Trane International Inc.

Robert Fredrick Schult

Roger Joseph Voorhis

Jun Wang

Justin Slade Winters

Doyle R Goodman

Sean Andrews Smith

William Burgess Fox

James Philip Crolius

Edward Douglas Hildreth, Jr

Michael William Groen

Brian Westfall

Felix Quintero

Brandy L Harper

Tao Zhou

Goutam Duvvada

Gary A Huss

Mark W Stephans

Justin M Anderson

Methods, systems and apparatuses are directed to a capacity modulating assembly configured to distribute two-phase refrigerant mixture to an evaporator of a HVAC system, such as a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHEX) evaporator. The capacity modulating assembly may include a plurality of expansion devices. During capacity modulation, at least one of the plurality of expansion devices can be closed so that a refrigerant flow rate through the remaining expansion devices can be maintained. The capacity modulating assembly can include a refrigerant outflow port, which may help direct refrigerant out of the heat exchanger. The capacity modulating assembly can be connected with the MCHEX. The plurality of expansion devices can be configured to extend inside a header of the MCHEX to help distribute refrigerant to the micro-channel tubes of the MCHEX.

Capacity modulating an expansion device of a HVAC system

Apparatuses, systems and methods implementing a multi-coil heat exchanger are directed to providing good heat transfer performance, capacity, and efficiency, and while reducing pressure drop through multi-coil microchannel evaporators. The multi-coil heat exchanger in some examples is a multi-coil microchannel evaporator. The multi-coil microchannel evaporator can be implemented in a refrigerant system that is a single circuit, where the multi-coil microchannel evaporator is an air to refrigerant type heat exchanger. The multi-coil microchannel evaporator includes a distribution to the multiple coils of the multi-coil microchannel evaporator, where the distribution includes one or more separations to transmit refrigerant to each of the coils of the multi-coil microchannel evaporator and one or more junctions to transmit refrigerant from the coils.

Multi-coil microchannel evaporator

Embodiments of a heat exchanger, e.g. a micro-channel heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger may include a plurality of rows of micro-channel tubes, each of which can be configured to direct a working fluid in a specific direction. The heat exchanger may include one or more distributors in a distribution header of the heat exchanger, each of which can be connected to a different application circuit (e.g. a refrigeration circuit) so that a capacity of the heat exchanger may be regulated. The heat exchanger as disclosed herein can be used as an evaporator and/or a condenser in a refrigeration system.

Heat exchanger with partitioned inlet header for enhanced flow distribution and refrigeration system using the heat exchanger

An HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) damper includes a series of pivotal damper blades that are opened by an air pressure differential across opposite sides of the damper. In some embodiments, a fan discharging against the damper blades provides the necessary air pressure to open the damper. To control how far the damper opens, an actuator moves a variable position abutment that obstructs the damper blades to limit how far they can pivot in the open direction. The position of the abutment is infinitely adjustable to provide the damper with infinite adjustment over a range of open positions. In some embodiments, the abutment applies a unidirectional torque to the damper blades regardless of whether the damper is opening or closing.

Actuator for a fan-powered damper

A refrigerant system for cooling a comfort zone is selectively operable in a cooling-only mode and a reheat mode. The system operates in the cooling mode to meet sensible and latent cooling demands of a room or area in a building when the room temperature is appreciably above a target temperature. The reheat mode is for addressing the latent cooling or dehumidifying demand when the room temperature is near or below the target temperature. In some embodiments, a generally inactive condenser stores excess refrigerant during the reheat mode, thereby avoiding the need for a separate liquid refrigerant receiver. To maintain a desired level of subcooling in the reheat coil, refrigerant can be transferred accordingly between the inactive condenser and the reheat coil. In some embodiments, the system's evaporator and reheat coil can be connected in a series or parallel flow relationship.

Refrigerant reheat circuit and charge control with target subcooling

Growing community of inventors

Clarksville, TN, United States of America

Robert Fredrick Schult