150° C. and that acts as an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, such as propylene glycol or glycerol, and selected additives. The antifreeze/heat transfer fluid concentrate may be combined with water to form a coolant solution for use in internal combustion engines. A method is also provided for reducing the toxicity of fluids containing ethylene glycol by addition to the fluid of a polyhydric alcohol having a boiling point above about 150° C. and that acts as an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, such as propylene glycol or glycerol.

Abstract: A non-aqueous, reduced toxicity diol based heat transfer fluid is provided comprised of at least one diol that acts as an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning, such as for example propylene glycol. The heat transfer fluid may also include corrosion inhibitors that are soluble in the diols used for the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be used as a coolant in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines.

Abstract: A non-hazardous, reduced toxicity ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/heat transfer fluid concentrate is provided comprised of ethylene glycol, an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning, such as propylene glycol, and selected additives. The antifreeze/heat transfer fluid concentrate may be combined with water to form a coolant solution for use in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A piston ring assembly includes a piston, and at least one piston ring positioned within a piston groove. Stabilization and support of the piston is provided by a support arrangement, including at least one support member positioned radially between a back wall of the ring groove and the piston ring. The support arrangement desirably acts to accommodate transverse loads exerted upon the piston during normal operation, and can optionally be configured for enhanced sealing of gasses.

Abstract: In a heat transfer system (10), an upper coolant chamber (31) and a lower coolant chamber (24) of a typical engine, such as an internal combustion engine, fuel cell, boiler, or other engine for converting fuel to thermal energy, are formed adjacent to the heat-rejecting components of the engine and are hermetically sealed to prevent exposure of heat-transfer liquid within the chambers to the engine's ambient atmosphere. The heat-transfer liquid is preferably a substantially anhydrous, boilable liquid having a saturation temperature higher than that of water, and the heat-transfer liquid is pumped at a predetermined flow rate, and distributed through the heat-transfer fluid chamber so that the liquid within the chambers substantially condenses the heat-transfer liquid vaporized by the heat-rejecting components of the engine.

Abstract: A piston ring assembly includes a piston, and at least one piston ring positioned within a piston groove. Stabilization and support of the piston is provided by a support arrangement, including at least one support member positioned radially between a back wall of the ring groove and the piston ring. The support arrangement desirably acts to accommodate transverse loads exerted upon the piston during normal operation, and can optionally be configured for enhanced sealing of gasses. Improved engine output and efficiency are achieved.

Abstract: In an engine cooling system, an upper coolant chamber and a lower coolant chamber of a typical engine, such as an internal combustion engine or fuel cell, are formed adjacent to the heat-rejecting components of the engine and are hermetically sealed to prevent exposure of coolant within the chambers to the engine's ambient atmosphere. The coolant is preferably a substantially anhydrous, boilable liquid coolant having a saturation temperature higher than that of water, and the coolant is pumped at a predetermined flow rate, and distributed through the coolant chambers so that the liquid coolant within the chambers substantially condenses the coolant vaporized by the heat-rejecting components of the engine.

Abstract: In an engine cooling system, an upper coolant chamber and a lower coolant chamber of a typical engine, such as an internal combustion engine or fuel cell, are formed adjacent to the heat-emitting components of the engine, and a substantially anhydrous, boilable liquid coolant having a saturation temperature higher than that of water is received within the engine coolant chambers. A coolant expansion reservoir defining an expansion chamber is coupled in fluid communication between the engine coolant chambers and the engine's ambient atmosphere for receiving coolant from the engine coolant chambers and permitting coolant flow between the expansion chamber and engine coolant chambers with thermal expansion and contraction of the coolant.

Abstract: In an engine cooling system, an upper coolant chamber and a lower coolant chamber of a typical engine, such as an internal combustion engine or fuel cell, are formed adjacent to the heat-emitting components of the engine, and a substantially anhydrous, boilable liquid coolant having a saturation temperature higher than that of water is received within the engine coolant chambers. A coolant expansion reservoir defining an expansion chamber is coupled in fluid communication between the engine coolant chambers and the engine's ambient atmosphere for receiving coolant from the engine coolant chambers and permitting coolant flow between the expansion chamber and engine coolant chambers with thermal expansion and contraction of the coolant.

Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder head defining an upper coolant chamber and a cylinder block defining a lower coolant chamber. A heater has an inlet in fluid flow communication with the lower coolant chamber of the engine and an outlet connected to a high point of the lower coolant chamber of the engine. A pump has a low pressure side connected to the lower coolant chamber of the engine and a high pressure side connected to a radiator and to the heater. A nonvariable in-line flow restrictor is disposed between the high pressure side of the pump and the heater for limiting coolant pressure on said heater at all flow rates of said pump.

Abstract: A reverse-flow cooling system for an internal combustion engine uses an aqueous, boilable liquid coolant, having a saturation temperature at least equal to water. The engine is provided with discrete combustion chamber and cylinder bore cooling chambers that are cooled by a coolant pumped from a heat exchanger first to the combustion chamber cooling chamber, thence to the cylinder bore cooling chamber. Gases found in the combustion chamber cooling chamber are condensed in a condenser and then returned to a relatively low pressure area of the cooling circuit.