Heat pump having an accumulator with refrigerant level sensor
US5136855A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 1991 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2700/1933
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ground source heat pump comprising an indoor coil circuit and an outdoor coil circuit utilizes a scroll compressor to pressurize the refrigerant. The outdoor coil may comprise ground coils formed from copper tubing into a spiral configuration. A charge control device controls the volume of refrigerant in the system in heating and cooling modes. A restrictor in parallel with a thermal expansion valve permits a base flow of refrigerant into the outdoor coil in heating mode. An accumulator is provided with a level switch controlling a solenoide value connected in parallel to a thermal expansion value feedig the indoor coil. The scroll compressor includes a discharge port operating in conjunction with a solenoid valve to trap high pressure refrigerant in the condenser circuit during compressor off cycles. Means for closing off one of the ground coils to reduce the effective length of the outdoor coil is provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.