Abstract: A heat collection system is disclosed which is capable of collecting heat from an animal husbandry enclosure (10), such as a dairy barn, and transferring the heat into a home (12). Animal husbandry enclosures, such as dairy barns, tend to have excess heat, even in winter, the excess heat normally being wasted. The heat is collected by a pair of evaporators (14, 16) located in the dairy barn (10), with the evaporators being oversized to limit the amount of cooling taking place in the barn. Fluid from the evaporators is compressed by compressors (24, 26) after which it passes through a condenser (30) from which heat may be extracted into the home (12). Pressure regulating valves (20, 34) are provided to insure that the compressors (24, 26) are not overloaded and to insure that a maximum heating effect is achieved. A thermostatically controlled fan (40) is provided to drive air across the condenser (30) so that heat is introduced into the home.

Abstract: A control means is disclosed that is used with a closed refrigeration system having a chiller and a condenser to provide refrigeration to chill the fluid medium and a refrigerant pump for pumping the refrigerant through the system with refrigerant capacity control means determining the capacity of the refrigerant, the control means for the system using signal inputs representative of outside air temperature, return chilled water temperature, supply chilled water temperature, and condenser temperature, in which settable controllers are used to determine the optimum temperature signals for controlling the system at any given time. A timer is also connected to the control mechanism for alternately interrupting an optimum temperature signal to reduce the overall change in the control signal. Additional control may be obtained through the use of signals representative of humidity, strong solution temperature and cooling water output pressure.

Abstract: An automatic chiller control is disclosed for providing a temperature sensitive load limit compressor control on a cooling water system, such as is used in buildings for air conditioning. The controller operates across at least one motor driven compressor and operates to adjust the vane inlet to a typically centrifugal compressor. Control is provided in discrete steps responsive to changes in cooling water temperature as the water typically returns from a building. The control when operated in the automatic position starts the chiller at minimum possible power consumption. Increasing load or unload of the chiller is provided in incremental steps (for example 5% of full load) at preselected time intervals (for example 10 minutes) which are typically adjustable to any other desired time span. The control seeks the required motor power output without waste of power.

Abstract: A fluid flow passage is available, between an inlet tube and an outlet tube, through a piston supported by a spring and equipped with an orifice connecting a pilot chamber and the outlet tube. A bellows chamber or a diaphragm chamber is provided with a pilot valve, which is directly connected with the bellows or the diaphragm, to open or close an orifice connecting the bellows chamber or the diaphragm chamber and a pilot chamber in which the piston is placed, in response to the pressure in the inlet tube monitored by the bellows or the diaphragm. The inlet tube and the outlet tube, together with the valve body, are formed by pressing or drawing at either end of a single tube which contains the valve means under the perfect airtight condition, to form a control valve to be employed for refrigerator and air conditioner.

Abstract: A single casing valve is especially adapted for the inlet of a rotary screw type compressor, the valve having provision for both a manual and an automatic shut-off, the latter responsive to discharge pressure for closing the inlet, and having a strainer in the suction line which is downstream from the valve seat in order that the strainer may be changed with the compressor isolated from the inlet source.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system is provided having an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant compressor, an auxiliary heat exchanger in parallel with the outdoor heat exchanger, a solar collector unit, with the auxiliary heat exchanger disposed within a fluid contained in a storage tank wherein the fluid is heated by circulation through the solar collector. Heat from the solar collector is utilized to heat an interior space as long as the temperature of the fluid is sufficient and thereafterwards the heat pump system is utilized for supplying heat as needed. When the efficiency of the heat pump system is substantially impaired due to low ambient conditions, the auxiliary heat exchanger is utilized to supplement heat capacity to the heat pump system.

Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioning system of the type, in which lubricating oil for lubricating a compressor circulates through the refrigeration cycle together with refrigerant, an evaporation pressure control device is provided between an evaporator and the compressor for not only controlling the amount of refrigerant circulating through the refrigeration cycle in response to the pressure of the refrigerant out of the evaporator, but permitting the refrigerant to return to the compressor when the pressure of the refrigerant out of the evaporator is extremely decreased owing to the leakage of the refrigerant, whereby seizure of the compressor can be prevented.

Abstract: A pilot valve-type evaporating pressure-regulating valve used in refrigerators comprising a valve sleeve having an outer and an inner chamber, a piston valve member sliding in said inner chamber and having an equalizing hole connecting the interior of the piston and the inner chamber, a pilot valve having a pilot chamber provided in the end wall of the valve sleeve and covered with a diaphragm, a pilot passage formed in said end wall to connect said pilot chamber with said inner and outer chambers, and a ball valve member kept in connection with said diaphragm and normally closing and opening said pilot passage in response to the pressure in said inner chamber by movement of said diaphragm. The diaphragm is moved by the pressure-set force of a spring which is, however, variable and adjustable from the outside by rotation of a screw.

Abstract: The novelty is the low cost, versatile manner of mounting an evaporator pressure regulator valve (EPR) on a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) to provide a compact combination valve. The TXV controls refrigerant flow to the evaporator in accordance with the pressure acting below the diaphragm and the temperature influencing the temperature responsive charged space above the diaphragm. The rider pin connecting the diaphragm to the valve is hollowed out so that the bottom of the hole in the rider pin is in the refrigerant return flow path. A restrictor is placed in the upper end of the rider pin to prevent migration of condensed refrigerant to the head chamber in the event the valve is mounted upside down. A sleeve of low thermal conductivity positioned around the rider pin where it passes through the return conduit damps temperature changes and reduces valve hunting. The EPR threads into the TXV outlet.

Abstract: A system for CO.sub.2 cooling of the cargo compartment of a refrigerated vehicle. A vessel carried by the vehicle holds liquid CO.sub.2 at pressure preferably not greater than about 125 psia. Liquid CO.sub.2 is supplied to first heat-exchanger where it is vaporized and warmed a predetermined amount while the pressure is maintained at at least about 80 psia. The pressure of the warmed CO.sub.2 is lowered to about atmospheric pressure without the creation of solid CO.sub.2, while simultaneously cooling the CO.sub.2 vapor, using a gas-driven motor through which the CO.sub.2 vapor is passed. The cooled CO.sub.2 vapor from the motor is passed through a second heat-exchanger, and a fan connected to the motor circulates the atmosphere in the cargo compartment in association with both heat-exchangers. The CO.sub.2 vapor from the second heat-exchanger is vented to the atmosphere exterior of cargo compartment.

Abstract: A control circuit for a motor usable in a refrigeration system has a variety of condition sensors including means to sense a low refrigerant pressure and timing means to override the sensing of low refrigerant pressure for a time period during motor start-up. A lockout circuit prevents re-start of the motor following a fault condition.

Abstract: A thermally responsive freeze type actuator for operating an air conditioning throttle valve. The actuator includes a rigid walled tubular portion which contains water and is attached to an axially extendable and contractible bellows portion. The bellows portion contains an immiscible fluid such as oil which floats on the water. The pressure forces created by the formation of ice in the tubular portion is transmitted to the oil by compression of one end of a hollow bladder member made of flexible material such as rubber which extends axially through the tubular portion and the bellows portion.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling refrigerant circulation in a vehicle air conditioning system has an inlet port and an outlet port for connection to the evaporator and the compressor inlet respectively of the system, and a valve controlling communication between these two ports. First control means in the valve body control the valve in dependence upon one or more external controls including manual controls and second control means control the operation of the valve in dependence upon the thermodynamic conditions, such as the temperature, of the refrigerant fluid.

Abstract: A cryostat system for cooling a device to a temperature on the order of 2.degree.K or less includes a dewar, in which helium, in other than the superfluid state, is stored. Helium flows from the dewar through a heat exchanger tube and a restrictor tube, which controls the helium flow rate, into the cavity of a heat exchanger, to whose outer wall the device to be cooled is attached. A pressure regulator valve controls the pressure in the cavity to be very low, e.g., on the order of 30 Torr. As the helium exits the restrictor tube into the cavity, due to low pressure cavity, it becomes an aerosol mixture of helium gas and superfluid helium droplets at the desired temperature. The latter form a thin layer or film of superfluid helium on the inner side of the heat exchanger wall and thereby cool the device, which is attached to the wall to the desired temperature.

Abstract: An improved thermally responsive freeze actuator for operation of an air conditioning throttle valve between the evaporator and compressor to maintain the pressure and temperature of evaporator refrigerant above a freezing level. The improved actuator includes a rigid-walled tubular portion containing water and an attached axially extendable bellows portion. The water in the tubular portion is separated from the bellows portion by a deep cup shaped member or diaphragm of elastomeric material. The deep pocket of the diaphragm encloses one end of a push rod. As the water surrounding the pocket portion of the diaphragm changes to ice the rod is moved axially from the tubular portion. The other end of the rod engages the bellows which may be stationary mounted to a frame member to cause the entire actuator to move with respect to a valve seat.

Abstract: An automatically modulated suction throttling valve for an air conditioning system which during relatively high ambient temperature conditions maintains a first pressure level in the evaporator and during lower ambient temperature conditions maintains a higher second pressure level in the evaporator. The throttling valve includes a reciprocal piston valve movable in response to the difference between suction pressure and evaporator pressure to throttle refrigerant flow and maintain the evaporator pressure at a level to prevent frost formation. Pressure responsive means are provided to exert supplemental closing force on the piston valve to increase the evaporator pressure in response to decreasing suction line pressure.

Abstract: A piloted refrigerant valve for an air conditioning system to control refrigerant pressure within an evaporator to prevent frost accumulation on its exterior surfaces. The valve includes a disc-shaped hollow thermal sensor filled with water which solidifies and expands upon sensing the freezing temperature to cause a pilot valve to block a bleed port and thereby increase the fluid pressure above a reciprocally mounted piston valve. The pressure force produced on the piston valve moves it to a closed position to block refrigerant flow and resultantly to increase refrigerant pressure and temperature in the evaporator. After an initial start-up period of operation, the sensor maintains a position which locates the reciprocal piston valve so as to produce a substantially constant non-freezing temperature of refrigerant in the evaporator.

Abstract: A combination liquid trapping suction accumulator and evaporator pressure regulator device used intermediate the compressor and evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration system as a protective device for the compressor. The device is characterized by the positioning of the evaporator pressure regulator chamber intermediate the inlet and outlet ports of the accumulator housing. Thus, evaporator pressure regulation is accomplished simultaneously with liquid accumulation in a compact and readily serviceable, unitary housing.

Abstract: A combination liquid trapping suction accumulator and evaporator pressure regulator device used intermediate the compressor and evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration system as a protective device for the compressor. The device is characterized by the positioning of the evaporator pressure regulator chamber intermediate the inlet and outlet ports of the accumulator housing. Thus, evaporator pressure regulation is accomplished simultaneously with liquid accumulation in a compact and readily serviceable, unitary housing.

Abstract: A suction throttling valve is provided which is especially adapted for use as a part of a compact unit consisting of a thermostatic expansion valve, a suction throttling valve, and a receiver-dryer, in an automotive air conditioning system. The suction throttling valve is characterized by the incorporation therein of a bellows assembly of unique construction, which includes a bellows, an evacuating tube for evacuating the bellows to a predetermined pressure, and a needle valve. The bellows assembly can be easily and quickly adjusted relatively to the valve housing, in a manner such as to obviate the use of extremely expensive and sophisticated testing equipment. Construction has also been simplified to eliminate certain parts previously used in other valves of this character.

Abstract: A combination liquid trapping suction accumulator and evaporator pressure regulator device used intermediate the compressor and evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration system as a protective device for the compressor. The device is characterized by the positioning of the evaporator pressure regulator chamber intermediate the inlet and outlet ports of the accumulator housing. Thus, evaporator pressure regulation is accomplished simultaneously with liquid accumulation in a compact and readily serviceable, unitary housing.

Abstract: A combination liquid trapping suction accumulator and evaporator pressure regulator device used intermediate the compressor and evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration system as a protective device for the compressor. The device is characterized by the positioning of the evaporator pressure regulator chamber intermediate the inlet and outlet ports of the accumulator housing. Thus, evaporator pressure regulation is accomplished simultaneously with liquid accumulation in a compact and readily serviceable, unitary housing.