Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration system of the air cycle cooling system type, also called reversed Brayton cycle in which the air flow through compressor means (12, 16), heat exchanger means (24) for withdrawal of heat from the compressed air and finally expander means (22) from where it is delivered to perform cooling. According to the invention the system includes heat load means (41) having a large flow resistance, creating a considerable over-pressure at the expander outlet (23). A rotary screw machine is included in the expander (22) and also in the compressor means (12, 16), which latter screw rotor machine (12) is driven solely by the screw rotor machine (22) of said expander means.

Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: In a refrigerating cycle using a refrigerant containing hydrofluorocarbon as a main component, of a refrigerant pipe arrangement constituting the refrigerating cycle, a refrigerant pipe extending upward from a lower side to an upper side is made to have an inner diameter not larger than a value which makes the flow rate of the refrigerant be not smaller than a zero penetration flow rate. It is possible to obtain a refrigerating cycle superior in oil returning to a compressor and hence high in reliability, even in the case of using refrigerator oil having no compatibility with a refrigerant containing hydrofluorocarbon as a main component.

Abstract: A method and thermostat for controlling comfort in an area with temperature altering equipment, but no specific humidity altering equipment. An on-off thermostat which mechanically combines temperature and humidity measurements in a predetermined ratio based on a user's perception of comfort. The thermostat does not require an anticipator when used with an air conditioner in a warm and humid climate.

Abstract: A precooled vapor-liquid refrigeration cycle includes a basic vapor-liquid cycle and an auxiliary regenerative vapor-liquid cycle having a heat exchange relationship between them. The basic cycle includes a compressor connected in series with a condenser, throttle device, and evaporator. The auxiliary cycle includes a compressor, condenser, throttle device, and a counterflow heat exchanger, successively connected. The cycles each have condensers that are cooled by ambient air; the basic cycle is able to operate independently of the auxiliary cycle. To maximize the coefficient of performance, the basic cycle operates with a small pressure differential between compressor discharge and return. In the heat exchanger, refrigerant flow from the basic cycle condenser is further cooled in a counterflow arrangement by the low temperature refrigerant from the auxiliary cycle until the refrigerant in the basic cycle has been precooled from near ambient temperature to near the intended refrigeration temperature.

Abstract: A motor vehicle ventilation system having a recirculation or air input mode in which when the rate of change of a signal from an outdoor gas pollution sensor exceeds a threshold limit, the system is adjusted to the recirculation mode.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for controlling oil lubricant pressure of a screw type compressor in an air conditioning system. In response to a low oil pressure condition, evaporator pressure is lowered to increase the pressure differential across a compressor, to thereby bring about an increase in oil pressure. Evaporator pressure can be lowered by decreasing the maximum operating pressure of the evaporator, and by throttling an expansion valve by the amount required to lower the evaporator pressure in accordance with the reduced maximum operating setpoint.

Abstract: An outside air conditioner unit includes a heat exchanger for conducting refrigerant, and a fan for circulating outside air across the heat exchanger. The fan is disposed coaxially within a hollow cylinder which can be adjusted axially relative to the fan by a motor to vary the intensity of the air flow. The fan motor is connected to a controller which actuates the motor in response to a difference between outside air temperature and a reference temperature to reduce the air flow intensity when the heat exchanger is in an overload condition.

Abstract: In building environmental control, primary HVAC services are supplemented to improve individual user comfort by automatically adjusting lighting levels and airflow direction mix in the individual workspace. An individual terminal unit provides these individualized supplemental services without affecting loading on the primary HVAC system. Multiple individual terminal units disposed in an open, common area communicate with one another and adjust operations in response to neighborhood conditions to improve overall system efficiency and save energy while optimizing individual user comfort.

Abstract: A vaned rotor is eccentrically located within a casing defining a cylindrical chamber. Adjacent vanes of the rotor coact with the casing to define cells. Saturated or slightly subcooled liquid refrigerant is supplied to each passing cell of the rotating rotor. The refrigerant in the cells is subjected to centrifugal forces creating a pressure gradient causing flashing of gaseous refrigerant and the cooling of the liquid refrigerant. The cell rotates into registration with ports permitting the flow of cooled liquid refrigerant to the evaporator and gaseous refrigerant to the evaporator or to the compressor as suction gas or economizer gas.

Abstract: A device and method of operating a diaphragm pump having at least three chambers is used in a vapor compression refrigeration system. Each chamber contains a fluid having a different set of pressure and temperature characteristics. Adjacent chambers are separated by movable barriers, such as flexible diaphragms or pistons, that are sequentially moved by pressure changes resulting from heating and cooling the fluids. The fluids are chosen so that driving fluids operate in a substantially narrower temperature range than a working fluid but have the same operating pressure range permitting use of a thermal energy source having a selected temperature to power the pump. Optimal selection of both driving fluids and the working fluid permits use of a low grade heat source for thermal energy.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a controller configured to process multiple temperature inputs, to provide a cycle of operation to provide comfort during sleeping, to provide an automatic cycle of operation wherein a burst of cooling air is provided on demand and/or which is configured to receive and respond to remote signals having different protocols.

Abstract: The temperatures of a plurality of rooms are controlled by a refrigerant cycle which enables a user to select desired room temperatures and one of the following operating modes: (i) supplying hot refrigerant to the indoor heat exchangers of all rooms, (ii) supplying cold refrigerant to the indoor heat exchangers of all rooms, and (iii) supplying hot refrigerant to an indoor heat exchanger of one room and cold refrigerant to an indoor heat exchanger of another room.

Abstract: An air conditioning system is provided by combining a first air conditioning device for processing mainly a sensible heat load, a second air conditioning device using desiccant for dehumidification of the air, and a heat pump as a heat source, so that not only the cooling tower is no longer necessary but a significantly higher coefficient of performance is possible.

Abstract: A supplementary thermal system controller for assisting a main system controller in retaining a desired temperature rise by monitoring the temperature in the return duct, wherein the supplemental controller comprises a microcontroller for reading and processing return duct temperature measurements, a signal conditioner circuit for preparing temperature related signals for processing by the microcontroller, processor readable medium of program code for determining the rate of temperature change in the return duct and providing control signals based on the rate of temperature change, and a supplemental thermal source driver for controlling a supplemental thermal source, such as electrical resistance heating elements, to cause the assisting temperature source to increase or decrease its thermal output.

Abstract: A refrigerator controller employs a non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant and a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor hear exchanger, a fractionator, an overhead condenser provided on the top of the fractionator, a first flow control valve, a throttle, and an indoor heat exchanger which are connected in the form of a ring. The controller further employs a circuit at a lower part of the fractionator returning to the bottom of the fractionator through a second flow control valve and a reheater, and a circuit returning from the overhead condenser to the top of the fractionator, thereby controlling the openings of the first and second flow control valves by the output signal of indoor and outdoor heat exchanger temperature detectors, an indoor temperature detector, and an indoor temperature setting device through a flow controller. In this manner, a wider control range of refrigerating capability can be realized.

Abstract: In a fluid heating apparatus having a fluid tank, a combustion chamber communicating with the fluid tank for heat exchange, and a combustible fluid delivery system coupled to the combustion chamber, a plurality of valves are individually configured in either an off-state or an on-state for delivering combustible fluid to the combustion chamber. Depending on the configuration of the multiple valves, the rate at which combustible fluid is supplied to the combustion chamber may be varied in response to a heat demand signal. Individual valve signals are generated for each of the multiple valves in response to the heat demand signal to place the multiple valves in a configuration to supply combustible fluid at predetermined rates. The demand signal is calculated in response to reading temperature at an inlet temperature probe and an outlet temperature probe, wherein the outlet temperature probe is located nearer a fluid outlet from the fluid tank than is the inlet temperature probe.

Abstract: An improved alert air conditioning control method for an air conditioner for enhancing a learning efficiency which is capable of significantly enhancing a learning efficiency of a user by providing a better air conditioning environment, whereby it is possible to increase an alert level of a user and improve an indoor environment. The method includes the steps of measuring and analyzing an electroencephalogram (EEG) of a testee during an operation of an air conditioner based on first, second and third set temperatures and a temperature variation width with respect to the first, second and third temperatures, computing a data of a temperature variation width with respect to the set temperature at which an alert level is highest, selecting an air current of the air conditioner having the highest alert level between a weak wind and a chaos wind, and controlling the operation of the air conditioner by using a data of the temperature variation width and an air current data selected.

Abstract: An energy-efficient refrigerator includes a refrigerator control system for generating refrigerator control signals responsive to cooling demands of respective refrigerator compartments; a refrigeration apparatus coupled to the control system; and a multiplex damper system disposed to selectively direct the cooling-air from the refrigeration apparatus to compartments in response to the refrigerator control signals. The multiplex damper system comprises a single movable control damper disposed to direct cooling-air flow to a single or multiple compartments. The evaporator and its associated fan and a variable speed compressor are independently controlled by the refrigerator control system. The variable speed compressor typically comprises a continuously variable speed motor such as an electronically commutated motor.

Abstract: Both a system and method are provided for achieving temperature control in a refrigeration circuit by providing a bypass flow of saturated, gaseous refrigerant from the receiver tank to a point in the circuit downstream of the evaporator coil. The system includes a bypass conduit for conducting a bypass flow of saturated, gaseous refrigerant from an upper portion of the receiver tank to a point in the circuit between the evaporator coil and a suction line throttling valve to partially offset the cooling of the evaporator coil from the expansion valve. The bypass conduit includes a valve mechanism for modulating this flow to achieve a desired temperature setpoint. The system also includes a temperature monitoring sensor located in a space conditioned by the refrigeration circuit, as well as a microprocessor. The input of the microprocessor receives an electrical signal generated by the monitoring sensor indicative of the temperature of the space.