Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive vehicle having an engine and a modular air conditioning system wherein all of the receiver-drier, evaporator, and interconnecting refrigerant tubes, are mounted on the engine as discrete components to form a complete refrigeration loop, tested, and repaired, if necessary, prior to the installation of the engine and refrigerant loop together in the vehicle. The vehicle radiator is also mounted to the engine to facilitate the condenser mounting.

Abstract: A modular automotive air conditioning system has all of the refrigerant loop components, i.e., compressor, condenser, receiver-drier, and evaporator, mounted on the engine as discrete components to form a unit which can be tested, and repaired if necessary, prior to installation of the engine and refrigerant loop together in the vehicle. The vehicle radiator is also mounted on the engine to facilitate the condenser mounting. In the vehicle, the evaporator is connected to the dash-mounted vehicle heater and blower with a flexible duct to accommodate relative motion between the engine-mounted evaporator and the heater.

Abstract: An independent heat system for heating a motor vehicle passenger compartment comprises a surge tank feeding the heat transfer medium to a pump which circulates fluid through the cab heater core, heat exchanger and a waste heater core, if necessary. The heat exchanger is connected to an engine exhaust system for heating the circulating medium by the engine exhaust gasses. The heat system can be adapted for heating of a vehicle passenger compartment in any vehicle having no engine water cooling system.

Abstract: A gas valve for attachment to a gas line for preventing flow of gas during and subsequent to a vibratory shock above a pre-determined intensity; a tilting of said valve beyond a pre-determined angle from the vertical; and/or when an excess flow of gas through said valve above a pre-determined velocity occures. The trip mechanism is a set of three hinged, centrally suspended inertia weights which are mass biased away from said suspension points and incorporate aerodynamically designed flow vanes and having release hooks at their lower inner facing ends which engage an articulated head atop a shaft and stopper assembly which is spring biased downward against a valve seat near the inlet orifice of said valve. The valve having an external reset lever and multiple inertia weight/flow vane configurations for custom applications.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrically interrogating gaseous discharge cells in a plasma panel to sense the state of said cells by selectively coupling a sensing impedance element for detecting the presence of a discharge current associated with cells having information. Graphic systems using electrical interrogation of gaseous discharge cells in a plasma panel to provide image editing and/or image transfer.