Multi-zone transport refrigeration units (TRUs). A combination of temperature controlled flow of cold air and time controlled refrigerant distribution is used to improve cooling performance and reduce power consumption. This dual-control zone isolation system makes it possible to use solar panels to power the TRU.

A solar drink holder system includes a hand held thermoelectric temperature controlled beverage receptacle configured to receive and hold a cylindrical beverage container. A Peltier thermoelectric module is coupled to the hand held thermoelectric temperature controlled beverage receptacle and is configured to generate and regulate internal temperature of a beverage held within the cylindrical beverage container. At least one solar panel is hingeably attached to the hand held thermoelectric temperature controlled beverage receptacle. A device body is coupled to the hand held thermoelectric temperature controlled beverage receptacle including a rechargeable power source a control panel, at least one USB port, at least one digital display, at least one audio speaker, a short range wireless communication protocol, a reversible thermal indicator, said solar drink holder which is configured to provide a solar powered thermally controlled beverage receptacle having electronic device charging and wireless sound transmitting capability.

A solar-thermal refrigerant compression system employing refrigerants, such as R410a and R500, and a method of employing the system in refrigeration and air-conditioning units. The system includes a refrigerant storage tank, an evaporator, a mixing chamber, a condenser and an isochoric thermal compressor comprising a condensate heat exchanger and a heating coil connected to a solar collector field.

A vehicle window mounted cooling assembly for generating and distributing cooled air in a vehicle which is not running includes an assembly housing having a cooling and distributing electrical system, a mounting system, and a powering system. The cooling and distributing system includes a Peltier cooler, a heat sink, and a fan system, collectively arranged to disperse cooled air in a vehicle and outlet heated air out of a vehicle. The mounting system includes two securing notches which operate to allow the assembly housing to be removably secured in an open vehicle window. The powering system, which includes exterior solar panels, an internal battery, and a controller, allows for selective provision of electricity to the cooling and distributing system components. As such, the vehicle window mounted cooling assembly provides a self-contained, selectively attachable cooling device for a vehicle.

A temperature control system may include a thermoelectric device and one or more solar panels operatively connected to the thermoelectric device. The one or more solar panels may provide solar power to the thermoelectric device. A controller may be operatively connected to the thermoelectric device. A first insulating layer may surround a receptacle and a second insulating layer may include a plurality of channels. The controller may switch the thermoelectric device between an ON state and an OFF state based upon a threshold availability of the solar power. The thermoelectric device may receive forced air convection through the plurality of channels in the second insulating layer to maintain a temperature inside the receptacle when the thermoelectric device is in the ON state and may reduce air circulation within the receptacle to substantially maintain the temperature inside the receptacle when the thermoelectric device is in the OFF state.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a system and method for thermal-compression refrigeration. The refrigeration system includes a storage tank that stores a refrigerant condensate from a condenser, a mixing chamber that receives a refrigerant vapor from an evaporator and a portion of the refrigerant condensate from the storage tank, and produces a refrigerant mixture of the refrigerant vapor and the portion of the refrigerant condensate, and a first and second refrigerant compressors between the mixing chamber and condenser. The first and second refrigerant compressors each receives the refrigerant mixture from the mixing chamber, compresses the refrigerant mixture to produce a compressed refrigerant using thermal energy, and is capable of operating in a heater mode or a cooler mode.

A solar-thermal refrigerant compression system employing refrigerants, such as R410a and R500, and a method of employing the system in refrigeration and air-conditioning units. The system includes a refrigerant storage tank, an evaporator, a mixing chamber, a condenser and an isochoric thermal compressor comprising a condensate heat exchanger and a heating coil connected to a solar collector field.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a system and method for thermal-compression refrigeration. The refrigeration system includes a storage tank that stores a refrigerant condensate from a condenser, a mixing chamber that receives a refrigerant vapor from an evaporator and a portion of the refrigerant condensate from the storage tank, and produces a refrigerant mixture of the refrigerant vapor and the portion of the refrigerant condensate, and a first and second refrigerant compressors between the mixing chamber and condenser. The first and second refrigerant compressors each receives the refrigerant mixture from the mixing chamber, compresses the refrigerant mixture to produce a compressed refrigerant using thermal energy, and is capable of operating in a heater mode or a cooler mode.

A solar-thermal refrigerant compression system employing refrigerants, such as R410a and R500, and a method of employing the system in refrigeration and air-conditioning units. The system includes a refrigerant storage tank, an evaporator, a mixing chamber, a condenser and an isochoric thermal compressor comprising a condensate heat exchanger and a heating coil connected to a solar collector field.

Provided is an hybrid solar heat absorption cooling system comprising: an absorption refrigerator; a solar heat steam generator configured to generate steam using solar heat; a daytime steam supplying unit configured to supply steam generated by the solar heat steam generator during the day as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a daytime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the day; a nighttime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the daytime hot water storage tank during the night as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a nighttime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the night; and a daytime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the nighttime hot water storage tank during the day to the solar heat steam generator.