Vapor injection heat pump and control method
US11254190B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2019 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2600/2513
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A refrigerant loop of a vapor injection heat pump includes a compressor, first and second expansion valves, and first and second separator valves. The separator valves allow an entire refrigerant flow to pass therethrough or operate to separate vapor and liquid components of expanded refrigerant and inject the vapor component into a suction port of the compressor. Vapor injection occurs in both heating and cooling modes of operation and may depend upon an ambient condition (e.g., high or low ambient temperatures). An accumulator receives an output refrigerant of the heat exchangers dependent upon the mode and directs a vapor component into another suction port of the compressor. A control module controls at least the first and second expansion valves and first and second separator valves dependent upon the mode of operation which include, among others, heating, cooling, and dehumidification and re-heating.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.