Abstract: An air cooled centrifugal water chiller is disclosed which may be operable (1) under conditions of low outdoor ambient temperature, requiring flooding of the air cooled condenser in order to reduce its capacity and maintain proper system operation; or (2) in a heat recovery mode through the provision of a liquid cooled heat recovery condenser which thereby accommodates a portion of or all the condensing load, also requiring reduction in the capacity of the air cooled condenser through flooding. In order to provide sufficient refrigerant within the system to accommodate flooding under the conditions enumerated above, a refrigerant storage vessel is provided in communication with the shell of the evaporator of the system for receiving and storing excess liquid refrigerant during those operating conditions when it is not required in order to flood the air cooled condenser.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is disclosed which includes evaporator means of the type for producing chilled liquid and wherein a compressor of the centrifugal type is provided for compressing refrigerant which has been vaporized in the evaporator means. Both air cooled and liquid cooled condenser means are connected in parallel flow relationship to the compressor, whereby the heat of condensation and compression may be rejected either to a source of ambient air or recovered through heat exchange with a source of liquid, whereby a heated liquid is produced for use as desired.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly is disclosed wherein a motor-compressor unit is supported in a hermetically sealed chamber so as to permit at least limited rotation thereof about an axis which may coincide with the axis of the drive shaft of the compressor. In order to limit such rotation, at least a first leaf spring member is provided affixed to one of the interior wall of the chamber and the motor-compressor unit, which member cooperates with abutment means affixed to the other of said interior wall and motor compressor unit whereby, upon rotation of the motor-compressor unit about said axis, engagement between the abutment means and the leaf spring member results in deflection thereof so as to limit such rotation.

Abstract: An air cooled centrifugal liquid chiller is disclosed which includes an air cooled condenser exposed to ambient conditions such that, during those times when the temperature of the ambient is at a relatively low level and the chiller is inoperative, refrigerant will tend to migrate to and condense in the air cooled condenser. If this accumulated condensed refrigerant is permitted to then flow by gravity to the evaporator of the chiller, the heat exchange liquid within the tubes thereof may freeze, causing possible damage. In order to prevent this occurrence, the conduit means connecting the air cooled condenser to the evaporator are provided with a trap portion disposed at a level above the maximum level of condensed refrigerant accumulation within the air cooled condenser, which trap portion is vented to a point in the air cooled condenser above said maximum level.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for cooling a process gas stream having a temperature in the range from about 400.degree. F. and 3000.degree. F. and absorbing gaseous contaminants therefrom wherein contact is effected between said process gas stream and respective quench and absorbent liquids in order to provide said cooling and absorbing functions. The flow rates of the process gas stream, quench liquid, and/or absorbent liquid are subject to substantial variations due to operating conditions related to the process gas source or to the provision for contaminant recovery, requiring absorbent liquid of a desired concentration. In practice, the process gas stream may be that discharged from a waste product incinerator containing not only products of combustion but also the aforesaid gaseous contaminants.

Abstract: A temperature control is disclosed for a variable volume air conditioning system of the type wherein electric motor-operated air valve means are provided for varying the volume and relatively warm or relatively cool conditioned air supplied to a conditioned zone. The control includes zone thermostat means for producing an electrical error signal having a magnitude which varies in a predetermined relationship with respect to a deviation in zone temperature, and changeover circuit means for varying said predetermined relationship in order to accommodate changeover between heating and cooling, as sensed by duct temperature sensing means. The control further includes flow limit circuit means for imposing limits upon the maximum and minimum desired flow of conditioned air through the air valve means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigeration system of the type having an air cooled condenser which includes the further capability of producing a heated liquid in a liquid cooled or, "heat recovery" condenser. The system includes compressor means for compressing a vaporized refrigerant, air cooled condenser means having fan means for forcing air in heat exchange relationship therewith, liquid cooled condenser means for producing a heated liquid, and evaporator means for expanding and vaporizing condensed refrigerant in heat exchange relationship with a refrigeration load. Control means are provided for the system and include first means for sensing the demand for heated liquid from the liquid cooled condenser, and second means responsive to the first means for reducing the capacity of the fan means in response to increased demand for heated liquid.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for use in an air distribution system which includes a plenum chamber (2a, b) having an inlet opening (4) and an outlet (5). Conduit means are provided for admitting air to the plenum chamber through the inlet opening and include a generally cylindrical sleeve (6) having at least a portion thereof disposed within the plenum chamber, which portion includes aperture means (7) passing radially therethrough. A generally cylindrical valve member (9) is disposed within the sleeve and includes an axially extending portion for selectively blocking off the aforesaid aperture means. The valve member (9) is supported for axial movement between a first, closed, and a second, open position and may also be positioned at any point therebetween. Due to a slight clearance between the valve member (9) and the inner periphery of sleeve (6), a small amount of air flow is permitted to pass therebetween, whereby an axial force is imposed upon the valve member.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower for air conditioning applications is shown having an adjustable inlet guide vane control for a blower wheel having forwardly curved blades. The pivot axis of each inlet guide vane is substantially offset or displaced from the plane of the inlet guide vane.

Abstract: A water-tube boiler (1) of the "D" type is disclosed which includes a water-cooled rear wall comprising a plurality of vertically disposed riser tubes (14a, b) located at the rear end of the furnace chamber (5). Novel sealing means are disclosed for sealing the aforesaid rear wall to its adjacent vertically extending walls of the furnace chamber (5) and convection section (7). A further aspect of the invention lies in the particular feeder conduit means (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) provided for supplying water to the riser tubes of the water-cooled rear wall and also in the particular return conduit means (15a, b; 16a, b) provided for connecting the riser tubes (14a, b) to the steam drum (3). In yet another aspect of the invention, novel construction is provided associated with the convection section for discharging flue gases from the boiler.

Abstract: A variable capacity burner assembly for the combustion of a fuel-air mixture is disclosed which includes a combustion air supply housing having spaced front and rear walls and including an opening in said front wall for the discharge of combustion air into a combustion zone. Disposed within the housing are a plurality of plate-like air directing vanes arranged in a circular array such that combustion air passing therethrough has a rotary, swirling motion imparted thereto prior to its discharge into the combustion zone. Flow control means for varying the volume of combustion air passing through said vanes are provided which include a generally planar baffle member having a circular array of slots therein corresponding to the array of air directing vanes, which vanes are in registry with said slots.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the transfer of heat from an ambient heat sink of variable temperature to a conditioned space, said system being operable in a first mode when the temperature of the heat sink is at a relatively high level, and in a second mode when its temperature is at a relatively low level. The system includes a first refrigerant circuit which is operable in said first mode as a heat pump of the vapor compression type to absorb heat from the ambient heat sink and transfer same to the conditioned space. A second refrigerant circuit is provided which is operable in the second mode, when the temperature of the ambient heat sink is at a relatively low level, to absorb heat from the ambient heat sink and transfer same to the first refrigerant circuit, which then transfers the heat to the conditioned space. Thus, in second mode operation, the first and second refrigerant circuits operate in a "cascade" relationship.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for conditioning the air within an indoor space and include first heat transfer means for selectively heating air passing to the space and a heat pump selectively operable in a heating mode, also for heating air passing to the indoor space. Control means are provided for effecting operation of the first heat transfer means and the heat pump which include means for sensing the demand for heat within the indoor space and for distinguishing between a relatively low demand and a relatively high demand. Operation of the heat pump is effected in response to a relatively low demand for heat until such demand is satisfied. In the event that a relatively high demand for heat is sensed, operation of the heat pump is terminated and the first heat transfer means is operated until such time as both the relatively high and low demands for heat are satisfied.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for sensing the velocity of a fluid stream, as may be flowing in a duct, pipe, or the like, which fluid stream exhibits variations in its temperature under different operating conditions. The apparatus includes a first probe which is exposed to the fluid stream and includes first temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the fluid stream. A second probe is provided which is disposed within the fluid stream and includes at least a portion constructed of a thermally conductive material. Heater means are disposed in thermally conductive relationship with said thermally conductive portion, and second temperature indicative of the temperature of said heater means. Third temperature sensing means are provided for sensing the temperature of the thermally conductive portion of the second probe at a point removed from the heater means, which temperature is a function of the heater means temperature, the fluid temperature, and the velocity of the fluid flowing thereover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigeration system of the type having an air cooled condenser which includes the further capability of producing a heated liquid in a liquid cooled or, "heat recovery" condenser. The system includes compressor means for compressing a vaporized refrigerant, air cooled condenser means having fan means for forcing air in heat exchange relationship therewith, liquid cooled condenser means for producing a heated liquid, and evaporator means for expanding and vaporizing condensed refrigerant in heat exchange relationship with a refrigeration load. Control means are provided for the system and include first means for sensing the demand for heated liquid from the liquid cooled condenser, and second means responsive to the first means for reducing the capacity of the fan means in response to increased demand for heated liquid.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an electronically controlled apparatus for accurately charging and/or venting refrigerant for an air conditioning system having an air cooled condenser and capillary tube control. The system includes means for stabilizing the sensed pressure values, means for rapidly charging a refrigeration system having a gross undercharge, means for automatically terminating the operation of the charge adjuster and means utilizing condenser heat to increase the speed at which refrigerant may be added to the refrigeration apparatus.

Abstract: An annular valve stop insert for a compressor body is shown which has the function of establishing the positional relationship of the valve plate, valve and compressor body.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed having utility in building air distribution systems, particularly those of the variable air volume type. The assembly includes a plenum chamber having a generally cylindrical sleeve disposed therein, connected to a supply of conditioned air at one end thereof, the other end being blocked by a closure member. A generally cylindrical, balanced valve member cooperates with radially extending apertures in the sleeve to control flow into the plenum chamber. The valve member is mounted for axial movement on tubular means having a bore which extend axially into the sleeve from the closure member.In order to apply an actuating force to the valve member, connecting means extend therefrom to a position upstream from the end of the tubular means and terminate in a force receiving portion. Means are provided to apply an axial force to said portion by way of the bore in the tubular means and may comprise:1.

Abstract: An air cooled centrifugal refrigeration machine is shown having an automatic shut-off valve in the liquid line to prevent natural circulation of refrigerant at low outdoor ambient temperatures that otherwise would cause freezing of the water in the evaporator.