Abstract: A collapsible expandable air filter assembly includes an expandable pleated filter media, a filter frame made from a cardboard blank that is pre-scored, slit, creased and die cut to define a central area enabling air passage therethrough, and side and end panels foldable to positions generally normal to the central area to form a perimeter wall about the central area to receive and support the expanded air filter media. A filter grill is formed from a cardboard blank and has an open central area and laterally opposite marginal side and end walls foldable to enable mounting on the filter frame to assist in retaining the filter media within the filter frame. Separating fingers are formed integral with or separate from but connectable to the filter grill and are adopted to be positioned between adjacent expandable pleats to evenly position and secure the filter pleats.

Abstract: A modular two-stage electrostatic precipitator for extracting airborne particles includes individual ionizer/collector cell modules having integrated power supplies and diagnostic systems. The cell modules are adapted to be joined blindly to one another in end-to-end nested relation through nestable end plates and in a series circuit utilizing floating electrical connectors. The module end plates provide self-correction in misalignment during a blind connection and provide sealed end plate cavities for the power supply and electrical connections. The diagnostic system provides detection for any open system circuit and/or short circuit condition and allows for trouble shooting on an individual cell module basis.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant air conditioner includes an absorption air conditioner and a liquid desiccant dehumidifier. The dehumidifier includes a liquid desiccant absorber for absorbing moisture contained in ambient air entering the dehumidifier, a boiler for boiling dilute liquid desiccant from the absorber to evaporate moisture and reconstitute the dilute liquid desiccant into concentrated liquid desiccant. A first heat exchanger receives dilute liquid desiccant from the absorber and is operative to heat the dilute liquid desiccant prior to passage to a condenser that receives steam from the boiler and sensibly heats the dilute liquid desiccant therein without direct contact with air, thereby eliminating desiccant carryover from the condenser. A second heat exchanger is operable to transfer heat from concentrated liquid desiccant received from the boiler to preheated dilute liquid desiccant received from the condenser prior to entry into the boiler.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant air conditioner includes an absorption air conditioner and a liquid desiccant dehumidifier.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant dehumidifier includes a liquid desiccant absorber arranged to receive concentrated liquid desiccant and absorb moisture contained in ambient air passed through the absorber thereby diluting the liquid desiccant. A first heat exchanger is operative to heat dilute liquid desiccant received from the desiccant absorber prior to passage to a boiler that evaporates moisture from the diluted liquid desiccant to create steam and reconstitute the desiccant into a concentrated liquid desiccant. Dilute liquid desiccant from the first heat exchanger first passes to a condenser that receives steam from the boiler and sensibly heats the dilute liquid desiccant to a higher second temperature without direct exposure to steam or air.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant dehumidifier includes a liquid desiccant absorber arranged to receive concentrated liquid desiccant and absorb moisture contained in ambient air passed through the absorber thereby diluting the liquid desiccant. A first heat exchanger is operative to heat dilute liquid desiccant received from the desiccant absorber prior to passage to a boiler that evaporates moisture from the diluted liquid desiccant to create steam and reconstitute the desiccant into a concentrated liquid desiccant. Dilute liquid desiccant from the first heat exchanger first passes to a condenser that receives steam from the boiler and sensibly heats the dilute liquid desiccant to a higher second temperature without direct exposure to steam or air.

Abstract: A housing has a first side and a second side. A first opening is disposed in the first side. A second opening and a third opening are disposed in the second side. An enthalpy wheel has a first side facing surface and an opposite second side facing surface. The enthalpy wheel is rotatably mounted within the housing. Approximately half of the second side facing surface of the enthalpy wheel is in fluid communication with the second opening. Approximately the remaining half of the second side facing surface is in fluid communication with the third opening. Substantially the entire first side facing surface is in fluid communication with the first opening. A first fan is mounted within the housing adjacent to the second opening. A second fan is mounted within the housing adjacent to the third opening.

Abstract: A float controlled valve has a float chamber for accumulating a fluid, a pivoting float arm having a float mounted on one end thereof for fluid level determined movement within the chamber, a pivotally mounted actuator arm coupled to the float arm by a magnet driver and having a first magnet mounted at one end of the actuator arm; a pivotally mounted control arm having a second magnet attached thereto, in magnet coupling relationship with the first magnet, and valve means coupled to the pivotally mounted control arm for controlling fluid flow from the chamber in response to movement of the float.

Abstract: A refrigerant control, for a room air conditioner, operates to reduce the load on the compressor by throttling the flow of refrigerant to a predetermined number of circuits in the condensor, while allowing the flow of refrigerant to the remaining circuits to be unaffected.

Abstract: A heater for a clothes dryer has a centrally mounted fan operable to drive air radially outwardly, and a radially mounted heater disposed circumferentially about the fan and downstream thereof. The heater is supported on a series of insulated retainer devices which include a radiation baffle operable to prevent lint from building up in the vicinity of the heating element and spacer portions operable to serve as a positioning stop for the rear seal of the heater.

Abstract: A fan motor unit for use in combination with a room air conditioner has two separate motors formed in a unitary housing for separately driving the evaporator and the condenser coil fans. By tailoring the characteristics of each motor to the requirements of each motor's respective fans, a reduction in total energy consumed by the unit can be realized.

Abstract: An improved heat transfer fin structure of the type normally fabricated from sheet metal and wrapped about a conduit to provide enhanced heat transfer efficiency between the conduit and a fluid in contact with the conduit, has a plurality of elongated leg portions spaced apart from each other and openings defined in the space between the leg portions. The structure provides the advantage of high efficiency combined with high peripheral stability.

Abstract: An improved solar energy collector has a twisted expanded metal/bristle fin combination structure which provides improved energy absorbing efficiency, good peripheral stability, and efficient heat transfer capabilities. The structure is normally formed by wrapping and thereby expanding, a lanced sheet metal about a conduit in a spiral fashion. In the preferred embodiment, the outer peripheral structure presents a series of protrusions wherein every other protrusion is twisted at an angle with respect to the spiraling structure.

Abstract: A control means is provided in the control circuit for a heat pump whereby a change in mode of the heat pump will result in the compressor being deenergized and maintained deenergized for a period of time determined by the control means, to allow equalization of refrigerant pressure within the heat pump system.

Abstract: A drying rack for a dryer of the type having a rotating drum. The rack is adapted to prevent the tumbling of articles received in the rack as the drum rotates. The rack comprises an open-work basket portion that receives the articles to be dried. The basket comprises a bottom wall, opposed side walls, a front wall and a rear wall. A cover is provided for closing the basket portion and cooperating closing means on the basket portion and the cover are provided for affixing the cover to the basket portion at a selected one of a plurality of different heights from the bottom wall. Accordingly, the cover pressure will maintain the articles in place and prevent relative motion therebetween regardless of the height of the pile of articles received in the basket. Additionally, mounting means is provided for releasably mounting the rack on the drum to prevent tumbling of the rack as the drum rotates.

Abstract: An arcuate door stop for use in limiting the opening of the door on a clothes dryer or other appliance having a similar type of downwardly pivoting access door, has an arcuate link pivotally secured, near one end, to the door and a plurality of detents spaced from the end secured to the door, which cooperate with a transverse roller mounted on the appliance to support the door in a like plurality of different open positions including a position in which the door is displaced substantially 180.degree. from its closed position and in spaced relationship to the face of the cabinet appliance to permit unobstructed access to the interior of the appliance. A spring serves to both bias the link into engagement with the roller and to counterbalance the door.

Abstract: Independent rotational and translational movement imparting apparatus is provided to move a workpiece along its axis and to rotate it about its own axis. The apparatus includes two separate timing mechanisms which are interconnected with a common mechanism to impart movement to the workpiece. The common mechanism includes an interconnecting gear arrangement which is responsive to impart translatory movement or rotary movement, each independent of the other and each separately controlled.

Abstract: A drying rack that is adapted to maintain selected articles stationary while a clothes dryer executes a tumble dry cycle. The rack comprises an open latticework basket pivotally mounted on the front door of the dryer by a bracket. The bracket is sized to position the basket within the interior of the drum when the door is closed and to position the basket outside the drum when the door is in the open position. The basket pivots as the door is moved from the open to the closed position so that the open top of the basket always remains uppermost.