Abstract: A bus air conditioning unit suitable for roof mounting on either end of a bus, including a metallic frame which includes a condenser and a control panel as integral structural members. A removable cover reveals all components of the unit which are not mounted outside the frame, which components include two condenser fans and two evaporator blowers mounted on a common axis, permitting a single double ended electric motor to drive them. The condenser fans are selected to draw outside air through a condenser, and then exhaust the air out the axial ends of the unit, when the unit is front mounted, and they are selected to draw outside air into the axial ends and exhaust it through the condenser, when the unit is rear mounted.

Abstract: A power line carrier communication system having a carrier current transceiver (CCT) interface with an electrical power line via a buffer which automatically provides a low output drive impedance while transmitting, and a high receiving impedance when receiving, all with solid state circuitry. The length of signal transmission by the CCT is monitored and automatically prevented from continuously loading the communication network in the event of a malfunction which causes a signal transmission to exceed normal maximum transmission time. Prevention of continuous loading of the communication circuit is accomplished without adverse affect on the CCT via a crowbar circuit connected to the buffer circuitry.

Abstract: Electrical control apparatus for automatically starting a Diesel engine. The apparatus includes start, preheat and run relays which respectively control the energization of a starting solenoid, glow plugs, and a fuel solenoid. The energization of the start, preheat and run relays is controlled by a control module which drives the preheat relay as soon as the control module is energized. The glow plug preheat time is measured, and the run and start relays are respectively energized just prior to, and at the termination of the preheat time. Engine cranking time and speed are monitored, dropping the start and preheat relays when the engine starts, and also when the engine speed fails to reach certain thresholds within first and second predetermined periods of time. The run relay continues to energize an electrical circuit which includes an engine reset switch and a low oil pressure switch. The engine reset switch de-energizes the control module, and thus the run relay, in the event the engine fails to start.

Abstract: A method of assigning hall calls to a plurality of elevator cars (0, 1, N) which biases the assignment process to balance the number of cars serving up and down service directions. Prior to each call assignment update the method determines the number of cars serving each service direction (78, 80, 82). A predetermined relationship (88) between there two numbers is used to determine if up hall calls should be assigned first, or down hall calls (90, 92, 94, 96). The balancing of cars serving the two service directions lowers the average waiting time, and it results in dispersing the cars throughout a building when service subsides, to enable prompt service for newly entered calls without the necessity of moving the cars during periods of low service to be in position for new calls.

Abstract: An open office space dividing arrangement in which both simple and complex work station configurations are constructed from a small number of different free-standing units which share no walls with adjacent work stations. The units may be individually moved without dismantling, and without disturbing adjacent units or work stations to reconfigure a complex work station at the present location of the units, or the units may be moved as a whole to a different location and placed in the same or in a diferent work station configuration. Each unit is constructed according to the same concept in which a plurality of modules are vertically stacked to a desired height, with each module having two or three integrally joined sections which form diferent walls of the unit. The modules are foldable along one or two bend lines which separate and define the lateral sections, between shipping and functional configurations.

Abstract: An office space dividing system having at least first and second work stations having horizontally oriented work surfaces separated by a barrier panel having first and second sides and an opening in the panel which is adjacent to and above the work surfaces. A convertible panel is mounted in the opening of the barrier panel, for slideable engagement therewith. The convertible panel is operable between open and closed positions, from either side of the barrier panel, with the convertible panel being nonremovable from the barrier panel during normal usage. Also, or alternatively, a convertible panel may be provided below the work surfaces for selectively improving ventilation and air flow between the work stations.

Abstract: A hydraulic elevator jack having a cylinder, a cylinder head, a plunger, and an improved seal assembly disposed between the cylinder head and plunger. The seal assembly includes a compartmentalized sleeve which axially separates a wear ring and a sealing function, with the wear ring being disposed closer to the cylinder, i.e., on the oil or pressure side of the cylinder head, than the sealing function. The wear ring is discontinuous, having at least first and second spaced ends, providing improved distribution of load on the wear ring while reducing drag and tendency of the wear ring to bind. The sealing function includes at least one O-ring energizing seal having a main body portion, and a discontinuous, elastomeric, solid body O-ring disposed in a cavity defined by the body portion. The O-ring is preferably centered relative to the axial dimension of a sealing surface of the main body portion.

Abstract: A refrigeration system, and method of operating same, in which an economizer heat exchanger, normally used in conjunction with an intermediate port of a refrigerant compressor to cool the main refrigerant flow from a receiver to an evaporator to enhance the refrigerant cooling cycle, is caused to function as an evaporator during a hot gas heating cycle. The economizer heat exchanger is caused to function as an evaporator by adding heat thereto during a heating cycle, and by establishing an alternate liquid line, effective during a heating cycle, which includes the economizer heat exchanger. When the compressor is driven by an internal combustion engine, engine coolant may be used to add the necessary heat to the economizer heat exchanger during a heating cycle.

Abstract: For a transport refrigeration unit having a refrigerant compressor 14 adapted to be driven alternatively by an engine 10 through belt 52, or by electric motor 12 through belt 58 has the clutch 36 mounted to the compressor 14 with both the engine 10 having a rigid pulley 38 on its output and the motor 12 having the rigid pulley 40 on its output.

Abstract: An electric switch which translates a pivotable toggle motion to a rectilinear contact engaging and breaking movement, including an actuator assembly and a contact assembly which are clamped together during assembly with a face plate. The actuator assembly facilitates assembly by capturing a pivotable operating lever between a halo which adapts the actuator assembly to a face plate, and a halo adapter which adapts the actuator assembly to the contact assembly. The contact assembly includes a movable contact carrier to which a cam is fixed. The cam includes a recess which defines spaced lateral stops, and a cam surface which slopes axially inward between the spaced lateral stops, with the operating lever having a cam actuator end which enters the recess and rides on the cam surface.

Abstract: Transportation apparatus including a support structure, a conveyor on the support structure having a plurality of platforms for transporting passengers between spaced landings, and skirt panels having inner sides adjacent to the support structure and outer sides adjacent to the platforms. A running clearance gap between the skirt panels and the platforms is adjustable from the outer sides of the skirt panels via openings in the skirt panels which are in registry with adjustment devices actuatable to change the positions of the skirt panels relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A strain relief clamp suitable for protecting power cables, fuel lines, wire harnesses, and the like, which includes first and second identical metallic clamp members. Each of the first and second clamp members includes first and second ends and a right angle bend which forms first and second leg portions which respectively extend from the first and second ends to the bend. The first leg portions are corrugated to define curved recesses which cooperatively define elongated apertures when the first leg portions are fixed in assembled relation via aligned openings defined by the first leg portions. The second leg portions include openings adapted to fix the assembled first and second clamp portions to a housing associated with the items to be protected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the tractive force between the wire hoist ropes and the drive sheave of a traction elevator system which includes an elevator car and a counterweight. The drive sheave is disposed between first and second idler or secondary sheaves, and the car and counterweight are roped via successive first and second 180 degree wraps about the drive sheave, with the first 180 degree wrap including the drive sheave and one of the idler sheaves, and the second 180 degree wrap including the drive sheave and the remaining idler sheave. The drive sheave is thus roped with a wrap of approximately 360 degrees, which remains constant regardless of the spacing between the elevator car and counterweight.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical elevator hoistway door interlock which includes an electrical switch mounted adjacent to a hoistway door jamb having a pair of spaced pivotable contact actuatable from first to second positions by a bridging contact carrier by the associated hatch door. The bridging contact pivots the spaced pivotable contacts in opposite rotational directions as they are actuated between the two positions, providing a contact wiping action during each engagement and disengagement. Springs bias the pivotable contacts towards their first positions, and carry current in an active electrical circuit when the pair of spaced pivotable contacts are actuated by the bridging contact.

Abstract: A mounting clamp for mounting a power supply to the corner castings of a thermal freight container, having a locking mechanism which automatically locks the mounting clamp in selectable installation and locking positions. The locking mechanism includes a gravity biased release lever which is actuated when it is desired to change from one position to the other. When the release lever is actuated and a new operating position is reached, the release lever automatically locks the mounting clamp in the new position, without human intervention. The mounting clamp includes a base having first and second selectable positions for mounting the release lever, which positions respectively adapt the mounting clamp for right and left hand use.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly which includes a fuel tank mounted below spaced I-beams of a refrigerated container chassis during a land transportation mode in which an engine driven generator provides electrical power for driving a refrigeration compressor. The fuel tank is mounted within about 0.5 inch of the lower flanges of the I-beams, to provide maximum road clearance, by a mounting arrangement which projects tank hangers above the level of the lower flanges of the I-beams, and by mounting brackets which extend downwardly from the tank hangers to rest upon the lower inner flange portions of the I-beams.

Abstract: A vandal resistant push button assembly, and a method of constructing same in which excess force applied to the button is transferred via a metallic halo into a metallic face plate. The exposed surfaces of the button and halo are spherical, having the same center and radii, providing a smoothly blending curved surface which continues to just below the plane of the exposed face plate surface. A shoulder in the face plate for supporting the halo and enabling the exposed halo surface to enter the plane of the face plate surface is formed by metal displacement, as opposed to metal removal, enabling the required mechanical strength to be achieved with a thinner face plate.

Abstract: A ratiometric temperature controller for a transport refrigeration system, and a method of controlling the load temperature of a transport refrigeration system with digital signals, without the necessity of utilizing a digital computer. The method, implemented by the ratiometric controller, includes the steps of providing an analog ratio between the load temperature and a selected set point temperature, converting the analog ratio to a digital signal, and providing a logic array which is programmed to provide a plurality of transport refrigeration system control signals in response to predetermined values of the digital signal.

Abstract: A zero cube transport refrigeration unit suitable for a straight truck having a component arrangement which minimizes the height of the unit to provide maximum clearance for tilt cabs, and an air flow arrangement which discharges all noise generated by an internal combustion engine vertically upward from the top of the unit. Prime mover, evaporator, compressor and comdenser sections are laterally spaced from one side of the unit to the other, and a single power shaft runs through all of the sections. Evaporator and condenser air movers are directly mounted on the power shaft while the internal combustion engine, compressor, and optional electric standby motor, are all belted to the power shaft. The evaporator air mover is a centrifugal blower wheel, which provides excellent air distribution in the load space of a straight truck.

Abstract: A refrigerant drier constructed to maintain compression of a desiccant to reduce the formation of refrigerant contaminating dust caused by attrition of the desiccant when the drier is used in applications subject to vibration. The desiccant is maintained in compression by a compression spring and barbed spring follower. Composite laminated filters are disposed adjacent to each end of the desiccant, with each composite filter including a fiberglass filter pad, which has excellent filtration characteristics for preventing any attrition dust which is generated from leaving either end of the drier. Each composite filter also includes a filter pad selected for durability which is disposed immediately adjacent to the desiccant, to cushion and protect the fragile fiberglass from aggressive action by the dessiccant. Annular perimeter rings are disposed between the dessicant and the composite filters to prevent desiccant migration past the outer perimeters of the composite filters.