Abstract: Cascaded Cold Climate Heat Pump systems (“CCCHP”) and methods are disclosed. A CCCHP provides efficiency improvements over traditional heat pump systems by utilizing a connected cascaded circuit configuration, to apportion compressor load of a heat pump circuit between two or more circuits. One embodiment that allows the CCCHP to achieve this efficiency improvement includes connecting multiple cold climate heat pump circuits through an intermediary heat exchange unit in a cascaded configuration, where energy is displaced from one refrigerant flow of a circuit into the refrigerant flow of another circuit. This allows each circuit to deploy a smaller compressor that operates within a narrower pressure and temperature range, than it otherwise would if it utilized a single larger compressor in a single circuit operating within a larger pressure range, which has a larger pressure differential between its initial state and its desired state causing inefficiency in the system.

Abstract: An axial cyclone air filtration apparatus integrated with a bipolar-charged agglomeration includes a pre-charge region and an axial cyclone coagulation dust separation apparatus, and the pre-charge region is arranged on an air inlet side of the axial cyclone coagulation dust separation apparatus. Suspended particles in air are charged with charges of different polarities in the pre-charge region before entering the axial cyclone coagulation dust separation apparatus. The organic combination of electric coagulation technology and axial cyclone dust separation technology improves the filtering efficiency for ultra-fine particles in air.

Abstract: A tie band with various locking methods is disclosed. The tie band can include a head and a band extending from the head. The head includes a first flange, a second flange, and a connector connecting the first flange and the second flange. The connector defines a hole in the head. The band includes two elongate faces, two side faces, and protrusions extending from the side faces. In some aspects, the band is fusible to the head by applying heat to the head, at least one of the protrusions, or a combination thereof when the portion of the band is inserted through the hole.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (heat pump HVAC) system, and more particularly to a system operable to use a refrigerant to heat or cool an indoor space with a refrigerant circuit performing a reversible vapor compression cycle between an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger. The heat pump HVAC system includes an ejector in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a first flow of refrigerant upstream from the outdoor heat exchanger and a second flow of refrigerant downstream from the outdoor heat exchanger; and the ejector is configurable to combine the first flow and the second flow into a combined flow, at least a portion of which is returned to the compressor.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and controller therefor to operate with thermal energy reservoirs are provided to set a four-way valve to route a refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit in a first direction when the HVAC system is set to a cooling mode or in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, when the HVAC system is set to a heating mode; and set bypass valves in the refrigerant circuit based on a temperature of a temperature holding material in a thermal energy reservoir and which of the heating mode and the cooling mode the four-way valve is set to, wherein the bypass valves route the refrigerant through the thermal energy reservoir to transfer thermal energy between the refrigerant and the temperature holding material.

Abstract: A flame penetration resistant flexible duct and related devices and methods are disclosed. The flexible duct can include a tubular core, a vapor barrier, and an insulation assembly. The tubular core is configured to convey a fluid. The vapor barrier surrounds the tubular core. The insulation assembly is positioned between the tubular core and the vapor barrier. Further, the insulation assembly can include an insulation layer and a scrim layer bonded to the insulation layer. The scrim layer is configured to resist flame penetration of the flexible duct.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a HVAC system operable to use a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit to heat or cool an indoor space and includes a defrost circuit connected to the refrigerant circuit. The defrost circuit includes a first three-way valve, a defrost line, a defrost passage in an outdoor heat exchanger, and a defrost return line. When the HVAC system is in a defrost mode, a four-way valve is operable to direct the refrigerant flow in a second direction through the outdoor heat exchanger. The first three-way valve is operable to divert some or all of the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit and through the defrost circuit to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger. The defrost return line returns the diverted refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit upstream of an expansion device and downstream of the indoor heat exchange with respect to the second direction.

Abstract: A bed for at least one animal is provided. The bed includes a strip of belting having a front end, a back end, and opposing sides, an animal bed having a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The first fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a first width extending between a first side and a second side of the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a second width extending between a first side and a second side of the second fluid chamber. A first fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the first chamber, and a second fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the second chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are fluidly isolated from one another. A method of preparing for use a bed for at least one animal is also provided. In addition, a system for using a bed for at least one animal is also provided.

Abstract: An axial cyclone air filtration apparatus integrated with a bipolar-charged agglomeration includes a pre-charge region and an axial cyclone coagulation dust separation apparatus, and the pre-charge region is arranged on an air inlet side of the axial cyclone coagulation dust separation apparatus. Suspended particles in air are charged with charges of different polarities in the pre-charge region before entering the axial cyclone coagulation dust separation apparatus. The organic combination of electric coagulation technology and axial cyclone dust separation technology improves the filtering efficiency for ultra-fine particles in air.

Abstract: A bed for at least one animal is provided. The bed includes a strip of belting having a front end, a back end, and opposing sides, an animal bed having a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The first fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a first width extending between a first side and a second side of the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a second width extending between a first side and a second side of the second fluid chamber. A first fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the first chamber, and a second fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the second chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are fluidly isolated from one another. A method of preparing for use a bed for at least one animal is also provided. In addition, a system for using a bed for at least one animal is also provided.

Abstract: A bed for at least one animal is provided. The bed includes a strip of belting having a front end, a back end, and opposing sides, an animal bed having a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The first fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a first width extending between a first side and a second side of the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a second width extending between a first side and a second side of the second fluid chamber. A first fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the first chamber, and a second fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the second chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are fluidly isolated from one another. A method of preparing for use a bed for at least one animal is also provided. In addition, a system for using a bed for at least one animal is also provided.

Abstract: A bed for at least one animal is provided. The bed includes a strip of belting having a front end, a back end, and opposing sides, an animal bed having a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The first fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a first width extending between a first side and a second side of the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a second width extending between a first side and a second side of the second fluid chamber. A first fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the first chamber, and a second fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the second chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are fluidly isolated from one another. A method of preparing for use a bed for at least one animal is also provided. In addition, a system for using a bed for at least one animal is also provided.

Abstract: A bed for at least one animal is provided. The bed includes a strip of belting having a front end, a back end, and opposing sides, an animal bed having a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The first fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a first width extending between a first side and a second side of the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber is provided within the strip of belting and includes a second width extending between a first side and a second side of the second fluid chamber. A first fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the first chamber, and a second fluid supply tube is in fluid connection with the second chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are fluidly isolated from one another. A method of preparing for use a bed for at least one animal is also provided. In addition, a system for using a bed for at least one animal is also provided.

Abstract: An improved bedding for livestock of this invention provides a bed strip for livestock having at least two elastomeric belts bonded together, one on top of the other, to form at least one bed with at least two chambers, front and rear, expandable under fluid pressure, that, once properly filled with a working volume of fluid, will each attain a convex pillow-like shape. The fluid volume in the chambers is such that when an animal steps on the rear chamber of the bed the top belt makes contact with the bottom belt to provide a stable base for the animal's foot, yet, when the animal drops to its knees on the front chamber of the bed, during the process of lying down or rising to standing, the knees are supported by a fluid cushion between the top and bottom belts.

Abstract: An insert for a shoe comprises a pouch having a moldable, thixotropic material and a shell having a catalyst. The shell is capable of being ruptured by massaging the pouch to allow the catalyst to be released from the shell and mixed with the material. A pressure sensitive adhesive is on the bottom of the pouch to secure it to the inner sole of a shoe, and a nylon layer is on the top of the pouch to absorb moisture and provide an aesthetic appearance. In use, the pouch is massaged to mix the catalyst and moldable material and is then placed in a shoe. The user places a foot in the shoe and applies a light weight to the foot so that the pouch assumes the shape of the foot bottom and fills that space between the foot and the shoe. Then, the foot is removed to allow the material to cure. When the material is cured the insert prevents excessive collapse of the foot.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymers having enhanced hydrophilicity and thermal regulative properties. Exemplary polymers include aliphatic polyamide polymers and polyester polymers. The polymer has bonded thereto a hydrophilic polysiloxane having an affinity for the polymer and having a molecular weight greater than about 1000 g/mol preferably greater than about 2000 g/mol, and preferably greater than about 4000 g/mol. The polymer has substantially no polymerization with the hydrophilic polysiloxane. Alternatively, an aliphatic polyamide polymer is provided having enhanced hydrophilicity and thermal regulative properties. The polymer has bonded thereto an anionic hydrophilic polysiloxane having an affinity for the aliphatic polyamide polymer. The aliphatic polyamide polymer has substantially no polymerization with the anionic hydrophilic siloxane.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymers having enhanced durable hydrophilicity and rewetting properties. The polymer has bonded thereto a hydrophilic copolymer. The copolymer comprises the reaction product of a primary hydroxylate having rewetting properties and a silane. The aliphatic polyamide or polyester polymer has an affinity for the hydrophilic copolymer and has substantially no polymerization with the hydrophilic copolymer. The present invention also provides a process of treating polymers to impart hydrophilicity and rewetting properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymers having enhanced hydrophilicity and thermal regulative properties. Exemplary polymers include aliphatic polyamide polymers and polyester polymers. The polymer has bonded thereto a hydrophilic polysiloxane having an affinity for the polymer and having a molecular weight greater than about 1000 g/mol preferably greater than about 2000 g/mol, and preferably greater than about 4000 g/mol. The polymer has substantially no polymerization with the hydrophilic polysiloxane. Alternatively, an aliphatic polyamide polymer is provided having enhanced hydrophilicity and thermal regulative properties. The polymer has bonded thereto an anionic hydrophilic polysiloxane having an affinity for the aliphatic polyamide polymer. The aliphatic polyamide polymer has substantially no polymerization with the anionic hydrophilic siloxane.