Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a numerical age for new geological events within a new scheme by ordering relations between geological events within a new scheme and/or within a new scheme and a preexisting scheme into a preferred hierarchy, dynamically excluding lower relations in the preferred hierarchy that conflict with higher relations due to irreconcilable ages of the relations, and using the ordered relations remaining in the preferred hierarchy to determine a numerical age for the new geological events within the new scheme.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a numerical age for new geological events within a new scheme by ordering relations between geological events within a new scheme and/or within a new scheme and a preexisting scheme into a preferred hierarchy, dynamically excluding lower relations in the preferred hierarchy that conflict with higher relations due to irreconcilable ages of the relations, and using the ordered relations remaining in the preferred hierarchy to determine a numerical age for the new geological events within the new scheme.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a high side pressure sensor in the form of a temperature dependent resistance in heat exchange with the system working fluid to locally heat the fluid in response to a control signal. Control means are provided for applying the control signal to the resistance and detecting a minimum thermal resistance between the thermistor and the working fluid.

Abstract: A mass flow control apparatus and method for use in combination with a heat transfer system having a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and working fluid in a fluid circuit. The mass flow is controlled using a quality sensor for the working fluid exiting the evaporator, and a high side pressure sensor. A control circuit is provided that monitors the quality sensor and the high side pressure sensor, and controls operation of the compressor, condenser fan and valve in response thereto. A flow reduction mode is used to reduce high side pressure at the valve inlet without excessive compressor cycling by changing the quality sensor set point when the high side pressure exceeds the condenser fan turn-on pressure but is less than the compressor disengage pressure.

Abstract: A mass flow control apparatus and method for use in combination with a heat transfer system having a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and working fluid in a fluid circuit. The mass flow is controlled using a quality sensor for the working fluid exiting the evaporator, and a high side pressure sensor. A control circuit is provided that monitors the quality sensor and the high side pressure sensor, and controls operation of the compressor, condenser fan and valve in response thereto. A flow reduction mode is used to reduce high side pressure at the valve inlet without excessive compressor cycling by changing the quality sensor set point when the high side pressure exceeds the condenser fan turn-on pressure but is less than the compressor disengage pressure.

Abstract: An expansion valve (10) for heat transfer systems such as an air conditioning system, includes a control element (20) for controlling the flow rate of working fluid through the valve. The control element has a stem member (28) and movable member (42) movable on the stem member. Openings (38) to an internal passage (30) in the stem member are regulated by positioning the movable member to achieve regulated flow rate of refrigerant material through the valve. The movable member of the control element is moved by a plunger (24) of a proportional solenoid (22). The proportional solenoid has a magnetic flux circuit including a low permeance isolation tube (62) surrounding the plunger, which enables removal of the coil (76) and frame (78) of the solenoid from the valve. The solenoid further includes a variable permeance flux washer (69) the flux through which varies with plunger position, which is disposed from a gap (82) which provides an area of magnetic saturation.

Abstract: An expansion valve (10) for heat transfer systems such as an air conditioning system, includes a control element (20) for controlling the flow rate of working fluid through the valve. The control element has a stem member (28) and movable member (42) movable on the stem member. Openings (38) to an internal passage (30) in the stem member are regulated by positioning the movable member to achieve regulated flow rate of refrigerant material through the valve. The movable member of the control element is moved by a plunger (24) of a proportional solenoid (22). The proportional solenoid has a magnetic flux circuit including a low permeance isolation tube (62) surrounding the plunger, which enables removal of the coil (76) and frame (78) of the solenoid from the valve. The solenoid further includes a variable permeance flux washer (69) the flux through which varies with plunger position, which is disposed from a gap (82) which provides an area of magnetic saturation.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a high side pressure sensor in the form of a temperature dependent resistance in heat exchange with the system working fluid to locally heat the fluid in response to a control signal. Control means are provided for applying the control signal to the resistance and detecting a minimum thermal resistance between the thermistor and the working fluid.

Abstract: An expansion valve (10) for heat transfer systems such as an air conditioning system, includes a control element (20) for controlling the flow rate of working fluid through the valve. The control element has a stem member (28) and movable member (42) movable on the stem member. Openings (38) to an internal passage (30) in the stem member are regulated by positioning the movable member to achieve regulated flow rate of refrigerant material through the valve. The movable member of the control element is moved by a plunger (24) of a proportional solenoid (22). The proportional solenoid has a magnetic flux circuit including a low permeance isolation tube (62) surrounding the plunger, which enables removal of the coil (76) and frame (78) of the solenoid from the valve. The solenoid further includes a variable permeance flux washer (69) the flux through which varies with plunger position, which is disposed from a gap (82) which provides an area of magnetic saturation.

Abstract: A mass flow control apparatus and method for use in combination with a heat transfer system having a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and working fluid in a s fluid circuit. The mass flow is controlled using a quality sensor for the working fluid exiting the evaporator, and a high side pressure sensor. A control circuit is provided that monitors the quality sensor and the high side pressure sensor, and controls operation of the compressor, condenser fan and valve in response thereto. A flow reduction mode is used to reduce high side pressure at the valve inlet without excessive compressor cycling by changing the quality sensor setpoint when the high side pressure exceeds the condenser fan turn-on pressure but is less than the compressor disengage pressure.

Abstract: A momentary ON rocker button switch (2) with bimetal detent latching (36) in the ON position and releasable by a heater (42) wound on the bimetal (36), the heater (42) being controlled through the output of a solid state timing circuit (TC, R1, C1) housed in the switch which is energized upon closure of the switch contacts (14a, 18).

Abstract: An electric switch having an actuator (24) normally manually operable to close and open a load circuit is provided with an electro-thermal device (42) of the coil (46) heated bimetal (43) type connected to external terminals (16, 17) adapted to be energized by a remote switch and power source to actuate the manual actuator (24) back to its open position.

Abstract: Movement of the diaphragm pad occasioned by change in pressure within the diaphragm in response to a change in sensed temperature causes the bowed actuating spring to increase or decrease the degree of flexure to actuate the switch. In order to accommodate the pressure variations induced by a wide range of ambient temperature conditions the diaphragm is preloaded by a second bowed spring. A cam mechanism can be provided to vary the flexure of the preloading spring to thereby adjust the temperature at which the switch will be actuated.