Abstract: A system has a compressor, a heat rejection heat exchanger, first and second ejectors, first and second heat absorption heat exchangers, and first and second separators. The heat rejection heat exchanger is coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant compressed by the compressor. The first ejector has a primary inlet coupled to the heat rejection exchanger to receive refrigerant, a secondary inlet, and an outlet. The first separator has an inlet coupled to the outlet of the first ejector to receive refrigerant from the first ejector. The first separator has a gas outlet coupled to the compressor to return refrigerant to the compressor. The first separator has a liquid outlet coupled to the secondary inlet of the ejector to deliver refrigerant to the first ejector. The first heat absorption heat exchanger is coupled to the liquid outlet of the first separator to receive refrigerant and to the secondary inlet of the first ejector to deliver refrigerant to the first ejector.

Abstract: An ejector has: a motive flow inlet; a secondary flow inlet; an outlet; a motive nozzle; a diffuser; and a control needle shiftable between a first position and a second position. The ejector comprises: an inlet body bearing the motive flow inlet and the secondary flow inlet; a diffuser body forming the diffuser and bearing the outlet; a motive nozzle insert forming the motive nozzle in a compartment in the inlet body; and a needle guide insert in the motive nozzle insert.

Abstract: An HVAC&R system including a pumping device configured to circulate a first two-phase medium, a plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary HVAC&R units is operably coupled to the pumping device, and a primary HVAC&R unit operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, wherein the pumping device, a portion of the plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, and a portion of the primary HVAC&R unit form a primary loop.

Abstract: An HVAC&R system that includes a first pumping device configured to circulate a first volume of a first two-phase medium, a second pumping device configured to circulate a second volume of the first two-phase medium, a first plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, a second plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, a first primary HVAC&R unit, and a second primary HVAC&R unit. At least one of the first plurality of secondary HVAC&R units is operably coupled to the first pumping device. At least one of the second plurality of secondary HVAC&R units is operably coupled to the second pumping device. The first primary HVAC&R unit is operably coupled to at least one of the first plurality of secondary HVAC&R units and the first pumping device. The second primary HVAC&R unit is operably coupled to at least one of the second plurality of secondary HVAC&R units and the second pumping device.

Abstract: A system (20; 300; 500) comprises: a compressor (22) having a suction port (40) and a discharge port (42); an ejector (32) having a motive flow inlet (50), a suction flow inlet (52), and an outlet (54); a separator (34) having an inlet (72), a vapor outlet (74), and a liquid outlet (76); a first heat exchanger (24); at least one expansion device (28, 30; 520); a second heat exchanger (26); and a plurality of conduits and a plurality of valves (100, 120, 130, 140, 144, 148, 150; 100, 140, 144, 148, 150, 320, 340; 100, 120, 530). The conduits and valves are positioned to provide alternative operation in: a cooling mode; a first heating mode wherein the ejector has a motive flow and a suction flow and where utilizing a first expansion device (30; 520) of the at least one expansion device; and a second heating mode utilizing the first expansion device and wherein the ejector has a suction flow and essentially no motive flow.

Abstract: In one aspect, a heat exchanger layer for an adsorption bed heat exchanger assembly is provided. The heat exchanger layer includes at least one fluid tube configured to supply a heat transfer fluid, a sorbent containment structure having a plurality of compartments, and a sorbent disposed within the plurality of compartments.

Abstract: A heat transfer system cycles between a first mode where a heat transfer fluid is directed to a first electrocaloric module and from the first electrocaloric module to a heat exchanger to a second electrocaloric module while one of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized, and a second mode where the heat transfer fluid is directed to the second electrocaloric module and from the second electrocaloric module to the heat exchanger to the first electrocaloric module, while the other of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized. The modes are repeatedly cycled in alternating order directing the heat transfer fluid to cause a temperature gradient in each of the first and second electrocaloric modules, and heat is rejected to the fluid from the heat exchanger or is absorbed by the heat exchanger from the fluid.

Abstract: An HVAC/R system including an HVAC component configured to allow a flammable refrigerant to flow therethrough, at least one supply flame arrestor positioned within the supply air steam, and at least one return flame arrestor positioned within the return air stream, wherein each flame arrestor includes an open area greater than 60%.

Abstract: An electrocaloric element for a heat transfer system includes an electrocaloric material of a copolymer of (i) vinylidene fluoride, (ii) an addition polymerization monomer selected from tetrafluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, vinyl fluoride, or combinations thereof, and (iii) a halogenated addition polymerization monomer larger than vinylidene fluoride. It is also provided that: (a) the monomer (ii) includes an addition polymerization monomer smaller than trifluoroethylene, (b) at least one of the addition polymerization monomers (ii) or (iii) is a chiral monomer, and the copolymer includes syndiotactic ordered segments of chiral monomer units, and/or (c) at least one of the addition polymerization monomers (ii) or (iii) comprises chlorine, and the copolymer includes an ordered distribution of monomer units comprising chlorine along the copolymer polymer backbone.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (200; 300; 400) has: a compressor (22); a first heat exchanger (30); a second heat exchanger (64); an ejector (38); separator (48); and an expansion device (70). A plurality of conduits are positioned to define a first flowpath sequentially through: the compressor; the first heat exchanger; the ejector from a motive flow inlet through (40) an outlet (44); and the separator, and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through the expansion device and second heat exchanger to a secondary flow inlet (42). The plurality of conduits are positioned to define a bypass flowpath (202; 302; 402) bypassing the motive flow inlet and rejoining the first flowpath at essentially separator pressure but away from the separator.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed in which, an electrocaloric material includes a copolymer of a monomer mixture including (i) vinylidene fluoride, (ii) an addition polymerization monomer selected from tetrafluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, or a monomer smaller than trifluoroethylene, and (iii) a halogenated addition polymerization monomer different than (ii) that is larger than vinylidene fluoride. The electrocaloric material also includes an additive selected from a nucleating agent having a polar surface charge, electrocalorically active solid particles, or a combination thereof. Electrodes are disposed on opposite surfaces of the electrocaloric material, and an electric power source is configured to provide voltage to the electrodes. The system also includes a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat sink, and a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat source.

Abstract: A refrigerated transport system (20) comprises: an engine (30). A vapor compression system (50) comprises: a compressor (40) for compressing a flow of a refrigerant; a first heat exchanger (60) along a refrigerant flowpath (52) of the refrigerant; and a second heat exchanger (66) along the refrigerant flowpath of the refrigerant. A heat recovery system (56) has: a first heat exchanger (110) for transferring heat from the engine to a heat recovery fluid along a heat recovery flowpath (58); and a second heat exchanger (112; 63) along the heat recovery flowpath. The heat recovery system second heat exchanger and the vapor compression system first heat exchanger are respective portions of a shared tube/fin package.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit, at least one variable speed compressor operating with a maximum pressure ratio of at least 5.0 and a variable speed range of at least three times (3×), a heat absorption heat exchanger, a heat rejection heat exchanger, an ejector disposed on the refrigerant circuit upstream of the compressor to extend a pressure ratio range and a volumetric flow range of the compressor in the cold climates, a separator disposed downstream of the ejector and upstream of the heat absorption heat exchanger, and at least one variable speed fan configured to move air through the heat rejection heat exchanger to provide a predefined an air discharge temperature greater than 90° F. A two-phase refrigerant is provided to an inlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger with a quality of less than or equal to 0.05.

Abstract: A heat transfer system cycles between a first mode where a heat transfer fluid is directed to a first electrocaloric module and from the first electrocaloric module to a heat exchanger to a second electrocaloric module while one of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized, and a second mode where the heat transfer fluid is directed to the second electrocaloric module and from the second electrocaloric module to the heat exchanger to the first electrocaloric module, while the other of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized. The modes are repeatedly cycled in alternating order directing the heat transfer fluid to cause a temperature gradient in each of the first and second electrocaloric modules, and heat is rejected to the fluid from the heat exchanger or is absorbed by the heat exchanger from the fluid.

Abstract: A moisture removal system for removing moisture from a gas is disclosed including a water absorption vessel with a microemulsion. The system also includes a gas-liquid phase separator in fluid communication with a water absorption vessel gas outlet, a gas outlet for conditioned air in fluid communication with a conditioned space, and a liquid outlet. An optional heat exchanger heats used microemulsion from the water absorption for water desorption in a water desorption vessel. An optional microemulsion regenerator provides thermal regeneration of microemulsion from the water desorption vessel for returning regenerated microemulsion to the water absorption vessel.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a first two-phase heat transfer fluid vapor/compression circulation loop including a compressor, a heat exchanger condenser, an expansion device, and a heat absorption side of a heat exchanger evaporator/condenser. A first conduit in a closed fluid circulation loop circulates a first heat transfer fluid therethrough. A second two-phase heat transfer fluid circulation loop transfers heat to the first heat transfer fluid circulation loop through the heat exchanger evaporator/condenser, including a heat rejection side of the heat exchanger evaporator/condenser, a liquid pump, a liquid refrigerant reservoir located upstream of the liquid pump and downstream of the heat exchanger evaporator/condenser, and a heat exchanger evaporator. A second conduit in a closed fluid circulation loop circulates a second heat transfer fluid therethrough having an ASHRAE Class A toxicity and a Class 1 or 2L flammability rating.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed that includes a plurality of electrocaloric elements (12) including an electrocaloric film (14), a first electrode (16) on a first side of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode (18) on a second side of the electrocaloric film. A fluid flow path (20) is disposed along the plurality of electrocaloric elements, formed by corrugated fluid flow guide elements (19).

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) system includes a sorption circuit including a heat absorption heat exchanger in fluid communication with a primary fluid flow source such that a primary fluid flow from is directed therethrough. The heat absorption heat exchanger is configured to exchange thermal energy between the primary fluid flow and a secondary fluid flow. A sorption heat exchanger includes a sorbent material to adsorb or absorb the primary fluid flow, generating thermal energy. The sorption heat exchanger is configured to transfer the generated thermal energy to a tertiary fluid flow. A heat exchange circuit is in fluid communication with the sorption circuit and includes a control valves connected to both the secondary fluid flow and the tertiary fluid flow configured to selectably direct the secondary fluid flow and/or the tertiary fluid flow to a conditioning heat exchanger or an ambient heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of making an electrocaloric element includes dissolving or dispersing an electrocaloric polymer in an organic solvent having a boiling point of less than 100° C. at 1 atmosphere to form a liquid composition comprising the electrocaloric polymer. A film of the liquid composition is cast on a substrate, and the organic solvent is evaporated to form a film of the electrocaloric polymer. The film is removed from the substrate and disposed between electrical conductors to form an electrocaloric element.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed including a plurality of modules arranged in a stack. The stack modules include electrocaloric element and electrodes on each side of the film. A fluid flow path is disposed between two or more electrocaloric elements. A first electrical bus element (18) in electrical contact with the first electrode (14), and a second electrical bus element (20) in electrical contact with second electrode (16). The first electrical bus element is electrically connected to at least one other electrical bus of another electrocaloric element in the stack at the same polarity as said first electrical bus, or the second electrical bus element is electrically connected to at least one other electrical bus of another electrocaloric element in the stack at the same polarity as said second electrical bus.