Abstract: A method for designing a compressor operable to compress a refrigerant. The method may include determining operating conditions for the compressor. The method may also include weighting the operating conditions. The method further include determining a compressor volume ratio based on the refrigerant and the weighted operating conditions.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (“HVAC”) system for use with a refrigerant. The HVAC system may comprise a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, and a separator. The compressor may be operable to compress the refrigerant. The condenser may be positioned downstream of the compressor and operable to condense the refrigerant. The expansion device may be positioned downstream of the condenser and operable to reduce a pressure of the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The evaporator may be positioned downstream of the expansion device and operable to vaporize the refrigerant from the expansion device. The separator may be positioned downstream of the expansion device and operable to separate the refrigerant into liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant from the separator and the liquid refrigerant from the separator may be combined prior to being compressed by the compressor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a heat pump system are disclosed to provide improved and flexible heat pump operation when dehumidification of the conditioned space is required. In one embodiment, a heat pump system includes a heat pump loop comprising a refrigerant circuit that fluidly interconnects (1) a compressor; (2) a source heat exchanger; (3) a source heat exchanger bypass circuit comprising a bypass valve; (4) a space heat exchanger; (5) a reversing valve positioned on the discharge side of the compressor; (6) a reheat circuit comprising a reheat heat exchanger; (7) first and second expansion devices; and (8) first and second expansion device bypass circuits configured to allow refrigerant to bypass the first and second expansion devices, respectively, where the first and second bypass circuits include first and second check valves, respectively; and (9) a 3-way valve configured to selectively direct refrigerant flow to the first expansion device, the reheat circuit, and the second expansion device.

Abstract: A heating system includes a refrigerant boiler including a heat source for heating a refrigerant from a liquid state to a vapor state, a boiler outlet and a boiler inlet; a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the refrigerant boiler, the heat exchanger including a upper manifold having a heat exchanger inlet coupled to the boiler outlet, a lower manifold having a heat exchanger outlet coupled to the boiler inlet and a plurality of tubes connecting the upper manifold and the lower manifold, wherein refrigerant passes from the upper manifold to the lower manifold via gravity; and a fan moving air over the heat exchanger to define supply air for a space to be heated.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant disclosure comprises a reversible heat pump and water heating system for conditioning a space and heating water. The system comprises a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, a source heat exchanger, a space heat exchanger, and an expansion device. A 4-way reversing valve alternates between heating and cooling modes of operation. The system includes a heat exchanger for heating water in the water heating loop, and a 3-way valve that either actuates the refrigerant flow through the water heater heat exchanger or bypasses at least a portion of the refrigerant flow around the water heater heat exchanger. The heat pump system is operable in at least five modes—space heating only, space cooling only, water heating only, and either space heating or space cooling combined with water heating.

Abstract: A hybrid heat pump system comprising a heat pump loop integrated with a hydronic loop. The hybrid heat pump system offers multiple modes of operation to provide increased versatility and improved performance. Each of the loops can operate independently. In addition, the loops can operate in conjunction with each other in both heating and cooling modes. Still further, the hydronic loop can provide a reheat function when the heat pump loop is operating in the cooling mode to provide improved dehumidification of the air delivered to the conditioned space. The heat pump loop may include a hot gas bypass functionality for capacity control and/or freeze protection. The hydronic heat exchanger and the space heat exchanger of the heat pump loop may be combined in a compact single slab construction with a slit fin preventing cross-conduction between the heat exchanger sections.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a heat pump system are disclosed to provide improved and flexible heat pump operation when dehumidification of the conditioned space is required. In one embodiment, a heat pump system includes a heat pump loop comprising a refrigerant circuit that fluidly interconnects (1) a compressor; (2) a source heat exchanger; (3) a source heat exchanger bypass circuit comprising a bypass valve; (4) a space heat exchanger; (5) a reversing valve positioned on the discharge side of the compressor; (6) a reheat circuit comprising a reheat heat exchanger; (7) first and second expansion devices; and (8) first and second expansion device bypass circuits configured to allow refrigerant to bypass the first and second expansion devices, respectively, where the first and second bypass circuits include first and second check valves, respectively; and (9) a 3-way valve configured to selectively direct refrigerant flow to the first expansion device, the reheat circuit, and the second expansion device.

Abstract: An HVAC system is disclosed, comprising: (a) a compressor, (b) a source heat exchanger for exchanging heat with a source fluid, (c) a first load heat exchanger operable for heating/cooling air in a space, (d) a second load heat exchanger for heating water, (e) first and second reversing valves, (f) first and second 3-way valves, (f) a bi-directional electronic expansion valve, (g) a first bi-directional valve, and (h) a second bi-directional valve to modulate exchange of heat in the first load heat exchanger when operating as an evaporator and to control flashing of the refrigerant entering the source heat exchanger when operating as an evaporator, (h) a source pump for circulating the source fluid through the first load heat exchanger, (i) a water pump for circulating water through the second load heat exchanger, and (j) a controller to control operation of the foregoing.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant disclosure comprises a reversible heat pump and water heating system for conditioning a space and heating water. The system comprises a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, a source heat exchanger, a space heat exchanger, and an expansion device. A 4-way reversing valve alternates between heating and cooling modes of operation. The system includes a heat exchanger for heating water in the water heating loop, and a 3-way valve that either actuates the refrigerant flow through the water heater heat exchanger or bypasses at least a portion of the refrigerant flow around the water heater heat exchanger. The heat pump system is operable in at least five modes—space heating only, space cooling only, water heating only, and either space heating or space cooling combined with water heating.

Abstract: A hybrid heat pump system comprising a heat pump loop integrated with a hydronic loop. The hybrid heat pump system offers multiple modes of operation to provide increased versatility and improved performance. Each of the loops can operate independently. In addition, the loops can operate in conjunction with each other in both heating and cooling modes. Still further, the hydronic loop can provide a reheat function when the heat pump loop is operating in the cooling mode to provide improved dehumidification of the air delivered to the conditioned space. The heat pump loop may include a hot gas bypass functionality for capacity control and/or freeze protection. The hydronic heat exchanger and the space heat exchanger of the heat pump loop may be combined in a compact single slab construction with a slit fin preventing cross-conduction between the heat exchanger sections.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a manifold assembly with internal fluid communication between a first manifold defining a first fluid chamber and a second manifold defining a second fluid chamber of the manifold assembly, the first manifold and the second manifold joined in parallel relationship along a longitudinally extending interface between a wall of the first manifold and a wall of the second manifold. The method includes: forming a first access port in a wall of one of the first manifold and the second manifold diametrically opposite the interface; forming a first fluid communication port extending through a wall of the first manifold and a wall of the second manifold at the interface and defining a first fluid passage between the first and second fluid chambers; and sealingly plugging the access port.

Abstract: A multiple tube bank heat exchanger includes a first tube bank including at least a first and a second flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship and a second tube bank including at least a first and a second flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship. The second tube bank is disposed behind the first tube bank with a leading edge of the second tube bank spaced from a trailing edge of the first tube bank. A continuous folded fin extends between the first and second flattened tube segments of both of said first tube bank and said second tube bank.

Abstract: A multiple tube bank heat exchanger includes a first tube bank including at least a first and a second flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship and a second tube bank including at least a first and a second flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship. The second tube bank is disposed behind the first tube bank with a leading edge of the second tube bank spaced from a trailing edge of the first tube bank. A continuous folded fin extends between the first and second flattened tube segments of both of said first tube bank and said second tube bank.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided including a first manifold, a second manifold separated from the first manifold, and a plurality of heat exchanger tubes arranged in spaced parallel relationship fluidly coupling the first and second manifolds. A first end of each heat exchange tube extends partially into an inner volume of the first manifold and has an inlet formed therein. A distributor is positioned within the inner volume of the first manifold. At least a portion of the distributor is arranged within the inlet formed in the first end of one or more of the plurality of heat exchange tubes.

Abstract: An air-cooled chiller system includes a heat exchanger including a first tube bank including at least a first and a second flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship; a second tube bank including at least a first and a second flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship, the second tube bank disposed behind the first tube bank with a leading edge of the second tube bank spaced from a trailing edge of the first tube bank; a fan creating an airflow across the first heat exchanger, the airflow flowing over the first tube bank prior to flowing over the second tube bank, wherein refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger in a cross-counterflow direction opposite that of the airflow direction.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided including a first manifold, a second manifold separated from the first manifold, and a plurality of heat exchanger tubes arranged in spaced parallel relationship fluidly coupling the first and second manifolds. A first end of each heat exchange tube extends partially into an inner volume of the first manifold and has an inlet formed therein. A distributor is positioned within the inner volume of the first manifold. At least a portion of the distributor is arranged within the inlet formed in the first end of one or more of the plurality of heat exchange tubes.

Abstract: A water-cooled heat rejection heat exchanger is provided and includes a housing having first and second opposing end plates and sidewalls extending between the end plates to form an enclosure, at least the first end plate including first and second inlet/outlet pairs for first and second fluids, respectively, a plurality of plates disposed within the enclosure between the first and second end plates to define a first fluid pathway disposed in fluid communication with the first inlet/outlet pair and a second fluid pathway disposed in fluid communication with the second inlet/outlet pair and a plurality of brazed formations disposed between adjacent ones of the first end plate, the plurality of plates and the second end plate to isolate the first fluid pathway from the second fluid pathway.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first tube bank having at least a first and a second flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship. A second tube bank includes at least a first group of flattened tube segments and a second group of flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship. The second tube bank is disposed behind the first tube bank with a leading edge of the second tube bank spaced from a trailing edge of the first tube bank. The first group of flattened tube segments is configured to receive a first fluid. The second group of flattened tube segments is configured to receive a second fluid. A fan provides an airflow across the first tube bunk and the second tube bank sequentially.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor includes a cylinder block, a cylinder head, and a bypass unloader valve assembly. The cylinder block has a cylinder disposed therein. The cylinder head is secured to the cylinder block overlying the cylinder and has a suction plenum and a discharge plenum in selective fluid communication with the cylinder. The bypass unloader valve assembly is in operable communication with the cylinder head and is responsive to control signals to rapid cycle to allow for fluid communication of a refrigerant between the discharge plenum and the suction plenum.

Abstract: A multiple bank, flattened tube heat exchange unit includes a first tube bank including a plurality of flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship between a first manifold and a second manifold and a second tube bank including a plurality of flattened tube segments extending longitudinally in spaced parallel relationship between a first manifold and a second manifold, the second tube bank disposed behind the first tube bank. The second manifold of the first tube bank and the second manifold of the second tube bank form a manifold assembly wherein an interior volume of the second manifold of the first tube bank and an interior volume of the second manifold of the second tube bank of the manifold assembly are internally connected in fluid communication.