Abstract: A smoke sensor detects a smoke density in a room so as to automatically start the operation of a ventilating fan when the smoke density exceeds a predetermined value, but stops the operation of the ventilating fan when the smoke density becomes lower than the predetermined value. When the predetermined time elapses after the operation of the ventilating fan is automatically stopped, the operation of the ventilating fan is restarted to produce an air stream in the room to be ventilated in order to make the smoke density uniform in the room, thereby it is possible to enhance the degree of accuracy for detection by the smoke sensor so as to make the automatic operation of the ventilating fan appropriate.

Abstract: A compressor, used for compressing a working fluid to be discharged into a reservoir, includes at least one compressor element. A prime driver, capable of operating at varying angular velocities, applies motive force to the compressor. A ratio maintaining device, disposed between each compressor element and the prime driver, ensures that a ratio defined as an angular velocity of the compressor element divided by the angular velocity of the prime driver remains constant. The prime driver is typically internal combustion engine powered. A controllable fuel valve is in communication with the prime driver and is positionable for controlling a fuel flow to the prime driver. A controller positions the fuel valve based upon a combination of parameters including a variable setpoint reservoir pressure, ambient pressure and ambient temperature, wherein the prime driver is operated at an angular velocity at which the actual pressure at the reservoir can be maintained at the setpoint reservoir pressure.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus having a condenser fan, an evaporator fan, a compressor, at least two motor for driving the fans and the compressor, and being responsive to vibration of the apparatus to control the speed of each motor to reduce the vibration. In its preferred embodiments, the apparatus performs a test to determine optimum speeds of the motors to minimize the vibration. The apparatus uses a microcomputer, operative during the test to change the speed of at least one of the motors to each of a plurality of different speed values within a predetermined speed range, and at least one vibration detector. The detector detects values of the vibration when the motors are operating at the different speed values. At the end of the test, the motors are controlled to operate at the speed value at which the vibration is minimized.

Abstract: A thermal control variable speed DC brushless fan, especially a DC brushless fan which may change speed in accordance with the temperature sensed, includes a fan speed control circuit and a DC brushless fan. The fan speed control circuit is composed of drive ICs, operation amplifiers, transistors, diodes, capacitors resistors, and a thermal sensor. Under normal conditions, the change in the fan's rotation speed relation to the temperature is almost linear, but when the thermal sensor is open or shorted the speed control circuit of the fan causes the fan to operate at full speed to maintain a cooling effect.

Abstract: A refrigerator with a noise attenuating function includes a cabinet having storage and machine compartments, a compressor disposed in the machine compartment, a noise detector disposed in the machine compartment for detecting noise produced from driving of the compressor and converting the noise to an electrical signal, an operational unit for converting the electrical signal to an acoustic signal for an active noise control, a cancellation sound producer producing a sound of opposite phase with the noise based on the acoustic signal so that the noise is attenuated, a noise attenuation monitoring sound receiver for monitoring the noise attenuating effect of the cancellation sound producer, an adaptive control circuit changing an operational factor of the operational unit by a predetermined amount when the monitoring result of the noise attenuation monitoring sound receiver is out of a predetermined tolerance, the adaptive control circuit being adapted to continuously perform the operation of changing the oper

Abstract: A computer controlled metering pump. The displacement of a metering pump is accurately monitored using a position sensor connected to a piston. A control computer receives the sensor signal as well as a desired pumping volume rate. The pumped volume is continuously monitored by the computer as a function of the piston displacement, and compared with the desired rate. The metering pump is controlled to bring the pumped volume rate into agreement with the desired volumetric pumping rate.

Abstract: A thermostat control for use in conjunction with a boat dock de-icer, wherein the thermostat control includes an electrical outlet, a plug for connecting the control to a source of electrical energy, a set point controller for controlling the operation of the thermostat, and a temperature sensor for sensing a fluid. A conventional boat dock de-icer is plugged into the thermostat control and the thermostat control is connected to a source of electrical energy. The temperature sensor is placed in water in the vicinity of a boat dock, and the set point is set to any desired temperature, but preferably to a temperature about freezing. When the control temperature of the water is reached, the thermostat control permits operation of the boat dock de-icer, so that the de-icer operates only when needed, instead of continuously.

Abstract: An audible sound radiated from an air conditioning apparatus is decreased when the actual audible sound detected by the sound sensor is greater than a predetermined audible sound value which is modified according to changes in the ambient light or the ambient temperature.

Abstract: Storm water pumps drain storm water in a pump well. In order to control the storm water pumps, a radar rain gage and ground raingages are set. Measurement data from the radar rain gage and the ground rain gages are supplied to a data processing unit. The data processing unit calibrates rainfall distribution data representing a two-dimensional rainfall distribtuion state obtained by the radar rain gate by the measurement data from the ground rain gages, and forecasts a rainfall in a predetermined time from the present from several sets of the calibrated rainfall distribution data. The data processing unit performs runoff analysis corresponding to characteristics of a drainage basin on the basis of the forecast rainfall to calculate a rainfall flow, thereby forecasting a flow of storm water flowing in the pump well.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for providing electrical energy to an electric motor which operates a liquid pump. The motor and the pump are adapted to be submerged in the liquid which is pumped by the pump. The circuit disclosed herein senses the phase angle between the current and the voltage applied to the electric motor. When the phase angle indicates that the motor is operating without a load, the circuit deenergizes the electric motor. Thus, the motor and the liquid pump are protected against damage. Recognizing that harmonics may exist in the current flow through the motor, the circuit provides for obtaining a filtered signal proportional to the fundamental frequency of the current flowing through the motor. Thus, an accurate measurement of the loading of a motor is obtained. The circuitry of this invention also provides an accurate method of compensation for applied line voltage variations, so that a change in the applied line voltage does not produce a false indication that the motor loading has changed.

Abstract: A control process for a rotary pump which is immersed in a fluid produced by a well involves the use of a rotary pump driven by a variable speed motor and comprises the steps of acting upon the rotational speed of the motor according to a pressure difference which exists between the pressure of the fluid measured in the proximity of the pump and the production pressure of the well. The production pressure P of the well being given by the formula:P=P.sub.G -Q/I.sub.pwherein P.sub.G is equal to the pressure of the unused deposit; that is, the pressure of the fluid deposit when the fluid deposit is at rest and there is no production of the well, Q equals the pump flow rate according to the motor rotation speed and I.sub.p is equal to the well productivity indication.

Abstract: A well polish rod temperature sensing system, for use at a well head, comprising(a) first sensor located in proximity to the polish rod to sense its temperatures T.sub.1,(b) second sensor for sensing temperature T.sub.2 of the environment near the well head,(c) and circuitry operatively connected to the first and second sensor to provide an output signal which is a function of the difference between T.sub.1 and T.sub.2.

Abstract: An automatic larvicide dispensing apparatus which is actuated by weather conditions. A container for holding liquid larvicide has a sealed cylinder disposed therein and a piston reciprocally disposed within such cylinder. This piston is biased to one position within the cylinder and is movable to a second position. A leather strap, or other actuator having similar properties, allows the piston to move to the first position thereof when weather is wet and shrinks to push the piston to the second position when weather conditions are dry. The cylinder has one-way valves associated therewith to act as a pump for loading the cylinder during wet conditions and dispensing the larvicide from the cylinder during dry conditions.

Abstract: An altitude compensating control system for a vacuum pump supplying a vehicle accessory vacuum supply system comprising, in a preferred embodiment, a dual diaphragm pressure switch spring biased in a closing direction to actuate the pump and having an ambient pressure exposed diaphragm acting in a switch-opening direction opposed by a controlled vacuum pressure exposed diaphragm of larger area acting in a switch closing direction to provide a controlled vacuum pressure range that declines from a desired operational vacuum pressure range at sea level to a lower satisfactory vacuum level for efficient operation at higher altitudes. Other features and advantages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for transferring heat into a first body of water flowing through a first conduit (20, 22, 24) from a heated second body of water (12) that is flowing through a second conduit (14), the two conduits being contiguous to each other. A pump (26 or 62) operates to force the second body of water through the second conduit. A motor (32 or 60) is so connected to the pump as to operate the pump when the motor is actuated and an arrangement is provided to actuate the motor in response to the flow of the first body of water through the first conduit.

Abstract: An accelerator pump system is provided which consists of a pump cylinder having an intake port communicating with a float bowl and a discharge port communicated with an acceleration nozzle or pump jet which injects fuel into the throat of a carburetor. The accelerator pump includes a pump plunger which is reciprocally movable within the pump cylinder in response to pivotal movement of the throttle lever of the carburetor. A pump lever and a connecting rod including thermally responsive material such as thermo-wax are in linking arrangement between the pump plunger and the throttle lever in a series relationship in order to control the stroke of the pump plunger thereby to control the amount of fuel which is discharged into the carburetor by the pump system. As a result, the amount of fuel discharged, as well as the lever ratio of the pump lever, i.e. the fuel discharging characteristic thereof, may be controlled in response to changes in ambient temperature.

Abstract: A control for selectively energizing a heater provided to raise the temperature of lubricating oil of a compressor employed in a refrigeration unit. The control includes a thermostatically operated switch provided to sense a temperature indicative of lubricating oil temperature. The switch connects the heater to a source of electrical energy when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined value and the compressor is inoperable. When the compressor is operable, the heater is rendered inoperable irrespective of the sensed temperature.

Abstract: The system includes an electrically operated air-purifying unit for purifying the air in an at least substantially enclosed space. A sensor unit located in the enclosed space is operative for generating an electrical signal having valves indicative of the concentration of the impurities in the air contacting the sensor unit. A warning device issues a warning signal when the concentration of impurities in the air contacting the sensor unit exceeds a predetermined value.