Innovations

Welcome to Carrier's Global Corporate site

Innovations

Carrier is a company founded on a history of innovation. Beginning with Willis Carrier’s pivotal invention of the first mechanical air conditioning system, Carrier has consistently introduced new technologies and industry "firsts" that have forever changed the way we live, work and play. From revolutionary improvements to health care, manufacturing processes, research, building capacities and food preservation to art and historical conservation, general productivity, indoor comfort, and much more, Carrier is committed to creating new possibilities that enhance people’s comfort and improve their lives.

Innovations timeline

2005

INNOVATION

XSTREAM

In the Prestige Plus line of reach-in refrigerators and freezers, XSTREAM® valve technology from partner XDX® distributes frost evenly throughout the unit, making it more energy efficient while reducing frost build-up and food spoilage. The innovation enables faster temperature pull-down, less energy consumption, improved humidity control and ultimately, reduced defrost cycles and food spoilage.

INNOVATION

CO2 Refrigerant for Normal-Temperature Refrigeration

Linde Kältetechnik, a division of Carrier, is the first manufacturer in the world to succeed in combining a low-temperature system with a new design of normal-temperature refrigeration pack that works with CO2 in a transcritical cycle. When compared to competing systems, the CO2 unit uses up to 10 percent less energy, delivering higher capacity and lower investment and running costs.

INNOVATION

Evergreen Variable Speed Chillers

Carrier debuts the world's first integrated variable speed, water-cooled, screw chillers, utilizing an innovative tri-rotor screw compressor that achieves industry-leading efficiencies. These innovative chillers combine the best features of positive displacement screw chillers and variable speed technology to deliver lower system part load performance, resulting in the greatest energy savings in all operating conditions.

2004	INNOVATION Micro-Link 2i and 3 The industry-standard, MicroLink 2i and 3 provide electronic temperature control to meet the most demanding applications with systems that are easy to operate, diagnose and service.

INNOVATION

3V Control System

3V Packaged Control is a fully integrated system that provides precise comfort control for different zones in a building. As the industry's premier zoning system, 3V integrates start-of-the-art control components that deliver unparalleled comfort and efficiency for constant volume, WT or packaged variable air volume systems. 3V intelligently interprets building conditions and optimizes equipment operation.

INNOVATION

AvantAC Electric

AvantAC Electric is the world's first rooftop air conditioning system that delivers passenger comfort in city buses and coaches independent of vehicle engine speed.

INNOVATION

13 SEER Leader

SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is the official energy efficiency descriptor for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps in the U.S. 13 SEER provides a 30 percent energy efficiency increase over 10 SEER. In January, the Second Circuit Court in New York ruled that the 13 SEER standard as originally promulgated by the Department of Energy in 2001 should go into effect in 2006.

INNOVATION

XPower Light

The ultimate inverter technology, this state-of-the-art solution is the most convenient and powerful way to climatize any type of commercial premises: shops, offices, restaurants and small-to medium-sized firms. Unlike traditional air conditioners that stop and start continuously to maintain the desired temperature, the Carrier XPower compressor runs initially at full power reaching the preset temperature quickly, and then switches to minimum power without stopping.

2003

INNOVATION

TurboAir System

TurboAir, available on the Ultima XTC trailer unit, delivers advanced temperature performance by optimizing all aspects of the fan system to provide exceptional performance and efficient use of horsepower. The system's higher airflow means more capacity, faster pulldown, more even air distribution and consistent load protection.

INNOVATION

Cobra IAQ Rooftop Solution

An all-in-one unitary rooftop offering with factory installed energy recovery capability, COBRA provides required ventilation levels while preconditioning outdoor air -- saving energy costs by reducing heating, cooling and dehumidification demands by up to 80%. This solution lightens the load for the main evaporator coil allowing you to downsize the tonnage need for a total system cost advantage.

INNOVATION

AgION Coated Steel

In partnership with AK Coatings, Carrier develops steel with coatings containing AgION -- a revolutionary silver, ion-based, antimicrobial compound that suppresses the growth of bacteria, molds, mildew, fungi and other microbes. The coated steel will be used in the production of Carrier's top air handling unit line, as well as HVAC applications such as hospitals, schools and anywhere that bacteria and mold are a concern.

2002

INNOVATION

SmartAir System

Carrier's SmartAir System significantly extends the capabilities of refrigerated transportation for fresh perishables. Moving beyond conventional reefer equipment, Smart Air is a patented, engineered integration of trailer, refrigeration and air handling components that enables a precisely controlled, pressurized environment with consistent pulp temperature control to improve produce quality, reduce shrinkage and ensure longer shelf life.

2001	INNOVATION ComfortChoice(SM) ComfortChoice(SM), the first "Internet" thermostat, is introduced by Carrier in conjunction with Silicon Energy, enabling utilities to realize peak demand savings without compromising homeowners' comfort and controls. Learn More

INNOVATION

UltraFresh 2 Temp Control

Standard on every Carrier Transicold single-temperature trailer refrigeration system, UltraFresh 2 ensures optimum temperature control for perishable, frozen and deep-frozen cargo while reducing fuel consumption and improving overall system reliability.

INNOVATION

CO2 Deep Freeze Units

Linde Kältetechnik, a division of Carrier, revolutionized food refrigeration with the development of the first CO2 direct evaporation deep-freeze units that prevent ozone-damaging effects, while at the same time reducing the greenhouse effect caused by normal refrigeration systems.

INNOVATION

EverFresh

Carrier's EverFresh Controlled Atmosphere system precisely manages the atmosphere surrounding a cargo to slow product respiration and natural ripening, extend product life, inhibit bacterial growth, help control insect infestation and significantly reduce product spoilage and degradation.

INNOVATION

Tyler HP Display Cases

Tyler, a division of Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, introduces High Performance (HP) Display Cases featuring a patented T/C Coil design that results in 15% lower energy consumption and superior frost characteristics relative to industry competitive models. The technology marks the first time HVAC airflow and heat transfer technology have been incorporated into refrigerated display cabinets.

AWARD

EliteLine

Carrier debuts the first Scroll compressor specially built for container refrigeration. Rather than modify existing scroll technology from less demanding air conditioning applications, this exclusive container refrigeration system features Carrier's patented scroll wrap geometry -- a single-scroll platform that uses environmentally friendly R-134a, and offers industry-low GWP and TEWI, and zero-ODP.

1999

INNOVATION

ComfortHeat Technology

Carrier develops ComfortHeat, an energy-efficient, two-stage heating and variable-speed technology with a patented, intelligent control that continuously adjusts the system to precisely match heat delivery to changing conditions in the home, allowing for maximum time in the low-heat mode.

INNOVATION

Vector Technology

Instead of using a conventional mechanical drive system, Carrier develops an all-electric drive system. The three-phase generator, without bearings or brushes, supplies the electricity necessary to drive the compressor and fans, delivering reliable performance that has been fully tested in the aerospace industry and in sea-going containers.

INNOVATION

Thermidistat

Carrier's innovative Thermidistat Control combines two units into a single unit, providing the convenience of controlling both the temperature and humidity levels for optimal comfort.

1996

INNOVATION

One-of-kind Display Case To Preserve an Ancient Artifact

Carrier designs a one-of-a-kind display case to preserve the Ampato Maiden, a 500 year-old Inca mummy discovered in the Andes in Peru, and exhibited at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as in Peru.

INNOVATION

Puron

Carrier introduces the first product line of high-efficiency residential air conditioners and heat pumps using Puron (R410A).

1995

INNOVATION

Pentane-foamed Refrigeration and Freezer Cases

With its innovative technology and engineering expertise in commercial refrigeration, Linde, a division of Carrier, led the charge to eliminate CFCs and HCFCs in the food industry. Linde was the first manufacturer of commercial refrigerated and freezer cases to commence production with cyclopentane, a foaming agent with zero ODP and zero HGWP.

1973	INNOVATION Energy-saving Heat Pump During the oil crisis, Carrier was ready with the energy-saving heat pump, which it first developed in 1932.

1965

INNOVATION

Ground-based Environmental Control Systems For The Apollo-Saturn V Moon Program

Carrier installs ground-based environmental control systems for the Apollo-Saturn V moon program, including nearly one-mile of ductwork on mobile launching towers. The systems are designed to maintain precise conditions in the moon rocket before lift-off to help assure the reliability of guidance and control systems.

1962	INNOVATION System Enabling Central Utility Plants To Sell Chilled Water Through Underground Mains Carrier develops very large centrifugal chillers that enable central utility plants to sell chilled water sent through underground mains to air condition a large numbers of buildings.

1959	INNOVATION First Cooling System For A Jetliner Passenger Cabin Carrier makes an impact on the jet age -- the Douglas DC-8 jetliner features tiny centrifugal compressors that pumped cool air into the passenger cabin. Learn More

1939

INNOVATION

Type-17 Machine Debuts at the World's Fair

Visitors to the Carrier Pavilion at the World's Fair in New York City were given glimpses of how Carrier's developments would enhance their lives in the future. A type-17 machine chilled the water to air condition both the Carrier Igloo and the adjacent du Pont building.

1929

INNOVATION

Patented System for Cooling Mines

Carrier designs an air conditioning system for the Morro Velho gold mine, Brazil, cooling 20,300 cu ft of air per minute and reducing the 130 degree F temperatures found 7,000 ft below the earth's surface. Carrier receives a patent on a "System for Cooling Mines and Other Chambers Requiring Ventilation."

1926	INNOVATION First Home Air Conditioner Carrier introduces the first home air conditioner, using gas as its fuel.

INNOVATION

Patented Centrifugal Refrigerating System

U.S. Patents Nos. 1,575,817, 1,575,818 and 1,575,819 are issued to Carrier for the centrifugal refrigerating system. Carrier also files for a patent for methylene chloride as a refrigerant, later named "Carrene I" by the Carrier Engineering Corporation.

1925	INNOVATION Commercial Waffle Baker Wells, a division of Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, introduces the commercial waffle baker.

1922

INNOVATION

Anti-flammable Coolant & System To Cool Public Spaces

Early refrigerating equipment used a flammable refrigerant. Dissatisfied, Willis Carrier developed a new coolant and a new kind of cooling machine, the centrifugal refrigerating machine. Debuting on May 22, it enabled the cooling of public spaces and changed the face of urban architecture.

1914	INNOVATION Patented Dew Point Control Carrier issued U.S. Patent No. 1,085,971 for "dew point control," a fundamental discovery that led to automatic controls for air conditioning systems.

1907	INNOVATION Automatic Control System Carrier discovers the "law of constant dew-point depression" and uses it as the basis for the design of an automatic control system. He filed a patent claim on May 17.

1904	INNOVATION Mechanical Fog System Carrier completes a mechanism designed to create spray mist, or mechanical fog, and applies for a patent. First sale of this system was to the LaCrosse National Bank, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, to wash air in the bank's ventilating system.

1902

INNOVATION

World's First Air Conditioning System

While directing the Department of Experimental Engineering for Buffalo Forge, Willis Carrier completes drawings for what came to be recognized as the world's first mechanical air conditioning system, designed to reduce the humidity in the air and hold moisture content to a specified level, for Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Company of Brooklyn, New York. A new industry had been born.