Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle uses a hybrid compressor (4) including a first compression mechanism driven by a first drive source (2) and a second compression mechanism driven by a second drive source (5), and a single discharge port connected to the first and the second compression mechanisms. The operation of the hybrid compressor is controlled by a controller (15) in accordance with a control mode. The controller has a first operation mode in which the first compression mechanism alone is driven, a second operation mode in which the second compression mechanism alone is driven, a third operation mode in which the first and the second compression mechanisms are simultaneously driven, and a fourth operation mode in which the first and the second compression mechanisms are simultaneously stopped. Depending upon various conditions, the controller selects, as the control mode, one of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth operation modes.

Abstract: A shower control system for facilitating a user's control of the temperature and pressure of water used during a shower. The shower control system includes a shower assembly having a pair of inlet pipes. A first of the inlet pipes is designed for being in fluid communication with a building cold water supply. A second of the inlet pipes is designed for being in fluid communication with a building hot water supply. A stem pipe of the shower assembly is in fluid communication with the inlet pipes. A shower head of the shower assembly is in fluid communication with the stem pipe. A mixing assembly is operationally coupled to the shower assembly. The mixing assembly is designed for controlling pressure and temperature of water sprayed from the shower head. A power assembly is operationally coupled to the mixing assembly for providing power to the mixing assembly.

Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.

Abstract: A self-cooling container with an internal receptacle. The receptacle responds to differences in pressure between its internal and external walls so that when the pressure acting external to the receptacle walls falls to atmospheric pressure the receptacle releases cooling agents that cool the contents of the container.

Abstract: A portable beverage container assembly includes a capsule containing a refrigerant which is inserted into and securely held inside the beverage container, together with a mechanism to discharge the refrigerant so that the latent heat of evaporation and expansion of the refrigerant gases will impart a chilling action to the refrigerant and hence to the beverage inside the container when the user wishes to drink the beverage.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed toward a portable salad bar having a flexible base. Further, one or more inflatable chambers are connected to the base, and the inflatable chambers extend around the base to form a reservoir having a flexible bottom surface defined by the base. The inflatable chambers can then be deflated and the portable salad bar can be folded for facilitating transportation and storage. Another aspect of the present invention is directed toward a portable salad bar having a flexible base with a non-inflatable generally planar surface. One or more inflatable chambers are connected to the base, wherein the inflatable chambers extend upwardly and have an inner wall and an outer wall. Further, the inner wall and the base define a reservoir that has a flexible bottom surface. A drain extends through the inflatable chambers and a filter screen covers the drain.

Abstract: A Machine and method for producing the illusion of snow is disclosed and described. It produces said product in a manner such that is easier to manufacture, operate, and produce than is currently available.

Abstract: An engine cooling system and method and apparatus for controlling hydraulic fluid flow between a plurality of hydraulic components in a hydraulic system is shown. The system and method utilized at least one hydraulic sensor for actuating a hydraulic valve which controls the fluid delivery to the hydraulic components. At least one of the hydraulic sensors includes a thermosensitive material which causes the sensor to deliver hydraulic pressure to an actuator on the valve when the material is heated in response to an increase in temperature of, for example, a coolant associated with the engine.

Abstract: An improved mixing box is disclosed. The mixing box comprises an inlet end, an outlet end, a substantially closed first passage to which primary air flows from a primary air inlet and then through induction means and to and from the outlet end. The induction means are positioned intermediate the inlet and outlet ends and are operable, when primary air flows through the passage, to induce a flow of air through a first opening for mixture with primary air and delivery therewith through the outlet end. The mixing box also comprises means for controlling the rate of flow of primary air and a fan operable to induce a flow of air through a second opening and to deliver such air through the outlet end of the box.

Abstract: A mounting system for a compressor of a refrigerator includes a floating frame rigidly secured to a compressor housing in which the compressor is resiliently mounted, the floating frame being resiliently secured to the frame of the refrigerator. The floating frame includes a pair of support rails to which the refrigerator's condenser is rigidly secured as well as the compressor housing. In one embodiment the floating frame also includes a cross rail to which a first end of each of the support rails is rigidly secured. By increasing the effective mass of the compressor housing to include the condenser and floating frame the amount of vibration transmitted from the compressor to the refrigerator frame is reduced as well as the noise generated thereby.

Abstract: The air-conditioning device, in particular for a railroad car (2), includes a fan (1) for blowing cold or heated air into a conduit (4), the upper portion of which opens into a space (7) delimited by two parallel walls (8, 9) which are adjacent to the lateral face (5) of the railroad car (2). The space (7) is provided with apertures (10) located substantially at the level of the car windows (11). The conduit (4) is provided on its lateral face with an air discharge vent (13) which extends over the full length of the car. The wall (9) of the space (7) which is adjacent to the interior of the car is provided with a slit (6) located near the conduit (4), the air contained in the car (2) being sucked through the slit (6) into the space 97).

Abstract: The invention relates to a marinecraft refrigeration and delivery ice product system having means for the delivery of ice product to remote vertical and horizontal locations in the marinecraft.

Abstract: An ice maker employing a relatively thin ice tray with sealed ice cube receptacles and having a freezing chamber of relatively small volume cooled by a high capacity cooling plate. The ice cube receptacles are sealed by a frangible cover to keep liqid water therein and to maintain frozen water in a sanitary state until the frangible cover is ruptured for the ice cubes to be used. The ice maker housing also may include other chambers for holding containers of food and drink. The cooling surface of the freezing chamber may be sloped for drainage and the ice maker provided with a spring loaded device for ejecting the ice tray when a housing door is opened. Detection switches and indicator lights may be actuated by insertion and removal of the tray. Multiple freezing chambers may be jointly cooled by a single cooling plate.

Abstract: A simplified cream whipper includes a refrigeration unit, a vessel for holding the cream and a whipping assembly to aspirate, whip and deliver cream. The assembly includes an aspiration-compression unit, a unit to whip the cream, and a delivery unit, the components being capable of being dismantled by being withdrawn from one another and of being cleaned easily and individually.

Abstract: In the freezing cycle of an air conditioner for an automotive vehicle, first and second evaporators are connected to the inlet of a compressor. The first evaporator cools air to be blown into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and the second evaporator, provided in the intake system of the vehicle engine, cools air to be taken into the engine. A pressure control valve is provided at the outlet of the second evaporator for controlling the boiling pressure of the refrigerant therein, or alternatively, the compresser may be of variable displacement type, to thereby prevent the compressor from consuming increased power during high speed operation of the engine.

Abstract: The water spray unit is used in conjunction with an ice product making machine having an upright freezing plate or freezing plates, on the surface or surfaces of which a plurality of guide ribs or projections are vertically formed at a preset transverse distance from one another. The spray unit has a main body provided above the freezing plate or freezing plates and presenting a large number of spray apertures, and a plurality of water spray guide plates disposed between the guide ribs or projections and presenting a pair of upright side flanges. The spray water is discharged from the spray apertures and caused to descend along the freezing plate or freezing plates by way of the water spray guide plates, the upright side flanges and the guide ribs or projections as a turbulence-free uniform stream.