Abstract: An anti-condensing system includes a control panel configured to electrically couple between a power source and a temperature regulating display unit. The control panel includes a housing defining an interior cavity, a door selectively repositionable to facilitate accessing the interior cavity of the housing, and a circuitry assembly disposed within the interior cavity. The circuitry assembly includes a relay configured to couple to a heating element of the temperature regulating display unit, an overcurrent protection breaker coupled to the relay and directly integrated into the control panel such that the overcurrent protection device can be locked out at the control panel, and a control circuit coupled to the relay. The control circuit is configured to actively control the relay to prevent condensation from forming on the temperature regulating display unit.

Abstract: Automatic shutdown systems are used with refrigerated air cargo containers. When a fire signature is detected by one or more sensors, the container exhaust fan(s) are automatically shut down or their external airflow is automatically restricted. In addition, or in the alternative, the shutdown system may likewise act when air transit is detected, such as acceleration and/or a change in altitude.

Abstract: A compressor includes a casing accommodating a refrigerant passageway, a compression mechanism and a pipe. The compression mechanism is disposed in the interior of the casing to discharge compressed refrigerant into the refrigerant passageway. The pipe extends from inside of the casing to outside of the casing. The pipe includes two ends. One end is a closed end disposed in a predetermined position inside the refrigerant passageway. The other end of the pipe is an opened end disposed outside the casing. The pipe is preferably sized so that a measuring instrument can be inserted into the pipe through the opened end.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-conditioning system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an externally controlled compressor (10), a condenser (12), a throttle (18), an evaporator (20) and an internal heat exchanger (16), wherein the throttle (18) is an electronic expansion valve. The invention also relates to a method for operating an air-conditioning system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an externally controlled compressor (10), a condenser (12), a throttle (18), an evaporator (20) and an internal heat exchanger (16), wherein the throttle (18) is electronically controlled.

Abstract: A control device for an air-conditioning system of a vehicle comprises an evaporator, a compressor with externally controlled variable displacement, and an expansion valve. The control device comprises a control block that receives a reference temperature indicating a desired temperature of the air downstream of the evaporator, and an effective temperature of the air present downstream of the evaporator. The control device-supplies a control signal for the compressor to bring the effective temperature substantially equal to the reference temperature. An observer module receives the control signal and supplies a temperature disturbance indicating an estimate of the oscillatory effect generated by an expansion valve on the temperature of air downstream of the evaporator when a compressor is driven by the control signal. An adder block removes from the effective temperature the temperature disturbance so as to eliminate the oscillatory effect on the effective temperature downstream of the evaporator.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a vehicle having a battery pack, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The HVAC system may comprise a refrigerant loop having a first leg and a second leg, and a refrigerant compressor in the refrigerant loop. In the first leg, an evaporator provides cooling to a passenger cabin of the vehicle, an evaporator shut-off valve selectively blocks the flow of refrigerant through the evaporator, and an evaporator thermal expansion valve is upstream from the evaporator. In the second leg, a battery heat exchanger receives the refrigerant, a battery thermal expansion valve is located upstream from the battery heat exchanger, and a battery cooling shut-off valve selectively blocks the flow of refrigerant through the battery heat exchanger. The shut-off valves and compressor are controlled to control the cooling of the passenger cabin and the battery pack.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor and configured to remove heat from the refrigerant, and an expansion valve in fluid communication with the condenser and configured to decrease a pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigeration system also includes an evaporator in fluid communication with the expansion valve and configured to facilitate heat exchange between the refrigerant and another fluid, and a sensor configured to bend to measure a property of the refrigeration system. The sensor including a flexible substrate and a conductive material applied to the flexible substrate and having a resistance that changes in response to bending of the flexible substrate to generate a signal indicative of the property.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner has an IR sensor that detects a temperature of air inside a vehicle compartment. The IR sensor is disposed on an instrument panel so that the sensor is disposed above switches and a face blowout port on the instrument panel. Accordingly, a detecting range of the IR sensor is prevented from interfering by hands of a driver or an occupant even when the switches are operated by the driver. Thus, the air conditioner is capable of stable air conditioning.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recirculating air in a controlled ventilated environment. In one example, recirculation of air from one or more rooms in a multiple room ventilated environment having a common source of supply air is controlled such that minimum ventilation and thermal load requirements for each room are satisfied independently, so as to facilitate a reduction in the amount of fresh outside air required for the environment. In another example, the controlled airflows in each room may be based additionally on respective air quality levels of the air drawn from each room. In one aspect, if contaminants are detected in one or more rooms of the ventilated environment, the amount of air recirculated from a contaminated room back to the environment may be controlled based on a detected level of the contaminant and a dilution ratio of any returned contaminated air to the total uncontaminated air supplied to the environment.

Abstract: An air conditioning arrangement for an emergency vehicle or the like including an evaporator unit comprising closely spaced first and second tubing arrays, with each array being operably associated with a respective refrigerant compressor. The tubing of each array is formed into coils involving a number of essentially parallel tubing runs connected by curved end members, with substantial portions of the tubing being provided with fins. A low voltage blower is positioned to cause air to be pulled across the tubing of the first and second tubing arrays and between the fin members.

Abstract: A humidity control device includes a microcontroller, a variable impedance humidity sensing circuit and a zero crossing detector circuit. The humidity sensing circuit and zero crossing circuit are provided with an AC line voltage and both have outputs which are provided to the microcontroller. The humidity control device also includes a semiconductor switch circuit which switches the AC line voltage to an external electrical device, such as a dehumidifier or heater, at the zero crossing.

Abstract: A method for determining ambient air temperature outside of an appliance by making measurements inside the appliance. By measuring the time it takes a sensor to change inside the appliance from one temperature reading to another reading, the ambient temperature changes can be determined. Using this information, appliance performance can be optimized.

Abstract: A flow control valve is disclosed in a household refrigeration appliance having a vapor compression refrigeration system comprising a cyclically operated compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion device between the condenser and the evaporator. The refrigerant flow control valve is disposed between the condenser and the evaporator and comprises a housing defining a refrigerant flow chamber for receiving liquified refrigerant from the condenser outlet, valve seat structure defining a refrigerant flow port for communicating refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator, and a flow controlling valve assembly coacting with the valve seat structure to control the refrigerant flow from the refrigerant flow chamber to the expansion device. The flow control valve controls system refrigerant flow in response to subcooling, blocks refrigerant flow from the condenser when the compressor is cycled off and enables circulation of hot gaseous refrigerant under extreme high temperature ambient conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically pressure sealing and leak testing an idle centrifugal chiller system wherein a small positive differential is maintained between the internal refrigerant vessel pressure of the chiller system and the ambient atmosphere. This differential pressure is maintained by selectively applying heat to the refrigerant.

Abstract: A refrigeration circuit including a compressor, a condenser, a control device, an evaporator and an accumulator is disclosed. The elements are serially arranged with the control device located between the outlet of the condenser and the inlet of the evaporator. The control device includes a tubular casing having three spaced walls on its interior surface. The first wall includes a plurality of holes and has a bellows attached to the interior surface thereof, the second wall has a longitudinal bore and a parallel bypass hole therethrough, and the third wall includes an orifice. An operating valve is mounted on the opposite end of the bellows. The bellows expands and contracts in accordance with the temperature of refrigerant fluid and the outlet side of the condenser, thereby, moving the operating valve to the left or the right. Movement of the operating valve controls the open cross-sectional area of the longitudinal bore so that the flow volume of refrigerant fluid in the circuit may be controlled.