Abstract: A register of a forced air system is sealed by placing a heavy flexible magnetic panel over the register and adhering the entire panel to the entire register for preventing escape of forced air from the register. The flexible magnetic panel is used on wall registers, on floor registers and on ceiling registers.

Abstract: A catalytic converter is surrounded by variable conductance insulation for maintaining the operating temperature of the catalytic converter at an optimum level, for inhibiting heat loss when raising catalytic converter temperature to light-off temperature, for storing excess heat to maintain or accelerate reaching light-off temperature, and for conducting excess heat away from the catalytic converter after reaching light-off temperature. The variable conductance insulation includes vacuum gas control and metal-to-metal thermal shunt mechanisms. Radial and axial shielding inhibits radiation and convection heat loss. Thermal storage media includes phase change material, and heat exchanger chambers and fluids carry heat to and from the catalytic converter.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a fan for forcing air through an air path. An endless belt filter travels through a water tank and across the air path to exchange heat with air passing through the belt filter. A heater is provided for selectively heating the water. A moisture collecting filter disposed in the air path downstream of the belt filter removes moisture from the air. Sensors detect the volume and temperature of the water in the tank for actuating either or both of the heater and a warning buzzer. A speaker is mounted in the air conditioner housing and is connectible to a radio. A switching circuit causes radio sound from the speaker to be muted and instead causes the speaker to emit the warning buzzer when the latter is activated by a sensor.

Abstract: An insulated container for maintaining a product at a specific constant temperature during shipping or storage using two constant temperature coolants of different temperatures on either side of a highly conductive product storage box to establish a temperature gradient. Two pieces of insulated material of different thicknesses are placed between the product storage box and the constant temperature coolants. The selected thicknesses of the insulated material determine the specific temperature of the product, which will be between the temperatures of the two constant temperature coolants. U-shaped heat equalizers are disposed around the insulated material to conduct ambient heat leakage directly to the coolants and thereby help to insure a uniform temperature throughout the product storage box.

Abstract: An evaporator including a frame which defines a fluid inlet plenum and an interchangeable baffle plate positioned in the plenum along with an interchangeable fluid spray bar. A transition element carries fluid from a standard round tubular fluid inlet and distributes the fluid equally across the width of the spray bar. By forming a plurality of interchangeable baffling plates each having at least one of the placement, configuration and size of holes therethrough different than the other interchangeable baffling plates and forming a plurality of interchangeable spray bars each having a different fluid outlet configuration, the baffle plates and spray bars can be interchanged to design an evaporator for air conditioners and the like with the least amount of internal fluid pressure drop and the best fluid inlet flow balance with the best heat performance.

Abstract: A thermally actuated switch is useful for a redundant cryo-cooled system such as a computer system. In the path between two redundant cryo-heads, a thermally actuated switch which has two sensible parallel thermally conducting plates which are separated by an compressible gas (air) gap which provides a non-conducting fluid and a conducting fluid (mercury). Under operating conditions (below mercury freezing point), the gap is filled with solid mercury, providing an excellent thermal path. If a cooler fails, the temperature on its side of the thermal interface rises until the mercury liquifies. When liquid mercury is displaced from the gap by a non-conducting gas, a thermal open circuit is provided avoiding loss of heat from the alternative cryo-cooler.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electric refrigerator or freezer. The cabinet comprises one or several hermetically sealed heat insulated spaces (14) which are wall or door panels of the cabinet. The space or spaces communicate with a vacuum creating device (18) via an evacuation conduit (17). A vacuum creating device is a permanently installed unit in the cabinet which is arranged to be activated when or after the cabinet has been installed by the user of the cabinet. After a long period of running the vacuum device creates a suitable underatmospheric pressure in the space or spaces (14).

Abstract: A mass flow cooler for cooling particulate material comprising a vertical bin having a top end, a bottom end, a material inlet near the top end and a material discharge in the bottom end; the material discharge comprising a plurality of orifices through which the particulate material may flow; a plurality of vertical, tubular heat exchanger elements, each having an open top end and a sealed bottom end and extending from the top of the bin toward the bottom of the bin; a plurality of fluid distribution tubes corresponding to the number of heat exchanger elements, each fluid distribution tube having an open top end and an open bottom end and extending through the top end of a corresponding heat exchanger element toward the bottom end of the heat exchanger element; each fluid distribution tube being connected to a source of cooling fluid; and a discharge orifice plate positioned below the material discharge for controlling the rate at which the material flows through the bin.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting the temperature of a body associated with a heating system in which the heat exchange between a first heated body comprising a part of the heating system and a second body, upon exceeding a particular temperature, is to be decreased. A chamber is built between the first heated body and the second body and filled with a liquid. The chamber is impermeably connected with a flexible equalization vessel. If the temperature of the first heated body or second body, or the temperature within the chamber, exceeds the boiling temperature of the filling liquid, the filling liquid vaporizes and condenses in the connected equalization vessel. In this manner, heat conduction through the liquid between the first heated body and the second body is substantially prevented or in any case is significantly less than in the case of the filled chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic vacuum insulation comprising sidewalls enclosing an evacuated chamber and gas control means for releasing hydrogen gas into a chamber to increase gas molecule conduction of heat across the chamber and retrieving hydrogen gas from the chamber. The gas control means includes a metal hydride that absorbs and retains hydrogen gas at cooler temperatures and releases hydrogen gas at hotter temperatures; a hydride heating means for selectively heating the metal hydride to temperatures high enough to release hydrogen gas from the metal hydride; and gate means positioned between the metal hydride and the chamber for selectively allowing hydrogen to flow or not to flow between said metal hydride and said chamber.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a stationary spirally or concentrically wound heat exchanger core with rotating baffles on upper and lower ends thereof. The rotating baffles include rotating inlets and outlets which are in communication with respective fixed inlets and outlets via annuli. The rotation of the baffles causes a concurrent rotation of the temperature distribution within the stationary exchanger core, thereby preventing frost build-up in some applications and preventing the formation of hot spots in other applications.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for holding a heat exchanger particularly of the type used in administering cardioplegia during heart surgery. The mounting assembly both mounts the heat exchanger and provides heatexchanging fluid (e.g., water) to the heat exchanger. The mounting assembly also includes a valve and sealing mechanism which are simultaneously operated to ensure that the valve is not opened until after the heat exchanger is properly sealed. The sealing mechanism includes an expandable seal that is designed to hold the heat exchanger on the mounting assembly.

Abstract: An improved electrically controlled thermotropic liquid-crystal heat valve to control the flow of heat between two bodies of different temperatures by interposing therebetween a fluid layer of liquid-crystal material having a nematic temperature range that includes the temperature of both bodies. This type of heat valve has particular application to any free-swimming divers' diving garments, to provide some thermal protection against the cold ambient water. The heat valve uses stable liquid-crystal materials encapsulated in a sealed environment, with the valves' electrodes being shielded and not in direct electrical contact with the liquid-crystal material. This arrangement essentially completely eliminates the electrochemical effects which can otherwise degrade the liquid-crystal materials, so that the liquid crystal may function for a very long time.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal heat valve is constructed to be controlled with multiple ectrode pairs. So constructed, it is controllable by alternating electric potentials in different phases applied to corresponding electrode pairs, thus increasing the maximum heat-transfer rate of the heat valve by increasing its duty cycle.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus wherein the working fluid is a suspension of electric dipoles. The apparatus conducts the fluid from the region to be cooled to a heat exchanger, and employs different fluid conduit geometries. The fluid conduits present the fluid to the region to be cooled in a cold unaligned state, whereupon the fluid absorbs energy from the region and is heated. The dipoles in this warmed fluid are then aligned in another region by the conduit geometry, and the fluid becomes hot as a result of this alignment. The heated fluid with the aligned fluid is then cooled in the heat exchanger, and the cooler aligned dipole fluid becomes even cooler when the fluid flows to a region where the dipoles can no longer maintain their alignment and the process then repeats. The alignment and unalignment of the dipoles in the fluid is controlled by the geometry of the fluid container. In the aligned region, the conduits are cylindrical or planer; in the unaligned region, the conduits are spherical.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus employing a working fluid of magnetic dipoles. The apparatus exploits a phase change in the working fluid from unaligned magnetic dipoles to aligned magnetic dipoles, so that no compression of the fluid is required. In a first embodiment, alignment is achieved by judicious application of RF fields tuned to the resonance frequency of the dipoles. In a second embodiment, alignment and randomization of orientation is achieved by operating always below the Curie temperature, and using geometry of the fluid conduit to permit or disallow the formation of a self aligning magnetic field. In both embodiments, the aligned portion of the fluid flow corresponds to the compressor-radiator-expansion valve poriton of the conventional cycle, and the unaligned portion corresponds to the vapor portion of the conventional cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed temperature regulation of elements (12) in thermal contact with a fluid contained in liquid-vapor equilibrium inside an enclosure (10) which is closed in sealed manner and which is provided with thermal insulation, temperature regulation being provided by means of an external heat source (S) imposing a reference temperature (Tc) to the fluid contained inside the enclosure (10) and causing a corresponding variation in the temperature (Te) of the elements (12) by changing the phase of the fluid. The invention is particularly applicable to performing molecular biology reactions at controlled temperature.

Abstract: A steam condenser with temperature regulating apparatus including an exposed surface of the condenser defining an upper portion and a lower portion for allowing outside air to come into contact with the condenser. A heating control mechanism is connected to the condenser at the upper portion of the exposed surface and utilizes articulated electrically heated blanket or electrically heated panels in order to provide a freeze-proof environment and efficient operation of the steam condenser.

Abstract: A system of sealed heat pipes enclosing a working fluid. In the heating mode, the working fluid is evaporated and the latent heat of vaporization is transported through the heat pipes to the condenser region. The condensate returns to the evaporator region through a liquid bypass line containing a liquid storage reservoir and a heating control valve. In the cooling mode, a cooling control valve is opened to increase the specific volume of the heat pipe system. During operation, heat is absorbed from the evaporator region and transferred by the working fluid vapor through the heat pipe system to the cold media. Condensate returns to the external evaporator by a liquid return line containing a liquid storage reservoir and a cooling control valve. Electric resistance heating can be incorporated to heat the reservoir. Vapor from the reservoir passes into the heat pipe system through a check valve vapor line. Shutdown and system control are regulated by the reservoir cutoff valve and electric heating.

Abstract: An automotive air-conditioner has a heater core and a flexible film damper in a duct. A bypass passage is defined between the heater core and an inner wall of the duct. A heated air passage is defined downstream of the heater core. An air outlet for discharging air from the duct into a passenger compartment is disposed downstream of the duct. A flexible film damper having at least one damper opening therein is arranged to open and close the heated air passage, the bypass passage and the air outlet. The flexible film damper is driven by an driving mechanism to change the position of the damper opening so that the size of the air outlet is adjusted in response to the selected ratio of the cross-sectional areas between the heated air passage and the bypass passage.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for maintaining a particular temperature differential and/or adjustable temperature gradient between two, possibly variant domains on a first glass, ceramic or synthetic plate, includes a first active thermal element (heater or cooling element) in contact with that plate for adjusting the temperature of a first domain; a ferrofluid, liquid metal, solder etc. droplet and made of a material that has a thermal conductivity higher than the thermal conductivity of the plate, rests on a second plate and in thermal contact therewith; a second active temperature means (heater or cooling element) on the second plate determines the temperature of the droplet; and the droplet is flattened to different degrees to thereby vary the area of contact between the top part of the droplet and the first plate.

Abstract: A high conduction cooling structure useful for dissipating heat from integrated circuit devices includes a cooling base (10), a bulk heat transfer element (18), adjacent spaced apart cooling fins (14 and 16), and a bimetallic strip (22). The cooling base (10) is positioned in heat transfer relationship with an integrated circuit device and as it increases in temperature, the bimetallic strip (22) flexes outwardly and contacts the cooling fins (14 and 16). The contact created with the cooling fins (14 and 16) allows for more efficient transfer of thermal energy.

Abstract: A nuclear steam generator 10 with economizer 32 adjacent secondary side feedwater inlets 38a and 38b includes a secondary side divider plate 36 and handholes 40 at opposing 180.degree. locations in alignment with the ends of the plate 36. Notches 42 in the ends of the plate 36 adjacent the aligned handholes 40 facilitate inspection and maintenance access on the secondary side above tubesheet 22. To prevent bypass flow from one side of the divider plate 36 to the other, a novel flow blocker 50 of cylindrical shape is provided for mounting in handholes 40 and notches 42. The flow blocker 50 is defined by telescopically assembled member 52 and 62 which are biased in opposite directions by pre-loaded spring 64 therein to insure stability against vibration and flow induced loads. The flow blocker 50 fits sungly in notch 42 and handhole 40 and is bolted to the inside of closure plate 74 of handhole 40.

Abstract: A heat generating apparatus and system for an automobile and incorporating the use of an absorption air conditioning system including temperature control means is disclosed. Heat transfer from the catalytic converter by means of a circulating heating fluid to a heating coil attached to the heat generator on the absorption system is provided as well as electrical connectons and controls for utilizing the heat energy from the catalytic converter. The use of a compressor and horsepower drain on the engine is eliminated.

Abstract: Electrodes are provided separated by spaces through which a liquid comes in and out, the electrodes being located 0.5 mm to 6.0 mm from the heat transfer surface in a liquid which has an electrical conductivity of 10.sup.-10 (1/(.OMEGA..multidot.m)) or more, the velocity of the flow being within the range of a Reynolds number for a laminar flow range, and a high-voltage direct current is applied to the electrodes to thereby produce turbulent components in the flow of the liquid to augment heat transfer between the liquid and the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: A method for increasing the reliability and remaining useful life of a system of boiler tubes. The present condition of boiler tubes is ascertained and a temperature profile is developed. Additional operating parameters are obtained and used to model the tube system. The model is manipulated to predict a modification which will cause increased tube system life and reliability. The tubes are modified according to the model.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat accumulation tank system intended for use as a heat source of, for example, an air conditioner and which is installed, for example, in a building or under a green zone, a stadium or a parking area. The heat accumulation tank system is composed of a plurarity of water tanks which are connected through a communication passage such as a communication pipe. The pressure in the communication passage is controlled by means of a pressurizing device or a vacuum device, so that the state of communication is controlled such as to establish or interrupt the communication between the water tanks or to control the rate of flow of water between these water tanks.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having coaxial inner and outer conduits is characterized by a flow intercepting body which extends into the inner conduit to thereby divide the length of the heat exchanger into two sections with different heat exchange characteristics. Adjustment of the temperature of gases exiting the heat exchanger may be accomplished by varying the ratio of the lengths of the two sections of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle has a housing (1) accommodating an evaporator (2) and a heater (3) which are connected to a compressor and to an engine cooling system, respectively, and a fan (7) and controlled gates (9, 13) of hot and cool air ducts (8, 12). The evaporator 2 and heater (3) are in the form of a stack of alternating heat exchange plates having passages 4, 5 for a heat carrier. An auxiliary controlled gate (14) of the hot air duct (8) is provided between the fan (7) and the stack of the heat exchange plates for movement between two positions. The gate shuts off a part of the surface of the stack of the heat exchange plates in the first position, and in the second position, the gate uncovers the entire surface of the stack of the heat exchange plates. The invention may be used in self-propelled vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a heat tube device through which a working fluid can be circulated to transfer heat to air in a conventional air conditioning system. The heat tube device is disposable about a conventional cooling coil of the air conditioning system and includes a plurality of substantially U-shaped tubes connected to a support structure. The support structure includes members for allowing the heat tube device to be readily positioned about the cooling coil. An actuatable adjustment device is connected to the U-shaped tubes for allowing, upon actuation thereof, for the heat tubes to be simultaneously rotated relative to the cooling coil for allowing the heat transfer from the heat tube device to air in the air conditioning system to be selectively varied.

Abstract: A heat exchanger suitable for placing air and cold hydrogen in heat exchanger relationship with each other comprises two concentric annular arrays of header tubes, all the header tubes in the radially outer array being in flow communication with a first manifold while half of the header tubes in the radially inner array are in flow communication with a second manifold and the remainder are in flow communication with a third manifold. Heat exchange pipes interconnect the various header tubes and air flows over those pipes. Various valves and pipes are provided and are operable to ensure that the heat exchanger functions in two modes of operation; a first in which cold hydrogen flows through all the heat exchange pipes in a single direction and a second in which the cold hydrogen flows through alternate heat exchange pipes in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A heat exchanger fan having a hollow central shaft. Hollow blades are formed on the central shaft and a peripheral flange is attached to the distal ends of the hollow blades. The interior of the shaft communicates with the interior of the blades, and openings at the distal ends of the blades extend through the peripheral flange.

Abstract: An expandable and contractable sealed environment is provided by a rigid frame member and a pair of deformable heat transfer elements fixed to the frame member. The frame member is located between two heat-producing electronic assemblies. A coolant agent is pumped into the sealed environment to flex the membranes and cause them to conformally contact the pair of electronic assemblies. Excess heat in the assemblies is then allowed to pass across the membranes and into the coolant agent for dissipation purposes. In order to remove the electronic assemblies, the pressure of the coolant agent is reduced, which permits the heat transfer element to return to its nondeformed state removed from the assembly. Thus, the electronic assemblies can be removed without the need to open fluid couplings.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of generally planar spiral flow channels in a stacked, generally parallel array for accommodating a first fluid. Each spiral flow channel terminates in an inner end at an axial core area of the heat exchanger. Flow channels are sandwiched between the spiral flow channels for accommodating a second fluid in heat exchange relationship with the first fluid. Relatively rotatable tubes extend axially of the core area and have radial openings in axial registry with the inner ends of the spiral flow channels. Relative rotation of the tubes vary the overlapping relationship of the tube openings and thereby vary the flow to the spiral flow channels.

Abstract: A PTC thermistor device includes a heat generator containing a PTC thermistor unit, and heat radiators thermally coupled thereto. Each of heat radiators includes a plate, one main surface of which is adhered onto the heat generator, and a number of fins integrally formed on the other main surface of the plate. Since the plates of the heat radiators are thermally coupled to the heat generator, respectively, heat generated by the PTC thermistor unit is radiated from the fins through the plates. Free ends of respective sets of fins form opening portions, and guide plates are disposed above and below the respective opening portions so as to prevent air from escaping through the opening portions. If the guide plates are movable guide plates and are moved, an opening degree of each opening portion covered by each of the movable guide plates is changed such that temperature of warm air blown-out from an air outlet side can be adjusted or controlled.

Abstract: Electrostatic cooling apparatus with a needle emitter insulated along the shank thereof except for a sharp needle tip. The insulated needle emitter is supported along the axis of a funnel tube so as to augment the velocity of the ionic wind generated by the needle emitter. The needle emitter is axially adjusted within the funnel tube to tune the resonant cavity formed by the needle emitter and funnel tube to just below the space charge oscillation frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is an interdigitated plate-type heat exchanger interface. The interface includes a modular interconnect to thermally connect a pair or pairs of plate-type heat exchangers to a second single or multiple plate-type heat exchanger. The modular interconnect comprises a series of parallel, plate-type heat exchangers arranged in pairs to form a slot therebetween. The plate-type heat exchangers of the second heat exchanger insert into the slots of the modular interconnect. Bellows are provided between the pairs of fins of the modular interconnect so that when the bellows are pressurized, they drive the plate-type heat exchangers of the modular interconnect toward one another, thus closing upon the second heat exchanger plates. Each end of the bellows has as a part thereof a thin, membrane diaphragm which readily conforms to the contours of the heat exchanger plates of the modular interconnect when the bellows is pressurized.

Abstract: An apparatus contains a fluidized bed that includes particles of different triboelectrical types, each particle type acquiring an opposite polarity upon contact. The contact may occur between particles of the two types or between particles of etiher type and structure or fluid present in the apparatus. A fluidizing gas flow is passed through the particles to produce the fluidized bed. Immersed within the bed are electrodes. An alternating EMF source connected to the electrodes applies an alternating electric field across the fluidized bed to cause particles of the first type to move relative to particles of the second type and relative to the gas flow. In a heat exchanger incorporating the apparatus, the electrodes are conduits conveying a fluid to be heated. The two particle types alternately contact each conduit to transfer heat from a hot gas flow to the second fluid within the conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat accumulation tank system intended for use as a heat source of, for example, an air conditioner and which is installed, for example, in a building or under a green zone, a stadium or a parking area. The heat accumulation tank system is composed of a pularity of water tanks which are connected through a communication passage such as a communication pipe. The pressure in the communication passage is controlled by means of a pressurizing device or a vacuum device, so that the state of communication is controlled such as to establish or interrupt the communication between the water tanks or to control the rate of flow of water between these water tanks.

Abstract: A variable conductance thermal insulation blanket regulates the temperature of a component (20) on the surface (32) of a spacecraft. The blanket comprises a sealed container (2) and a pressurized gas tank (10). When gas is introduced from the tank (10) into the sealed container (20), heat is conducted away from the component (20) into outer space via conduction through the gas molecules. Thus, component (20) is cooled. When gas is evacuated from within sealed container (2) and there is a vacuum there-within, heat conduction is thwarted, and the primary means of heat escape from component (20) is via radiation. However, radiation is also thwarted by means of a set of stacked radiation sheilds (24) having low emissivity but high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A heat conducting thermal plate (55) is fixed to a thermal load (10) by means of fasteners (75). Bosses (60) on the thermal plate are received within bosses (75) on an adjacent heat exchanger (25) to maintain a sealed interengagement between those components as the thermal plate is drawn up into surface-to-surface contact with the load.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve for use, in particular, in a heating and cooling system for a building, enables change-over of interconnections between ducts connected to rooms of the building and to the exterior and ducts connected to a heat recovery module for adapting the system to summer or winter operation. The control valve has a member rotatable about a predetermined axis of rotation between first and second positions, stationary first ducts distributed around the axis, flexible second ducts for communication with respective ones of the first ducts, the second ducts each having an end secured to the rotary member for movement therewith from one to another of the first ducts, and seals for sealing the second ducts to the first ducts.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus and method wherein an expansible heat transfer member is disposed between a heat source member removably disposed within a cavity defined by a heat receiver member. The heat receiver is configured as a heat exchanger transferring received heat to an external system for utilization. The heat transfer member both removably couples the heat source and heat receiver mechanically as well as providing a favorable heat conductive path therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interrupting the flow of carbon black particle-carrying transport as passing through recuperator tubes for a short period of time to cause the carbon black material accumulating and adhering to the inner walls of the tube to be removed therefrom and swept from the tube by the resumption of transporter gas flow.

Abstract: The invention is a device and method for cooling a high temperature furnace. A typical high temperature furnace will include a hot zone that is insulated with carbon-based materials, such as lamp-black. The cooling device is a probe consisting of two elongate tubular members. The smaller diameter member fits lengthwise inside the larger member, such that an annulus is defined within the probe. A tapered metal tip at the lower end of the probe is positioned above a frangible disk, and the disk fits over a guide tube that extends into the insulation section. In operation, the probe is shoved downwardly through the frangible disk into the guide tube, to position the tip near the hot zone of the furnace. An inert gas is then passed through the inside member of the probe, and exhausted through the annulus, to dissipate the furnace heat.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus and method wherein an expansible heat transfer member is disposed between a heat source member removably disposed within a cavity defined by a heat receiver member. The heat receiver is configured as a heat exchanger transferring received heat to an external system for utilization. The heat transfer member both removably couples the heat source and heat receiver mechanically as well as providing a favorable heat conductive path therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for control of the heat transfer between a circulating bed of solid particles and a heat exchanger (6) located inside a fluidization enclosure (1) supplied with solid particles and connected to a device for recovering (4) and recycling (5) the particles into the fluidized bed. The heat exchange coefficient of the exchanger (6) is adapted at each moment to the heat transfer requirements of the plant by varying in the same sense the concentration of solid particles in the circulating bed, by increasing or reducing the quantity of circulating particles to increase or reduce, respectively, the exchange coefficient to the value required by the demand. The invention is particularly applicable to steam production boilers operating on coal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cooling of dust or finely granular bulk material, having a vertical cylindrical cooling jacket, the externally cooled cylindrical surface of which is fed with the material to be cooled from the inside by means of an annular conveyor worm which conducts the material upward and presses it by centrifugal force against the heat exchange surface. In order to be able to materials which are subject to explosion safely with the apparatus, the conveyor worm is arranged on the cylindrical surface of a cylindrical hollow body which is closed at its ends, fills the greatest part of the inside of the cooling jacket, and is driven by a motor.

Abstract: A dual refrigeration system for cooling a sink device is described, which automatically thermally couples the cold refrigerator to the sink device while thermally isolating the warm refrigerator from the sink device. The system includes two gas gap heat switches that each thermally couples one of the refrigerators to the sink device, and a pair of sorption pumps that are coupled through tubes to the heat switches. When the first refrigerator (18) is operated and therfore cold, the first pump (50) which is thermally coupled thereto is also cooled and adsorbs gas to withdraw it from the second heat switch (44), to thereby thermally isolate the sink device (12) from the warm second refrigerator (26). With the second refrigerator being warm, the second pump (52) is also warm and desorbs gas, so the gas lies in the first switch (38), to close that switch and therefore thermally couple the cold first refrigerator (18) to the sink device.

Abstract: A fixedly positioned hot plate, particularly for use with a coffee maker, has an upper surface for receiving a container of liquid to be maintained at a constant temperature. An electric heating device arranged underneath the hot plate includes a plate member movable between a first position in biased engagement with the underside of the hot plate and a second position spaced therefrom to vary the heat exchange rate therebetween. Secured to the underside of the plate member is a metallic sheathed heating having a water heating pipe soldered to the periphery thereof. A temperature sensitive element, e.g. U-shaped bimetal, thermally coupled to the heating device has a first portion connected to a downwardly dependent stud secured to the underside of the hot plate and extending freely through a bore in the plate member an a second portion secured to the plate member.