Abstract: An apparatus and process for frost control for the ambient air heat exchanger of a space conditioning apparatus. The ambient air heat exchanger is immersed in a fluidized bed enhancing the heat transfer and physically reducing frost formation. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidized bed is supported by a support bed of non-fluidized solid particles. In one of the embodiments the particulate beds may be desiccant materials. The space conditioning apparatus and method of frost control of this invention permits smaller ambient air heat exchangers and accommodates greater transient conditions due to the enhanced heat transfer and physical prevention of ice formation resulting from the fluidized bed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for frost control for the ambient air heat exchanger of a space conditioning apparatus. The ambient air heat exchanger is immersed in a fluidized bed enhancing the heat transfer and physically reducing frost formation. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidized bed is supported by a support bed of non-fluidized solid particles. In one of the embodiments the particulate beds may be desiccant materials. The space conditioning apparatus and method of frost control of this invention permits smaller ambient air heat exchangers and accommodates greater transient conditions due to the enhanced heat transfer and physical prevention of ice formation resulting from the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A heat actuated heat pumping apparatus and process having two working chambers to provide a Vuilleumier cycle for space conditioning. The working chamber volumes are in pressure communication with each other in the vicinity of intermediate thermal exchange means in each volume equalizing the pressure between the two working volumes with one module acting as the driver for the heat pumping action of the second module. Pressure communication may be maintained through a floating piston thereby providing two different intermediate heat rejection temperature levels resulting in a four temperature level Vuilleumier heat pump. The apparatus and process of this invention reduces mechanical complexity and improved thermal exchange in a heat pump system suitable for large air conditioning applications and hot water heating as well as small refrigeration and cryogenic applications.

Abstract: A solid adsorption air conditioning apparatus and process using water or ammonia refrigerant in a generator-condenser-evaporator-adsorber cycle wherein the refrigerant is adsorbed on a solid adsorbent coated on the interior of a combination adsorber-generator module and then generated from said adsorbent, the adsorber-generator modules alternately performing each of these functions. The apparatus and process may be used for cooling and heating functions by simple adjustment of dampers. The apparatus and process provides an air conditioning apparatus which may utilize solar heat for a substantial portion of its energy input requirements and does not require any liquid pumping.

Abstract: Efficiency of an open-cycle air conditioning apparatus and method for heating and cooling is improved and the economy of external power is increased both with respect to cost and energy consumption by providing a combination of a primary heater and a secondary heater for heating the regeneration stream for regenerating the desiccant means in the air conditioning apparatus. The thermal source for the primary heater may utilize waste heat or solar energy which is transferred to a solid phase thermal storage means by a gaseous phase heat exchange medium. The thermal energy may be transferred from the thermal storage means to the regeneration stream of the open-cycle air conditioning apparatus either directly by passing the air stream over the solid phase thermal storage means or indirectly by passing liquid in an enclosed system through the solid phase thermal storage means and the regeneration stream.

Abstract: A solid adsorption air conditioning apparatus for cooling and heating which is compact in size and particularly adapted to low capacity and which may be at least partially solar powered and air cooled. The apparatus utilizes water vapor as refrigerant working within a hermetically sealed module. The hermetically sealed module has opposing thermally conductive walls which are internally coated with water vapor adsorbent material and thermally insulated from each other.

Abstract: A solid adsorption air conditioning apparatus and process for cooling and heating which is compact in size and particularly adapted to low capacity and which may be at least partially solar powered and air cooled. The apparatus and process utilizes water vapor as refrigerant working within a hermetically sealed module. The hermetically sealed module has opposing thermally conductive walls which are internally coated with water vapor adsorbent material and thermally insulated from each other.

Abstract: A process for open-cycle air conditioning which affords economy of external power both with respect to cost and energy consumption by providing a low-temperature heater and a high-temperature heater for regenerating the sensible heat exchanger and desiccant when the apparatus is used for cooling and the enthalpy exchanger when the apparatus is used for heating. The power source for the low-temperature heater can utilize solar energy, waste boiler heat, waste process heat, nuclear reactor heat and the like. The power source for the high-temperature heater can be an open flame burner or other conventional heater.

Abstract: Efficiency of an open-cycle air conditioning apparatus and method for heating and cooling is improved and the economy of external power is increased both with respect to cost and energy consumption by providing a combination of a primary heater and a secondary heater for heating the regeneration stream for regenerating the desiccant means in the air conditioning apparatus. The thermal source for the primary heater may utilize waste heat or solar energy which is transferred to a solid phase thermal storage means by a gaseous phase heat exchange medium. The thermal energy may be transferred from the thermal storage means to the regeneration stream of the open-cycle air conditioning apparatus either directly by passing the air stream over the solid phase thermal storage means or indirectly by passing liquid in an enclosed system through the solid phase thermal storage means and the regeneration stream.

Abstract: A process for open-cycle air conditioning which affords economy of external power both with respect to cost and energy consumption by providing a low-temperature heater and a high-temperature heater for regenerating the sensible heat exchanger and desiccant when the apparatus is used for cooling and the enthalpy exchanger when the apparatus is used for heating. The power source for the low-temperature heater can utilize solar energy, waste boiler heat, waste process heat, nuclear reactor heat and the like. The power source for the high-temperature heater can be an open flame burner or other conventional heater.