Abstract: A method for making a device for coiling an elongated flexible object into a predefined shape includes the steps of winding a length of wire around an elongated first mandrel having a diameter approximately the same as a diameter of the object, winding the first mandrel, with the wire wound thereon, around a second mandrel which is configured to conform to the predefined shape, and heating the first and second mandrels to set the windings.

Abstract: A method for making a device for coiling an elongated flexible object into a predefined shape includes the steps of winding a length of wire around an elongated first mandrel having a diameter approximately the same as a diameter of the object, winding the first mandrel, with the wire wound thereon, around a second mandrel which is configured to conform to the predefined shape, and heating the first and second mandrels to set the windings.

Abstract: A device for coiling an elongated flexible object into a predefined shape includes a length of wire which is formed with a minor winding and a major winding, the minor winding having an axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the object and being configured to conform to the cross section of the object, and the major winding being configured to conform to the predefined shape. In use of the device, the minor winding secures the device to the object and the major winding coils the object into the predefined shape.

Abstract: A device for coiling an elongated flexible object into a predefined shape includes a length of wire which is formed with a minor winding and a major winding, the minor winding having an axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the object and being configured to conform to the cross section of the object, and the major winding being configured to conform to the predefined shape. In use of the device, the minor winding secures the device to the object and the major winding coils the object into the predefined shape.

Abstract: An air mover, such as a cooling fan, comprises a motor and an impeller which is driven by the motor to generate a flow of air through a flowpath. The motor comprises at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, each of which is in fluid communication with the flowpath. In operation of the air mover, a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet openings causes a portion of the flow of air to flow into the inlet opening, through the motor and out the outlet opening to thereby cool the motor.

Abstract: An air mover, such as a cooling fan, comprises a motor and an impeller which is driven by the motor to generate a flow of air through a flowpath. The motor comprises at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, each of which is in fluid communication with the flowpath. In operation of the air mover, a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet openings causes a portion of the flow of air to flow into the inlet opening, through the motor and out the outlet opening to thereby cool the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a first gas from a mixture of the first gas and at least one second gas comprises a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port and an adsorbent which is positioned in the housing. The adsorbent comprising a carbon based foam monolith that has an affinity for the first gas. Thus, as the gas mixture flows through the housing, the first gas will be adsorbed onto the adsorbent and the second gas will exit the housing through the outlet port. In this manner, the first gas is separated from the second gas.

Abstract: An electro-desorption actuator comprises a fixed member, a movable member which is coupled to the fixed member, a pressure chamber which is disposed between the fixed member and the movable member, and a sorption compression system which is in communication with the pressure chamber. The sorption compression system comprises first and second electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, and a power supply which is connected to the conductors and which is selectively actuated to generate a current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction. The sorbate is communicated from the sorption compression system to the pressure chamber during the desorption reaction and from the pressure chamber back to the sorption compression system during the adsorption reaction.

Abstract: A sorber for an electro-desorption compressor comprises a first plate which includes a first outer surface and a first inner surface generally parallel to the first outer surface, a second plate which includes a second outer surface and a second inner surface generally parallel to the second outer surface, a device for securing the first plate to the second plate to thereby form an enclosure for a sorbent between the first and second inner surfaces, and at least one first support spar which is attached to the first outer surface and which is aligned in a first direction along the first plate. In this manner, the first support spar increases the resistance of the first plate to bending in the first direction.

Abstract: A system for cooling at least two electronic components comprises a plurality of graphitic foam products which are each thermally coupled to a corresponding component, a plurality of housings which are each mounted over a corresponding foam product and which each comprise an inlet and an outlet, a source of cooling fluid, and a conduit which is connected between the fluid source and each inlet. In operation, fluid is communicated from the fluid source to each housing through the conduit to thereby cool the components.

Abstract: A refrigerant management system provides for optimal compressor performance by providing a compressor motor designed to operate at peak efficiency under a first cooling load and at least one sensor for generating a signal that indicates the actual cooling load. A controller is provided that determines any difference between the first cooling load and the actual cooling load from the sensor signal data. The controller is coupled to a refrigerant storage device to either add or remove refrigerant to maintain the system at or near the first cooling load in accordance with the signal form the first sensor indicating the actual cooling load. Consequently, the present invention provides for automatic adjustment of the amount of refrigerant in a cooling loop system to maintain a predetermined cooling load that allows operate a compressor motor to operate at its peak efficiency.

Abstract: A sprocket for a drive chain comprises a circular hub, a number of drive teeth which extend radially outwardly from the hub, and a plurality of guide teeth which are located between the drive teeth. Each drive tooth has a first height which is sufficient to enable the drive tooth to engage a corresponding pin of the drive chain for the transmission of force therebetween, and each guide tooth has a second height which is smaller that the first height.

Abstract: A thermal storage device for maintaining the temperature of an article at a desired temperature for a length of time comprises a compartment within which the article may be positioned, an evaporator which is disposed in heat exchange relation with respect to the compartment, a receiver which is fluidly connected to the evaporator, a sorber which is fluidly connected between the evaporator and the receiver and which includes a sorbent that is capable of adsorbing a refrigerant, a desorbing device for desorbing the refrigerant from the sorbent, and a power connection device for releasably connecting an external power supply to the desorbing device. When the desorbing device is connected to the external power supply, the refrigerant is desorbed from the sorbent and communicated to the receiver.

Abstract: A system for cooling at least two electronic components comprises a plurality of graphitic foam products which are each thermally coupled to a corresponding component, a plurality of housings which are each mounted over a corresponding foam product and which each comprise an inlet and an outlet, a source of cooling fluid, and a conduit which is connected between the fluid source and each inlet. In operation, fluid is communicated from the fluid source to each housing through the conduit to thereby cool the components.

Abstract: A process for producing graphitic foam comprises mixing a first amount of an activated first carbon precursor with a second amount of a second carbon precursor, heating the mixture of the activated first and the second carbon precursors to a temperature sufficient to coalesce the mixture into a liquid, foaming the mixture, heating the foam under an inert atmosphere to a temperature and for a length of time sufficient to carbonize the foam, and heating the carbonized foam under an inert atmosphere to a temperature and for a length of time sufficient to graphitize the foam.

Abstract: A electro-desorption compression system according to the present invention comprises an enclosure which includes first and second spaced-apart electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned in the enclosure between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, a power supply which is connected to the first and second conductors and which generates an electrical current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction, a controller which selectively activates the power supply to initiate and terminate each desorption reaction, and a transducer which is connected to the controller and which generates a signal indicative of the end of each desorption reaction.

Abstract: A electro-desorption compression system according to the present invention comprises an enclosure which includes first and second spaced-apart electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned in the enclosure between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, a power supply which is connected to the first and second conductors and which generates an electrical current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction, a controller which selectively activates the power supply to initiate and terminate each desorption reaction, and a transducer which is connected to the controller and which generates a signal indicative of the end of each desorption reaction.

Abstract: A electro-desorption compression system according to the present invention comprises an enclosure which includes first and second spaced-apart electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned in the enclosure between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, a power supply which is connected to the first and second conductors and which generates an electrical current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction, and a pressure chamber which is connected to the enclosure and which receives the sorbate from the enclosure during the desorption reaction and releases the sorbate into the enclosure during the adsorption reaction.

Abstract: To cool heat-emitting electronic components, a compact, non-moving-parts compressor, an evaporator in juxtaposition to the electronic components and a condenser are mounted as a unit, preferably within a vacuum can. A heat exchanger is mounted external to the can but in proximity to the condenser. The foregoing comprise a unit which may be detachably connected to a host pump and heat exchanger. The unit may be removed from the system of which it is a part for upgrade and maintenance. All its components are thermally isolated from the ambient atmosphere to prevent water vapor condensation corrosion.

Abstract: A thermal storage device for maintaining the temperature of an article at a desired temperature for a length of time comprises a compartment within which the article may be positioned, an evaporator which is disposed in heat exchange relation with respect to the compartment, a receiver which is fluidly connected to the evaporator, a sorber which is fluidly connected between the evaporator and the receiver and which includes a sorbent that is capable of adsorbing a refrigerant, a desorbing device for desorbing the refrigerant from the sorbent, and a power connection device for releasably connecting an external power supply to the desorbing device. When the desorbing device is connected to the external power supply, the refrigerant is desorbed from the sorbent and communicated to the receiver.