Abstract: An automotive air conditioner which conditions air making use of radiation of heat of a condenser and absorption of heat of an evaporator effectively. The evaporator 207 and the condenser 203 are disposed in a duct 100. A bypass passageway 150 is provided sidewardly of the condenser 203 in the duct 100, and a flow rate of air bypassing the condenser 203 is controlled by pivotal motion of an air mixing damper 154. Another bypass passage is provided sidewardly of the evaporator 207 in the duct 100, and a flow rate of air bypassing the evaporator 207 is controlled by pivotal motion of a bypass damper 159. Air is conditioned to an optimum blown out air temperature by varying the cooling rate at the evaporator 207 and the heating rate at the condenser 203 and is blown out to a room of an automobile from spit holes 141, 142 and 143.

Abstract: An interior thermal conditioning method and apparatus with improved zone control is disclosed. The thermal conditioning apparatus, such as a heat pump assembly, generates a desired thermal condition which is conveyed by a thermal distribution medium to a number of zones within a multiple zone building. Each zone includes a heat exchange device for receiving the thermal distribution medium. Each zone also includes a thermostat which is used to set a desired temperature range and to indicate the prevailing temperature. When the prevailing temperature is inconsistent with the desired temperature range, a conditioning request is generated. Rather than immediately responding to the conditioning request, the heat pump controller assesses the temperature of the thermal distribution medium to determine whether it is within a target range.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus (1) is disclosed which includes a pair of adjacent parallel air ducts, namely a conditioned air duct (4) and an ambient air duct (5), wherein the ducts (4,5) have a common side wall (7). A fan (14) delivers an air stream through the conditioned air duct (4) to condition the air stream. A fan 15 delivers ambient air through the ambient air duct (5). Mounted within the ambient air duct (5) is a refrigeration unit having a condenser (20) and an evaporator (21). The condenser (20) and evaporator (21) are slidable between the two ducts (4,5) along tracks (43,46) extending through openings (25,26) in the side wall (7) to condition air passed through the conditioned air duct (4) to a pre-set desired condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing foods for predeterminable period of time. One embodiment of the apparatus is for cooking; another is for refrigeration. The apparatus includes either a cooking container or a refrigeration container, a conveyor for carrying food products to and from this container, and a robot assembly for removing food products from the conveyor, inserting them into the container, extracting them from the container after the predetermined cooking or refrigeration period, and returning them to the conveyor. The robot assembly is programmable to extract and return these food products after cooking or refrigeration for a predeterminable period of time.

Abstract: A heat pump apparatus comprising: a heat pump circuit composed of an external combustion engine, a radiator through which a first medium heated by a first heat exchanger of said external combustion engine flows and a cooler through which a second medium cooled by a second heat exchanger of said external combustion engine flows; a motor for supplementing a motive power to said external combustion engine; a brake for braking said external combustion engine; a detector for detecting a heating load; and a controller for calculating a motive power necessary for said external combustion engine based on the difference between a value detected by said detector and a preset value previously set, and for controlling said motor to move when the calculated motive power is larger than a self-output of said external combustion engine.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for buildings includes a plurality of air conditioners on the different floors, a cooling gravity type heat pipe connecting vaporizers in the air conditioners with a cold thermal source installed at the top of the building and a warming gravity type heat pipe connecting a condenser of the air conditioners with a hot thermal source installed in the basement of the building. The heat pipes are, respectively, provided with flow control valves at the inlet of each vaporizer and the outlet of each condenser. Each air conditioner is provided with a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the returning air and a liquid level detection switch for detecting the liquid level of the thermal medium in the vaporizer. The flow control valves are respectively controlled based on the detection signals issued by the thermistor and the liquid level detection switch.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a building according to the present invention essentially has a first thermal storage tank as a cold thermal source which is installed at a high place in the building, a second thermal storage tank as a hot thermal source which is installed at a low place in the building, air conditioners which are installed at various levels between the first thermal storage tank and the second thermal storage tank, and heat pipes of a gravity type with which the air conditioners are connected to the first thermal storage tank and the second thermal storage tank. This system dispenses with passages for water, typically used as a thermal medium, at the places where air conditioners are installed. The system makes it possible to lower the capacities of the air conditioning equipment, especially the capacity of the regrigerator included in the cold thermal source equipment.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for air conditioning in a winter garden, more particularly for dehumidifying a winter garden in order to avoid formation of perspiration and condensation water, the device having a housing (16) in which first, second and third heat exchanger means (26,28,30) are selectively connectable to a compressor means (32). Communication between said heat exchanger means and compressor means may selectively be established in such a manner that the winter garden can be dehumidified, cooled or heated, as required. At the same time, the device permits heat from the winter garden to be recovered for use in the dwelling house (10).

Abstract: A multi-zone cold storage variable air volume air conditioning system for capacity effective averaging of continuously operable refrigeration cooling units of varied capacity and each operable at its optimum capacity and assigned to a separate zone space, wherein variable air volume by-pass ducts and zone dampers operate in response to zone space temperature, and characterized by a chilled water storage tank and pump circulating chilled water through a closed circuit and through a water conditioning coil, there being a downstream charging coil and an upstream re-cooling coil in the supply air duct upstream from the air conditioning coil of the cooling unit and each selectively in closed circuit through the chilled water storage tank, and control means therefor.

Abstract: A heat transmission device comprises a heat receiving part, a heat radiating part, and a looped pipeline connecting these parts in which a working fluid having condensing properties as a heat transferring medium is filled in the pipeline. A plurality of accumulators are interposed in a parallel arrangement in the pipeline at the upper stream of the heat receiving part but at the downstream of the heat radiating part; there are provided a heating/cooling means for heating and cooling the accumulators, and a control means which performs alternately the first operation of feeding the working fluid condensed at the heat radiating part to at least one of the accumulators and the second operation of circulating the working fluid in the at least one accumulator to the heat receiving part and performs alternately the first and second operations in the reverse order for the other accumulator.

Abstract: A test chamber device comprising a generally enclosed chamber, a first duct communicating with the chamber and including therein selectively operable heating coils, a second duct communicating with the chamber and including therein selectively operable refrigerating coils, and a damper for closing the second duct when the heating coils are operating so that the refrigerating coils are isolated from air flow in the chamber.

Abstract: An air conditioning system and method wherein a central pumping system circulates a heat-exchange liquid, through heating and cooling paths of a refrigeration system to and from air-treating units, and to and from a fluid cooler which acts as a heat sink and also as a heat source. The air-treating units have fans or blowers positioned upstream of the air cooling coils so that the fan heat is discharged through the fluid cooler system during cooling load operation, and that heat is available in the air-treating units during heating-load operation. One embodiment includes a separate line for supplying neutral water to each air-treating unit. The neutral water is mixed with either the hot water or the cold water supplied to each treating unit for temperature control. Another embodiment has only hot and cold water with separate supply and return lines.

Abstract: Heat is recovered by combining a heat transfer system including heat exchangers interconnected in a circulatory system, with a heat pump system. The heat pump system is preferably operated in accordance with the Lorenz-Principle. It is not necessary to divide the heat carrier circuit of the heat pump into two or three separate circulatory circuits. The heat carrier circuit of the heat pump can thus continue to operate unchanged even if the heat pump is switched off. For this purpose the warm heat carrier coming from a discharge fluid cooler, is heated further in a condenser of the heat pump and the cold heat carrier coming from a preheater or cooler group, is cooled further in an evaporator of the heat pump.

Abstract: An air conditioning system and method wherein a central pumping system circulates a heat-exchange liquid (which is water or a glycol solution or other solution called "water") through heating and cooling paths of a refrigeration system and then to and from air-treating units. The fans or blowers of the air-treating units are positioned upstream of the air cooling and heating coils so that the fan heat and pump heat are discharged through the fluid cooler system during cooling load operation, and all of that heat is available for delivery to the air treating units during heating-load operation. In the embodiments shown the air is discharged through the fluid cooler to carry away heat during cooling load operation. One embodiment includes a separate line for neutral water to each air treating unit.

Abstract: An air conditioning system and method wherein a central pumping system circulates a heat-exchange liquid (which is water or a glycol solution or other solution called "water") through heating and cooling paths of a refrigeration system and then to and from air-treating units. The fans or blowers of the air-treating units are positioned upstream of the air cooling and heating coils so that the fan heat and pump heat are discharged through the fluid cooler system during cooling load operation, and all of that heat is available for delivery to the air treating units during heating-load operation. The quantity of outside (fresh) air is selected and controlled so that adequate ventilation is provided, and during cold weather so that multi-story buildings may be provided with adequate pressurization to overcome an objectionable inflow of cold air at ground floor levels at entrances and exits.

Abstract: A reverse air cycle type heat pump is provided that utilizes a refrigeration system having a unidirection refrigerant flow wherein the condenser and evaporator retain their functions, but the air directed across them is redirected for different operations. The refrigeration system is provided with a secondary defrost circuit including a first conduit between the upper portion of the evaporator and the compressor casing and a second conduit having a valve which permits refrigerant flow to by-pass the expansion device only when compresssor operation terminates and the system pressure differential is equalized. This defrost circuit causes the relatively warm refrigerant in gaseous phase in the compressor to displace the relatively cold refrigerant in liquid phase in the evaporator with the flow continuing until the defrost process is completed.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained highly efficient frictional air heating unit is provided which draws a flow of ambient air through an air inlet, frictionally heats the air, and discharges the air through an air outlet. The frictional air heating unit is utilized in a heating and cooling system for providing a source of heated air for heating, for powering an absorption type air conditioner system for cooling, and for heating water.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for defrosting a dual refrigeration circuit refrigeration system. During defrost one of the refrigeration circuits is operated to supply heat energy to the frosted heat exchanger of the other circuit and the fan circulating heat transfer media through a heat exchanger of each circuit is reversed such that heat transfer fluid is heated by one refrigeration circuit and then used to defrost a heat exchanger of the other circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact heating assembly of the heat pump type, comprising a heat pump circuit having a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser, wherein the evaporator and condenser parts, together with means for heat exchanging heat carrying fluids against the same, are arranged in a housing. The evaporator and its heat exchanger means and the condenser and its heat exchanger means substantially form an essentially vertical helical conduit system which encloses an inner space, wherein the compressor, possible circulation pumps, etc. are arranged. The device can be burrowed in the ground, and the inner space is accessible via an inspection cover arranged at the top.

Abstract: Food defrosting apparatus comprising a refrigerator, a pair of thawing and storage water tank evaporators which cooperate with the refrigerator to form independent first heat exchanging circuits, respectively, a pair of thawing and storage water tanks in which are contained the thawing and storage water tank evaporators, respectively, a pair of thawing and storage heat exchangers which cooperate with the thawing and storage water tanks to form independent secondary heat exchanging circuits, respectively, and a common cabin in which are contained the thawing and storage heat exchangers, whereby freeze food in the cabin can be first thawed and subsequently preserved in readiness for further processing.

Abstract: A temperature control door (27) controls air flow through a duct (12) and is positioned in accordance with the output of a sensor (41), (42). A slider (74) of a potentiometer (72) is connected to the door (27) so that the slider (74) is in a central position when the temperature control door (27) is in a central position. A switch (86) connects the slider (74) to one end of a resistance element (73) of the potentiometer (72) when the temperature control door (27) is on one side of the central position and the apparatus (11) is in a cooling mode and to the other end of the resistance element (73) of the potentiometer (72) when the temperature control door (27) is on the other side of the central position and the apparatus (11) is in a heating mode. The speed of a blower (16) which forces air through the duct (12) is controlled in accordance with the resistance of the potentiometer (72). A switch (87) controls the blower (16) to run a maximum speed when the apparatus (11) is in a maximum cooling mode.

Abstract: A combined environmental and refrigeration system for use in a supermarket or the like includes a plurality of environmental and refrigeration modules and controllable air flow dampers to provide selected air flow modes to a conditioned space. Each module includes a hot deck compartment having a fan and the condenser portion of a refrigeration system to heat an air flow through the hot deck compartment, and a cold deck compartment having the evaporator portion of an air conditioning system to cool the air supplied to the conditioned space. At least a portion of the condenser in one of the hot deck compartments is provided to sub-cool the refrigeration system working fluid.The various fans, evaporators, condensers, and dampers are controlled by suitable control means to provide a conditioned space dehumidification mode, and a plurality of conditioned space cooling and heating modes.

Abstract: A heat pump device and method of controlling the heat pump device which includes a cold generating fluid circuit, a first heat exchanger associated with the circuit in order to draw calories from a heat containing fluid passing through a cooling circuit, and a second heat exchanger associated with the circuit in order to transmit calories to a fluid passing through a utilization circuit.The method comprises the steps of controlling the flow of heat-carrying fluid through the first heat exchanger in dependence upon the temperature of the fluid of the utilization circuit at the output of the second heat exchanger, and controlling the flow of fluid from the utilization circuit through the second heat exchanger in dependence upon the temperature or pressure of the cold generating fluid at the outlet of the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: A combined air-heating and refrigeration system wherein the air temperature of a living area is maintained within a predetermined range. A conventional furnace isprovided with a heat exchanger for heating air carried within ducts which communicate air from within the living space for circulation past the furnace for heating. The refrigeration portion of the system may be either of the compression or of the absorption type. In the preferred embodiment an absorption type is used and comprises a generator for heating an absorbent and a refrigerant. The heated refrigerant is communicated to a condenser to cause the refrigerant to condense, and the condensed refrigerant is then expanded by a suitable expansion valve and communicated to an evaporator wherein the refrigeration process takes place. The refrigerant is then mixed with the absorber and recirculated to the generator by means of a circulation pump.

Abstract: Air conditioning systems particularly suitable for large buildings located where water is not available for evaporative cooling to provide a heat sink. The condensate from the conditioned air is collected at the cooling and dehumidifying coils and is used as make-up water for one or more evaporative cooling towers which act as the heat sink. One of the cooling towers provides cooling solely by conduction with outside air. Air is exhausted from the conditioned space through one of the cooling towers so as to utilize the evaporation of the condensate in the low temperature and low relative humidity air. The invention also provides for improved operation and efficiency in systems without regard to utilizing condensate for evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A test chamber device comprising a generally enclosed chamber a first duct communicating with the chamber and including therein selectively operable heating coils, a second duct communicating with the chamber and including therein selectively operable refrigerating coils, and a damper for closing the second duct when the heating coils are operating so that the refrigerating coils are isolated from air flow in the chamber.