Abstract: The invention relates to an exchanger, advantageously a plate exchanger, comprising counter-current parallel exchange sections (8,9). According to the invention, the exchange section for the water (8) has an essentially constant cross-section, whereas the exchange section (9) for the cryogen has a reduced inlet region (9a) enabling the possible formation of ice (10) in the water passage (8) to be concentrated on a small volume, without blocking said water passage. The invention can especially be applied to the supply of gaseous hydrogen stored in a liquid form to an on-board power generating device in a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exchanger, advantageously a plate exchanger, comprising counter-current parallel exchange sections (8,9). According to the invention, the exchange section for the water (8) has an essentially constant cross-section, whereas the exchange section (9) for the cryogen has a reduced inlet region (9a) enabling the possible formation of ice (10) in the water passage (8) to be concentrated on a small volume, without blocking said water passage. The invention can especially be applied to the supply of gaseous hydrogen stored in a liquid form to an on-board power generating device in a vehicle.

Abstract: The heat exchanger comprises at least one heat-transfer wall which forms a separation between a hot primary fluid and a secondary fluid to be heated. Each heat-transfer wall is either a vertical cylinder having a cross-section in the form of a circle with a wavy profile in the case of a tubular heat exchanger or a vertical rectangular plate having wavy corrugations in the case of a plate-type exchanger, a series of assembled plates being intended to form leak-tight compartments for receiving primary fluid and secondary fluid in alternate succession. The secondary fluid is introduced into the upper end of the heat-transfer wall in the vicinity of the wave crests of the wall face which is directed towards the fluid.

Abstract: A heat-transporting fluid F is passed over a material C having a high latent heat of fusion and in direct contact therewith so that the fluid and the material exchange heat at a temperature close to the melting point of the material. By contacting the hot fluid F with the material C, this material melts and accumulates heat in the form of latent heat of fusion while cooling the fluid F. When the cold fluid is contacted directly with the material C, this material solidifies and releases heat which is transmitted to the fluid F.

Abstract: A heat-transporting fluid F is passed over a material C having a high latent heat of fusion and in direct contact therewith so that the fluid and the material exchange heat at a temperature close to the melting point of the material. By contacting the hot fluid F with the material C, this material melts and accumulates heat in the form of latent heat of fusion while cooling the fluid F. When the cold fluid is contacted directly with the material C, this material solidifies and releases heat which is transmitted to the fluid F.

Abstract: A heat-transporting fluid F is passed over a material C having a high latent heat of fusion and in direct contact therewith so that the fluid and the material exchange heat at a temperature close to the melting point of the material. By contacting the hot fluid F with the material C, this material melts and accumulates heat in the form of latent heat of fusion while cooling the fluid F. When the cold fluid is contacted directly with the material C, this material solidifies and releases heat which is transmitted to the fluid F.

Abstract: In the improved supply circuit, provision is made for a "start-up" storage tank placed at a higher level than the heat exchanger and connected to a secondary circuit in portion of this latter which is located between the solar engine and the feed pump and includes the evaporator. The storage tank is equipped with heating means for bringing the fluid contained therein to a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the fluid within the evaporator.

Abstract: A first mass of driving vapor is admitted into a single chamber of variable volume and permitted to perform isobaric then polytropic work in an expansion which increases the chamber volume. A second mass of vapor derived from the refrigeration cycle is then admitted at constant pressure in order to attain maximum volume. The work performed by the driving vapor is utilized in a polytropic process for compressing the vapor masses which are then discharged to the condenser in an isobaric process when the chamber approaches minimum volume.