Abstract: Apparatus for defrosting a heat exchanger, comprises a plurality of spaced parallel heat exchanger fins having sets of circular, collared, axially aligned apertures. The collars of each set coacting to define an essentially continuous tube. Refrigerant tubes pass through the essentially continuous tubes defined by a majority of the sets of apertures and are sized for engagement by the collars of the apertures in intimate heat conductive relation. Axially replaceable electrical heating elements traverse the essentially continuous tubes defined by a minority of sets of apertures instead of refrigerant tubes and the heating elements are sized to fit loosely in the apertures so the heat is transmitted from the element to the collars both by radiation and by conduction and so that axial relative movement between the elements and the collars is enabled.

Abstract: A solid state fuel heater unit for use in heating the fuel flow in a fuel filter is disclosed which unit includes a heat conducting ring having a power transistor mounted thereon and driving a power resistor mounted therewithin. Circuitry for controlling the operation of the power transistor, including a thermistor, is mounted within the ring by means of component sealant or potting material which isolates the thermistor from direct transfer of heat thereto from the power transistor and power resistor. The heater unit is adapted to be immersed in the flow of fuel in a fuel filter with the axis of the ring substantially parallel to the fuel flow through the filter.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending housing contains an element for filtering a liquid and an element for heating the liquid. The housing is internally divided into a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical outer chamber, containing the filter element, and a similarly extending cylindrical inner chamber, containing the heating element. The flow of filtered liquid from the outer chamber to the inner chamber is permitted only by having the liquid flow over a generally cylindrical wall defining a weir, which divides the housing into the two chambers. The weir cooperates with a specially formed conical configuration on an end of the housing to define a liquid flow path between the chambers in which undissolved air may be removed from the housing. After entering the inner chamber the filtered liquid flows along the length of the axially directed heating element and the heated and filtered liquid is thereafter discharged from the housing.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a shovel having an electric heating element affixed to the blade portion thereof. A rechargeable battery is utilized to provide energizing power to the heating element. The rechargeable battery, as well as the heating element may be energized by utilizing a power cord adapted to flexibly convey household utility current to the apparatus. The handle portion of the shovel is exposed to some of the heat generated by the heating element thereby providing additional comfort to the user.

Abstract: A device for use in installing wax foundations in bee frames having side members fabricated from substantially dielectric materials and characterized by a plurality of electrically conductive foundation wires extended in substantial parallelism between the opposite side members. The device includes a table having a planar surface for supporting a bee frame. A pair of elongated electrical contacts of substantially inverted U-shaped configuration are mounted in spaced parallelism on the table for engagement of the mid-portions of the contacts with the opposite ends of the foundation wires whereby a DC voltage can be applied to the wires to heat the wires prior to the wires being embedded in a foundation sheet. The mid-portions of each contact is resilient and compression springs are arranged on the planar surface in supporting relationship with the mid-portions of the contacts to prevent sagging of the mid-portions thereby assuring proper electrical contact between the mid-portions and the foundation wires.

Abstract: A sound imploder having as its exclusive function the creation of sonic phenomena when embedded in snow or ice fields. Special components are provided for production of steam as the source of the sound and heat for causing the device to immerse itself due to its own weight below the surface of the snow. A secondary sound source, in addition to the primary source, is also provided for mineral and other explorations underneath the body of snow.

Abstract: A gas laser has a tube for producing a laser beam and a plurality of heaters around the tube. A detector responds to a misalignment of the laser sending a response to control circuits for the heaters. In response to detector's output, the heater control circuits regulate the heaters so as to heat selective portions of the tube. The tube bends due to the heat resulting in a realignment of the laser.

Abstract: A diaphragm type stethoscope for conveying sounds from within a patient's body to the ears of a medical examiner. A heating element is mounted within the hollow head of the stethoscope substantially adjacent the diaphragm member thereof for selectively heating the diaphragm member. A source of electrical power is preferably fixedly attached to the head of the stethoscope in electrical communication with the heating element to selectively activate the heating element.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a flow sonde, particularly for measuring aerodynamic values in aircraft such as the total pressure, the static pressure and the total temperature. The improvement comprises thermally controlled resistor means in the sonde body, said means having a low increase of resistance within a specific temperature range and a high increase of resistance in an adjacent range, whereby there is obtained a high heating power at a low ambient temperature and a limitation of the power absorption when a predetermined temperature is reached.

Abstract: An axial flow elastic fluid turbine apparatus includes a rotor having an annular array of circumferentially spaced blades. A casing encircles the rotor and an annular array of circumferentially spaced stationary nozzle blades is fastened the casing and arranged to direct the elastic fluid against the blades of the rotor. An outer covering is disposed over the radially outermost half of at least one blade of the stationary array and a thermal insulating member is disposed between the surface of the blade and the outer covering. Electric heating means are provided for raising the temperature of the outer covering to the Leidenfrost point, i.e., the point at which the temperature of the covering exceeds the vaporization temperature of the elastic fluid corresponding to the prevailing ambient pressure by more than 200.degree. C., to evaporate water droplets which collect on the stationary blade and to prevent the accumulation of relatively smaller water droplets on the stationary blade.

Abstract: The connecting pipe portion between the outlet pipe and the drain pipe of a wash basin is surrounded by an electric heater for heating the interior of the connecting pipe portion to a temperature of about 80.degree. to 100.degree.C to prevent microbes from rising from the drain pipe into the outlet pipe. The connecting pipe portion comprises a metal ring having a heating coil wound thereon and being thermally insulated from the outlet pipe and drain pipe by insulating rings. The outlet pipe may include a conical stub pipe projecting into the ring and spaced therefro by an air gap.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a locking arrangement for a despin bearing assembly. The lock is produced by introducing liquid gallium into an annular gap having a V-shaped cross-section between shaft and housing of the assembly. The gallium is cooled to a temperature at which it becomes solid. Numerous depressions are milled into the inside sloping surface of the V-groove in the housing and as many holes are drilled through the mating annular protrusion on the shaft. These recesses become filled with gallium and provide many shear surfaces to accept loads between shaft and housing, thus avoiding yielding of metal at the ball-race interfaces in the bearings. Compression loads are also distributed over a broad surface of gallium throughout out the V-groove.

Abstract: A key case which includes a battery and a coil disposed in coaxial relationship with respect to a swivel pin for carrying keys. A switch selectively connects the battery and the coil for heating of the keys to assist in insertion thereof into locks which may be frozen.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic calculator which has a thermal printing head or active printing area exposed to the ambient environment to enable printing in a stamp-like fashion. In the preferred form, the thermal printing head comprises a predetermined number of thermal printing units each unit having a plurality of segment-shaped resistors. More particularly, a metal layer of platinum, nickel-chrome alloy, etc., is deposited in accordance with a segment configuration on a glass-glazed substrate of beryllium oxide. A current flow through the metal segments will cause the generation of heat therein which makes a clearly distinct record on a heat-sensitive paper.

Abstract: 1. A steam boiler-reactor comprising;A. a cylindrical casing having closures at opposite ends thereof,B. a steam generating tube, formed in a helical coil, disposed adjacent the nner surface of said casing and extending substantially between its opposite ends, said coil having an inlet end to which feed water may be delivered and an outlet end from which steam may be delivered to a steam engine,C. a cylindrical screen disposed within and adjacent the helical coil,D. an elongated oxidant injector nozzle tube, having a row of axially spaced injection orifices, extending longitudinally of said casing and within the space within said screen,E. a solid grain of cast lithium substantially filling the remainder of the space within said screen,F. an oxidant comprising a source of sulphur hexafluoride under pressure communicating with said nozzle tube through a valve adapted to control the rate of flow of same,G.

Abstract: Cartridge heaters are most frequently used for heating metal parts by insertion into bores in such parts. Such heaters are manufactured in various diameters to closely fit within complementary bores to provide heat according to required specifications. My invention makes it possible to use a heater of known sheath diameter in bores of larger diameter, by use of metal sleeve means which have an inside diameter to closely receive the heater and an outside diameter to closely fit within the bore.