Abstract: The disclosure relates to a unitary heat pump air conditioner (Unitary HPAC) having a plate type exchanger assembly, an electrically driven compressor, and coolant pumps. The plate heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of plates stacked and hermetically sealed between an upstream end plate and a downstream end plate. The stacked plates define a condenser/chiller portion adjacent the upstream end plate, an accumulator portion adjacent the downstream end plate, and an evaporator/chiller portion sandwiched between the condenser/chiller portion and the accumulator portion. A refrigerant passageway extends through the plate type heat exchanger assembly, a hot coolant passageway extends through the condenser/chiller portion, and a cold coolant passageway extends through the evaporator/chiller portion. The cold coolant passageway and the hot coolant passageway are in non-contact thermal communication with the refrigerant passageway.

Abstract: A machine tool cooling system and cooling method which allow cost reduction by reducing the number of control valves, and in which opening/closing control is simple are disclosed. The machine tool cooling system and cooling method include a hot oil tank storing hot oil, a cold oil tank storing cold oil, a first to third hot oil passages and a first to third cold oil passages, which supply the hot oil and the cold oil to a first to third heat generating portions, a hot oil return passage returning the hot oil to the hot oil tank, a first to third supply control valves interposed in the first to third cold oil passages, and a valve controller controlling opening/closing of the first to third supply control valves so that the cold oil is supplied to the first to third heat generating portions intermittently at different timings.

Abstract: Air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner based on a calculated value of a malfunctioning sensor are provided. The method for controlling the air conditioner having a plurality of indoor devices includes detecting a malfunctioning sensor of any one of the plurality of indoor devices, calculating a value of the malfunctioning sensor based on a value of a normal functioning sensor of another indoor device of the plurality of indoor devices, and controlling the indoor device based on the calculated value of the non-functioning sensor.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler regulation system and method provides adaptable connectors and directional dispersion components that couple to an evaporative cooler and tubes for distribution and directional dispersion of a fluid, such as evaporated air. The evaporative cooler system also provides at least one aperture that facilitates external access to the controls of the evaporative cooler. In this manner, the evaporative cooler and the resultant fluid may be regulated externally. The fluid is further regulated by expanding and interchanging the number of distribution tubes that carry the fluid. A hood attaches to the evaporative cooler, forming a seal. The hood comprises apertures for accessing controls and also for dispersing the fluid. A tube coupler joins the hood and a tube. The tube disperses the fluid through an attached dispersion grill. The dispersion grill pivots to directionally disperse the fluid. A series of tubes extend the range of the system.

Abstract: A battery system and a method for cooling the battery system are provided. The system includes an evaporative cooling member, and a battery module having a housing, a battery cell, and a solid cooling fin. The housing holds the battery cell therein. The solid cooling fin has first and second panel portions. The first panel portion is disposed against the battery cell. The second panel portion extends through the housing and is disposed on the evaporative cooling member. The solid cooling fin conducts heat energy from the battery cell to the evaporative cooling member. The evaporative cooling member receives a gaseous-liquid refrigerant and transitions the gaseous-liquid refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant utilizing the heat energy received from the solid cooling fin.

Abstract: An inertance tube for a pulse tube refrigerator which can be tuned to optimize performance. Apertures in the inertance tube fluidly communicate the inertance tube with a fluid reservoir. The effective length of the inertance tube is changed by alternatively closing or opening the apertures. Changing the effective length of the inertance tube causes a phase shift between the mass flow and pressure waves in the working gas which, in turn, changes the acoustic power. Controlling the phase angle improves Carnot efficiency. The cooling load capacity of the pulse tube refrigerator is a function of the acoustic power.

Abstract: A method for generating a heat flow from a magnetocaloric element (1) comprising at least one magnetocaloric material (2) comprising a hot end (3) associated with a hot chamber (4) and a cold end (5) associated with a cold chamber (6), the method comprises magnetically and alternately activating and de-activating the magnetocaloric element (1) and circulating a heat transfer fluid through the magnetocaloric element (1) alternately towards the hot chamber (4) and the cold chamber (5) in synchronisation with the magnetic activation and de-activation phases. This method is characterized in that the method comprises reversing the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid during the magnetic activation and de-activation phases and also relates to a magnetocaloric heat generator implementing the method.

Abstract: A food service system is formed using a plurality of units capable of being interlocked together in a variety of customizable configurations. The units of the food service system include a food service bar with buffet pan chillers, a work table, a cashier station, and variety of connecting pieces for linking each of the units together. The food service bar comprises a sneeze guard that protects the food contained within the bar on three sides and can be broken down and folded down and into itself when the bar is being transported or stored. The buffet pan chillers are double sided and configured such that when frozen, may accommodate a shallow food pan on one side and then flipped over to accommodate a deep food pan on the other side while still maintaining the same serving height. Each unit is configured to receive multiple sizes of wheels or casters.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cold air supply device received in an insulating partition that defines a storage compartment into upper and lower storage compartments. As cold air is supplied into the storage compartment below the insulating partition through the cold air supply device, the refrigerator has enhanced productivity and interior volume efficiency.

Abstract: Provided are a cooling apparatus and a refrigerator having the same. The cooling apparatus includes a case configured to receive a container holding a liquid, and an agitating member that is positioned within the case and that is configured to agitate the container holding the liquid. The cooling apparatus also includes an electro-magnetic power generator that includes an electromagnet and that is configured to generate a driving force that causes the agitating member to agitate the container holding the liquid.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a refrigerant evaporated in an outdoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant is drawn into a compressor in a state heated by a heater that includes a carbon nanotube heating element in a heating mode to more stably and efficiently perform heating.

Abstract: A space-saving cooling system for an aircraft may include an evaporator in an enclosure with an accumulation region in the enclosure for a liquid mixture of liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil. Space saving may be achieved through a combining of evaporator functions and accumulator functions in a single enclosure. A heat exchanger may be interposed between the evaporator and the compressor for heating refrigerant emerging from the evaporator so that liquid refrigerant does not reach an inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: Reusable and recyclable target temperature storage and shipping containers designed to maintain the content therein within desired temperature levels for greatly extended periods of time are disclosed. A First species is customized to maintain refrigeration temperatures for extended periods of time and the Second species maintains freezing temperatures for extended periods of time. Both species models include containers having outer protective layers and inner insulating layers as well as a cavity for holding payload being stored or shipped, and one or more areas for holding passive coolants in a predetermined relationship to the products within specific target temperatures. The different species provide cold or freezing temperatures in reusable or disposable models for various applications.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat medium circuit that circulates a heat medium different to the refrigerant on a heat source side. The heat medium circuit includes, for example, heat exchangers related to heat medium, use side heat exchangers, first heat medium flow switching devices and second heat medium flow switching devices that change passages of the use side heat exchangers, heat medium flow control devices that controls a heat medium amount in the corresponding use side heat exchangers. An on-off device is each provided on the upstream side of the heat medium flow control device and on the downstream side of the second heat medium flow switching device and a first backflow prevention device is each provided on the downstream side of the heat medium flow control device and on the upstream side of the first heat medium flow switching device.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow.

Abstract: An ice making device may include an ice tray, a water-supply part for supplying water to the ice tray, an electrostatic capacity sensor having two or more electrodes attached to the ice tray, a water quantity detecting section for detecting a water quantity in the ice tray on a basis of variation of an electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor, and an ice frozen detecting section for detecting water supplied to the ice tray having been frozen on the basis of the variation of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor. A control unit for the ice making device controls the water-supply part, an ice tray drive part and an ice detecting part on the basis of variation of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component. The apparatus includes a liquid-cooled structure, a thermal conduction path coupling the electronic component and the liquid-cooled structure, a coolant loop in fluid communication with a coolant-carrying channel of the liquid-cooled structure, and an outdoor-air-cooled heat exchange unit coupled to facilitate heat transfer from the liquid-cooled structure via, at least in part, the coolant loop. The thermoelectric array facilitates transfer of heat from the electronic component to the liquid-cooled structure, and the heat exchange unit cools coolant passing through the coolant loop by dissipating heat from the coolant to outdoor ambient air. In one implementation, temperature of coolant entering the liquid-cooled structure is greater than temperature of the outdoor ambient air to which heat is dissipated.

Abstract: An environmental control system including a turbomachine assembly having a shaft, motor, turbine and compressor, the compressor outputting a compressed air stream, a first valve that splits the compressed air stream into first and second compressed air streams, a heat exchanger to cool the first compressed air stream and output a cooled air stream, a second valve positioned to receive the cooled air stream and split the cooled air stream into first and second cooled air streams, wherein the first cooled stream is expanded in the turbine to produce an expanded air stream that is combined with the second compressed air stream and the second cooled air stream to provide a combined air stream having a temperature and a flow rate, and a controller that communicates control signals to the compressor, motor and first and second valves to control the temperature and flow rate of the combined air stream.

Abstract: A reliable, leak-tolerant liquid cooling system with a backup air-cooling system for computers is provided. The system may use a vacuum pump and a liquid pump and/or an air compressor in combination to provide negative fluid pressure so that liquid does not leak out of the system near electrical components. Alternatively, the system can use a single vacuum pump and a valve assembly to circulate coolant. The system distributes flow and pressure with a series of pressure regulating valves so that an array of computers can be serviced by a single cooling system. The system provides both air and liquid cooling so that if the liquid cooling system does not provide adequate cooling, the air cooling system will be automatically activated. The heat may be removed from the building efficiently with a cooling tower.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus includes a housing having a sidewall defining a chamber in the housing for containing a cryogen; and a first insulation member movably mounted for coaction with the sidewall, the first insulation member moveable to a position to expose or cover a select portion of the sidewall to provide a heat transfer effect.