Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an air channel configured to receive air from an equipment rack. A fluid circuit is provided having a bi-phase coolant flowing therethrough. The fluid circuit includes a coolant channel coupled to the equipment rack and positioned adjacent to the air channel. The bi-phase coolant is part liquid and part gas as the bi-phase coolant flows through the coolant channel. The bi-phase coolant is configured to condition the air flowing through the air channel.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an air channel configured to receive air from an equipment rack. A fluid circuit is provided having a bi-phase coolant flowing therethrough. The fluid circuit includes a coolant channel coupled to the equipment rack and positioned adjacent to the air channel. The bi-phase coolant is part liquid and part gas as the bi-phase coolant flows through the coolant channel. The bi-phase coolant is configured to condition the air flowing through the air channel.

Abstract: A cooling unit includes a fluid circuit through which coolant fluid is pumped. A portion of the fluid circuit is positioned within a space through which air flows. A sensor is positioned within the space. The sensor determines an ambient dew point of the air in the space. A parameter adjuster adjusts a parameter of the coolant fluid in the fluid circuit based on the ambient dew point in the space.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an air channel configured to receive air from an equipment rack. A fluid circuit is provided having a bi-phase coolant flowing therethrough. The fluid circuit includes a coolant channel coupled to the equipment rack and positioned adjacent to the air channel. The bi-phase coolant is part liquid and part gas as the bi-phase coolant flows through the coolant channel. The bi-phase coolant is configured to condition the air flowing through the air channel.

Abstract: Heat pump equipment comprising at least three heat exchangers, one of which is intended to be located in an enclosed region and the other two of which are intended to be located outside the enclosed region. Each heat exchanger has a delta connection end connected in heat-exchange fluid communication with a delta arrangement. The delta connection end of each heat exchanger is connected to both of the delta connection ends of the other two heat exchangers via the delta arrangement. There are three fluid-expansion devices, one between the two connections of each pair of adjacent connections of the heat exchangers to the delta arrangement. The present invention extends to heat pump equipment comprising at least three heat exchangers connected in a heat-exchange fluid circuit, one of which heat exchangers is intended to be located in an enclosed region and another of which is intended to be located outside the enclosed region.

Abstract: A gas-fired humidifier includes a heat exchanger with a plurality of generally upwardly extending tubes. These are connected at their lower ends to a source of water and at their upper ends to a steam header. A gas-fired burner is arranged to direct heat to the exterior of the tubes so as to cause water therein to boil and form steam in the steam header.

Abstract: A steam-raising system comprising a boiler having (a) a passageway for water and/or steam, (b) an inlet to the passageway through which water is introduced continuously for given periods when the boiler is in use, (c) a burner to heat the passageway from the outside thereof, and (d) an outlet from the passageway from which steam emerges continuously as water is introduced through the inlet. The system further comprises a pump connected by a flow-path to the said inlet to pump water thereto along the said flow-path. The pump is a variable-flow-rate pump constructed to provide a flow-rate through it which is substantially independent of its downstream pressure.

Abstract: Heat exchange equipment comprising a compressor which is connected to an indoor heat exchanger and also to two outdoor heat exchangers, and flow-direction changing means to change the direction of flow in the heat exchangers whereby each of the outdoor heat exchangers can be defrosted whilst the other continues to remove heat from its surroundings. Pressure lowering means are provided between the two outdoor heat exchangers.

Abstract: A steam outlet assembly comprises a metal tubular portion within which steam passes when the assembly is in use. A plastics steam nozzle extends through apertures in the tubular portion which are spaced apart circumferentially therearound. The plastics nozzle is provided with a transverse through-bore in the tubular portion interior opening out at a head end and/or a screw-threaded end of the nozzle, outside the tubular portion. The nozzle is provided with seals means around apertures on the outside of the tubular portion.

Abstract: A steam-raising system comprising a boiler. The boiler has (a) a passageway for water and/or steam, (b) an inlet to the passageway through which water is introduced continuously for given periods when the boiler is in use, (c) a heater to heat the passageway, and (d) an outlet from the passageway from which steam emerges continuously as water is introduced through the inlet. The system further comprises a pump connected by a flow-path to the said inlet to pump water thereto along the said flow-path, and flow-control means in the said flow-path. The flow-control means comprise a plurality of lines which constitute a part of the flow-path, which are connected between the pump and boiler in parallel with one another, and which are independently openable to enable the amount of water delivered to the boiler to be varied.

Abstract: An electrode boiler comprises a container for containing water and electrodes within the container which serves to pass electrical current through such water and which is generally upright when in use. Feed and drain systems are connected to the container to enable water to be fed to and drained therefrom. An outlet is provided through which steam generated inside the container can pass. An electrode current indicator provides an indication of the value of the electrical current passing through the electrodes. A controlling computer is connected to the feed and drain systems and the electrode current indicator. The controlling computer is set to cause the feed system to open when a predetermined drop in the electrode current has occurred owing to a boiling away of water from the boiler, and then to cause the feed system to close when a predetermined increase in the electrode current has occurred owing to the introduction of water into the boiler.

Abstract: A steam-raising system comprising a boiler, a pump connected by a flow passageway to the boiler to pump water thereto, and flow-control means connected to the flow passageway between the pump and the boiler to control the flow of water from the pump to the boiler. The flow-control means comprise at least two relief means in parallel with one another, but with their points of connection to the flow passageway between the pump and the boiler spaced apart in series with one another. The invention extends to method of operating a steam-raising system such that the system is controlled to keep its condition close to a minimum of the temperature and/or pressure of output from a boiler of the system expressed as a function of the flowrate of water supplied to the boiler.

Abstract: An electrode boiler comprising a container for containing water and electrodes within the container which serve to pass electrical current through such water and which are generally upright when the boiler is in use. Fill and drain valves are connected to the container to enable water to be fed to and drained from the container. An outlet of the container enables steam generated inside the container to pass out therefrom when the boiler is in use. A water level contact member is arranged to cause a signal to occur when the water in the container reaches a predetermined level. The boiler is provided with a store to store the value of an allowed time for water to boil away from the said predetermined level until the water is no longer in contact with the contact member. A timer is connected to time the actual time it takes for such boiling away to occur, and comparator is connected to the store and the timer to effect a comparison between the allowed time and the said actual time.