Abstract: A reversible aero-hydraulic generator capable of operating as a turbo-pump or as a motor-compressor, and a heat energy recovery installation including such a generator.The generator comprises a positive displacement pump (5) and an axial turbine (6) tandem connected and coupled by their respective shafts (23 and 11) so that one can drive the other directly and disposed within a single sleeve (1) having end connecting flanges (3 and 4), whereby the sleeve can be directly inserted within a conduit for a first fluid, in the gaseous or vapor phase state, so that the first fluid can pass axially through the sleeve (1), and inlet and outlet conduits (31 and 32) for a second fluid in the liquid or vapor phase, for the pump (5), the conduits (31, 32) passing through the sleeve (1). A heat recovery installation can comprise such a generator for the recovery of heat energy from a drier for printing ink with the pump output used to drive a hydraulic motor to assist in driving the rollers of a printing press.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for control of the climatic environment of an underground enclosure having at least one source tending to emit a quantity of extraneous heat and associated with premises presenting a potential need for heating. Utilization is made directly of the regulating characteristics of the ground at a depth taking account of thermal inertia in order to enable the ground to operate as a heat source or thermal absorbent. For this purpose, apparatus is provided which is arranged entirely under the level of the ground at a mean depth which should not exceed 10 m, at latitudes in France, but this depth is variable according to the particular geological nature of the terrain. To take advantage of the thermal buffer the temperature of which is generally about 12.degree. C. in the Parisian region, the apparatus includes a wall structure with some of the walls formed of a material with a high coefficient of thermal exchange.

Abstract: A central heating plant having a principal heat source and a make-up heat source which can operate simultaneously. A series of principal heat diffusers are connected in parallel and arranged to be supplied with heat-carrying fluid from either or both of the heat sources, and a series of make-up heat diffusers are connected in parallel and arranged to be supplied from either one or both of the heat sources. The two series of diffusers are arranged to be supplied with heat at the same time, separately, or alternately.