Abstract: A static motor cooling device for a centrifugal blower or axial fan assembly is provided. The blower or fan assembly includes an electric motor, a motor housing for enclosing the electric motor, a drive shaft operably coupled to the electric motor and extending outwardly from the motor housing, and a blower wheel or fan blade operably connected to the drive shaft. The blower or fan includes a blower or fan housing to which the motor housing is at least partially mounted. The motor cooling device comprises a shroud and at least one mounting provision. The motor cooling device is mounted over the motor housing and configured to mate with the blower or fan housing for passively directing a portion of the air being drawn into the blower or fan assembly over the motor housing for cooling the electric motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle heating system (10) which is embodied in such a way as to be operated by liquid fuel, and comprises a fuel pump (16) and an electromagnetically actuated fuel valve (84; 200) which is arranged downstream from the fuel pump. According to the invention, the electromagnetically actuated fuel valve (84; 200) is embodied in such a way as to pre-heat fuel. The invention also relates to a method for pre-heating liquid fuel for a motor vehicle heating system, whereby the waste heat of an electromagnetically actuated fuel valve (84; 200) is used to pre-heat the fuel.

Abstract: A surface mounted heater assembly for an aerospace component having a support layer, an electrically resistive heater foil element supported by the support layer, a coating covering the heater element; and an adhesive to secure said support layer to the component is provided. The coating has two layers that are visually distinct to permit identification of potential exposure of the heater foil element. A surface mounted heater having a multiple layer assembly having a support layer; a heater element and a transition layer to couple the support layer to the aerospace component is provided.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a state of a switch is disclosed. The method includes providing a high side driver circuit in communication with a voltage source, activating the high side driver circuit at a first predefined time interval, and sourcing voltage to a resistor in communication with the high side driver circuit at the first predefined time interval. Further, the method monitors the switch at the first predefined time interval, and determines the state of the switch, and deactivates the high side drive at a second predefined time interval.

Abstract: A hot water system for a narrowboat which system comprises an auxiliary heater used to heat a potable water tank and further is used to heat living areas of the narrowboat. The auxiliary heater and a temperature measuring device are operably connected to the water tank which terminates operation of the heater when the temperature reaches a predetermined and comfortable level selected by the user. Likewise, a room water circuit is operably attached to the auxiliary heater and is operated by a thermostatically controlled solenoid valve which terminates hot water flow through a radiator within the living areas when the temperature reaches a value selected by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a temperature between a first value and a second value. The method and apparatus utilize a heat transfer device capable of cycling through a series of cycles, the device being capable of changing the temperature from the second value to the first value when operational. During each cycle the device transfers heat for a first period of time when the temperature reaches the second volume until the first value is reached and thereafter the device stops transferring heat. The first period of time is compared to a desired cycle-on period of time during each cycle and the second temperature value then is adjusted for a subsequent cycle of the device so the first period of time when the device transfers heat approaches the desired cycle-on period of time. There may also be provided temperature controls for a liquid heater having a jacket containing the liquid. The jacket has an inner heated wall and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall.

Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle includes a reformer arrangement for producing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon/mixed material mixture, a burner arrangement for reception of hydrogen produced in the reformer arrangement and combustion thereof, and a heat exchanger arrangement for transferring combustion heat produced in the burner arrangement to a heating medium.

Abstract: A heat pump system for raising the temperature of a fluid includes a compressor for compressing a working fluid; a desuperheater heat exchanger provided with an inlet and outlet for a fluid to be heated and an inlet and outlet for the working fluid, the working fluid inlet being communicated with an outlet from the compressor; a condenser heat exchanger provided with an inlet and outlet for the fluid to be heated and an inlet and outlet for the working fluid, the condenser heat exchanger fluid outlet being communicated directly with the desuperheater heat exchanger fluid inlet, and the condenser heat exchanger working fluid inlet being communicated directly with the desuperheater heat exchanger working fluid outlet; and an evaporator with an inlet communicated with the condenser heat exchanger working fluid outlet, and an outlet communicated with an inlet to the compressor.

Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle comprises a heating air fan for producing a heating air flow to be introduced into a vehicle interior, a heating device with a heat exchanger arrangement for heating the heating air flow delivered by the heating air fan, a vehicle interior temperature sensor arrangement for producing an output in connection with the temperature in the vehicle interior, a vehicle interior reference temperature presetting arrangement, a heating air flow temperature sensor arrangement for producing a second output in connection with the outlet temperature of the heating air flow heated by the heating device, and also a control device which is arranged so as to set the delivery capacity of the heating air fan in dependence on the first output and on the vehicle interior reference temperature predetermined by the vehicle interior reference temperature presetting arrangement, and to set the heating capacity of the heating device in dependence on the second output.

Abstract: A vehicular lockup clutch-equipped transmission control apparatus is applied to a vehicle that includes a heater apparatus for heating a cabin by heat from an engine, a transmission that transfers power between the engine and a wheel, and a heat exchanger that conducts heat exchange between the engine and the transmission. The control apparatus controls a lockup clutch that is disposed between the engine and the transmission and that mechanically connects and disconnects a path of power, in accordance with a state of operation of the vehicle. The control apparatus includes a controller that determines whether a heating capability requested of the heater apparatus is at least a first predetermined level based on parameter related to a temperature inside the cabin. If it is determined that the heating capability requested of the heater apparatus is at least the first predetermined level, the controller restricts engagement of the lockup clutch.

Abstract: The controller 70 of the brine supply device 10 performs the PID calculation of the manipulated variable MV of the valve 14, calculates the compensated manipulated variable MV′ by compensating the manipulated value MV, and controls the operation of the valve 14 based on the compensated manipulated variable MV′. The variation &Dgr;MV of the manipulated variable MV becomes proportional to the variation &Dgr;PV of the brine supply temperature Pt1 as the operation of the valve 14 is controlled with the compensated manipulated variable MV′. This makes it possible to control temperature with a high accuracy using only one set of PID constants.

Abstract: An auxiliary warming device includes a hollow enclosed housing with an inlet and outlet port to permit the flow of fluid through the housing. At least the top surface of the housing is thermally conductive, and a baffle is provided within the housing to cause the fluid to flow throughout the entire housing before exiting the outlet port. The auxiliary warming device is installed on a vehicle, and a pair of hoses connect the housing ports to the downstream side of the primary heater in the vehicle, so as to use the warmed fluid from the heater to warm the surface of the auxiliary warming device. A valve is provided to permit the selective bypassing of the auxiliary warming device.

Abstract: The control system includes: a memory for memorizing a table of correspondence between inputs which comprise, on the one hand, sets of parameters and, on the other hand, operational adjustments of the working parts of the installation; an installation interface for instigating such adjustments; and a data unit having touch pads or other manual setting elements operated by the user so as to define a set of desired (or running) parameters. The data unit also has manual programming elements, and the memory includes individual zones for storing a set of parameters, each of these zones being associated with one of the manual programming elements, so that actuation of one of the latter stores the set of running parameters in the associated programming zone as a set of programmed parameters.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes a traction motor driven by a traction battery, and a supplemental or secondary electrical source for charging the traction battery. In order to warm the passenger compartment during cold weather, heat is applied from the traction motor and the secondary source. Under some conditions, there may be insufficient heat to adequately warm the passenger compartment. The traction motor efficiency is lowered, so that more heat is generated, to aid in supplying the deficiency. In an embodiment in which the traction motor is an ac motor, the efficiency is lowered by applying a direct current to the motor. In an embodiment in which the ac motor is an induction motor, the efficiency is lowered by increasing the average slip frequency.

Abstract: A refrigerator for recreational vehicles comprising a generally cubic cabinet having front, back and top sides along with absorbent-type refrigerating apparatus on the back side. A flap member adjustably mounted on the back side at a position above the refrigerating apparatus extends upwardly and outwardly from the cabinet into sealing engagement with the walls of the compartment in the recreational vehicle in which the refrigerator is installed. The configuration of the flap member and the mounting of the flap member so that it can readily be adjusted to a number of positions enhances the ability of the flap member to prevent gases created by the refrigerating apparatus from propagating into the living quarters of the recreational vehicle.

Abstract: A system (10) for increasing the temperature of air initially delivered by an existing heat pump system (100) is provided which may be easily added to the existing heat pump system. System (10) includes a heat pump comfort controller (12) having a plurality of control signal leads (14, 16, 18 and 20) which are coupled in parallel relationship with a respective plurality of control signal leads (114, 116, 118 and 120) of heat pump system (100) interconnecting the heat pump indoor unit (110) with the heat pump outdoor unit (112). Heat pump comfort controller (12) includes a thermostat (50) for sensing the outdoor ambient air temperature and includes a contact (52) that closes when the outdoor ambient temperature falls below a predetermined value, conducting a control signal from the lead (14) for signaling the energization of supplemental heating units (132) of heat pump system (100).

Abstract: A heating system for heating a tanker-trailer, including a housing, a fuel tank, a heating unit, fuel lines connecting the fuel tank to the heating unit, hot and cold water lines, connected at one end to the heating unit and at their other end to the tanker-trailer, and a control apparatus for controlling the flow of fuel from the fuel tank to the heating unit, water flow to and from the tanker-trailer, and the temperature of the water.

Abstract: A control arrangement for an auxiliary heater in motor vehicles is provided which consists of a preselection clock, a control unit and a control apparatus which are all arranged inside the vehicle, in which case the auxiliary heater can be time-programmed by way of the preselection clock. A time generator is used which generates a time signal representing the actual time and whose time signal is supplied to the preselection clock as well as to a time display arranged in the vehicle, and in the case of which the time programming is carried out via a portable transmitter.

Abstract: The heating device which can be used for installation in a cabin vehicle of a cabin railway consists essentially of a control means for regulating the interior cabin temperature and a fan device which serves for warming up the interior cabin air and has an air inlet, an air outlet and, arranged between the inlet and the outlet, a heating means for warming up the interior cabin air passed through the fan device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in particular the fan device and the heating means are arranged in a box which is provided, on each of two opposite end walls, with an air passage member intended for circulation of the interior cabin air and connected to the air inlet or air outlet. For example, this box is dimensioned and can be inserted into a frame opening of the inner base of the cabin in such a way that the stated air passage members project above the inner base of the cabin in the attached state.

Abstract: A system for automatically defogging both the windshield and rear window of an automobile. The system includes moisture and dew detection sensors positioned on the interior surfaces of the windshield and the rear window of the automobile. The sensors transmit an electrical current signal to a program control module. If the current received by the program control module from either of the windshield sensors exceeds a predetermined response threshold, it will energize a relay to activate the windshield blower. On the other hand, should the program control module receive a signal from one of the sensors on the rear window, it will energize another relay to activate a resistance heating grid on the rear window. When the condensation on either the windshield or rear window has been evaporated, the program control module will deactivate the associated defogging device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating carry-back includes one or more heat shrouds located at desired locations to avoid carry-back. The heat shrouds which may be powered by being connected to a rotating shaft of a material transportation device to avoid the need for additional power sources. The apparatus further includes a passive drying system for removing moisture from material while in transit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger as provided in which an outdoor coil circulates a heat-exchange medium therethrough and includes a conventional upper inlet and lower outlet for respectively receiving and discharging the heat-exchange medium. A fan draws ambient air through the outdoor coil during the heating phase of the heat exchanger, and a gas flame generates heat to further increase the temperature of the heat-exchange medium beyond that created by the heat-absorbed from ambient air. A control system is provided for at least at times simultaneously operating the fan and the gas flame. The control system also at times bypasses the outdoor coil at extremely low ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A heating container apparatus is provided for supplying heated air into a heating container on a vehicle for heating or keeping warm the cargo in the heating container, including a burner with an atomizing glow plug and an ignition glow plug; a heat exchanger for recovering heat generated by the burner; an air blower device for circulating heated air; a temperature control device, and a voltage control device. The voltage control device is supplied with electric power from a commercial power feed line to produce a voltage equal to the voltage of a power supply mounted on the vehicle, thereby keeping the interior of the heating container warm even when the engine of the vehicle is stopped. The temperature control device keeps the temperature in the heating container in a suitable temperature range at all times.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating liquid stored in a tank (1) comprises a heater (4) housed in a hollow member (3) and extending substantially over an entire length of the hollow member (3). The hollow member (3) includes inlet openings (3a) at respective longitudinal ends to take in the liquid from the tank interior, and an outlet opening (3b) at a longitudinally intermediate position to permit exit of the liquid heated by the heater (4).

Abstract: A lift truck cab having thermally insulated walls and an electrically energized heater system making it particularly suited for use with electric lift trucks in closed cold environments. The heater system is spaced throughout the cab to surround the operator and provide a uniform distribution of heat. Double hinged doors forming the sides of the cab permit passage of the operator when partially opened and complete access to the vehicle when fully opened.

Abstract: An antifreezing system for an exterior water pipe servicing a mobile home wherein the mobile home includes a furnace having a forced hot air passage and a cold air return. The system utilizes a hot air closed circuit, thermally insulated, conduit system surrounding the exterior water pipe wherein one end of the conduit system communicates with the hot air passage, while the other end of the conduit system communicates with the cold air return. In this manner a flow of warm air through the conduit system is produced during furnace operation preventing freezing of the exterior pipes and conserving the energy required for antifreezing purposes.

Abstract: Inlet air for a water heater used in a trailer home or camper is provided through an air tube passing through the floor of the camper to the heater within the camper. The lower end of the air tube terminates short of the ground beneath the camper and includes a cup assembly arranged to rotate about the axis of the air tube. The cup assembly has a front opening and a rear rudder. Wind blowing under the trailer home or camper will orient the cup assembly so that the front opening faces the wind so that the inlet air is passed up through the air tube. Excess air can pass out a rear opening in the cup assembly.