Abstract: A system and method for estimating the state of charge, i.e., the amount of cooling remaining, in a latent heat thermal storage module of a local environmental control system. The local environmental control system stores cooling energy at night by freezing a latent heat phase change material (PCM), and then releasing the stored cooling energy by removing heat from room air flowing through the PCM during the day. Differential temperature sensors are used measure the air temperature drop across the latent thermals storage unit and the fan voltage, which is directly related to fan air flow rate, is sampled. A controller is programmed to determine the charging state from these measurements.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the state of charge, i.e., the amount of cooling remaining, in a latent heat thermal storage module of a local environmental control system. The local environmental control system stores cooling energy at night by freezing a latent heat phase change material (PCM), and then releasing the stored cooling energy by removing heat from room air flowing through the PCM during the day. Differential temperature sensors are used measure the air temperature drop across the latent thermals storage unit and the fan voltage, which is directly related to fan air flow rate, is sampled. A controller is programmed to determine the charging state from these measurements.

Abstract: A combined power and refrigeration cascade system that includes an electric power system (PS) that produces both electric power and medium-to-high-grade waste heat. To reduce energy consumption by a load having a computer chip, the load is powered by a power source and thermally coupled to a refrigeration system, which is also powered by the power source. The refrigeration system is thermally coupled to an absorption system, which is configured to remove heat rejected by the refrigeration system. The refrigeration system and the absorption system are in a cascaded arrangement such that the refrigeration system condensing temperature is less than twenty degrees Celsius. In particular, absorption chillers of the absorption system and vapor-compressors of the refrigeration system are in a cascading arrangement that produces subzero cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flame-assisted fuel cell (FFC) and, more particularly, to the integration of a FFC in a fuel fired furnace or boiler to enable the generation of both electricity and heat from the fuel's chemical energy, transforming the furnace/boiler into a Combined Heating and Power (CHP) system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flame-assisted fuel cell (FFC) and, more particularly, to the integration of a FFC in a fuel fired furnace or boiler to enable the generation of both electricity and heat from the fuel's chemical energy, transforming the furnace/boiler into a Combined Heating and Power (CHP) system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to combined power and cooling generation systems, and, more particularly, to a combined power and refrigeration cascade system (“PARCS”) that includes an electric power system (PS) that produces both electric power and medium-to-high-grade waste heat that can be used for providing the cooling and power supply needs of data centers and the like.

Abstract: A ventilation system with hardware to direct two independent airflows, wherein an outer airflow (at least partially) surrounds the an inner airflow. Preferably the inner and outer airflows come from different sources such that the air of the inner airflow has higher associated costs than the air of the outer airflow. For example, the inner airflow may be more cleaned and/or more thermally conditioned than the outer airflow. The inner airflow may have a different velocity than the outer airflow.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to combined power and cooling generation systems, and, more particularly, to a combined power and refrigeration cascade system (“PARCS”) that includes an electric power system (PS) that produces both electric power and medium-to-high-grade waste heat that can be used for providing the cooling and power supply needs of data centers and the like.

Abstract: A discharge collector and diffuser for a screw compressor, including a housing having an inlet for receiving flow from a compressor and an outlet and defining therebetween a collector portion, a transition portion and a diffuser portion, the collector portion being adapted to receive a plurality of non-parallel streams from a compressor and to guide the streams into a substantially parallel flow direction, the housing further having a splitter plate positioned in the collector portion to separate the non-parallel streams from each other, whereby the streams are maintained separate until they are substantially parallel, thereby reducing flow losses.

Abstract: A discharge collector and diffuser for a screw compressor, including a housing having an inlet for receiving flow from a compressor and an outlet and defining therebetween a collector portion, a transition portion and a diffuser portion, the collector portion being adapted to receive a plurality of non-parallel streams from a compressor and to guide the streams into a substantially parallel flow direction, the housing further having a splitter plate positioned in the collector portion to separate the non-parallel streams from each other, whereby the streams are maintained separate until they are substantially parallel, thereby reducing flow losses.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes a housing containing at least one rotor for generating a discharge flow in a discharge flow direction; a diffuser communicated with the housing and having a collecting portion for receiving the discharge flow, a diffuser throat and a diffuser portion, said diffuser extending from the housing in a diffuser direction; and at least one turning vane positioned in the collecting portion and adapted to guide flow from the discharge flow direction to the diffuser direction.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes a housing containing at least one rotor for generating a discharge flow in a discharge flow direction; a diffuser communicated with the housing and having a collecting portion for receiving the discharge flow, a diffuser throat and a diffuser portion, said diffuser extending from the housing in a diffuser direction; and at least one turning vane positioned in the collecting portion and adapted to guide flow from the discharge flow direction to the diffuser direction.

Abstract: A control system for a heating, ventilating or air conditioning HVAC system includes a remote command receiver for receiving HVAC system instructions for the HVAC system; and conditioning HVAC system, including a remote command receiver for receiving HVAC system instructions for the HVAC system; and a control module, including (i) a speech receiving member for receiving speech commands; and (ii) a converter for converting the speech commands to HVAC system instructions; wherein the module is communicated with the receiver for conveying the HVAC system instructions from the module to the receiver.

Abstract: A scroll compressor assembly incorporates a separator plate which has a clearance between its outer periphery and an inner periphery of an end cap. In this way, the location of the separator plate along the center axis of the scroll can be adjusted. Further, the separator plate is placed on the center shell prior to attachment of the end cap. Thus, the separator plate need not be welded to the end cap as in the prior art. Problems such as weld splatter thus eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating air using a regenerable hydrogen containing liquid fuel. The apparatus includes a hydrogen reduction catalyst, a semipermeable membrane through which hydrogen may pass and an oxidation catalyst which forms a combustion area. The hydrogen reduction catalyst is proximate to the combustion area. A displacement means transfers the hydrogen containing liquid fuel to the reduction catalyst where combustion heat decomposes the liquid fuel into hydrogen and decomposition products. The hydrogen passes through the semipermeable membrane mixes with air and is combusted at the oxidation catalyst. The decomposition products are transferred to a condensing means whereby they are condensed.