Abstract: A method of monitoring an air cycle machine including driving a rotary shaft of an air cycle machine, disconnecting a driving source to allow the rotary shaft to slow the rotary shaft, and monitoring a shutdown cycle of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an air cycle machine including driving a rotary shaft of an air cycle machine, disconnecting a driving source to allow the rotary shaft to slow the rotary shaft, and monitoring a shutdown cycle of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit, at least one variable speed compressor operating with a maximum pressure ratio of at least 5.0 and a variable speed range of at least three times (3×), a heat absorption heat exchanger, a heat rejection heat exchanger, an ejector disposed on the refrigerant circuit upstream of the compressor to extend a pressure ratio range and a volumetric flow range of the compressor in the cold climates, a separator disposed downstream of the ejector and upstream of the heat absorption heat exchanger, and at least one variable speed fan configured to move air through the heat rejection heat exchanger to provide a predefined an air discharge temperature greater than 90° F. A two-phase refrigerant is provided to an inlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger with a quality of less than or equal to 0.05.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit, at least one variable speed compressor operating with a maximum pressure ratio of at least 5.0 and a variable speed range of at least three times (3×), a heat absorption heat exchanger, a heat rejection heat exchanger, an ejector disposed on the refrigerant circuit upstream of the compressor to extend a pressure ratio range and a volumetric flow range of the compressor in the cold climates, a separator disposed downstream of the ejector and upstream of the heat absorption heat exchanger, and at least one variable speed fan configured to move air through the heat rejection heat exchanger to provide a predefined an air discharge temperature greater than 90° F. A two-phase refrigerant is provided to an inlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger with a quality of less than or equal to 0.05.

Abstract: An arrangement for a compressor (20) having a suction valve (36) and discharge valve (56) is provided. The compressor (20) includes a cylinder (24) having a diametral axis (33). A valve plate (28) is positioned to cover the cylinder (24). The valve plate (28) includes a suction port (32) positioned on the diametral axis (33) and a discharge port (34). A suction valve (36) having a first end (44) is coupled to the valve plate (28) and a second end (46) is movable between a first position, in contact with suction port (32), and a second position. The suction valve (36) is arranged such that it is on an angle relative to the diametral axis (33).

Abstract: A two-axis solar tracker is capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions. The solar tracker includes a solar array, a frame, a base, a pivot frame, and a first and second actuator. The solar array is mounted to the frame and captures sunlight. The base is pivotally connected to the frame and defines a pivot axis for elevational movement of the solar array. The pivot frame is also pivotally connected to the frame and defines a pivot axis for azimuthal movement of the solar array. The first actuator controls elevational movement of the solar array and the second actuator controls azimuthal movement of the solar array. The solar tracker is pivotable between a raised position and a stowed position.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor is provided with a discharge valve having an area inward of a valve seat which is greater than the area of the discharge port. The valve seat also has a distinct shape compared to the valve port in preferred embodiments. The increased area within the valve seat results in an increased force tending to open the valve from a compressed fluid. On the other hand, since the valve port remains relatively small, the flow losses are not significantly increased.

Abstract: A compressor includes a motor having a rotor for driving a shaft, to drive compressor pistons. A lubricant supply system supplies lubrication to the moving elements within the compressor and motor. A suction fluid to be compressed passes over the motor on its way to the compression chambers. The oil is returned from a bearing mounting an end of the shaft intermediate the motor rotor and the compressor pistons. The bearing mount ensures that the lubricant is returned away from the motor rotor, to reduce the amount of oil that is entrained in the fluid to be compressed.

Abstract: A transcritical vapor compression system includes a compressor assembly that includes an oil separator for separating oil from refrigerant. The oil separator is disposed between a motor and a compression chamber in a sub-critical portion of the vapor compression system. Oil emitted from the drive assembly attached to the motor is substantially removed from the refrigerant before entering the compression chamber of the compressor.

Abstract: Improved axial compliance in a scroll compressor 10 between a fixed scroll 11 and an orbiting scroll 13 is achieved by providing at least one dynamic back pressure chamber 25 disposed behind the orbiting scroll 13. A pressurized fluid is bled from a selected one of compression pockets 19 through a port 21 formed in the orbiting scroll 13 into the dynamic back chamber 25 to provide varying on sub-cycle basis back pressure to reduce friction between the fixed and orbiting scrolls. A static back pressure chamber 27, also disposed behind the orbiting scroll 13, may be provided into which pressurized fluid is bled from a selected one of the compression pockets 19 to provide an additional back pressure on the scroll 13 which is substantially constant over the cycle.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll element stationarily mounted on a support and an orbiting scroll element which is caused by an eccentric crank portion of a drive shaft to conduct an orbiting motion relative to the fixed scroll element. The drive shaft is rotatably mounted on the support by respective support bearings and carries a plurality of counterweights which have such respective masses and angular distributions about the shaft that the loadings of the support bearings by the drive shaft during the operation of the scroll compressor are minimized.