Abstract: A coolant cycle system for cooling a structure includes a two stage compressor configured to compress a coolant. The two stage compressor has a first stage with a first stage inlet and a first stage outlet and a second stage with a second stage inlet and a second stage outlet. The second stage is a high pressure stage relative to the first stage. A gas cooler has a coolant inlet fluidly connected to the second stage outlet and has a gas cooler outlet. The gas cooler outlet is fluidly connected to a heat exchanger and a fluid storage tank. The heat exchanger is configured to cool the fluid storage tank and has a heat exchanger coolant outlet fluidly connected to the second stage inlet. The fluid storage tank has a fluid storage tank outlet fluidly connected to a coolant inlet of an evaporator. A coolant outlet of the evaporator is fluidly connected to the first stage inlet of the compressor. The first stage outlet of the compressor is fluidly connected to the second stage inlet.

Abstract: A purge system for removing non-condensables from a chiller system includes a purge chamber, a plurality of carbon beds fluidly connected to the purge chamber into which a flow of refrigerant and non-condensables is selectably directed from the purge chamber to remove the non-condensables therefrom. A vent line is fluidly connected to the plurality of carbon beds to dispose of the collected non-condensables, and a heater is operably connected to the plurality of carbon beds to selectably heat one or more of the carbon beds of the plurality of carbon beds to release refrigerant therefrom and direct the released refrigerant to the purge chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-circuit heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system for use with a first refrigerant in a first refrigerant circuit and a second refrigerant in a second refrigerant circuit. The second refrigerant circuit is fluidically isolated from the first refrigerant circuit. Additionally, a first sensor is operable to detect a leak of at least one of the first and second refrigerants or is operable to measure temperature or pressure from the first refrigerant circuit or the second refrigerant. The multi-circuit HVAC system further including a controller programmed to receive the measurement from the sensor to identify the circuit or circuits that are leaking, to turn off operation of the leaking circuit or circuits, and if only one circuit is leaking, operate only the other of the circuits.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and more particularly a method of detecting and mitigating refrigerant leaks in an HVAC system. The HVAC system includes a leak detection system for detecting a leak of the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit. The leak detection system includes a collection chamber locatable proximate a component of the HVAC system. The leak detection system also includes a sensor assembly including an enclosure comprising a sensor and a fan. The leak detection system also includes a flowline connecting the collection chamber with the sensor assembly such that the sensor assembly may be located away from the collection chamber and the component. The fan is operable to induce fluid flow from the collection chamber into the sensor assembly and the sensor is operable to analyze the fluid flow and detect a leak of the refrigerant from the component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a unit load device and a method for storing and transporting articles. The unit load device includes: a housing defining an internal space and an opening to the internal space; and a cover configured to operably open or hermetically close the opening; wherein the housing is provided with a housing temperature control layer containing at least a first phase change material, and/or the cover is provided with a cover temperature control layer containing at least a second phase change material, so that during storage of articles in the internal space hermetically closed by the cover, a temperature of the internal space is within a preset temperature range after a preset period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A moisture sensing system for a refrigerant flow of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a moisture sensor including a color change material sample located in a refrigerant flow of the HVAC system. The color change material sample configured to change color as an indication of a moisture level of the refrigerant flow. A color sensor is in optical communication with the moisture sensor and is configured to sense a color of the color change material and communicate the sensed color to an HVAC system controller. A method of operating an HVAC system includes exposing a condensing a color change material sample to a flow of refrigerant and sensing a color of the color change material via a color sensor. The color is indicative of a moisture level of the flow of refrigerant. The sensed color is communicated to an HVAC system controller.

Abstract: A refrigerated cargo container includes multiple exterior walls defining an exterior volume. Each of the exterior walls is thermally insulating. The container also includes multiple interior walls that define an interior volume within exterior walls. Each of the interior walls is thermally conductive. At least one fluid circuit is disposed between the plurality of exterior walls and the plurality of interior walls. The at least one fluid circuit including an inlet and an outlet and are configured to contain a super cooled fluid.

Abstract: A purge system for removing non-condensables from a chiller system includes a purge chamber, a plurality of carbon beds fluidly connected to the purge chamber into which a flow of refrigerant and non-condensables is selectably directed from the purge chamber to remove the non-condensables therefrom. A vent line is fluidly connected to the plurality of carbon beds to dispose of the collected non-condensables, and a heater is operably connected to the plurality of carbon beds to selectably heat one or more of the carbon beds of the plurality of carbon beds to release refrigerant therefrom and direct the released refrigerant to the purge chamber.

Abstract: A coolant cycle system for cooling a structure includes a two stage compressor configured to compress a coolant. The two stage compressor has a first stage with a first stage inlet and a first stage outlet and a second stage with a second stage inlet and a second stage outlet. The second stage is a high pressure stage relative to the first stage. A gas cooler has a coolant inlet fluidly connected to the second stage outlet and has a gas cooler outlet. The gas cooler outlet is fluidly connected to a heat exchanger and a fluid storage tank. The heat exchanger is configured to cool the fluid storage tank and has a heat exchanger coolant outlet fluidly connected to the second stage inlet. The fluid storage tank has a fluid storage tank outlet fluidly connected to a coolant inlet of an evaporator. A coolant outlet of the evaporator is fluidly connected to the first stage inlet of the compressor. The first stage outlet of the compressor is fluidly connected to the second stage inlet.

Abstract: A purge system for removing non-condensables from a chiller system includes a purge chamber, a plurality of carbon beds fluidly connected to the purge chamber into which a flow of refrigerant and non-condensables is selectably directed from the purge chamber to remove the non-condensables therefrom. A vent line is fluidly connected to the plurality of carbon beds to dispose of the collected non-condensables, and a heater is operably connected to the plurality of carbon beds to selectably heat one or more of the carbon beds of the plurality of carbon beds to release refrigerant therefrom and direct the released refrigerant to the purge chamber.

Abstract: A unit load device, which includes: a box, which is configured to carry cargos and provide heat insulation for the cargos; an optional phase change energy storage material, which is disposed on an inner side face of the box and configured to maintain the temperature of the cargos in the box; and a temperature adjustment module, which is detachably connected to the box to provide cold and/or heat to the box. Different combinations of the box, the temperature adjustment module and the phase change material meet different needs in the cargo transportation process and ensure the transportation efficiency and quality of the cargos.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a unit load device and a method for storing and transporting articles. The unit load device includes: a housing defining an internal space and an opening to the internal space; and a cover configured to operably open or hermetically close the opening; wherein the housing is provided with a housing temperature control layer containing at least a first phase change material, and/or the cover is provided with a cover temperature control layer containing at least a second phase change material, so that during storage of articles in the internal space hermetically closed by the cover, a temperature of the internal space is within a preset temperature range after a preset period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A refrigerated cargo container includes multiple exterior walls defining an exterior volume. Each of the exterior walls is thermally insulating. The container also includes multiple interior walls that define an interior volume within exterior walls. Each of the interior walls is thermally conductive. At least one fluid circuit is disposed between the plurality of exterior walls and the plurality of interior walls. The at least one fluid circuit including an inlet and an outlet and are configured to contain a super cooled fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of environmental control, comprising: passing a first air stream and a second air stream through a valve; wherein the valve directs the first air stream through a first adsorption bed and directs the second air stream through a second adsorption bed; wherein the first adsorption bed produces a dehumidified air stream, and wherein the second adsorption bed is purged of moisture by the second air stream, thus producing a purge stream; and using the valve to redirect the first air stream and the second air stream when the first adsorption bed reaches a moisture saturation point or a timed interval, wherein the first air stream passes through the second adsorption bed and the second air stream passes through the first adsorption bed.

Abstract: A purge unit (100; 600) comprises a vessel (234; 606) having an inlet (152; 608), a return port (154; 610), a first path between the inlet and the return port, a purge port (156; 612), and a second path between the inlet and the purge port. One or more thermoelectric units (220) are positioned to be in thermal communication with at least the first path.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed that includes a heat exchanger comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path through the heat exchanger between the inlet and the outlet. The system also includes a fluid circulation loop external to the heat exchanger connecting the outlet to the inlet. A phase change composition is disposed in the system flowing through the fluid circulation loop and the flow path through the heat exchanger. This the phase change composition includes a first PCM that is a plant or animal or paraffinic oil having a first melting point and a second PCM that is a plant or animal or paraffinic oil having a second melting point lower than the first melting point.

Abstract: An air conditioning and water producing system includes a heat pumping unit and a membrane contactor in thermal communication with the heat pumping unit. The membrane contactor is configured such that a first brine flow is cooled by the heat pumping unit and diluted at the membrane contactor. A distiller is in thermal communication with the heat pumping unit and the membrane contactor such that a second brine flow is heated by the heat pumping unit and conveyed through the distiller. Thermal interaction between the second brine flow and the first brine flow flowing through the distiller extracts water from the second brine flow.

Abstract: In one aspect, an air conditioning system is provided. The air conditioning system includes a refrigeration circuit having a refrigerant and an economizer circuit, and a subcooling circuit thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit, the subcooling circuit including a thermal energy storage (TES) unit and a phase change material (PCM) for thermal exchange with the refrigerant.

Abstract: A purge system for removing non-condensables from a chiller system includes a purge chamber, a plurality of carbon beds fluidly connected to the purge chamber into which a flow of refrigerant and non-condensables is selectably directed from the purge chamber to remove the non-condensables therefrom. A vent line is fluidly connected to the plurality of carbon beds to dispose of the collected non-condensables, and a heater is operably connected to the plurality of carbon beds to selectably heat one or more of the carbon beds of the plurality of carbon beds to release refrigerant therefrom and direct the released refrigerant to the purge chamber.

Abstract: An air temperature and humidity control device using a liquid-desiccant humidity controller thermally coupled to a heat pump is disclosed. The humidity controller may include a contactor having at least one contact module with a porous sidewall that is permeable to water vapor and impermeable to the liquid desiccant. The disclosed device provides air temperature control through heat transfer between the liquid desiccant and heat pump and provides humidity controls through water transfer between the desiccant and surrounding air.