Abstract: A refrigerant handling system includes coupling apparatus for coupling a refrigerant processing apparatus to an automotive air-conditioning system. The coupling apparatus includes a ball valve including a common port and at least two selectable ports, and a valve member manually movable among a closed condition, wherein the common port is connected to neither selectable port, and three open conditions wherein the common port is connected, respectively, to each of the selectable ports and both of the selectable ports. The common port of the valve is connected to the refrigerant processing apparatus, while the selectable ports are connected, respectively, to conduits for providing connections to the high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the air-conditioning system.

Abstract: A self-cooling can (10) which is suitable for cooling 300 ml of beverage by 30° F. in a maximum of 3 minutes comprises an internal evaporator (30) and an absorber unit (20) which is fixed typically to the base of the can. Cooling is initiated by providing a vapour path from the evaporator (30) to a desiccant region of the absorber unit (20). Heat is removed from the vapour and/or any heat due to the reaction with the desiccant (24) by heat sink material (26) around the desiccant region (22).

Abstract: A supply canister is partially filled with a refrigerant circuit additive liquid and is partially evacuated. Additive liquid from the canister may be placed into the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system by (1) connecting the canister to the circuit after it has been emptied and a vacuum pressure created therein, (2) connecting the canister to the refrigerant circuit suction line during system operation, or (3) connecting the canister to the suction line with the system off, to thereby force refrigerant from the circuit into the canister, and then starting the system to cause the vacuum pressure in the suction line to draw the contents of the canister into the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: In a refrigerator using a flammable coolant, in order to decrease danger of ignition when defrosting is conducted under an environment of leakage of the flammable coolant, the refrigerator comprises a cooling cycle evaporator and a defrosting devicve for defrosting the evaporator, wherein a temperature of the defrosting device is lower than an ignition temperature of the flammable coolant.

Abstract: An alternating electric field at an ice interface generates conductivity AC with a frequency greater than 1000 Hz in interfacial ice. Typically, a first electrode and a second electrode define an interelectrode space containing a stack of freezer packages. Each freezer package has an outer dielectric film and a continuous inner conductive layer coating the inside of the dielectric film. An AC power source provides a voltage of about 10 to 500 volts across the electrodes. The first and last freezer packages in the stack are proximate to the first and second electrodes, respectively. The AC voltage generates conductivity AC in the inner conductive layers. An alternating electric field between adjacent conductive layers generates conductivity current in the ice, resulting in Joule heat, which melts the ice.

Abstract: Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.

Abstract: An air conditioner including a compressor compressing a refrigerant to produce a high temperature gaseous refrigerant, a hot water producing device producing hot water by performing a heat exchanging process whereby heat is transferred from the high temperature refrigerant fed from the compressor to water, an outdoor heat exchanger performing a heat exchanging process whereby heat is transferred between the refrigerant and outside air, and a hot/cold water producing device producing hot water by performing a heat exchanging process whereby heat is transferred from the refrigerant fed from the hot water producing device to water, or producing cold water by performing a heat exchanging process whereby heat is transferred from water to the refrigerant fed from the outdoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: A refrigerator airflow distribution assembly includes an airflow diverter in flow communication with freezer compartment air. The diverter includes a primary flow path and at least one diverter opening therethrough, and together with a cover forms a secondary flow path in flow communication with the first flow path through the diverter opening. Freezer compartment air is directed to the primary flow path, and a portion of the air in the primary flow path flows through the diverter openings and into the secondary flow path, and is introduced to the fresh food compartment through one or more vents in the cover. Metered airflow through the diverter reduces temperature gradients in the refrigerator, as well as provides a regulated temperature source for a storage drawer in the fresh food storage compartment.

Abstract: The expansion of a high pressure or intermediate pressure refrigerant in an expansion device in a transcritical vapor compression system converts the potential energy into usable kinetic energy. The kinetic energy provides work which is employed to fully or partially drive an expansion motor unit which is coupled to rotating auxiliary machinery. By providing work to the rotating auxiliary machinery, system efficiency is improved. The auxiliary rotating machinery can be an evaporator fan or a gas cooler fan to pull the refrigerant through the evaporator and gas cooler, respectively. Alternatively, the auxiliary rotating machinery can be a water pump or an oil pump.

Abstract: An accumulator dehydrator for cooling circuits with a simplified structure comprising a hollow outer casing (12), cylindrical in shape, provided with a base (13) with a raised thickness, in which an inlet hole (14) and an outlet hole (16) are produced, said hollow outer casing (12) containing a filter element (22), a desiccant bag (31), a U-shaped tube and a diffuser element, in which the U-shaped tube, the filter element and the diffuser element are produced in a single moulded piece (19, 20, 22).

Abstract: A dehumidifying apparatus capable of continuously supplying dry air having an absolute humidity of 4 g/kgDA or lower is provided.

Abstract: A heat exchanger 17 for an electronic heat pump 11 includes a thermally conductive base plate 18 having first and second surfaces, the first surface being flat and adapted to make intimate surface contact with a surface of the electronic heat pump and the second surface being obverse to the first surface and supporting an array of thermally conductive fins 21. The adjacent fins 21 define there between a plurality of micro channels.

Abstract: Accumulator (10, 100) for an air-conditioning system. The inlet (58) fluid separation can be controlled, and there is control of the amount of compressor oil in circulation through an adjustable coupling between the interior and the outlet passage (56). Desiccating material (48) can be accommodated in many orientations, and can be made of various materials. The accumulator (10, 100) embodies an outer housing (12, 14) of two or more pieces and an inner liner (16) that is of one or more pieces. The inlet (58) directs the refrigerant into the inner volume formed by the liner (16), wherein the liquid refrigerant and compressor oil are contained and insulated from the wall (12, 14) of the outer housing.

Abstract: A heat pump system (10) includes a fluid refrigerant compressor (12) and heat exchanger units (14, 16). Heat transfer tubings (36, 50, 58, 60, 66, 82) interconnect the fluid refrigerant compressor (12) and the heat exchanger units (14, 16) in a series relationship for carrying refrigerant fluid. Flow control valves (22, 24) are provided and are interconnected between a treated waste effluent source (20) such as a municipal or private treated waste effluent supply or reservoir and the heat exchanger unit (16) for controlling the amount of water flowing from the treated waste effluent source (20) to the heat exchanger unit (16). The flow control valves (22, 24) are responsive to the pressure at the outlet (12b) of the fluid refrigerant compressor (12) sensed at port (26) in the heat transfer tubing (58) to automatically optimize the operating condition of the heat pump system (10).

Abstract: This invention relates to refrigerating or air conditioning system comprising at least one exchanger (2, 3) The system uses a refrigerant fluid according to a thermodynamic cycle comprising at least one liquid-vapor expansion phase. According to the invention, the liquid-vapor expansion phase is created by means of a diphasic turbine (4b) that actuates a ventilator (5b), causing air to circulate on said exchanger (3).

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling selected elements within an integrated circuit, such as active transistors or passive circuit elements used in a radio frequency integrated circuit is provided. In one embodiment, the cooling apparatus includes a cold plate thermally coupled to the region proximate the integrated circuit element, a thermoelectric cooler thermally coupled to the cold plate; and a hot plate thermally coupled to the thermoelectric cooler. Heat is removed from the integrated circuit element through the cold plate and transmitted to the hot plate through the thermoelectric cooler. In one form, the hot plate is located or coupled to an exterior surface of an integrated circuit, such that heat transmitted to the ambient from the integrated circuit element is dissipated into the atmosphere surrounding the integrated circuit. In another form, the hot plate is embedded in the integrated circuit substrate to locally cool elements of the integrated circuit while dumping the heat into the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an airconditioning system which uses a plurality of absorption chiller-cells, for refrigerating an antifreeze fluid that is circulated through fan-coil units of an airconditioning system. The anti-freeze fluid passes through refrigerant evaporators in each cell structure in a consecutive order for lowering the temperature of the antifreeze fluid gradually. More particularly, it relates to an absorption chiller-cell system having a plurality of evaporators employing multi-refrigerant circulation circuits in an absorption cycle to produce sufficient refrigerant for the airconditioning system. The invention enables the physical size of the system to be relatively small, so that the system can replace conventional electric airconditioning units for home applications.

Abstract: Box for refrigeration unit, the box being formed from a moulded, hollow walled, plastics shell. The walls of the shell are filled with an insulating material. Some components of a refrigeration unit, including an evaporator, are provided within the box, other components, including a compressor, are provided outside the shell. The box can be used as a plug box for a refrigeration unit.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a concentrated ammonia aqueous solution tank used in an absorption diffusion type refrigerating equipment. The present invention is characterized in that a capillary tissue is placed in the concentrated ammonia aqueous solution tank. The capillary tissue is formed by bending knitted metal nets or is integrally formed by means of sintering. Thereby, additional surface area of absorption reaction can be increased, and the volume and weight of the original absorber can be reduced, hence increasing refrigerating speed and reducing refrigerating temperature.

Abstract: A heat exchanger using thermoelectric structures is provided for cooling a heat generating component of an electronic device. The heat exchanger includes a row of spaced passages, for example, formed by two or more separate tubes or a single coiled tube, for carrying a first cooling fluid. The heat exchanger further includes a thermoelectric structure disposed between adjacent spaced passages and exposed to a second cooling fluid. In one embodiment, the heat exchange also includes fins disposed between the same adjacent spaced passages so that the thermoelectric structure is disposed between the adjacent passages and the fins.