Abstract: A cooling system, in particular for use on board an aircraft, includes a first cooling circuit allowing circulation of a two-phase refrigerant therethrough, a first evaporator disposed in the first cooling circuit, a first condenser disposed in the first cooling circuit, and a first heat sink adapted to provide cooling energy to the first condenser. The cooling system further includes a second cooling circuit allowing circulation of a two-phase refrigerant therethrough, a second evaporator disposed in the second cooling circuit, a second condenser disposed in the second cooling circuit, a second heat sink adapted to provide cooling energy to the second condenser, and a cooling energy transfer arrangement which is adapted to transfer cooling energy provided by the first heat sink and/or the first condenser to the second cooling circuit or to transfer cooling energy provided by the second heat sink and/or the second condenser to the first cooling circuit.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator comprises a deformable membrane (24) separating a first chamber (20), which is able to receive pyrotechnic combustion gases, from a second chamber (22) containing a control member (32) displaceable by the membrane (24) during the operation of the actuator. In the inoperative state, the membrane (24) is prestressed counter to its deformation controlled by the intake of gases into the first chamber (20). In this way the functional travel is increased, which e.g. makes it possible to open or close a circuit with a larger cross-section without increasing the actuator size.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for doing work characterized by the steps of establishing respective hot and cold zones within a constant volume chamber; providing a flow path intermediate the zones and encompassing a caloric energy storage means for extracting heat from gases that are hotter and for delivering heat to gases that are colder as the respective gases are flowed therepast; separating the respective hot and cold zones by reciprocally movable member that is movable longitudinally of its cylinder and periodically reciprocally moving the member whereby to effect the following steps; (a) taking in the relatively cool ambient air into the cold zone; (b) moving the cool ambient air past the caloric energy storage means to pick up heat and become relatively hotter to tend to expand and increase pressure; (c) passing the hotter air from the chamber to an engine means for producing work; (d) passing a high temperature fluid in heat exchange relationship with the caloric energy storage means to again heat the calor