Abstract: Climate control systems that circulates a refrigerant blend having high glide (difference in boiling points of refrigerants?25°R (about 14K) at atmospheric pressure) include an accumulator, a compressor, a first heat exchanger for at least partially condensing the refrigerant blend, a liquid-to-suction heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of the accumulator, a first expansion device, a receiver, a second expansion device, and a second heat exchanger that at least partially vaporizes the refrigerant blend, and a fluid conduit. A concentration of the refrigerant blend can be controlled by adjusting stored liquid levels in the accumulator and receiver. Methods for operating a climate control system that circulates a working fluid comprising a refrigerant blend having high glide are also provided.

Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a primary loop, an auxiliary loop, and first and second valves. The primary loop includes an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor. The first valve is positionable in first and second positions, such that the first valve fluidly connects the indoor heat exchanger to the compressor in the first position. The second valve is positionable in third and fourth positions, such that the second valve fluidly connects the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers in the third position. The auxiliary loop includes a thermal storage unit, a supply duct, and a return duct. The supply duct fluidly connects a thermal storage unit exit to the indoor heat exchanger when the first valve is in the second position. The return duct fluidly connects a thermal storage unit inlet to the indoor heat exchanger when the second valve is in the fourth position.

Abstract: In other features, a refrigeration system is provided and includes a compressor motor, an inverter, a converter and a control module. The inverter is configured to convert a direct current (DC) bus voltage to an alternating current (AC) voltage and supply the AC voltage to the compressor motor. The converter is configured to convert a DC input voltage to the DC bus voltage. The control module is configured to obtain a parameter and in response to the parameter exceeding a predetermined threshold, reduce the DC bus voltage and at least one of (i) reduce a switching frequency, (ii) increase an amount of negative d-axis current of the compressor motor, or (iii) reduce a speed of the compressor motor.

Abstract: A climate control system includes: a working fluid including a blend of first and second refrigerants; an accumulator; a compressor that receives the working fluid from the accumulator; a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressor; a liquid-to-suction heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of a receiver; a first expansion valve disposed between the liquid-to-suction heat exchanger and the receiver; a second expansion valve disposed between the receiver and a second heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger receiving the working fluid from the second expansion valve, at least partially vaporizing the working fluid, outputting the at least partially vaporized working fluid to the liquid-to-suction heat exchanger; and a control module configured to selectively adjust opening of the first and second expansion valves based on (a) decreasing capacity and increasing working fluid concentration and (b) increasing capacity and decreasing working fluid concentration.

Abstract: A charging device includes: a first inlet configured to receive a first refrigerant in vapor form; a second inlet configured to receive the first refrigerant in liquid form; a third inlet configured to receive a second refrigerant in liquid form, where the second refrigerant is a different type of refrigerant than the first refrigerant; an outlet configured to output the first and second refrigerants to a refrigeration system; a first valve fluidly connected between the first inlet and the outlet; a second valve fluidly connected between the second inlet and the outlet; a third valve fluidly connected between the third inlet and the outlet; and a control module configured to selectively open the first, second, and third valves and charge the refrigeration system with target amounts of the first and second refrigerants, respectively.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of compressor assemblies including lower covers having mounting feet skirts configured for increasing mounting feet stiffness and provide better resistance to crack formation due to vibration, e.g., in mobile and transport applications, etc. The mounting feet skirts may comprise full, rounded, and/or radiused skirts disposed along or around the entire end portions of the mounting feet near the mounting holes (e.g., bolt holes, etc.) in the mounting feet. Using full, rounded, and/or radiused skirts avoids or eliminates sharp corners, such as the sharp corner fillet features of conventional lower covers that are prone to having cracks form due to vibration while in transit.

Abstract: A bearing system includes a housing having an inner surface defining a bore and a slot, and a foil bearing assembly positioned within the bore. The foil bearing assembly includes an outer foil assembly, a bump foil assembly, and an inner foil assembly. The outer foil assembly includes an outer foil extending from a first outer foil end to a second outer foil end, and a first anti-rotation tab at the first outer foil end that is received by the slot to limit circumferential movement of the outer foil in a first direction. The inner foil assembly is secured to the outer foil and includes an inner foil extending from a first inner foil end to a second inner foil end, and a second anti-rotation tab at the second inner foil end that is received by the slot to limit circumferential movement of the inner foil in a second direction.

Abstract: A system includes a dynamic compressor and a controller. The dynamic compressor includes a motor having a driveshaft rotatably supported within the dynamic compressor and a compression mechanism connected to the driveshaft and operable to compress a working fluid upon rotation of the driveshaft. The controller is connected to the motor and includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions that program the processor to operate the motor to compress the working fluid at a motor speed greater than a predicted minimum surge speed plus a control margin, determine when surge events have occurred, store, in the memory, an indication of each surge event that the processor determined to have occurred, and determine whether or not to take a protective action when the processor determines that a surge event has occurred.

Abstract: A compressor may include first and second scrolls and a capacity-modulation system. The first and second scrolls include first and second end plates and first and second spiral wraps. The second end plate may define a suction inlet, a discharge passage, a modulation port, and a vent passage. The capacity-modulation system may include a control valve and a piston. The control valve is movable between first and second positions. The piston may be disposed within a recess in the second end plate and is movable between an open position in which communication between the modulation port and the vent passage is allowed and a closed position in which communication between the modulation port and the vent passage is prevented. Moving the control valve to the first position moves the piston to the closed position. Moving the control valve to the second position moves the piston to the open position.

Abstract: A compressor may include first and second scrolls and a capacity-modulation system. The first and second scrolls include first and second end plates and first and second spiral wraps. The second end plate may define a suction inlet, a discharge passage, a modulation port, and a vent passage. The capacity-modulation system may include a control valve and a piston. The control valve is movable between first and second positions. The piston may be disposed within a recess in the second end plate and is movable between an open position in which communication between the modulation port and the vent passage is allowed and a closed position in which communication between the modulation port and the vent passage is prevented. Moving the control valve to the first position moves the piston to the closed position. Moving the control valve to the second position moves the piston to the open position.

Abstract: A compressor may include first and second scrolls and a capacity-modulation system. The first and second scrolls include first and second end plates and first and second spiral wraps. The second end plate may define a suction inlet, a discharge passage, a modulation port, and a vent passage. The capacity-modulation system may include a control valve and a piston. The control valve is movable between first and second positions. The piston may be disposed within a recess in the second end plate and is movable between an open position in which communication between the modulation port and the vent passage is allowed and a closed position in which communication between the modulation port and the vent passage is prevented. Moving the control valve to the first position moves the piston to the closed position. Moving the control valve to the second position moves the piston to the open position.

Abstract: A refrigerant leak detection system includes a leak sensor module for sensing leaked refrigerant and a universal connector. The universal connector is configured as a junction for connecting an AC voltage source with the leak sensor module and an evaporator fan of a refrigerated case. The universal connector is configured to be operable for selectively supplying AC voltage from the AC voltage source to the evaporator fan, or to the leak sensor module, or to both the evaporator fan and the leak sensor module. When the leak sensor module is activated to conduct leak testing, the AC voltage from the AC voltage source to the evaporator fan is interrupted by the universal connector to thereby turn OFF the evaporator fan and facilitate detection of any leaked refrigerant.

Abstract: A heat-pump system includes a compressor, an outdoor heating exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a supplemental heater. The outdoor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the compressor. The indoor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the compressor. The expansion device is in fluid communication with the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. The supplemental heater includes a heat source and a working-fluid conduit. The heat source is in a heat-transfer relationship with the working-fluid conduit such that the heat source is configured to heat the working-fluid conduit. The working-fluid conduit is disposed fluidly between the expansion device and the indoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: An inlet guide vane apparatus includes a compressor end cap connectable with a main body of a compressor housing and a housing portion connected to the end cap. The housing portion and the end cap cooperatively define a fluid flow passageway and guide vane openings extending into the fluid flow passageway. The inlet guide vane apparatus also includes a ring gear rotatable relative to at least one of the housing portion and the end cap and guide vanes connected to the housing portion and the end cap. Each guide vane extends through one of the guide vane openings and includes a vane gear operably connectable with the ring gear and disposed at an exterior of the housing portion and a vane disposed within the fluid flow passageway. Each guide vane is rotatable such that an orientation of the vane within the fluid flow passageway is selectively adjustable.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a first compression mechanism and a second compression mechanism disposed in the housing, and a valve. Both the first compression mechanism and the second compression mechanism are configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure. The first compression mechanism includes a first cylinder housing having a first fluid storage plenum. The second compression mechanism includes a second cylinder housing having a second fluid storage plenum. An intermediate-fluid port is in selective fluid communication with the valve. The intermediate-fluid port is in fluid communication with the first fluid storage plenum via a first intermediate-fluid passage and the second fluid storage plenum via a second intermediate-fluid passage. Working fluid at an intermediate pressure enters the intermediate-fluid port through the valve. The intermediate pressure is greater than the suction pressure and less than the discharge pressure.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a first compression mechanism and a second compression mechanism disposed in the housing, and a housing cover fixed to the housing. Both the first compression mechanism and the second compression mechanism are configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure. The first compression mechanism includes a first cylinder housing having a first fluid storage plenum. The second compression mechanism includes a second cylinder housing having a second fluid storage plenum. The housing cover defines an intermediate-fluid port in fluid communication with the first fluid storage plenum via a first intermediate-fluid passage and the second fluid storage plenum via a second intermediate-fluid passage. Working fluid at an intermediate pressure enters the intermediate-fluid port. The intermediate pressure is greater than the suction pressure and less than the discharge pressure.

Abstract: A compressor includes a cylinder, a sleeve assembly disposed in the cylinder, and a piston disposed within the sleeve assembly. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve and a collar. The sleeve and the collar cooperate to define a plurality of ports. The piston is movable between a first position and a second position and is configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure at the first position to a discharge pressure at the second position. The piston and the sleeve assembly cooperate to selectively permit working fluid at an intermediate pressure to enter the cylinder. The intermediate pressure is greater than the suction pressure and less than the discharge pressure.

Abstract: A controller for a CO2 refrigeration system includes at least one input configured to receive an inlet air temperature from a first temperature sensor, an exit temperature from a second temperature sensor and an exit pressure from a pressure sensor, at least one output for controlling the valve and the fan, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured by instructions stored in the memory to receive, through the at least one input, the inlet air temperature from the first temperature sensor, and control, through the at least one output, the valve and the fan based on the inlet air temperature both when the CO2 refrigeration system is operating in a transcritical mode and when the CO2 refrigeration system is operating in a subcritical mode.

Abstract: A bearing system for a compressor including an unloader at least partially received within a recess of a driveshaft. The unloader includes an outer surface that is engaged with a bearing. An inner surface of the unloader is curved such that the unloader is pivotable relative to the driveshaft unload forces on bearing caused by deflection of the driveshaft.

Abstract: A climate-control system may include a vapor-compression circuit and an air handler assembly. The vapor-compression circuit may include a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger includes a conduit that is in fluid communication with the expansion device. The air handler assembly forces air across the conduit of the indoor heat exchanger. The air handler assembly may include an airflow device having a valve and an air-to-air heat exchanger. The air-to-air heat exchanger may include a first heat-exchanger duct and a second heat-exchanger duct. Air flowing through the first heat-exchanger duct may be in a heat-transfer relationship with air flowing through the second heat-exchanger duct. The airflow device may define a first airflow path and a second airflow path. The first airflow path may include the first heat-exchanger duct. The second airflow path may bypass the first heat-exchanger duct.