Frederick A WeisLongmont, CO

4226604, Oct 7, 1980

May 14, 1979

6/038399

Frederick A. Weis - Englewood CO

Solar Specialties, Inc. - Denver CO

F25B 2700
F25B 2702
F25D 4100

62 2

This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for preventing overheating of the superheated vapors in a solar heating system using a refrigerant to collect heat from the atmosphere, the improvement consisting of sensing the amount of superheat contained in the superheated vapors leaving the collector and if an overheated condition is detected, bleeding off a portion of the refrigerant mixture entering the collector and mixing it with the overheated vapors to cool them down before they enter the compressor. The apparatus involved includes a thermostatic expansion valve responsive to the temperature of the superheated vapors leaving the collector and associated piping operative upon actuation to bypass a portion of the refrigerant mixture entering the collector around the later and mix it with the overheated vapors before they reach the compressor. The invention also encompasses the use of the improved desuperheating method and apparatus outlined above in such a way that it only becomes functional and operative when the conventional solar system is already activated to deliver the full charge of refrigerant mixture to the collectors.

D258232, Feb 10, 1981

Apr 27, 1979

6/033951

Frederick A. Weis - Englewood CO

Solar Specialties, Inc. - Englewood CO

D2303

D23 72

4774814, Oct 4, 1988

Jul 6, 1987

7/070661

Thomas E. Yingst - Aurora CO
Frederick A. Weis - Chattanooga TN

Mile High Equipment Company - Denver CO

F25C 510

62126

A self-contained ice making machine includes a programmable controller connected to control operation of the machine which includes monitoring the operation of the machine for producing diagnostic type error signals for display, and issuing operating instructions to the refrigeration unit. The refrigerator unit has a condenser with cooling fans, evaporator, a water supply means, and an ice harvest probe assembly. The evaporator includes a coil, and an array of ice cube molds. The water supply means includes a water tank for flowing water over the evaporator, a pump for pumping water to the evaporator and from the tank and a solenoid controlled valve for controlling the flow of water to and from the tank. The ice harvest probe assembly includes a probe driven by a slip clutch motor for pushing against an ice cube bearing slab formed on the evaporator during ice cube harvest. The programmable controller is programmed to control the ice making operation of the unit including refrigerator initialization, sensing the end temperature of an ice cube freezing cycle for determining when ice cubes have been formed, initiating first a timed freezing cycle to bridge the ice cubes within a thin (1/8 inch) ice slab and then a harvest anticipation feature which includes turning off the condenser fans in advance of harvest for increasing the temperature of high pressure gas out of the compressor for harvest.