Abstract: Apparatus for automatically removing bags from a supply conveyor and stacking a predetermined number of bags upon raised pins. The stacks are then placed on a stack transfer assembly that is then moved into a transfer station wherein the stacks are placed on wickets. An endless accumulator conveyor is arranged to deliver the wickets into the transfer station in timed relation with the movement of the transfer assembly between stations.

Abstract: A picture frame has a front grid member and a back grid member, with an arrangement of marbles or similar spheres or spheroids retained between the grid members at a central picture opening. A cast zinc one-piece picture holder is secured in place with double-sided tape.

Abstract: A two stage impact beller has a rod driven pinch bullet that pre expands an end of a heat exchanger tube, and a belling tool which follows the pinch bullet. This die is generally bell shaped with a flared out proximal end. A jaw assembly holds the tube during a belling process.

Abstract: A low pressure refrigerant specimen is metered from a refrigeration system as a two phase mixture containing both a liquid phase and a gas phase. The mixture is sealed in an inflatable bag and the liquid phase is permitted to become a gas at atmospheric pressure whereby any contaminants in the sample are uniformly distributed throughout the sample. A small representative sample of the gas is drawn from the bag by a pump and the sample passed through a contaminant tester tube which provides a visual indication of the amount of one or more selected contaminants contained in the representative sample.

Abstract: A method of closely controlling the supply air temperature delivered from an air conditioning unit into a mobile cargo container wherein the supply air temperature is compared to a desired set point temperature and a suction control valve in the air conditioner compressor inlet line is adjusted in response to the sensed difference between the supply air temperature and the set point temperature. Three different preprogramed control modes are available which are selected automatically in response to the amount of deviation between the compared temperatures that are used to bring the supply temperature down to the set point temperature and hold it under steady state conditions within .+-.0.25.degree. C. of the set point. A trim heater is placed in the supply air passage to warm the supply air any time the control valve is in a full closed position. This increases the heating load on the unit so that operating time of the unit will be prolonged and the compressor will not be cycling ON and OFF.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery device comprises a pressure vessel filled with packings, such as Berl saddles, that provide a large surface area for mass transfer. The vessel is partly filled with a refrigeration-quality oil. The pressure vessel is mounted on a stand and pivoted so that it can easily be inverted periodically for coating the packing material with the oil. A flexible hose connects the vessel with a refrigeration or air conditioning unit, and a shut off valve is provided as is a check valve which prevents out flow of oil from the vessel. The oil in the vessel absorbs the refrigerant, and causes its partial pressure in the vessel to be reduced, so that refrigerant vapor flows from the refrigeration or air conditioning unit into the vessel. After the refrigerant has been absorbed, the valve can be closed, and the vessel returned to a central site for reclamation.

Abstract: The brine tube of an ice thermal storage tank has a surface enhancement which provides nucleation sites for ice formation, and reduces the need to superchill the water. The tubing enhancement comprises a multiplicity of solid mineral particles distributed evenly over its surface. The particles have jagged, multi-faceted surfaces which adsorb air. When the brine in the tube cools the water to the freezing point, the adsorbed air coalesces into air bubbles that serve as nucleation sites. This permits freezing to initiate a temperature of about 31.5.degree. F.

Abstract: An air conditioner unit that includes a housing containing a heat exchanger and a centrifugal impeller positioined behind the heat exchanger for drawing comfort air over the exchanger surfaces and returning the air to a comfort zone. A support wall is placed between the heat exchanger and the inlet of the impeller and an orifice is mounted in the wall for directing conditioned air into the fan inlet. A cylindrical shield is also mounted upon the wall and surrounds the orifice. The shield is axially aligned with the impeller and its end face positioned adjacent to the inlet face of the impeller. The axial length of the orifice from the wall is less than that of the surrounding shield so that a wide circular throat is established around the entrance region of the impeller. The velocity of air drawn through the gap between the shield and the impeller is thus reduced within the throat to minimize its adverse effect on the primary air flow entering the orifice.

Abstract: In a motor driven centrifugal compressor having a diffuser containing a movable wall for varying the width of the diffuser passage, control equipment is provided for continually changing the wall position in response to changes in motor current.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically loading a series of hairpin tubes into a magazine that is used to temporarily store the tubes so that they can be later laced into a fin pack. The magazine contains individual open-ended compartments for receiving and storing the tubes therein. The compartments are indexed into a loading station having a ram for driving hairpins into the indexed compartment. A gripping mechanism is also located in the loading station having fingers that engage the extended legs of the hairpin and guide the legs into the magazine compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus for expanding hairpin tubes into a fin pack unit that involves a special clamping fixture for securing the belled ends of the tubes to hold the ends of the tubes immobile as tube expanders are passed through the tubes to expand the tube walls in the fin plates and tube sheets of the unit. The tubes are expanded in tension which permits the bells to be formed against one of the tube sheets thereby eliminating the weakest region in the heat exchanger flow circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically assembling hairpin tubes in the tube receiving holes of a fin pack unit. Pre-assembled fin pack units are serially moved from one station to the next to receive hairpin tubes, to have bells formed in the open ends of the laced hairpin tubes, to have expansion tools inserted upwardly through the open ends of the hairpin tubes to expand the walls of the tubes outwardly into contact against the fin plates and tube sheets with sufficient force to lock the tubes into the unit, and to have return bends interconnect the bell-like seats of adjacent hairpin tubes and thus complete the heat exchanger flow circuit.

Abstract: A centrifugal machine having a variable diffuser that includes a radially disposed fixed wall and an opposed movable wall defining the diffuser passage. Guideways are formed in the movable wall in which a series of diffuser vanes are slidably mounted. A spring biased retainer loosely holds each of the vanes in an associated guideway and urges the vanes into seating contact with the fixed wall so that each vane can adjust its position in assembly to accommodate for changes in diffuser alignment due to thermal growth or the like.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor having a variable wall diffuser section that is controlled in response to measured system parameters in order to maintain the compressor at optimum efficiency over extended operating range.

Abstract: A vent door control apparatus for use in an air conditioner that permits both manual and automatic positioning of the vent door. A series of push button function switches are arranged to move in contact with a series of cams to automatically unlatch the door when certain functions are selected. At least some of the cams are programable to permit the user to select which functions will be carried out without adding outside air to the conditioned air. The vent door can be further manually operated to open the door anytime an unprogramed function is selected.

Abstract: A combination vapor compression and refrigeration cycle employing a mechanical compressor for developing high temperatures. The suction end of the compressor is exposed to both the vapors discharged from the refrigeration evaporator and a mixture of oil foam and refrigeration vapors discharged from an absorption generator. As the mixture passes through the compressor, it absorbs the heat of compression and is discharged into a heat exchanger where energy is transferred to a reclaiming substance. Because of the absorptive process, relatively high temperatures are developed in the compressor discharge whereby the energy rejected into the reclaiming substance can be effectively utilized in domestic and industrial heating applications.

Abstract: An adjustable blade assembly for use in a rotary machine, such as a turbine or a compressor, wherein the airfoil is separable from the assembly at the blade platform. The airfoil is provided with a root which is seated within a complementary kerf formed within the platform. Each of the two sections is fabricated independently using standard machine tools, thereby eliminating the need of hand-forming, complex blade contours. In assembly, the airfoil is loosely supported within the platform whereby the stresses generated at resonant frequencies are highly damped.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly employing oil breakdown bushings including bushing supports having a radial spring constant which permits the bushing to move radially with the shaft as the shaft is deflected and an axial spring constant whereby the bushing is able to resist axial movement when under pressure.

Abstract: An expansion device for use in a reversible vapor compression refrigeration cycle for producing, upon demand, either heating or cooling. Two devices are mounted in opposed relationship in a supply line carrying refrigerant between a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. Each expansion device includes a body having a flow passage therein opening into an expanded chamber. A free-floating piston is slidably mounted in the chamber and is moved to a first position when refrigerant is passed through the line in a first direction and to a second position when the direction of flow is reversed. A centrally located metering port passes through the piston while fluted channels are formed in its outer periphery. When in the first position, the fluted channels are closed against one side wall of the chamber and refrigerant is throttled through the metering port from the high pressure exchanger (condenser) into the low pressure exchanger (evaporator).

Abstract: A combination vapor compression and refrigeration cycle employing a mechanical compressor for developing high temperatures. The suction end of the compressor is exposed to both the vapors discharged from the refrigeration evaporator and a mixture of oil foam and refrigeration vapors discharged from an absorption generator. As the mixture passes through the compressor, it absorbs the heat of compression and is discharged into a heat exchanger where energy is transferred to a reclaiming substance. Because of the absorptive process, relatively high temperatures are developed in the compressor discharge whereby the energy rejected into the reclaiming substance can be effectively utilized in domestic and industrial heating applications.