Abstract: Fishhooks (20), artificial lures (23, 35, 65, 67 and 91) or trailer rods (120) include both an anodic segment (25, 85 and 105) and a cathodic segment (27). The anodic and cathodic segments (25, 85, 105 and 27) are arranged so that immersion of fishhooks (20), artificial lures (23, 35, 65, 67 and 91) or trailer rods (120) in water establishes a galvanic cell that generates an electo-magnetic field which simulates the natural bioelectric field of living prey. A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention interposes an insulated segment (29) between the anodic and cathodic segments (25, 85, 105 and 27) of fishhooks (20), artificial lures (23, 35, 65, 67 and 91). While galvanic action occurs between the anodic and cathodic segments, fishhooks (20) and artificial lures (23, 35, 65, 67 and 91) and trailer rods (120) in accordance with the present invention establish a constant, bioelectric simulating electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A fishing lure is generally provided that incorporates a hook stabilizing device that substantially holds the hook in place and hinder the hook from rotating while the lure is being fished. The hook stabilizing device is configured to accept the connection a fishing line to a hook, such as a crimp connection to an eyelet of a hook. Free rotation of the hook may be allowed after a fish is hooked when the connection of the line to the hook is removed from the hook stabilizing device while fighting the hooked fish.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for repelling ants and other insects positions design flow of insulated DC current in design proximity to targeted areas (1), facilities, equipment and AC electrical devices occupied by or likely to be occupied by the ants and other insects. The apparatus includes a DC ant and insect repeller having an insulated electromagnet conductor wire (2) with electromagnetic windings (3) charged with predetermined flow of DC electricity. Charge of DC electricity is predetermined for causing cyclic heat of 140° F. from electrical resistance within a range of 50-to-90 ohms in the electromagnetic windings. A flow cycler (26) cycles current on-and-off to prevent the repeller from being a heater of a cold place or a heater in opposition to an air-conditioner or desirable weather temperature while also minimizing use of electricity for repelling the ants and other insects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a container for liquid plant nutrients. The container includes a bottle and a cap. The cap includes an outer sealing skirt, an inner sealing protrusion, a head, and a neck. The outer sealing skirt is formed in a cylindrical shape closed at the top thereof. The inner sealing protrusion is projected from the bottom of the inside of the outer sealing skirt. The head is projected from the outer sealing skirt to be easily gripped with the fingers. The neck connects the head and the top of the outer sealing skirt, is of a width smaller than that of the head, and has a discharge hole extended from the bottom of the inner sealing protrusion to the top of the neck.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid supplier adapted to potted plants, which comprises an insertion pillar having a drainage aperture used to support a container, a seat disposed at the top of insertion pillar, a pad having a central hole and a guide chute mounted at the seat, wherein the central hole of the pad is in communication with the guide chute and the drainage aperture of insertion pillar, respectively. Furthermore, a rotatable adjustment member is fastened to the seat and at a predetermined position therein in response to the guide chute is formed a gently shrunk water passage, further, the container having an air inlet therebottom is assembled with the adjustment member such that air can flow into the air inlet of container so as to rotate the adjustment member to determine a specific width of water passage corresponding to the guide chute, thus enabling easily to control the amount of water for the fluid supplier adapted to potted plants.

Abstract: There is provided a transparent plastic film roof for a building, comprising two transparent plastic films, which are fixed to edge rafters extending from a ridgepole to a ridge plate and are formed in a bag-like structure for serving as a building roof, wherein warm air is supplied from an air supply port into the bag-like structure to maintain the bag-like structure in a tensioned state, and air in the bag-like structure is discharged from an air discharge port. There is also provided a multi-ridge building, wherein a liquid passing pipe is disposed in the same direction as long film-clamping assemblies in the vicinity of a valley portion of the multi-ridge roof formed by the two transparent plastic films, and wherein the liquid passing pipe is configured to pass warm water or warm antifreezing fluid therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a plurality of joists. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a joist rim having a web and first and second rim legs extending substantially perpendicularly from the web. The apparatus may also include at least one opening through the web and a joist attachment tab integrally formed in the web adjacent each opening. Each of the joist attachment tabs may extend from the web at an angle relative to the web. The apparatus may include at least one reinforcing rib corresponding to each tab and provided in the web adjacent to the corresponding tab.

Abstract: A wall molding for a drywall ceiling grid having a vertical leg that is attached to a wall, and a horizontal ledge that supports a beam extending outwardly from the wall, with the ledge having a pair of tabs and a ratchet tooth at regular intervals along the ledge that position and secure the beam end to the ledge.

Abstract: Siding panels for mounting on a wall surface. Each siding panel includes a plurality of decorative elements integrally formed with the panel and disposed in at least one row, the decorative elements defining a front face of the siding panel; a top edge disposed above the decorative elements; a plurality of apertures formed in and extending through the siding panel disposed below the top edge and above the decorative elements; a bottom end; a plurality of downwardly depending tabs located on the front face of the siding panel, each tab having a plurality of projections; and an upwardly facing channel formed on a side of the siding panel opposite the front face, the channel configured for receipt of the tabs of an adjacent panel. In one embodiment, there are four rounded projections on each tab. The siding panel includes first and second side edges, and a horizontally extending tab.

Abstract: A laminated shingle has a rendered shadow design when placed with other similar shingles on a roof deck. The laminated shingle includes an overlay member and an underlay member fixedly attached to each other. The overlay member includes an upper or headlap portion and a lower or exposed butt portion with one or more tabs separated by cutouts. The overlay member is also coated with a layer of relatively dark granules to form horizontally-oriented overlay shading areas on the upper and lower edges of the tabs. The underlay member is coated with a layer of relatively dark granules to form vertically and horizontally-oriented underlay shading areas. In one embodiment, one or both vertical edges of each tab are generally parallel to the vertically-oriented longitudinal axis of the vertically-oriented shading area to expose a portion of the shading area.

Abstract: A metal building includes a joist system having upper and lower longitudinally extending chords, the upper and lower chords being substantially parallel, and a plurality of web members interposed between the parallel chords. Each of the chords includes an upper chord segment, opposed parallel side walls, inwardly extending lower chord segments, the lower chord segments being parallel to the upper chord segment, and a pair of flanges extending downwardly from the innermost edges of lower chord segments, the flanges defining a longitudinally extending continuous web receiving aperture traversing the length of the chord, the upper chord segment, lower chord segment, parallel side walls and flanges, the web receiving apertures of the upper and lower chords being positioned in opposed relationship.

Abstract: A concrete pole includes an attachment mechanism which provides a structurally sound means of attaching to the pole and permits the use of short, inexpensive bolts. The attachment mechanism includes reinforcing bars, a base plate, an internally threaded fastener insert fixed to the base plate, which provides a path from the base plate, which is embedded in the concrete pole, to the finished outside surface of the pole. One embodiment includes a pipe connecting opposing fastener inserts for added strength.

Abstract: A transfer system for food products (P) having a product conveyor (11); a first support conveyor (13) suitable for moving supports (12) in equicurrent with the food products (P); a plurality of pickers (R1, R2, R3) situated in series along the run of the products (P) and supports (12) for individually collecting the products (P) from the product conveyor (11) to arrange them on the supports (12) translated from the first support conveyor (13); presence and position surveying devices (C1, C2) of which at least one is situated upstream with respect to the food products (P), of a first picker (R1) of the plurality of pickers (R1, R2, R3) suitable for detecting the presence, number, position and orientation of each product (P); an electronic image with a presence and position surveying device (C3), also connected to an electronic image identification and data processing system (34), wherein the pickers (R1–R4) are equipped with handlers (22) with an individual grip of the sucker type, with an anti-crash system an

Abstract: A device for producing a tubular pack which is filled with a product, particularly with a foodstuff, comprises a conveying device for conveying a tube filled with the product. A closing device is provided for producing tubular packs. This closing device comprises pinching elements, which can be moved toward one another and which serve to press a closing clasp together that closes the tube. According to the invention, the closing device comprises at least three pinching elements that can be displaced by a displacing element. This results in the exertion of pinching forces, which are directed in a radially inward manner, by the pinching elements onto the closing clasp.

Abstract: A machine for packaging stacks of articles into containers using selectors for grouping the article stacks. The selectors include arrays of vertically spaced wedge members which engage the articles in each stack. The wedge members are aligned with slots in comb-like guide rails and operate to form groups of predetermined numbers of stacks of articles while keeping the articles in each stack in vertical alignment as they progress through the machine into the containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning package containing an article to be packaged. The apparatus includes a cushioning sheet forming unit to form a cushioning sheet by heat-sealing flexible elongated resin sheets which are continuously fed in a longitudinal direction and placed one on another in advance in a width direction of the sheet, the cushioning sheet including small sacs. Downstream from the cushioning sheet forming unit, an article storage space forming unit is provided for forming an article storage space by folding the cushioning sheet along a longitudinal centerline. A sheet adhering unit adheres the overlapped cushioning sheets. An article disposing unit inserts the article to be packaged into the article storage space, and an air filling unit fills the small sacs with air. Sequential performance of the above steps achieves efficient manufacturing of cushioning package.

Abstract: A cigarette packing machine for producing rigid, hinged-lid, short-hinge packets of cigarettes; the packing machine has a fourth packing wheel which receives wrapped groups of cigarettes from a third transfer wheel at a third transfer station, receives collars from a first feed line at an input station upstream from the third transfer station, and folds each collar into a tube about a respective wrapped group of cigarettes; the packing machine also has a fifth packing wheel which, at a fourth transfer station, receives each wrapped group of cigarettes and the respective collar together with a respective blank supplied by a second feed line, folds the blank about the wrapped group of cigarettes to form an outer package, and releases the packets of cigarettes at a fifth transfer station.

Abstract: A drive over mower deck has a top surface with downwardly depending surfaces defining a front edge, a back edge, and left and right side edges, at least one belt shield over the top surface, a first pair of gauge wheels mounted adjacent the front edge the deck, and a second pair of gauge wheels mounted adjacent the back edge of the deck. Each pair of gauge wheels is movable vertically to at least one position above the ground surface such that the mower deck is supported by the front edge, back edge, and left and right side edge. Each gauge wheel being releasably lockable at a plurality of different positions.

Abstract: For a row crop header, a row divider having a variable-height ear saver feature. The row divider comprises a point, a cover, and a partition. The point has a trailing edge vertically moveable relative to the cover. The partition fills a resultant gap between the point and the cover, forming a variable-height ear saver feature. A crankshaft functions to articulate the trailing edge relative to the cover, and to move the partition vertically with the trailing edge. A support functions to support the point at a midpoint. A guide constrains the partition within the gap.

Abstract: A collection container on a vehicle for lawn, garden, or property care may be connected to the vehicle so as to be movable about an axis that is at least essentially horizontal, whereby the collection container has at least a first position, in which it is arranged essentially above a hood of the vehicle, and can assume a second position, in which the hood may be opened.

Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower having a cord guide system for routing a recoil starter cord relative to a handle assembly of the mower. The guide system may include a cord guide operable to hold the starter cord to a non-interfering position such that a rear collection hopper can be easily removed from the lawn mower for dumping of collected grass clippings. The cord may be moved from the non-interfering position back to a starting position by application of a pulling force to the cord.

Abstract: A rear discharge mower deck has at least two cutting blades mounted on vertical spindles in cutting chambers, a fan in a housing mounted on the deck over the cutting chambers, and an inlet opening between the cutting chambers and the fan housing. The surface area of the inlet opening may be between about 50% and about 80% of the surface area within the fan diameter. A stripper plate may be on one edge of the inlet opening, and each cutting chamber may have an upwardly sloping tunnel to the inlet opening.

Abstract: The invention is related to a roundsling in the form of an endless loop consisting of a core containing at least two turns of a load-bearing strand material comprising fibres with a tenacity of at least 10 cN/dTex and a protective covering around said core, wherein the strand material is in the form of a braided or laid rope, the terminal ends of which are connected with a splice. The invention further relates to a method for constructing a roundsling comprising a step of winding a braided or laid rope on two reels such that part of the turns is on the reels and another part is between the reels wherein the part between the reels is supported, and a step of making a splice in the two terminal ends of the rope.

Abstract: The invention provides a woven fabric comprising at least about 18% available stretch in at least a first direction and less than about 5% growth in at least the first direction, wherein the fabric consists essentially of staple fiber yarns in at least the first direction, and wherein the staple fiber yarns comprise poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) bicomponent staple fiber.

Abstract: An improved energy tube-cable-router for securing flat cables and fluid carrying tubes and adapted to eliminate an undesirable pumping action of the fluid within the tubes by maintaining the longitudinal axis of tubes in a plane containing the central radius of curvature of tube-cable-router.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a highly supercharged, regenerative gas-turbine system. The gas turbine comprises a compressor, a regenerator, a combustor, and an expander. A pre-compressor pressurizes air going into the compressor section of the gas turbine. A cooler lowers the temperature of the air going into the compressor. The compressor pressurizes air, which then flows through the regenerator, which heats the air before it enters the combustor. The combustor further heats the air which then flows through the expander and then the regenerator. A post-expander is preferably located downstream of the regenerator. The post-expander is a second expander that receives high-pressure gas exiting the regenerator. The post-expander preferably drives the pre-compressor. The preferred pre-compressor and post-expander are toroidal intersecting vane machines (TIVMs), which are positive-displacement rotary devices. Numerous alternated embodiments of this basic system are described.

Abstract: In a system that executes air fuel ratio feedback control based on air fuel ratio signals of a pair of air fuel ratio sensors arranged at locations upstream and downstream of a catalyst of an internal combustion engine, an abnormality diagnosis apparatus can diagnose abnormality in a fuel system of the internal combustion engine in an accurate manner by using a signal of the air fuel ratio sensor downstream of the catalyst. A control unit in the form of an ECU (30) includes a feedback operation state determination section (32), an oxygen storage saturation determination section (33), an averaging start determination section (34), an averaging section (35), and an abnormality determination section (36). An abnormality in the fuel system of the internal combustion engine is determined by using a second air fuel ratio signal (V2) output from the second air fuel ratio sensor downstream of the catalyst only when the amount of oxygen storage in the catalyst is saturated.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed in which at least one cylinder is adapted to run in homogeneous-charge compression-ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and at least one cylinder is adapted to run in spark-ignition (SI) combustion mode with the HCCI cylinder having a compression ratio at least 2 ratios higher than the SI cylinder. The intakes and exhausts of the HCCI and SI cylinders are separated with a throttle valve disposed in each intake and exhaust aftertreatment devices tailored to each combustion mode disposed in the exhausts.

Abstract: A control system for an engine that drives an alternator includes a first module that reduces an alternator load when the engine is cranked. A second module determines a desired exhaust energy rate (EER) of the engine. The first module regulates the alternator load based on the EER during an idle period to reduce engine emissions during a cold start period.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which mitigates deleterious poisoning of a catalytic converter or exhaust gas oxygen sensor by phosphorus containing species.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for treating fuel injected exhaust streams. In general, the systems comprise a fuel injector, a pre-combustor, and a fuel combustor. The methods described herein include methods for regenerating a NOx trap or a DPF, and methods for generating a substantially uniform fuel air mixture at a fuel combustor inlet, or a substantially uniform temperature at a fuel combustor outlet. The methods of regenerating a NOx trap typically comprise the steps of injecting fuel into an exhaust stream, passing the stream through a pre-combustor, operating the pre-combustor to at least partially combust the injected fuel, reacting the fuel and exhaust stream mixture within a fuel combustor to generate a reducing gas mixture, and introducing the reducing gas mixture into a NOx trap, whereby the NOx trap is regenerated. Similar methods for regenerating a diesel particulate filter are also described. Control strategies are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an exhaust treatment system comprises a selective catalytic reduction device, an off-line reformer disposed in selective fluid communication with and upstream of the selective catalytic reduction device, and a plasma reactor disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the off-line reformer, and disposed upstream of and in fluid communication with the selective catalytic reduction device. The selective catalytic reduction device is capable of storing ammonia and of enabling the reaction of the ammonia with NOx. The reformer is capable of producing a reformate comprising hydrogen and nitrogen. The plasma reactor is capable of producing ammonia from the reformate, and is a thermal plasma reactor or a surface discharge non-thermal plasma reactor.

Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pump connected to a power steering gear of the vehicle and a fluid coupling interconnecting a drive shaft of an engine of the vehicle with the hydraulic pump. The power steering system also includes an electronic controller operable to provide a variable control signal based on received input and an amplifier to receive the variable control signal and energize the fluid coupling in response thereto to vary torque transmitted via the fluid coupling.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic system for a machine may include a brake charging system including at least one accumulator. A fan drive system may include a fan and a fan motor. A fluid source may be in communication with the brake charging system and the fan drive system. The fluid source may be configured to provide pressurized fluid to the brake charging system and the fan drive system to charge at least one accumulator and to drive a fan motor. A priority valve may be configured to provide pressure from the fluid source to the brake charging system, such that the fluid pressure at the accumulator is maintained at a substantially constant level during normal operating conditions.

Abstract: A throttle potentiometer adapter provides a direct connection between a pivot nut on a hand throttle linkage and the internal sleeve of a potentiometer. The potentiometer provides a voltage output to an electronic controller, the voltage output corresponding to the position of the hand throttle. The adapter is of one-piece construction and includes a socket engaging the pivot nut and a shaft extending into the internal sleeve.

Abstract: A control arm is coupled to a control shaft of a hydraulic pump. A friction shaft extends parallel to the control shaft and is slidably moveable within an arcuate-shaped hole in the control arm. A stop plate is movably supported by the control shaft and the friction shaft. When the stop plate is in the operating position, a friction pad supported by the friction shaft is biased by a pressure plate and a spring against the control arm. When the stop plate is in the braking position, a sloping region of the stop plate engages a pin extending from the pressure plate such that the friction pad is spaced from the control arm and arcuate-shaped grooves in the stop plate engage pins extending from the control arm in a neutral position. The present invention also includes a hydrostatic transmission and a vehicle incorporating the cruise control and neutral return mechanism.

Abstract: A drive system of a working vehicle including a main engine drivingly connected to a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is connected to first and second hydraulic motors. When an undesirable operating condition is detected, a control device shifts an actuator associated with at least one of the wheels, to reduce the displacement volume of the hydraulic motors driving that wheel. In addition, shifts are made in the actuator of the respective other hydraulic motor and/or in the actuator of the hydraulic pump, in order to maintain a constant speed of travel. The control device shifts the actuator of the hydraulic motor of the other wheel toward greater displacement, and if that shift is insufficient to compensate for the undesirable operating condition, the control device will shift the actuator of the hydraulic pump in the direction of reduced displacement volume.

Abstract: A tool arrangement includes a tool unit 2, e.g. a cutting apparatus 2?, a spreader 2?, a squeezing device or the like, and a drive 3, a control and/or switching clement, as well as a first operating-medium circuit 4, in which tool arrangement a second operating-medium circuit 5 is provided, which is actively connected to the first operating-medium circuit 7 by a pressurized-media converter 6.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for a turbocompound type internal combustion engine including an exhaust system for ducting the engine's exhaust gases. A supercharger turbine drives a compressor for the engine's combustion air, and an exhaust turbine is placed in the exhaust system downstream of the supercharger turbine for extracting residual energy from the exhaust flow via transmission to the combustion engine's crankshaft. The exhaust system also has an exhaust braking throttle placed downstream of the exhaust turbine. The exhaust braking throttle includes a pressure-controlled exhaust pressure regulator that makes possible variable regulation of an exhaust braking pressure in at least two steps.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system in which the fuel is transformed from liquid to gas is used to administer cooling, e.g., air conditioning. The system incorporates first and second stage heat exchangers. The first stage exchanger is used to benefit from the endothermic reaction created when liquid hydrogen transforms into gas. The cooling provided from this state change is transferred into a second medium which is delivered into a second stage heat transfer device and then used for cooling purposes.

Abstract: A method and device to reduce the noise produced by jet aircraft engines and/or other supersonic nozzles involves the use of corrugated engine seals (30) for the secondary internal divergent flaps (14) of the nozzle (10). Such corrugated seals (30) serve not only to eliminate shock-generated noise, but also generate a counter-rotating vorticity to force low speed mixing of surrounding ambient air with the high-speed jet exhaust. Lower exhaust velocities, combined with reduced levels of the turbulent Reynolds shear stress, lead to reduction of turbulence-generated noise, including Mach wave emission.

Abstract: A system and method includes a vapor-compression circuit having a working fluid flowing therethrough, a thermoelectric device positioned in a heat-transfer relation with the working fluid, and a power supply providing current to the thermoelectric device to generate a heat flow through the thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic refrigerator having a relatively small size which utilizes one or more piezoelectric drivers to generate high frequency sound within a resonator at a frequency of between about 4000 Hz and ultrasonic frequencies. The interaction of the high frequency sound with one or more stacks create a temperature gradient across the stack which is conducted through a pair of heat exchangers located on opposite sides of each stack. The resonator has an asymmetrical, round configuration which enhances the cooling power of the thermoacoustic refrigerator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a superconductive device containing a rotor that can be rotated about an axis of rotation and that comprises a superconductive winding in a winding support. Said winding support has a central cavity, into which two fixed thermal tubes project axially. One of said tubes forms a cooling finger that is closed at the end and contains a second coolant with a higher condensation temperature. The other tube supplies a first cooling with a lower condensation temperature to the central cavity and evacuates said coolant from the cavity. To condense the coolants, the tubes lead to a refrigeration unit, situated outside the rotor and equipped with a refrigeration head and a condenser device.

Abstract: A cryostat (1) having a sealable housing (2) is described, the housing (2) enclosing a coolable cryostat chamber (3). For cooling the cryostat chamber (3), a refrigeration device (4), a control system (5) and a power supply (6) are provided. For cutting frozen samples, a microtome is arranged in the cryostat chamber (3). A temperature-controllable heating plate (7) is integrated into the housing (2) of the cryostat (1), outside the cryostat chamber (3).

Abstract: A method for providing inventory for expedited loading and transport of compressed natural gas entails obtaining pressurized high-energy content gas; separating the high-energy gas into saturated gas and liquids; and removing impurities from the saturated gas. Water is removed from the gas forming a dry pressurized gas. The dry gas is cooled forming a two-phase gas. The gas is loaded into a storage element located on a floating vessel, while the liquids are loaded into the storage element forming a mixture. One or more storage elements are collected on the land to create an inventory that is quicker to load than comparable loading of natural gas unto the floating vessel. The floating vessel transports the inventory to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.

Abstract: A method for preventing explosions while transporting compressed natural gas by a floating vessel entails obtaining pressurized high-energy content gas; separating the pressurized product stream into saturated gas and liquids; and removing impurities from the saturated gas. The saturated gas is dehydrated forming a dry pressurized gas that is subsequently cooled forming a two-phase gas. The two-phase gas, natural gas liquid, and condensate are loaded onto a storage element forming a mixture. The storage elements are loaded onto the deck to provide open ventilation of the storage element. The floating vessel transports the storage elements to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.

Abstract: An adaptable semiconductor chip cooling system having a readily openable enclosure defining a chamber configured to hold a printed circuit board carrying components to be cooled. Within the enclosure is a sprayer delivery system with a height-controllable sprayer for spraying hot components. The sprayer delivery system has an actuator configured to move the sprayer among positions for spraying different components. The actuator can be of the types used for ink-jet printers or X-Y plotters. Alternatively, the actuator can be a continuous ribbon loop, or a series of radially extending rails. The actuator and sprayer are controlled by a controller, which also controls a configuration system that configures the sprayer delivery system for use with different boards. The controller uses sensors that sense the temperature of the hot components.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for reducing energy consumption by heaters on refrigerator doors and frames. A control unit is set so that the heater is on prior to the formation of condensation. The preferred embodiment provides for preset heater stop and start times entered by a system user. The heater may also be turned on when condensation is sensed by a sensor, and the sensor reading may be used to override the preset times. A programmer provides individual identification of each connected control unit and is used to read, measure and adjust one or more control units' settings. A communications host is used to enable remote monitoring and control. In addition, a quick-disconnect power connector provides for easily setting the system to a heater-on state.

Abstract: A method for controlling operations of an air-conditioner includes: a step in which when an operation load of an air-conditioner increases, if an outputted compressing capacity of the air-conditioner is smaller than a compressing capacity corresponding to the operation load and an operation frequency of the first compressor is a maximum frequency of the first compressor, a second compressor is operated; and a step in which when the operation load is reduced, if the outputted compressing capacity of the air-conditioner is greater than the compressing capacity corresponding to the operation load and the operation frequency of the first compressor is a minimum frequency of the first compressor, the second compressor is stopped.