An illustrative example system includes at least one fuel cell that is configured to generate electricity based on an electrochemical reaction. The fuel cell includes an exhaust. A heat pump includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion valve. A coolant loop is external to the at least one fuel cell. The coolant loop has a first portion associated with the exhaust such that heat from the exhaust increases a temperature of coolant fluid in the first portion. The coolant loop has a second portion downstream of the first portion. The second portion of the coolant loop is associated with the evaporator such that heat from the coolant fluid in the second portion increases the temperature of the evaporator.

An illustrative example system includes at least one fuel cell that is configured to generate electricity based on an electrochemical reaction. The fuel cell includes an exhaust. A heat pump includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion valve. A coolant loop is external to the at least one fuel cell. The coolant loop has a first portion associated with the exhaust such that heat from the exhaust increases a temperature of coolant fluid in the first portion. The coolant loop has a second portion downstream of the first portion. The second portion of the coolant loop is associated with the evaporator such that heat from the coolant fluid in the second portion increases the temperature of the evaporator.

A method and system for optimizing the operation of a geo-exchange system, by generating predictive models pertaining to energy demand and energy capacity for a particular building or district, based on data from sensors associated with components of a district geo-exchange system, historical and real-time operational data associated with district modules, including weather forecast data and current weather conditions.

A four-process cycle is disclosed for a Vuilleumier heat pump that has mechatronically-controlled displacers. Vuilleumier heat pumps that use a crank to drive the displacers have been previously developed. However, mechatronic controls provides a greater degree of freedom to control the displacers. The four-process cycle provides a higher coefficient of performance than prior cycles in the crank-driven Vuilleumier heat pump and those previously disclosed for a mechatronically-driven Vuilleumier heat pump. The four-process cycle can be drawn out to provide a low demand condition by causing both displacers to remain stationary for a period of time. The four processes in which one of the displacers is commanded to move are separated by periods of inactivity in which both displacers remain stationary.

Device for regulating and controlling a flow-through and distributing a fluid in a fluid circuit has a housing with ports connecting fluid lines that are connected across a passage aperture with an interior volume of the housing, a valve element disposed in the interior volume of the housing, a drive element for moving the valve element relative to the housing.

Device for regulating and controlling a flow-through and distributing a fluid in a fluid circuit has a housing with ports connecting fluid lines that are connected across a passage aperture with an interior volume of the housing, a valve element disposed in the interior volume of the housing, a drive element for moving the valve element relative to the housing.

A heating device includes a heating element, a temperature sensor, a first heat pump element, a first heating block, a second heating block and a controller. The heating element is to receive an energy of the controller and convert the energy into a first thermal energy provided to the first heating block. A sensing result is generated by the temperature sensor according to the first thermal energy. The first heat pump element is to receive the energy of the controller for generating a temperature difference. The first thermal energy is conducted to the first heat pump element for forming a second thermal energy. The second heating block is to receive the second thermal energy. The controller correspondingly outputs the energy to the heating element and the first heat pump element according to the sensing result, and thereby controls the first thermal energy and the temperature difference.

Heat pumps are often desired to be used over other types of HVAC units given their efficiency. In some cases, this efficiency may be further improved by using condensate that is naturally produced by an indoor coil of the heat pump when in a cooling mode. For example, any accumulate condensate may be thrown onto any components of the heat pump using a slinger ring attached to a fan inside the unit. However, this condensate accumulation may be problematic in a heating mode of the heat pump because the water may freeze and prevent the fan and/or corresponding motor from properly functioning. Thus, the systems and methods provided herein present a heat pump including a multi-layered basepan including an outdoor coil tray that allows condensate to be routed to the drain platform underneath the unit while limiting the ability of condensate to reach the slinger ring in the heating mode.

Heat pumps are often desired to be used over other types of HVAC units given their efficiency. In some cases, this efficiency may be further improved by using condensate that is naturally produced by an indoor coil of the heat pump when in a cooling mode. For example, any accumulate condensate may be thrown onto any components of the heat pump using a slinger ring attached to a fan inside the unit. However, this condensate accumulation may be problematic in a heating mode of the heat pump because the water may freeze and prevent the fan and/or corresponding motor from properly functioning. Thus, the systems and methods provided herein present a heat pump including a multi-layered basepan including an outdoor coil tray that allows condensate to be routed to the drain platform underneath the unit while limiting the ability of condensate to reach the slinger ring in the heating mode.

A refrigeration & heat pump system is disclosed. The refrigeration & heat pump system comprises a heat exchanger; one or more vibration systems attached to the heat exchanger; an amplifier connected to the one or more vibration systems; and a plurality of sensors attached to the heat exchanger. The vibration system can be a motor vibration system, a magnetic vibration system, a piezoelectric vibration, a fin vibration system, or a hammer vibration.