Abstract: A system for monitoring a mobile refrigerant system including one or more system components is provided. The system includes a global positioning system, a performance monitor, and a processor. The global positioning system includes a receiver that provides a locator signal. The performance monitor provides a monitor signal indicative of operational performance of at least one of the system components of the refrigerant system. The processor is adapted to receive and combine the locator signal and the monitor signal, and produce a combined locator and monitor signal output.

Abstract: A heating system includes a refrigerant boiler including a heat source for heating a refrigerant from a liquid state to a vapor state, a boiler outlet and a boiler inlet; a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the refrigerant boiler, the heat exchanger including a upper manifold having a heat exchanger inlet coupled to the boiler outlet, a lower manifold having a heat exchanger outlet coupled to the boiler inlet and a plurality of tubes connecting the upper manifold and the lower manifold, wherein refrigerant passes from the upper manifold to the lower manifold via gravity; and a fan moving air over the heat exchanger to define supply air for a space to be heated.

Abstract: A seal member (80) for a rotary regenerative scrubber (10) includes a hub (30), a rim (48) circumferentially surrounding the hub, and a plurality of spokes (86) extending from the hub to the rim. The hub, rim, and spokes define an axially facing seal face (88) configured to form a sealing engagement with an opposed seal surface of a rotary regenerative scrubber, and a mounting face (90) axially opposed to the seal face configured for mounting to a rotor assembly (20) of a rotary regenerative scrubber. The seal face includes a labyrinth seal (92) defined therein.

Abstract: An ejector has: a motive flow inlet; a secondary flow inlet; an outlet; a motive nozzle; a diffuser; and a control needle shiftable between a first position and a second position. The ejector comprises: an inlet body bearing the motive flow inlet and the secondary flow inlet; a diffuser body forming the diffuser and bearing the outlet; a motive nozzle insert forming the motive nozzle in a compartment in the inlet body; and a needle guide insert in the motive nozzle insert.

Abstract: A backer for a reed valve has: a first surface for engaging the valve reed; a second surface opposite the first surface; a base portion for mounting to a compressor housing; a distal portion for engaging a distal portion of the reed; and at least one trunk connecting the base portion to the distal portion. The first surface is transversely convex along a portion of the trunk. The trunk is relatively wider near the base portion than near the distal portion.

Abstract: An ejector has: a motive flow inlet; a secondary flow inlet; an outlet; a motive nozzle; a diffuser; and a control needle shiftable between a first position and a second position. The ejector comprises: an inlet body bearing the motive flow inlet and the secondary flow inlet; a diffuser body forming the diffuser and bearing the outlet; a motive nozzle insert forming the motive nozzle in a compartment in the inlet body; and a needle guide insert in the motive nozzle insert.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (200; 300; 400) has: a compressor (22); a first heat exchanger (30); a second heat exchanger (64); an ejector (38); separator (48); and an expansion device (70). A plurality of conduits are positioned to define a first flowpath sequentially through: the compressor; the first heat exchanger; the ejector from a motive flow inlet through (40) an outlet (44); and the separator, and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through the expansion device and second heat exchanger to a secondary flow inlet (42). The plurality of conduits are positioned to define a bypass flowpath (202; 302; 402) bypassing the motive flow inlet and rejoining the first flowpath at essentially separator pressure but away from the separator.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor includes a cylinder block, a cylinder head, and a bypass unloader valve assembly. The cylinder block has a cylinder disposed therein. The cylinder head is secured to the cylinder block overlying the cylinder and has a suction plenum and a discharge plenum in selective fluid communication with the cylinder. The bypass unloader valve assembly is in operable communication with the cylinder head and is responsive to control signals to rapid cycle to allow for fluid communication of a refrigerant between the discharge plenum and the suction plenum.

Abstract: A compressor (22) has: a case (32) defining: a first cylinder bank (70) having a plurality of cylinders (76, 77); a cylinder head (100); a suction port (26); a discharge port (28); and an economizer port (30); a plurality of pistons, each individually associated with a respective one of the cylinders; and a crankshaft (202) held by the case for rotation about a crankshaft axis and coupled to the pistons. The first cylinder bank cylinder head is divided into: a first suction chamber (130); a second suction chamber (132); and a single discharge chamber (128). The first cylinder bank first suction chamber is coupled to the suction port. The first cylinder bank second suction chamber is coupled to the economizer port. The first cylinder bank discharge chamber is coupled to the discharge port.

Abstract: A refrigerant system includes at least one compressor that compresses refrigerant and delivers it downstream to a heat rejection heat exchanger. The heat rejection heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger. Refrigerant passes from the heat rejection heat exchanger downstream to an expansion device, from the expansion device through an evaporator, and from the evaporator back to the at least one compressor. A control operates at least one compressor and the expansion device to reduce pressure spikes at transient conditions.

Abstract: A refrigerant system includes at least one compressor (54, 56) that compresses refrigerant and delivers it downstream to a heat rejection heat exchanger (26). The heat rejection heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger. Refrigerant passes from the heat rejection heat exchanger downstream to an expansion device (60), from the expansion device through an evaporator (66), and from the evaporator back to the at least one compressor. A control (58) operates at least one compressor and the expansion device to reduce pressure spikes at transient conditions.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compression device having at least a first compression stage and a second compression stage arranged in series refrigerant flow relationship; a first refrigerant heat rejecting heat exchanger disposed downstream with respect to refrigerant flow of the second compression stage for passing the refrigerant in heat exchange relationship with a first secondary fluid; a second refrigerant heat rejecting heat exchanger disposed downstream with respect to refrigerant flow of the first refrigerant heat rejecting heat exchanger for passing the refrigerant in heat exchange relationship with a second secondary fluid.

Abstract: A heating system includes a refrigerant boiler including a heat source for heating a refrigerant from a liquid state to a vapor state, a boiler outlet and a boiler inlet; a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the refrigerant boiler, the heat exchanger including a upper manifold having a heat exchanger inlet coupled to the boiler outlet, a lower manifold having a heat exchanger outlet coupled to the boiler inlet and a plurality of tubes connecting the upper manifold and the lower manifold, wherein refrigerant passes from the upper manifold to the lower manifold via gravity; and a fan moving air over the heat exchanger to define supply air for a space to be heated.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation control is provided for a suction valve located on a suction line. When the flow rate through a refrigerant system needs to be reduced, the suction valve is rapidly cycled from an open position to a closed position. A bypass line connecting compressor discharge to compressor suction with a bypass valve and a discharge valve positioned on the discharge side of the compressor are also provided. When the control closes the suction valve, it also closes the discharge valve to prevent the refrigerant to backflow into the bypass line, and, at the same time, the control opens the bypass valve. Opening of the bypass valve reduces discharge pressure, leading to reduction in compressor power consumption and subsequent operating efficiency gain.

Abstract: A superheat control utilizes a sensor at a location downstream of an evaporator after some heat is delivered to the refrigerant. In one embodiment, the compressor is a sealed compressor with at least a portion of the refrigerant being heated by an electric motor. The temperature is sensed after the refrigerant temperature has increased after passing over the electric motor. In another embodiment, the refrigerant temperature is measured after some minimal compression and minimal temperature rise has occurred within the compressor pumping elements. In either case, by measuring the temperature of the refrigerant after some additional heat has been added to the refrigerant, the refrigerant super-heat leaving the evaporator can be controlled to a lower value. The improved superheat control enhances the system performance by increasing system efficiency, system capacity and improving oil return to the compressor.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (200; 300; 400) comprising: a compressor (22); a first heat exchanger (30); a second heat exchanger (64); an ejector (38); separator (48); and an expansion device (70). A plurality of conduits are positioned to define a first flowpath sequentially through: the compressor; the first heat exchanger; the ejector from a motive flow inlet through (40) an outlet (44); and the separator, and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through the expansion device and second heat exchanger to a secondary flow inlet (42). The plurality of conduits are positioned to define a bypass flowpath (202; 302; 402) bypassing the motive flow inlet and rejoining the first flowpath at essentially separator pressure but away from the separator.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compression device having at least a first compression stage and a second compression stage, a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger disposed downstream with respect to refrigerant flow of the second compression stage, and a refrigerant intercooler disposed intermediate the first compression stage and the second compression stage. The refrigerant intercooler is disposed downstream of the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger with respect to the flow of a secondary fluid. A second refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger may be disposed downstream with respect to refrigerant flow of the aforesaid refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger, and a second refrigerant intercooler may be disposed intermediate the first compression stage and the second compression stage and downstream with respect to refrigerant flow of the aforesaid refrigerant intercooler.

Abstract: A compressor (22) has: a case (32) defining: a first cylinder bank (70) having a plurality of cylinders (76, 77); a cylinder head (100); a suction port (26); a discharge port (28); and an economizer port (30); a plurality of pistons, each individually associated with a respective one of the cylinders; and a crankshaft (202) held by the case for rotation about a crankshaft axis and coupled to the pistons. The first cylinder bank cylinder head is divided into: a first suction chamber (130); a second suction chamber (132); and a single discharge chamber (128). The first cylinder bank first suction chamber is coupled to the suction port. The first cylinder bank second suction chamber is coupled to the economizer port. The first cylinder bank discharge chamber is coupled to the discharge port.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a mobile refrigerant system including one or more system components is provided. The system includes a global positioning system, a performance monitor, and a processor. The global positioning system includes a receiver that provides a locator signal. The performance monitor provides a monitor signal indicative of operational performance of at least one of the system components of the refrigerant system. The processor is adapted to receive and combine the locator signal and the monitor signal, and produce a combined locator and monitor signal output.

Abstract: A variable speed electric drive for use in refrigerant systems includes an electric motor for driving an associated component at a variable speed that is a function of an operating frequency of the motor; and a control for supplying alternating discrete drive frequencies to the electric motor to provide a continuously variable speed drive of the associated component. The control cycles the drive frequency to the electric motor among the at least two discrete frequencies so that the variable average resultant speed at which the associated component is driven is a function of a combination of the selected at least two discrete frequencies.