Abstract: A flash subcooler is provided to meter a portion of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser to the evaporator to an intermediate heat exchanger to subcool refrigerant flowing from the condenser to the evaporator. This diverted refrigerant is flashed to provide subcooling and is then redirected to the compressor as is the flow of refrigerant from the evaporator. Both the refrigeration system and and subassemblies for accomplishing the above are disclosed as well as methods of operation thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for regulating air flow through a housing is disclosed. A damper assembly including a bowed leaf spring is provided such that the leaf spring contacts the edge of the damper to secure the damper in position. The combination arrangement is utilized to either regulate the flow of air being discharged from the unit or to divert air between multiple outlets in the housing.

Abstract: A duct adapter for use in conjunction with an air conditioning unit is disclosed. This adapter attaches to a discharge opening of an air conditioning unit and acts to divide the stream of conditioned air into multiple streams, one being discharged into the enclosure containing the air conditioning unit and a separate stream being discharged into a duct for delivery at a distant location. Means for attaching the adapter to the air conditioning unit and a damper assembly therein are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting energy contained within a stream of gaseous refrigerant to mechanical work. A refrigerant motor utilizing a diaphragm dividing a chamber into an equalizing chamber and a driving chamber is utilized with appropriate valve means causing the refrigerant to flow into and out of the driving chamber. A rod connected to the diaphragm reciprocates to deliver work to the appropriate work piece. Both rocker arm and spool valve embodiments are shown for providing the appropriate valve arrangements.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for providing a combination of non-reverse and reverse defrost for a refrigeration circuit are disclosed. A three-way valve is provided for initially circulating hot gaseous refrigerant directly from the compressor to the heat exchanger requiring defrost. An intermediate header is provided as part of the internal circuiting of the outdoor heat exchanger, said intermediate header serving to direct hot gaseous refrigerant from the three-way valve into all of the circuits of the outdoor heat exchanger simultaneously to effect defrost thereof. If, after a predetermined time period, the first mode of defrost directing hot gaseous refrigerant directly to the outdoor heat exchanger fails to accomplish defrost then the three-way valve is returned to its original position and the system is operated in a second defrost mode with the reversing valve being changed such that the system operates in the cooling mode and the outdoor heat exchanger serves as a condenser until defrost is completed.

Abstract: A suspension and seal system for a motor compressor unit mounted within a hermetically sealed shell. The shell defines at least one chamber filled with refrigerant suction gas and a second chamber filled with refrigerant discharge gas. The compressor's cylinder block includes a radially extending wall member. A second wall member is spaced from the first wall member for defining a space for receiving a combination seal and suspension member. Resilient members are provided at predetermined locations about the motor compressor unit and are squeezed between opposed surfaces of the unit and the shell for dampening motion of the unit within the shell.

Abstract: In a central air conditioning system wherein air flow is regulated by bellows inflation which is controlled by a bleed-type thermostat, simultaneous heating and cooling in a zone is prevented by disabling the bleed-type thermostat when the heating system is activated.

Abstract: A circular slide rule type calculator is disclosed for calculating various parameters useful in determining operating characteristics of an air conditioning or refrigeration system. A series of four discs each having scales are used to calculate power consumption, load and part load performance factors.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for serving as both a reversing valve and an expansion device in a refrigeration circuit. A valve gate having passageways to direct refrigerant between the indoor and the outdoor heat exchangers to effect the function of a reversing valve is disclosed. In addition, the valve gate has multiple flow restriction devices which are selectively incorporated within a refrigeration circuit between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger to effect the appropriate amount of flow restriction dependent upon the mode of operation of the unit. These two functions may be incorporated into a single valve or they may be separated such that the separate functions are performed by separate valves. A cylindrical valve gate and multiple passageways for connecting the appropriate lines in a refrigeration circuit are described. The valve is rotated by a combination of an electromagnet spaced about the valve gate and a permanent magnet located within the valve gate.

Abstract: Apparatus for satisfying heating and cooling demands including a cooling circuit having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, and a heating circuit including a booster compressor for drawing and compressing refrigerant from the high pressure side of the cooling circuit. Also disclosed is a sensor for sensing the temperature of vapor discharged from the booster compressor, and a control responsive to the sensor for terminating the heating action of the heating circuit when the temperature of vapor discharged from the booster compressor exceeds a preset value.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit and internal support therefor are disclosed. The internal support is bowl shaped and has portions for the support of fan means, an inner heat exchanger and an outer heat exchanger. An air inlet portion in the support allows air to be circulated therethrough by the fan means. A base pan having an air inlet portion allows air to enter the interior of the unit such that there is a separate air flow path for each heat exchanger, both air flow paths including flow through the air inlet portion of the internal support.

Abstract: Apparatus including a discharge door assembly for use with a room air conditioner. A discharge door is pivotally mounted at the ends and has a tab extending therefrom into a slot formed in a frame portion of the front panel of the air conditioning unit. The tab and slot coact to limit inward deflection of the discharge door. The frame portion of the front panel is angled to contact the discharge door to limit angular rotation thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating a series compression refrigeration system are disclosed. A by-pass for circuiting refrigerant around one compressor when the compressor is not operating is provided. Additionally, a quench conduit conducts liquid refrigerant from a common line to provide a liquid refrigerant quench of the gaseous refrigerant between compressors. A control device is provided for regulating the flow of liquid refrigerant through the quench conduit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly and subassembly having a combination of liquid line header and a series of spaced helically wound capillary tubes. The liquid line header is mounted such that capillary tubes may be connected therefrom to the appropriate feeder tubes or other connections of the heat exchanger. Capillary tubes are helically wound about the liquid line header such that a compact, neat capillary tube arrangement is provided with a short distance between the two ends of the capillary. A dummy header may be utilized such that the capillary tube extends through the dummy header to a feeder tube to feed the appropriate refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the assembly of an air conditioning unit including a tube sheet isolator. An electrically and thermally insulative isolator is provided for securing an aluminum heat exchanger to a steel component of the unit. The tube sheet isolators further serve to allow various subassemblies of the air conditioning unit to be slidably engaged to secure the components relative to one another.

Abstract: A rotationally indexing valve capable of directing refrigerant flow to various zones of a heat exchanger is disclosed. A piston is mounted for reciprocal movement within the valve casing. Means are provided for rotating the piston between selected positions as the piston reciprocates, each position connecting a valve port to a liquid chamber for directing flow therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for forming a subassembly for use with an air conditioning unit. This subassembly is formed from a casing having a grille attached thereto. Means are provided for securing the grille to the casing from the interior of the casing with said securing means being not directly observable from a position exterior of the unit.

Abstract: A refrigeration purging system for the removal of non-condensible gases such as air and condensible contaminants such as water is disclosed. A portion of the refrigerant in the refrigeration system is placed in a first purge chamber which condenses the refrigerant and condensible contaminants such as water leaving non-condensibles such as air and a small portion of the refrigerant at the top of the chamber. The non-condensibles and remaining refrigerant is extracted from the first chamber pumped to a higher pressure and passed to a second purged chamber wherein the remaining refrigerant is condensed and returned to the first purged chamber. The non-condensible gases remaining are released to the atmosphere. The condensible contaminants are extracted from the first purged chamber and the condensed refrigerant is returned to the refrigeration system.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for operating a refrigeration system without reverse cycle defrost are disclosed. A heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of zones, one zone being constantly utilized as a subcooler to both defrost said zone and to subcool the refrigerant. The remaining zones of the heat exchanger are utilized as an evaporator as is known in the art. A selector valve which is capable of indexing liquid refrigerant flow between zones and receiving gaseous refrigerant from the remaining zones is also disclosed. Additionally, a header arrangement having both expansion means and a conduit controlled by check valve is utilized to direct refrigerant flow from the subcooled zones to the remaining zones of the heat exchanger which act as an evaporator.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for utilizing energy from a high temperature source such as a solar collector to both provide heat energy to a low temperature source such as a body of water and to accomplish mechanical work utilizing a refrigerant motor. The refrigerant motor may be coupled to a pump for circulating refrigerant within a closed loop system such that the apparatus and method requires no power source other than the high temperature source.