Abstract: A floor for a bumper car amusement ride is of modular construction. A base of each module may be of wood and has a multitude of openings for inserted reception of threaded studs welded to the underside of sheet metal panels extending lengthwise thereof. Nut elements, upon removal, permit panel removal and replacement. Dielectric spacers on each base insulate metal panels of different polarity. A metal framework supports the floor modules.

Abstract: A flooring member comprising a top, a bottom, a first edge, a second edge, a tongue member configured to be received within a groove member of an adjacent flooring member, the tongue member extending generally perpendicular from the first edge and having a top surface and a bottom surface, the tongue member top surface is inclined away from the flooring member top at a first angle, the tongue member bottom surface is inclined toward said flooring member top at a second angle, the second angle being less than the first angle so that a gap resistant interconnection of the tongue within a groove of an adjacent flooring member is achieved.

Abstract: A structural panel is formed of an isogrid web. The structural panel has a flat face covering one open side of the isogrid web and four sidewalls forming the edges of the isogrid web, The flat face and the sidewall form, in combination, an open topped box like structure. The isogrid web has a first plurality of ribs oriented vertically thereby providing columnar support for the structural panel and a second plurality of nibs oriented transversely at an angle to the first plurality of ribs thereby providing lateral support for the structural panel. The first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs form, in combination, a pattern of repeating isosceles triangles thereby forming the isogrid web. The first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs meet at a third plurality of nodes forming the vertices of the isosceles triangles.

Abstract: A support device for stabilizing a hanging wall above a floating slab. In areas having expansive soils, basement slabs and surface slabs will rise and fall with increases and decreases in soil moisture. Walls mounted on such slabs would be damaged when the slab rises. Therefore, such walls are made to hang from overhead structures such as joists with the bottom wall end spaced from the slab. The support device is mounted on a bottom plate within such a wall above a base plate fastened to the slab. The device includes a bracket having a flange for fastening to the bottom plate and an tubular extension extending downwardly through a hole in the bottom plate. A sleeve slidingly fits through the tubular extension and includes at least one nail (preferably two nails) extending through the sleeve and engaging the base plate. When the nails are hammered into the base plate, the wall can move up and down with the slab, but is stabilized against lateral movement due to lateral forces on the wall.

Abstract: A glass curtain wall connective support system that includes a connective aluminum shape with an integral slot, which is configured to index with an outer facing leg or projection from a curtain wall frame support structure. The connective aluminum shape is bonded to a glass pane assembly, preferably under factory conditions. The curtain wall frame support structure is affixed to a secure structural element of a building. The glass pane assembly, bonded with the connective aluminum shape, is then indexed with the curtain wall frame support structure, and then secured with one or more snap clamps. The connective aluminum shape provides a rapid and secure attachment for a plurality of glass panes to a curtain wall frame supporting structure.

Abstract: In order to feed tablet vessels in with simple and low-cost construction, there is provided a vessel holder member (76) having fork-like support portions (78). The vessel holder member (76) is capable of linearly reciprocating between a vessel supporting position and a tablet receiving position. At the vessel supporting position, the vessel holder member (76) receives a tablet vessel (11) fed from a vessel feed section 3 and a flange of the tablet vessel (11) is supported by the support portions (78). At a tablet receiving position, the tablets fed from the tablet feed section (2) are contained in the tablet vessel (11).

Abstract: A tablet dispensing and packaging system includes a drum unit accommodating tablet cassettes open to tablet channels. A base tray slides in and out underneath the drum unit. First openings are formed through upper and lower surfaces of the base tray and a first membrane having pores is slidably provided on the lower surface. A removable tray has second openings therethrough a second membrane having pores is slidably provided on the lower surface of the removable tray to either keep tablets in the second openings thereby or drop the tablets through the pores thereof when slidably displaced to a predetermined extent. The removable tray is detachably mountable on the slid-out base tray.

Abstract: A web of film is folded lengthwise, and its superposed sections are joined together along transverse lines to form a series of pockets. A hole is then cut in each pocket near the fold line. The film is shaped and clamped between two curved shaping parts, and a blade in one of the parts is advanced toward a counter blade on the other part. A shoulder element having a pouring spout and a flange is introduced into the pocket and the spout is inserted through the hole, whereafter the flange is joined to the pocket.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closable by a slider device, on a horizontal form, fill and seal process. The method includes applying the slider device to the zipper construction prior to incorporating the zipper construction with side panels to form the package. A tamper-evident seal may be provided encasing the slider device to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package.

Abstract: This invention consist of the application of ionomers with high acid comonomer content and neutralisea with specific metal ions as sealant layers for multilayer for fresh meat packaging with improved meat juice or purge retention and a process to archieve this. It has been found that for this application a copolymer of ethylene and an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated C3-C8 carboxylic acid, preferably 1-30% by weight, preferably acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, that is partly neutralized with at least one metal ion is most suitable. The copolymer may further contain an acrylate, and may be processed by e.g. extruding or casting a sheet or blowing a film.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) packaging machine comprising a pair of sealing jaws (12; 100; 200, 202; 302, 304) mounted directly or indirectly on parallel shafts (10; 102; 206, 208; 300) for rotation in opposite directions on opposite sides of the path of the packaging material (36; 118; 204, 308) so that the jaws engage the packaging material simultaneously on opposite sides to form successive horizontal seals, and stripping means comprising, in association with the sealing jaw on each side of the path of the packaging material, a pair of stripper carriers (22; 54; 66; 116; 222, 224, 226, 228; 314) mounted for rotation around the corresponding shaft at or near the respective ends thereof, or about an axis parallel to the shaft, a horizontal stripper bar (18B; 40A; 50A; 62; 110; 234; 310) mounted at its respective ends on the two stripper carriers and arranged to be movable with respect to the stripper carriers so that the stripper bar can engage the packaging film along a predetermined vertical strip

Abstract: The method for forming a container that comprises the following stages: the forming of the sidewall blank from a blank by wrapping it in a form that is closed in its horizontal section and by seaming its opposite edges together; the sealing of the sidewall blank at one end with a lid member, which is equipped with a discharge hole; the sealing of the sidewall blank at the other end with a bottom member; and the filling of the container. At first the lid member, the discharge hole of which is completely sealed with an openable closing member, is inserted into the end of the sidewall blank. Thereafter the container is filled through the end of the sidewall blank that was left open, and the container is sealed to form a tight container by sealing the end that was left open with the bottom member.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner includes a header or platform which is equipped with a rotary disc cutter bar having a relatively long length with at least two cutting units being outboard of a central discharge passage where a pair of conditioner rolls are mounted for receiving the cut crop. Aiding in conveying crop to the discharge passage are right- and left-hand sets of three crop converging drums provided at each side of the discharge passage. The outer drums of the two sets are respectively mounted to the top of the right- and left-hand end cutting units of the cutter bar while the other two drums on each side are located behind an inward and rearward extending line that is tangent to the cylindrical path traced by the outer and inner ones of the drums on each side of the discharge passage. In one embodiment, a direct drive transmission is provided, and in a second embodiment a hydraulic motor is provided, for driving the inner two converging drums of each set.

Abstract: A mower deck cleaning device for a rotary mower for removing clippings from the inside of the mower blade housing. A tubular conduit is mounted on the mower so as to extend through the deck of the mower. A garden hose may be attached to the conduit to flow water through the conduit. A rotor mounted on the conduit receives the water from the hose and projects a rotating pattern of pressurized fluid for cleaning the inside of the housing.

Abstract: The expansible baling chamber of a large round baler is constructed so as to have chamber-forming elements that act to bias a forming bale away from the chamber inlet so that harvest entering the inlet will be more easily wrapped onto the bale, these chamber-forming elements, in some embodiments, also acting to increase the tension of tensioning mechanism forming part of the baling chamber. Also aiding in the delivery of harvest to the baling chamber is a conveyor having portions located within the chamber inlet.

Abstract: Twist control system and method for controlling twisting distortion in a beam caused by temperature changes. In a beam having an inherent amount of temperature induced twisting a wrap can be helically bonded to the beam. The wrap has a wrap material type, a wrap cross-sectional profile, and a wrap angle that can be selectively chosen for providing a desired twist control of the beam. The twist control applies a twisting force to the beam which is approximately proportional to the temperature change. The twist control can be used to eliminate the thermally induced twist associated with a particular beam or for providing a desired amount of twist.

Abstract: A cut-resistant stretch yarn having a first elastic core yarn with a first wrapper yarn spirally-wrapped around the elastic core yarn in a first twist direction. The first wrapper yarn is a highly cut-resistant yarn. A second wrapper yarn is spirally-wrapped around the elastic core yarn and the first wrapper yarn in a second twist direction. The second wrapper yarn is a highly cut-resistant yarn. The elastic core yarn may be an elastomeric yarn, neoprene or rubber.

Abstract: An article of jewelry, typically in the nature of a bracelet, arm band, navel ring, toe ring, waist band, ankle band, ankle band or choker is proportioned for compressive engagement of the wrist, arm, navel, toe, waist, ankle or throat, which is formed of a malleable material, such as an alloy of two or more of tin, silver, gold, indium, bismuth, gallium, cadmium, and zinc, which alloys are characterized by a low melting temperature. Each article includes a band formed of one or more lengths of twisted inter-spiraled wires formed of said material. The inventive articles of jewelry, in addition to a length proportioned for compressive contact against said body parts are provided with several barbs, substantially identical in their appearance to barbs of traditional barbed wire.

Abstract: A gas turbine, a combined cycle plant and compressor by which both augmentation of the power output and augmentation of the thermal efficiency can be realized by injecting liquid droplets into inlet air introduced into an entrance of a compressor with simple equipment which is suitable for practical use. The gas turbine includes a compressor for taking in and compressing gas, a combustor in which fuel is combusted with the gas discharged from the compressor, and a turbine driven by the combusted gas of the combustor. The gas turbine further includes a liquid droplet injection device provided on the upstream side of the compressor for injecting liquid droplets into inlet air to be supplied into the entrance of the compressor to lower the temperature of the inlet air to be introduced into the compressor so that the injected liquid droplets may be evaporated while flowing through the compressor.

Abstract: A heat recovery system. Gas turbine engines are tested in test cells. Exhaust from the engines is ducted into an exhaust pipe which is vented to the atmosphere. To prevent heat in the exhaust from damaging the exhaust pipe, cooling water is sprayed into the pipe. The cooling water is boiled into steam, which is also vented to the atmosphere. The invention recovers heat from the cooling water, as opposed to losing the heat to the atmosphere in the form of steam.

Abstract: A failure determination device that detects the humidity of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine and a control system for an exhaust passage changeover valve, which can switch the changeover valve with appropriate timing, thereby enabling sufficient purification of exhaust gases. An operating condition of the engine is detected. Based on the detected operating condition of the engine, it is determined whether the engine is in an operating condition in which failure determination of the humidity sensor can be executed. It is determined whether the humidity sensor has failed, based on a result of detection by the humidity sensor, when it has been judged that the failure determination of the humidity sensor can be executed.

Abstract: A method for determining a condition of a catalyst disposed in an exhaust of an engine. The method includes sensing a common property of both the exhaust upstream and downstream of the catalyst; taking samples of such upstream and downstream sensed property over a period of time; accumulating the samples over the period of time; determining statistical characteristics of the sensed common property of the upstream and downstream common property; comparing the determined statistical characteristics of the sensed upstream property with the determined statistical characteristics of the downstream property to determine whether catalyst was in a proper operating condition during such period of time. With such method statistical characteristics are determined from samples as they are obtained and then once obtained, processed to determine the condition of the catalyst. Such method thereby reduces memory or data storage requirements and also reduces computational requirements.

Abstract: A compression ignition type engine selectively switching between a first combustion where an amount of recirculated exhaust gas supplied in a combustion chamber (5) is greater than an amount of recirculated exhaust gas where the amount of production of soot peaks and a second combustion where the amount of recirculated exhaust gas supplied in the combustion chamber (5) is smaller than the amount of recirculated exhaust gas where the amount of production of soot peaks. A particulate filter (24) carrying a NOx absorbent (71) is arranged in the engine exhaust passage. When SOx should be released from the NOx absorbent (71) and there is leeway in the electrical energy stored in the battery (41), the first combustion is performed even when the second combustion should be performed and the drop in output power of the energy is made up by the output torque of an electric motor (37).

Abstract: An amount of oxygen accumulated in a catalytic converter after an engine stop by discontinuing a fuel supply to an engine is controlled to be within a preset range by controlling an engine speed into a preset range, controlling an engine revolution phase into a preset range, feeding air into the catalytic converter until the accumulated amount of oxygen becomes saturated, and controlling a catalytic converter temperature into a preset temperature range. Increase of an appropriate amount of the fuel at re-starting of the engine may prevent oxygen from deteriorating the NOx removing function without degrading an emission and the fuel efficiency.

Abstract: A diesel powered vehicle is provided with an SCR system which uses an external reducing reagent to convert NOx emissions in a manner which accounts for the effects of NOx transient emissions on the reducing catalyst. Actual NOx emissions produced by the engine are filtered using a variable NOx time constant in turn correlated to the reductant/NOx storage capacity of the reducing catalyst at its current temperature to account for changes in the SCR system attributed to NOx transient emissions. Catalyst temperature is filtered using a variable catalyst time constant corresponding to current space velocity of the exhaust gas to account for changes in the catalyst temperature attributed to NOx transient emissions. The reductant is metered on the basis of the filtered, corrected NOx concentration applied at a NSR ratio based, in turn, on the filtered, corrected reducing catalyst temperature.

Abstract: A method for the recovery and purification of water from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An apparatus for carrying out that method is also disclosed. In this method, the water is condensed out from the vehicle's exhaust (for example, by using a countercurrent flow heat exchanger in combination with a chiller), and the condensed water is then purified. The purification typically includes passing the water through one or more particulate filters; passing the water through one or more activated carbon filter beds, and passing the water through one or more ion exchange resin filter beds.

Abstract: A tuned exhaust system for a multi-cylinder, reciprocating, internal combustion engine is disclosed. Each exhaust tube has approximately the same overall length resulting in a predetermined resonant frequency. The overall length includes the sum of the header tube length and the internal length of the collector assembly portions of the exhaust channels in the heat exchanger box. Calculating the correct length and bending the pipes to fit in the space available resulted in increased horsepower, reduced fuel consumption, cooler cylinder head temperatures, reduced noise and vibration for four-cylinder and six-cylinder aircraft engines.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for a vehicle engine and a manufacturing process to prevent corrosion of the manifold during shipping and storage. The manifold includes a manifold body having a plurality of arms corresponding to the exhaust ports of the engine and a collector chamber for directing the exhaust gasses to the vehicle exhaust system. Attached to the ports of the body are flanges to facilitate connection of the manifold to the engine. The flanges are manufactured of carbon steel and includes apertures to receive mounting flanges. To prevent corrosion of the flanges, the flanges are subject to a process of ferritic nitro carburization which inhibits the formation of iron-oxide.

Abstract: A valve device (10) for at least one hydraulic motor suitable for driving a mass of large inertia. The device includes first and second ducts (12, 14) serving to be connected to respective ones of the two main ducts (feed or discharge) of the motor, and an auxiliary duct (15) connected, for example, to a booster duct. The device can have two configurations, depending on which of the main ducts has the higher pressure, in which configurations the main duct at high pressure is isolated, while the main duct at low pressure is connected to the auxiliary duct. The device includes time delay means (36, 46, 38, 48) suitable for limiting the speed of transition between one and the other of the first and second configurations when the difference between the pressures in the first and second main ducts (12, 14) changes sign.

Abstract: There are provided a pressure intensifying cylinder 2a for allowing a pressure intensifying chamber 31 to communicate with a head-side cylinder chamber 22 of a working cylinder 1 and its control hydraulic circuit. When a load and a rated pressure Pp of a hydraulic pump 25 are balanced with each other at the time of inserting and setting a core 41, a check valve 21 is closed and a sequence valve 34 is opened to move the pressure intensifying cylinder 2a forward, so that the pressure of the head-side cylinder chamber 22 is increased. A pressure intensifying ratio of the pressure intensifying cylinder 2a is set such that the pressure of the head-side cylinder chamber 22 is higher than pressure occurring with molding pressure.

Abstract: A master cylinder formed of a forward plastic part snapingly secured to a rearward plastic part. The forward part has a tapered draft angle bore and the rearward part has a purely cylindrical bore aligned with the draft angle bore of the front part and conforming to the diameter of the piston of the cylinder. An annular groove is defined by the parts in surrounding relation to the aligned bores and an annular bearing, having a true cylindrical inner surface corresponding to the diameter of the piston, is positioned in the groove to guide the front end of the piston as the piston moves forwardly into the tapered bore of the forward part.

Abstract: Disclosed are an adiabatic engine, an engine capable of reusing exhausted energy, and a high pressure jet assembly. The adiabatic engine has: a cylinder having an inner side surface, on which the adiabatic member is formed extending longer than at least a stroke distance; a cylinder head having a lower surface, on which the adiabatic member is formed; a suction valve and an exhaust valve respectively having a lower surface, on which the adiabatic member is formed; and a piston having an upper surface and an outer side surface, on each of which the adiabatic member is formed, the adiabatic member formed on the outer side surface of the piston has a vertical length longer than at least the stroke distance, the piston having a sealing means fitted around a circumferential outer surface of the piston under the adiabatic member on the outer side surface of the piston.

Abstract: A method for controlling a supercharging device for an internal combustion engine includes controlling a variable (x) using different control characteristics in each of at least four sub-ranges defined by a gradient (dx/dt) of the variable to be controlled (x) and a difference (x) between the variable to be controlled (x) and a control variable (xs). An apparatus for controlling a supercharging device for an internal combustion engine includes a controller having a range of control that includes at least four sub-ranges devided in accordance with a gradient (dx/dt) of the variable to be controlled (x) and a difference (x) between the variable to be controlled (x) and a control variable (xs).

Abstract: A power station is formed of a plurality of mobile modules. One of the mobile modules is a connecting module which has only connecting lines, control equipment, cut-off equipment and measuring equipment installed therein. The connection module can be used for different power stations, which allows a cost-effective construction of power stations. Further, fittings which have to be monitored and operated are concentrated in the connecting module, which reduces operating costs of the power station.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for utilizing waste heat to power a reconfigurable thermodynamic cycle that can be used to selectively cool or heat an environmentally controlled space, such as a room or a building. The present invention also provides a method of controlling the system, while allowing large variations in the heat input energy rate. The system provides a design which reasonably balances the need to maximize efficiency, while also keeping the design cost effective.

Abstract: In a combustion device (10), particularly for driving gas turbines, comprising a plurality of burners (12, . . . , 15) of identical thermal power output, which work parallel to an axis (28) into a common combustion chamber (11), an effective suppression of thermoacoustic combustion instabilities is achieved in a simple way in that the burners (12, . . . , 15) are designed differently from one another in such a way that the flames (24, . . . , 27) or flame fronts generated by them are positioned so as to be distributed along the axis (28).

Abstract: A combustor baffle includes an outer tube with external threads and a heat shield at opposite ends thereof. An inner tube is disposed inside the outer tube in a unitary assembly therewith. The outer tube is retained in a combustor dome by a retention nut, and the inner tube supports an air swirler with a brazed joint therewith. The brazed joint permits sacrifice of the baffle during disassembly for access to the threaded joint for final disassembly without damage to the dome or air swirler.

Abstract: A normal-insulator-superconductor (NIS) microrefrigerator in which a superconducting single crystal is both the substrate and the superconducting electrode of the NIS junction. The refrigerator consists of a large ultra-pure superconducting single crystal and a normal metal layer on top of the superconducting crystal, separated by a thin insulating layer. The superconducting crystal can be either cut from bulk material or grown as a thick epitaxial film. The large single superconducting crystal allows quasiparticles created in the superconducting crystal to easily diffuse away from the NIS junction through the lattice structure of the crystal to normal metal traps to prevent the quasiparticles from returning across the NIS junction. In comparison to thin film NIS refrigerators, the invention provides orders of magnitude larger cooling power than thin film microrefrigerators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actively reducing the temperature gradient of a substrate. The substrate is placed in thermal contact with a heat dissipation structure so as to dissipate heat from the substrate. Current is passed through a thermoelectric device, so as to provide cooling to at least one hot spot on the substrate.

Abstract: A refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a cabinet and a refrigeration deck slidably positioned within the cabinet. The refrigeration deck may include a Stirling cooler unit.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery system includes an insulated storage tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid, a pump, a heat exchanger and a gas and liquid mixer. The pump includes a pumping cylinder within which a sliding pumping piston is positioned. The pump also includes an actuating cylinder within which a sliding actuating piston is positioned. The pumping and actuating pistons are joined by a connecting rod. A portion of the cryogenic liquid pumped from the storage tank by the pumping piston and cylinder is vaporized in the heat exchanger and introduced into the actuating cylinder on alternating sides of the actuating piston to power the pump. The vaporized cryogen is also used to heat the pumped cryogenic liquid in the mixer. The conditioned cryogenic liquid is then dispensed from the mixer via a dispensing line.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for sensing the presence of ice, particularly applicable in the control of ice thickness in machines employing an ice bank such as a commercial beverage chiller. The chiller may be of the conventional type having a water bath with a cold element at least partially submerged therein. The cold element is cooled by a refrigerant such as freon to the point where ice forms and grows on the element, thereby forming an ice bank in the water bath. A temperature sensor, which preferably is a thermistor-type sensor comprising a bead disposed in a metal housing, is mounted on a carrier to allow the position of the sensor to be adjustable relative to the cold element. Circuitry is provided which is operative to detect the presence of ice by sensing a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and to control the thickness of the ice bank. A method of controlling the thickness of an ice bank is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ice machine and method for control thereof. The method has various features including control of upload/download of software and data, control of ice cube detection of falling pieces as well as a bin full condition, logging of machine cycle counts, electrical load run times, error codes linked to accumulated run time of the ice machine, of program style and display of error codes and verification of program styles.

Abstract: An ice making machine controller system includes methods and components for making commercial quantities of ice pieces includes adaptive controls responsive to input sensors, output actuators, adaptive ice making control algorithms, adaptive ice harvesting control algorithms, diagnostics for operation cycle monitoring and communicating, and reprogrammable, expanded controller memory for reliable and efficient operation under diverse conditions.

Abstract: A refrigerating method and system using compressed, filtered, dehumidified, turbo expanded and re-circulated air for the enclosed refrigerated environment. Compressed air passes via a series of moisture-removal devices (12, 24, 32), dust filter (52), heat exchanger (60), turbine expander (65), impeller fan (92), vacuum refrigeration chamber (70) and muffler (98).

Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.

Abstract: A refrigerated soda vending machine includes sensors for monitoring various parameters such as temperature within its refrigerated chamber and for monitoring occupancy in the chamber vicinity. Sensor data is used to determine when to switch between normal and power-conservation modes of operation. In either mode, a cooling system is regulated so that a compressor goes on when an upper internal temperature threshold is reached and off when a lower internal temperature threshold is reached. In normal mode, fans circulate air to maintain a relatively uniform temperature throughout the chamber. During power-conservation mode, the fans are mostly off when the compressor is off. In the absence of circulation, the temperature within the refrigerated chamber stratifies so that a lower cool zone and an upper warm zone can be differentiated. Soda cans are held in vertical stacks so that the lowest cans are located in the cool zone.

Abstract: A refrigerating device has a refrigerant circuit having a compressor (1), an indoor heat exchanger (3), a main motor operated valve (EV1), and an indoor heat exchanger (5) connected in a loop, and uses, as a working medium, an R32 refrigerant or a mixed refrigerant containing R32 at at least 70 wt %. A supercooling heat exchanger (11) is disposed between the indoor heat exchanger (3) and the main motor operated valve (EV1), and the liquid side of the refrigerant circuit are connected to the gas side by by-pass pipes (33, 34) through the supercooling heat exchanger (11). A supercooling motor operated valve (EV2) is disposed at the by-pass pipe (33) upstream of the supercooling heat exchanger (11).

Abstract: A vapor compression system includes an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser interconnected in a closed-loop system. In one embodiment, a multifunctional valve is configured to receive a liquefied heat transfer fluid from the condenser and a hot vapor from the compressor. A saturated vapor line connects the outlet of the multifunctional valve to the inlet of the evaporator and is sized so as to substantially convert the heat transfer fluid exiting the multifunctional valve into a saturated vapor prior to delivery to the evaporator. The multifunctional valve regulates the flow of heat transfer fluid through the valve by monitoring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid returning to the compressor through a suction line coupling the outlet of the evaporator to the inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a centrifugal cooling apparatus, which has at least one of an evaporator, a centrifugal compressor having a magnetic bearing system, a condenser, and an expansion device, includes monitoring an operating condition of the magnetic bearing system, and controlling compressor flow stability based upon the operating condition of the magnetic bearing system.