Abstract: The increase of temperature in heat sensitive devices during heat generating conditions is prevented through the absorption of heat, by providing Organic Acids in an amount sufficient to effect the required heat absorption. Where the heat generating conditions are generated by a heat generator, separate and distinct from the heat sensitive device, the Organic Acid is supported in a position between the heat sensitive device and the heat generator. Where the heat sensitive device is itself the heat generator, the Organic Acid is contacted to the heat sensitive device either directly or indirectly.

Abstract: The increase of temperature of heat sensitive devices during heat generating conditions is prevented through the absorption of heat, by providing a bicarbonate salt, such as lithium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate, beryllium bicarbonate, aluminum bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and mixtures thereof, in an amount sufficient to effect the required heat absorption. Where the heat generating conditions are generated by a heat generator separate and distinct from the heat sensitive device, the bicarbonate salt may be supported in a position between the heat sensitive device and the heat generator.

Abstract: The increase of temperature in heat sensitive devices during heat generating conditions is prevented through the absorption of heat, by providing Hydrated Salt in an amount sufficient to effect the required heat absorption. Where the heat generating conditions are generated by a heat generator, separate and distinct from the heat sensitive device, the Hydrated Salt is supported in a position between the heat sensitive device and the heat generator. Where the heat sensitive device is itself the heat generator, the Hydrated Salt is contacted to the heat sensitive device either directly or indirectly.

Abstract: A liquid receptacle for rapidly lowering the temperature of a liquid contained therein to a warm range suitable for human contact and maintaining the liquid in the warm range for an extended period of time includes an inner vessel with an open upper end and a closed lower end and a wall connecting the upper and lower end. An insulated outer shell is spaced from the inner vessel to define an interstitial chamber between the inner vessel and the outer shell. A phase change material occupies the chamber and regeneratively absorbs thermal energy from the liquid to cool the liquid and then releases the thermal energy back to the liquid to maintain the temperature of the liquid.

Abstract: A thermal module with temporary heat storage. The thermal module includes a heat storage, a heat absorber, a heat dissipater, and a heat pipe for rapidly transferring heat from the heat absorber to the heat dissipater. The heat storage includes a phase change material and is in contact with the heat pipe. When heat quantities generated by the system are greater than a predefined reasonable thermal target, heat in excess of the thermal target is temporarily absorbed into the heat storage through the melting of the PCM. When the heat quantities generated by the system are again less than the thermal target, the PCM re-freezes, releasing the stored heat to be dissipated normally.

Abstract: A phase change beat exchanger and method for cooling a heat dissipating electronic component, such as an electronics package, transfers heat from the electronic component by way of a heatsink including a base in heat conducting relation with the electronic component and fins arranged in heat conducting relation at one end thereof with the base. The efficiency of the fins is increased by also transferring heat from the base to the fins at a location spaced from the one end thereof using a phase change fluid separated from the fins. A chamber containing the phase change fluid is defined between two telescoping tubes which extend peripherally about the fins to form a tunnel or duct through which a cooling fluid such as air can be flowed in contact with the fins. A further increase in cooling efficiency is obtained using an additional remote heat exchangers attached to the surface of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for storing energy in cooling systems for cooling electronic equipment enclosed in spaces, preferably in insulated spaces. The invention provides an energy storage facility (7) which enables the differences in night-time temperatures and daytime temperatures to be used for cooling purposes, by cooling the energy storage facility (7) with an air flow at low night-time temperatures and by then delivering cold from the energy storage facility to the air flow at higher daytime temperatures, so as to cool the electronic equipment in the closed space (14).

Abstract: In a regenerator for a regenerative cycle machine, regenerator foil is grooved on both sides, with intersections of grooves on opposite side forming holes at which separate flows of fluid interact to induce flows ancillary to the overall direction of flow in the regenerator, thereby enhancing heat transfer to and from the material of the regenerator and improving thermodynamic performance of the gas cycle machine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater which includes a phase change material having a freezing/melting temperature from about 30° C. to about 90° C. The water heater include a source of water, a heating element for heating the water, a heat exchange unit which contains the material, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned in the heat exchange unit, which tubes are in heat transfer relation to the phase change material so that heat stored in the material can be transferred to the water. The phase change material is preferably heated from the top down to accommodate the changes in volume during thermocycling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger for an air-conditioning system (54) of a motor vehicle having a plurality of conducting members (102) for a refrigerant, between which air can flow for heat exchange purposes. In order to provide a heat exchanger which supplies refrigerating output even when the compressor is switched off, the conducting members (102) are penetrated by one or more storage members (114) in which a storage medium is contained.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater which includes a material having a thermal energy capacity of at least about 25 cal/g and having a freezing/melting temperature from about 20° C. to about 100° C. The water heater include a source of water, a heating element for heating the water, a heat exchange unit which contains the material, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned in the heat exchange unit, which tubes are in heat transfer relation to the material so that heat stored in the material can be transferred to the water.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, such as an evaporator, a condenser, or the like, for a refrigerator, such as a chill cabinet, a freezer cabinet or the like, includes at least one surface with which a thermal energy storage medium is in at least as far as possible heat-conducting contact, and bag-like reception containers to be connected to the evaporator.

Abstract: A device for air conditioning of a motor vehicle interior, with a refrigerant circuit which has a compressor (21), a condenser (22) and at least one evaporator (30), with a heat exchange medium circuit which has at least one heat source (engine 10, auxiliary vehicle heater 14) and at least one heat exchanger (12, 17). To simplify the system and to accelerate the response behavior when heating and cooling, it is provided that there an evaporator (30) of the refrigerant circuit and a heat exchanger (17) of the heat exchange medium circuit are both located in a reservoir (33) which is suited for selective storage of both heat and cold.

Abstract: A phase change composition is provided which includes a nucleating agent to reduce supercooling of the composition. The phase change composition may comprise a eutectic mixture of water and sodium chloride. The nucleating agent may comprise calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, or pentaerythritol. The phase change composition may also include silica particles such that it is provided in the form of a gel or powder. The phase change composition may be used in a variety of applications including thermal shipping containers.

Abstract: A heat storage device comprises a heat storage tank 2 charged with a heat storage material 1 for storing the heat supplied from the outside, and a heat exchanger 3 for executing an injection and an extraction of heat between the inside of the storage tank 2 and the outside by the heat exchange between the heat storage material and a heat transfer medium. The heat exchanger 3 is disposed so as to execute a heat exchange between the central portion 2a in the heat storage tank 2 and the outside, and suppresses the natural convection of the heat storage material 1 of the outer portion 2b by, for example, dispersing a liquid-absorbent material 5 in the outer portion 2b surrounding the central portion in the heat storage tank 2, whereby reduces the influence of external environment on the central portion 2a in the heat storage tank, thereby suppressing the heat loss toward the outside.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioning system, a cold accumulator is disposed between a downstream air side of a cooling heat exchanger and an upstream air side of an air mixing door, to be cooled by cold air having passed through the cooling heat exchanger. Therefore, the cold accumulator can be readily cooled by the cold air from the cooling heat exchanger, while having a simple structure. Further, the cold accumulator is disposed at the upstream air side of the air mixing door, the cold accumulator can be effectively cooled without being affected by a rotation position of the air mixing door.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for storing energy. In particular, the present invention provides a highly efficient system for storing large quantities of energy. In one embodiment, the present invention provides devices and methods for storing energy in phase change material. In another embodiment, the present invention provides devices and methods for storing energy that can be used to cool a space at will. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides devices and methods for storing energy that can be used to heat a space at will. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides devices and methods that can store energy that can be used to either heat or cool a space at will.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a regenerative thermal oxidizer is described which includes at least one heat exchange column provided with a multi-layer of packing material including at least one layer of randomly packed and specially shaped and sized particles, each particle being formed of a high temperature stable material and preferably having a cylindrical outer wall and internal reinforcing vanes extending from the cylindrical outer wall to the center of the particle, and at least one layer of structured monolithic media having a plurality of flow passages in the direction of gas flow through the column.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater which includes a phase change material having a freezing/melting temperature from about 30° C. to about 90° C. The water heater include a source of water, a heating element for heating the water, a heat exchange unit which contains the material, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned in the heat exchange unit, which tubes are in heat transfer relation to the phase change material so that heat stored in the material can be transferred to the water. The phase change material is preferably heated from the top down to accommodate the changes in volume during thermocycling.

Abstract: A support means or pad which is adapted to overlie an area to be thermally regulated. A plurality of microcapsules are dispersed within the support pad. The support means may be a porous pad or overlying layers of a mesh-type fabric. The fabric sheets include a series of channels which may be zig-zag in shape and are filled with a temperature stabilizing means, for example, a macroencapsulated phase change material. Suitable phase change materials are paraffinic hydrocarbons and water. In another aspect of the invention, the temperature stabilizing means is distributed within the support means in proportion to the underlying thermal load.

Abstract: A food heating and cooling device including a tray, at least one main dish plate in the tray, at least one secondary dish plate in the tray, a cover associated with the tray for maintaining the food hot or cold, an inducer for heating, reheating or maintaining heat and powered by an electronic generator circuit which induces currents in an armature located on or under the plates, a thermoelectric exchanger for maintaining the food cold or cool by extracting residual heat from the plates and compensates for thermal insulation leaks from the tray and cover, and rechargeable batteries connected to the inducer and the thermoelectric exchanger.

Abstract: Method for cooling a product, preferably in gas or liquid form, using the cooling content of a condensed gas, where the condensed gas is vaporized in a vaporization heat exchanger arrangement and the product is cooled in a product-cooling heat exchanger arrangement. Both the vaporization and the product-cooling take place under energy exchange with the vaporized gas. As heat exchanger arrangements, use is made of a combined arrangement (1) comprising a plurality of passages (A, B, C) which are in heat-transferring contact with one another and are used for the different media. The passages (A)_ intended for vaporization of the condensed gas are coupled in parallel between an inlet (5) and an outlet (6) and the media are supplied to the passages so that between a passage (A) for the condensed gas and a passage (C) for the product to be cooled there is at all times at least one passage (B) through which vaporized gas flows.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a latent heat storage system for use on the cooling-water circuit of a vehicle combustion engine, whereby a motor-driven rotary pump is secured either at the edge of the storage system housing or inside said housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting stored thermal energy using a combined internal and external melt cycle are disclosed. The present invention relates, in one aspect, to a heat exchange system which uses both an internal melt cycle and an external melt cycle to extract stored thermal energy. The heat exchange system includes a thermal energy storage medium and a heat exchanger which is in communication with the thermal energy storage medium. The heat exchanger is arranged to hold a heat exchange liquid and to facilitate the indirect transfer of heat between the heat exchange liquid and the thermal energy storage medium. The heat exchange system further includes a fluid supply which provides a fluid which directly contacts the thermal energy storage medium to transfer heat between the fluid and the thermal energy storage medium.

Abstract: A heat storage system comprising a heat storage material containing a salt hydrate, wherein the heat storage material comprises following three serial parts, (A) a seed crystal part in which a seed crystal is maintained, (B) a part functions as a switch by heating, or heating and cooling and (C) a main body part which can store and release heat, and a method for heat release control, wherein crystal spread from the seed crystal part (A) to the main body part (C) is controlled by the heating or cooling operation of the part (B) in the above-described heat storage system.

Abstract: A continuous flow sludge pasteurization system includes a flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet and structure within the liquid flow chamber between the inlet and the outlet defining a continuous path for maintaining a continuous flow of a slurry from the inlet toward the outlet at a predetermined rate for establishing a minimum period of residence time of the slurry within the flow chamber, the residence time sufficient to kill all pathogens in the slurry at a predetermined minimum temperature of between about 145 and 160 degrees F, a pump for introducing a continuous flow of a liquid slurry of sludge into the liquid flow chamber and for establishing and maintaining a continuous flow of a liquid slurry through the liquid flow chamber from the inlet to the outlet at the predetermined rate, and a source of heat for introducing heat into a liquid slurry being introduced into the liquid flow chamber for heating the continuous flow of slurry to the predetermined minimum temperature, and dewatering apparatus

Abstract: A phase change material for use in a heat battery is provided which includes a salt of hydrated Group IIA metal nitrate and Group IA metal nitrate and an effective amount of an aqueous material sufficient to cause the densities of the liquid and solid phases of said phase change material to be approximately equal during phase transformation. A method of making the phase change material and a heat battery which contains the phase change material are also provided.

Abstract: A water heater which comprises a phase change material having a thermal energy capacity of at least about 25 cal/g and having a freezing/melting temperature from about 15.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.; a source of water, a heating element for heating the water; a heat exchange unit which contains phase change material; and a plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned in the heat exchange unit with the phase change material located between and around the heat exchange tubes which are in heat transfer relation to the phase change material and in fluid connection with the source of water so that the water heated by the heating element flows through the tubes, heats the phase change material and thereafter the heat stored in the phase change material can be transferred to water flowing therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes related to thermal storage and exchange systems for use in buildings to selectively cool and/or heat a heat storage medium and cause said medium to reversibly pass between a liquid phase and a solid phase without requiring a complete discharge of a thermal reservoir between phase changes.

Abstract: A continuous flow sludge pasteurization system including a heat exchanger, a source of heat for introducing into the heat exchanger, an inlet for introducing a liquid slurry of sludge into the heat exchanger for heating the sludge to a predetermined minimum temperature, a circulating circuit for maintaining the slurry in circulation at the predetermined temperature for a minimum period of about thirty minutes, sufficient to kill all pathogens in the slurry prior to dewatering, and a dewatering unit for removing water from the sludge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steam buffer for use in a steam engine power plant with a closed system and designed to alternately accumulate and emit steam under high pressure and temperature. The steam buffer improves upon conventional steam accumulators which contain water and steam at high pressures and temperature in a large pressurized vessel. The steam buffer functions to store heat in solid material in the walls of a large number of long flow channels with a hydraulic diameter at least as small as 0.5 mm contained in a casing. The flow channels may be formed, for example, by capillary tubes attached to each other or, alternatively, by fine grains of metallic or ceramic material sintered together. The walls of the flow channels perform as the primary heat storing material and are made of a material having a melting point higher than the operating temperature in the steam buffer.

Abstract: An air condition installation adjustable in storing and dispensing coolness includes a coolant circulating course, an unfreezable liquid circulating course, one or more cool-storing tanks and a blower. The cool-storing tank consists of a cylindrical hollow tank filled with a cool-storing liquid, a tubular body housed in the tank, and two separated chambers in the front portion of the tank. The tubular body has an inlet and an outlet respectively communicate with the separated chambers and then with the unfreezable liquid circulating course so as to permit the unfreezable liquid exchange heat with the cool-storing liquid. Each cool-storing tank is of small dimensions to save space for installing, having high heat effect, able to be made to have plural small units.

Abstract: A storage heater for storing heat and for heating a fluid, such as water, has an enclosure defining a chamber therein. The chamber has a lower portion and an upper portion with a heating element being disposed within the enclosure. A tube through which the fluid flows has an inlet and an outlet, both being disposed outside of the enclosure, and has a portion interconnecting the inlet and the outlet that passes through the enclosure. A densely packed bed of phase change material pellets is disposed within the enclosure and is surrounded by a viscous liquid, such as propylene glycol. The viscous liquid is in thermal communication with the heating element, the phase change material pellets, and the tube and transfers heat from the heating element to the pellets and from the pellets to the tube. The viscous fluid has a viscosity so that the frictional pressure drop of the fluid in contact with the phase change material pellets substantially reduces vertical thermal convection in the fluid.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system is operable in heating capacity storage and discharge modes and cooling capacity storage and discharge modes for maintaining a temperature in a vehicle compartment. Each mode includes a thermal charging cycle and a thermal discharging cycle. The thermal energy storage system communicates with a vehicle air conditioning system including a compressor and a vehicle coolant system including a vehicle engine. The thermal energy storage system comprises a thermal storage apparatus housing thermal energy storage material that stores thermal energy. The thermal storage apparatus is connected to the air conditioning system and the coolant system so that a refrigerant or coolant flows through the thermal storage apparatus in heat transfer relationship with the thermal energy storage material.

Abstract: A passive temperature regulating system (2) for heating and cooling a structure (8) exposed to extreme temperatures. The system comprises a thermally conductive exterior wall, such as a roof (6), having corrugations (16) formed therein. A plurality of plastic containers (4) each have a body portion (30) filled with liquid, such as water, and an elongated heat exchanger portion (28) attached to the exterior wall within one of the corrugations. The heat exchanger portion has a conduit in communication with the body via two tubes (44, 46) so that the water can flow vertically between the heat exchanger portion and the body. When the containers are attached to the exterior wall, the water in the heat exchanger portion exchanges heat with the ambient environment through the exterior wall and the water in the body modifies the temperature of the interior of the structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling garment, preferably in the form of a vest that contains pouches containing a phase change material. The pouches cover less than the surface area of the vest to thereby permit evaporative cooling to occur and to contribute to the overall comfort of the wearer. An alternate embodiment includes a honeycomb structure which is contained within the pouches and which contains a macroencapsulated phase change material and allows the escape of perspiration through the garment. A heat transfer fluid is adapted to circulate throughout the pouches. The honeycomb structure is designed so that the macroencapsulated phase change material remains within designated ones of the honeycombs, but that permits the flow of the heat transfer fluid through the pouch.

Abstract: A heat storage type air conditioner which is free from a difficulty that, when a general cooling and heating circuit and a cold radiating and heat radiating circuit are operated separately or simultaneously, the quantities of refrigerant in those circuits become smaller or larger than required, so that its compressor is damaged or the cooling or heating capacity is lowered. When, in a heat storage type air conditioner, first and second bypass circuits 22 and 23 are closed, a general cooling and heating circuit 18 driven by a compressor 1 and a cold radiating and heat radiating circuit 21 driven by a refrigerant gas pump 13 are made independent of each other, so that a cooling operation or a heating operation is carried out with the aid of a first use-side heat exchanger 4a and a second use-side heat exchanger 4b. Therefore, in the air conditioner, the refrigerant or refrigerating machine oil will never concentrate in any one of the two circuits.

Abstract: A `heat battery` or heat storage device based on the phenomena that at a particular temperature and pressure water becomes supercritical and can absorb increasing quantities of heat without a corresponding increase in either temperature or pressure. The device may operate a heat engine such as the Stirling engine or a steam turbine engine in an automobile. The battery includes a pressure vessel for maintaining a charge of water in the vessel at approximately 374 degrees Centigrade and 221 bars of pressure. A heat exchanger coil is positioned in the vessel from which useful heat is extracted and applied to end use such as a heat engine. An electric heater for inputting heat into the charge of water is positioned in the vessel and external connections from the vessel allow for changing the charge of supercritical water and for substituting high supercritical heat containing water for a charge that has been substantially depleted of supercritical heat.

Abstract: A passive thermal mechanism for controlling the environmental temperature of a device having a battery and heat producing load contained within a portable housing so that the housing will remain in a thermally neutral condition and the battery will be maintained in an optimum operating condition.

Abstract: A heat storage type air conditioning system capable of performing refrigerant receiving and discharging control and oil quantity control, which, in operating the general cooling circuit and the cold radiating circuit simultaneously or separately, is free from difficulties that the compressor is damaged or the cooling capacity is lowered when the quantities of refrigerant in those circuits are excessively increased or decreased, and is able to continue the operations with the quantity of refrigerant and the quantity of ice machine oil adjusted to suitable values. In the heat storage type air conditioning system, evaporators are provided in a general cooling circuit driven by a compressor and in a cold radiating circuit driven by a refrigerant gas pump, respectively, so that those circuits operate independently of each other. Furthermore, bypass circuits are provided to allow refrigerant to flow between liquid pipes and between gas pipes in those circuits.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has a multiplicity of modules with an outer shell which is open at the top and the bottom and is joined with other modules in a stacked array. The heat exchanger has an insulating partition which is attached to the inside surface of the shell and divides the shell into two or more flow channels. The insulating partition has a hole which connects the flow channels defined by the shell and baffle. The hole is occupied by a heat-conductive heat storage reservoir, so that heat flow from one channel to another is through the heat storage reservoir. In this way, heat may pass from one flow channel into the storage reservoir and at a latter time be exchanged with a fluid flowing in another flow channel. Heat exchange modules have multiple flow channels and the flow channels preferably have heat conducting fins for increasing the heat transfer between the flow channels and the heat storage reservoir.

Abstract: A steam generator for a convection oven through the oven chamber of which heated air is circulated by means of a fan along a flow path in which the steam generator is positioned, comprises a heat-storage unit having a stack of elongated horizontal supports for supporting ball-shaped heat-storage bodies and means for spreading water over the heat-storage unit. Each support includes a bottom wall having a plurality of polygonal apertures which form seats for respective ones of the heat-storage bodies. The apertures, the size of which is substantially smaller than the largest cross-section of the heat-storage bodies, form flow passages through which water from overlying supports is passed to the top portion of the heat-storage bodies of underlying supports.

Abstract: A chill water system combining a storage vessel 10, a multiplicity of ice encapsulating units 11 contained in the vessel and a chiller system 60. The storage vessel contains a volume or glycol and water solution having a freezing point of about twenty six degrees F. The ice encapsulating units 11 comprise sealed containers filled with a deionized water. The containers have imperfect geometric shape and deformable wall structures to permit an increasee in enclosed volume as said water therein freezes. Chiller system 60 is operatively associated with the vessel and cools the glycol and water solution to about twenty six degrees to freeze the water in the containers 11. A topping tank 90 and an inventory tank 93 receive liquid from the storage vessel 10 as the ice encapsulating units 11 freeze and expand in volume.

Abstract: A phase change material cooled mirror arrangement includes a mirror substrate which has a reflective front major surface and a rear major surface. The mirror is cooled by advancing at least one rod of a solid phase change material toward the rear major surface of the mirror substrate for gradual melting of the material at the rear major surface by heat absorbed from the substrate with attendant cooling of the latter, at an advancement speed sufficient for the solid phase change material to make up for the amount of such material that has been transformed into liquid by the melting thereof. The liquid phase change material is then removed from the vicinity of the substrate and possibly resolidified and added to the trailing end of the rod in a recirculating system.

Abstract: A slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change materials is provided in accordance with the present invention as a heat sink for, for example, the thermal management of electronic components. The slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material may be provided within an open container and the electronic component immersed therein. In the alternative, the slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material can be provided within a container of either flexible bag-like design or a relatively rigid preformed structure to be mounted adjacent the article to be thermally controlled.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes micro heat pipes extending radially outward from a heat sink which surrounds a heat source, rapidly conducting thermal energy away from the heat source, improving significantly the storage of thermal energy in the heat sink, and providing a means for later dissipating thermal energy from the heat sink to an ultimate heat sink over a period of time.

Abstract: First and second face members (12, 14) are secured to the opposite sides of a honeycomb core (16) to provide a structural wall (10). A phase change material (22) is provided within the cells (20) of the wall (10), so that the wall (10) also has the capability of storing thermal energy. The thermal wall (10) may be constructed in the form of a removable shelf (28) for a container (30). It may be constructed in the form of a fixed wall (60) of a container. Such a thermal wall (10) can be constructed to be in the form of a serving vessel, e.g. a dish (FIGS. 14 and 16), a cup (FIG. 13), or the like.

Abstract: A micro-climate cooling vest of lightweight material of double wall construction, the body-proximate portion of which is comfortable and compatible with the clothing or skin of the wearer contains an internal liner portion comprised of a sealable insulative pocket that contains a heat transfer material that changes phase from solid to liquid within a practical range (e.g. 60.degree.-90.degree. F.) of desired body temperature cooling action, and operates to draw body heat away from the wearer in the course of its phase change form solid to liquid state. To augment the cooling action of the vest, an additional layer of ice may be used in conjunction with the primary phase change material, with the primary phase change material acting as a thermal diode.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner includes a variable-capacity compressor which has a predetermined maximum capacity. A thermal storage tank filled with a regenerative material is connected between the discharge side of the compressor and an indoor heat exchanger. In a regenerating operation of the refrigeration cycle, the regenerative material deprives the heat of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor and stores it. At this time, the compressor is driven within a capacity range having a maximum value lower than the predetermined maximum capacity, and an indoor fan for delivering air to the indoor heat exchanger is stopped.