Abstract: Disclosed herein are heat pump systems for water heaters. The heat pump systems can comprise a housing defining an interior chamber, an air inlet, and an air outlet. The air inlet and the air outlet can form an air flow path through the interior chamber, and an evaporator unit can be positioned within the interior chamber such that the air flow path contacts the evaporator unit. The housing can also have a flue pipe having a cross-section to encourage aerodynamic flow and/or side baffles to encourage air flow into the evaporator unit. The housing can also have a second air inlet to increase air flow and a curved elbow around the first air inlet to direct the air flow path. The air flow path can flow from a top side of the housing to a side of the housing, and the air flow path can be reversible.

Abstract: The smokers module comprises a smoking space and an air handling system. The air handling system processes the air within the smoking space. The air handling system further comprises a filter chain, an air exhaust, an air intake, and a plurality of fans. The plurality of fans recirculate the air contained within the smoking space for processing. Specifically, the plurality of fans: 1) pump air through the filter chain; 2) draws fresh air into the smoking space through the air intake; and, 3) discharges air from the smoking space into the atmosphere. The filter chain removes organic compounds, inorganic compounds, and radicals from air drawn from the smoking space. The air intake draws fresh air into the smokers module and the air exhaust discharges air from the smokers module into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus (10 or 10a) for use in venting a compartment of a vehicle includes valve elements (14 and 16 or 14a and 16a). A biasing spring (130 or 130a) is effective to urge one of the valve elements toward a closed condition. A spring connection (134 or 236) is effective to transmit torque urging the one valve element (16 or 16a) toward a closed condition. Another valve element (14) may overlie the one valve element (16). Alternatively, the valve elements (14a and 16a) may be spaced from each other.

Abstract: A two-piece hardtop for sport utility vehicles. An air vent is provided that allows air to flow out from the interior of the vehicle without letting water enter the vehicle through it.

Abstract: A high efficiency environmental control system uses air exhausted from a pressurized cabin to cool compressed air entering the cabin. Air exhausted from the cabin may flow directly from the cabin through a heat exchanger which cools the compressed air entering the cabin. Alternatively, air exiting the cabin may flow through a turbine which expands and cools the air prior to passing through the heat exchanger. The turbine may be used to drive a compressor to provide the compressed air to the cabin. Supplemental power to drive the compressor may be provided by a second turbine driven by bleed air from one or more turbine engines, or by an electric motor. Bleed air may also be mixed with air from the compressor to provide fresh air to the cabin. To further increase efficiency and meet the cooling requirements of the cabin on the ground and at altitude, switch dampers may be employed to selectably vary the flow path of air supplied to the cabin.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating or recovering energy on board an aircraft effectively utilizes the cabin exhaust air stream, which has a high thermal energy and a differential pressure, before it is discharged into the environment outside the aircraft. In this manner, the total efficiency of the aircraft is improved. The apparatus essentially includes an energy conversion unit (8) connected to the cabin exhaust air duct (2) to generate or recover energy from the exhaust air stream (5). Bleed or tap air (11) from the engine (10) is provided from a bleed air port (10A) through a cabin supply air duct or tap air duct (3) to an air conditioning plant (12) for final preparation of cabin supply air. A heat exchanger (4) is arranged between the cabin exhaust air duct (2) and the tap air duct (3), upstream of the energy conversion unit (8) in the cabin exhaust air duct (2).

Abstract: A ventilating apparatus for a conveyance has a first conduit disposed on the upper portion of a vehicle so as to supply conditioned air allowed to flow from an air conditioned device into a compartment, a second conduit disposed in the lower portion of the vehicle so as to suck and circulate air in the compartment, a a third conduit disposed in the lower portion of the vehicle so as to suck and introduce air in the compartment into an exhaust device. The air conditioning device conditions air by mixing air circulated from the second conduit and air sucked from the outside of the compartment by a suction device. When the compartment is partitioned, the ventilating apparatus is individually provided for each partitioned compartment and the third conduit is connected to a discharge port of a lavatory.