Abstract: A germole-fused diarylethene-based compound is presented that includes a germanium-containing five-membered ring structure with an ethene bridge fused to photoactive bis-aryl rings. The germole-fused diarylethene-based compound isomerizes between a ring-open and a ring-closed form upon irradiation and to allow optical storage or photoswitching devices. A method to form the germole-fused diarylethene-based compound is through a rhodium catalyzed coupling between a 1-germyl-aryl-2-boronic ester, 1-germyl-heteroaryl-2-boronic ester, or 1-germyl-alkenyl-2-boronic ester with the 1,2-diarylethyne. The germole-fused diarylethene-based compounds display tunable photophysical properties of the photogenerated closed form, with excellent thermal irreversibility and a robust fatigue resistance.

Abstract: A photochromic composition having at least one photochromic naphthopyran-based component with R? and R? groups selected from hydrogen, alkyl, fluorinated alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, halogen, amine, carbonate ester, carboxylate, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl or a heterocyclic group and Ar? and Ar? groups selected from unsubstituted or substituted cyclic five-membered or six-membered structures including benzene, pyridine, thiophene, furan, carbazole, triphenylamine, dibenzothiophene, dibenzofuran, fluorine, naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene. The photochromic composition is excitable under a visible light range to produce a color change. A second photochromic naphthopyran-based component with a different thermal decay rate constant (k) may further be included in the photochromic composition. The photochromic composition is incorporated into color-changing inks and polymers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, provided are a new class of diarylethene-containing photochromic compounds with the incorporation of silicon- or phosphorus-containing heterocycles into the “ethene” part of the diarylethene backbone that has been shown to be capable of displaying tunable, robust and thermally stable photochromic properties. Also provided are methods for synthesizing these compounds, as well as uses of these compounds as these compounds may be used as the photochromic layer in an optical recording material and other optical functioning devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, provided are a new class of diarylethene-containing photochromic compounds with the incorporation of silicon- or phosphorus-containing heterocycles into the “ethene” part of the diarylethene backbone that has been shown to be capable of displaying tunable, robust and thermally stable photochromic properties. Also provided are methods for synthesizing these compounds, as well as uses of these compounds as these compounds may be used as the photochromic layer in an optical recording material and other optical functioning devices.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided and may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the compressor, and a flash tank fluidly coupled to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A first conduit may extend between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A valve associated with the first conduit may operate in an open state to permit flow along the first conduit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to at least partially bypass the flash tank and may operate in a closed state to prevent flow along the first conduit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to direct flow into the flash tank.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided and may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the compressor, and a flash tank fluidly coupled to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A first conduit may extend between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A valve associated with the first conduit may operate in an open state to permit flow along the first conduit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to at least partially bypass the flash tank and may operate in a closed state to prevent flow along the first conduit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to direct flow into the flash tank.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger, a scroll compressor in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers, and a flash tank in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers and the scroll compressor. A first capillary tube is disposed between the first heat exchanger and an inlet of the flash tank and a first valve is disposed between the first heat exchanger and the first capillary tube to control refrigerant to the first capillary tube.

Abstract: A compressor system includes a compressor having an inlet, a first conduit fluidly coupled to the inlet, an accumulator fluidly coupled to the inlet by a second conduit, and a first valve disposed in the second conduit that prevents fluid communication between the accumulator and the inlet in a closed state and permits fluid communication between the accumulator and the inlet in an open state.

Abstract: A heat pump includes a first and second heat exchanger, a scroll compressor and a flash tank in fluid communication. The flash tank includes an inlet fluidly coupled to the heat exchangers to receive liquid refrigerant. Furthermore, the flash tank includes a first outlet fluidly coupled to the first and second heat exchangers and a second outlet fluidly coupled to the scroll compressor. The first outlet is operable to deliver sub-cooled-liquid refrigerant to the heat exchangers while the second outlet is operable to deliver vaporized refrigerant to the scroll compressor. An expansion valve is further provided and is operable to selectively open and close the inlet by a float device. The float device is operable to control an amount of liquid refrigerant disposed within the flash tank by regulating an amount of liquid refrigerant entering the flash tank via the inlet.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger, a scroll compressor in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers, and a flash tank in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers and the scroll compressor. The flash tank includes an inlet fluidly coupled to the first and second heat exchangers and receives liquid refrigerant from the first and second heat exchangers. The flash tank also includes a first outlet fluidly coupled to the first and second heat exchangers that delivers sub-cooled-liquid refrigerant to the second heat exchanger and a second outlet fluidly coupled to the scroll compressor that delivers vaporized refrigerant to the scroll compressor in a heating mode.

Abstract: A cooling system including a pulse-width modulated variable capacity compressor operable between on-cycles and off-cycles, and in electrical communication with the compressor and operable to respectively synchronize opening and closing thereof with on- and off-cycles of the compressor.

Abstract: A heat pump includes a first and second heat exchanger, a scroll compressor and a flash tank in fluid communication. The flash tank includes an inlet fluidly coupled to the heat exchangers to receive liquid refrigerant. Furthermore, the flash tank includes a first outlet fluidly coupled to the first and second heat exchangers and a second outlet fluidly coupled to the scroll compressor. The first outlet is operable to deliver sub-cooled-liquid refrigerant to the heat exchangers while the second outlet is operable to deliver vaporized refrigerant to the scroll compressor. An expansion valve is further provided and is operable to selectively open and close the inlet by a float device. The float device is operable to control an amount of liquid refrigerant disposed within the flash tank by regulating an amount of liquid refrigerant entering the flash tank via the inlet.

Abstract: A cooling system including a pulse-width modulated variable capacity compressor operable between on-cycles and off-cycles, and in electrical communication with the compressor and operable to respectively synchronize opening and closing thereof with on- and off-cycles of the compressor.

Abstract: A system including an evaporator, a variable capacity compressor coupled in fluid communication with the evaporator, a condenser coupled in fluid communication between the compressor and the evaporator, an expansion valve disposed intermediate the condenser and the evaporator, and an isolation valve disposed intermediate the condenser and the expansion valve is provided. The isolation valve is in communication with the compressor to respectively synchronize opening and closing thereof with on- and off-cycles of the compressor to prohibit migration of liquid refrigerant. In an alternative embodiment, first and second check valves are respectively associated with the compressor and the condenser for prohibiting reverse migration of refrigerant during the off-cycle.

Abstract: A system including an evaporator, a variable capacity compressor coupled in fluid communication with the evaporator, a condenser coupled in fluid communication between the compressor and the evaporator, an expansion valve disposed intermediate the condenser and the evaporator, and an isolation valve disposed intermediate the condenser and the expansion valve is provided. The isolation valve is in communication with the compressor to respectively synchronize opening and closing thereof with on- and off-cycles of the compressor to prohibit migration of liquid refrigerant. In an alternative embodiment, first and second check valves are respectively associated with the compressor and the condensor for prohibiting reverse migration of refrigerant during off-cycle.