Abstract: A heating element comprises a body provided by fibrous tubes of an electrically conductive material, a voidage between the tubes providing a path for a fluid to be heated. The material may be silicon, silicon carbide, or silicon rich-silicon nitride. The heating element is manufactured by coating a fibrous carbon precursor with the material, and heating the coated precursor in an oxidizing environment so as to remove the carbon precursor by oxidation. The heating element has one application for a heat transfer system for controlling the temperature of a hot working device. The system comprises a fluid circuit including the hot working device, the heating element through which the fluid is driven by a pump, and a temperature controller for sensing the temperature of the device and controlling the temperature of the heating element as a function of the device temperature.

Abstract: Feathers (including down) are provided with a water-repellant, bacterial-resistant, low friction cured fluorocarbon finish, such that the feathers have improved driability following washing and enhanced handle and resistance to clumping. The finished feathers are used in filled articles, such as quilts or pillows, which have enhanced washability.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid permeable electrical resistance heater element having a structure that promotes uniformity of flow of fluid through the element and a uniformity of heating throughout the element. The method comprises forming a fluid permeable body of unbonded carbonizable fibres. A latent solvent is applied to the fibres and the solvent is subsequently caused to dissolve at least a surface of the fibres so as to effect bonding of the fibres together. The carbonizable fibres are subsequently carbonized to produce a fluid permeable carbon body.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cylindrical element from a fibrous web, the element having a predetermined density characteristic radially thereof, comprises an endless belt, guide means about which said belt is entrained and which are arranged to define a loop in said belt to which loop the fibrous web is fed, said guide means being arranged so that, in use, said loop extends around substantially the entire circumference of the element forming in said loop, means for driving said belt so as to thereby cause the fibrous web to be fed into said loop and there to roll up on itself, and means for progressively increasing the diameter of said loop, said loop diameter increasing means including a control member about which said belt is entrained and which is movable to vary the dimensions of said loop, and means for moving said control member so as to increase the diameter of said loop at a rate which is a function of the linear speed of the belt and the length and weight per unit length of the fibrous web so as to obtain