Abstract: A block suitable for use in an arrangement of blocks that are interlocked. The block may comprise: a first side surface extending between a first edge and a second edge, the first side surface being irregular and having a first half and a second half that are congruent; a second side surface extending between the second edge and a third edge, the second side surface having a first half and a second half that are congruent; a third side surface extending between the first edge and a fourth edge, the third side surface being congruent with a first portion of the first side surface; a fourth side surface extending between the third edge and a fifth edge, the fourth side surface being congruent with a second portion of the first side surface such that the first portion and the second portion of the first side surface constitute the first side surface; and a fifth side surface extending between the fourth edge and the fifth edge, the fifth side surface having a first half and a second half that are congruent.

Abstract: A clip device for fastening first and second structural members typically decking members. The clip device has a base portion with first and second opposed ends and a thickness a first vertical leg portion integral with the leg base portion is horizontally spaced apart from a second vertical leg portion integral with the base portion. Arm flange portions integral to the first and second vertical leg portions are horizontally spaced from the base and aligned respectively towards said first and second opposed ends. A fastener receiving hole in the base is used to attach the clip device to the joist. The base portion, vertical leg portion and arm flange portion define diametrically opposed U-shaped jaw elements for holding the structural member to the joist.

Abstract: A building block arrangement comprises a first layer of building blocks and a second layer of building blocks. The first layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the first layer. The second layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the second layer. The space includes communicative vertical portions such that that the space at least partially isolates an interior wall portion from an exterior wall portion. The second layer of building blocks is positioned on top of the first layer of building blocks. The second layer of building blocks spans across at least a portion of the space in the first layer of building blocks.

Abstract: A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1, 1?) which have a body (30), a lower balancing layer (34) and an upper surface layer (32). A strip (6) is integrally formed with the body (30) of the floorboard (1) and extends under an adjoining floorboard (1?). The strip (6) has a locking element (8), which engages a looking groove (14) in the underside of the adjoining floorboard (1?) and forms a horizontal joint. A tongue (38) and a tongue groove (36) form a vertical joint between upper and lower plane-parallel contact surfaces (43, 45) and are designed in such manner that the lower contact surfaces (45) are on a level between the upper side of the locking element (8) and a plane containing the underside (3) of the floorboard. Also, a floorboard having such a locking system, a floor made of such floorboards, as well as a method for making such a locking system.

Abstract: A construction set for allowing a user to construct a variety of different structures comprising a plurality of Type A beams, a plurality of Type B beams, a plurality of base columns, a plurality of intermediate columns, a plurality of base plates attached to the base columns, and a plurality of deck pieces for laying atop the beams to create a floor.

Abstract: A grating system provides enhanced see through characteristics and typically includes longitudinal deep bars, axial crossbars, axial filler bars between the crossbars and longitudinal joining bars which join the crossbars and filler bars to one another. The deep bars are part of a first subassembly and the other bars are part of a second subassembly which may be lowered to join the two subassemblies to one another. The crossbars and filler bars are typically seated on the deep bars. The joining bars are typically above and aligned with the deep bars. The upper surfaces of the crossbars and filler bars are usually substantially flush with one another. The grating system is configured to support vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Abstract: A foundation system, such as a frost-protected foundation system, includes an elongated body having a lower base surface, an upper support surface and side surfaces between the lower base surface and the upper support surface. The base surface is adapted to be supported on a ground surface and the upper support surface is adapted to supporting at least a portion of a structure. The body may be made substantially from a polymeric material, such as a high density crush resistant material, an extruded polystyrene insulation, or the like. At least one of said side surfaces is at an acute angle to said base surface. An architectural structure made with the frost-protected foundation system includes a slab supported with the upper support surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite building that will float if the building site is flooded. The materials of the composite are resistant to mold and mildew.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bracket for use in a metal stud wall having internal bridging members for tying the metal studs and bridging members together. The bracket is an L shaped bracket having a leg for overlying the bridging member joined to an upright for overlying the metal stud. The outside corners of the leg and upright of the L shaped bracket are truncated so that the bracket may be inserted within the channel of a metal stud and rotated to the proper position for attaching to the bridging member and metal stud.

Abstract: In constructing a home, a plurality of upwardly opening U-shaped channel members are installed onto a floor structure. Wall sections are then set into the plurality of U-shaped channel members. The result is that the U-channel members locate the wall sections. Each wall section may be pre-fabricated with lines for service (e.g., electrical lines or plumbing conduit) running through it. After the wall sections are set in place, the lines for service may be interconnected. Cut-outs may be provided at the sides of the wall sections to provide access to the lines for service to allow their interconnection.

Abstract: A collapsible support structure includes a plurality of linked, inter-connectable segments that allow the structure to transform between a rigid structure and a flexible chain. The chain is generally extendible in a first direction while the rigid structure extends in a transverse second direction. At least a first linked segment is connectable with a second linked segment that is not immediately adjacent to the first segment within the chain. The chain may be converted to the rigid structure by wrapping the chain about an axis extending in the second direction. The segments may include an overall height and further include a coupling that is connected to an adjacent segment. The coupling may be disposed so that the adjacent segment is offset about 1/Nth of the overall height. With this coupling, the first segment may be connectable with the second segment that is N segments separated from the first segment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for laying marble tile flooring utilizes a form and method for using the form. The form provides for applying layers of a sealant, mud and thin set to a height determined by the form for laying the first tile in a horizontally level position. Second and subsequent tiles are laid relative to the first laid tile by gauging off the first laid tile and fixing the height of sealant, mud, and thin set such that the second and subsequently laid tiles are level with the first tile and parallel to the edges of the first laid tile. The result is a completely horizontal tiled floor with each tile level to an adjacent tile and parallel and or perpendicular relative to each other tile.

Abstract: A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries.

Abstract: A method of both permanently reinforcing and bonding, by means of a physical connection including a fabric or other arrangement of reinforcing fiber, saturated with a curing liquid resin, and building materials to create a composite assembly is disclosed. Once cured, the previously liquid resin, having surrounded the fiber and features of the surfaces of the elements being joined, combines them within a single, shared resin matrix. The resulting composite assembly incorporates a new method of providing reinforcement from within, and can be formed into any of various products or components in the light construction industry, such as window sashes, millwork, and the like.

Abstract: A process for efficiently conveying containers along a table-top conveying system includes the steps of temporarily securing a transfer stabilizing support (1a, 1b) to a bottom end of a formed container (14) so that the container can freely move along a production line using the table-top conveying system where the transfer stabilizing support has a bottom surface (2a, 2b) with an opening (4a, 4b), a sidewall (6a, 6b) extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, and a ridge area (10b) surrounding the opening and inside the sidewall of the support; and after the container has gone through operations of the production line, the transfer stabilizing support is removed so that aesthetic qualities of the formed container shape are revealed.

Abstract: Automated pusher mechanisms with pusher heads that reciprocally travel in a product chute. The pusher head has an inverted “V” shape and semi-circular side portions.

Abstract: A packing installation having a handling head (10) with replaceable tulip-like gripping tools (11) connected by couplers (13). The installation has a magazine (15) with separate groups of tools (11) and a several presentation units (23) for the tools. The presentation units (23) have a spindle (25) to accommodate the tools (11). The spindle (25) is a floating type to give some flexibility and to engage the tools (11) not only during the depositing operation, but also during the gripping operation. The magazine (15) is mobile and is mounted on tracks (19) to move between its inactive position, away from the field of action of the bottle handling head (10), and its active position within the field of action of the head (10) and in particular at the station (5) where the bottles are picked up by the head (10).

Abstract: An ultrasonic sealing device for a top fin of a gable-topped carton includes two jaws consisting of a jaw (2) with a planar active face and constituting the outer end portion of an ultrasonic horn (A1) and a jaw (6) constituting an anvil and having an active surface (10) which is planar except for upper and lower linear ribs (12) and (14) each extending the length of the surface (10). The lower rib (14) is linear and horizontal except for an upwardly bowed middle portion (16). The two jaws (2) and (6) serve to render gas-and-liquid tight a top fin of a conventional, plastics-coated paperboard, gable-top carton. The ribs (12) and (14) produce, in the outer surface of one of the outer sealing panels of the fin, corresponding furrows which extend over the whole length of the fin at levels where the inner sealing panels are sandwiched between the outer sealing panels, so as to seal the top fin in a gas- and liquid-tight manner along its whole length.

Abstract: A clothing packing apparatus for folding a clothing article, such as a suit, comprising a spacing material to separate parts of the folded clothing article comprises a parts that partial overlay a fold line in the aligned sleeves and the body of an article of clothing; a slit for folding the sleeves independently; gripping surfaces to engage the clothing article; rounded/tapered edges to eliminate pressure compressions; pre-formed bands to improve folding performance; and a casing for storage and transit. The spacing material is preferably formed of foam capable of forming a continuous U-shaped curve along the fold lines and an anti-collapsible structure when folded with the clothing article.

Abstract: A portable storage apparatus for storing perishable items at a reduced temperature and under a reduced pressure is provided. The method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An engine arrangement for a component subject to icing. The arrangement comprising a manifold as part of a flow path incident upon a heated component. The manifold including holes to create jets having an exit angle toward the component subject to icing. The jets of hot gas are entrained in a core flow passing through the main flow path before washing over a desired incident area of the component. The exit angle and spacing between the jet and the component are determined to reduce disruption of the core flow and/or provide the desired incident area on the component and/or use the minimum amount of hot air.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis of a three-way catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine using the voltage signal of a downstream binary lambda sensor proposes that with a changeover of the air/fuel ratio ? that is fed to the internal combustion engine from high to low, the voltage signal U? of the lambda sensor is monitored for its jump in order to establish a first oxygen storage capacity OSC1 of the catalytic converter, with a changeover of the air/fuel ratio that is fed to the internal combustion engine from low to high, the voltage signal U? of the lambda sensor is monitored for its jump in order to establish a second oxygen storage capacity OSC2 of the catalytic converter, and/or with a modulation of the air/fuel ratio that is fed to the internal combustion engine between high and low, the voltage signal U? of the lambda sensor is monitored for its jumps in order to establish a third oxygen storage capacity OSC3 of the catalytic converter, wherein the diagnosis of the catalytic converter is perfo

Abstract: In an apparatus for diagnosing an exhaust gas purifying device, a catalyst deterioration level detector 104 detects the deterioration level of a catalyst from a relationship between a catalyst-upstream air-fuel-ratio detector 101 and a catalyst-downstream air-fuel-ratio detector 102. A catalyst-deterioration-level correction section 111 corrects the catalyst deterioration level detected by the catalyst deterioration level detector 104 based on a falling response ratio representing the ratio between a falling response index of the catalyst-upstream air-fuel-ratio detector 101 and a falling response index of the catalyst-downstream air-fuel-ratio detector 102 or based on a rising response ratio representing the ratio between a rising response index of the catalyst-upstream air-fuel-ratio detector 101 and a rising response index of the catalyst-downstream air-fuel-ratio detector 102.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas cooling device for an internal combustion engine includes a housing with an exhaust-gas inlet, an exhaust-gas outlet, a valve device, and a U-shaped heat exchange unit including an outbound flow path and a return flow path. The housing comprises, on the open side of the U-shaped heat exchange unit, a first, a second and a third chamber. The first chamber provides a fluid connection from the exhaust-gas inlet to the second chamber, and the third chamber provides a fluid connection from the second chamber to the exhaust-gas outlet. The valve device is arranged in the second chamber such that the second chamber can be divided into two partial chambers, a first one of the partial chambers is arranged in fluid connection with the outbound flow path, and the second one of the partial chambers is arranged in fluid connection with the return flow path.

Abstract: In an exhaust emission purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine, for adding a reducing agent for NOx to the exhaust gas to thereby purify NOx in the exhaust gas, the mixing of the reducing agent injected by an injection nozzle with the exhaust gas is accelerated. To this end, in the apparatus of the present invention, the injection nozzle for the urea water is disposed to be opposite to the flow of the exhaust gas, or to face upward in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for regenerating a particulate filter for an exhaust system. A source of hydrocarbon is injected into the exhaust flow upstream of the filter. The injected hydrocarbon within the filter is caused to oxidize and a temperature within the filter to rise, the temperature rise being initiated at a downstream end of the filter. A temperature change at the filter is sensed in response to the oxidation of the hydrocarbon. The amount of hydrocarbon being injected into the filter is adjusted to increase the temperature within the filter above a defined threshold from the downstream end to an upstream end of the filter, the defined threshold temperature being sufficient to oxidize soot. An operational parameter indicative of the filter regeneration being complete is sensed, and further injection of the hydrocarbon into the exhaust flow is prevented in response to the sensed operational parameter.

Abstract: In regeneration control in a manual regeneration mode, when a first exhaust gas temperature of an exhaust gas flowing into an oxidation catalyst device is higher than a predetermined determining temperature and an exhaust gas temperature flowing into a DPF device is higher than a predetermined determining temperature and when an intake temperature becomes higher than a predetermined third determining temperature, second exhaust gas temperature control carrying out post injection in addition to multi injection is stopped and switched to third exhaust gas temperature rise control carrying out the post injection in addition to normal injection. Thus, temperature rise of an engine cooling water can be restricted without stopping an air conditioner, and possible overheating of the engine can be prevented.

Abstract: A method is provided for compensating for factors affecting particulate matter accumulation within an aftertreatment element of an engine exhaust system. The method comprises determining rate of change of flow resistance through the aftertreatment element with time. Regeneration is periodically initiated to reduce particulate matter accumulation within the aftertreatment element. Rate of change of flow resistance through the aftertreatment element over time is correlated with at least a model of particulate matter accumulation within the aftertreatment element and a model of regeneration frequency of the aftertreatment element, based on predetermined values for particulate matter accumulation and regeneration frequency. Action, at least including increasing regeneration frequency, is initiated to compensate for an increased rate of particulate matter accumulation in the aftertreatment element.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine having a diesel particulate filter in a vehicle is disclosed. In one example, the filter is regenerated in response to a temperature differential across each of a plurality of filter channels. The method can improve the timing of filter regeneration.

Abstract: The invention makes use of an exhaust gas catalyst, comprising an active component comprising at least one type of metal from noble metals and transition metals; NOx-absorbing material for absorbing and releasing nitrogen oxides according to the surrounding nitrogen oxide concentration; and compounds represented by A2O2SO4 and/or A2O2S (A is a rare earth element).

Abstract: A power generator utilizing gases and the gravitational force as efficiently as the buoyant force which act on an apparatus in a natural or man-made liquid medium and convert such forces into mechanical energy. The power generator includes methods for a plurality of weighted uniquely configured variable density containers which ascend and descend in a primarily vertical plane and which drive one or more chains, belts or conveyances with rotating sprockets or pulleys on horizontally aligned shafts in primarily a vertical arrangement upon such apparatus. The chains, belts or conveyances driven by the movement of the containers rotate the sprockets or pulleys (FIG. 1) and their associated shafts in both the ascending and descending motion creating mechanical power. Such power can be used to turn electrical generators or other mechanical machines which necessitate such power input.

Abstract: A beta-type free-piston Stirling cycle engine or cooler is drivingly coupled to a linear alternator or linear motor and has an improved balancing system to minimize vibration without the need for a separate vibration balancing unit. The stator of the linear motor or alternator is mounted to the interior of the casing through an interposed spring to provide an oscillating system permitting the stator to reciprocate and flex the spring during operation of the Stirling machine and coupled transducer. The natural frequency of oscillation, ?s, of the stator is maintained essentially equal to ? p ? 1 - ? p k p and the natural frequency of oscillation of the piston, ?p, is maintained essentially equal to the operating frequency, ?o of the coupled Stirling machine and alternator or motor.

Abstract: An electric booster which drives an electric motor (40) in response to a movement of an input member (9) moving together with a brake pedal (B), and generates a brake hydraulic pressure in a master cylinder (10) through a ball screw mechanism (50). The electric motor (40) includes a stator (41) having a coil therein, a rotor (42) which rotates by applying current to the stator (41), and an annular motor casing (2) containing the stator (41) and the rotor (42). The ball screw mechanism (50) is fittedly disposed in the rotor (42). An opening (3b) on one axial end side of the motor casing (2) has a larger diameter than an outer diameter of the ball screw mechanism (50). In manufacturing, after the electric motor (40) alone is tested, the ball screw mechanism (50) is inserted through the opening (3b) and installed without the need of disassembling the motor casing (2).

Abstract: A boost pressure control apparatus includes a turbocharger whose turbine is rotationally driven by exhaust of an internal combustion engine, and an EGR device, wherein EGR is performed at the time of supercharge, or the EGR amount is increased at the time of supercharge in comparison with when supercharge is not performed. If the internal EGR gas amount is increased by changing opening/closure timings of intake valves and/or exhaust valves via the EGR device, the energy of exhaust can be increased, so that the rotation speed of the turbocharger can be enhanced. Therefore, the responsiveness of boost pressure rise can be enhanced. Thus, a technology of more promptly raising the boost pressure is provided.

Abstract: A turbocharger system comprises a first relatively small high-pressure (HP) turbocharger (1) and a second relatively large low pressure (LP) turbocharger (2). The turbine (6) of the LP turbocharger (2) is connected in series downstream of the turbine (4) of the HP turbocharger (1) in a first exhaust gas passage (11). An exhaust bypass flow passage (12) provides a bypass flow path around the HP turbine (4). A rotary valve (8) is located at a junction of the bypass flow passage (12) and a first exhaust gas flow passage (11). The rotary valve (8) comprises a valve rotor (19) which is rotatable to selectively permit or block flow to the LP turbine (6) from either the first exhaust gas passage (11) or the bypass gas passage (12). The rotary valve (8) is operated to at least partially restrict flow to the LP turbine to generate a braking back pressure.

Abstract: A combustor and injector system to inject a selected fuel into a combustor of a gas powered turbine. Generally, the injector is able to inject a selected fuel into a stream of an oxidizer to substantially mix the fuel with the oxidizer stream before any of the fuel in the fuel fan reaches an auto ignition temperature. Therefore the fuel may be substantially combusted at once and without any substantial hot spots.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine augmentor includes an annular trapped vortex cavity pilot having a cavity forward wall, a cavity radially outer wall, and a cavity aft wall, an annular cavity therebetween, and cavity fuel injector tubes operably disposed through the outer wall into the cavity. Circumferentially spaced apart radial flameholders with integral spraybars and/or radial spraybars interdigitated with the radial flameholders radially inwardly into an exhaust flowpath of the augmentor just forward and upstream of the trapped vortex cavity pilot at a radially outer portion of a combustion zone of the exhaust flowpath. An annular trapped dual vortex cavity pilot version is operable for producing trapped dual counter-rotating inner and outer vortices of fuel and air mixtures.

Abstract: A Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) system includes a first combustion turbine assembly (42) having a shaft (52) coupled to a motor (54), a compressor (44) and a debladed turbine element (46). A second combustion turbine assembly (68) has a shaft (74) coupled to an electrical generator (80), a turbine (70) and a debladed compressor (72). A first interconnection (58) is from an output of the compressor (44) of the first combustion turbine assembly to an air storage (66). A second interconnection (87) is from the air storage to the turbine (70) of the second combustion turbine assembly for producing power. An expander (88) and an electrical generator (94) are provided. A third interconnection (90) is from the air storage (66) to the expander (88). A source of heat preheats compressed air in the third interconnection. A fourth interconnection (96) is from the expander to the turbine (70).

Abstract: A cooling system for beverage dispense has a circuit 5 in which binary ice is circulated. A modular heat exchange unit 13 for a plurality of beverage lines 25,27,29,31,33 is connected to the circuit 5 for cooling beverage prior to dispense from a dispense tap 35 in a serving area such as a bar. The ice fraction in the binary ice provides a thermal store that can absorb heat without increasing the temperature of the binary ice and enables the system to respond quickly to changes in the cooling requirements in the circuit 5.

Abstract: A two-stage cascade refrigeration system is provided having a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant, and has a first compressor, a condenser, and a first expansion device that is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit. The second refrigeration stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant, with the second refrigeration stage having a second compressor, a second expansion device, and an evaporator that is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit. A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits to exchange heat between the first and second refrigerants. At least one of the first or second compressors is a variable speed compressor.

Abstract: Method for defrosting an evaporator in a refrigeration circuit (2) for circulating a refrigerant in a predetermined flow direction, the refrigeration circuit (2) comprising in flow direction a compressor unit (4), a heat-rejecting heat exchanger (6), an expansion device (12) and an evaporator (14), wherein the evaporator (14) comprises at least two refrigerant conduits (42; 44) and the method comprises the following steps: (a) operating the refrigeration circuit (2) in the normal cooling mode where the refrigerant exiting the heat-rejecting heat exchanger (6) flows through the expansion device (12) and through the evaporator (14) and towards the compressor unit (4); (b) terminating the cooling mode by interrupting the flow of the refrigerant exiting the heat-rejecting heat exchanger (6) into the evaporator (14); and (c) directing hot gas refrigerant through only a portion of the refrigerant conduits (42; 44) of the evaporator (14) for defrosting the evaporator (14).

Abstract: A system and method for air-conditioning motor vehicles and, in particular, to an air-conditioning systems for motor vehicles having adsorption heat pumps. The apparatus includes a two adsorber chambers, each connected to a condenser and an evaporator via different connection elements; a vacuum shell for enclosing the adsorber chambers, the condenser, and the evaporator, wherein the vacuum shell is not self-supporting; and one or more adsorbers housed in the adsorber chambers, wherein the adsorbers are comprised of a carrier material coated by a sorbent. The method includes using an adsorption heat pump having one or more adsorber chambers, wherein adsorption and desorption are alternated between the adsorber chambers. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A collapsible foldable cooler can be converted to a stadium seat by folding back a top lid and folding diagonally down the top portions of the sidewalls. The folded down top lid extends along the back wall, forming a part of a converted stadium seat backrest, while the sidewalls form the sides of the stadium seat.

Abstract: A Kimchi refrigerator that applies cold shock to Kimchi stored therein at predetermined time intervals, while a keeping mode is performed, so as to improve the taste of the Kimchi, wherein the time intervals are changed, and a control method of the same are disclosed. The Kimchi refrigerator includes a cooling system to cool the interior of the refrigerator in which Kimchi is stored, and a control unit to control the cooling system to perform a cold shock operation in which the interior of the refrigerator is cooled to a cold shock temperature lower than a keeping temperature at predetermined time intervals, for a predetermined period of time, while a keeping mode is performed. The control unit changes the time intervals.

Abstract: A chiller includes a main condenser that has a refrigerant condensate sump with an internal weir or standpipe that maintains at least a minimum liquid seal between the outlets of the main condenser and a heat-recovery condenser. The main condenser is used for normal cooling operation, and the heat-recovery condenser is for supplying an external process with heat that would otherwise be wasted. In addition to providing a liquid seal, the sump and weir combination provides a reliable source of liquid refrigerant to cool the chiller's compressor motor and creates a trap for collecting foreign particles that might exit either of the chiller's two condensers.

Abstract: An HVAC system and method for configuring a controller to control a compressor including a detection system provided to determine a type of compressor. The detection system includes a processor; and a load sensing circuit connected between the processor and a controller. The controller has a plurality of output connections connectable to a compressor. The load sensing circuit senses whether a load is present on each output connection of the plurality of output connections and provides a load signal to the processor indicating whether a load is present on each output connection. The load signals are processed with the processor to determine the type of compressor is present. The controller is configured to control the compressor in response to the determined type of compressor.

Abstract: To reduce a leakage current when a motor for driving a compressor is energized, with the compressor unoperated. Setting the carrier frequency of an inverter at a value lower than that used during normal operation to cause phase interruption electrification of the motor.

Abstract: Methods of controlling air conditioning and HVAC units using a thermostat for a discrete-speed unit that include changing speed based on how long the unit operates at a particular speed. Speed may be increased if a unit operates for longer than a predetermined time at a particular speed, and speed may be reduced if the unit operated for less than a specific amount of time during the prior run. In different embodiments, single-stage thermostats may control units that operate at three speeds, and two-stage thermostats may control units that operate at three to five or more speeds. In addition, in some embodiments, outdoor coil temperature may be measured and considered in determining speed. Further, in some embodiments, maintaining continuous or repeated operation at a boost speed may be avoided. Energy savings and noise reduction may result.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for regulating and distributing cooling fluid through a plurality of heat sinks, such as cold plates, using a flow regulator, which sets the total flow rate, in combination with one or more individual orifices that allow further flow distribution as required by individual cold plates, despite flow variations upstream of the orifices. An orifice can be coupled to an orifice holder, which includes a body to support the orifice, and which may be coupled (directly or indirectly) to an inlet of the cold plate. Alternative manners of coupling orifices in the fluid flow besides an orifice holder can be employed. Generally, the flow regulator(s) is coupled with a plurality of orifices and conduits through which the cooling fluid flows. Related system components can be assembled as a module for installation into a cooling system that includes other system components such as a pump, compressor or other pressure sources for the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided for use with an ultra-low temperature freezer having a deck and a refrigerated cabinet supported above the deck. The system has a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant. The first stage has a first compressor, a condenser and a first expansion device that is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit. The second stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant. The second stage has a second compressor, a second expansion device and an evaporator that is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit. The system includes an insulated enclosure supported within the deck and a split-flow heat exchanger that is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits and which is located within the insulated enclosure.