A method for manufacturing boiler tubes includes the steps of removing end caps from a plurality of tubes, the plurality of tubes including at least a first tube and a second tube, cleaning an outer surface of the first tube and the second tube, forming a weld preparation on an upstream end of the first tube, forming a weld preparation on a downstream end of the second tube, welding the upstream end of the first tube to the downstream end of the second tube to form a butt weld, to produce a long tube, and with an automated device, measuring a parameter of at least the first tube and the second tube. The steps of removing the end caps, cleaning the outer surface of the tubes, forming the weld preparations, welding the first tube to the second tube, and measuring the parameter are performed autonomously.

A device for changing a flow direction through a heat exchanger, comprising a valve housing and a rotatable valve member arranged inside the valve housing. The valve housing comprises first and second ends and a center axis (B) extending between them. The device comprises a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port. The first end is provided with the first port, and the second end is provided with the third and fourth ports, wherein the valve member is rotatable between a first position and a second position and, in the first position, defines a conduit between the first port and the third port and, in the second position, defines a conduit between the first port and the fourth port. The valve member is rotatable around an axis of rotation offset from the center axis (B) and extending through the center of the first port, and the first port is angularly displaced 90 around the center axis (B) in relation to the third and fourth ports.

A method of cleaning an evaporator that includes at least one heat transfer element for the evaporation of water, comprising forming a sacrificial layer of a first material on a surface of the heat transfer element (1); evaporating water that includes a second material to deposit the second material on top of the sacrificial layer (2, 3); and cleaning the evaporator by removing both the sacrificial layer formed on the heat transfer element and the second layer formed on top of the sacrificial layer; wherein the first material is more easily removed from the heat transfer element than the second material (4).

A method of cleaning an evaporator that includes at least one heat transfer element for the evaporation of water, comprising forming a sacrificial layer of a first material on a surface of the heat transfer element (1); evaporating water that includes a second material to deposit the second material on top of the sacrificial layer (2, 3); and cleaning the evaporator by removing both the sacrificial layer formed on the heat transfer element and the second layer formed on top of the sacrificial layer; wherein the first material is more easily removed from the heat transfer element than the second material (4).

An intelligent ball sensor assembly for use with a heat exchanger system, includes a mechanically compliant ball having a recess formed therein. At least one sensor positioned on the ball is configured to gather selected information regarding a heat exchanger system. Signal conditioning control/transmission circuitry is operatively connected to the at least one sensor. A power source is operatively connected to the at least one sensor and the signal conditioning control/transmission circuitry. The sensor and the signal conditioning control/transmission circuitry cooperate to gather information about the status, health and efficiency of the heat exchanger system.

An intelligent ball sensor assembly for use with a heat exchanger system, includes a mechanically compliant ball having a recess formed therein. At least one sensor positioned on the ball is configured to gather selected information regarding a heat exchanger system. Signal conditioning control/transmission circuitry is operatively connected to the at least one sensor. A power source is operatively connected to the at least one sensor and the signal conditioning control/transmission circuitry. The sensor and the signal conditioning control/transmission circuitry cooperate to gather information about the status, health and efficiency of the heat exchanger system.

A heatsink comprising a heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a surface boundary with respect to a heat transfer fluid, having successive elements or regions having varying size scales. According to one embodiment, an accumulation of dust or particles on a surface of the heatsink is reduced by a removal mechanism. The mechanism can be thermal pyrolysis, vibration, blowing, etc. In the case of vibration, adverse effects on the system to be cooled may be minimized by an active or passive vibration suppression system.

An antimicrobial lighting system is used to reduce microbial growth on surfaces in or on air conditioning and/or heating equipment. In some examples, antimicrobial light within one or more antimicrobial wavelength ranges is applied to inactivate one or more microorganisms on target surface(s) within or on a packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC). The antimicrobial light may include light within a first antimicrobial wavelength range and/or light within a second antimicrobial wavelength range. The antimicrobial lighting system may include an array of individually controllable antimicrobial light segments. An array controller may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on the status information or commands received from a PTAC controller or from an external computing device.

An antimicrobial lighting system is used to reduce microbial growth on surfaces in or on air conditioning and/or heating equipment. In some examples, antimicrobial light within one or more antimicrobial wavelength ranges is applied to inactivate one or more microorganisms on target surface(s) within or on a packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC). The antimicrobial light may include light within a first antimicrobial wavelength range and/or light within a second antimicrobial wavelength range. The antimicrobial lighting system may include an array of individually controllable antimicrobial light segments. An array controller may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on the status information or commands received from a PTAC controller or from an external computing device.

A heatsink comprising a heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a surface boundary with respect to a heat transfer fluid, having successive elements or regions having varying size scales. According to one embodiment, an accumulation of dust or particles on a surface of the heatsink is reduced by a removal mechanism. The mechanism can be thermal pyrolysis, vibration, blowing, etc. In the case of vibration, adverse effects on the system to be cooled may be minimized by an active or passive vibration suppression system.