Abstract: A high-efficiency hydronic heating system will make use of a direct-fired steam generator to directly heat the water in the hydronic heating system. The products of combustion, present with the steam due to the steam generator being direct-fired, are also introduced into the hydronic heating system water. Before venting the products of combustion from the packed column, heat from these products of combustion is extracted in a secondary heat exchanger to preheat the combustion air before it is used in the direct-fired steam generator. Water is a product of combustion. Over time, this excess water will overfill the hydronic heating system if it is not removed. A water dump system is used for the removal of the excess water. By measuring the water removed and the fuel used in the direct-fired steam generator, an efficiency can be calculated for visual feedback. The products of combustion will also tend to cause the water in the hydronic heating system to become acidic.

Abstract: A cooling enhancement device causes rapid cooling of an item placed within a cooling unit. The device includes a temperature simulating arrangement (e.g., including a heat generating element adjacent a temperature sensor of the cooling unit) to simulate an artificial temperature within the cooling unit. In one example, the device includes a control system connected to control the operation of the temperature simulating arrangement. The device also includes a setting component to provide user control. In one example, the setting component is connected to communicate a rapid cooling setting input by the user to the control system.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a compressor is driven by a vehicle engine when an actual temperature of an evaporator is higher than a basis temperature that is higher than a target temperature by a predetermined temperature, and is driven by an electrical motor when the actual temperature of the evaporator is lower than the basis temperature. The predetermined temperature is set to be higher as the target temperature of the evaporator decreases such that the basis temperature is not higher than a comfortable limit temperature. Accordingly, the compressor can be driven by the electrical motor in a range where the actual temperature can be controlled to be not higher than the comfortable limit temperature. Therefore, fuel consumption efficiency of the engine can be improved, while a minimum of cooling capacity can be ensured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration sealed system is described. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to an evaporator fan, a condenser fan and a defrost heater, and the method includes operating the sealed system until a selected time till defrost interval expires, initiating a defrost cycle when the time till defrost interval expires, and selectively operating the sealed system to raise a temperature of the evaporator while the defrost heater is inactivated.

Abstract: A refrigerant circuit for a motor vehicle air-conditioning system has a refrigerant compressor, a cooler connected downstream of the refrigerant compressor, a restrictor for expanding the refrigerant, and an evaporator for transferring heat to the refrigerant. Pressure in the refrigerant circuit is measured firstly on the high-pressure side and secondly on the low-pressure side. An air-conditioning system can be driven directly or indirectly by the motor vehicle driving engine. The refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is almost completely liquefied upstream of the restrictor, so that it is easy to determine the refrigerant mass flow. As a result, it becomes possible to determine the compressor torque which is consumed by the refrigerant circuit and to control the motor vehicle driving engine accordingly.

Abstract: A food storage monitoring system device comprising a battery powered digital timer device having an LCD digital readout describing the elapsed days and hours per day, and a reset button to reset the timer. A magnet is permanently attached to the timer device, and removably attached to a ferromagnetic catch having a double sided adhesive tape attached to one face for attaching the catch to a food storage container. A set of devices can be stored on a refrigerator or freezer door. The catch is adhesively attached to a food storage container, and the timer device is magnetically attached to the catch with the timer device started. Upon retrieving the food container and emptying its contents, the timer device and the first magnet portion is returned to the refrigerator or freezer door, and the empty container and the attached catch can be washed in a dishwasher.

Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioning system with two compressors so as to shorten standby time for re-operating a stopped compressor and variably change the compression capacity of a refrigerant according to cooling load, and a method for operating the air conditioning system. The method for operating the air conditioning system with two compressors, comprises the first step of simultaneously operating the compressors regardless of cooling load at an early stage of the operation, the second step of selectively operating one of the compressors according to the cooling load, and the third step of additionally re-operating the stopped compressor when the operated compressor selected from the compressor in the second step is continuously operated for longer than a designated time, thereby shortening the standby time for re-operating the stopped compressor, rapidly changing the compression capacity of the refrigerant according to the cooling load, and improving users' comfort within a room.

Abstract: In a vapor compression refrigerant cycle for an air conditioner, as a refrigerant pressure at an operation starting time of a compressor increases, a starting target rotational speed of the compressor is reduced, and the operation of the compressor is started by the reduced starting target rotational speed. Accordingly, when the operation of the compressor is started, it can prevent the pressure of high-pressure side refrigerant from exceeding an allowable pressure of the compressor, thereby preventing a safety device of the compressor from operating. Therefore, even when the operation of the compressor is started in a high load state, a pressure abnormality is not generated in the refrigerant cycle, and operation of the air conditioner can be prevented from being stopped.

Abstract: An air conditioning system and a method for operating the air conditioning system, in which a plurality of compressors are simultaneously or selectively operated, based on the difference between a room temperature and a desired temperature generated during a waiting time for re-operation of the compressors. The room temperature varying during the waiting time for the re-operation of the compressors maintained at a stopped state is sensed to determine whether or not an increase in cooling load occurs. Based on the amount of the cooling load, it is determined whether the compressors have to operate simultaneously or selectively. That is, the refrigerant compression capacity of the air conditioning system is determined by reflecting the cooling load caused by a variation in room temperature occurring during the waiting time for re-operation taken until any compressor maintained in a stopped state is re-operated.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the climate within a storage container including at least two cargo areas. The system includes one compressor, one condenser, and two evaporators. Each of the evaporators includes a crankcase pressure regulator, a gas valve and a liquid valve. The crankcase pressure regulators provide a common pressure between each of the evaporators and the compressor regardless of the pressure at the evaporator. A control system selectively actuates the gas and liquid valves according to a predefined control mode to obtain and maintain a desired temperature.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a refrigeration cycle such that maximum refrigerating capacity can be educed when the refrigeration cycle is started, the driving torque of a variable displacement compressor can be reduced when an automotive vehicle performs standing start or acceleration, and the refrigeration cycle can be operated with the maximum efficiency in a steady operating condition.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first refrigeration chamber, a second refrigeration chamber in flow communication with said the first refrigeration chamber, a sealed system for producing desired temperature conditions in the first refrigeration chamber and the second refrigeration chamber, and a controller operatively coupled to the sealed system. The controller is configured to accept a plurality of user-selected inputs including at least a first refrigeration chamber temperature and a second refrigeration chamber temperature, and to execute a plurality of algorithms to selectively control the first refrigeration chamber at a temperature above the second refrigeration chamber and at a temperature below the second chamber. Various control algorithms are provided for maintaining desired temperature conditions in the refrigeration chambers.

Abstract: Method for controlling operation of a refrigerator including the steps of turning on a compressor when a temperature of a food storage chamber reaches to an upper limit of upper/lower temperature deviations &Dgr;T from an optimal setting temperature T, turning off the compressor when the temperature of the food storage chamber reaches to a lower limit of upper/lower temperature deviations &Dgr;T from the optimal setting temperature T, and varying the upper/lower temperature deviations &Dgr;T with an outside temperature.

Abstract: An intercooler for a vehicle engine incorporating an exhaust gas turbocharger and an air conditioning system, the intercooler comprising: a charge air cooler loop operatively connected to cool heated, pressurized air from the turbocharger before it flows into the vehicle engine; and an air conditioning system bypass loop operatively connecting the air conditioning system to the charge air cooler loop.

Abstract: A thermal zone demand controlled air conditioning fan coil unit using dual cascade arranged heat pumps, chilled water, or a combination of chilled water and hot water, with or without back up electric resistance heat strips, and having an air circulation system for circulating air to and from a plurality of thermal zones and including a conditioned air chamber having first and second heat exchange refrigerant coils or direct or reversed cycle water coils being connected in refrigerant circulating relation respectively with the heat pumps, chilled water coil. A plurality of thermal zone blowers conduct conditioned air from the conditioned air chamber to respective thermal zones of a building space. Electronic controller circuitry of the system is coupled for thermal demand control of the heat pumps and the thermal zone blowers for operation of the first heat pump during average thermal load and for operation of both heat pumps during greater thermal load.

Abstract: A refrigerated appliance includes a power interrupt system for detecting an out-of-range temperature condition in a fresh food or freezer compartment after a power interruption. The power interrupt system includes a central processor including a memory storage module and a plurality of temperature sensors. In operation, the power interrupt system compares sensed temperature values with stored temperature variables. If, after a power interruption, a compartment temperature exceeds a stored temperature variable by a defined amount, an over-temperature flag is triggered. Preferably, a display unit flashes an indication of the highest temperature reached by each compartment intermittently with the current compartment temperatures and an indication that a power interruption has occured. In this manner, a consumer can make an informed determination whether food stored within the appliance has been exposed to temperatures high enough to cause spoilage.

Abstract: A thermostat system includes a temperature sensor, an LCD for selectively displaying an alphanumeric message and a processor having a memory for storing program and data information. In one embodiment, the data includes a table storing key terms on a predetermined subject. A communications interface connects the processor and a remote correspondent which is a source of current information. Periodically, communications is established with the remote correspondent to read the current information and parse the current information against the stored key terms. If a match is found, the current information is further searched for a value associated with the matched key term in order to display an alphanumeric message which shows a first message component representative of the connotation of the matched key term and a second message component representative of the associated value.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration system having a refrigeration compartment and a quick chill/thaw pan. A main controller board, electrically connected to a temperature adjustment board and a dispenser board through the serial communications bus, controls the temperature of the refrigeration compartment and the quick chill/thaw pan. The control system accepts a plurality of inputs to determine a refrigeration mode and to execute a plurality of software algorithms to control the refrigeration compartment as both a chill pan to rapidly chill food and beverage items without freezing and a thaw pan to timely thaw frozen items at controlled temperature levels.

Abstract: A control apparatus for automatically stopping and restarting an engine of a vehicle is provided, which is equipped with an engine, a motor, a compressor and an air conditioner. The apparatus has a first section for making a judgment on stopping the engine and a second section for making a judgment on restarting the engine. The apparatus has features that the apparatus provides the air conditioner with a plurality of operational modes selected by a user, and when the vehicle is not in motion with selection of a first mode, the first section permits the engine to stop if a first power that the motor can supply is greater than a second power of the compressor required by the air conditioner, and the second section permits the engine to restart if the second power exceeds the first power.

Abstract: A refrigerator which uses a microcomputer having a common input port for a plurality of temperature sensing devices, and a method of controlling the same. In the refrigerator, inexpensive bimetals are used as one or more of the temperature sensing devices to sense a defrost temperature of the refrigerator. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator is reduced. Furthermore, because the refrigerator is provided with the common input port for the temperature sensing devices, a circuit construction thereof is simplified.