Abstract: A heating and cooling system includes an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. A heat exchanger, which may be an outdoor heat exchanger, is configured to receive the refrigerant from the condenser, to selectively extract heat from or to add heat to the refrigerant, and to transfer the refrigerant to the evaporator. First control valving, disposed between the condenser and the heat exchanger, is configured to regulate flow of the refrigerant from the condenser to the heat exchanger in a first mode of operation. Second control valving, disposed between the condenser and the heat exchanger, is configured to regulate flow of the refrigerant from the heat exchanger to the evaporator in a second mode of operation. The system may be operated in a variety of modes by appropriate control of the valving and other system components.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided, such as for use with chillers. The system uses a tube-side condenser, such as a microchannel condenser, along with a shell-side evaporator such as a falling film evaporator. A flash tank economizer is disposed between the condenser and the evaporator, and an inlet valve to the flash tank is controlled based upon subcooling of condensate from the condenser. The vapor exiting the flash tank may be fed via an economizer line to a system compressor. Liquid phase refrigerant combined with some gas phase refrigerant exits the flash tank and is directed through an orifice before entering the evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a chiller with an integrated free cooling system and refrigeration system. In certain embodiments, the chiller may be a single package unit with all equipment housed within the same support frame. The chiller may generally include three modes of operation: a first mode that employs free cooling, a second mode that employs free cooling and implements a refrigeration cycle, and a third mode that uses the free cooling system to remove heat from the refrigeration system. A heat exchanger may be shared between the free cooling system and the refrigeration system to transfer heat from the refrigeration system to the free cooling system.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include dissimilar internal configurations. The heat exchangers include multiple sets of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with each other. One set of multichannel tubes contains flow channels of one shape and size while the another set of multichannel tubes contains flow channels of a different shape and/or size. The dissimilar flow channels within the multichannel tube sets allow each set of tubes to be configured to the properties of the refrigerant flowing within the tubes.

Abstract: A chiller including a condenser having a refrigerant-storage vessel in fluid communication with a multichannel heat exchanger is disclosed. The chiller further includes a compressor, an evaporator and an expansion device connected in a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant-storage vessel provides system volume for pump down operations.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include dissimilar tube spacing configurations. The heat exchangers include multiple sets of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with each other. One set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at one spacing while the another set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at a different spacing. The different spacing between the multichannel tubes allows each set of tubes to be configured to the properties of the refrigerant flowing within the tubes.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided that include multichannel tube configurations designed to promote flow of refrigerant within the multichannel tubes near the edges of the tubes that are contacted first by an external fluid. The tube configurations include flow paths of varying cross-sections, spacings, and sizes. Flow control mechanisms, such as inserts, blocking plates, sleeves, crimped sections, and crushed sections, may be employed with the flow paths to favor flow near the edges of the tubes that are contacted first by an external fluid.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include dissimilar tube spacing configurations. The heat exchangers include multiple sets of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with each other. One set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at one spacing while the another set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at a different spacing. The different spacing between the multichannel tubes allows each set of tubes to be configured to the properties of the refrigerant flowing within the tubes.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system having a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a multichannel heat exchanger connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The multichannel heat exchanger has at least two fluid flow paths cooled by a flow of air from an air-moving device through the multichannel heat exchanger. Each of the at least two fluid flow paths have an inlet and an outlet in communication there between. The multichannel heat exchanger also has at least one flow regulator disposed in at least one outlet to regulate through at least one fluid flow path in response to the air flow through the heat exchanger to achieve a substantially equal temperature of a fluid flowing in the at least two flow paths.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system having a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a multichannel heat exchanger connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The HVAC&R system may also have a base, a retainer and/or a grommet for providing support to the multichannel heat exchanger and/or substantially isolating the multichannel heat exchanger from the base.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and multi-slab heat exchangers are provided that include fluid connections for transmitting fluid between groups of tubes. The fluid connections may include generally tubular members fluidly connected to manifold sections. The fluid connections also may include partitioned manifolds containing tubes of different heights. Multichannel tubes are also provided that include a bent section configured to locate a flow path near a leading edge of a tube within one section and near a trailing edge of the tube within another section.

Abstract: A highly supercharged gas-turbine generation system include a gas turbine power plant that is supercharged to a high inlet pressure, preferably over about 1.15 pressure ratio and preferably includes a transmission system with refrigerated transformers for increased output. The gas turbine power plant includes a precompressor that supercharges to a design pressure ratio of about 1.20 to 10, with a preferred pressure ratio of about 2. For high supercharging pressures, a pressure-reducer is located downstream of the gas turbine to maintain turbine outlet pressure that is close to the inlet pressure. The pressure-reducer is preferably an expander, but can alternatively be an orifice. A torque-limiting coupling on the shaft between the gas turbine and the generator prevents transient overload of the shaft. Capacity of the gas turbine plant is preferably controlled by varying supercharging pressure. The expander preferably has variable-pitch blades to allow efficient variation of turbine outlet pressure.

Abstract: A flow regulator being disposed in at least one of the outlets of a condenser to regulate the fluid flow in the condenser. The condenser has at least two fluid flow paths and an air flow drawn through the condenser by a condenser fan. The flow regulator regulates the fluid flow to substantially equalize the temperature of the fluid flow in the at least two fluid paths and to provide more efficient cooling of the fluid in the fluid flow paths.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include dissimilar tube spacing configurations. The heat exchangers include multiple sets of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with each other. One set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at one spacing while the another set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at a different spacing. The different spacing between the multichannel tubes allows each set of tubes to be configured to the properties of the refrigerant flowing within the tubes.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include dissimilar internal configurations. The heat exchangers include multiple sets of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with each other. One set of multichannel tubes contains flow channels of one shape and size while the another set of multichannel tubes contains flow channels of a different shape and/or size. The dissimilar flow channels within the multichannel tube sets allow each set of tubes to be configured to the properties of the refrigerant flowing within the tubes.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a highly supercharged, regenerative gas-turbine system. The gas turbine comprises a compressor, a regenerator, a combustor, and an expander. A pre-compressor pressurizes air going into the compressor section of the gas turbine. A cooler lowers the temperature of the air going into the compressor. The compressor pressurizes air, which then flows through the regenerator, which heats the air before it enters the combustor. The combustor further heats the air which then flows through the expander and then the regenerator. A post-expander is preferably located downstream of the regenerator. The post-expander is a second expander that receives high-pressure gas exiting the regenerator. The post-expander preferably drives the pre-compressor. The preferred pre-compressor and post-expander are toroidal intersecting vane machines (TIVMs), which are positive-displacement rotary devices. Numerous alternated embodiments of this basic system are described.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a highly supercharged, regenerative gas-turbine system. The gas turbine comprises a compressor, a regenerator, a combustor, and an expander. A pre-compressor pressurizes air going into the compressor section of the gas turbine. A cooler lowers the temperature of the air going into the compressor. The compressor pressurizes air, which then flows through the regenerator, which heats the air before it enters the combustor. The combustor further heats the air which then flows through the expander and then the regenerator. A post-expander is preferably located downstream of the regenerator. The post-expander is a second expander that receives high-pressure gas exiting the regenerator. The post-expander preferably drives the pre-compressor. The preferred pre-compressor and post-expander are toroidal intersecting vane machines (TIVMs), which are positive-displacement rotary devices. Numerous alternated embodiments of this basic system are described.

Abstract: A supercharging system for gas turbine power plants (11). The system includes a supercharging fan (30, 32) and controller (50) for limiting turbine power output to prevent overload of the generator (28) at lower ambient temperatures. The controller can limit power output by burner control, inlet temperature control, control of supercharging fan pressure and other options. The system can be retrofit on an existing turbine without replacing the generator and associated parts.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system with thermal storage system for storing cooling capacity. The storage system comprises a quantity of fill material that preferably comprises water or similar liquid that is located in a cavity in the ground. The fill material may also include a bed of gravel with the pool of liquid filling the void spaces in the gravel. Sidewalls of the cavity are preferably supported primarily by the mechanical properties of the earth and the fill material. The lower boundary of the cavity is impermeable liner. A cover that blocks solar radiation and preferably with thermal insulation covers the top of the fill material. A chiller and a pump supply cooled liquid during night or other times of reduced electrical costs and liquid from the storage flows through a liquid-to-air heat exchanger during peak demand periods.

Abstract: A gas-turbine supercharging system with improved control. A gas-turbine supercharger that preferably comprises a variable-pitch axial flow fan and a logger supplies, cooled, pressurized air to a gas-turbine power plant. The gas-power plant is preferably a part of combined-cycle power plant that comprises a steam cycle and a duct burner. A controller modulates the output of the fogger and the supercharging fan to maximize the total plant output and provide optimum efficiency without exceeding plant operating limits. The fogger and fan are preferably selected to maximize the allowable output from gas turbine at summer peaking conditions. For the case of a combined-cycle power plant, the preferred mode of operation is to reduce fog output while maintaining a maximum fan pressure as ambient temperature drops below the maximum design value.