Abstract: A regenerative sorption compressor assembly for use in a sorption compressor/refrigerator system. The regenerative sorption compressor assembly of the present invention comprises a series of sorption compressor elements connected to a flowing loop of heat transport fluid. The compressor elements are heated and cooled by the heat transport fluid. At some point in the loop the fluid path is broken and the fluid is diverted to a heat source. At another point in the loop the fluid path is broken and the fluid is diverted to a heat sink. The points at which the heating and cooling flows are diverted are switched from compressor element to element in the direction of fluid flow at such a rate that the thermal capacity rate of the fluid in the heat transport loop relative to the moving switch point is equal and opposite to the thermal capacity rate of the compressor assembly relative to the switch point.

Abstract: This invention is a gas wave refrigeration method and a corresponding device used in an energy recovery system, which employs a mechanism creating a pulsating flow wave resonant interactions to generate cooling and heating effects without any mobile parts used in the device. The said system includes a precooler, a gas-liquid separator, and a gaseous wave refrigeration device (GWRD). The GWRD consists of a flow buffering chamber, a convergent nozzle, a oscillating chamber, resonant tubes, and a flow stabilizer. The operation of the GWRD is based on a pulsating flow production created by wave interactions between laterally oscillating high speed jets and resonant tubes. Such method of the pulsating flow production omits a conventional bistable element or other flow switching elements used in prior similar devices. A longitudinal resonating phenomenon of resonant tubes which provides a energy transformation and cooling effect is produced simultaneously by such wave interaction process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pulse tube refrigerator, comprising a regenerator having an inlet port and an outlet port, a pulse tube having one end portion connected in series to the outlet port of the regenerator, a gas compressor connected to the inlet port of the regenerator, a first valve disposed between the discharge port of the gas compressor and the inlet port of the regenerator, a second valve disposed between the suction port of the gas compressor and the inlet port of the regenerator, a first valve controller for selectively opening/closing alternately the first and second valves to permit a high pressure coolant gas discharged from the discharge port of the gas compressor to be guided into the pulse tube through the regenerator and, then, to permit said coolant gas to be sucked into the gas compressor through the suction port thereof via the reverse passageway so as to generate coldness, a third valve disposed between the other end portion of the pulse tube and the discharge port of the gas co

Abstract: Refrigerant type is identified and determined by storing in electronic memory indicia representative of saturation pressure/temperature characteristics of a plurality of differing refrigerant types. A liquid refrigerant sample of unknown type is obtained and vaporized under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure. Refrigerant vapor temperature is measured at two different vapor pressures during the vaporization process, and such temperatures and pressures are then compared with the indicia prestored in memory. Two temperature readings at differing vapor pressures are sufficient to distinguish refrigerant type based upon the prestored saturation/temperature indicia.

Abstract: The force sparing temperature changer operates through at least two air evacuated bellows. The relative positions of the chambers are such that the moving walls of the chambers face each other and transmit opposing vector forces to each other. This causes the movable walls of the bellows to settle in positions which are the result of the balance of opposing forces upon the walls. An outside reciprocal vector force upon the movable walls tips the balance of the opposing forces upon the movable walls and causes a reciprocal expansion and compression of each chamber. The bellows chambers contain a low boiling point liquid, such as water under a vacuum, which responds to the the expansion and compression of the chambers. The cooling effects of the expansion of the chambers upon the low boiling point liquid are separated from the heating effects of the compression of the chambers, by separate tubings and one way valves.

Abstract: A compressor-expander type cooling, or heating system, is incorporated into a heel of a shoe, and is powered by reciprocal gravity pressures upon the shoe which occur naturally during walking. The cooling system functions through a bellows compressor chamber and a separate bellows expander chamber. The movable walls of the expander and the compressor are placed opposite each other, and transmit opposing vector forces to each other. A movable heel portion at the bottom of the shoe transmits movement to the movable walls of the compressor and the expander whenever the person wearing the shoes steps on the heel. This expands the expander and compresses the compressor. A network of heat exchange coils, containing a low boiling point liquid, communicates with the expander, and functions as heat absorbing evaporator. Another network of heat exchange coils communicates with the compressor chamber, and functions as a heat delivering condenser.

Abstract: A compressor for compression-evaporation cooling systems, which requires no moving parts. A gaseous refrigerant inside a chamber is acoustically compressed and conveyed by means of a standing acoustic wave which is set up in the gaseous refrigerant. This standing acoustic wave can be driven either by a transducer, or by direct exposure of the gas to microwave and infrared sources, including solar energy. Input and output ports arranged along the chamber provide for the intake and discharge of the gaseous refrigerant. These ports can be provided with optional valve arrangements, so as to increase the compressor's pressure differential. The performance of the compressor in either of its transducer or electromagnetically driven configurations, can be optimized by a controlling circuit. This controlling circuit holds the wavelength of the standing acoustical wave constant, by changing the driving frequency in response to varying operating conditions.

Abstract: This system utilizes three kinds of metal hydrides, MH1, MH2, and MH3, having the highest, an intermediate, and the lowest equilibrium hydrogen pressures, respectively, in the order mentioned, each kind of metal hydrides being enclosed in two sets of respective metal-hydride containers. While hydrogen flows from the metal hydride MH3 to the metal hydrides MH2 and MH1 in one set, hydrogen flows from the metal hydrides MH2 and MH1 metal hydride MH3 in other set such that the cold heat generated by hydrogen dissociation from the metal hydride MH2 in said other set is utilized to cool the metal hydride MH1 of said one set for efficient hydrogen absorption by the metal hydride MH1, and the cold heat generated by hydrogen dissociation from the metal hydride MH1 of said other set is provided for refrigeration.

Abstract: A heat pump that includes organic hydride (12) and metal hydride (2) systems cools a conditioned space (6) by transferring heat from the conditioned space to a metal hydride bed (4), thereby decomposing a metal hydride in the bed to form H.sub.2. The H.sub.2 flows to a vapor space (14) in the liquid hydride system (12) and reacts with a dehydrogenation product at a catalytic surface (32) in the vapor space to form an organic hydride and an exothermic heat of reaction. The heat pump also may be used to upgrade waste heat by transferring heat from a relatively low temperature heat source to decompose the metal hydride. The exothermic heat of reaction may then be removed from the vapor space and used for space heating. In both embodiments, the metal hydride bed (4) may be regenerated by supplying an endothermic heat of reaction to the catalytic surface (32), thereby dehydrogenating the organic hydride to form H.sub.2. The H.sub.

Abstract: A regenerative adsorbent heat pump process and system is provided which can regenerate a high percentage of the sensible heat of the system and at least a portion of the heat of adsorption. A series of at least four compressors containing an adsorbent is provided. A large amount of heat is transferred from compressor to compressor so that heat is regenerated. The process and system are useful for air conditioning rooms, providing room heat in the winter or for hot water heating throughout the year, and, in general, for pumping heat from a low temperature to a higher temperature.

Abstract: A high performance, low cost, regenerator/heat exchanger matrix or bed. The bed consists of numerous stretched elastomer sheets separated by spacers and stacked. The resulting matrix is of the parallel plate type with high porosity, and narrow, uniform, unobstructed channels. The bed is ideal for near room temperature regenerator applications. The bed may also be used to pump heat or refrigerate, when fitted with a mechanism which allows the stretch of the elastomer sheets to be rapidly increased and decreased periodically.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pulse tube refrigerator, comprising a regenerator having an inlet port and an outlet port, a pulse tube having one end portion connected in series to the outlet port of the regenerator, a gas compressor connected to the inlet port of the regenerator, a first valve disposed between the discharge port of the gas compressor and the inlet port of the regenerator, a second valve disposed between the suction port of the gas compressor and the inlet port of the regenerator, a first valve controller for selectively opening/closing alternately the first and second valves to permit a high pressure coolant gas discharged from the discharge port of the gas compressor to be guided into the pulse tube through the regenerator and, then, to permit said coolant gas to be sucked into the gas compressor through the suction port thereof via the reverse passageway so as to generate coldness, a third valve disposed between the other end portion of the pulse tube and the discharge port of the gas co

Abstract: A machine, such as a heat pump, and having an all liquid heat exchange fl, operates over a more nearly ideal thermodynamic cycle by adjustment of the proportionality of the volumetric capacities of a compressor and an expander to approximate the proportionality of the densities of the liquid heat exchange fluid at the chosen working pressures. Preferred forms of a unit including both the compressor and the expander on a common shaft employs difference in axial lengths of rotary pumps of the gear or vane type to achieve the adjustment of volumetric capacity. Adjustment of the heat pump system for differing heat sink conditions preferably employs variable compression ratio pumps.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator includes a chamber which contains a fluid. The chamber has a geometry which produces self-destructive interference of at least one harmonic in the fluid to avoid shock wave formation at finite acoustic pressure amplitudes. The chamber can have reflective terminations at each end or a reflective termination at only one end. A driver mechanically oscillates the chamber at a frequency of a selected resonant mode of the chamber. The driver may be a moving piston coupled to an open end of the chamber, an electromagnetic shaker or an electromagnetic driver.

Abstract: In a low temperature generation process, compressed gas (3) at high pressure enters from an inlet nozzle (1) and alternately expands into one of two resonator tubes (A,B) of an expansion engine. The expanding gas excites standing acoustic waves (4) in the resonator tubes (A,B). The acoustic energy of the waves (4) is converted into electrical energy by acoustic/electric power converters and is led away outside the "cold area" of the tubes. The expansion engine contains one or more resonator tubes with a common inlet nozzle (1). Each resonator tube has an acoustic/electric power converter (5) and an exhaust port (6). Together with a compressor, a heat exchanger and a heat sink, the expansion engine provides a very effective cooling system which may be used for the cooling of small electronic devices like chips or modules.

Abstract: A fluid compressor or pump includes a driver such as a reciprocating piston or a voice-coil actuated diaphragm, which creates pressure waves in the fluid. The waves propagate through a tapered tube, in which the pressure increases as the waves move toward the small end. A valve at the small end of the tapered tube allows higher-pressure portions of the pulses of fluid to emerge. The pulses of pressurized fluid may be applied directly to a utilization apparatus, or they may be accumulated in a tank. The tapered tube may be more than one-tenth wavelength long, and preferably one-quarter wavelength long, to take advantage of the effects of reflections. A refrigeration unit including such a compressor dispenses with an accumulator, and provides heat-dissipating fins on the outer surface of the tapered tube.

Abstract: A cooling device cools a conditioned space (6) by transferring heat from the conditioned space to a working fluid (2) in a heat exchanger (4). A compressor (10) compresses the working fluid (8), which is then condensed in a condenser (14). Heat from the condenser is transferred to a dehydrogenation reaction zone (104) that includes a dehydrogenation catalyst (106) to supply a portion of an endothermic heat of reaction. The catalyst (106) is contacted with an organic hydride (102) to dehydrogenate the organic hydride to form H.sub.2 (108) and at least one dehydrogenation product (110). A combustor (112) burns the H.sub.2 (108) to form combustion products (144) that expand in a turbine (116) to drive the compressor (10). A portion of the heat of combustion is used to supply the remainder of the endothermic heat of reaction required in the dehydrogenation reaction zone (104).

Abstract: A regenerative type air conditioning equipment in which the available concentration range of a heat accumulating liquid is widened, and the quantity of the heat accumulating liquid to be stored is decreased, so that the size of the equipment is reduced, with the conditioning equipment comprises a concentration difference regeneration device which, at least, cools a medium fed to an air conditioner, using a condensate liquid and a concentrated liquid produced by vaporizing the heat accumulating liquid, and a heat pump device which cools a coolant due to adiabatic expansion. The concentration difference regeneration device includes a container with a chamber for storing the condensate liquid, a spray nozzle which sprays the condensate liquid into the condensate liquid chamber, and an evaporator which vaporizes the sprayed condensate liquid under a low pressure.

Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerating system includes a first space, a second space, a pulse tube disposed between the first and the second spaces so as to constitute a closed operating space in which an amount of operating fluid is filled, a driving device for establishing opposite phase fluctuations of the operating fluid by an expansion and an compression of the first space and the second space in alternative manner, a first set of a radiator and an accumulator disposed in the pulse tube so as to be located at a side of the first space, a second set of a radiator and an accumulator disposed in the pulse tube so as to be located at a side of the second space, a phase control oscillator disposed in the pulse tube and set to be be vibrated with a phase relative to the fluctuation of the operating fluid, and a control device for controlling the phase of the phase control oscillator relative to the fluctuation of the operating fluid.

Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerating system comprising a compressing cavity for compressing a working fluid, a heat radiator connected with the compressing cavity and a regenerator connected with the heat radiator. A pulse tube is provided and connected with the heat radiator through a refrigerating section. The pulse tube is connected through a heat exchanger and a flow regulating valve with an expansion cavity which is operable with a phase difference with respect to the compressing cavity, whereby the working fluid from the compressing cavity is cooled by the heat radiator and passed through the refrigerating section into the pulse tube, the working fluid in the pulse tube being compressed by the working fluid from the refrigerating section to be increased in temperature and passed to the heat exchanger to radiate heat.

Abstract: The compression circuit for a gaseous fluid, typically helium, which is present in a first container at a pressure lower than 20 hPa and a temperature lower than 4.2K is compressed by means of a plurality of compressors mounted in series, at least one heat exchanger being disposed in the chain of compressors and cooled through said fluid at a temperature higher than the temperature of the fluid in the first container, said fluid originating from a second fluid container which is associated with a refrigerating cycle. Application for example to devices for cooling supraconductor elements.

Abstract: A compression-evaporation refrigeration system, wherein gaseous compression of the refrigerant is provided by a standing wave compressor. The standing wave compressor is modified so as to provide a separate subcooling system for the refrigerant, so that efficiency losses due to flashing are reduced. Subcooling occurs when heat exchange is provided between the refrigerant and a heat pumping surface, which is exposed to the standing acoustic wave within the standing wave compressor. A variable capacity and variable discharge pressure for the standing wave compressor is provided. A control circuit simultaneously varies the capacity and discharge pressure in response to changing operating conditions, thereby maintaining the minimum discharge pressure needed for condensation to occur at any time. Thus, the power consumption of the standing wave compressor is reduced and system efficiency is improved.

Abstract: In an active magnetic regenerator apparatus having a regenerator bed of material exhibiting the magnetocaloric effect, flow of heat transfer fluid through the bed is unbalanced, so that more fluid flows through the bed from the hot side of the bed to the cold side than from the cold side to the hot side. The excess heat transfer fluid is diverted back to the hot side of the bed. The diverted fluid may be passed through a heat exchanger to draw heat from a fluid to be cooled. The apparatus may be operated at cryogenic temperatures, and the heat transfer fluid may be helium gas and the fluid to be cooled may be hydrogen gas, which is liquified by the device. The apparatus can be formed in multiple stages to allow a greater span of cooling temperatures than a single stage, and each stage may be comprised of two bed parts.

Abstract: A unique structure for constructing the emissive patch of a spaceborne radiative cooler is shown. The structure has very high emissivity for all angles up to a designed-in maximum angle and near zero emissivity for greater angles. The structure also allows the use of high emissivity, nonconducting paints while fully complying with the NASA Electrostatic Discharge Susceptibility requirements for spacecraft. To accomplish these tasks, two previous disadvantages of prior art methods are addressed; eliminating background thermal radiation sources and problems concerning the high emissivity paints used in association with the black body radiator. A reflector consisting of an array of parabolic concentrators is separated from a black body element by an electrically conductive spacer. The concentrators serve to limit the field of view while the conductive spacer eliminates the need to use a conductive paint on the emissive element.

Abstract: The four processes of a reverse Stirling heat pump cycle; isothehermal compression with the heat of compression being transmitted to a constant, relatively high temperature sink, regenerative cooling, isothermal expansion with heat flow from a cooler, constant temperature source followed by regenerative heating from the heat derived from the previously compressed gas are all performed with constant rather than intermittent flow. A constant flow, constant volume counter-flow heat exchanger, placed between the compressor and expander, rather than an alternately heated and cooled heat storage matrix, provides for the steady flow regenerative heat transfer as required for a steady reverse Stirling cycle heat pump. This invention therefore provides for increased heat pump rate per unit volume.

Abstract: A static magnetic refrigerator comprising a magnet generating a high-intensity magnetic field, a magnetic working material disposed in the high-intensity magnetic field, a magnetic shield disposed between the magnet and the magnetic working material, and a rotating means for rotating the magnetic shield, the magnetic shield comprising a pair of nearly parallel flat plates or a pair of outwardly curved plates facing each other and made of a superconductor, and the magnetic working material is accommodated in the inner space form by the pair of the flat or curved plates, whereby a magnetization process wherein the magnetic working material is magnetized in the high-intensity magnetic field by way of rotating the magnetic shield at a position allowing the permeation of the magnetic field through the magnetic working material via the pair of the flat or curved plates and a demagnetization process wherein the magnetic working material is demagnetized by way of further rotating the superconducting magnetic shield a

Abstract: A high efficiency pool heating system (10) includes a power circuit (12) and heat pump circuit (14). Each circuit having a working fluid flowing therein. In the power circuit, a heater (16) vaporizes the working fluid which is periodically delivered and exhausted through a valve section (32) to a driving section (28) of a power unit (26). The driving section drives a driven section (30) which operates as a compressor for the working fluid in the heat pump circuit. Fluid exhausted from the driven section of the power unit is passed to a first portion (48) of a heat exchanger (46) which is in fluid communication with the water of a pool. In the heat exchanger, the working fluid in the power circuit is condensed to a liquid. Thereafter, the liquid is passed through the power circuit back to the heater where it is again vaporized.

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 compressor for compression-evaporation cooling systems, which requires no moving parts. A gaseous refrigerant inside a chamber is acoustically compressed and conveyed by means of a standing acoustic wave which is set up in the gaseous refrigerant. This standing acoustic wave can be driven either by a transducer, or by direct exposure of the gas to microwave and infrared sources, including solar energy. Input and output ports arranged along the chamber provide for the intake and discharge of the gaseous refrigerant. These ports can be provided with optional valve arrangements, so as to increase the compressor's pressure differential. The performance of the compressor in either of its transducer or electromagnetically driven configurations, can be optimized by a controlling circuit. This controlling circuit holds the wavelength of the standing acoustical wave constant, by changing the driving frequency in response to varying operating conditions.

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: Apparatus for producing low temperature refrigeration comprising a refrigeration sub-system for circulating a first refrigerant to provide alternately two outputs for different time periods including a first output at a relatively warm temperature level and a second output at a relatively cold temperature level. The sub-system outputs are furnished to a cryosorption pumping circuit comprised of a closed loop conduit for a second refrigerant and connected to a plurality of sorbent beds which cause cyclic adsorption and desorption of the second refrigerant material. External conditioning utilizing the first refrigerant is used to cause further temperature reduction of said second refrigerant in the closed loop conduit of the cryosorption pumping circuit.

Abstract: A three-stage sorption type cryogenic refrigeration system, each stage containing a fluid having a respectively different boiling point. Each stage includes a compressor in which a respective fluid is heated to be placed in a high pressure gaseous state. The compressor for that fluid which is heated to the highest temperature is enclosed by the other two compressors to permit heat to be transferred from the inner compressor to the surrounding compressors. The system may include two sets of compressors, each having the structure described above, with the interior compressors of the two sets coupled together to permit selective heat transfer therebetween, resulting in more efficient utilization of input power.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a pressurizing device, a coldness generating device for generating coldness by expanding a portion of operating fluid which has been pressurized by the pressurizing device and a fluid passage through which the operating fluid is, via a device to be cooled, again circulated to the pressurizing device after the residual portion of the operating fluid has been cooled by the coldness generating device. A regenerator type heat exchanger is disposed in the fluid passage through which the operating fluid passes, and a switch device switches the flow of the operating fluid in the fluid passage to the reverse direction at a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Energy recovery systems for cold storage warehouses refrigerated by mechanical refrigeration apparatus coacting with a energy recovery unit including a turbine driving an electromotive generator. The cogenerator turbine is driven by the kinetic energy extracted from refrigerant flowing through a first conduit system connecting the compressor, evaporators and condenser of the refrigeration or by the kinetic energy extracted from a coolant being pumped through a second conduit system independent of the first conduit system to cool the compressor as it becomes heated during compression of refrigerant from a vapor phase to a liquid phase during the refrigeration cycle. The extraction of the kinetic energy of the refrigerant flow or coolant flow and the heat generated by the compressor during the refrigerant compression phase represents useful work obtained from the energy recovery system from available surplus energy that otherwise would be wasted.

Abstract: An apparatus for rejecting waste heat from a system located on or near the lunar equator which utilizes a reflective catenary shaped trough deployed about a vertical radiator to shade the radiator from heat (i.e., infrared radiation) emitted by the hot lunar surface. The catenary shaped trough is constructed from a film material and is aligned relative to the sun so that incoming solar energy is focused to a line just above the vertical radiator and thereby isolate the radiator from the effects of direct sunlight.The film is in a collapsed position between side by side support rods, all of which are in a transport case. To deploy the film and support rods, a set of parallel tracks running perpendicular to length of the support rods are extended out from the transport case.

Abstract: A temperature regulating system that includes an enclosure having at least one temperature regulator including a container coupled to the ceiling of the enclosure and having an upper wall, a lower wall and an intermediate section that form a chamber which houses insulation and is filled with water provides a cooling system independent of external power. The insulation is positioned adjacent to the upper wall of the container and includes an upper surface facing the container's upper wall. The area of the upper surface of the insulation is approximately equal to the effective heat transfer area of the interior surface of the container. The insulation forms passages that provide fluid flow communication between the upper and lower walls of the container. With this construction relatively cold water, chilled by cool surroundings, e.g.

Abstract: A dilution refrigerator, the combination comprising an electrostatic mixing chamber containing .sup.3 He-rich and .sup.4 He-rich phases subject to separation in response to electrostatic force application, the chamber having an outlet for .sup.3 He that has passed through an interface between those two liquid phases to produce cooling; a still connected with the mixing chamber to receive .sup.3 He therefrom, the still having an outlet for .sup.3 He; two adsorption pumps connected with said still outlet to receive .sup.3 He vapor, alternately, there being a valve or valve system connected with each pump; heater structure associated with the pumps to cause .sup.3 He desorption by the pumps; a condenser-collector connected with the valves to receive desorbed .sup.3 He, .sup.3 He liquid being held at a flow path outlet from the condenser-collector; and a heat exchanger connected in a flow path from the condenser-collector back to the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A regenerative adsorbent heat pump process and system is provided which can regenerate a high percentage of the sensible heat of the system and at least a portion of the heat of adsorption. A series of at least four compressors containing an adsorbent is provided. A large amount of heat is transferred from compressor to compressor so that heat is regenerated. The process and system are useful for air conditioning rooms, providing room heat in the winter or for hot water heating throughout the year, and, in general, for pumping heat from a lower temperature to a higher temperature.

Abstract: A regenerative hydride heat pump process and system is provided which can regenerate a high percentage of the sensible heat of the system. A series of at least four canisters containing a lower temperature performing hydride and a series of at least four canisters containing a higher temperature performing hydride is provided. Each canister contains a heat conductive passageway through which a heat transfer fluid is circulated so that sensible heat is regenerated. The process and system are useful for air conditioning rooms, providing room heat in the winter or for hot water heating throughout the year, and, in general, for pumping heat from a lower temperature to a higher temperature.

Abstract: A cryogenic condensing system is provided wherein the working fluid is paramagnetic and entropy reduction is accomplished by means of a magnetic field. Condensation is obtained by isentropically expanding partially compressed vapor into a thermally insulated vacuum chamber with a sufficiently large expansion ratio to supersaturate the vapor, a portion of which condenses spontaneously. That portion of the vapor which does not condense is drawn out of the condensing chamber and into the bore of a superconducting solenoid by magnetic attractive forces thereby maintaining the vacuum environment inside the chamber. The noncondensed vapor is magnetized and magnetically compressed inside the solenoid thereby reducing its entropy. Heat of magnetization is extracted by a non-magnetic turbine which converts the kinetic energy of the gas stream pulled into the solenoid into mechanical work.

Abstract: A Joule-Thomson refrigeration cycle is disclosed having an electrochemical compressor with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The cycle includes a reversible drive power source for pumping working fluid in opposite directions through the compressor, thereby insuring that the membrane is continuously hydrated.

Abstract: A closure member (16) of the cooler is controlled by a bulb actuator (18) which defines an auxiliary gas volume (24) located in the cold part of the cooler and connected to a chamber (21) of very much larger volume located in the warm part of the cooler. Application in the cooling of infrared ray detectors.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for obtaining very low temperatures by making use of the endothermic dissolution of 3He in 4He. A mixing box placed in a vacuum enclosure cooled to approximately 2.degree. K. or less receives continuously liquid 3He and 4He via separate conduits. The solution produced is extracted therefrom via a third conduit at a rate such that, bearing in mind the diameter of the conduit, 3He cannot diffuse countercurrentwise in the solution sufficiently to raise appreciably the content of 3He in the liquid 4He introduced and to reduce the dissolution in this 4He of the liquid 3He introduced simultaneously.

Abstract: An Ericsson cycle machine is disclosed which can be used for refrigeration, liquefaction of nitrogen or as an engine. The invention includes a liquid ring compressor linked to a liquid ring expander by a gas loop that includes a recuperator. As a refrigeration unit, the liquid ring in the compressor is channeled through a heat exchanger to reject waste heat and liquid is tapped from the expander liquid ring and used as a refrigerant.

Abstract: The invention refers to an air-cooled compressor assembly for supplying a cryo-refrigerator with helium. The assembly includes a first cooler through which compressed helium flows, another cooler through which operating oil for the compressor flows, and a ventilator. It is suggested that the coolers for helium and oil are located in a separate housing, that the cooler for the helium is positioned upstream of the oil cooler with respect to the air stream generated by the ventilator, and that the compressor housing and the cooler housing are connected with each other via flexible lines.

Abstract: An acoustic cryocooler with no moving parts is formed from a thermoacoustic driver (TAD) driving a pulse tube refrigerator (PTR) through a standing wave tube. Thermoacoustic elements in the TAD are spaced apart a distance effective to accommodate the increased thermal penetration length arising from the relatively low TAD operating frequency in the range of 15-60 Hz. At these low operating frequencies, a long tube is required to support the standing wave. The tube may be coiled to reduce the overall length of the cryocooler. One or two PTR's are located on the standing wave tube adjacent antinodes in the standing wave to be driven by the standing wave pressure oscillations. It is predicted that a heat input of 1000 W at 1000 K will maintian a cooling load of 5 W at 80 K.

Abstract: A mechanical refrigeration process in which two or more systems are connected in series to provide successively lower temperature levels. Each system utilizes mixtures of refrigerants and/or inert gases having different boiling points. The mixture is compressed to a suitable pressure and compression heat is rejected to the environment. The mixture is cooled by heat exchange with mixture returning to the compressor. The liquid and gas phases are separated and the separated gas mixture is further cooled to form liquid, by heat exchange with mixture returning to the compressor. The liquid is expanded to a given lower pressure to achieve the desired low temperature. The expanded fluid absorbs heat to provide refrigeration. The liquid expanded to the lower pressure is mixed with the used fluid which absorbed heat to provide refrigeration. The capacity of the system is controlled by throttling the compressor suction.

Abstract: Motor apparatus which converts hydraulic energy and change of state heat energy to mechanical energy. The motor includes a main chamber divided by a piston into first and second portions. During a first half cycle or hydraulic power stroke, a valve places the first portion of the chamber in fluid communication with a source of pressurized, saturated liquid and the second portion of the chamber in fluid communication with a drain port. A switch senses the end of the hydraulic power stroke and causes the valve to move to a second position wherein the first and second portions of the chamber are placed in fluid communication with one another to form a common motor chamber and drive the piston in an expansion power stroke. Power is derived from the working fluid during the piston stroke in each direction. The motor finds particular application for energy recovery in an absorption refrigeration system.

Abstract: A heat pump utilizing beds of hydride forming materials for absorption and desorption of hydrogen as a working fluid in a sealed system. A bed structure including alternate layers of heat conducting discs and powdered hydride former is disclosed, and the incorporation of the beds into a liquid type heat exchanger-reaction vessel is also set forth.

Abstract: A method of storing volatile substances comprises the steps of cooling the substances, and maintaining the saturated vapor pressure of the substances no higher than normal pressure. A container for storing liquid helium blocks superfluid surface flow of liquid helium by providing means on an inner wall or outer wall of the container. A method of controlling a surface flow of superfluid helium includes providing a flow suppressing surface within the container, and causes the surface flow of superfluid helium to impact upon the surface.