Abstract: A transmission drives a radial fan about a fan axis in a vehicle cooling unit including a plurality of heat exchangers arranged to surround the radial fan to receive a radial air flow therefrom. A driving pulley, a driven pulley, and a idler pulley of the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A compact cooling system for a vehicle includes an assembly of heat exchangers (10), (12), (14) and (16) connected to each other to provide a box-like configuration. Each heat exchanger (10), (12), (14), (16) includes a core with headers (20), (22) at each end in fluid communication with spaced, flattened tubes (18) with fins (24) extending between the tubes in each of the cores. One of the cores (10) is generally horizontal and located at the upper side of the box-like configuration. A radial discharge fan (42) is located within the box-like configuration and receives cooling air and directs the same radially outwardly through the cores to cool fluid passing through the tubes (18) of the cores. An equalization tank (60), (80) is mounted on the box-like configuration in overlying, spaced relation to a substantial portion of the surface of the heat exchanger (18) so as to be in the path of cooling air merging from the heat exchanger (10) to divert the same.

Abstract: A heat exchanger provides simplicity, compactness, and high efficiency through a construction that includes an elongated tube structure comprising three rows of flattened multiport tubing, with a first row of tubing 30 and a third row of tubing 50 sandwiching a second row of tubing 40. The second row of tubing 40 terminates in opposite ends 42,44 on which are received refrigerant fittings 46 and 48 respectively. The first and third rows of tubing 30, 50 each include a run abutting and in heat exchange relation with the tubing 40. Opposing ends 32, 34 of the tubing 30 extend about refrigerant fittings 46 and 48 and are received in refrigerant fittings 36, 38. The tubing 50 includes parts 52 and 54 extending about the refrigerant fittings 46 and 48 and terminating in opposite ends 56, 58. The ends 56, 58 are also in fluid communication with fittings 36, 38.

Abstract: A compact heat exchanger system including a radial fan directing air flow outwardly away from the fan axis and a plurality of heat exchangers disposed around the radial fan. At least two of the heat exchangers include headers with longitudinal walls extending generally in the same direction as the fan axis with one of the heat exchangers disposed with its outlet header longitudinal wall adjacent the longitudinal wall of the inlet header of a second of the heat exchangers. A flow opening is provided between the adjacent longitudinal walls of the outlet header of the one heat exchanger and the inlet header of the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a first header having an inlet therein, a second header, an outlet in one of the first and second headers, and a plurality of flat tubes extending between the first and second headers for carrying a fluid between the first and second headers. A first connector is also provided for connecting a first exterior line to one of the first and second headers, the first connector being proximate and substantially parallel to an end of one of the flat tubes. In a compact cooling system, such heat exchangers may be disposed about a radial fan directing air flow outwardly away from the fan axis. One of a system inlet and a system outlet are connected via the first exterior lines to the first connectors of at least two of the heat exchangers. 655.

Abstract: A transmission is provided for driving a radial fan about a fan axis in a vehicle cooling unit including a plurality of heat exchangers arranged to surround the radial fan to receive a radial air flow therefrom. The radial fan receives an axial air flow from a front end of the cooling unit. At least one of the heat exchangers has a rearmost edge that defines a back end plane transverse to the fan axis, with none of the other heat exchangers having a rearmost edge that extends rearward beyond the back end plane.

Abstract: A compact cooling system for a vehicle includes an assembly of heat exchangers (10), (12), (14) and (16) connected to each other to provide a box-like configuration. Each heat exchanger (10), (12), (14), (16) includes a core with headers (20), (22) at each end in fluid communication with spaced, flattened tubes (18) with fins (24) extending between the tubes in each of the cores. One of the cores (10) is generally horizontal and located at the upper side of the box-like configuration. A radial discharge fan (42) is located within the box-like configuration and receives cooling air and directs the same radially outwardly through the cores to cool fluid passing through the tubes (18) of the cores. An equalization tank (60), (80) is mounted on the box-like configuration in overlying, spaced relation to a substantial portion of the surface of the heat exchanger (18) so as to be in the path of cooling air merging from the heat exchanger (10) to divert the same.

Abstract: Extreme compactness is achieved in a combined evaporator 22 and suction line heat exchanger 20 through the use of a first, elongated, flattened, multi-port tube 34 having a major dimension DM, a minor dimension dm measured transverse to the major dimension DM and opposed ends 38, 42. The tube is formed in a serpentine configuration by bends 48 across the minor dimension dm with a plurality of generally parallel, spaced runs 46 extending between the ends 38, 42 to define the evaporator 22. An evaporator inlet fixture 30 is provided on one of the ends 38 and an evaporator outlet fixture 32 is provided on the other end 42. Fins 50 extend between adjacent ones of the runs 46. A second, elongated, flattened, multiport tube 70 having a length that is a minor fraction of that of the first tube includes opposed ends 72, 74 a major dimension DM, and a minor dimension dm measured transverse to the major dimension DM.

Abstract: Venting difficulties in a heat battery including a first container (10) for housing a heat storage salt that may be in the solid phase or in the liquid phase, a heat exchanger (22) within the container (10) and a second container (12) surrounding the first container (10) in generally spaced relation to provide an insulating space (14) about the first container (10) along with coolant inlet and outlet connections (40, 42) to the heat exchanger (22) are avoided in a vent system (52) including a vent inlet (66) generally centrally located in the top wall (56) of the first container (10) generally centrally of the ends thereof. A vent passage includes a check valve (106) located in close proximity to the vent opening (66) and the vent opening is surrounded by a cup shaped baffle (60) having an opening (62) facing the interior of the container (10). A filter (78) is located between the check valve (106) and the opening (62) to the baffle (60).

Abstract: The lack of flexibility in selecting locations for inlets or outlets or crossovers for a heat exchange fluid in a heat exchanger can be minimized in a heat exchanger construction including first and second spaced, generally parallel, tubular headers (10), (12) having opposed ends with a plurality of tubes (20) in parallel and spaced from one another which extend between and have their ends in fluid communication with the interior of the headers (10), (12). An adapter in fluid communication with the interior of the headers (10), (12) is fixed to the exterior of the heat exchanger to place the heat exchanger in communication with fluid conduits that may be disposed in a variety of locations in relation to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Loss of efficiency as a result of inadequate subcooling caused by the entry of gaseous refrigerant into the subcooling stage of a condenser (20) from a receiver (22) is avoided in a construction wherein an upper inlet (64) to the receiver (22) is canted at an angle (.alpha.,.beta.) with respect to the longitudinal axis (74) of the receiver to induce a vortex flow (130) of refrigerant in the receiver (22). A baffle (106,115,118,121) may advantageously be located between the upper inlet (64) and a lower outlet (66) of the receiver (22) to isolate turbulence within the receiver (22) from the lower outlet (66).

Abstract: A turboalternator and air flow control assembly for mounting on a combustion air intake of an internal combustion engine comprises a body having an inlet and an outlet defining an air flow path, a nozzle carrier in the body defining a plurality of turbine nozzles spaced arcuately about and generally parallel with a central axis, the nozzles having inlet and outlet ends and forming a portion of the air flow path, a rotor mounted in the body on bearings for rotation on the central axis, the rotor driving an electric generator and including a turbine wheel having blades axially adjacent and radially aligned with said nozzles, a bypass passage in the body and connecting the inlet and outlet separately from the nozzles, and a bypass valve in the bypass passage and operable to control air flow through said bypass passage. Various embodiments including concentric or parallel bypass passage arrangements and having axial or radial gap alternators with permanent magnet rotors are featured.

Abstract: Restrictions on the major dimension of flattened tubes used in heat exchangers employing oval shaped, two piece headers/tank assemblies can be minimized in a construction including a plurality of flattened tubes (14) each having a minor dimension and a major dimension transverse thereto and extending in spaced parallel relation. Fins (16) are in heat exchange relation with the tubes (14) and a pair of spaced, parallel, elongated headers/tank assemblies (10, 12) are provided between which the tubes (14) extend. At least one of the headers/tank assemblies (10, 12) is a multiple piece header/tank assembly including a header piece (20) and a separate tank piece (22). The header piece (20) is elongated and provided with a plurality of slots (28) sized to receive ends of the tubes (14) with the tube major dimensions being generally transverse to the direction of elongation of the header piece (20). The header piece further includes a peripheral flange (24).

Abstract: Uncomfortable air temperatures in an air conditioned vehicle immediately following start up of the air conditioning system or when the air conditioning system compressor is being driven at low speeds are avoided in a cooling system including a blower (22) for blowing air into a compartment (10). An air/liquid heat exchanger (30) is located at the outlet (34) of the blower (22) for cooling air received from the blower (22). The system includes a compressor (50), an expansion device (58), a condenser (54) and a liquid/refrigerant evaporator (64) for expanding refrigerant and cooling a liquid coolant which is circulated through a thermal storage device (92) and the heat exchanger (30) by a pump (86). Upon system start up, or when the compressor (50) is being driven at low speed, the coolant is cooled by the thermal storage device (92) to provide a means of cooling air from the blower (22).

Abstract: A thermal energy storage device includes a sealed container having a wall defining a receptacle. An energy storage medium is disposed in the receptacle. The energy storage medium includes water and a gas capable of forming a gas hydrate with the water at a first transition temperature, the gas hydrate being capable of decomposing into water and the gas at a second transition temperature. Additionally, a fin extends from the wall inwardly to an inner region of the receptacle. The fin is in thermal communication with the wall, and defines a thermal energy transfer path between the wall and the inner region of the receptacle to facilitate the decomposition of the gas hydrate into water and the gas. The thermal energy storage device may also includes a mechanism positioned in the receptacle for providing mechanical movement within the thermal energy storage medium and mechanical contact between structural elements of the thermal energy storage device to facilitate the formation of the gas hydrate.

Abstract: An alternator assembly for use with a port fuel injected internal combustion engine including a battery charging system is driven by a turbine assembly mounted in a variable air intake or throttle valve assembly and converts the change in kinetic energy provided by the inlet combustion air movement across the turbine assembly into rotational movement which drives an electrical generating assembly or alternator to generate current which can be used to supplement a conventional vehicle battery charging system.

Abstract: An improved motor driven centrifugal refrigerant compressor is disclosed having a housing enclosing a motor, control electronics and moving parts of the compressor, and a fluid pathway for circulating a mixture of low pressure refrigerant and a lubricant around the pathway, the pathway including a lubricant concentrator for coalescing the lubricant of the mixture to lubricate moving parts of the compressor and the pathway also including a convective heat transfer region to cool the motor and control electronics within the housing.

Abstract: A turboalternator and air flow control assembly for mounting on a combustion air intake of an internal combustion engine comprises a body having an inlet and an outlet defining an air flow path, a nozzle carrier in the body defining a plurality of turbine nozzles spaced arcuately about and generally parallel with a central axis, the nozzles having inlet and outlet ends and forming a portion of the air flow path, a rotor mounted in the body on bearings for rotation on the central axis, the rotor driving an electric generator and including a turbine wheel having blades axially adjacent and radially aligned with said nozzles, a bypass passage in the body and connecting the inlet and outlet separately from the nozzles, and a bypass valve in the bypass passage and operable to control air flow through said bypass passage. Various embodiments including concentric or parallel bypass passage arrangements and having axial or radial gap alternators with permanent magnet rotors are featured.

Abstract: The lack of flexibility in selecting locations for inlets or outlets or crossovers for a heat exchange fluid in a heat exchanger can be minimized in a heat exchanger construction including first and second spaced, generally parallel, tubular headers (10), (12) having opposed ends with a plurality of tubes (20) in parallel and spaced from one another which extend between and have their ends in fluid communication with the interior of the headers (10), (12). A plurality of fins (22) are located between the headers (10), (12) in heat exchange relation with the plurality of tubes (20) and side pieces, (30) and (32) flank the plurality of tubes (20) as well as the plurality of fins (22) and extend between and are fastened to corresponding ones of the headers (10), (12).

Abstract: An environmental control system includes a refrigeration loop including a two-stage variable speed centrifugal compressor having a low pressure compressor in flow communication with a high pressure compressor and having an inlet and an outlet, a condenser having an inlet connected with the compressor outlet and an outlet, an evaporator having an inlet connected with the condenser outlet and an outlet connected with the compressor inlet and an expansion valve connected between the condenser outlet and the evaporator inlet, and a selectively operative bypass valve in flow communication with the low pressure compressor discharge and the compressor inlet for partially recirculating a portion of the low pressure compressor discharge back to the compressor inlet to regulate compressor flow balance.