Abstract: Apparatus for securing wires passing through a partition of an air conditioning unit is disclosed. A wire slot having rounded edges is formed in a partition. A wire seal is slidably secured to the partition having a flare portion extending through the wire slot. Upon assembly, the wire seal is slid downwardly with the flare portion extending through the wire slot such that the wires are secured at the bottom of the slot and the remainder of the slot has a body portion of the wire seal preventing air flow therethrough. The wire seal is secured in position via fastening means and the flare portion acts to not only compress the wires at the bottom of the wire slot but to angle them downwardly preventing moisture from flowing along the wires into the indoor section of the unit.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for serving as both a reversing valve and an expansion device in a refrigeration circuit. A valve gate having passageways to direct refrigerant between the indoor and the outdoor heat exchangers to effect the function of a reversing valve is disclosed. In addition, the valve gate has multiple flow restriction devices which are selectively incorporated within a refrigeration circuit between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger to effect the appropriate amount of flow restriction dependent upon the mode of operation of the unit. These two functions may be incorporated into a single valve or they may be separated such that the separate functions are performed by separate valves. A cylindrical valve gate and multiple passageways for connecting the appropriate lines in a refrigeration circuit are described. The valve is rotated by a combination of an electromagnet spaced about the valve gate and a permanent magnet located within the valve gate.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a heat exchange unit having wound fin tubing includes a tube support having a vertical portion and multiple lateral portions, each lateral portion having an opening therein. A support tube is inserted through the openings in the lateral portions of the tube support such that runs of wound fin tubing are secured between the tube support and the support tube. A run support portion of the tube support may additionally define notches for securing the various runs of wound fin tubing. Pins or other means for securing the tubular support means are inserted into the ends of the tubular support such that the support tube is affixed to the tube support assembly. The pins are secured to either the base pan or the structural assembly of the unit providing a tube support assembly as an integral part of the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit and a control box assembly incorporating as a portion thereof a power cord strain relief are disclosed. A portion of the front panel of the control box is bent into a clip portion parallel to the side panel of the control box. The power cord is mounted therebetween and a screw is utilized to displace the clip portion to secure the power cord between the side panel and the clip portion. An opening in the control box allows the power cord to exit therefrom while secured in position by the components of the control box assembly.

Abstract: A flash subcooler is provided to meter a portion of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser to the evaporator to an intermediate heat exchanger to subcool refrigerant flowing from the condenser to the evaporator. This diverted refrigerant is flashed to provide subcooling and is then redirected to the compressor as is the flow of refrigerant from the evaporator. Both the refrigeration system and subassemblies for accomplishing the above are disclosed as well as methods of operation thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling the operation of a fin winding machine. Various motor drives are utilized to regulate the speed of rotation of a heat exchange tube upon which fin is wrapped to regulate the speed of rotation of forming wheels for bending the fin to the appropriate configuration and to regulate the speed of rotation of slitter wheels for perforating the fin prior to bending. Sensing means are provided for determining the length of the fin strip within various segments along a fin route such that the motor speeds are all adjusted to maintain the desired amount of fin strip. Tension means are provided for maintaining constant tension of the fin strip regardless of the length of the fin strip in the appropriate segment. The various sensing means are cascaded such that a change in speed of one motor may affect a change in speed of another motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preconditioning makeup air supplied to an air conditioning unit. An add-on preconditioning unit having a separate vapor compression refrigeration circuit is disclosed for heating or cooling makeup air supplied to an air conditioning system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing tubes in a partition of an air conditioning unit. A tube seal is provided having slits for engaging the side walls of a partition opening in a partition dividing an air conditioning unit into an indoor section and an outdoor section. A tube receiving slit is provided in the seal such that upon assembly of the partition to the unit the refrigerant carrying tubes are secured within the seal. Additionally, extension portions from the seal extend downwardly and upon assembly are compressed to force the material of the seal to surround the tubes as well as the partition opening to provide a seal for reducing air flow between the indoor section and outdoor section of the air conditioning unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for encasing a heat exchange unit. A wrapper is disclosed having solid portions for structural support of the heat exchange unit and fastening means including closure means formed on each end of the wrapper and a fastener strip which co-acts with said closure means to secure the wrapper in its appropriate position. Louver portions and solid portions of the wrapper are additionally disclosed to provide a structurally sound wrapper having spaced louver openings to allow air flow therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a door for pivotal movement in an air conditioning unit. This door has as a portion thereof a pivot assembly having a series of contact surfaces which engage a series of surfaces of a top support so that the door may be rotated relative to the top support. The entire mechanism is formed of two components which, when assembled, provide a rotational mechanism hidden from view. An over center pressure applying means to secure the door in the fully open position is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for defrosting a dual refrigeration circuit refrigeration system. During defrost one of the refrigeration circuits is operated to supply heat energy to the frosted heat exchanger of the other circuit and the fan circulating heat transfer media through a heat exchanger of each circuit is reversed such that heat transfer fluid is heated by one refrigeration circuit and then used to defrost a heat exchanger of the other circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a front cover to an air conditioning unit is disclosed. This apparatus includes a front cover having pivoting means and including a fastening lip for securing the unit in the closed position and a flange for securing the unit in the service position. An air conditioning unit assembly is additionally provided having a pivot means for coacting with the cover and a control panel extension for securing the flange of the cover to maintain the cover in the service position. A support lip is also provided for coacting with the fastening lip of the cover to maintain same in the closed position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating a series compression refrigeration system are disclosed. A by-pass for circuiting refrigerant around one compressor when the compressor is not operating is provided. Additionally, a quench conduit conducts liquid refrigerant from a common line to provide a liquid refrigerant quench of the gaseous refrigerant between compressors. A control device is provided for regulating the flow of liquid refrigerant through the quench conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a relatively constant temperature level flow of discharge air from a reverse cycle air conditioning system. Air temperature of the air being discharged from the indoor heat exchanger of the refrigeration circuit is measured and used to control indoor fan speed to maintain the supply air temperature to the enclosure at a relatively constant temperature level. A secondary zone may be provided for receiving conditioned air from the indoor heat exchanger. A damper regulated in response to the leaving air temperature from the indoor heat exchanger is used to control the volume flow rate to the secondary zone such that as the indoor fan speed is decreased the damper decreases the volume flow rate to the secondary zone while maintaining a constant volume flow rate to the primary zone. An outdoor thermostat is provided for operating the indoor fan at normal speeds when the ambient temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a hot gas defrost system wherein superheated gas from the system compressor is conducted into a heat exchanger mounted within an accumulator for supplying heat to vaporize liquid refrigerant received from the evaporator. After the gas passes through the heat exchanger it is conducted to the condenser where it is condensed to a liquid and then routed to the evaporator. In the evaporator or frost accumulating coil the liquid refrigerant is subcooled, supplying heat to melt the ice formed on the evaporator surfaces and the liquid is thereafter conducted to the accumulator where the heat supplied from the heat exchanger acts to vaporize the fluid. The vaporized refrigerant is then recycled to the compressor to complete the system.