Abstract: This disclosure relates to a heat exchanger which includes an A-coil through which a heat-exchange medium (refrigerant) is circulated between an inlet and an outlet thereof, a compressor in fluid communication with the outlet for compressing a vapor phase of the heat-exchange medium, and means for generating heat beyond and as an augment to ambient temperature sufficient to transform the liquid phase of the heat-exchange medium to its vapor phase during the passage of the heat-exchange medium from the inlet to the outlet with substantially total absorption of the heat by the heat-exchange medium for subsequent extraction of the heat from the vapor phase to effect desired heating.

Abstract: A heating system of the heat pump type is disclosed in which the outside coil, employed to reject heat in air conditioning mode or to absorb heat in heating mode, is supplied with heat independently of that provided by ambient air when the efficiency of the system falls off due to low ambient air temperature. The amount of heat thus supplied is controlled to increase the efficiency of the system sufficiently to produce a significant net decrease in operating cost. In a conventional system, the outside air coil-cooling face is turned off and augmenting heat is supplied to the coil when the ambient air temperature is moderate (e.g., 32.degree.-38.degree. F.) for the system, and the augmenting heat is supplied at a rate which is at least sufficient to restore the efficiency of the system to that inherent with a much higher ambient air temperature. At the same time, the outside coil temperature is monitored and the augmenting heat is temporarily discontinued when the coil temperature reaches a selected value (e.

Abstract: A device for maintaining the temperature of a body at a desired value comprises a thermo-electric heat pump sandwiched between a thermally conductive member and a heat sink. The heat sink is maintained at a substantially constant temperature above the ambient temperature by an electrical heating element. This arrangement reduces the effect of changes in ambient temperature and enables the heat pump to work across a substantially constant temperature differential.

Abstract: A solar heat utilized air-conditioning system comprising: a solar heat collecting unit for producing warm water by heating a circulating heating medium water by solar heat obtained by collector plates disposed in parallel with each other; an absorption type refrigerating machine for producing cold water by provoking a refrigerating cycle, using the warm water produced by said solar heat collecting unit as the heat source for a generator; a main heat exchanger which indirectly heat-exchanges an intake fresh-air for a circulating cold or warm water in an air-conditioning unit disposed on the way of a fresh-air intake path to a space to be air-conditioned, thereby to produce cooling or heating air; an air-cooling and heating apparatus capable of selectively supplying the circulating cold or warm water to said main heat exchanger; and an auxiliary heat exchanger capable of selectively flowing either warm water produced by said solar heat collecting unit or cold water produced by said absorption type refrigerating

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing cooked or heated meals includes a food and beverage cabinet having heater shelves which include spaced heater elements heated by film heater means with silicone rubber comprising the sole means for securing the film heater means to its heater element and with silicone rubber further completely surrounding each heater element and being disposed between its heater element and film heater means to insulate the heater element from and raise it above the top layer of the shelf.

Abstract: A series of like-shelved, convertible refrigerating and heating cabinets, accessible from either one of two sides thereof through self-closing glass doors for self-service and replenishment of prepared food and drinks, and following a door opening of any duration over periods of intermittent replenishing, dispensing and storage conditions, providing fast automatic rapid air condition recovery for uniformity of refrigeration, or heating, and/or humidification of miscellaneous food products accessibly displayed.

Abstract: A tray cabinet wherein each comprises a heating chamber formed between a shell and a detachable cover. A heating element is placed between the base of the shell and a shield. The shell has an edge embedded in the thickness of an upper plate of the tray. A dense foam fills the interior space of the tray enclosed between the upper plate and a lower plate. The tray and the cover are single rigid and heavy components, not susceptible to deformation due to thermal expansion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for the cyclic heating and cooling of processing equipment with a pressurized heat transfer fluid i.e., water, utilizing heat exchangers for the separate heating and cooling of the heat transfer fluid and including at least two heat recovery vessels wherein heat transfer fluid is stored in such vessels during initial phases of a subsequent cycle whereby heat transfer fluid at an intermediate temperature level in one vessel is passed through such processing equipment prior to the passage of heated or cooled heat transfer fluid from one of such heat exchangers through such processing equipment.

Abstract: A cabinet type enclosure, preferably in the form of a cart, which is adapted to be connected to a source of refrigeration for refrigerating a plurality of food items on a plurality of meal trays positioned in the enclosure has a plurality of thin, generally horizontal fixedly mounted heater shelf members extending into the enclosed space from one side wall thereof. The heater shelf members are adapted to be moved relative to and under hot food containers positioned on the trays to heat same. The enclosure also has pairs of tray guides on its opposing side walls. The meal trays have integral transverse abutment means which extend over a portion of the tray surface at a location above the surface.

Abstract: In a temperature control system for container vehicles, a refrigerant circuit has the customary compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator. The compressor and condenser are together in one module while the expansion valve and evaporator are together in another module. The compressor is hydraulically driven. Heat for temperature control purposes can be obtained from the energy of the hydraulic fluid by means of a restrictor in the hydraulic fluid circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in the process of conveying heat energy by means of the exothermic and endothermic reactions involved in the conversion and re-forming of methane. According to the invention, methane is steam-reformed in an endothermic reaction, utilizing heat energy, to a gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water vapor. The gas is substantially freed of water and is conveyed to a location wherein heat energy is desired. The heat energy is released upon re-forming methane and the exothermic reaction wherein methane is re-formed is carried out at elevated pressure and at least in part at temperatures between about 400.degree. and 650.degree. C. The methane so produced can be recycled if desired.

Abstract: The enclosure comprises an insulating and demountable sealed box unit fitted with a closure lid and placed around a chromatographic column consisting of a metal tube of constant cross-section, said tube being arranged in the form of a helix and supplied with electric heating current which is cut-off for cooling purposes. The heating and cooling air is supplied through a coaxial injection pipe and nozzle, circulated axially through and then around the column within the box unit, then discharged through the bottom wall of a collector casing.

Abstract: The hydronic heating and cooling system includes a packaged or integrated outdoor combination heat and cool unit for both residential and commercial installations comprising control valve means for directing water or liquid through alternately an evaporator for cooling the liquid during the cooling mode of the system or a heater for heating the liquid during the heating mode of the system. With such a construction the liquid passes through the heater in both the heating and cooling modes of the system; however, the heater is energized only in the heating mode.

Abstract: This invention teaches a combination refrigerator-thawer cabinet that can be used as a conventional refrigerator or as a thawer for quick thawing frozen food without allowing the temperature of the food to exceed a predetermined guideline temperature, such as 45.degree.F. The disclosed unit is similar to a standard refrigerator having a cabinet for holding the food, but further has an auxiliary air circulating plenum located within the cabinet. Heating means are located within the plenum, and plenum fans draw the cabinet air into the plenum to be heated by the heating means and subsequently to be discharged back into the cabinet. The plenum air flow arrangement provides that the plenum outlets are adjacent the top and bottom cabinet walls and the plenum inlets are near the middle of the cabinet, and this minimizes the formation of hot spots where heated thawing air is blasted directly against the food.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement, particularly for a no-frost refrigerator, including a heat-insulated housing, containing air; heating means located in said heat-insulating housing for heating a portion of said air; cooling means located in said heat-insulating housing for cooling a portion of said air; and air guiding means for mixing at least a portion of the heated air with a portion of the cooled air.

Abstract: A convertible food service cart including a cold tray compartment and a conversion compartment, both of which are insulated and cooled by respective refrigeration systems. The conversion compartment is provided with a plurality of electrical plugs which connect in parallel and which are vertically spaced within the conversion compartment to receive electrical plug receptacles affixed to the hot food conversion trays. The conversion trays include a conductive, flat, heating element which is sandwiched between two sheets of thin, insulating material and provides uniform temperature throughout. The warm food is originally placed in the conversion compartment in refrigerated condition. An automatic programmer is provided to terminate the refrigeration action in the conversion compartment and to activate the tray heating plugs in predetermined time to properly heat the warm food immediately prior to serving.

Abstract: A vertical blower coil unit for heating and cooling is provided. The unit includes a pair of parallel vertical passageways one or both of which may have a heat transfer coil means located therein for the passage of cold and hot water therethrough. Inlet damper means are provided to bypass the coil means during times when it is not desired to have air pass thereover for either cooling or heating. A collecting pan is provided beneath the coil means for catching condensate falling from the coil means when cold water is passed therethrough and to act as a water reservoir for humidifying purposes when hot water is passed through the coil means.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for conditioning the temperature of an elongated tubular member, and the contents therein, and comprises a plurality of cast metal shoes adapted to be connected in side-by-side relation about the periphery of the member. Certain of the shoes contain cooling means and certain other of the shoes contain electric heating means. The invention provides for identical construction of all of the shoes, apart from the contained cooling and heating means, and includes means for connecting the shoes in side-by-side relation without the need of special tools.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation and dispensing of portions of soft ice cream comprises a storage tank and a freezing cylinder disposed below the tank and connected thereto by a replenishing duct. The freezing cylinder having a heating device and an agitator in its interior. The heating device being adapted to cause the contents of the freezing cylinder to be partially evaporated and the steam flowing therefrom into the storage tank heats the contents of the tank to a sterilization temperature.

Abstract: A cabinet type enclosure, preferably in the form of a cart, which is adapted to be connected to a source of refrigeration for refrigerating a plurality of food items on a plurality of meal trays positioned in the enclosure has a plurality of thin, generally horizontal fixedly mounted heater shelf members extending into the enclosed space from one side wall thereof. The heater shelf members are adapted to be moved relative to and under hot food containers positioned on the trays to heat same. The enclosure also has pairs of tray guides on its opposing side walls. The meal trays have integral transverse abutment means which extend over a portion of the tray surface at a location above the surface.