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Heat pump apparatus and related methods providing enhanced refrigerant flow control

  • US 5,771,700 A
  • Filed: 11/06/1995
  • Issued: 06/30/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A heat pump apparatus comprising:

  • a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor for circulating refrigerant through said condenser and said evaporator;

    expansion means connected in fluid communication between an outlet of said condenser and an inlet of said evaporator for restricting liquid refrigerant flow from said condenser to said evaporator; and

    start assist valve means movable between open and closed positions for permitting liquid refrigerant to flow from the outlet of said condenser to the inlet of said evaporator during start-up of the heat pump apparatus to thereby provide a bypass for liquid refrigerant flow around said expansion means during start-up of the heat pump apparatus.

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