Abstract: A heat pump using zeolite as an adsorbent wherein thermal energy from adsorbent zeolite in one hermetically sealed space is used to heat desorbing zeolite located in another hermetically sealed space, such heat being conveyed by heat exchanger conduits containing a heat transfer fluid which, before heating the desorbed zeolite, has its temperature increased to within a range of about 200.degree. F. (93.degree. C.) to 400.degree. F. (205.degree. C.) by a gas flame or other heat source, the adsorption and desorption phases being changed between the zeolites in each cycle by reversing the fluid flow in the conduits. Cooling and heating for a building or other purposes are provided through the condenser and evaporator respectively for the working gas (water) which is desorbed and adsorbed into the zeolites.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning air in deep, underground mines. The apparatus includes an air passageway connecting an air inlet for ambient air and an air outlet for conveying dried air to the mine's working level. The air passageway provides for dehumidification of the air by passing it through activated adsorbent particles, preferably zeolite, and for reactivating the particles by reverse heating cycles, or revolving the adsorbent beds through separate air flows, one for dehumidification of the air, and the other for regeneration of the adsorbent particles. The dehumidification unit contained within the air passageway is sufficiently efficient to reduce the moisture content of the air to less than 0.001 kilograms of water per kilogram of air. A humidifier at the mines's working level receives the dried air at an increased pressure and temperature due to the mine's depth, and by evaporative cooling reduces the air temperature so that it is cooled to 25.degree. C. dry bulb/20.degree. C.

Abstract: The use of molecular sieve zeolite for the effective utilization of low-grade heat sources such as solar energy. A system includes molecular sieve zeolite and a low pressure polar gaseous fluid adapted to be adsorbed by the zeolite which is in a closed container and circuit which includes a condenser and a gas expansion cooler member. When the container is heated, a gas is given off from the zeolite, cooled in a condenser, and thereafter expanded for cooling purposes. In one embodiment, the cooled gas is received in a further container having the zeolite therein and subsequently, upon cooling of the first container, the gaseous fluid may be returned thereto via again a condenser and gas expansion cooler member to provide further cooling. In another embodiment, zeolite is formed by sintering same to form a pressure resistant divider across the container.

Abstract: A magnetic mateial which includes an impurity metal of relatively large atomic diameter such as zinc, titanium, zirconium, yttrium, or cadmium introduced uniformly therein in amount sufficient to distort its crystaline structure to alter its anisotrophy so that the permeability of the substance remains substantially constant with changes in temperature up to the permeability transition temperature and; there being also introduced uniformly therein further metallic atoms which achieve a desired transition temperature within an accuracy of at least 0.1.degree. C. such material being utilized in an apparatus adapted to be interrogated to disclose whether its temperature is above or below the transition temperature within at least 0.1.degree. C., the signal propagating properties of the material altering drastically at such temperature, the material having an output which is inherently digital and directly compatible with digital information processing and control without A/D conversion.

Abstract: A heat pump using zeolite as an adsorbent wherein thermal energy from adsorbing zeolite in a one hermetically sealed space is used to heat desorbing zeolite located in another hermetically sealed space, such heat being conveyed by heat exchanger conduits containing a fluid which, before heating the desorbing zeolite, has its temperature increased to about 400.degree. F. by a gas flame, the adsorption and desorption phases being changed between the zeolites in each cycle by reversing the fluid flow in the conduits. Cooling and heating for a building or other purposes are provided through the condenser and evaporator respectively for the working gas (water) which is desorbed and adsorbed into the zeolites. A propagating temperature front is established through the fluid-to-zeolite heat exchanger conduits to provide utilization of as much as ninety percent of thermal energy available during the desorption/adsorption phases.

Abstract: Molecular seive zeolite to obtain useful energy from low-grade heat sources such as solar energy. Molecular sieve zeolite and a low pressure polar gaseous fluid adapted to be adsorbed by zeolite in a closed container are in a circuit which includes gas condensing and expansion apparatus. In one embodiment, cooled gas is received in another zeolite filled container, upon cooling of the first container, is returned via condensing and expansion apparatus providing more cooling. In another embodiment, sintered zeolite forms a divider across a container; heating one side creates a temperature gradient across the divider which functions as a pump for adsorbed gas and a pressure as well as temperature differential develops across the divider whereupon the heated relatively pressurized gas, after giving up energy in a circuit which may include condensing and expansion apparatus, is returned to the container and again passed through the divider.

Abstract: A solar collector having a copper panel in a contiguous space relationship with a condenser-evaporator heat exchanger located under the panel, the panel having a honeycomb-like structure on its interior defining individual cells which are filled with zeolite loaded, in its adsorbed condition, with 18 to 20% by weight of water. The interior of the panel and heat exchanger are maintained at subatmospheric pressure of about 0.1 to 1 psia. The panel and heat exchanger are insulated on their lateral sides and bottoms and on the top of the heat exchange. The panel has a black coating on its top which is exposed to and absorbs solar energy. Surrounding the insulation (which supports the panel) is an extruded aluminum framework which supports a pair of spaced-apart glass panels above the solar panel. Water in conduits from a system for heating or cooling or both is connected to flow into an inlet and discharge from outlet of a finned coil received within the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A process of making a spinel ferrite having a desired transition temperature accurate to at least 0.1.degree. C. for use in an apparatus which discloses whether or not the ferrite is above or below such temperature, the ferrite's formula beingR.sub.(1-x+b) T.sub.(x+a) Fe.sub.2 O.sub.4 ;"R" being an element selected from the iron group, atomic numbers 22-30, the palladium group, atomic numbers 40-48, the platinum group, atomic numbers 72-80 and Li, "T" being a non-magnetic metal of relatively larger atomic diameter selected from the group of zinc, yttrium, cadmium, titanium, zirconium and a different "R" element. In the first step, "x" is selected to provide a material having a transition temperature within 2.degree. C. of that desired. Next sufficient "a" (between 0.05 and 0.2) is added so the resulting ferrite's permeability remains constant with changes in temperature up to its transition temperature. Third, by liquid diffusion sufficient "b" (between 10.sup.-1 and 10.sup.

Abstract: A magnetic material which includes an impurity metal of relatively large atomic diameter such as zinc, titanium, zirconium, yttrium, or cadmium introduced uniformly therein in amount sufficient to distort its crystalline structure to alter its anisotrophy so that the permeability of the substance remains substantially constant with changes in temperature up to the permeability transition temperature and; there being also introduced uniformly therein further metallic atoms which achieve a desired transition temperature within an accuracy of at least 0.1.degree. C. such material being utilized in an apparatus adapted to be interrogated to disclose whether its temperature is above or below the transition temperature within at least 0.1.degree. C., the signal propagating properties of the material altering drastically at such temperature, the material having an output which is inherently digital and directly compatible with digital information processing and control without A/D conversion.

Abstract: A system for the effective utilization of low-grade heat sources such as solar energy, with a system including a molecular sieve material such as zeolite and a gaseous fluid adapted to be absorbed by the material which is in a closed container and circuit which includes a condenser and a gas expansion cooler member. When the container is heated, a gas is given off from the molecular sieve material, cooled in a condenser, and thereafter expanded for cooling purposes. In one embodiment, the cooled gas is received in a further container having absorbent material and subsequently, upon cooling of the first container, the gaseous fluid may be returned thereto via again a condenser and gas expansion cooler member to provide further cooling. In another embodiment, the molecular sieve material is formed by sintering same to form a pressure resistanr divider across the container.

Abstract: A system for the effective utilization of low-grade heat sources such as solar energy, with a system including a molecular sieve material such as zeolite and a gaseous fluid adapted to be absorbed by the material which is in a closed container and circuit which includes a condenser and a gas expansion cooler member. When the container is heated, a gas is given off from the molecular sieve material, cooled in a condenser, and thereafter expaned for cooling purposes. In one embodiment, the cooled gas is received in a further container having absorbent material and subsequently, upon cooling of the first container, the gaseous fluid may be returned thereto via again a condenser and gas expansion cooler member to provide further cooling. In another embodiment, the molecular sieve material is formed by sintering same to form a pressure resistant divider across the container.