Abstract: A fan assembly for a work machine includes a fan housing which has a fan guard and a fan shroud defined therein. The fan housing includes a rotationally molded, hollow exterior shell structure. The exterior shell structure is filled with a filler material so as to enhance the structural rigidity and stiffness of the fan housing. The fan assembly of the present invention utilizes fewer components relative to fan assemblies which have heretofore been designed thereby decreasing costs and assembly time associated with the work machine.

Abstract: A thermal protection system containing several innovative features has been developed with heat pipes embedded in a composite material. The techniques used in the fabrication of the heat pipes permit a smaller radius and a higher use temperature heat pipe than could be manufactured under pervious techniques. The techniques used to embed the heat pipes in a refractory composite material yield a light weight leading edge that is able to tolerate the thermal stresses generated by the difference in thermal expansion between the heat pipes and the composite material. The heat pipes for the leading edge have a "J-shape", and are placed so that the long leg of the heat pipe alternates between the upper and lower surfaces. A coating is placed on the heat pipes that protects the heat pipe from oxidation and reaction with the components of the composite material.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for assisting in the curing of concrete includes a heater and pump for providing a supply of heated fluid to a network of tubing arranged on the back or non-working side of a concrete form. The heated fluid is used to maintain a desired temperature of the curing concrete to reduce the cure time and/or accelerate the strength gain of the curing concrete. In an alternative embodiment, a heated concrete blanket includes a flexible sheet material on the back side of which is arranged a network of tubing through which heated fluid is distributed. The flexible blanket is used to cover curing concrete and regulate the temperature adjacent to the curing concrete. In both embodiments, insulating material may be used to cover the network of tubing on the back side of the apparatus to prevent undesired heat loss.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for minimizing the increase of entropy of an adiabatic enthalpizer by means of a thermal sweep insulation system which surrounds at least a portion of the adiabatic enthalpizer and through which the working fluid for the adiabatic enthalpizer passes whereby the fluid both causes the thermal sweep insulation system to operate and the fluid is pre-enthalpized. Examples of adiabatic enthalpizers include but are not limited to compressors, expanders, devices to heat and expand a gas, Roots blowers, ammonia absorption chambers, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling garment, preferably in the form of a vest that contains pouches containing a phase change material. The pouches cover less than the surface area of the vest to thereby permit evaporative cooling to occur and to contribute to the overall comfort of the wearer. An alternate embodiment includes a honeycomb structure which is contained within the pouches and which contains a macroencapsulated phase change material and allows the escape of perspiration through the garment. A heat transfer fluid is adapted to circulate throughout the pouches. The honeycomb structure is designed so that the macroencapsulated phase change material remains within designated ones of the honeycombs, but that permits the flow of the heat transfer fluid through the pouch.

Abstract: The external jacket structure of an electric water heater defines with the water storage tank portion thereof a hollow insulation space that horizontally circumscribes and extends across the top end of the tank. A fiberglass foam stop block member is pressed between the tank and jacket and has a cutout area through which an immersion heating element end connector is exposed to a first jacket sidewall opening normally covered by a removable access panel. A control panel mounted externally on the jacket above the first jacket sidewall opening has a bottom interior portion that downwardly overlaps a top portion of the cutout area and communicates therewith through a second jacket opening.

Abstract: A modular temperature controlling panel for location adjacent a rear side of a room surface and between spaced penetrable structural framing members for supporting the room surface includes: an insulating core having a contact surface for location adjacent the room surface and a non-contact surface opposite the room surface; a linear thermal source recessed within the core on the contact surface; a metallic sheet on the contact surface of the core for contacting the linear thermal source; and a spring retention device on the non-contact surface of the core for securing the core between the spaced framing members and for urging the contact surface towards the room surface.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling hot reaction gas with a coolant. It rests on a gas-supply compartment (4) and has gas-conveying pipes (9) inside a jacket (1). It is separated from the gas-supply compartment by a tube sheet (6) that accommodates the gas-conveying pipes (9). The pipes extend loosely through the tube sheet, leaving annular gaps (10) and are connected tightly to the tube sheet on the side where the gas enters. The heat exchanger has at least one line (12) for supplying coolant to the side of the tube sheet that faces away from where the gas enters. The diameter of the tube sheet is shorter than that of the jacket. The tube sheet is connected to the lower edge of the jacket by way of an upward-tapering cone (7). The tube sheet is provided with cooling channels (15) that are open at least at one end and communicate with the lines that supply the coolant.

Abstract: In a warming panel of a construction, wherein liquid for a heat insulating layer (3) is injected into an interior space of an outer shell structure (8) of a hollow planar construction, there is provided a buffer plate (13) or a flow guide plate (20) in the interior of the abovementioned outer shell structure (8), where the abovementioned liquid to be injected is impinged, to thereby restrict the flowing direction of the liquid as injected so as to make it possible to prevent the high pressure injected liquid from impinging on those fixed parts (6) provided in the outer shell structure (8) or those connected portions (1B) of the outer shell structure, thus avoiding unnecessary shifting of the fixed parts (6), or deformation or damage of the connected portions of the outer shell structure (8).

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a component exposed to a relatively high temperature of a medium on a casing wall provided with thermal insulation to protect the wall from the medium, one section of the casing wall being devoid of thermal insulation and comprising a separate, thermoelastic flexible insulation element sandwiched between two plates, one of which is directly attached to the casing wall and the other of which supports the component. The unit formed by the insulation element sandwiched between the plates compensates for thermal expansion without reducing the casing insulation effect in the area of attachment of the component.

Abstract: A cooling system for dispensing beverages is provided having a tubular tub open at the top and bottom and adapted to receive a cold plate. The cold plate has cooling coils cast within it and is easily disassembled from the tub. The tub has a ledge near the bottom. The ledge features a groove for holding a gasket, and a channel for receiving threaded lugs. The cooling plate has bolt holes which correspond to the lugs. Bolts are inserted through the cooling plate and into the lugs. Tightening the bolts creates a watertight seal between the plate and the tub. The present cooling system is thus readily disassembled for ease of repair.

Abstract: A refractory block design for re-radiating a substantial amount of heat losses back to a heated product thereby substantially maintaining its required temperature. A relatively thin sheet of stainless steel, i.e. the ratio of the thickness of the sheet being approximately 1/500th of the thickness of the heated product, is wrapped in a sinuous manner around one side of a refractory fiber block arranged in a similar sinuous manner to tightly fit into the folds of the block for storing heat, and radiating heat back to the heated product when thermal equilibrium therebetween is reached.

Abstract: An O.sub.2 sensor built on a silicon chip which has a SiO.sub.2 dielectric layer bridging over a depression in the surface of the chip. A ZrO.sub.2 layer overlies the bridge and a pair of spaced apart palladium electrodes are on the surface of the ZrO.sub.2. A heater for the ZrO.sub.2 is embedded in the SiO.sub.2 bridge.

Abstract: An ice cream-making machine with an ice cream-making vessel which can be inserted in and removed from a substantially cylindrical cooling chamber with a circular cross-section that is not completely closed on itself due to the presence of a slot extending along a generatrix of the cylinder. The side wall of the chamber includes an outer layer, a stratum of elastically-yielding material, ducts for circulating a refrigerant fluid, and means for enlarging the chamber by opening the slot against resilient means to allow the insertion or removal of the ice cream-making vessel. Thus, effective contact between the ducts for circulating the refrigerant fluid and the ice cream-making vessel is always ensured and the performance of the machine is optimized.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for heating a vessel having a vessel bottom and at least one vessel side wall. The invention includes a furnace housing which is adapted to contain the vessel and which has a housing bottom and at least one housing side wall. A heater mechanism, located at the housing bottom and at the housing side wall, heats the vessel and is adapted to contact selected portions of the vessel bottom and vessel side wall. Thermal insulation is disposed about the housing for reducing heat loss therefrom, and an extendable temperature sensor is adapted to contact the vessel and monitor the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A length of longitudinally extending duct assembly for heated corrosive gases includes an outer support duct and a substantially gas-tight liner. The liner is spaced from the outer support duct by a relatively yielding spacer material that accommodates expansion of the liner in directions parallel to the inner surface of the outer support duct and in directions normal to the inner surface of the outer support duct without imposing any substantial resistance to such thermal expansion.

Abstract: A portable electric baseboard heater includes a unitary structural back plate having a central vertical portion bounded by an integral lower triangular closed box-like structure having a downwardly sloping forward surface and an integral upper triangular portion having an upwardly sloping forward surface, a horizontal top surface and a rear vertical wall in the same plane as the central portion and terminating spacedly thereabove to provide a horizontal opening aft of the upwardly sloping forward surface. An angularly bent or molded plastic liner covers the interior of a portion of the top and upwardly sloping surfaces of the upper triangular portion to form an internal thermally insulative handle accessible through the horizontal opening to permit lifting of the heater. The lower triangular portion serves as a protective raceway for power supply wires to an electric finned tube heater assembly supported by the back plate between the upper and lower triangular portions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vaulted cover to close a vertical recess in a pressure vessel with a plurality of fittings welded to the cover for the passage of steam pipes and with heat insulation applied to the inside of the cover consisting of a thermally insulating material and a plurality of rectangular cover plates arranged on the thermally insulating material, wherein the cover plates are fastened to the cover by means of holding bolts penetrating the entire insulation.

Abstract: An improvement to the plate-type heat exchangers/vaporators constituted in per se known manner by a stack of a plurality of rectangular plates each having four orifices in the vicinity of the apices of the rectangle and thus constituting juxtaposed parallelelpipedic racks, alternately traversed in countercurrent by the hot fluid and the cold fluid, said cold racks having at their apex located in the vicinity of the cold fluid intake a strip having flow holes defining a cold fluid supply chamber and an evaporation chamber where the cold fluid evaporates by flowing as thin trickles in contact with the hot wall, the four orifices of each plate serving respectively for the admission and discharge of the cold and hot fluids, wherein the cold fluid intake is provided with a fitting or lining of a thermally insulating material which serves to create, by reducing the intake diameter, a supplementary pressure drop for said cold fluid and brings about a greater thermal gradient between said cold fluid and the hot plate

Abstract: A steam heated drying cylinder for machines for making paper comprising a cylindrical shell having inner surfaces thereon. The cylindrical shell includes a center region of substantially uniform thickness, end flanges extending radially inwardly of the center region, and transition regions between the center region and end flanges. The transition regions have inner surfaces that taper radially outwardly from the end flanges toward the center region. An insulation layer is disposed on the inner surfaces of the transition regions so as to provide substantially uniform drying along the width of the paper being made.

Abstract: A container for hazardous material has an outer shell, an inner cylindrical tank for hazardous material, resilient filler material between the shell and the tank, flexible, impervious diaphragms fixed within the tank and extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tank to provide chambers adjacent each end of the tank, and an arrangement to pressurize and de-pressurize the chambers. The flexible, impervious diaphragms act as an energy absorbent in case the container is subjected to a sudden load and in addition the diaphragms allow for thermal expansion or contraction of the hazardous material in the tank.

Abstract: A furnace assembly of the type used for melting of ore concentrate, wherein at least one separating wall is provided within the confines of the furnace to dip into the melt and divides the furnace space into separate melting, settling, and exhaust spaces. The specific improvement of the present invention involves providing a separating wall which is composed of individual metallic cooling elements in a stacked arrangement with each cooling element being provided with means for passing a coolant therethrough.

Abstract: A solar collector for heating a gaseous heat transport medium comprises an open-top housing provided with a transparent cover layer formed of a plurality of adjacently arranged, substantially mutually contacting, sealed and evacuated transparent cover tubes. The inner surface of each cover tube is provided with a selective absorption layer over the half facing the interior of the housing. The surface of the housing bottom facing the cover tubes has a vaulted profile corresponding to the shape of the cover tubes. An inlet and an outlet are respectively provided in the opposite sidewalls of the housing for flow of the gaseous heat transport medium transversely of the cover tubes in direct thermal contact herewith.

Abstract: A refrigerated shelf for a food display counter comprising a sheet of metal having an upper surface for supporting chilled food items and a cooling coil at the underside of the shelf, the coil being adapted for the flow of coolant therethrough for cooling the shelf. Heat transfer means in heat-exchange relation with the coil and the underside of the shelf is provided for effecting a substantially uniform temperature condition throughout the upper surface of the shelf.

Abstract: A system for selectively interposing particulate insulating material in a cavity of a transmission or window panel assembly employs an upper aperture into the cavity through which the insulating material enters and is removed. A flow diverting means adjacent the aperture diverts positive pressure air flowing toward the cavity into the ambient atmosphere, and the momentum of the insulating material causes it to continue through the aperture and fill the cavity. Suction pressure air flow out of the aperture removes the insulating particles, and ambient pressure air flows into the lower portion of the cavity through vents to lift the insulating material upward out of the cavity. The flow diverting means confines the suction air flow out of the cavity to the conduit or communicating means connected to the aperture.

Abstract: A solar water tank for use in solar heating systems includes an insulated tank with flow systems comprised of a plurality of inlet and outlet tubes, heat exchangers, level switch and supplemental heating element, all assembled together with the manway cover for the tank in a unitary embodiment. The tank also includes a layer of polyurethane foam insulation on its interior surface. Forming apparatus for placing the insulation layer in the tank includes a flexible synthetic membrane in the form of an enclosed bag adapted for positioning in the interior of the tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar collector assembly comprising a hollow housing body that is at least partially transparent. An absorber means is contained in the housing and a vacuum pump means is connected to the housing. A particular process of operating the solar collector assembly also forms a part of this invention.Solar collector assemblies are used for converting sun energy into other forms of energy such as heat used to prepare hot water or heat for energy production. Many attempts have been made to design solar collectors having a compact structural shape and satisfactory efficiency to render them suitable as an energy source in dwelling houses. However, such a solar collector has not yet been attained.

Abstract: An efficient heat insulating food heating chamber for a solar oven. The heating chamber includes a compartment and reflecting devices for concentrating solar radiation to elevate the temperature of the heating compartment. The heating compartment is defined by a lateral outer casing, an intermediate insulation and shock absorbing medium, and an innermost evacuated or partially evacuated glass casing. The inner most casing has a substantially angular inner wall for additional reflection of solar energy and a stepped surface for supporting transparent plates and a collection plate.

Abstract: A rigid, supportive cell structure disposed within an evacuated or partially evacuated space between a metallic solar collector plate with an attached fluid conduit and an outer, protective cover plate below the collector plate. The walls of the cell structure are comprised of thin, non-heat-conductive strips of material which are perpendicular to the collector plate and the cover plate and divide them into a multiplicity of evacuated cells having greatly increased insulation value and strength. The combination is a supportive cell structure below the collector plate and a supportive cell structure above the collector plate.A copending application, Ser. No. 076,971, was filed Sept. 20, 1979 on the supportive cell structure above the collector plate.

Abstract: A solar heat collector having an elongated housing, a segmented absorber plate, inlet and outlet header pipes fluidly connected by a plurality of riser pipes for conducting heat transfer fluid through the collector, multilayered insulation for minimizing heat losses from the collector and at least one segmented, arcuate transparent cover for allowing passage of solar radiation therethrough while isolating the interior of the collector from the elements. The multilayered insulation is constructed so as to withstand temperatures of about 400.degree. F. without any attendant thermal degradation.

Abstract: A cover and method for controlling heat transfer from a room heating unit are disclosed. The cover includes a shell having a cross section adapted to be placed over and enclose a heating unit to limit or preclude heat flow. The cover can also include thermal insulation for limiting radiative and conductive heat flow. In a preferred arrangement, the shell is formed of a readily shearable sheet metal to facilitate installation by a homeowner.

Abstract: A high-temperature gas exit in the form of a pipe bundle from a pre-stressed cast or concrete pressure container with a first cooling system comprising a sealing skin having cooling pipes arranged on the outside thereof and with a thermal insulation layer arranged on the inner side of the sealing skin. Between the first cooling system and the pipe bundle there is provided a second cooling system comprising a hollow double skin with cooling passages, the first cooling system and the second cooling system being independent of each other.

Abstract: A passive system for protecting a structure against high temperatures which consists of a thin protective foil of heat-resistant material such as stainless steel fastened to the face of the structure to be protected. When subjected to high heating rates, the local thermal expansion of the foil forms a blister bulging away from the structure to thereby create an air space which thermally insulates the structure.

Abstract: A modular plastic heat exchanger includes at least one thermal exchange element having parallel outer and inner plastic sheets separated by a plurality of parallel ribs extending between said sheets and connected thereto to form a plurality of channels generally rectangular in cross-section with a plastic insulating foam sized to be co-extensive with said outer sheet and secured to the exterior surface of said outer sheet, and a pair of cylindrical manifolds, each having a large central flow tube oriented normal to such channels in said thermal exchange element and fixedly secured to said thermal exchange element on opposite edges thereof, each of said manifolds being operably connected to fluidly communicate said channels to its flow tube at the ends of said channels, whereby the inner sheet can be tightly faced against a cylindrical member to be thermally controlled and temperature controlled fluids can be passed from one manifold to the other to control the temperature of the member.

Abstract: A kind of radiating floor board is disclosed which radiates heat. The floor board has a stratified structure comprising a metallic surface plate, a depressed metallic tube for hot water circulation located meanderingly under the plate, a heat insulating material and a base board.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for efficiently transferring heat from a first fluid body to a second fluid body within a selected container, tank or reservoir, comprising an elongated tubular hoselike plastic body of deformable material wrapped around the container and filled with the first heated fluid, the plastic body being deformable under the pressure of the first fluid so as to conform to the exterior surface of the container whereby more efficient transfer of heat between the fluids is achieved.

Abstract: Elongate, deformable, composite tubing for use in maintaining or controlling the temperature of a fluid conveyed therethrough comprising one or more tubular fluid conveyance lines or one or more tubular fluid conveyance lines disposed in heat transfer relationship with one or more heating lines and having disposed in encompassing relationship thereabout an improved flexible thermal barrier. The improved thermal barrier comprises one or more flexible, flame resistant, low chlorine bearing, sheet-like layers of low bulk fibrous glass elements having a density of less than about 20 lb./cu. ft. providing improved thermal insulation characteristics in combination with improved flexibility and reduced outer diameter.

Abstract: An air-conditioning unit with a blower section and an adjacent refrigerant evaporator coil section is adapted to be disposed for airflow through the unit in an upflow, counterflow, or horizontal flow direction by arranging the evaporator coil, and a drip pan separable from both the coil and the coil section, with the drip pan located in any of the four interior corners which extend from front to rear of the unit. The coil has a frame assembly with members at the ends of the fins of the evaporator coil provided with openings for passing condensate into the drain pan, the arrangement being such that either end of the coil may be received within the drain pan. The arrangement also includes the provision of means for supporting the coil from the drain pan in a pivotal engagement to accommodate the difference in angle at which the coil projects from the drain pan in accordance with whether the positioning of the unit is vertical or horizontal.

Abstract: A radiant heater for installation in or support from ceilings, walls or similar supporting arrangements in which a corrugated heated panel of metallic construction radiates heat with the radiant heater panel being enclosed peripherally by an inwardly facing, channel-shaped frame of metallic construction in which the frame is completely insulated from the heated metal panel thereby maintaining the peripheral frame at a substantially lower temperature than the heated metal panel which, in turn, enables the heated metal panel to be heated to a substantially higher temperature than is normally employed in such panels while maintaining the frame at a relatively low temperature in order to satisfy various building code regulations and maintain the contact with supporting structure at a safe temperature level. In one embodiment of the invention, insulation is provided completely across the upper surface of the panel to reduce upward radiation of heat.

Abstract: An all metal, low conductivity, high performance and relatively lightweight, composite structure, in the form of an insulation blanket is operably disposed to be exposed to a high temperature zone, e.g., a high temperature fluid, or on a supporting surface exposed to high temperature. The composite includes two metal skin members spaced from each other by a metallic member functioning as a spacing member. The spacing member is preferably deformed to contact the spaced skin sheets at spaced positions, the space between the skin sheets forming a fluid space which defines a zone of substantially reduced heat transfer by convection. When deformed, the spacing member, or an array of spacers, also provides an elongated path for conduction of heat, and defines a plurality of cavities of limited volume forming stagnant gas pockets. The skin sheets may be perforated to vent the cavities and to provide expansion space for absorbing thermal growth by the metal components of the composite.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a refrigerating system. According to the method, adhesive is applied either to outer faces of an intermediate insulating body or to inner faces of a pair of outer metal skins which are to engage the outer faces of the insulating body to form a wall structure therewith, or to all of these faces. Evaporator and condenser coils are introduced into grooves of the insulating body at opposed faces thereof so as to directly engage the metal skins. These coils may be introduced either before or after the application of the adhesive. Then after the skins are applied to the assembly of the insulating body and coils, the assembled insulating body, coils, and skins are situated in an evacuated atmosphere for eliminating any air bubbles in the adhesive while tightly pressing the metal skins against the insulating body and coils.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a water delivery system for an automatic ice-forming element of a refrigeration apparatus. The refrigeration apparatus is formed of inner and outer spaced-apart cases with a holding element positioned between the cases in contact with a water supply line for maintaining said line in heat exchange relationship with at least one wall of the outer case.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing composite heat-insulating material, by stacking to a desired thickness pieces of aluminum foil adhesively secured to foam-forming ceramic material, filling the volume to be occupied by said heat-insulating layer or a vessel with the resulting stack, and heating it to cause foaming of said ceramic material.

Abstract: A steam flow vacuum pump has a grooved cylindrical pump body surrounded by a housing having a radius slightly greater than the pump body and a high-power ventilator pulsating the air in the housing. The housing is provided with vents on the opposite side to the ventilator. The swirling flow of the air causes a great cooling of the pump body.

Abstract: A duct for the circulation of a hot fluid under pressure and formed in a cold structure of concrete is lined with rigid heat-insulating material such as pumice concrete. A corrugated lining membrane is applied in close contact with the heat-insulating material by means of radial members which are disposed in uniformly spaced relation and anchored in the cold structure.