Abstract: An incipient failure indication apparatus for an environmental control system which includes a heat exchanger through which air flows and a temperature control thermostat. The indication apparatus includes an indicator having an alarm in communication with a control board, the control board in communication with the thermostat. The alarm has a visual indicator and/or an aural indicator, whereby the attention of a person is attracted to the indicator upon activation of the alarm. A first temperature sensor is disposed on the upstream side of the heat exchanger and a second temperature sensor is disposed on the downstream side of the heat exchanger, whereby the temperature sensors respectively sense the temperature of the air upstream and downstream of the heat exchanger. The first and second temperature sensors are in communication with the control board, and the control board has means for comparing the temperatures sensed thereby.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use with a furnace, each heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchanger elements. Each heat exchanger element includes a pair of clamshells sealingly attached to one another. The heat exchanger element includes a longitudinal axis. A pair of depressions are disposed in each respective said pair of clamshells. The depressions face one another to form a passageway wall and a serpentine fluid passageway therebetween. At least a portion of the serpentine fluid passageway extends along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of enhancements are formed in the depressions and are disposed within the portion of the serpentine fluid passageway. The plurality of enhancements project into the serpentine fluid passageway. Each enhancement constitutes a corrugation having a substantially trapezoidal longitudinal cross-section. A longitudinally positioned passageway wall portion is extended between each adjacently positioned enhancements within each clamshell.

Abstract: A condenser unit (10) for an air conditioner or heat pump system has a cabinet defining a control box (50). A sloping support shelf (52) is provided within the control box (50). Electrical components (72, 74, 76, 80) are mounted to the sloping support shelf (52) so as to facilitate viewability and accessibility.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for use with a heating and cooling system having a body, at least one connecting tube positioned adjacent the body and a fluid regulating device positioned in each connecting tube. The body defines a first passageway for flow of a fluid, such as refrigerant, in a first direction and a second direction. Each of the connecting tubes defines a second passageway for flow of the refrigerant in the first and second directions. The first and second passageways are in communication with one another. The regulating device regulates flow of the refrigerant through the first and second passageways in the first and second directions.

Abstract: An incipient failure indication apparatus for an environmental control system which includes a heat exchanger through which air flows and a temperature control thermostat. The indication apparatus includes an indicator having an alarm in communication with a control board, the control board in communication with the thermostat. The alarm has a visual indicator and/or an aural indicator, whereby the attention of a person is attracted to the indicator upon activation of the alarm. A first temperature sensor is disposed on the upstream side of the heat exchanger and a second temperature sensor is disposed on the downstream side of the heat exchanger, whereby the temperature sensors respectively sense the temperature of the air upstream and downstream of the heat exchanger. The first and second temperature sensors are in communication with the control board, and the control board has means for comparing the temperatures sensed thereby.

Abstract: An enclosure surrounding the burner of a furnace, including a top panel, a rear panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, and first and second side panels. An air inlet is provided in one of the panels. A baffle is provided within the enclosure and extends between two opposed panels, each of the opposed panels adjacent the panel having the inlet. A chamber is partly defined by the baffle, the inlet opening into the chamber. The chamber is provided with a vent through which the inlet is in fluid communication with the burner.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) including a heat exchanger conduit and fins arranged on the conduit tubes (12, 12') to further heat transfer between the external fluid flowing over the fins (22, 22') and the fluid flowing within the conduit. The fins (22, 22') include a row of apertures through which tubes (12, 12') of the heat exchanger conduit extend. The leading (4, 6) and trailing (48) edges of the fins (22, 22') are contoured to substantially conform to isotherms around the circulating fluid flowing within the tubes (12, 12'). To achieve this edge configuration while also allowing for a dense packing of fins and tubes in a multi-row heat exchanger, the leading and trailing edges are wave-shaped such that adjacent fins can interfit together.

Abstract: A horizontal combined air intake and combustion gas vent terminal assembly is provided having improved wind pressure response and anti-recirculation characteristics. The terminal has a vent conduit disposed inside an air intake conduit. A scoop assembly is provided at the intake conduit inlet to increase the intake air pressure at the inlet. The vent conduit is nozzle-like to throttle combustion gases, thereby accelerating the gases and permitting the terminal to project the gases away from the intake conduit terminal. Vent conduit is disposed asymmetrically with intake conduit to further discourage mixing of intake air and combustion gases. The terminal may also be provided with a static pressure measuring means to provide an intrinsic safety shut down system within the terminal in case of blockage of the intake or vent by snow, ice or other debris.

Abstract: The present invention is a charge balance device for a heat pump. The heat pump system has a heating and a cooling mode and includes an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor, refrigerant circuitry connecting the heat exchangers and the compressor in series arrangement, with the charge balance device connected in parallel arrangement with the outdoor heat exchanger. An accumulator is connected in line with the refrigerant circuit at a point immediately upstream of the suction side of the compressor for storing excess liquid refrigerant during heating mode. The charge balance device includes a check valve for blocking refrigerant flow, thus preventing the diversion of refrigerant flow around the outdoor heat exchanger during cooling mode, and a restrictor orifice for throttling refrigerant flow, thus regulating the flow of refrigerant diverted around the outdoor heat exchanger during heating mode.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an evaporator coil with a drain pan having alternative drain openings which receive movable primary and secondary drain plugs. A drain pan for use with horizontal A-coils is provided with alternative drain pan openings permitting a variety of configurations whereby the evaporator coil may be oriented in the space conditioning system in the most effective manner depending upon on-site conditions. A combination horizontal coil support and drainage duct with coil baffle provides a channel for effective communication of drainage fluid from the coil to the drain pan.

Abstract: The present invention involves a rain shield assembly for a package air conditioner and heat pump unit. A cover is pivotally mounted to the package unit housing and has a sealing pad made of a resilient foam material. When the cover is moved to a sealing position, the foam pad contacts foam sealing strips that are attached to the unit housing and that separately ring access openings provided in the housing. Electrical circuitry such as circuit breakers may port through these access openings. Cavities are provided in the sealing pad in alignment with the access openings to accommodate projecting handles or switches of the electrical circuitry. The contact between the sealing pad and the sealing strips forms water-tight seals around the portion of the electrical circuitry projecting from the package unit housing so as to protect the circuitry from potentially damaging exposure to the elements.

Abstract: The present invention is an enhanced tubular heat exchanger for a furnace with the heat tubes of the heat exchanger having two straight sections connected by a bend. The tubes of the heat exchanger include an enhanced portion which has a smaller cross-sectional area than the flue portion, in the form of an elliptically shaped tube. The enhanced portion further includes turbulators to promote the heat exchange from the heated flue gases. Circulation of air around the exterior of the tubes is also facilitated because the enhanced portion is disposed at a small angle relative to the flue portion. A plurality of tubes are disposed within the heat exchanger so that the circulation air first flows over the enhanced portions then over and around the generally cylindrical portions. This lowers the initial pressure drop in the circulation air flow and thereby facilitates the circulation of and heat transfer to the air being heated.

Abstract: An induced draft, fuel-fired furnace having a heat exchanger with an inlet and an outlet includes a vent having an inlet, a burner, and a vented vestibule in fluid communication with the vent. A blower has an inlet in fluid communication with the heat exchanger outlet, and an outlet disposed at the inlet of the vent. The blower outlet has a cross-sectional area smaller than the vent inlet. The vent inlet and blower outlet define a vent inlet opening. A drafthood formed with an inlet is disposed in the vestibule and forms a plenum in fluid communication with the vent inlet opening. A source of combustion products is disposed in the furnace such that combustion products produced thereby are in fluid communication with the drafthood inlet and vent inlet opening. The source of combustion products includes either a standing pilot or electronic ignitor for igniting fuel operably discharged from the burner.