Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: A method of operating a vapor compression system configured for environmentally conditioning a space comprising: providing a compressor of the vapor compression system with a variable speed drive, operating the compressor at a first speed in response to a start command, determining a demand speed of the compressor based at least in part on a user selected target value for an environmental condition within the space, determining a maximum allowable compressor speed of the compressor based at least in part on a condition of a parameter of the vapor compression system, reducing the speed of the compressor from the first speed to a second speed, maintaining the speed of the compressor below the first speed, and operating the compressor at the demand speed once a startup condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A method of operating a heat pump system comprising: operating the heat pump system in a demand operation heating mode, wherein the demand operation heating mode comprises controlling an opening amount of an expansion valve based on a superheat difference between a compressor inlet superheat value and a target compressor inlet superheat value, and controlling a flowrate of the refrigerant through a compressor based on a thermal demand difference between a thermal output of the indoor heat exchanger and a customer thermal demand; monitoring with the one or more controllers a parameter of the refrigerant cycle indicative of a charge imbalance condition; and transitioning operation with the one or more controllers to a charge compensation mode when the parameter satisfies a first threshold condition, wherein the charge compensation mode comprises performing with the one or more controllers a charge imbalance mitigation strategy.

Abstract: A system includes an indoor HVAC unit and an outdoor HVAC unit in communication with the indoor HVAC unit. The outdoor HVAC unit comprises a compressor, a vapor header in communication with the indoor HVAC unit and compressor, and at least one check valve to allow vapor refrigerant flow into the indoor HVAC unit during a cooling mode and to prevent liquid refrigerant from exiting the vapor header when in a heating mode. A method of operating said system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of operating an HVAC system including a HVAC unit including a unit temperature sensor, a unit controller, and a variable speed compressor, and a two-stage system controller in communication with the unit controller, the method including operating the system controller to transmit a conditioning signal to the unit controller based in part on a system demand, operating the unit controller to receive the conditioning signal, and receive outdoor air temperature data from the unit temperature sensor, operating the unit controller to determine whether the outdoor air temperature data is greater than or equal to a cooling temperature limit or less than or equal to a heating temperature limit, and operating the unit controller to transmit a speed signal to the compressor based in part on the plurality of conditioning signals and the outdoor air temperature data.

Abstract: A climate control outdoor unit has: a housing; a compressor having an electric motor; a refrigerant-air heat exchanger; an electric fan positioned to drive an air flow along an air flowpath across the refrigerant-air heat exchanger; and an inverter unit coupled to the electric motor to drive the electric motor. An additional air flowpath extends along the inverter unit to merge with the air flowpath.

Abstract: A system includes an indoor HVAC unit and an outdoor HVAC unit in communication with the indoor HVAC unit. The outdoor HVAC unit comprises a compressor, a vapor header in communication with the indoor HVAC unit and compressor, and at least one check valve to allow vapor refrigerant flow into the indoor HVAC unit during a cooling mode and to prevent liquid refrigerant from exiting the vapor header when in a heating mode. A method of operating said system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable speed vapor compression system includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger connected to the compressor, an expansion valve connected to the first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger connecting the expansion valve to the compressor, a fan associated with the second heat exchanger, and a controller operatively connected to one or more of the compressor and the fan. The controller is responsive to instructions to receive a target humidity range for a conditioned space, receive a sensed humidity for the conditioned space, compare the sensed humidity to the target humidity range, and vary speed of one or more of the fan and the compressor based on the comparison of the sensed humidity and the target humidity range. Methods of controlling humidity in conditioned spaces and computer program products are also described.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having at least one inner conduit comprising of a second tubular member coaxially disposed within a first tubular member, wherein the second tubular member outer surface is in contact with the first tubular member inner surface. Each of the first and second tubular members is composed of a material with an approximately 0.015 inch maximum wall thickness.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having at least one inner conduit comprising of a second tubular member coaxially disposed within a first tubular member, wherein the second tubular member outer surface is in contact with the first tubular member inner surface. Each of the first and second tubular members is composed of a material with an approximately 0.015 inch maximum wall thickness.

Abstract: A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from an indoor fan for a first duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to configure a second refrigerant circuit for satisfying a water heating demand. A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from a water pump for a second duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to reconfigure a first refrigerant circuit to satisfy an interior space heating demand.

Abstract: An HVAC system, including a reversing valve including a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the reversing valve may be placed into a first position in which the first port is operably coupled to the second port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, and a second position in which the second port is operably coupled to the third port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, a first HVAC component operably coupled to the first port, a second HVAC component operably coupled to the second port, and a third HVAC component operably coupled to the third port.

Abstract: A climate control outdoor unit comprises: a housing; a compressor having an electric motor; a refrigerant-air heat exchanger; an electric fan positioned to drive an air flow along an air flowpath across the refrigerant-air heat exchanger; and an inverter unit coupled to the electric motor to drive the electric motor. An additional air flowpath extends along the inverter unit to merge with the air flowpath.

Abstract: A system and method of operating an HVAC system including a HVAC unit including a unit temperature sensor, a unit controller, and a variable speed compressor, and a two-stage system controller in communication with the unit controller, the method including operating the system controller to transmit a conditioning signal to the unit controller based in part on a system demand, operating the unit controller to receive the conditioning signal, and receive outdoor air temperature data from the unit temperature sensor, operating the unit controller to determine whether the outdoor air temperature data is greater than or equal to a cooling temperature limit or less than or equal to a heating temperature limit, and operating the unit controller to transmit a speed signal to the compressor based in part on the plurality of conditioning signals and the outdoor air temperature data.

Abstract: A water heater module with a heat exchanger configured to be submersible inside a water storage tank, and further configured to divert refrigerant between the heat exchanger and an air handler in response to a demand for heating water or a demand for conditioning an interior space.

Abstract: An HVAC system, including a reversing valve including a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the reversing valve may be placed into a first position in which the first port is operably coupled to the second port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, and a second position in which the second port is operably coupled to the third port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, a first HVAC component operably coupled to the first port, a second HVAC component operably coupled to the second port, and a third HVAC component operably coupled to the third port.

Abstract: A heater transfer module including at least one heat exchanger. Each of the at least one heat exchangers includes at least one first conduit, including a first conduit outer surface, the at least one first conduit configured to allow a first liquid to flow therethrough, and at least one second conduit, including a second conduit outer surface, the at least one second conduit configured to allow a second liquid to flow therethrough. The at least one first conduit outer surface is coupled next to the at least one second conduit outer surface, using a method of joining metal parts using nonferrous filler metals, such that the longitudinal axes of each conduit are substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: A method for using an electronic expansion device in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by operating a first controller to monitor the operating discharge pressure from the compressor; and operating the first controller to produce a signal designating expansion of an orifice within the electronic expansion valve when the operating discharge pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure value.

Abstract: A method for improving a water heater cycle in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by operating a water pump at a first rate of speed until the entering water temperature is within a desirable range, or the water pump has operated at the first rate of speed for a predetermined time, then operating the water pump at a second rate of speed.

Abstract: A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from an indoor fan for a first duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to configure a second refrigerant circuit for satisfying a water heating demand. A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from a water pump for a second duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to reconfigure a first refrigerant circuit to satisfy an interior space heating demand.