Abstract: A fluid conduit wall enclosing a hollow interior for the flow of fluid includes an outer surface provided with a low emissivity coating having a coating emissivity of less than 0.2 and a thickness at least sufficient to provide the coating emissivity. One embodiment provides a fluid conduit with multiple spaced-apart walls. An outer surface of an inner wall of a first member and an inner surface of an outer wall of a second member define a gap therebetween. At least one of such surfaces includes the low emissivity coating. A method for providing such coating deposits the coating, for example by reactive vaporization, concurrently on both surfaces from within the gap after assembly of the members.

Abstract: A fluid conduit wall enclosing a hollow interior for the flow of fluid includes an outer surface provided with a low emissivity coating having a coating emissivity of less than 0.2 and a thickness at least sufficient to provide the coating emissivity. One embodiment provides a fluid conduit with multiple spaced-apart walls. An outer surface of an inner wall of a first member and an inner surface of an outer wall of a second member define a gap therebetween. At least one of such surfaces includes the low emissivity coating. A method for providing such coating deposits the coating, for example by reactive vaporization, concurrently on both surfaces from within the gap after assembly of the members.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus and method for gathering and removing yard waste. The apparatus includes two parts, a laminar sheet and a plurality of spikes. The laminar sheet is placed on the ground and secured using the spikes. A number of apertures pierce the sheet to allow oxygen to aspirate the plantlife below and to allow water from above to pass through. Clear plastic is preferably used to allow sunlight to reach the plantlife, but other colors and materials are possible if so desired. After leaves, tree limbs, and other yard waste have accumulated on the sheet, the spikes may be removed from the ground and the sheet and waste may be bundled together and discarded.