Abstract: A thermal management system includes an integrated open-circuit refrigeration system and closed-circuit heat pump system. The thermal management system includes a receiver having a first receiver port and a second receiver port, the receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid, an evaporator having a first evaporator port and a second evaporator port, the heat pump circuit having a closed-circuit fluid path with the receiver and the evaporator and an open-circuit refrigeration system configured to receive refrigerant from the receiver, with the open-circuit refrigeration system having an open-circuit fluid path that includes the receiver and the evaporator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regenerative ejector-based cooling cycles that utilize an ejector as the motivating force in a cooling loop to regeneratively sub-cool a refrigerant in a single-stage cooling cycle.

Abstract: A device for controlling the temperature of an external fluid. The device including a compressor for compressing an internal fluid, a first heat exchanger in a temperature control circuit for transferring thermal energy between the internal fluid and the external fluid. The device is further configured for use within a system for controlling the temperature of blood.

Abstract: A compressor includes: a first cylinder, the first cylinder being provided with a first gas intake and a first gas outlet, the first air outlet being connected to a predetermined heat exchanger; a second cylinder, the second cylinder being provided with a second gas intake and a second gas outlet, and the second gas outlet being connected to the predetermined heat exchanger; and a gas pre-exhausting device. The gas pre-exhausting device is provided on a cylinder block of the first cylinder or on an upper end surface of the first cylinder or a lower end surface of the first cylinder; the gas pre-exhausting device includes a gas pre-exhausting port and a first control valve controlling the gas pre-exhausting port to be open or closed; and the gas pre-exhausting port is connected to the second gas intake. Further disclosed is an air conditioner system including the compressor.

Abstract: A piezoelectric cooling system and method for driving the cooling system are described. The piezoelectric cooling system includes a first piezoelectric cooling element and a second piezoelectric cooling element. The first piezoelectric cooling element is configured to direct a fluid toward a surface of a heat-generating structure. The second piezoelectric cooling element is configured to direct the fluid to an outlet area after heat has been transferred to the fluid by the heat-generating structure.

Abstract: A predetermined volume of ice-cream mix is provided to an ice cream making system or method. The ice-cream mix is cooled and whipped to form ice cream.

Abstract: A cooling system drains oil from low side heat exchangers to vessels and then uses compressed refrigerant to push the oil in the vessels back towards a compressor. Generally, the cooling system operates any number and combination of three different modes of operation: a normal mode, an oil drain mode, and an oil return mode. During the normal mode, a primary refrigerant is cycled to cool one or more secondary refrigerants. As the primary refrigerant is cycled, oil from a compressor may mix with the primary refrigerant and become stuck in a low side heat exchanger. During the oil drain mode, the oil in the low side heat exchanger is allowed to drain into a vessel. During the oil return mode, compressed refrigerant is directed to the vessel to push the oil in the vessel back towards a compressor.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of flexibly cooling thermal loads by providing a complex compound system for burst mode cooling, a vapor compression system for ancillary cooling, and a thermal storage system for helping efficiently maintain and cool a thermal load such as a directed energy weapon system.

Abstract: Provided is a gas-liquid separator, including a connection pipe connected to a refrigerant pipe in the evaporator, the refrigerant pipe in which a two-phase refrigerant flows, a header connected to the connection pipe, wherein a gas refrigerant separated from the two-phase refrigerant flows inside the header, a bypass pipe connected to the header to guide a flow of the gas refrigerant to a compressor, a flow rate control valve installed at the bypass pipe, and a controller configured to control opening and closing of the flow rate control valve based on whether a preset condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A cooling system drains oil from low side heat exchangers to vessels and then uses compressed refrigerant to push the oil in the vessels back towards a compressor. Generally, the cooling system operates in three different modes of operation: a normal mode, an oil drain mode, and an oil return mode. During the normal mode, a primary refrigerant is cycled to cool one or more secondary refrigerants. As the primary refrigerant is cycled, oil from a compressor may mix with the primary refrigerant and become stuck in a low side heat exchanger. During the oil drain mode, the oil in the low side heat exchanger is allowed to drain into a vessel. During the oil return mode, compressed refrigerant is directed to the vessel to push the oil in the vessel back towards a compressor.

Abstract: A system and method for removing nitrogen from natural gas using two fractionating columns, that may be stacked, and a plurality of separators and heat exchangers, with horsepower requirements that are 50-80% of requirements for prior art systems. The fractionating columns operate at different pressures. A feed stream is separated with a vapor portion feeding the first column to produce a first column bottoms stream that is split into multiple portions at different pressures and first column overhead stream that is split or separated into two portions at least one of which is subcooled prior to feeding the top of the second column. Optional heat exchange between first column and second column streams provides first column reflux and reboil heat for a second column ascending vapor stream. Three sales gas streams are produced, each at a different pressure.

Abstract: A cryopump includes a cryocooler which includes a high-temperature cooling stage and a low-temperature cooling stage, a radiation shield which is thermally coupled to the high-temperature cooling stage and axially extends in a tubular shape from a cryopump intake port, and a low-temperature cryopanel section which is thermally coupled to the low-temperature cooling stage, is surrounded by the radiation shield, and includes a plurality of cryopanels and a plurality of heat transfer bodies axially arranged in columnar shape, and in which the plurality of cryopanels and the plurality of heat transfer bodies are axially stacked.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG). An exemplary method includes flowing a high-pressure stream of LNG through a first series of liquid turbines. The exemplary method also includes generating electricity by reducing the pressure of the high-pressure stream of LNG to form a low-pressure stream of LNG. The exemplary method additionally includes bypassing any one the liquid turbines that has a failure while continuing to produce electricity from the first series.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes a closed-circuit refrigeration system (CCRS) that includes a vapor cycle system (VCS). The VCS includes a receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid; a liquid separator; a compressor; a condenser; at least one evaporator configured to extract heat from at least one heat load that is in thermal conductive or convective contact with the evaporator; and a thermal energy storage (TES) that stores a phase change material. The thermal management system further includes a liquid pumping system (LPS) that includes the TES, the at least one evaporator, and the liquid separator, with the LPS further including a pump. The VCS is configured to operate one at a time in at least one of three operational modes that are a TES cooling mode, a heat load cooling mode, or a pump-down mode. The LPS is configured to operate in the heat load cooling mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a gas stream is provided comprising at least one heat exchanger in which a gas stream is cooled against a cooling liquid, whereby the cooling liquid temperature increases from a first temperature to a second temperature, at least one air cooler for cooling the cooling liquid after passing though the at least one heat exchanger, surface area of the at least one air cooler being designed to decrease temperature of the cooling liquid to the first temperature; a pump; and conduits to form a closed-circuit for the cooling liquid to pass continuously through the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one air cooler. The ratio of surface area of the at least one air cooler to the surface area of the at least one heat exchanger is optionally 12 or lower, and the difference of temperature between the second temperature and first temperature being greater than 15° C.

Abstract: A system includes a flash tank, a first load, a second load, a first compressor, a second compressor, a first valve, and a second valve. The flash tank stores a refrigerant. The first and second loads use the refrigerant to cool first and second spaces. The first compressor compresses the refrigerant from the first load during a first mode of operation and a flash gas from the flash tank during a second mode of operation. The second compressor compresses a mixture of the refrigerant from the first and second loads during the first mode of operation. The first valve directs the flash gas from the flash tank to the first compressor during the second mode of operation. The second valve directs the compressed flash gas from the first compressor to the first load during the second mode of operation to defrost the first load.

Abstract: A nitrogen liquefier configured to be integrated with an argon and nitrogen producing cryogenic air separation unit and method of nitrogen liquefaction are provided. The integrated nitrogen liquefier and associated methods may be operated in at least three distinct modes including: (i) a nil liquid nitrogen mode; (ii) a low liquid nitrogen mode; and (iii) a high liquid nitrogen mode. The present systems and methods are further characterized in an oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column of the air separation unit is an oxygen enriched condensing medium used in the argon condenser.

Abstract: A defrost method for a heat pump system includes running the heat pump system in a heating mode to provide heat to an enclosed space and determining if an outdoor temperature is less than an outdoor threshold temperature. Responsive to a determination that the outdoor temperature is below the outdoor threshold temperature, determining if a calibration state has been previously run. Responsive to a determination that the calibration state has not been previously run, running the heat pump system in the calibration state. Responsive to a determination that the calibration state has been previously run, determining if a temperature difference between a temperature of an evaporator coil of the heat pump system and the outdoor temperature exceeds a temperature threshold value. Responsive to a determination that the temperature difference between the evaporator coil and the outdoor temperature is greater than the temperature threshold value, running the heat pump system in a defrost state.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: A micro puree machine including a housing, a power shaft, a bowl assembly and a platform. The power shaft extends from the housing. The bowl assembly including at least one locking bowl element. The platform includes at least one complementary locking platform element that is configured to engage the at least one locking bowl element such that rotation of the bowl assembly relative to the platform is prevented at times the bowl assembly is positioned thereon. The platform is rotatable from a first position to a second position relative to the housing such that the platform raises the bowl assembly towards the power shaft during the rotation of the bowl assembly and platform. The raising of the bowl assembly facilitates connection between the power shaft and a blade assembly that is positioned in a lid assembly on the bowl assembly.