Abstract: A heat pump system and method utilizes heat of mixing, in addition to the latent heat of solution, to increase cooling ability and thermal performance. The system includes a unique two-phase compressor for compressing a two-component mixture of liquid absorbent-refrigerant solution and superheated vapor to a high pressure. A generator extracts heat from the volume to be cooled by desorption and evaporation of the refrigerant from the high concentration solution in fluid connection with the inlet of the compressor. An absorber releases heat to surroundings by absorbing and condensing refrigerant vapor back into the liquid solution. A throttle valve controls the flow and reduces the pressure of the working fluid is in fluid connection with the absorber and the generator.

Abstract: A flameless heater system has at least one tray which is configured to hold a water-actuatable heater pad to produce an exothermic heating reaction for one or more pouches containing food or a beverage and a water supply apparatus associated with the tray. This water supply apparatus is in the form of a trough sized to receive an amount of water sufficient to produce, when applied to the heater pad, adequate to heat contents of the at least one meal pouch and arranged so as to produce the reaction by a slight tilting of the tray without spilling water. The tray is provided with device to securely retain the pouch or pouches and a bottom portion with a raised land portion to receive a complementary lip portion of the heater pad. The water supply apparatus can also be arranged at a side of the tray with a first portion configured to receive a filling tube and a second portion associated with the first portion for metering water into the bottom of the tray.

Abstract: A rotary compressor, such as a sliding vane compressor, comprises a housing having a bore, a rotor assembly operatively arranged to rotate within the bore, vanes operatively arranged at the rotor assembly to move linearly relative to the rotor assembly and to form, together with the housing and rotor assembly, variable chambers, and a valve assembly arranged in the housing. The bore has a configuration divided into a expansion region of elliptical shape, a circular transition region, a polynomial-shaped compression region and a circular sealing region. The lubricant seal is composed of an oil injection port and oil grooves for trapping and transporting the oil. The valve assembly is provided in a recess portion of the housing and is configured as a thin blade covering each discharge port which has been relieved to minimize undesirably large difference of the pressure forces between the two sides of the blade. Oil grooves are provided in the rotor assembly and in end cap assemblies.

Abstract: A micro-climate heating/cooling method and apparatus for vests and the like operates with reaction of working fluid, such as water, with an adsorbent material. A lightweight pump is the only moving component needed to provide the desired heating and cooling requirements.

Abstract: A spacecraft-grade N.sub.2 O.sub.4 product is produced by a method and apparatus which utilize catalytic oxidation of ammonia in a gas phase. The apparatus consists of an ammonia gas supply, an air supply, an air preheater, a catalyst screen converter, one or more condensers, an oxygen supply, a desiccant such as molecular sieves or silica gel, and a cooler/collector. The method includes combusting gaseous ammonia via the catalyst screen in the converter to produce nitric oxide and water. The nitric oxide is subsequently oxidized to form nitrogen dioxide after substantially all of the water produced in the converter has been separated. The nitrogen dioxide is then passed through the molecular sieves and/or silica gel to remove most of any remaining water and iron, and the purified nitrogen dioxide is frozen in the collector to allow the collection of nitrogen tetroxide.

Abstract: A wrapper which has a phase-change material therein is wrapped around the outer circumference of a tank used to store saturated condensed used refrigerant evacuated from a refrigeration system. The phase-change material acts as a heat exchange medium by changing between solid and liquid phases at its melting/freezing temperature selected from a particular temperature range and thus served to provide a large thermal driving force so as to cool the tank. The selected material is normally one that can be brought into its solid phase merely by contact with ice and/or remain in its solid phase for long periods without itself being refrigerated.

Abstract: A thermal storage heat pipe apparatus and method uses an adsorption chamber connected with the condenser section of a heat pipe via a valve which opens in response to selected changes in temperature and pressure in the heat pipe. The apparatus and method provides adequate heat pipe operation, in addition to normal operation, during frozen startup, when there is no condenser heat rejection and when the evaporator cooling requirements exceed the condenser heat rejection capacity. In addition, the apparatus and method permit recharging and avoids frozen heat pipes where, for example, water is used as the working fluid.

Abstract: A vapor compression heat pump system and method employs thermal storage for adsorption of excess refrigerant under peak thermal load conditions, particularly for spacecraft use. The system can utilize a single compressor and optionally the adsorption bed in a radiator or dual compressors in which one compressor can always handle the base load and the other compressor is used for peak loads and for desorbing and cooling the adsorption bed.

Abstract: A water-activated, exothermic-chemical heater for packaging in a plastic heating bag is produced by methods which allow the heater material to be loosely placed in the heater while retaining the heating material uniformly distributed over the heater by cup-shaped or through cavities in a rigid member covered by a porous, wettable material on at least one side. Alternatively, the heater material is loosed placed in small bags made in a flexible porous material, with the necessary system rigidity provided by a cardboard or polymeric outer cover on one or both sides of the flexible porous material. Food-grade acid anhydride or free acid can be incorporated into the heater material to maintain proper pH. Flammability control can be achieved by blending a known fire retardant into the heater pad materials.

Abstract: A micro-climate cooling vest of lightweight material of double wall construction, the body-proximate portion of which is comfortable and compatible with the clothing or skin of the wearer contains an internal liner portion comprised of a sealable insulative pocket that contains a heat transfer material that changes phase from solid to liquid within a practical range (e.g. 60.degree.-90.degree. F.) of desired body temperature cooling action, and operates to draw body heat away from the wearer in the course of its phase change form solid to liquid state. To augment the cooling action of the vest, an additional layer of ice may be used in conjunction with the primary phase change material, with the primary phase change material acting as a thermal diode.