Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a tub that is positioned within a cabinet. A drum includes an imperforate outer wall that is rotationally positioned within the tub. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes a processing space defined within the drum. A heat exchange system conditions the process air that is delivered at least into the processing space as heated process air for drying articles contained within the processing space. The imperforate outer wall of the drum and the tub define supplemental heat exchange space that delivers supplemental heat through the imperforate outer wall and into the processing space. The supplemental heat exchange space is in thermal communication with the heat exchange system.

Abstract: An electrochemical module (EM) transfers a fluid across a membrane thereof using oxygen as a carrier gas. The EM has an anion exchange membrane (AEM) disposed between a first and second electrodes, each of which includes a catalyst. At an inlet side, the catalyst facilitates reaction of the fluid with carrier gas, such that an anion is formed. The anion is transported across the AEM in the presence of an electric field applied to the electrodes. At an outlet side, the catalyst facilitates dissociation of the anion back to the fluid and carrier gas. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and the transporting by the EM is part of a heating/cooling cycle or a power generation cycle, or is used to capture carbon dioxide for storage or regeneration of stale air. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises water vapor, and the transporting by the EM dehumidifies air.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods are related to a positive displacement compression for use in various applications including gas processing, air conditioning, refrigeration, etc., to produce an isothermal compression to enhance the compression efficiency. The heat exchange enhanced compression is conducted by the use of cylinders partially filled with incompressible fluid (e.g., oil) acting as a piston compressing working fluid (e.g., CO2). The isothermal compression is contemplated in various modifications. A variety of heat exchange (cooling) techniques may be arranged either within the compression chamber or the compression process may be embedded in the heat exchanger to cool down the working fluid (for example, CO2).

Abstract: Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) fluid can be transported through an electrochemical device, which has a proton exchange membrane (PEM) disposed between a pair of gas-permeable electrodes that include respective catalysts. At an inlet side, the catalyst facilitates reaction of HFO with hydrogen carrier gas. The resulting cation is transported across PEM in the presence of an electric field applied to the electrodes. At an outlet side, the catalyst of the opposing electrode facilitates dissociation of the cation back into HFO and hydrogen. In some embodiments, the transported HFO has a higher pressure than that before the electrochemical device. In some embodiments, the electrochemical device can be operated in reverse to expand HFO fluid and/or to recapture power. The electrochemical device can thus be used as a compressor or expander for vapor-phase HFO or as a pump or expander for liquid-phase HFO, for example, in power generation or heating/cooling cycles.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has first and second manifold portions and an array of substantially-parallel heat-transfer tubes extending between the first and second manifold portions. Each heat-transfer tube has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a conduit. In a cross-sectional view, the outer surface of each heat-transfer tube can form a first shape that is non-circular, and the inner surface of heat-transfer tube can form a second shape different than the first shape. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the first shape and the second shape lacks reflectional symmetry in the cross-sectional view. Methods for fabricating such heat exchangers are also provided.

Abstract: A system for heating/cooling includes a plurality of thermoelastic modules. Each of the modules includes one or more structures formed of shape memory alloy, which converts from austenite to martensite upon application of a first stress and release latent heat from the conversion. During a first part of a heating/cooling cycle, a first module is stressed to cause conversion. The latent heat released from the first module is rejected to a heat sink while a second unstressed module absorbs heat from a heat source. During a second part of the heating/cooling cycle, the first and second modules are connected together to transfer heat therebetween for heat recovery. The cycle can be repeated indefinitely with the first and second modules alternating roles. Structures of the thermoelastic cooling material and specific applications thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cooling system based on thermoelastic effect is provided. The system comprises a heat sink, a refrigerated space and a regenerator coupled to the refrigerated space and to the heat sink to pump heat from the refrigerated space to the heat sink. The regenerator comprises solid thermoelastic refrigerant materials capable of absorbing or releasing heat.

Abstract: Despite otherwise uncomfortable conditions in a surrounding environment, a customizable microenvironment can be created around a user to maintain a comfortable temperature and/or humidity level using a comfort unit. For example, the environment may be an office building where conditions are out of the comfortable range to save on energy or for other reasons, a factory/shop environment that is poorly conditioned, or an outdoor location with little to no conditioning. A sensing unit can monitor biometric and environmental data and can determine a comfort level of the user. The comfort unit can then dynamically respond to the determined comfort level and adjust the microenvironment to improve the user's comfort level. The comfort unit can follow the user as the user moves within the macro-environment, or can otherwise move within the macro-environment to achieve certain functions, such as recharging or spatial shifting of thermal load within the overall macro-environment.

Abstract: Heat exchangers and methods of producing thereof having fins with slots formed therethrough, and a continuous tube having parallel tube runs connected by reverse bends to define a serpentine coil that traverses back and forth through the slots formed in the fins. Each fin has surface enhancements and is metallurgically joined to corresponding portions of the tube at the slots with brazed joints therebetween.

Abstract: A cooling system based on thermoelastic effect is provided. The system comprises a heat sink, a refrigerated space and a regenerator coupled to the refrigerated space and to the heat sink to pump heat from the refrigerated space to the heat sink. The regenerator comprises solid thermoelastic refrigerant materials capable of absorbing or releasing heat.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus (102) including: (i) an evaporation chamber (116) in heat transfer communication with a first heat source, wherein the first heat source causes a liquid in the evaporation chamber (116) to evaporate into a gas; (ii) an adsorption/absorption chamber (134) in fluid communication with the evaporation chamber (116) and in heat transfer communication with a cooling source, the adsorption/absorption chamber (134) containing a microemulsion which adsorbs/absorbs the gas, when cooled, as droplets of the liquid sequestered within the microemulsion to form a used microemulsion; and (iii) a desorption chamber (136) in fluid communication with the adsorption/absorption chamber (134) and the evaporation chamber (116), and in heat transfer communication with a second heat source capable of desorbing the liquid droplets out of the used microemulsion as the liquid, without vaporizing the liquid, to form a regenerated microemulsion. Also, methods of using the heat transfer apparatus.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus (104) comprising: (i) an adsorption/absorption chamber (122) in fluid communication with an exhaust stream (118) from a wet-cooling tower (112) and in heat transfer communication with a cooling source (120), the adsorption/absorption chamber (122) containing a microemulsion (124) which adsorbs/absorbs water vapor present in the exhaust stream (118), when cooled, as water droplets sequestered within the microemulsion (124) to form a used microemulsion (126); and (ii) a desorption chamber (134) in fluid communication with the adsorption/absorption chamber (122) and the wet-cooling tower (112), and in heat transfer communication with a heat source capable of desorbing the water droplets out of the used microemulsion (126) as liquid water (140), without vaporizing the water, to form a regenerated microemulsion (138). Also, methods of using the heat transfer apparatus.

Abstract: A centralized heat exchange system for controlling a plurality of heat exchangers in heat pump cycle includes a plurality of heat exchanging units; a compressor; a network of refrigerant piping connected to each of the plurality of heat exchanging units and the compressor; and a controller configured to receive signals from sensors to monitor temperature or the like of spaces/compartments to be controlled. The controller controls the compressor and a reversing valve and expansion valves installed in the network of refrigerant piping to establish, in the network of refrigerant piping, one or more of a heat-pump loop that constitutes a vapor-compression cycle through an arrangement of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator in accordance with a preset or user settable priority scheme that assigns at least one of the controlled spaces/compartments higher priority in control than the others.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a radiator, a pressure-reducing device and an evaporator, a total heat exchanger for performing heat-exchange between outdoor air and air under cooling operation using the evaporator for a room to be air-conditioned, and for ventilating the room to be air-conditioned, and a desiccant rotor having a moisture adsorbing area for adsorbing moisture in the outdoor air when the outdoor air is introduced, and regenerating the moisture adsorbing area by heat of the radiator, the outdoor air successively flowing through the total heat exchanger, the evaporator and the moisture adsorbing area in this order and then entering the room to be air-conditioned.

Abstract: A cooling system based on thermoelastic effect is provided. The system comprises a heat sink, a refrigerated space and a regenerator coupled to the refrigerated space and to the heat sink to pump heat from the refrigerated space to the heat sink. The regenerator comprises solid thermoelastic refrigerant materials capable of absorbing or releasing heat.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a radiator, a pressure-reducing device and an evaporator, a total heat exchanger for performing heat-exchange between outdoor air and air under cooling operation using the evaporator for a room to be air-conditioned, and for ventilating the room to be air-conditioned, and a desiccant rotor having a moisture adsorbing area for adsorbing moisture in the outdoor air when the outdoor air is introduced, and regenerating the moisture adsorbing area by heat of the radiator, the outdoor air successively flowing through the total heat exchanger, the evaporator and the moisture adsorbing area in this order and then entering the room to be air-conditioned.

Abstract: A dehumidification and regeneration system is described. A liquid desiccant solution may be used to extracts moisture from ambient air in a first location within a dehumidifier with a base. A regenerator in fluid communication with the dehumidifier may extract moisture from the liquid desiccant solution. One or more pumps may circulate the liquid desiccant through the dehumidifier. One or more pumps may circulate the liquid desiccant through the regenerator. The base may expose the liquid desiccant solution at least partially to the ambient air.

Abstract: A multi-stage refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system includes a first compression element which produces a first compressed refrigerant stream. A mixer combines the first compressed refrigerant stream with an auxiliary refrigerant stream. A second compression element is coupled to the mixer and produces a second compressed refrigerant stream. A first heat exchanger receives the second compressed refrigerant stream and generates a cooled stream. A stream splitter receives the cooled stream and provides first and second output streams. A first expansion valve receives the first output stream and controls the flow of the first output stream and a second expansion valve receives the second output stream and controls the flow of the second output stream. A second heat exchanger generates the auxiliary refrigerant stream provided to the mixer.

Abstract: A multi-stage refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system includes a first compression element which produces a first compressed refrigerant stream. A mixer combines the first compressed refrigerant stream with an auxiliary refrigerant stream. A second compression element is coupled to the mixer and produces a second compressed refrigerant stream. A first heat exchanger receives the second compressed refrigerant stream and generates a cooled stream. A stream splitter receives the cooled stream and provides first and second output streams. A first expansion valve receives the first output stream and controls the flow of the first output stream and a second expansion valve receives the second output stream and controls the flow of the second output stream. A second heat exchanger generates the auxiliary refrigerant stream provided to the mixer.

Abstract: An improved subcooling system for nonazeotropic working fluid leaving a condenser in a multi-compartment system passes the fluid leaving the condenser in heat exchange relationship with fluid evaporating within the evaporator. The heat exchange relationship can be effected by an internal subcooler in which the fluid leaving the condenser is directed through a conduit within the tube of a fin-tube evaporator, the conduit being of smaller dimension than the tube of the evaporator.