Abstract: A waste heat utilization device includes a refrigeration cycle having a compressor, a Rankine cycle using a condenser in common with the refrigeration cycle, and a control unit which controls operation of the refrigeration cycle and the Rankine cycle. The control unit performs a continuation control of the Rankine cycle, in which the Rankine cycle is continuously operated regardless of an operation state of the compressor, when a load of the refrigeration cycle is lower than a predetermined load. In contrast, the control unit performs an intermittent control of the Rankine cycle, in which the Rankine cycle is intermittently operated in accordance with the operation state of the compressor such that the mechanical energy recovered by the expansion unit is larger than a driving energy of the compressor.

Abstract: A self-contained water-to-water heat transfer system is provided that mixes hot water produced by a heat exchange with cold output fluid expelled from the heat pump to make source fluid. More specifically, in order to reduce the fluid flow rate required within a heat pump and substantially prevent freezing of evaporator coils within the heat pump, source water fed into the heat pump is taken from a mixture of the output hot water that was generated in the heat pump and the cool water exiting the heat pump. The system alleviates the need to employ a ground loop outside of a structure that is required by traditional geothermal heating systems.

Abstract: A high-efficient heat cycle device formed by combining a heat engine with a refrigerating machine, wherein steam generated in a boiler is cooled by a condenser after driving turbine, built up by a pump, and circulated into the boiler in the form of high-pressure condensate. Refrigerant gas compressed by a compressor is passed through the radiating side of a heat exchanger for cooling after driving the turbine to output a work, and built up by a pump to form high-pressure refrigerant liquid. The high-pressure refrigerant liquid drives a reaction water-turbine to output a work and is expanded and vaporized to form refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas is led into the compressor after being passed through the heat absorbing side of the heat exchanger and the condenser for heating.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a water line for carrying water having a first predetermined flow direction and a refrigerant line for carrying a refrigerant and having a second predetermined flow direction opposite the first predetermined flow direction. The heat transfer system includes a refrigerant evaporator, a vapor compressor, a condenser, and an expansion device. Refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant evaporator as a liquid and is warmed to a cooled gas. The refrigerant is heated to a superheated gas in the vapor compressor, and cooled to a warm liquid in the condenser. The refrigerant is cooled to a bi-phase liquid in the expansion device and is then passed to the refrigerant evaporator. Water enters the refrigerant condenser and heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the water to warm the water to a predetermined water temperature. The water exits the refrigerant condenser and is passed to the water storage member at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: For cooling operation, a refrigeration apparatus (20) includes a heat-source-side valve opening control means (53) for controlling a degree of opening of a heat-source-side expansion valve (36) so that pressure of a refrigerant flowing into the utilization-side expansion valve (51) in the cooling operation becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined reference pressure value. For heating operation, the refrigeration apparatus (20) includes a utilization-side valve opening control means (38, 54) for performing, when a low-quantity utilization unit (61) in which a quantity of the refrigerant falls below a quantity of the refrigerant required for delivering capacity of the utilization unit (61) is found among a plurality of the utilization units (61) in the heating operation, valve opening reducing operation of reducing a degree of opening of the utilization-side expansion valve (51) of the utilization unit (61) except for the low-quantity utilization unit (61).

Abstract: A heat recovery system includes a source of waste heat, and a refrigeration system operatively connected to the source of waste heat. The refrigeration system is capable of extracting heat rejected from the source of waste heat to form a cooling medium.

Abstract: Heat exchanger, for example for a motor vehicle air-conditioning circuit, comprising a plurality of tubes (12) for circulating a heat-transfer fluid, the ends of said tubes (12) opening into manifolds and reservoirs (11) of thermal storage material in contact with the tubes (12) so that the storage material and the heat-transfer fluid exchange heat with one another. The exchanger comprises a plurality of heat-exchange elements (4) each housing at least one reservoir (11) and at least one tube (12) which are nested.

Abstract: In a refrigerating device comprising waste heat utilization equipment having: a refrigerating cycle 200 formed by sequentially connecting a compressor 210, a condenser 220, an expansion valve 240, and an evaporator 250; and a Rankine cycle 300 formed by sequentially connecting a heater 310 using the waste heat of a heat generating device (for example, an internal combustion engine) 10 as a heating source, an expansion device 320, the above-mentioned condenser 220, and a pump 330, in which the drive shafts of the compressor 210 and the expansion device 320 are separated from each other. Then, the output of the expansion device 320 is used mainly for generating electricity.

Abstract: A system for controlling a desuperheater includes a first temperature sensor coupled to a refrigerant discharge gas line of a compressor; and a controller operatively coupled to at least the first temperature sensor, the compressor, and the desuperheater. The controller controls the desuperheater based at least in part on temperature data received from the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: A heat source side circuit (14) includes a gas-liquid separator (35) for the separation of refrigerant flowing therein from an expander (31) into liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant and a cooling means (36, 45, 53, 55) for the cooling of liquid refrigerant heading from the gas-liquid separator (35) to a utilization side circuit (11). Since the refrigerant exiting the gas-liquid separator (35) is in a saturated liquid form, it always changes state to a subcooled state whenever cooled by the cooling means (36, 45, 53, 55).

Abstract: A hot water supply system (10) is provided which includes a first refrigerant circuit (20), an intermediate temperature water circuit (40), a second refrigerant circuit (60), and a high temperature water circuit (80). The first refrigerant circuit (20) constitutes a heat pump which uses the outdoor air as a heat source, and heats heat transfer water in the intermediate temperature water circuit (40). In the intermediate temperature water circuit (40), the heat transfer water is circulated between a radiator (45) for floor heating and a first heat exchanger (30) and between a second heat exchanger (50) and the first heat exchanger (30). The second refrigerant circuit (60) constitutes a heat pump which uses the heat transfer water in the intermediate temperature water circuit (40) as a heat source, and heats water for hot water supply in the high temperature water circuit (80).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cooling or heating system including at least a compressor (2), a condenser (4), an expansion apparatus (17A; 17B) and a vaporiser (20). The invention is characterised essentially in that in the condenser or in proximity to an outlet of the condenser (4) there is a control apparatus (7A; 7B) arranged to receive liquid from the condenser (4) and that includes an outlet to a condensate channel (9) and an intake (14; 30) to a signal channel (6, 10; 31), in that the condensate channel (9) is connected to the expansion apparatus (17A; 17B), in that there is means (8, 11, 18, 30, 34) to vaporize liquid that comes into the signal channel (6, 10; 31), in that means (12, 13) are connected to the signal channel (6, 10; 31) to control the expansion apparatus' (17A; 17B) opening process whereby said control is affected by the amount of liquid that is vaporised in the signal channel (6, 10; 31). The invention also concerns a method for controlling a cooling or heating system.

Abstract: An indoor unit for a multi-directional air supply air conditioner capable of performing at least a heating operation includes: an indoor fan (39) for sucking air in an axial direction thereof and radially blowing out the air; and a heat exchange part (38), connected in a refrigerant circuit (80) and disposed to surround the indoor fan (39), for exchanging heat between the air blown out of the indoor fan (39) and refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (80). The heat exchange part (38) includes a plurality of heat exchangers (48) separated from each other along the direction of the perimeter thereof and connected in parallel with each other in the refrigerant circuit (80).

Abstract: An air conditioner is provided with a refrigerant circuit and an operation controller. The refrigerant circuit includes a heat source unit, a refrigerant communication pipe, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization unit. The heat source unit has a compression mechanism and a heat source side heat exchanger. The heat source unit is connected to the refrigerant communication pipe. The utilization unit has a utilization side heat exchanger and is connected to the refrigerant gas communication pipe. The operation controller performs an oil-return operation in advance for returning oil pooled in the refrigerant circuit when a refrigerant quantity judging operation is carried out for judging the refrigerant quantity inside the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: A turbo chiller that can run continuously even with a low load, for example, less than 10% load, is provided. In a turbo chiller having a low-load mode for repeatedly controlling stopping and starting of the turbo chiller when a coolant inlet temperature measured by a coolant inlet temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a first temperature forming a temperature difference with respect to the coolant outlet temperature, a stop limit mode for stopping the turbo chiller when the coolant inlet temperature or the coolant outlet temperature is equal to or lower than a second temperature below the first temperature is provided.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide an air conditioning apparatus using supercritical refrigerant for easily regulating the circulation amount of refrigerant. A refrigeration apparatus (1b) uses refrigerant operating in the supercritical zone. The refrigeration apparatus (1b) includes a compressor (21), a first heat exchanger (23), a first expansion mechanism (V2), a subcooling heat exchanger (24), a second expansion mechanism (V3), a second heat exchanger (31) and a control section (5). The compressor is configured to compress the refrigerant. The first heat exchanger is configured to cool the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor. The first expansion mechanism is configured to decompress the refrigerant to critical pressure or less. The subcooling heat exchanger is configured to subcool the refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion mechanism. The second expansion mechanism is configured to decompress the refrigerant cooled by the subcooling heat exchanger to low pressure.

Abstract: An economized refrigerant vapor compression system (10) for water heating includes a refrigerant compression device (20), a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger (30), an economizer heat exchanger (60), an evaporator (40) and a refrigerant circuit (70) providing a first flow path (OA, 70B, 70C, 70D) connecting the compression device (20), the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger (30), the economizer heat exchanger (60) and the evaporator (40) in refrigerant circulation flow communication and a second flow path (70E) connecting the first flow path (62) through the economizer heat exchanger (60) to the compression device (20). The economizer heat exchanger (60) has a first pass (62) for receiving a first portion of the refrigerant having traversed he refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger and a second pass (64) for receiving a second portion of the refrigerant having traversed the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of stabilizer that may be at least one phenol or a mixture of at least one phenol with other stabilizers. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling apparatus, such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, chillers, and heat pumps, as well as in applications as foam blowing agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishants, and sterilants.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a compressor, a first heat source-side heat exchanger for heating or cooling a refrigerant, a second heat source-side heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and a heat delivery medium, a first utilization-side heat exchanger for performing indoor cooling by using the refrigerant cooled in the first heat source-side heat exchanger, a second utilization-side heat exchanger for performing indoor heating by using the heat delivery medium subjected to heat exchange in the second heat source-side heat exchanger, and a connection mechanism.

Abstract: In a refrigerant circuit (20), an air conditioning unit (12), a cold-storage showcase (13), and a freeze-storage showcase (14) are connected in parallel to an outdoor unit (11). When placing an indoor heat exchanger (71) of the air conditioning unit (12) in the thermo-off state, a degree-of-opening control means (101) provides control so that an indoor expansion valve (72) is placed in the fully closed state. Thereafter, the degree-of-opening control means (101) detects the accumulated amount of refrigerant within the indoor heat exchanger (71) and then adjusts the degree of opening of the indoor expansion valve (72) depending on the refrigerant amount detected.

Abstract: A rotary multi-stage distiller for recovery of water from wastewater is provided. The rotary multi-stage distiller of the present invention can recover water from a wide variety of aqueous wastewaters such as, but not limited to, urine, condensate from air conditioning systems, wash water containing foaming soaps, seawater or polluted water. The multi-stage distiller can operate under vacuum conditions permitting the distillation to occur at low temperatures. The multi-stage distiller uses centrifugal forces for fluid pumping and for vapor/liquid separation. The multi-stage distiller comprises hydraulic seals for each stage which eliminate contamination of clean, recovered water by condensed waste water during the regeneration process. The multi-stage distiller also comprises a stationary shaft of stacked segments where each segment is associated with an individual stage of the multi-stage distiller.

Abstract: An apparatus for the recovery of energy from regenerative braking events in a vehicle is provided. A braking system is configured to selectively transmit energy from a wheel to the compressor of a heat pump/refrigerant loop. The apparatus may store recovered energy in the heat capacity of a coolant fluid to assist powertrain heating or cooling.

Abstract: A refrigerator has a discharge three-way valve (8) for connecting the discharge side of a compressor (1) to at least either a hot water heat exchanger (3) or an air heat exchanger (6) and has a suction three-way valve (9) for connecting the suction side of the compressor (1) to at least either the air heat exchanger (6) or a cold water heat exchanger (4). In an operation primarily for cooling, a controller (19) regulates the opening of the discharge three-way valve (8) such that a refrigerant with a flow rate higher than a minimum flow rate (Qs) determined based on an outside air temperature flows to the air heat exchanger (6).

Abstract: A hot water supply system (10) is provided which includes a first refrigerant circuit (20), an intermediate temperature water circuit (40), a second refrigerant circuit (60), and a high temperature water circuit (80). The first refrigerant circuit (20) constitutes a heat pump which uses the outdoor air as a heat source, and heats heat transfer water in the intermediate temperature water circuit (40). In the intermediate temperature water circuit (40), the heat transfer water is circulated between a radiator (45) for floor heating and a first heat exchanger (30) and between a second heat exchanger (50) and the first heat exchanger (30). The second refrigerant circuit (60) constitutes a heat pump which uses the heat transfer water in the intermediate temperature water circuit (40) as a heat source, and heats water for hot water supply in the high temperature water circuit (80).

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a heat-pump type cooling unit and an air-heating unit. On a first circulation path in the cooling unit, provided are a gas-liquid separator provided between an expansion valve and an evaporator for separating refrigerant supplied from the expansion valve into refrigerant gas and refrigerant liquid and sending the refrigerant liquid to the evaporator, a bypass path for flowing the refrigerant gas through the first circulation path with bypassing the evaporator, and a changeover valve for preventing the refrigerant liquid from flowing into the evaporator. In warming-up mode, only the refrigerant gas is circulated in a refrigeration cycle. According to the system, air-heating can be achieved by driving the cooling unit even under a condition where outside temperature is very low.

Abstract: A fluid circulating apparatus for warming or cooling a surface includes a pressurized fluid source operative to circulate fluid through a conduit such that a supply fluid moves from a supply port of the fluid source into a first end of the conduit, through the conduit, and from a second end of the conduit to a return port of the fluid supply. A flow control when in a forward mode directs fluid from the supply port into the first end of the conduit and from the second end of the conduit to the return port, and when in a reverse mode directs fluid from the supply port into the second end of the conduit and from the first end of the conduit to the return port. A mode selector is operative to switch the flow control between forward mode and reverse mode.

Abstract: A heat pump liquid heater for heating a liquid comprising: a heat pump; a liquid tank in heat communication with the heat pump, wherein the liquid tank comprises the liquid; and at least one metal condenser tube immersed into the liquid, wherein the metal condenser tube forms at least one coil. The metal condenser tube has a flattened double-tube configuration and a cross-section defined by concentric ovals such that at least a portion of the concentric ovals is in contact with one another thereby minimizing space between the flattened double-tubes. The heat pump comprises a tube-in-tube heat exchanger and a compressor, wherein the tube-in-tube heat exchanger recovers heat from refrigerant returning from the liquid tank and transfers the recovered heat to refrigerant going to the compressor thereby superheating the refrigerant.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigerating apparatus comprises a refrigerating cycle for performing a cooling operation of an automotive air conditioning system, a Rankine cycle for collecting waste heat from an engine of a vehicle to generate an electric power by an electric rotating device driven by an expansion device of the Rankine cycle, and a heat pump cycle for generating heat to supply the generated heat to the engine so that a warming up operation of the engine can be facilitated.

Abstract: A compact heat pump system and a heat pump operation method, which can avoid the occurrence of surging in a compressor at startup of a heat pump and can directly supply vapor of a working medium produced by the compressor to an external heat-utilizing facility. The heat pump system comprises an evaporator for recovering heat of an external heat source to a working medium supplied as liquid water from the exterior via a water feed channel, thereby evaporating the working medium, a compressor for compressing the working medium evaporated in the evaporator and increasing temperature of the evaporated working medium, and a driving unit for giving motive power to drive the compressor.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit that will be more efficient by generating its own voltage. The present invention is a way to make an air conditioning unit more efficient by placing an actuator in line with the expanding refrigerant gas in communication with a generator that will generate a direct voltage (DC) that will in turn drive the two fan motors that most air conditioning units have.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air conditioner for a motor vehicle, comprising a coolant circuit (1) that is provided with several heat-transferring devices through which a coolant can be directed, a heat-transferring device (12) also being part of a coolant circuit. Coolant is redirected from portions of the coolant circuit (1), which are shut down during heating, into a portion of the coolant circuit (1), which is active during heating, as required. Also disclosed is a method for operating such an air conditioner.

Abstract: A hot water supply device (1) includes a hot water storage tank (11) and a refrigerant circuit (20) of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle including a radiator (21), an evaporator (22), and an auxiliary evaporator (23). High-temperature water is retained in the hot water storage tank (11) in such a manner that storage water taken out from the lower part of the hot water storage tank (11) is heated in the radiator (21) to be high-temperature water and is then returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank (11). A cooling circuit (15) is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank (11) so that the storage water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank (11) is cooled in the auxiliary evaporator (23) of the refrigerant circuit (20) and is then returned to the lower part of the hot water storage tank (11).

Abstract: In a cooling system, a compressor (1), a heat source (2), a heat exchanger (3), and a buffer tank (4) are connected in that order by piping (5) to constitute a closed circuit. In the closed circuit, nitrogen serving as a refrigerant is circulated without contacting open air. Any gas except for the air may be used as the refrigerant as long as the gas absorbs heat from the heat source (2) and dissipates the heat to the outside in the heat exchanger (3) when the gas is circulated in the closed circuit without being liquefied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for heat refinement by utilizing waste heat in a conduct (6) comprising a first cycle (2), an evaporator (4) In which the circulating working fluid is evaporated to gas, a compressor (8) that compress the gas, a condenser (10) that condenses the gas to a condensate and releases heat to a passing heat carrier in the condenser, and an expansion valve (14) that expands the condensate and bring back the working fluid to the evaporator (4). The system further comprises a second cycle (16; 16a-d) is attached to the first cycle (2), a turbine (18), which supplies gas from the evaporator (4), whereby an expansion occurs, whereafter condensate is brought back to the evaporator (4).

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system has a primary hot water circuit 11 located on a side where a vehicle installed heat generator 10 is located and a secondary hot water circuit 13 which includes a hot water type heater core 12 for heating passenger compartment outlet air, whereby when in a heating mode, in the event that a coolant temperature TW1 of the primary hot water circuit is lower than a coolant temperature TW2 of the secondary hot water circuit 13, an opening and closing valve 26 is closed, whereas an opening and closing valve 23 is opened, so that a state is created in which the hot water circuits 11, 13 are separated from each other.

Abstract: A method of controlling a startup operation in a heat pump water heater system prevents inadvertent shutdowns and/or low operating efficiencies via closed loop control of the system. The method includes choosing an expansion valve opening at startup near an expected steady state value to ensure high system capacity as early as possible, setting a water pump signal to a high level to maximize cycle efficiency during warm-up, and applying closed loop control over the expansion valve and the water pump to increase the pressure in the system in a controlled manner until the system reaches a steady operating state. The method provides stable startup control even if a transcritical vapor compression system is used as the heat pump.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a compressor, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a heat accepting heat exchanger. A storage tank stores the water that cools the refrigerant in the heat rejecting heat exchanger. A mechanical interface plate positioned between a hot water reservoir and a cold water reservoir in the storage tank reduces heat transfer between the hot water and the cold water. During a water heating mode, cold water from the cold reservoir flows into the heat sink to cool the refrigerant in the heat rejecting heat exchanger. As the water exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the water is heated in the heat sink, exits the heat sink, and flows into the hot reservoir of the storage tank. During a water discharge mode, the hot water in the hot reservoir is removed from the storage tank and flows into a hot water discharge. Cold water from a water source flows into the cold reservoir of the storage tank to refill the storage tank.

Abstract: A solar air-conditioning system that is preferably designed to operate with concentrated solar heat and uses a circulating refrigerant in a cycle of compression and expansion. Solar concentrators raise the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. The raised temperature is dissipated to the atmosphere and the refrigerant proceeds to the evaporator coil, which is located within a water tank containing at least 1000 gallons of an anti-freeze water solution. As the water is the storage medium, heat can be added to or extracted from the storage medium by the evaporator coil. A radiator pickup coil is also located within the water tank and is part of a separate chilled water system which can circulate its own water supply through other radiators located throughout a dwelling. Additionally, one or more bypass valve(s) within the refrigerant system allow switching to solar heating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat exchanger for altering the temperature of water from a fluid circulation line of a recreational body of water. The heat exchanger includes a helical tube-in-tube assembly adapted for flow therethrough of a plurality of fluids for heat transfer therebetween, and the heat exchanger further includes a tank defining a chamber in which said helical tube-in-tube assembly is positioned. In an exemplary embodiment, the chamber is an annular chamber, and the tank includes a cylindrical wall defining an external cavity extending through said tank.

Abstract: A heat pump system is disclosed that utilizes a primary compressor, a booster compressor, and a controlled heat exchanger heat exchanger fluidly connected between the boost compressor output and the primary compressor input. The controlled heat exchanger functions to reduce the temperature of the refrigerant entering the primary compressor, thereby allowing the booster compressor to operate for longer periods without overheating the primary compressor. Increasing compressor run times improves both the heat pump efficiency and extends the compressor lifespan. The heat energy may be diverted away from the primary compressor to a hydronics system for heating an indoor space. Additionally, heat energy may be withdrawn from the hydronics system to defrost the outdoor coil of the heat pump system. The periods of compressor inactivity may also be extended by withdrawing heat energy stored in a hydronics tank.

Abstract: In a refrigerating device comprising waste heat utilization equipment having: a refrigerating cycle 200 formed by sequentially connecting a compressor 210, a condenser 220, an expansion valve 240, and an evaporator 250; and a Rankine cycle 300 formed by sequentially connecting a heater 310 using the waste heat of a heat generating device (for example, an internal combustion engine) 10 as a heating source, an expansion device 320, the above-mentioned condenser 220, and a pump 330, in which the drive shafts of the compressor 210 and the expansion device 320 are separated from each other. Then, the output of the expansion device 320 is used mainly for generating electricity.

Abstract: A complex fluid machine has an expansion-compressor device, a pump, and a motor generator, wherein the expansion-compressor device, the pump, and the motor generator are operatively connected and arranged in series, and a power transmitting device for disconnecting the pump from the motor generator, when the expansion-compressor device is driven by the motor generator so as to be operated as a compressor device.

Abstract: A heating installation is provided with a first circuit (K1) containing a first medium, a second circuit (K2) containing a second medium, a first heat pump (2) arranged in the first circuit (K1) for heating the first medium, a third circuit (K3) containing a third medium, a heat exchanger (40) arranged in the third circuit (K3) and connected between the condenser (2d) and expansion valve (2f) of the first heat pump to transfer heat from the working medium of the first heat pump to the third medium in the third circuit (K3), and a second heat pump (3) arranged for heating the second medium in the second circuit (K2) by absorbing heat energy from the third medium in the third circuit (K3).

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method for superheating the refrigerant gas in a motor vehicle air conditioning system in order to minimize the amount of work required to be performed by the compressor. In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant gas is diverted through the exhaust manifold immediately after passing through the compressor. As the refrigerant gas passes through the exhaust manifold, it is superheated by the surrounding hot exhaust gases thereby increasing the refrigerant gas pressure to reduce the amount of work done by the compressor.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a water line for carrying water having a first predetermined flow direction and a refrigerant line for carrying a refrigerant and having a second predetermined flow direction opposite the first predetermined flow direction. The heat transfer system includes a refrigerant evaporator, a vapor compressor, a condenser, and an expansion device. Refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant evaporator as a liquid and is warmed to a cooled gas. The refrigerant is heated to a superheated gas in the vapor compressor, and cooled to a warm liquid in the condenser. The refrigerant is cooled to a bi-phase liquid in the expansion device and is then passed to the refrigerant evaporator. Water enters the refrigerant condenser and heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the water to warm the water to a predetermined water temperature. The water exits the refrigerant condenser and is passed to the water storage member at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is a compressor, a heat recovery device, and a plant, configured to practice heat recovery from a compressible media for performing useful work in driving a heat-driven chiller.

Abstract: A heat pump type heating and air conditioning system includes a gas furnace or other auxiliary heat source and a thermostat and controller associated with the heat pump and the auxiliary heat source for automatically energizing the heat pump if the auxiliary heat source is inoperative regardless of whether or not the automatic heating mode has been selected or the auxiliary heating mode has been selected by the user of the system. A method of operating a heat pump system with an auxiliary heating source to automatically change from operation of the heat pump to the auxiliary heating source depending on conditions such as outdoor temperature, and to automatically change back to operation of the heat pump if the auxiliary heating source is inoperable.

Abstract: A water supply system includes a main water tank and a sub-tank of smaller dimensions than the main tank for supplying hot and cold water for household use. The sub-tank is surrounded by a tubular coil of refrigerant in contact with the sub-tank, a layer of insulation and an outer wall for maintaining the insulation in place and protecting the tubular coil and sub-tank from being damaged. A water heater is disposed in or below a lower part of the tank and a three-way switch is provided for selecting heating or refrigeration during different seasons of the year.

Abstract: A flash water heater using a heat pump includes a heat exchanger in which a refrigerant flow path exchanges heat with a water flow path. Tap water is led directly to the water flow path, and hot water supplied from the water flow path is used. The water heater includes at least one of the following elements: 1) a load setter for setting a heating amount in the heat exchanger, and a heating controller for regulating a heating amount in response to an amount set by the load setter; 2) a heater for heating water flowing through the water flow path in the heat exchanger and water flowing the path before and after the heat exchanger; 3) plural compressors; and 4) plural heat-pump cycles. The water heater is excellent in start-up of hot water temperature when the hot water supply starts, controllability, and efficiency.

Abstract: A controlled flow heat extraction and recovery apparatus using waste heat from a cooling system to heat water to be held in at least one heated water storage tank thereby providing heated water having a purposeful end-use, increasing cooling efficiencies in a cooling system and heating efficiencies in a hot water heating system.