Abstract: A diagnostic tool suite is made available to technicians servicing equipment at residential and business locations using a portable device such as a PDA. The PDA runs a main engine that can execute diagnostic modules, with each diagnostic module corresponding to a particular appliance or device that requires troubleshooting, repair, diagnosis, maintenance or installation. The diagnostic modules use a limited number of templates to define possible screen layouts for each screen displayed to the technician. Additionally, the diagnostic module includes a diagnostic flow definition file wherein each record corresponds to a screen displayed to a technician. The main engine uses the template information and the diagnostic flow definition records to fully define a screen to display to a technician. In this way, an extensible, modular, non-specific diagnostic tool suite is available to a technician.

Abstract: A transition fitting for directing fluid from a first line into a second line includes a body, an inlet, an outlet, and a channel. The body defines a constant-volume channel that redirects a direction of the fluid entering the inlet. The inlet is connected to the body and connectable to the first line, and the inlet directs the fluid from the first line into the channel. The outlet is connected to the body and connectable to the second line, and the outlet directs the fluid from the channel into the second line. The bracket is connected to the body and at least partially surrounds the body.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow-control device is automatically operable between a normal or low-flow condition and a pressure relief or high-flow condition in response to pressure drop across the flow-control device, in one embodiment the flow-control device includes a tubular-shaped body having an inlet, an outlet, and a refrigerant passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet, a cylindrically-shaped restrictor secured within the tube and forming a second restriction, and a cylindrically-shaped collar secured within the tube and forming a poppet-valve flow passage. The collar is spaced-apart from the restrictor within the tube. A poppet is located within the tube partially between the restrictor and the collar and carries a valve element. The poppet is movable between a first position closing the poppet-valve flow passage to generally prevent refrigerant flow therethrough and a second position opening the poppet-valve flow passage to permit refrigerant flow therethrough. The poppet forms a first restriction.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow-control valve operable between a no-flow condition and a flow condition in response to a control signal supplied thereto. The flow-control valve includes a tubular-shaped body forming a refrigerant passageway extending from an inlet to an outlet, a cylindrically-shaped restrictor secured within the tube and forming a restriction, and a cylindrically-shaped stop secured within the tube and forming a plunger valve flow passage. The stop is located downstream and spaced-apart from the restrictor and the restriction has a greater resistance to flow than the valve flow passage. A plunger is within the tube between the restrictor and the stop and carries a valve element. The plunger is movable between a first position closing the valve flow passage to generally prevent refrigerant flow therethrough and through the passageway and a second position opening the valve flow passage to permit refrigerant flow therethrough and through the passageway.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow-control valve is operable between a mid-flow condition, a low-flow condition, and a high-flow condition in response to an electronic control signal supplied thereto and a pressure drop across the valve. The valve includes a tubular-shaped body having an inlet and an outlet and forming a refrigerant passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet, a cylindrically-shaped restrictor secured within the tube and forming a first restriction, a cylindrically shaped end stop secured within the tube and spaced-apart from the restrictor, and a plunger within the tube between the restrictor and the end stop. The plunger forms a first valve-element flow passage between its outer periphery and the tube and carries a first valve element which movable between a first position closing the first valve-element flow passage and a second position opening the first valve-element flow passage. The second restriction has a greater resistance to refrigerant flow than the first restriction.

Abstract: A demand defrost controller for a heat pump. The controller compares the temperature of an outdoor heat exchange coil with an enable temperature. A timer is activated when the coil temperature is less than the enable temperature. When the timer senses the compressor has run for a predetermined time the controller checks outdoor and coil temperatures to determine if a defrost cycle of the heat pump should be conducted. A defrost cycle is achieved by reversing refrigerant flow in the heat pump system for a predetermined period or until the outdoor heat exchange coil has been heated to a termination temperature.

Abstract: A temperature sensor. Two thick film resistor elements are mounted to a substrate and then a thermistor coupled to those elments to form a voltage divider. The resistance of the thermistor is determined at a reference temperature and the thick film resistor elements are precisely trimmed using a laser trimming system to produce a precision voltage divider. To sense temperatures the voltage divider is energized and its resistance ratio is sensed utilizing a bridge circuit.

Abstract: A temperature sensing circuit including a temperature sensing element located at a medium to sense the temperature of the medium. The sensing element is a resistive element with a range of resistive values corresponding to a range of sensed temperatures. The sensing element is connected to circuitry for detecting variations of the resistance of the element. The circuitry provides an output signal of one state when the element resistance increases beyond a first value and provides an output signal of a second state when the element resistance decreases beyond a second value.

Abstract: A temperature compensated switching relay with thermally effected switching delay should be of simple and compact construction and reliable in switching with precisely adjustable switching delay. For this purpose, the switching relay comprises a switching member (1) movable between two end positions and bearing a permanent magnet (2), with an inherent snapping action to actuate at least one switching contact (6), on opposite sides of the permanent magnet (2) in its direction of movement a first and a second paramagnetic member (3, 4) is provided, on the first paramagnetic member (3) a PTC resistor (5) feedable by a source of current is mounted, and in the end position of the switching member (1) at the second paramagnetic member (4) the distance (A) of the permanent magnet (2) from the first paramagnetic member (3) is less than its distance (B) from the second paramagnetic member (4). The ratios of the distances of the permanent magnet (2) from the paramagnetic members (3, 4) can expediently be adjusted.

Abstract: A pressure switch device for use in an air-conditioning system, specifically a three stage device capable of switching, for example, a combined low/high pressure switch, and an on/off switch for activating compressor and condenser elements of the system, respectively. The device includes an operating chamber, a yieldable plastic membrane having roll membrane faces for transmitting system pressure level changes to pistons, a leaf spring disc and levers activating pairs of switching contacts. Upon application of three different operating pressures, each of the pistons transmitting a different pressure level, the levers and lever joints having tension springs, operate to bias the switching contacts to open and closed positions, thereby activating or deactivating the system elements.

Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing(1) which can be secured to the engine block of a motor vehicle and a temperature sensitive element (4) which is in contact with the cooling medium of the motor. In order to guarantee switching dependent on the temperature (T) and the pressure (P) of the cooling medium, in the housing (1) a hermetically sealed bellows-capillary-unit (4) is disposed which responds to temperature (T) and pressure (P) of the cooling medium and around which the cooling medium circulates, being sealed against the housing portion through which the cooling medium flows, a movable switching contact (6) mounted on the bellows-capillary-unit (4) is disposed in a room (7) open towards the atmosphere and covered by a cover (8) and a fixed switching contact is disposed in said cover (8), and the bellows-capillary-unit (4) is filled with a liquid having a vapor pressure curve of between about 1,2 bar at 96.degree. C. and 1,8 bar at 110.degree. C.

Abstract: A refrigerant reversing valve assembly comprising a refrigerant reversing valve including a fluid pressure actuable reversing valving member for reversing the direction of refrigerant flow in a refrigeration system, a pilot valve unit for controlling actuation of the valving member comprising a pilot valve housing in fluid communication with the reversing valving member, an actuable pilot valving member in the housing, and pilot valve actuating means comprising a pilot valving actuating member plunger coupled to the pilot valving member, a guide tube surrounding the plunger connected to the pilot valve body and projecting therefrom, and a solenoid surrounding the guide tube for actuating the plunger, and supporting structure for interconnecting the reversing valve and the pilot valve unit.

Abstract: An altitude compensating turbocharger control system including a boost regulator 54 for modifying a wastegate signal as a function of turbocharger output pressure and ambient pressure. The regulator includes a housing 52 that mounts a valve assembly 60 including a controller 98 for controlling the communication of an input chamber 94 with an output chamber 96 and the communication of the output chamber 96 with an ambient pressure port 82. The housing also mounts an aneroid capsule 62 and a force transmitting arm 70 for transferring and amplifying ambient pressure related forces generated by the aneroid capsule 62 to the controller. The pressure in the output chamber is a function of both input pressure and the atmospheric pressure sensed by the aneroid capsule and is communicated via a port 84 to a wastegate actuator 30 which opens and closes a wastegate valve 28.

Abstract: A pressure responsive control device having a pressure housing assembly defining a pressure chamber, an actuable controller fixed to the housing assembly and, a pressure transducer hermetically closing the pressure chamber. The transducer includes plural duplicate snap acting pressure responsive diaphragms, a diaphragm control plate hermetically bonded to the diaphragms and a support member hermetically joined between the control plate and the housing assembly. The diaphragms each are formed from thin sheets of spring metal and includes a central dome section having a surface finish less than 6 microinches A.A. on both sides. The diaphragms are nested together so that confronting faces of the dished sections are engaged when the diaphragms flex.

Abstract: A snap-action switch, especially microswitch for alternating current comprises at least one stationary contact (2) on a stationary contact part (1) and at least one movable contact (4) on a movable contact part (3). In order to open the switch in the proximity of the zero crossing of the switch current, on the one contact part (1; 3) there is an electromagnet unit (8) excited by the switch current while on the other contact part (3; 1) is disposed an armature unit (12) made of ferromagnetic material which is located opposite the electromagnet unit (8).

Abstract: A pressure regulator comprises a high-pressure chamber (2), and an atmospheric pressure chamber (3) having an opening (4) for controlled high-pressure (C), between which a diaphragm (5) is disposed having a sealing disc (6) resiliently movable in relation thereto, said diaphragm (5) selectively closing both an atmospheric pressure input port (8) and a through port (7) between high-pressure chamber (2) and atmospheric pressure chamber (3) in the sealing disc (6), and said sealing disc (6) being pressed towards the diaphragm (5) under the action of at least one spring (9). In order to permit a control of the high-pressure dependent on atmospheric pressure, for example of the boost pressure of a turbo charger for internal combustion engines, the pressure regulator has a bellow (11) responding to changes in the atmospheric pressure (A) for changing the bias of the spring (9) upon changing atmospheric pressure (A). The action of the bellow (11) on the spring bias is expediently adjustable.

Abstract: An altitude compensation unit for governing the combustion mixture in an automotive vehicle engine carburetor in response to changes in altitude above a predetermined altitude comprising a housing, an aneroid bellows anchored to the housing, and a force balancing pressure transducer valve fixed with respect to the housing. The transducer valve procides an output fluid pressure which varies in relation to the value of a force applied to the valve, with the output pressure force and the input force acting in opposition to each other on a valve transducer element. The transducer element is disposed in a predetermined position when the forces are balanced. A force transmission member supported by the housing transmits force between the capsule and the transducer element. A transducer output pressure responsive actuator alters the combustion mixture in response to output pressure from the transducer.

Abstract: A temperature controlled switching device in which a first fluid filled temperature sensor responding to the temperature of heating or cooling means moves a first lever. A second sensor sensing the room temperature moves a second lever. The two levers being interconnected to move a snap action switch for control of the heating or cooling means.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow reversing valve includes a tubular valve body defining ports for respectively communicating with the discharge of a refrigerant compressor, the compressor inlet and with heat exchangers in the refrigeration system. A valving member is supported by the body for movement with respect to the ports so that in one valving member position refrigerant flows through the heat exchangers in one direction and in a second valve member position refrigerant flows in the opposite direction through the heat exchangers. Refrigerant flow tubes are hermetically fixed to the reversing valve body for directing refrigerant flows through the valve from the refrigeration system. Heat transfer is blocked immediately adjacent the valve body for minimizing heat flow between the valve body and refrigerant in the flow tubes adjacent the valve body.

Abstract: A pressure responsive control device having a pressure housing assembly defining a pressure chamber, an actuable control fixed to the housing assembly and, a pressure transducer module hermetically closing the pressure chamber. The module includes a snap acting pressure responsive diaphragm, a diaphragm control plate hermetically bonded to the diaphragm outer periphery, and a support member hermetically joined to and supporting the control plate and hermetically joined to the housing assembly. The control plate has a supporting region rigidly supporting the diaphragm and the diaphragm control regions are yielded and deformed relative to the supporting region to position the control regions for stressing the diaphragm to determine the chamber pressure levels at which the diaphragm moves.