Abstract: An analysis device is configured to operate a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and to receive an audio signal from a sound sensor, wherein the audio signal is associated with a condensing unit of the HVAC system. The device is configured to determine an audio signature from the audio signal and to determine whether a motor of the condensing unit is operating within a mode of operation based on the audio signature. The device is further configured to determine a fault type that is associated with the audio signature and to output a recommendation based on the determined fault type.

Abstract: A burner assembly according to aspects of the disclosure includes a burner surface carried by a burner, the burner surface extending outward from a front side of the burner, a housing coupled to the burner on a side opposite the front side of the burner, a gasket disposed between the burner and the housing, a thermally anisotropic protective covering located on the front side of the burner and surrounding a perimeter of the burner surface, and an igniter positioned adjacent to the burner surface.

Abstract: A burner assembly according to aspects of the disclosure includes a burner surface carried by a burner, the burner surface extending outward from a front side of the burner, a housing coupled to the burner on a side opposite the front side of the burner, a gasket disposed between the burner and the housing, a thermally anisotropic protective covering located on the front side of the burner and surrounding a perimeter of the burner surface, and an igniter positioned adjacent to the burner surface.

Abstract: A burner assembly according to aspects of the disclosure includes a burner surface carried by a burner, the burner surface extending outward from a front side of the burner, a housing coupled to the burner on a side opposite the front side of the burner, a gasket disposed between the burner and the housing, a thermally anisotropic protective covering located on the front side of the burner and surrounding a perimeter of the burner surface, and an igniter positioned adjacent to the burner surface.

Abstract: In various implementations, a burner assembly may include a body coupled to burner heads. The body may include one or more converging and/or diverging parts. For example, the body may include a diverging part proximate one or more of the burner heads of the burner assembly. The body may allow a predetermined fuel/air ratio to be provided to the burner head, in some implementations.

Abstract: In various implementations, a multi-burner head assembly may include a venturi inlet coupled to burner heads. The multi-burner head assembly may allow control of the flame profile generated by the assembly. For example, burner heads of the multi-burner head assembly may include different characteristics, such as height.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing discharge pressure includes a compensator reservoir and a compensator line. The compensator line connects the compensator reservoir and a liquid line. The liquid line connects an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger of a reversible HVAC system. The compensator line includes a connection to the compensator reservoir and a connection to the liquid line. A first expansion device is disposed in the liquid line and configured to only act on refrigerant flowing towards the outdoor heat exchanger. A second expansion device disposed in the liquid line and configured to only act on refrigerant flowing towards the indoor heat exchanger. The compensator is operable to receive refrigerant, driven by pressure, from the HVAC system, and further operable to allow refrigerant to flow back into the HVAC system.

Abstract: A gas-air mixer assembly is described that helps mix fuel and air within an HVAC system. The mixer assembly can also achieve lower pressure drops than seen in other solutions. A mixer assembly can comprise a mixer body through which air is supplied. An orifice body can extend into the stream of air within the mixer body and then point upstream. A tip of the orifice body, disposed in the airstream, can provide fuel through one or more orifices. The flow of air around the orifice body helps to cause mixing, as does an elbow bend in the mixer body, downstream of the orifice body.

Abstract: A burner assembly according to aspects of the disclosure includes a burner surface carried by a burner, the burner surface extending outward from a front side of the burner, a housing coupled to the burner on a side opposite the front side of the burner, a gasket disposed between the burner and the housing, a thermally anisotropic protective covering located on the front side of the burner and surrounding a perimeter of the burner surface, and an igniter positioned adjacent to the burner surface.

Abstract: In various implementations, a burner assembly may include a body coupled to burner heads. The body may include one or more converging and/or diverging parts. For example, the body may include a diverging part proximate one or more of the burner heads of the burner assembly. The body may allow a predetermined fuel/air ratio to be provided to the burner head, in some implementations.

Abstract: In various implementations, a burner assembly may include a body coupled to burner heads. The body may include one or more converging and/or diverging parts. For example, the body may include a diverging part proximate one or more of the burner heads of the burner assembly. The body may allow a predetermined fuel/air ratio to be provided to the burner head, in some implementations.

Abstract: A gas-air mixer assembly is described that helps mix fuel and air within an HVAC system. The mixer assembly can also achieve lower pressure drops than seen in other solutions. A mixer assembly can comprise a mixer body through which air is supplied. An orifice body can extend into the stream of air within the mixer body and then point upstream. A tip of the orifice body, disposed in the airstream, can provide fuel through one or more orifices. The flow of air around the orifice body helps to cause mixing, as does an elbow bend in the mixer body, downstream of the orifice body.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing discharge pressure includes a compensator reservoir and a compensator line. The compensator line connects the compensator reservoir and a liquid line. The liquid line connects an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger of a reversible HVAC system. The compensator line includes a connection to the compensator reservoir and a connection to the liquid line. A first expansion device is disposed in the liquid line and configured to only act on refrigerant flowing towards the outdoor heat exchanger. A second expansion device disposed in the liquid line and configured to only act on refrigerant flowing towards the indoor heat exchanger. The compensator is operable to receive refrigerant, driven by pressure, from the HVAC system, and further operable to allow refrigerant to flow back into the HVAC system.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing discharge pressure includes a compensator reservoir and a compensator line. The compensator line connects the compensator reservoir and a liquid line. The liquid line connects an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger of a reversible HVAC system. The compensator line includes a connection to the compensator reservoir and a connection to the liquid line. A first expansion device is disposed in the liquid line and configured to only act on refrigerant flowing towards the outdoor heat exchanger. A second expansion device disposed in the liquid line and configured to only act on refrigerant flowing towards the indoor heat exchanger. The compensator is operable to receive refrigerant, driven by pressure, from the HVAC system, and further operable to allow refrigerant to flow back into the HVAC system.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are presented that include an expansion valve having a pin operable to regulate a primary flow of refrigerant through a flow orifice. A flange is coupled to the pin and is configured to regulate a bleed flow of refrigerant through a bleed orifice. The flange moves cooperatively with the pin, thereby enabling the bleed flow of refrigerant to vary in coordination with the primary flow of refrigerant. When the pin occludes the flow orifice, the flange forms a predetermined gap that allows a non-zero bleed flow when the primary flow of refrigerant is substantially zero. The bleed flow of refrigerant therefore flows persistently through the expansion valve during operation. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.

Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods are presented that enable a plurality of turbulators to enhance heat transfer within a heat exchanger of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The plurality of turbulators each include a ribbon member having a variable pattern formed over a length. In one instance, the variable pattern of the ribbon member includes a plurality of bends defining intervals of alternating pitch. The intervals progressively increase in dimension as the ribbon member is traversed over the length. In another embodiment, the intervals contain apertures whose area increases as the length is traversed. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are presented that include an expansion valve having a pin operable to regulate a primary flow of refrigerant through a flow orifice. A flange is coupled to the pin and is configured to regulate a bleed flow of refrigerant through a bleed orifice. The flange moves cooperatively with the pin, thereby enabling the bleed flow of refrigerant to vary in coordination with the primary flow of refrigerant. When the pin occludes the flow orifice, the flange forms a predetermined gap that allows a non-zero bleed flow when the primary flow of refrigerant is substantially zero. The bleed flow of refrigerant therefore flows persistently through the expansion valve during operation. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure provides a zoning baffle for a gas furnace. This embodiment comprises a housing, a primary heating zone located in the housing and comprising one or more heating chambers. A blower having an exhaust opening is located adjacent the primary heating zone and is positioned to force air through the primary heating zone. A zoning baffle is located between the blower and the primary heating zone. The zoning baffle comprises spaced apart baffles oriented substantially parallel with the one or more heating chambers. A method of manufacturing a gas furnace is also provided.

Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods are presented that enable a plurality of turbulators to enhance heat transfer within a heat exchanger of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The plurality of turbulators each include a ribbon member having a variable pattern formed over a length. In one instance, the variable pattern of the ribbon member includes a plurality of bends defining intervals of alternating pitch. The intervals progressively increase in dimension as the ribbon member is traversed over the length. In another embodiment, the intervals contain apertures whose area increases as the length is traversed. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing discharge pressure in a Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning system. The apparatus has a compensator reservoir and a compensator line. The compensator line connects the compensator reservoir and a liquid line. The liquid line connects a condenser and an evaporator. The compensator line has a connection to the compensator reservoir and a connection to the liquid line. In the method, a controller checks for one or more conditions indicating a likelihood of high discharge pressure. The controller finds a condition indicating a likelihood of high discharge pressure. In response to finding the condition, the controller closes a compensator valve after a set amount of time. The controller reopens the compensator valve.