Abstract: An air compressor system is disclosed that includes a housing sized to enclose an air compressor pump as well as a dryer structured to remove moisture from air that is compressed by the compressor pump. The air compressor pump may be intermittently placed into operation, but the dryer itself is structured in one form to continuously maintain a heat exchanger in a desired temperature range in anticipation of operation of the air compressor pump. The heat exchanger of the dryer can include sufficient thermal mass such that a refrigerant pump of the dryer need not be operated continuously in anticipation of operation of the air compressor pump. While a cooling air flow can be created by operation of the air compressor pump, when the air compressor pump is not operated a cooling fan can be used provide cooling to the heat generating components of the dryer.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation is directed within a storage area formed of a plurality of layers including an outer ultraviolet reflective layer, an inner ultraviolet transparent layer, and a layer located between the outer ultraviolet reflective layer and the inner ultraviolet transparent layer. The refractive index of the layer between the outer ultraviolet reflective layer and the inner ultraviolet transparent layer is less than the refractive index of the inner ultraviolet transparent layer. A set of ultraviolet radiation sources generate ultraviolet radiation directed at a set of items located within the storage area.

Abstract: An air conditioning method includes the steps of: dehumidifying an air stream to be provided to a building space by exposing the air stream to a liquid desiccant in a conditioner; diverting a portion of the air stream dehumidified in the conditioner to an air treatment unit acting as an evaporative chiller to that causes the portion of the dehumidified air stream to absorb water from a water source and thereby cool a heat transfer fluid, and providing the heat transfer fluid cooled in the air treatment unit to the conditioner to cool the air stream to be provided to the building space; and regenerating the liquid desiccant used in the conditioner.

Abstract: An air cycle machine comprises rotating components that include a fan, a compressor, and a first turbine. The air cycle machine also includes a cooling airflow path that receives cooling air from a cooling air source, directs the cooling air to an air-cooled bearing for at least one of the rotating components, and discharges the cooling air. The airflow path is isolated from an inlet of the compressor by a seal member, and the airflow path is configured to maintain pressure at the seal member above a pressure at the compressor inlet.

Abstract: The present application discloses a refrigerator capable of easily fixing a drain hose to one side of an inner case without having an additional fixing member used of fixing a drain hose. A refrigerator having an inner case configured to have a storage compartment formed therein; an outer case disposed outside the inner case and spaced a predetermined distance away from the inner case; a drain hose connected to one side of the inner case and disposed in an inner space formed between the inner case and the outer case; and a connector configured to connect the drain hose to the inner case, wherein the connector is mounted in the inner case using a hooking method.

Abstract: A microchannel condenser includes a first header, the first header including a body defining an interior and further defining an inlet bore and a first outlet bore, and a second header spaced apart from the first header, the second header including a body defining an interior and further defining a second outlet bore. The microchannel condenser further includes a conduit in fluid communication with the second outlet bore. The microchannel condenser further includes a plurality of tubes extending between the first header and the second header, each of the plurality of tubes defining a plurality of microchannels, each of the plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with the interior of the first header and the interior of the second header, each of the plurality of microchannels having a maximum cross-sectional width of less than or equal to 5 millimeters.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating, at a target ice/liquid ratio with a corresponding target temperature, a slush comprising frozen and non-frozen liquid comprises a flow path for recirculation of liquid therethrough, the flow path comprising a heat exchanger having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, the heat exchanger being configured for flow therethrough of coolant at a temperature below the target temperature, the apparatus being configured to vary the rate of coolant flow through the heat exchanger between a first rate and a second rate that is lower than the first rate.

Abstract: A climate-control system includes a variable-capacity compressor unit operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode and a control module configured to (i) switch the variable-capacity compressor unit between the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal, a current outdoor air temperature, and an outdoor-air-temperature slope, (ii) select a region based on a first comparison of at least one outdoor-air-temperature value with a predetermined outdoor-air-temperature range and a second comparison of at least one outdoor-relative-humidity value with a predetermined outdoor-relative-humidity range, and (iii) set at least one system operating parameter based on the selected region, the at least one system operating parameter including at least one of a high-capacity runtime of the variable-capacity compressor unit, a low-capacity runtime of the variable-capacity compressor unit, and a fan speed.

Abstract: A refrigerated shelf unit includes a housing, shelves arranged stair-like within the housing, an access opening arranged in the housing, and a night time cover assembly which closes the access opening. The night time cover assembly includes a shutter tube fastened to the housing, an insulating film with an upper end fixed to the shutter tube and a lower end, a tensioning rail arranged at the lower end of the insulating film, and a pivot arm. The insulating film is rolled on the shutter tube when the night time cover assembly is open and is rolled off the shutter tube to span the access opening when the night time cover assembly is closed. An upper and lower end of the pivot arm are hinged to hinges which are inclined so that a pivot plane of the pivot arm is inclined by 10° to 70° with respect to a vertical plane.

Abstract: An active temperature controlled container is configured to be portable so as to safely transport temperature sensitive and perishable goods (such as biological material): within a vessel that is thermally coupled to a thermoelectric assembly disposed within the container, where the thermoelectric assembly is powered by a battery. The battery is secured within a compartment in an outer portion of the housing of the container in a way that the battery may be removed to be recharged, inspected, swapped out for another battery or power source, or the like.

Abstract: A refrigerant bunker comprises a refrigerant covering comprising a first thermally insulating material configured to enclose a solid refrigerant and an outer container comprising a container body and a container cover. The container body comprising an outer surface, an inner surface defining a partially enclosed space configured to accept the solid refrigerant and an opening for accessing the partially enclosed space. The container cover is configured for covering the container opening. The container body comprises a second thermally insulating material. A plurality of spacers protrude from the inner surface of the outer container in the partially enclosed space. The plurality of spacers are positioned to have gas fillable gaps between the spacers. Coolers employing the refrigerant bunker are also disclosed.

Abstract: A geothermal probe for exchanging heat between ground surrounding the geothermal probe, in which the geothermal probe is arranged in the operating state, and a heat transfer fluid includes inflow and outflow pipes. The inflow pipe has an inflow pipe inner surface and the outflow pipe, arranged therein, has an outflow pipe outer surface. Between the inflow pipe inner surface and the outflow pipe outer surface and annular space is formed that is entered by the heat transfer fluid in laminar flow. At least two mixing elements are arranged at a distance from one another in the annular space. The mixing elements bring about a repeated alternation between laminar flow of the heat transfer fluid and mixing.

Abstract: Provided is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner capable of obtaining efficient air blowing performance by optimizing a length dimension of a heat exchanger and a relative position of a blower. A front end portion is disposed closer to the left side panel than a rotation shaft of the first blower, and a rear end portion is disposed closer to the right side panel than a rotation shaft of the first blower in the first heat exchanger, and a front end portion is disposed closer to the right side panel than a rotation shaft of the second blower, and a rear end portion is disposed closer to the left side panel than a rotation shaft of the second blower in the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: An ambient water condensing apparatus that extracts water vapor from ambient air utilizing a thermoelectric device, a superhydrophobic and/or superhydrophilic radiating condensing surface and a heat sink for providing point of source irrigation or drinking water using conventional and/or sustainable energy supplies. The thermoelectric device is thermally coupled intermediate of the condensing surface and the heat sink, and in particular a cold side of the thermoelectric device is thermally connected to the condensing surface and a hot side of the thermoelectric device is thermally connected to the heat sink. The water condensing apparatus may also include at least one fan element that cools the heat sink and introduces additional air to the condensing surface. The thermoelectric device and the fan element may be powered by any suitable electrical energy source, such as by solar energy, wind energy or grid power.

Abstract: A one-piece part based on a magnetocaloric material not comprising an alloy comprising iron and silicon and a lanthanide is provided. The part comprises a base in a first plane defined by a first and second direction and a set of N unitary blades secured to the base; the blades having a first dimension in the first direction, a second dimension in the second direction and a third dimension in a third direction at right angles to the first and second dimensions; an ith blade being separated from an (i+1)th blade by an ith distance; the ratio between the second dimension and first dimension being at least 10; the ratio between the third dimension and first dimension being at least 6; the first dimension being the same order of magnitude as the distance separating an ith blade from an (i+1)th blade. A thermal generator comprising one-piece parts is provided.

Abstract: A refrigerant service system comprises a compressor having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit, and an accumulator including an outer housing shell and an inner housing shell disposed within the outer housing shell. A first chamber is defined in the accumulator between the inner housing shell and the outer housing shell, the first chamber being configured to receive refrigerant from the inlet conduit and discharge the refrigerant to the compressor inlet. A second chamber is defined in the accumulator within the inner housing shell, the second chamber being configured to receive the refrigerant from the compressor outlet and discharge the refrigerant to the outlet conduit. Heat is transferred from the refrigerant in the second chamber through the inner shell to the refrigerant in the first chamber.

Abstract: A self-retracting dry ice container enclosing solid carbon dioxide and retracting as the solid carbon dioxide sublimates is provided

Abstract: Systems and methods to create and store a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in light-hydrocarbon solvents under temperatures and pressures that facilitate improved volumetric ratios of the stored natural gas as compared to CNG and PLNG at the same temperatures and pressures of less than ?80° to about ?120° F. and about 300 psig to about 900 psig. Preferred solvents include ethane, propane and butane, and natural gas liquid (NGL) and liquid pressurized gas (LPG) solvents. Systems and methods for receiving raw production or semi-conditioned natural gas, conditioning the gas, producing a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in a light-hydrocarbon solvent, and transporting the mix to a market where pipeline quality gas or fractionated products are delivered in a manner utilizing less energy than CNG, PLNG or LNG systems with better cargo-mass to containment-mass ratio for the natural gas component than CNG systems.

Abstract: An improved, energy-efficient HVAC system and method of use employing a solution that is run parallel to refrigerant lines in a chiller unit. The solution is directed through the chiller unit through its proximity to chilled refrigerant wherein the chilled solution, rather than refrigerant, enters an air handler or an air pump and used to adjust the air temperature to a desired level. The system and method permits the place of a refrigerant based system external an enclosed building and a non refrigerant based system position internal the enclosed building.

Abstract: A stator and a rotor are mounted inside a case of the permanent magnet motor, and separate the inner cavity of the case into a first inner cavity and a second inner cavity. Axial ventilation holes in communication with the first inner cavity and with the second inner cavity, are disposed in teeth of a stator core of the stator, and each axial ventilation hole is a taper hole extending in a height direction of each tooth. The width of one end of the axial ventilation hole, which is close to a head of the tooth, is greater than the width of the other end of the axial ventilation hole, which is close to a root of the tooth. The taper holes enable fluid to fully carry out exchange heat at the teeth where heat is generated most intensively.