The cooling apparatus includes: a compressor configured to generate compressed air; first and second vortex tubes configured to generate cold air based on the compressed air generated from the compressor; a first valve installed between the compressor and the first vortex tube; a second valve installed between the compressor and the second vortex tube; first and second temperature sensors installed in the power converter and configured to measure the internal temperature of the power converter; and a control unit configured to determine whether or not the first and second vortex tubes supply the cold air into the power converter, based on first and second temperatures respectively measured by the first and second temperature sensors, and to transmit a valve open signal or a valve close signal to the first and second valves based on a result of the determination.

The cooling apparatus includes: a compressor configured to generate compressed air; first and second vortex tubes configured to generate cold air based on the compressed air generated from the compressor; a first valve installed between the compressor and the first vortex tube; a second valve installed between the compressor and the second vortex tube; first and second temperature sensors installed in the power converter and configured to measure the internal temperature of the power converter; and a control unit configured to determine whether or not the first and second vortex tubes supply the cold air into the power converter, based on first and second temperatures respectively measured by the first and second temperature sensors, and to transmit a valve open signal or a valve close signal to the first and second valves based on a result of the determination.

A portable refrigeration container is usable for cooling a bottle of drinkable fluid. It includes a tubular body, a vortex tube, an electronic programmable controller, a tank of compressed air, a battery, a Peltier device, a heat exchanger, and a removable electrical charging station. Optionally, the portable refrigeration container further includes a compressor, a dynamo, and a bracket for attachment to a bicycle frame. The optional compressor and dynamo that electrically recharges the battery, may share a single shaft that is rotatably connected to turn with a bicycle wheel.

A portable refrigeration container is usable for cooling a bottle of drinkable fluid. It includes a tubular body, a vortex tube, an electronic programmable controller, a tank of compressed air, a battery, a Peltier device, a heat exchanger, and a removable electrical charging station. Optionally, the portable refrigeration container further includes a compressor, a dynamo, and a bracket for attachment to a bicycle frame. The optional compressor and dynamo that electrically recharges the battery, may share a single shaft that is rotatably connected to turn with a bicycle wheel.

Methods of recirculating clean air in an atmosphere of an enclosure comprise directing an input air stream from the atmosphere of the enclosure through a coiled duct at a rate sufficient to stratify the input air stream within the coiled duct according to a molecular weight of components of the input air stream and to form a heavy fraction stream and a light fraction stream, wherein the heavy fraction stream is relatively enriched in carbon dioxide as compared to the light fraction stream; withdrawing the heavy fraction stream from the coiled duct; and returning the light fraction stream from the coiled duct to the atmosphere of the enclosure.

A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a vortex tube having hot and cold air outlets. A heat exchanger is selectively in fluid communication with one of the hot and cold outlets. A coolant loop is in thermal communication with an electrical component and is arranged to pass coolant through the heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy between the coolant and an airstream of the one of the hot and cold outlets.

A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a vortex tube having hot and cold air outlets. A heat exchanger is selectively in fluid communication with one of the hot and cold outlets. A coolant loop is in thermal communication with an electrical component and is arranged to pass coolant through the heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy between the coolant and an airstream of the one of the hot and cold outlets.

A temperature-control device for heating and/or cooling gases or gas mixtures. The temperature-control device comprises at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet and at least one vortex tube. The vortex tube(s) each have a vortex tube inlet, a hot air outlet and a cold air outlet, with the at least one air inlet connectable with at least one vortex tube inlet of the at least one vortex tube. The at least one air outlet can be connected at least in one flow direction with at least one hot air outlet and at least one cold air outlet of the vortex tube(s). At least one control element is provided, by which selectively the amount of air flow between the at least one hot air outlet and the at least one air outlet or the amount of air flow between the at least one cold air outlet and the at least one air outlet is adjustable.

An automobile vehicle refrigeration system combined ejector-receiver includes a container. An internal heat exchanger (IHX) is positioned entirely within the container. The IHX includes a canister. A receiver and dryer is located entirely within the container and is positioned at least partially within the canister defining a cavity between the receiver and dryer and the canister to receive a refrigerant. An ejector is positioned within the container. An ejector feed line is in communication with the cavity between the receiver and dryer and the canister, the ejector feed line receiving the refrigerant after discharge from the cavity for flow into the ejector. A refrigerant phase separator is positioned within the container. The refrigerant phase separator receives the refrigerant after discharge from the ejector for separation into each of a refrigerant gas and a refrigerant liquid.

Centrifugal air separators, systems including the same, and methods of separating gas are disclosed. Centrifugal air separators include a separation section configured to separate an input air stream into a clean air stream emitted from an exit port of the separation section and a waste stream emitted from a waste port of the separation section. The separation section includes a coiled duct and is configured to transmit through a duct entrance port a duct input air stream that is at least a portion of the input air stream and to at least partially separate the duct input air stream according to a molecular weight of gaseous components of the duct input air stream into a duct clean air stream that is at least a portion of the clean air stream and a duct waste stream that is at least a portion of the waste stream.