Abstract: An air flow conduit (98) and a related plenum (80) for distributing conditioned air from a refrigeration and heating unit (64) on an end (44) of a railroad freight car (20) into a cargo space (53) within the car (20). A deflector directs a flow of air upward into an inlet end of the plenum (80) and allows the flow to expand gradually within the plenum, smoothing the flow of air within the plenum so that it continues effectively at sufficient rates over the length of the car (20).

Abstract: Microchannel or fractal plate desorption retains the advantage of high-flux, thin-film desorption without using membranes and allows for lightweight, compact desorbers for either LiBr and water or ammonia and water. Working embodiments of the process comprise providing a droplet desorber, feeding a multicomponent fluid mixture comprising at least a first fluid and a second fluid to the desorber, and performing a desorption process on the mixture using the desorber. The primary fluid mixtures used were ammonia and water, and aqueous lithium bromide. Various working embodiments of desorbers are disclosed, including several desorbers comprising plural, substantially straight, substantially parallel microchannels in an array, and a fractal plate desorber, such as a bifurcating fractal plate.

Abstract: Thermal management devices and methods include branching networks comprising flow channels of varying cross-sectional area. The branching networks can be fractal-like in nature with an increase in the total flow area following a flow channel bifurcation. In representative embodiments, the branching networks are defined in a channel pattern that is laminated between cover plates to form a thermal management device. The channel pattern includes bridging portions so that the branching network is defined with a single pattern piece. The branching networks can exhibit radial symmetry or be aligned with respect to one or more axes. Heat exchangers and diffusive mixers that include such networks are also provided.

Abstract: Thermal management devices and methods include branching networks comprising flow channels of varying cross-sectional area. The branching networks can be fractal-like in nature with an increase in the total flow area following a flow channel bifurcation. In representative embodiments, the branching networks are defined in a channel pattern that is laminated between cover plates to form a thermal management device. The channel pattern includes bridging portions so that the branching network is defined with a single pattern piece. The branching networks can exhibit radial symmetry or be aligned with respect to one or more axes. Heat exchangers and diffusive mixers that include such networks are also provided.