Abstract: A high-efficiency HVAC system and method of operation, for use in a house or building, having a plurality of components, including flexible, plastic duct tubing forming supply pipes that connect an air handler and a plurality of zones to deliver supply air to the zones and return pipes that connect the air handler and the zones to re-circulate return air; the air handler having a fan assembly powered by a variable blower motor to blow supply air to the zones; a heat pump having a variable compressor powered by a variable compressor motor to direct a working fluid to and from the air handler and a variable fan motor that rotates a fan blade within the heat pump; and a circuit control system for adjusting the variable compressor motor and the variable fan motor in the heat pump and the variable blower motor in the air handler.

Abstract: An ice making and harvesting apparatus includes a mold, and bottom and top plates. The mold includes a plurality of cells. Each cell includes side walls and defines bottom and top openings. The bottom plate is configured to move relative to a bottom surface of the mold. An upper surface of the bottom plate includes a first sealing component. A bottom side of the mold includes a second sealing component. The second sealing component is configured to form a seal with the first sealing component of the bottom plate. The bottom plate includes an inlet and a plurality of channels. Each channel is configured to supply water from the bottom plate to a corresponding cell of the mold. The top plate includes a plurality of pushing rods, each rod configured to move relative to the top opening of a corresponding cell.

Abstract: A parallel magnetic refrigerator assembly, includes at least two magnetocaloric stages arranged in parallel connection, each having in use a cold side and a hot side; each magnetocaloric stage including hot and cold side heat exchange circuit for carrying a heat exchange fluid to respectively receive and transfer heat from the magnetocaloric stages; wherein the hot and cold side heat exchange circuit are configured such that in use a heat exchange fluid passes in thermal contact with the respective hot and cold sides of both magnetocaloric stages. The magnetocaloric stages have substantially the same temperature spans but different cold end and hot end temperatures. In this way the device temperature span may be substantially larger than the individual temperature span of each magnetocaloric stage.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a case having a storage space formed therein and being opened at one side, a door rotatably coupled to the case to open and close the opened side of the case, and a basket frame rotatably coupled to an inner surface of the door. A first basket may be coupled to the basket frame, opposing the door, and a second basket may be coupled to the inner surface of the door, interposed between the door and the basket frame. The first basket may rotate in accordance with pivotal movement of the basket frame to expose and provide access to an interior of the second basket.

Abstract: A pumped refrigerant cooling system having cooling units with associated pumping units for providing working fluid to the cooling unit to enable cooling of a space. The pumped refrigerant cooling system also includes a redundant pumping unit which is activated when a primary pumping unit associated with a cooling unit becomes inactive. The primary pumping unit is deactivated in favor of the redundant pumping unit. Once the primary pumping unit is placed in a condition suitable for reactivation, the redundant pumping unit is deactivated, and the primary pumping unit is reactivated.

Abstract: In a heating mode, a refrigerant circuit is switched in which a refrigerant is decompressed by an ejector to flow into a gas-liquid separator, and a separated gas phase refrigerant is introduced into an intermediate-pressure suction port of a compressor and at the same time a separated liquid phase refrigerant flows to at least a second variable throttle valve, an interior evaporator, and a suction port of the compressor, in this order. In a cooling mode, a refrigerant circuit is switched in which the refrigerant flowing out of the interior condenser is decompressed by a first variable throttle valve through an exterior heat exchanger to flow into the gas-liquid separator, and a separated gas phase refrigerant is introduced into the intermediate-pressure suction port of the compressor, and at the same time a separated liquid phase refrigerant flows to the second variable throttle valve, the interior evaporator, and the suction port of the compressor, in this order.

Abstract: An appliance having a storage tank disposed on its back surface wherein the storage tank comprises a front cover and a back cover that matingly engages the front cover to form a liquid tight seal with the front cover. The storage tank further includes a phase-changing material disposed within the storage tank and a heat exchanger containing refrigerant tubing which transfers heat from the phase-changing solution to the refrigerant tubing. The storage tank, when fully charged with cooling capacity, maintains the food storage compartment at a temperature of 45° F. or less for at least 8 hours without activating a compressor.

Abstract: A reconfigurable vent system in fluid communication with an air chiller to deliver chill air to one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments in parallel is reconfigurable to operate in either of an air-through or an air-over orientation. The reconfigurable vent system comprises a vent in fluid communication with the air chiller via a duct and configured to provide the chill air to the one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments. The vent directs the chill air substantially toward the interior of the one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments in the air-through orientation at a first angle, and the vent directs the chill air substantially around the one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments in the air-over orientation at a second angle different from the first angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for water storage and transport uses a container constructed from one of more flexible plastic sheets. A number of chambers for holding water are formed within the container. Each chamber is separated from an adjacent chamber by a web of the flexible plastic sheet. The web of the flexible plastic sheet is perforated to allow adjacent chambers to be separated from one another. In use, the water in the chambers may be liquid or frozen.

Abstract: A fluid temperature control installation for a rotorcraft, the installation comprising a system for cooling a main transmission (3) and a system for temperature control of the ambient air (32) of a cabin (16). A heat exchanger (8) is fitted with a bladeless ventilator (9). A source air stream (11) generated by an accessory compressor (5) driven by the main transmission (3) passes through the heat exchanger (8) where it takes heat. The source air stream (11) is distributed selectively to the bladeless ventilator (9) to generate a cooling air stream (13) passing through the heat exchanger (8), and/or is distributed to the cabin (16) after passing through the heat exchanger (8) in order to heat the ambient air (32) of the cabin.

Abstract: A sample cooling device is provided with, inside a sample storage which stores therein a sample rack, a first heat transfer member arranged at a position in contact with the sample rack, a second heat transfer member which cools the inside of the sample storage, and a condensate discharge mechanism which discharges condensate condensing on the second heat transfer member to the outside of the sample storage. An internal space of the sample storage is not sealed due to the existence of a leak path for air formed between the inside and the outside of the sample storage, the leak path including at least the channel. The sample storage includes an outside air introduction unit which forcibly blows the outside air into the internal space so that the pressure inside the sample storage becomes higher than the outside pressure thereof.

Abstract: A cooling system may include a desiccant wheel with a first section and a second section. An intake air supply may be connected to the first section, and an exhaust air supply may be connected to the second section. A heat pump may be provided and include a compressor, a first condenser, a second condenser, a third condenser, an expansion device, a control valve, and an evaporator. A high temperature fluid line may be provided and include a solar panel, a fluid tank, and at least one heat exchanger. One of the second condenser and the third condenser may provide heat to the fluid tank of the high temperature fluid line. The first condenser and the at least one heat exchanger may be disposed in the exhaust air supply to heat air which regenerates desiccant material as it passes through the second section. The regenerated desiccant material removes moisture from the intake air passing through the first section.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a first indirect heat exchanger configured to receive return air from an interior space and output conditioned air back into the interior space. The cooling system further includes a second indirect heat exchanger configured to receive outside air. A fluid conduit directs a flow of cooling fluid from the first indirect heat exchanger, through the second indirect heat exchanger, and back to the first indirect heat exchanger. A pump circulates the cooling fluid between the first and second indirect heat exchangers at a fluid velocity that is relatively slow. Additionally, return air and outside air flows through corresponding indirect heat exchangers at air velocities that are also relatively slow. The relatively slow fluid velocity and air velocities enhance an efficiency of heat transfer between the cooling fluid and the return air and between the cooling fluid and outside air.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device selectively performs a heating operation and a cooling operation. The refrigeration cycle device includes: a compressor that suctions a refrigerant and compresses the refrigerant; a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger, and a fourth heat exchanger each of which exchanges heat with the refrigerant; an ejector that includes a refrigerant inlet port, a refrigerant suction port, and a refrigerant outlet port; a controller that is connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and configured to control a flow rate of the refrigerant; and a switching device configured to perform switching of a flow path of the refrigerant in both the heating and cooling operations.

Abstract: Temperature control systems and methods can be designed for controlling the interior climate of a vehicle or other the climate of another desired region. The temperature control system for a vehicle can have a thermoelectric system providing heating and/or cooling, including supplemental heating and/or cooling. The thermoelectric system can transfer thermal energy between a working fluid, such as liquid coolant, and comfort air upon application of electric current of a selected polarity. The thermoelectric system can supplement or replace the heat provided from an internal combustion engine or other primary heat source. The thermoelectric system can also supplement or replace cold energy provided from a compressor-based refrigeration system or other primary cold energy source.

Abstract: An absorption plate for a vehicle is crossed by a stream of liquid absorbent fluid flowing between two exchange surfaces arranged relatively opposite one another. The exothermal absorption of a coolant fluid in vapor phase takes place through the exchange surfaces by increasing a concentration of the coolant fluid in the absorbent fluid. The relative arrangement of the two exchange surfaces forces at least one portion of the stream of absorbent fluid to pass at least once through one of the exchange surfaces and causes mixing of the stream of the absorbed fluid.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a cryopump includes stopping a pressure sensor for the cryopump, starting to heat a cryogenic surface for adsorbing gas molecules, starting the rough evacuation of the cryopump while the pressure sensor is stopped, and terminating the rough evacuation while the pressure sensor is stopped. This method may include activating the pressure sensor after the rough evacuation has been terminated.

Abstract: A channel system is disclosed for optimizing the relation between pressure drop and heat, moisture and/or mass transfer of fluids flowing through the system. In at least one embodiment, the channel system includes at least one channel having at least one channel wall and at least one flow director having a height, the flow director extending in a fluid flow direction and transversely to the channel. It further includes an upstream portion, a downstream portion and an intermediate portion between the upstream and downstream portions, the upstream portion deviating, in the fluid flow direction, from the channel wall inwardly into the channel, and the downstream portion returning, in the fluid flow direction, towards the channel wall, wherein a transition between the intermediate portion and the downstream portion is curved with a radius.

Abstract: In a refrigeration appliance, an enclosure or container defines an enclosed space. A two-plane door forms a portion of the container. The two-plane door opens along one pivot axis and allows access to the enclosed interior space. The container can be a thermally insulated in-door ice compartment of a refrigerated appliance. One example is a bottom freezer style, with the in-door ice compartment in the cold food section of the appliance.

Abstract: A method of operating a cooling system that has at least one evaporator containing a refrigerant and at least one adsorbent chamber containing adsorbent configured to provide adsorption of vaporized refrigerant from the at least one evaporator in a cooling mode and provide desorption of the refrigerant to the at least one evaporator in a recharging mode, the method including; controlling the adsorption and desorption of the refrigerant of the at least one adsorbent chamber between the cooling modes and recharging modes during a cooling cycle; ceasing desorption of the refrigerant from the at least one adsorbent chamber; allowing adsorption of the vaporized refrigerant from the at least one evaporator; and maintaining the at least one adsorbent chamber in an adsorbed state at the end of the cooling cycle in a storage mode.