A heat request arbitration device includes: a first thermal circuit; a second thermal circuit; a third thermal circuit having path patterns that are selectable as a path that is heat exchangeable with each of the first thermal circuit and the second thermal circuit; and heat source units configured to absorb heat or radiate heat via a heat medium circulating in at least one of the thermal circuits; a derivation unit configured to derive requests related to heat flow control of heat absorbed or radiated by each of the heat source units; and a selection unit configured to select a path for at least one of the thermal circuits so as to satisfy at least one of the requests related to the heat flow control based on the requests related to the heat flow control derived by the derivation unit.

A cooling system includes an evaporator, connected through fluid lines to a first condenser, a second condenser, a compressor, and a thermal expansion valve. One or more valves are arranged in the fluid lines. The one or more valves operated to, in a first mode, circulate fluid between the evaporator the first condenser; in a second mode, circulate the fluid between a) the evaporator and the first condenser, and b) the evaporator, the second condenser, and the thermal expansion valve, and; in a third mode, circulate the fluid between a) the evaporator and the first condenser, and c) the evaporator, the compressor, the second condenser, and the thermal expansion valve.

A cooling system includes an evaporator, connected through fluid lines to a first condenser, a second condenser, a compressor, and a thermal expansion valve. One or more valves are arranged in the fluid lines. The one or more valves operated to, in a first mode, circulate fluid between the evaporator the first condenser; in a second mode, circulate the fluid between a) the evaporator and the first condenser, and b) the evaporator, the second condenser, and the thermal expansion valve, and; in a third mode, circulate the fluid between a) the evaporator and the first condenser, and c) the evaporator, the compressor, the second condenser, and the thermal expansion valve.

The cooling systems of the present disclosure include a first refrigerant circuit in thermal communication with a heat load and in fluid communication with a main condenser, a free cooling circuit in fluid communication with the main condenser and a free-cooled water source, a chilled water circuit in fluid communication with the main condenser and an evaporator, and a second refrigerant circuit in fluid communication with the evaporator and a secondary condenser. The free cooling circuit is in thermal communication with the first refrigerant circuit via the main condenser, the chilled water circuit is in thermal communication with the first refrigerant circuit via the main condenser, and the second refrigeration circuit is in thermal communication with the chilled water circuit and the free cooling circuit. The second refrigeration circuit cools a fluid flowing in the chilled water circuit. Methods of operating a cooling system are also disclosed.

A heat pump includes an evaporator with an evaporator inlet and an evaporator outlet; a compressor for compressing operating liquid evaporated in the evaporator; and a condenser for condensing evaporated operating liquid compressed in the compressor, wherein the condenser includes a condenser inlet and a condenser outlet, wherein the evaporator inlet is connected to a return from a region to be heated, and wherein the condenser inlet is connected to a return from a region to be cooled.

A solar powered absorption cooling system employing refrigerant-absorbent solutions such as water and lithium bromide and hybrid storage capabilities, and a method of employing the system in refrigeration and air conditioning units. The system includes a first temperature control valve and second temperature control valve that together regulate the flow of solar heating fluid into the generator and substantially reduce absorbent crystal formation.

A fluid temperature control system cools a fluid by means of a multiple refrigeration apparatus including a high-temperature-side refrigerator (100), a medium-temperature-side refrigerator (200) and a low-temperature-side refrigerator (300). The medium-temperature-side refrigerator (200) in the multiple refrigeration apparatus has a medium-temperature-side first evaporator (204) and a medium-temperature-side second evaporator (224). A high-temperature-side evaporator (104) of the high-temperature-side refrigerator (100) and a medium-temperature-side condenser (202) of the medium-temperature-side refrigerator (200) constitute a first cascade condenser (CC1). The medium-temperature-side second evaporator (224) of the medium-temperature-side refrigerator (200) and a low-temperature-side condenser (302) of the low-temperature-side refrigerator (300) constitute a second cascade condenser (CC2). The medium-temperature-side refrigerant and the low-temperature-side refrigerant are the same refrigerant. The fluid allowed to flow by a fluid flow apparatus is cooled by the medium-temperature-side first evaporator (204) of the medium-temperature-side refrigerator (200), and is then cooled by the low-temperature-side evaporator (304) of the low-temperature-side refrigerator (300).

An ice maker and a refrigerator having same. The ice maker comprises: a cooling part having a heat dissipation device and a metal piece; a liquid container configured to store liquid; a liquid supply part configured to supply liquid to the liquid container; a moving mechanism configured to rotate and move the liquid container; and a control part. The metal piece is mounted, so that a rod-shaped component made of metal extends downward from a base end to the tip, and the rod-shaped component is cooled by means of the heat dissipation device. The ice-making process is repeated multiple times under the control of the control part, and the following steps are carried out in the ice-making process: a liquid supply step, an ice making step, an avoidance step, a deicing step, and a recovering step. The ice maker can make ice within a short period of time.

A flow path switching device of the present disclosure includes a case comprising a first nozzle into which fluid flows from an indoor unit, a second nozzle which sends fluid to the indoor unit, a plurality of inner outflow pipes through which fluid supplied from the first nozzle flows, a plurality of inner inflow pipes through which the fluid supplied to the second nozzle flows, and a flow path connection portion in which a space is formed to communicate the plurality of inner outflow pipes with the first nozzle or to communicate the plurality of inner inflow pipes with the second nozzle; a valve which is rotatably disposed in the space of the flow path connection portion, and has a first chamber connecting one of the plurality of inner inflow pipes and the first nozzle according to disposition, and a second chamber connecting one of the plurality of inner outflow pipes and the second nozzle according to disposition; and a motor which is disposed in one side of the valve, and rotates the valve, wherein the plurality of inner outflow pipes and the plurality of inner inflow pipes are disposed in the same one side direction of the flow path connection portion and are spaced apart from each other in a direction in which a rotation shaft around which the valve rotates is formed.

A flow path switching device of the present disclosure includes a case comprising a first nozzle into which fluid flows from an indoor unit, a second nozzle which sends fluid to the indoor unit, a plurality of inner outflow pipes through which fluid supplied from the first nozzle flows, a plurality of inner inflow pipes through which the fluid supplied to the second nozzle flows, and a flow path connection portion in which a space is formed to communicate the plurality of inner outflow pipes with the first nozzle or to communicate the plurality of inner inflow pipes with the second nozzle; a valve which is rotatably disposed in the space of the flow path connection portion, and has a first chamber connecting one of the plurality of inner inflow pipes and the first nozzle according to disposition, and a second chamber connecting one of the plurality of inner outflow pipes and the second nozzle according to disposition; and a motor which is disposed in one side of the valve, and rotates the valve, wherein the plurality of inner outflow pipes and the plurality of inner inflow pipes are disposed in the same one side direction of the flow path connection portion and are spaced apart from each other in a direction in which a rotation shaft around which the valve rotates is formed.