Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle device in which a compressor is driven by power transmitted from an engine, a torque limiter is adapted to interrupt a transmission of the power from the engine to the compressor when a torque transmitted from the engine to the compressor becomes a predetermined value. A control unit is adapted to determine whether the transmission of the power from the engine to the compressor is interrupted by the torque limiter by determining whether a deviation of a refrigerant discharge pressure of the compressor is below a predetermined pressure when the control unit commands the compressor to change the refrigerant discharge flow amount of the compressor. Thus, the control unit can determine whether the torque limiter interrupts the transmission of power from the engine to the compressor without, using a compressor revolution sensor.

Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle device in which a compressor is driven by power transmitted from an engine, a torque limiter is adapted to interrupt a transmission of the power from the engine to the compressor when a toque transmitted from the engine to the compressor becomes a predetermined value. A control unit is adapted to determine whether the transmission of the power from the engine to the compressor is interrupted by the torque limiter by determining whether a deviation of a refrigerant discharge pressure of the compressor is below a predetermined pressure when the control unit commands the compressor to change the refrigerant discharge flow amount of the compressor. Thus, the control unit can determine whether the torque limiter interrupts the transmission of power from the engine to the compressor without, using a compressor revolution sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system of a dual air conditioner type includes a front seat air-conditioning unit for air-conditioning a front seat side and a rear seat air-conditioning unit for air-conditioning a rear seat side. The system includes parallel connected evaporators for the front seat air-conditioning unit and the rear seat air-conditioning unit. At a low flow rate of refrigerant, the system prevents a significant increase in the temperature of air blown into the rear seat area relative to the temperature in the front seat area. The system employs a variable capacity compressor that enables its discharge capacity to be controlled by an external control signal, allowing the discharge capacity of the compressor to be controlled in accordance with the higher evaporator temperature of the temperatures at the front seat evaporator and the rear seat evaporator and a target evaporator temperature.

Abstract: When a compressor apparatus is operated at a maximum displacement for 60 minutes or longer, an ECU controls a pressure control valve to gradually change the refrigerant pressure in a swash plate chamber in a manner that gradually reduces the displacement of the compressor apparatus. In this way, it is possible to create a state, in which a relatively large pressure difference is created between a refrigerant inlet side and the swash plate chamber. Thus, refrigerant oil accumulated in the swash plate chamber can be returned to the refrigerant inlet side of the compressor apparatus at the time of gradually reducing the displacement of the compressor apparatus.

Abstract: When a compressor apparatus is operated at a maximum displacement for 60 minutes or longer, an ECU controls a pressure control valve to gradually change the refrigerant pressure in a swash plate chamber in a manner that gradually reduces the displacement of the compressor apparatus. In this way, it is possible to create a state, in which a relatively large pressure difference is created between a refrigerant inlet side and the swash plate chamber. Thus, refrigerant oil accumulated in the swash plate chamber can be returned to the refrigerant inlet side of the compressor apparatus at the time of gradually reducing the displacement of the compressor apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system of a dual air conditioner type includes a front seat air-conditioning unit for air-conditioning a front seat side and a rear seat air-conditioning unit for air-conditioning a rear seat side. The system includes parallel connected evaporators for the front seat air-conditioning unit and the rear seat air-conditioning unit. At a low flow rate of refrigerant, the system prevents a significant increase in the temperature of air blown into the rear seat area relative to the temperature in the front seat area. The system employs a variable capacity compressor that enables its discharge capacity to be controlled by an external control signal, allowing the discharge capacity of the compressor to be controlled in accordance with the higher evaporator temperature of the temperatures at the front seat evaporator and the rear seat evaporator and a target evaporator temperature.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a control unit includes determining means for determining a first start of a compressor for compressing refrigerant in a refrigerant cycle after being mounted on the vehicle, and control means for controlling operation of the compressor so that the compressor is operated for a predetermined time by a rotation speed equal to or lower than a predetermined rotation speed when the determining means determines the first start of the compressor. Accordingly, breaking-in operation of the compressor can be accurately performed for the predetermined time by an automatic control.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a control unit includes determining means for determining a first start of a compressor for compressing refrigerant in a refrigerant cycle after being mounted on the vehicle, and control means for controlling operation of the compressor so that the compressor is operated for a predetermined time by a rotation speed equal to or lower than a predetermined rotation speed when the determining means determines the first start of the compressor. Accordingly, breaking-in operation of the compressor can be accurately performed for the predetermined time by an automatic control.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner where a foot mode and a foot/defroster mode can be set, when a target temperature of air blown into a passenger compartment is higher than a predetermined temperature, the foot mode is selected. However, even if the target temperature of air is higher than the predetermined temperature, the foot/defroster mode is selected in place of the foot mode when an outside air temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature and when a vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined speed. In the vehicle air conditioner, because the foot/defroster mode can be suitably automatically selected based on a fog-generation condition of a windshield, both fog-preventing performance of the windshield and heating performance of the passenger compartment are improved during heating operation.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner where a foot mode and a foot/defroster mode can be set, when a target temperature of air blown into a passenger compartment is higher than a predetermined temperature, the foot mode is selected. However, even if the target temperature of air is higher than the predetermined temperature, the foot/defroster mode is selected in place of the foot mode when an outside air temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature and when a vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined speed. In the vehicle air conditioner, because the foot/defroster mode can be suitably automatically selected based on a fog-generation condition of a windshield, both fog-preventing performance of the windshield and heating performance of the passenger compartment are improved during heating operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a male and female couplings which are fitted with each other. A fixing device includes a first and second fixing member of a substantially semicircular cylindrical shape. A hinge device is provided for rotating the first and second fixing members between an opened condition and a closed condition. At the closed condition, the first and second fixing members cooperate to form a recess of a shape corresponding to that of the fitted part of the couplings thereby axially holding the couplings. A releasable lock is constructed by a catch member on the first fixing members and a latch member on the second fixing member. The releasable lock allows the fixing members to be easily engaged and disengaged, thereby increasing productivity during the pipe fitting operation.