System and method for remotely managing climate control systems of a fleet of vehicles

The method simultaneously manages climate control systems of a fleet of vehicles at a fleet server remote from the vehicles. The fleet server has one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the processor(s). Initially, at least one parameter relaying information about performance of a climate control system of a respective vehicle is received, from each vehicle. Each vehicle's climate control system includes at least an electrically driven compressor. The system then determines whether a performance inefficiency exists for the climate control system of at least one vehicle based at least in part on the parameter(s) received from the at least one vehicle. Upon determining that a performance inefficiency exists, an efficient operational setting that reduces the performance inefficiency is determined. Finally, an operational setting instruction is transmitted to the at least one vehicle to control the climate control system of that vehicle.

Refrigeration System With Superheating, Sub-Cooling and Refrigerant Charge Level Control

The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, one or both of a receiver drier unit and an accumulator unit fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The receiver drier unit includes a receiver drier and a first sensor, and the accumulator unit includes an accumulator and a second sensor. A controller is electrically connected to the first and second sensors and in some cases electrically connected to an electrical valve. The electrical valve is fluidly connected to a refrigerant reservoir. The controller determines the refrigerant charge level, and selectively controls the electrical valve to allow the refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant reservoir to the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant charge level is below the predetermined refrigerant charge level.

Refrigeration system with superheating, sub-cooling and refrigerant charge level control

The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, one or both of a receiver drier unit and an accumulator unit fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The receiver drier unit includes a receiver drier and a first sensor, and the accumulator unit includes an accumulator and a second sensor. A controller is electrically connected to the first and second sensors and in some cases electrically connected to an electrical valve. The electrical valve is fluidly connected to a refrigerant reservoir. The controller determines the refrigerant charge level, and selectively controls the electrical valve to allow the refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant reservoir to the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant charge level is below the predetermined refrigerant charge level.

System and Method for Remotely Managing Climate Control Systems of a Fleet of Vehicles

The method simultaneously manages climate control systems of a fleet of vehicles at a fleet server remote from the vehicles. The fleet server has one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the processor(s). Initially, at least one parameter relaying information about performance of a climate control system of a respective vehicle is received, from each vehicle. Each vehicle's climate control system includes at least an electrically driven compressor. The system then determines whether a performance inefficiency exists for the climate control system of at least one vehicle based at least in part on the parameter(s) received from the at least one vehicle. Upon determining that a performance inefficiency exists, an efficient operational setting that reduces the performance inefficiency is determined. Finally, an operational setting instruction is transmitted to the at least one vehicle to control the climate control system of that vehicle. 1. A method for simultaneously managing climate control systems of a fleet of vehicles , comprising: receiving, from each vehicle of the fleet of vehicles, at least one parameter relaying information about a performance of a climate control system of the respective vehicle, each climate control system configured to include an electrically driven compressor;', 'determining, by the fleet server, whether a performance inefficiency exists for the climate control system of at least one vehicle of the fleet of vehicles based at least in part on the at least one parameter received from the at least one vehicle;', 'upon determining that the performance inefficiency exists for the climate control system of the at least one vehicle, determining, by the fleet server, an efficient operational setting that reduces the performance inefficiency of the climate control system of the at least one vehicle of the fleet of vehicles; and', 'transmitting, by the fleet server, an operational setting instruction to the at ...

MULTI-COMPRESSOR CLIMATE SYSTEM

Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system. 1. A climate system for conditioning air within a compartment of a vehicle , comprising:a first compressor that includes a first oil sump;a second compressor that includes a second oil sump, independent of the first oil sump;a first refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the first and second compressors and thermally coupled to an exterior of the vehicle;a second refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the first refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger and thermally coupled to the compartment of the vehicle;refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the first and second compressors and the first and second heat exchangers to form a refrigerant circuit; anda controller communicatively coupled to the first and second compressors and including instructions that are configured to selectively draw back compressor oil from the refrigerant lines to at least one of the first and second oil sumps by adjusting an operating speed of at least one of the first and second compressors.2. The climate system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:draw oil back to the first oil sump by lowering a speed of the first compressor for a first time period; anddraw oil back to the second oil sump by lowering a speed of the second compressor for a second time period.3. The climate system of claim 1 , wherein the first oil sump and the second oil sump are not connected by an oil equalizing system.4. The climate system ...

Refrigerant Liquid-Gas Separator

An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet. 1. A method of cooling electronics , comprising:receiving the refrigerant via a refrigerant inlet of a liquid-gas separator device;separating, within a refrigerant cavity of the liquid-gas separator device, vapor refrigerant from liquid refrigerant;operating one or more electronic components thermally coupled to the refrigerant cavity, whereby the one or more electronic components generate heat during operation;transferring at least a portion of the heat generated by the one or more electronic components to the refrigerant while the refrigerant is within the refrigerant cavity; andreleasing a substantially vapor refrigerant via a refrigerant outlet of the liquid-gas separator device;whereby transferring the at least a portion of the heat generated by the one or more electronic components to the refrigerant converts at least a portion of the refrigerant from liquid refrigerant to vapor refrigerant; andwhereby transferring the at least a portion of the heat generated by the one ...

System and Method for Remotely Managing Climate Control Systems of a Fleet of Vehicles

The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for managing client control systems of a fleet of vehicles. In one aspect, a method is performed at a fleet server. The method includes: (1) receiving, from each vehicle of a plurality of vehicles in the fleet of road vehicles, at least one parameter relaying information about a performance of a climate control system of the respective vehicle, each climate control system having a distinct electrically-driven heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; (2) determining based on the at least one parameter from each vehicle an efficient operational setting for at least one vehicle of the fleet of vehicles; and (3) transmitting an operational setting instruction to the at least one vehicle to control the climate control system of the at least one vehicle. 1. A method for simultaneously managing climate control systems of a fleet of vehicles , comprising: receiving, from each vehicle of a plurality of vehicles in the fleet of road vehicles, at least one parameter relaying information about a performance of a climate control system of the respective vehicle, each climate control system having a distinct electrically-driven heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system;', 'determining, based on the at least one parameter from each vehicle, an efficient operational setting for at least one vehicle of the fleet of vehicles; and', 'transmitting an operational setting instruction to the at least one vehicle to control the climate control system of the at least one vehicle., 'at a fleet server, remote from the fleet of road vehicles, having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the efficient operational setting is further based on information received from at least one other source selected from the group consisting of:a global positioning system (GPS);a weather ...

Parallel Compressors Climate System

Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressors and an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser. The compressors, the condenser, and the evaporator are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system. 1. A climate system for cooling a compartment of a vehicle , comprising: the first compressor includes a first refrigerant inlet, a first refrigerant outlet, and a first oil sump;', 'the second compressor includes a second refrigerant inlet, a second refrigerant outlet, and a second oil sump;', 'the first refrigerant inlet of the first compressor is fluidly connected to the second refrigerant inlet of the second compressor;', 'the first refrigerant outlet of the first compressor is fluidly connected to the second refrigerant outlet of the second compressor;', 'the first oil sump is independent of the second oil sump; and, 'a plurality of compressors for compressing a refrigerant into a compressed refrigerant, the plurality of compressors including a first compressor and a second compressor, wherein'}a condenser disposed downstream of the plurality of compressors for condensing the compressed refrigerant;an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser for evaporating the condensed refrigerant, wherein the evaporator is thermally coupled to the compartment of the vehicle to cool the compartment;refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the plurality of compressors, the condenser, and the evaporator to form a refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant; anda controller electrically coupled to the first and second compressors and configured to automatically and independently control operation of the first and ...

Refrigeration System With Superheating, Sub-Cooling and Refrigerant Charge Level Control

The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining refrigerant charge level. In one aspect, a refrigeration system includes: (1) a compressor to compress a refrigerant; (2) a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor to condense the refrigerant; (3) an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser to vaporize the refrigerant; (4) refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator in series to form a refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant; (5) at least one sensor configured to measure temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit; and (6) a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to: (a) determine a sub-cooling level or super-heating level based on the temperature and/or pressure measured by the at least one sensor; and (b) facilitate operation of the refrigeration system based on the sub-cooling level or the super-heating level. 1. A refrigeration system , comprising:a compressor to compress a refrigerant;a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor to condense the refrigerant;an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser to vaporize the refrigerant;refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator in series to form a refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant;at least one sensor configured to measure a temperature of the refrigerant and a pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit; and determine a sub-cooling level or super-heating level based on the temperature and/or the pressure measured by the at least one sensor; and', 'facilitate operation of the refrigeration system based on the sub-cooling level or the super-heating level., 'a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a receiver drier disposed between the condenser and the evaporator claim 1 , the ...

Systems and Methods for Controlling a Vehicle HVAC System

Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a user interface configured to receive a desired temperature from a user; (3) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (4) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (5) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor. 1. A climate system for conditioning a compartment of a vehicle , comprising:a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle;a user interface configured to receive a desired temperature of the compartment from a user;a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant while the engine of the vehicle is on;a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and obtain the desired temperature of the compartment from the user interface;', 'obtain the measured temperature of the compartment from the temperature sensor;', 'calculate a thermal load of the compartment based at least partially on a difference between the desired temperature and the measured temperature;', in accordance with a determination that the engine is off, automatically, without human intervention, turn on the engine;', 'in accordance with a determination that the first compressor is off, activate the first compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling the compartment; and', 'in accordance with a determination that the second ...

Refrigerant Liquid-Gas Separator With Electronics Cooling

The refrigerant liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing the liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and an electronics board thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. In use, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. 1. A refrigerant system , comprising: [ a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop;', 'a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and', 'a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant; and, 'a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, the refrigeration section comprising, 'an electronics board thermally coupled to the refrigeration section, such that in use, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant., 'a liquid-gas separator device including2. The refrigerant system of claim 1 , further comprising a compressor coupled downstream to the refrigerant outlet of the liquid-gas separator device claim 1 , the compressor configured to compress refrigerant released by the liquid-gas separator device.3. The refrigerant system of claim 2 , further comprising an evaporator coupled upstream to the refrigerant inlet of the liquid-gas separator device claim 2 , the evaporator configured to evaporate refrigerant.4. The refrigerant system of claim 3 , further comprising a ...

Refrigerant Liquid-Gas Separator Having an Integrated Check Valve

An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet. 1. A refrigerant system , comprising: [ a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop;', 'a refrigerant outlet configured to release substantially vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and', 'a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to substantially separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant; and, 'a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, the refrigeration section comprising, 'electronics thermally coupled to refrigerant in the refrigeration section, such that heat from the electronics is transferred to the refrigerant in the refrigeration section during use of the refrigerant system., 'a liquid-gas separator device including2. The refrigerant system of claim 1 , further comprising a compressor coupled downstream to the refrigerant outlet of the liquid-gas separator device claim 1 , the compressor configured to compress refrigerant released by the ...

Systems and Methods for Controlling a Vehicle HVAC System

Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor. 1. A climate system for conditioning a compartment of a vehicle , comprising:a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle;a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant while the engine of the vehicle is on;a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and establish a pre-conditioning temperature of the compartment;', 'obtain the measured temperature of the compartment from the temperature sensor;', 'calculate a thermal load of the compartment based at least partially on a difference between the pre-conditioning temperature and the measured temperature;', in accordance with a determination that the engine is off, turn on the engine:', 'activate the first compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling the compartment; and', 'activate the second compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling the compartment;, 'upon determining that the thermal load exceeds a first predetermined thermal load threshold, in accordance with a determination that the engine is off, turn on the engine; and', 'activate the first compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling the ...

MULTI-COMPRESSOR CLIMATE SYSTEM

Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system. 1. A climate system for conditioning air within a compartment of a vehicle , comprising:a first compressor that includes a first oil sump;a first refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the first compressor and thermally coupled to an exterior of the vehicle;a second refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the first refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger and thermally coupled to the compartment of the vehicle;refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the first compressor and the first and second heat exchangers to form a refrigerant circuit; and determine whether to draw back compressor oil to the first oil sump; and', 'selectively draw back compressor oil from the refrigerant lines to the first oil sump by adjusting an operating speed of the first compressor, based on the determination to draw back compressor oil to the first oil sump., 'a controller communicatively coupled to the first compressor and including instructions that are configured to2. The climate system of claim 1 , wherein the controller configured to determine whether to draw back compressor oil to the first oil sump based on relative operating speeds of the first compressor over a prior time period.3. The climate system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:identify a current speed of the first compressor; anddetermine whether to draw back compressor oil to the first oil sump based on an amount of time the first compressor ...

Parallel compressors climate system

Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressors and an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser. The compressors, the condenser, and the evaporator are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.

Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle HVAC system

Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a user interface configured to receive a desired temperature from a user; (3) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (4) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (5) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.

Refrigerant liquid-gas separator with electronics cooling

The refrigerant liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing the liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and an electronics board thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. In use, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant.

Refrigerant liquid-gas separator having an integrated check valve

An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.

Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle hvac system

Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system (101) includes: a temperature sensor (106) configured to measure a temperature within a compartment of a vehicle; a user interface (108) configured to receive a desired temperature from a user; a first compressor (102) powered by an engine (110) of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; a second compressor (104) driven by an electric motor (112) to compress the refrigerant; and a controller (124) electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, based on the calculated load, selectively activate: the engine (110), the first compressor (102), and/or the second compressor (104).

Refrigeration system with superheating, subcooling and refrigerant charge level control

The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, one or both of a receiver drier unit and an accumulator unit fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The receiver drier unit includes a receiver drier and a first sensor, and the accumulator unit includes an accumulator and a second sensor. A controller is electrically connected to the first and second sensors and in some cases electrically connected to an electrical valve. The electrical valve is fluidly connected to a refrigerant reservoir. The controller determines the refrigerant charge level, and selectively controls the electrical valve to allow the refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant reservoir to the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant charge level is below the predetermined refrigerant charge level.

Parallel compressors climate system

Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressors and an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser. The compressors, the condenser, and the evaporator are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.

Refrigeration system with superheating, subcooling and refrigerant charge level control

Sewer back-flow preventer monitor

Sewer Backup Preventer Monitor Abstract of the Disclosure The Sewer Back-flow Preventer Monitor is a device designed to be an add-on to a sewer back-flow preventer valve, otherwise known as a backwater valve. It offers a higher level of protection against flood than that which is offered by a sewer backwater valve without any such device. It uses digital and/or analog electrical sensors, magneti- cally linked to the flapper, to determine the precise flapper position of a backwater valve and will warn a user of a municipal sewer backup and or back-flow. As well, it will pro- vide an alert when a cleaning is necessary and informs users when a sewer backwater valve has successfully closed during an event. It is a cost effective solution. CA 3066559 2020-01-06

Refrigerant liquid-gas separator

An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.

Sewer back-flow preventer monitor

Sewer Backup Preventer Monitor Abstract of the Disclosure The Sewer Back-flow Preventer Monitor is a device designed to be an add-on to a sewer back-flow preventer valve, otherwise known as a backwater valve. It offers a higher level of protection against flood than that which is offered by a sewer backwater valve without any such device. It uses digital and/or analog electrical sensors, magneti-cally linked to the flapper, to determine the precise flapper position of a backwater valve and will warn a user of a municipal sewer backup and or back-flow. As well, it will pro-vide an alert when a cleaning is necessary and informs users when a sewer backwater valve has successfully closed during an event. It is a cost effective solution. CA 3066559 2020-01-06

Systems and Methods for Controlling a Vehicle HVAC System

Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.