Apparatus using a heat pump including a refrigerant leakage detector
US11248829B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 21, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2600/2519
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus using a heat pump includes a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit. The refrigerant circuit is capable of performing a first operation, in which a load-side heat exchanger is used as a condenser, and a second operation, in which the load-side heat exchanger is used as an evaporator. A main circuit of the heat medium circuit has a branching part and a joining part. An overpressure protection device and a refrigerant leakage detecting device are connected to the main circuit. The overpressure protection device is connected to a connection part located between the load-side heat exchanger and one of the branching part and the joining part, or at the load-side heat exchanger. When leakage of refrigerant is detected, the state of a refrigerant flow switching device is set to a second state, an expansion device is set to a closed state, and a compressor is operated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.