The present invention pertains to systems, methods, and compositions for liquid phase change, including for active cloud point, e.g., critical solution temperature, adjustment and heating or cooling, e.g., refrigeration, cycles. In some embodiments heat is absorbed, released or both due to phase changes in a liquid system. Advantageously, the phase changes may be controlled by controlling the ingredients or amounts of certain components of the liquid system. Advantages may include lower capital expenditures, lower operating expenses, or both for a diverse and wide range of heating and cooling applications. Such applications include, for example, cooling of data centers, cooled transportation of goods, refrigeration, heat pumps, extractions, ocean thermal energy conversion, and de-icing of roads to name just a few.

Disclosed is an adsorption-based heat pump useful for refrigeration and cooling/heating for applications such as HVACs and chillers. Adsorption is a surface phenomenon where a solid substance (adsorbent) attracts molecules of a gas or solution (refrigerant or adsorbate) on its surface. The latent heat of the adsorbate provides the heating/cooling effect. The novel adsorption heat pump enhances heat and/or mass transfer to and from the adsorbate. One embodiment comprises at least one evaporator, at least one desorber (adsorbent heating apparatus), at least one adsorbent cooling apparatus and at least one condenser. The embodiment employs different techniques to enhance heat and/or mass transfer.

Systems and methods for compressor-assisted sorption rate. A sorption system includes a sorber that absorbs and desorbs a refrigerant gas, such as ammonia, onto and from a coordinative complex compound. The system includes an evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor. The temperature and pressure of the gas within the sorber are monitored and the compressor is controlled to adjust the pressure to increase the absorption and desorption rates and enhance the thermal cycle speed of the sorption system for applications such as laser systems requiring rapid, periodic cooling.

An in-vehicle absorption heat pump device includes: a regenerator including a gas-liquid separation unit that separates a diluted absorbent containing a refrigerant into the refrigerant and a concentrated absorbent separated from the diluted absorbent; a condenser that condenses a refrigerant vapor separated from the diluted absorbent in the gas-liquid separation unit; an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant condensed in the condenser; an absorber that causes the refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator to be absorbed into the concentrated absorbent separated from the diluted absorbent in the gas-liquid separation unit; and a storage tank that stores both the diluted absorbent discharged from the absorber and the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator. The storage tank is integrally provided below both the absorber and the evaporator, and communicates with both the absorber and the evaporator.

A refrigerator includes a main body that has a storage chamber and a drying chamber; a thermoelectric module that includes a heat absorber and a heat dissipater; a cooling fan that circulates air in the storage chamber to the heat absorber and the storage chamber; a heat-dissipating fan that blows air to the heat dissipater; an air guide that has a passage for guiding air heated by the heat dissipater to the drying chamber; a heater that is disposed in the passage; and a damper that controls a flow of air in the passage between the heat-dissipating fan and the heater. Heat of the heat dissipater transfers to the drying chamber through the passage of the air guide and the damper, thereby being able to dry an object to be dried.

According to one embodiment, a rotary compressor includes a compression mechanism unit and an electric motor. The compression mechanism unit includes a first bearing, a second bearing, first to third refrigerant compression units, a second intermediate partitioning panel, and a rotation shaft. The compression mechanism unit is fixed to the sealed container by a pair of fixing units which are provided at two locations spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and the center of gravity of a structure comprising the compression mechanism unit and the rotor of the electric motor is positioned between the pair of fixing units.

According to one embodiment, a rotary compressor includes a compression mechanism unit and an electric motor. The compression mechanism unit includes a first bearing, a second bearing, first to third refrigerant compression units, a second intermediate partitioning panel, and a rotation shaft. The compression mechanism unit is fixed to the sealed container by a pair of fixing units which are provided at two locations spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and the center of gravity of a structure comprising the compression mechanism unit and the rotor of the electric motor is positioned between the pair of fixing units.

The invention provides a heat pump system and method comprising a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) core (2a, 2b) positioned in a housing and adapted to absorb heat and store energy in response to a first fluid inputted at a first temperature. The housing is configured to receive a second fluid via an inlet wherein a device changes pressure in the housing to cause the SMA or NTE core to change state to release the heat absorbed into the second fluid. An outlet is adapted to output the second fluid at a higher temperature than the first temperature.

The invention provides a heat pump system and method comprising a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) core (2a, 2b) positioned in a housing and adapted to absorb heat and store energy in response to a first fluid inputted at a first temperature. The housing is configured to receive a second fluid via an inlet wherein a device changes pressure in the housing to cause the SMA or NTE core to change state to release the heat absorbed into the second fluid. An outlet is adapted to output the second fluid at a higher temperature than the first temperature.

A heat exchanger includes: a first heat transfer tube unit including first heat transfer tubes arranged in parallel along a first direction within a horizontal plane; and a second heat transfer tube unit including second heat transfer tubes arranged in parallel with one another along a second direction that intersects the first direction within the horizontal plane. Each of the first heat transfer tubes and the second heat transfer tubes includes: straight portions arranged in parallel in a vertical direction; and one or more curved portions that make end portions of the straight portions communicate with each other. The straight portions of the first heat transfer tube unit and the straight portions of the first heat transfer tube unit are stacked on each other alternately.