Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for moving thermal energy with respect to at least one of a beverage and a food product positioned in a vehicle or a stationary beverage machine. The apparatus includes a vortex tube positionable in a vehicle or a stationary beverage machine. The vortex tube includes an inlet and a cold outlet and a hot outlet. The vortex tube divides a primary air stream received in the inlet into a cold air sub-stream exiting the cold outlet and an a hot air sub-stream exiting the hot outlet. The apparatus also includes a containing member having a first wall with an inner surface for receiving a product. The containing member also includes a second wall surrounding the first wall to define a first cavity. The apparatus also includes a first fluid line extending between the first cavity and one of the cold and hot outlets for communicating one of the cold and hot air sub-streams to the first cavity.

Abstract: The invention is applied to a compressor assembly wherein a coating is applied to the pocket in the piston for sliding engagement with a shoe for reciprocating the piston. The coating is a composite of solid particles of a lubricant, suspended in an adhesive, bonded to the to the aluminum alloy defining the pocket. More specifically, the coating comprises particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) suspended in an epoxy resin having a low cross-linking characteristic. The particles of PTFE are sub-micron in size and the ratio of PTFE to epoxy resin is optimally one to one. The thickness of the coating is between two and ten microns and preferably substantially four microns.

Abstract: An indirect evaporative cooler assembly includes staggered wet and dry channels. An electric fan moves air through the assembly. Air passes through the wet channels where a material wicks moisture stored in a reservoir into the wet channels. As a result, the side walls of the wet channels are evaporatively cooled. Air moving through dry channels is cooled by the cooling of the walls of the wet channels, and by the presence of louvered convoluted fins in the dry channels that allow for air circulation and further heat dissipation. The wet channels are distinguished by the presence of an electrolyte saturating the material, and electrodes disposed on either side of the material combined to generate an electrical current. Pairs of electrodes are connected in series, and generate electricity to power the electric fan. An auxiliary power source is activated when the voltage from the electrodes drops below a pre-determined level.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a heat sink for a liquid cooling system. The heat sink includes a spreader plate for contacting an electronic device and a body having a plurality of channels extending through the body and arranged in layers. Each layer includes a quantity of the channels decreasing in number with an increase in the distance from the electronic device, thus giving the heat sink a trapezoidal cross section perpendicular to the channels.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat sink device for receiving heat generated by an electrical chip. The heat sink device includes a cold plate having a bottom surface for receiving heat from the electrical chip and a top surface opposite of the bottom surface. The heat sink device also includes a finger member having a rounded tip centered on the top surface. The heat sink device also includes a force generating device having an anvil spaced from the finger member and a compressible member compressed between the anvil and the finger member. The compressible member generates a pressing force urging the finger member and the top surface together. The heat sink device also includes a moving device operable to move one of the anvil and the finger member relative to the other to change the pressing force generated by the compressible member.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a heat sink for cooling electronic devices. The heat sink includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber separated by a baffle therebetween. The lower chamber includes a base having a central axis and a plurality of curvilinear fins disposed radially about the central axis of the base. The upper chamber includes a lid defining an inlet and an inlet tube interconnecting the upper chamber and the lower chamber for directing a fluid through the upper chamber and impinging the fluid on the base in the lower chamber. A sidewall extends between the base and the lid and is disposed about the fins. The sidewall includes a peripheral inlet for directing the fluid perpendicular to the central axis and at the fins.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly for removing heat from an electronic device and comprising a base, a lid in spaced relationship with and parallel to the base, and an outer wall spiraling radially outwardly about an inlet axis from an inner exit position to an outer exit position to define a tangential outlet between said exit positions. Each of a plurality of curved fins presents a concave surface and a convex surface and extends from an inner circle with radius concentric with the inlet axis to an outer circle with radius concentric with the inlet axis to define a plurality of curved channels between adjacent fins for directing the flow of cooling fluid radially from the inlet axis. Each of the curved channels is disposed at a constant distance between next adjacent fins for a major length there along from the inner circle with radius toward the outer circle with radius.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat exchanger having a plurality of plates stacked in alternating mirrored relation with one another. Each of the plurality of plates has a plate length extending along a plate longitudinal axis between first and second ends. Each of the plurality of plates also has a plate width extending transverse to the plate longitudinal axis. The plurality of plates cooperate to define a fluid receiving cavity extending along a receiving axis substantially perpendicular to the plate longitudinal axis. The plurality of plates also cooperate to define a fluid exiting cavity extending along an exiting axis substantially perpendicular to the plate longitudinal axis and spaced from the receiving axis. A plurality of plate cavities are defined between alternating pairs of adjacent plates and extend along the plate length. The plurality of plate cavities fluidly communicate with both of the receiving and exiting cavities.

Abstract: A heat pump is operable in a heating mode and a cooling mode and includes two identical heat exchangers. The heat exchangers alternate between operating as a condenser and an evaporator as the heat pump switches between the heating mode and the cooling mode. The heat exchangers include a fluid passageway for directing a refrigerant therethrough and a bypass bisecting the fluid passageway into a first portion and a second portion. A valve interconnects the first portion and the second portion of the fluid passageway and the bypass for directing the refrigerant through the first portion of the fluid passageway and into the bypass to prevent refrigerant flow through the second portion of the fluid passageway when the heat exchanger is operable as the evaporator.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly including a plurality of pairs of plates disposed in series for fluid flow from a pass through one pair of plates to a pass through the next pair of plates. Each pair of plates includes a central rib to define a U-shaped passage having a fluid entering leg and a fluid exiting leg interconnected by an open bottom interconnecting the legs below the lower end of the engaging central ribs. A plurality of dimples project into the passage to interact with fluid flow through the passage and each of the dimples has a hemispherical shape and a divider rib is disposed in the passage to co-act with the hemispherical dimples to reduce whistling noise.

Abstract: A secondary heat exchanger subassembly, such as a transmission oil cooler, is disposed in a metal tank of a radiator and has a pair of metal fluid fittings. Either a connector ring engages a fitting extending through the opening in the tank or a connector nut extends into the opening to threadedly engage the fitting whereby the metal fittings are held to the metal tank and inserted into a furnace for being brazed into sealed relationship with the metal tank.

Abstract: One method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having an outward fold. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet with the fold contacting one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the outward fold and a second electrode in contact with the one side of the tubesheet. Another method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having a tube end. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the first tube end and a second electrode is positioned in contact with one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. The first electrode is moved against the first tube end to create an outward fold with the outward fold contacting the one side of the tubesheet.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric motor assembly having an electric motor with a first end and a second end spaced from the first end. The electric motor also includes a motor shaft extending along a first axis between a first tip cantilevered from the second end and a second tip spaced from the first tip along the first axis. The electric motor assembly also includes a worm gear disposed on the motor shaft between the second end and the first tip for rotation with the motor shaft about the first axis. The electric motor assembly also includes a housing having an internal surface with a first portion correspondingly shaped with respect to the first end to locate the electric motor in the housing. The housing also includes a second portion disposed along the first axis spaced from the first tip. The electric motor assembly also includes a first thrust bearing disposed between the first tip and the second portion.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for coupling a sliding door of a vehicle to a drive unit for sliding the sliding door from an open position to a closed position, the drive unit causing the hinge assembly to slide within a guide track as the door moves between the open position and the closed position, the hinge assembly comprising: a first hinge portion; a second hinge portion, the first hinge portion being pivotally secured to the second hinge portion; a cable attachment being secured to the second hinge portion; and a guide surface disposed on a surface of the first hinge portion, the guide surface being configured to make contact with a portion of a cable having an end secured to the cable attachment when the second hinge portion is in a first orientation with respect to the position of the first hinge portion and the cable no longer makes contact with the guide surface as the second hinge portion moves from the first orientation to a second orientation with respect to the first hinge portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a fabric valve assembly for a climate control system of a vehicle. The fabric valve assembly includes a housing positionable in a vehicle. The housing has at least one edge defining at least one housing aperture for directing movement of an air stream. The fabric valve assembly also includes a plastic frame defining at least one frame aperture. The plastic frame is operable to move between a first position parallel to and spaced from the at least one housing aperture and a second position spaced from the first position. The fabric valve assembly also includes a cloth member fixedly engaged with the plastic frame. The cloth member extends taut relative to the at least one frame aperture to close and seal the at least one housing aperture when the plastic frame is in the first position.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device is disposed in series with the HVAC module for heating and cooling air Ta from the HVAC module for delivery to seat passages of a seat assembly. The thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger having cold and hot sides, ductwork, a divider that sends variable air flow to the cold or hot sides of the thermoelectric module, and thermal insulation between the cold and hot sides downstream of the heat exchanger. The fan of the HVAC module is the sole motivation for moving the conditioned air Ta originating from the central HVAC module through the thermoelectric device and to the seat assembly.

Abstract: A HVAC system of a motor vehicle includes a film having openings defined therein and moveable between open and closed positions. The film regulates airflow by opening and closing apertures defined in a housing of the HVAC system. The film is disposed in a film valve assembly containing first and second rollers that wind and unwind the film. The film includes a substrate that includes a fiber selected from the group of polyester-based fibers, glass-based fibers, and combinations thereof. An elastomeric layer is disposed on the substrate layer. The substrate also includes a silicone layer disposed on the elastomeric layer for minimizing noise created as the film moves between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a vending machine for cooling food products. The vending machine includes a housing defining an interior. The vending machine also includes a plurality of holding members substantially thermally isolated from one another and disposed in the interior. Each of the plurality of holding members includes inner and outer hollow members telescopically engaged with one another to define an inner cavity with an opening operable to communicate an individual food product and an outer cavity with an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet. The vending machine also includes a refrigeration system disposed outside of the interior and fluidly communicating individually with each of the outer cavities to cool each of the inner cavities.

Abstract: A heating and cooling and air conditioning (HVAC) module housing wherein the defrost outlet and the vent outlet and the seat outlet are disposed next adjacent to one another and a first plate overlies the defrost outlet and the seat outlet and a second plate overlies the seat outlet and the vent outlet for opening and closing various combinations of the outlets. Accordingly, the defrost valve and the vent valve are used to also control air flow through the seat outlet of a HVAC module to a thermo-electric device to heat and cool the seat assembly in a vehicle.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a cooling assembly for removing heat from an electronic device. The cooling assembly includes a heat sink having a base plate and a plurality of fins extending upwardly from the base plate to a top extremity. A nozzle directs a flow of cooling fluid onto the fins and is disposed above the base plate and below the top extremity of the fins. The flow of cooling fluid is discharged from the nozzle adjacent the base plate and then flows upwardly through the fins to remove the heat from the base plate before removing any heat from the fins.