Abstract: An external circuit that works in conjunction with the existing tank thermostatic controls to control both a water heating heat pump and the existing resistance elements in a water heater. The existing resistance elements are disabled to allow the heat pump to heat the water unless a large volume of hot water is quickly withdrawn whereupon the upper resistance element is re-enabled to heat the water for a faster recovery rate.

Abstract: An external circuit that works in conjunction with the existing tank thermostatic controls to control both a water heating heat pump and the existing resistance elements in a water heater. The existing resistance elements are disabled to allow the heat pump to heat the water unless a large volume of hot water is quickly withdrawn whereupon the resistance elements are re-enabled to heat the water for a faster recovery rate.

Abstract: A heat transfer coil and method of manufacture where a second piece of tubing is wound around a first piece of tubing while the first piece is straight, where the first piece of tubing is then formed to define the overall coil shape, and then the first and second pieces of tubing internally sized by internal pressurization to also force the two pieces of tubing into intimate contact with each other.

Abstract: A heat pump for heating water in a condenser where the water is circulated through the condenser by a pump controlled by the condensing temperature of the refrigerant to return water heated to a usable temperature to the upper end of the water tank.

Abstract: A heat pump for heating water in a condenser where the water is circulated through the conductor by a pump controlled by the condensing pressure of the refrigerant to return water heated to a usable temperature to the upper end of the water tank.

Abstract: An external circuit that works in conjunction with the existing tank thermostatic controls to control both a heat pump and existing resistance elements in compliance with existing governmental codes. At the same time, this circuit disables the resistive heating elements in the hot water tank and enables the heat pump connected thereto so that the heat pump heats the water in the hot water tank. The control of the operation of the heat pump is provided through the thermostat(s) in the existing tank circuitry in the hot water tank which normally controls the resistive heating elements. At the same time, the electric resistive heating elements remain available for standby use. Further, the circuitry of the invention precludes the simultaneous operation of the electric resistive heating elements in the hot water tank and the heat pump heating unit.

Abstract: A heat pump system with three heat exchangers, two of which are connected through a reversible expander and the third of which is connected to both of the first mentioned exchangers through an expander and check valve arrangement for refrigerant to flow from the third to either of the first two heat exchangers but not vice versa. A flow control valve selectively connects the other side of either of the first two heat exchangers to the suction side of the compressor while selectively connecting the other side of any one of the heat exchangers to the high pressure side of the compressor to form a refrigeration loop including two of the heat exchangers. Refrigerant flow through the heat exchanger not being used is blocked.

Abstract: An economical full capacity integrated heat pump water system which utilizes the basic components of conventional heat pump systems and a hot water heat exchanger incorporated in the system. The invention may be operated in three refrigerant flow configurations, with five associated operational modes. In one configuration, the refrigerant flow is from the compressor, through the hot water heat exchanger, through the outdoor heat exchanger, through an expansion device, through the indoor heat exchanger and back to the compressor. In a second configuration, the refrigerant flow is from the compressor, through the hot water heat exchanger, through the indoor heat exchanger, through an expansion device, through the outdoor heat exchanger, and back to the compressor.

Abstract: A water heater construction and the method of operation thereof including a water tank containing water to be heated; a heat pump having condenser heat exchanger externally of the water tank; circulation means for circulating water from the lower end of the water tank through the condenser heat exchanger to heat the water and then back into the upper end of the water tank; and control means for controlling the circulation of the water by the circulation means so that the water returning to the water tank from the condenser heat exchanger has been heated to at least a predetermined return water temperature by the condenser heat exchanger sufficient for immediate use.

Abstract: A heat storage and/or recovery system using multiple heat storage tanks to selectively store heat from a solar collector and recover the stored heat to operate a heat driven system. The heat from the solar collector is transferred into the storage tanks through an input heat transfer link configuration using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat into a storage tank that will accept the heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the storage tanks back to the solar collector while the heat in the storage tanks is transferred to the heat driven system through a recovery heat transfer link configuration also using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat to the heat driven system from a storage tank capable of supplying heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the heat driven system back into the storage tanks.

Abstract: A heat storage and/or recovery system using multiple heat storage tanks to selectively store heat from a solar collector and recover the stored heat to operate a heat driven system. The heat from the solar collector is transferred into the storage tanks through an input heat transfer link configuration using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat into a storage tank that will accept the heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the storage tanks back to the solar collector while the heat in the storage tanks is transferred to the heat driven system through a recovery heat transfer link configuration also using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat to the heat driven system from a storage tank capable of supplying heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the heat driven system back into the storage tanks.

Abstract: A central station monitors the use of electrical power and when peak demand periods occur, coded information is transmitted by radio from the central station to remote receivers mouned on poles proximate power distribution transformers serving the customers. The transmitted signal includes both address and command information which are decoded at the receivers. Those receivers which have been addressed pass the command information as carrier signals over the distribution lines from the secondaries of the respective distribution transformers to the customers. This address information informs the customers of the existence of the peak load conditions and/or controls the operation of the customers' power consuming devices and electric meter.

Abstract: A heat storage and/or recovery system using multiple heat storage tanks to selectively store heat from a solar collector and recover the stored heat to operate a heat driven system. The heat from the solar collector is transferred into the storage tanks through an input heat transfer link configuration using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat into a storage tank that will accept the heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the storage tanks back to the solar collector while the heat in the storage tanks is transferred to the heat driven system through a recovery heat transfer link configuration also using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat to the heat driven system from a storage tank capable of supplying heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the heat driven system back into the storage tanks.

Abstract: A flow control valve assembly for controlling the flow of a working fluid which has a housing that defines a valve chamber therein, an inlet port to the valve chamber and an outlet port from the valve chamber, a valve body which is movably carried in the chamber between a closed position that blocks the outlet port from communication with the inlet port and an open position so that the inlet port is in communication with the outlet port to allow the working fluid to be forced through the valve chamber, and a valve control means responsive to the velocity of the working fluid flowing through the valve chamber or responsive to the pressure differential across the valve body to operate the valve assembly by moving the valve body between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A heat storage and/or recovery system using multiple heat storage tanks to selectively store heat from a solar collector and recover the stored heat to operate a heat driven system. The heat from the solar collector is transferred into the storage tanks through an input heat transfer link configuration using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat into a storage tank that will accept the heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the storage tanks back to the solar collector while the heat in the storage tanks is transferred to the heat driven system through a recovery heat transfer link configuration also using vapor heat transfer which automatically transfers heat to the heat driven system from a storage tank capable of supplying heat but effectively prevents the flow of heat from the heat driven system back into the storage tanks.

Abstract: A modular solar collector system for solar radiation with a collector assembly including a series of overlapping collector pans defining a common fluid flow channel therealong exposed to solar radiation down which a heat transfer fluid flows to be heated directly or indirectly by the solar radiation. The fluid flow channel is closed by a transparent cover, a supply header which distributes the heat transfer fluid over the fluid flow channel for flow down the channel under the force of gravity, and a return header to receive the heated fluid after passage down the channel for passage through a heat exchanger and recirculation. The disclosure also contemplates the method of fabrication and installation of the solar collector system.

Abstract: A modular solar collector system and method for solar radiation with a collector assembly defining a fluid flow channel therein exposed to solar radiation; a heat transfer fluid for flowing down the fluid flow channel to be heated directly or indirectly by the solar radiation where the heat transfer fluid has a fluid vapor pressure differential between the maximum and minimum temperatures to which said heat transfer fluid is exposed during flow down the fluid flow channel of less than about 0.3 psia and/or defines a wetting angle with respect to said solar radiation absorbing surface of less than about 50.degree.; and means for supplying the heat transfer fluid to the upper end of the channel for the flow of the heat transfer fluid down the channel under the force of gravity to heat the transfer fluid.

Abstract: A heat pump system including an evaporator with an inlet and an outlet, a condenser with an inlet and an outlet, a boiler with an inlet and an outlet, an expansion valve connecting the condenser outlet to the evaporator inlet, a liquid pump connecting the condenser outlet to the boiler inlet, and a system working fluid in combination with an expansion-compression device defining a chamber therein and including a free-piston slidably carried in the chamber for linear movement therein, and dividing the chamber into a first subchamber of varying size as said free piston moves and a second subchamber of varying size as said free piston moves along with boiler valve means for selectively introducing working fluid from the boiler outlet into the first subchamber; valve means for selectively introducing working fluid from the evaporator outlet into the first subchamber; condenser valve means for selectively introducing working fluid from said first subchamber into the condenser inlet; means for pressurizing the seco

Abstract: A dual loop, heat driven, heat pump system including an expansion-compression device with a linearly movable operating mass such as a free piston assembly; a Rankine cycle power loop with a working fluid operatively connected to the expansion-compression device to drive same; a vapor compression heat pump loop with a working fluid operatively connected to the expansion-compression device to be driven thereby; and control means for selectively associating the working fluid of the power loop with the linearly movable mass of the expansion-compression device to cause the power loop working fluid to drive the movable mass linearly and induce linear kinetic energy in the movable mass, and for selectively associating the working fluid of the heat pump loop with the mass while the linear kinetic energy is stored therein to cause at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the mass to be transferred to the heat pump loop working fluid as compression work.