Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling refrigerant flow through the indoor coil of air conditioning equipment including a refrigeration system such that upon predetermined humidity conditions being sensed refrigerant flow will be routed to provide additional latent cooling and dehumidification. Within the liquid header of the indoor coil in the refrigeration system a solenoid valve is mounted to isolate at least one of a plurality of refrigerant circuits. This valve is closed when a need for dehumidification is detected by a humidistat located in communication with the air of the enclosure to be conditioned. When a need for dehumidification is not detected by the humidistat the valve is opened and refrigerant flows through all of the circuits of the indoor coil. Additionally, a check valve is mounted in parallel with the solenoid valve such that if a reversible refrigeration system is utilized refrigerant flow can bypass the solenoid valve in the heating mode of operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for locating the position of at least one magnetic member relative to a nonmagnetic member includes a probe assembly movably disposed within the nonmagnetic member and including a nonmagnetic head having a pair of spaced permanent magnets mounted thereon. Each magnet has a variable resistor connected thereto, the resistance of each resistor varying directly with the strength of the flux field emanating from each magnet. The resistors are connected to a source of electrical energy for providing an electrical control signal, the magnitude of which varies in response to the movement of the probe assembly including the magnets and resistors relative to the magnetic member.

Abstract: A tube cleaning apparatus comprising a frame for attachment to a rotatable drive shaft, and a plurality of arms connected to the frame for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of cutter heads secured to the arms for engaging the inside surface of the tube, wherein the cutter heads are spaced from the inside surface of the tube when the arms are in the retracted position, and biasing means for urging the arms to the retracted position. Also disclosed is a method of operating the tube cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A vane axial fan assembly includes a housing defining a chamber to receive a fluid discharged from the blades of the vane axial fan. The housing includes a substantially spiral shaped scroll portion defining a chamber of substantially constantly increasing radius and having a substantially spiral shaped baffle member mounted within said chamber and combining to define therewith a simultaneously radially and axially expanding fluid flow passage for receiving the fluid discharged from the blades of the fan.

Abstract: A tube cleaning device comprising a body extending both in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and defining an opening in a first end and a longitudinally extending recess in communication with the opening, wherein the perimeter of the recess is larger than the perimeter of the opening. The cleaning device further comprises a neck extending longitudinally from a second end of the body and having a perimeter less than the perimeter of the opening, a plug extending longitudinally from the neck and having a perimeter larger than the perimeter of the opening but smaller than the perimeter of the recess, and a scraper extending from a side of the body.

Abstract: A control circuit for a combination furnace and heat pump wherein a temperature dependent relay is connected to a thermostat such that the heat pump is operated to supply heat to an enclosure when the outdoor temperature is above a predetermined level and the furnace is operated to supply heat to the enclosure when the outdoor temperature is below a predetermined level. To defrost the outdoor coil of the heat pump the furnace is operated to supply heat to the indoor coil of the heat pump and a reversing valve relay is energized whereby the heat pump is operated in a reverse direction to supply heat to the outdoor coil for defrost.

Abstract: A regulator for a damper assembly operable to control the flow of conditioned air through a supply duct. The regulator includes a pressure responsive member connected to the damper assembly to vary the position thereof within the supply duct in accordance with changes in the conditioned air supply pressure to maintain a substantially constant volume air flow downstream of the damper assembly irrespective of such changes. The regulator further includes control point setting means for obtaining the level of constant volume air flow including force generating elements acting in opposition to the pressure responsive member for providing a first force at a maximum level of constant volume air flow and for further providing a second force at lesser levels of constant volume air flow.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for preventing process fluid contained within a rotary machine from escaping along the rotary shaft includes a stator affixed to the stationary housing of the rotary machine. The assembly further includes a non-rotating seal arranged to float in a radial direction and held against rotation by a locking pin. The locking pin is adapted to be in rolling engagement with a roller bearing for providing an antifriction motion therebetween.

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: Apparatus and a method of manufacturing a formed coil having multiple single row coil cores of varying lengths. Sheets of fins are cut from plate fin stock such that the fins within each sheet are connected to each other by rupturable tabular portions. The sheets of fins are then arranged in registration such that openings within the fins for the receipt of tubes are aligned and tubular members or hairpins may be inserted within the fins to form part of the fluid flow circuit of the coil. Since the hairpins for adjacent coil rows are of different lengths, when the multiple row coil core is bent each coil row is formed about a separate radius curvature so that the formed coil will be in the desired configuration. Prior to bending, the hairpins are expanded to form a heat transfer bond with the fins, the expansion process acting to rupture the tabular portions connecting the fins such that the fins on the hairpins become separately spaced along each hairpin.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in compaction bodies of the type used for the collection of refuse, garbage, and the like, and having means therein for compacting such refuse during collection and for discharge therefrom. The invention relates specifically to automatic controls to regulate the operation of a compaction head located inside the compaction body for compacting material therein.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system which has a multi-stage compressor, a condenser, a flash economizer, an economizer-condenser, a thermal economizer and a chiller. Liquid refrigerant is flashed in the flash economizer such that part of the liquid refrigerant changes state from a liquid to a gas absorbing heat from the remaining liquid refrigerant, the gaseous refrigerant being drawn into the compressor between stages or being condensed by the economizer-condenser within the flash economizer. An economizer damper valve is provided between the compressor and the flash economizer to regulate this flow of gaseous refrigerant to the compressor depending upon the thermal capability of the economizer-condenser to recondense the flashed refrigerant of the flash economizer.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for effecting heating and cooling at maximum system operating cost efficiency in both modes of operation. In a preferred embodiment, a solar collector is utilized to transfer radiant heat from the sun to a heat storage medium, such as water, which is circulated through a water coil of an indoor heat exchanger. A conventional heat pump has an indoor refrigerant coil supported in the same heat exchanger in thermal contact with the water coil. During heating or cooling, air is passed through the heat exchanger and the heat pump is used to supplement the circulating water when the water is insufficient for heating or cooling purposes.The heat exchanger is formed by interpositioning the water carrying coil and the refrigerant carrying coil in thermal contact with each other through the use of common coil fins for the separate fluid carrying conduits.

Abstract: A tube expander includes a housing, a generally cylindrical cage and a mandrel movably disposed within the bore of said cage. The expander further includes an indexing system to automatically axially advance the cage relative to the housing in a step by step manner.

Abstract: A vehicle frame for supporting large removable containers. One or more container securing members are attached to the frame. Each securing member can move between an inoperative or resting position and an operative or securing position. In the inoperative position, the securing member does not interfere with the loading, transporting, or unloading of a removable container. In the operative position, the securing member can engage a cooperating member of the container to secure the container to the frame. Lock means are associated with each securing member to prevent the member from inadvertently moving from the operative position to the resting position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and translating data using sequential spacing of data points on a recording medium. Electrical pulses are generated in response to the quantitative level of a series of events to be monitored. These pulses are then applied sequentially from a base reference point to the recording medium. The pulses are applied so that the distance between pulses is indicative of the quantitative level of each monitored event. This method is particularly useful in field instrumentation for monitoring equipment performance, process variables, weather conditions and any other variable events or conditions. Any number of events may be periodically sequentially applied to the medium over a long period of time. The recording medium can then be played back at high speed to translate the information obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing capillary and other tubes within a refrigeration machine. A capillary retainer clip having a plurality of sections affixed thereto is mounted within a refrigeration machine such that the sections extending therefrom form elongated openings and spaced regions therebetween. The tubes are inserted between the sections such that the sections are displaced as the tube is slid through the opening to the spaced region. When the tube is in the spaced region the sections then return to their original position securing the tube within the spaced region.

Abstract: A heat transfer surface for nucleate boiling of liquids is formed on the outer surface of a heat exchanger tube. Helical ridges having two fins each encase the tube. A fin at each ridge is angled toward the adjacent fin on the adjacent ridge forming a gapped cavity therebetween. The method of making the tube includes rolling alternating deep grooves and shallow grooves in the outside surface of the tube and then flaring the fins to form the gapped cavity.

Abstract: A spray generator for an absorption refrigeration system that includes a heat exchanger comprised of a multiplicity of variably spaced heat exchange tubes. The tubes are spaced close together near the top of the heat exchanger and spaced more widely apart near the bottom of the heat exchanger. Dilute absorbent solution is sprayed down through the heat exchanger. The close nesting of the tubes in the top portion of the heat exchanger retards liquid flow and aids heating of the solution. The wide spacing of the tubes in the lower section of the heat exchanger facilitate vapor flow out of the heat exchanger and eliminates liquid "blow-off". The top tubes are covered by a baffle to prevent the liquid solution from splashing out of the heat exchanger off of these top tubes.

Abstract: In a conditioning apparatus unit to be used in relation with conditioning systems of the type having four pipes for the secondary water, wherein the temperature is controlled by varying the secondary air flow passing through two heat-exchangers and a by-pass section by means of valve assemblies, the valve assemblies are actuated by the primary air feeding the same apparatus at a pressure value comprised in the range between 15 and 100Kg/m.sup.2. Each valve assembly relating to a heat-exchanger is operated by an expansion lung fed by the inlet primary air through a valve controlled by a thermostatic device. A linkage mechanically connects the valve assembly of the by-pass section with the valve assemblies of the heat-exchangers in such a manner that when one of the valve assemblies relating to the heat-exchanger is at least partially open, the other valve assembly is locked in the "close" position and only the by-pass valve assembly can be operated by the said one valve assembly.