Abstract: A system that includes a hydronic heat pump; an indirect storage tank (IST) configured to heat potable water stored therein; an air handler unit (AHU) configured to heat an enclosure; a hydronic loop configured to direct hydronic flow between the hydronic heat pump, the IST and the AHU; a temperature control system comprising a space heating thermostat configured to control an air temperature in the enclosure and one or more IST thermostats configured to control a temperature of the potable water in the IST; and a control system comprising control logic configured to control operation of components of the combi heating system among a plurality of predetermined operating modes, in response to an operating call from the temperature control system.

Abstract: A multi-function heating and cooling device, comprising components for an ambient air-coupled sorption heat pump cycle and vapor compression cooling cycle integrated together inside a single enclosure is proposed. The sorption heat pump portion is configured to provide very high heating efficiency, while the vapor compression portion is configured to provide high cooling efficiency. The evaporator coil for the sorption cycle and the condenser coil for the vapor compression cycle are configured to share a common ambient-air fan, saving space and cost. By combining the two heating-cooling systems into a single enclosure with shared components, the total installed cost and outdoor space required is reduced compared to installing separate heating and cooling systems.

Abstract: A device that heats/cools air includes a heat exchanger that contains hydronic fluid; a blower that moves air over and/or through the heat exchanger; a pump that circulates the hydronic fluid; a first vessel that contains hydronic fluid under pressure, air, a sealed first opening, a second opening that allows the hydronic fluid to exit the first vessel, a third opening that allows the hydronic fluid to enter the vessel, and a fourth opening; a second vessel that contains hydronic fluid at atmospheric pressure, a sealed first opening, and a second opening in communication with the first vessel, wherein the second vessel is in communication with the fourth opening; a valve that allows hydronic fluid to flow from the second vessel to the first vessel when pressure inside the first vessel decreases below zero psig, and prevents hydronic fluid from flowing from the first vessel to the second vessel.

Abstract: An electronic expansion valve (EEV) is operated by a motor controlling a variable restriction valve in which a liquid refrigerant enters at a high pressure and exits at a reduced pressure. The motor controls the depth of a tapered needle which, as extended, penetrates multiple fixed orifices, aligned in series. Additional fixed orifices, downstream of the fully extended needle, provide further restriction and management of refrigerant flashing. Depending on the desired operating range, the following elements may be controlled: needle length, diameter, and taper; diameter, thickness, and relative elevation of each orifice; response and maximum torque provided by the motor; and geometry of the valve enclosed volume.

Abstract: A method operates an absorption heat pump system, specifically the flow of hydronic cooling fluid through the condenser during system start-ups, or when the cooling fluid temperature is low. To minimize the time for an absorption heat pump to reach full cooling or heating capacity, it is desirable for the high side pressure to increase as fast as possible, and the low side pressure to decrease as fast as possible. Since the high side pressure is a function of the temperature of the refrigerant exiting the condenser, if the condenser cooling fluid temperature is low, the corresponding high side pressure will be low, which may not permit adequate working fluid flow rates from the high pressure side of the system to the low pressure side.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has an outer tube and an inner tube extending through a lumen of the outer tube. The outer tube has a spiral corrugation and an inner surface of the corrugation contacts or is in proximity to an exterior surface of the inner tube to define a spiral annular channel in an annular space between the inner tube and outer tube.

Abstract: An electronic expansion valve (EEV) is operated by a motor controlling a variable restriction valve in which a liquid refrigerant enters at a high pressure and exits at a reduced pressure. The motor controls the depth of a tapered needle which, as extended, penetrates multiple fixed orifices, aligned in series. Additional fixed orifices, downstream of the fully extended needle, provide further restriction and management of refrigerant flashing. Depending on the desired operating range, the following elements may be controlled: needle length, diameter, and taper; diameter, thickness, and relative elevation of each orifice; response and maximum torque provided by the motor; and geometry of the valve enclosed volume.

Abstract: A heat activated (preferably natural gas, propane, solar or waste heat fired) absorption heat pump water heater and heat exchange system. The heat driven absorption heat pump system extracts low grade heat from the ambient air and produces high grade heat suitable for heating water for domestic, climate control or process purposes in a storage tank. Flue gases exiting the absorption heat pump system are further cooled by the heated water to enable high (condensing) combustion efficiencies. The heat activated heat pump water heating system achieves COP of 1.5 or greater.

Abstract: A heat activated (preferably natural gas, propane, solar or waste heat fired) absorption heat pump water heater and heat exchange system. The heat driven absorption heat pump system extracts low grade heat from the ambient air and produces high grade heat suitable for heating water for domestic, climate control or process purposes in a storage tank. Flue gases exiting the absorption heat pump system are further cooled by the heated water to enable high (condensing) combustion efficiencies. The heat activated heat pump water heating system achieves efficiencies of 150% or greater.