Abstract: In an ejector cycle having an ejector, a decompression amount of refrigerant between a gas-liquid separator and an evaporator is adjusted by a differential pressure control valve, so that a pressure increasing amount in a pressure increasing portion of the ejector is controlled to be equal to or lower than a predetermined amount. Therefore, a suction pressure of refrigerant to be sucked to the compressor can be restricted from being excessively increased in accordance with the increase of the pressure increasing amount in the ejector, and it can prevent heat radiating capacity of a radiator from being decreased. Thus, a sufficient cooling capacity can be always obtained in the ejector cycle.

Abstract: A casing 1 of an automotive air conditioner is formed with a recess 12 for accommodating a steering member S extending in a right-left direction of a vehicle. The casing 1 is divided into an instrument panel-side part Rp and a fire panel-side part Fp with the recess 12 as a boundary.

Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve having an inlet valve closure sleeve whose position relative to cold and hot water inlet valve seats is controlled by a temperature sensitive expansion element located in a mixing chamber. The closure sleeve is formed with a center body defining an annular gap through which water from the cold water inlet is channeled onto a baffle surface at the entrance to the mixing chamber. Water from the hot water inlet is also directed onto the baffle surface for turbulent mixing with water from the cold water inlet.

Abstract: A mixing valve receives fluid from a first source and fluid from a second source and outputs a mixture of the fluids. The mixing valve includes a valve body including a first fluid inlet, a first fluid chamber, a second fluid inlet, a second fluid chamber, and a fluid outlet. The mixing valve further comprises a fluid flow regulator mounted within the housing, wherein a lower surface of the fluid flow regulator is disposed within the first fluid chamber and an upper surface of the fluid flow regulator is disposed within the second fluid chamber. The fluid flow regulator is mounted within the valve body in such a way as to permit movement of the fluid flow regulator along a longitudinal axis of the valve body. The fluid flow regulator includes a central hub which extends below the lower surface into the mixing chambr.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff. One preferred manipulating apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart, ridged rollers (24,25). The rollers (24,25) have a minimum clearance less than an initial thickness of the workpieces (23). A drive arrangement (30) drives the rollers (24,25) in counter-rotating fashion toward each other to pull workpieces (23) through the minimum clearance area. As the workpieces (23) pass between rollers (24,25), the workpiece material spreads out laterally and bends between opposing ridges (38). This lateral spreading and bending produces relative movement throughout the volume of the workpieces (23).

Abstract: A storage bin for bulk ice has upper and lower sections that completely enclose a space in which ice cubes are stored. These ice cubes are produced by an ice making machine and are delivered to the ice bin by a conveyor which is inclined upwardly away from the ice making machine. One of the walls on the upper section of the ice bin is inclined to accommodate the inclination of the conveyor and this wall has an opening through which the ice cubes are discharged into the enclosed space. The lower section of the bin has an opening through which the ice cubes are withdrawn for bagging, while the upper section has another opening that provides access to the interior of the bin for breaking up ice jams. Both of these openings are normally closed by doors. Refrigeration equipment extracts heat from the enclosed space of the bin, and the water line that leads to the ice making machine passes through the space so that the water is precooled, thus rendering the ice making machine considerably more efficient.

Abstract: An intake control system comprising a mode selector which receives a first control pressure and a second control pressure, and, according to the temperature inside and outside the vehicle, adapted to supply selectively a plurality of different combinations of the first and second control pressures to a pressure activated actuator to switch an air intake system between at least an outside air position and a recirculating air position. An air intake changeover switch receives the pressure output by an air control switch, a first reference pressure and a second reference pressure, and supplies a certain combination thereof as the first and second control pressures, when operated, to the mode selector, thereby causing the actuator to switch the air intake system to the recirculating air position, irrespective of the switching state of the mode selector.