Abstract: An oil separator suitable for separating oil from vaporized refrigerant leaving the high pressure discharge side of a refrigerant compressor, and for returning the separated oil to the compressor crankcase. The oil separator includes an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis. Oil separation stages and a capillary tube are disposed within the housing. The capillary tube has a first end into which oil may flow, and a second end in fluid flow communication with an oil return outlet on the housing. The first end of the capillary tube and the oil return outlet are positioned relative to one another such that the longitudinal axis of the housing may be oriented at any selected angle in a range of ninety degrees between horizontal and vertical orientations. The capillary tube has a bore and length selected such that a predetermined refrigerant flow rate is created which carries oil to the crankcase.

Abstract: A method of improving the landing of a hydraulic elevator car which responds to slowdown and leveling indicia associated with each floor of a building served by the car. The method, which utilizes signals which are already generated relative to the car traveling past slowdown and leveling indicia, provides an optimum deceleration time TOPT for the car to initiate deceleration and arrive at a leveling zone of a target floor, defined by leveling indicia. The method further delays the initiation of deceleration of the car, after the car reaches slowdown indicia for the target floor, by a predetermined time delay Td. The method determines the actual time TACT for the car to travel between slowdown and leveling indicia for the target floor, and then changes Td, if necessary, in a direction which tends to optimize Td, when TACT - Td is not equal to TOPT.

Abstract: A display module having a housing constructed to mechanically interlock with the housings of adjacent modules of like construction to form a multiple unit display having either a single display row, or a cluster having first and second display rows. The modules of a display row interlock via male and female dove tail extrusions integrally formed with the module housings, while modules of adjacent first and second display rows interlock via cooperative projections and recesses integrally formed with the module housings and via a common electrical conductor which mechanically and electrically interconnects electrical terminals of adjacent display rows to hold the first and second display rows in assembled relation while simplifying electrical connections to the cluster. A single mounting projection per housing provides support for mounting a row or cluster to a face plate, by selection of predetermined orientations of the modules.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having a modulation valve which controls refrigerant flow to a compressor according to a control algorithm. The need for a compressor throttling valve is eliminated by a load control circuit which operates the modulation valve to perform the function of the throttling valve when load reduction is required. An overload condition of a compressor prime mover overrides the control algorithm and selects a predetermined load control position of the modulation valve. A timer ensures that a predetermined recovery time is provided, before switching back to the control algorithm. The timer also selects the load control position of the modulation valve upon start-up. A heating or defrost mode automatically selects the load control position of the modulation valve for the duration of the mode, as does an ambient air temperature sensor when the ambient exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit having a power pack which includes an internal combustion engine coupled to a refrigerant compressor on a metallic support tray, with said air conditioning unit being suitable for mounting on the roof of a building via support curbing, notwithstanding the noise and vibration produced by the internal combustion engine. The air conditioning unit includes a metallic main frame, to which a metallic power pack support frame is fixed. The power pack support frame includes members which are continuously supported by the main frame via a low frequency damping material, such as cork, and members which extend between the supported members, but which are otherwise unsupported, to enable the unsupported members to function as leaf springs. The support tray of the power pack is mounted to the unsupported members of the power pack support frame via a plurality of isolation mounts.

Abstract: A feedback controlled elevator system driven by a traction drive motor in response to a speed pattern provided by a car controller. The speed pattern is limited when the car approaches a terminal floor within a predetermined terminal slowdown zone adjacent to the terminal floor. A pattern limiting signal is provided in response to digital integration of shaft encoder signals which provides a digital position "x" of the car within a terminal zone. The position "x" of the car is then used to access a read-only-memory which contains the maximum car speed for the specific location of the elevator car. The value from the read-only memory is used to limit the speed pattern.

Abstract: A low fuel shut-off system for a Diesel engine which includes a fuel supply circuit comprising a main fuel tank, a transfer pump, a filter array, an injection pump, injection nozzles, and an auxiliary fuel tank in the fuel circuit between the transfer pump and the injection pump. A level sensor in the auxiliary fuel tank provides a signal when the fuel level drops below a predetermined point, with the signal being used by associated electrical control to shut down the engine while a supply of fuel still remains in the fuel supply circuit between the auxiliary tank and the injection pump, and in the auxiliary tank, which is sufficient to start the engine without priming.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit having a top and bottom, a back, and side planes which include a front and first and second sides. The transport refrigeration unit further includes a condenser having air intake openings along a selected side plane of the unit, with condenser air being discharged through the top. A sound reducing cover is disposed to surround the transport refrigeration unit. The sound reducing cover is lined with a sound absorbing material, and it re-positions the condenser air intake such that incoming condenser air enters the unit through the top, instead of through a side plane, while maintaining top air discharge. In one embodiment the sound reducing cover separates incoming and exiting air in a direction from the front to the back of the unit, and in another embodiment in a direction from one side of the unit to the other side.

Abstract: A space dividing wall panel system having a non-metallic edge cap which is channel shaped in cross section, including a bight and first and second depending leg portions. The edge cap is attached to an outer edge of a wall panel by a plurality of metallic spring clips which are fixed to the outer edge. Each spring clip includes first and second upstanding leg portions having flanged ends which define a plurality of spaced teeth. The dimension between the depending leg portions of the edge cap is less than the dimension between the teeth of the upstanding leg portions, such that the edge cap may be forced downwardly over the spring clips, causing the upstanding leg portions of each spring clip to flex inwardly such that the teeth non-destructively bite into the edge cap and resist dis-assembly.

Abstract: A desk having a desk top defining a work surface, an adjoining upright wall panel along at least one edge of the desk top, and an electrical cord transition assembly for a slot in the at least one edge of the desk top, at the juncture between the desk top and wall panel. The transition assembly includes a grommet which snugly lines the slot, and a grommet cover which is pivotally attached to the slot via a substantially vertically oriented pivot axis. The grommet cover may be easily assembled with the grommet, even when the grommet is individually preassembled with the slot, but difficult to remove without removing the assembly from the slot. Cooperative elements of the grommet and grommet cover form a tactile detent when the grommet cover is in a position which closes the grommet and associated slot.

Abstract: A monitor for a transport refrigeration unit in which the temperature of the air discharged by the unit into a load space is compared with the temperature of air returning to the unit, to provide a signal DI responsive to the algebraic difference. Signal DI, which represents the actual conditioning mode, is compared with a commanded conditioning mode signal provided by a thermostat associated with the transport refrigeration unit, and also with predetermined reference values, to detect incorrect operating modes, as well as significant loss of refrigerant capacity. Timers initiate resettable time delays in response to such detections, after which warning and shut-down signals are respectively provided when certain time delays are allowed to expire. Logic signals provided by the monitor are logically related when the monitor shuts the system down to drive diagnostic display which indicates the cause of shut down.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning refrigeration equipment by flushing all refrigerant paths with high pressure refrigerant, following an initial evacuation to prevent air contamination of the refrigerant. Highly effective leak tests may be simultaneously performed. A pump down procedure at the termination of the cleaning process returns all refrigerant to a first tank of the cleaning apparatus, and a contaminant removal procedure removes contaminants from the refrigerant in a second tank.

Abstract: A combination oil pressure regulator and low oil pressure indicator for regulating the maximum oil pump pressure of a refrigerant compressor, and for providing a signal or indication when the oil pressure falls below a predetermined minimum value. The position of a piston in a housing is controlled by opposing forces provided by the oil pressure to be monitored and by a compression spring. When the oil pressure reaches a predetermined maximum value, relief apertures in the piston and housing establish a pressure relief path to the compressor crank case. When the oil pressure drops below a predetermined minimum value, the piston contacts and electrically grounds an electrically conductive element, providing a signal for associated control.

Abstract: A hydraulic elevator system 10 having an elevator car 12 in which car velocity V and car position L are determined by detecting the quantity Q of hydraulic fluid transferred between a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic fluid reservoir. The car velocity V is directly proportional to Q and the car position L is directly proportional to the integral of Q. The car velocity V, or quantity Q, is compared with a desired velocity pattern, or desired flow rate pattern, PG, and the difference is a control signal C which is used to control the quantity Q. The car position L may also be used to determine the distance-to-go to a target floor, which may be used to initiate slowdown and/or to calculate all, or selected portions of, the desired pattern PG.