Abstract: A refrigerating device is equipped with a temperature sensor in the form of an infrared sensor (7), for detecting an operating temperature of the device. Said infrared sensor (7) is located on a board (5) in a non-refrigerated are of the refrigerating device, together with a control circuit.

Abstract: A selectively controllable valve is arranged in a refrigeration circuit which interconnects the evaporator and the condenser and is controlled so that a pressure differential is built up across the valve. The valve is selectively opened to allow “batches” of working fluid to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, the working fluid which is allowed to pass through the valve, is heated in a chamber to increase the amount of pressure on the downstream side of the valve. This produces expanded pressurized working fluid which increases the pressure in the condenser and forces previously condensed and liquefied working fluid through a flow restricting transfer device into an evaporator. Condensation of the just heated gas in the condenser subsequently reduces the pressure on the downstream side of the valve and establishes conditions suitable for the passage of a further amount of gaseous working fluid while itself becoming liquid to be forced through the flow restricting transfer device.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner with an automatic air-conditioning control, when a change operation of a set temperature is not performed by a passenger while air conditioning control is performed based on the set temperature in one region of environment condition, it is determined that the one region is a region corresponding to a passenger's preference. Accordingly, even if the change operation of the set temperature is not performed, when the region is stored once for the air conditioning control, the region is used as a learned region. Further, when the change operation of the set temperature is performed in an another region, a correction of the set temperature of the learned region is restricted. Thus, it can restrict the set temperature of a region, which is satisfied by the passenger from being changed.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus, being able to download operation control information through a network, wherein a remote controller of the air-conditioner is structured, so that it can indicate the operation information download, and is provided a function of indicating an operation under the operation mode upon the basis of that operation information to the air-conditioner. And also, a function is provided for inhibiting transmission of the information between the network, thereby obtaining an improvement on operability after downloading, as well as, an improvement on operability during the download operation, and also protection from erroneous operation(s) caused due to being connected to the network.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for modifying a vending machine to provide a vending machine for storing product at a temperature no greater than −40 degrees Celsius. The method of the invention includes the steps of replacing an existing refrigeration compressor with a different compressor having a higher compression and replacing an existing refrigerant with a more efficient refrigerant. Then, the length of an existing capillary tube was increased (preferably to approximately 21 inches). Finally, a new thermostat capable of achieving a −40 Celsius set point. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the pre-existing thermostat was rewired into a safety switch, which is operable to disable the vending machine from dispensing product if the temperature exceeds the set point. A novel business method is also provided; namely a method of manufacturing and distributing ice cream.

Abstract: An automatic cold-storage system includes a food package (22) provided with a noncontact IC tag (11), and a refrigerator (31) for storing the food package (22). Information is read from the noncontact IC tag (11) by a noncontact IC tag reader (12) and is compiled to a database (31c). A managing means (31b) controls the refrigerator (31) on the basis of information contained in the database (31c). The managing means (31b) makes a display device (14) display a warning on the basis of information read by the noncontact IC tag reader (12).

Abstract: The present invention is provided with a remote controller case having an opening for air intake. The remote controller case includes a circuit board provided with a temperature detection circuit. The circuit board has a temperature sensor 26 corresponding to the opening for air intake. When the air-conditioning apparatus is installed, the output data of the temperature sensor 26 are corrected according to the installing environment. After the air-conditioning apparatus is installed, the output data of the temperature sensor 26 are corrected to have a temperature lowered by a predetermined degree to make the remote controller perform a temperature control operation.

Abstract: A freezer (106) is provided with a connector (120) and connected to a semiconductor equipment (10). The connector (120) may include a connector for power supply (120a), a connector for data communication (120b) and a connector for analog signal (120c). Therefore, the semiconductor equipment (10) can transmit data and signal to the outside while being cooled in the freezer (106). With this constitution, a semiconductor equipment housed in a cooling system for high-speed operation and a refrigerator for cooling the semiconductor equipment are provided.

Abstract: A system for setting vehicle operator preferences is provided. The system includes a vehicle control module for controlling a vehicle component such as an HVAC unit. A data link is connected to the vehicle control module and may be an infrared signal receiver, a radio frequency signal receiver, a vehicle communications bus, or any other suitable data link. A portable handheld computing device includes a program having vehicle preferences stored in a memory. Preferably, the vehicle preferences may be input by the operator into the portable handheld computing device. The portable handheld computing device may be a Handspring® device, a Palmpilot® device, or any other suitable portable computing device. The portable handheld computing device sends the vehicle preferences to the vehicle control module through the data link to control the vehicle component. The vehicle preferences are sent by IR, RF, or any other suitable means. The system may be used to control an HVA system, for example.

Abstract: When an after-evaporation temperature TE remains below the wet-bulb temperature Twet, the compressor 231 is intermittently operated for a predetermined time after the elapse of a first time To from compressor 231 stopping. On the other hand, when the after-evaporation temperature TE is higher than the wet-bulb temperature Twet, the intermittent operation mode stops. This reduces dispersion of offensive smells from the evaporator.

Abstract: A vapor compression system includes an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser interconnected in a closed-loop system. In one embodiment, a multifunctional valve is configured to receive a liquefied heat transfer fluid from the condenser and a hot vapor from the compressor. A saturated vapor line connects the outlet of the multifunctional valve to the inlet of the evaporator and is sized so as to substantially convert the heat transfer fluid exiting the multifunctional valve into a saturated vapor prior to delivery to the evaporator. The multifunctional valve regulates the flow of heat transfer fluid through the valve by monitoring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid returning to the compressor through a suction line coupling the outlet of the evaporator to the inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a liquid refrigerant pump from damage due to cavitation and loss of lubrication by inclusion of means for detecting the presence of vaporized refrigerant at the pump inlet and deactivating the pump in response thereto.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for cooling air is disclosed. The system includes a substantially liquid refrigerant and an evaporator for transferring heat from the air to the substantially liquid refrigerant. The substantially liquid refrigerant becomes a low temperature, low pressure first substantially gaseous refrigerant. A compressor compresses the first substantially gaseous refrigerant into a high pressure, high temperature superheated second gaseous refrigerant. A lubricant circuit supplies lubricant to the compressor. A condenser rejects heat from the second gaseous refrigerant and forms a high pressure, lower temperature sub-cooled liquid refrigerant. The condenser has an output stream. A metering device transforms the sub-cooled liquid refrigerant into the substantially liquid refrigerant for the evaporator. A heat exchanger receives the first substantially gaseous refrigerant as a coolant on route to the compressor.

Abstract: An electric refrigerator is provided with a casing formed of a heat-insulating layer and defining an opening; a heat-insulating door for openably closing the opening of the casing; a thermal conductor arranged in the casing and provided with a heat-conducting surface located opposite an interior space in the casing; a Peltier device thermally connected with the thermal conductor; and a device power supply for feeding electric power to the Peltier device. The electric refrigerator is also provided with a control unit for controlling the device power supply so that, after the heat-insulating door is closed subsequent to opening thereof, the device power supply supplies the Peltier device with electric power controlled in a range of from 1.3 to 2 times as much rated electric power required to maintain a preset interior temperature of the casing.

Abstract: An liquid heating and cooling apparatus for heating or cooling liquid such as drinks is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cup-shaped container for loading the liquid, a thermo device installed in the container for heating or cooling the liquid, and a base removably attached to the lower end of the container for supplying DC power to the thermo device and controlling the cooling or heating of the liquid by controlling the direction of the DC power supplied to the thermo device when the container is attached to the base.

Abstract: A new Solar Powered Vehicle Air Conditioner for retaining a comfortable temperature within a vehicle during hot days when a user leaves the vehicle. The inventive device includes an energy efficient air conditioner having a vent, a fan control and a thermostat control, and a solar panel electrically connected to the energy efficient air conditioner for providing electrical power to the energy efficient air conditioner.

Abstract: An air conditioner which includes ports (22, 23, 24) provided on portions in a refrigerant circuit where oil are liable to gather, such as bottoms of a compressor (1), accumulator (5), a receiver (12) and the like, through which ports a refrigerant is extracted and charged. The air conditioner is further provided with a control unit (50) for controlling washing operation for the refrigerant circuit, such that at the time of washing of the refrigerant circuit, washing operation is continued under the control of the control unit (50) for a predetermined period of time while increasing a frequency of the compressor (1) so as to, for example, make a temperature in a discharge pipe (2) higher than a predetermined value, and then is stopped, and the washing operation is resumed after a fixed period of time.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converter is composed of a number of p-type semiconductor chips and n-type semiconductor chips arranged side by side and electrically connected in series, a heat-absorbing-side heat conductor arranged on a heat-absorbing side of the p-type and n-type semiconductor chips, a heat-dissipating-side heat conductor arranged on a heat-dissipating side of the p-type and n-type semiconductor chips, and a device for feeding a current to the p-type and n-type semiconductor chips. The current feeding device feeds a current of a density in a current density range selected depending on a thickness of said p-type and n-type semiconductor chips.

Abstract: A heating and cooling apparatus having a first gas conduit, a second gas conduit and at least one thermoelectric module. In a first embodiment, structure is provided to introduce moisture into the second gas conduit, upstream of that conduit's association with the thermoelectric module. The introduction of the moisture into the gas within the second gas conduit functions to decrease the temperature between the temperature of the gas in the first conduit and the temperature of the gas in the second conduit, thereby optimizing the operation of the thermoelectric module. In a second embodiment a plurality of thermoelectric modules are arranged in an array and positioned between the gas conduits and associated therewith. The power supplied to each of the thermoelectric modules is adjusted to correspond to an optimum power input calculated for each thermoelectric module respectively.

Abstract: A cylindrical standpipe extends upwardly from the bottom of a liquid refrigerant sump, and vertical slots are formed in the sides thereof near the bottom end. On the inner sides of the standpipe, a sleeve is slideably disposed to uncover the slots as the sleeve is vertically raised. On the outer side of the standpipe a toroidal shaped float device, which is secured to the sleeve by a tube extending through upper side slots in the standpipe, is vertically moveable in response to the level of liquid refrigerant in the sump to thereby regulate the sleeve vertical position and therefore the flow of refrigerant from the sump.

Abstract: An energy-conserving refrigeration apparatus which employs a atmospheric pressure and vacuum-pressure actuated partial compressor for a refrigerant gas in combination with a conventional prime mover-driven compressor and also achieves lower compressor head pressure and increased condenser cooling of the refrigerant gas.

Abstract: A camera including a solid-state imager has a cooler for controlling cooling of the imager. A thermal servo regulates the cooling of the imager to a set point. A cooling control means changes the cooling set point in response to changes in the sensitivity of the camera.

Abstract: A hermetic compressor discharge line thermal block is hermetically coupled in the discharge line between a condenser and compressor adjacent to the discharge outlet of the compressor. The device is formed to define a well for removably receiving a heating element, and has a hermetically sealed chamber substantially surrounding the heater well and electric heating element. Upon compressor shutdown, liquid refrigerant migrating from the condenser partially fills the chamber, thereby decreasing the temperature of the heating element below a predetermined temperature, thereby causing the heating element to become electrically conductive to supply heat to the chamber to evaporate the liquid refrigerant therein and to prevent further accumulation of liquid.

Abstract: A water heating system comprising an outdoor heat exchanger including a heat collection chamber, solar collector panels, collector fins, an evaporator for passing refrigerant therethrough to perform the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transferred from the panels and fins to evaporate the refrigerant. The panels, fins and evaporator are incorporated integrally in the heat collection chamber. A variable rotational speed compressor is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger for compressing the vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator. A heat exchanger disposed on the bottom side in the water storage tank passes the refrigerant vapor from the compressor to perform the heat exchange between the water in the tank and the refrigerant vapor to condense the refrigerant vapor.

Abstract: A combined over pressure relief and low fluid pressure electrical cut-off valve assembly having a housing defining a chamber with an inlet in communication with the high pressure gas of an air conditioning compressor and an outlet exposed to atmospheric pressure. A pressure sensitive snap-acting metal flexible diaphragm, having a central valve opening, extends across the chamber upper open end. An axial shaft, positioned in the valve opening, includes seal means on the underside of its head portion normally seated on the upper surface of the diaphragm to close the valve opening. A retainer is threaded on the shaft lower end and adjustably maintains an inner high pressure set point spring on the underside of the diaphragm. An outer spring retainer has an externally threaded shank mounted in the housing central bore and adjustably maintains an outer low pressure set point spring on the underside of the diaphragm.