Abstract: A process and a device for shutting off of a motor vehicle heating device in which a liquid heat exchange medium is heated by a heating device and is delivered to a heat exchanger of the heating device by means of a circulating pump driven by an electric motor. To prevent damage to the heating device or the circulating pump when the heat exchange medium circuit is not adequately filled with liquid heat exchange medium or in the case of poor venting, a value which at least indirectly indicates the power consumption of the electric motor is sent to a control device as a signal indicative of the existence of a delivery fault associated with the circulating pump.

Abstract: A self-powered, forced hot air space heating system including a boiler for generating steam, a mechanical power producing steam expander, and a heat exchanger for heating air. Steam from the boiler is supplied to the expander and the heat exchanger, which is disposed in close proximity to the boiler. A fan powered by the expander is mounted adjacent to the heat exchanger in order to force air to be heated past the heat exchanger and through the space being heated. By operation of the fan, cool air is forced past the heat exchanger and heated. The resulting warm air is then provided to the space being heated. The system provides central forced hot air heating without the need for any external supply of electrical power. In another embodiment, a hot water heater is used in place of the boiler to heat high pressure water. The high pressure hot water is expanded to obtain mechanical energy for driving a generator and, thereby, producing a supply of electrical power.

Abstract: A method for the automatic optimization of the heating curve of a heating controller in a heating plant is devised, whereat the heating curve is approximated by the potential function y=k.multidot.x.sup..alpha., in which function the coefficient k as well as the exponent .alpha. is evaluated in a simple manner. Furthermore, the influence of external energy may be taken into account.

Abstract: A heat pump or air conditioning system includes a process for calculating on a real time basis the capacity contribution of each of a number of heating or cooling stages. The calculated contribution is utilized to determine the number of stages that need to be activated at any point in time in the heat pump or air conditioning system.

Abstract: A demand radiant heating system includes an elongated radiant heating tube and a burner operatively connected to the tube and a fuel regulator connected to the burner for providing fuel to the burner at a plurality of fuel pressures to provide demand heating.

Abstract: A sealed combustion, low profile gas-fired baseboard heater has a heat exchanger which is U-shaped, and which has upper and lower horizontal sections. Appropriate inlets are provided for air and combustion gas, and a gas valve. The air inlet may be coaxial with an exhaust for combustion gases. The heater may include a combustion blower, in which case the heat exchanger can include fins and other features to improve heat transfer. A natural draft version includes a larger bore tubular heat exchanger. Ignition can be by way of a pilot. Alternatively, a hot surface igniter, with safety lockout-timing device, can be used.

Abstract: Water heating apparatus by flow of electric current through the water from a set, for example, of eight electrodes whose surface areas for current flow are proportional to the value of two raised to the eight exponents zero to seven, that is 1 to 128. This gives an area range of 1:256 which can be switched in binary digital manner automatically by solid state circuitry in response to a temperature window, electric current flow or other indicators. This gives automatic compensation for wide water conductivity ranges and flow rates without any moving parts to give a practical mass-produced industrial or domestic water heater.

Abstract: A system for air cooling a fluid which has been heated through use in an industrial process in a plant and utilizing the air used for cooling, which has now been heated, for providing heated, make up air within a desired temperature range to that plant.

Abstract: A system for recovering and utilizing, to a controlled and variable extent, waste heat from a coolant fluid. The amount of heat recovery varies in proportion to the marginal costs associated therewith. Heat laden coolant passes through an interior heat exchanger where heat may be extracted in varying amounts from the coolant by a thermostatically-controlled air mover, the air mover admitting outside air past the interior heat exchanger. The coolant proceeds to an exterior wet surface heat exchanger where residual heat is concurrently extracted from the coolant by a thermostatically-controlled combination of ambient air, recirculated ambient air, and water spray. The coolant then returns to the beginning of its cycle. The temperature of outside air is the principal variable determining the proportion of heat recovered by the interior heat exchanger and the proportion extracted by the exterior heat exchanger. The total heat extracted reduces the coolant temperature to a predetermined operating level.

Abstract: The air caloric stimulation system provides an adjustable air system with accurate and automatic control of the delivery and temperature of air. A thermal electric device utilizing the Peltier effect generates or absorbs heat depending on the difference between the temperature of the air at the outlet and the "set" or desired temperature of the air at the outlet. Further, the Peltier units are aided in controlling the temperature of the air using a radiator system in conjunction with a liquid circulating system. The current to the Peltier units are controlled using unique proportional phase controlled signals. Safety circuitry prevents the air or liquid from overheating.