A passive liquid collecting device has a reservoir with an outlet and one or more rigid structures within the reservoir. The rigid structures are configured to collect a liquid and direct the liquid to the outlet. Porous capillary media are supported by the rigid structures. A thermal control loop is also disclosed.

A thermochemical treatment installation includes a reaction chamber, at least one gas inlet, and a gas preheater chamber situated between the gas inlet and the reaction chamber. The preheater chamber has a plurality of perforated distribution trays held spaced apart one above another. The preheater chamber also includes, between at least the facing distribution trays, a plurality of walls defining flow paths for a gas stream between said trays.

Systems, methods, and computer-implemented embodiments consistent with the inventions herein are directed to storing and/or transferring heat. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a system for transferring/storing heat comprised of a heat exchange/storage apparatus including a chamber, and a heat input device adapted to heat/provide a vapor into the chamber. Other exemplary implementations may include one or more features consistent with a heat output device through which a working medium/fluid passes, a thermal storage medium located within the chamber, and/or a heat exchange system that delivers a heat exchange medium/fluid to the thermal storage medium.

Examples disclosed herein relate to methods and apparatus for controlling the temperature of large scale structures during manufacturing operations. A structure or surface when measured by Computer Aided Measuring Systems (CAMS) preferably remains a predetermined constant temperature with minimum variance. The manufacturing system includes a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a plurality of temperature regulation devices, and a processor, all in wireless communication. During performance of a CAMS process on a large scale structure or surface, a recorded temperature value of the structure or surface is communicated. A determination is made based on the recorded temperature value to operate the plurality of temperature regulation devices to control the temperature of targeted areas of the structure or surface. The temperature regulation devices are monitored and controlled such that the structure or surface is stabilized and distortion is prevented during the CAMS process.

Granular matter placed in a vertical cylinder rotated back and forth between limiting angles creates a sidewards flying bed. A spoke is connected at one between a vertical drive shaft rotating the cylinder and a first hinge. A drive rod is connected between the first hinge and a second hinge on a rotating flywheel. Rotation of the flywheel causes the drive shaft to rotate through an angle varying back and forth between limiting angles. The cylinder's speed of rotation varies. During most of the time centrifugal forces greater than gravity act upon the granular material, causing the material to form a layer on the inner wall of the cylinder. In at least a portion of the recurring time intervals the acceleration and deceleration produce tangential forces greater than the centrifugal forces acting upon the layer, causing the granular material to fly sidewards in a direction tangential to the cylinder's circumference.

This invention relates to azeotrope-like compositions, methods and systems having utility in numerous applications, and in particular, uses for azeotrope-like compositions comprising effective amounts of the compound cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (Z-HFO-1336mzzm), which has the following structure: ##STR00001##
and another material selected from the group consisting of water, fluoroketones, alcohols, hydrochlorofluoroolefins, and combinations of two or more thereof. These compositions may be used in a wide variety of applications such as, blowing agents, refrigerants, heating agents, power cycle agents, cleaning agents, aerosol propellants, sterilization agents, lubricants, flavor and fragrance extractants, flammability reducing agents, and flame suppression agents.

This invention relates to azeotrope-like compositions, methods and systems having utility in numerous applications, and in particular, uses for azeotrope-like compositions comprising effective amounts of the compound cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (Z-HF0-1336mzzm), which has the following structure:

##STR00001##

and another material selected from the group consisting of water, fluoroketones, alcohols, hydrochlorofluoroolefins, and combinations of two or more thereof. These compositions may be used in a wide variety of applications such as, blowing agents, refrigerants, heating agents, power cycle agents, cleaning agents, aerosol propellants, sterilization agents, lubricants, flavor and fragrance extractants, flammability reducing agents, and flame suppression agents.

A support for a dielectric fluid circuit is for a thermal regulation assembly. The assembly includes a housing formed by a container open on a side that defines a recess and is configured to be closed by a lid. The recess is configured to receive at least one electric component. The support includes a number of nozzles for spraying a dielectric fluid. The support defines a pipe for the circulation of the dielectric fluid and the pipe is configured to supply the spray nozzles with dielectric fluid. The support is configured to be arranged and held in the housing between the component and the lid.

A flexible thermoelectric device includes a plurality of modules wherein each module includes a thermoelectric component disposed between a thermally conductive plate and a heat sink. Each thermally conductive plate is in contact with at least one spacer, which is disposed on the same side of the plate as the thermoelectric component and heat sink, such that the spacers together form a clearance between external bodies and the heat sinks. An elastic material is coupled to the plurality of modules, the plurality of spacers, or a combination thereof. The device can conform to and cool a large surface area of a user's body, while reducing strain on fragile components.

A thermochemical treatment installation includes a reaction chamber, at least one gas inlet, and a gas preheater chamber situated between the gas inlet and the reaction chamber. The preheater chamber has a plurality of perforated distribution trays held spaced apart one above another. The preheater chamber also includes, between at least the facing distribution trays, a plurality of walls defining flow paths for a gas stream between said trays.