Vapor compression and absorption refrigeration cycle (VCARC)

A thermal system, comprising:

• a vapor compression refrigeration circuit for conducting a first refrigerant, the vapor compression refrigeration circuit including:
• a heat rejection heat exchanger;
• a heat absorption heat exchanger;
• a compressor disposed between the heat absorption heat exchanger and the heat rejection heat exchanger;
• and
• an expansion valve disposed between and connected to the heat rejection heat exchanger and the heat absorption heat exchanger;
• an absorption refrigeration circuit for conducting a second refrigerant and an absorbent, the absorption refrigeration circuit including:
• a generator;
• an absorber;
• a pump disposed between and connected to the absorber and the generator;
• a throttling valve disposed between and connected to the generator and the absorber;
• and
• a turbine disposed between and connected to the generator and the absorber;
• a common drive shaft connected to the compressor, the pump, and the turbine;
• and
• a heat exchanger unit including the generator and the heat rejection heat exchanger;
• wherein the generator and the heat rejection heat exchanger are integrated with one another within the heat exchanger unit such that heat emitted by the heat rejection heat exchanger is transferred to the generator.

A thermal system, comprising:

• a vapor compression refrigeration circuit for conducting a first refrigerant, the vapor compression refrigeration circuit including:
• a first heat rejection heat exchanger;
• a first heat absorption heat exchanger;
• a compressor disposed between the first heat absorption heat exchanger and the first heat rejection heat exchanger;
• and
• an expansion valve disposed between and connected to the first heat rejection heat exchanger and the first heat absorption heat exchanger;
• an absorption refrigeration circuit for conducting a second refrigerant and an absorbent, the absorption refrigeration circuit including:
• a generator;
• an absorber;
• a pump disposed between and connected to the absorber and the generator;
• a throttling valve disposed between and connected to the generator and the absorber;
• a second heat rejection heat exchanger connected to the generator;
• and
• a second heat absorption heat exchanger connected to the absorber, the second heat rejection heat exchanger disposed between the generator and the second heat absorption heat exchanger, the second heat absorption heat exchanger disposed between the second heat rejection heat exchanger and the absorber;
• a first heat exchanger unit including the generator and the first heat rejection heat exchanger;
• and
• a four-way valve configured to switch at least a portion of the absorption refrigeration circuit to a cooling mode and a heating mode, the four-way valve including:
• an inlet connected to the generator;
• an outlet connected to the absorber;
• a first port connected to the second heat rejection heat exchanger;
• and
• a second port connected to the second heat absorption heat exchanger;
• wherein the generator and the first heat rejection heat exchanger are integrated with one another within the first heat exchanger unit such that heat emitted by the first heat rejection heat exchanger is transferred to the generator.