A respirator system having a vortex tube with an arcuate hot leg. A respirator helmet has an inlet hose. A vortex tube with an arcuate hot leg and an inlet port is coupled to the respirator helmet. A compressed air source is coupled to the inlet port to supply air to the vortex tube in the range of 110 liter/minute (l/min) to 425 l/min and in the range of 40 pounds per square inch (psi) and 80 psi. This portable arrangement provides effective temperature control within the respirator system.

A respirator system having a vortex tube with an arcuate hot leg. A respirator helmet has an inlet hose. A vortex tube with an arcuate hot leg and an inlet port is coupled to the respirator helmet. A compressed air source is coupled to the inlet port to supply air to the vortex tube in the range of 110 liter/minute (l/min) to 425 l/min and in the range of 40 pounds per square inch (psi) and 80 psi. This portable arrangement provides effective temperature control within the respirator system.

A helium liquefaction system with a thermally reactive nosecone is described. The system further includes a tip having a slanted intake aperture, a shaft, a thermally reactive bore and a nosecone functioning as a hypersonic vortex generator. Further the system may be configured as a standalone helium liquefaction plant, whereby the compressed helium is regeneratively chilled into the cryogenic zone.

A helium liquefaction system with a thermally reactive nosecone is described. The system further includes a tip having a slanted intake aperture, a shaft, a thermally reactive bore and a nosecone functioning as a hypersonic vortex generator. Further the system may be configured as a standalone helium liquefaction plant, whereby the compressed helium is regeneratively chilled into the cryogenic zone.

A cycle enhancement apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a first side entrance line and exit line, both connected to a first side of a refrigerant line, and a second side entrance line and exit line, both connected to a second side of the refrigerant line. One-way valves prevent flow through the first side entrance line toward the first side, through the first side exit line away from the first side, through the second side entrance line toward the second side, and through the second side exit line away from the second side. The apparatus has a cycle enhancement line. The cycle enhancement line has an entrance portion, connected to the first side entrance line and the second side entrance line, an exit portion, connected to the first side exit line and the second side exit line, and a cycle enhancement between the entrance portion and the exit portion.

A cycle enhancement apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a first side entrance line and exit line, both connected to a first side of a refrigerant line, and a second side entrance line and exit line, both connected to a second side of the refrigerant line. One-way valves prevent flow through the first side entrance line toward the first side, through the first side exit line away from the first side, through the second side entrance line toward the second side, and through the second side exit line away from the second side. The apparatus has a cycle enhancement line. The cycle enhancement line has an entrance portion, connected to the first side entrance line and the second side entrance line, an exit portion, connected to the first side exit line and the second side exit line, and a cycle enhancement between the entrance portion and the exit portion.

A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for use with a refrigerant. The HVAC system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, and a separator. The compressor is operable to compress the refrigerant. The condenser is positioned downstream of the compressor and operable to condense the refrigerant. The expansion device is positioned downstream of the condenser and operable to reduce a pressure of the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The evaporator is positioned downstream of the expansion device and operable to vaporize the refrigerant from the expansion device. The separator is positioned downstream of the expansion device and operable to separate the refrigerant into liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant from the separator and the liquid refrigerant from the separator are combined prior to being compressed by the compressor.

A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for use with a refrigerant. The HVAC system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, and a separator. The compressor is operable to compress the refrigerant. The condenser is positioned downstream of the compressor and operable to condense the refrigerant. The expansion device is positioned downstream of the condenser and operable to reduce a pressure of the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The evaporator is positioned downstream of the expansion device and operable to vaporize the refrigerant from the expansion device. The separator is positioned downstream of the expansion device and operable to separate the refrigerant into liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant from the separator and the liquid refrigerant from the separator are combined prior to being compressed by the compressor.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerated compartment and a machine compartment. A compressor is disposed within the machine compartment and is adapted to compress a refrigerant within a refrigerant line. A micro-channel condenser is positioned in communication with the compressor and adapted to selectively reject heat from the refrigerant into the machine compartment. A condenser fan is positioned within the machine compartment between the condenser and compressor. The fan is adapted to draw heated air through the condenser and also draw fresh air from an area adjacent the machine compartment and beneath the refrigerated compartment. The heated air and fresh air combine to define mixed air that is directed toward the compressor for cooling the compressor.

Systems, methods, and devices relating to a mechanism which can be used in gas cooling devices, pneumatic motors, turbines and other pressurized gas devices. A rotatable rotor is provided along with a number of hollow conduits that radially radiate from an exit port at the center of the rotor. The pressurized gas is injected into the mechanism at the inlet port(s). The gas enters the conduits and travels from the inlet port(s) to the exit port(s). In doing so, the gas causes the rotor to rotate about its central axis while the gas cools. This results in a colder gas at the exit port(s) than at the inlet port(s) due to an enhanced extraction of work, while maintaining a very low flow rate at the cold outlet.