Abstract: A control for an air conditioning system of the type wherein a supply of air is conditioned at a central station, conditioned air is conducted through a supply air duct to a plurality of zones, and a plurality of discharge terminals discharge conditioned air from the supply air duct into the zones. The control comprises a plurality of air control valves, wherein each discharge terminal includes an air control valve for controlling the amount of conditioned air discharged into a zone by the discharge terminal; and a plurality of thermostatic adjusting devices, wherein each discharge terminal includes a thermostatic adjusting device for adjusting the air control valve to inversely vary the amount of air discharged into the zone in response to changes in the air temperature thereof.

Abstract: A fluid jacket for a vessel includes a plurality of strips of relatively thin sheet material provided in spaced relation about the exterior surface thereof for defining the exterior surface of the fluid jacket. Each of the strips includes relatively small deformed portions spaced about the surface thereof and extending generally radially inward toward the exterior surface of the vessel. The inner end of each deformed surface is in contact with and affixed to the exterior surface of the vessel. The interior surface of the strips of material and the exterior surface of the vessel define therebetween at least one fluid flow channel for the fluid jacket.

Abstract: An assembly for sealing an interface between a high pressure steam chest and a casing, wherein high pressure steam flows from the steam chest into the interior of the casing. The assembly comprises a sealing element extending through the interface for preventing direct contact between the high pressure steam and the interface, and joined to the steam chest so that a steam tight joint is developed therebetween. The assembly further comprises a chamber defined by the steam chest, the casing, and the sealing element in communication with the interface between the steam chest and the casing; a first passageway having one end in communication with the interior of the casing and a second end in communication with the chamber, for passing steam from the interior of the casing to the chamber; and means for developing a pressure differential across the first passageway so that the steam pressure at the second end of the passageway is less than the steam pressure at the first end of the passageway.

Abstract: An engine-driven refrigeration unit includes a first heat exchanger functioning alternatively as a refrigerant condenser or as a refrigerant evaporator. When the heat exchanger is functioning as a refrigerant evaporator the heat transfer medium furnished thereto for providing a source of heat to vaporize the refrigerant is preheated by absorbing heat from a relatively warm fluid employed as the cooling medium for the engine driving the refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A wheel of a turbomachine is secured to a shaft of the machine by initially securing the wheel between one end of the shaft and a piston-like member. A space is formed between opposed sides of the member and wheel by moving the member relative to the wheel. A spacing member is placed in the space for placing a compressive force on the wheel for positively securing the wheel to the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for exchanging heat energy between a refrigeration circuit and a hot water system. Water is heated in a combination refrigerant desuperheater-water preheater and then conducted to hot water storage. A co-axial fitting is disclosed for mixing heated water from the refrigerant desuperheater-water preheater with water in a hot water tank prior to discharging that water to a hot water system.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a self-contained air conditioning unit for controlling the operation of a door. The combination of pins extending from the door and slots defined by the end surface of a casing provide lost motion rotation operation of the door. Additionally, a friction wedge is provided which both secures the door in any of a range of positions and further serves to allow the door to open a predetermined amount when the unit is energized and air flow is discharged through the opening covered by the door.

Abstract: A power generation unit comprising a turbine for extracting energy from a vaporous power fluid and including means for directing the power fluid generally downward therethrough, a tubine wheel wherein the flow of the power fluid past the turbine wheel causes rotation thereof, and a vapor discharge port substantially directly below and at least substantially coextensive with the horizontal cross section of the vapor flow path as the vapor flows past the turbine wheel. The unit further comprises power means for generating power, means for transmitting energy extracted from the power fluid by the turbine to the power means to generate the power, and a condenser located below the turbine for condensing the vaporous power fluid and including a vapor inlet port substantially coextensive with the vapor discharge port of the turbine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a hot gas defrost system wherein superheated gas from the system compressor outlet is conducted directly into the heat exchanger to be defrosted, by-passing the condenser and thermal expansion valve to effect removal of the frost and ice accumulation on the heat exchanger surface. A portion of the hot compressor discharge gas is conducted directly into an accumulator with the liquid refrigerant received from the heat exchanger to be defrosted, the liquid refrigerant resulting from the gaseous refrigerant being condensed in the heat exchanger as the ice is melted. The refrigerant condensed to a liquid during defrost is vaporized in the accumulator thereby providing a supply of gaseous refrigerant to the compressor suction line, said gaseous refrigerant being a combination of the non-condensed discharge gas conducted to the accumulator and the liquid refrigerant vaporized in the accumulator.

Abstract: A tube extracting mechanism comprising an elongated frame defining an opening in the front end thereof and a longitudinally extending passageway in communication with the opening. A sleeve is slidably supported by the frame for longitudinal movement within the passageway. The mechanism further comprises an expandable jaw supported by the sleeve for longitudinal movement therewith, and a mandrel in communication with the expandable jaw for expanding the jaw. A plurality of teeth extend annularly about and radially outward from the expandable jaw. Each tooth includes an annularly extending central section having a gripping edge generally defining an arc for engaging the interior surface of a tube, and a pair of end sections wherein each end section annularly extends from the central section and includes a tapered edge, wherein the tapered edges radially taper inward to facilitate withdrawing the tube gripping apparatus from the tube.

Abstract: A welding apparatus including a nozzle assembly having a contact extension and a contact tip for guiding a consumable welding wire into a tube hole. The consumable welding wire is guided into the tube hole and an electric current is passed to the wire to produce an arc between the tip of the wire and the sidewall of the tube hole, melting the wire and supplying filler weld to the hole. The nozzle assembly has a gas nozzle; and, during the welding process, an inert gas is delivered into the tube hole through the gas nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for exchanging heat energy between a refrigeration circuit and a hot water system. A restricted flow by-pass line is used in conjunction with a pump continuously operated with the compressor of a refrigeration system such that a continual restricted flow of water by-passes the heat exchanger when temperature conditions are such that water is not flowing through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preconditioning makeup air supplied to an air conditioning unit. An add-on preconditioning unit having a separate vapor compression refrigeration circuit is disclosed for heating or cooling makeup air supplied to an air conditioning system.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed motor compressor unit has refrigerant gas at discharge pressure substantially surrounding the motor of the unit. The compressor includes at least two cylinders in which gas is compressed. A suction plenum for receiving gas at suction pressure surrounds each of the cylinders. Conduits, equal in number to the number of cylinders, are disposed externally of the compressor for delivering the gas into each of the plenums. One end of the conduit is connected to the plenum and the other end of each conduit is interconnected with the remaining conduits. The pressure pulsations developed in each conduit are controlled whereby the pressure in each plenum is at a maximum when the suction valve for a particular cylinder opens and is at a minimum when the piston is substantially at bottom dead center.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a hot gas defrost system wherein superheated gas from the system compressor outlet is conducted directly into the heat exchanger to be defrosted, by-passing the condenser and thermal expansion valve to effect removal of the frost and ice accumulation on the heat exchanger surface. A portion of the hot compressor discharge gas is conducted directly into an accumulator with the liquid refrigerant received from the heat exchanger to be defrosted, the liquid refrigerant resulting from the gaseous refrigerant being condensed in the heat exchanger as the ice is melted. The refrigerant condensed to a liquid during defrost is vaporized in the accumulator thereby providing a supply of gaseous refrigerant to the compressor suction line, said gaseous refrigerant being a combination of the non-condensed discharge gas conducted to the accumulator and the liquid refrigerant vaporized in the accumlator.

Abstract: A cermet resistor element utilizing a silver-gold alloy to improve the contact resistance variations and the method of making the element are disclosed. A gold resinate and a silver resinate are mixed with the noble metal resinates and glass frit to make a cermet material. The mixture is heated to drive off the organic resinate materials and to alloy the silver and gold. The resultant material is ground to a powder, reheated and reground. The powder is mixed with a volatile material to form a paste which can be applied to a substrate to form the resistance element. The element is heated to drive off the volatile material and fuse the glass into a solid mass. The silver and gold form a silver-gold alloy during the process and settle on the top surface of the element in globules and improve the contact resistance variations of the element.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for securing capillary tubes and other small diameter components within a refrigeration machine. A capillary plug button having a retainer plate in which various small diameter components may be secured has extending therefrom a pair of fastening legs. The fastening legs are inserted through an opening within an internal wall of the refrigeration machine such that projections on the legs contact one side of the wall and the retainer plate contacts the opposite side of the wall thereby securing the plug button within the opening and securing the small diameter components within the retainer plate. The retainer plate has a slot connecting the edge of the plate to a plurality of apertures thereby allowing the plug button to be spread apart such that the components may be inserted into the apertures of the retainer plate.

Abstract: A purge system for use in a refrigeration system utilizing more than one condenser, each of which operates at different pressures. The purge system includes a purge chamber having a cooling coil connected to the evaporator and adapted to condense refrigerant vapor. The purge chamber is connected to a main purge refrigerant line which includes a pressure reducing device. Either condenser in the refrigeration system is provided with a secondary purge refrigerant line connected to the main purge refrigerant line and having a one-way valve to prevent refrigerant flow from one condenser to another condenser. A pump is mounted in the system to remove the non-condensibles from the purge system. The pump is operatively connected to a pressure switch arranged between two sampling pressure lines, one of which is extending to the purge chamber and another one is extending to the main purge refrigerant line at a point ahead of the pressure reducing device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating a series compression refrigeration system are disclosed. A by-pass for circuiting refrigerant around one compressor when the compressor is not operating is provided. Additionally, a quench conduit conducts liquid refrigerant from a common line to provide a liquid refrigerant quench of the gaseous refrigerant between compressors. A control device is provided for regulating the flow of liquid refrigerant through the quench conduit.

Abstract: A reversible vapor compression system having control means associated therewith for automatically routing refrigerant through the heat exchangers in response to a system mode of operation to produce optimum system performance when the system is called upon to produce either heating or cooling.