Abstract: A heat pump whose working fluid, circulating through a closed loop comprising an evaporation zone, a compression zone, a condensation zone, and an expansion zone, consists of a non-azeotropic mixture of at least two separate fluids, said working fluid being in counter-current heat-exchange contact with a first external fluid used as heat source, and with a second external fluid used as heating fluid.

Abstract: A device for cooling a gas to below its dew point by heat exchange with a low-boiling gas includes a double-walled cooling pipe with an annular space between the walls having an inlet for the low-boiling liquefied gas and a drain pipe for the evaporated gas, with at least one blow-in opening for the low-boiling liquefield gas being in the zone of the intake opening of the cooling pipe; a movable ice scraper is arranged at the intake opening and is periodically movable over the blow-in opening for the low-boiling liquefied gas.

Abstract: An air conditioning method wherein supply air is introduced into an air conditioned space to maintain a condition of temperature and humidity of air within that space. The invention is characterized in that the air is passed over the cold coil of a dehumidifier both with a low face velocity and a low Reynolds number, resulting in the coil condition curve being compatible with the load ratio line and in turn achieving an energy saving.This invention relates to a method of air conditioning and has as its main object the conservation of energy as well as the improvement of air conditioning system performance.

Abstract: A system for drying humid air to be used for ventilating a space defined by an enclosing covering, wherein said covering contains a first conduit system for circulating a cooling fluid, and a second conduit system for circulating humid air to be dried. At least part of said first system is in heat exchanging contact with said second system so as to cause condensation of water vapor contained in the humid air flowing in said second conduit system. Means are preferably provided for collecting the condensed water.

Abstract: A device for cooling air to a temperature below its dew point and for separating condensed liquid from the cooled air to produce dry air is disclosed.

Abstract: An air conditioning system is disclosed in which the air conditioning capacity is stepped to a lower level upon reduced sensible air conditioning demand. The stepped reduction involves both a stepped reduction of blower capacity and a stepped change of the heat exchange fluid flow at the heat exchanger modifying the temperature of the air. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an air dryer system for removing moisture from compressed air. The system includes a coil means including a plurality of axially spaced convoluted tubing sections wherein each tubing section has an inlet adapted to be coupled to the compressed moist air to be dried and an outlet. The system further includes a cooling means for reducing the temperature of the moist air within the tubing sections for causing the moisture within the compressed air to condense for forming moisture laden air at the outlets, and a moisture separater directly connected to each of the tubing sections for removing the condensed moisture from the moisture laden air to thereby provide dried air for use by pneumatically operated or controlled tools or the like.

Abstract: In lieu of passing all air to be conditioned over an evaporator coil which is cold enough to cause a substantial amount of water vapor to condense; only a portion of the air is cooled to this extent. The remaining air is cooled to a higher temperature (at which negligible water vapor condenses). The total work to recompress the vaporized refrigerant is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A gas drying system where the heat energy in the exhaust gas and the dried product is recovered to reduce the energy required to dry additional products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-exchanger element for a freeze drier, which includes an outer pipe for the through-flow of freezing mixture, and an inner pipe, disposed within the outer pipe, for the through-flow of the gas to be dried, and which is characterized by a core pipe, located within the inner pipe, for through-passage of a fluid. The bore of the core pipe may be in communication at at least one end, and preferably at both ends, of the heat-exchanger element with the bore of the outer pipe. A feed pipe for the through-passage of a second fluid is preferably provided at the end of the core pipe. There may be provided between the end of the core pipe on the one hand and two fluid feed pipes on the other hand a valve means of which the core pipe can be placed in communication with one and/or the other feed pipe.

Abstract: A hot water heater includes inner and outer tanks for holding water. The tanks are interconnected in such a manner that the cold water is received in the outer tank prior to flowing into the inner tank to be heated. Hot water is drawn from the inner tank for use. A heating element is located within the inner tank for heating the water within the inner tank. The cooler water in the outer tank surrounds the inner tank and thermally insulates the water in the inner tank from the outside environment. Any heat losses from the inner tank heat the cooler water in the outer tank, which is ultimately supplied to the inner tank for heating.Temperature sensors are provided within the inner tank and the outer tank, and a third temperature sensor senses ambient temperature of the room air outside of the outer tank. A fan directs ambient room air against the outerwall of the outer tank to provide heating of the water within the outer tank, which is cooler than ambient room temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for drying gases, more particularly compressed air. In the gas drying apparatus there is presented a single vessel partitioned into various flow passages so as to direct the incoming water vapor bearing compressed gases through a heat exchanger, a refrigeration section, a demister, and then through a second heat exchanger for exit from the apparatus. The arrangement of parts is such as to permit all of these functions in a very small vessel.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for taking atmospheric air under any seasonal condition and delivering refrigerated, dry, high density air to a compressor which can then operate at full capacity delivering dry, full volume air to a reheater and air dryer which delivers dry plant air in a plant air system. The compressed air system has a water chiller for chilling water passing therethrough in a water line when the water is above a predetermined temperature and a pump for pumping the water from the chiller water line into an inlet air cooler and dryer which is coupled to the atmosphere to receive atmospheric air and remove moisture. The compressor receives the air from the inlet cooler and dryer, compresses the air, and delivers it to a reheat air dryer where additional moisture is removed and the air is reheated. The chiller water line from the inlet cooler dryer passes through the reheat air dryer to remove additional moisture and back into the water chiller to form a closed cycle recycling water system.

Abstract: An improved compressed air dryer unit having an air-to-air heat exchanger and an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger separately mounted on a common base plate and connected in series for air flow therethrough in succession. Each exchanger comprises a tubular housing containing a bundle of tubing disposed longitudinally in the housing and extending through holes in a stack of closely spaced parallel sheet metal fins substantially coextensive in area with the cross-sectional area of the chamber in the housing. Longitudinally spaced baffles on the interior walls of the housing direct the flow of air therethrough in a succession of oppositely directed passes around and between the fin sheets. Water vapor, oils and particulates are deposited on the fin sheets and flow due to gravity to the bottom of the housing producing a self-cleaning function on the fin sheets. Water collected in the housing is removed via drain tubes controlled by automatic drain valves.

Abstract: An apparatus for neutralizing and purifying air comprises an air filter, a preliminary drier, two alternately operable driers, a turbine for moving the air, a cooling unit, a heating unit, a moistening unit, at least one conditioner, and connecting means for outputting the treated air. The cooling unit lowers the temperature of the air, and comprises a separator for liquids and a separator for solids. The heating unit brings the temperature of the air back up to between 250.degree. and 450.degree. C.

Abstract: A timber drying plant has a drying chamber through which air may be circulated by a fan in a circuit which includes a refrigerating unit. The refrigerant fluid circuit of the unit includes a dehumidification evaporator for outlet air and a condenser in the recycle air flow for returning to the latter least part of the heat extracted by the evaporator. The refrigerant fluid circuit also includes an auxiliary evaporator with control valve means whereby the auxiliary evaporator can be inserted in said fluid circuit so that the refrigerating unit operates as a heat pump absorbing heat from the external atmosphere through the auxiliary evaporator. A supplementary evaporator may also be included in the refrigerating unit and is connectable in parallel with the auxiliary evaporator to increase the heat pump effect. In another position of the control valve means the auxiliary evaporator acts as a condenser in circuit with the dehumidification evaporator to reduce the heating of the recycled air.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling system compressed air dehumidifiers includes an inner body forming a dehumidifying passage provided with a cooler, an outer body surrounding the inner body and forming a precooling passage along the outer periphery of the inner body, an air supply port opened in the outer body through which compressed air is led into the precooling passage from one end thereof, a communicating hole opened in the inner body to guide the air led into the precooling passage out through its other end into the dehumidifying passage through one end thereof, and a plurality of heat transmitting pipes extending through the precooling passage in order to form an air-flow passage which guides the compressed air out of the other end of the dehumidifying passage to an air discharge port provided in the outer body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for precise temperature and humidity control within a confined or determined chamber. Essentially, the method involves determining a desired condition in a controlled space. The essence of the concept is to provide humidity control by the addition of moisture at all operating conditions and, in effect, never having to control dehumidification. Hence, the system is much more controllable than previous approaches, which as a result achieves energy conservation. In addition, the method for heating or cooling is to insure that the heating or cooling does not affect the humidity, but that humidity is added after all the desired temperature relationships are achieved, which enables the system to eliminate control into the dehumidification mode. Further, the process includes a higher air flow rate than normally utilized, all of which improves the precision of the humidification and temperature control process.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling refrigerant flow through the indoor coil of air conditioning equipment including a refrigeration system such that upon predetermined humidity conditions being sensed refrigerant flow will be routed to provide additional latent cooling and dehumidification. Within the liquid header of the indoor coil in the refrigeration system a solenoid valve is mounted to isolate at least one of a plurality of refrigerant circuits. This valve is closed when a need for dehumidification is detected by a humidistat located in communication with the air of the enclosure to be conditioned. When a need for dehumidification is not detected by the humidistat the valve is opened and refrigerant flows through all of the circuits of the indoor coil. Additionally, a check valve is mounted in parallel with the solenoid valve such that if a reversible refrigeration system is utilized refrigerant flow can bypass the solenoid valve in the heating mode of operation.

Abstract: Tropical and subtropical regions having high ambient temperatures and relative humidity can be locally subjected to cooling and dehumidification according to the invention by a tower in which, upon a post or other vertically extending support, a pair of vertically aligned spaced apart air guides are provided. The lower air guide includes the cooler which can simultaneously condense moisture from the air while the upper air guide can include a heat dissipator of a refrigeration cycle, the air guides being associated with respective blowers and inducing ambient air into the air guide at a location between them and displacing the air through the air guides into heat exchanging relationship. The tower can also be used to collect potable (drinking) water by condensation from the atmosphere.

Abstract: A condensation chamber for freeze drying apparatus is designed such that moisture containing air evacuated from a drying chamber passes substantially uniformly over the cooled interior surfaces of the condensation chamber thereby maximizing the available surface for moisture condensation and freezing. This desirable result is achieved by a tube which is connected to a vacuum pump and positioned through an end wall of the condensation chamber along the central axis of the chamber. One open end of the tube is positioned adjacent one end wall of the chamber and openings are provided through the wall of the tube adjacent the other end wall so that moisture containing air entering the chamber intermediate of the openings in the tube travel in both directions along the cooled interior surfaces of the chamber toward both openings in the tube.

Abstract: A device for recovering water from ambient air is disclosed having two chambers in one of which a pressurized air stream is heated and in the other of which another pressurized air stream is cooled after which the two air streams are mixed resulting in condensation of the moisture contained in the air streams which is then collected and put to use.

Abstract: A lawn watering system utilizes water formed by condensation taken out of the air by an air conditioning system. The water is stored in a holding tank and at a predetermined level in the tank, a pump is switched on for delivering the water to a hose system in the lawn.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting water from the atmosphere has a chamber or a pair of chambers connected to a compressor by a valve controlled in its operation in response to an operating condition in the chamber or chambers. A suction fan is connected to the chamber or chambers to move air through the chambers. A further valve is arranged in the respective inlet to the chamber or chambers to facilitate an expansion condition or effect in the respective chamber. Where two chambers are used they operate in alternate fashion so that heat is supplied to one chamber while heat is being withdrawn from the other chamber and vice versa, and both chambers are controlled in response to the respective operating condition therein.

Abstract: A device for chill-drying a gas comprising a gas/gas heat-exchanger and a gas/cooling medium heat-exchanger located within a pressure vessel such that the heat-exchangers define channels between themselves and the walls of the vessel, which channels connect a gas outlet at the bottom of the gas/gas heat-exchanger with a gas inlet at the top of the gas/cooling medium heat-exchanger. The pressure vessel is cylindrical and the gas/gas heat-exchanger has a curved surface lying against the inner surface of the pressure vessel, and a planar surface abutting against the gas/cooling medium heat exchanger which has a rectangular cross-section and its corners remote from the gas/gas heat exchanger abutting against the walls of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A method for refrigerating food. This method, preferably applicable to a food refrigerating apparatus of a corkscrew belt conveyor system, discloses the provision of an air cooler for said apparatus without a limit on where to dispose it but any suitable position in or out of said apparatus. Said air cooler sprays freezing air over the food placed on the moving belt conveyor until the completion of its predetermined distance of trip, the air along said belt conveyor being dehumidified through its gradual cooling in this process thereby enabling the prevention of accommodated constituents from developing frosting of freezing on their surfaces. Said air cooler functions on coolant gas supplied from a container subject to the control of a valve and a thermostat according to temperatures required for the food refrigeration.

Abstract: An air conditioning system having latent and sensible cooling capabilities is disclosed herein. The mode of operation is determined by the temperature and humidity conditions of the enclosure.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a mechanical refrigeration unit having a control to vary the dehumidifying capabilities of the system. The speed of the fan provided to route air in heat transfer relationship with the evaporator of the refrigeration unit is varied to vary the flow rate of the air across the evaporator. When it is desired to increase the dehumidifying capabilities of the system, the flow rate of the air is reduced. The temperature of the evaporator is monitored to decrease the flow rate of the air thereacross as the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the coil increases and to increase the flow rate of the air across the evaporator as the refrigerant temperature decreases, to thereby maintain the refrigerant temperature in the evaporator at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A recuperator structure for recovering heat values from a moisture laden hot gas stream and for utilizing these heat values to heat a space such as a room in which the structure comprises first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth ducts with the first, second and third ducts being used for conveying air from ambient to the space and having located therein heat exchangers and the fourth, fifth and sixth ducts communicating with the same heat exchangers for conveying a hot moist gas therethrough for heat exchange with the ambient air and then exhausting to the ambient, the result being that the hot moist gas gives up its heat values in the heat exchangers to the ambient air which is then exhausted in the resulting heated condition into the room.

Abstract: A humidistat assembly of the type used in combination with an air conditioning unit incorporating an evaporator coil and an evaporator fan driven by an adequate fan motor. A sensing element is connected in direct sensing engagement with a predetermined portion of the evaporator coil wherein a current flow regulator means is disposed in circuit between the fan motor and the portion of the sensing means serving to determine the temperature or other predetermined condition of the evaporator coil. Upon the sensing of the desired predetermined condition, current is either established or prevented from flowing between a source of electrical current and the fan motor itself thereby controlling activation of the fan motor and flow of air over the evaporator coil and from the air conditioning assembly. Accordingly, activation of the evaporator fan is delayed until the evaporator coil has reached a predetermined temperature thereby decreasing the amount of water content of the circulated air.

Abstract: A recuperator structure for recovering heat values from a moisture laden hot gas stream that uses a plurality of heat exchangers having separated sets of passages through each in heat exchange relationship with each other, means for directing the hot gas stream through a first set of passages and means for directing ambient air through a second set of the passages and to a space for transferring heat to the space, means for precooling the hot gas stream upstream of the heat exchangers to condense moisture from the hot gas stream, means including separate ducts for arranging the heat exchanger and corresponding precooling means in first and second separate banks, flow control means in each duct for directing the hot gas stream selectively through the separate ducts while maintaining the other duct dormant and means for directing a heating medium through the precool means in the dormant duct to melt any frost remaining on the dormant duct precool means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing oil and water vapors from compressed gas wherein process gas is first passed through an oil filter and a portion of the gas is then fed to a vortex tube. The cold gas output from the vortex tube is delivered to a gas-to-gas heat exchanger to condense water vapor in the balance of the process gas not having been fed to the vortex tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reducing the moisture content of air in a room prior to cooling by a pipeline in a structural element of the room. The moisture content is reduced by passing the air through a heat exchanger which lowers the temperature to below the condensation point thus condensing the moisture in the air. The condensed moisture is removed and the air is then cooled by ordinary room cooling means.