Abstract: A power recovery system utilizing a relatively high temperature waste heat fluid to drive an expander. The expander is operatively connected to an electrical generator. A dynamic brake is connected to the expander to regulate the speed thereof when the expander is operating at other than steady state conditions.

Abstract: A refrigeration system which has a heat exchanger wherein refrigerant is evaporated to absorb heat from a fluid to be cooled, said heat exchanger receiving refrigerant from a vapor condensing economizer. The vapor condensing economizer receives liquid refrigerant from a condenser and has an orifice or a series of nozzles to maintain a pressure drop between the condenser and economizer so that a portion of the liquid refrigerant flashes to a vapor in the economizer to absorb heat from the remaining liquid refrigerant in the economizer. Condensing coils containing a cool heat exchange medium are positioned in the economizer to reduce the temperature and pressure in the economizer and to condense the refrigerant vapors back to a liquid for use in the refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit for use in an air conditioning system having an enclosure defining an opening, a heat exchanger within the enclosure and a cover adapted and mounted to the enclosure at the opening, the cover having segments extending between the center portion of the cover and the end surface such that slots are created between adjacent segments. The segments have inclined louver sections such that the air flow through the grille is optimized with the particular fan characteristics. The fan and fan motor may be secured to the center portion of the cover.

Abstract: An automatic chilled water setpoint temperature control for use with a mechanical refrigeration machine. The control includes means to sense the magnitude of a first electric control signal which is produced by the machine and which is a function of the amount of work done by the compressor of the machine. The control also includes means to change the magnitude of a second electric control signal, which is also produced by the machine and which represents a variable component of the setpoint temperature, in response to a change in the magnitude of the first electric control signal so that the variable component of the setpoint temperature changes in response to a change in the amount of work done by the compressor. The control further includes means to delay changing the magnitude of the second electric control signal so that the amount of work done by the compressor becomes stable before the variable component of the setpoint temperature changes.

Abstract: An impeller for a centrifugal machine includes a hub having at least one slot formed therein. A blade is mounted in the slot with the leading edge of the blade comprised of a relatively thin top section in contact with the fluid flowing through the machine, and a relatively thick bottom section for insertion into the slot. The blade is welded to the hub at the interface of said thick bottom section and the hub.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system comprising a condenser including a plurality of generally parallel heat exchange fins and a plurality of refrigerant circuits running through the condenser generally transverse to the heat exchange fin, wherein groups of the refrigerant circuits cover in overlapping fashion the area of the condenser transverse to the direction of the flow of an external heat exchange medium moving thereover.

Abstract: Apparatus for joining a sheet to a structural member angled therefrom which includes forming an indented portion in the sheet as well as a slot such that a clip having a tail section, a body section and a head section may be inserted such that the tail section extends through the slot and the head section extends beyond the end of the sheet such that the head section and the tail section are on one side of the sheet and the body section is on the same side of the sheet as the indented portion. The clip head has a screw opening such that a screw may be inserted through the member to which the sheet is to be joined into the clip head. Upon tightening the screw a support surface on the clip tail engages the sheet at the slot and the screw threads engage the interior surface of the indented portion of the sheet thereby securing the sheet to the screw and consequently the member through which the screw extends.

Abstract: A method of assembling a plate fin coil by making sheets of single pass single row plate fins from plate fin stock. The fins within each sheet are connected by tabular portions and have openings for the receipt of hairpin tubes which form part of the flow circuitry of the heat exchanger. A plurality of sheets are arranged in registration so that hairpin tubes may be inserted through the openings within the fins to form partially assembled heat exchanger coil cores. The adjacent coil cores may be separated at this point by rupturing the tabular portions connecting the fins within the various sheets or additional process steps may be completed simultaneously upon the entire coil bundle having many coil cores. At some time in the plate fin coil assembly process the rows of plate fins are separated into single or multi-row coils by rupturing the tabular portions to form the appropriate row size coil core. A coil bundle formed by partially assembling coil cores having sheets of connected fins is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for joining aluminum members within an aluminum heat exchanger coil. A tubular member to be joined to a separate member in the coil has its exterior surface roughened by sand blasting to enhance adhesive adherence. The roughened surface is covered with a conversion coating to replace any accumulated aluminum oxide, to prevent the formation of additional aluminum oxides and to simultaneously provide a surface adapted to adhere to an adhesive. An adhesive is then applied to the mating areas of the tubular members to be joined and subsequently cured to form a tight secure joint. This invention is particularly useful in field repair of aluminum heat exchanger coils.

Abstract: A buffer fluid system for a turbomachine includes flow regulating means for regulating the quantity of buffer fluid flowing to a buffer fluid sealing region from an operating region receiving relatively high pressure fluid through a pressure reducing seal. The buffer system utilizes the leakage flow and vented flow is injected into the inlet of the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a cooling liquid to a condenser of a refrigeration unit. The apparatus comprises a conduit for passing the cooling liquid from a source thereof into thermal communication with the condenser, and a valve to regulate the flow of liquid through the conduit and having an open position allowing the liquid to flow through the conduit. The apparatus further comprises an electronic control for use with a source of an electronic signal, including an electronic switch having an open state in which the electronic signal does not pass through the switch, a closed state in which the electronic signal passes through the switch, and a trigger wherein, when an electronic signal having a predetermined magnitude passes to the trigger, the switch changes from the open state to the closed state.

Abstract: A wheel of a turbo-machine is secured to the shaft of the machine by forming a side of the wheel with an end cap affixed thereto. Compressive force generating means connected to the end cap generate a force for compressing the wheel between the end cap and shaft.

Abstract: A seal system for a turbomachine employing first fluid as a working medium and utilizing the same fluid in its liquid phase as a sealing medium. The pressure of the liquid sealing medium is maintained above the pressure of the working medium. The fluid is delivered to a first sealing region whereat the fluid flows in opposite directions along the shaft of the turbomachine, respectively towards the ambient and towards the working region in the machine. A seal is interposed between the first sealing region and the ambient to prevent the seal fluid from intermixing with air.

Abstract: A furnace having a burner fired heat exchanger with a flue gas passage and a heated air passage, a blower powered by an electric motor for circulating the heated air and an electric control circuit with a normally closed relay connecting the blower motor to the power source, the relay being controlled by a "Schmitt trigger" connected to a timing combination.

Abstract: An air conditioning system having conditioned air supplied through at least one duct includes a damper blade assembly for varying the volume of conditioned air flow through said duct. A first inflatable bellows is connected to the damper blade assembly to vary the position thereof in said duct. The bellows is inflated in response to changes in the supply pressure of the conditioned air to maintain a substantially constant volume conditioned air flow downstream of said damper blade assembly. A second inflatable bellows is connected to the damper blade assembly for further varying the position thereof in the duct. The second inflatable bellows is inflated in response to the temperature of the air in the enclosure whereby the quantity of air discharged thereinto is reduced as the temperature of the enclosure approaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a combination tube support for supporting tubes within a shell and tube type heat exchanger and baffle for directing fluid flow within the heat exchanger. A baffle lip is mounted on a baffle body to provide a seal with the interior surface of the heat exchanger shell. A foot having support surfaces of varying heights is used to support the baffle body to prevent the weight of the baffle body and the tubes contained therein as well as other forces from collapsing a portion of the baffle lip.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for joining a small diameter tube to a large diameter tube. An indentation tool is used to inwardly deform the wall of a tube from the outside into the internal bore of the tube. The resulting indentation formed has an open end sized to receive the small diameter tube. The small diameter tube is then located within the indentation and mechanically joined by brazing or soldering such that the axis of the portion of the small diameter tube within the large diameter tube is roughly parallel to the axis of the large diameter tube.

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.

Abstract: A high lift energy reclaiming circuit for use in a vapor compression refrigeration system, the circuit being interposed in the system between the compressor discharge line and the condenser inlet line. Refrigerant vapors discharged from the compressor are exposed to, and condensed into, a strong absorbent solution to develop temperatures within the mixture that are in excess of the saturation temperature of the discharge vapors. The mixture is brought into a heat exchanger where the high temperature energy is recovered by a heat reclaiming substance, such as water or the like. The diluted absorbent in the mixture is then separated from unabsorbed refrigerant vapors and the dilute solution flash cooled by expanding the solution to the inlet pressure of the compressor.

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.