Abstract: A material handling apparatus is described, for example, for delivering bags of garbage to an incinerator. The apparatus includes a plurality of material-receiving compartments, each having a first end at which material can be loaded into the compartment, and a second end from which material can be discharged. Each compartment includes a belt conveyor which forms a bottom wall of the compartment and which is operable to move material longitudinally of the compartment in a direction towards said second end. Side walls of the compartment extend upwardly adjacent respective the opposite sides of the conveyor for laterally constraining material in the compartment. The compartment also includes closure means normally preventing discharge of material from said second end of the compartment, said closure means being adapted to be opened at appropriate times to allow material to be discharged from said compartment by operating the belt conveyor.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus is described, for example, for delivering bags of garbage to an incinerator. The apparatus includes a series of bins for receiving waste material, each bin having an open upper end through which material can be introduced into the bin, and each bin including means operable to appropriate times to eject material upwardly out of the open upper end of the bin. The bins are disposed in a cascade arrangement so that material can be progressively conveyed through the apparatus to a discharge location by appropriately operating the material ejecting means of the respective bins.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of air conditioning a multi-storey building having a core area and a plurality of occupied spaces disposed around said core area and arranged in zones. The method includes the steps of recirculating air in each said zone from the occupied spaces in said zone to a common fan compartment and back to said spaces through individual ducts, while maintaining the air entering said ducts at a temperature at least substantially as high as the temperature of the air returned to the fan compartment from said spaces. The air flowing through each duct is individually cooled in the event that the temperature of the air in the associated space is above the required temperature. Conditioned fresh air is delivered to the core area of the building for cooling said area and make-up air is delivered to the individual zones of the building from said conditioned fresh air as required. An air conditioning system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a building having a building cooling load is described. The system includes a cooling circuit for a cooling fluid. The building cooling load is connected in the circuit. The circuit includes means for circulating the cooling fluid unidirectionally in the circuit and through the building cooling load, and means for cooling the fluid. The system also includes means for delivering fresh air to the building, including an inlet duct having a outer end communicating with ambient air outside the building, and means for drawing air into the building through the duct. The cooling circuit includes a heat transfer coil connected in the circuit upstream of the cooling means and defining a fluid flow path for the cooling fluid. The coil is arranged in the fresh air inlet duct so as to allow heat energy transfer between air in the duct and fluid in the coil.

Abstract: A combined heating and cooling system for a building is described. The system includes a heating circuit and a cooling circuit. The circuits are coupled to heat energy storage reservoirs. Each reservoir defines an elongate flow path along which water can flow in the form of a column. Using heat from the heating circuit, one or more of the reservoirs can be charged with hot water which is stored in the reservoir(s). The stored hot water is subsequently used to boost the temperature in the heating circuit. Similarly, water cooled by the cooling circuit can be stored in other reservoir(s) for subsequent use in boosting the cooling action of the cooling circuit. A heating system or a cooling system may also be provided.

Abstract: A wall structure is described and incorporates an air outlet unit for a forced air circulation system. The structure includes vertical posts which define at least two adjacent wall sections. The air outlet unit is built into one of the wall sections and communicates with one or more adjacent sections by way of openings in the posts. In a preferred embodiment each wall section includes a window panel having a sill member. The sill members are formed with openings at the inner sides of the window panels. Air delivered to the outlet unit issues upwardly through the openings in the sill members.

Abstract: A combined heating and cooling system for a building is described. The system includes a heating circuit and a cooling circuit. The circuits are coupled to heat energy storage reservoirs. Each reservoir defines an elongate flow path along which water can flow in the form of a column. Using heat from the heating circuit, one or more of the reservoirs can be charged with hot water which is stored in the reservoir(s). The stored hot water is subsequently used to boost the temperature in the heating circuit. Similarly, water cooled by the cooling circuit can be stored in other reservoir(s) for subsequent use in boosting the cooling action of the cooling circuit. A heating system or a cooling system may also be provided.

Abstract: A combined heating and cooling system for a building is described. The system includes a heating circuit and a cooling circuit. The circuits are coupled to heat energy storage reservoirs. Each reservoir defines an elongate flow path along which water can flow in the form of a column. Using heat from the heating circuit, one or more of the reservoirs can be charged with hot water which is stored in the reservoir(s). The stored hot water is subsequently used to boost the temperature in the heating circuit. Similarly, water cooled by the cooling circuit can be stored in other reservoir(s) for subsequent use in boosting the cooling action of the cooling circuit. A heating system or a cooling system may also be provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the temperature in a building having a heat transfer load, a temperature control circuit containing a temperature control fluid for transferring heat energy to or from the building load, and a heat energy storage reservoir for storing heat energy. Energy is transferred between the storage reservoir and the fluid in the control circuit at optimum times to reduce the external energy required to control the temperature of the building. The amount of heat energy required to be transferred to or from the building load during a predetermined interval is predicted from load profiles. The amount of energy in the reservoir is measured to determine the amount of existing available energy to be transferred between the building load and the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the temperature in a building having a heat transfer load, a temperature control circuit containing a temperature control fluid for transferring heat energy to or from the building load, and a heat energy storage reservoir for storing heat energy. Energy is transferred between the storage reservoir and the fluid in the control circuit at optimum times to reduce the external energy required to control the temperature of the building. The amount of heat energy required to be transferred to or from the building load during a predetermined interval is predicted from load profiles. The amount of energy in the reservoir is measured to determine the amount of existing available energy to be transferred between the building load and the reservoir.