Vehicular heat pump system and control method
US9522589B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2700/2106
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicular heat pump system may have two inside heat exchangers within an HVAC module, and may operate in mild cooling and mild heating modes. In mild cooling mode, a first isolation valve and a second isolation valve are fully open and closed, respectively, to direct the refrigerant flow to the first inside heat exchanger only. In mild heating mode, the first isolation valve and the second isolation valve are fully closed and fully open, respectively, to direct the refrigerant flow to the second inside heat exchanger only. In both modes, a first metering device is partially open to control the flow and expansion of the refrigerant, and a second metering device is fully closed to prevent the refrigerant from flowing between the inside heat exchangers. This staged operation of the heat pump system may reduce the risk of flash fog as well as reduce discharge air temperature spreads.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.