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 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: Disclosed is a heat transfer system with a module that includes a peripheral frame (10) and an electrocaloric element (46) disposed in an opening in the peripheral frame. The electrocaloric element includes an electrocaloric film (46), a first electrode (48) on a first side of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode (50) on a second side of the electrocaloric film. First and second electrically conductive elements (24, 25) are disposed adjacent to first and second surfaces of the peripheral frame, and provide an electrical connection to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A building heating or cooling system is disclosed that includes an air handling system having an air delivery flow path in fluid communication with a conditioned space in the building. The building heating or cooling system also includes an electrocaloric heating or cooling system that includes first and second electrocaloric modules. A first inlet receives air from the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path and directs it through the first or second electrocaloric module to a first outlet to the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path, and a second inlet that receives air from the conditioned space or the air delivery flow path and directs it through the first or second electrocaloric module to a second outlet to outside the conditioned space.

Abstract: A method of making an electrocaloric element includes forming conductive layers on opposing surfaces of a film comprising an electrocaloric material to form an electrocaloric element, wherein the forming of the conductive layers includes one or more of: vapor deposition of the conductive layers under reduced pressure for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time under reduced pressure is less than 240 minutes; vapor deposition of the conductive layers under reduced pressure for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time of exposure to conductive material deposition is less than 240 minutes; vapor deposition of the conductive layers under reduced pressure, wherein the reduced pressure is 10?8 torr to 500 torr; or maintaining the film at a temperature of less than or equal to 200° C. during forming of the conductive layers.

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 heat transfer system is disclosed that includes a plurality of electrocaloric elements including an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first side of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second side of the electrocaloric film. A fluid flow path is disposed along the plurality of electrocaloric elements, formed by corrugated fluid flow guide elements.

Abstract: A refrigerant system includes a first, substantially outdoor, two phase heat transfer fluid vapor compression circulation loop including a compressor, a heat exchanger condenser, an expansion device, and the heat absorption side of a heat exchanger evaporator condenser, connected by conduit in a closed loop and having disposed therein a first heat transfer fluid having a critical temperature of greater than or equal to 31.2° C. The system also includes a second, at least partially indoor, two phase heat transfer fluid circulation loop that transfers heat to the first loop through the heat exchanger evaporator condenser. The second loop includes the heat rejection side of the heat exchanger evaporator condenser, a liquid pump, and a heat exchanger evaporator, connected by conduit in a closed loop and having disposed therein a second heat transfer fluid that has an ASHRAE Class A toxicity rating and an ASHRAE Class 1 or 2L flammability rating.

Abstract: An ejector (200; 300; 400) has a primary inlet (40), a secondary inlet (42), and an outlet (44). A primary flowpath extends from the primary inlet to the outlet. A secondary flowpath extends from the secondary inlet to the outlet. A mixer convergent section (114) is downstream of the secondary inlet. A motive nozzle (100) surrounds the primary flowpath upstream of a junction with the secondary flowpath to pass a motive flow. The motive nozzle has an exit (110). The ejector has surfaces (258, 260) positioned to introduce swirl to the motive flow.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (200; 400; 600; 700; 800; 900; 1000) comprises a plurality of valves (260, 262, 264; 260) controllable to define a first mode flowpath and a second mode flowpath. The first mode flowpath is sequentially through: a compressor (22); a first heat exchanger (30); a first nozzle (228; 624); and a separator (48), and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through an expansion device (70) and a second heat exchanger (64) to the rejoin the flowpath between the first heat exchanger and the separator. The second mode flowpath is sequentially through: the compressor; the second heat exchanger; a second nozzle (248; 625); and the separator, and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through the expansion device and first heat exchanger to the rejoin the flowpath between the first heat exchanger and the separator.

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 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 fluid from a flow path between the electrocaloric modules is mixed with circulating fluid from a conditioned space to cool or heat the conditioned space.

Abstract: A building heating or cooling system is disclosed that includes an air handling system comprising an air delivery flow path (44) in fluid communication with a conditioned space (40) in the building. The building heating or cooling system also includes an electrocaloric heating or cooling system (10, 11) that includes first and second modules (12, 14). A first inlet receives air from the conditioned space (40) or the air delivery flow path (44) and directs it through the first or second module (12, 14) to a first outlet to the conditioned space (40) or the air delivery flow path (44), and a second inlet that receives air from conditioned space (40) or the air delivery flow path (44) and directs it through the first or second module (12,14) to a second outlet to outside the conditioned space (40).

Abstract: A vapor compression system (200; 400; 600; 700; 800; 900; 1000) comprises a plurality of valves (260, 262, 264; 260) controllable to define a first mode flowpath and a second mode flowpath. The first mode flowpath is sequentially through: a compressor (22); a first heat exchanger (30); a first nozzle (228; 624); and a separator (48), and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through an expansion device (70) and a second heat exchanger (64) to the rejoin the flowpath between the first heat exchanger and the separator. The second mode flowpath is sequentially through: the compressor; the second heat exchanger; a second nozzle (248; 625); and the separator, and then branching into: a first branch returning to the compressor; and a second branch passing through the expansion device and first heat exchanger to the rejoin the flowpath between the first heat exchanger and the separator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat transfer system with a module that includes a peripheral frame (10) and an electrocaloric element (46) disposed in an opening in the peripheral frame. The electrocaloric element includes an electrocaloric film (46), a first electrode (48) on a first side of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode (50) on a second side of the electrocaloric film. First and second electrically conductive elements (24, 25) are disposed adjacent to first and second surfaces of the peripheral frame, and provide an electrical connection to the first and second electrodes.

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: Hybrid-power transport refrigeration system (200) having a fixed-speed generator (202), a refrigeration compressor (204), a power bus (208) electrically connecting the fixed-speed generator (202) to the refrigeration compressor (204), an energy storage device (220) electrically connected to the power bus (208) and arranged to receive power from the fixed-speed generator (202) in an engine-operation mode and to supply power to the refrigeration compressor (204) in a battery-operation mode, and a DC/AC variable frequency drive electrically connected between the energy storage device (220) and the refrigeration compressor (204) to convert a DC power supply from the energy storage device (220) to a variable frequency power to drive the refrigeration compressor (204) when in the battery-operation mode.

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: In one aspect, a refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration circuit configured to condition an air supply, a subcooling circuit configured to cool the refrigeration circuit, the subcooling circuit including a subcooling condenser, a subcooling heat exchanger, and at least one adsorption bed, and a heat generation system thermally coupled to the subcooling circuit.

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.