Abstract: The present invention is designed to reduce running costs in refrigerant based air-conditioning, refrigeration and heating systems by using a combination of thermodynamic and hydraulic control to manage the on and off states of the compressor, which is the main energy consuming component. Thermodynamic or temperature control is used to manage comfort levels within the room or space being cooled. Hydraulic control is used to determine when the compressor has completed its useful work in delivering a supply of high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Once temperature and hydraulic conditions are satisfied the compressor can be turned off; thereby delivering a significant reduction in running costs.

Abstract: A turbo compressor that has a compression stage provided with an impeller that rotates; a housing provided with a gear unit accommodation space that accommodates lubricating oil and accommodates a large diameter gear that transmits rotating force to the impeller, an IGV accommodation space in which the ambient pressure is lower than the gear unit accommodation space, and a gap that brings the IGV accommodation space and the air intake side of a first compression stage into communication; a pressure equalizing tube that causes a gas to circulate from the gear unit accommodation space toward the IGV accommodation space; and a second oil separating device that separates, in the IGV accommodation space, the lubricating oil contained in the gas.

Abstract: An environmental air conditioning system is described for conditioning compressed air for supply as conditioned air. The system includes an airflow path to which the compressed air for ultimate distribution as conditioned air (i.e., airflow path compressed air) is supplied. Then airflow path has various components of an air cycle system, and also includes a power turbine outside of the air cycle that receives compressed air and discharges it as exhaust. The power turbine transfers power to a compressor in the air cycle system.

Abstract: A multi-evaporator cooling system includes a compressor circuit that generates multiple levels of evaporating pressures, the circuit comprising at least one compressor configured to compress a refrigerant to a first pressure, a heat exchanger configured to receive the compressed refrigerant from the at least one compressor and cool the compressed refrigerant, a first evaporator circuit configured to receive the compressed refrigerant from the heat exchanger, expand the compressed refrigerant to a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure, and return the refrigerant to the compressor circuit, and a second evaporator circuit configured to receive the compressed refrigerant from the heat exchanger, expand the compressed refrigerant to a third pressure that is lower than the second pressure, and return the refrigerant to the compressor circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a chamber, wherein a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The droplets then settle at the bottom of the chamber, wherein they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature, to form an ice/brine slush mixture. A slush removal mechanism with a screw-like helical blade is provided to continuously remove the ice particles from the chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus is provided to prevent a frost from being formed on a heat exchanger under the condition that the outdoor temperature is low. During a heating and dehumidifying operation, the third solenoid valve 25c is closed when outdoor temperature Tam is predetermined temperature T1 or lower, or when temperature Thex of the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 is a predetermined temperature T2 or lower and temperature Te detected by the cooled air temperature sensor 44 is temperature Tet-? or lower. By this means, during the heating and dehumidifying operation, when a frost is likely to be formed on the heat exchanger 14, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from flowing into the heat exchanger 14, and to prevent a frost from being formed on the heat exchanger 14.

Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus, when a plurality of pumps are all operating and a heat exchange amount in use-side heat exchangers is equal to or lower than a lower limit of a thermal capacity that can be conveyed in a heat medium circuit B, before at least one of the plurality of pumps is stopped, a refrigerant flow path in the intermediate heat exchanger connected to the pump that is to be stopped is closed. Then, the at least one of the plurality of pumps is stopped, and the thermal capacity required in at least one of the use-side heat exchangers in the rest of the plurality of pumps is conveyed.

Abstract: A cooler including a compartment, a conduit including a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, food product at a first product temperature entering the first end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with and for supplying fluid through the fluid discharge, the fluid being at a first fluid temperature less than the first product temperature, the pressurized fluid source being operable to propel the fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion and to cool the food product to a temperature below the first product temperature.

Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator is provided that may accurately and simply supply a predetermined amount of water to an ice tray. The ice maker may include an ice tray for receiving water for freezing into ice, a water container including a body for storing and supplying a predetermined amount of water to the ice tray and a lid coupled to the body and having holes for discharging water from the water container, and a housing for installing the water container in a case of the ice maker.

Abstract: A method and system for conditioning air utilizing a liquid desiccant and the ability to use low grade and clean renewable heat sources for heating, cooling, dehumidifying and humidifying air as well as regenerating desiccant, with a low temperature differential for inlet and outlet air. Said system provides some filtering, purifying and sterilization of air. Said system may have low resistance through the system to lower fan energy. Said system may have low resistance through system pipework to lower pump energy.

Abstract: An air circulating structure includes a housing having first, second and third sidewalls. The second and third sidewalls are positioned in a receiving space defined by the first sidewall and the second sidewall is positioned between the first and third sidewalls. The first sidewall has an opening and bending portions are formed at ends of the first sidewall and bending inward. Further, guiding elements are disposed on sides of the second sidewall facing the receiving space and positioned between the third sidewall and the bending portions. As such, air ducts are formed between the second sidewall and the first sidewall, the third sidewall, the guiding elements, the bending portions, respectively, and air vents are formed in junctions of the guiding elements with the bending portions and the third sidewall, thereby forming circulating air in the air ducts and vents to effectively improve the temperature regulating efficiency of an air-conditioning device.

Abstract: A moisture control system includes a cabinet having a mullion defining first and second compartments and openings within the mullion to provide selective communication between the compartments. An evaporator is disposed in the first compartment. A cooling bank is disposed in the second compartment in selective thermal communication with the evaporator, and includes cooling and condensing portions separated by a dividing member, and a fluid collector disposed proximate the condensing portion. A first cooling fan is disposed proximate the evaporator and configured to direct air across the evaporator and through the first compartment. A second cooling fan is disposed proximate the cooling bank and operable between an evaporator position in fluid communication with the evaporator and the cooling bank, and a bank position in fluid communication with the cooling bank. A panel assembly is disposed proximate the plurality of openings and operable between a plurality of positions.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling gas between compression stages using a compressed refrigerant. The heat exchanger has a pressure vessel with an integrated liquid knockout drum. A finned tube is contained within the pressure vessel. A gas passageway is defined as the volume between the finned tube and the pressure vessel. Refrigerant from a cooling circuit passes through the interior of the finned tube and cools the gas in the gas passageway. Condensate from the cooled gas is removed in the knockout drum. The heat exchangers may also be used in a triple pass cooler.

Abstract: A system and method for heating water are provided. The system includes a first subcooler for receiving a first water flow, a second subcooler for receiving a second water flow, a first condenser in fluid communication with the first subcooler and the second subcooler for receiving water from both subcoolers, and a second condenser in fluid communication with the first condenser. The method involves receiving a flow of water, and transferring heat to the water using the system.

Abstract: A high-velocity low-pressure cooling system (100), especially suited for data center applications, includes an air coolant loop (102), a non-air coolant loop (104) and a cooler unit (126) for heat transfer between the loops (102 and 104). The air loop (102) is used to chill ambient air that is blown across heat transfer surfaces of equipment mounted in data center racks (110). In this manner, effective cooling is provided using a coolant that is benign in data center environments.

Abstract: A rotary valve for an adsorption heat pump may include a cylindrical valve body, arranged rotatably about a central axis in a predetermined rotation direction with an outer covering and two front plates. A plurality of counter-directional high temperature connections may be arranged on the outer covering for connecting a high temperature heat source. A plurality of counter-directional medium temperature connections may be arranged on the outer covering for connecting a medium temperature heat sink. A plurality of sorption module connections may be arranged on the front plates for connecting a plurality of corresponding sorption modules. A duct system may pass through the valve body for directing a fluid, and a throttle, integrated into the valve body, may be included for constricting a flow cross-section at a throttle site of the duct system. The duct system may include open ducts and closed ducts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerant cooling and/or condensing apparatus, system and method. Specifically, the present invention provides a cooling apparatus for cooling and condensing refrigerant from air conditioners, refrigerators, and other like mechanical cooling devices for collecting the same. Specifically, the cooling apparatus comprises a cold plate having a cooling coil, a heat plate with one or more heat sinks attached thereto wherein heat is transferred from the cold plate to the heat plate, and a fan for cooling the heat plate, further wherein gaseous refrigerant is sent through the coil, and heat is removed therefrom and transferred to the heat plate. The cooled refrigerant is then easily collected in a tank or other receptacle.

Abstract: A multifunctional restrictive valve for controlling the flow of water therethrough. The valve has a main body with a flow channel through the main body. The main body receives water upstream thereof through an inlet port and passes it out through an outlet port at the downstream end of the body. A flow control assembly is located in the flow channel and includes a temperature sensor/actuator acting on a piston to move, when the temperature sensor heats up the piston, to block water flow control ports. The flow control assembly also includes an override feature wherein the piston is located within a slide and the flow control ports are located in the slide. By moving the slide away from the piston when the piston is blocking the flow control ports, the temperature sensor and piston may be overridden and flow may resume through the main body.

Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a thermal-adsorption heat pump driven by engine exhaust heat, the heat pump including two adsorbers asynchronously switching between adsorbing and desorbing modes, each adsorber coupled with a corresponding antifreeze tank via a plurality of refrigerant-containing wick chambers. Cold heat transfer fluid (HTF) flows through the adsorber during the adsorbing mode which causes evaporation of refrigerant from the wick chambers, thereby cooling antifreeze, whereas hot HTF flows through the adsorber during the desorbing mode which causes condensation of refrigerant at the wick chambers, thereby heating antifreeze. In this way, the thermal-adsorption heat pump may condition cabin air independent of engine coolant and without exerting a load on the engine.

Abstract: Provided are magneto-cryogenic valves, methods and systems that extract thermal energy from a fluid within a conduit such that the temperature of at least a portion of the fluid is reduced to a temperature below which at least a portion of the fluid becomes a solid thereby forming a frozen plug of fluid and magnetically susceptible particles that reversibly plugs the conduit, preventing flow of fluid past the plug. Also provided are methods and systems for temporarily preventing the flow of fluid in a conduit.