Abstract: Electronic device characterization platforms, systems, devices, and methods for use in testing instruments, devices, and sensors that is portable, modular, multiplexed, and automated are disclosed. The system includes a substrate, a chip adapter, such as a chip socket, and an optional housing. Chip samples to be tested can be disposed in the chip adapter and various environmental modules designed to supply different environmental conditions to the chip sample can be disposed over the chip adapter, enabling testing of the chip samples to be performed in the different environment conditions. The system can further include various connectors that allow for add-on modules to be included as part of the system. Methods of characterizing electronic devices and sensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lower torso shape enhancing garment for changing the appearance of a portion of the wearers body. The lower torso shape enhancing garment includes a short pant comprising a front portion, a rear portion and a pair of leg portions extend downwardly from the front and rear portions. A crotch area is located between the leg portions. The short pant comprises an upper opening defined by a waistband. The short pant comprises a pair of lower leg openings. The short pant comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface. A pair of rear pockets are formed in the short pant. The pockets are formed at laterally spaced locations on the rear portion of the short pant to position each of the pockets over a buttock of the wearer. Each of the pockets comprises an upper entry slit, spaced side boundaries, and a lower boundary. The upper entry slit opens into the interior surface of the short pant just below the upper opening.

Abstract: A solar collector-heat pump heating system which comprises metallic plates which are directly exposed to the ambient atmosphere and which are in direct heat exchange relation with tubes. A compressor receives a heated low-boiling working fluid, e.g., R-22, from the tubes as a vapor, compresses it and delivers it to a condenser. The fluid then passes through a throttling valve where it partially vaporizes, then to the tubes, where vaporization continues, utilizing heat absorbed by the plates from solar radiation, the ambient air, rain, and long-wave infrared radiation. Heat is extracted from the condenser and used for space heating. Preferably, heat storage means, e.g., a tank of water or a body of low-melting salt, are provided. Preferably, the heat-absorbing plates are long and narrow. In one embodiment they are spaced from a diffuse reflective backing and are laterally spaced from each other. In another embodiment they form a siding for a building.

Abstract: The heat pipe has a condensing area at one end and an evaporating area at the other end. An ion drag pump is within the condensing area to receive dielectric refrigerant condensate in its inlet. There is a liquid carrying tube having one end connected to the pump outlet and having its other end terminating adjacent the evaporating area to discharge refrigerant condensate therein. The evaporating area has heat receiving flow paths into which the condensate is adapted to flow and be vaporized, there being a vapor flow path from the evaporating area through which the vaporized refrigerant returns to the condensing area.The method includes cooling one end of the heat pipe to liquefy refrigerant therein to form a condensate, flowing the condensate into an ion drag pump and applying a sufficiently high voltage across a cathode and anode of the pump to produce ions in the refrigerant condensate, the ions then being accelerated toward the anode so as to create fluid motion and pumping action through the pump inlet.

Abstract: Tapered seals are provided for sealing the ends of a flow-through module ch is mounted in parallel guide rails. Each seal is bonded to the end of a heat exchanger core and is a rectangular wedge having a thinner end at the bottom and a thicker end at the top. A complimentary tapered surface is provided in each slot of a plurality of slots in the parallel guide rails and, when an electronic module is inserted into the guide rails, a wedging action takes place to firmly position a module in the guide rails and seal the air passageway in the heat exchanger core to the guide rails.

Abstract: A heat pipe (90) of increased heat transport capacity, capable of being primed under gravity conditions, comprises a sealed envelope (95) defining an evaporator (110) and a condenser (115). An arterial tube (125) of large liquid carrying capability is provided with an axial slot (130) formed on the upper surface of a segment of the tube (125). The slot (130) has beveled surfaces (135), (140) which increase the capillary pumping action to transverse wicking bodies (150, 155). The bodies (150, 155) transport working fluid to or from circumferential grooves (120) formed in the evaporator (110) and condenser (115).

Abstract: An improved heat pipe (115) of increased heat transport capacity comprising a vapor tube (120) and a liquid-condensate return tube (130). An outwardly extending conduit (125), disposed in both the evaporator section (135) and evaporator section (140) of the heat pipe (115), provides fluid communication between the vapor tube (120) and the return tube (130). Circumferential v-shaped grooves (145) terminate at a slot-like opening (165) formed in each of the conduits (125). A cap member (170) traverses each opening (165) and coacts with the grooves (145) to form a plurality of fluid passageways (175).

Abstract: A solar collector-heat pump heating system which comprises metallic plates which are directly exposed to the ambient atmosphere and which are in direct heat exchange relation with tubes. A compressor receives a heated low-boiling working fluid, e.g., R-22, from the tubes as a vapor, compresses it and delivers it to a condenser. The fluid then passes through a throttling valve where it partially vaporizes, then to the tubes, where vaporization continues, utilizing heat absorbed by the plates from solar radiation, the ambient air, rain, and long-wave infrared radiation. Heat is extracted from the condenser and used for space heating. Preferably, heat storage means, e.g., a tank of water or a body of low-melting salt, are provided. Preferably, the heat-absorbing plates are long and narrow. In one embodiment they are spaced from a diffuse reflective backing and are laterally spaced from each other. In another embodiment they form a siding for a building.