Abstract: A thermal storage apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus uses a group of heat exchange members immersed in a phase change medium to store coolness by freezing the heat exchange medium. The heat exchange members each include tubular passageways to carry a heat transfer fluid through the apparatus to freeze the phase change material during an ice-forming cycle and to be chilled by the solid phase change material during a melt cycle. The heat exchange members each have substantially continuous opposite surfaces to prevent the solid phase change material from forming an annulus encircling the tubular passageways. During the ice-forming cycle, the solid phase change material forms in complementary sheets or volumes so that during the melt cycle the heat transfer fluid does not gain heat near the outlets. The heat exchange members may be made of a lightweight material, such as plastic.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for semi-automatic retouching of digital images is provided. The method includes the steps of processing the digital image to obtain a list of candidate defect segments, computing statistics for a list of candidate defect segments and for the segments of the image surrounding the candidate defect segments, selecting a sublist of defect segments in accordance with pre-determined criteria using the computed statistics, displaying the image together with the sublist and amending the values of the sublist of defect segments to obtain a retouched image.

Abstract: A sound attenuation assembly for In a forced-draft, liquid-to-air cooling apparatus, a sound attenuation assembly having at least two rows of elongate, generally cylindrical members arranged across the air inlet of the assembly to provide a blockage to the line of sight to the air flow through the sound attenuation assembly, to provide a multiple barrier effect of frontal impact on a sound front travelling through the assembly, and to provide the elongate members of sound absorbing material, which members provide improved sound attenuation associated with the force-draft apparatus while reducing back pressure losses in the air flow.

Abstract: A cooling system with at least one cooling tower and multiple upper pans or distribution manifold pipes is provided with a strainer tank assembly at the tower lower end in proximity to the sump to receive incoming fluid for cooling, which strainer tank includes a screen to strain particulate material from the inlet fluid communicated to the tower upper end and to equally distribute this fluid at the lowest elevation at a pressure with a higher static pressure component than its dynamic pressure component to avoid a requirement for a flow control valve to provide relatively quiescent fluid for fluid distribution to the tower and fluid transfer media therein. A pressure relief baffle in the strainer tank is operable in response to a fluid overpressure condition to bypass the screen and open fluid communication to avert catastrophic failures within the fluid circuit.

Abstract: A cooling system with at least one cooling tower and multiple upper pans or distribution manifold pipes is provided with a strainer tank assembly at the tower lower end in proximity to the sump to receive incoming fluid for cooling, which strainer tank includes a screen to strain particulate material from the inlet fluid communicated to the tower upper end and to equally distribute this fluid at the lowest elevation at a pressure with a higher static pressure component than its dynamic pressure component to avoid a requirement for a flow control valve to provide relatively quiescent fluid for fluid distribution to the tower and fluid transfer media therein. A pressure relief baffle in the strainer tank is operable in response to a fluid overpressure condition to bypass the screen and open fluid communication to avert catastrophic failures within the fluid circuit.

Abstract: A bottom fed fluid distribution system is provided which may be used to uniformly distribute fluid to an underlying structure. The distribution system comprises a distribution pan, fluid transporting flume, and inlet chamber. The fluid transporting flume is positioned inside the back edge of the distribution pan and is elevated above the bottom of the pan. The flume has an opening in its bottom to allow fluid to flow downwardly into the distribution pan. The inlet chamber is located at the back edge and at one side of the distribution pan. Fluid flows into the bottom of the inlet chamber and then into the flume. As the fluid is flowing all along the length of the flume, a portion of the fluid flows downwardly through the opening in the bottom of the flume and into the distribution pan.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for conditioning air utilizing a desiccant based air conditioning system requiring substantially less regeneration energy than typical systems. This regeneration energy reduction is accomplished through the use of two separate desiccant devices and an indirect evaporative cooler having both a wet and dry side for air flow-through. The first desiccant device regeneration air is first passed through the wet side of the indirect evaporative cooler wherein it is humidified and heated. This air is then dehumidified by passing through the second desiccant device which operates at a high moisture content. This results in a substantial amount of moisture being absorbed from the first regeneration air stream causing a substantial air temperature increase and thereby, reducing the auxiliary heat required. The second desiccant device may be regenerated with ambient air.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for conditioning air utilizing a desiccant based air conditioning system requiring substantially less regeneration energy than typical systems. This regeneration energy reduction is accomplished through the use of two separate desiccant devices and an indirect evaporative cooler having both a wet and dry side for air flow-through. The first desiccant device regeneration air is first passed through the wet side of the indirect evaporative cooler wherein it is humidified and heated. This air is then dehumidified by passing through the second desiccant device which operated at a high moisture content. This results in a substantial amount of moisture being adsorbed from the first regeneration air stream causing a substantial air temperature increase and thereby, reducing the auxiliary heat required. The second desiccant device may be regenerated with ambient air.

Abstract: Tubular containers, preferably corrugated, containing plural thermal storage medium compositions having different fusion temperatures are arrayed in zones or layers within a vessel through which liquid is circulated to exchange heat with the containers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curvilinear transition duct for use with a centrifugal fan that affords optimal fan efficiency without undue duct length. The duct comprises a top section of generally concave planar shape when viewed from above and a bottom section. Side sections join the top and bottom sections to form a four sided structure having an inlet opening at one side and an outlet opening at the other side. The preferred bottom section is of a generally longer longitudinal length than the top section. Further, the preferred duct has a plane in contact with the edges of the inlet opening which intersect a plane in contact with the outlet openings at a level above the duct. The angle formed between the planes would be 1.degree. to 60.degree..

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaporation and liquid separation which (1) a liquid to be treated and a carrier for evaporating molecules are maintained in contact wiht opposite sides of a thin membrane which has capillaries extending between the opposite sides of the membrane of substantially uniform size; (2) the liquid is placed in contact with one side of the membrane and enters the capillaries to a level which is separated from a second side of the membrane by a distance which is preferably less than 30% of the capillary length; (3) the diameters of the capillaries are chosen so that the evaporating substance exerts a partial pressure in the proximity of a convex capillary meniscus which is significantly higher than the corresponding partial pressure in the evaporate's carrier. Preferably the method of the invention is carried out cyclically.