Abstract: Tub apparatus including:(a) a foamed plastic tub wall having an inner side and an outer side, the tub having an interior to receive liquid,(b) a tensile liner adjacent the wall side, the liner comprising interwoven strips of pre-stretched plastic material characterized in that the liner resists outward expansion in response to loading exerted by liquid filled into the tub interior.

Abstract: A water supply and heating package, for a hot tub, spa, or pool comprising(a) a support,(b) water circulating structure carried by said support and including a pump and connections circulating water from and toward the interior of the hot tub, spa or pool,(c) said structure including an electric motor connected in driving relation with said pump, and including a shunt duct connected with said water circulating structure and located to receive heat generated by operation of said motor to heat a side stream of said water passing through said shunt duct.Also, the apparatus may include a foamed plastic sheet or sheets wound in a spiral to form multiple layers, and defining an insulative, upstanding side wall of a tub, and a bottom wall attached to the side wall.

Abstract: A highly efficient combustor/reactor for a thermophotovoltaic process is provided.It includes:(a) an insulated combustion chamber containing a combustion zone,(b) first and second beds of refractory particles exposed to that zone,(c) structure for supplying a first combustion reactant to that zone,(d) structure for flowing a second combustion reactant to the zone via one of the beds during time T.sub.1 and via the other of the beds during time T.sub.2,(e) structure for removing combustion products from the zone via the other of the beds during time T.sub.1, and via the one bed during time T.sub.2,(f) and thermophotovoltaic cell apparatus exposed to heat radiated from the zone.

Abstract: A quiet hair dryer comprises:(a) an air blowing rotor comprising open cell foam,(b) a motor connected in driving relation with the rotor, and(c) a housing to confine the rotor and forming air inlet and discharge passages to pass air to the rotor for passage through the rotor open cell foam as the rotor rotates, and to deliver the air from the rotor in a hair drying stream.

Abstract: A radiant energy redirecting system comprises:(a) a radiant energy transmitting body means,(b) said means comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of said energy into the interior of said perimeter, an exit face to pass said energy to the exterior of said perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of said incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to said entry and exit faces to redirect towards said exit face the radiant energy incident from said entry face,(c) said body means generally redirecting incident radiant energy towards a predetermined target zone situated apart from and on the reverse side of said body relative to the side of said incidence.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion system comprises:(a) a solar converter in which liquid absorbs solar radiation, the liquid being solar energy absorptive,(b) first means to circulate said liquid for flow through the converter, and(c) means to effect removal of liquid from the converter in response to an undesirable operation condition in said system.