Refrigerant charge management in a heat pump water heater
US8756943B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2600/2513
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Heat pumps that heat or cool a space and that also heat water, refrigerant management systems for such heat pumps, methods of managing refrigerant charge, and methods for heating and cooling a space and heating water. Various embodiments deliver refrigerant gas to a heat exchanger that is not needed for transferring heat, drive liquid refrigerant out of that heat exchanger, isolate that heat exchanger against additional refrigerant flowing into it, and operate the heat pump while the heat exchanger is isolated. The heat exchanger can be isolated by closing an electronic expansion valve, actuating a refrigerant management valve, or both. Refrigerant charge can be controlled or adjusted by controlling how much liquid refrigerant is driven from the heat exchanger, by letting refrigerant back into the heat exchanger, or both. Heat pumps can be operated in different modes of operation, and segments of refrigerant conduit can be interconnected with various components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.