A refrigerator includes a first compressor configured to compress first refrigerant, a first condenser configured to condense the compressed first refrigerant, a first expansion valve configured to reduce a temperature and a pressure of the condensed first refrigerant, a first evaporator configured to evaporate the first refrigerant having passed through the first expansion valve, a second compressor configured to compress second refrigerant, a second condenser configured to condense the compressed second refrigerant, a second expansion valve configured to reduce a temperature and a pressure of the condensed second refrigerant, a second evaporator configured to evaporate the second refrigerant having passed through the second expansion valve, a first heat exchanger arranged after and connected to the first expansion valve, and a second heat exchanger arranged after and connected to the second expansion valve. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are configured to exchange heat with each other.

A refrigerator includes a first compressor configured to compress first refrigerant, a first condenser configured to condense the compressed first refrigerant, a first expansion valve configured to reduce a temperature and a pressure of the condensed first refrigerant, a first evaporator configured to evaporate the first refrigerant having passed through the first expansion valve, a second compressor configured to compress second refrigerant, a second condenser configured to condense the compressed second refrigerant, a second expansion valve configured to reduce a temperature and a pressure of the condensed second refrigerant, a second evaporator configured to evaporate the second refrigerant having passed through the second expansion valve, a first heat exchanger arranged after and connected to the first expansion valve, and a second heat exchanger arranged after and connected to the second expansion valve. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are configured to exchange heat with each other.

A thermal energy system comprising a first thermal system in use having a cooling demand, and a heat sink connection system coupled to the first thermal system, the heat sink connection system being adapted to provide selective connection to a plurality of heat sinks for cooling the first thermal system, the heat sink connection system comprising a first heat exchanger system adapted to be coupled to a first remote heat sink containing a working fluid and a second heat exchanger system adapted to be coupled to ambient air as a second heat sink, 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. An alternative embodiment has a heating demand and uses heat sources.

A thermal energy system comprising a first thermal system in use having a cooling demand, and a heat sink connection system coupled to the first thermal system, the heat sink connection system being adapted to provide selective connection to a plurality of heat sinks for cooling the first thermal system, the heat sink connection system comprising a first heat exchanger system adapted to be coupled to a first remote heat sink containing a working fluid and a second heat exchanger system adapted to be coupled to ambient air as a second heat sink, 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. An alternative embodiment has a heating demand and uses heat sources.

A heat exchanger group includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger. In a cooling operation, refrigerant discharged from the compressor is divided into two. One refrigerant is delivered to the second heat exchanger, and the other refrigerant is delivered to the third heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger performs heat exchange to turn the refrigerant into two-phase refrigerant. The third heat exchanger performs heat exchange to turn the refrigerant into two-phase refrigerant. The refrigerant that has flowed through the second heat exchanger and the refrigerant that has flowed through the third heat exchanger meet, and the resultant refrigerant is delivered to the first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger performs heat exchange, so that the two-phase refrigerant turns into liquid refrigerant and flows through the first heat exchanger.

The invention relates to a system that is added to a standard vehicle installed air-conditioning system that allows the standard vehicle installed air-conditioning system to cool and condition the air inside the vehicle without operating the engine of the vehicle. This allows the vehicle to be air-conditioned without polluting the air via continuous operation of the vehicle's (usually) diesel engine. Also, a thermal heating tank is included to warm the electrical components of the system and to ensure improved morning starting of the vehicle's engine.

A heat exchange system for a vehicle including a battery, an electric motor, and a transmission system is provided. The heat exchange system includes a heat pump, and a heat exchanger. The heat pump is used for air conditioning. The heat pump includes an electric compressor that compresses a refrigerant. The electric compressor is configured to be driven with electric power from the battery. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and lubricating oil that lubricates the transmission system.

A heat exchange system for a vehicle including a battery, an electric motor, and a transmission system is provided. The heat exchange system includes a heat pump, and a heat exchanger. The heat pump is used for air conditioning. The heat pump includes an electric compressor that compresses a refrigerant. The electric compressor is configured to be driven with electric power from the battery. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and lubricating oil that lubricates the transmission system.

A liquid temperature control apparatus including a heat medium circulation apparatus equipped with a cooling unit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and a plurality of cooling heat exchangers, and equipped with a heating unit configured to allow a portion of a heat medium flowing out from the compressor toward the condenser to be branched and return the portion of the heat medium to flow into the condenser on the downstream side of the compressor via a heating heat exchanger and a heating amount adjustment valve; and a liquid flow apparatus. A first liquid flow path of the liquid flow apparatus is connected to the first cooling heat exchanger and to the heating heat exchanger. A second liquid flow path is connected to the second cooling heat exchanger. Moreover, an electric heater for heating the liquid allowed to flow is provided in the second liquid flow path.

A liquid temperature control apparatus including a heat medium circulation apparatus equipped with a cooling unit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and a plurality of cooling heat exchangers, and equipped with a heating unit configured to allow a portion of a heat medium flowing out from the compressor toward the condenser to be branched and return the portion of the heat medium to flow into the condenser on the downstream side of the compressor via a heating heat exchanger and a heating amount adjustment valve; and a liquid flow apparatus. A first liquid flow path of the liquid flow apparatus is connected to the first cooling heat exchanger and to the heating heat exchanger. A second liquid flow path is connected to the second cooling heat exchanger. Moreover, an electric heater for heating the liquid allowed to flow is provided in the second liquid flow path.