In some embodiments, an air-cooled ammonia refrigeration system comprises: a plurality of air-cooled condensers, each having a heat exchanger and at least one axial fan and having a first operating state capable of condensing vaporous ammonia to form liquid ammonia; an evaporator coupled to the air-cooled condenser; a subcooler positioned between the air-cooled condenser and the evaporator; a compressor coupled to the evaporator; an oil cooler coupled to the compressor; and a plurality of valves coupled to the plurality of air-cooled condensers and having a first configuration corresponding to the first operating state of the plurality of air-cooled condensers, and a second configuration corresponding to a second operating state of one or more of the plurality of air-cooled condensers such that the one or more of the plurality of air-cooled condensers functions as an evaporator capable of evaporating liquid ammonia to form vaporous ammonia.

The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle which can enhance heating performance of a plug-in hybrid vehicle by heating engine coolant necessary for heating using a refrigerant cycle. The heat pump system for a vehicle includes: an evaporator disposed inside an air-conditioning case to exchange heat between air and refrigerant; a heater core disposed inside the air-conditioning case to exchange heat between air and coolant; a first coolant line connecting an engine with the heater core so that the coolant is circulated; a first refrigerant circulation loop which circulates a compressor for compressing and discharging the refrigerant, an air-cooled condenser for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air, a first expansion means for expanding the refrigerant, and the evaporator in a cooling mode; and a second refrigerant circulation loop which circulates the compressor, a water-cooled heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the coolant, a second expansion means for expanding the refrigerant, and the air-cooled condenser in a heating mode. The water-cooled heat exchanger is disposed in the first coolant line between the engine and the heater core to exchange heat between the refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure passing through the compressor and the coolant of the first coolant line.

A thermal energy system comprising a first thermal system having a heating demand, and a heat source connection system coupled to the first thermal system, the heat source connection system being adapted to provide selective connection to a plurality of heat sources for heating the first thermal system, the heat source connection system comprising a first heat exchanger system coupled to a first remote heat source containing a working fluid and a second heat exchanger system adapted to be coupled to ambient air as a second heat source, a fluid loop interconnecting the first thermal system, the first heat exchanger system and the second heat exchanger system, at least one mechanism for selectively altering the order of the first heat exchanger system and the second heat exchanger system in relation to a fluid flow direction around the fluid loop, and a controller for actuating the at least one mechanism.

A thermal energy system comprising a first thermal system having a heating demand, and a heat source connection system coupled to the first thermal system, the heat source connection system being adapted to provide selective connection to a plurality of heat sources for heating the first thermal system, the heat source connection system comprising a first heat exchanger system coupled to a first remote heat source containing a working fluid and a second heat exchanger system adapted to be coupled to ambient air as a second heat source, a fluid loop interconnecting the first thermal system, the first heat exchanger system and the second heat exchanger system, at least one mechanism for selectively altering the order of the first heat exchanger system and the second heat exchanger system in relation to a fluid flow direction around the fluid loop, and a controller for actuating the at least one mechanism.

A cooling apparatus includes a first fluid flowpath and a second fluid flowpath. The first fluid flowpath includes a subcooler having a first side in fluid communication with the first fluid flowpath; a flow control valve; a primary evaporator assembly including at least one evaporator configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a heat load; and a pressure regulator operable to control a saturation pressure within the at least one evaporator. The second fluid flowpath is in fluid communication with a second side of the subcooler.

A cooling apparatus includes a first fluid flowpath and a second fluid flowpath. The first fluid flowpath includes a subcooler having a first side in fluid communication with the first fluid flowpath; a flow control valve; a primary evaporator assembly including at least one evaporator configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a heat load; and a pressure regulator operable to control a saturation pressure within the at least one evaporator. The second fluid flowpath is in fluid communication with a second side of the subcooler.

Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement air conditioning systems that are operable to establish/maintain a desired temperature for a target space and simultaneously establish/maintain a temperature lower than the desired temperature for the target space for an included cold thermal energy storage unit. In one embodiment, an air conditioning system includes: a condensing unit; a liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble; a cold thermal energy storage unit; a target space; and a suction gas/equalizer; where the listed components are operatively connected by piping such that vapor compression cycles can be simultaneously implemented that result in the cooling of the cold thermal energy storage unit and the target space; and the air conditioning system is configured such that the simultaneous implementation of vapor compression cycles results in cooling the cold thermal energy storage unit to a greater extent relative to the target space.

Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement air conditioning systems that are operable to establish/maintain a desired temperature for a target space and simultaneously establish/maintain a temperature lower than the desired temperature for the target space for an included cold thermal energy storage unit. In one embodiment, an air conditioning system includes: a condensing unit; a liquid pressurizer and distributor ensemble; a cold thermal energy storage unit; a target space; and a suction gas/equalizer; where the listed components are operatively connected by piping such that vapor compression cycles can be simultaneously implemented that result in the cooling of the cold thermal energy storage unit and the target space; and the air conditioning system is configured such that the simultaneous implementation of vapor compression cycles results in cooling the cold thermal energy storage unit to a greater extent relative to the target space.

Cold storage unit apparatuses designed for high energy efficiency are provided, which may include: a refrigeration system; a box enclosing an interior space, the box formed by a plurality of insulated sides; an entry into the interior space including a plurality of openable barriers facilitating preventing entry of heat or moisture into the interior space; and a power system connected to the refrigeration system, the power system facilitating independent operation of the refrigeration system when not connected to a power grid, and further facilitating a net energy use of zero from a power grid when connected to a power grid. Cold storage units may further include systems for using the refrigerant of the refrigeration system to defrost one or more components of the cold storage unit, and for using the refrigerant to facilitate maintaining a desired internal temperature of the interior space of the cold storage unit.

Cold storage unit apparatuses designed for high energy efficiency are provided, which may include: a refrigeration system; a box enclosing an interior space, the box formed by a plurality of insulated sides; an entry into the interior space including a plurality of openable barriers facilitating preventing entry of heat or moisture into the interior space; and a power system connected to the refrigeration system, the power system facilitating independent operation of the refrigeration system when not connected to a power grid, and further facilitating a net energy use of zero from a power grid when connected to a power grid. Cold storage units may further include systems for using the refrigerant of the refrigeration system to defrost one or more components of the cold storage unit, and for using the refrigerant to facilitate maintaining a desired internal temperature of the interior space of the cold storage unit.