Abstract: In various implementations, a heat exchanger system may include one or more flow paths. At least one of the flow paths may be associated with more than one pass and/or fluid flow through the flow path may be restricted. A setting of the heat exchanger system may include associations between flow path(s) and/or pass(es). A setting for the heat exchanger system may be determined, and the heat exchanger system may be allowed to operate in the determined setting, in some implementations.

Abstract: In various implementations, an air conditioner may operate in low ambient temperatures. In some implementations, operations of crankcase heater(s) and/or compressor(s) may be managed. For example, the crankcase heater(s) associated with compressors in which operation is restricted may be allowed to operate. In some implementations, operations of compressors may alternate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting refrigerant charge level are provided. The apparatus has a reservoir, a reservoir line, a reservoir valve, and one or more side valves. The reservoir line connects the reservoir and a liquid line, and has a connection to the liquid line. The liquid line connects an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger. The reservoir valve is on the reservoir line. The one or more side valves are on the liquid line. In the method, an indicator of effectiveness of a refrigerant-using system is calculated. The indicator is compared to a target indicator of effectiveness. A refrigerant charge level is adjusted to reduce the difference between the indicator and the target indicator.

Abstract: In various implementations, an air conditioner may include a heat exchanger having one or more flow paths. At least one of the flow paths may be associated with more than one pass and/or fluid flow through the flow path may be restricted. A setting of the heat exchanger may include associations between flow path(s) and/or pass(es). A setting for the heat exchanger may be determined and the heat exchanger may be allowed to operate in the determined setting, in some implementations.

Abstract: One aspect presents a controller that comprises a control board, a microprocessor located on and electrically coupled to the control board, and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and located on and electrically coupled to the control board. The controller is configured to receive an operating parameter signal and recalculate a first maximum heating % demand to a second maximum heating % demand that is greater than the first maximum heating % demand, when a value of the operating parameter signal exceeds a predetermined value, and operate the HP system based on the second maximum heating % demand.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a control system for a compressor assembly of an heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A control assembly comprises a controller for varying the capacity of a compressor unit of the compressor assembly. The controller determines a first pressure of the compressor unit based on a first operating state of the compressor unit.

Abstract: In various implementations, an air conditioner may include one or more compressors, more than one expansion device, and/or a microchannel condenser. High pressure events may occur during operation of the air conditioner and may be identified. When a high pressure event is identified a bypass operation may be allowed.

Abstract: In various implementations, an air conditioning system may include one or more compressors. The operation of the compressor(s) may be managed. For example, when an air conditioner is allowed to operate after being shut down, a first compressor may be allowed to operate and a wait time may elapse prior to starting at least one other compressor. When a compressor has multiple stages of operation, in some implementations, a first compressor may be allowed to operate at a low stage and a wait time may elapse prior to starting a higher stage of operation of the first compressor.

Abstract: One aspect presents an controller that comprises a control board, a microprocessor located on and electrically coupled to the control board, and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and located on and electrically coupled to the control board. The controller is configured to receive a trip signal from a refrigerant high pressure sensor and set a maximum heating % demand of the heat pump system based on the trip signal, recalculate a heating % demand based on at least one of the recalculated heating % demand or the maximum heating % demand.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system for calibrating operation of a compressor unit in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A measuring device measures an operating parameter of the HVAC system at a position where the measuring device is mounted on a refrigerant line of the HVAC system. The measuring device switches states when the value of the measured operating parameter reaches a switching value. A controller estimates a value of the first operating parameter at the position where the first measuring device is mounted on the refrigerant line, and the controller determines whether the estimated first operating parameter is within a threshold percentage of the switching value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for heating a compressor assembly of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The system comprises a heat source for transferring thermal energy to a plurality of compressor units. A controller varies the thermal energy transferred to the compressor units, between at least two substantially non-zero rates of transfer of thermal energy, in a plurality of modes of operation of the HVAC system.

Abstract: One aspect presents a heat pump system controller that includes a control board a microprocessor located on and electrically coupled to the control board, and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and located on and electrically coupled to the control board. The memory has a program stored thereon that is configured to relate a temperature received from a liquid refrigeration line temperature sensor with a pressure of a compressor of a heat pump system and change an airflow rate of an indoor blower/heat exchange (ID) system of a heat pump (HP) system to avoid a shutdown of the HP system that occurs when the compressor reaches a trip pressure of the compressor.

Abstract: One aspect presents an enhanced comfort controller that comprises a control board, a microprocessor located on and electrically coupled to the control board, and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and located on and electrically coupled to the control board. The enhanced comfort controller has an enhanced comfort program stored thereon that is configured to cause an indoor blower/heat exchange (ID) system of a heat pump to output an enhanced airflow rate of the ID system in response to an outdoor ambient temperature data.

Abstract: A space conditioning system for conditioning air within an enclosed space. The system comprises a refrigeration subsystem configured to circulate a flammable refrigerant there-through. The refrigeration subsystem also comprises a safety module configured to include either: a leak-detector subunit, or, a start-up subunit. The leak-detector subunit is configured to monitor for a leak of the flammable refrigerant from the refrigeration subsystem, and, to generate an alarm signal if the leak is detected. The start-up subunit is configured to turn on one or more airflow devices configured to vent or mix a leaked flammable refrigerant.

Abstract: An air blower validator, a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system and a method of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the air blower validator includes: (1) a air pressure detector including a first pressure port configured to receive air from inside an air blower housing of an HVAC system and (2) an air collector configured to deliver the air to the first pressure port, the air collector including a pressure tap configured to couple to an opening in the air blower housing.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The unit comprises a heat exchanger or drain pan located inside a HVAC housing that has one or more access openings and ultraviolet light-sensitive components therein. The unit also comprises a light located inside of the HVAC housing and a light shield located between the heat exchanger or drain pan and the light source. The light source includes a network of open-ended cells, each cell having ultraviolet light reflective walls. The light shield is oriented to direct an ultraviolet light from the light source through the open-ended cells towards the heat exchanger or drain pan and away from the one or more access openings and ultraviolet light-sensitive components.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising a heat exchanger plenum having a surface located therein that is susceptible to degradation upon exposure to light, and a light bulb located within the plenum. In one embodiment, the light bulb has a side directed toward the surface and a light-absorptive barrier coupled to the side. The light-absorptive barrier is configured to reduce direct light transmission from the light bulb to the surface to thereby inhibit degradation of the surface. The invention further provides an HVAC system comprising a light bulb configured to emit photonic energy, and an absorptive barrier coupled to at least a portion of an outside of the bulb. The absorptive barrier is configured to substantially reduce transmission of the emitted photonic energy beyond the portion of the bulb.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising a heat exchanger plenum having a surface located therein that is susceptible to degradation upon exposure to light, and a light bulb located within the plenum. In one embodiment, the light bulb has a side directed toward the surface and a light-absorptive barrier coupled to the side. The light-absorptive barrier is configured to reduce direct light transmission from the light bulb to the surface to thereby inhibit degradation of the surface. The invention further provides an HVAC system comprising a light bulb configured to emit photonic energy, and an absorptive barrier coupled to at least a portion of an outside of the bulb. The absorptive barrier is configured to substantially reduce transmission of the emitted photonic energy beyond the portion of the bulb.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for generating gravitational force/gravitational field, which, for example, may be used in space and avionics applications, said apparatus comprising a capacito-inductor, constituted by at least two coils, made of two metal layers with two dielectric layers provided therebetween, said coils being wound in predetermined turns on a cylindrical core of an insulating material; a magnet placed at the center of said capacito-inductor for creating and passing radial magnetic field through the capacito-inductor; power supplies for applying equal and opposite current pulses at the end terminals of said two metal layers of the capacito-inductor, and also for applying predetermined voltage between the same end terminals of said metal layers; and a drive source for rotating the capacito-inductor, journalled between two covers.

Abstract: A hysteresis circuit including first and second voltage reference circuits responsive to an input control signal for providing first and second voltage levels connected in series to produce a higher voltage level; a first switching circuit, responsive to the voltage reference circuits to turn on and provide an output drive signal when the higher voltage is reached; a second switching circuit, responsive to the first switching circuit turning on, for removing one of the first and second voltage levels to produce a lower voltage level; the first switching circuit turning off in response to the input level control signal decreasing below the lower voltage level.