The present invention provides a heat pump that includes an absorber/evaporator module having a solution channel and a refrigerant channel along with first and second liquid channels. A porous membrane is positioned between the refrigerant channel and the solution channel; the porous membrane permits flow of vapor molecules therethrough while restricting flow of absorbent molecules. A membrane-based generator/condenser module with a similar structure is in fluid communication with the absorber/evaporator module. The membrane-based modules offer a large specific surface area with integrated solution/refrigerant flows, which enables formation of a highly compact heat pump exhibiting strong heat/mass transfer.

An absorption refrigeration and air conditioning device capable of controlling temperature and/or the humidity of enclosed spaces particularly useful in maritime applications and improving fuel economy of internal combustion engines is provided.

An absorption refrigeration and air conditioning device capable of controlling temperature and/or the humidity of enclosed spaces particularly useful in maritime applications and improving fuel economy of internal combustion engines is provided.

An example device includes a photovoltaic (PV) unit and a desiccant-based passive cooling component that is thermally coupled to the PV unit. The desiccant-based passive cooling component is configured to sorb, under first conditions, moisture from an environment that surrounds the device, via at least one of adsorption or absorption, and evaporate, under second conditions that are different from the first conditions, at least a portion of the moisture.

An absorption refrigeration and air conditioning device capable of controlling temperature and/or the humidity of enclosed spaces particularly useful in maritime applications and improving fuel economy of internal combustion engines is provided.

An absorption refrigeration and air conditioning device capable of controlling temperature and/or the humidity of enclosed spaces particularly useful in maritime applications and improving fuel economy of internal combustion engines is provided.

A system for maintaining the depth of injected vapor in an entrochemical system is disclosed. The vapor transfer pathway terminates in the chamber containing high concentration solution underneath the surface of the solution. In one example the vapor transfer pathway is passively adjustable, using a flotation device to maintain the depth of its end. Another example uses an active, actuated system to maintain the depth of the end of the vapor transfer pathway. The energy for controlling the depth of vapor transfer pathway is minimized by passive methods and derives from the heat of mixing of the vapor and the high concentration solution.

A system for maintaining the depth of injected vapor in an entrochemical system is disclosed. The vapor transfer pathway terminates in the chamber containing high concentration solution underneath the surface of the solution. In one example the vapor transfer pathway is passively adjustable, using a flotation device to maintain the depth of its end. Another example uses an active, actuated system to maintain the depth of the end of the vapor transfer pathway. The energy for controlling the depth of vapor transfer pathway is minimized by passive methods and derives from the heat of mixing of the vapor and the high concentration solution.

A refrigerator includes a main body that has a storage chamber and a drying chamber; a thermoelectric module that includes a heat absorber and a heat dissipater; a cooling fan that circulates air in the storage chamber to the heat absorber and the storage chamber; a heat-dissipating fan that blows air to the heat dissipater; an air guide that has a passage for guiding air heated by the heat dissipater to the drying chamber; a heater that is disposed in the passage; and a damper that controls a flow of air in the passage between the heat-dissipating fan and the heater. Heat of the heat dissipater transfers to the drying chamber through the passage of the air guide and the damper, thereby being able to dry an object to be dried.

A leakage sensor for a heating unit of an absorption cooling device for a recreational vehicle, a heating unit, an absorption cooling device, a vehicle and a method for operating an absorption cooling device are provided. The leakage sensor uses sensor pins to detect cooling fluid leaking from the boiler of the heating unit of the absorption cooling device into the boiler insulation by measuring the electrical resistance and/or conductivity within the boiler insulation.