Abstract: A purging device for a system accumulating condensable and non-condensable gases. The purging device comprises: a purge tank; apparatus receiving the condensable and non-condensable gases from the system and directing said gases into the purge tank; apparatus condensing the non-condensable gases into a condensed form; apparatus accumulating the non-condensable gases in a header space; apparatus returning the condensed gases from the purge tank to the system; apparatus controllably removing the accumulated non-condensable gases from the header space; and apparatus generating controlled flow in the condensable and non-condensable gases.

Abstract: A centrifugal chiller includes both a unit-mounted full-voltage starter and a unit-mounted reduced-voltage starter. The chiller is rather large with a rated cooling capacity of at least 300 tons and is driven by a motor that is powered by at least 2,000 volts. The chiller includes an evaporator shell and a condenser shell in a staggered arrangement to provide a combined height of between 6 and 12 feet and a combined width of between 5 and 8.5 feet. The staggered arrangement of the shells plus mounting the two starters at opposite sides of the motor provide a chiller whose outer dimensions permit the chiller to be shipped as a single package without exceeding certain shipping limits.

Abstract: A fin tube heat exchanger. The fin tube heat exchanger comprises: a first tube row including a plurality of tubes; and a second tube row including a second plurality of tubes. The first and second tube rows includes a slab portion respectively in contiguous parallel relation with the counterpart slab portion of the other tube row. Each of the first and second tube rows includes a respective first and second spread portion wherein the first and second spread portions are in diverging non-contacting relation with respect to each other.

Abstract: To provide chilled water, a variable-primary-flow system includes two variable speed pumps that pump water through a first chiller and a second chiller. A control energizes the second chiller in response to a cooling demand exceeding that what can be met by the first chiller operating alone, and de-energizes the second chiller upon the cooling demand decreasing to a level below the first chiller's maximum capacity. When both chillers are operating, the capacities of the chillers are modulated in unison to meet the cooling demand. Likewise, when both pumps are running, their speed is modulated in unison to provide a desired pressure.

Abstract: A purging device for a system accumulating condensable and non-condensable gases. The purging device comprises: a purge tank; apparatus receiving the condensable and non-condensable gases from the system and directing said gases into the purge tank; apparatus condensing the non-condensable gases into a condensed form; apparatus accumulating the non-condensable gases in a header space; apparatus returning the condensed gases from the purge tank to the system; apparatus controllably removing the accumulated non-condensable gases from the header space; and apparatus generating controlled flow in the condensable and non-condensable gases.

Abstract: A rotor analyzer for an induction motor or generator checks and quantifies the integrity of a rotor that is not currently installed within its stator. The analyzer includes an electromagnetic coil that exposes the bars of a rotor to a pulsating magnetic field to induce a current through the bars. At the same time, the rotor is slowly rotated to sequentially expose each bar. A magnetic field created by the induced current in the bars induces an analog signal within a search coil. The analog signal is converted to digital and inputted to a microprocessor system. The system interprets the input data and manipulates it to provide a clear, understandable indication of the rotor's condition, such as the relative impendence of each bar. The system also determines how many bars are within a rotor having an unknown number of bars.

Abstract: A power distribution system for an air handler is reconfigureable by way of selectively connectable plug-in connectors. The air handler includes a blower associated with a first plug-in connector that is selectively connectable to a second plug-in connector of a heater and a third plug-in connector of an electric air cleaner. If the air handler includes a heater but not the electric air cleaner, then the blower connector plugs into the heater connector. If the air handler includes an electric air cleaner but not a heater, then the blower plugs into the connector of the air cleaner. And if the air handler includes both a heater and an electric air cleaner, then a three-way electrical connector couples the blower to both the heater and the air cleaner.

Abstract: A double-row heat exchanger coil includes intertwined inner and outer loops. The loops are situated to allow one continuous coil to be wound in an uninterrupted coiling operation, and later cut at several locations to create several individual circuits that are readily connected to each other in a parallel flow relationship.

Abstract: A refrigeration system with a high percentage of fresh air. The system comprises a supply air duct; an indoor heat exchange coil operably positioned in the supply air duct; a reheat heat exchange coil operably positioned in the supply air duct; an outdoor heat exchange coil; at least one compressor; and an expansion device. The system also comprises refrigeration system tubing connected to and serially arranging the compressor, the outdoor heat exchange coil, the expansion device and the indoor coil into a refrigeration circuit; and reheat tubing connecting the reheat coil to the refrigeration tubing so as to arrange the reheat coil in a parallel circuited arrangement with the outdoor heat exchange coil and in a series circuited arrangement with the compressor, the expansion device and the indoor heat exchange coil.

Abstract: A chiller system includes at least two refrigerant circuits. In a low ambient temperature condition, only one refrigerant circuit is activated, but its condenser fan is de-energized. To provide some airflow across the condenser of the activated circuit, a condenser fan of the inactive circuit is energized. A small air duct allows the condenser fan of the inactive circuit to draw a low volume of air across the condenser of the active circuit.

Abstract: A filter system for an absorption chiller includes a replaceable filter element, a plateable member, and a sacrificial member. The filter receives a weak solution from the chiller's evaporator, receives a stronger solution from the chiller's absorber, and discharges a mixture of the solutions to the chiller's generator. Conveying the weak solution to the filter system avoids creating an accumulation of lithium bromide in the evaporator and helps dissolve or flush inhibitors from the filter element on a continuous basis. Combining the weak and stronger solutions in the filter system attempts to confine a corrosion or copper oxide plating process to an area of the chiller that can be readily serviced. The plateable member and the sacrificial member provide replaceable or consumable members used in the corrosion or plating process.

Abstract: A VAV air handler includes a cooling coil with a return air bypass damper for improved dehumidification. The bypass interjects into the supply air a portion of relatively warm, dry return air downstream of the cooling coil. This allows the cooling coil to absorb more latent heat from the incoming outside air and the remaining portion of the return air over a broad range of operating conditions, but especially at low load conditions.

Abstract: A direct-fired generator for an absorption chiller includes an inner shell, in which combustion occurs, and an outer shell. The inner shell supports a tube bundle through which a first portion an absorption solution is conveyed. Combustion products makes a single pass across the tube bundle within the inner shell. Such construction minimizes the number of potential leak paths and facilitates leak testing of the generator at an intermediate stage of assembly. A flow distributor apportions solution flow to the tube bundle and to a second solution flow path which bypasses the tube bundle but which is likewise heated by the combustion occurring within the inner shell. The two solution flow paths converge after the solution flowing therethrough has been heated by the combustion occurring in the inner shell. A vapor separator disentrains solution in liquid form from vaporized solution before the vapor exits the generator.

Abstract: An air handler enclosure having a pivotal door panel covers an access opening leading to a blower inside the enclosure. The door panel is held in engagement with the enclosure when the panel is fully open or closed. The panel can completely disengage the enclosure if the panel is first pivoted to an intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions. However, the weight of the panel itself urges the panel to remain engaged with the enclosure as the panel pivots through the intermediate position, which helps prevent the panel from disengaging the enclosure unintentionally.

Abstract: A motor test fixture for connection to motor terminal lugs. The fixture includes a housing including a plurality of external apertures positioned and formed to enclose the motor terminal lugs; an aperture in the housing; a chamber within the housing having a first end open to the aperture; and a slide bar moveably located in the chamber and moveable between at least a first position and a second position. The fixture also includes a plurality of plates moveably mounted in the housing to move between a motor lug engagement position and a motor lug disengagement position; and a plurality of plate motivators. Each plate motivator is arranged on the slide bar to engage a respective one of the plates and, when the slide bar is in the first position, to motivate the respective plate to the lug disengagement position and, when the bar is in the second position, to motivate the respective plate to the lug engagement position. The motor test fixture also preferably includes a polarity bar.

Abstract: An absorption apparatus for an absorption chiller includes a series of eliminator blades situated between a vaporizing chamber (e.g., a generator or an evaporator) and a devaporizing chamber (e.g., a condenser or an absorber). Each of the blades includes an upstream leg, a downstream leg and a deflection tab. With respect to the direction of vapor flowing from the vaporizing chamber to the devaporizing chamber, the upstream leg is at an upward incline and the downstream leg is at a downward incline. The deflection tab extends out over the downstream leg to create a concavity that helps prevent liquid in the devaporizing chamber from splashing back across the eliminator blade. In some embodiments, a tube support plate includes a series of holes for not only supporting the tube bundles of two heat exchangers but also for supporting the eliminator blades.

Abstract: An absorption apparatus includes a generator with an integrated outlet box comprising a liquid sensing chamber and a solution outlet chamber. The sensing chamber has an opening into the generator, with the opening being sized according to the liquid surface area inside the sensing chamber. The outlet chamber has a larger opening into the generator to provide a more open flow path for solution to exit the generator through the outlet chamber. The more restricted opening in the sensing chamber allows a liquid level sensor therein to sense a relatively calm liquid level that tends to be at an average elevation of a boiling-disrupted liquid level in the generator. With the opening in the sensing chamber being appropriately sized, a variable speed pump, responsive to the liquid level sensor, controls the flow of solution into the generator to maintain a desired solution liquid level in the generator.

Abstract: A purging device for a system accumulating condensable and non-condensable gases. The purging device comprises: a purge tank; apparatus receiving the condensable and non-condensable gases from the system and directing said gases into the purge tank; apparatus condensing the non-condensable gases into a condensed form; apparatus accumulating the non-condensable gases in a header space; apparatus returning the condensed gases from the purge tank to the system; apparatus controllably removing the accumulated non-condensable gases from the header space; and apparatus generating controlled flow in the condensable and non-condensable gases.

Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.

Abstract: A motor starter. The motor starter comprises a motor; start, run, shorting and transition contactors operably associated with the motor; and run, start, shorting and transition auxiliary contactors. The transition auxiliary contactor operably controls the operation of a shorting contactor, and the shorting auxiliary operatively controls the operation of the run contactor.