Abstract: A microchannel condenser includes a first header, the first header including a body defining an interior and further defining an inlet bore and a first outlet bore, and a second header spaced apart from the first header, the second header including a body defining an interior and further defining a second outlet bore. The microchannel condenser further includes a conduit in fluid communication with the second outlet bore. The microchannel condenser further includes a plurality of tubes extending between the first header and the second header, each of the plurality of tubes defining a plurality of microchannels, each of the plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with the interior of the first header and the interior of the second header, each of the plurality of microchannels having a maximum cross-sectional width of less than or equal to 5 millimeters.

Abstract: An evaporator for an appliance includes a conduit extending between an inlet and an outlet. The conduit has a diameter. The diameter of the conduit is less than three-eighths of an inch. A vapor bypass is mounted to the conduit such that the vapor bypass extends between the inlet of the conduit and the outlet of the conduit. The vapor bypass has a diameter. The diameter of the vapor bypass is less than the diameter of the conduit.

Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a casing. A compressor, an interior coil, an exterior coil and a reversing valve are positioned within the casing. The reversing valve is configured for selectively reversing a flow direction of compressed refrigerant from the compressor. The packaged terminal air conditioner also includes at least one phase separator and at least one ejector.

Abstract: Air conditioner units and operating methods are provided. A unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, and a compressor. The unit further includes a bulkhead disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The unit further includes a vent aperture defined in the bulkhead. The unit further includes a dehumidification system which includes an evaporator, a condenser, and an auxiliary compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser. The unit further includes a humidity sensor disposed within the outdoor portion, and a controller in communication with the compressor, the auxiliary compressor and the humidity sensor. The controller is configured to deactivate the auxiliary compressor when the compressor is active and an outdoor humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor is above a predetermined humidity threshold.

Abstract: A microchannel condenser includes a first header, the first header including a body defining an interior and further defining an inlet bore and a first outlet bore, and a second header spaced apart from the first header, the second header including a body defining an interior and further defining a second outlet bore. The microchannel condenser further includes a conduit in fluid communication with the second outlet bore. The microchannel condenser further includes a plurality of tubes extending between the first header and the second header, each of the plurality of tubes defining a plurality of microchannels, each of the plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with the interior of the first header and the interior of the second header, each of the plurality of microchannels having a maximum cross-sectional width of less than or equal to 5 millimeters.

Abstract: An evaporator for an appliance includes a conduit extending between an inlet and an outlet. The conduit has a diameter. The diameter of the conduit is less than three-eighths of an inch. A vapor bypass is mounted to the conduit such that the vapor bypass extends between the inlet of the conduit and the outlet of the conduit. The vapor bypass has a diameter. The diameter of the vapor bypass is less than the diameter of the conduit.

Abstract: Air conditioner units are provided. An air conditioner unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger including a coil assembly through which refrigerant is flowable, and an indoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger comprising a coil assembly through which refrigerant is flowable. The air conditioner unit further includes an auxiliary heat exchanger disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger along a refrigerant flow path, the auxiliary heat exchanger including a coil assembly through which refrigerant is flowable and further including a phase change material. The air conditioner unit further includes a compressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger, and a bulkhead disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger along a transverse direction, the bulkhead defining the indoor portion and the outdoor portion.

Abstract: Air conditioner units and methods for operating the same are provided. An air conditioner unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger includes a coil assembly, the coil assembly including a plurality of coil branches. The indoor heat exchanger further includes a valve in operable communication with one of the plurality of coil branches, the valve movable between an open position wherein refrigerant is flowable from the one of the plurality of coil branches through the valve and a closed position wherein refrigerant is prevented from flowing from the one of the plurality of coil branches through the valve. The air conditioner unit further includes a compressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger, and a controller in communication with the compressor and the valve, the controller configured to selectively open and close the valve.

Abstract: Air conditioner units and operating methods are provided. A unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, and a compressor. The unit further includes a bulkhead disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The unit further includes a vent aperture defined in the bulkhead. The unit further includes a dehumidification system which includes an evaporator, a condenser, and an auxiliary compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser. The unit further includes a humidity sensor disposed within the outdoor portion, and a controller in communication with the compressor, the auxiliary compressor and the humidity sensor. The controller is configured to deactivate the auxiliary compressor when the compressor is active and an outdoor humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor is above a predetermined humidity threshold.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a spine fin strip wrapped onto a conduit in a helical pattern. A first plurality of spine fins of the spine fin strip extends from a base of the spine fin strip, and a second plurality of spine fins of the spine fin strip is bent relative to the spine fins of the first plurality of spine fins. A related method for forming a heat exchanger is also provided.

Abstract: Refrigeration systems and appliances are provided. A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant, the refrigerant including a working fluid and an electrochemically active fluid. The refrigeration system further includes a condenser, an evaporator, and an electrochemical compressor in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator. The refrigeration system can further include various components which advantageously reduce the energy consumption and increase the predicatability and efficiency of the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a casing. A compressor, a reversing valve and an ejector of the packaged terminal air conditioner unit are positioned within the casing. The ejector is configured for drawing vapor refrigerant into a flow of liquid refrigerant. An exterior heat exchanger and an interior heat exchanger are also positioned within the casing. The interior heat exchanger has a first stage and a second stage.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of projections integrally formed with a conduit. The plurality of projections is configured such that the plurality of projections conforms to at least one of a first projection arrangement or a second projection arrangement. A gap between adjacent projections of the plurality of projections along an axial direction changes along a length of the conduit in the first projection arrangement, and a length of a first group of the plurality of projections is different than a length of a second group of the plurality of projections in the second projection arrangement. A related method for forming a heat exchanger is also provided.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a conduit and a spine fin assembly positioned on an outer surface of the conduit. The spine fin assembly is wound about the conduit such that a pitch between windings of the spine fin assembly varies along a length of the conduit. A related refrigerator appliance and method for forming an evaporator are also provided.

Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a casing. A compressor, an interior coil, an exterior coil and a reversing valve are positioned within the casing. The reversing valve is configured for selectively reversing a flow direction of compressed refrigerant from the compressor. The packaged terminal air conditioner also includes at least one phase separator and at least one ejector.

Abstract: Refrigeration systems and appliances are provided. A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant, the refrigerant including a working fluid and an electrochemically active fluid. The refrigeration system further includes a condenser, an evaporator, and an electrochemical compressor in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator. The refrigeration system can further include various components which advantageously reduce the energy consumption and increase the predicatability and efficiency of the refrigeration system.

Abstract: Water heater appliances and methods for operating water heater appliances are provided. A water heater appliance includes a tank defining an interior volume, and a sealed system for heating water within the interior volume. The sealed system includes a compressor operable to compress refrigerant, and a first condenser downstream of and in fluid communication with the compressor. The first condenser is operable to heat water within the interior volume using energy from the refrigerant. The sealed system further includes a second condenser downstream of and in fluid communication with the first condenser. The second condenser is operable to heat water within the interior volume using energy from the refrigerant. The sealed system further includes an evaporator between and in fluid communication with the second condenser and the compressor.

Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a phase separator positioned within a casing of the packaged terminal air conditioner unit. The phase separator is coupled to a supply conduit that extends between an exterior coil and an interior coil of the packaged terminal air conditioner unit. The phase separator is configured for separating liquid refrigerant within the supply conduit from vapor refrigerant within the supply conduit.

Abstract: A capillary tube for a heat pump system, such as a packaged terminal air conditioner unit, includes features for adjusting a restriction on a flow of refrigerant through the capillary tube depending upon a direction of the flow of refrigerant through the capillary tube. A related packaged terminal air conditioner unit is also provided.

Abstract: A sealed system is provided. The sealed system includes a compressor and a phase separator disposed downstream of the compressor. The phase separator includes a casing that defines a liquid refrigerant collection volume and a gaseous refrigerant collection volume. A refrigerant inlet conduit extends between the compressor and the gaseous refrigerant collection volume, a gaseous refrigerant outlet conduit has an inlet positioned within the gaseous refrigerant collection volume of the casing and a liquid refrigerant outlet conduit has an inlet positioned within the liquid refrigerant collection volume of the casing. A plurality of cooling fins is positioned on an outer surface of the casing. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.