Abstract: A biocalorimeter and waste management system is provided for making metabolic heat release measurements of animals or humans in a calorimeter (enclosure) using ambient air as a low velocity source of ventilating air through the enclosure. A shroud forces ventilating air to pass over the enclosure from an end open to ambient air at the end of the enclosure opposite its ventilating air inlet end and closed around the inlet end of the enclosure in order to obviate the need for regulating ambient air temperature. Psychrometers for measuring dry- and wet-bulb temperature of ventilating air make it possible to account for the sensible and latent heat additions to the ventilating air. A waste removal system momentarily recirculates high velocity air in a closed circuit through the calorimeter wherein a sudden rise in moisture is detected in the ventilating air from the outlet.

Abstract: Gamma radiation leaving the surface of a radioactive materials storage vessel is measured and monitored using a plurality of gamma ray absorbing calorimeters. The gamma ray energy absorbed is converted into heat and such heat is measured or indicated for the purpose of monitoring expected radioactive decay processes of the stored radioactive materials. Material leakage or removal from storage is detected and defined by deviations from the normal expected decay in gamma radiation. Such deviation or lack of deviation, as the case may be, provide the desired accountability of the radioactive materials. Since there can be several bands of gamma ray radiation, both flux and its energy level may be determined by using different gamma absorbing materials in the calorimeters selected for the known possible energy levels of the decaying radioactive material.

Abstract: Ice formation on an aircraft surface swept of an air flow is detected by using an electrical heater which produces a small limited amount of heat to, on the one hand a heat flow meter and, on the other hand to a heat sink. When there is no ice on the transducer it produces a large output signal but when ice forms on the transducer the ice, due to its high resistance to heat flow, causes a change in balance between the two heat flows and a change in output of the heat flow measuring transducer.

Abstract: Afterheat being released from a radioactive storage system is measured and monitored. Changes in heat release with respect to time is related to expected radioactive decay processes of the confined radioactive materials. Material leakage from storage is detected and defined by deviations from the normal expected heat release-time function being monitored. Such deviations or lack of deviations, as the case may be, provide the desired accountability of the radioactive materials.

Abstract: In a heat pump system wherein an evaporator is located outdoors with a stream of air being blown through spaced fins of the evaporator and frost is formed on the fins thereby impairing the efficiency of the heat exchanger, heat flow sensing means is positioned on one or more of such fins and in heat conducting relation to such fins for the purpose of controlling defrost means such that when frost is formed the heat flow sensing means causes defrosting.

Abstract: A mixture of two materials flows through a first measuring station which includes a Venturi meter for obtaining and measuring a pressure difference .DELTA.p that is representative of mass flow rate of the mixture and velocity. The mixture then flows through a second measuring station which includes a temperature differential flowmeter in which a predetermined amount of heat is supplied to heat the flowing mixture and raise its temperature to obtain and measure a corresponding change in temperature that is related to the mean density of the mixture and also the square of the mass flow rate. These values .DELTA.p and .DELTA.t are inputs to computer means which functions to solve a third order polynominal or cubic equation and express that solution in terms of the mixture ratio and flow rates of the individual components and the flow rate of the mixture itself.

Abstract: The quality of heat insulation materials is tested and/or compared in a portable structure in which two heat insulation materials are subjected simultaneously to heat flow from a single common metal-clad heating element and the quantity of heat flow through said material is measured and compared. In one case the portable structure has two conveniently accessible cavities within which equal amounts of such insulation, in flat form, may be placed in contact with corresponding opposite sides of a single common metal-clad planar heat source. In a modification of the invention two tubular insulating materials each of the form and type for insulating pipe, is placed around a metal-clad round heating element and the amount of heat flowing from the heating element and through a corresponding one of said materials is measured and compared using individual thermopiles secured to the outer surface of each material.