Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming serpentine heat exchanger coils from spine fin tubing involves applying spine fins to a tube while simultaneously forming the tube into a serpentine shape. The bending and fin wrapping occurs while a feed roll continues paying out the tube without interruption. Multiple bends can be made simultaneously.

Abstract: A filter rack is spring loaded to an expanded position to help hold the filter rack at various positions and orientations within a furnace enclosure. The rack may also include a spring-loaded channel whose position adjusts to receive filters of various widths. One set of springs urge two side members of the filter rack outward, while another set of springs urge the channel inward.

Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl assembly having a toilet bowl and a trapway extending from the bottom of the toilet bowl to a sewage line. The toilet bowl has a rim channel provided along an upper perimeter portion thereof. In this toilet, the flush water flows through the rim channel in a path which is asymmetric and unidirectional along the entire perimeter portion thereof. The rim channel includes a plurality of rim openings distributed evenly along the perimeter of the rim channel. Flush water passing through the plurality of rim openings pre-wets the entire perimeter of the toilet bowl. The rim channel further includes a pair of water discharge slots which directs water directly into the toilet bowl in two powerful streams. The flush valve allowing passage of water from the water tank to the toilet bowl assembly is in the form of a valve inlet having a radiused port to generate greater energy throughput of the flush water.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes an outdoor section comprising an outdoor coil, a fan, and a refrigerant compressor housed within a cabinet. The cabinet includes an outer wrapper supported by a plastic base. The base and wrapper include features that facilitate the cabinet's assembly and shipping, enhance its appearance, and ensure its functional and structural integrity. For example, the base includes breakaway shipping tabs, lead-ins that help guide the wrapper and coil into position during assembly, and snaps that help hold the wrapper in place with a minimal number of screws. The wrapper includes watertight screw-receiving dimples for mounting electrical hardware, side panels that interconnect by way of a novel vertically sliding fit, and a spacer for protecting the coil from being crushed by the wrapper. A frame that supports the fan also supports the cabinet's top cover.

Abstract: A purging device for a system accumulating condensable and non-condensable gases. The purging device comprises: a purge tank; apparatus receiving the condensable and non-condensable gases from the system and directing said gases into the purge tank; apparatus condensing the non-condensable gases into a condensed form; apparatus accumulating the non-condensable gases in a header space; apparatus returning the condensed gases from the purge tank to the system; apparatus controllably removing the accumulated non-condensable gases from the header space; and apparatus generating controlled flow in the condensable and non-condensable gases.

Abstract: A flush valve assembly for a water tank of a water closet which includes a first valve member which can be secured to the water tank and has a base sleeve position including a radiused inlet to thereby increase the discharge coefficient of the valve opening. A second valve member is coaxially and slidably mounted with respect to the first valve member so that the valve opening is created between the first and second valve members when the second valve member is removed from the first valve member. The second valve member is slidably movable between a first rest position, wherein the second valve member is seated on the base sleeve portion of the first valve member so that water cannot pass through the valve opening, and a second position, wherein the second valve member is removed from the base sleeve portion of the first valve member so that water can pass through the valve opening.

Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl assembly having a toilet bowl and a trapway extending from the bottom of the toilet bowl to a sewage line. The toilet bowl has a rim channel provided along an upper perimeter portion thereof. In this toilet, the flush water flows through the rim channel in a path which is asymmetric and unidirectional along the entire perimeter portion thereof. The rim channel includes a plurality of rim openings distributed evenly along the perimeter of the rim channel. Flush water passing through the plurality of rim openings pre-wets the entire perimeter of the toilet bowl. The rim channel further includes a pair of water discharge slots which directs water directly into the toilet bowl in two powerful streams. The flush valve allowing passage of water from the water tank to the toilet bowl assembly is in the form of a valve inlet having a radiused port to generate greater energy throughput of the flush water.

Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl assembly having a toilet bowl and a trapway extending from the bottom of the toilet bowl to a sewage line. The toilet bowl has a rim channel provided along an upper perimeter portion thereof. In this toilet, the flush water flows through the rim channel in a path which is asymmetric and unidirectional along the entire perimeter portion thereof. The rim channel includes a plurality of rim openings distributed evenly along the perimeter of the rim channel. Flush water passing through the plurality of rim openings pre-wets the entire perimeter of the toilet bowl. The rim channel further includes a pair of water discharge slots which directs water directly into the toilet bowl in two powerful streams. The flush valve allowing passage of water from the water tank to the toilet bowl assembly is in the form of a valve inlet having a radiused port to generate greater energy throughput of the flush water.

Abstract: A centrifugal chiller includes both a unit-mounted full-voltage starter and a unit-mounted reduced-voltage starter. The chiller is rather large with a rated cooling capacity of at least 300 tons and is driven by a motor that is powered by at least 2,000 volts. The chiller includes an evaporator shell and a condenser shell in a staggered arrangement to provide a combined height of between 6 and 12 feet and a combined width of between 5 and 8.5 feet. The staggered arrangement of the shells plus mounting the two starters at opposite sides of the motor provide a chiller whose outer dimensions permit the chiller to be shipped as a single package without exceeding certain shipping limits.

Abstract: A fin tube heat exchanger. The fin tube heat exchanger comprises: a first tube row including a plurality of tubes; and a second tube row including a second plurality of tubes. The first and second tube rows includes a slab portion respectively in contiguous parallel relation with the counterpart slab portion of the other tube row. Each of the first and second tube rows includes a respective first and second spread portion wherein the first and second spread portions are in diverging non-contacting relation with respect to each other.

Abstract: To provide chilled water, a variable-primary-flow system includes two variable speed pumps that pump water through a first chiller and a second chiller. A control energizes the second chiller in response to a cooling demand exceeding that what can be met by the first chiller operating alone, and de-energizes the second chiller upon the cooling demand decreasing to a level below the first chiller's maximum capacity. When both chillers are operating, the capacities of the chillers are modulated in unison to meet the cooling demand. Likewise, when both pumps are running, their speed is modulated in unison to provide a desired pressure.