Abstract:
The present invention comprises a highly supercharged, regenerative gas-turbine system. The gas turbine comprises a compressor, a regenerator, a combustor, and an expander. A pre-compressor pressurizes air going into the compressor section of the gas turbine. A cooler lowers the temperature of the air going into the compressor. The compressor pressurizes air, which then flows through the regenerator, which heats the air before it enters the combustor. The combustor further heats the air which then flows through the expander and then the regenerator. A post-expander is preferably located downstream of the regenerator. The post-expander is a second expander that receives high-pressure gas exiting the regenerator. The post-expander preferably drives the pre-compressor. The preferred pre-compressor and post-expander are toroidal intersecting vane machines (TIVMs), which are positive-displacement rotary devices. Numerous alternated embodiments of this basic system are described.
Abstract:
A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC & R) system having a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a multichannel heat exchanger connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The HVAC & R system may also have a base, a retainer and/or a grommet for providing support to the multichannel heat exchanger and/or substantially isolating the multichannel heat exchanger from the base.
Abstract:
A system and method for controlling an economizer circuit is provided. The economizer circuit includes a valve to regulate refrigerant flow between the economizer and the compressor. The valve can be opened to engage the economizer circuit or closed to disengage the economizer circuit based on the output frequency provided to the compressor motor by a variable speed drive and an operating condition of the economizer.
Abstract:
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided that include multichannel tube configurations designed to reduce refrigerant pressure drop through a heat exchanger manifold. In certain embodiments, tubes inserted within the manifold adjacent to a refrigerant inlet have non-rectangular or recessed end profiles configured to increase flow area near the inlet, thereby reducing a pressure drop through the manifold. In further embodiments, insertion depths of the tubes within the manifold vary based on distance from the inlet. This configuration may establish a larger flow area adjacent to the inlet, thus reducing the pressure drop and increasing heat exchanger efficiency.
Abstract:
A vapor compression system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The compressor has a high pressure discharge, a low pressure inlet and a port having an intermediate pressure greater than the low pressure inlet and less than the high pressure discharge. A fluid moving device is arranged and positioned to receive intermediate pressure refrigerant and oil mixture from the port to urge flow of a mixture of oil and refrigerant from the evaporator to the low pressure inlet of the compressor.
Abstract:
A heat exchanger is provided with stacked coil sections. Each of the stacked coil sections is configured to circulate a fluid independent from the other coil section. An air moving device is used to circulate air through both of the stacked coil sections. The stacked coil sections are positioned to have the air exiting the one coil section entering the other coil section.
Abstract:
A system is provided for adjusting the volume ratio of a screw compressor. The system can use a port in a rotor cylinder to bypass vapor from the compression chamber to the discharge passage of the compressor. A valve can be used to open or close the port to obtain different volume ratios in the compressor.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for controlling the operation of condenser fans are provided. At most discharge pressures, the operation of the condenser fans may be controlled based on a capacity of the compressor system. To adjust operation of the condenser fans, the speed of the fans and/or the number or operational fans may be adjusted. The control of the condenser fans based on compressor system capacity may be overridden at compressor discharge pressures that rise above a high pressure level and fall below a low pressure level. At the high and low discharge pressures, the fan speed and/or number of operating fans may be adjusted based solely on the discharge pressure rather than on the compressor system capacity.
Abstract:
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC & R) systems and multi-slab heat exchangers are provided that include fluid connections for transmitting fluid between groups of tubes. The fluid connections may include generally tubular members fluidly connected to manifold sections. The fluid connections also may include partitioned manifolds containing tubes of different heights. Multichannel tubes are also provided that include a bent section configured to locate a flow path near a leading edge of a tube within one section and near a trailing edge of the tube within another section.
Abstract:
A system and method for providing conditioned air to the interior space of a building (6) includes separate dehumidification and sensible cooling functions. The separate dehumidification (9) allows for much higher supply air temperatures, preferably within about 10 °F to about 15 °F of the air temperature of the building space. Low-velocity air distribution through a ceiling plenum (4) or a vent (5) into the space allows for very low fan static pressures, which greatly reduces fan energy usage compared to conventional ducted systems. The low static pressures and high supply-air temperatures allow the use of existing drop ceiling (4) construction with little modification. Optional return air channels between an inner glazing and an outer glazing of exterior windows (19) can virtually eliminate heating loads at the building perimeter (44), which virtually eliminates the need for simultaneous heating and cooling. The result is a major improvement in energy efficiency and comfort while reducing installed cost of the system.