Abstract: Methods and apparatus for magnetically cooling and liquefying a process stream include a plurality of active magnetic regenerative refrigerators (AMRRs) configured in parallel or in series and parallel. Active magnetic regenerative liquefiers (AMRLs) include such AMRRs and are configured to liquefy, for example, natural gas or hydrogen. In specific embodiments, a magnetic field is produced by hexagonally arrayed solenoids and magnetic refrigerants are selected to provide a thermal mass that is dependent on an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for magnetically cooling and liquefying a process stream include a plurality of active magnetic regenerative refrigerators (AMRRs) configured in parallel or in series and parallel. Active magnetic regenerative liquefiers (AMRLs) include such AMRRs and are configured to liquefy, for example, natural gas or hydrogen. In specific embodiments, a magnetic field is produced by hexagonally arrayed solenoids and magnetic refrigerants are selected to provide a thermal mass that is dependent on an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: This application relates to a heat transfer apparatus and method employing an active regenerative cycle. The invention employs a working or “active” fluid and a heat transfer fluid which are physically separated. The working fluid is contained in an array of refrigeration elements that are distributed over the temperature gradient of a regenerative bed. The work for the refrigeration cycle is provided by alternative compression and expansion of the working fluid in each of the refrigeration elements at a temperature corresponding to the element's location in the temperature gradient. The compression and expansion strokes may be coupled together for optimum work recovery. The heat transfer fluid is circulated relative to the working fluid between a thermal load and a heat sink to enact a refrigeration cycle having improved energy efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating CO.sub.2 from a mixture of gases includes CO.sub.2 and a second gas, the apparatus includes an active heat exchanger and a regenerating heat exchanger. The active heat exchanger includes a heat exchange surface in contact with the mixture of gases. The mixture of gases is present in the active heat exchanger at a predetermined pressure which is chosen such that CO.sub.2 freezes on the heat exchange surface when the surface is cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below that at which CO.sub.2 freezes at the predetermined pressure. The regenerating heat exchanger includes a heat exchange surface in contact with the refrigerant and also in contact with a layer of frozen CO.sub.2. The refrigerant enters the regenerating heat exchanger at a temperature above that at which the CO.sub.2 in the frozen layer of CO.sub.2 sublimates. The sublimation of the solid CO.sub.

Abstract: An integrated refueling system comprises a fluid circuit including multiple flow paths for directing natural gas to a natural gas liquefier. A portion of the resulting liquefied natural gas is provided to a liquefied natural gas delivery location. Another portion of the liquefied natural gas may be provided to a compressor and subsequently a heat exchanger/vaporizer to produce compressed natural gas. The heat exchanger/vaporizer may utilize the lower temperature of liquefied natural gas to precool incoming gaseous natural gas while simultaneously vaporizing the pressurized, liquefied natural gas to form the compressed natural gas. Compressed natural gas may be provided at a compressed natural gas delivery location.

Abstract: The rotary dipole active magnetic regenerative refrigerator (10) of the present invention comprises a stationary first regenerative magnetic bed (12) positioned within a stationary first inner dipole magnet (14), a stationary second regenerative magnetic material bed (16) positioned within a stationary second inner dipole magnet (18), an outer dipole magnet (20) that rotates on a longitudinal axis and encloses the inner dipole magnets (14, 18), a cold heat exchanger (22), hot heat exchangers (24, 26), a fluid displacer (28), and connective plumbing through which a heat transfer fluid is conveyed.

Abstract: A luminaire for fitting in a ceiling has a carrier frame with a rectangular slot in it which receives a reflector unit. The reflector unit carries lamps and is pivotably mounted to swing from its operatively longitudinal position, to a dependant position in which the lamps are accessable.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration apparatus (10) is modular in design, so that housing modules (14) are alternately stacked with superconducting magnet pairs (24). Each module (14) has a wheel (16) that is rotated through the module (14), the wheel (16) having cutout regions (18) into which elements (20) of magnetic material are inserted. Each cutout region has two elements (20) separated by a wave spring, the wave spring biasing the elements (20) against the housing module (14) so that the elements (14) are in slidable contact with the module (14) upon rotation. In operation, the wheel (16) carries the elements (20) cyclically between high and low magnetic field zones. In low field regions the elements (20) are cooled by the magnetocaloric effect and heat exchangers absorb heat from either a stagnant subcooled superfluid helium bath or a forced-flow subcooled superfluid helium stream.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigerator operating in the 12 to 77K range utilizes a belt which carries ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material and which is disposed in a loop which passes through the center of a solenoidal magnet to achieve cooling. The magnetic material carried by the belt, which can be blocks in frames of a linked belt, can be a mixture of substances with different Curie temperatures arranged such that the Curie temperatures progressively increase from one edge of the belt to the other. This magnetic refrigerator can be used to cool and liquefy hydrogen or other fluids.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigerator has a rotating magnetic wheel which includes a stack of spaced rings of magnetic material. Heat transfer plates of a high temperature heat extractor are interleaved with the magnetic rings and extend to a solid heat transfer conduit which leads to a high temperature terminal. Superconducting magnet coils are mounted to provide a magnetic field through the magnetic wheel at the position of the high temperature heat transfer plates. Low temperature extractor heat transfer plates are positioned outside of the magnetic field and interleave with the rings of the magnetic wheel to transfer heat thereto which is conducted from a low temperature terminal through a solid conduit.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigerator operating in the 4 to 20 K range utilizes heat pipes to transfer heat to and from the magnetic material at the appropriate points during the material's movement. In one embodiment circular disks of magnetic material can be interleaved with the ends of the heat pipes. In another embodiment a mass of magnetic material reciprocatingly moves between the end of the heat pipe of pipes that transmits heat from the object of cooling to the magnetic material and the end of the heat pipe or pipes that transmits heat from the magnetic material to a heat sink.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a rotary multiposition valve for selectively directing the flow of a fluid through a plurality of paths. The valve comprises an inner member and a hollow housing with a row of ducts on its outer surface. The ducts are in fluid communication with the housing. An engaging section of the inner member is received in the housing. A seal divides the engaging section into a hollow inlet segment and a hollow outlet segment. A plurality of inlet apertures are disposed in the inlet segment and a plurality of outlet apertures are disposed in the outlet segment. The inlet apertures are disposed in a longitudinally and radially spaced-apart pattern that can be a helix. The outlet apertures are disposed in a corresponding pattern. As the inner member is rotated, whenever an inlet aperture overlaps one of the ducts, the corresponding outlet aperture overlaps a different duct, thus forming a fluid pathway.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a low temperature 4 to 20 K. refrigeration apparatus and method utilizing a ring of magnetic material moving through a magnetic field. Heat exchange is accomplished in and out of the magnetic field to appropriately utilize the device to execute Carnot and Stirling cycles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to refrigeration through magnetizing and demagnitizing a body by rotating it within a magnetic field. Internal and external heat exchange fluids and in one embodiment, a regenerator, are used.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a wheel-type magnetic refrigerator capable of cooling over a large temperature range. Ferromagnetic or paramagnetic porous materials are layered circumferentially according to their Curie temperature. The innermost layer has the lowest Curie temperature and the outermost layer has the highest Curie temperature. The wheel is rotated through a magnetic field perpendicular to the axis of the wheel and parallel to its direction of rotation. A fluid is pumped through portions of the layers using inner and outer manifolds to achieve refrigeration of a thermal load.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an active magnetic regenerator apparatus and method. Brayton, Stirling, Ericsson, and Carnot cycles and the like may be utilized in an active magnetic regenerator to provide efficient refrigeration over relatively large temperature ranges.

Abstract: An electrochromic display device having first and second electrodes, and a plurality of display electrodes, all immersed in a liquid electrolyte. Drive means act to first generate a potential difference between said first and second electrodes to cause a color species to be deposited on said first electrode and, thereafter, act to generate a potential difference between said first electrode and selected ones of said plurality of display electrodes to cause the color species to be transferred to the selected ones of said plurality of display electrodes. Heptyl viologen dibromide is suggested as one possible electrolyte.

Abstract: Chromium containing deposits free of cracks and having good hardness are plated by the use of a novel aqueous chromium (III) electrolyte. The electrolyte includes an aquo chromium (III)-thiocyanato complex as a source of chromium (III) cations.

Abstract: A torque limiting clutch including driving and driven members maintained in driving engagement with rolling torque transmitting elements by spring means in which spacer elements are movable into spacing engagement with the driving and driven members on overrunning of the clutch while the torque transmitting elements are maintained within receiving means and in which the torque transmitting elements are free from pressure engagement with the driving or driven member, not provided with the receiving means, during overrunning of the clutch. The spacer elements may be in rolling engagement with the driving and driven members and one of said members may be provided with a track for the spacer elements which track is rotatable relative to said one member.