Abstract: A modular recuperator apparatus and method that is used to pre-condition air treatment in a HVAC and air processing systems. A modular recuperating system enhances the overall efficiency of modern HVAC systems by reducing the required relative treatment of air within the system by supplying pre-conditioned fresh air into the system.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the ambient and a refrigerant that may be in a liquid or vapor phase. The same includes a pair of spaced headers with one of the headers having a refrigerant inlet and the other of the headers having a refrigerant outlet. A heat exchanger tube extends between the headers and is in fluid communication with each of the headers. The tube defines a plurality of hydraulically parallel refrigerant flow paths between the headers and each of the refrigerant flow paths has a hydraulic diameter in the range of about 0.015 to about 0.07 inches.

Abstract: A convertible cooling module, especially for use in conjunction with a wide range of computer systems ranging from workstations to massively parallel processors is employable with both air and water cooling systems. In particular, a cooling module is convertible from a heat sink modality to an air cooling modality, and finally to a liquid cooling modality in response to either increased performance demands or an increase in the number of processors or circuit components employed. The conversion may be carried out in the field and provides a flexible and less costly upgradeability path for computer customers.

Abstract: A scrubber and heat recovery system for flue gas comprises a housing having a cooling section and a condensing section. An inlet is located near the cooling section and an outlet is located near the condensing section for the entry and exit of the flue gas. A cooling heat exchanger is located in the cooling section and a condensing heat exchanger is located in the condensing section for interactively contacting the flue gas. A perforated tray is located in the condensing section at the condensing heat exchanger for improving distribution of the gas and providing additional contact surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for regulating flow of working fluid through parallel condensation tubes requiring subcooling. The apparatus provides an elongated restriction element extending into the outlet of the respective condensation tubes to the approximate point of onset of subcooling. The elongated restriction element is braced externally to the condensation tube with a support that is used for positioning and maintaining the elongated restriction element in the correct position. The elongated restriction element has a pentagonal cross-section and is slightly undersize with respect to the working fluid passageways through the condensation tubes. The restriction member significantly restricts flow of partially vaporized working fluid but does not significantly affect the flow of fully liquid working fluid.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting hot spots in a rotary regenerative air preheater which compensates for normal variations in the temperature of the incoming hot gas stream or incoming cold air stream. Alarm conditions are based on calculations relating to the average and maximum outlet gas or outlet air over a period of time compared to the air and gas inlet temperature. The alarm is triggered if the maximum values deviate from the time averaged values more than a selected percentage.

Abstract: A thawing device for frozen foods comprise a flexible bag-shaped body and a thermal transfer fluid hermetically filled in the bag-shaped body, wherein the thermal transfer fluid comprising a mixture of fine particles of hard carbon or graphitic carbon and water. The thawing device has a flexibility, hence it can closely contact the frozen foods even if the frozen foods have complicated shapes. Furthermore, it is possible to enhance the thawing efficiently by double folding the thawing device to wrap the frozen foods. Still furthermore, the thawing device has an excellent wettability, hence it can closely contact the frozen foods.

Abstract: The present invention is an arrangement of seals for an air heater used to preheat the intake air of a combustion process. Flexible seals and torsion bars are utilized in order to allow the flexible seals to adjust angle and properly fill the void space to be sealed. Also, a combination of sealing elements are used on the circular seal of the present invention in order to create a tortuous path for gas flow through the seals. The present invention offers many advantages over seals found in the prior art including improved wearability and low maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a rotatable mass of structured packing for mass or heat transfer between two contacting fluids of different densities wherein the packing mass is made up of corrugated sheets of involute shape relative to the axis of the packing mass and form a logarithmic spiral curved counter to the direction of rotation.

Abstract: An air heater perimeter seal provides independent positive control of the leak path induced by relative radial and axial movements at the rotor perimeter. A seal member with a relatively wide seal face disposed in a plane perpendicular to the air heater axis allows the seal member to stay within the radial width of the corresponding seat during expansion and contraction of the rotor as it moves from the air side to the discharge gas side and back. In addition, the installation adjustability and the tolerance for radial error of the seal of the present invention makes it possible for out-of-round rotors and warped housings to be properly sealed. An axial slip joint between the seal member and the rotor allows the seal face to remain adjacent to the face of the sector place and to the seat face regardless of rotor droop. The axial slip joint also acts as a labyrinth seal to control leakage of gasses between the housing and rotor.

Abstract: A heat pipe has at least one liquid flow channel and one vapor flow channel for the movement of the heat carrier fluid from the evaporator end to the condenser end and vice versa. The liquid flow channel is so constructed that the capillary radius of its cross-sectional area increases from the evaporator end to the condenser end of the heat pipe, preferably in a continuous manner. Further, the evaporator end of the pipe is provided with a closure member for communicating the liquid flow channel with the vapor flow channel for replenishing the liquid in the evaporating end if necessary. Opening of the closure member also permits gas and/or vapor bubbles that have been collected in the liquid flow channel to pass into the vapor channel. The closure member may be operated by an electromagnetic valve.

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: A passive cooling system for cooling an enclosure only when the enclosure temperature exceeds a maximum standby temperature comprises a passive heat transfer loop containing heat transfer fluid having a particular thermodynamic critical point temperature just above the maximum standby temperature. An upper portion of the heat transfer loop is insulated to prevent two phase operation below the maximum standby temperature.

Abstract: An interlocking checker brick used to form a checkerwork for use in recovering heat in thermal regenerators and recuperators. The checker brick is made of a refractory material and comprises a rectangular top, a rectangular base, two side walls and two end walls. The end walls each have a generally trapezoidal shape and therefore each side wall has at least a section forming an acute angle with respect to the base. The preferred brick has spaced side walls each of which includes top and bottom sections adjacent to and perpendicular to top and bottom surfaces respectively. Each side wall also includes a central section flaring outwardly and downwardly from its top to its bottom section. Checkerworks utilizing these bricks are arranged to improve the amount of exposed brick surface that acts as a thermal surface and to increase turbulence while reducing laminar flow during alternating cycles of flowing gases and air. A method and apparatus for making the preferred brick is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat pipe structure, especially for cooling in a spacecraft, is equipped with a main heat pipe and at least one smaller diameter auxiliary heat pipe arranged so that the main and auxiliary pipes are in thermal contact with each other at the evaporator end of the main heat pipe. The condenser end of the auxiliary heat pipe, or pipes, is connected in a heat exchange manner with an auxiliary radiator or heat exchanger which is smaller than and thermally insulated from a main heat exchanger, the latter being in thermal contact with the condenser end of the main heat pipe. The auxiliary heat pipe, or pipes, super cools a bubble trap in the main heat pipe for removing of gas and/or vapor bubbles from the liquid flow path of the main heat pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for cooling a multi-chip module using embedded heat pipes. Semiconductor chips are disposed into the multi-chip module through cavities in the module substrate. The semiconductor chips engage heat pipes embedded within the substrate. The heat pipes conduct heat away from the semiconductor chips through a heat conductive bonding layer.

Abstract: The steam generator according to the invention consists of a main vessel 1 equipped with heating devices 12 controlled by control devices 13. The water level in the steam generator is kept at an average level 5 by control devices 13 which control a water inlet solenoid valve 10. Measurement of the average water level 5 is achieved by a pressure switch 20 that is exposed to the pressure inside a measuring vessel 18 that communicates with the main vessel 1 via a lower measuring opening 22. Balancing pipework 34 links the pressure switch 20 to the pressure of the steam produced in the steam generator. Pressure switch 20 generates measuring signals that are sent via conductors 17 to control devices 13 in order to actuate solenoid valve 10.

Abstract: A condensing plant (10) comprises a steam receiving inlet manifold (11) connected to one end of tube nests (14) externally grazed by air for therein achieving the at least partial steam condensation. At their opposite end the tubes (14) are gathered into at least one outlet manifold (15) for the condensed liquid. Each outlet manifold (15) is connected by a vertically-extending duct (17) to a vertical rain-fall element (19, 20) opening at the lower part thereof into a collection tank (21). The collection tank (21) is supplied with steam from the inlet manifold (11) so that said steam moves up along the vertical element (20) for heating of the liquid falling thereinto.

Abstract: A pentium CPU cooling device includes a radiating flange made of radiated structure and mounted on the CPU of the mainframe of a computer system by clamping plates for sending out heat from the CPU radially toward the top, an electric fan fastened to the radiating flange by screws and controlled to cause currents of air for carrying heat away from the radiating flange.

Abstract: Equipment support and thermal radiation panels for a spacecraft include a transverse header heat pipe and a set of a plurality of "spreader" heat pipes each including an elongated longitudinal portion and an "L" portion lying in thermal contact with the header heat pipe. The elongated longitudinal portions of the spreader heat pipes are spaced apart and mutually parallel. A further set of spreader heat pipes, similar to the first set, is provided. At least part of the elongated longitudinal portion of each further heat pipe is physically parallel, and in thermal contact, with a heat pipe of the first set, and the "L" portions of the further heat pipes are in thermal contact with a second header heat pipe. A make-break thermal joint juxtaposes a header heat pipe of each of two panels lying in different planes.