Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a variable speed compressor and a first evaporator. A second evaporator is operably coupled in series with the first evaporator. A first valve is coupled to the variable speed compressor and the first evaporator. A second valve is fluidly coupled to the second evaporator, and a pressure regulator is coupled to the second valve.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes: a water circuit; a ventilation heat exchanger that heats cooling water by heat exchange with air discharged to outside; a motor generator cooling unit; a motor bypass circuit that bypasses the motor generator cooling unit; and a flow rate control unit. When a temperature of the cooling water flowing between the ventilation heat exchanger and a motor flow rate controller is lower than or equal to a temperature of oil circulating inside the motor generator, the flow rate control unit increases a flow rate of the cooling water that flows from the ventilation heat exchanger into the motor bypass circuit.

Abstract: An expansion valve includes a valve element, a valve seat as well as a biasing member. The valve element and the valve seat are arranged in a first fluid passage of the expansion valve. The expansion valve further includes a shape memory alloy actuator that exerts a force on the valve element towards an open valve position when the shape memory alloy actuator is heated by an electric current. An expansion valve for a vapour compression system of the above type may be controlled externally but also be self-regulating. The shape memory alloy actuator is arranged in a second fluid passage of the expansion valve and the shape memory alloy actuator is in thermal contact with fluid in the second fluid passage, such that the shape memory alloy actuator actuates the valve element towards a closed valve position when the shape memory actuator is cooled by the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve, an expansion valve and their stepping control methods. The valve includes a valve body, a limiting unit, and a heating unit installed in the limiting unit. The valve body has an actuation space, and a first through hole and a second through hole communicated with the actuation space, and the actuation space further contains a valve seat disposed between the first and second through holes, and the limiting unit is installed in the actuation space, and a variable spacing is defined between the limiting unit and the valve seat. When the variable spacing is reduced, the heating unit heats up the interior of the limiting unit for heating to prevent ice buildups, so as to maintain a flowing state of the variable spacing.

Abstract: An expansion valve using a shape memory alloy spring includes: a valve housing having a first refrigerant flow passage and a second refrigerant flow passage passing through both sides of the valve housing and an opening/closing adjuster receiving space along an opened upper portion of the valve housing; an opening/closing adjuster configured to enter the opening/closing adjuster receiving space and to adjust an opening/closing degree of a valve using a shape memory alloy spring exerting an elastic force at a memory temperature; and a valve cover sealing the opened upper portion of the valve housing.

Abstract: A fluid circuit includes a device, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a sealing member, a biasing device, and an actuator. The sealing member moves inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a smart material that is activated when the temperature of a fluid inside the housing exhibiting at least a first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the second position. The smart material is deactivated when the fluid is a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the device and then to the housing when the sealing member is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler and then to the device when the sealing member is in the second position.

Abstract: A printed board arranged within an upper case and having a hole, a partition portion arranged within the upper case so as to be substantially orthogonal to the printed board and provided with a cut, and a temperature sensor arranged within the upper case and having a covered wire, a soldered portion provided at an end of the covered wire, and a temperature detection portion provided at another end of the covered wire, are provided. The temperature sensor is fixed such that the soldered portion is soldered to a surface of the printed board, the covered wire is inserted through the hole and engaged with the cut to be fixed, and the temperature detection portion is located near an inner surface of the upper case.

Abstract: A drive unit for a micro valve comprises a housing, a spring and at least one shape memory alloy element which is attached to the housing in a deflectable manner. The shape memory alloy element is loaded by the spring towards a deflected position and is movable in response to a temperature increase and the shape memory effect activated thereby, into a position which is at least less deflected against an increasing load by the spring. A normally closed micro valve includes a fluid housing, at least one valve seat, a sealing element opposite the valve seat, and a drive unit of the type mentioned above. The shape memory alloy element cooperates with the sealing element and exerts an operating force on the sealing element for closing and opening the valve seat with or against a compression spring force.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus is provided with a heat-source device that supplies a refrigerant, a relay unit that exchanges heat of a heat medium such as water or anti-freezing fluid supplied from the heat-source device in an intermediate heat exchanger and supplies the heat medium, an indoor unit that exchanges heat between a use side heat exchanger through which the heat medium supplied from the relay unit flows and indoor air and performs cooling or heating in the indoor space, a controller that controls operations of the heat-source device, the relay unit and the indoor unit, and a third temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the use side heat exchanger, and if an abnormality in at least one of the heat-source device and the relay unit is detected, the controller continues the operation of the indoor unit while the temperature detected by the third temperature sensor remains within a first predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A co-fired generator for use in a continuous-cycle absorption heating and cooling system may provide heat to the interior of an annulus chamber from a first heat exchanger, such as a firetube heat exchanger, supplemented by heat to the exterior of the annulus chamber from a second heat exchanger containing fluid heated by an external source. Some embodiments may circulate fluid heated in a solar-heated collector through the second heat exchanger. Other embodiments may route exhaust gas from a combustion engine through the second heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger may be provided with a plurality of fins to increase the surface area available for thermal transfer between the heated fluid and the annulus chamber.

Abstract: There are provided a plurality of use-side heat exchangers, inter-heat-medium heat exchangers, heat medium flow path switching devices, which switch flow paths, and pumps, which feed heat media to these paths; the inter-heat-medium heat exchangers heat or cool a heat medium by exchanging heat between the heat medium and a heat source fluid fed from a heat source apparatus. About half of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers are preheated or precooled, and the remaining use-side heat exchangers which are not preheated or precooled exchange heat media with use-side heat exchangers that have been preheated or precooled and that are not yet started to operate, suppressing energy consumed for preheating or precooling.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a cooling loop that includes a reservoir. The reservoir has a level sensor that is configured to provide a level signal indicative of a coolant level within the reservoir. A temperature sensor is in communication with the cooling loop and is configured to provide a temperature signal. A controller is in communication with the level sensor and the temperature sensor. The controller has a coolant density data. The controller is configured to correct the level signal based upon the temperature signal and detect a leakage condition of the cooling system. A method of determining a coolant amount within a cooling system includes the steps of determining an amount of coolant having a temperature-variable density, determining a coolant temperature, correcting the coolant amount based upon the coolant temperature, and comparing the corrected coolant amount to a desired coolant amount to detect a coolant leakage condition.

Abstract: A method of operating an air conditioning system includes changing output of the compressor based on a temperature limit of the evaporator. The temperature limit is one of a predetermined fixed temperature limit and a variable temperature limit. The method also includes determining the variable temperature limit by determining a target air outlet temperature for conditioned air in a control space, detecting an actual evaporator temperature, calculating a difference between the target air outlet temperature and the actual evaporator temperature, finding a predetermined first temperature adjustment that correlates to the difference, finding a predetermined second temperature adjustment that correlates to another condition, and calculating the variable temperature limit by adjusting the fixed temperature limit by one of the first and second temperature adjustments.

Abstract: A cooling enhancement device causes rapid cooling of an item placed within a cooling unit. The device includes a temperature simulating arrangement (e.g., including a heat generating element adjacent a temperature sensor of the cooling unit) to simulate an artificial temperature within the cooling unit. In one example, the device includes a control system connected to control the operation of the temperature simulating arrangement. The device also includes a setting component to provide user control. In one example, the setting component is connected to communicate a rapid cooling setting input by the user to the control system.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to shorten heating start up time at the time of a heating operation and to improve capacity.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system comprising a main heating unit 4 for heating air passing through an air conditioning duct 2 with cooling water of an engine E and a refrigeration cycle device 20 having a first refrigerant circulating circuit 21 which is a cooler mode and a second refrigerant circulating circuit 22 which is a heater mode and whose operation is controlled by an ECU 10, wherein while the automotive air conditioning system is operated in a heater mode functioning as auxiliary heating, in the event that a heating load is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a refrigerant compressor 7 is kept switched off until a predetermined time T1 has elapsed after the engine E has started.

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 laboratory thermostat (1) has a bath container (2) for liquid (3) to be tempered as well as a heating device and a refrigerating unit (4). The refrigerating cycle of the refrigerating unit (4) has a compressor (5), a condenser (6), an evaporator (8), as well as an expansion valve (7) controlled by a temperature sensor (10) arranged at the evaporator outlet. In addition, a regulation device (11) is also provided which is connected to a temperature actual value sensor (12) for recording the bath temperature. So that the temperature of the bath liquid can be adjusted to various values and regulated, the temperature sensor (10) of the expansion valve (7) is in thermal contact with a tempering apparatus controlled by the regulating device (11). The extent of the tempering is determined by the regulation device (11) according to the adjusted bath temperature output and the bath temperature measured by the temperature actual value sensor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of monitoring, setting and regulating the filling level of a refrigerant evaporator using a throttle valve and a measuring apparatus mounted in the intake line, the measuring signal determined being freed from interfering portions and a useful measured value thus being generated. By using the useful measured value of a flowmeter, the fluctuations in the flow of refrigerant in the intake line are examined with respect to random short-time fluctuations from which a degree of fluctuation is derived. The degree of fluctuation is a measure of the value of the random short-time fluctuations which is simultaneously used for regulation purposes and is compared with a specified value in order to evaluate the quality of the evaporator filling.

Abstract: A process for controlling a refrigeration system, as well as the refrigeration system and a new expansion valve for the refrigeration system. An electronic regulator is used to operate a sensor system having a device for applying heat power to the sensor system in direct dependence on sensed superheat of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator. By locating the sensing system in communication with liquid refrigerant upstream of the evaporator, heat transfer to the liquid refrigerant is utilized for operation of the sensor system rather than heat transfer to the superheat, resulting in a far more stable and efficient refrigeration control.

Abstract: A thermal expansion valve unit comprises a closed vapor system, which includes a temperature sensing chamber in thermal communication with a source such as a two phase refrigerant, and a pressure chamber with a deformable member, the position of which controls the size of an expansion orifice. A line confining a selected vapor, which optionally may be a refrigerant, communicates between the interiors of the temperature sensing chamber and the pressure chamber. A heater, separately controllable, is thermally coupled to the temperature sensing chamber such that the selected refrigerant may be independently heated to change the pressure in the chamber. A thickness of insulating material is disposed between the temperature sensing chamber and the source to limit thermal energy loss to refrigerated elements in the system.

Abstract: A process for controlling a refrigeration system, as well as the refrigeration system and a new expansion valve for the refrigeration system. An electronic regulator is used to operate a sensor system having a device for applying heat power to the sensor system in direct dependence on sensed superheat of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator. By locating the sensing system in communication with liquid refrigerant upstream of the evaporator, heat transfer to the liquid refrigerant is utilized for operation of the sensor system rather than heat transfer to the superheat, resulting in a far more stable and efficient refrigeration control.

Abstract: A controlling apparatus for an air conditioner includes a relay serving to control the feeding of electricity to a compressor, a semiconductor element including a controlling terminal to control the feeding of electricity to a magnetizing coil of said relay, a temperature controlling mechanism for changing the connected state between contact points thereof to another one depending on a preset temperature value and a detected temperature value, a heating section adapted to generate heat by feeding a small quantity of electric current while performing temperature compensation in association with the changing operation with the contact points in the temperature controlling mechanism connected to each other, electricity transmitting paths each serving to feed the electricity fed from the contact points in the temperature controlling mechanism to the controlling terminal of each of the semiconductor elements therethrough, and a restricting circuit for allowing the semiconductor elements disposed in the electricity

Abstract: An adsorbent enclosed in a gas control tube communicating with a thermosensitive tube of an expansion valve via a capillary tube adsorbs a refrigerant gas enclosed in the hermetically sealed space from a thermosensitive tube to a gas control tube. When this is heated by an electric heater, there is discharge of the refrigerant gas that was adsorbed up to then so that passage of current to the electric heater stops and there is adsorption of the refrigerant gas at normal temperature to a saturation state. As a result, if the electric current to the electric heater is stopped so that the adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant gas, the pressure in the thermosensitive chamber (hermetically sealed space) drops and an expansion valve closes completely.

Abstract: In a process for setting, controlling and monitoring the level in a refrigerant evaporator (3) inserted in a closed circuit of a refrigerating machine (1) and evaporating a mass flow of refrigerant (4) into a substantially dry power gas, a heatable measuring body (11) is built into the power gas line (71) arranged downstream of the refrigerant evaporator (3). The measuring body (11) is surrounded by the flow of power gas. It is heated to a temperature surpassing the temperature of the power gas. The impact of the fluid refrigerant drops on the measuring body (11) is determined by measuring the energy required for the evaporation of the fluid drops.

Abstract: The expansion valve 103 of the refrigerating machine is controlled by the difference between the pressure in a bulb 104 containing a fixed amount of fluid and the pressure in the evaporator 2. The bulb is mounted in the discharge pipe 1 of the evaporator and is heated by a resistor. In the absence of droplets of liquid refrigerant in the flow through the discharge pipe, i.e when the refrigerant flow rate tends to become too low with respect to the cold demand, the resistor heats up the fluid in the bulb, the pressure in the bulb increases and moves the expansion valve to a more opened position. As soon as droplets hit the bulb in the discharge pipe, said droplets cool down the bulb despite the heating effect of the resistor and the expansion valve is moved to a more closed position. Thus, the flow rate control uses variations in heat transfer coefficients in the discharge pipe rather than superheat temperature in the discharge pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a heating or cooling system of the type that includes an evaporator and a thermostatic expansion valve having a thermostatic bulb. The control apparatus comprises a thermoelectric heat pump device responsive to an electrical control signal for controlling transfer of thermal energy to and from the thermostatic bulb, at least one temperature sensing device associated with the heating or cooling system, and an electronic control circuit. The control circuit is responsive to the sensed temperature to provide the electrical control signal to the thermoelectric device for maintaining a desired operating condition of the evaporator. The thermoelectric device acts as a gate or heat pump for controlling flow of thermal energy to and from the thermostatic bulb with a relatively small amount of electrical energy input.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a mode-change chamber, having first and second dampers which may be selectively used as a freezer compartment, refrigeration compartment or chill compartment. When the freezer compartment mode is selected, the first damper permits the flow of cold air into the mode-change chamber to maintain the temperature in the mode-change chamber at a freezing temperature. When the refrigerating compartment mode is selected, the second damper permits the flow of cold air into the mode-change chamber to maintain the temperature in the mode-change chamber at the selected refrigeration temperature. When the chill compartment mode is selected, the control temperature of the second damper is forcibly expanded by a heater to maintain the temperature in the mode-change chamber at a chill temperature between the freezing and refrigeration temperatures.

Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration heat pump apparatus and an auxiliary heating apparatus has a two stage thermostat with the first stage normally controlling the heat pump apparatus and the second stage normally controlling the auxiliary heating apparatus. An outdoor temperature thermostat is used to transfer the control of the auxiliary heating apparatus to the first stage when the outdoor temperature drops below a predetermined value and the heat pump is deenergized as its efficiency drops at that low outdoor temperature. Each of the stages of the thermostat has an anticipation means such as a heater to artificially heat the temperature responsive element. In order to improve the control and reduce the large change in temperature when the auxiliary heat is switched over to the first stage, both of the anticipation heaters of the first and second stage are connected to be controlled by the first stage during the operation of auxiliary heat by the first stage.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of automatically adjusting the superheat setting of a thermostatic expansion valve of a refrigeration system is disclosed in which the superheat of the refrigeration system is maintained at a low superheat level so as to maximize the operating efficiency of the refrigeration system, and yet which prevents the return of excessive amounts of liquid refrigerant to the compressor which would be likely to cause damage to the compressor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cryopump or heat pump circuit having in series a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator. The expansion valve is controlled as normally by a sensor which is responsive to the superheating of refrigerant at the outlet of the evaporator. In order to assure sufficient dryness of the evaporator output to make the expansion valve operative, the sensor is connected to a heat source which generates a sufficient amount of heat so that the sensor assumes a temperature corresponding to the set superheating.

Abstract: A temperature control system including an enclosure defining a zone to be temperature controlled, a primary temperature conditioner for controlling ambient temperature within the zone, a temperature sensing mechanism for producing temperature signals dependent on localized temperature within the zone, a controller for controlling the primary temperature conditioner in response to the temperature signal, an error detector for monitoring the temperature signal and producing error signals in response to predetermined abnormal output conditions thereof, an auxiliary temperature conditioner disposed in close heat transfer relationship with the sensing mechanism and selectively energizable during test periods to substantially alter the localized temperatures sensed by the sensing mechanism without substantially changing the ambient temperature within the zone, and a fault detector for producing fault signals in response to given defective output conditions of the temperature signal during the test periods.

Abstract: A thermostat adapted to regulate the operation of a heating system and a cooling system in response to the temperature in a space conditioned by the systems. The thermostat has a pair of means selectively movable to respective ones of adjusted positions and adapted for sensing the temperature of the space within a preselected temperature range, respectively. A pair of sets of at least three switching means are associated with the sensing means and are operable for controlling the operation of the heating system and the cooling system, respectively.

Abstract: About 1 to about 25% by weight of a liquid refrigerant is mixed into a refrigerant gas to be introduced into a screw compressor by suction on the basis of the refrigerant gas in a refrigerator comprising a screw compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve and an evaporator connected to one another in series. A cooling effect as well as a sealing effect can be satisfactorily attained thereby.

Abstract: A thermostat adapted for operation in a heating mode and a cooling mode so as to regulate the temperature of a space in which the thermostat may be located. The thermostat has means adjustably movable therein toward selected positions respectively indicative of a selected temperature of the space and operable in the selected positions for sensing the temperature of the space. A pair of means are disposed in heat transfer relation with the sensing means and energized during the heating mode operation and the cooling mode operation of the thermostat for supplying anticipation heat to the sensing means, respectively. Means is disposed in heat transfer relation with the sensing means and energized during the heating mode operation of the thermostat for transferring biasing heat to the sensing means so as to supplement the anticipation heat supplied to the sensing means by one of the supplying means upon the energization thereof during the heating mode operation of the thermostat.

Abstract: A two-temperature refrigerator appliance having a refrigerator unit operated by a single compressor set, a refrigeration loop with two evaporator sections connected in series, one evaporator associated with a cold compartment and the other with a warmer compartment, a control element associated with the colder compartment disposed in the electric circuit of the compressor set, a control element associated with the warmer compartment having a constant switching-on point above the freezing point, several heating elements switched on by said warmer compartment control element with one heating element disposed adjacent a refrigerant collector connected to the refrigeration loop and another element disposed adjacent the sensor of the colder compartment control element, and at least one intermittently operated additional switching element disposed in the electric circuit of the compressor set.

Abstract: An air conditioner control circuit having a thermostat for automatically causing the air conditioner to be de-energized at predetermined low temperatures and including means for causing the fan motor to run periodically for some time period after the air conditioner has been de-energized to allow the air temperature to be better sampled by the thermostat. Means are also provided in the control circuit for allowing fan operation for a period of time after the air conditioner has been de-energized.

Abstract: A load shedding control device, for reducing the electrical energy demand of an electrical load apparatus having a load dependent upon ambient temperature, having an ambient temperature responsive switch adapted to be connected in a control system of the electrical load apparatus for reducing the use of electrical energy by the electrical load apparatus as the ambient temperature increases. The ambient temperature responsive switch has its control temperature reset depending upon the percent of operating time of the electrical load apparatus whereby as the desired operating time of the load apparatus increases, the actual operating time is reduced to conserve electrical energy.

Abstract: A load shedding control device, for reducing the electrical energy demand of an electrical load apparatus having a load depending upon ambient temperature, having an ambient temperature responsive switch adapted to be connected in a control system of the electrical load apparatus for reducing the use of electrical energy by the electrical load apparatus as the ambient temperature increases. The ambient temperature responsive switch has its control temperature reset by an artificial heater energized proportionally to the percent of operating time of electrical load apparatus, whereby as the desired operating time of the load apparatus increases, the actual operating time is reduced to conserve electrical energy.

Abstract: A dual temperature refrigerator driven by a single compressor, having a refrigeration cycle provided with a condenser, a refrigerant metering device and refrigerant transfer lines with at least two evaporator sections connected in series with the first in a colder compartment and the second in a warmer compartment. Two separate, intermittantly activated control elements; one associated with the warmer compartment turns on a heater of a refrigerant collector causing refrigerant to discharge therefrom, and thereby to fill the evaporator of the warmer compartment, the second control element associated with the colder compartment is activated by a sensor in the colder compartment and in turn activates the compressor. The first control element indirectly activates the compressor by means of a second heating element which heats the sensor which in turn activates the second control element which in turn activates the compressor.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker having a motor starting circuit that is unaffected by barometric pressure changes thus obviating the need for altitude adjustment of the ice maker. A mercury column thermostatic sensor is used to provide control that will be accurate regardless of the ambient or altitude pressure while also having the ability to rapidly reset, thus eliminating the need for a back contact thermostat. The sensor, upon sensing the last ice cube to freeze in the ice tray, opens so that a rectifier SCR will be switched to conducting, shorting out a diode bridge circuit and energizing the ice maker motor after which the basic ice maker circuits lock the motor in its running mode for one cycle of ice harvesting.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an improved thermostat for a heating or cooling system which is capable of accurately controlling the duration of the cycle periods of the system. The improved thermostat includes an anticipator capable of dissipating heat at a substantially constant rate over a wide range of applied voltages and current. According to a preferred teaching of the disclosure, the anticipator comprises a thermistor consisting of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material.