Abstract: The present invention is a charge balance device for a heat pump. The heat pump system has a heating and a cooling mode and includes an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor, refrigerant circuitry connecting the heat exchangers and the compressor in series arrangement, with the charge balance device connected in parallel arrangement with the outdoor heat exchanger. An accumulator is connected in line with the refrigerant circuit at a point immediately upstream of the suction side of the compressor for storing excess liquid refrigerant during heating mode. The charge balance device includes a check valve for blocking refrigerant flow, thus preventing the diversion of refrigerant flow around the outdoor heat exchanger during cooling mode, and a restrictor orifice for throttling refrigerant flow, thus regulating the flow of refrigerant diverted around the outdoor heat exchanger during heating mode.

Abstract: In a refrigerating cycle (air conditioner) using mixture refrigerant, a mixing ratio of the refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit is measured by a mixing ratio detector, and a controller receives the detection signal to open a control valve when the mixing ratio of a high boiling-point refrigerant component is low, whereby the high boiling-point refrigerant stocked in a liquid reservoir is returned to the refrigerant circuit. The high boiling-point refrigerant which is supplied from the liquid reservoir through the opening operation of the control valve is supplied from a low pressure side of a compressor into the refrigerant circuit to keep the mixing ratio of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit to a predetermined value, thereby preventing abnormal increase of pressure of the refrigerant due to variation of the mixing ratio.

Abstract: In a refrigerating cycle in which a constant speed type compressor, an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger are connected one by one by means of piping, a receiver is provided between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, and no capacity control mechanism is provided for the compressor, a gas-liquid flow rate regulating device is associated with the receiver for regulating at least either of liquid flow rate and gas flow rate of a cooling fluid which flows into and out of the receiver. This causes a quantity of excess refrigerant stored in the receiver to change to thereby vary an effective quantity of refrigerant circulating through the refrigerating cycle.

Abstract: A heat pump system capable of heating and cooling an indoor space includes a refrigerant compressor having a discharge side and a suction side interconnected with respective indoor and outdoor heat exchanger coils via a reversing valve, and a condensed refrigerant line interconnecting the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. Refrigerant charge can be variably added or taken away from the system based on operating conditions using a refrigerant reservoir having a flow regulated first valve connected to the condensed refrigerant line and a similar second valve connected to the suction side. A flow regulated third valve is used to bleed vapor from the reservoir to lower the pressure of refrigerant contained therein relative to the pressure in the liquid line.

Abstract: A pressure relief system for a mechanical refrigeration system. The pressure relief system has a pair of rupture disks connected in series to a pressure vessel that contains refrigerant. The pressure relief system allowing the changing of the primary rupture disk while the vessel is pressurized without the loss of overpressure protection.

Abstract: A pressure relief system for a mechanical refrigeration system. In one embodiment the pressure relief system having a pair of pressure relief valves connected in series to a pressure vessel that contains refrigerant. The pressure relief system allowing the changing of the primary pressure relief valve while the vessel is pressurized without the loss of overpressure protection.

Abstract: A refrigerating system having a refrigerating cycle constructed by connecting an accumulator, a refrigerant compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor unit heat exchanger, an outdoor unit expander, a receiver, an indoor unit expander and an indoor unit heat exchanger sequentially by pipes. Normally, excessive refrigerant is stored in the receiver and when it becomes necessary to raise a ratio of lower boiling point refrigerants, a flow amount of the refrigerant is decreased by restricting the outdoor unit expander during the cooling operation or by restricting the indoor unit expander during the heating operation to move the excessive refrigerant within the receiver to the accumulator. Thereby, the composition of the refrigerant circulating within the refrigerating system using non-azeotrophic refrigerant mixtures may be changed without using a complicated system structure or control method thereof and the capacity of the refrigerating cycle may be changed.

Abstract: A refrigeration system has a compressor operable to supply compressed refrigerant vapor, a condenser to liquify compressed refrigerant vapour from the compressor, a thermostatic expansion valve to vaporize liquified refrigerant from the condenser, an evaporator to cool the surrounding atmosphere by vaporized refrigerant from the thermostatic expansion valve, a superheat sensor to improve control of the thermostatic expansion valve, a compressor discharge line to convey compressed refrigerant vapour from the compressor to the condenser, a return line to convey liquified refrigerant from the condenser to the expansion valve, and a suction line including the superheat sensor to convey vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor.

Abstract: In a refrigerator, an intermediate heat exchanger as an evaporator in the refrigeration cycle 11 in which a flammable refrigerant is sealed is provided inside of a heat insulating material. A heat transferring device is provided between the intermediate heat exchanger and a heat exchanger for cooling. At the time of stop and occurrence of the refrigerant leakage, the refrigerant inside of the intermediate heat exchanger is recovered into the condenser or into the refrigerant recovery cylinder so that even if the refrigerant leaks out, a leaked amount of the refrigerant into the refrigerator is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure relief system that utilizes fluid released from a pressure relief valve to activate a sensor. In one form of the present invention a relatively confined passageway is in fluid communication with a reseatable pressure relief valve for protecting a condenser from overpressurization. The pressure relief valve allowing the release of fluid into the passageway at pressures below the overpressure threshold protection value of the valve. The released fluid is accumulated in the passageway and sensed by a sensor. Further, upon the pressure in the relatively confined passageway exceeding a predetermined value the passageway is vented to the environment.

Abstract: In a transport temperature control system having a cooling and heating mode of operation an apparatus and method are provided for enhancing the heating capacity during the heating mode of operation. A second expansion valve is provided to connect the higher pressure liquid line to the refrigerant circuit downstream of the evaporator. When additional refrigerant is needed in the heating circuit to increase heating capacity, especially during low ambient temperature operating conditions, the second expansion valve is caused to open to admit more refrigerant to the system. After passing through the second expansion valve low pressure gas is passed to the compressor, optimizing compressor efficiency such that an increased amount of hot refrigerant gas is delivered to the evaporator for enhanced heating capacity.

Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a compressor, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion device and an evaporator connected in series to form a closed circuit operating at supercritical pressure in a high pressure side of the circuit. A large part of the internal volume of the circuit is incorporated at or close to a refrigerant outlet from the heat exchanger. The actual refrigerant charge corresponds to an optimum overall density ensuring self-adaptation of the supercritical high-side pressure to maintain maximum energy efficiency at varying heat rejection temperatures of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerant conservation system and method for preventing the release of refrigerant to the atmosphere during high pressure system failure. Refrigerant is delivered from the refrigerant loop of the refrigerant system to an evacuated sealed receiver. The receiver tank may be retrofitted to the existing high pressure safety relief valve of a multiple compressor mechanical refrigeration system. When the pressure in the receiver tank exceeds a predetermined value, a pressure switch denies operating current to at least one of the compressors to prevent their operation and to contain refrigerant within a closed system which would otherwise be discharged into the atmosphere while allowing at least one of the compressors to operate. After a timed delay cycle, the refrigerant conservation system also recharges the contained refrigerant into the system and restarts the disabled compressors.

Abstract: A combined charge/relief valve for an air conditioner system includes an outer housing that defines a first passageway and an inner housing that defines a second passageway. The inner housing includes an O-ring seal and is biased by an outer spring to a sealed position to seal the first passageway. The inner housing can be moved to a charging position by the direct application of mechanical force in order to facilitate high rate charging of the air conditioner system. The inner housing includes a valve member movable between an opened and a closed position to seal the inner passageway. The valve member is biased to the closed position by a precision relief spring. Excessive refrigerant pressure in the air conditioner system moves the valve member from the closed to the open position in order to vent refrigerant to the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid containment system for minimizing the loss of refrigerant fluid from a refrigerant evaporator. The mechanical refrigeration system includes an evaporator for absorbing energy from the cooling media. The evaporator includes a pressurized shell, which to comply with applicable safety codes requires a pressure relief system for relieving an over-pressure condition. A sealed over-pressure containment vessel is connected in fluid communication with the evaporator. The containment vessel receives liquid refrigerant from the evaporator in order to reduce the pressure in the evaporator, and the flow of refrigerant fluid from the evaporator to the containment vessel is controlled by a pressure differential therebetween. After the over-pressure condition in the evaporator has been corrected the liquid refrigerant in the containment vessel can be returned to the evaporator.

Abstract: A reversibly operatable refrigerant circulating circuit (1) is formed in such a manner that a compressor (21), an outdoor heat exchanger (23), a motor-operated expansion valve (25) through which refrigerant flows in both directions and an indoor heat exchanger (31) are connected in this order. Between the motor-operated expansion valve (25) and the indoor heat exchanger (31), there is provided a refrigerant regulator (4) for regulating a circulation amount of refrigerant in a cooling operation cycle and storing liquefied refrigerant in a heating operation cycle. The refrigerant regulator (4) has a first flow pipe (42) to which the outdoor heat exchanger (23) is connected and a second flow pipe (43) which has plural refrigerant holes (45, 45 . . . ) and to which the indoor heat exchanger (31) is connected.

Abstract: An air conditioner employs a refrigerating cycle in which a non-azeotropic mixture of high and low boiling coolants is sealed. The ratio between the high and low boiling coolants of the coolant mixture changes according to a change in the opening of an electric expansion valve 7. A level sensor 19 is arranged in an accumulator 17 that accumulates the liquid phase of the coolant mixture. A value detected by the level sensor is used to calculate the ratio between the high and low boiling coolants actually circulating in the refrigerating cycle. According to the opening of the valve 7 or the ratio between the actual quantities of the high and low boiling coolants, basic operation parameters such as the operation frequency of a compressor 1 are changed. This results in stabilizing and optimizing the operation of the refrigerating cycle even if a cycle temperature or pressure is changed due to a change in the ratio between the high and low boiling coolants of the coolant mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is provided for varying high side pressure in a transcritical vapor compression cycle by means of variable volume element(s) connected to a flow circuit thereof. A variable volume element having a compartment is connected to and communicates with the high side to permit entry of refrigerant into the compartment. A movable partition defines at least one side of the compartment and is displaceable between first and second positions respectively defining first and second volumes of refrigerant within the compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerant purging and storage system is provided operative, responsive to the operating pressure of refrigerant gas within the suction line dropping to a predetermined low pressure below the range of normal operating pressure of that suction line, to pump refrigerant gas from a closed-loop refrigerant circuit into a closed storage vessel, for a predetermined time period, only, and to prevent backflow of refrigerant gas from said storage vessel into said circuit.

Abstract: A refrigeration system generally including a compressor, a condenser and an expansion device connected between the condenser and the low pressure, suction side of the compressor. A pressure control is disposed on the discharge or high pressure side of the compressor to selectively allow refrigerant to bleed from the high pressure side of the system. The control continuously monitors the pressure of the refrigerant discharging from the compressor and bleeds refrigerant off into a bypass, including an expansion tank and a bypass capillary tube, when a predetermined pressure is reached. The bypass capillary tube is connected between the expansion tank and the low pressure side or suction line of the system. When the control senses that the compressor discharge pressure has fallen below a preset pressure, the bleed off of refrigerant from the high pressure side of the system is stopped. Refrigerant vapor remaining in the bypass is slowly metered into the suction line due to a pressure differential therebetween.

Abstract: A broad range cooling system is provided which can operate to cool a product load to a predetermined temperature in the range of -25.degree. F. to +75.degree. F. over an ambient temperature range of -60.degree. F. to 150.degree. F. The system includes two compressor systems which are configurable to operate independently as single compressor cooling systems each having a unique cooling range, or together as a cascade system, depending upon the desired temperature requirements of the load and the ambient. In the event of a failure of one or the other compressor, the system is configured to continue operation with the other compressor as a single compressor system until a repair can be affected.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system including an interface connection to an existing refrigeration system high pressure relief valve, a check valve, a refrigerant recovery tank, and an interconnecting conduit. A Schrader type valve is affixed to the recovery tank thereby permitting service extraction of refrigerant trapped therein. Two pressure sensing switches are provided in the refrigerant recovery tank wherein a first switch has normally open contacts and is used to signal an overpressure event, and a second switch has normally closed contacts and terminates operation of the refrigeration system upon sensing an overpressure event.

Abstract: A heat storage type air conditioner which is free from a difficulty that, when a general cooling and heating circuit and a cold radiating and heat radiating circuit are operated separately or simultaneously, the quantities of refrigerant in those circuits become smaller or larger than required, so that its compressor is damaged or the cooling or heating capacity is lowered. When, in a heat storage type air conditioner, first and second bypass circuits 22 and 23 are closed, a general cooling and heating circuit 18 driven by a compressor 1 and a cold radiating and heat radiating circuit 21 driven by a refrigerant gas pump 13 are made independent of each other, so that a cooling operation or a heating operation is carried out with the aid of a first use-side heat exchanger 4a and a second use-side heat exchanger 4b. Therefore, in the air conditioner, the refrigerant or refrigerating machine oil will never concentrate in any one of the two circuits.

Abstract: A system is provided at the emergency pressure release in an air conditioning refrigerant system. The system protects the environment from venting of the pressurized refrigerant. The system also permits recovery of the refrigerant for subsequent use or for environmentally safe disposal.

Abstract: A quick cooling air conditioning system that uses a pressurized reservoir to preserve refrigerant in liquid form after the shutdown of air conditioning compressor. The quick air cooling is achieved by the vaporization of liquid refrigerant, supplied by refrigerant reservoir, at the startup of the conditioning system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerant conservation system and method for preventing the release of refrigerant to the atmosphere during high pressure system failure. Refrigerant is delivered from the refrigerant loop of the refrigerant system to an evacuated sealed receiver. The receiver tank may be retrofitted to the existing high pressure safety relief valve of a mechanical refrigeration system. When the pressure in the receiver tank exceeds a predetermined value, operating current is denied to the compressor to prevent its operation and to contain refrigerant within a closed system which would otherwise be discharged into the atmosphere.

Abstract: In a multiroom air-conditioning apparatus, refrigerant flow between plural outdoor side units is controlled so that abnormality (lack or excess) of refrigerant amount in an outdoor side unit in operation is redressed. For example, when surplus refrigerant exists in an outdoor side unit, the refrigerant flow is so controlled that the surplus refrigerant is pushed out (flow out) into an outdoor side unit in non-operation. In addition, the output of the air-conditioning apparatus is smoothly variable (controllable) in accordance with an air-conditioning load over the whole air-conditioning load range from the minimum (zero) load to the maximum load.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerant conservation system and method for preventing the release of refrigerant to the atmosphere during high pressure system failure. Refrigerant is delivered from the refrigerant loop of the refrigerant system to an evacuated sealed receiver. The receiver tank may be retrofitted to the existing high pressure safety relief valve of a mechanical refrigeration system. When the pressure in the receiver tank exceeds a predetermined value, operating current is denied to the compressor to prevent its operation and to contain refrigerant within a closed system which would otherwise be discharged into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for diverting refrigerant into an auxiliary receiving vessel to reduce refrigerator system pressure during an incipient over-pressure condition to prevent activation of safety pressure relief valves and release of refrigerant into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovering apparatus for cooling equipment having a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser having a relief valve thereon, the apparatus comprising a chamber having connecting means to the relief valve at one end and connecting means to the compressor at the other end; means on the chamber for conveying the collected refrigerant therein to the compressor; and means for deactivating the compressor upon a predetermined refrigerant pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A heat storage type air conditioning system capable of performing refrigerant receiving and discharging control and oil quantity control, which, in operating the general cooling circuit and the cold radiating circuit simultaneously or separately, is free from difficulties that the compressor is damaged or the cooling capacity is lowered when the quantities of refrigerant in those circuits are excessively increased or decreased, and is able to continue the operations with the quantity of refrigerant and the quantity of ice machine oil adjusted to suitable values. In the heat storage type air conditioning system, evaporators are provided in a general cooling circuit driven by a compressor and in a cold radiating circuit driven by a refrigerant gas pump, respectively, so that those circuits operate independently of each other. Furthermore, bypass circuits are provided to allow refrigerant to flow between liquid pipes and between gas pipes in those circuits.

Abstract: An over-pressure control apparatus for a refrigeration system provides for non-atmospheric venting of an evaporator during over-pressure conditions. The control apparatus includes a sensor for indicating evaporator pressure, a storage vessel for receiving liquid refrigerant from the evaporator, and a controller responsive to the sensor. The controller acts in response to the reading of the sensor to selectively open and close at least one control valve coupling the storage vessel to the evaporator and condenser of the refrigeration system. Liquid refrigerant is vented from the evaporator to the storage vessel in response to a detected over-pressure condition.The over-pressure control method hereof acts to vent liquid refrigerant from the evaporator at a predetermined pressure above normal operating pressure, but below the pressure where emergency venting of refrigerant vapor from the evaporator to the atmosphere is required.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle has a compressor, an outdoor rotary-type heat exchanger, a motor-operated expansion valve, and an indoor rotary-type heat exchanger which are sequentially connected to each other to circulate a refrigerant. A tank is set in a connected state or a non-connected state with respect to a refrigerant discharge side of the compressor. A detector detects at least a pressure at one side of each of the exchangers. A first controller sets the tank in a non-connected state when a normal operation of an air conditioner is to be started, and controls the capacity of the compressor, the rotational speed of the exchangers, and the opening degree of the valve in accordance with an air-conditioning load, thereby performing the normal operation of the air conditioner.

Abstract: A system for diverting refrigerant into an auxiliary receiving vessel to reduce refrigerator system pressure during an incipient over-pressure condition to prevent activation of safety pressure relief valves and release of refrigerant into the atmosphere.

Abstract: High side pressure in a transcritical vapor compression cycle system is regulated by varying a liquid inventory of a low pressure refrigerant receiver provided in a circuit of the system. The circuit includes a compressor, a gas cooler, a throttling valve, an evaporator and the receiver connected in series in a closed circuit operating at supercritical pressure in a high pressure side of the circuit. The degree of opening of the throttling valve is controlled to regulate the high side pressure in the circuit. It is possible to control capacity, and it also is possible to achieve minimum energy consumption for a given capacity requirement by regulating high side pressure.

Abstract: A system for compressing gas that changes ambient atmosphere conditions which uses a hermetic compressor, a condenser to receive compressed gas from the compressor and condense it, a liquid receiver to store the condensed gas, an expansion valve to vaporize the condensed gas and an evaporator which interacts with the ambient atmosphere. Isolating devices are used to isolate the compressor from the other parts of the system. A power invertor which changes the direct current to alternating current used with the isolating devices enable the use of a hermetic compressor in a direct current environment. Also included are cooling devices that use the cool internal vapor and the cool water formed on the outside of the evaporator to cool the compressor and its components.

Abstract: A split system ice-maker having a main unit, which houses the ice-making evaporators, and a remote unit, which houses an accumulator, a compressor and a condenser. At least two refrigeration lines are provided which connect the main unit to the remote unit. A four-way valve is located in the remote unit which directs the flow of refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser and then to the evaporator, during an ice-making mode, and additionally directs the flow of refrigerant directly to the evaporators during a harvest mode. The reversed flow in harvest mode briefly defrosts the evaporators, containing the ice-making grid, facilitating harvesting of the ice.

Abstract: A heat-pump device indicates a weight of inappropriate amount of refrigerant in a heat-pump cycle by comparing an actual amount of refrigerant in the heat-pump cycle with an appropriate amount thereof, operates in accordance with a refrigerant amount judging operational mode when the actual amount of refrigerant is measured, and includes a judging device for judging the amount of refrigerant in the heat-pump cycle on the basis of a temperature of refrigerant at a condensor side and at least one information showing an operational condition of the heat-pump cycle.

Abstract: A heat pump system using a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture comprising a main refrigeration circuit, an engine coolant circuit, and a refrigerant rectifier circuit interfacing with main refrigeration circuit, and the engine coolant circuit. The refrigerant rectifier circuit comprises in order of decreasing relative elevation a condenser, a storage vessel in communication with a condenser, a rectifier in communication with a storage tank and a condenser, a receiver vessel in communication with a rectifier, and a boiler in communication with the rectifier and the receiver vessel. The refrigerant rectifier circuit is used to adjust the relative concentrations of lower boiling point refrigerant, and higher boiling point refrigerant in the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture thereby changing the cooling or heating capacity of the heat pump system.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for evacuating refrigerant for recovery from a conventional refrigeration sytems, e.g. automobile air conditions, preferably by attachment to a manifold having multiple evacuation devices, e.g. compressor, vacuum pump, transfer pump with the evacuation devices discharging through self-closing quick connect valves into at least one flexible accumulator, e.g. a bag mounted onto a manifold, and with an additional transfer pump evacuating the bag gradually to a recovery system which can be a conventional refrigerant recovery condensing unit with purification. Facilities for receiving bags filled from refrigeration systems which are remote from the system, e.g. home refrigerators, can be provided to weigh the contents into the manifold for recovery.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus carrying out a refrigerant collecting operation for a given operation period before the heating operation is begun if the standby period Et from the halt of the heating operation to the restart of the heating operation greater than the prescribed period Pt, the temperature Ta in a defined space to be heated lower than the predetermined temperature value Ts1, and the external temperature Tex lower than the given temperature value Ts2 are satisfied when the restart of the heating operation is commanded.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for avoiding possible compressor damage occasioned by major flood back of the suction accumulator in a refrigeration system. In one embodiment of the invention, a float member slides upwardly and downwardly upon the stand pipe of the accumulator in response to the level of refrigerant therein, and when the refrigerant rises to a critical level, the float member is effective to block the outlet openings in the upper end of the suction accumulator, preventing flow of refrigerant to the compressor sufficient in volume to cause damage thereto. In another embodiment of the invention, a float member having magnet means associated therewith moves vertically in opposite directions upon a tubular support connected to the suction accumulator structure.

Abstract: A vapor compression heat pump system and method employs thermal storage for adsorption of excess refrigerant under peak thermal load conditions, particularly for spacecraft use. The system can utilize a single compressor and optionally the adsorption bed in a radiator or dual compressors in which one compressor can always handle the base load and the other compressor is used for peak loads and for desorbing and cooling the adsorption bed.

Abstract: A heat pump system that includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger is provided with automatic refrigerant charge adjustment. A refrigerant reservoir has an inlet branch coupled to a liquid refrigerant line between the two heat exchangers and a discharge branch that is coupled to the suction line that feeds low pressure vapor to the compressor. Solenoid valves on the two branches are controlled by a thermostat that is in thermal contact with the discharge line from the compressor. If the discharge temperature is low, refrigerant liquid is transferred to the reservoir. If the discharge temperature is high, the refrigerant is injected into the suction gas.

Abstract: A ground source heat pump comprising an indoor coil circuit and an outdoor coil circuit utilizes a scroll compressor to pressurize the refrigerant. The outdoor coil may comprise ground coils formed from copper tubing into a spiral configuration. A charge control device controls the volume of refrigerant in the system in heating and cooling modes. A restrictor in parallel with a thermal expansion valve permits a base flow of refrigerant into the outdoor coil in heating mode. An accumulator is provided with a level switch controlling a solenoide value connected in parallel to a thermal expansion value feedig the indoor coil. The scroll compressor includes a discharge port operating in conjunction with a solenoid valve to trap high pressure refrigerant in the condenser circuit during compressor off cycles. Means for closing off one of the ground coils to reduce the effective length of the outdoor coil is provided.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including an evaporator. A reservoir is connected to the evaporator at a point intermediate the inlet and the outlet of the evaporator. The reservoir is placed in heat exchange relationship with the suction line near the outlet of the evaporator. In one embodiment a liquid level sensor is provided in the reservoir and the output of the sensor is used to control an expansion valve connected to the inlet of the evaporator. In another embodiment a capillary or fixed orifice device is used as an expansion device for the evaporator and the reservoir acts as a refrigerant storage device to accommodate various operating conditions of the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A heat pump refrigeration system has a refrigerant condition detector for detecting the mass of refrigerant in the system and initializing a refrigerant mass recovery operation. The heat pump system comprises three flow paths. When a cooling operation is performed, refrigerant flows in a first flow path through a compressor, outdoor heat exchanger, indoor heat exchanger, and the compressor, respectively. During a heating operation, refrigerant flows in a second flow path through the compressor, indoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant heater and the compressor, respectively. The system has a third flow path used during the refrigerant mass recovery operation. A controller causes the heating operation to continue in response to an appropriate signal from the condition detector. When the condition detector indicates an inappropriate refrigerant condition, the controller causes fluid to flow through the third flow path for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A multizone air conditioning system for cooling multiple zones by circulating refrigerant in a closed circuit through the system. The system includes control means for activating and deactivating at least one individual evaporator unit and means for retaining within the portion of the tubing of an individual evaporator unit, when and if it deactivated, an amount of refrigerant which is approximately equal to the amount of refrigerant in the individual evaporator unit when it is activated. As a result, the refrigerant in the system remains balanced regardless of whether individual evaporator units are activated or deactivated.

Abstract: For use in processing an object refrigerant produced from an original refrigerant, a refrigerant processing system comprises a separating unit (18, 20, and 22) for separating the original refrigerant into a gaseous phase refrigerant component and a liquid phase refrigerant component. A first supplying pipe (12a) supplies the gaseous phase refrigerant component as the object refrigerant to a liquefying unit (24a and 24b), which liquefies the object refrigerant into a liquefied object refrigerant by the use of evaporation of a liquid refrigerant. A second supplying pipe (12b) supplies the liquid phase refrigerant component to the liquefying unit as the liquid refrigerant. The separating unit comprises a receiving unit (18) for receiving the original refrigerant as a received refrigerant, a condensing unit (20) for condensing the received refrigerant into a condensed refrigerant, and a separation vessel (22) comprising upper and bottom parts defining upper and bottom spaces, respectively.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioner using a mixed type coolant of a higher boiling point coolant and a lower boiling point coolant. The air conditioner employs a stacking container connecting to an upper portion of a receiver for introducing a gas phased coolant which contains much of the lower boiling point coolant via a first valve. The stacking container is also connected to a suction side of a compressor via a second valve. The air conditioner becomes a mixing mode when the first valve closes a conduit and the second valve opens a conduit for introducing the lower boiling point coolant into a refrigerant circuit. The cooling ability is increased during the mixing mode. The air conditioner becomes a separating mode when the first valve opens the conduit and the second valve closes the conduit for separating the lower boiling point coolant circulating in the refrigerant circuit and stacking the same in the container.