Abstract: The present invention relates to a fan cylinder bracing system for a cooling tower having a fan deck that extends along a longitudinal axis. The bracing system has a first ring having a first diameter wherein the first ring is located at a first position along the longitudinal axis. It also has a second ring having a second diameter wherein the second ring is located at a second position along the longitudinal axis. Finally, the cylinder bracing system has a first brace connected to the first ring and said second ring, wherein said first brace transfers loads from the first ring to the second ring.

Abstract: A heat pipe with a capillary structure that consists of heat conductive capillary grooves in the condenser region that meet with a porous wick in the evaporator section. The embodiments include several structures of the interface at the junction of the porous wick and the capillary grooves. One such interface is a simple butt joint. Others have interlocking shapes on the wick and the grooves such as parts of the wick that fit into or around the grooves.

Abstract: An evaporator for a loop heat pipe with high input heat transfer. The heat transfer is attained by constructing a heat pipe on the loop heat pipe evaporator heat input surface. The heat pipe then distributes the heat from limited input areas over the entire surface of the loop heat pipe evaporator, and that entire evaporator surface functions as the loop heat pipe heat input area as opposed to limited smaller areas into which the heat usually enters.

Abstract: Fuel reforming processes and systems are disclosed. The fuel reforming process includes providing a fuel reformer, the fuel reformer comprising a reaction zone configured for exothermic partial oxidation to generate reformates and a heat exchanger extending from the reaction zone, the heat exchanger configured to expel the reformates through a reformate path and receive fuel-rich reactants through a fuel path, generating the reformates by the exothermic partial oxidation of the fuel-rich reactants within the reaction zone, heating the fuel-rich reactants in reaction zone with the heat exchanger by heat from the reformates in the reformate path. The process is energetically self-sustained and operates without a catalyst. The fuel reforming system includes the fuel reformer with a spiral heat exchanger and a component capable of operation with the reformates and incompatible with combustion products, such as a fuel cell.

Abstract: An enclosure and method for housing electrical components. The enclosure includes walls provided about the electrical components, the walls having poor thermal conductivity. At least one thermal transport device extends through at least one respective wall. The at least one thermal transport device has a first portion which is positioned within the enclosure, a second portion which is positioned outside of the enclosure and a transition portion which connects the first portion to the second portion. The at least one thermal transport device has a high effective thermal conductivity and provides a high thermal conductivity path for heat energy to pass from within the enclosure to outside the enclosure.

Abstract: A cooling tower that concentrates solids is described, wherein the cooling tower employs a fill material and a set of louvers that are positioned adjacent to the fill material. The cooling tower also employs a buildup prevention system that is permanently affixed to the cooling tower. The build-up prevention system is positioned adjacent to the fill material and configured to reduce solid buildup on the fill material louvers in the set of louvers.

Abstract: A heat exchange fill apparatus for use with a cooling tower that employs a support frame assembly. The heat exchange fill apparatus has a media fill pack that includes a of fill pack media modules wherein a stake, prevents the modules from shifting with respect to one another. The modules are installed in a cooling tower of the like via a hanging fill support.

Abstract: The apparatus is a heat transferring clamp with a heat pipe connecting the clamp's stationary base part to each moveable clamping part. A connecting heat pipe section between the heat pipe sections in the base part and each clamping part is flexible enough to permit both the required clamping and unclamping movements of the clamping part. The heat pipes thereby provide a superior heat transfer path between a clamped circuit board or other device and an available heat sink.

Abstract: A heat exchange fill apparatus for use with a cooling tower that employs a support frame assembly. The heat exchange fill apparatus has a media fill pack that includes a fill pack media modules wherein a stake, prevents the modules from shifting with respect to one another. The modules are installed in a cooling tower of the like via a hanging fill support.

Abstract: An air cooled condenser (ACC) system is described having a first street having at least one air cooled condenser module and a second street having at least one air cooled condenser module. The system employs a steam inlet conduit provides steam to the first and second streets. The air cooled condenser system has a standard vacuum system for providing suction pressure to the first and second street. The air cooled condenser system also has an auxiliary vacuum system that provides suction pressure to the first and second streets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical draft cooling tower that employs air cooled condenser modules. The aforementioned cooling tower operates by mechanical draft and achieves the exchange of heat between two fluids such as atmospheric air, ordinarily, and another fluid which is usually steam. The aforementioned cooling tower utilizes a modular air cooled condenser concept wherein the air cooled condensers utilize heat exchange deltas and uniquely designed fluid flow dividers.

Abstract: A cost-effective cooling tower splash fill bar support assembly that includes a plurality of perforated substantially planar components supporting a plurality of splash fill bars extending therethrough in a manner that distributes stress over a relatively large area, typically by using a splash fill bar support. Also, a method of forming a cooling tower splash fill bar support assembly including a splash fill bar support assembly having substantially planar components and splash fill bar supports.

Abstract: A cooling tower system and/or fluid cooler that provides desired cooling performance, without the use of pressurized or gravity based nozzle spray systems.

Abstract: A fill assembly for evaporative cooling includes a plurality of splash bars, a grid to support the plurality of splash bars, and a pivot connection at an intersection between the grid and a splash bar of the plurality of splash bars. The fill assembly is configured to translate from an upright conformation to a compact conformation in response to the plurality of splash bars pivoting relative to the grid.

Abstract: A thermochemical process and system for producing fuel are provided. The thermochemical process includes reducing an oxygenated-hydrocarbon to form an alkane and using the alkane in a reforming reaction as a reducing agent for water, a reducing agent for carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. Another thermochemical process includes reducing a metal oxide to form a reduced metal oxide, reducing an oxygenated-hydrocarbon with the reduced metal oxide to form an alkane, and using the alkane in a reforming reaction as a reducing agent for water, a reducing agent for carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof. The system includes a reformer configured to perform a thermochemical process.

Abstract: A vapor chamber structure which locks the upper planar plate lid to the lower planar plate base without the need for brazing and prevents distortion of the surfaces from internal pressure in the chamber. The basic structure has parallel rows of latching structures on the interior surfaces of the upper planar plate lid and the lower planar plate base. Each row of latching structures has a cross section in the shape the letter “L” with the top of the “L” attached to the interior surface of the lid so that the horizontal sections of the “L”s face the lower planar base plate when the chamber is assembled.

Abstract: An enclosure and method for housing electrical components. The enclosure includes walls provided about the electrical components, the walls having poor thermal conductivity. At least one thermal transport device extends through at least one respective wall. The at least one thermal transport device has a first portion which is positioned within the enclosure, a second portion which is positioned outside of the enclosure and a transition portion which connects the first portion to the second portion. The at least one thermal transport device has a high effective thermal conductivity and provides a high thermal conductivity path for heat energy to pass from within the enclosure to outside the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical draft cooling tower that employs air cooled condenser modules. The aforementioned cooling tower operates by mechanical draft and achieves the exchange of heat between two fluids such as atmospheric air, ordinarily, and another fluid which is usually steam. The aforementioned cooling tower utilizes a modular air cooled condenser concept wherein the air cooled condensers utilize heat exchange deltas that use tube bundles that are manufactured and assembled prior to being shipped to the tower site.

Abstract: Fuel reforming processes and systems are disclosed. The fuel reforming process includes providing a fuel reformer, the fuel reformer comprising a reaction zone configured for exothermic partial oxidation to generate reformates and a heat exchanger extending from the reaction zone, the heat exchanger configured to expel the reformates through a reformate path and receive fuel-rich reactants through a fuel path, generating the reformates by the exothermic partial oxidation of the fuel-rich reactants within the reaction zone, heating the fuel-rich reactants in reaction zone with the heat exchanger by heat from the reformates in the reformate path. The process is energetically self-sustained and operates without a catalyst. The fuel reforming system includes the fuel reformer with a spiral heat exchanger and a component capable of operation with the reformates and incompatible with combustion products, such as a fuel cell.

Abstract: A system for increasing a cooling capacity of a cooling tower includes a shell extension and a tensioner. The shell extension is to extend a height of the cooling tower. The tensioner is to provide a tensioning force from the shell extension to a base of the cooling tower.