A method for operating a caloric heat pump system includes changing a cycle frequency at which a field of a field generator is applied to caloric material in the caloric heat pump system. The method also includes adjusting a speed of a hot side fan in response to the cycle frequency change and adjusting a speed of a cold side fan in response to the cycle frequency change. A respective one of three separate control loops changes the cycle frequency, adjusts the speed of the hot side fan, and adjusts the speed of the cold side fan.

A method for operating a caloric heat pump system includes changing a cycle frequency at which a field of a field generator is applied to caloric material in the caloric heat pump system. The method also includes adjusting a speed of a hot side fan in response to the cycle frequency change and adjusting a speed of a cold side fan in response to the cycle frequency change. A respective one of three separate control loops changes the cycle frequency, adjusts the speed of the hot side fan, and adjusts the speed of the cold side fan.

A liquid slug protector device for air conditioning and heat pump systems can include a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, an abutment surface, and a cavity. The device can include a piston disposed in the cavity. The piston can have a primary channel. The device can include a secondary channel. A first refrigerant flow path extending between the inlet port and the outlet port can include the primary channel. A second refrigerant flow path extending between the inlet port and the outlet port can include the secondary channel. The second refrigerant flow path can be closed when the piston abuts against the abutment surface.

A heat transfer system (310) is disclosed that includes a first electrocaloric module (62) comprising a first electrocaloric material, a first high-side voltage electrode, and a first low-side voltage electrode, arranged to impart an electric field to the electrocaloric material. The system also includes a second electrocaloric module (64) comprising a second electrocaloric material, a second high-side voltage electrode, and a second low-side voltage electrode, arranged to impart an electric field to the electrocaloric material. A bi-directional power transfer circuit (60) is also included arranged to alternately transfer power from the electrodes of the first electrocaloric module (62) to the second electrocaloric module (64), and from the electrodes of the second electrocaloric module (64) to the first electrocaloric module (62).

A heat transfer system (310) is disclosed that includes a first electrocaloric module (62) comprising a first electrocaloric material, a first high-side voltage electrode, and a first low-side voltage electrode, arranged to impart an electric field to the electrocaloric material. The system also includes a second electrocaloric module (64) comprising a second electrocaloric material, a second high-side voltage electrode, and a second low-side voltage electrode, arranged to impart an electric field to the electrocaloric material. A bi-directional power transfer circuit (60) is also included arranged to alternately transfer power from the electrodes of the first electrocaloric module (62) to the second electrocaloric module (64), and from the electrodes of the second electrocaloric module (64) to the first electrocaloric module (62).

A method of operating a refrigeration system is provided. The method includes activating an evaporator heater (306), monitoring a pressure differential within the refrigeration system (308), when the pressure differential reaches a predetermined value (310), deactivating the evaporator heater (312), and activating one or more evaporator fans (314), after deactivating the evaporator heater, to cause a thermostatic expansion valve to open.

A floor system for detecting refrigerant includes one or more tiles. Each tile includes a tile body having a cavity formed therein and a grille element positioned within the cavity of the tile body. The grille element is configured to receive air from at least one of above or below the tile body. Each tile further includes a control assembly associated with the grille element. The control assembly includes a refrigerant sensing device to detect refrigerant in the received air. The control assembly is configured to output a signal indicating a detection of refrigerant.

A lock assembly includes at least a lock component, a lock member, and a bracket. The lock component is securable to a load cell. The lock member is configured to move into a first position to provide an unlocked state in which the lock member is disengaged from the lock component. In the unlocked state, the load cell is physically unsecured from the lock member and enabled to operate. The lock member is configured to move into a second position to provide a locked state in which the lock member is engaged with the lock component. In the locked state, the load cell is physically secured to the lock member via the lock component. The bracket is configured to support the lock member in relation to the lock component.

A system and method of freeze protection for a chiller including a metering device in flow communication with a condenser, a controller in electrical communication with the metering device, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the difference between the fluid characteristic of the first liquid and the fluid characteristic of the second liquid is greater than a freezing limit, and enter a freeze protection mode if the difference between the fluid characteristic of the first liquid and the fluid characteristic of the second liquid is greater than the freezing limit.

A refrigeration manager that can be used to monitor and control disparate refrigeration systems at a site, even when the refrigeration systems are manufactured by different vendors. The refrigeration manager provides common views for the disparate refrigeration systems, which may help a technician more easily monitor and control the various refrigeration systems at a site.