Abstract: A heat exchanger module configured for use in a vapor compression based climate control system including a suction line heat exchanger having a plurality of stacked plates configured to accommodate two separate fluid flow paths for heat exchange therebetween. The heat exchanger also includes a first inlet for flow of a high pressure subcooled fluid from a condenser to the module along a first fluid flow path, a first outlet for flow of a low pressure superheated fluid from the module to a compressor along a second fluid flow path, a second outlet for flow of the subcooled fluid from the module to an evaporator along a third fluid flow path, and a second inlet for flow of the low pressure superheated fluid from the evaporator to the module along a fourth fluid flow path. The module also includes a port block with a first conduit for the third fluid flow path and a second conduit for the fourth fluid flow path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigeration system including a first refrigerant circuit including a first heat exchanger for transferring heat from refrigerant, a second refrigerant circuit including a second heat exchanger for transferring heat to refrigerant, and a third refrigerant circuit. The third refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser connected to the first refrigerant circuit such that heat exchange can occur between the refrigerants of the first and refrigerant circuits, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected to the second refrigerant circuit such that heat exchange can occur between the refrigerant of the second and third refrigerant circuits. The refrigerant can travel along the third refrigerant circuit in a common direction during operation in both heating and cooling modes. Refrigerant can be prevented from moving between first, second, and third refrigerant circuits during operation in heating and cooling modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat exchange system for a vehicle. The heat exchange system can include a first heat exchange circuit supported by the vehicle and fluidly connecting a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and an expansion device, a module removably secured to the vehicle, the module housing a pump, and a second heat exchange circuit fluidly connecting a liquid-to-air heat exchanger, the pump, and the evaporator. The first exchange circuit can be operable to condition a first passenger space, and the second heat exchange circuit can be operable to condition a second passenger space spaced apart from the first passenger space.

Abstract: A brazed plate heat exchanger (30) is provided for transferring heat between a first fluid (32) and a second fluid (34), with the first fluid (32) being pressurized to a relatively high pressure. The heat exchanger includes plate pairs (41), with each pair (41) defining a plurality of flow channels (56) for the first fluid (32). Each of the flow channels (56) has a hydraulic diameter less than 1 mm. Reinforcements (62) are provided between each of the plate pairs (41) and are aligned with inlet and outlet openings (46,48) to define inlet and outlet manifolds (50,52) for the first fluid (32).

Abstract: An HVAC control system for a passenger compartment of an over the road vehicle comprises a controllable air conditioner for directing cooled air flow through the passenger compartment and a controllable heater for directing heated air flow through the passenger compartment. A battery selectively powers the air conditioner and the heater. A sensor senses battery energy. A control panel includes user input devices for manually selecting operating parameters of the HVAC system and a battery remaining time display. A controller is operatively connected to the air conditioner, the sensor and the user control panel, the controller determining estimated battery remaining time based on battery energy and the manually selected operating parameters, and displaying the estimated battery remaining time on the battery remaining time display.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a suction line for gaseous or two phase refrigerant output from an evaporator and a capillary tube carrying cooled refrigerant to the evaporator. The suction line includes first and second substantially parallel straight cylindrical portions connected in series, with first and second portions of the capillary tube in series and helically wound around the suction line second and first portions, respectively. A valve for bypassing the capillary tube is responsive to a selected pressure differential between the capillary tube inlet and outlet. A U-shaped portion or accumulator connect the suction line first and second portions. An accumulator alternately is between the evaporator and the suction line portion wound by the capillary tube, with a phase separation chamber connected to an accumulator by a vertical pipe. The accumulator includes a discharge opening to return the oil to the system.

Abstract: The efficiency of refrigeration systems operating on the vapor compression cycle and employing suction line heat exchangers is increased by introducing refrigerant into the lower pressure side of the suction line heat exchanger at a quality less than 1 and introducing refrigerant that has passed through the low pressure side of the suction line heat exchanger into the compressor inlet at a quality that is equal to 1.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including inlet and outlet header portions for a refrigerant (such as CO2), serpentine multiport tubes each with a plurality of aligned tube runs, and at least three plate assembly fluid paths. Each plate assembly fluid path includes a pair of spaced plates secured together at their edges to define an enclosed space with a fluid inlet and fluid outlet on opposite sides of the space. One plate of one fluid path is positioned against first aligned tube runs, one plate of a second of the fluid paths is positioned against second aligned tube runs, and a third fluid path is positioned between the first and second aligned tube runs. The plates may be substantially identical to one another.

Abstract: A cooling system including an evaporator, a suction line, a two stage compressor, a gas cooler and a capillary tube. The suction line receives gaseous or two phase refrigerant from the evaporator, the compressor receives the gaseous or two phase refrigerant from the suction line, and the gas cooler cools compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor. The capillary tube carries refrigerant from the gas cooler to the evaporator, and the suction line may include two straight portions with two portions of the capillary tube helically wound therearound, with a bypass valve around the capillary tube, and an accumulator between the suction line portions. An inter-cooler is between stages of the compressor, and a pan collects water condensate from the air side of the evaporator, and the refrigerant tube carries cooled refrigerant from the gas cooler through the pan. A controller selectively turns the compressor on and off based on temperature or pressure sensed by a sensor.

Abstract: The efficiency of refrigeration systems operating on the vapor compression cycle and employing suction line heat exchangers is increased by introducing refrigerant into the lower pressure side of the suction line heat exchanger at a quality less than 1 and introducing refrigerant that has passed through the low pressure side of the suction line heat exchanger into the compressor inlet at a quality that is equal to 1.

Abstract: A modular cooling system (10) is provided for use in an electronics enclosure (12) mounting a plurality of heat generating electronic components (14). The cooling system (10) includes a cooling liquid supply manifold (16), a cooling liquid return manifold (18), and a plurality of cooling modules (20) that are selectively mountable into the electronic enclosure (12). The cooling system (10) also includes a wall (64) fixed in the enclosure to separate the electronic components (14) from the manifolds (16,18) to shield the electronic components (14) from any of the cooling liquid (52) should it leak from the system (10).

Abstract: A heat exchanger including inlet and outlet header portions for a refrigerant (such as CO2), serpentine multiport tubes each with a plurality of aligned tube runs, and at least three plate assembly fluid paths. Each plate assembly fluid path includes a pair of spaced plates secured together at their edges to define an enclosed space with a fluid inlet and fluid outlet on opposite sides of the space. One plate of one fluid path is positioned against first aligned tube runs, one plate of a second of the fluid paths is positioned against second aligned tube runs, and a third fluid path is positioned between the first and second aligned tube runs. The plates may be substantially identical to one another.

Abstract: A folded, elongated tube (28) is provided for use in a heat exchanger (10, 11). The tube (28) has a flattened cross section with a minor dimension (d) and a major dimension (D). The tube (28) includes a pair of parallel tube runs (36), and a folded section (40) connecting the pair of tube runs (36). The major dimensions (D) of the tube runs (36) lie in a common plane. The folded section (40) includes a U-shaped bend (42), a first twist (44), and a second twist (46). The U-shaped bend (42) includes a straight section (48) extending between two curved sections (50, 52), and has its major dimension (D) extending substantially transverse to the major dimension (D) of the tube runs (36). The first twist (44) connects one of the tube runs (36) to the curved section (50), and the second twist (46) connects the other tube run (36) to the other curved section (52) of the U-shaped bend (42).

Abstract: A modular cooling system (10) is provided for use in an electronics enclosure (12) mounting a plurality of heat generating electronic components (14). The cooling system (10) includes a cooling liquid supply manifold (16), a cooling liquid return manifold (18), and a plurality of cooling modules (20) that are selectively mountable into the electronic enclosure (12). The cooling system (10) also includes a wall (64) fixed in the enclosure to separate the electronic components (14) from the manifolds (16,18) to shield the electronic components (14) from any of the cooling liquid (52) should it leak from the system (10).

Abstract: A heat exchanger provides simplicity, compactness, and high efficiency through a construction that includes an elongated tube structure comprising three rows of flattened multiport tubing, with a first row of tubing 30 and a third row of tubing 50 sandwiching a second row of tubing 40. The second row of tubing 40 terminates in opposite ends 42,44 on which are received refrigerant fittings 46 and 48 respectively. The first and third rows of tubing 30, 50 each include a run abutting and in heat exchange relation with the tubing 40. Opposing ends 32, 34 of the tubing 30 extend about refrigerant fittings 46 and 48 and are received in refrigerant fittings 36, 38. The tubing 50 includes parts 52 and 54 extending about the refrigerant fittings 46 and 48 and terminating in opposite ends 56, 58. The ends 56, 58 are also in fluid communication with fittings 36, 38.

Abstract: Extreme compactness is achieved in a combined evaporator 22 and suction line heat exchanger 20 through the use of a first, elongated, flattened, multi-port tube 34 having a major dimension DM, a minor dimension dm measured transverse to the major dimension DM and opposed ends 38, 42. The tube is formed in a serpentine configuration by bends 48 across the minor dimension dm with a plurality of generally parallel, spaced runs 46 extending between the ends 38, 42 to define the evaporator 22. An evaporator inlet fixture 30 is provided on one of the ends 38 and an evaporator outlet fixture 32 is provided on the other end 42. Fins 50 extend between adjacent ones of the runs 46. A second, elongated, flattened, multiport tube 70 having a length that is a minor fraction of that of the first tube includes opposed ends 72, 74 a major dimension DM, and a minor dimension dm measured transverse to the major dimension DM.