Abstract: Refrigeration systems are described. The systems include a compression device, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an ejector, and first and second expansion devices with respective heat absorbing heat exchangers. The ejector is arranged to receive refrigerant fluid from the heat rejecting heat exchanger at a high pressure inlet of the ejector. Fluid pathways extend from an outlet of the ejector into a branched flow path to provide flows of refrigerant from the ejector to the first and second expansion devices. The first heat absorbing heat exchanger provides cooling at a first temperature and refrigerant fluid from the outlet of the first heat absorbing heat exchanger is directed to a low pressure inlet of the ejector. The second heat absorbing heat exchanger provides cooling at a second temperature and refrigerant fluid from the outlet of the second heat absorbing heat exchanger is directed to the inlet of the compression device.

Abstract: Refrigeration systems are described. The systems include a compression device, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an ejector, and first and second expansion devices with respective heat absorbing heat exchangers. The ejector is arranged to receive refrigerant fluid from the heat rejecting heat exchanger at a high pressure inlet of the ejector. Fluid pathways extend from an outlet of the ejector into a branched flow path to provide flows of refrigerant from the ejector to the first and second expansion devices. The first heat absorbing heat exchanger provides cooling at a first temperature and refrigerant fluid from the outlet of the first heat absorbing heat exchanger is directed to a low pressure inlet of the ejector. The second heat absorbing heat exchanger provides cooling at a second temperature and refrigerant fluid from the outlet of the second heat absorbing heat exchanger is directed to the inlet of the compression device.

Abstract: Cooling circuit section (2), intended for the circulation of a refrigerant, said cooling circuit section (2) comprising:—at least two compressor assemblies (30), fluidically connected in parallel, each compressor assembly (30) comprising:—a compressor (40) configured to receive a low-pressure refrigerant having a first pressure, and for increasing the pressure of the low-pressure refrigerant so as to produce a compressed refrigerant having a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure, the compressed refrigerant comprising oil,—an individual oil separator (42) comprising an inlet (58) fluidically connected to the compressor (40) so as to receive the compressed refrigerant from the compressor (40), each individual oil separator (42) being configured to separate a first fraction of oil from the compressed refrigerant, the cooling circuit section (2) further comprising a common oil separator (32).

Abstract: A water heater is provided by a refrigerant cycle, in which the gas cooler is utilized to heat the water. A drain is incorporated into a water circuit for draining all of the water outwardly of the circuit when the system is shut down. In a preferred embodiment, a water outlet of the gas cooler is at the vertically lowermost portion of the water circuit. A drain valve is placed in this vertically lowermost location such that the water can be easily drained.

Abstract: A water heater is provided by a refrigerant cycle, in which the gas cooler is utilized to heat the water. A drain is incorporated into a water circuit for draining all of the water outwardly of the circuit when the system is shut down. In a preferred embodiment, a water outlet of the gas cooler is at the vertically lowermost portion of the water circuit. A drain valve is placed in this vertically lowermost location such that the water can be easily drained.

Abstract: Refrigerant is circulated through a vapor compression system including a compressor, a gas cooler, an expansion device, and an evaporator. When a sensor detects that frozen water droplets form on the evaporator, a valve positioned between the discharge of the compression and inlet of expansion device is opened. Refrigerant from the discharge of the compressor bypasses the gas cooler and enters the inlet of the expansion device. The high temperature refrigerant melts the frost on the evaporator. As the frost melts, the passage of the evaporator is opened to allow air to flow through the evaporator.

Abstract: A method of sanitizing pipes, etc. in a hot water supply system includes the steps of normally heating water by driving water from a water storage tank, into a heat exchanger. Typically, a water pump is stopped once the water storage tank receives a particular percentage of hot water. However, when a sanitation mode is desired, the pump is not stopped, such that the water tank becomes all, or almost all, hot water. The hot water is then delivered to the pump, and from the pump to the heat exchanger. This hot water is thus operable to sanitize pipes and the pump.

Abstract: A hot water heating system is utilized in conjunction with a refrigerant cycle such that the water is heated in an indoor heat exchanger associated with the refrigerant cycle. Water is delivered from a water source by a pump into a first heat exchanger. A refrigerant is compressed by a compressor and also delivered into the first heat exchanger. The hot refrigerant heats the water as desired by a user of the hot water system. A water softening device softens the water passing through the heat exchanger, such that calcification does not occur. Calcification is the build-up of scale by calcium leaving solution with the water and depositing itself onto hot surfaces, such as the heat exchanger surfaces. By providing the water softening device, the problem with calcification is largely eliminated such that the efficiency of the heat exchanger will be greatly increased.

Abstract: A method of detecting and diagnosing operating conditions for a heat pump water heating system includes the steps of monitoring system operating conditions and comparing actual operating conditions to predicted operating conditions. The predicted operating conditions are based on expected pressures and temperatures given current system inputs. A difference between the actual and expected values for refrigerant pressures and temperature outside a desired range provides indication of a fault in the system. The system controller initiates a prompt to alert of the need for maintenance and direct to potential causes.

Abstract: A method of detecting and diagnosing operating conditions for a heat pump water heating system includes the steps of monitoring system operating conditions and comparing actual operating conditions to predicted operating conditions. The predicted operating conditions are based on expected pressures and temperatures given current system inputs. A difference between the actual and expected values for refrigerant pressures and temperature outside a desired range provides indication of a fault in the system. The system controller initiates a prompt to alert of the need for maintenance and direct to potential causes.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a liquid pump used to circulate liquid through the system to prevent freezing when the heat pump is off. In the system, the liquid is circulated in the reverse direction. The liquid used to prevent freezing comes from the hot section of the storage reservoir, such that the flow rate can be reduced while achieving the same amount of freeze protection. Also, as the hot liquid is circulated through the system at the low flow rate, it will become cold through heat transfer with the system as it prevents freezing and will be delivered to the cold section of the storage reservoir at a low temperature. As indicated above, the colder the temperature of the liquid supplied to the heat pump during operation, the more efficient the heat pump system will be. The present invention also prevents the cold liquid from lowering the temperature of the hot section of the storage reservoir during the freeze protection mode.

Abstract: Refrigerant is circulated through a vapor compression system including a compressor, a gas cooler, an expansion device, and an evaporator. When a sensor detects that frozen water droplets form on the evaporator, a valve positioned between the discharge of the compression and inlet of expansion device is opened. Refrigerant from the discharge of the compressor bypasses the gas cooler and enters the inlet of the expansion device. The high temperature refrigerant melts the frost on the evaporator. As the frost melts, the passage of the evaporator is opened to allow air to flow through the evaporator.