Abstract: A flow rate regulation valve is used for a refrigeration cycle device for air conditioning. The flow rate regulation valve is constituted by: an inlet flow rate control valve connected to the inlet side of an inside evaporator and functioning in the refrigeration cycle device as an expansion valve for depressurizing and expanding a refrigerant flowing into the inside evaporator; and an outlet flow rate adjustment valve connected to the outlet side of the inside evaporator and functioning as an evaporation pressure adjustment valve for adjusting evaporation pressure in the inside evaporator to a predetermined target pressure at which frost is not formed. The flow rate regulation valve is characterized in that, when the opening of one of the inlet flow rate control valve and the outlet flow rate adjustment valve increases, the flow rate regulation valve displaces so that the opening of the other decreases.

Abstract: Hot water heater systems and methods for controlling electronic mixing valves of hot water heater systems are disclosed. An electronic mixing valve provides a flow of water in a mixed output line. A method includes determining a temperature value inside a hot water tank of the hot water heater, and comparing the hot water tank temperature value to a setpoint temperature value. The method further includes comparing a temperature value for water in the mixed output line to a lower setpoint threshold value when the hot water tank temperature value is greater than the setpoint temperature value, wherein the lower setpoint threshold value is less than the setpoint temperature, and setting the electronic mixing valve to a safe position wherein the electronic mixing valve is less than fully open when the temperature value for water in the mixed output line is less than the lower setpoint threshold value.

Abstract: A method of operating a refrigerant service system to charge an air conditioning circuit includes pre-charging a predetermined pre-charge quantity of refrigerant into the air conditioning circuit, determining an average temperature in the air conditioning circuit based upon a pressure in the air conditioning circuit after pre-charging the air conditioning circuit, determining a charge compensation value based upon the determined average temperature in the air conditioning circuit, and charging the air conditioning circuit with a quantity of refrigerant based upon the charge compensation value.

Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system comprises a plurality of temperature zones and at least one door. Comprises an air-conditioning unit configured to condition and provide air to at least one of the plurality of temperature zones, temperature zone sensors each associated with a temperature zone for measuring the temperature therein, and a control unit. The control unit receives information representing the closing state of a cabin door, and is coupled to the temperature zone sensors and configured to control the temperature of the conditioned air provided to at least one of the plurality of temperature zones in two operation modes. In a first mode, when doors are closed, the temperature control depends on the measured temperatures in the temperature zones. In the second mode, it depends on a set-temperature, independent of the measured temperature in a temperature zone affected by an open door.

Abstract: A system is provided that allows relatively low temperature water to be withdrawn from a pipeline, heated and then returned to the pipeline. At least one embodiment includes a device for adjusting the rate of flow through a primary pipe so that desired temperatures are maintained during the heating process.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system and related systems, methods, and computer program products for facilitating user-friendly installation of the thermostat are described. For one embodiment, automated installation verification is performed by the thermostat by automatically sensing which wires have been inserted, selecting a candidate HVAC operating function (e.g., heating or cooling) that is consistent with a subset of HVAC signal types indicated by the inserted wires, applying control signals to the HVAC system to invoke that HVAC operating function, and processing a time sequence of acquired temperature readings to determine whether that HVAC operating function was successfully carried out. For one embodiment, the initial automated testing of the heating and cooling functions are only carried out at times for which such heating or cooling function would normally be invoked during normal operation of the thermostat. Automated determination of a heat pump call convention is also described.

Abstract: A system for adjusting temperature of cooling-liquid comprises: a radiator; a cooling-liquid circulation flow-channel; a radiator bypass flow-channel; a thermostat valve; and a valve bypass flow-channel through which the cooling-liquid of the radiator bypass flow-channel is allowed to flow in a predetermined amount even if the thermostat valve is completely closed.

Abstract: A staging control process for an evaporative media cooling system having a plurality of media stages is disclosed. In one step, a leaving air dry bulb temperature setpoint for air exiting the evaporative media cooling system is received or defined. In one aspect, an expected media exit dry bulb temperature is calculated for each media stage based on a dry bulb temperature and a wet bulb temperature of air entering the media cooling system and based on a measured or assigned condition of the media. In another aspect, an estimated combined leaving dry bulb temperature is calculated for different combinations of activated and deactivated media stages. Once the estimated leaving temperature is known, the method can then activate the media stage(s) associated with the combination that has an estimated combined leaving dry bulb temperature that is nearest to but less than the leaving air dry bulb temperature setpoint.

Abstract: Method for controlling an HVAC ventilation fan in heating or cooling mode and varying the fan-off time delay as a function of heat source or cool source operational time. Method for increasing heater ventilation fan speed from the low speed used for heating to the high speed used for cooling. Method for maintaining the heat pump reversing valve signal at the same position throughout the cool or heat source operational and extended variable fan-off time delay. Method for closing economizer dampers at the end of the cool or heat source operational time while continuing to operate the ventilation fan for an extended variable fan-off time delay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, device and computer program for terminating a defrosting cycle within a refrigerated transport container. The container may include: a transport volume, a cooling unit comprising an evaporator arranged in a cooling space, a return air grid arranged to separate said cooling space from said transport volume, means for sensing temperature indicative of the return air temperature of air returning to said cooling space from said transport volume or the temperature of the return air grid, means for actively heating said evaporator during defrosting cycles, and a processor configured for controlling the duration of said defrosting cycles. The method includes: establishing an indicator(s) indicative of frost and/or ice build-up on said return air grid, and terminating a defrosting cycle when an indicator(s) of frost and/or ice build-up on said return air grid indicates that said return air grid is free of frost and/or ice.

Abstract: A storage assembly, which is in particular suitable for use in a cooling system designed for an operation with a two-phase coolant medium, comprising a storage container with a receiving area for receiving a coolant medium and a conveying device for conveying coolant medium from the receiving area of the storage container. The conveying device is formed integral with the storage container of the storage assembly.

Abstract: A method of determining a time delay for turning off an evaporator fan in a refrigerator after a compressor of the refrigerator is turned off includes operating the evaporator fan in the refrigerator for a period of time, operating the compressor of the refrigerator to cool the refrigerator to a predetermined temperature after turning off the evaporator fan, determining a power consumption value for operating the compressor to cool the refrigerator, repeating the previous steps to obtain a plurality of times and a plurality of power consumption values, selecting the time coinciding with a lowest power consumption value, and adapting the refrigerator to use the time as the time delay for turning off the evaporator fan in the refrigerator after the compressor of the refrigerator is turned off.

Abstract: Device for thermal energy exchange between a first medium flow and a second medium flow, including a heat exchanger that facilitates alternating of the direction of the media flows therethrough, a first supply duct for conducting the first medium flow connecting to the heat exchanger, a first exhaust duct for conducting the first medium flow connecting to the first exhaust duct, a second supply duct for conducting a second medium flow connecting to the heat exchanger, and a second exhaust duct for conducting the second medium flow connecting to the heat exchanger. The device also includes a first heat exchanger element placed in one of the ducts and a second heat exchanger element placed in one of the ducts, wherein the heat exchanger elements are both included in a Carnot circuit having an expansion device and a compressor. The heat exchanger exchanges both thermal energy and phase transition energy.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling an air conditioner are provided. The method includes sensing, by an air conditioner control apparatus, a user action requesting a temperature control, checking whether one of a common control mode in which a setting temperature is controlled at a first temperature control interval and a minute control mode in which the setting temperature is controlled at a second temperature control interval, which is less than the first temperature control interval, is selected in response to the sensed user action, calculating the setting temperature based on the user action and a result of the checking, and transmitting the calculated setting temperature to the air conditioner.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, relating to an air module and control thereof. An air module can include a controller, an air intake module configured to receive first air from a first air source and to receive second air from a second air source, an evaporative cooling module in fluid communication with the air intake module, and a mechanical cooling module in fluid communication with the evaporative cooling module. The controller can be configured to cause the intake module to mix the first air and the second air to form intake air, and selectively cool the intake air to form supply air by at least one of causing the evaporative cooling module to selectively cool the intake air, and causing the mechanical cooling module to selectively cool the intake.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a curd maker to make curd directly disposed in a refrigerating compartment wherein curd is made by the curd maker disposed in the refrigerating compartment and is kept fresh. The refrigerator includes a curd maker provided in a refrigerating compartment to ferment milk into curd, wherein the curd maker includes a case including an outer case forming an external appearance of the case and an inner case provided in the outer case, an insulation member provided between the outer case and the inner case, a curd container received in the inner case to store milk, a heater provided between the inner case and the insulation member to heat the curd container, a fan to supply cool air from the refrigerating compartment to the curd container to cool the curd container, and a temperature sensor to measure temperature in the curd maker.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor. In certain arrangements, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor. A climate control system can include a separator gasket located within a housing of a fluid module and at least partially between the cold passage and the hot passage. In some embodiments, the separator gasket comprises one or more wicking materials.

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: A machine for making and dispensing ice creams, comprises in combination: a container designed to contain a basic mixture for converting it into ice cream; a mixer and a refrigeration system, operatively associated with said container respectively for mixing said basic mixture and for cooling said basic mixture in such a way as to convert it, in the container, into ice cream; a control and operating unit, operatively associated with said refrigeration system for controlling activation and deactivation of said refrigeration system and for regulating its cooling thermal power at least between a first, production thermal power and a second, preservation thermal power which is lower than said first, production thermal power, said control and operating unit being designed to allow said refrigeration system to be activated at the second, preservation power when said container is substantially empty.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, a server room managing air conditioning system includes: a first coil; a second coil; and an air supply fan. The first coil adjusts returned air of a server room to a predetermined temperature value lower than a supplied air temperature target value and dehumidifies the returned air. The second coil adjusts the returned air of the server room to a predetermined temperature value higher than the supplied air temperature target value so that the supplied air temperature target value and a supplied air humidity target value can be achieved when the returned air is mixed with air adjusted by the first coil. The air supply fan mixes the returned air and supplies the mixed returned air as the supplied air to the server room.