Abstract: A core unit for a heat exchanger comprises a pair of headers spaced from one another each defining a fluid space for receiving a fluid therein and each defining a plurality of apertures. A first region comprising a plurality of first tubes extends between the headers and a first fin is disposed between adjacent pairs of the first tubes. A second region comprising a plurality of second tubes extends between the headers and a second fin is disposed between adjacent pairs of the second tubes. A crushable center different than the first and second regions is disposed parallelly between the first and second regions for controllably crushing when the headers are bent.

Abstract: A method of venting a refrigerant from an air conditioning system of a vehicle during a crash to mitigate leakage of the refrigerant into a cabin of the vehicle by crashing a test vehicle under a first set of predetermined conditions a number of crash events and measuring deceleration and determining the existence of leakage. The number of crash events in which leakage existed is divided by the number of crash events to establish a probability of leakage ratio. The test vehicle is crashed under a second set of predetermined conditions to determine a second probability of leakage ratio. A probability of leakage relationship is established correlating the probability of leakage ratios and the predetermined conditions. A deceleration relationship is established correlating the deceleration measurements and the predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes that define refrigerant passages extending vertically from a lower end to an upper end. A bottom header is in fluid communication with the passage at the lower end of the tube, and a top header is in fluid communication with the passage at the upper end of the tube. A plurality of plates extends rearwardly from the tubes to a distal edge. Adjacent plates extending from adjacent tubes are closed off at the distal edges by a connector, and adjacent plates extending from the same tube have a rear opening between the distal edges for receiving air into the assembly. A plurality of orifices is disposed along the plates to allow air from the rear opening to flow downstream between the tubes. A water tank and wicking material are provided for wetting the plates.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat exchanger assembly having a housing which defines a boiling chamber extending along an axis between opposite ends. A plurality of first condensing tubes extend axially and downwardly in one direction at a first predetermined angle to and below the axis (A) from the housing and a plurality of second condensing tubes extend axially and upwardly in the opposite direction at the same predetermined angle to and above the axis (A) from the housing. The volume of refrigerant in the housing is greater than the volume of the second condensing tubes and the volume of the boiling chamber.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a condenser tube having a pre-determined tube length and multiple channels including the steps of forming an aperture in a flat strip of metal; moving the flat strip through a plurality of forming operations to fold into an enclosed tube containing channels, which channels include the aperture in their sides and bottoms; and severing the enclosed tube across the aperture to separate the enclosed tube into one condenser tube. The aperture eliminates the need for the channel sides to be severed, hence only the portion of the condenser tube enclosing the channels requires severing. Each pair of apertures is spaced from the next pair of apertures by the pre-determined tube length so that each sever produces one condensing tube of the pre-determined tube length with the apertures being divided into open notches. The invention also includes a heat exchanger utilizing the condenser tube with channel sides containing portions of the apertures.

Abstract: A refrigeration assembly includes a pair of refrigerated chambers defined within a working chamber. The refrigerated chambers include channel walls extending parallel to one another and spaced apart, and first and second panels extending channel walls to define a working channel for separating the working chamber into sub-chambers. Apertures defined in the panels allow airflow from the sub-chambers into the working channel, and a supply of water wets the panels and a first section of the refrigerated chambers. Air enters the sub-chambers and flows over the first sections of the refrigerated chambers for direct evaporative cooling. A portion of the air bleeds through the apertures and evaporates water from the panels prior to flowing over the second sections of the refrigerated chambers for indirect evaporative cooling.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system is disclosed comprising an evaporative cooler in series with the conventional vapor compression system. The evaporative cooler comprises an array of dry channels and a contiguous array of wet channels. The primary air stream to be conditioned by the evaporator of the conventional air conditioning system is preconditioned by the evaporative cooler by lowering its dry bulb temperature without changing its absolute humidity. An evaporator core is supported downstream of the evaporative cooler for receiving the primary air from the dry channels and thereby produces liquid condensate. The system is distinguished by conducting the liquid condensate from the evaporator core to the wicking tank for use in the wet channels of the evaporative cooler.

Abstract: A thermoelectric heat transfer system is provided. The thermoelectric heat transfer system comprises a coolant circuit with a pump circulating coolant through the circuit. A first heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the coolant circuit to remove heat from the coolant. At the same time, a second heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the coolant circuit. Thermoelectric modules (TEMs) are integrated into the second heat exchanger to create a temperature differential between fins and conduits of the second heat exchanger. The coolant flows through the conduits to draw heat from the TEMs, while a fan assembly conveys air through the fins into a climate-controlled area to cool the climate-controlled area to a desired temperature. In other embodiments, a sleeve acts as the second heat exchanger. The sleeve is adapted to receive and cool beverage containers and like items.

Abstract: Three embodiments of a heat exchanger assembly for cooling an electronic device are shown respectively in FIGS. 1-2, 3 and 4 and each comprises a flange, a dome, a plurality of condensing tubes, a shroud, and a boiler plate. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the dome is semi-spherical in shape and the distance measured axially along the center axis equals the distance measured laterally from or perpendicular to the center axis. In the second and third embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and, 4, respectively, the distance measured axially along the center axis is greater than the distance measured laterally from or perpendicular to the center axis. The domes in the second and third embodiments are an ellipsoid and a semi-logarithmic body, respectively. In all embodiments, a plurality of condensing tubes aligned in fan rows and arced rows extend from the dome to distal ends to facilitate more-efficient heat transfer.

Abstract: A variable capacity automotive refrigerant compressor is provided with a pressure equalization passage between the crankcase volume and the suction passage in the manifold to prevent a pressure imbalance between the two that could otherwise cause a reduction in crankcase lubricant retention during extended periods of system inactivity.

Abstract: An evaporatively pre-cooled seat assembly comprising a seat cushion, an auxiliary cooler, and an evaporative cooler. The evaporative cooler includes a plurality of parallel tubular dry channels and a plurality of tubular wet channels. The dry channels and wet channels are arranged such that they alternate from dry channel to wet channel from channel to channel. Each of the channels is defined by two parallel side walls, a top, and a bottom. A first plurality of dry channels defines a plurality of apertures in the side walls thereof for conveying air out of the respective dry channel and into an adjacent wet channel. A second plurality of dry channels alternates with the first plurality and is disposed between two wet channels and defines a plurality of cooler apertures in the tops thereof for conveying cooled air out of the second plurality of alternating dry channels and to the auxiliary cooler.

Abstract: Conditioned air discharged from a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is further conditioned by a thermoelectric (TE) air conditioning unit and then directed to air passages in a vehicle seat. Activation of the TE air conditioning unit is based on climate control parameters utilized by the HVAC unit, including a set temperature, radiant heating effects, and cabin air temperature. The climate control parameters are utilized to establish a target seat temperature that optimizes occupant comfort and the transient response of the seat cooling effect.

Abstract: A method of determining the volume of fuel in a vehicle fuel tank comprising the steps of determining the volume of vapor/air in the fuel tank and calculating the volume of fuel in the tank based upon the determined volume of vapor/air. The volume of vapor/air is determined by the steps of closing the fuel tank, pumping air into or out of the closed volume of the fuel tank and measuring the change in pressure in the fuel tank as a function of time during said pumping to determine the volume of vapor/air in the tank.

Abstract: Differential thermal conditioning of vehicle seat zones is achieved with convenient adjustment of a seat temperature differential for optimizing the thermal comfort of the seat occupant. Two or more thermoelectric units supply conditioned air to different zones of the seat, and the temperature differential between specified zones of the seat is set by an occupant-adjustable control input.

Abstract: A gas cooler and heat exchanger assembly comprises a gas cooler, including a cylindrical inlet header and a cylindrical outlet header, and a heat exchanger, including a first tank and a second tank, with at least a portion of each of the tanks being cylindrical and being an extension of and integral with each of the associated and aligned headers. In the first embodiment, the entirety of each of the tanks is cylindrical in shape and extends from the associated header. Each of the tanks is bisected thus defining a semi-cylindrical hot chamber and a semi-cylindrical cool chamber. In the second embodiment, only the cylindrical hot chamber of each of the tanks is cylindrical in shape and extends from the associated header. An additional box-shaped structure defines a box-shaped cool chamber disposed along and inwardly of each of the cylindrical hot chambers.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a compressor assembly for an air conditioning system for a vehicle. The compressor assembly is of the variable displacement angle wobble plate type, and includes a housing that defines a suction cavity, a discharge cavity, and a crankcase. An electronic control valve controls the flow of a fluid between the discharge cavity and the crankcase for pressurizing the crankcase to de-stroke the compressor assembly. The control valve includes a pressure sensing member, which is responsive to a suction pressure to open fluid communication between the discharge cavity and the crankcase when the suction pressure is below a pre-determined set-point. The control valve also includes an actuator port in fluid communication with the discharge cavity for urging the member into the activated position to open fluid communication between the discharge cavity and the crankcase when the suction pressure is above the pre-determined set-point.

Abstract: A thermo-electric device has a seat side and a cabin side for delivering heating and cooling air from a HVAC module to seat passages of a vehicle seat assembly. A selector is included for setting a desired or control temperature Tcontrol of the seat assembly. A comparator is included for determining the temperature difference ?T between the actual temperature of the seat assembly Tseat and the desired or selected temperature Tcontrol. A controller simultaneously adjusts a proportioning valve and adjusts the electrical current to the thermoelectric device in relationship to one another in response to the temperature difference ?T.

Abstract: An endless filtering sheet, having an interior entrained about rollers, extends in a path of movement over an air inlet in a housing for receiving air flow and presents an exterior from which dirt and debris collected from the incoming air flow and which dirt and debris is removed in a horizontal reach by gravity and/or an air flow. A drive mechanism continuously moves the sheet in the endless path to provide a continuously operating air filtration system for a heat exchanger in a HVAC system that is self-cleaning.

Abstract: An oil flow control valve (10) in a combustion engine is operated for affecting a cam phaser (26) disposed at an output side of said oil flow control valve (10). The cam phaser includes a spool (14) disposed in a spool housing (12). The method for operating the valve includes synchronising a displacement of said spool (14) in said housing (12) with combustion demands, and synchronising movement of said spool (14) with oil pressure characteristics on the output side of the oil flow control valve (10).