Abstract: A gas generation system for providing a gas flow to be supplied to a reformer includes an evaporator for evaporating the components contained in a gas flow, wherein the gas flow includes at least one carbon compound, such as hydrocarbon or alcohol, and water vapor. A normalizing stage is connected between the evaporator and the reformer for equalizing the temperature distribution in the gas flow to be supplied to the reformer. The temperature of the gas flow should be equalized to a temperature range below the maximum allowable reformer inlet temperature. In this way, temperature maxima caused by a load change are equalized, thereby significantly increasing the service life of the reformer catalyst.

Abstract: A workpiece chuck includes an upper assembly on which can be mounted a flat workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer. A lower assembly is mountable to a base that supports the chuck. A non-constraining attachment means such as vacuum, springs or resilient washers applied to the chuck holds the upper assembly to the lower assembly, the lower assembly to the base and can hold the wafer to the top surface of the upper assembly. By holding the chuck together by non-constraining means, the chuck layers can move continuously relative to each other under expansion forces caused by temperature effects, such that mechanical stresses on the chuck and resulting deformation of the chuck and workpiece over temperature are substantially eliminated. A plurality of support members including inclined surfaces provided between an upper and lower portion of the chuck maintain the top surface of the chuck and any workpiece mounted thereon at a constant height over temperature.

Abstract: An environmentally sealed color filter is provided which includes a housing having a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, and a pair of lateral sides, the housing having a first window on the front side and a second window on the rear side. The housing is substantially water-proof or impermeable to water in that when submerged in water at depths of up to 50 feet and for time periods of up to 24 hours, no water will pass from the exterior of the housing to the interior of the housing. A color filter, such as the Color Fader™ color filter manufactured by Morpheus Technologies, LLC and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,886, is secured within the housing. Also secured within the housing is at least one heat exchanger. The heat exchanger dissipates heat generated within the housing.

Abstract: A sorption device for heating and cooling gas streams, with a sorbent container which contains a sorbent that takes up a working fluid which evaporates in an evaporator that contains a quantity of working fluid in correspondence with the quantity of sorbent, with a sorbent heat exchanger which exchanges the heat between a sorbent and a sorbent gas stream, with a working fluid heat exchanger which exchanges the heat between working fluid, and with a working fluid gas stream, and a closable valve between the sorbent container and the evaporator, which valve is able to interrupt the flow of the working fluid vapor, with both the sorbent heat exchanger and the working fluid heat exchanger having at their inlets and outlets connecting elements which can be readily attached to, detached from, and exchanged for one another on the gas flow channels for supplying and discharging gas streams that are to be heated or cooled.

Abstract: A process gas selective oxidizer assemblage for use in a fuel cell power plant includes one or more catalyzed selective oxidizer process gas flow fields and one or more adjacent non-catalyzed heat exchanger process gas flow fields. The catalyzed selective oxidizer process gas flow fields may be formed with catalyzed pellets or with a monolithic catalyzed open cell foam component. The heat exchanger process gas flow fields are formed by non-catalyzed monolithic open cell foam components which have coolant fluid passages disposed therein. Planar metal sheets form a common wall between the selective oxidizer process gas flow fields and the heat exchanger process gas flow fields. The use of the open cell foam to form the heat exchanger process gas flow fields provides enhanced heat transfer between the reformate gas and the coolant fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissipating heat generated by an electronic device and a method for mounting the apparatus to an electronic device are disclosed. The apparatus includes a heat transfer body which is mounted in proximity to an electronic device. In addition, the apparatus includes an adhesive distributed on the heat transfer body, which affixes the heat transfer body in proximity to the electronic device. The adhesive is distributed on the heat transfer body such that heat transfer from the electronic device to the heat transfer body occurs substantially independently from the adhesive. The apparatus further includes a thermally conductive material disposed between the electronic device and the heat transfer body. The thermally conductive material is selected to maximize heat transfer from the electronic device to the heat transfer body.

Abstract: A temperature control system for controlling the temperature of chemicals disposed in bottles. The temperature control system includes a temperature control device that controls the temperature of a liquid. The liquid circulates through a jacket. A bottle may easily be placed into the jacket such that the bottle sits on a weighing device. The circulation of fluid through the jacket and the temperature control device allows for the temperature of the bottle to be controlled. A bottle retainer that is attached to the jacket by a floating coupling mechanism attaches to the bottle. An emergency shut-off device is then coupled to the bottle. The floating coupling mechanism prevents the rotation of the bottle during operation of the emergency shut-off device. The floating coupling mechanism allows the bottle to float within the jacket such that the weight of the bottle may be determined. This allows for the amount of chemicals in the bottle to be determined accurately.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlled cooling of thermoplastic strands between the time that they are extruded from a melt of thermoplastic material until they are cut into pellets by a pelletizer that pulls the strands into it. A first tray inclined downwardly from the extruder receives the strands which are sprayed with cooling liquid while in the tray. A second tray inclined upwardly from the bottom of the first tray toward the pelletizer receives the strands which are also sprayed while in the second tray. Cooling liquid is also introduced at the inlet end of the first tray. A gravity liquid removal screen is positioned at the low point of each tray to remove the cooling liquid from the trays. A vacuum system for removing cooling liquid from the strands may also be positioned between the higher end of the second tray and the pelletizer.

Abstract: A fuel reactor particularly adopted for the efficient combustion of wood and wood-product fuels includes a core comprised of an inner fuel tube and an outer gas tube. Fuel is introduced into one end of the fuel tube and the combustion process is initiated. Perforations in the gas tube allow the combustion gas to progress down the fuel tube and combine with air in the gas tube. A high temperature is maintained on the gas tube to enhance the combustion process. In addition, high temperature-high pressure steam and air are introduced into the core to increase the reactivity rate of char products. The high temperature-high pressure steam is produced by a novel steam pump. The combustion gases are further processed through a gas dispersion chamber, including dispersion plates, and a gas expansion chamber. Heat is extracted from the combustion gases via a novel heat exchanger which includes a gas dispersion shelf, a radiating heat exchanger plate, a primary heat exchanger, and a condensing heat exchanger.

Abstract: This document describes an improved method and apparatus for recycling energy in counterflow heat exchange and distillation. The basis of the invention is transferring heat with thin sheets of material having extensive surface area relative to the flow rate through the system. A distillation apparatus (11 and 12), a counterflow heat exchanger (11), a clothes dryer (FIG. 9), a power generator (FIG. 12), and other embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: A compact pizza storage and bake unit which takes up a maximum of twenty inches wide on a counter space, eighteen inches deep, and thirty-one inches high. This unit carries in its lower portion at least ten refrigerated or frozen pizza crusts and ingredients for the pizza including sauce, cheese packets adequately proportioned for the amount required, and garnishing such as pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, capers and the like. The oven is the top half and separated entirely from the bottom half refrigeration area by dead air space and the compressor area. A blower is provided adjacent the compressor to accomplish the twofold purpose of evacuating the dead air space between the oven and refrigerator to prevent undesirable transfer of heat to the refrigerator, and at the same time to accelerate the cooling through the condenser refrigeration coils mounted in the rear portion of the unit. The sidewalls of the frame are lowered adjacent the dead air space with the blower directly covering one.

Abstract: A method and means for continuously introducing nitrogen into the primary coolant side of each steam generator during drain-down of a nuclear powered steam generating system is described, which will prevent the forming of a vacuum at the tops of the inverted U-tubes of the generators, thus to allow continuous drain-down of the water from within the tubes.

Abstract: In a hot water system, a receptor heat exchanger unit mounted in a wall with a flat surface exposed in a room. A refrigerator positioned in that room has a plate with a condenser coil thereon. The plate is exposed, and it extends outwardly beyond the wall of the refrigerator body and at the wall, and the plate is positioned in heat transfer engagement with the exposed surface on the receptor heat exchanger unit.

Abstract: A flashing reactor wherein the initial single pipe carrying the ingredients within the flasher shell is connected within the shell to a flow splitter which in turn is connected to at least two other pipes arranged for parallel flow. In order to avoid an abrupt change in pressure and flow rate downstream from the splitter, the cross-sectional area of the branch pipes immediately adjacent the splitter is approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of the single pipe feeding of the splitter. The branch pipes are then increased in diameter until the combined cross-sectional area of the branch pipes is increased to up to twice the area of the single pipe feeding the splitter.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat apparatus for heating rooms in buildings and acting as baseboard in the rooms, where the heat is transmitted from a gaseous or liquid heating medium, such as steam or hot water, which passes channels in the housing of the apparatus. The housing comprises a housing portion which is a profile rail of metal, preferably a metal alloy with great heat conductivity, such as an aluminium alloy, and the profile rail is formed with integral, longitudinally extending, inner beads having hollow spaces for the heating medium, whereby the housing portion containing the heating medium channels can be manufactured in one operation by extrusion.

Abstract: A system for recovering the waste heat normally exhausted into the atmosphere by chemical or other processing plants. The invented system comprises a substantially self-contained apparatus for receiving hot exhaust gases and extracting the waste heat therefrom for some beneficial use, such as pre-heating inlet air in an inlet plenum. The system may include temperature and pressure controls which enhance the safety and efficiency of the system's operation, and further may include flow controls in a multiple burner installation so that the desired fuel air ratios and heat distribution may be achieved. By building the present invention as a substantially self-contained and self-supporting assembly, on site installation time and the required alteration of pre-existing on site equipment may be minimized, thereby affecting substantial economic savings by minimizing the resulting down time of the processing plant.

Abstract: A system for recovering the waste heat normally exhausted into the atmosphere by chemical or other processing plants. The invented system comprises a substantially self-contained apparatus for receiving hot exhaust gases and extracting the waste heat therefrom for some beneficial use, such as pre-heating inlet air in an inlet plenum. The system may include temperature and pressure controls which enhance the safety and efficiency of the system's operation, and further may include flow controls in a multiple burner installation so that the desired fuel air ratios and heat distribution may be achieved. By building the present invention as a substantially self-contained and self-supporting assembly, on site installation time and the required alteration of pre-existing on site equipment may be minimized, thereby affecting substantial economic savings by minimizing the resulting down time of the processing plant.

Abstract: A door lock, particularly appropriate for a hotel or motel room, which is effectively operated from either the room side or the corridor side to lock the door closed for security purposes, and from the latter or corridor side, additionally is effective to terminate electrical services within the room, e.g. the air conditioner, to thereby minimize the wasteful use of electricity.

Abstract: A forced air room heater for installation in a Franklin stove includes a mounting plate configured for covering the flue opening located in the back wall of the stove and having a central opening passing therethrough. A plenum chamber arranged for placement above the baffle which divides the firebox of the stove has an inlet interconnecting it to the opening in the mounting plate and an outlet opening outside of the stove. An electric motor powered fan is attached to the mounting plate opposite the inlet for forcing air first into the plenum where it is heated, then out of the outlet. In one embodiment the outlet opens out of the stove through its front door opening. In a second embodiment the outlet exits the stove through the mounting plate allowing operation of the stove with its door closed.

Abstract: A system for recovering the waste heat normally exhausted into the atmosphere by chemical or other processing plants. The invented system comprises a substantially self-contained apparatus for receiving hot exhaust gases and extracting the waste heat therefrom for some beneficial use, such as pre-heating inlet air in an inlet plenum. The system may include temperature and pressure controls which enhance the safety and efficiency of the system's operation, and further may include flow controls in a multiple burner installation so that the desired fuel air ratios and heat distribution may be achieved. By building the present invention as a substantially self-contained and self-supporting assembly, on site installation time and the required alternation of pre-existing on site equipment may be minimized, thereby affecting substantial economic savings by minimizing the resulting down time of the processing plant.

Abstract: A dust collector of the gravity separation type is combined with a heat exchanger to provide a dust collector/air preheater, or a dust collector/economizer, depending upon the heat exchange fluid used, suited for usage in a system or process for discharging and exchanging heat with exhaust gases from a boiler.

Abstract: An all metal, low conductivity, high performance and relatively lightweight, composite structure, in the form of an insulation blanket is operably disposed to be exposed to a high temperature zone, e.g., a high temperature fluid, or on a supporting surface exposed to high temperature. The composite includes two metal skin members spaced from each other by a metallic member functioning as a spacing member. The spacing member is preferably deformed to contact the spaced skin sheets at spaced positions, the space between the skin sheets forming a fluid space which defines a zone of substantially reduced heat transfer by convection. When deformed, the spacing member, or an array of spacers, also provides an elongated path for conduction of heat, and defines a plurality of cavities of limited volume forming stagnant gas pockets. The skin sheets may be perforated to vent the cavities and to provide expansion space for absorbing thermal growth by the metal components of the composite.

Abstract: Steam turbine power plants employ condensers for condensing the dead steam of the turbine. The required cooling in the condenser is obtained by cooling water which is, in case of dry cooling towers, injected into a mixing condenser. Recooling of the cooling water is obtained in surface heat exchangers of the dry cooling tower which carry off the heat by means of air.Where the employment of such system is jeopardised by the hazards of climatic conditions, it is suggested to associate water cooled heat exchangers with the surface heat exchangers and the dry cooling tower of the system. Such water cooled heat exchangers serve as auxiliary means where the cooling effect of the surface heat exchangers of the dry cooling tower fails to ensure a desired low condensation temperature in the mixing condenser.

Abstract: a refrigerated appliance having a cabinet defining a pair of cavities and an apparatus for refrigerating one of the cavities. The refrigerated cavity is provided with doors for selectively closing the refrigerated cavity. The other of the cavities defines an opening and is adapted to receive a freestanding microwave oven having an integral door. The open cavity may be provided with a trim for adapting the cavity to any one of a plurality of different microwave ovens electrically disposed therein. The trim may define a vent for providing the microwave oven with cooling air flow circulation. The refrigeration apparatus may define a freestanding cabinet with the microwave oven defining a freestanding oven carried on a horizontal support wall at the top of the refrigeration space.