A sensor assembly includes a navigation sensor. The sensor assembly includes a heatsink thermally coupled to the navigation sensor. The sensor assembly includes an air conditioning unit. The sensor assembly includes a duct positioned to direct airflow from the air conditioning unit toward the heatsink.

A sensor assembly includes a navigation sensor. The sensor assembly includes a heatsink thermally coupled to the navigation sensor. The sensor assembly includes an air conditioning unit. The sensor assembly includes a duct positioned to direct airflow from the air conditioning unit toward the heatsink.

A method and apparatus for cooling compressed air include the following. Compressed air is introduced into a vortex tube where cold air and warm air are generated. The cold air and warm air are introduced into a pressure vessel where the temperature and moisture of the compressed air are adjusted. The adjusted compressed air is fed to a downstream side of the pressure vessel. Before the generated cold air and warm air are introduced into the pressure vessel, the warm air is introduced into a pre-pressure vessel disposed at an upstream side of the pressure vessel. The cold air is introduced into a cooling tube or cooling chamber which is disposed inside the pre-pressure vessel which is disposed at the upstream side of the pressure vessel. The warm air is adjusted by cooling. The adjusted warm air is introduced into the pressure vessel from the pre-pressure vessel together with the cold air.

A method and apparatus for cooling compressed air include the following. Compressed air is introduced into a vortex tube where cold air and warm air are generated. The cold air and warm air are introduced into a pressure vessel where the temperature and moisture of the compressed air are adjusted. The adjusted compressed air is fed to a downstream side of the pressure vessel. Before the generated cold air and warm air are introduced into the pressure vessel, the warm air is introduced into a pre-pressure vessel disposed at an upstream side of the pressure vessel. The cold air is introduced into a cooling tube or cooling chamber which is disposed inside the pre-pressure vessel which is disposed at the upstream side of the pressure vessel. The warm air is adjusted by cooling. The adjusted warm air is introduced into the pressure vessel from the pre-pressure vessel together with the cold air.

A para-orthohydrogen conversion device comprises a vortex tube. The vortex tube may include an inlet disposed at a first end of the vortex tube, a catalyst disposed on the interior wall of the vortex tube, a first outlet comprising an opening on the perimeter of a second end of the vortex tube, a stopper disposed at the center of the second end of the vortex tube, and a second outlet disposed on the first end of the vortex tube. A method includes converting parahydrogen to orthohydrogen via the catalyst and rotational force as hydrogen gas moves through the vortex tube such that cooled parahydrogen-rich gas or liquid hydrogen accumulates near the center of the vortex tube.

Materials, components, and methods consistent with the present invention are directed to the fabrication and use of micro-scale channels with a fluid, where the temperature and flow of the fluid is controlled through the geometry of the micro-scale channel and the configuration of at least a portion of the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles that make up the fluid. Moreover, the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles are configured such that collisions between the constituent particles and the wall are substantially specular.

Materials, components, and methods consistent with the present invention are directed to the fabrication and use of micro-scale channels with a fluid, where the temperature and flow of the fluid is controlled through the geometry of the micro-scale channel and the configuration of at least a portion of the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles that make up the fluid. Moreover, the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles are configured such that collisions between the constituent particles and the wall are substantially specular.

Sensor assemblies and methods of de-icing or preventing ice formation are provided. Compressed air may be supplied to a vortex tube. The vortex tube may separate the compressed air into a first stream and a second stream, the first stream hotter than the second stream. A sensor body may be warmed by the first stream, and the second stream may be directed away from the sensor body

Sensor assemblies and methods of de-icing or preventing ice formation are provided. Compressed air may be supplied to a vortex tube. The vortex tube may separate the compressed air into a first stream and a second stream, the first stream hotter than the second stream. A sensor body may be warmed by the first stream, and the second stream may be directed away from the sensor body

A vortex tube cooling system for cooling compressed gas in air drilling assemblies comprises a gas source, a compressor, a plurality of vortex tube coolers and a drilling pipe in fluid communication with the plurality of vortex tube coolers. Each vortex tube cooler has an inlet nozzle for receiving compressed gas from the gas source into a swirl chamber. The swirl chamber is in fluid connection with a vortex tube defining a hot outlet, and a cold outlet. An inlet of the drilling pipe receives a cold air stream leaving the cold outlet of the plurality of vortex tube coolers.