Abstract: A method of controlling a system with multiple air conditioner units having an outdoor machine and a plurality of indoor machines, which detects different driving modes input to each indoor machine, compares an outdoor temperature with first and second predetermined temperatures, and drives a corresponding indoor machine in accordance with the comparison results.

Abstract: An electric refrigerator is provided with a casing formed of a heat-insulating layer and defining an opening; a heat-insulating door for openably closing the opening of the casing; a thermal conductor arranged in the casing and provided with a heat-conducting surface located opposite an interior space in the casing; a Peltier device thermally connected with the thermal conductor; and a device power supply for feeding electric power to the Peltier device. The electric refrigerator is also provided with a control unit for controlling the device power supply so that, after the heat-insulating door is closed subsequent to opening thereof, the device power supply supplies the Peltier device with electric power controlled in a range of from 1.3 to 2 times as much rated electric power required to maintain a preset interior temperature of the casing.

Abstract: A refrigerant handling system that includes a closed chamber having an inlet for directing refrigerant in liquid phase into the chamber such that the refrigerant collects at a lower portion of the chamber and non-condensibles are trapped in the upper portion of the chamber over the refrigerant. The rate of increase in level of refrigerant in the chamber is measured as liquid phase refrigerant is directed thereto, and non-condensibles are purged from the upper portion of the chamber when the rate of increase of refrigerant level is less than a preselected threshold.

Abstract: The cooling device serves for the cooling of electric and electronic components and of batteries in a switch cabinet, in which case in a housing (101) of the cooling device (100), a first heat exchanger (20) for the formation of a first cooling system (K1) for the chamber accommodating the electric and electronic compoents and a second heat exchanger (26) for the formation of a second cooling system (K2) that is independent of the first cooling system (K1) for the chamber accommodating the batteries are disposed, wherein both heat exchangers (20,26) are supplied from a common compressor (15) (FIG. 9).

Abstract: A delivery system diffuser attachment (12) for a hair dryer (14) of the type having a motor housing (16) with air vents (18), a built-in heater coil (20), a barrel (22), a handle (24), a heat switch (26), an on-off switch (28), a cord strain relief (30) and an electrical cord (32). The diffuser attachment (12) comprises a cup member (34) having an open top end (36). A facility (37) on a bottom end (38) of the cup member (36) is for exiting an airflow (39) therethrough. A structure (40) is for retaining the cup member (34) in a removable manner adjacent a distal free end (42) of the barrel (22) of the hair dryer (14), so that the open top end (36) faces the barrel (22). An assembly (44) is for holding scented material (46) within the cup member (34). When the on-off switch (28) is manually turned on, the airflow (39) will enter the cup member (34) through the open top end (36), pick up a scented vapor (48) from the holding assembly (44) and be forced out of the airflow exiting facility (37).

Abstract: A temperature controlled thermal jacket for selectively heating and cooling a refrigerant container for capturing refrigerant therefrom and transferring refrigerant thereto comprising a hollow and generally tubular jacket formed of a flexible material adapted to be coupled about a refrigerant container; a fill mechanism coupled to the jacket for filling the jacket with a thermally conductive liquid; a coil of thermally conductive tubing disposed within the jacket with the coil having an inlet and an outlet; and a pump mechanism coupled between the inlet and outlet of the coil for pumping thermally conductive liquid through the jacket.

Abstract: A method for performing chemical warfare and similar cleanup activities and apparatus enabling the performance of such activity in high-temperature environments while maintaining safe and worker comfortable body temperatures. The disclosed method and apparatus rely on alternate periods of work and rest with the rest periods being additionally used for worker body temperature regulation such as cooldown. A portable temperature regulated liquid source is provided. Avoidance of worker encumbrance by personally-borne apparatus and the maintenance of non-tethered independent condition during work portions of the operating cycle provide advantages over the most closely related prior methods and apparatus. Human subject test results are also included.

Abstract: A bi-flow expansion device for a heat pump or other apparatus where fluid avel is reversed with different required flow rates in each direction. The device comprises a tubular member mounted in a refrigerant line and having non-symmetrical entrance-exits at the ends of the tubular member for changing the mass flow rate of refrigerant through the expansion device when the direction of refrigerant flow is changed.

Abstract: A monitor used in refrigerant recovery systems to detect and reduce non-condensable vapor in a storage container. The monitor has a sampling reservoir that draws a sample of liquid refrigerant contained in a storage container. The sample of liquid refrigerant is allowed to reach equilibrium, providing a saturated vapor pressure, which is compared to the vapor pressure in an upper portion of the container. The difference in pressure between the sampling reservoir and the container indicating when the container should be exhausted.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the recovery, separation and recycling of refrigerant from a number of refrigerant chiller systems having individual low efficiency purgers. The apparatus has a high efficiency purger which reduces refrigerant contaminants in the non-condensable gases vented to atmosphere by 90 percent over that of the low efficiency purgers, and operates without interference with the normal purging cycles of the chillers. The apparatus further comprises conduits, valves and a pump which enables the apparatus to completely evacuate the refrigerant gas and refrigerant liquid from the chiller systems.

Abstract: A refrigerant reclaim system including an automatic air purge system. The refrigerant reclaim system has an evaporator, oil separator, compressor, condenser, storage tank, and a filter-drier. An improvement relates to an automatic air purge system having an evaporator to concentrate noncondensable gases in an isolated area of the refrigerant reclaim system so as to minimize the loss of refrigerant vapor during purge operations. The air purge system is not limited to use with a refrigerant reclaim, and is suitable for use with any refrigeration system from which noncondensable gases are to be purged with minimal loss of refrigerant vapor.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a compressor which is reversed in order to switch from a heating mode to a defrost mode, or in order to switch between heating and cooling modes. Prior to being reversed, the compressor is automatically reduced to a slower speed greater than zero for a predetermined time period to minimize damage and noise when reversal occurs. The compressor is reversed while at the slower speed when switching the system to a defrost mode. When switching between heating and cooling modes, the compressor speed is first reduced to the slower speed for the first predetermined time period and then to zero speed for a second predetermined time period, before the compressor is reversed.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering and recycling refrigerant fluid includes an external or open drive compressor having a suction side and a discharge side, an inlet port for receiving refrigerant fluid from a refrigeration unit, a suction conduit communicating between the inlet port and the suction side of the compressor, an outlet port for expelling refrigerant fluid from the apparatus and a discharge conduit communicating between the discharge side of the compressor and the outlet port. The apparatus further includes a filter for filtering moisture and other contaminants from the incoming refrigerant and an evaporator for substantially completely vaporizing the incoming refrigerant before it reaches the suction side of the compressor. The apparatus does not include a dedicated condenser, but rather the refrigerant discharged by the compressor is condensed in a series of heat exchange processes, whereby the warmer refrigerant discharged from the compressor gives up heat to the cooler incoming refrigerant.

Abstract: A high-efficiency, enhanced, generator-absorber heat exchange (EnGAX) cycle, particularly useful in gas-fired, air-cooled absorption heat pumps, increases the heat output of the absorber in the temperature overlap range with the generator to equal the heat usable by the generator. This is accomplished by establishing a solution pathway from a portion of the absorber in the temperature overlap region to a portion of the generator in order to increase solution flow in the high temperature regions of the absorber and generator. Further improvements in cycle efficiency are obtainable by increasing the operating pressure of the absorber.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system comprises a compressor driven recovery machine having inlet and outlet ports, a primary refrigerant receiving and storage vessel having liquid and vapor ports, and a secondary refrigerant receiving and storage vessel having an inlet. During the refrigerant recovery process the refrigerant circuit outlet is coupled to the primary vessel liquid port, the primary vessel vapor port is coupled to the recovery machine inlet port, and the recovery machine outlet port is coupled to the vapor inlet of the secondary vessel. Operation of the recovery machine draws liquid refrigerant into the primary vessel at a high flow rate while withdrawing refrigerant vapor from the primary vessel, converting the withdrawn vapor to liquid refrigerant, and forcing the liquid refrigerant into the secondary vessel at a liquid refrigerant flow rate substantially less than the liquid refrigerant inflow rate to the primary vessel.

Abstract: A space temperature control which prevents overshoot and undershoot of a desired space temperature by adjusting a subsequent sensed space temperature as a function of a previous sensed maximum space temperature to deenergize a space conditioning device at the adjusted temperature to maintain the desired space temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable food and beverage cooler in combination with an audio system, preferably a stereo an AM/FM radio receiver mounted in a recessed cavity on a wall of the cooler. The cooler has an outer shell, a recessed cavity having a sleeve extending around the edge of the cavity, an intermediate insulation layer, an inner shell, a partially removable top with handle for carrying the cooler with and an inner compartment enclosed by four adjoining walls for holding food and beverages. The audio receiver includes a plurality of components including the AM/FM receiver, or optionally an AM/FM cassette deck or Compact Disc player unit, one or more speakers, a power source battery, receptacle for a jack for earphones, separately mounted in a recessed compartment provided in one or more of the cooler walls , connected by a wiring circuit. Protective screens and waterproof sealing means are provided for keeping sand and moisture out of the speakers to improve quality of sound.

Abstract: A radiative-type air-conditioning unit capable of being freely moved to and set in different positions, and used to deal with the problems concerning the unevenly distributed heat loads in a closed office in which a plurality of office automation (OA) machines are installed. This radiation air-conditioner consists of a radiation endothermic/radiating plate including a radiation generating surface (21) formed on one side surface of a panel (20), a plurality of thermoelectric elements (22) attached to the other side surface of the panel (20), and a plurality of heat exchanger means (25) attached to the other surfaces of these thermoelectric elements (22). Accordingly, noise does not occur in this radiation air-conditioner, and maintenance work therefor is substantially not required. Since this radiation air-conditioner can be installed in a small space owing to its small weight and thickness and compact structure, it is used very extensively.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering compressible refrigerant from a refrigeration system, purifying the recovered refrigerant, and testing the purity of the recovered purified refrigerant which includes a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerant storage means and a refrigerant purification means all connected in serial fluid communication. Means are provided for operably supporting a refrigerant purity sampling system in parallel fluid flow relationship with the compressor. The system is adapted to operate in a refrigerant recovery mode wherein refrigerant is withdrawn from a refrigeration system being serviced. This system is also capable of operating in a refrigerant purification mode wherein the refrigerant withdrawn from the refrigeration system is continually circulated through the circuit to provide multiple passes through the purification system. And a further refrigerant purity test mode of operation is provided wherein refrigerant from the storage cylinder is passed directly to a refrigerant purity sampling tube.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit comprises a housing (1) which consists of a bottom (2), a roof (3), two side walls (4, 4'), a rear wall (5), and a front wall (6) having an opening (8) which is closeable by means of at least one door (7, 7') and which permits access to the interior of the housing; means for introducing supply air into the housing; and means for evacuating exhaust air therefrom. Two vertical air ducts (13, 13') provided adjacent to the front wall (6) have a large number of small holes (14) through which supply air can be introduced into the housing in the form of partial currents which are directed away from the front wall (6) towards the rear wall (5), both when the door (7, 7') is closed and when it is open.