Abstract: A heat-pump system includes a compressor, an outdoor heating exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a supplemental heater. The outdoor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the compressor. The indoor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the compressor. The expansion device is in fluid communication with the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. The supplemental heater includes a burner and a working-fluid conduit. The burner is configured to burn a fuel and heat the working-fluid conduit. When the heat-pump system is operating in a heating mode, the indoor heat exchanger receives working fluid from the working-fluid conduit such that the working fluid flows from an outlet of the working-fluid conduit to an inlet of the indoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system may include a first compressor, a second compressor, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first compressor has a first inlet and a first outlet. The second compressor is a sumpless compressor and has a second inlet and a second outlet. The second compressor provides working fluid discharged from the second outlet to the first compressor. The first heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the second compressor and provides working fluid to the second compressor. The second heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the first compressor and provides working fluid to the first compressor.

Abstract: A method may include selecting a first set of values for a first set of parameters of one or more hardware components of an ice-making machine; identifying a water temperature at a water inlet of the ice-making machine; identifying an ambient air temperature surrounding the ice-making machine; calculating a second set of parameters of the ice-making machine based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the second set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in a freeze mode in which liquid water is cooled by an evaporator; and calculating a third set of parameters based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the third set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in a harvest mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for purging lubricant from a first compressor to a second compressor are provided. A control module receives a lubricant purge command, shuts the second compressor to an OFF-mode while the first compressor remains in the ON-mode, restricts working fluid from an outlet of the second compressor from flowing into the first compressor and allows compressed working fluid discharged from an outlet of the first compressor to flow into the inlet of the second compressor such that lubricant in the second compressor flows into the first compressor.

Abstract: A heat-pump system may include a compressor, an outdoor heating exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a supplemental heater. The outdoor heat exchanger may be in fluid communication with the compressor. The indoor heat exchanger may be in fluid communication with the compressor. The expansion device may be in fluid communication with the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. The supplemental heater may include a burner and a working-fluid conduit. The burner may be configured to burn a fuel and heat the working-fluid conduit. When the heat-pump system is operating in a heating mode, the indoor heat exchanger may receive working fluid from the working-fluid conduit such that the working fluid flows from an outlet of the working-fluid conduit to an inlet of the indoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system may include a first compressor, a second compressor, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first compressor has a first inlet and a first outlet. The second compressor is a sumpless compressor and has a second inlet and a second outlet. The second compressor provides working fluid discharged from the second outlet to the first compressor. The first heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the second compressor and provides working fluid to the second compressor. The second heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the first compressor and provides working fluid to the first compressor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for purging lubricant from a first compressor to a second compressor are provided. A control module receives a lubricant purge command, shuts the second compressor to an OFF-mode while the first compressor remains in the ON-mode, restricts working fluid from an outlet of the second compressor from flowing into the first compressor and allows compressed working fluid discharged from an outlet of the first compressor to flow into the inlet of the second compressor such that lubricant in the second compressor flows into the first compressor.

Abstract: A method may include selecting a first set of values for a first set of parameters of one or more hardware components of an ice-making machine; identifying a water temperature at a water inlet of the ice-making machine; identifying an ambient air temperature surrounding the ice-making machine; calculating a second set of parameters of the ice-making machine based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the second set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in a freeze mode in which liquid water is cooled by an evaporator; and calculating a third set of parameters based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the third set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in a harvest mode.

Abstract: An ice machine may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, an evaporator, an ice tray, and a water pump. The first heat exchanger may receive compressed working fluid from the compressor. The expansion device may receive working fluid from the first heat exchanger. The evaporator may receive working fluid from the expansion device. The ice tray may be in a heat transfer relationship with the evaporator. The ice tray may include a plurality of ice molds. The water pump may be in fluid communication with the ice molds and may be configured to pump water from a water source to the ice molds.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a compressor rack having a plurality of compressors and a controller associated with each compressor. Each controller is associated with a communication gateway and monitors operational characteristics of its respective compressor and communicates with an internet web server through the gateway.

Abstract: A compressor assembly includes a compressor, a controller, a gateway and a system controller. The controller includes a vibration sensor and monitors operational characteristics of the compressor. The gateway is in communication with the controller, the system controller is in communication with the controller through the gateway.

Abstract: The compressor assembly includes a compressor and a controller mounted on the compressor and operable to monitor operational characteristics of the compressor. The controller also controls the compressor unloader, liquid injection, oil injection and/or a crankcase heater.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a compressor rack, a controller, a gateway, and a system master. The compressor rack includes a plurality of compressors. A controller is dedicated to each compressor and includes a memory storing configuration data for the compressor. A gateway is in communication with each controller and allows the system master to command the controller to send the configuration data to the system master, whereby the system master stores a copy of the configuration data for each compressor.

Abstract: A compressor protection and control subsystem for a rotary compressor provides temperature pressure, mis-wiring and vibrational protection for the scroll machine. The vibrational protection comprises a vibration sensor which is integrated on the circuit board of the protection and control subsystem. The vibration sensor, in conjunction with at least one timer, monitors the vibrations of the scroll machine and will shut down the machine when excess vibrations are sensed over a prespecified period of time. The temperature system monitors operating temperature conditions the pressure system monitors operating pressures and the mis-wiring system monitors the power supplied to the compressor. Once an undesirable characteristic is identified, the operation of the scroll machine is stopped. These protection systems are integrated into a single subsystem which identifies the reason of shutting off the scroll machine in order to simplify repairs needed.

Abstract: A compressor protection and control subsystem for a rotary compressor provides temperature pressure, mis-wiring and vibrational protection for the scroll machine. The vibrational protection comprises a vibration sensor which is integrated on the circuit board of the protection and control subsystem. The vibration sensor, in conjunction with at least one timer, monitors the vibrations of the scroll machine and will shut down the machine when excess vibrations are sensed over a prespecified period of time. The temperature system monitors operating temperature conditions the pressure system monitors operating pressures and the mis-wiring system monitors the power supplied to the compressor. Once an undesirable characteristic is identified, the operation of the scroll machine is stopped. These protection systems are integrated into a single subsystem which identifies the reason of shutting off the scroll machine in order to simplify repairs needed.

Abstract: A vertical compressor is converted to a horizontal compressor by laying the vertical compressor on its side and locating it within the standard shell of a larger vertical compressor. The end caps and partition of the smaller compressor are removed while the end caps and the partition of the larger compressor are added. A lubricant pump pumps lubricant from the sump defined between the two shells to all areas of the compressor requiring lubrication.

Abstract: An open drive scroll compressor had a unique lubrication system which includes a vane type oil pump attached to an outer diameter of the drive shaft of the compressor. The oil pump draws oil from an oil sump, sends a first portion of the oil to the components of the compressor needing lubrication and a second portion through a filter. The return to the sump from the filter is restricted to control oil pressure and thus the amount of circulated oil. The scroll compressor includes a first baffle between the oil sump and a counterweight attached to the drive shaft and a second baffle disposed between the scroll members and the oil sump.

Abstract: The flow of refrigerant is controlled by a strategy that strives to seek and maintain a fluctuating superheat condition. The control system causes optimal use of the evaporator coil by ensuring that the refrigerant in the coil is in the liquid state. A temperature sensor at the evaporator coil exit senses refrigerant temperature and the control system regulates refrigerant flow so that the liquid dry out point (transition between liquid state and superheat state) occurs in the vicinity of this sensor. Thus a single sensor may be used to effect closed loop control.

Abstract: The flow of refrigerant is controlled by a strategy that strives to seek and maintain a fluctuating superheat condition. The control system causes optimal use of the evaporator coil by ensuring that the refrigerant in the coil is in the liquid state. A temperature sensor at the evaporator coil exit senses refrigerant temperature and the control system regulates refrigerant flow so that the liquid dry out point (transition between liquid state and superheat state) occurs in the vicinity of this sensor. Thus a single sensor may be used to effect closed loop control.