Abstract: A hydronic type of heating system is operated by a burner control system that relies on measuring the boiler water temperature and comparing the temperature change with a rate of rise set into a burner control means to determine whether the boiler is being properly operated. This system allows for heating the boiler water to a sufficient temperature before circulating the water through the heat exchange means to thereby prevent condensation on the outside of the boiler heat exchanger to eliminate rusting.

Abstract: An outdoor coil defrost control system for a reverse cycle refrigeration system comprising outdoor air temperature sensing means, means for producing an output signal indicative of the operation of the refrigeration compression means, and a special controller means having operative connections to the temperature sensing means and compression sensing means and comprising in part (a) a special variable frequency oscillator having an input indicative of the outdoor air temperature and an output signal the frequency of which varies as a non-linear function of the magnitude of the outdoor air temperature, (b) a counter means having an input connected to receive the output signal of the variable frequency oscillator, and (c) means for placing said refrigeration system into an outdoor coil defrost mode of operation upon the counter means counting a preselected number of counts or pulses.

Abstract: A fuel burner ignition system using a hot surface ignitor means as both an ignition element and as one element of a flame rectification sensor. The hot surface ignitor means ignites fuel issuing from a fuel burner, and also acts as the flame rod or sensing means of a flame detecting system.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration system for controlling the defrosting of one of the heat exchange coils thereof; the control system comprising a nozzle element positioned adjacent to one side of the evaporator coil at a point where frost may build up on the evaporator coil; compressed air means connected to the nozzle through valve means and controllable to selectively permit air to be discharged from a nozzle against the coil; air flow sensor means positioned on the other side of the evaporator coil in register with a nozzle, the sensor means including switch means adapted to be actuated upon said sensor being impacted by a stream of air; and controller means adapted to periodically actuate the valve means so as to cause periodic pulses of air to flow from the nozzle through the evaporator coil, said controller further functioning to place the system into a defrost mode of operation upon said sensor switch means being unactuated for a period of time exceeding the cycle period of the actuation of the val

Abstract: An evaporator coil defrost control system for a refrigeration system comprising refrigerant compression means, a condenser coil, an evaporator coil, and an electric motor operated fan positioned adjacent to said evaporator coil and adapted, when energized, to blow air through said evaporator coil, said defrost control system comprising: strain sensing means connected to said fan blades and adapted to measure force applied to said fan and to produce a signal indicative of said measured force; controller means connected to said strain sensing means to receive the signal therefrom and having operative connections to said system, said controller being adapted to place said system in a defrost mode of operation upon said signal of said strain sensing means having a characteristic indicative of a significant frost build-up on said evaporator coil.

Abstract: A control system for a reverse cycle refrigeration system for controlling the defrosting of the outdoor coil thereof on a cost effective basis; the control system comprising a controller means receiving inputs indicative of the temperature of the outdoor coil, and the operation of the compressor means; the controller means having a timing function which is initiated upon the outdoor coil temperature being at or below a preselected value and the compressor means being operated; the duration of the timing function being determined on a substantially continuous basis as a function of the magnitude of the outdoor coil temperature; and the controller means having an operative connection to the system so as to, upon completion of the timing function, place the reverse cycle refrigeration system into an outdoor coil defrost mode of operation.

Abstract: A compressor fault detection and control system for a reverse cycle refrigeration system for detecting faulty compressor operation and for controlling the system in response to the detection of a fault by inhibiting the compressor and for providing a fault indication, the control system comprising a controller means receiving inputs indicative of the outdoor coil temperature, the temperature of the compressor discharge refrigerant, and an output indicative of a demand from an enclosed space temperature sensing means for heating or cooling of the enclosed space. The controller means also includes timing means and means for comparing the value of the compressor discharge temperature and the value of the outdoor coil temperature.

Abstract: A compressor fault detection and control system for a reverse cycle refrigeration system for detecting faulty compressor operation and for controlling the system in response to the detection of a fault by inhibiting the compressor and for providing a fault indication, the control system comprising a controller means receiving inputs indicative of the outdoor air temperature, the temperature of the compressor discharge refrigerant, and an output indicative of a demand from a building temperature sensing means for heating or cooling of the building. The controller means also includes timing means and means for comparing the value of the compressor discharge temperature and the value of the outdoor air temperature.

Abstract: A loss of refrigerant and/or high discharge temperature detection and control system for a reverse cycle refrigeration system by providing a fault indication whenever the temperature of the compressor discharge refrigerant is at or above a predetermined value (which value is a function of the magnitude of the outdoor air temperature) and which functions further by inhibiting the operation of the compressor of the reverse cycle refrigeration system whenever the temperature of the refrigerant at the compressor discharge exceeds a predetermined value above which the compressor would be damaged if it continued to operate.

Abstract: An improper or wrong operational mode fault detection and control system for a reverse cycle refrigeration system for detecting faulty operation, i.e., operation in the cooling mode when heating is desired or in the heating mode when cooling is requested, and for controlling the system in response to the detection of a fault by inhibiting the compressor and for providing a fault indication, the control system comprising a controller means receiving inputs indicative of the outdoor air temperature, the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger coil refrigerant, and an output indicative of a demand from a building temperature sensing means for heating or cooling of the building. The controller means also includes timing means and means for comparing the value of the outdoor heat exchanger coil refrigerant temperature and the value of the outdoor air temperature.

Abstract: A control system for a reverse cycle refrigeration system for controlling the defrosting of the outdoor coil thereof on a cost effective basis; the control system comprising a controller means receiving inputs indicative of the outdoor air temperature, the temperature of the outdoor coil, and the operation of the compressor means; the controller means having a timing function which is initiated upon the outdoor coil temperature being at or below a preselected value and the compressor means being operated; the duration of the timing function being determined on a substantially continuous basis as a function of the magnitude of the outdoor air temperature; and the controller means having an operative connection to the system so as to, upon completion of the timing function, place the reverse cycle refrigeration system into an outdoor coil defrost mode of operation.