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: An assembly for sealing an interface between a high pressure steam chest or chamber 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.

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 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 downflow furnace assembly having a combustible floor base including a pair of parallel side rails, a pair of parallel, variable length cross rails, and integral spacing flanges, and a method of constructing the combustible floor base. The integral spacing flanges are for maintaining the lower plenum of the downflow furnace assembly at a preset distance from the edge of a combustible floor and are formed by die pressing the same metal sheets that are pressed to form the rails of the floor base. The variable length cross rails are each comprised of a pair of interfitted channel members that are in slidable communication with each other. By sliding the channel members with respect to each other, the lengths of the cross rails and the width of the base can be adjusted. The surface of each channel member defines a plurality of holes, and each cross rail can be adjusted to various preset lengths by aligning different holes.

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: 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 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 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 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: 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 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 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 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: An automated refuse container discharge station is disclosed in which a refuse container is emptied such that its volume decreases as an essentially constant function of time. The unloading station includes a support assembly on which a carriage assembly is adapted for longitudinally sliding motion. The carriage assembly includes container opening apparatus at one end and container discharging apparatus at the other end. The carriage assembly also includes apparatus for unlatching a container tailgate portion and releasably securing the container to the carriage. A hydraulic cylinder advances the carriage assembly with respect to the support assembly and hydraulically damps movement of the carriage and container at the end of the advancing stroke. The carriage assembly includes an hydraulic discharge cylinder which may be intermittently advanced into the container. Part of the discharge cylinder is supported by guides carried by the carriage and aligned guides carried by the container.

Abstract: An evaporator type humidifier in which a fan wheel is rotated by an air stream and drives a water wheel. The water wheel lifts water from a water receptacle to a water distribution system. The water distribution system can collect water and then distribute a substantially equal amount of water to each air-water contact member in the humidifier. The amount of water distributed to each contact member is sufficient to wet the contact member and inhibit the formation of deposits on the contact member by flushing away minerals and other solid particles.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted apparatus for loading and unloading containers onto and off of the vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a tilting frame on the body of the vehicle, a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the tilting frame for longitudinal movement along the tilting frame and a cable extending from the tilting frame around a sheave mounted on the front of the hydraulic cylinder back to the container. The sheave is concentrically mounted on cross supports extending between guides in the tilting frame. Supports are provided on the tilting frame and cylinder to prevent vibration of the cylinder when the cylinder is in an extended position and the cylinder is detachable from the tilting frame for removal for maintenance or replacement purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring refuse involve a container having a closure and an ejector head. A loading station includes a movable loading carriage, a packer assembly having a reciprocable packer head, and a plurality of power actuators. By positioning a container upon the loading carriage, the container becomes aligned with the packer assembly. The power actuators are actuated from a main control panel to move the loading carriage toward and away from the packer assembly, open the closure, and reciprocate the packer head for inserting refuse into the container. Subsequently, the closure is closed and the loading carriage is backed away from the packer assembly. The container is then transported to the unloading station. The unloading station includes a movable unloading carriage for receiving the refuse carrying container, and a plurality of power actuators. By positioning the container upon the unloading carriage the container becomes aligned with the discharge zone.

Abstract: An automated refuse container discharge station is disclosed in which a refuse container is emptied such that its volume decreases as an essentially constant function of time. The unloading station includes a support assembly on which a carriage assembly is adapted for longitudinally sliding motion. The carrier assembly includes container opening apparatus at one end and container discharging apparatus at the other end. The carriage assembly also includes apparatus for unlatching a container tailgate portion and releasably securing the container to the carriage. A hydraulic cylinder advances the carriage assembly with respect to the support assembly and hydraulically damps movement of the carriage and container at the end of the advancing stroke. The carriage assembly includes an hydraulic discharge cylinder which may be intermittently advanced into the container. Part of the discharge cylinder is supported by guides carried by the carriage and aligned guides carried by the container.

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.