Abstract: A heat pump includes a vapor compression system and a cooling unit thermally coupled to the vapor compression system. A purge system is arranged in fluid communication with the vapor compression system. The purge system includes at least one separator operable to separate contaminants from a refrigerant purge gas provided to the purge system from the vapor compression system.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed that includes a plurality of supported electrocaloric film segments (46) arranged in a stack and connected to a frame (10). A working fluid flow path (44) extends through the stack, disposed between adjacent electrocaloric film segments. The working fluid flow path is in operative thermal communication with a heat sink and a heat source at opposite ends of the working fluid flow path. A plurality of electrodes are arranged to generate an electric field in the electrocaloric film segments, and are connected to a power source configured to selectively apply voltage to activate the electrodes in coordination with fluid flow along the working fluid flow path to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink. The heat transfer system further includes a film stress management mechanism.

Abstract: An electrocaloric module includes a housing and an electrocaloric element in the housing. The electrocaloric element includes an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first surface of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second surface of the electrocaloric film. The electrocaloric module also includes a first thermal connection configured to connect to a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric elements and a heat sink, a second thermal connection configured to connect to a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric elements and a heat source, and a power connection connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to connect to a power source.

Abstract: A refrigerant system includes a first, substantially outdoor, two phase heat transfer fluid vapor compression circulation loop including a compressor, a heat exchanger condenser, an expansion device, and the heat absorption side of a heat exchanger evaporator condenser, connected by conduit in a closed loop and having disposed therein a first heat transfer fluid having a critical temperature of greater than or equal to 31.2° C. The system also includes a second, at least partially indoor, two phase heat transfer fluid circulation loop that transfers heat to the first loop through the heat exchanger evaporator condenser. The second loop includes the heat rejection side of the heat exchanger evaporator condenser, a liquid pump, and a heat exchanger evaporator, connected by conduit in a closed loop and having disposed therein a second heat transfer fluid that has an ASHRAE Class A toxicity rating and an ASHRAE Class 1 or 2L flammability rating.

Abstract: An ejector (200; 300; 400) has a primary inlet (40), a secondary inlet (42), and an outlet (44). A primary flowpath extends from the primary inlet to the outlet. A secondary flowpath extends from the secondary inlet to the outlet. A mixer convergent section (114) is downstream of the secondary inlet. A motive nozzle (100) surrounds the primary flowpath upstream of a junction with the secondary flowpath to pass a motive flow. The motive nozzle has an exit (110). The ejector has surfaces (258, 260) positioned to introduce swirl to the motive flow.

Abstract: A heat exchanger system includes a heat exchanger coil circulating a first heat transfer fluid therethrough, and a fan at least partially surrounded by the heat exchanger coil to urge a flow of air through the heat exchanger coil to dissipate thermal energy from the first heat transfer fluid. A brushless direct current fan motor is located the fan to urge rotation of the fan and an ancillary electrical component operably connected to the heat exchanger system and electrically isolated from the first heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (200; 400; 600; 700; 800; 900; 1000) comprises a plurality of valves (260, 262, 264; 260) controllable to define a first mode flowpath and a second mode flowpath. The first mode flowpath is sequentially through: a compressor (22); a first heat exchanger (30); a first nozzle (228; 624); and a separator (48), and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through an expansion device (70) and a second heat exchanger (64) to the rejoin the flowpath between the first heat exchanger and the separator. The second mode flowpath is sequentially through: the compressor; the second heat exchanger; a second nozzle (248; 625); and the separator, and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through the expansion device and first heat exchanger to the rejoin the flowpath between the first heat exchanger and the separator.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (20; 120; 220; 320) has: first (22A; 122A; 222A) and second (22B; 122B; 222B) compressors; first (40) and second (46) heat exchangers; and one or more expansion devices (52; 52A, 52B). Means (32A, 32B; 32A, 32B, 126A, 126B; 32A, 32B, 232A, 232B) are provided for switching the system between operation in first and second modes using the respective first and second compressors. In the first mode: the first compressor compresses refrigerant; the compressed refrigerant is cooled in the first heat exchanger; the cooled refrigerant is expanded in at least one of the one or more expansion devices; and the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat in the second heat exchanger. In the second mode: the second compressor compresses refrigerant; the compressed refrigerant is cooled in the second heat exchanger; the cooled refrigerant is expanded in at least one of the one or more expansion devices; and the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat in the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: A moisture removal system for removing moisture from a gas is disclosed including a water absorption vessel with a microemulsion. The system also includes a gas-liquid phase separator in fluid communication with a water absorption vessel gas outlet, a gas outlet for conditioned air in fluid communication with a conditioned space, and a liquid outlet. An optional heat exchanger heats used microemulsion from the water absorption for water desorption in a water desorption vessel. An optional microemulsion regenerator provides thermal regeneration of microemulsion from the water desorption vessel for returning regenerated microemulsion to the water absorption vessel.

Abstract: A heat transfer system cycles between a first mode where a heat transfer fluid is directed to a first electrocaloric module and from the first electrocaloric module to a heat exchanger to a second electrocaloric module while one of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized, and a second mode where the heat transfer fluid is directed to the second electrocaloric module and from the second electrocaloric module to the heat exchanger to the first electrocaloric module, while the other of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized. The modes are repeatedly cycled in alternating order directing the heat transfer fluid to cause a temperature gradient in each of the first and second electrocaloric modules, and fluid from a flow path between the electrocaloric modules is mixed with circulating fluid from a conditioned space to cool or heat the conditioned space.

Abstract: A system (20; 300) comprises: a compressor (22) having a suction port (40) and a discharge port (42); an ejector (32) having a motive flow inlet (50), a suction flow inlet (52), and an outlet (54); a separator (34) having an inlet (72), a vapor outlet (74), and a liquid outlet (76); a first heat exchanger (24); an expansion device (28); and a second heat exchanger (26; 302). Conduits and valves are positioned to provide alternative operation in: a cooling mode; a first heating mode; and a second heating mode. In the cooling mode and second heating mode, a needle (60) of the ejector is closed.

Abstract: A building heating or cooling system is disclosed that includes an air handling system comprising an air delivery flow path (44) in fluid communication with a conditioned space (40) in the building. The building heating or cooling system also includes an electrocaloric heating or cooling system (10, 11) that includes first and second modules (12, 14). A first inlet receives air from the conditioned space (40) or the air delivery flow path (44) and directs it through the first or second module (12, 14) to a first outlet to the conditioned space (40) or the air delivery flow path (44), and a second inlet that receives air from conditioned space (40) or the air delivery flow path (44) and directs it through the first or second module (12,14) to a second outlet to outside the conditioned space (40).

Abstract: A vapor compression system (200; 400; 600; 700; 800; 900; 1000) comprises a plurality of valves (260, 262, 264; 260) controllable to define a first mode flowpath and a second mode flowpath. The first mode flowpath is sequentially through: a compressor (22); a first heat exchanger (30); a first nozzle (228; 624); and a separator (48), and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through an expansion device (70) and a second heat exchanger (64) to the rejoin the flowpath between the first heat exchanger and the separator. The second mode flowpath is sequentially through: the compressor; the second heat exchanger; a second nozzle (248; 625); and the separator, and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through the expansion device and first heat exchanger to the rejoin the flowpath between the first heat exchanger and the separator.

Abstract: An air conditioning system and a control method thereof. The air conditioning system includes a main circuit and a first subcooling circuit, wherein the main circuit has: a main compressor and an injector; a gas cooler and a gas-liquid separator connected between the main compressor and the injector; and a main throttling element and an evaporator connected between the gas-liquid separator and the injector; and wherein the first subcooling circuit has: a first subcooling compressor, a first condenser, a first subcooling throttling element and a first subcooler connected in sequence; wherein the first subcooler is further disposed in a flow path between the outlet of the injector and the gas-liquid separator.

Abstract: An air conditioning system and a startup control method. The air conditioning system includes: a compressor, a condenser, a thermal expansion valve and an evaporator connected via a pipeline; and a thermal temperature sensing bulb disposed on an outlet pipeline of the evaporator and associated with the thermal expansion valve; the air conditioning system further includes a thermal power source which is thermally coupled to the thermal temperature sensing bulb and controlledly cools or heats the thermal temperature sensing bulb. The thermal temperature sensing bulb is cooled or heated, as needed, by a thermal power source thermally coupled to the thermal temperature sensing bulb, thereby enabling the thermal expansion valve associated with the thermal temperature sensing bulb to be opened and closed more smoothly.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided and includes a compressor, an expansion valve, a gas cooler through which a refrigerant received from the compressor passes toward the expansion valve in a supercritical state, an evaporator interposed between the expansion valve and the compressor and a vapor sorption subcooling system. The vapor sorption subcooling system includes a desorber disposed to remove heat from refrigerant flowing from the gas cooler toward the expansion valve.

Abstract: An electronic expansion valve, a heat exchange system, and a control for controlling an electronic expansion valve. The electronic expansion valve includes: a valve body; a first temperature sensor configured to detect an evaporator temperature Teva; a second temperature sensor configured to detect a compressor inlet temperature Tsue; a third temperature sensor configured to detect a compressor outlet temperature Tdis; a fourth temperature sensor configured to detect a condenser temperature Tcon; and a controller, which is associated with the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the third temperature sensor and the fourth temperature sensor, and which adjusts an opening degree of the valve body based on temperature signals from the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the third temperature sensor and the fourth temperature sensor.

Abstract: A clamp (204) for securing an expansion valve (XV) bulb (114) to a vapor header in a refrigeration system is provided. Aspects includes an arcuate member (210) having a first clamping portion (206) and a second clamping portion (208) extending therefrom and a terminal end of the first clamping portion having a first flange (212) and a terminal end of the second clamping portion having a second flange (214). The first clamping portion (206) and the second clamping portion (208) are configured to envelope the expansion valve (XV) bulb (114) and a vapor header in a refrigeration system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat transfer system with a module that includes a peripheral frame (10) and an electrocaloric element (46) disposed in an opening in the peripheral frame. The electrocaloric element includes an electrocaloric film (46), a first electrode (48) on a first side of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode (50) on a second side of the electrocaloric film. First and second electrically conductive elements (24, 25) are disposed adjacent to first and second surfaces of the peripheral frame, and provide an electrical connection to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A system (20; 300) comprises: a compressor (22) having a suction port (40) and a discharge port (42); an ejector (32) having a motive flow inlet (50), a suction flow inlet (52), and an outlet (54); a separator (34) having an inlet (72), a vapor outlet (74), and a liquid outlet (76); a first heat exchanger (24); an expansion device (28); and a second heat exchanger (26; 302). Conduits and valves are positioned to provide alternative operation in: a cooling mode; a first heating mode; and a second heating mode. In the cooling mode and second heating mode, a needle (60) of the ejector is closed.