Abstract: In a refrigeration or air-conditioning process, a method applicable to the replacement of potentially ozone-depleting oil-miscible refrigerants such as R-12 with non-ozone-depleting oil-immiscible refrigerants such as R-134a, wherein a conventional expansion device is replaced by a self-regulating pulsed nozzling device for pulsed circulation of the immiscible oil in the new refrigerant to create accelerated intermittent high velocity bursts of substantially unrestricted refrigerant flow imparting sufficient momentum to move the oil with the refrigerant through all stages of the process.

Abstract: A method of mixing introduced relatively cold air with warmer air in a room which comprises directing a stream of high-velocity very cool air from jet orifices in the room wall at adult eye level upwardly along the wall to the ceiling, thus thoroughly mixing the introduced and room air and reducing their differential in temperature and velocity virtually to zero by the time the air stream reaches the ceiling.

Abstract: A coolness storage air conditioner appliance in which water is frozen in chambers during protracted charging cycles by refrigeration apparatus of sufficiently low capacity to permit heat discharge into an interior air space and is melted during brief cooling cycles by air circulated through passageways in heat-transfer relation with the ice, the discharged circulated air thereby cooling the interior air space.

Abstract: A eutectic composition for coolness storage and its method of making wherein a dry particulate mixture of sodium sulfate and a lesser amount of sodium tetraborate pentahydrate is added to water while the water is stirred, together with a small amount of a buffering acid to reduce alkalinity.

Abstract: An ejector-type vapor compression refrigeration system wherein the coefficient of performance is maximized by the selection of the propellant and refrigerant fluids, the propellant being a perfluorocarbon immiscible with the refrigerant and having a relatively low heat of vaporization and high molecular weight and the refrigerant having a relatively high heat of vaporization and low molecular weight.

Abstract: A refrigerant mixture consisting essentially of trichlorofluoromethane (R-11) and dichlorohexafluoropropane (R-216) which has a higher saturated vapor density than that of pure R-11 and which exhibits an azeotrope at approximately 74% by weight of R-11 and 26% by weight of R-216.

Abstract: A coil tube bundle for a heat exchanger wherein substantially rigid strips are formed with substantially equally spaced slots inwardly along a front edge thereof with each slot defining a seat opening through a narrower funnel throat, and flexible tubes of resilient circular cross section disposed across aligned rows of said strips and embraced within the seats of the slots to form an interconnected grid of rigid strips and flexible tubes, the grid being coiled to a bundle with the strips parallel to a central axis and the tubes forming spirals with convolutions contacting and spaced apart by edges of the strips opposite the slotted front edges and with the tubes supported at substantially equally intervals throughout their lengths, the plastic material of the tubes and strips being non-brittle at water-freezing temperatures. The strips and tubes are preferably of slippery plastic which is non-brittle at water-freezing temperatures.

Abstract: Superdensity assembly method and system for coiled tubing bundle plastic heat exchangers resists the large buoyancy forces occurring due to ice build-up on the multiple tubes and provides fast melt down in phase change thermal storage tanks. The coiled tubing bundle heat exchanger in the tank is assembled from numerous vertical slippery plastic strips, for example, high density polyethylene or ultra high molecular weight polypropylene, 1/8th inch to 1/4th inch thick having keyhole-shaped slots of predetermined uniform spacing extending inwardly from the front edge of each strip. Each slot terminates in a rounded seat opening spaced inwardly a predetermined distance from the rear edge of the strip.

Abstract: A multi-mode off-peak storage heat pump system for a building which includes a unidirectional flow refrigerant circuit and a brine circuit in selective heat exchange relation with one another, each being connected to a dual coil in ducts wherein air can be circulated within and between the inside and outside of the building, and an ice bank in the brine circuit for coolness and low-level heat storage, the system providing heating and cooling with no refrigerant reversing valves or coil defrost means and with optimum off-peak power utilization.

Abstract: A method of air conditioning a building having a substantially lesser nighttime than daytime cooling load which comprises (a) around the clock operation of a chiller powered by heat from a fuel-fired engine which drives an electric generator, (b) during the nighttime freezing ice by the heat-operated chiller in combination optionally with an electric chiller powered by the generator, and (c) in the daytime cooling the building by the melting of the ice in combination with the heat-operated chiller and optionally in further combination with the electric chiller.

Abstract: A ground-installed coolness storage and utilization system wherein a given volume of water-soaked soil is frozen by passing an air-chilled heat-exchange liquid through tubes buried in the soil, and thereafter on demand the heat-exchange liquid is conveyed out of the tubes buried in the frozen soil to cool a warmer medium such as ambient air in a building.

Abstract: While many materials and additives which will melt and freeze at various temperature levels for storing and releasing large amounts of heat thereby per unit volume have been disclosed, the packaging of these materials with suitable non-corrodible long-lasting heat exchange structures has been cumbersome and expensive. The present invention provides an inexpensive, high performance, non-corrodible thermal storage method and system adapted for use with heat storage materials of various compositions and adapted for use over a wide range of temperatures, including a heat exchanger which provides for phase change to occur approximately simultaneously throughout the volume of the entire storage mass and provides for the sites at which the phase change is occurring to be approximately uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the heat storage material. Problems of thermal expansion, stratification and sub-cooling are eliminated.

Abstract: While many materials and additives which will melt and freeze at various temperature levels for storing and releasing large amounts of heat thereby per unit volume have been disclosed, the packaging of these materials with suitable non-corrodible long-lasting heat exchange structures has been cumbersome and expensive. The present invention provides an inexpensive, high performance, non-corrodible thermal storage method and system adapted for use with heat storage materials of various compositions and adapted for use over a wide range of temperatures, including a heat exchanger which provides for phase change to occur approximately simultaneously throughout the volume of the entire storage mass and provides for the sites at which the phase change is occurring to be approximately uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the heat storage material. Problems of thermal expansion, stratification and sub-cooling are eliminated.

Abstract: Anhydrous sodium sulfate has been shown to have higher thermal content than any other low cost solid material because of its high density, high specific heat, and additional reversible latent heat of solid-to-solid crystal phase change at around 465.degree. F. By compressing anhydrous sodium sulfate into pellets and then forming a bed of these pellets and passing a heated fluid through the bed a relatively great quantity of heat energy may be economically stored in a relatively small volume. Moreover, a rapid rate of heat transfer into or out of the pebble bed can be achieved, up to 400,000 Btu per hour per cubic foot. The same heat transfer fluid may be used to withdraw the heat from the bed for use in space heating or other purposes. The fluid may be air, other inert gases, or a non-acqueous heat transfer liquid which does not react with sodium sulfate, such as a modified terphenyl or a high temperature oil.

Abstract: With the great increase in the game of ice hockey there is demand for large numbers of lower cost portable ice rinks that can make dual use of recreational land. Heretofore, the hockey "dasher" boards around the perimeter of the ice rink have had to be fastened by embedding into concrete or other special solid base in order to withstand the battering and collisions of players, resurfacing machines and hockey equipment as well as the expanding pressure of the ice as it is constantly melted and refrozen at its edges. This has meant special preparations and difficulty in dual use of recreational areas as playing field, tennis courts, lawn area, parking lot, etc. A method of securing the dasher boards into the refrigerated ice slab is disclosed so that no attachment is required into the ground below and no damage is done to it.

Abstract: Heretofore it has been completely impractical to try to create and hold ice for the purposes of ice skating, curling or sliding during summer weather unless the area were completely enclosed. This invention presents a method for doing this which is practical not only by keeping refrigeration requirements low but also by eliminating dripping, fogging and surface melting. This method also has the advantage of reducing energy requirements for holding an ice slab under indoor or outdoor conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating and maintaining an ice slab for skating purposes, or an ice chute for a toboggan slide, or for maintaining a layer of snow for skiing. The apparatus includes pluralities of small diameter flexible plastic tubes arranged in grids in portable mats with the tubes placed close to one another and arranged with each input or supply tube portion closely adjacent to an outlet or return tube portion providing an advantageous uniform temperature effect at a small distance above the tubes. A low temperature anti-freeze liquid is pumped through the tubes to provide the desired uniform cooling effect, and the portable mats each include a pair of sub-headers which can conveniently be coupled together with main headers to form a large grid the size of an ice skating rink, or a ski slope.