Abstract: A device that collects water vapor, from the ambient air, through condensation or deposition, on the surface of its unique heat exchangers, which are embodied with opposing intertwined and alternating refrigeration circuits. In a dual refrigeration circuit/dual heat exchanger configuration, one refrigeration circuit is responsible for freezing heat exchanger A and heating heat exchanger B while the other refrigeration circuit is responsible for heating heat exchanger A and freezing heat exchanger B. The alternating refrigeration circuits work together to intermittently freeze then thaw each heat exchanger. The water run-off from the thawing process is then collected for use. The condenser tubes of one refrigeration circuit are positioned proximate to the evaporator tubes of the second refrigeration circuit to facilitate the exchange of heat. The system may further comprise heat exchanger fins in contact with the tubes. Multiple pairs of heat exchangers may be utilized.

Abstract: A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.

Abstract: An integrated device in an HVAC system is configured to modify an environmental condition of a building. The device includes a valve configured to regulate the flow of fluid through a conduit, an actuator comprising a motor and a drive device, and a communications mechanism. The communications mechanism is configured to receive a flow rate setpoint from an external control device of an outer control loop. The device further includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine an actuator position setpoint using a cascaded feedback control mechanism based on the flow rate setpoint and a flow rate measurement from a flow rate sensor of an inner control loop. The valve, the actuator, the communications mechanism, and the processing circuit are located within a common integrated device chassis.

Abstract: An economized refrigeration system includes a main refrigerant circuit having a condenser, an evaporator, an economizer, an expansion device intermediate the condenser and the economizer, and a main compressor fluidly connected by a main refrigerant line. The system also includes an economized refrigerant circuit including an auxiliary compressor system and an auxiliary refrigerant line fluidly connecting the economizer to the auxiliary compressor system and fluidly connecting the main refrigerant line to the auxiliary compressor at a location intermediate the main compressor system and the condenser. The auxiliary compressor system is independently controllable with respect to the main compressor system.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a compressor compressing a refrigerant, a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, a refrigerant tube guiding a flow of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, an expansion device decompressing the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, and an evaporator evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the expansion device. The evaporator includes an evaporation tube through which the refrigerant decompressed in the expansion device flows, a coupling tube through a refrigerant heat-exchanged with the refrigerant of the evaporator flows, and a heat-exchange fin coupled to the evaporation tube and the coupling tube.

Abstract: An HVAC actuator configured to actuate an HVAC component may include a rotatable output shaft having a full range of rotation between a first end position and a second end position, a drive mechanism configured to selectively drive the output shaft, and a housing having a front side that faces away from the HVAC component. The HVAC actuator may include a range adjustment lever manipulatable from the front side of the housing that allows a user to selectively limit rotation of the output shaft to a reduced range that is a subset of the full range. In some instances, the range adjustment lever allows the user to select between two or more predetermined reduced ranges. The two or more predetermined reduced ranges may each include the first end position but have a different second stop position, or include the second end position but have a different first stop position.

Abstract: A refrigerant is provided that may include at least one compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the at least one compressor, a first expansion device that decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, a gas/liquid separator that separates the refrigerant decompressed in the first expansion device into a liquid refrigerant and a gaseous refrigerant, first and second evaporators, to which the liquid refrigerant separated in the gas/liquid separator may be introduced, and a second expansion device disposed at an inlet-side of the second evaporator to decompress the refrigerant.

Abstract: An embodiment of method used to control operation of a screw compressor of a refrigeration system may include receiving status signals regarding operation of the screw compressor of the refrigeration system. The method may further include determining an operating point of the screw compressor based upon the received status signals, and selecting a torque profile for the screw compressor based upon the operating point. The method may also include driving the screw compressor per the selected torque profile. Refrigeration systems and compressor systems suitable for implementing the method are also presented.

Abstract: For the single-handle dual-control thermostatic valve and the faucet, a hot water incoming channel, a hot water outgoing channel, a cold water incoming channel and a cold water outgoing channel are provided in the valve core body respectively. A static ceramic chip is provided above the valve core body in the valve jacket, a dynamic ceramic chip is provided on the static ceramic chip. On the static ceramic chip, a hot water inlet passage, a hot water outlet passage a cold water inlet passage and a cold water outlet passage are provided separately, the hot water inlet passage, the hot water outlet passage, the cold water inlet passage and the cold water outlet passage are connected correspondingly with the hot water incoming channel, the hot water outgoing channel, the cold water incoming channel and the cold water outgoing channel of the valve core body respectively. On the dynamic ceramic chip, a hot water controlling channel and a cold water controlling channel are provided.

Abstract: A ventilation system utilizing fans to bring air into a building and/or exhaust air out of the building powered at least in part by solar panels that can be quickly and easily mounted on the building, such as on roof vents, windows, and the like adjacent to the fans. A sensor may be operatively connected to a controller or logic circuit to measure environmental factors to determine whether to activate the fans. The ventilation system is configured to be a modular device with versatile fasteners for easy installment in windows, attics, or roof tops.

Abstract: A cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system may have an evaporator, an evaporator fan, a condenser, and at least one compressor. The compressor may be either a single speed or a variable speed compressor. In addition, the system can use a mechanical or electrical pulsed operation refrigerant flow control valve for controlling refrigerant flow to the evaporator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for using the geographic location of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one mobile electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces.

Abstract: A relay module includes a case forming an exterior of the relay module, a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) device configured to control the supply of power to the compressor, a holder mounted at the case and configured to accommodate the PTC device, a start capacitor electrically connected to the PTC device, a first connecting terminal having a first PTC connecting terminal connected to the PTC device and a first capacitor connecting terminal connected to the start capacitor, and a second connecting terminal having a second PTC connecting terminal connected to the PTC device and a second capacitor connecting terminal connected to the start capacitor. The first capacitor connecting terminal and the second capacitor connecting terminal are spaced apart a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the case.

Abstract: A refrigerator with a freezer compartment having a door to open and close the freezer compartment. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces. An ice storage bin is mounted to the door for receiving ice from the ice maker. A cover is hinged to the ice marker. The cover is moveable between an unrestricting position in which ice is discharged when the door is in a closed position to a restricting position in which ice does not discharge when the door is in an open position. A sliding tray having sidewall enclosing an area behind the ice maker and extending the depth between the ice maker and a rear wall of the refrigerator, defines a storage chamber.

Abstract: Methods for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure such as a dwelling are described that include an “auto-away” and/or “auto-arrival” feature for detecting unexpected absences which provide opportunities for significant energy savings through automatic adjustment of the setpoint temperature. According to some preferred embodiments, when no occupancy has been detected for a minimum time interval, an “auto-away” feature triggers a changes of the state of the enclosure, and the actual operating setpoint temperature is changed to a predetermined energy-saving away-state temperature, regardless of the setpoint temperature indicated by the normal thermostat schedule. The purpose of the “auto away” feature is to avoid unnecessary heating or cooling when there are no occupants present to actually experience or enjoy the comfort settings of the schedule, thereby saving energy.

Abstract: An evaporative fluid cooling apparatus includes a cooling housing, at least two fluid coils, an air movement apparatus, and one or more spray apparatuses. The cooling housing defines a cooling chamber with an air housing input and an air housing output. The fluid coils are positioned in and extend across at least a portion of the cooling chamber in a spaced apart stacked arrangement. One of the fluid coils is positioned closer to the air housing output and has a first fluid input configured to be coupled to a fluid return from one or more air handler devices and a first fluid output coupled to a second fluid input to the other fluid coil. The other fluid coil is positioned closer to the air housing input and has a second fluid output configured to be coupled to a fluid supply to the air handler devices.

Abstract: A pressure operation control module is provided for a coolant recovery device and includes a gas path flow division module, two pressure-variable cylinders, a motor, and at least one the control circuit. The gas path flow division module has high-pressure and low-pressure coolant terminals respectively coupled to high-pressure and low-pressure electromagnetic valves and high-pressure and low-pressure sensors for providing connection control and pressure detection of the high-pressure and low-pressure terminals for coolant recovery. The variable-pressure cylinders each have an output terminal connected to an input terminal of the gas path flow division module. The pressure-variable cylinder includes at least one piston/connection rod assembly including a connection portion and a joint portion. The piston/connection rod assembly maintains a linear movement in the pressure-variable cylinder for all angles.

Abstract: An air conditioning control system allows a supply air switching controller to alternately switch outside air control and return air control at a preset switching interval. The supply air switching controller is connected to an air conditioner placed to correspond to each room inside as an air conditioning control subject. The outside air control takes outside air into a temperature/humidity adjustment coil of the air conditioner by opening a first damper provided in the air conditioner in order to adjust an intake volume of the outside air into the air conditioner and by closing a second damper provided in the air conditioner in order to adjust an intake volume of return air from the room inside. The return air control takes the return air from the room inside into the temperature/humidity adjustment coil of the air conditioner by closing the first damper and opening the second damper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostat valve for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine with a coolant stoppage function, comprising a first bypass valve element and a second bypass valve element, a main valve element to be arranged in a counterpart to a connection to a coolant radiator, and a crossmember to be arranged between an engine outlet and an engine inlet, which crossmember forms a valve seat for the first bypass valve element and the second bypass valve element, wherein, on its outer side, the crossmember has a collar which forms an axial supporting region for the counterpart and which is loaded in the axial direction by a compression spring, with the result that the collar is forced in the direction of the counterpart.

Abstract: A fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) system is provided for a refrigeration circuit having an evaporator and a compressor configured to circulate a refrigerant through the evaporator. The FDD system includes a communications interface configured to receive a measurement of a thermodynamic property affected by the refrigeration circuit and a processing circuit having a processor and memory. The processing circuit is configured to use the measured thermodynamic property to determine an expected suction entropy of the refrigerant at a suction of the compressor, use the expected suction entropy to determine an expected thermodynamic discharge property of the refrigerant at a discharge of the compressor, determine an actual thermodynamic discharge property of the refrigerant at the discharge of the compressor, and detect a fault in the refrigeration circuit by comparing the expected thermodynamic discharge property with the actual thermodynamic discharge property.