Abstract: A method of producing a model to detect changes in forest cover is disclosed. The method includes obtaining forest-cover classification data of a land area. The land area includes one or more subregions having unchanged forest-cover classifications between a first time and a second time. The method further includes obtaining remotely sensed data of the subregions at multiple times. For at least one forest-cover classification, the method includes applying a statistical analysis to the image data to determine one or more threshold values representing measurement variations. The method further includes comparing subsequently obtained image data to the one or more threshold values and classifying the one or more subregions as changed or unchanged based on the comparison of subsequently obtained image data to the one or more threshold values.

Abstract: A tube for a thermal transfer device can include at least one wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, where the inner surface forms a cavity. The inner surface can be non-cylindrical. The cavity can be configured to receive a fluid that flows continuously along a length of the at least one wall.

Abstract: An EXV (electronic expansion valve) control system includes an EXV controller for controlling an EXV within the refrigerant loop of an HVAC system. The EXV controller implements a master control algorithm that includes a plurality of sub-control algorithms and an initial series of branching decision points to determine the current mode of operation and to execute select sub-control algorithms corresponding to the current mode of operation, while not executing the sub-control algorithms corresponding to the other modes of operation. The sub-control algorithms implement various combinations of PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) control and feed-forward control, the results of which can be mapped to specific control instructions for the EXV.

Abstract: An EXV (electronic expansion valve) control system includes an EXV controller for controlling an EXV within the refrigerant loop of an HVAC system. The EXV controller implements a master control algorithm that includes a plurality of sub-control algorithms and an initial series of branching decision points to determine the current mode of operation and to execute select sub-control algorithms corresponding to the current mode of operation, while not executing the sub-control algorithms corresponding to the other modes of operation. The sub-control algorithms implement various combinations of PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) control and feed-forward control, the results of which can be mapped to specific control instructions for the EXV.

Abstract: A system includes a heat-pump circuit and a heating-fluid circuit. The heat-pump circuit includes a compressor and a first condenser conduit. The heating-fluid circuit includes first, second, and third flow-paths. The third flow-path selectively communicates with the first and second flow-paths. The first flow-path includes a first valve. The first valve moves between an open position allowing fluid flow through the first flow-path and a closed position restricting fluid flow through the first flow-path. The second flow-path includes a second condenser conduit and a second valve. When the second valve is open, fluid flows through the second flow-path. In the closed position, the second valve restricts fluid flow through the second flow-path. The third flow-path includes a heat exchanger receiving fluid from the first flow-path when the first valve is in the open position and receiving fluid from the second flow-path when the second valve is in the open position.

Abstract: A method of producing a model to detect changes in forest cover is disclosed. The method includes obtaining forest-cover classification data of a land area. The land area includes one or more subregions having unchanged forest-cover classifications between a first time and a second time. The method further includes obtaining image data of the subregions at multiple times. For at least one forest-cover classification, the method includes applying a statistical analysis to the image data to determine one or more threshold values representing measurement variations. The method further includes comparing subsequently obtained image data to the one or more threshold values and classifying the one or more subregions as changed or unchanged based on the comparison of subsequently obtained image data to the one or more threshold values.

Abstract: A diffuser plate for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a number of first apertures and a second aperture that traverse therethrough, where the first apertures are asymmetrically arranged with respect to the second aperture. The first apertures can have a first shape and a first size, and where the first apertures are configured to receive a plurality of tubes. The second aperture has a second size, where the second size is larger than the first size.

Abstract: A tube sheet for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a plurality of apertures that traverse therethrough, where the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a plurality of tubes of the thermal transfer device. The tube sheet can also include an outer perimeter defining the body, where the outer perimeter has at least one first recess feature disposed therein. The at least one first recess feature can have a first shape and a first size, where the first shape is any shape aside from a semi-circle.

Abstract: A tube sheet for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a plurality of apertures that traverse therethrough, where the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a plurality of tubes of the thermal transfer device. The tube sheet can also include an outer perimeter defining the body, where the outer perimeter has at least one first recess feature disposed therein. The at least one first recess feature can have a first shape and a first size, where the first shape is any shape aside from a semi-circle.

Abstract: A system includes a heat-pump circuit and a heating-fluid circuit. The heat-pump circuit includes a compressor and a first condenser conduit. The heating-fluid circuit includes first, second, and third flow-paths. The third flow-path selectively communicates with the first and second flow-paths. The first flow-path includes a first valve. The first valve moves between an open position allowing fluid flow through the first flow-path and a closed position restricting fluid flow through the first flow-path. The second flow-path includes a second condenser conduit and a second valve. When the second valve is open, fluid flows through the second flow-path. In the closed position, the second valve restricts fluid flow through the second flow-path. The third flow-path includes a heat exchanger receiving fluid from the first flow-path when the first valve is in the open position and receiving fluid from the second flow-path when the second valve is in the open position.

Abstract: A diffuser plate for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a number of first apertures and a second aperture that traverse therethrough, where the first apertures are asymmetrically arranged with respect to the second aperture. The first apertures can have a first shape and a first size, and where the first apertures are configured to receive a plurality of tubes. The second aperture has a second size, where the second size is larger than the first size.

Abstract: A climate-control system includes a first working-fluid circuit, a second working-fluid circuit and a first heat exchanger. The first working-fluid circuit includes a first compressor, a second heat exchanger and a first pump. The second heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first compressor. The first pump receives a first working fluid from the second heat exchanger and circulates the first working fluid through the first working-fluid circuit. The second working-fluid circuit is fluidly isolated from the first working-fluid circuit and includes a second pump and a fourth heat exchanger. The second pump is in fluid communication with the fourth heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is thermally coupled with the first working-fluid circuit and the second working-fluid circuit.

Abstract: A climate-control system may include a working-fluid circuit and a cooling-fluid circuit. The working-fluid circuit may include a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger. The compressor compresses a working fluid. The outdoor heat exchanger may receive compressed working fluid from the compressor. The expansion device may be disposed downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger may be disposed downstream of the expansion device and upstream of the compressor. The cooling-fluid circuit may contain a cooling fluid in a heat transfer relationship with working fluid in the working-fluid circuit. The cooling-fluid circuit may include an underground heat exchanger conduit embedded in earth below an earth ground surface. The underground heat exchanger may selectively receive the cooling fluid such that heat from the cooling fluid is transferred to the earth.

Abstract: A tube sheet for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a plurality of apertures that traverse therethrough, where the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a plurality of tubes of the thermal transfer device. The tube sheet can also include an outer perimeter defining the body, where the outer perimeter has at least one first recess feature disposed therein. The at least one first recess feature can have a first shape and a first size, where the first shape is any shape aside from a semi-circle.

Abstract: A climate-control system includes a first working-fluid circuit, a second working-fluid circuit and a first heat exchanger. The first working-fluid circuit includes a first compressor, a second heat exchanger and a first pump. The second heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first compressor. The first pump receives a first working fluid from the second heat exchanger and circulates the first working fluid through the first working-fluid circuit. The second working-fluid circuit is fluidly isolated from the first working-fluid circuit and includes a second pump and a fourth heat exchanger. The second pump is in fluid communication with the fourth heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is thermally coupled with the first working-fluid circuit and the second working-fluid circuit.

Abstract: A climate-control system may include a working-fluid circuit and a cooling-fluid circuit. The working-fluid circuit may include a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger. The compressor compresses a working fluid. The outdoor heat exchanger may receive compressed working fluid from the compressor. The expansion device may be disposed downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger may be disposed downstream of the expansion device and upstream of the compressor. The cooling-fluid circuit may contain a cooling fluid in a heat transfer relationship with working fluid in the working-fluid circuit. The cooling-fluid circuit may include an underground heat exchanger conduit embedded in earth below an earth ground surface. The underground heat exchanger may selectively receive the cooling fluid such that heat from the cooling fluid is transferred to the earth.

Abstract: A tube for a thermal transfer device can include at least one wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, where the inner surface forms a cavity. The inner surface can be non-cylindrical. The cavity can be configured to receive a fluid that flows continuously along a length of the at least one wall.

Abstract: A tube sheet for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a plurality of apertures that traverse therethrough, where the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a plurality of tubes of the thermal transfer device. The tube sheet can also include an outer perimeter defining the body, where the outer perimeter has at least one first recess feature disposed therein. The at least one first recess feature can have a first shape and a first size, where the first shape is any shape aside from a semi-circle.

Abstract: A fuel-fired heating appliance comprises a burner and a first housing adjacent the burner so that an interior of the first housing receives combustion gasses from combustion at the burner. A heat exchanger defines a second housing with an inlet proximate an outlet of the first housing so that the inlet of the second housing receives combustion gasses from the outlet of the first housing, and wherein the first and second housings attach at an interface. A barrier extends within, and across an interface between, the outlet of the first housing and the inlet of the second housing and defines a thermal resistance that inhibits heat transfer from the combustion gasses to the interface.

Abstract: A tube for a thermal transfer device can include at least one wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, where the inner surface forms a cavity. The inner surface can be non-cylindrical. The cavity can be configured to receive a fluid that flows continuously along a length of the at least one wall.