Abstract: An electrical heating device employs a metallic felt body through which fluid to be heated is passed. The felt may be of polycrystalline metal whiskers, or non-metal whiskers or filaments with metal coating applied. The body is heated by contact with an element that is heated electrically. The fluid flows through the body in a relatively long path compared with the distance through which heat has to be conducted through the body from the element. The body is conveniently a hollow cylinder, the fluid flow being parallel to the axis and the heat being applied from the inner and outer tubes between which the felt body is disposed.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating and subsequently metallizing a filament comprises:Passing the filament through the inner tube of a first chamber for decontamination which comprises two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube is heated and said annular space contains an inert gas such that said gas flows through said holes in heated jet streams which impinge upon said filament, thereby heating and decontaminating said filament;Passing said heated and decontaminated filament into a second chamber for metallization also comprising two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube of said second chamber is heated and said annular space of said second chamber contains a gaseous, thermally decomposable metal compound such that said gaseous metal compound flows through said holes in heated jet streams and impinges upon said heated

Abstract: A method for decontaminating and subsequently metallizing a filament comprises:Passing the filament through the inner tube of a first chamber for decontamination which comprises two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube is heated and said annular space contains an inert gas such that said gas flows through said holes in heated jet streams which impinge upon said filament, thereby heating and decontaminating said filament;Passing said heated and decontaminated filament into a second chamber for metallization also comprising two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube of said second chamber is heated and said annular space of said second chamber contains a gaseous, thermally decomposable metal compound such that said gaseous metal compound flows through said holes in heated jet streams and impinges upon said heated

Abstract: Improved heat transfer is obtained between a solid and a fluid by using polycrystalline metal whiskers attached to the solid member which comes in contact with the fluid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a body of conglomerated particles has a primary step of coating the particles with very fine polycrystalline metal whiskers, which are sintered in place. The coated particles are then mixed with other filaments, of slightly larger size, which form a matrix. This is made coherent by metallic bonding of the filaments together and to the embedded coated particles. The resultant porous body may be compressed to reduce the porosity.

Abstract: A resistance heating apparatus for rapidly heating a liquid or gas to a desired temperature includes a porous mat of fine electrically-conductive elongated elements selected from the group consisting of metal coated non-metal whiskers and polycrystalline metal whiskers electrically connected at their points of contact by metallization from the gaseous phase or by electron beam welding so as to be electrically conductive. The porous mat is disposed in and substantially fills all of the length of an electrically non-conductive tubular structure having an inlet opening at one end and a discharge opening at the opposite end. The tubular structure may be conical in shape with the inlet end being larger than the outlet end. Heating current may be supplied directly to the mat by electrodes connected thereto or the current may be induced therein from an induction means around the tubular structure.

Abstract: A heat pipe consists of a tightly sealed pipe-shaped body. This body contains an inner capillary system, is partially filled with a volatile medium, and has a heat absorbing end and a heat emitting end. The capillary system consisting of polycrystalline metal whiskers, at least in the region of the heat absorbing end and of the heat emitting end of the heat pipe. These whiskers have a metal connection to the wall of the heat pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for atomising and/or vaporising a liquid in a stream of gas employs a porous body wetted by the liquid and through which the gas is passed. The body is composed of a number of generally parallel lines of porous rope-like bundles made up from whiskers. These may be polycrystalline metal whiskers or metallised non-metallic whiskers. The gas flow is parallel to the lines, which have passages between them. Provision can be made for heating the body and the liquid distribution may be aided by a coarser porous member upstream of the body.

Abstract: An electric heating device for heating fluid media includes a plurality of disc-shaped porous bodies each consisting of a plurality of felted togehter polycrystaline metal whiskers grown out of a gas phase and connected each to one another at their points of contact. A plurality of disc-shaped electric heating elements alternate with the bodies to form a column for connection to a voltage source. The total electrical resistance of the elements is greater than the total electrical resistance of the porous bodies. In one embodiment the bodies and elements are both porous and form a longitudinal passage along the column and means are provided for delivering fluid medium to one end of the passage to be heated as it flows lengthwise of the column. In another arrangement the bodies and elements are centrally apertured to form a central longitudinal passage and means are provided for delivering the fluid medium to one end of the passage.