Abstract: A residential heat pump installation includes a variable speed reciprocating compressor. The compressor speed control components, which include an inverter, are cooled by diverting the refrigerant liquid line into the closed controls compartment of the outdoor cabinet section and by passing the liquid line through a block of material therein upon which the compressor speed control components are mounted. The heat generated by the speed control components is transferred through the block of material and ultimately into the liquid refrigerant which is pumped through the liquid line by the operation of the compressor. Heat generated in the controls compartment is therefore removed from the compartment by system refrigerant in an manner which does not, to any significant degree, adversely affect the overall operation and efficiency of the system.

Abstract: In a heat pump system for selectively heating or cooling a plurality of zones with a corresponding plurality of zone heat exchangers, the subject invention is used for preventing refrigerant condensate from flooding any inactive heat exchangers. Each zone heat exchanger is typically connected to both a liquid line and a gas line for passing refrigerant therethrough. The invention includes an arrangement of valves disposed only on the liquid line of each zone heat exchanger and eliminates the need for an additional shut-off valve on the gas line. When the heat pump system operates in the cooling mode, each zone heat exchanger functions as an evaporator with the invention operating as an expansion valve, regulating the refrigerant flow entering the heat exchanger to meet the temperature conditioning demand.

Abstract: This invention relates to a refrigeration system having at least two compressors connected in parallel to the refrigeration system suction and discharge lines. Each compressor is adapted to operate singly or in combination in accordance with load requirements. More particularly, this invention relates to a valving arrangement associated with each compressor for preventing refrigerant from condensing in the discharge opening of the idle compressor of such a multiple compressor refrigeration system, and a refrigerant bleed arrangement associated with each compressor which directs refrigerant when present in the discharge of an idled compressor to the system suction line.

Abstract: A muffler for attenuating the sound of the hot refrigerant gas discharged from a hermetic refrigeration compressor and for transferring heat from the hot discharged refrigerant gas to a water tube arranged in heat exchange relationship with the muffler. The water tube is adapted to be connected to a water heater tank in a manner that recirculates water from the tank through the water tube in a closed circuit.

Abstract: An automatic control for a refrigeration system for regulating the superheat of refrigerant in its gaseous phase existing in the system. The control includes a sensor arranged in thermal control with the system suction line that is divided by a diaphragm into two chambers. One chamber is exposed to suction gas and the other chamber contains a fluid that is essentially the same as the system refrigerant. Mounted on the diaphragm is a four leg strain gage bridge sensor that produces an electrical signal in response to the pressure differential between the chambers.

Abstract: A reversible cycle heat pump refrigeration system having an outdoor heat exchanger coil and an indoor heat exchanger coil, and including an auxiliary coil arrangement located in the system so as to increase the heat pump capacity of the system. The auxiliary coil arrangement is associated with, and in air flow arrangement with, at least one of the heat exchangers. The auxiliary coil is connected in parallel refrigerant flow arrangement with the expansion device so that when the associated heat exchanger functions as the system evaporator liquid refrigerant by-passes the auxiliary coil, and when the associated heat exchanger functions as a condenser the auxiliary coil functions as a subcooling coil.