An exemplary heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building includes a primary heat pump system having a primary heat pump system size, a secondary heat pump system having a secondary heat pump system size less than the primary heat pump system size, a thermal energy storage system, and a control system operable to control operation of the primary heat pump system and the secondary heat pump system. The control system may limit operation of the secondary heat pump system to a first time period, and operates the primary heat pump system according to demand of the building.

Cooling device 1, in particular a freezer 2, having a closable cooling space 3, an electrically operated cooling circuit, and preferably a cold storage pack 4, wherein the at least one closable cooling space 3 and the cold storage pack 4 can be cooled by the electrically operated cooling circuit. The cooling device has a power distributor 5 for distributing electrical power of at least one regenerative power source 6 to an electrically operated cooling circuit of the cooling device 1 and to at least one further electricity consuming device 7. In addition, the power distributor 5 has a control system with a computing unit 23, a memory 24 and priority logic. The priority logic is used to preferentially supply the electrically operated cooling circuit of the cooling device 1 with electricity if there is a lack of electrical power of the at least one regenerative power source 6.

A heat pump device having a refrigerant circuit includes: a valve configured to maintain an opening degree during non-energization; a valve drive circuit configured to cause operation of the valve; a valve controller configured to control the valve drive circuit; and a power source circuit configured to supply a power source to the valve drive circuit. The power source circuit includes: a first power source circuit unit configured to receive power source supply from outside to generate a DC: voltage; and a second power source circuit unit for backup. The second power source circuit unit receives power source supply from the outside to store power in a capacitor, and connects the capacitor in parallel to a first output electric path of the first power source circuit unit.

Proposed is a method of controlling a gas heat-pump system, the system including an air conditioning module having a compressor and indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, and an engine module having an engine combusting mixed gas and thus generating drive power for operating the compressor, the method including: measuring factors that are temperature and humidity of outside air, an rpm of the engine, intake pressure, and an air-fuel ratio, the factors having effects on driving of the engine in an operating environment where the engine is driven; measuring a necessary ignition voltage for an ignition coil in a manner that corresponds to at least one of a plurality of the measured factors; and calculating a dwell time at which the necessary ignition voltage is output by the ignition coil.

Proposed is a method of controlling a gas heat-pump system, the system including an air conditioning module having a compressor and indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, and an engine module having an engine combusting mixed gas and thus generating drive power for operating the compressor, the method including: measuring factors that are temperature and humidity of outside air, an rpm of the engine, intake pressure, and an air-fuel ratio, the factors having effects on driving of the engine in an operating environment where the engine is driven; measuring a necessary ignition voltage for an ignition coil in a manner that corresponds to at least one of a plurality of the measured factors; and calculating a dwell time at which the necessary ignition voltage is output by the ignition coil.

A compressor for a heat transfer circuit includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), an electric motor that rotates a driveshaft, bearing(s) for supporting the driveshaft, a backup gas supply, and a power supply. During a utility power interruption, the backup gas supply operates utilizing DC electrical power generated by a back electromotive force of the electric motor. A method of operating an electric power supply system for a compressor includes operating in a utility power mode and operating in a backup power mode during a utility power interruption. In the utility power mode, AC electrical power is supplied from the VFD to the motor. In the backup power mode, DC electrical power generated in the VFD by a back electromotive force of the motor it used to operate a backup gas supply to supply compressed working fluid to gas bearing(s) of the compressor.

An air turbo-refrigeration unit includes a compressor on die same shaft as a turbo-expander, an electric motor, a two-cavity heat exchanger, a recuperator, a water trap, and a refrigeration chamber with a cooler and a fan. The unit has a two-cavity heat exchanger/cooler and second and third water traps. The compressor is connected by its outlet to the first cavity of the heat exchanger, which connects to the first cavity of the heat exchanger/cooler. The first cavity of the heat exchanger/cooler is connected via the second water trap to the first cavity of the recuperator, which communicates with the inlet of the turbo-expander via the first water trap. The turbo-expander is connected by its outlet via the third water trap to the second cavity of the heat exchanger/cooler, which communicates with the cooler and, via the cooler, with the second cavity of the recuperator, which communicates with the compressor inlet.

An air turbo-refrigeration unit includes a compressor on die same shaft as a turbo-expander, an electric motor, a two-cavity heat exchanger, a recuperator, a water trap, and a refrigeration chamber with a cooler and a fan. The unit has a two-cavity heat exchanger/cooler and second and third water traps. The compressor is connected by its outlet to the first cavity of the heat exchanger, which connects to the first cavity of the heat exchanger/cooler. The first cavity of the heat exchanger/cooler is connected via the second water trap to the first cavity of the recuperator, which communicates with the inlet of the turbo-expander via the first water trap. The turbo-expander is connected by its outlet via the third water trap to the second cavity of the heat exchanger/cooler, which communicates with the cooler and, via the cooler, with the second cavity of the recuperator, which communicates with the compressor inlet.

A heat exchanging device includes a regenerator that heats an absorbent by external energy and generates a vapor refrigerant by evaporating a refrigerant from the absorbent, a condenser that generates a liquid refrigerant by cooling and liquefying the vapor refrigerant, an evaporator that generates a vapor refrigerant by vaporizing the vapor refrigerant, an absorber that absorbs the liquid refrigerant into the absorbent, and first and second cover members arranged opposite to each other. The evaporator absorbs heat from a space on a second cover member side in a space between the first and second cover members through the second cover member. The absorber dissipates the heat from a space on a first cover member side in the space between the first and second cover members through the first cover member, and circulates the refrigerant and the absorbent.

Cooling device 1, in particular a freezer 2, having a closable cooling space 3, an electrically operated cooling circuit, and preferably a cold storage pack 4, wherein the at least one closable cooling space 3 and the cold storage pack 4 can be cooled by the electrically operated cooling circuit. The cooling device has a power distributor 5 for distributing electrical power of at least one regenerative power source 6 to an electrically operated cooling circuit of the cooling device 1 and to at least one further electricity consuming device 7. In addition, the power distributor 5 has a control system with a computing unit 23, a memory 24 and priority logic. The priority logic is used to preferentially supply the electrically operated cooling circuit of the cooling device 1 with electricity if there is a lack of electrical power of the at least one regenerative power source 6.