Abstract: An improved evaporator section for a dual manifold heat pipe. Both the upper and lower manifolds can have surfaces exposed to the heat source which evaporate the working fluid. The tubes in the tube bank between the manifolds have openings in their lower extensions into the lower manifold to provide for the transport of evaporated working fluid from the lower manifold into the tubes and from there on into the upper manifold and on to the condenser portion of the heat pipe. A wick structure lining the inner walls of the evaporator tubes extends into both the upper and lower manifolds. At least some of the tubes also have overflow tubes contained within them to carry condensed working fluid from the upper manifold to pass to the lower without spilling down the inside walls of the tubes.

Abstract: A regenerative preheater includes a heat accumulator and a catalyst through which a raw gas containing a harmful component can flow and through which a clean gas can flow in alternation. A first admission point for a gaseous reagent is disposed upstream of the catalyst in a flow path of the raw gas. A second admission point for the gaseous reagent is disposed upstream of the catalyst in a flow path of the clean gas. A method for operating a regenerative preheater includes passing a raw gas containing a harmful component and passing a clean gas through a heat accumulator and a catalyst in alternation. A a reagent for a catalytic reaction is introduced into both a flow path of the raw gas and a flow path of the clean gas.

Abstract: A method of heating or cooling particulate material by indirect heat exchange of the particles with a heat exchange fluid in a heat exchanger is improved by the use of a gas vent that operates to pump catalyst into and out of a heat exchanger through a single opening. The build-up of a fluidizing medium in a particle cycling zone cycles catalyst into and out of a heat exchanger by opening and closing the single vent line. The method and apparatus of this invention are particularly useful for the cooling of FCC catalyst and simplifies the addition of a cooler by allowing the use of small size catalyst transfer lines. In addition, the method allows the catalyst cooler to be located a greater distance away from the FCC unit than possible in previous catalyst cooler designs.

Abstract: Heat is removed from a spacecraft under zero gravity and under various accelerations, by a heat exchange contact between a cooling liquid or coolant and an evaporant or medium to be evaporated. The coolant flowing in at least one liquid cooling circulation circuit and the evaporant which is discharged in its vapor phase, are brought into heat exchange contact with each other in processing chambers forming at least two separate heat exchange stages, wherein different pressure and temperature conditions are set. The cooling liquid or coolant and the medium to be evaporated evaporant flow through these stages in sequence and in such a way that the coolant first flows through the stage with the highest pressure and the highest temperature, and then flows through the stages with successively lower pressure and/or temperature.

Abstract: A condenser comprises a plurality of tubes arranged between a pair of header pipes, and a plurality of fins divided into a first group and a second group, the first group being arranged between the plurality of tubes, and two plates arranged between the pair of header pipes at lower end portions thereof for holding the second group.

Abstract: The present invention is a closed-loop cooling system in combination with a thermoelectric heat exchanger whereby heat exchange liquid provides quick and efficient heat exchange with a thermoelectric device and is heated or cooled by passing the heat exchange liquid through an air core heat exchanger by energy efficient pump means. In a cooling system, heated water from the heat exchanger is pumped through an air core heat exchanger and then recirculated through a labyrinthine cooling block in thermal communication with the thermoelectric device. The labyrinth within the cooling block is of low back pressure to minimize the amount of energy required to pump the liquid. The liquid-driven rapid heat exchange and the pumping assures circulation and the closed system assures that the liquid is not wasted or lost. The process is carried out without phase change.

Abstract: A reusable cooling and insulating device for bottles and the like is provided in the form of a jacket having a single or plurality of flexible compartments which are interconnected having an inner chamber and an outer chamber therein. A heating and cooling temperature conditionable liquid is housed in the inner chamber which enables the inner diameter of the jacket formed by the inner chamber to confirm with the surface of the object on the which the jacket is positioned for heating or cooling. A flexible insulator of air or air and flexible plastic is positioned in the outer chamber of each compartment for directing a greater temperature transfer from liquid to the object and less heat exchange from the liquid to the environment. The liquid is continuously in direct contact with and pressed upon the bottle or object which contact determines the cooling/heating. The jacket is recharged in a freezer or heated in a microwave depending on the function to be performed.

Abstract: A temperature regulation system for the human body is provided which uses heat pipes to distribute energy to and from portions of a body to provide heating or cooling by redistributing body heat. The heat pipes are incorporated into a garment, a blanket and a pad which may be used for medical treatment or activities or for activities in environments having extreme temperatures. Supplemental means for heating and cooling are included to improve heating or cooling to a body, and to provide heating or cooling to limited areas of a body.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for flushing and draining the cooling system of a vehicle employs a drain pipe. The drain pipe connects to the bottom of the radiator, the bottom of the engine block or the lower radiator hose and has a bend of 180.degree. above both the inlet and outlet of the drain pipe. The outlet of the drain pipe is below the inlet for the drain pipe.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in high speed aircraft propulsion engines provides a plurality of heat pipes wherein the evaporator sections of the heat pipes are disposed in a hot fluid flow conduit and the condenser sections are disposed in a cold fluid flow conduit and the flow conduits are separated by a vented cavity and thin heat transfer fins are disposed around the condenser sections. Another embodiment provides a reactor using the heat exchanger and having a metalized, preferably with platinum, carbon fiber supported catalyst in the form of batting woven between the condenser sections of the heat pipes. The batting has platinum in the form of particles or more preferably in the form of small crystallites, typically about 1 to 5 nanometers in size.

Abstract: The MTS radiator consists of planar arrays of micro-tube strip modules, each of which contain two or three rows of about 200 properly spaced microtubes per row. The three-dimensional tubular titanium structure with support members between microtubes maximizes stiffness and strength per mass. The working fluid--typically hydrogen at 0.1 to 1 MPa--circulates through the microtubes, and most of the radiation occurs from their walls, which are only 0.2 to 0.4 mm thick. This allows specific mass below 1 kg/m.sup.2. The operating temperature range is typically 200-650 K. The radiator's radiating surface comprises a heavily oxidized, metal alloy with a corrosion resistant, refractory alloy film deposited on it.

Abstract: The invention is a cooling structure for a high power density surface. Liquid is pumped along interconnected and continuous multiple channels on the backside of a sintered metal wick bonded to the cooled surface. The channels are located within a liquid delivery layer which also includes multiple liquid outlet holes, so that each outlet hole is surrounded by interconnected channels. The outlet holes are connected to a manifold to collect the pumped liquid. The input channels which surround each outlet hole are fed from manifolds at the edges of the panels, and the proximity of input channels to the outlet holes assures that liquid flow resistance within the sintered metal wick is minimized by the multiple short, wide paths.

Abstract: A heat transfer device in the form of a bandanna-like neckband has a main body of flexible fabric material and a pocket lengthwise centrally located for receiving an elongated heat transfer element in the form of a multi-cellular reusable coolant pouch therein. The lengths of the main body and pocket are chosen to place the heat transfer element about the back and sides of the neck, while leaving the main body unobstructed at free ends to permit loose tying to join the ends in front of the neck. The widths of the main body and pocket are chosen to enable single or multiple layers of fabric material to be optionally interposed between the heat transfer element and the neck.

Abstract: A portable personal cooling apparatus comprising: an exterior surface of fibrous material having a fluid holding capacity sufficient to allow continuous evaporation of a fluid; an interior surface of waterproof material adapted to avoid wetting of the object to be cooled from the fluid on the exterior surface; a fluid container on one of said surfaces for distributing the fluid to the fibrous material; a fluid collector on one of said surfaces for collecting the accumulated unevaporated fluid; at least one fluid return line for moving fluid in the fluid collector to the fluid container; and at least one of said return lines further including means for preventing fluid from flowing back from the fluid container to the fluid collector.

Abstract: A computer cooling system provides a more efficient means of cooling, resulting in lower average temperatures and better reliability for the system. It comprises of a rotating baffle or set of baffles, and a formed enclosure. The enclosure accepts cooling fluid in a direction that is parallel to one of its walls. The enclosure is such that a recirculating airflow pattern is set up in its cavity. As the baffle rotates the direction of fluid flow reverses itself in the cavity of the enclosure. The turbulence created by such a system greatly enhances the rate of heat transfer on the components within the enclosure. The exact dimensions of the baffle, and frequency with which it oscillates will depend on the specific system.

Abstract: A miniature heat exchanger. A small housing provides a heat exchanger surface, contains a spray shower head. A cooling fluid enters through a base plate and is sprayed through holes in the shower head on to the underside of the cooling surface. The heated coolant exists through exit holes in the nozzle and out a coolant outlet in the base plate. The device may also be used as a heater to provide temperature control to localized areas or large surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a slurry comprising a first section having a dome or cone shape and a plurality of passageways, and a second flat section located below the first section and having a plurality of passageways. The apparatus is useful in distributing a slurry of ice and liquid to a freezing section of an ice crystallizer.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a container filled with a quantity of coolant fluid initially cooled to a solid phase, a cooling loop disposed between a heat load and the container. A pump for circulating a quantity of the same type of coolant fluid in a liquid phase through the cooling loop, a pair of couplings for communicating the liquid phase coolant fluid into the container in a direct interface with the solid phase coolant fluid.

Abstract: A heat transport system is disclosed which comprises an evaporator, a condenser, an accumulator, switching means and connecting pipe therethrough. The switching means changes the operation mode from the first mode to the second mode alternatively. In the first mode, cooled liquid flows into the accumulator. In the second mode, the capillary pressure occurring in the evaporator leads the liquid in the accumulator to the evaporator. By switching the first mode and the second mode alternatively, the heat is transported from the evaporator to the condenser. Because of the operation of the capillary pressure, the heat transport system of the present invention can work even in gravity-free environments.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly which comprises spaced tubular header and tank constructions between which a plurality of tubular elements whose open ends are inserted in slots in the header surface or tube member receiving portions. The header surface or tube member receiving portion has a plurality of center elements. The apexes of each center portion between the tubular element slots have a flattened area and there are side portions running downward from the center portion apex flats which also are substantially flattened.