AIR CONDITIONER WITH MULTIPLE EXPANSION DEVICES
First Claim
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1. An air conditioner comprising:
- a condenser including an outlet;
a set of compressors comprising one or more compressors, the set of compressors comprising;
a low compressor setting; and
one or more high compressor settings, wherein a volumetric flow rate of refrigerant exiting the set of compressors is greater at the one or more high compressor settings than at the low compressor setting;
a first expansion device adapted to allow refrigerant to flow at a first volumetric flow rate;
a second expansion device adapted to allow refrigerant to flow at a second volumetric flow rate, wherein the second volumetric flow is greater than the first volumetric flow rate, and wherein the first expansion device and the second expansion device are coupled in parallel;
a memory storing one or more properties of compressor settings; and
a controller adapted to;
determine a third volumetric flow rate of refrigerant exiting the set of compressors;
retrieve one or more properties of compressor settings;
determine a compressor setting of the set of compressors based at least partially on the determined third volumetric flow rate and one or more retrieved properties of compressor settings;
allow refrigerant from the outlet of the condenser to flow through the first expansion device if the determined compressor setting comprises the low compressor setting; and
allow refrigerant from the outlet of the condenser to flow through the second expansion device if the determined compressor setting comprises one of the high compressor settings.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In various implementations, an air conditioner may include more than one expansion device. Refrigerant flow through the expansion device(s) may be controlled based at least partially on an operational property of the air conditioner.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An air conditioner comprising:
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a condenser including an outlet; a set of compressors comprising one or more compressors, the set of compressors comprising; a low compressor setting; and one or more high compressor settings, wherein a volumetric flow rate of refrigerant exiting the set of compressors is greater at the one or more high compressor settings than at the low compressor setting; a first expansion device adapted to allow refrigerant to flow at a first volumetric flow rate; a second expansion device adapted to allow refrigerant to flow at a second volumetric flow rate, wherein the second volumetric flow is greater than the first volumetric flow rate, and wherein the first expansion device and the second expansion device are coupled in parallel; a memory storing one or more properties of compressor settings; and a controller adapted to; determine a third volumetric flow rate of refrigerant exiting the set of compressors; retrieve one or more properties of compressor settings; determine a compressor setting of the set of compressors based at least partially on the determined third volumetric flow rate and one or more retrieved properties of compressor settings; allow refrigerant from the outlet of the condenser to flow through the first expansion device if the determined compressor setting comprises the low compressor setting; and allow refrigerant from the outlet of the condenser to flow through the second expansion device if the determined compressor setting comprises one of the high compressor settings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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allowing operation of an air conditioner, wherein the air conditioner comprises; compressor settings comprising a low compressor setting and at least one high compressor setting, wherein a volumetric flow rate of refrigerant exiting a set of compressors of the air conditioner is greater at the at least one high compressor setting than at the low compressor setting; and a first expansion device adapted to allow refrigerant to flow at a first volumetric flow rate; and a second expansion device coupled in parallel with the first expansion device, and wherein the second expansion device is adapted to allow refrigerant to flow at a second volumetric flow rate, wherein the second volumetric flow rate is greater than the first volumetric flow rate; determining a compressor setting of the set of compressors; allowing refrigerant from an outlet of a condenser of the air conditioner to flow through the first expansion device if the determined compressor setting comprises the low compressor setting; and allowing refrigerant from the outlet of the condenser to flow through the second expansion device if the determined compressor setting comprises one of the high compressor settings. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An air conditioner comprising:
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a microchannel condenser; a first expansion device adapted to allow refrigerant to flow at a first volumetric flow rate; a second expansion device adapted to allow refrigerant to flow at a second volumetric flow rate, wherein the second volumetric flow rate is greater than the first volumetric flow rate; and
wherein the first expansion device and the second expansion device are coupled in parallel;at least one valve managing refrigerant flow to at least one of the first expansion device or the second expansion device; a set of compressors comprising one or more compressors; one or more sensors adapted to measure one or more third volumetric flow rates exiting at least a portion of the set of compressors; a memory storing one or more predetermined flow rates, and wherein at least one of the predetermined flow rates comprises a first predetermined volumetric flow rate; and a controller adapted to; determine at least one of the third volumetric flow rates using at least one of the sensors; retrieve the first predetermined volumetric flow rate; allow refrigerant from an outlet of a condenser of the air conditioner to flow through the first expansion device if at least one of the determined third volumetric flow rates is less than the first predetermined volumetric flow rate; and allow refrigerant from the outlet of the condenser to flow through the second expansion device if at least one of the determined third volumetric flow rates is greater than or equal to the first predetermined volumetric flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification