Flash tank design and control for heat pumps
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- operating a compressor of a heat pump system;
selectively providing vapor to a vapor injection port of said compressor via a vapor injection line and vapor injection valve;
determining a frost condition of a first and second heat exchanger of said heat pump system;
closing said vapor injection valve to prevent fluid flow into said compressor at said vapor injection port;
reversing a direction of refrigerant flow within said heat pump system to direct vaporized refrigerant to the one of said first and second heat exchanger experiencing said frost condition;
opening said vapor injection valve after a first predetermined time period following reversal of said refrigerant flow;
determining termination of said frost condition;
closing said vapor injection valve; and
reversing a direction of refrigerant flow within said heat pump system once said vapor injection valve is closed for a second predetermined time period.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method includes operating a compressor of a heat pump system and is selectively providing vapor to a vapor injection port of the compressor via a vapor injection line and vapor injection valve. The method further includes determining a frost condition of a first and second heat exchanger of the heat pump system and closing a vapor injection valve to prevent fluid flow into the compressor at the vapor injection port. A direction of refrigerant flow is reversed to direct vaporized refrigerant to the one of said first and second heat exchangers experiencing the frost condition. The vapor injection valve is opened after a first predetermined time period following reversal of the refrigerant flow. The method further includes closing the vapor injection valve and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow within the heat pump system once the vapor injection valve is closed for a second predetermined time period.
36 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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operating a compressor of a heat pump system; selectively providing vapor to a vapor injection port of said compressor via a vapor injection line and vapor injection valve; determining a frost condition of a first and second heat exchanger of said heat pump system; closing said vapor injection valve to prevent fluid flow into said compressor at said vapor injection port; reversing a direction of refrigerant flow within said heat pump system to direct vaporized refrigerant to the one of said first and second heat exchanger experiencing said frost condition; opening said vapor injection valve after a first predetermined time period following reversal of said refrigerant flow; determining termination of said frost condition; closing said vapor injection valve; and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow within said heat pump system once said vapor injection valve is closed for a second predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method comprising:
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operating a compressor of a heat pump system; determining a frost condition of one of a first and second heat exchanger of said heat pump system; actuating a device to prevent intermediate pressure vapor from entering said compressor for a first predetermined time period following determination of said frost condition; reversing a direction of refrigerant flow within said heat pump system after said first predetermined time period to direct vaporized refrigerant to said one of said first and second heat exchangers experiencing said frost condition; and permitting intermediate pressure vapor into said compressor following said first predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification