Abstract: A plurality of vessels contains pressurized gas. Each vessel fluidly communicates with an adjacent vessel through a line. A heat exchanger is positioned in a heat conducting relationship with each line. The system includes an exhaust valve communicating with lower pressure. In one embodiment, the vessels communicate in series and only one of the vessels communicates with the exhaust valve. Alternatively, the vessels are arranged in a loop configuration with two of the vessels communicating with the exhaust valve through respective lines each containing a shutoff valve. The two shutoff valves are opened and closed in concert to cause the flow in the system to alternate directions as it is being exhausted. In a third configuration, two vessels communicate through a singular line in accordance with the most basic embodiment, but the vessel communicating with the exhaust valve encloses the other vessel. Heat transfer fins are located in the enclosed vessel, and extend into the enclosing vessel.

Abstract: A plurality of vessels contains pressurized gas. Each vessel fluidly communicates with an adjacent vessel through a line. A heat exchanger is positioned in a heat conducting relationship with each line. The system includes an exhaust valve communicating with lower pressure. In one embodiment, the vessels communicate in series and only one of the vessels communicates with the exhaust valve. Alternatively, the vessels are arranged in a loop configuration with two of the vessels communicating with the exhaust valve through respective lines each containing a shutoff valve. The two shutoff valves are opened and closed in concert to cause the flow in the system to alternate directions as it is being exhausted. In a third configuration, two vessels communicate through a singular line in accordance with the most basic embodiment, but the vessel communicating with the exhaust valve encloses the other vessel. Heat transfer fins are located in the enclosed vessel, and extend into the enclosing vessel.

Abstract: A gas generator which separates a gas such as oxygen from a gas mixture such as air using a sorbent process. A sorbent contained in a fixed cooled bed absorbs the gas from the mixture; simultaneously a second bed of sorbent which previously absorbed the gas is heated and the gas is thereby desorbed from the sorbent. After a given time, the functions of the beds are exchanged. Heating and cooling of the two sorbent beds is accomplished by means of coolant which passes through each bed. Immediately after the functions of the beds are switched, the cool coolant first flows through and cools the absorbing bed, then is valved to a pump and to the heater for heating and then is valved to heat the second sorbent bed before being valved to a cooler for cooling.

Abstract: Inlet air for an internal combustion engine in an airplane is expanded through a turbine to lower its pressure and temperature and is passed through a water chiller wherein heat exchange and evaporative cooling substantially lower the temperature of the water. The air is then fed to a compressor driven by the turbine and its pressure is raised to a level suitable for input to the engine manifold. The chilled water is circulated through a heat exchanger to provide cooling for the cabin of the airplane.