Abstract: A method of controlling a microclimate system includes identifying a set of multiple microclimate thermal effectors configured to provide multiple occupant zones and determining a differential temperature between a local temperature at one of the microclimate thermal effectors and a preset temperature for the microclimate thermal effectors. The differential temperature is determined for each of the microclimate thermal effectors. A fuzzy set is generated for each of the microclimate thermal effectors based upon the respective differential temperature. A respective temperature set point for each of the microclimate thermal effectors is defined based upon the fuzzy set for the corresponding microclimate thermal effectors. Each microclimate thermal effector is commanded to the corresponding respective temperature set point.

Abstract: The system and method of controlling a level of flooding to remain substantially constant within a flooded heat exchanger wherein steam flows into a steam side and condenses to form condensate that partly floods the steam side and that flows out of the steam side, and wherein cold water flows into a water side in heat exchange relationship with the steam side to heat the cold water and form heated water that flows out of the water side, comprises collecting the water condensate flowing out of the heat exchanger condensate outlet into a level controller through a controller condensate inlet; connecting the level controller to a steam source having a pressure equivalent to that of the heat exchanger steam side; and controlling the level of condensate in the level controller to remain substantially constant with a controller valve that allows condensate to be exhausted out through a controller condensate outlet if the level of the condensate in the level controller rises beyond a valve activation threshold where

Abstract: A heat recovery vapor trap is provided for removal of vapor condensate from a container, while preventing any appreciable escape of vapor, and for achieving beneficial heat recovery from said condensate prior to temperature degradation associated with depressurization, whereby useful heating to much higher temperature is possible. The trap is indirect acting, and is preferably mechanically actuated by a float.

Abstract: A furnace or other heat exchanger application for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems having condensate control. Specifically, a condensate control for secondary heat exchangers is provided for use with high efficiency furnaces, particularly for small tonnage systems, such as residential or unitary systems. Condensate management permits a plurality of furnace orientations while providing resistance to corrosion due to liquid condensate.

Abstract: A fluid cooler, fluid cooler core and method of condensing gas is disclosed. The fluid cooler includes a container for a liquid transfer medium. The container includes first and second hot fluid inlets, first and second cooled liquid outlets, a cooling liquid inlet, and a cooling liquid outlet. A first conduit extends within the container and fluidly couples the first hot fluid inlet to the first cooled liquid outlet. A second conduit extends within the container and fluidly couples the second hot fluid inlet to the second cooled liquid outlet. A third conduit extends within the container and fluidly couples the cooling liquid inlet to the cooling liquid outlet. The first, second, and third conduits are positioned to be at least partially submerged in the liquid transfer medium when the container contains the liquid transfer medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining liquid depth information in a condensate pan of a climate control unit are provided. The systems and methods radiate a light beam into a liquid contained in a condensate pan associated with a climate control unit. The light beam is detected at a point of the condensate pan that is below a surface of the liquid. Information related to the depth of the liquid is determined based at least in part on the detected light beam. The systems and methods disclosed herein can determine if liquid depth in a condensate pan is greater than a threshold depth and can control evacuation of the liquid from the condensate pan.

Abstract: Ceramic materials with relatively high resistance to wetting by various liquids, such as water, are presented, along with articles made with these materials. The oxide materials described herein as a class typically contain one or more of ytterbia (Yb2O3) and europia (Eu2O3). The oxides may further contain other additives, such as oxides of gadolinium (Gd), samarium (Sm), dysprosium (Dy), or terbium (Tb). In certain embodiments the oxide, in addition to the ytterbia and/or europia, further comprises lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), or neodymium (Nd).

Abstract: Articles coated with wetting resistant materials are presented. One embodiment is an article comprising a substrate and a coating having low surface connected porosity disposed on the substrate. The coating comprises an oxide, which comprises aluminum, yttrium, and at least one rare earth element according to the following atomic proportions: (RxY1-x)3Al5O12 where x is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.999, and where R is at least one of the rare earth elements, Y is yttrium, O is oxygen, and Al is aluminum.

Abstract: A furnace or other heat exchanger application for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems having condensate control. Specifically, the disclosure includes condensate control for secondary heat exchangers for use with high efficiency furnaces, particularly for small tonnage systems, such as residential or unitary systems. The application provides condensate management to permit a plurality of furnace orientations while providing resistance to corrosion due to liquid condensate, while providing a furnace system that utilizes less expensive materials and is easily fabricated.

Abstract: A gas leak detecting system for a gas cooler includes, a gas cooler (1) for cooling a gas, which is supplied to and discharged from the interior of a cooler water chamber (2) via piping, with a coolant supplied to and discharged from the interior of the cooler water chamber; an automatic exhaust valve (12) for automatically discharging the gas, which has leaked into the cooler water chamber, to the outside; a gas leak detecting vessel (8) for accumulating a leakage gas discharged from the automatic exhaust valve; and a gas detecting device (13) for detecting the leakage gas within the gas leak detecting vessel.

Abstract: An autoclave waste fluid disposal device includes an outer housing container with a main inlet port for receiving waste fluids from an autoclave, and a main outlet port. A multi-chambered condenser inside the outer housing container includes an inlet tube connected to an innermost primary chamber. A secondary chamber envelopes the primary chamber and has an upper end sealed about the inlet tube and at least one secondary chamber outlet port. A tertiary chamber enveloping the secondary chamber has a closed lower end, an upper end sealed about the inlet tube, and at least one tertiary chamber outlet port in communication with the outer housing container. A coil tube encircles the multi-chambered condenser and has a first end connected to the main inlet port of the outer housing container and a second end connected to the inlet tube of the multi-chambered condenser.

Abstract: A cryo probe head for the transmission/reception of RF signals for NMR measurements with a heat exchanger (1) for cooling heat sources (5), the heat exchanger having a contact element (4.2) for thermal connection between a cryogenic fluid and the heat source, is characterized in that the heat exchanger comprises a container having an interior volume VB into which a first cryogenic fluid F1 that has a liquid component F1L and a gaseous component F1G flows through an inflow conduit (8) and from which a second cryogenic fluid F2 that has liquid component F2L and a gaseous component F2G flows out through an outflow conduit (9). The inflow conduit has a flow cross-section QZ and a circumference UZ from which a characteristic conduit volume VZ=4·Q2Z/UZ results, wherein VB>10·VZ, and the outflow conduit has a flow diameter QA wherein QA?QZ. The contact element is in close thermal contact with both the liquid volume component VL of the cryogenic fluid and with the heat source.

Abstract: A compression refrigeration system and evaporator having multiple circuits. Spray nozzles are provided for atomization and expansion of the refrigerant. The atomizing spray nozzles are interposed in each evaporator circuit and the nozzles are sized to distribute atomized refrigerant to the various evaporator circuits based on airflow rates across the associated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is a MEMS-based two-phase LHP (loop heat pipe) and CPL (capillary pumped loop) using semiconductor grade silicon and microlithographic/anisotrophic etching techniques to achieve a planar configuration. The principal working material is silicon (and compatible borosilicate glass where necessary), particularly compatible with the cooling needs for electronic and computer chips and package cooling. The microloop heat pipes (?LHP™) utilize cutting edge microfabrication techniques. The device has no pump or moving parts, and is capable of moving heat at high power densities, using revolutionary coherent porous silicon (CPS) wicks. The CPS wicks minimize packaging thermal mismatch stress and improves strength-to-weight ratio. Also burst-through pressures can be controlled as the diameter of the coherent pores can be controlled on a sub-micron scale. The two phase planar operation provides extremely low specific thermal resistance (20-60 w/cm2).

Abstract: The present invention is a MEMS-based two-phase LHP (loop heat pipe) and CPL (capillary pumped loop) using semiconductor grade silicon and microlithographic/anisotrophic etching techniques to achieve a planar configuration. The principal working material is silicon (and compatible borosilicate glass where necessary), particularly compatible with the cooling needs for electronic and computer chips and package cooling. The microloop heat pipes (?LHP™) utilize cutting edge microfabrication techniques. The device has no pump or moving parts, and is capable of moving heat at high power densities, using revolutionary coherent porous silicon (CPS) wicks. The CPS wicks minimize packaging thermal mismatch stress and improves strength-to-weight ratio. Also burst-through pressures can be controlled as the diameter of the coherent pores can be controlled on a sub-micron scale. The two phase planar operation provides extremely low specific thermal resistance (20-60 w/cm2).

Abstract: A direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and a method of direct expansion ammonia refrigeration is described and which includes a source of liquid ammonia refrigerant which is delivered in fluid flowing relation to a plurality of evaporator tubes which incorporate wicking structures, and which through capillary action facilitated by the wicking structures are effective for drawing liquid ammonia refrigerant along the inside facing surface of the evaporator tubes so as to substantially reduce any stratified and/or wavy flow patterns of the liquid ammonia refrigerant within the evaporator tubes. The invention further includes a novel accumulator vessel and heat exchanger vessel which are coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and which facilitate the removal of water from the ammonia refrigerant in order to enhance the operation of the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system.

Abstract: A heat exchanger extracts heat from a two-phase fluid coolant so that the coolant changes from a vapor state to a liquid state. Two valves have respective inlets which communicate with the coolant in the heat exchanger, and which are physically spaced from each other. Valve control structure responds to the presence of liquid at the inlet to either valve by opening that valve, so that the liquid coolant flows through the valve to a discharge section. A different feature involves a housing with a heat exchanger therein, the heat exchanger having a plurality of coolant conduits that are axially spaced. A flow of air travels axially within the housing, then flows transversely past the conduits to the other side thereof, and then resumes flowing axially on the other side of the conduits.

Abstract: The whole main tank for housing the constant temperature liquid the temperature of which is adjusted by a temperature adjusting device is supported in a sub tank with a gap as a heat insulating layer around the main tank. A liquid level regulating mechanism supplies and discharges the constant temperature liquid between inside of the main tank and the gap formed in the sub tank to thereby achieve heat insulation and regulation of the liquid level of the constant temperature liquid housed in the main tank by utilizing the same gap in the sub tank.

Abstract: The heat exchange system is used for heating a first fluid with a second fluid, and includes a first fluid circuit comprising an upstream end, a downstream end and an intermediate portion therebetween and a second fluid circuit comprising an upstream end, a downstream end and an intermediate portion therebetween. The heat exchange system also includes a flooded heat exchanger unit wherein the intermediate portions of the first and second fluid circuits extend and are in adjacent, thermally-conductive contact for allowing heat transfer from the second fluid to the first fluid. The flooded heat exchanger is capable of being flooded in a determined proportion within the second fluid circuit intermediate portion.

Abstract: An evaporative heat exchanger of a medium condenser of a air condition system with less cooling fins even without cooling fins which a novel coil assembly composed of a plurality of streamline cross sectional tubes is used to instead of conventional round tubes for providing an ultra high evaporative efficiency therefore, and having the further improvement of easy to clean and convenient for maintenance.

Abstract: A method for controlling heat exchange in a nuclear reactor. The reactor contains at least one thermal valve, at least one heat exchanger having a coolant flowing therein, with the heat exchanger being immersed in a pool containing a fluid. The heat exchanger is confined by a container having an upper part with an opening therein and a lower part having means for introducing the fluid through such lower part as well as means for partially or totally opening or closing said opening in the upper part and means for partially or totally opening or closing opening in the lower part. The method comprises the steps of closing the opening in the upper part of the container to thereby vaporize said fluid, in order to cause a cessation of heat exchange between the coolant and the fluid; and opening the opening in the upper part of the container to thereby cause the fluid to be heated and to rise by convection, thereby permitting heat exchange to occur between the coolant and the fluid.

Abstract: A pressurizer includes a casing in which at least one spray line ends. The spray line is guided through a wall in a lower region of the casing and is disposed in such a way as to run upward inside the casing. The spray line ends at its geodetically highest point.

Abstract: A method of operating a power generation system is provided. The system includes a turbine, a distiller/condenser, a boiler, and a superheater. The turbine expands a superheated multicomponent working fluid to produce power. The distiller/condenser transforms the expanded multicomponent working fluid into first and second concentration multicomponent working fluids. The first concentration multicomponent working fluid has a first concentration of a component of the multicomponent working fluid. The second concentration multicomponent working fluid has a second concentration of the component which is different than the first concentration. The boiler vaporizes a feed multicomponent working fluid. The superheater superheats the vaporized feed multicomponent working fluid to form the superheated multicomponent working fluid. In operating the system, the temperature of the vaporized multicomponent working fluid is sensed.

Abstract: A water release system includes a compact aftercooler connected to receive hot, moisture laden compressed air from a compressor having a load cycle under control of a governor. A water release valve is connected between a header of the aftercooler and an unloader pressure line connected to the governor. The valve ordinarily remains open until it receives a certain, pressure value signal from the unloader line which is effective to close the valve. A switch is located in pressure sensing relationship with the aftercooler, and a solenoid valve is electrically connected to the pressure sensitive switch and pneumatically connected between the water release valve and the governor.

Abstract: A vapor condenser includes a conduit defining a passage for guidingly communicating a vapor stream in a vapor flow direction from an inlet at a first location to a second location, a first heat exchanger between the first and second locations for open heat exchange between the vapor and a first coolant, the first coolant flowing in a direction that is counter to the vapor flow direction, and a second heat exchanger between the first and second locations for open heat exchange between the vapor and a second coolant. The vapor condenser automatically controls the flow rate of coolant in the first heat exchanger in response to changes in the density of the vapor in the vapor stream entering the conduit. Control of the flow rate of coolant is maintained, for example, by controlling the flow rate of individual dispersal devices, such as nozzles, or by controlling the number of nozzles operating.

Abstract: Compression refrigeration apparatus for removing heat from a heat load using a falling film evaporator, operated with an azeotropic refrigerant and utilizing a spray tree distribution system that distributes a refrigerant film on a heat exchange surface by spraying liquid refrigerant onto a surface and allowing the refrigerant to drip onto the primary heat exchange surface. The apparatus allows for efficient recovery of lubricant deposited in the evaporator without redistributing the lubricant within the evaporator. In an alternative embodiment, liquid refrigerant is sprayed onto a mesh screen where it drips onto the primary heat exchange surface.