Abstract: A fire suppression sprinkler assembly coupled to a mounting surface includes a sprinkler having a heat responsive element arranged adjacent a first end. A cover plate is positioned adjacent the heat responsive element and includes a thermally conductive cover layer. A reflective shield has a reflective interior surface. The reflective shield is positioned substantially opposite the cover plate adjacent the first end of the sprinkler such that heat reflects from the top plate towards the heat responsive element.

Abstract: A fire suppression sprinkler assembly coupled to a mounting surface includes a sprinkler having a heat responsive element arranged adjacent a first end. A cover plate is positioned adjacent the heat responsive element and includes a thermally conductive cover layer. A reflective shield has a reflective interior surface. The reflective shield is positioned substantially opposite the cover plate adjacent the first end of the sprinkler such that heat reflects from the top plate towards the heat responsive element.

Abstract: An exemplary method of installing misting fire suppression sprinklers into a building previously containing at least one other type of sprinkler includes installing at least one misting fire suppression sprinkler where it can introduce a fire suppression mist into a selected portion of the building. Fluid communication is established between the misting fire suppression sprinkler and a liquid supply conduit previously within the building that has been configured to supply fire suppression liquid to the other type of sprinkler. A gas supply conduit is installed within the building in fluid communication with the missing fire suppression sprinkler. The gas from the gas supply conduit and liquid from the liquid supply conduit allow the misting fire suppression sprinkler to selectively produce a fire suppression mist within the selected portion of the building.

Abstract: An elevator (20) includes a sill (38) that extends out from underneath an elevator car (30) to bridge an operating gap (26) between the car (30) and a landing (24). When an elevator door (34) is aligned with a landing door (36), the sill (38) extends outwardly from the car (30) until the sill (38) makes contact with a landing structure (40). A locking mechanism (52) securely locks the sill (38) to the landing structure (40). In one example, once proper sill alignment and locking engagement occurs, a door moving mechanism (50) is released and the elevator (34) and landing (36) doors open.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a plurality of sensors for sensing temperature and/or pressure conditions of the system which collectively indicate the actual refrigerant charge level in the system. This level is then compared with optimum level values that are stored in memory, and the difference between the two is used to indicate whether the system is properly charged. If not, the difference is applied to open a charge valve or a purge valve to automatically install additional refrigerant or to remove refrigerant so as to establish an optimum volume of refrigerant in the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system using a single temperature sensor for sensing three different temperatures within the system to compute a condenser approach temperature difference, which in then compared with a predetermined optimal condenser approach temperature difference to indicate the charge condition of the system. The device includes an absorbent pad for sensing wet bulb temperatures, and is formed as a clamshell that can be clamped onto the condenser liquid line. A microprocessor is included to make the comparison and to appropriately display the result as a visual indication of charge adequacy.

Abstract: A braze-free connector for joining a pair of flow lines in leak tight manner. The connector has a tubular body with entranceways at each end face of the body that converge inwardly and open into the central passage of the body. A flow line is inserted into the body through each entranceway so that the lines meet in abutting contact at about the midsection of the body. A collapsible metal ferrule surrounds each of the lines and is at least partially housed within each entranceway. Members having internal threads that are mated with external threads on the body are arranged to advance the ferrules into the entranceway whereupon the ferrules are forces radially into metal to metal sealing contact with the tubes by the converging wall surfaces of the entranceways.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the sufficiency of the refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system by use of temperature measurements. The temperature of the liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser coil and the outdoor temperature are sensed and representative electrical signals are generated. The electrical signals are converted to digital values that are than compared to predetermined optimal values to determine whether the system is properly charged with refrigerant. An appropriate LED is lighted to indicate that the system is undercharged, overcharged or properly charged. For non-TXV/EXV systems a third parameter i.e. the return air wet bulb temperature is also sensed and a representative digital value thereof is included in the comparison with the predetermined known values to determine if the charge is proper.

Abstract: The sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system is determined by a comparison of two sensed temperatures in the system, one being the liquid line temperature and the other being either the outdoor temperature or the condenser coil temperature. In one embodiment the two sensed temperatures are displayed on respective thermochromic strips which are so calibrated and juxtaposed as to provide a visual indication, by the relative positions of the two displayed sensed temperatures, as to whether the refrigerant charge is adequate. In another embodiment, the sensed liquid line temperature is displayed by way of a plurality of LEDs and the other temperature is displayed by way of a marker on a temperature scale. If the two displayed temperatures are aligned, then the refrigerant charge is optimized, and if they are not aligned, the system is undercharged or overcharged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system by the use of only two temperature measurements. The temperature of the liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser coil is sensed and the temperature of the condenser coil itself is sensed and the difference between these two measurements is calculated to provide an indication of the adequacy of refrigerant charge in the system. This process is refined by steps taken to eliminate measurements during transient operations and by filtering signals to eliminate undesirable noise. A permitted threshold of deviation is calculated by using probability theory.

Abstract: The sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system is determined by a comparison of two sensed temperatures in the system, one being the liquid line temperature and the other being either the outdoor temperature or the condenser coil temperature. In one embodiment the two sensed temperatures are displayed on respective thermochromic strips which are so calibrated and juxtaposed as to provide a visual indication, by the relative positions of the two displayed sensed temperatures, as to whether the refrigerant charge is adequate. In another embodiment, the sensed liquid line temperature is displayed by way of a plurality of LEDs and the other temperature is displayed by way of a marker on a temperature scale. If the two displayed temperatures are aligned, then the refrigerant charge is optimized, and if they are not aligned, the system is undercharged or overcharged.

Abstract: A braze-free connector for attaching a flow line to an operating unit of a flow system. The connector has a central passage into which the flow line is inserted through a tapered entranceway. The entranceway opens into a radially expanded cavity that surrounds a section of the flow line. The cavity is filled with a pressure activated adhesive. A ferrule is mounted in the entranceway and is rotatably mounted upon a threaded nut which mates with a male thread on the connector body. As the nut is advanced, the ferrule moves axially into the cavity to activate the adhesive, and at the same time, is forced radially into tight sealing contact with the flow line.