Abstract: A heat pump system includes a compressor, indoor and outdoor coils and a four-way valve for automatically reversing refrigerant to provide cooling or heating mode of operation. Each coil has a plurality of heat transfer circuits arranged in series when the coil operates as a condenser, and in a parallel when the coil operates as an evaporator. A second four-way reversing valve is provided in the refrigerant circuit between outlets of indoor and outdoor coils to direct refrigerant through liquid lines of the refrigerant circuit from the outlet of one coil used as a condenser to the expansion means of the other coil used as an evaporator. The second four-way reversing valve is arranged in the refrigerant circuit to connect some of heat transfer circuits connected in parallel in each coil when it is used as an evaporator, to the suction line of the compressor.

Abstract: A trip valve including a valve body provided with a valve seat and further including a movable trip lever having a cam defining a first support surface thereof. A valve stem is movably disposed within the valve body and includes a valve attached to one end thereof for movement between a closed seat engaged position and an open seat disengaged position. A trip pin is attached to the valve stem and is movable therewith. The trip pin is supported upon the first support surface of the trip lever. A force generating device is operably connected to the valve stem for urging the valve into its seat engaged position. The cam includes a first portion movable between a first position spaced from the trip pin and a second position whereat the trip pin is directly supported upon the first portion of the cam. The first portion of the cam provides a force for urging the valve into its open seat disengaged position.

Abstract: Motor cooling system for refrigeration machine wherein one condenser connected to a main stage of the compressor is used to satisfy the cooling requirements of the system and a second condenser connected to a subsequent higher pressure compressor stage is employed for heating a medium to satisfy heating requirements of the system. The motor cooling system contains a three-way selector valve which connects either condenser selectively to the motor housing in response to the pressure in one condenser exceeding the pressure in the other condenser to provide a sufficient liquid refrigerant to the motor for cooling motor components under all operating conditions. The selector valve comprises a horizontally extending tubular portion having an annular seat at each end of the portion and a vertically extending tubular portion attached thereon.

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 multi-compressor system comprising first and second stage motor-compressor units, a low pressure line for transmitting vapor from a source thereof to the first stage unit, an intermediate pressure line for transmitting vapor between the first and second stage units, a high pressure line for transmitting vapor from the second stage unit, and a bypass line for transmitting vapor from the low pressure line to the intermediate pressure line to selectively bypass the first stage unit. The first stage unit includes a first supply of lubricant, a first compressor, and a first lubricant overflow passage for passing overflow lubricant from the first supply thereof into the first compressor. The second stage unit includes a second supply of lubricant, a second compressor, and a second lubricant overflow passage for passing overflow lubricant from the second supply thereof into the second compressor.

Abstract: An electrical resistance element for use in variable resistance devices such as trimmers and potentiometers, having two or more resistance materials on a non-conducting base. The resistance materials are aligned along a path of travel of a movable wiper or contact to provide a series of variable linear resistances or a non-linear resistance. The interface between the resistance materials is arranged so that individual contact elements of the wiper traverse the interface at different times.

Abstract: An accumulator for use in a refrigerant circuit having a tube in which are formed inlet and discharge openings and a cylindrical shell which is deformed by metal spinning against the exterior surface of the tube to form a container which serves as the accumulator. A diverter is provided between the discharge opening and the inlet opening to prevent direct flow through the tube bypassing the container. A method of manufacture of the accumulator by metal spinning is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing condensate from forming on the inside walls of the heat exchanger of a combination air conditioning and heating unit during the cooling mode of operation. The formation of condensate on the inside surfaces of the heat exchanger is reduced by bleeding a small but sufficient amount of air pressurized by the air blower and conditioned by the evaporator into the combustion chamber and then into the heat exchanger to displace ambient air with high moisture content from the interior of the heat exchanger. A hole or a number of holes is provided in the partition separating the discharge section from the burner control section which is open to atmosphere to allow a portion of conditioned air into the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for providing a combination process tube for charging a refrigeration circuit and pressure variation attenuator for reducing pressure variations within the refrigeration circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a heat exchanger assembly having wound fin tubing including a spacer member having a structural portion for securing components within the heat exchanger and a series of spaced projections extending therefrom. The spaced projections define a series of U-shaped openings adapted to receive and maintain the wound fin tubing in a fixed relationship. A retainer element is mounted to enclose the openings to secure the wound fin tubing therein. On some of the projections of the spacer member are mounted tabs which are inserted through slots in the retainer element to secure the retainer element to the spacer member such that the wound fin tubing is secured within the spaced openings and such that the structural portion of the spacer member secures various components of the heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a head that includes a bottom and two upstanding, parallel, spaced ridges or members. The bottom and the upstanding members define a slot or groove adapted to receive an electrical wire. The end of a wire such as an electric resistance heating element can be inserted into the slot. Then, using an orbital riveter to apply a plurality of spaced, angular blows to the ridges, the wire can be staked to the head by riveting the ridges so that material is forced over the wire in the slot.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling the operation of a multiple speed heat pump air conditioning system. Circuitry is provided to regulate the heat pump compressor motor for multiple speed compressor operation in both the cooling and heating modes of operation. Additional electric resistance heaters are controlled by the circuitry to supply heating needs unsatisfied by heat pump operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a tight seal between a coupling and a tube of variable sizes. A cylindrical housing defining an opening therein is provided such that a plurality of jaws having gripping teeth and gear teeth are mounted within the housing by being rotatably secured on a pin. A sleeve having rack teeth for engaging the gear teeth of the jaws is provided for rotating the jaws such that the inward extension of the gripping teeth may be varied. A piston having a seal mounted thereon and a projecting member extending therethrough is slidably maintained within the cylindrical opening such that a joint may be formed between the tube and the coupling. The piston defines together with the housing an expansible chamber which may be filled with a pressurized fluid to move the piston against the tube to assure a tight seal. A limit switch may additionally be provided such that if the gripping teeth do not properly engage the exterior of the tube the piston will be displaced sufficiently to engage the limit switch.

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: A diffuser control for controlling vapor flow through a diffuser passage comprising an annular recess defined by a housing of the passage and in communication therewith, a diffuser control ring supported for movement within the annular recess and the diffuser passage between a full throttling position, wherein the restriction means throttles vapor flow through the diffuser passage, and an open position for permitting a substantially free flow of vapor through the diffuser passage. The control further comprises a first set of springs for urging the control ring toward the full throttling position, and a second set of springs for urging the control ring toward an intermediate throttling position located between the open and full throttling positions. The diffuser control also comprises a low pressure conduit for connecting the annular recess to a low pressure source, and a intermediate pressure conduit for connecting the annular recess to an intermediate pressure source.

Abstract: Apparatus for housing a shaft coupling, comprising an outside axially extending sleeve for connection to a first shaft casing, and for partially covering a pair of generally aligned shafts and a shaft coupling connecting the shafts; and an inside axially extending sleeve for connection to a second shaft casing, and for further covering the shafts and the shaft coupling, wherein the inside sleeve is radially spaced from the outside sleeve and is axially slidable into the interior of the outside sleeve to produce an annular opening for access to the shafts and shaft coupling. The apparatus further comprises radial sealing means for sealing the space between the inside and outside sleeves.

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 power generation-refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant boiler, and a primary turbine for extracting energy from the refrigerant. The system also comprises a reversible turbomachine having a compressor mode of operation for compressing refrigerant passing therethrough and a turbine mode of operation for extracting further energy from the refrigerant; a first flow path in communication with the primary turbine, the reversible turbomachine, and a condenser; a second flow path in communication with the primary turbine, the reversible turbomachine, the condenser, and an evaporator; and means for directing refrigerant through the first flow path when the reversible turbomachine is in the turbine mode and through the second flow path when the reversible turbomachine is in the compressor mode.

Abstract: A potentiometer including a resistance element positioned within the housing. The resistance element comprising a substrate and a resistive track deposited thereon has a collector element and three terminating pads electrically connected to each end of the resistance track and to the collector element. A slidable wiper is electrically connected to the collector element and contacts the resistance track to vary the resistance of the circuit. Clips are mounted on the resistance element to provide electrical connections between the terminating pads and terminal posts connecting the resistance element to an external circuit. The clips are formed of an S-shaped, resilient, electrically conductive element having lower and intermediate sections to resiliently clamp the resistance track, and an upper section with two bifurcated arms to engage the terminal post.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in a reversible refrigeration system. The exchanger is divided into a plurality of heat transfer zones containing one or more circuits. Control means are provided to route refrigerant through each zone in a series progression when the heat exchanger is serving as a condenser. The flow geometry is automatically changed when the function of the exchanger is reversed from condenser to evaporator so that refrigerant flows simultaneously through each of the heat transfer zones.