Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling supplemental heat added to the air stream passing from an indoor coil to an air supply duct of a heat pump system, the heat pump system being of the type that includes an indoor thermostat having a first set point for initiating heat supplied by the indoor coil and a second set point for initiating additional heat supplied by supplemental heating means. The supplemental heating elements include an adjustable output heating element for heating air passing from the indoor coil to the air supply duct. The coil discharge temperature of the air stream heated by the indoor coil is determined at a position between the indoor coil and the supplemental heating means. The adjustable output heating element is selectively energized in response to the coil discharge temperature, independent of the second set point of the indoor thermostat.

Abstract: In a heat pump system designed for use with a relatively low pressure refrigerant, provision is made, by use of a vapor pressure control system, to use a higher pressure refrigerant without replacement of the indoor coil and the line set. The vapor pressure is sensed during periods of heat pump operation, and when the pressure reaches a predetermined maximum threshold level, the outdoor fan speed is reduced to thereby cause the vapor pressure to be reduced. When the vapor pressure is reduced to a predetermined minimum threshold level, then the fan speed is resumed so as thereby allow the vapor pressure to again be increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling supplemental heat added to the air stream passing from an indoor coil to an air supply duct of a heat pump system, the heat pump system being of the type that includes an indoor thermostat having a first set point for initiating heat supplied by the indoor coil and a second set point for initiating additional heat supplied by supplemental heating means. The supplemental heating elements include an adjustable output heating element for heating air passing from the indoor coil to the air supply duct. The coil discharge temperature of the air stream heated by the indoor coil is determined at a position between the indoor coil and the supplemental heating means. The adjustable output heating element is selectively energized in response to the coil discharge temperature, independent of the second set point of the indoor thermostat.

Abstract: A condensate pan is adapted for use in either a left or right horizontal fan coil installation, and includes left and right mirror image sides interconnected with a central section having on its lower surface a riser near one end, and each of the halves having a drainage opening on the other end, such that when the evaporator coil is placed in the condensate pan, the pan is tipped about the riser to lower one side and raise the other, depending on whether its a left or right horizontal installation, such that drainage occurs from the lower side drainage opening. The drainage opening is so located with respect to the floor of the pan that, when a drain pipe is threadably connected thereto, its lower inner surface is disposed vertically below the pan floor to thereby enhance its drainage characteristics.

Abstract: A condensate pan is adapted for use in either a left or right horizontal fan coil installation, and includes left and right mirror image sides interconnected with a central section having on its lower surface a riser near one end, and each of the halves having a drainage opening on the other end, such that when thee evaporator coil is placed in the condensate pan, the pan is tipped about the riser to lower one side and raise the other, depending on whether its a left or right horizontal installation, such that drainage occurs from the lower side drainage opening. The drainage opening is so located with respect to the floor of the pan that, when a drain pipe is threadably connected thereto, its lower inner surface is disposed vertically below the pan floor to thereby enhance its drainage characteristics.

Abstract: The uniformity and suitability of fractural glass derived from breaking used fluorescent tubes for separation of the glass and potentially toxic powder adhered to the fractured glass prior to disposal and recovery of the components glass and powder is improved by use of a fracture blade having a sharp striking point extending forwardly from a base composed of a flat transversely oriented rotatable striking blade. The blade is preferably, for best results in later separation of the glass particulates and powder, operated at a striking blade speed of 1760 to 3700 feet per minute, providing a uniformity and size of fractured glass upon which a significantly more effective countercurrent air separation can be made.

Abstract: The separation of potentially toxic phosphor compounds from fractured glass particulates derived from crushing used fluorescent light tubes is improved by continuously mixing the fractured glass particulates together in surface contact with each other to abrade the toxic phosphors from the surfaces of the glass particulates followed by separation by air stripping of the small phosphor particles from the fractured glass particulates. The stripping usually is done in a separate stripping chamber. The mixing and abrading may be accomplished in a variety of mixing devices including auger-type apparatus, rotary chambers, fluosolids reactors and others.

Abstract: A grizzly-type separator is disposed across the path of fractured glass particulates to separate electrical tips from said glass particulates. The separator is formed preferably from round separator bars of about twice the average maximum diameter of fractured glass and about equal to the maximum average diameter of the fractured glass particulates. The separator bars are discontinuous in the center to cause a change in orientation of objects moving down the bars and are secured together by cross bars spaced significantly from the separator bars.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner uses a special self-cleaning filter arrangement including an initial fabric filter having a relatively large mesh size with a broad open mesh ratio of 5 to 11 flat filter threads 0.025 to 0.045 inches in width defining oblong filter openings 0.002 to 0.006 inches in width between longitudinal strands having substantially flat upstream surfaces and having a length between transverse strands not greater than will maintain the structural integrity of the filter openings and a total opening area of 5 to 45 times the cross section of the inlet, which inlet faces away from the filter. The initial filter is preferably backed up by secondary filters which filter particulates passing through the initial fabric filter especially during startup and while the filter cleans itself. Various elements for strengthening the longitudinal strands to maintain the structural integrity of the filter medium with relatively long or extended filter openings are provided.

Abstract: A digesting system for disposal and separation of the component materials, including potentially toxic materials, from used fluorescent tubes, which breaks up fluorescent tubes with a rotating fracture blade while passing a critical amount of stripping air through the fracture zone and countercurrently through a countercurrent flow zone with the fractured glass. The small dust and powder particulates separated from the glass by the countercurrent air stream are then separated from the air stream by a sequence including an initial cyclone or the like from which particulate material collected may be removed during continued operation and by subsequent fine filter means and a final activated carbon filter to remove metallic vapors.

Abstract: A digesting system for disposal and separation of the component materials, including potentially toxic materials, from used fluorescent tubes, wherein the fluorescent tubes are fractured with a rotating fracture blade while passing stripping air through the fracture zone and the fractured glass is then passed countercurrently through a countercurrent flow zone with a rapid flow of stripping air. As the fractured glass particulates descend or fall through the countercurrent flow stripping gas zone, they impact upon a plurality of baffles or impact surfaces that jar the particulates separating additional small powder particulates from the surface of the glass particles.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner uses a special self-cleaning filter arrangement including an initial fabric filter having a relatively large mesh size with a broad open mesh ratio of 5 to 11 flat filter threads 0.025 to 0.045 inches in width defining oblong filter openings 0.002 to 0.006 inches in width and having a length not greater than will maintain the structural integrity of the filter openings and a total opening area of 5 to 45 times the cross section of the inlet, which inlet faces away from the filter. The initial filter is preferably backed up by secondary filters which filter particulates passing through the initial fabric filter especially during startup and while the filter cleans itself.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner uses a special self-cleaning filter arrangement including an initial fabric filter having a relatively large mesh size with a broad open mesh ratio of 5 to 15% and a total opening area of 5 to 45 times the cross section of the inlet, which inlet faces away from the filter. The initial filter is preferably backed up by secondary filters and is arranged so that dirt collected on the filter is periodically sloughed off and dropped into a receptacle after building to a critical level.