Abstract: Flow control and fire detection and location apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is used with a system which circulates heated or cooled water for use in connection with the heating and air conditioning system of a building and to sprinker heads. The apparatus comprises a short length of tubing or pipe connected downstream of a sprinkler connection to provide a bypass for flow of heated or cooled water around a segment of the return line from heating or cooling apparatus to a standpipe through which the water is returned to an equipment room. There are check valves to prevent flow of water through the bypass toward the heating or cooling apparatus, and to prevent water flow in the bypassed segment from the heating or cooling apparatus toward the standpipe. There is also a flow sensor in the bypassed segment. In normal operation, water from the heating or cooling apparatus flows through the bypass line to the standpipe and back to the equipment room for heating or cooling and recirculation.

Abstract: An improved method for forming wiring channels in a prefabricated concrete floor slab is disclosed. At least one trench is formed in a concrete floor slab when the slab is poured. A metal cover placed over the trench can have a metal U-shaped channel attached thereto for dividing the trench into at least two and preferably three separate wire raceways with the center raceway completely shielded by the channel and cover*. Access boxes are selectively positioned over knockouts in the cover plate. Metal channels are positioned to extend perpendicular to the trenches for forming main distribution ducts. A concrete surface is then poured over the slab to extend flush with the tops of the access boxes and the main distribution ducts and a cover plate is attached to enclose the main distribution ducts. The resulting floor structure has embedded therein parallel wiring raceways spaced across the floor with spaced accesses into each raceway and main distribution ducts interconnecting the parallel raceways.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a chemical dehumidifier which employs an aqueous hygroscopic solution of glycol and a solar energy collector for use in regenerating the solution. Air to be conditioned is circulated through a contactor of the chemical dehumidifier, in contact with cooled glycol solution. Concentrated hygroscopic glycol solution is circulated from a regenerator to the contactor, while dilute solution is circulated from the contactor to the regenerator. Energy from the solar collector is transferred to facilitate concentration thereof. In one disclosed embodiment energy from the solar collector is also transferred to the generator of heat-powered refrigeration apparatus, e.g., absorption or rankine engine driven refrigeration apparatus.

Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermal compressor which is used to regenerate an aqueous hygroscopic liquid, e.g., a solution of lithium chloride or lithium bromide in water. The regenerated hygroscopic liquid is used both for humidity control in air conditioning apparatus and to absorb water that has been vaporized in an evaporator, thereby enabling the evaporation of further water in the evaporator and the use of water as a refrigerant. In one disclosed embodiment, a molecular still is used in connection with the operation of the thermal compressor.