Abstract: A vapor compression system and method for operating the vapor compression system are provided. The vapor compression system includes a compressor, a condenser, and at least one check valve disposed between the compressor and the condenser. The method provides for the transmitting of a shutdown command to the compressor, the compressor including a rotating shaft and a magnetic bearing, the magnetic bearing having an active mode and an inactive mode, the magnetic bearing levitating the rotating shaft in the active mode. The method further provides for the maintaining of the magnetic bearing in the active mode during a minimum time period, the magnetic bearing switching from the active mode to the inactive mode after the minimum time period is reached.

Abstract: A separator for removing contamination from a fluid of a heat pump includes a housing having a hollow interior, a header plate arranged within the hollow interior and having at least one mounting hole, and a separation module mounted within the hollow interior. The separation module includes a connector for forming an interface with the at least one mounting hole. A sealant is located at the interface between the connector and the mounting hole.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a heat absorbing heat exchanger fluidly connected to form a closed loop through which a refrigerant is configured to circulate. An economizer heat exchanger is located downstream from an outlet of the heat rejecting heat exchanger and upstream from the expansion device relative to a flow of the refrigerant. The economizer heat exchanger has a main flow path and an economizer flow path formed therein. All liquid refrigerant provided at an outlet of the heat rejecting heat exchanger is provided to the main flow path.

Abstract: A vapor compression system including: a condenser; an evaporator; and an expansion control system on the main flowpath between the condenser and the evaporator, wherein the expansion control system further includes: one or more electronic expansion valves; and a modulated ball valve.

Abstract: A hydronic economizer module configured for use in a chiller system having a vapor compression cycle including a housing having at least a first air inlet. A heat exchanger assembly located within said housing. The heat exchanger includes at least one heat exchanger coil. A fan assembly includes at least one fan generally aligned with the at least one heat exchanger coil. At least one valve is movable between a plurality of positions to control a flow of fluid into said heat exchanger assembly. When said at least one valve is in a first position the economizer module is arranged in parallel with a component of the vapor compression cycle. When said at least one valve is in a second position the economizer module is arranged in series with said component of the vapor compression cycle.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a volume index valve of a compressor is provided. The method includes recording a first reading of an operating condition of the compressor when the volume index valve is in a first position. The method also includes switching the volume index valve to a second position. The method further includes recording a second reading of the operating condition of the compressor when the volume index valve is in the second position. The method yet further includes calculating a difference between the first reading and the second reading. The method also includes comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold difference to determine if the volume index valve is moving between the first position and the second position in a desired manner.

Abstract: A separator for removing contamination from a fluid of a heat pump includes a housing having a hollow interior, a header plate arranged within the hollow interior and having at least one mounting hole, and a separation module mounted within the hollow interior. The separation module includes a connector for forming an interface with the at least one mounting hole. A sealant is located at the interface between the connector and the mounting hole.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a volume index valve of a compressor is provided. The method includes recording a first reading of an operating condition of the compressor when the volume index valve is in a first position. The method also includes switching the volume index valve to a second position. The method further includes recording a second reading of the operating condition of the compressor when the volume index valve is in the second position. The method yet further includes calculating a difference between the first reading and the second reading. The method also includes comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold difference to determine if the volume index valve is moving between the first position and the second position in a desired manner.

Abstract: A hydronic economizer module is configured for use in a chiller system that has a vapor compression cycle. The hydronic economizer module includes a heat exchanger assembly located within a housing having at least one heat exchanger coil, a fan assembly having at least one fan generally aligned with at least one heat exchanger coil, and at least one valve is movable between a plurality of positions to control a flow of fluid into the heat exchanger assembly. When the at least one valve is in a first position, the economizer module is arranged in parallel with a flat plate heat exchanger. When the at least one valve is in a second position, the economizer module is arranged in series with the flat plate heat exchanger. The flat plate heat exchanger includes at least one fluid port for communicating with a component of the vapor compression cycle.

Abstract: A hydronic economizer module configured for use in a chiller system having a vapor compression cycle including a in housing having at least a first air inlet. A heat exchanger assembly located within said housing. The heat exchanger includes at least one heat exchanger coil. A fan assembly includes at least one fan generally aligned with the at least one heat exchanger coil. At least one valve is movable between a plurality of positions to control a flow of fluid into said heat exchanger assembly. When said at least one valve is in a first position the economizer module is arranged in parallel with a component of the vapor compression cycle. When said at least one valve is in a second position the economizer module is arranged in series with said component of the vapor compression cycle.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide refrigerant vapor compression system and method of operating that system are provided. The refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compression device, a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger, and a compressor unload circuit including a refrigerant line establishing refrigerant flow communication between an intermediate pressure stage of the compression device and the refrigerant circuit at a location downstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger and upstream of a suction inlet to the compression device, and a unload circuit flow control device disposed in said unload circuit refrigerant line. In response to at least one system operating parameter sensed by at least one sensor, the controller selectively positions the unload flow control device to maintain the refrigerant vapor compression system operating below a preselected high pressure limit.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank disposed in series refrigerant flow relationship in the refrigerant circuit intermediate a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger. A primary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit upstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger and a secondary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit upstream of the flash tank. A refrigerant vapor line is provided to direct refrigerant vapor from the flash tank to an intermediate pressure stage of the compression process. A refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger operates to transfer heat from refrigerant flowing through the primary refrigerant circuit to refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant vapor line.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank economizer and a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger economizer disposed in series refrigerant flow relationship in the refrigerant circuit intermediate a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger. A primary expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association with and upstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger and an economizer expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association and upstream of the flash tank economizer provide a two-step expansion process for expanding refrigerant passing through the refrigerant circuit from the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger to the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate the refrigerant cooling heat exchanger and the refrigerant heating heat exchanger. The flash tank receiver, which receives a liquid/vapor refrigerant mix, also functions as a receiver. A refrigerant charge control apparatus includes at least one sensor for sensing an operating characteristic of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant compression device, and a controller operative to selectively adjust a secondary expansion device to increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant passing into the flash tank receiver to provide a circulating refrigerant charge consistent with maintaining a desired system operating characteristic.

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank economizer defining a separation chamber is disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger. A primary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association with and upstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger and a secondary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association and upstream of the flash tank economizer. A refrigerant vapor injection line establishes refrigerant flow communication between an upper portion of the separation chamber and an intermediate pressure stage of the system's compression device and a suction pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27), a two-stage compressor (32) for compressing a refrigerant, a second compressor (34) for compressing the refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, a first economizer circuit (25A), and a second economizer circuit (25B). The first economizer circuit (25A) is configured to inject refrigerant into an interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32). The second economizer circuit (25B) is connected to the second compressor (34).

Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27) for evaporating a refrigerant, a two-stage compressor (32) for compressing the refrigerant, a single-stage compressor (34) for compressing the refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, a first economizer circuit (25A), and a second economizer circuit (25B). The first economizer circuit (25A) is configured to inject refrigerant into an interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32). The second economizer circuit (25B) is configured to inject refrigerant into a suction port (52) of the single-stage compressor (34). The single-stage compressor (34) is configured to discharge into the interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32).

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature pulldown of an enclosure with a refrigeration system having a compressor, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an evaporator comprises circulating a refrigerant through the refrigeration system, sensing a parameter of the enclosure, determining a desired evaporator pressure based upon the parameter sensed, and adjusting the expansion valve as a function of the desired evaporator pressure.

Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27), a plurality of compressors (32, 34, 35) for compressing a refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, and a plurality of economizer heat exchangers (28A, 28B). Each of the economizer heat exchangers (28A, 28B) is configured to inject a portion of the refrigerant into a suction port (52, 56) of one of the compressors (34, 35).

Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a hot gas bypass line establishing refrigerant vapor flow communication between the compression device and the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger, and bypassing the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and the primary expansion device. A refrigerant vapor flow control device is interdisposed in the hot gas bypass line. The flow control device has at least a first open position in which refrigerant vapor flow may pass through the hot gas bypass line and a closed position in which refrigerant vapor flow may not pass through the hot gas bypass line.