Abstract: An apparatus for heating and cooling includes a solar collector for transferring heat energy from incident solar rays to a liquid refrigerant material thereby changing a first portion to a gaseous state. An eductor-venturi reduces a pressure of the gaseous refrigerant material and a condenser removes the heat energy thereby changing the refrigerant material back to the liquid state. A heat exchanger associated with the condenser receives the heat energy removed from the refrigerant material. A float evaporator mounted in a cold chamber transfers heat energy from the atmosphere to the liquid refrigerant material thereby changing a second portion to the gaseous state and cooling the cold chamber atmosphere. A float actuated valve connected to the float evaporator is responsive to a level of the liquid refrigerant material in the evaporator for regulating a flow of the liquid refrigerant material into the evaporator.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and cooling includes a solar collector for transferring heat energy from incident solar rays to a liquid refrigerant material thereby changing a first portion to a gaseous state. An eductor-venturi reduces a pressure of the gaseous refrigerant material and a condenser removes the heat energy thereby changing the refrigerant material back to the liquid state. A heat exchanger associated with the condenser receives the heat energy removed from the refrigerant material. A float evaporator mounted in a cold chamber transfers heat energy from the atmosphere to the liquid refrigerant material thereby changing a second portion to the gaseous state and cooling the cold chamber atmosphere. A float actuated valve connected to the float evaporator is responsive to a level of the liquid refrigerant material in the evaporator for regulating a flow of the liquid refrigerant material into the evaporator.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and cooling includes a solar collector for transferring heat energy from incident solar rays to a liquid refrigerant material thereby changing a first portion to a gaseous state. An eductor-venturi reduces a pressure of the gaseous refrigerant material and a condenser removes the heat energy thereby changing the refrigerant material back to the liquid state. A heat exchanger associated with the condenser receives the heat energy removed from the refrigerant material. A float evaporator mounted in a cold chamber transfers heat energy from the atmosphere to the liquid refrigerant material thereby changing a second portion to the gaseous state and cooling the cold chamber atmosphere. A float actuated valve connected to the float evaporator is responsive to a level of the liquid refrigerant material in the evaporator for regulating a flow of the liquid refrigerant material into the evaporator.

Abstract: A suction accumulator for a refrigeration system includes a pair of closed shells arranged in spaced relation one within the other to define a space therebetween effective to prevent sweating of the inner shell during performance of its normal suction accumulator function. The space is connected between the condenser and the expansion valve of the system to function as a receiver for warm refrigerant thereby creating heat exchange through the wall of the inner shell.

Abstract: A non-freezing dish includes a sealed tube having a heating end and an opposite condensation end configured to be inserted into the ground with the heated end below grade. A phase change material having a gas phase and a liquid phase is sealed in the tube. Heat is absorbed from the ground into the liquid phase to generate a heated gas phase that rises to the condensation end. A condenser conducts the heat to a removable dish and condenses the gas to a cooled liquid phase that is returned to the heated end.

Abstract: A solar collector includes a copper plate and copper tubes for the collection and harnessing of solar energy. The copper tubes are thermally coupled to the copper plate by a copper alloy fillet. The copper tubes, the copper plate and the copper alloy fillet preferably are brazed in a controlled atmospheric furnace at a temperature in the range from approximately 1700 to about 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The solar collector includes a housing for the plate and the tubes having two side walls, two end walls, a rear wall and a removable cover closing an open front side of the housing. One of the end walls and each of the side walls have a slot defined therein generally parallel to a plane of the rear wall for releasably receiving the cover which is formed of a glazing material. A solar collector according to this invention provides enhanced thermal conductivities, increased durability and the concomitant advantages associated with improved manufacturing economies.

Abstract: A method of assembling a two-chamber component includes radially deforming an outer chamber to permit an inner chamber, which includes a fusible plug, to be inserted into the outer chamber. The inner chamber includes a fusible plug that extends radially away from the outside surface of the inner chamber. The fusible plug has a length that is greater than the radial distance between the inner and outer chambers. By radially deforming the outer chamber, it is possible to insert the inner chamber until the plug is radially and axially aligned with a radial opening in the outer chamber. Once the inner chamber is in proper position, the radial deformation is undone and the plug protrudes through the radial opening in the outer chamber, thereby permitting fluid communication from the inner chamber that is isolated from the contents of the outer chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a suction accumulator construction comprised of a pair of closed vessels arranged in spaced relation one within the other to define an air or vacuum space therebetween effective to prevent sweating of the inner vessel during performance of its normal suction accumulator function. The air space may be evacuated to near vacuum to improve upon the sweating-avoidance function. Further, air spaces may be provided around the ends of the inlet and outlet tubes to and from the suction accumulator to preclude sweating or frosting thereof. Means are also provided for circulating heated fluid in the space between the closed vessels.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a sight glass structure positioned in conduit means connecting a suction accumulator and compressor in a refrigeration system. The sight glass structure herein provided may take the form of bushing means rigidly attached to the conduit means and threadably or otherwise receiving an axially passaged sight glass member providing visual communication with the interior of the conduit means, thereby permitting the detection or observation of any slugs of vaporized refrigerant passing from the suction accumulator to the compressor. Another form of the invention includes diametrally opposed bushing means affixed to the conduit means, and each bushing means is similarly equipped with sight glass members of like construction. Either form of the invention, if desired, may include within the sight glass member means impeding movement of the slugs or droplets, thereby improving the detection or observation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for avoiding possible compressor damage occasioned by major flood back of the suction accumulator in a refrigeration system. In one embodiment of the invention, a float member slides upwardly and downwardly upon the stand pipe of the accumulator in response to the level of refrigerant therein, and when the refrigerant rises to a critical level, the float member is effective to block the outlet openings in the upper end of the suction accumulator, preventing flow of refrigerant to the compressor sufficient in volume to cause damage thereto. In another embodiment of the invention, a float member having magnet means associated therewith moves vertically in opposite directions upon a tubular support connected to the suction accumulator structure.

Abstract: A solar heating system is disclosed which comprises the combination of a refrigerant charged collector positioned exteriorly of a house or other building in exposed relation to the sun's rays, and a heat storage unit located interiorly of the building and connected in a closed loop to the collector. An accumulator is so positioned in the loop as to permit only dry saturated refrigerant to move to the heat storage unit. Coils of helical or serpentine configuration are positioned in spaced parallel relation within the heat storage unit, and louvers may be provided on the heat storage unit to control the amount of heat emanating therefrom. Both passive and active phase change systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assembling suction accumulators is provided. A suction accumulator as employed in a refrigeration system conventionally comprises a cylindrical casing, a pair of end closures therefor, an inlet tube, an outlet tube, and a stand pipe. In applicant's assembly process, the inlet and outlet tubes are constructed essentially of copper. The assembly method of this invention is practiced by securing the stand pipe with end cap attached to the top end closure, preferably furnace brazing the end closures to the cylindrical casing, inspecting the metering orifice in the end cap of the stand pipe by viewing the same through the open top end of the stand pipe, and inserting the inlet and outlet tubes through openings in the top end closure and brazing them to said closure by induction or furnace brazing techniques. The disclosed assembly method may also be practiced with a heat exchanger--suction accumulator combination.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for avoiding possible compressor damage occasioned by major flood back of the suction accumulator in a refrigeration system. In one embodiment of the invention, a float member slides upwardly and downwardly upon the stand pipe of the accumulator in response to the level of refrigerant therein, and when the refrigerant rises to a critical level, the float member is effective to block the outlet openings in the upper end of the suction accumulator, preventing flow of refrigerant to the compressor sufficient in volume to cause damage thereto. In another embodiment of the invention, a float member having magnet means associated therewith moves vertically in opposite directions upon a tubular support connected to the suction accumulator structure.

Abstract: A fusible plug structure is provided for use on a refrigeration system component. Among the features of the invention is means of a novel character for connecting a gasket or sealing member to one end of a fusible plug body, which assures a proper and effective seal when the plug body is assembled with a companion female fitting member fixed to the refrigeration system component. The connecting means markedly facilitates proper placement of the sealing member regardless of the particular position of the female fitting and supporting refrigeration system component. The connecting means may take various forms, and illustrative thereof is a substance such as oil or grease. Alternatively, one end of the fusible plug body may be so configured as to receive the sealing member in close fitting contact therewith. The sealing member itself may be variously configured.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel method of removably securing a sight glass member to a refrigeration vessel in hermetically sealed relation therewith. In accordance with the method concept, a ferrule or like tubular mounting means is fixedly attached to the vessel through an opening therein, and one end of the sight glass is located within the ferrule. Brazing metal is then positioned in contact with the sight glass member and ferrule, and the metal, member, and ferrule are heated by electromagnetic induction to melt the brazing metal and form a hermetic bond between the ferrule and sight glass member. By this method, leakage associated with threaded connections, and damage to the sight glass and extreme difficulty of removing the sight glass member when resistance or arc welding methods are used, are herein substantially entirely eliminated.

Abstract: A collector stand for a solar collector, including a frame adapted to be secured to the solar collector, a cylindrical end cap secured to the frame and adapted to be sleeved over the upper end of a mounting post for the solar collector, and structure securing the frame to the post in a location in spaced relation to the end cap. In one embodiment, the stand is adjustable so that the angle which the solar collector makes with the mounting post may be varied.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel method of removably securing a sight glass member to a refrigeration vessel in hermetically sealed relation therewith. In accordance with the method concept, a ferrule or like tubular mounting means is fixedly attached to the vessel through an opening therein, and one end of the sight glass is located within the ferrule. Brazing metal is then positioned in contact with the sight glass member and ferrule, and the metal, member and ferrule are heated by electromagnetic induction to melt the brazing metal and form a hermetic bond between the ferrule and sight glass member. By this method, leakage associated with threaded connections, and damage to the sight glass and extreme difficulty of removing the sight glass member when resistance or arc welding methods are used, are herein substantially entirely eliminated.

Abstract: Air to air heat exchanger structure and method including a helical heat exchange coil having a lower portion and an upper portion, refrigerant in the lower portion of the heat exchange coil, a first chamber surrounding the upper portion of the heat exchange coil, a second chamber surrounding the lower portion of the heat exchange coil, structure connecting the bottoms of the coil portions and the tops of the coil portions to each other, and motor and blower structure for passing warm air over the lower portion of the heat exchange coil to boil the refrigerant therein and for drawing cool air over the upper portion of the heat exchange coil to heat the cool air whereby the boiled refrigerant in the upper portion of the heat exchange coil is condensed and flows by gravity back to the lower portion of the heat exchange coil. The air to air heat exchange structure is adapted for utilization in a window opening to ventilate a dwelling space.

Abstract: Dehumidifier water heater structure and method. The structure includes an outer, air permeable enclosure and a vertical stack positioned centrally thereof, a heat pump circuit including a compressor centrally of the enclosure, a condenser heat exchanger, within and extending axially of the vertical stack, an expansion device connected to the bottom of the condensor heat exchanger and an evaporator coil within the enclosure surrounding the compressor and connected between the compressor and expansion device. A fan for forcing air form the enclosure through the stack, insulation surrounding the condenser heat exchanger and a pump for passing water to be heated through the condenser heat exchanger may also be provided.

Abstract: A heating system employing a heat pump, which is provided with a source of heat created by a second system employing refrigerant as a heat transfer medium, is provided. In the second system the refrigerant passes through a structure wherein the refrigerant is boiled. The refrigerant is then passed by vapor pressure to a heat exchange structure where it gives off heat. The heat energy for boiling such refrigerant may be a readily available source of heat such as the ground, or a water storage system such as a pond, lake, swimming pool, river, well, or creek.