Abstract: A system includes a refrigerant compressor, an electric motor and configured to drive the refrigerant compressor, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the compressor in a liquid clearing start mode where electrical current through the motor is prevented from exceeding a predetermined current limit for a period of time not to exceed a predetermined period of time, and is configured to operate the compressor in a run mode in response to determining the motor exceeds a predetermined speed threshold at or before expiration of the predetermined period of time, wherein the run mode does not prevent electrical current through the motor from exceeding said predetermined current limit.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for increasing efficiency of a compressor while the compressor capacity exceeds compressor load, by using a mechanical unloader such as a slide valve to reduce the internal volume ratio of the compressor and allow a more efficient speed to be maintained by a variable frequency drive (VFD) while reducing the compressor capacity based on the load. Control systems include the VFD, a controller for the VFD and the mechanical unloader, and temperature sensors. Compressor embodiments further include one or more compressors and mechanical unloaders operated by the control systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are directed to a capacity modulating assembly configured to distribute two-phase refrigerant mixture to an evaporator of a HVAC system, such as a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHEX) evaporator. The capacity modulating assembly may include a plurality of expansion devices. During capacity modulation, at least one of the plurality of expansion devices can be closed so that a refrigerant flow rate through the remaining expansion devices can be maintained. The capacity modulating assembly can include a refrigerant outflow port, which may help direct refrigerant out of the heat exchanger. The capacity modulating assembly can be connected with the MCHEX. The plurality of expansion devices can be configured to extend inside a header of the MCHEX to help distribute refrigerant to the micro-channel tubes of the MCHEX.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing defining a working chamber. The housing further includes a bore and an endplate disposed toward a discharge end. The compressor further includes a rotor having helical threads, the rotor being configured to be housed in the bore, a rotor clearance, a controllable bearing supporting the rotor, and a controller configured to control the controllable bearing such that the controllable bearing moves the rotor in a manner to reduce and/or enlarge the rotor clearance.

Abstract: A method for operating a field testing device to detect an additive in a refrigerant and/or lubricant. The method includes mixing a reactive medium with the refrigerant and/or lubricant. The reactive medium is configured to react with any additive present in the lubricant and/or refrigerant to form a product that has a different color than the reactive medium. The method also includes determining the additive concentration of the lubricant and/or refrigerant by utilizing the color of the reaction mixture. The field operating device is portable such that the additive concentration may be determined while in the field.

Abstract: A scroll compressor lubrication system and a scroll compressor are disclosed. The scroll compressor includes a capacity modulator, a lubricant opening, and a gas diverting passage. The capacity modulator is in fluid communication with compression pockets for selectively unloading gas from the pockets. The lubricant opening is in fluid communication with at least one bearing portion of the scroll compressor. Lubricant from the at least one bearing portion in the scroll compressor flows through the lubricant opening. The gas diverting passage includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the gas diverting passage is in fluid communication with the capacity modulator, and the gas diverting passage extends below the lubricant opening such that gas from the outlet of the gas diverting passage can flow through a travel path of the lubricant that flows through the lubricant opening and entrains at least part of the lubricant to at least one bearing portion for lubrication.

Abstract: Systems and methods to isolate a vibration source (e.g., a compressor) externally are disclosed. The embodiments generally include preventing/reducing vibration and/or pulsation transmission from the vibration source by one or more functional/structural isolating members, and preventing/reducing sound radiated from the vibration source by one or more sound enclosures.

Abstract: HVAC components having improved efficiency are described. In one embodiment, excessive sleep current draw in a battery-powered device having a microcontroller is detected by measuring a voltage drop across a MOSFET device coupled in a forward-conducting orientation in series between the battery and the microcontroller, causing a transistor to conduct when the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined threshold to generate a first trigger signal, integrating the first trigger signal to generate a second trigger signal, and generating an interrupt to the microcontroller. In another embodiment, a battery-saving method of operating an HVAC component includes maintaining the HVAC device in the sleep mode, receiving a user input to wake the device, transmitting a data request and returning the HVAC component to the sleep mode, waking up the HVAC device to poll an adjacent network node storing a cached response, displaying the response, and returning the HVAC device to sleep.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for providing personalized comfort to occupants of a conditioned space. A precision air device having a standalone controllable fan with directional nozzles is provided. The precision air device includes environmental and occupancy sensors, and communicates with a user device and with other precision air devices in the space. Application software installed on an occupant's user device enables the occupant to specify whether it is too cold or too warm within his or her personal space, or microzone. The collective demand of all microzones within a VAV macrozone is determined by a precision air aggregator to adjust a controllable VAV damper for that macrozone.

Abstract: HVAC components having improved efficiency are described. In one embodiment, excessive sleep current draw in a battery-powered device having a microcontroller is detected by measuring a voltage drop across a MOSFET device coupled in a forward-conducting orientation in series between the battery and the microcontroller, causing a transistor to conduct when the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined threshold to generate a first trigger signal, integrating the first trigger signal to generate a second trigger signal, and generating an interrupt to the microcontroller. In another embodiment, a battery-saving method of operating an HVAC component includes maintaining the HVAC device in the sleep mode, receiving a user input to wake the device, transmitting a data request and returning the HVAC component to the sleep mode, waking up the HVAC device to poll an adjacent network node storing a cached response, displaying the response, and returning the HVAC device to sleep.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a blower assembly having a blower housing configured to operate with various sized impellers. The blower housing includes a cutoff that is selectively radially adjustable to locate a leading edge of the cutoff in a position relative to one of the various sized impellers to maintain a proper clearance between the leading edge of the cutoff and one of the various sized impellers in order to efficiently separate blower discharge airflow from incoming airflow collected in the blower housing and prevent recirculation of the blower discharge airflow through the blower housing.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a first scroll member, a second scroll member, and an aerostatic thrust bearing. The aerostatic thrust bearing forms a layer of gas between the second scroll member and a fixed supporting member to support the second scroll member as the second scroll member rotates and/or orbits. Also disclosed is a method of supporting a rotating/orbiting scroll member in a scroll compressor. The method including supplying pressurized gas to an aerostatic thrust bearing such that a layer of gas is formed between the rotating/orbiting scroll member and a fixed supporting member.

Abstract: An air handling unit comprises a cabinet, a blower assembly positioned within the cabinet, a slab positioned adjacent to and parallel to a vertical side of the cabinet, wherein the slab comprises a heat exchanger assembly, and at least one hinged connector that pivotally connects the slab to the cabinet.

Abstract: Embodiments of a water head for an evaporator in a HVAC system are provided. The water head may have a fluid entrance and a fluid exit in a side-by-side arrangement on one end of the water head, and a distribution chamber and a collection chamber in a top-down arrangement on opposite side of the water head. The distribution chamber and the collection chamber are configured to be in fluid communication with inlets and outlets of a heat exchanging tube bundle respectively. The distribution chamber and the collection chamber can be configured to have continuously smooth surface contours to help reduce pressure drop and fluid separation, and promote advantageous distribution of the process fluid among heat exchanging tubes when a process fluid flows between the fluid entrance or the fluid exit, and the distribution chamber or the collection chamber respectively.

Abstract: A heat exchange system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) may comprise a burner box, a hot collector box, and a heat exchanger tube. The heat exchanger tube may be disposed between, and in fluid communication with, the hot collector box and the burner box. The heat exchanger tube may be rigidly connected to at least one of the hot collector box or burner box by a swaged joint.

Abstract: An electronic expansion device includes a main body having inlet and outlet side faces; an inlet disposed on the inlet side face; an orifice formed in the main body between the inlet side face and the outlet side face; a flow path fluidly connecting an inlet side of the orifice and an outlet side of the orifice, the flow path configured to redirect an inlet flow and provide an outlet flow; an outlet disposed on the outlet side face, the outlet being in fluid communication with the inlet via the orifice and the flow path; and a flow control device including an electric motor and a sealing member, the sealing member extending through the main body between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the sealing member is movable into and out of the main body to control the outlet flow of a fluid.

Abstract: A condensing gas-fired furnace has a furnace cabinet, a primary heat exchanger, a secondary heat exchanger located upstream relative to the primary heat exchanger with regard to location within a circulation airflow path, a first baffle carried by a first wall of the furnace cabinet, a second baffle carried by a second wall of the furnace cabinet, wherein the second baffle is located opposite the first baffle, and wherein the second wall is located opposite the first wall, and a third baffle carried by a third wall of the furnace cabinet, wherein the third baffle is located adjacent to the first baffle and the second baffle, and wherein the third wall is located adjacent to the first wall and the second wall.

Abstract: A system for calibrating sensors includes at least one computer server configured to be in communication with at least one uncalibrated sensor and at least one calibrated sensor, and a calibration module stored on the server. The calibration module may be configured to receive calibrated sensor data from the at least one calibrated sensor, and output calibration data to the at least one uncalibrated sensor.

Abstract: Methods as disclosed herein are generally configured to help determine a pressure differential (or pressure head) in a fluid circulation system of for example, a HVAC system, for controlling the fluid circulation system. The method may include obtaining a correlation between a fluid flow rate and a pressure differential in the fluid circulation system by varying an operation speed of the pump. The method may also include obtaining a desired fluid flow rate for matching a cooling capacity of the HVAC system and determining a pressure differential setpoint corresponding to the desired fluid flow rate based on the correlation between the fluid flow rate and the pressure differential. The methods can be executed by, for example, a controller of the HVAC system so as to eliminate the requirement of a user to set up the pressure differential.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system configured for automated failure triage, inventory analysis, and customer feedback communication is provided. The HVAC system includes a controller in operable communication with at least one peripheral component of the HVAC system for receiving information relating to the at least one peripheral component, and configured to receive customer feedback information, and a server in operable communication with the controller for receiving and analyzing the information relating to the at least one peripheral component and the customer feedback information.