Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling at least one heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a microvalve, at least one intelligent controller, a local intelligent gateway in communication with the intelligent controller, a cloud platform in communication with the local intelligent gateway, and a local device configured to communicate through the cloud platform to the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller is configured to control one or more HVAC components, measure air conditioning system parameters including compressor discharge and suction pressure and compressor temperature of a compressor within the HVAC system, and air out, evaporator out, and condenser out temperatures, and superheat and subcooling, and input the measured air conditioning system parameters to the cloud platform to autonomously monitor air conditioning system health and real-time refrigerant charge levels.

Abstract: An electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve includes a sleeve, a first pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a first wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to a source of electrical power, a second pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a second wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to the source of electrical power, and a permanent magnet defining an armature and movably mounted between the first and second pole pieces. The first pole piece is mounted in a first end of the sleeve and the second pole piece is mounted in a second end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow through a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) system includes measuring temperature and pressure at an outlet of an evaporator of the HVAC-R system, wherein the evaporator is in fluid communication with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device between the evaporator and the condenser, and a flow control valve between the compressor and the condenser, and measuring a sub-cooling temperature at an outlet of the condenser. The measured evaporator temperature and pressure data is sent to a first superheat processor, and the measured sub-cooling temperature data is send to a second superheat processor. A control signal to the expansion device from the first superheat processor and a control signal to the flow control valve from the second superheat processor are then simultaneously sent.

Abstract: An electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve includes a sleeve, a first pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a first wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to a source of electrical power, a second pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a second wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to the source of electrical power, and a permanent magnet defining an armature and movably mounted between the first and second pole pieces. The first pole piece is mounted in a first end of the sleeve and the second pole piece is mounted in a second end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow through a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) system includes measuring temperature and pressure at an outlet of an evaporator of the HVAC-R system, wherein the evaporator is in fluid communication with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device between the evaporator and the condenser, and a flow control valve between the compressor and the condenser, and measuring a sub-cooling temperature at an outlet of the condenser. The measured evaporator temperature and pressure data is sent to a first superheat processor, and the measured sub-cooling temperature data is send to a second superheat processor. A control signal to the expansion device from the first superheat processor and a control signal to the flow control valve from the second superheat processor are then simultaneously sent.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) system includes an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device between the condenser and the evaporator, a superheat controller between the evaporator and the compressor, and a mass flow meter between the condenser and the expansion device. The superheat controller is configured to measure refrigerant fluid pressure and temperature and calculate superheat therefrom, to receive and analyze a mass flow rate of the refrigerant fluid traveling out of the condenser and measured by the mass flow meter, and further configured to provide a control signal to the expansion device.