Abstract: A liquid cooling system (10) includes a container (12) for storing a liquid (13) and a cooling element (14) disposed within the container (12) for cooling the liquid (13). The system (10) also includes a heat exchanging system (16) for cooling the cooling element (14) and a control device (38) disposed proximate the cooling element(14) for controlling solidification of the liquid (13) within the container (12). The control device (38) includes a first insulating region disposed between a portion of the cooling element (14) and a portion of the liquid (13). The first insulating region is formed from at least one thermally insulating material.

Abstract: The present air conditioning system with ice storing and cooling capacity can generate and store ice in its pipe assembly or in an ice storage tank particularly equipped for the system, depending on the type of the air conditioning system. The system is characterized in particular in that ice can be produced and stored in the air conditioning system whereby the time of supplying cooled air can be effectively extended with the merit that the operation cycle of the on and off of the compressor can be prolonged, extending the operation lifespan of the compressor in one aspect. In another aspect, ice production and storage in great amount can be performed in an off-peak period of the electrical power consumption and the stored ice can be utilized in the peak period of the power consumption so as to provide supplemental cooling capacity for the compressor of the air conditioning system whereby the shift of peak and off-peak power consumption can be effected with ease.

Abstract: An thermal storage system controller implements a near optimal control strategy for minimizing energy and demand costs. A system performance variable is determined and evaluated under a given set of environmental conditions for selecting one of a plurality of control strategies.

Abstract: An improved thermal energy storage system and a process for thermal energy storage and transfer are disclosed. The cooling medium, a clathrate forming mixture, comprises water, and a hydrofluorocarbon having at least three carbon atoms and a molecular diameter less than about 7 .ANG.. Preferably the hydrofluorocarbon is selected from hydrofluoropropanes and more preferably is selected from the group consisting of CHF.sub.2 CHFCHF.sub.2, CF.sub.2 HCF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 F, CF.sub.3 CHFCH.sub.2 F, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CHFCF.sub.2 H, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CF.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, CH.sub.2 FCF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, CHF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, and CF.sub.3 CFHCFHCF.sub.3.

Abstract: The present invention provides ice nucleating-active materials which are free from problems like corrosiveness against a device owing to the materials used and harmfulness of the materials themselves; and have a function of elevating freezing temperature of water which is effective for releasing an over-cooling state of it, and generates a method for an ice bank system exhibiting a large energy-saving effect. This invention relates to ice nucleating-active materials containing trioctahedral smectites capable of being dispersive in water as effective components, and a method for an ice bank system comprising adding the trioctahedral smectites into a liquid in the ice bank system at a concentration of at least 30 ppm and freezing it by using a freezer.

Abstract: A method of cooling a liquid process fluid in which a liquid process stream is formed from the liquid process fluid and the process fluid contained within the liquid process stream is frozen into a conveyable particulate form. The conveyable particulate form is introduced back into the liquid process fluid. The liquid process fluid can be contained within a container and pumped through a pipe connected to the container to form the liquid process stream. A freezing chamber connected to the top of the container can be provided to countercurrently directly exchange heat between rising vaporized coolant and descending liquid process fluid. The resultant conveyable particulate form can be metered by provision of a valve.

Abstract: Uncomfortable air temperatures in an air conditioned vehicle immediately following start up of the air conditioning system or when the air conditioning system compressor is being driven at low speeds are avoided in a cooling system including a blower (22) for blowing air into a compartment (10). An air/liquid heat exchanger (30) is located at the outlet (34) of the blower (22) for cooling air received from the blower (22). The system includes a compressor (50), an expansion device (58), a condenser (54) and a liquid/refrigerant evaporator (64) for expanding refrigerant and cooling a liquid coolant which is circulated through a thermal storage device (92) and the heat exchanger (30) by a pump (86). Upon system start up, or when the compressor (50) is being driven at low speed, the coolant is cooled by the thermal storage device (92) to provide a means of cooling air from the blower (22).

Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: There is an ice regenerative air conditioner system in which a cooled-liquid from an ice storage tank is heated by exchanging heat between the cooled-liquid and a coolant supplied from indoor heat exchangers in a heat exchanger 1b used for heating the cooled-liquid (or water) placed against the indoor heat exchangers 1B and 1C in series, next, a super-cooled liquid is generated by exchanging heat between the cooled-liquid heated and the coolant at a super-cooling apparatus 1c placed against the indoor heat exchangers 1B and 1C in parallel.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage device includes a sealed container having a wall defining a receptacle. An energy storage medium is disposed in the receptacle. The energy storage medium includes water and a gas capable of forming a gas hydrate with the water at a first transition temperature, the gas hydrate being capable of decomposing into water and the gas at a second transition temperature. Additionally, a fin extends from the wall inwardly to an inner region of the receptacle. The fin is in thermal communication with the wall, and defines a thermal energy transfer path between the wall and the inner region of the receptacle to facilitate the decomposition of the gas hydrate into water and the gas. The thermal energy storage device may also includes a mechanism positioned in the receptacle for providing mechanical movement within the thermal energy storage medium and mechanical contact between structural elements of the thermal energy storage device to facilitate the formation of the gas hydrate.

Abstract: A system in which mass quantities of liquids may be stored in a substantially frozen state, portions thawed for dispensing, and any undispensed thawed portions rechilled for further storage is disclosed. The system includes a tank with a substantially bell-shaped, or flared, interior, the flaring of the tank surface combining with force of gravity to detach frozen material for dispensing. Separate temperature control sections allow selected areas of the tank to be heated or cooled as necessary, moreover, and distinct reservoirs of heat-transfer liquid (such as glycol) may be used for heating versus cooling the tank.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing colored ice comprises dissolving coloring agent in source liquid to form colored source liquid, placing the colored source liquid in a pressure resistant housing, said housing comprising a pressure regulating means and then while freezing the colored source liquid, using the pressure regulating means to vary levels of direct high and low pressure to the colored source liquid such that at high pressure level intervals, there is contact between the pressure regulating means and the surface of the colored source liquid.

Abstract: Refrigerant management control is provided for an air conditioning system (10) with cool thermal energy storage. The system includes a compressor (18), a condensing unit (12), a temporary refrigerant storage vessel (28), a storage module (14) containing a thermal energy storage medium (35), a liquid refrigerant pump (42) associated with the storage module, expansion means (62) and an evaporator (16) operatively interconnected. The system is operable in a shift cooling mode, direct cooling mode, and storage medium cooling mode. Before the system is operable in the shift cooling mode, the system is operated in a first transitory mode wherein the storage module (14) is utilized as a heat sink to draw refrigerant from the condensing unit (12), temporary refrigerant storage vessel (28) and evaporator (16) into the storage module (14).

Abstract: A vapor compression air conditioning (cooling and heating) system adapted for operation to reduce the consumption of electric power during peak periods of demand for power is characterized by four refrigerant circuits. A first circuit includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. A second circuit comprises the compressor, the first heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger. A third circuit comprises the third heat exchanger, a refrigerant pump and a thermal energy storage unit characterized by a tank having a thermal energy storage medium disposed therein. A fourth circuit includes the thermal energy storage unit, the refrigerant pump and a fourth heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is an outdoor heat exchanger. The second and fourth heat exchangers are indoor heat exchangers in heat transfer relationship with the fluid (e.g., indoor supply air) to be cooled or heated.

Abstract: The lower-most temperature of the thermal mass in a chilled water stratified storage tank is lowered without reducing its density by the addition of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate, alone or in combination, preserving thermal stratification so that both warm and chilled water may be stored in the tank, a benefit not previously obtained without the use of chemicals damaging to the environment. A solution of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate lowers the freezing point of the cooling water to -13.2.degree. C. (8.3.degree. F.) yet still permits the chilled water to stratify in the storage tank.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement principally for ice bank control using a single probe (9) allowed to resonate at its natural resonant frequency. That resonant frequency is different when ice has adhered to the probe and this is detected to indicate ice growth in the ice bank. A resonator/detector (11) oscillates the probe for short periods of time at regular intervals, which allows ice to form about the probe when not in oscillation.

Abstract: A cogeneration system includes a gas engine generator acting as private power generating equipment for generating power to be supplied to private electricity consuming equipment, and a source-side heat exchanger connected to the gas engine generator through an exhaust heat recovery piping to act as a heat source. A heat medium is heated and evaporated through a heat exchange in the source-side heat exchanger. The resulting vapor is allowed to flow upward to be supplied to room heating heat exchangers. The vapor is liquefied through a heat exchange in the room heating heat exchangers. The resulting liquid is allowed to flow downward back to the source-side heat exchanger. This natural circulation of the heat medium is used for the heating purpose. Surplus exhaust heat is released through a generator to control the heat medium supplied to the room heating heat exchangers.

Abstract: A latent heat accumulation system having a transfer mechanism comprises a production tank in which water is put in direct contact with an antifreezing liquid which does not combine with the water, has a specific gravity greater than that of the water and is cooled to a preset temperature level, thus producing ice particles, a recovery section, formed at a lower part of the production tank, for recovering the antifreezing liquid descending within the production tank, an upward pipe, connected to the production tank, for guiding upward a two-phase stream of the water and ice particles within the production tank, a transfer pipe, connected to the upward pipe, for transferring the two-phase stream to a specified place, a reservoir tank for storing the two-phase stream transferred via the transfer pipe, a water circulation system for draining the water from the reservoir tank and introducing the drained water into the production tank, and an antifreezing fluid circulation system for cooling the antifreezing fluid

Abstract: In coolness storage apparatus wherein brine in heat exchange tubes freezes and melts water and air is bubbled up through the water during the melting cycle to enhance heat exchange efficiency by gently circulating the water, vertical heat transfer strips in thermal conducting contact with the tubes for accelerating melting along each strip early in the discharge cycle to open channels through which the air bubbles stream to the top zone of the tank.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus is provided comprising a vessel confining a pool of liquid. A plurality of separate tubular passageways are immersed in the liquid. A header assembly is provided having a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is operatively connected to one end of each of the separate tubular passageways and the second chamber is operatively connected to the other end of each of the separate tubular passageways.

Abstract: A flooded thermal energy storage tank holds an agglomerated ice mass that is fully submerged in water by a counterbuoyant top. The thermal energy stored in the tank is used to satisfy a cyclical thermal cooling load that is uncoupled from the power supply that produces the ice for the tank. A water supply loop for supplying cold water to the thermal load assures that the relatively colder water in the tank is supplied by withdrawing the water from an upper location within the ice mass. The supply loop also assures that water returned from the load to the tank is recooled by the ice mass in a thermodynamically efficient manner. The essential symmetry of the ice mass is retained during repetitive ice mass melting and rebuilding in an operational cycle to assure continual stability of the ice mass and tank top.

Abstract: A clathrate freeze desalination system and method in which a clathrate forming agent is injected through a submerged pipeline to a predetermined ocean depth at which the surrounding ocean temperature is less than the clathrate forming temperature. The agent combines with the salt water to form a slurry of clathrate ice crystals and brine. The pipeline is concentric and coaxial with a surrounding outer pipeline in which the slurry is formed. The slurry is pumped back to the surface through the outer pipeline and the ice crystals are washed to remove brine. The washed crystals are then melted, and the resultant water is separated from the clathrate forming agent, which may be discarded or recycled for re-injection through the inner pipeline. The melting of the clathrate ice as well as the cold water and air circulating in the desalination plant can be utilized as a source of air conditioning for local buildings and facilities.

Abstract: The losing of a huge amount of energy is overcome by a method and an apparatus for heat accumulation from refrigeration machine of the present invention. The apparatus comprises of two sections. The first section is the smalled diameter heat carrying fluid tube inserted inside the larger diameter refrigerant tube of the condenser, the second section is the expanded cross sectional area refrigerant tube enclosed inside the heat carrying fluid tube. By replacing the conventional refrigerant tube of the condenser by the first section of this invention, by connecting the second section of this invention between the compressor and the condenser of the conventional refrigeration machine, and by feeding the heat carrying fluid into the two heat carrying fluid tubes connected in series in the direction opposite to the direction of the refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerant tube of the refrigeration machine, the heat carrying fluid with its temperature high enough for an industrial use can be obtained.

Abstract: A removable ice bank probe assembly includes a guide tube mounted through an opening in the deck of a refrigeration unit and secured to an evaporator coil of the unit disposed within a water bath of a post-mix beverage dispenser. The removable assembly also includes an elongated rod for supporting an ice bank probe at a bottom end thereof and a transverse arm at the top end thereof which fits in a key slot in the top of the guide tube in order to accurately align the probe assembly within the refrigeration unit. The upper transverse arm may be gripped by the fingers of an operator to quickly remove the probe when repair or servicing is needed. The probe may then be easily reinserted into the guide tube and positioned via the transverse arm and slot in a proper alignment with respect to the evaporator coils which form the ice bank which it monitors.

Abstract: A latent heat accumulation system uses latent heat for air-conditioning. The latent heat accumulation system includes a tank, supplying section, injecting section, drawing section and collecting section. The tank has a liquid storing section for storing Fluorinate (trade name) in the lower portion thereof, storing water which is cooled by ice via a boundary surface with Fluorinate in the middle portion thereof and storing the ice together with the water in the upper portion thereof. The supplying section supplies the water into the liquid storing section. The injecting section injects Fluorinate cooled to a preset temperature into the water stored in the liquid storing section. The drawing section draws out the water which is stored in the liquid storing section and cooled by the ice to the exterior of the tank as an air-conditioning heat accumulation medium. The collecting section collects a mixed fluid of the water and Fluorinate from the lower portion of the liquid storing section.

Abstract: Method for storing a coolant fluid comprising two phases of one and the same substance in melting equilibrium, according to which an enclosure for storing said fluid is used in which the coolant fluid stored settles into a lower liquid layer and an upper solid layer, the coolant fluid to be stored is introduced into the enclosure at the level of the lower layer, and the coolant fluid to be removed from storage is extracted from the enclosure at the level of the upper layer, wherein, in combination, on the one hand, a gaseous headspace is set up between the upper layer and the upper wall of the enclosure and, on the other hand, the coolant fluid to be removed from storage is extracted, from a withdrawal zone located at the level of the interface between the upper layer and the gaseous headspace, through a vertical flow by generating a vortex.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing fresh water with CO.sub.2 gas to produce carbonated water in a cooled storage tank, includes a space located along the wall of the storage tank adjacent the cooling coils of a cooling system where water flow is partially or fully impeded so that ice can crystallize during the formation of an ice bank in the storage tank. In one configuration, the space is provided by a small section of open pipe mounted on the storage tank wall in the area of the cooling coils. Another configuration includes an apertured structure of rectangular cross section located on the tank wall. Still another configuration consists of an outward projection of a section of the wall of the storage tank which extends between two cooling coils, with an apertured plate covering this projection. Such a space can also be realized by a roughened wall section surface in the immediate vicinity of the cooling coils.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating, transporting and dissociating gas hydrates are disclosed. The preferred apparatus includes a mobile tank initially containing liquid water. Compressed hydrate-forming gas is combined in a pipe with the liquid water under locally supercooled conditions. The formed gas hydrate is blown into the mobile tank for transport and eventual consumption.

Abstract: A vapor compression air conditioning (cooling and heating) system adapted for operation to reduce the consumption of electric power during peak periods of demand for power is characterized by three refrigerant circuits. A refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, outdoor heat exchanger and first indoor heat exchanger for selectively cooling or heating an indoor air space and a second refrigerant circuit comprises the compressor, outdoor heat exchanger and a thermal energy storage unit characterized by a tank having a thermal energy storage medium disposed therein and a heat exchanger coil in communication with the compressor and outdoor heat exchanger for cooling the thermal energy storage medium. A third refrigerant circuit includes the thermal energy storage heat exchanger coil, a refrigerant pump and another indoor heat exchanger in communication with the fluid (e.g., indoor air) to be cooled or heated.

Abstract: The lower-most temperature of the thermal mass in a chilled water stratified storage tank is lowered without reducing its density by the addition of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate, alone or in combination, preserving thermal stratification so that both warm and chilled water may be stored in the tank, a benefit not previously obtained without the use of chemicals damaging to the environment. A 7% solution of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate in a 2 to 1 ratio lowers the freezing point of the cooling water to -3.75.degree. C. (25.25.degree. F.) yet still permits the chilled water to stratify in the storage tank.

Abstract: A heat accumulator for a heat energy and cold energy accumulating system. This system comprises a plurality of heat accumulator units coupled to each other in series or in parallel by a heat exchanging pipe. The heat accumulator units may be charged with phase change materials of different melting points. Alternatively, the heat accumulator units may be charged with phase change materials of the same melting point. When phase change materials of the same melting point are charged in the accumulator units, the accumulator units are provided with respective pressure controllers in order to be able to vary the respective melting points of the phase change materials.

Abstract: A heat storage tank in which heat storage and heat discharge operations are carried out through heat-exchange between heat storage agent and heat transfer medium to store electric power as latent heat, including plural heat storage members which are arranged in a fill-up state in the heat storage tank, each heat storage member holding therein the heat storage agent which alternately repeats latent heat storing and discharging operations through solid-liquid phase variation thereof, and comprising an elongated hollow container formed of material which can keep itself in a hollow shape. The heat storage members are arranged with their open end portions faced up and so as to be spaced from one another at such an interval that the heat transfer medium can flow through gaps between neighboring heat storage members, then the heat storage agent is supplied through the open ends into the heat storage members, and then the heat transfer medium is supplied into the heat storage tank.

Abstract: A narrow profile substantially flat carbonator is shown, consisting of a pair of cold drawn sheet metal halves. Each half defines corresponding alternating seams and ridges and are welded together around a perimeter them of and along each corresponding seam. When both halves are welded together the ridges define an interior plurality of vertical interior columns, which columns are fluidly interconnected with top and bottom interior channels. The too channel includes a pressure relief valve, a carbon dioxide inlet fitting, a water inlet fitting, and a level sensor fitting for retaining a level sensor. A plurality of carbonated water lines extend from the bottom of the carbonator and up along and closely adjacent a side of the carbonator. The carbonated water lines terminate at a point above the carbonator and provide for direct securing to a beverage dispensing valve.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus intended to serve several rooms and having for this purpose a number of individual air conditioning modules. Each air conditioning module (5) serves a single room and has an ice storage reservoir (69) and refrigeration means (53) for making ice, as well as heat transfer means (36, 49 and 71 to 78) to effect heat exchange between the air and the ice.

Abstract: A carbonator having a cooling system which is controlled by a controller responsive to input signals generated by an ambient temperature sensor, an ice thickness sensor and a water level sensor. After an initial ice build up following first turn-on of the system and depending on the ambient temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the cooling system will turn on for a predetermined ON period followed by a predetermined OFF period. These ON and OFF periods are variable as a function of ambient temperature as sensed by the temperature sensor and will recycle in absence of any carbonated water removed. If, however, water removal takes place, the OFF period is interrupted and system turn-on will occur the next time a signal from the ice sensor is received and the ON and OFF cycle as determined by the system controller will resume unless it is again interrupted by another water removal signal from the water level sensor.

Abstract: A hydraulic conveyance system serves to level out a spiked, uneven flow of particulate material to a more even flow condition prior to the particles being delivered to a destination. In one particular application, the hydraulic conveyance system permits ice particles to be delivered from a batch discharge ice machine of a thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system to the thermal energy storage tank of the system at a relatively even rate, without the use of any mechanical delivery mechanisms. The hydraulic conveyance system incorporates a flooded hold-up tank which, in the case of particulate ice conveyance, receives the spiked, batch discharge from the ice machine and discharges the ice therefrom to a selected number of destination points at a more even flow condition. A rotational movement is imparted to the water surface in the flooded hold-up tank, thereby causing the floating ice particles to rotate in the tank in proximity to a boundary wall of the tank.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus apparatus equipped with a cooling and heating cycle utilizing a refrigerant and equipped with an improved ice storage therein. The air conditioning apparatus includes a thermal storage tank for storing heat of refrigerant circulating in the cooling cycle; thermal storage refrigerant positioned parallel to an indoor heat exchanger; an auxiliary compressing unit provided in the thermal storage refrigerant pipe; an expansion unit for controlling expansion of the refrigerant. An method for the air conditioning apparatus. The method includes the steps of providing an auxiliary compressor; cooling a gaseous refrigerant from the auxiliary compressor; heat-exchanging the gaseous refrigerant; condensing the refrigerant; sending the condensed refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger; evaporating the condensed refrigerant; and sending the evaporated refrigerant back to the auxiliary compressor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling foodstuff to a temperature of less than 40.degree. F. within the legally mandated time of 4 hours which consists of a refrigeration apparatus capable of forming a bank of ice and means for circulating water over the ice and through an enclosure in heat conductive relationship with a container holding the foodstuff to be cooled.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser having a flat carbonator along one end of an ice bank cooled water bath tank. A plurality of syrup coils are arranged along an interior surface of the carbonator. An evaporator extends around a central perimeter of the water bath tank creating a central opening through which an agitator shaft and blade extend for operation by an agitator motor. The agitator shaft extends at an angle into the tank for directing a flow of water towards the carbonator. The tank includes ridges on a bottom surface thereof for directing water upward towards the carbonator and syrup coils and away from a bottom perimeter of the ice bank.

Abstract: A latent heat storage apparatus is provided and a latent heat storage solution therefor stores and retrieves a cool heat substantially in or from a latent heat thereof necessary for air conditioning, cooling, refrigerating, and so forth. The latent heat storage apparatus has an aqueous solution of a plurality of inorganic salts as a latent heat storage solution in a heat storage tank, formed to retrieve a cold heat from a stored latent heat, the latent heat storage apparatus. The latent heat storage solution is formed of (N-1) kinds of inorganic salts in at least an N-component aqueous solution where N.gtoreq.3. The latent heat storage solution stores the cold heat as the latent heat thereof. The cold heat is retrievable from the stored latent heat at a desired temperature almost invariably within a range higher than the N-component eutectic point and lower than any one of binary eutectic points of salts with water.

Abstract: A method comprising feeding a liquefied refrigerant selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane; 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane; perfluorobutane; and octafluoropropane into direct contact with a volume of aqueous liquid in an enclosed ice making vessel to convert part of the aqueous liquid to ice crystals, without the formation of a water-refrigerant hydrate, by vaporizing the refrigerant by heat exchange with the aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system includes a unique control arrangement to enable it to operate in three steady state operational modes, namely, ice making, direct cooling and shift cooling, as well as two transitory modes, namely hypermigration and pump out. The hypermigration mode enable the thermal energy storage system to switch into the shift cooling mode by desirably positioning the refrigerant charge in the ice module heat exchanger. The pump out mode is needed to move the refrigerant charge into the condensing unit in preparation for the direct cooling mode of operation from either the shift cooling mode or the ice making mode. The thermal energy storage permits the refrigerant charge to be in the proper location when each change in mode operation occurs.

Abstract: A flake ice machine (10) including a rotatable cooling member (12) defining cooling surfaces (20) and a plurality of internal refrigerant flow passages (76). The machine includes a spray tube (18) for introducing liquid material onto a portion of the cooling surfaces of the cooling member. A refrigerant supply system (30) supplies an excess of evaporative liquid refrigerant to the inlets (78) of the refrigerant flow passages, so that a portion of the liquid refrigerant evaporates within each passage to freeze the liquid material introduced onto the cooling surface, and a remaining portion of the refrigerant flows from the outlet (80) of each passage in the liquid state. Resilient removal blades (38) mounted adjacent each cooling surface remove frozen material from the cooling surface to form solid flakes of material.

Abstract: A method for easily making an ice slab serving as the foundation of an artificial snow skiing field and artificial snow whose upper layer is powdery by flooding aqueous slurry made by adding water to granular wet water absorbent polymer on a slope of a natural skiing field or a slant or horizontal surface of a natural skiing field or indoor artificial snow skiing field equipped with a cooling system, obtaining the deposit layer of the granular wet water absorbent polymer in which water is separated from the slurry and freezing the deposit layer.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a container filled with a quantity of coolant fluid initially cooled to a solid phase, a cooling loop disposed between a heat load and the container. A pump for circulating a quantity of the same type of coolant fluid in a liquid phase through the cooling loop, a pair of couplings for communicating the liquid phase coolant fluid into the container in a direct interface with the solid phase coolant fluid.

Abstract: A method and air conditioning unit for storing energy and for utilizing stored energy is provided. The air conditioning unit includes a storage tank containing a phase change material, such as water. A plurality of coils are disposed in the storage tank and carry refrigerant. At least one indoor heat exchanger is connected to the coils. An electrical operated refrigerant pump is connected to the coils and is used to pump liquid refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger when required. A conventional condensing unit is connected to the indoor heat exchanger to provide cooling during normal hours. During peak energy periods, cooling is supplied from ice storage using the refrigerant pump. During low demand or off peak periods the condensing unit operates to freeze ice thereby storing energy in the storage tank.

Abstract: Water coolant circulating in a closed loop may be cooled by passing it through a heat exchanger coil embedded within a block of heavy water ice. The ice will maintain the water, passing through the coil, at a temperature approximately 39.degree. F. Maintenance of the working fluid at this temperature prevents it from freezing in coolant tubes. The system is particularly adapted for a liquid cooling space garment which must effectively conduct away heat from an astronaut's body when an astronaut exerts himself during physical activity.

Abstract: This invention provides for improved sterol nucleators of ice crystals. The improvement is the use of water stable crystalline forms of the sterols. These forms advantageously provide predictable nucleation temperatures which are stable for long periods of time, especially where the water is repeatedly frozen and thawed. In commercial ice making systems, the selection of stable forms of sterols having high nucleation temperatures provide great savings in construction and energy costs.

Abstract: The present invention is a drink dispenser of the evaporator coil electric refrigeration system type which provides for an increased drink dispensing capacity. The present invention is provided with insulator pads affixed to the evaporator coils to prevent the ice bank from forming against a portion of the tank walls, and to provide a channel between the lower and upper portions of the tank to create an increased circulation of cooling liquid about the ice bank. That increased circulation increases the amount of heat that can be exchanged between the product lines and the cooling liquid, thereby increasing the amount of drinks that may be dispensed below a temperature of 40.degree. F.

Abstract: The method stores heat in ice by freezing water through its direct contact with a hardly-water-soluble refrigerant; i.e., water is mixed with the refrigerant at a high pressure to produce a liquid mixture while preventing evaporation of the refrigerant, and the liquid mixture is jetted from a nozzle into a space at a lower pressure, whereby the refrigerant evaporates at the lower pressure and the water in the liquid mixture is frozen into sherbet-like ice and dispersed over a wider area than in the case of non-sherbert-like ice. A device based on the method uses a heat-insulating water tank whose top space above water level therein is kept at a pressure P2 lower than saturation pressure P0 (P2<P0) of the refrigerant for water freezing point 0.degree. C. A mixer mixes the refrigerant of liquid phase and water at a pressure P1 which is higher than the saturation pressure P0 of the refrigerant for water freezing point 0.degree. C.