Abstract: A heat pump for heating water in a condenser where the water is circulated through the condenser by a pump controlled by the condensing temperature of the refrigerant to return water heated to a usable temperature to the upper end of the water tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defrosting the outside heat exchanger of a reversible vapor compression refrigeration (heat pump) system. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for use with smaller systems that employ a single fan motor to drive both the inside and outside heat exchanger fans. A heat storage apparatus is mounted in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant piping between the system flow reversing valve and the inside heat exchanger. During operation in the heating mode, heat from the refrigerant is transferred to and stored in the heat storage apparatus. During operation in the defrosting mode, the refrigerant flow in the system is aligned as in the cooling mode but both fans are shut off. Heat stored in the heat storage apparatus is transferred to and used for defrosting the outside heat exchanger. The apparatus has little or no effect on system operation in the cooling mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling container for use in a sorption apparatus. The cooling container is adapted for containing a liquid operating medium, which, during the adsorption phase of operation of the adsorption apparatus, cools off by partial evaporation and solidifies into a solidifying layer starting from the surface of liquid operating medium. In general, the cooling container comprises a vessel and a heat exchanger. The vessel is provided for containing the operating medium, which during the adsorption phase, cools off by partial evaporation and forms the solidifying layer which grows from the surface downwardly into the vessel until the solidifying layer obtains a maximum thickness. The heat exchanger on the other hand is provided for adsorbing heat from a liquid passing through the heat exchanger, and is positioned in the vessel and within the liquid (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining an intended temperature at or close to 0.degree. C. in products affected by variations in temperature, during transport and storage at an ambient temperature deviating from 0.degree. C., while using a container which holds the products and whose walls render heat transfer difficult. The method includes the steps of arranging adjacent the container walls, bottom, lid and the like compartments receiving water or a water mixture so as to provide a water-containing confinement enclosing the product-receiving space in the container from all sides. The container and the water in its wall compartments are then cooled so as to freeze the water. The products are then inserted in the container after it has been moved to a room having a temperature adapted to the products. The container is then closed and used for the transportation and/or subsequent storage of the products.

Abstract: A system to remove moisture chemically from refrigerant fluid being recaptured, recycled or reclaimed comprises adding an appropriate organosilane to the refrigerant being treated in the reclamation/recycling apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for environmentally controlled and temperature-regulated transport of perishable goods, the environment-controlling unit being arranged in the essentially cuboid container in the region of the one end face thereof as a component, which is to be allocated to the container and to be separated from it. The environment-controlling unit is broken up into functionally connected components, or is composed of components, which are functionally connected with one another, the components being allocated to the region or regions between the temperature-regulating unit and a container corner post at the side of the temperature-regulating unit. In this way, space within the container is utilized, which previously was unused and was filled with foam, as were the container side walls, in order to avoid heat bridges.

Abstract: A low energy consumption apparatus and method for treating a gas in which a main gas stream is cooled and heat is transferred by convection to a liquid and a secondary gas stream across a heat transfer surface. Liquid bearing the heat evaporates into the secondary stream. A total gas stream is subjected to initial cooling along a moisture impervious surface of a heat exchange element to cause dry or sensible cooling. A secondary gas stream is diverted from the total discharge from the dry cooling stage and is directed counterflow to the total stream at the opposite surface of the heat exchange element which is an absorbent surface to cause heating and humidification of the secondary stream. The remaining cooled stream which is the primary stream is subjected to sorbent treatment to heat and dehumidify the same by flowing it through an absorbent media. The primary gas flow is then subjected to a final heat exchange treatment stage similar to the initial heat exchange treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for use particularly within an automotive environment, including a central support container for securement of a plurality of chambers therewithin, wherein each chamber provides reception of a predetermined quantity of a refrigerant gel or fluid. The support container includes a "U" shaped support base, including a plurality of upstanding extending arcuate legs for surmounting a transmission tunnel housing of an associated automobile. A modification of the invention includes the support container including an elongate cavity to complementarily receive a plurality of insert holder chambers, wherein each chamber includes an insert cavity, each cavity containing a deformable refrigerant chamber. Each refrigerant chamber includes a through-extending cylindrical bore to receive a beverage container therewithin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a refrigerator comprising a first passage defined in a space in the interior of a heat-insulating box to guide cold air from a evaporator downwardly, and a second passage which guides the cold air that has flowed downwardly in the first passage and rises to return to the evaporator, a partition plate which is disposed within the first passage to divide the passage into a passage which communicates the first passage with the second passage in order to allow the flow of the cold air in contact with the upper storage box, and a passage communicating with the second passage, allowing the cold air to flow into the upper storage box out of contact with the upper storage box; a regulating means which is disposed in a cold air passage from the evaporator, and regulates the flow of the cold air into the passage; and a cold air introducing means disposed in the passage.

Abstract: An absorber comprises a vapor absorption portion including at least two flow paths through which an absorption solution flows down and absorbs a cooling medium vapor, at least two solution cooling portions separated from, and juxtaposed with, the vapor absorption portion and solution circulation for circulating a cooling medium vapor between the solution cooling portion and the vapor absorption portion. In this manner, a refrigerator can be made compact in size and cycle efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: An external water supply tank having a relatively large water storage capacity fixed to the outside of a portable air conditioning apparatus to supply water to a spray device disposed in the air conditioning apparatus for cooling a condenser subject to generation of heat.

Abstract: A self-contained portable heating system for preheating the coolant in an internal combustion engine to aid in cold weather starting. The heater and associated fuel supply are mounted on a portable cart, and connected to an engine to be preheated by hand operated quick disconnect fittings.The heating system incorporates thermal powered automatic controls to control the coolant temperature, and allow the heater to automatically start at a prescribed time. A pressurized gas burner having a mixing nozzle and baffle system, provides a clean burning stable heat source, even in windy or gusty conditions.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical container constructed of a plurality of flexible tubes connected edge to edge. The plurality of tubes are folded in a cylindrical form, and a connector is inserted into and bonded with the open ends of the tubes thereby forming a unitary substantially cylindrical structure. The tubes may be colored or may have colored fluid contained therein. The connector may be a single piece connector with a plurality of connecting elements, or may be a two-piece connector, each piece having complementary mating structures which are snapped together after the pieces are inserted into and bonded with respected ends of the plurality of flexible tubes.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit, especially a refrigerator or the like, includes a useful space. At least one container at least partially occupies the useful space for storing perishables. A device lowers pressure prevailing in the at least one container by partial aspiration of a remaining air volume surrounding the perishables. A device fills the at least one container with a gas atmosphere for increasing the storage life of the stored perishables.

Abstract: An evaporative condenser having a cylindrical fiberglass housing which provides a circumferential air flow across a plurality of concentrically oriented spiral condensing coils. The planar spiral coils are generated through the compression of a conical winding of tubing formed about a multi-tiered platform, to form an evenly-spaced spiral condensing coil. Each layer of tubing is affixed to a plurality of radial braces, which provide the evaporative coils with sufficient structural integrity to be individually employed. A method and apparatus for producing spiral coils having uniform spacing between adjacent revolutions.

Abstract: Two versions of a portable air conditioning unit (10, 100) are provided. The larger unit (10) is separable into two halves (12, 14) which contain three cold objects (32, 34, 36) such as freezable gels. A series of aluminum baffles (22-30) define a torturous air flow passage through the unit where air passes over each one of the cold objects sequentially to significantly cool the air flow through the unit. The air flow is generated by a fan (38) which can be powered by batteries, AC power, solar power or the like. The second embodiment of the air conditioning unit (100) can be actually carried by the user with a strap to cool the face of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a long term thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system that benefits the electric utility and its customers by shifting electricity usage from a spiked, high power, direct acting basis operated largely during seasonal peak demand periods to a long term level load at a significantly lower power level. The electricity usage shift is achieved by long term storage of thermal energy generated by a continuously operated low power level prime mover and the use of the stored energy on demand to satisfy the seasonal thermal load. The initial cost of the long term thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system is cost competitive with that of direct acting systems for satisfying the same loads. By using the system, the customer saves significantly on energy charges during the life of the system due to a rate structure that provides favorable rates for customers who do not adversely impact the utility's annual load factor.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus having a cold accumulating cycle including a first compressor, a first condensor, a first decompressing mechanism and a heat accumulator and a refrigerating cycle including a second compressor, a second condensor, a second decompressing mechanism and an evaporator, wherein the heat accumulating cycle and the refrigerating cycle are provided independently of each other and in that a cooling device using the evaporator as cooling means serves for cooling by utilizing heat accumulated in the heat accumulator thereby constituting a cold transfer circuit.

Abstract: A refrigeration process including a refrigeration cycle, and refrigerant purge and recovery operations is disclosed. The refrigeration cycle may be a vapor compression cycle or an absorption cycle, for example. A purge stream is withdrawn from the refrigeration cycle and subjected to treatment by means of a membrane separation unit. The purge-stream treatment operation produces an essentially pure refrigerant stream, suitable for return to the refrigeration cycle, and an air stream, clean enough for direct discharge to the atmosphere. The process is applicable to most refrigerants, but is particularly useful in minimizing atmospheric emissions of chlorofluorocarbons, such as CFC-11 and CFC-12.

Abstract: A double extruded heat sink for a thermoelectric cooler is disclosed which includes first and second finned plates. The first (base) plate has spaced long fins and pairs of spaced short fins spaced between adjacent long fins. The end fins have male members formed thereon. The second plate has spaced long fins. Each long fin corresponding with the space between the pair of spaced short fins of the first plate for engaging the inner surfaces of the spaced short fins and making good thermal contact therewith when the first and second plates are press fitted together. The end fins of the second plate's fins have female members formed thereon for engaging the male members to lock the first and second plates together when press fitted. The long fins of the first and second plates are serrated to increase their heat dissipating areas. The double extruded heat sink thereby provides a number of fins substantially greater than can be obtained using single extrusion techniques.