Abstract: A thermostatic radiator valve has a spring loaded thermostat located in a rotatable member with the spring bearing against the thermostat and the rotatable member, the latter having arms surrounding the thermostat, the free end of each arm having a radially inwardly projecting extension which bears against the loading spring.

Abstract: A refrigerating system comprises a liquid refrigerant supply line connecting the outlet of a condensor with a throttle valve connected to the inlet of an evaporator, a first liquid refrigerant receiver tank intermittently disconnected from the supply line and connected to a special suction line for performing a liquid refrigerant precooling sequence by drawing vapor from the receiver tank during time periods when the refrigerating cycle is continuously maintained via an additional receiver tank connected between the condensor and the throttle valve.

Abstract: An air cooled centrifugal refrigeration machine is shown having an automatic shut-off valve in the liquid line to prevent natural circulation of refrigerant at low outdoor ambient temperatures that otherwise would cause freezing of the water in the evaporator.

Abstract: For a device comprising a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted on a support member and arranged in an array, a selective mechanism for sequentially firing respective flashlamps in response to successive indexing. The selective firing mechanism comprises a spring-loaded ratchet bar retained in a longitudinal channel in the support member in combination with a slidable member which is also retained in the channel in engageable contact with the ratchet bar. The lamps have respective depending primer tubes and are mounted in a row parallel to the channel with the primer tubes overlying the channel. The slidable member may comprise a helical torsion spring having a first leg for engaging the ratchet bar and a second leg projecting as a striker in alignment with the overlying primer tubes and adapted for resiliently engaging them.

Abstract: A multi-zone heating-cooling system having a plurality of reversible cycle air heating and cooling units connected to a closed loop water circulation circuit, and at least one ventilating air tempering coil in liquid flow communication with the water flowing in the closed loop water circulation circuit and in heat exchange relationship with a stream of outdoor air such as might be used for ventilation.

Abstract: An air distribution assembly primarily designed to distribute conditioned air, for cooling or the like within a defined space such as a truck body or railroad car. The assembly includes an air conduit of elongated or otherwise predetermined configuration extending along a wall surface of the defined space and including one or more vents formed therein. Each one of the vents is defined by a flap removably disposed from the air conduit itself so as to define an aperture from which the conditioned air is distributed from the conduit into the defined space. Connection elements each comprising two connector portions are mounted on the air conduit for removable attachment to the wall surface of the defined space and also mounted in removable, interconnecting relation between the vent flap and the surrounding edge of the aperture defined by the vent flap so that the various flaps can be displaced or disposed in closed relation thereby regulating the distribution of air within the defined space.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting water from the atmosphere has a chamber or a pair of chambers connected to a compressor by a valve controlled in its operation in response to an operating condition in the chamber or chambers. A suction fan is connected to the chamber or chambers to move air through the chambers. A further valve is arranged in the respective inlet to the chamber or chambers to facilitate an expansion condition or effect in the respective chamber. Where two chambers are used they operate in alternate fashion so that heat is supplied to one chamber while heat is being withdrawn from the other chamber and vice versa, and both chambers are controlled in response to the respective operating condition therein.

Abstract: An air relief mechanism for use in an opening in a storm door disposed in hinged relationship in the outer side of a casing around a door opening containing an inner door disposed in hinged relationship within the casing. An inner frame is secured to the inside surface of the storm door and engages the periphery of said opening. A screen is disposed in said frame and fills said opening. An outer frame is secured to the outside surface of the storm door and engages said opening, said frame having a slot disposed outside the storm door.

Abstract: A heating system for a building structure is provided in which a heat pump system and at least one solar energy system and one air convector system are used. The solar energy system collects heat during the periods when sun energy is available and the air convector system collects heat when available from warm air. The heat from both systems is stored directly in the earth which surrounds the evaporator of the heat pump system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and useful device for monitoring the heating and cooling energy consumed by a single unit of a multi-unit apartment or office building. The monitoring circuit is responsive to a thermostat located in each unit as well as the speed of a blower; said blower being used to force the heated or cooled air into the unit. The monitoring circuit is comprised of an integrating circuit coupled to the thermostat and/or fan speed circuit. A pulse generator is electrically coupled to the integrating circuit; the pulse generator generates a pulse after a predetermined amount of current flows into the integrating circuit. The extended pulse is then transmitted to amplifier means which in turn transmits said signal to a pulse counter.

Abstract: A load shedding control device, for reducing the electrical energy demand of an electrical load apparatus having a load dependent upon ambient temperature, having an ambient temperature responsive switch adapted to be connected in a control system of the electrical load apparatus for reducing the use of electrical energy by the electrical load apparatus as the ambient temperature increases. The ambient temperature responsive switch has its control temperature reset depending upon the percent of operating time of the electrical load apparatus whereby as the desired operating time of the load apparatus increases, the actual operating time is reduced to conserve electrical energy.

Abstract: A load shedding control device, for reducing the electrical energy demand of an electrical load apparatus having a load depending upon ambient temperature, having an ambient temperature responsive switch adapted to be connected in a control system of the electrical load apparatus for reducing the use of electrical energy by the electrical load apparatus as the ambient temperature increases. The ambient temperature responsive switch has its control temperature reset by an artificial heater energized proportionally to the percent of operating time of electrical load apparatus, whereby as the desired operating time of the load apparatus increases, the actual operating time is reduced to conserve electrical energy.

Abstract: A frost sensor for detecting the presence of frost in a refrigeration device includes a light impervious enclosure having an air passage through it. Means preferably are provided for directing ambient air through the air passage. The air passage has thermal conducting means mounted in it, the thermal conducting means having a first surface forming a portion of the air passage. A connection device also is provided for attaching the conducting means to the refrigeration device. A photocell and a light source are mounted so that the photocell senses reflectivity of the conductive means. The volume of ambient air passing through the air passage and the thermal resistance between the conducting means and the refrigeration device may be varied so that the formation of frost on the conducting means can be made to agree with the formation of frost on the refrigeration device.

Abstract: A heat pump for cooling or heating a conditioned space includes an underground heat pipe laid into a hole in the ground back-filled with soil. The heat transfer of the soil is improved by dispersing highly water-absorbent hydrophilic polymeric gel particles soaked with water around the heat pipe. The water-soaked particles preferably are coated with a water-impermeable film. The water may also be entrapped in liquid form in small bags. Also, a water impermeable sheath may be formed around the back-fill soil to minimize evaporation from the particles.

Abstract: An environmental humidification and cooling system including an ultrasonic spray nozzle. Humidification is effected by spraying atomized water by the ultrasonic nozzle into the suction chamber of a fan. The cooling includes the ultrasonic spray nozzle spraying the atomized water into an entering air stream to effect evaporative cooling. Simultaneous evaporative cooling and humidification for an enclosed environment is effected by the spraying of moisture into a return air stream by the ultrasonic spray nozzle.