Abstract: The disclosure is of a metal panel forming part of a solar heating system, having interconnected longitudinal and transverse passages through which the heat exchange fluid flows.

Abstract: A fluid jacket for a vessel includes a plurality of strips of relatively thin sheet material provided in spaced relation about the exterior surface thereof for defining the exterior surface of the fluid jacket. Each of the strips includes relatively small deformed portions spaced about the surface thereof and extending generally radially inward toward the exterior surface of the vessel. The inner end of each deformed surface is in contact with and affixed to the exterior surface of the vessel. The interior surface of the strips of material and the exterior surface of the vessel define therebetween at least one fluid flow channel for the fluid jacket.

Abstract: The sides of a heat exchanger unit are joined with perimeter flanges which are folded one over the other and then crimped tightly in such fashion as to cause adjacent portions of the perimeter to extend at different angles in different planes resulting in a scissor action therebetween effective to securely clamp the heat exchanger sides together and form a leak-proof chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recuperative heat exchanger, comprising a body of ceramic material having a plurality of generally parallel flow channels arranged adjacently to one another generally axially with respect to the body, with adjacent flow channels having a common partition wall. The plurality of flow channels include a plurality of first flow channels for carrying a first heat transfer medium and a plurality of second flow channels, alternatingly arranged with respect to the first flow channels, for carrying a second heat exchange medium. Each of the first channels has an inlet positioned on one lateral side of the body near a first longitudinal end of the body and an outlet positioned in the opposite, second longitudinal end of the body, and each of the second flow channels has an inlet positioned on one lateral side of the body near the second longitudinal end of the body and an outlet in the first longitudinal end of the body.

Abstract: A plate used in a plate type condenser comprises inclined grooves having a V-shaped external appearance and a vertical groove which extends through the bottoms of the V's to communicate with the inclined grooves, so that the condensate flows down along the inclined grooves and then along the vertical groove to be discharged out of the condenser.

Abstract: Abrasion-proof coke forms are produced from bituminous coal, brown coal, or peat in the form of briquets, by preheating the briquets, dehydrating or predrying them, carbonizing them and then cooling them in at least three separate stages in which the briquets are dehydrated indirectly by subjecting them to indirect temperature conditions, producing a temperature gradient in the briquets. The briquets are automatically fed into a shaft tower which includes an upper drying shaft portion made up of a plurality of stacked radiators which include tube elements for the passing of a heating fluid, such as steam, therethrough and which define vertical shaft passages through which the briquet forms are passed downwardly and into a carbonizing shaft which has separate gas channels for directing heating gases therethrough and to a heating flue and which subsequently includes a lower cooling zone through which the briquets pass and then into a discharge channel where they are delivered for classification.

Abstract: A cross-current type plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality of vertically disposed heat transfer plates arranged side by side to define fluid passageways through which two fluids to be heat exchanged flow in a cross-current fashion. Each heat transfer plate is formed with a plurality of juxtaposed vertical grooves extending from the top to the bottom of the heat transfer surface of the heat transfer plate, and a plurality of substantially horizontal projections are formed between the vertical grooves to divide the heat transfer area into a plurality of sections. Vertically extending short projections which are lower than the vertical grooves are formed between the substantially horizontal projections in such a manner that the number of such short projections provided in the vertically separated sections is progressively increased so that the bottommost section has the greatest number of short projections.

Abstract: A lightweight flat plate heat exchanger comprised of two or more essentially parallel flat plates which are formed and arranged to provide fluid flow passages between the plates. New combinations of plastic plates include the usage of transparent plastic foam and honeycomb structures. Improved shapes of flow passages include the usage of flow nozzles, flow diffusers, and jet pumps to increase fluid flow and heat transfer. The invention includes the usage of transparent plastic foam plates which are shaped to concentrate solar energy onto plastic tubes. Clear plastic tubes containing black heat transfer fluid are included. The invention includes the usage of spiral flow channels within plastic foam plates. Six different embodiments of the invention are included. Five of the embodiments could be used as efficient lightweight solar collectors.

Abstract: The collector includes two planar panels separated by a thin spacer. The spacer includes a closed border within the edge of the collector and a number of separate strips within the border. The strips are disposed parallel to each other and are spaced in from the border, the spaces between the border and adjacent ends of successive strips alternating between a larger space and a smaller space, so that the path of least resistance through the collector is a serpentine passage. The smaller spaces prevent air and water from being trapped when the panel is filled and drained. A flow-restricting orifice is coupled to each collector to permit the collectors to be supplied at high pressure but without excessive flow. The supply pressure is much greater than the hydrostatic pressure head differences between the collectors so that when the collectors are connected in parallel in an open system, differences in flow rate due to elevation differences between the panels are minimized.

Abstract: A solar heating unit having a thin metal sheet with multiple parallel ribs pressed into the sheet to form fluid conducting channels. The channeled sheet is sealed to a rigid backing panel, to which are secured inlet and outlet pipes extending across the opposite ends of the channels, with slots through the pipes and backing panel to communicate with all of the channels at each end. The assembly is mounted in an insulated housing with the channeled metal sheet exposed, and is enclosed by a transparent glazing panel or window.

Abstract: A method of making a heat exchanger consisting of a conduit having a plurality of passes joined by integral return bends which comprises(i) bending two strips of material together in a zigzag manner to form a stack of substantially parallel passes, the two strips being displaced laterally with respect to one another,(ii) bonding the two strips together along lines substantially parallel to their longitudinal edges to form a flat, serpentine conduit, and(iii) inflating the conduit by applying internally a fluid under pressure.

Abstract: A heat-exchanger element of the type consisting of two sandwiched metal sheets, deformed so as to define between themselves a flow channel, has a number of apertures in the portion of the element not deformed. The one heat-exchanging fluid passes through the channel and the other through the apertures, generally in a direction perpendicular to the sandwich interface. In a preferred embodiment the apertures are formed by a punching operation in the way that tongue-like flaps are formed which affect the direction of flow, create turbulence and may serve as means spacing or supporting adjacent elements.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a stacked array of formed plates each including semi-tubular channels with periodic recessed constrictions, and plate-supporting dimples. The plates are connected in inverted pairs to form tubular fluid flow channels, and the connected pairs of plates are stacked with the dimples received in the recessed constrictions of adjacent plates to form a rigid heat exchanger structure.

Abstract: A multichannel particle separator for use in cleaning engine inlet air is disclosed. The separator uses a plurality of channel assemblies arranged in parallel side-by-side fashion within a substantially rectangular housing. Separation of undesired particles is achieved by accelerating the incoming airstream to a high velocity and turning it such that inertia carries the dirt particles into a particle collection chamber. A small percentage of the incoming air is used to induce particulate matter to proceed into the particle collection chambers. Heated air from a source within the adjacent engine is passed along passages within the interior of each channel assembly to heat the surface thereof and prevent ice formation thereon when operating under adverse meteorological conditions.

Abstract: A solar radiation absorbing panel including a flat base sheet of solar radiation absorptive material having a plurality of spaced sinuously shaped series of individual rectangular tab members extending away from the upper surface of the base sheet. Each of the tab members is formed by severing the sheet along a continuous line leaving a portion of the base sheet attached between the ends of the severed lines, and bending the tab member along the attached portion away from the surface of the panel, leaving an opening in the base sheet such that the spaces between the tab members form fluid passageways for directing fluid from the panel inlet to the panel outlet. The panel may also be provided with support sheet underlying the base sheet to block the openings to prevent fluid flow therethrough. The panel may be fabricated in a single stamping and bending operation, thereby eliminating separate fabrication steps associated with conventional solar radiation absorbing panels.

Abstract: A surface condenser particularly suitable for being used in a zero gravity environment and which is easy to be manufactured. It comprises at least one pair of coextensive elements spaced apart from each other to form a relatively narrow gap therebetween, said gap having a width which is tapered from the outer ends of said elements towards a defined portion thereof. Peripheral distributor means extends along the outer ends of the elements and has its interior space in communication with the gap at the larger width side thereof, said distributor means having an inlet for the vapor to be condensed. Collector means is provided in communication with the interior space of the gap at the smaller width side thereof for collecting the condensed liquid.

Abstract: An interplate inlet, outlet or other suitable fitting for use in a closely stacked plate heat exchanger which allows the placement of the fitting between the plates at any point along the length of the inlet or outlet header tank formed by the heat exchange plates. The fitting includes a pair of oppositely disposed facing substantially identical plates providing bubbles aligned with the bubbles at the ends of the heat exchanger plates and opening into a laterally extending conduit to be joined to a fluid hose or to receive appropriate fittings to receive a sensor or having internal threads to receive an externally threaded fitting.

Abstract: A multiple passage metal heat exchanger is disclosed which contains a metal barrier between sets of passageways. The barrier is cathodic to the metal of the heat exchanger and prevents intermixing of different heat transfer fluids due to corrosion.

Abstract: A solar panel has a series of channels through which water or other fluids may flow for exposure to and heating by solar radiation. Common to all the channels are inlet and outlet manifolds through which, respectively, the water is directed into and discharged from the channels. Construction of the panel is simplified and is rendered economical by fashioning of the same from a pair of superposed, inexpensive metal sheets, as for example roofing tin. The sheets are readily preformed with the manifolds and channels, in such fashion that when the sheets are connected along their peripheries by means of mechanical expedients well known in the sheet metal art, the several channels are automatically defined between the sheets, and are further automatically brought into communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds.

Abstract: A plate type condenser is constituted by a primary condensation section and a secondary condensation section positioned on the downstream side of the primary condenser. The primary condenser comprises a plurality of condensation elements and a plurality of condensate discharge grooves extending along respective condensation elements and inclined in the form of a herringbone with respect to the passages which pass a heated medium to be condensed and a medium to be heated in opposite directions.

Abstract: A collector assembly is provided in a semicylindrical configuration with a window exposed to solar radiation and a semicylindrical collector panel inside the housing with the convex face directly exposed to solar radiation and the concave face exposed to reflected radiation from a combination curved reflector surface inside, a portion of which is exposed directly to solar radiation.

Abstract: A heat exchange panel having a desired system of internal tubular passageways is described, wherein the internal passageways include opposed headers connected by connecting portions of said passageways extending therebetween. The headers are designed to provide uniform fluid distribution and to enable efficient drainage of fluid from the unit, including any entrapped gases.

Abstract: A condenser/evaporator heat exchanger comprising a plurality of vertically oriented panel units spaced moderately from one another. Each panel unit comprises a pair of thin film plastic sheets bonded to one another along a plurality of vertically extending bond lines transversely spaced from one another at regular intervals. The two sheets form between adjacent pairs of bond lines a plurality of vertical tubular condensing chambers adapted to receive pressurized steam. Brine is directed onto the outer surfaces of the panel units at the upper ends thereof, the brine descending down the outer surfaces of the panel units to be in heat exchange relationship with the steam inside the tubular condensing chambers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger element consists of a double fabric web coated on both sides, the distance between the face fabric and the back fabric of which is maintained by binder filaments. This double fabric web is provided with a feeder duct and discharge duct for liquid and gaseous media. The heat exchanger element is used as heat absorber or heater element. It is distinguished by its flexibility. As heater element, it may be doubled with carpet material or used as wall-to-wall carpet.

Abstract: A solar heating panel is disclosed which is formed from two corrugated plastic sheets joined face-to-face to form multiple passageways therethrough for flow of a fluid medium. Each of the components is generally rectangular with the corrugations having diverging sidewall portions spaced by transverse wall portions and with the sidewall portions of opposing components in parallel overlapping and contacting relation and the transverse wall portions spaced apart and forming passageways therebetween.

Abstract: A plate used in a plate type condenser comprises inclined grooves having a V-shaped external appearance and a vertical groove which extends through the bottoms of the V's to communicate with the inclined grooves, so that the condensate flows down along the inclined grooves and then along the vertical groove to be discharged out of the condenser.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger has elements through which a medium flows. The elements are two thin metal plates, in at least one of which passages and opposed manifolds connecting the passages are formed by deep drawing. The plates are coated with a sealing adhesive and bonded together. The manifolds extend across the entire length of the elements and are closed at their ends by end closures inserted in the manifolds and sealed to the plates. Distributing conduits running transversely to the plates of the heat exchange elements, are connected to channels provided in the end closures so that the medium can flow from a distributing conduit through an end closure into a deeper shaped manifold and then into the passages and leave the elements in a corresponding manner. Pipes having a cross-shaped cross-section can be inserted in the end closures to serve as distributing conduits and also as tie-rods to hold the elements of the heat exchanger together.

Abstract: A solar panel having at least two corrugated heat retention surfaces, each including a pair of opposite sides and opposing ends. One of the retention surfaces has a surface defining a plurality of dimples. The retention surfaces are mated with each other and remain separated by the dimples. One end of the mated heat retention surfaces includes an orifice means to control the flow of water between the mated surfaces and the other end has an outlet for solar heated water.

Abstract: A heat exchanger panel having a desired system of tubular passageways having a heat exchange medium wherein said panel includes opposed headers including island-like bonded portions and said passageways have entry and exit portions extending from said headers to provide ingress and egress openings for said heat exchange medium. The headers include as part of the island-like bonded portions alphanumeric bonded portions to assist in properly installing the panel within a complete solar collector assembly.

Abstract: This panel-type radiator for extracting heat from liquid flowing therethrough comprises a panel through which the liquid flows in a downward direction. The panel is made from two dished metal sheets having aligned vertically-extending embossments welded together along a vertically-extending zone and providing spaced vertically-extending flow channels on opposite sides of the vertically extending zone. The portions of the sheets defining the walls of said channels are provided with vertically-spaced embossments arranged on each sheet in a generally herringbone pattern, with the individual embossments extending transversely of the vertically-extending zone via a path that slopes upwardly as the vertically-extending zone is approached.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly is disclosed herein and includes a solar panel arrangement having a main body which defines internal passageways, between inlet and outlet headers, a corrugated glazing sheet located on the top side of the panel body and at least one but preferably two corrugated support sheets located under the panel body. The assembly also includes a header cover on each end of the panel which, in part, encloses a corresponding one of the headers and which, in part, nests against the corrugated glazing sheet and one of the corrugated support sheets.

Abstract: A method of cooling beer, wherein beer contained in a cylindrical fermentation tank of a large capacity and undergoing a fermentation process extending from the beginning of fermentation to the termination of fermentation, is cooled by employing cooling jackets mounted on the external wall surface of the sidewall of the tank and on the bottom of the tank and wherein cooling is more intense at the lower layer of beer in the tank.

Abstract: A device for chilling fluids includes a cooling chamber for containing cooling media such as ice or the like. The wall of the cooling chamber includes a mounting arm for supporting a container of fluid generally in an inverted position. A fluid conduit is positioned within the cooling chamber in contact with the cooling media. The fluid conduit includes a removable coupler at its upper end for coupling the open end of the fluid container to the conduit and a check valve to prevent accidental spilling of the container. The lower end of the conduit includes a valve to allow selective flow of fluid from the container into the conduit for cooling and out through the valve into a suitable receptacle such as a drinking glass. In an alternate embodiment, the cooling chamber is generally rectangular in shape and the fluid conduit comprises a thin, sloping heat exchange element mounted within the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A solar heat collector, suitable for installation in inclined position to face the sun, as on a sloped roof, includes at least one flexible, usually substantially flat, wall member and a conforming second wall member, preferably with both wall members being of thin conductive metal, such as used aluminum printing plates, with both walls being spaced part to form passageways for the flow therethrough of a heat transfer fluid under a vacuum so that the walls are pressed toward each other. To allow flow of heat transfer fluid through the solar heat collector panel without obstruction because of the vacuum one or both walls may be formed into channel shapes or the collector may include a spacing and/or rigidifying screen or equivalent between the walls, highly preferably with the panels being indented or shaped to conform with openings in the screen, thereby helping to position the screen and to improve heat transfer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid cooler for semiconductor power elements, the cooler having an external surface for bearing against the cooled element. The internal space of the cooler is formed so as to generate a whirling motion of the cooling medium supplied thereto.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for more practical construction of liquid-cooled buckets able to efficiently transport heat energy from the inside of the airfoil skin surface in contact with hot gas to the outer surface of preformed tubes recessed into the bucket core, through which tubes liquid coolant is passed during operation. The bucket is made of a series of preformed solid components, which are assembled, consolidated and then converted into a unified structure. In each arrangement illustrated one of the preformed solid components is a flat bimetallic sheet comprising an erosion, corrosion resistant layer and a layer of high thermal conductivity, these layers being joined by an optimized metallurgical bond.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a desired system of tubular passageways for a heat exchange medium defining opposed headers connected by connecting portions of said passageways extending therebetween, said passageways having entry and exit portions extending from said headers to provide ingress and egress openings for said heat exchange medium, wherein said tubular passageways comprise a plurality of island-like distentions connected by a plurality of tubular channels passing therebetween, said tubular channels positioned with their longitudinal axes at an angle to both the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of said panel, said distentions and tubular channels serving to enhance resistance to bending under mechanical stress and reduce the incidence of failure at fluid temperature near or at their freezing point.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for removing corrosive heavy metal ions from aqueous fluids used in heat exchange systems. The method provides for the employment of a getter upstream of a heat exchange and in proximate contact therewith so that the getter removes said ions from said fluid before the fluid is introduced into the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A condenser having a heat transmitting surface wherein on the condensing and heat transmitting surface along which steam condensate flows down, steps are provided in a vertical row so that the condensate falls from the respective lower ends of the steps down to the lowermost end of the heat transmitting surface.

Abstract: A plate type condenser with a plurality of heat transmitting plates assembled face-to-face to form therebetween passages for steam and the cooling liquid alternately. The plate has in a heat transmitting surface, on which condensate occurs successively, a plurality of longitudinal grooves which serve for subjecting the condensate to flow down only in the grooves under the action of surface tension, and a condensate collecting and discharging means consisting of inclined grooves and vertical grooves, for the purpose of preventing the downflow liquid layer on the heat transmitting surface from its growth. The longitudinal groove is curved at the lower portion thereof along the inclination of the inclined groove, and the inclined groove is in the multi-stripes configuration to improve the condensate collecting and discharging performance.

Abstract: Solar heating system, wherein solar heating assemblies are adapted to form the roof of a structure. The solar heating assemblies may not occupy the entire surface area of a roof, but the upper sheathing elements of the solar heating assemblies may extend over the entire roof area so that no other provision for roofing of the structure is necessary.

Abstract: A collector of solar energy comprises an array of contiguous transparent blocks, arranged in one or more layers or tiers, resting on a thermally conductive supporting plate which overlies a system of conduits for the circulation of a heat-carrying fluid such as water. Each block consists of a thin-walled hollow glass body of generally prismatic shape with a broad concave undersurface which, in the case of the lowest tier, makes only line contact with its supporting surface and is largely separated from that surface by an intervening dead-air space minimizing conductive heat transfer therebetween. A nipple at one end face, used for the blowing of the glass bodies, may be received in a complementary recess of a juxtaposed end face of an adjoining body.

Abstract: An evaporator assembly for a freezing apparatus comprises freezing faces in the form of large planiform surfaces connected to an outer annulus having a contained volume, and the annulus runs along a substantial portion of the periphery of the freezing faces, the freezing faces and the annulus forming a central chamber. One portion of the annulus is attached to a segment having a narrowing cross section forming a contained volume, and a protruding liquid guide is attached to and runs substantially along the length of said segment.

Abstract: A novel solar collector is disclosed and described comprising a base and a plurality of upstanding walls extending about the perimeter of the base. An input and an output extend through the walls to communicate with a plurality of liquid conduits integral with the base. A transparent cover is secured to the upstanding walls for covering the base and the plurality of conduits. The conduits and the base with the upstanding walls are constructed of a one-piece molding of a curable material.

Abstract: A method of making a solar absorber panel is disclosed in which mild steel sheets are provided with a pattern of recesses such that when the sheets are superimposed, an internal hollow fluid heat transfer passage system is formed thereby including inlet and outlet manifolds joined by connecting passages. A metallic sealing material having a lower melting point than the sheets is placed in the recesses, the sheets are superimposed and the structure is peripherally welded to form a gas-tight envelope. The envelope is purged of air, partially internally evacuated and the edges of the internal passages sealed by heating the assembly above the melting point of the sealant material. The vacuum drawn on the envelope insures a tight seal between all passages as it allows external ambient air pressure to force the sheets together.

Abstract: A low-cost solar panel is fabricated from three laminated plastics layers, the upper two layers being transparent to luminous and infra-red solar radiation and the bottom layer being opaque; in one version water to be heated flows first between the upper two layers and then between the lower two layers to be further heated in flowing over the bottom layer.

Abstract: A flat plate collector of parallelepipedal configuration for a solar energy system, comprising a plane collective surface for the reception of solar energy with internal channels designed to maximize turbulent flow of heat-absorptive fluid therethrough and provide a maximum of heat absorptive surface in proportion to the volume of fluid content. As designed, the collector is adaptable to mass, low-cost production.

Abstract: Heat transfer structure comprises:A. sandwich assembly including a heat transfer plate to receive infra-red radiation or to transmit such radiation, respectively to or from skyward,B. the assembly defining an enclosed gas flow chamber at the underside of said plate, there being spaced air inlet and outlet ports respectively to and from the chamber, andC. baffling in said chamber to direct gas passing through the chamber via said ports to freely flow tortuously and with turbulence adjacent major extent of the underside of said plate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an easily fabricated, lightweight, solar collector module, and to a system for employing a plurality of said solar collector modules to achieve an efficient, relatively low cost method and means of collecting solar energy. The solar collector system comprises, preferably, a plurality of the lightweight, easily portable, module units which may be affixed to the roof of a house or other structure, in shingled fashion. Each of the modular units comprises, preferably, a pair of small-sized rectangular glass, or plastic, plates maintained in an offset, spaced relationship one above the other, by relatively small, glass, spacer support means. The normally upper surface of the lower plate of the unit is provided with a plurality of parallel grooves over a major portion of its surface. A plurality of such modular units are placed onto the roof of a structure, and rendered fluid-tight with respect to each other.

Abstract: A fireplace grate comprising a support for holding burning logs and the accompanying hot embers and ashes and including heat transfer structure for transferring heat generated by the logs and embers to the area immediately therebelow. The grate further includes air passageways located in the area below the support. The passageways having air outlets at the front of the grate for directing air into the room in which the fireplace is located and air inlets disposed at location remote from the air outlets for receiving air for passage through the passageways.