Abstract: In a vapor compression refrigeration system an improvement for isolating the compressor from work on a substantial component of refrigerant flashing to vapor upstream of the evaporator, wherein refrigerant liquid from the condenser is collected in a holding vessel from which it is intermittently emptied into an expansion device thereby generating flash vapor in the holding vessel which is prevented from passing through the expansion device and evaporator for return to the compressor.

Abstract: In coolness storage apparatus wherein brine in heat exchange tubes freezes and melts water and air is bubbled up through the water during the melting cycle to enhance heat exchange efficiency by gently circulating the water, vertical heat transfer strips in thermal conducting contact with the tubes for accelerating melting along each strip early in the discharge cycle to open channels through which the air bubbles stream to the top zone of the tank.

Abstract: In a refrigeration or air-conditioning process, a method applicable to the replacement of potentially ozone-depleting oil-miscible refrigerants such as R-12 with non-ozone-depleting oil-immiscible refrigerants such as R-134a, wherein a conventional expansion device is replaced by a self-regulating pulsed nozzling device for pulsed circulation of the immiscible oil in the new refrigerant to create accelerated intermittent high velocity bursts of substantially unrestricted refrigerant flow imparting sufficient momentum to move the oil with the refrigerant through all stages of the process.

Abstract: A thermodynamic system, such as a vapor compression refrigeration system, in which a binary expansion valve allows pulsed high velocity flow to an evaporator through an isentropic flow nozzle wherein the valve is controlled in response to evaporator pressure.

Abstract: A thermally insulated ice-cap prevention barrier in an ice bank, extending across the container thereof above a brine-conducting tube bundle immersed in a phase-change material, to prevent freezing of the phase-change material in an expansion space above the barrier and below a cover on the container.

Abstract: A coolness storage air conditioner appliance in which water is frozen in chambers during protracted charging cycles by refrigeration apparatus of sufficiently low capacity to permit heat discharge into an interior air space and is melted during brief cooling cycles by air circulated through passageways in heat-transfer relation with the ice, the discharged circulated air thereby cooling the interior air space.

Abstract: An ejector-type vapor compression refrigeration system wherein the coefficient of performance is maximized by the selection of the propellant and refrigerant fluids, the propellant being a perfluorocarbon immiscible with the refrigerant and having a relatively low heat of vaporization and high molecular weight and the refrigerant having a relatively high heat of vaporization and low molecular weight.

Abstract: A refrigerant mixture consisting essentially of trichlorofluoromethane (R-11) and dichlorohexafluoropropane (R-216) which has a higher saturated vapor density than that of pure R-11 and which exhibits an azeotrope at approximately 74% by weight of R-11 and 26% by weight of R-216.

Abstract: A multi-mode off-peak storage heat pump system for a building which includes a unidirectional flow refrigerant circuit and a brine circuit in selective heat exchange relation with one another, each being connected to a dual coil in ducts wherein air can be circulated within and between the inside and outside of the building, and an ice bank in the brine circuit for coolness and low-level heat storage, the system providing heating and cooling with no refrigerant reversing valves or coil defrost means and with optimum off-peak power utilization.

Abstract: While many materials and additives which will melt and freeze at various temperature levels for storing and releasing large amounts of heat thereby per unit volume have been disclosed, the packaging of these materials with suitable non-corrodible long-lasting heat exchange structures has been cumbersome and expensive. The present invention provides an inexpensive, high performance, non-corrodible thermal storage method and system adapted for use with heat storage materials of various compositions and adapted for use over a wide range of temperatures, including a heat exchanger which provides for phase change to occur approximately simultaneously throughout the volume of the entire storage mass and provides for the sites at which the phase change is occurring to be approximately uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the heat storage material. Problems of thermal expansion, stratification and sub-cooling are eliminated.

Abstract: While many materials and additives which will melt and freeze at various temperature levels for storing and releasing large amounts of heat thereby per unit volume have been disclosed, the packaging of these materials with suitable non-corrodible long-lasting heat exchange structures has been cumbersome and expensive. The present invention provides an inexpensive, high performance, non-corrodible thermal storage method and system adapted for use with heat storage materials of various compositions and adapted for use over a wide range of temperatures, including a heat exchanger which provides for phase change to occur approximately simultaneously throughout the volume of the entire storage mass and provides for the sites at which the phase change is occurring to be approximately uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the heat storage material. Problems of thermal expansion, stratification and sub-cooling are eliminated.

Abstract: Anhydrous sodium sulfate has been shown to have higher thermal content than any other low cost solid material because of its high density, high specific heat, and additional reversible latent heat of solid-to-solid crystal phase change at around 465.degree. F. By compressing anhydrous sodium sulfate into pellets and then forming a bed of these pellets and passing a heated fluid through the bed a relatively great quantity of heat energy may be economically stored in a relatively small volume. Moreover, a rapid rate of heat transfer into or out of the pebble bed can be achieved, up to 400,000 Btu per hour per cubic foot. The same heat transfer fluid may be used to withdraw the heat from the bed for use in space heating or other purposes. The fluid may be air, other inert gases, or a non-acqueous heat transfer liquid which does not react with sodium sulfate, such as a modified terphenyl or a high temperature oil.

Abstract: The practical large scale use of solar energy depends primarily upon the first cost of solar collectors per unit area being greatly reduced below known designs without loss of efficiency. The subject invention introduces a method of making flat plate solar collectors for heating liquid in which the use of metal and glass is almost totally eliminated, weight is greatly reduced, and assembly of the components is done at the site from rolls of flexible materials in lengths to fit the available space. While materials of much lower thermal conductivity than metal are used, the increased surface area and close spacing of liquid tubes provided by employing this invention more than make up for the lower conductivity. Standard insulation board covered with roofing cement and other adhesives serves as the base and frame to hold small synthetic rubber tubes, headers, and flexible cover material made of transparent fiberglass reinforced plastic.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating and maintaining an ice slab for skating purposes, or an ice chute for a toboggan slide, or for maintaining a layer of snow for skiing. The apparatus includes pluralities of small diameter flexible plastic tubes arranged in grids in portable mats with the tubes placed close to one another and arranged with each input or supply tube portion closely adjacent to an outlet or return tube portion providing an advantageous uniform temperature effect at a small distance above the tubes. A low temperature anti-freeze liquid is pumped through the tubes to provide the desired uniform cooling effect, and the portable mats each include a pair of sub-headers which can conveniently be coupled together with main headers to form a large grid the size of an ice skating rink, or a ski slope.