Abstract: A method of operating a chiller to avoid future surge events, the method comprises applying chiller operating data associated with a chiller as an input to one or more machine learning models; and generating a threshold for a controllable chiller variable to prevent a future chiller surge event from occurring based on an output of the one or more machine learning models, further comprising affecting operation of the chiller based on the threshold to prevent the future chiller surge event from occurring. The method enables automatic control of a chiller to avoid future chiller surge events.

Abstract: A method for controlling building equipment. The method includes obtaining a device model for a physical device of building equipment installed at a building site, the device model indicating an expected performance of the physical device under design operating conditions. The method further includes obtaining operating conditions under which the physical device is operating at the building site, and generating a virtual device representing the physical device by adapting the device model to the operating conditions. The method also includes using a rating engine to generate a device rating for the virtual device, the device rating indicating an expected performance of the physical device under the operating conditions. The method also includes obtaining actual operating data indicating an actual performance of the physical device under the operating conditions, and initiating an automated action based on a comparison of the actual operating data with the device rating for the virtual device.

Abstract: A method of operating a chiller includes applying chiller operating data associated with the chiller as an input to one or more machine learning models, generating a boundary for a controllable chiller variable based on an output of the one or more machine learning models, and affecting operation of the chiller based on the boundary.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vapor compression system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor along the refrigerant loop and configured to condense vapor refrigerant to liquid refrigerant, a subcooler coupled to the condenser, where the subcooler is external of a shell of the condenser, and where the subcooler is configured to receive the liquid refrigerant from the condenser and to cool the liquid refrigerant to subcooled refrigerant, and an evaporator disposed downstream of the subcooler along the refrigerant loop and configured to evaporate the subcooled refrigerant to the vapor refrigerant.

Abstract: An improved variable geometry diffuser (VGD) mechanism for use with a centrifugal compressor. This VGD mechanism extends substantially completely into the diffuser gap so that the VGD mechanism may be used more fully to control other operational functions. The VGD mechanism may be used to minimize compressor backspin and associated transient loads during compressor shut down by preventing a reverse flow of refrigerant gas through the diffuser gap during compressor shutdown, which is prevented because the diffuser gap is substantially blocked by the full extension of the diffuser ring. During start-up, transient surge and stall also can be effectively eliminated as gas flow through the diffuser gap can be impeded as load and impeller speed increase, thereby alleviating the problems caused by startup loads at low speeds. The VGD mechanism can be used for capacity control as well so as to achieve more effective turndown at low loads.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor disposed in a conduit on a suction side of a compressor, wherein the conduit is configured to convey a fluid and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory is configured to store instructions to be performed by the processor, and the controller is configured to receive one or more indications from the sensor of an amount of power consumed by an active sensor component, determine a presence of liquid in the fluid based at least on the one or more indications, and control a device based on the presence of liquid in the fluid.

Abstract: An outside air handling unit and method for delivering conditioned air to individual heating/cooling zones of a building regardless of whether heating/cooling in needed. The outside air handling unit includes a liquid supply line which is connected to and draws liquid from a chilled supply line of the building.

Abstract: A method of operating a chiller to avoid future surge events, the method comprises applying chiller operating data associated with a chiller as an input to one or more machine learning models; and generating a threshold for a controllable chiller variable to prevent a future chiller surge event from occurring based on an output of the one or more machine learning models, further comprising affecting operation of the chiller based on the threshold to prevent the future chiller surge event from occurring. The method enables automatic control of a chiller to avoid future chiller surge events.

Abstract: An improved variable geometry diffuser (VGD) mechanism for use with a centrifugal compressor. This VGD mechanism extends substantially completely into the diffuser gap so that the VGD mechanism may be used more fully to control other operational functions. The VGD mechanism may be used to minimize compressor backspin and associated transient loads during compressor shut down by preventing a reverse flow of refrigerant gas through the diffuser gap during compressor shutdown, which is prevented because the diffuser gap is substantially blocked by the full extension of the diffuser ring. During start-up, transient surge and stall also can be effectively eliminated as gas flow through the diffuser gap can be impeded as load and impeller speed increase, thereby alleviating the problems caused by startup loads at low speeds. The VGD mechanism can be used for capacity control as well so as to achieve more effective turndown at low loads.

Abstract: A modular water based heating and cooling system for providing chilled or heated water to terminal devices in a building to heat/cool individual zones in the building. The system includes a flow control device in fluid communication with a riser chilled water supply line, a riser chilled water return line, a riser heated water supply line, and a riser heated water return line. The flow control device includes first control valves and second control valves. Terminal device supply lines extend from the flow control device and are connected to respective first control valves. Terminal device return lines extend from the flow control device and are connected to respective second control valves. The first control valves and the second control valves cooperate to supply required chilled water or heated water through the terminal device supply lines to terminal devices based on the cooling/heating requirements of the terminal devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vapor compression system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor along the refrigerant loop and configured to condense vapor refrigerant to liquid refrigerant, a subcooler coupled to the condenser, where the subcooler is external of a shell of the condenser, and where the subcooler is configured to receive the liquid refrigerant from the condenser and to cool the liquid refrigerant to subcooled refrigerant, and an evaporator disposed downstream of the subcooler along the refrigerant loop and configured to evaporate the subcooled refrigerant to the vapor refrigerant.

Abstract: A compressor includes an inlet and the inlet includes a flange and an impeller eye. The flange is connected to a suction line that transfers a refrigerant into the compressor via the impeller eye. The refrigerant flows into the compressor with an amount of swirl and a pressure loss. The suction line includes a geometry that includes a constantly decreasing cross-sectional area in a direction towards the compressor. The geometry of the suction line is configured to reduce the amount of swirl and the pressure loss.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vapor compression system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor along the refrigerant loop, where the condenser includes a plurality of tubes disposed in a shell and a diffusion area configured to enhance thermal energy transfer within the condenser, where the diffusion area is defined by a cavity of the condenser without a tube of the plurality of tubes, and an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser along the refrigerant loop.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor disposed in a conduit on a suction side of a compressor, wherein the conduit is configured to convey a fluid and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory is configured to store instructions to be performed by the processor, and the controller is configured to receive one or more indications from the sensor of an amount of power consumed by an active sensor component, determine a presence of liquid in the fluid based at least on the one or more indications, and control a device based on the presence of liquid in the fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vapor compression system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, and a heat exchanger disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to place the refrigerant in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid. The heat exchanger includes a water box portion having a first length, a shell having a second length, a plurality of tubes disposed in the shell and configured to flow the cooling fluid, and a cooling fluid portion having a third length, where the water box portion and the cooling fluid portion are coupled to the shell, such that the first length, the second length, and the third length form a combined length of the heat exchanger that is substantially equal to a target length.

Abstract: An improved variable geometry diffuser (VGD) mechanism for use with a centrifugal compressor. This VGD mechanism extends substantially completely into the diffuser gap so that the VGD mechanism may be used more fully to control other operational functions. The VGD mechanism may be used to minimize compressor backspin and associated transient loads during compressor shut down by preventing a reverse flow of refrigerant gas through the diffuser gap during compressor shutdown, which is prevented because the diffuser gap is substantially blocked by the full extension of the diffuser ring. During start-up, transient surge and stall also can be effectively eliminated as gas flow through the diffuser gap can be impeded as load and impeller speed increase, thereby alleviating the problems caused by startup loads at low speeds. The VGD mechanism can be used for capacity control as well so as to achieve more effective turndown at low loads.

Abstract: An improved variable geometry diffuser (VGD) mechanism for use with a centrifugal compressor. This VGD mechanism extends substantially completely into the diffuser gap so that the VGD mechanism may be used more fully to control other operational functions. The VGD mechanism may be used to minimize compressor backspin and associated transient loads during compressor shut down by preventing a reverse flow of refrigerant gas through the diffuser gap during compressor shutdown, which is prevented because the diffuser gap is substantially blocked by the full extension of the diffuser ring. During start-up, transient surge and stall also can be effectively eliminated as gas flow through the diffuser gap can be impeded as load and impeller speed increase, thereby alleviating the problems caused by startup loads at low speeds. The VGD mechanism can be used for capacity control as well so as to achieve more effective turndown at low loads.

Abstract: A compressor includes an inlet and the inlet includes a flange and an impeller eye. The flange is connected to a suction line that transfers a refrigerant into the compressor via the impeller eye. The refrigerant flows into the compressor with an amount of swirl and a pressure loss. The suction line includes a geometry that includes a constantly decreasing cross-sectional area in a direction towards the compressor. The geometry of the suction line is configured to reduce the amount of swirl and the pressure loss.

Abstract: An evaporator (168) in a vapor compression system (14) (168) includes a shell (76), a first tube bundle (78); a hood (86); a distributor (80); a first supply line (142); a second supply line (144); a valve (122) positioned in the second supply line (144); and a sensor (150). The distributor (80) is positioned above the first tube bundle (78). The hood (88) covers the first tube bundle (78). The first supply line (142) is connected to the distributor (80) and an end of the second supply line (144) is positioned near the hood (88). The sensor (150) is configured and positioned to sense a level of liquid refrigerant (82) in the shell. The valve (122) regulates flow in the second supply line in response to the level of liquid refrigerant (82) from the sensor (150).

Abstract: A distributor for use in a vapor compression system includes an enclosure configured to be positioned in a heat exchanger having a tube bundle including a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the heat exchanger. At least one distribution device formed in an end of the enclosure positioned to face the tube bundle, the at least one distribution device configured to apply a fluid entering the distributor onto the tube bundle. The enclosure has an aspect ratio between about ½:1 and about 10:1.