Abstract: In a sorption reaction system comprising one or more first reactors in which a refrigerant is alternately adsorbed and desorbed, and one or more second reactors in which a refrigerant is alternately desorbed and adsorbed, respectively, and having a cooling loop for directing heat transfer fluid to and from said reactors, a method of cooling an adsorbing reactor comprises directing liquid phase heat transfer fluid having a phase change from liquid to gas at a temperature at or below the temperature of adsorption to an adsorbing reactor in heat exchange exposure to the adsorbent utilizing vaporized heat transfer fluid for driving the liquid heat transfer fluid in the cooling loop. The refrigerant may be used as the heat transfer fluid. The invention includes apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A moisture and heat exchanging unit for a respiration device such as a tracheal tube or tracheotomy canula, is described comprising a housing holding therein a moisture and heat exchanging body and/or a bacterial filter, said housing comprising two halves, a proximal half having an opening for connection with the airways of a patient and a distal half having an opening for communication with an air supply, said halves being mutually rotatable around a circular connection, one of said halves having an enlarged rim portion in locking, rotatable, relationship with a lid edge of the other of said halves. In a further embodiment, said halves are sealing against each other by an annular blade with tapering cross-section integral with one of said halves, sealing against an inclined internal surface of a collar integral with the other of said halves.

Abstract: A chemisorption reaction process is carried out under conditions in which the volumetric expansion of the complex compound reaction product is restricted, and at half-cycle reaction periods of less than 30 minutes each, and/or in a reaction chamber having a maximum mean mass diffusion path length of less than about 15 mm, and/or a maximum heat diffusion path length of less than 1.5 mm.

Abstract: The rate of water vapor sorption of an absorption cycle cooling and/or heating system using an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution as the working fluid is increased by adding at least 2 parts per million of a primary, secondary or tertiary aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic amine to the fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling components or subassemblies of equipment at one or more locations comprises a first reactor located at a remote location from said equipment, and a second reactor located in heat exchange communication with a component or subassembly of said equipment, each of said first or second reactors containing a different complex compound of a polar refrigerant and a metal salt, wherein the equilibrium temperature of the complex compound in said first reactor differs from the equilibrium temperature of the complex compound in said second reactor by between about 10.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C. at the same operating pressure, heating means for heating a complex compound in said first reactor, and conduit means for directing polar refrigerant between said reactors.

Abstract: The basic apparatus of the invention is a triple effect absorption cycle apparatus, comprising first, second and third generators each containing an aqueous absorption fluid and operating at successively higher temperatures; first, second and third condensers operating at successively higher temperatures, and operatively communicating with the generators; first heat exchange means cooperating between the third and second generators, and between the second condenser and first generator, for directing energy therebetween; one, two or three absorbers and one, two or three fluid loops for directing aqueous absorption fluid between absorbers and second heat exchange means for exchanging energy between aqueous absorption fluid flows in said loops; and one, two or three evaporators operatively communicating with the absorbers.

Abstract: Reaction rates in chemisorption reactions involving solid reactants and gaseous ligands are improved by maintaining optimized solid density throughout the reaction. Methods and apparatus which restrict volumetric solid expansion, compression of the solid reactant, and mixture with inert solid porous or particulate materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing a continuous bath of high dielectric liquids to the integral components of an electric motor. One such liquid for example, is methyl chloroform. Significant improvements in efficiency are achieved by the continuous injection or splashing of methyl chloroform or other liquids such as aliphatic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof, which may include halogens, including chlorine and fluorine. A continuous flow of these fluids and various combinations thereof provide positive commutation between the moving parts of rotary machines such as the bearings, brushes and commutator surfaces in the operation of a DC motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously supplying heating and cooling or refrigeration comprises first and second reactors each containing a complex compound of a metal salt and a gaseous refrigerant adsorbed thereon, a condenser, refrigerant conduit means for directing the refrigerant to and from the condenser and reactors, and fluid conduit means for directing heat transfer fluid in heat exchange communication with the condenser and selectively with the reactors. In another embodiment each reactor contains a different salt and instead of a condenser, energy is recovered through heat exchange fluid in heat exchange communication with the reactors.

Abstract: The basic apparatus of the invention is a triple effect absorption cycle apparatus, comprising first, second and third generators each containing an aqueous absorption fluid and operating at successively higher temperatures; first, second and third condensers operating at successively higher temperatures, and operatively communicating with the generators; first heat exchange means cooperating between the third condenser and second generator, and between the second condenser and first generator, for directing energy therebetween; one, two or three absorbers and one, two or three fluid loops for directing aqueous absorption fluid between absorbers and second heat exchange means for exchanging energy between aqueous absorption fluid flows in said loops; and one, two or three evaporators operatively communicating with the absorbers.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for staging solid-vapor complex compounds comprises heat exchange means for transferring heat from super-heated refrigerant vapor from a desorbing reactor to cooled refrigerant vapor directed to an adsorbing reactor. In another embodiment a liquid subcooler is used to cool liquid refrigerant passing from a condenser to an evaporator with cold refrigerant gas directed to an adsorbing reactor from the evaporator.

Abstract: In a chemisorption reaction process wherein a polar gas is repeatedly alternately adsorbed and desorbed on a complex compound formed by adsorbing said polar gas on a metal salt, said complex compound capable of having a first density if allowed to expand without restriction during said adsorption, a method of increasing the reaction rates of said chemisorption reaction process comprises controlling the volumeric expansion of said complex compound formed during at least the initial adsorption reaction of said polar gas on said metal salt to form at least a partially structurally immobilized, self-supporting, coherent, reaction product mass having a second density. The metal salt may also be mixed with a zeolite, activated carbon, activated alumina or silica gel prior to the first adsorption reaction.

Abstract: In one method for performing a laparoscopic lumbar discectomy an incision is created in the abdominal wall of a patient. The peritoneal lining is dissected from the abdominal wall while relocating the peritoneal lining toward the midline of the abdomen to create an expanded retroperitoneal space. A surgical apparatus is inserted into the incision comprising an endoscope and surgical means suitable for performing a lumbar discectomy. The surgical apparatus is directed through the expanded retroperitoneal space until the surgical apparatus approaches the anterior aspect of a vertebral body and a discectomy is performed on the vertebral body.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for treating particulate soil composition to remove volatilizable organic materials therefrom comprises separating fine particles of the soil from a gaseous mixture in a drum containing the fine particles and volatilized organic material, directing the separated fine particle heat exchange apparatus, indirectly heating the fine particles therein with hot exhaust gas to volatilize organic materials, and recovering the fine particles. The hot exhaust gas for heating the fine particles in the heat exchange apparatus is obtained from a furnace used to combust volatilized organic material.

Abstract: An eye shield comprises an elongated, flexible, spring-like frame member generally bowed along its length and biased toward an unsprung condition in which the ends are spaced apart a distance less than the width of a user's head, and a transparent, flexible eye covering member having a pair of first and second orifices for being removably secured on the frame member.

Abstract: Reaction rates in chemisorption reactions involving solid reactants and gaseous ligands are improved by maintaining optimized solid density throughout the reaction. Methods and apparatus which restrict volumetric solid expansion, compression of the solid reactant, and mixture with inert solid porous or particulate materials are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for staging solid-vapor complex compounds comprises heat exchange means for transferring heat from super-heated refrigerant vapor from a desorbing reactor to cooled refrigerant vapor directed to an adsorbing reactor. In another embodiment a liquid subcooler is used to cool liquid refrigerant passing from a condenser to an evaporator with cold refrigerant gas directed to an adsorbing reactor from the evaporator.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for staging solid-vapor complex compounds comprises heat exchange means for transferring heat from super-heated refrigerant vapor from a desorbing reactor to cooled refrigerant vapor directed to an adsorbing reactor. In another embodiment a liquid subcooler is used to cool liquid refrigerant passing from a condenser to an evaporator with cold refrigerant gas directed to an adsorbing reactor from the evaporator.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for being detachably connected to a chemical or refrigeration system for selectively receiving and dispensing a gaseous refrigerant or chemical from and to that system, respectively, including a vessel having a chamber capable of maintaining a pressurized gas therein, gas inlet means for directing the gas: to and from the chamber, and connection means for connecting the gas inlet to a refrigeration or chemical system; a plurality of heat exchange conduits exposed in the chamber for directing heat exchange fluid therethrough and fluid inlet and outlet means communicating exteriorly of the vessel for directing the fluid to and from the conduits, respectively; and a solid adsorbent capable of alternately adsorbing and desorbing the gaseous refrigerant or chemical and positioned in thermal communication with each of the heat exchange conduits.

Abstract: A system for storing chemical energy comprises first and second vessels, the first containing a liquid solution of an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, halide, or thiocyanate, or ammonium halide or thiocynate at an initial concentration of between about 30% to abotu 80%, by weight, the second vessel containing liquid, a space about the liquid in each vessel and a conduit communicating between the spaces having a valve for selectively allowing liquid vapor to pass between the spaces, means for heating the solution to a temperature above about 80.degree. F., means for cooling the liquid to a temperature below about 55.degree. F., and heat exchange means for transferring heat from the heated solution and for transferring heat to the cooled liquid. Water is the preferred liquid although ammonia, lower alcohols, and polyols such as glycerol, glycols, polyglycols, glycol ethers, lower aliphatic amines and alkanol amines, and mixtures thereof, may be used.