Abstract: A thermal optimization control includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is operable to receive information from a building housing at least one computer server, with the information including at least current thermal load. The processing circuitry is operable to control an associated HVAC system for at least an area of the building where the at least one computer server is housed. The processing circuity is operable to optimize the operation of the HVAC system based upon the current and an expected upcoming thermal load on the area of the building where the server is received to reduce energy usage by the HVAC system. A method and building are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cooling units are provided. The cooling units include a base having a housing with control components and a cooling tower attached to the base having an inner flow path and an exterior surface. An air distribution system is attached to the cooling tower and includes an air distribution chamber defined between the first and second enclosures and a cover is disposed on an exterior surface of the second enclosure. A plurality of dispersing apertures are formed within the first enclosure to generate a curtain of cool air to be dispensed from the air distribution system. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser.

Abstract: A method of cooling an assembly including at least one heat-generating electronic device and at least one peripheral heat-generating device includes cooling the at least one heat-generating electronic device with a primary cooling fluid and cooling the at least one heat-generating electronic device and the at least one peripheral heat-generating device with a secondary cooling fluid. The secondary cooling fluid is distinct from the primary cooling fluid.

Abstract: A modular HVAC-SHW/DHW system that provides comfort conditioning, sanitary hot water, and ventilation in the buildings is disclosed. The system includes HVAC units, SHW/DHW units, and one or more air-to-water heat pump (AWHP) units fluidically connected to the HVAC units and the SHW/DHW units through at least one water-to-water heat pump (WWHPs). The AWHP units are configured to enable the exchange of heat between the environment and the WWHPs, and the WWHP is configured to enable the exchange of rejected heat between any of the AWHP units, the HVAC units, and the SHW/DHW units. The system is designed in a packaged form factor or modular design, where the components/units of the system are configured within a housing that is easily installable at the desired locations in the building.

Abstract: Cooling units are provided. The cooling units include a base having a housing with control components and a cooling tower attached to the base and having an inner flow path and an exterior surface. An air distribution system is attached to the cooling tower and includes an air distribution chamber defined between first and second enclosures, air dispensers are configured in the first enclosure, and a cover is disposed on an exterior surface of the second enclosure. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser. A cooling unit water supply is arranged to provide cooling water to the air distribution system through the cooling tower and a water treatment module connected to the cooling unit water supply to treat the cooling water.

Abstract: Cooling units are provided. The cooling units include abase having a housing with control components, a cooling tower attached to the base and having an inner flow path and an exterior surface. An air distribution system is attached to the cooling tower and includes an air distribution chamber defined between first and second enclosures, air dispensers are configured in the first enclosure, and a cover disposed on an exterior surface of the second enclosure. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser and an electronics package installed on the cooling unit.

Abstract: Cooling units are provided. The cooling units include a base having a housing with control components and a cooling tower attached to the base having an inner flow path and an exterior surface. An air distribution system is attached to the cooling tower and includes an air distribution chamber defined between first and second enclosures, a cool air dispenser configured in the first enclosure, a warm air dispenser configured in the first enclosure at a location different from the cool air dispenser, and a cover disposed on an exterior surface of the second enclosure. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser and a plurality of ducts connect the cooling tower to at least one of the cool air dispenser and the warm air dispenser.

Abstract: Cooling systems are provided. The cooling systems include a plurality of cooling units. Each cooling unit has a base having a housing with control components, a cooling tower attached to the base at a first end of the cooling tower, with an inner flow path and an exterior surface, and an air distribution system attached to the cooling tower at a second end. The air distribution system includes an air distribution chamber between first and second enclosures, cool and warm air dispensers are configured in the first enclosure, and a cover is disposed on an exterior of the enclosures. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the air dispensers. At least two of the cooling units of the plurality of cooling units are arranged in a linear arrangement.

Abstract: A modular cooling system comprising a plurality of chiller modules and a coolant circuit with flow paths having parts in each of the plurality of chiller modules. The coolant circuit cools a working fluid to meet a cooling demand, and the working fluid can be cooled in heat exchange with the heat absorbing heat exchangers of the free cooling circuits and heat exchange with the heat absorbing heat exchangers of the refrigeration circuits. The flow paths of the coolant circuit connect to the heat absorbing heat exchangers of the free cooling circuits in parallel and connect to the heat absorbing heat exchangers of the refrigeration circuits in series. The coolant circuit flow paths split along parallel flows through the heat absorbing heat exchangers of the free cooling circuits before recombining to flow sequentially in a combined flow path through the heat absorbing heat exchangers of the refrigeration circuits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting a refrigerant leak in a refrigeration system, wherein a system controller is configured to: execute leak test cycles that include executing a first phase (T1-T2) of transferring refrigerant charge to the evaporator, a second phase (T2-T3) of transferring refrigerant charge to the condenser, and a third phase (T3-T4) of transferring refrigerant charge to the evaporator, determine a reference leak detection cycle time (LDCTREF) by determining a time from a beginning of the second phase (T2) in a first test to an end of the third phase (T4) in the first test, and setting LDCTREF to the time, determine a second leak detection cycle time (LDCT2nd) by determining a time from a beginning of the second phase (T2) in the second test to a second end of the third phase (T4) in the second test, and setting LDCT2nd to the time, determine if a refrigerant leak exists, and communicate the determination.

Abstract: A combined HVAC and fire suppression system includes a HVAC apparatus and a fluid outlet for release of heat exchange fluid into a discharge plenum of the HVAC system. The heat exchange fluid is a clean agent, such that release of the heat exchange fluid into the discharge plenum provides a fire suppressant effect for a conditioned space. The HVAC apparatus includes a network of piping holding a heat exchange fluid and arranged for chilling the heat exchange fluid via a chiller connected to the piping; a fan coil unit connected to the network of piping, the fan coil unit includes a coil for passage of the heat exchange fluid chilled by the chiller, a fan for movement of air over the coil in order to transfer heat from the air to the heat exchange fluid in the coil, and the discharge plenum.

Abstract: A thermally driven elastocaloric system and a method for generating at least one of a heating potential and a cooling potential are provided. The thermally driven elastocaloric system includes a first shape memory alloy (SMA) member, a second shape memory alloy (SMA) member, and a connection mechanism configured between the distal end of the first SMA member and the distal end of the second SMA member. The connection mechanism is configured to transfer a force between the first SMA member and the second SMA member. The transfer of a compressive force to an SMA member may generate a heating potential in the SMA member, and the transfer of a tensile force to an SMA member may generate a cooling potential in the SMA member. Whether a compressive force or a tensile force is transferred may be dependent on whether heat is transferred to or from a SMA member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting a refrigerant leak in a refrigeration system, wherein a system controller is configured to: execute leak test cycles that include executing a first phase (T1-T2) of transferring refrigerant charge to the evaporator, a second phase (T2-T3) of transferring refrigerant charge to the condenser, and a third phase (T3-T4) of transferring refrigerant charge to the evaporator, determine a reference leak detection cycle time (LDCTREF) by determining a time from a beginning of the second phase (T2) in a first test to an end of the third phase (T4) in the first test, and setting LDCTREF to the time, determine a second leak detection cycle time (LDCT2nd) by determining a time from a beginning of the second phase (T2) in the second test to a second end of the third phase (T4) in the second test, and setting LDCT2nd to the time, determine if a refrigerant leak exists, and communicate the determination.

Abstract: An air handling unit (1) for cooling down an indoor airflow (A1) including at least one fan (3) circulating the indoor airflow inside the air handling unit (1) and a first and a second cooling subsystems (5, 15) including a refrigeration apparatus (50, 150) comprising an evaporator (500, 1500) and a condenser (504, 1504), a first water circuit (52, 152) connected to the condenser and comprising at least one outside heat exchanger (520, 1520) exposed to outside air (A5, A15), a second water circuit (56, 156) connected to the evaporator and comprising at least one indoor heat exchanger (560, 1560) exposed to the indoor airflow, water connection means (62, 64, 162, 164) for selectively connecting, depending on a temperature of the outside air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting a refrigerant leak in a refrigeration system, wherein a system controller is configured to: execute leak test cycles that include executing a first phase (T1-T2) of transferring refrigerant charge to the evaporator, a second phase (T2-T3) of transferring refrigerant charge to the condenser, and a third phase (T3-T4) of transferring refrigerant charge to the evaporator, determine a reference leak detection cycle time (LDCTREF) by determining a time from a beginning of the second phase (T2) in a first test to an end of the third phase (T4) in the first test, and setting LDCTREF to the time, determine a second leak detection cycle time (LDCT2nd) by determining a time from a beginning of the second phase (T2) in the second test to a second end of the third phase (T4) in the second test, and setting LDCT2nd to the time, determine if a refrigerant leak exists, and communicate the determination.

Abstract: This refrigeration apparatus (1) comprises a main refrigerant circuit (2) including a positive displacement compressor (4), a condenser (6), an expansion valve (8), an evaporator (10), through which a refrigerant circulates successively in a closed loop circulation, and a lubrication refrigerant line (18) in fluid connection with the main refrigerant circuit (2) and connected to the compressor (4) for lubrication of said compressor (4) with the refrigerant. The refrigeration apparatus (1) comprises a refrigerant container (20) connected between the condenser (6) and the expansion valve (8), said refrigerant container (20) being configured to retain a quantity of refrigerant, the lubrication refrigerant line (18) being connected to said refrigerant container (20). The refrigeration apparatus (1) further comprises heating means (28) for heating the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant container (20).

Abstract: A heat exchanger, such as a flooded evaporator, comprises a shell extending along a longitudinal axis (X), an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, through which respectively enters (F1) and exits (F2) a refrigerant flow, and a bundle of pipes crossing the shell along the longitudinal axis (X), and comprising a refrigerant flow diffuser provided inside the shell downstream the inlet pipe, the refrigerant flow diffuser extending along the longitudinal axis (X) and comprising openings through which the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow diffuser comprises a moving element and a stationary element, the moving element being movable with respect to the stationary element under action of a pressure force (FP) exerted by the refrigerant flow so that the refrigerant flow going through the openings is adjusted and a differential refrigerant pressure between refrigerant pressure downstream (P2) and upstream (P1) the refrigerant flow diffuser is kept constant.

Abstract: A thermally driven elastocaloric system and a method for generating at least one of a heating potential and a cooling potential are provided. The thermally driven elastocaloric system includes a first shape memory alloy (SMA) member, a second shape memory alloy (SMA) member, and a connection mechanism configured between the distal end of the first SMA member and the distal end of the second SMA member. The connection mechanism is configured to transfer a force between the first SMA member and the second SMA member. The transfer of a compressive force to an SMA member may generate a heating potential in the SMA member, and the transfer of a tensile force to an SMA member may generate a cooling potential in the SMA member. Whether a compressive force or a tensile force is transferred may be dependent on whether heat is transferred to or from a SMA member.

Abstract: A hydronic refrigeration system 200 includes: a coolant cooling system 210; an air side cooling load system 230 for cooling of air using coolant from the coolant cooling system 210; and a coolant distribution system 250 for transporting coolant from the coolant cooling system 210 to the air side cooling load system 230 and from the air side cooling load system 230 to coolant cooling system 210; the coolant cooling system 250 comprises multiple chillers 211a, 211b, 211c connected in series, with each chiller 211a, 211b, 211c comprising a refrigeration circuit 212a, 212b, 212c.

Abstract: An example air management system includes laterally spaced apart rows of electrical equipment that each provide a flow path between two convection regions on opposing sides of the row. A plurality of supply aisles and a plurality of return aisles are interposed between each other. Each supply and return aisle has a respective room portion that includes a respective one of the convection regions, a respective ceiling portion disposed above the room portion, and a vented barrier portion therebetween. Each supply aisle provides airflow downwards from its ceiling portion to its convection region, and each return aisle provides airflow flow upwards from its convection region to its ceiling portion. A plurality of air handling units are located external to the plurality of rows and are configured to utilize the ceiling portions of the supply aisles as supply ducts, and utilize the ceiling portions of the return aisles as return ducts.