(EP958483-A1)      A novel method produces a flexible heat exchanger, to extract heat from, or to deliver it to its surroundings. The body (4) comprises joined flexible mats, with an internal passage, through which the thermal medium flows, between inlet (5) and outlet (6).    A plastic, elastic mat is located in a mould die with a supporting surface surrounded by a recess. The mat is stretched around the support surface and down into the recess causing local, plastic, mat deformation. A second mat is placed over the first, and the mats are joined to form the body.    Also claimed is the equipment for the above, comprising mould dies as described and mat joining tools with abutment surfaces which form high frequency (radio frequency) welding electrodes.    USE -   Used to make a flexible heat exchange unit.    ADVANTAGE -   The heat exchanger is flexible in two senses. It may be used e.g. as a solar energy collector, a conventional indirect heat exchanger or for heating water in desalination. Physical flexibility facilitates cleaning, assisting removal of dirt and/or crystalline deposits. This improves on rubber versions, which although cheaper than metal, are nevertheless costly because of the long vulcanisation interval; there are also connection- and leakage problems. The new exchanger is lightweight, mechanically strong, readily produced and low in thermal inertia.    (CN1235667-A)      A novel method produces a flexible heat exchanger, to extract heat from, or to deliver it to its surroundings. The body (4) comprises joined flexible mats, with an internal passage, through which the thermal medium flows, between inlet (5) and outlet (6).    A plastic, elastic mat is located in a mould die with a supporting surface surrounded by a recess. The mat is stretched around the support surface and down into the recess causing local, plastic, mat deformation. A second mat is placed over the first, and the mats are joined to form the body.    Also claimed is the equipment for the above, comprising mould dies as described and mat joining tools with abutment surfaces which form high frequency (radio frequency) welding electrodes.    USE -   Used to make a flexible heat exchange unit.    ADVANTAGE -   The heat exchanger is flexible in two senses. It may be used e.g. as a solar energy collector, a conventional indirect heat exchanger or for heating water in desalination. Physical flexibility facilitates cleaning, assisting removal of dirt and/or crystalline deposits. This improves on rubber versions, which although cheaper than metal, are nevertheless costly because of the long vulcanisation interval; there are also connection- and leakage problems. The new exchanger is lightweight, mechanically strong, readily produced and low in thermal inertia.    (JP2001503690-W)      A novel method produces a flexible heat exchanger, to extract heat from, or to deliver it to its surroundings. The body (4) comprises joined flexible mats, with an internal passage, through which the thermal medium flows, between inlet (5) and outlet (6).    A plastic, elastic mat is located in a mould die with a supporting surface surrounded by a recess. The mat is stretched around the support surface and down into the recess causing local, plastic, mat deformation. A second mat is placed over the first, and the mats are joined to form the body.    Also claimed is the equipment for the above, comprising mould dies as described and mat joining tools with abutment surfaces which form high frequency (radio frequency) welding electrodes.    USE -   Used to make a flexible heat exchange unit.    ADVANTAGE -   The heat exchanger is flexible in two senses. It may be used e.g. as a solar energy collector, a conventional indirect heat exchanger or for heating water in desalination. Physical flexibility facilitates cleaning, assisting removal of dirt and/or crystalline deposits. This improves on rubber versions, which although cheaper than metal, are nevertheless costly because of the long vulcanisation interval; there are also connection- and leakage problems. The new exchanger is lightweight, mechanically strong, readily produced and low in thermal inertia.