Abstract: An automatic temperature control system and method for maintaining a predetermined temperature in an enclosed space, wherein the temperature in a heat sink is sensed and compared with the outside temperature to anticipate whether a heating or cooling mode is or may be required. When a mode is selected, a "readiness" state signal is supplied to a preset control in the enclosed space. When the preset temperature is reached in the enclosed space, the preset control energizes the appropriate heating or cooling device to maintain the preset temperature in the enclosed space.

Abstract: On board ships there are cooling systems comprising a heat exchanger (1) operating as a central cooler, through which sea water is pumped by means of different pumps (2-5). Fresh water for cooling the main engine (21) of the ship, and devices (15-18) of various kinds on board the ship, is pumped through the heat exchanger (1) where it is cooled by the sea water. A by-pass conduit (11) extends between the heat exchanger inlet conduit (9) and outlet conduit (10) for fresh water, a three-way valve (12) being arranged to distribute the fresh water flow through the heat exchanger (1) and the by-pass conduit (11), respectively, depending on the momentary cooling demand of the main engine (21) of the ship and/or the devices (15-18). Thereby a predetermined temperature may be maintained in the fresh water circuit.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration heat pump apparatus and an auxiliary heating apparatus has a two stage thermostat with the first stage normally controlling the heat pump apparatus and the second stage normally controlling the auxiliary heating apparatus. An outdoor temperature thermostat is used to transfer the control of the auxiliary heating apparatus to the first stage when the outdoor temperature drops below a predetermined value and the heat pump is deenergized as its efficiency drops at that low outdoor temperature. Each of the stages of the thermostat has an anticipation means such as a heater to artificially heat the temperature responsive element. In order to improve the control and reduce the large change in temperature when the auxiliary heat is switched over to the first stage, both of the anticipation heaters of the first and second stage are connected to be controlled by the first stage during the operation of auxiliary heat by the first stage.

Abstract: A supercharged engine intercooler includes a coolant jacket in heat exchange with the hot compressed air from the supercharger. The coolant in the jacket is permitted to boil and the vapor condensed in a radiator. The rate of condensation during high engine load is maintained sufficiently high to induce sub-atmospheric pressures within the radiator and coolant jacket which lowers the boiling point of the coolant, while during low load operation the rate of condensation can be reduced to raise the pressure in the coolant jacket and thus the boiling point of the coolant to rise above 100.degree. C. Upon stoppage of the engine, the coolant jacket and radiator are completely filled with liquid coolant to prevent contaminating atmospheric air from leaking into the system.

Abstract: The heat recovery device includes a section of standard flue pipe carrying a single row of a plurality of hollow, cylindrical heating tubes extending diametrically through the flue pipe section and a separate housing defining an air flow chamber surrounding the portion of the flue pipe section containing the heating tubes. A fan inside the housing draws ambient air into the housing and propels a flow of air toward a heated air outlet, both through the heating tubes and over the outer surface of the flue pipe section. A catalytic combustor for reducing air pollutants and potential creosote deposits is mounted in the flue pipe section upstream of the heating tubes. The flue pipe assembly is removably mounted on the housing so it can be removed in the event it fatigues and/or becomes plugged with carbon or creosote deposits during use. A thermostat on the flue pipe section turns the fan on and off when the temperature in the flue pipe section is respectively above and below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A control apparatus used for a heat exchanger having a casing through which a first fluid flows and a tube disposed within the casing for a second fluid to flow therethrough, thereby allowing a heat exchange to occur between the first and second fluids, the control apparatus being so arranged as to change the flow rate of the second fluid in accordance with a change in temperature of the first fluid so as to maintain the temperature of the first fluid at a constant level, comprises a valve housing having a valve seat and communicating with an inlet port of the tube, a valve body disposed in the valve housing and movable between a closing position where the valve body is placed on the valve seat to prevent the second fluid from flowing into the tube and an opening position where the valve body is separated from the valve seat to allow the second fluid to flow into the tube.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, controlling the gap between the wall of a cylinder and a ball piston or a piston of comparable form, in particular suitable for use in a hydraulic ball piston engine. According to the invention a pressure is exerted on the outside of the cylinder, which pressure is comparable to the instantaneous pressure in the cylinder.

Abstract: In an air-conditioner or heater for a motor vehicle cabin, the casing (10) housing the heat exchanger (12) proper essentially comprises an air inlet duct (26) leading to the upstream face (22) of the heat exchanger and an air outlet duct (28) leading away from the downstream face (24) of the heat exchanger. A baffle wall (38) extends adjacent to the downstream face (24) to hinder the flow of air through portions of the heat exchanger where it would otherwise flow fastest. This increases the overall efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A novel supported tube bundle, useful for improving the shell fluid flow distribution in a shell and tube heat exchanger is improved by varying the number and position of rods that comprise the rod baffles in the heat exchanger. The number and position of rods are varied to provide fewer rods adjacent the inlet and outlet of the shell than at other portions of the shell so that flow of shell fluid through areas where the flow normally tends to channel is diverted to areas where flow normally tends to by-pass.

Abstract: A heat exchanger construction of the plate and fin type comprising a plurality of plate assemblies joined together in a stackable arrangement, each plate assembly being formed by a pair of similar plate members placed in mating face-to-face relationship with each other to form a central flow region therebetween. Each plate member includes a header portion located respectively adjacent each opposite end thereof, each header portion having at least one pair of spaced openings adaptable for receiving and discharging a fluid medium therethrough. A raised partitioning or pass rib is positioned extending between the pair of spaced openings associated with one of the header portions and depending upon the positioning of the respective pass ribs relative to one another when each respective pair of plate members are joined together either a single-pass or a double-pass flow system is formed therebetween.

Abstract: A flexible vibration stabilizer and method for reducing vibration in a tube in a shell and tube heat exchanger wherein the stabilizer is an elongated flexible cable or chain which may have a plurality of rigid members loosely or fixedly mounted thereon. A plug may be used for simultaneously mounting the stabilizer to the tube and for sealing same.

Abstract: An energy recovery system includes a source of fluid desired to be cooled which is passed through a heat exchanger which receives input air and passes it through the heat exchanger utilizing a temperature controlled variable volume fan controlled to assure the discharge temperature from the heat exchanger is maintained at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: Two magnetic valves, one of which reduces the pressure and the other one of which increases the pressure by which the displacement of a positioning member is controlled, only one of them operated at a time in accordance to the sign of the error signal, are operated in a pulsed mode with variable pulse width when the error signal is within a range of low absolute value and in a continuous mode of operation when the error signal has a higher absolute value. Variation of the magnitude of the error signal within the intermittent valve operation range controls pulse width variation. Hysteresis is provided in a transition between operating modes of a valve by a time delay of the mode change after the error signal has risen or fallen past a threshold value of signal. High displacement resolution is obtained as well as independence from effect of temperature drifts and magnetic valve characteristics.

Abstract: A system for draining condensate from a temperature regulated, steam operated heat exchanger. A buffer tank having a volume at least equal to that of the steam compartment is connected to the steam side of the heat exchanger, and a drain line extends from the bottom of the buffer tank to a condensate collection pipe located above the buffer tank. The drain pipe from the heat exchanger includes an air venting device and a control pipe having a non-return valve linking the top of the tank to the steam side of the heat exchanger. During low load operation of the heat exchanger, air from the top of the buffer tank can flow back to the steam compartment of the heat exchanger to equalize the pressures and permit drainage of the condensate even during low load conditions.

Abstract: An electric device for monitoring the usage of equipment that is being shared by one or more entities or individuals during a predetermined schedule and that needs to be made available to any one of these entities or individuals outside that schedule. The device includes timing means programmable for any schedule and capable of activating complementary relays, one of them a normally open and the other one a normally closed. The contacts of one of these relays being connected to a suitable point in the equipment being shared so that its operation may be interrupted or turned on. A plurality of second relay means, one associated with each one of the entities, are also connected to that point in the equipment so that each entity may be able to connect the equipment. Also, there is an elapsed time meter associated with each one of those second relay means so that the time that the equipment is used, outside the predetermined schedule, by a particular entity may be measured.

Abstract: A central dehumidification system that will work in tandem with a furnace and a central air conditioner or as a single unit. The aforementioned central dehumidification tandem system is separate and independent of the air conditioner. The controls for operation of the central dehumidifier include a control unit which operates in conjunction with the air conditioner such that the central dehumidifier will not operate during operation of theair conditioner.

Abstract: In an air conditioner, the control of the airflow rate is effected by utilizing both the temperature deviation between the room temperature and a set temperature and an air-mix damper position as a proportional control factor with the airflow rate compensation being based on an incremental integer control factor which has been derived from the temperature deviation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a field of profiled tubes arranged in vertical columns and horizontal rows, each profiled tube being of oblong shape and, at least in part, surrounded by at least two supporting profile strips extending in the direction of fluid flow. The profiled strips of adjacent profiled tubes in a column are held at their ends in a well-defined position. Furthermore, the profile strips can rest directly or indirectly on other profile strips, adjacent thereto at the left or right, of adjacent profiled tubes. In this way, individual profiled tubes are longitudinally displaceable in an exact field arrangement and can compensate for changes in length.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a combustion unit having particular use with a water heater. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of generally parallel tubes disposed in a water heater tank in contact with the water to be heated and waste gases of combustion pass through the heat exchanger tubes. A turbulator is disposed in each tube to increase the heat transfer from the waste gases to the water in the tank. Each turbulator is formed from a generally flat strip of metal and has a plurality of transverse slits that extend more than one-half the width of the strip and terminate at a base. Generally triangular portions or tabs bordering each slit are bent outwardly and the tabs are disposed generally normal to the strip. One tab bordering each slit extends laterally from one side of the strip, while the other tab bordering that slit extends laterally from the opposite side of the strip. The end portion of the strip is bent about the base of a slit to position the end portion at an angle of about 30.degree.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for indirect heat transfer between fluid media includes a duct member with the space in its interior divided by a separating wall extending transversely of the duct member axis into a pair of partial spaces. Webs located within the partial spaces and extending helically around the duct member axis form a pair of ducts in each partial space. One fluid medium is circulated through one duct and the other fluid medium through the other duct. The ducts in each partial space are interconnected by passages extending through the separating wall so that the fluid media flow through both partial spaces. The ends of the duct member spaced from the separating wall are closed by a combination seal and cover plate.