Abstract: The invention relates to a self-heating, disposable liquid heating pack utilizing an exothermic chemical reaction. Moderation of the reaction is provided by the use of a gelling agent, which also gives structural rigidity to the heating pack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-heating, disposable heating pack utilizing an exothermic chemical reaction. Self-moderation of the heat pack is provided through the use of a preformed reversibly stiffenable gel that alters the rate of exothermic chemical reactions. A vaporizable solvent is used to adjust the gel stiffness. The heat pack can be used in heat transfer or ambient temperature conditions which differ from those anticipated as design conditions.

Abstract: A method of recovering fine lead-containing particles (battery paste) from expended lead-acid batteries in a form which can be used as battery paste in the manufacturing of new batteries without smelting is disclosed. A method of heating lead carbonate particles to about 315.degree. C. to convert them to lead monoxide particles for use in battery manufacturing is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained, rapid cooling device that retains heat produced from the cooling process and can be stored for indefinite periods without losing its cooling potential. A liquid in a first chamber undergoes a change of phase into vapor which cools the first chamber. A second chamber forms a vacuum insulation about a third chamber which contains a sorbent. The sorbent in the third chamber is in fluid communication with the vapor and removes the vapor from the first chamber. The device is self-contained because a material in contact with the sorbent removes the heat from the sorbent to prevent the reduction in the cooling effect produced by the first chamber. In addition, a vacuum insulation about the third chamber keeps the heated sorbent from diminishing that cooling effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained, rapid cooling device that retains heat produced from the cooling process and can be stored for indefinite periods without losing its cooling potential. A liquid in a first chamber undergoes a change of phase into vapor which cools the first chamber. A second chamber forms a vacuum insulation about a third chamber which contains a sorbent. The sorbent in the third chamber is in fluid communication with the vapor and removes the vapor from the first chamber. The device is self-contained because a material in contact with the sorbent removes the heat from the sorbent to prevent the reduction in the cooling effect produced by the first chamber. In addition, a vacuum insulation about the third chamber keeps the heated sorbent from diminishing that cooling effect.

Abstract: Control of the exothermic chemical reaction between an oxidizing agent and an associated fuel, particularly potassium permanganate and ethylene glycol, is produced by binding the oxidizing agent such that there is a controlled exposure of the oxidizing agent to the fuel, the controlled exposure of the oxidizing agent to the fuel corresponding to a predetermined rate of reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-staged desiccant refrigeration device which employs an evaporator combined with a multi-staged vapor desiccant/heat sink module which absorbs water vapor from the evaporator. A plurality of stage vapor desiccant/heat desiccant modules are incorporated in the device, the automatic staged opening and closing of the modules allowing for a continuous and more efficient refrigeration process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained, rapid cooling device that can be stored for indefinite periods without losing its cooling potential. A liquid in a first chamber undergoes a change of phase into vapor which cools the first chamber. A sorbent in a second chamber is in fluid communication with the vapor and removes the vapor from the first chamber. A heat sink material thermally coupled to the sorbent collects and irreversibly captures heat transferred from the vapor to the sorbent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for simultaneously heating and cooling adjacent food portions. A first module defining a first hollow chamber is formed into a substantially planar surface for supporting the food portion to be cooled. The first chamber contains a vaporizable substance in equilibrium with vapor. A second module defining a second hollow chamber is likwise formed into a substantially planar surface for supporting the food portion to be heated. The second chamber contains a sorbent and is evacuated. The chambers are fluidly interconnected by a conduit having a normally closed valve to prevent egress of vapor from the first chamber. In use, the valve is open, allowing vapor from the first chamber to flow into the evacuated second chamber. The resulting drop in pressure allows the vaporizable substance in the first chamber to change phase into vapor, thereby cooling the first chamber and its associated food portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained, rapid cooling device that can be stored for indefinite periods without losing its cooling potential. A liquid in a first chamber undergoes a change of phase into vapor which cools the first chamber. A sorbent in a second chamber is in fluid communication with the vapor and removes the vapor from the first chamber. A heat sink material thermally coupled to the sorbent collects and irreversibly captures heat transferred from the vapor to the sorbent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained, rapid cooling device that can be stored for indefinite periods without losing its cooling potential. A liquid in a first chamber undergoes a change of phase into vapor which cools the first chamber. A sorbent in a second chamber is in fluid communication with the vapor and removes the vapor from the first chamber. The cooling process is facilitated by providing the interior surface of the first chamber with a wicking material to retain the largest possible contact between the liquid and the first chamber as the level of the liquid lowers during the vaporization process. A phase separator and a porous space-filling wick prevent unvaporized liquid from passing into the second chamber.

Abstract: Ventilator hood systems for metabolic studies involving a study of the gases exhaled by a person uses suction to induce a flow of gases through a special hood construction which is loosely fitted over the head of the person when he is supported on his back and which serves to conduct a mixture of such exhaled gases and induced gases to suitable analyzing equipment without loss or eddying of the exhaled gases.

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: Heat is used to determine liquid level in a storage tank. An elongated heater that produces heat uniformly along its length is mounted vertically on the outside surface of the tank to extend substantially the full height of the tank. An elongated thermopile having a multiplicity of hot and cold junction pairs uniformly spaced along its length covers the heater so that heat from the heater travels in two different opposite directions, namely a first portion of the heat travels from the heater through the tank wall and into the tank; the other portion of the heat travels in the opposite direction from the heater through the thermopile and then into the ambient atmosphere. A meter indicates the amount of heat flow through the thermopile and its indication changes with change in level of the liquid in the tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained, rapid cooling device that retains heat produced from the cooling process and can be stored for indefinite periods without loosing its cooling potential. A liquid in a first chamber undergoes a change of phase into vapor, which cools the first chamber. A sorbent in a second chamber is in fluid communication with the vapor and removes the vapor from the first chamber. The cooling process is facilitated by lining the interior surface of the first chamber with a wicking material to retain the largest possible contact between the liquid and the first chamber as the level of the liquid lowers during the vaporization process. A phase separator prevents unvaporized liquid from passing into the second chamber. The device is self-contained because a material in contact with the sorbent removes the heat from the sorbent to prevent the reduction in the cooling effect produced by the first chamber.

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.