Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cooling system of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system. The cooling system includes an enclosure defining a fluid chamber, and the enclosure includes an evaporating surface configured to be in thermal communication with a liquid fluid in the fluid chamber and with an electronic component coupled to the enclosure, where the evaporating surface is configured to transfer thermal energy from the electronic component to the liquid fluid, such that the liquid fluid transitions to a vapor fluid within the fluid chamber, and includes a condensing surface configured to absorb thermal energy from the vapor fluid, such that the vapor fluid condenses into the liquid fluid within the fluid chamber. The cooling system also includes a heat rejection system coupled to an exterior surface of the enclosure, where the heat rejection system is configured to absorb thermal energy from the condensing surface.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a variable speed pump configured to direct a chilled fluid through a free cooling circuit of the HVAC system. The free cooling circuit is configured to place the chilled fluid in a heat exchange relationship with ambient air. The HVAC system also includes a heat exchanger configured to place the chilled fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a conditioning fluid and a controller configured to operate the variable speed pump based on a parameter of the HVAC system.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and/or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a first vapor compression flow path having a first condenser configured to place a working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid, a second vapor compression flow path having a first evaporator configured to place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a conditioning fluid, and a shared vapor compression flow path having a second condenser configured to place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid and a second evaporator configured to place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with the conditioning fluid. The first vapor compression flow path is configured to direct working fluid vapor from the second evaporator to the first condenser and the second vapor compression flow path is configured to direct working fluid liquid from the second evaporator to the first evaporator.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and/or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a first refrigerant circuit having a first compressor configured to circulate a first refrigerant through a first condenser and a first evaporator, a second refrigerant circuit having a second compressor configured to circulate a second refrigerant through a second condenser and a second evaporator, and a heat exchanger configured to place the first refrigerant in a heat exchange relationship with the second refrigerant. The first refrigerant circuit is configured to direct the first refrigerant from the first condenser to the heat exchanger and from the heat exchanger to the first evaporator, and the second refrigerant circuit is configured to direct the second refrigerant from the second condenser to the heat exchanger and from the heat exchanger to the second evaporator.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and/or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a first condenser configured to place a first refrigerant in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid, a second condenser configured to place a second refrigerant in a heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid, and a conduit system configured to direct a first portion of the cooling fluid from a cooling fluid supply to the first condenser and then through a first section of the second condenser in a series configuration. Further, the conduit system is configured to direct a second portion of the cooling fluid directly from the cooling fluid supply to a second section of the second condenser, such that the first portion of the cooling fluid and the second portion of the cooling fluid flow through the first condenser and the second condenser in a parallel configuration.

Abstract: A holographic display system for producing three-dimensional virtual images that are similar those of a real object seen through a conventional glass window. A basic display element comprises a lens and an image element such as conventional display screen, film, slide, or photograph. For this embodiment, the distance between the image element and the lens is approximately equal to the focal length of the lens. This setup means that different viewing angles correspond to different physical locations on the image. The apparent magnification of the image element increases as the observer moves away from the lens, which simulates the reduction in viewing angle of a real window. Selecting a distance between the lens and display that is less than the focal length of the lens allows for more accurate representation nearby objects. Other embodiments use mirror or diverging lenses. Also a variety of configurations for producing, recording, and transmitting images are described that use single or multiple cameras.

Abstract: An air conditioning system with thermal storage that is suitable for using solar energy. A solar collector used energy from the sun to evaporate water from a desiccant fluid. The desiccant fluid is then flows into a mass transfer device, which removes moisture from an air stream. Calcium chloride is the preferred desiccant material and can serve as an energy-storage medium. Electric or fuel backup can be used with this system to regenerate the desiccant material. In some embodiments an indirect evaporative cooler is added to provide sensible cooling. A new desiccant cooling system that is specially designed to work with the properties of this desiccant and meet comfort requirements of conventional air conditioning.

Abstract: An air conditioning system with thermal storage that is suitable for using solar energy. A solar collector used energy from the sun to evaporate water from a desiccant fluid. The desiccant fluid is then flows into a mass transfer device, which removes moisture from an air stream. Calcium chloride is the preferred desiccant material and can serve as an energy-storage medium. Electric or fuel backup can be used with this system to regenerate the desiccant material. In some embodiments an indirect evaporative cooler is added to provide sensible cooling. A new desiccant cooling system that is specially designed to work with the properties of this desiccant and meet comfort requirements of conventional air conditioning.

Abstract: An air conditioning system that can be driven by solar energy. A solar collector used energy from the sun to evaporate water from a desiccant fluid. The desiccant fluid is then flows into a mass transfer device which removes moisture from an air stream. Calcium chloride is the preferred desiccant material and can serve as an energy-storage medium. Electric or fuel backup can be used with this system to regenerate the desiccant material. In some embodiments an indirect evaporative cooler is added to provide sensible cooling. A new desiccant cooling system that is specially designed to work with the properties of this desiccant and meet comfort requirements of conventional air conditioning.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor that includes an auxiliary port 38 in series with a check valve 40 to move fluid at an intermediate pressure that is between the main suction and discharge pressures. Piston 31 normally covers the auxiliary port during a portion of its stroke. In one embodiment the check valve 40 is oriented so that fluid flows into the compressor. The piston 31 uncovers the auxiliary port 38 during the early part of the down stroke to allow fluid in through the port. As the piston 31 continues to move down it covers the auxiliary port, which drops pressure in chamber 37 to allow fluid to enter through a main suction valve 34. In other embodiments the orientation of the check valve is reversed and auxiliary port acts as an auxiliary discharge port. Multiple auxiliary ports may be used in a single cylinder to achieve multiple suction and/or discharge pressures.

Abstract: An improved refrigerator that combines means for directing cooling to a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment with a variable-capacity compressor. During fresh-food cooling the compressor volumetric capacity is reduced to match capacity of the expansion device. The means for directing cooling may be a multiple evaporators. Another option is a single evaporator with a reversing fan and flaps that respond to the direction of air flow to direct air flow between the evaporator and each compartment. Another embodiment comprises a natural-convection evaporator with dampers for directing air flow. This last embodiment also allows automatic defrost with a natural-convection evaporator.

Abstract: A roller mechanism that uses a differential spool arrangement to convert a small linear motion into a large rolling motion. The simplest embodiment comprises two spools that are rigidly connected together and are preferably of slightly different diameters. The flexible members such as string, tape, sheet, are rolled around the spools in opposite directions and extend from the spools in opposite directions. When tension is applied to the flexible members, a torque is created which acts to turn the spools so as to roll up the flexible member that is wrapped around the spool with the smaller diameter. The result is that a small movement of the flexible members results in large movement of the spools. Various embodiments of this mechanism are ideal for use in dampers, sunshades, toys, and exercise equipment.

Abstract: A single-phase variable-frequency power supply with two output voltages drives a single-phase AC motor that has a start circuit and main winding. For permanent split-capacitor motors, the power supply maintains a constant voltage to the start winding while it reduces the voltage to the main winding at lower frequencies. The power supply can similarly control the speed of capacitor-start and split-phase motors. For fans and pumps and other variable-torque applications, the power supply maintains approximately a constant ratio of main-winding voltage to the square of frequency. The power supply is preferably an electronic pulse-width modulated inverter.