Abstract: A heat exchanger of thermoplastic materials, e.g. polypropylene, comprises two spaced-apart headers interconnected by an extruded board comprising a plurality of tubular passages extending from one end of the board to the other; each header having a longitudinal groove in its exterior surface and a plurality of holes spaced along the groove, interconnecting the groove and the interior of the header; each end of the board being located along the groove of one of the headers and held in position by a sealing bead adhering to both the header and the board, the bead extending continuously right round the mouth of the groove where adjacent to the board, to seal against loss of any fluid flowing between the header and the tubular passages. The heat exchanger can be readily adapted for use as a solar energy collector. The board and headers are preferably polypropylene extrusions secured together and sealed by extrusion welding using an extruded bead of a polypropylene composition.

Abstract: A relatively thin solar heat collector, for solar heat collecting units, having a series of discontinuities in its surface in the form of projections, increasing surface area for absorption and heat transfer.

Abstract: A heat exchanger plate of single unitary structure and relatively thin material has a deep draw formed through one surface adjacent to each of the opposite ends to provide fluid openings and a lesser depth inner draw formed in the other surface to provide a fluid passage communicating with the fluid openings. The plate is adapted to oppose adjacent plates in a stacked configuration to provide heat transfer between separate fluids flowing through counterflow passages on opposite sides of the plate. The recessed area on one surface of the plate forms a fluid passage with its adjacent plate in the stacked array for flow of a first fluid through the stack from side to side of an enclosing housing. A collar formed around each plate opening by the deep draw is adapted to nest with a corresponding collar of an adjacent plate to provide manifold sections communicating with a second fluid passage.

Abstract: Structural plastic materials are normally not resistant to elevated temperatures, and accordingly presently have only limited applications in solar energy collection devices despite their decided cost advantages. The present invention enables the widespread use of such plastic materials, in fact enables the essentially complete construction of solar collection devices thereof. An optically dense radiant heat absorbable fluid is passed through the device and utilized to collect solar energy from such devices. Should such fluid not be present within the device for any reason, e.g. upon pump failure, sunlight entering is positively directed outwardly thereof. Preferably the outward direction of sunlight from the fluid receiving chamber is accomplished by providing one of the surfaces forming such chamber with a highly reflective surface so that the sun's rays are outwardly deflected.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of the spiral-coil type in which, around a core tube, a sheet of thermally conductive material, e.g. metal, is coiled in a spiral to define passages between the turns of the spiral traversed by fluids to be subjected to heat exchange. According to the invention, neighboring metal sheets define flow passages between them and are sealed along the faces of the sheets and along the longitudinal edges over spaced-apart units of length so that the sections between the sheets are alternately open and closed at the longitudinal edges. The open passages at the longitudinal edges can communicate with a hood through which the fluid is distributed to or removed from a respective passage.

Abstract: A solar energy heat collector and use system wherein heat is directly absorbed into a moving column of air and stored in the structure thereof dependent upon the availability of solar radiation and time period of use of said heated air as related to said availability, use being made of large volume-high specific heat material in the collector construction for heat retention without adverse effect upon direct heat absorption into said moving column of air, the use of essentially dry product air being diversified and controllably ducted for utilitarian uses including dwelling interior heating and cloths drying.

Abstract: A heat exchange panel possessing a system of internal tubular passageways connecting opposed headers, said headers defining an angle of at least 91.degree. with respect to the direction of flow of heat exchange medium passing therethrough, wherein said headers are triangular in shape and wherein fluid entry and exit portions extending from said headers are provided with their longitudinal dimensions lying in substantially the same plane as one of the sides defining the outer boundaries of said headers. Said headers are further provided with a plurality of bonded portions placed in alignment so as to define discrete, parallel-directed fluid channels assisting in the distribution of heat exchange fluid. The configuration of the headers provides improved and efficient drainage of fluid from the panel.

Abstract: A solar energy collector connectable with a fluid-circulating system is contained in a plenum within an insulative housing and has a plurality of generally parallel, heat-absorbing conduits extending between intake and outlet manifolds and confronting the sun or other heat source through a transparent window, each conduit being separated from an adjacent conduit by an intervening slot. Positioned below the conduits is a heat-absorbing tank which is connected in fluid-flow relationship with the outlet manifold and also with the circulation system so that a heat-transfer medium may flow continuously between the energy collector and the circulation system. The tank receives radiant energy through the slots and after absorbing some of the radiation reflects the remaining portion upwardly to the conduits to thereby increase radiation intensity on and heat absorption by the conduits. Multiple reflections between tank and conduits further increase energy absorption both by tank and conduit.

Abstract: The system produces heated air at a temperature up to 230.degree. F. and comprises a box structure having one or more glass panels covering the top of the box. Separator walls divide the box into a series of air conveying ducts with the air being forced by means of a blower through the ducts in a serpentine fashion. A heat conductive plate covers the separator walls and is painted black so as to absorb the sun's rays passing through the glass panels. A plurality of dissipators which each comprise a number of heat conductive dissipator plates, are secured to the main conductive plate and each extend into their respective duct. The main conductive plate and dissipator plates are all arranged parallel to each other and the box is situated so that the main conductive plate is perpendicular to the sun's rays.

Abstract: A unitary solar collector for transfer of thermal energy which is a synthetic thermoplastic unit. The unit has a solar-energy transmitting region and a solar-energy absorbing region. The unit is useful for heating purposes.

Abstract: A solar energy collector having lower and top plates in spaced-apart parallel relationship and being laterally joined to develop a chamber, fluid inlet means provided at the normally upper end of said chamber, fluid outlet means provided at the normally lower end of said chamber, said lower plate having high heat absorptivity, said upper plate having heat transmissivity for short wave energy, a multiplicity of insulators provided within said chamber developing a multiplicity of tortuous flow paths from one end of said collector to the other, and means interengaging the upper and lower plates and the intervening insulators along lines of demarcation coextensive with said collector for developing discrete flow channels.

Abstract: Device suitable for use in heat and mass transfer applications comprising a manifold structure having outwardly extending protrusions from the surface thereof and which is spirally wound into a plurality of convolutions and is surrounded by a shell having a cylindrical body member and conical ends. The protrusions are interconnected with one another so that flow progresses from one to another. The device can be used for heat transfer and for mass transfer between various fluid streams, in particular, venous blood and a stream of oxygen. The manifold structure being spirally wound provides a manifold for oxygen flow in an axial, as well as circumferential, direction. Blood flows axially through the mass transfer device in a plurality of essentially concentric streams. When two manifold structures are provided in tandem in a body member, both heat and mass transfer can be provided with a stream of blood.

Abstract: A heat exchange panel possessing a system of internal tubular passageways connecting opposed headers, wherein said headers define an angle of at least 91.degree. with respect to the direction of flow of a heat exchange medium passing therethrough, and said passageways are disposed at an angle of at least 1.degree. with respect to said flow, said flow defined with respect to a longitudinal edge of said panel. The disposition of the headers and passageways provides improved and efficient drainage of fluid from the panel regardless of whether the longitudinal dimension of the panel is placed in the horizontal or the vertical plane.

Abstract: A fluid cooling system for electronic systems particularly adapted to cool large scale integrated circuit chips mounted on substrates. The system has one or more heat exchangers through which a liquid coolant is circulated. Each heat exchanger has a flexible wall and is mounted so that its flexible wall is in close proximity to a surface of the substrate to be cooled. A low thermal impedance contact is made through the flexible wall of the heat exchanger between the substrate to be cooled and the coolant flowing through the heat exchanger because of the pressure of the coolant in the heat exchanger. The heat exchangers are connected into the cooling system through flexible conduits so that a heat exchanger can readily be moved out of contact with a substrate without disrupting the flow of coolant through the cooling system.

Abstract: A heat exchange device for air conditioners and the like comprising a primary body member of sheet plate material having tubular flow conduit fastened thereto for receiving and containing the flow of fluid such as the liquid/gas used with air conditioners and the like. Projecting pins securely attached to the plate member or members in single or double rows alternately with the tubing material provide the heat exchange improvement. Several different embodiments of the tubing and rows of projecting pins are provided for various type of applications. Another embodiment replaces the tubular flow conduit with a second plate member with the refrigerant flow being between the two plate members.

Abstract: A heat exchange panel possessing a system of internal fluid passageways defining at least two longitdudinally extended headers extending substantially the length of the panel, a connecting header located at one end of the panel in a direction transverse to the longitudinally extended headers and interconnecting same, a plurality of connecting portions of said passageways extending transversely between the respective longitudinally extended headers, and fluid exit and entry portions extending longitudinally from at least two of said headers. The configuration of the headers serves to reduce pressure drop while maintaining uniformity of fluid flow under high velocity, and renders the panel eminently suitable for solar energy applications.

Abstract: A panel having multiple tubular passages extending therethrough and fitted on each end with a fluid tight hollow header. Apertures through one side of the headers place the tubular passages in communication with the interior of the headers. Fluid pumped into one header flows through the tubular passages to the other header, exchanging heat with the environment surrounding the panel as it passes therethrough. The panels are formed to provide a flow restrictive feature at the ends of the through fluid passages so that substantial flow will exist in all passages in all panels in an array of panels. One method for obtaining a fluid tight bond between the headers and the panel involves a forming process utilizing a heated die applied to the panel ends, and a subsequent panel and header material melting process followed by imposing pressure contact between the formed panel ends and the headers to thereby effect a permanent bond or weld.

Abstract: Sealing means useful in connection with cylindrical, elongated furnaces wherein materials are treated at high pressures and high temperatures. Such furnaces generally include a cylinder, end closures and a cooling plate structure carried by the end closure and disposed internally of the furnace. The sealing means comprises an attachment ring for retaining the cooling plate in position on the end closure and a number of annular seals disposed in sealing relationship with respect to the gap between the attachment ring and the cooling plate structure. A draining channel is provided to intercommunicate said gap and the atmosphere surrounding the furnace.

Abstract: A heat exchange system comprising a plurality of passageways for a heat exchange medium defining opposed header structures connected by connecting portions of said passageways extending therebetween, said connecting portions having entry and exit portions communicating with said headers to provide ingress and egress openings for said heat exchange medium, wherein said connecting portions are provided with at least one constriction in internal diameter extending along at least a portion of the length of at least one of said connecting portions, said constriction serving to regulate the flow of said heat exchange medium between all of said connecting portions.

Abstract: A free standing unit for modifying the temperature in a U-shaped forced air channel which has air directing baffles. The wall structure of the unit maximizes forced air temperature modification for heating or cooling sources and provides a cooking surface for a heat source.

Abstract: A heat transfer element having a plurality of parallel channels is formed from at least two interconnected metal foils or sheets, at least one of which is corrugated and at least one of which is flat, wherein the surfaces of the foils or sheets facing each other are coated with a weldable or sealable plastic or lacquer layer and are bonded to each other by means of these layers in their respective contact zones.

Abstract: There is described an improved, modular, solar energy converting unit which operates as a solar heater. The modular heater incorporates upper and lower surfaces and a prescribed chamber therebetween. The chamber is defined by a plurality of walls or baffles which are substantially parallel and, alternately, extend from opposite sides of the modular unit. In addition, a sinuous, continuous rib member is arranged intermediate adjacent areas of said baffles while providing an interconnection which is spaced from the free end of alternate ones of the baffles. Each of the side walls includes portions which may be selectively interconnected with other portions of adjacent modules. In addition, each of the side walls includes means for aligning and interlocking adjacent modules. Additional support members are provided, to the extent necessary, wherein the module is capable of supporting substantial weights and may be used as a surface decking or the like.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of hollow articles comprising providing a first sheet of metal, placing on said first sheet a weld-inhibiting material in a pattern corresponding to a predetermined configuration of fluid passageways, forming an assembly by superimposing a second sheet of metal upon the surface of said first sheet bearing said pattern, pressure welding said assembly in the areas thereof not separated by weld-inhibiting material, and expanding the areas separated by said weld-inhibiting material, wherein the weld-inhibiting pattern provided is so configured that when said assembly is expanded, a marker structure is formed which is situated so as to guide the determination of the final linear dimensions of said article. The foregoing marker enables the rapid, automated sizing of articles such as heat exchange panels produced by the above process.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting panel includes a pair of elongated spaced apart tubular fluid headers formed of heat conductive material and a plurality of elongated hollow tubular panel elements or risers formed of heat conductive material extended between the headers. The panel elements have an outer wall adapted to face and absorb solar radiation and transfer the heat directly into fluid passing through the tubular passages of the risers which are arranged in edge to edge, side by side relation with opposite ends of the risers connected in direct fluid communication with a fluid passage in the headers through openings in a wall section thereof.

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 headers include a fluid distributing pattern comprising at least one bonded portion defining at least one wedge-shaped projection, said projection provided to assist in the distribution of flow of said heat exchange medium.

Abstract: A solar heating system includes a solar collector comprising a continuous length of copper tubing coiled into a helical array of closely adjacent turns and supported within a sealed housing. The outer turns of the array are fabricated of tubing having a greater diameter than the tubing which forms the inner turns of the array, and the total length of the larger diameter tubing in the array is greater than that of the smaller diameter tubing. The relationships beween the tubing diameters and lengths are selected to achieve a desired flow rate and temperature rise for the overall array. The array is supported within the housing by copper sheets which also operate to eliminate moisture condensation within the housing.

Abstract: Solar heating apparatus that includes a solar panel having a generally rectangular box type frame that is open at the front, glass panes mounted on the frame to close the front opening and provide a dead air space, a plurality of horizontally elongated, generally rectangular tubular channels mounted with the top wall of a lower channel in abutting relationship with the bottom wall of the next higher channel, a water inlet opening through one end of the uppermost channel, a water outlet opening through one end of the lowermost channel, conduits interconnecting the channels to provide a liquid flow path serially through the channels from the uppermost channel to the lowermost channel, a heat storage reservoir, lines including a pump for pumping liquid from a heat exchanger in the storage reservoir to the panel inlet and return the liquid from the outlet to the heat exchanger, control mechanism for operating the pump in response to temperature changes in the panel, and a heat transfer system for transferring hea

Abstract: An improved form of flat plate collector of the type used for heating a fluid, such as water, using solar energy. The structure comprises a cast or molded body having a surface which is absorptive to solar radiation, above which is positioned a sheet of material transparent to solar radiation forming a flat hollow cavity through which a thin sheet of water is passed in contact both with the transparent material and the absorptive surface. The thin sheet of water acts both as a means for transferring energy from source to sink and as an interference filter as well. The cast body may also incorporate suitable plumbing passages and means for interconnecting a plurality of collector modules.

Abstract: An inexpensive, highly efficient, durable, and easy to manufacture solar collector of the flat-plate type. The collector includes a heat exchanger having an upper plate, a lower plate, and four triangularly-shaped side plates defining an enclosed chamber, all plates being highly absorbent of solar radiation, the upper plate curving inwardly so that a central portion thereof extends closely adjacent the lower plate along a hot line extending between opposite corners of the collector; and means for conducting a fluid into and out of the chamber, at the remaining corners thereof, on opposed sides of the hot line, so that the fluid flows through the chamber, perpendicular to and in a thin sheet past the hot line, absorbing heat from the upper plate. The collector also includes a frame in which the heat exchanger is supported along the outer edges only in a manner such that light is reflected to the lower plate to increase the efficiency of heat absorption.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting device comprising a hollow plastic panel as the heating element, said panel having opposite ends converged to provide tubular end portions each being inserted into and axially slidably supported by a tubular stud of a header. A pair of headers being provided at opposite ends of said hollow plastic panel.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of hollow articles comprising providing a first sheet of metal, placing on said first sheet a weld-inhibiting material in a pattern corresponding to a predetermined configuration of fluid passageways, forming an assembly by superimposing a second sheet of metal upon the surface of said first sheet bearing said pattern, pressure welding said assembly in the areas thereof not separated by weld-inhibiting material, and expanding the areas separated by said weld-inhibiting material, wherein the weld-inhibiting pattern provided is so configured that when said assembly is expanded, a marker structure is formed which is situated so as to guide the determination of the final linear dimensions of said article. The foregoing marker enables the rapid, automated sizing of articles such as heat exchange panels produced by the above process.

Abstract: A method of making a heat exchanger sheet is disclosed including progressively forming an elongated flat sheet of metal into a continuously corrugated sheet having a plurality of deeply drawn convolutions which extend across the sheet, and compressing the periphery of the corrugated sheet to provide a substantially flattened edge portion while retaining a centrally disposed corrugated portion with minimal cold working thereof. Preferably, the sheet made thereby has convolutions with slightly sloping walls to better provide a geometrically uniform overlapped pattern in the flattened edge portion thereof.

Abstract: A heat exchanger panel formed from two superimposed plates, at least one of which is folded on itself longitudinally to create a series of outwardly extending open-looped fins, serving as multiple ducts to provide free passage and direct prime heat-exchanging fluid contact along the entire inner wall surface of the fins.

Abstract: A ventilated back-seat rest particularly for automotive vehicles is described comprising a panel formed with air passageways open at the side thereof contacted by the occupier of the chair or seat, and a conduit conducting air to the air passageways. The air conduit is preferably a tube leading to the vicinity of the center of the panel, and the air passageways are open channels formed according to a spiral formation starting from the center of the panel and leading to its outer edge. To enable its use in automotive vehicles, one described embodiment includes an air-funnel attachable to the exterior of the automotive vehicle and connected to the free end of the air conduit for conducting air thereto, and a second described embodiment includes a connection for connecting the free end of the air conduit to the ventilating fan of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: Flat plate absorber member includes a flat heat absorbing sheet of a thin metal foil such as copper, or a thin plastic film such as polyvinyl fluoride, bonded to a channeled substrate, and particularly to a plastic laminate such as a glass epoxy laminate. The improved absorber member provides an energy collecting efficiency which is much greater than that of a much more expensive conventional collector having a series of copper tubes soldered to a copper sheet. The absorber is preferably made by the method of taking a base sheet of fully cured glass epoxy laminate and overlying it with a precut, patterned intermediate layer of semi-cured glass epoxy which defines the depth of the side walls of the channels. The cover sheet of metal foil or plastic film is then placed over the semi-cured glass epoxy intermediate layer and heat and pressure are applied to bond the semi-cured glass epoxy to the cover sheet and to the previously cured base sheet.

Abstract: Described herein are self-supporting structural elements formed of an integral sheet characterized by alternating elevations and depressions which sinusoidally vary about a flat or curved surface of neutrality, the element being suitable for use as a core in composite shell structures. The sinusoidal core element is curvilinearly continuous in passing from the peaks of the characteristic elevations through the surface of neutrality to the floors of adjoining depressions so that stress-raising discontinuities characteristic of prior art core elements are avoided. The core elements, which may be formed of any rigid metal material, e.g., steel, are preferably sinusoidally configured by explosive forming against a suitably configured die. The core elements can be employed singly or in plural, stacked relationship between both parallel and tapered or other irregular boundary layers.

Abstract: This is a heat liquid exchanger unit particularly adapted for use with situations where the heating liquid is under low pressure gravity flow at a relatively slow flow rate and constitutes a pair of outer flow passages for the gravity flow heating liquid, which surround an inner replenisher liquid flow chamber through which liquid under controlled rate of flow passes so that the flow rate of the replenisher liquid is equalized with the flow rate of the discharge liquid, the panels between the outer passages and the inner chamber being of thin wall high heat transfer construction and being specifically formed to provide a torturous path for the liquid through the inner chamber, the outer chambers also have a series of spaced divider brackets forming a torturous path through the outer passages.

Abstract: An improved lightweight heat exchanger particularly suited for use in systems having low volume flow, high longitudinal gradient and high effectiveness requirements. The heat exchanger is characterized by a shell of an annular configuration, an endless plate of minimal thickness and of a substantially uniformly convoluted configuration disposed within the annular shell for defining therewithin a plurality of endless, juxtaposed passages, each having a low Reynold's number and being of an annular configuration. A pair of manifolds disposed 180.degree. apart is mounted on the shell in communication with the passages through which counterflowing fluids having different temperatures are simultaneously introduced and extracted from the passageways for thus achieving a continuous transfer of heat through the convoluted plate.

Abstract: A method of heating a liquid and a solar heating panel therefor is disclosed. The method comprises forming one or more obstruction free, longitudinally extending liquid passageways one side of each passageway being formed from a metallic material whereon the outer surface of said metallic material contains a solar radiation heat absorbing coating and each passageway has a width to depth ratio varying between approximately 6.5 to 15 and a mean hydraulic radius varying between approximately 0.018 to 0.027, exposing the solar radiation heat absorbing coating to solar radiation energy, and heating a liquid by passing said liquid through said passageway and simultaneously maintaining a substantially constant cross-sectional area flow path through said passageway. By such means the liquid is accelerated as same flows from one end of said passageway to the other end. The liquid is passed through said passageway while maintaining a laminar or non-turbulent flow therethrough.

Abstract: An improved cooling system wherein printed circuit cards are made into modules of two cards each with an enclosed space between them inside the module. The modules cooperate with a rack which carries air passages, and upon connection of the module into the rack, air flows from one side of the rack through the module space, thus cooling the cards from their rear surfaces, thence out of the module, and returned via the other side of the rack.

Abstract: A panel having multiple tubular passages extending therethrough and fitted on each end with a fluid tight hollow header. Apertures through one side of the headers place the tubular passages in communication with the interior of the headers. Fluid pumped into one header flows through the tubular passages to the other header, exchanging heat with the environment surrounding the panel as it passes therethrough. The panels are formed to provide a flow restrictive feature at the ends of the through fluid passages so that substantial flow will exist in all passages in all panels in an array of panels. One method for obtaining a fluid tight bond between the headers and the panel involves a forming process utilizing a heated die applied to the panel ends, and a subsequent panel and header material melting process followed by imposing pressure contact between the formed panel ends and the headers to thereby effect a permanent bond or weld.