Abstract: A central plant includes an electrical energy storage subplant configured to store electrical energy, a plurality of generator subplants configured to consume one or more input resources, including discharged electrical energy, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine, for each time step within a time horizon, an optimal allocation of the input resources. The controller is configured to determine optimal allocation of the output resources for each of the subplants in order to optimize a total monetary value of operating the central plant over the time horizon.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by a thermostat are provided. Input can be received from a user via a thermostat, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting. On a real-time basis, the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted can be compared against a feedback criterion designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user. The circumstance can be indicative of an achievement of a HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system. Upon a real-time determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, visual feedback can be caused to be presented to the user in real-time. The real-time feedback can include a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.

Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently calculate and display the time remaining until a control task is projected to be completed by the intelligent controller. In general, the intelligent controller employs multiple different models for the time behavior of one or more parameters or characteristics within a region or volume affected by one or more devices, systems, or other entities controlled by the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller collects data, over time, from which the models are constructed and uses the models to predict the time remaining until one or more characteristics or parameters of the region or volume reaches one or more specified values as a result of intelligent controller control of one or more devices, systems, or other entities.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building is provided. A monitoring server, located remotely from the building, is configured to receive power consumption data and control signal data from a monitoring device at the building and to receive energy pricing data from a customer device associated with the HVAC system or a database that stores energy pricing data. The monitoring server is configured to determine energy cost data for segments of a selected time period based on the power consumption data, the control signal data, and the energy pricing data. The monitoring server is also configured to communicate the energy cost data to the customer device for display on the customer device.

Abstract: The dehumidifier, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a variable compressor which varies the rotation speed of a driving shaft according to an input control signal and adjusts an amount of a refrigerant gas compressed by the rotation of the driving shaft; a condenser for liquefying the compressed refrigerant gas received from the variable compressor; a heat exchanger for cooling flown air by vaporizing the liquefied refrigerant gas, and condensing vapors of the flown air into water to remove the water by using the cooling air; a blower fan for supplying outside air to the heat exchanger by forming an air flow according to the driving speed of a blower motor; and a control unit for generating the control signal according to the input signal so as to adjust the rotation speed of the driving shaft.

Abstract: The present invention discloses removable air duct sealing systems for obstructing and directing airflow through portions of an air duct system. Such air duct sealing systems may include a support plate having opening extending through the support plate from a first side to a second side. Such systems may also include a flange with an interior surface along the opening extending away from one side. Such systems may also include a sawtooth connector operatively coupled to the interior surface of the flange. An exemplary sawtooth connector may include detents configured to catch a backside of a louver of the air vent grill to hold the removable air duct sealing system in place covering the air vent grill.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. An airflow rate setting of the indoor fan can be manually instructed. An indoor airflow rate limitation control useable to forcibly limit the airflow rate setting of the indoor fan to be nearer to a low airflow rate in accordance with an outside air temperature is carried out with the airflow rate setting of the indoor fan having been manually instructed.

Abstract: An air control system and associated methods including a flexible duct having air exit holes and a flexible liner sheet within the duct and extending longitudinally along the duct, the liner sheet having opposite longitudinal edges connected to the duct along the longitudinal length of the duct, the liner sheet being permeable in one aspect and regulating air flow through the exit holes when the sheet is pressed against the portion of the duct having the exit holes. The duct may also have multiple liner sheets arranged end-to-end and/or layered in various duct segments such that the different liners may be independently controlled to regulate the outflow of air from the duct as desired. The duct having a liner which closes or inhibits air flow from the exit holes may also be rotated to accommodate use of a single duct for different seasons and where the internal liner adjusts to assist with the downward control of air flow based on alignment of various perforations with the different exits holes.

Abstract: A duct making apparatus includes a first station configured to accept a formable sheet material and a second station configured to receive the formable sheet material from the first station. The first station includes a mechanism for forming one of a male lock bend and a female lock seam in a leading edge of the formable sheet material. The second station includes a retractable conveyor. Movement of the sheet material from the first station to the second station defines an axis of travel of the sheet material. The retractable conveyor is selectively movable from a first position in which the retractable conveyor is in close association with the first station, and a second position in which the retractable conveyor is spaced from the first station.

Abstract: A transition module for an energy recovery ventilator unit. The module comprises a frame having two opposing major surfaces with two separate through-hole openings therein. The module also comprises a self-sealing surface on one of the major surfaces and surrounding the two through-hole openings. One of the through-hole openings is configured to separately overlap with return air openings or supply air openings located in a first target side of one an energy recovery ventilator unit or an air handling unit and in a second target side of the other one of the energy recovery ventilator unit or the air handling unit. The other of the through-hole openings is configured to separately overlap with the other of the return air openings or the supply air openings located in the first and second sides.

Abstract: An apparatus and system and method for mixing airflow and draining condensate in a duct exposed to sub-freezing air are disclosed. An example mixing duct apparatus includes a recirculation duct and a pack duct having a first end and a second end. The first end of the pack duct is coupled to a side of the recirculation duct. The pack duct has a lip that extends into an airflow passage defined by the recirculation duct. This lip defines a flow channel for condensate in the recirculation duct to flow beneath sub-freezing air entering the recirculation duct from the pack duct to decrease ice build-up in the pack duct.

Abstract: An air conditioner including a drain hose to be injection-molded is disclosed. An air conditioner includes a main body of an indoor unit, a heat exchanger disposed in the main body of the indoor unit, and a drain hose configured to discharge condensed water generated from the heat exchanger, wherein the drain hose is disposed in the main body and is injection-molded.

Abstract: An adaptable base of the HVAC unit can allow an HVAC unit to align and seal with multiple duct opening configurations. Such opening configurations may be different footprints in different HVAC systems, such as may be employed for example in different roof curbs of rooftop HVAC units. The adaptable base includes a base plate, a supply air duct opening, a return air duct opening, where there is at least one additional opening for one or both of the supply air opening and the return air duct opening. Each opening has a seal around its perimeter. A seal is also arranged and located on the base plate about a perimeter around the supply air duct opening(s) and the return air duct opening(s). A cover can be connected to close one or more openings that are not being used with the unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising: a burner for combusting a mixture of air and fuel; and a heat exchange unit in which heat is exchanged between combustion gas caused by the combustion of the burner and a heating medium, wherein the heat exchange unit includes a plurality of unit plates stacked on each other, and a sensible-heat exchange unit and a latent-heat exchange unit coaxially disposed around the burner are integrally formed with the unit plates.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a heat exchange unit in which heat is exchanged between combustion gas caused by a burner for combusting a mixture and first/second heating mediums, and heating medium flow channels through which the first/second heating mediums flow and a combustion gas flow channel through which the combustion gas flows are alternately formed adjacent to each other in spaces between a plurality of plates and a combustion gas discharge unit through which the combustion gas having passed through the heat exchange unit is discharged is provided.

Abstract: A fan device includes a base unit having at least one air inlet and an outer tube that defines an accommodation space fluidly communicating with the air inlet, and a cover unit having a receiving chamber fluidly communicating with the accommodation space, an air outlet fluidly communicating with the receiving chamber, and a lower seat including spaced apart inner and outer annular walls, and a connecting wall interconnecting the annular walls. A preheat inner tube divides the accommodation space into a heating chamber and a preheat circulation channel that fluidly communicates with each other. A fan unit is disposed in the receiving chamber. A heating unit includes a heating component disposed in the heating chamber.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a tank and a heated water conduit that extends from the tank. A mixing valve is coupled to the heated water conduit, and a mixed water conduit extends from the mixing valve. A thermal mass is positioned on the mixed water conduit, and a thermal safety sensor is positioned at the thermal mass.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling the operation of a water heater appliance may generally include receiving a user input associated with a selection of a tank capacity setpoint for the water heater appliance, determining a tank temperature setpoint for water contained within a tank of the water heater appliance based on the user-selected tank capacity setpoint and controlling the operation of the water heater appliance based on the tank temperature setpoint.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.

Abstract: A method of producing refrigeration includes compressing a refrigerant composition including R1233zd in a compressor having a magnetic bearing, within a chiller system.

Abstract: A device for converting low temperature thermal energy to high temperature thermal energy by means of mechanical energy, and vice versa, comprising a rotor mounted to rotate about a rotational axis, and in which a flow channel is provided for a working medium that circulates in a closed circuit process, the medium conducted outwards, relative to the rotational axis, in a compression unit to increase pressure, and conducted inwards, relative to the rotational axis, in an expansion unit to reduce pressure. At least one heat exchanger is positioned inwardly relative to the rotational axis and at least one heat exchanger is positioned outwardly relative to the rotational axis for exchanging heat between the working medium and a heat exchange medium, said heat exchangers being arranged parallel to the rotational axis of the rotor, and the rotor comprising a support element to support the heat exchanger(s) along the length.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to a heat removal system utilizing a dispersion that includes particles of an electrical conductor. One example provides a heat removal system including a conduit loop, a dispersion of particles of an electrical conductor in a heat transfer fluid, a pair of electrodes configured to introduce a flow of electric current through the particles in the dispersion, and one or more magnets configured to introduce a magnetic field within the conduit loop in a region of the pair of electrodes, such that the electrodes are operable to apply an electromagnetic pumping force on the particles in the dispersion.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body in which a first storage compartment is defined, and a heat exchange chamber defined in the main body. An evaporator received in the heat exchange chamber. A second storage compartment is provided in the first storage compartment and a quick cooling module to cool an inside of the second storage compartment is provided, where the quick cooling module heat-exchanges with a refrigerant pipe of the evaporator. The quick cooling module includes a thermal conductive unit in thermal conduction with the refrigerant pipe, and a thermoelectric device having a first surface in thermal conduction with the thermal conductive unit to heat-exchange with the thermal conductive unit when current is supplied and a second surface facing the second storage compartment.

Abstract: For a temperature control unit for gaseous or liquid medium with a highly dynamic temperature regulation of the medium, the temperature control unit (1) is designed with a base body (2) and a cooling body (5) between which are arranged multiple thermoelectric modules (7) and with a media line (6) in the base body (2), and it is provided that the mass ratio of the thermal storage mass of the cooling body (5) to the thermal storage mass of the base body (2) and the media line (6) arranged therein is in the range of 0.5 to 1, advantageously in the range of 0.7 to 0.8.

Abstract: A condensation and falling film evaporation hybrid heat exchanger is provided, including a shell, a condenser entrance pipe connected to a compressor discharge port, and an evaporator exit pipe connected to a compressor suction port being disposed respectively on the shell. A baffle plate is disposed at a position inside the shell corresponding to the condenser entrance pipe. A refrigerant distributor is disposed in the shell, a condensing tube bundle being disposed above the refrigerant distributor, and a falling film evaporating tube bundle being disposed below the refrigerant distributor. The condensation and falling film evaporation hybrid heat exchanger according to this invention can be used in concert with low-pressure refrigerant, thus efficiently solving the problem of refrigerant distribution with the falling film evaporator using low-pressure refrigerant.

Abstract: A refrigerant channel switching unit is disposed between a heat source unit and a utilization unit to switch flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant channel switching unit includes a first refrigerant pipe connected to a suction gas communicating pipe extending from the heat source unit, a second refrigerant pipe connected to a high-low pressure gas communicating pipe extending from the heat source unit, a third refrigerant pipe connected to a gas pipe extending to the utilization unit, a coupling portion, a first switch valve mounted to the first refrigerant pipe, and a second switch valve mounted to the second refrigerant pipe. The coupling portion is connected to the first, second and third refrigerant pipes. The first second and third are coupled through the coupling portion.

Abstract: Method of performance model cross-mapping in a refrigeration circuit containing a compressor and an expansion valve, the method comprising: measuring circuit parameter values of the refrigeration circuit, calculating a discharge line temperature with a first performance model as a function of the measured circuit parameter values and comparing the calculated discharge line temperature to a measured discharge line temperature from the refrigeration circuit to obtain a first differential value, calculating a first flow with the first performance model as a function of at least one of the measured circuit parameter values, calculating a second flow through the expansion valve with a second performance model for the expansion valve as a function of at least one of the measured circuit parameter values, comparing the first flow to the second flow to obtain a second differential value and evaluating the first differential value and the second differential value and a corresponding apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for monitoring a status of a terminal compressor. The method includes: obtaining a working status parameter of a compressor in a first terminal; judging whether the working status parameter falls in a preset range; if the working status parameter does not fall in the preset range, determining that an abnormality of the compressor occurs; and analyzing a reason for the abnormality and transmitting preset information to a second terminal that controls the first terminal.

Abstract: Provided is a method of making an ice structure including the steps of: providing a mold having at least two mold portions; extending two supporting rods between the at least two mold portions; extending a drive rod from each of the at least to mold portions; chilling the at least two mold portions using at least one cooling source; delivering a flow of water such that water flows over the at least two mold portions; forming ice structure segments within the at least two mold portions; and contacting the ice structure segments to fuse them together to form the ice structure.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing a flowable, pumpable, cooled mass or cooling mass, in particular for use as foodstuffs and food products and/or for foodstuffs and food products made of a flowable base mass, including the following steps: filling a housing with the flowable base mass; cooling the flowable base mass by bringing it in contact with a heat exchanger device disposed in the housing while stirring the base mass so as to generate the pumpable, cooled mass or cooling mass, wherein, when a layer, and in particular an ice layer, forms on the heat exchanger device, cooling is interrupted as soon as the layer, and in particular the ice layer, reaches a predetermined thickness, and cooling is continued as soon as the layer drops below the predetermined thickness, wherein the base mass and/or the mass is moved radially outwardly along the heat exchanger surfaces during stirring, and a force is transmitted for stirring from outside the housing to the inside, without contact and without apertures through t

Abstract: A domestic refrigeration device includes an interior space in which a partial volume is formed as a separate storage region into which food products can be placed, and a wetting apparatus with which a fluid can be introduced into the storage region independently of the rest of the interior space. The wetting apparatus has a tank containing the fluid to be atomized and an atomizer unit connected to the tank for conducting the fluid. The tank can be moved relative to the atomizer unit in order to be filled with the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a container refrigeration apparatus (10) for cooling air in a container (11). The container refrigeration apparatus (10) includes: a gas supply device (30) which produces nitrogen-enriched air having a higher nitrogen concentration than outside air and supplies the nitrogen-enriched air into the container (11) via a supply passage (44); an oxygen concentration sensor (51) which measures an oxygen concentration of the air in the container (11); and a controller which controls the operation of the gas supply device (30) so that the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration sensor (51) reaches a target concentration. The container refrigeration apparatus (10) is provided with a measurement passage (88) which guides part of the nitrogen-enriched air passing through the supply passage (44) to the oxygen concentration sensor (51), and an on-off valve (82) is provided for the measurement passage (88).

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, includes a storage chamber delimited by an inner container and a pressure sensor disposed outside the storage chamber. The pressure sensor communicates with the storage chamber by way of a connection housing anchored in an opening of a wall surface of the inner container. An exposed surface of the connection housing facing the storage chamber is flush with the surrounding wall surface.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a liquefaction system. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for condensing a pressurized gaseous working fluid, such as natural gas, using at least one turboexpander in combination with other cooling devices and techniques. In one embodiment, a turboexpander may be used in combination with a heat exchanger using vapor compression refrigeration to condense natural gas.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and divided into first and second portions. The first and second portions are expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at upper mid-column feed positions, with the expanded second portion being heated before it enters the tower. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and supplied to the column at a mid-column feed position.

Abstract: A method for passively removing water from a stream of hydrogen gas includes receiving a stream of hydrogen gas that is water-saturated, having an initial pressure below about 1 psig and an initial temperature above about 25° C., compressing the stream of hydrogen gas to an elevated pressure, chilling the compressed stream of hydrogen gas to a low temperature, and condensing water from the compressed and chilled stream of hydrogen gas until the water content of the stream of hydrogen gas is below about 100 ppm.

Abstract: Drying of recycled abrasive that can be recycled separated or as a part of the full recycling system. Sorted and meshed wet recycled abrasive is kept in a hopper for wet recycled abrasive, it is continuously delivered using a screw feeder into a drying chamber on a vibration mesh. Air is blown in the chamber, using an air flow generator, under a vibration mesh. The recycled abrasive is moved and lifted on the mesh using air flow and mesh vibration, this provides for clots of recycled abrasive to break down to particles of recycled abrasive and abrasive mixes and dries.

Abstract: An encapsulated insulating module for furnaces composed by two different quality materials, in which a regular quality insulating module is encapsulated or surrounded by a high quality insulating layer, wherein the regular quality insulating module is in direct contact with the surface of a hot portion of a furnace wall.

Abstract: System and method for using fast response heaters to pre-heat metal before entering a metal treatment furnace, which may improve control over metal processing, especially in response to changes in material, mass flow rate, line speed, and/or desired treatment process. Fast response heaters may be used with control systems to adjust the output of the fast response heater based on operator inputs, direct or indirect sensing of process parameters, and/or the use of thermal models to quickly adjust fast response heater output while a metal treatment furnace remains at a constant temperature or slowly transitions into a new operating state. The resulting gains in process control result in higher quality products, reduced scrap, and increases in line speed and output.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus includes a cooling chamber configured to perform cooling of a treatment object, a conveyance chamber installed above the cooling chamber and configured to convey the treatment object, a lift table on which the treatment object is placed, and a lift mechanism having a driving apparatus installed above the lift table and configured to raise and lower the lift table between the cooling chamber and the conveyance chamber using the driving apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of refrigerant tubes through which a refrigerant flows, a header including a tube connection part coupled to the plurality of refrigerant tubes and a refrigerant inflow part, a first pipe provided in the header to define a first flow space for the refrigerant, a second pipe surrounding the outside of the first pipe to define a second flow space for the refrigerant, and a communication hole defined in the first or second pipe to allow the refrigerant to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has a case housing a plurality of heat transfer tubes, a pair of header portions for water inflow and for water outflow, the pair of header portions connecting with both ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and a pair of wall portions for headers respectively constituted with an auxiliary member formed separately from a side plate member of the case, the wall portions for headers constituting the pair of header portions by being assembled with the side plate member. The pair of wall portions for headers are configured to be integrally connected with each other. Thereby, production of the pair of header portions are facilitated and the production cost of the heat exchanger is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger, comprising a hollow central body which is received in a housing and defines an inner channel for a first medium, wherein a space surrounding the central body in the housing defines at least one outer channel for a second medium, wherein the central body has on either side parts which protrude from a main plane thereof and are connected to mutually opposite parts of the housing and which bound the outer channel such that the outer channel has a meandering form substantially parallel to the main plane of the central body. The invention further relates to a method for forming such a heat exchanger, and to a method for use thereof.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a hot passage; a cold passage adjacent the hot passage; a pair of tube sheets, with one tube sheet on each opposing side of one of the hot passage and the cold passage; a fin in one of the hot passage and the cold passage; wherein the fin includes a first distal portion, a second distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the first and second distal portions; wherein the fin is configured to provide, at only the first distal portion and the second distal portion, improved flexibility in three degrees of freedom of movement within one of the hot passage and the cold passage.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus for circulating fluidized bed boilers is disclosed. The heat exchange apparatus for circulating fluidized bed boilers includes a particle separator configured to separate an exhaust gas and a flow medium discharged from a combustion furnace, an external heat exchanger into which the flow medium collected in the particle separator flows and which is configured to heat a heat transfer medium by heat exchange with the flow medium, and a flow control unit installed at the external heat exchanger and configured to supply air to a flow path of the flow medium and to regulate an internal temperature of the external heat exchanger under the control of a flow direction and a flow quantity of the flow medium.

Abstract: A passive two-phase cooling circuit includes a vaporizer and a condenser for a coolant conducted in the cooling circuit. A vaporizer supply line and a vaporizer discharge line are connected to the vaporizer, and a condenser supply line and a condenser discharge line are connected to the condenser. The cooling circuit has a simple and cost-effective structure which reduces or even completely prevents pressure shocks during operation by connecting the vaporizer supply line, the vaporizer discharge line, the condenser supply line and the condenser discharge line to a common damping container. A liquid column forms in the condenser discharge line during the operation of the cooling circuit and the column assumes the function of a liquid-tight seal and of a fluid-dynamic vibration damper.

Abstract: A two-phase cooling device, including a predetermined amount of at least one working fluid, a cavity formed from at least one of a metal structure or a metal alloy structure, at least one opening formed in the structure, wherein said opening is configured as a port for partial filling of the cavity with the at least one working fluid, and at least one cover for said opening, wherein said cover is configured to be sealed to the opening, to prevent said working fluid from leaving the cavity, and to prevent contaminants and non-condensable gas from entering the cavity.

Abstract: The invention is in the form of a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) comprising a chamber having a first opening into the chamber, a second opening into the chamber, a source of heat within the chamber, and one or more heat recovery media positioned within the chamber, each heat recovery media comprising plates having a first surface and an opposite second surface, wherein at least one plate has one or more openings passing from the first surface to the second opposite surface.

Abstract: A fluid heat exchanger includes: a heat spreader plate including an intended heat generating component contact region; a plurality of microchannels for directing heat transfer fluid over the heat spreader plate, the plurality of microchannels each having a first end and an opposite end and each of the plurality of microchannels extending substantially parallel with each other microchannel and each of the plurality of microchannels having a continuous channel flow path between their first end and their opposite end; a fluid inlet opening for the plurality of microchannels and positioned between the microchannel first and opposite ends, a first fluid outlet opening from the plurality of microchannels at each of the microchannel first ends; and an opposite fluid outlet opening from the plurality of microchannels at each of the microchannel opposite ends, the fluid inlet opening and the first and opposite fluid outlet openings providing that any flow of heat transfer fluid that passes into the plurality of microc