Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heat source unit apparatus includes air heat exchangers, each includes a plurality of fins arranged at prescribed intervals, heat exchanging pipes penetrating the fins, and bent strips extending at sides and bent in the same direction, and a heat exchange module includes two air heat exchangers, each having the bent strips opposed to those of the other air heat exchanger, the air heat exchangers being inclined such that lower edges are close to each other and upper edges are spaced apart, whereby the heat exchange module is shaped like a letter V as seen from side.

Abstract: An environmental control system having parallel compressors includes a first compressor driven by a first motor, the first compressor being operable for fluidly directing a first flow at a first flow rate through the first compressor. Also included is a second compressor driven by a second motor, the second compressor being operable for fluidly directing a second flow at a second flow rate through the second compressor. Further included is a monitoring component configured to compare the first flow rate to the second flow rate.

Abstract: Heat pumps for climates where demand for cooling and heating are unequal and methods of adapting and distributing heat pumps for such climates. Heat pumps include a compressor, compressor motor, variable speed drive, and controller. In a number of embodiments, non-volatile memory stores sets of constant speeds for cooling and heating, and a person can select, via an input device, different sets of speeds for cooling and heating to provide the different cooling and heating capacities. The controller then operates the unit at the selected speeds, selecting from within the set based on demand for cooling or heating. In some embodiments, different sets of speeds may have the same minimum speed but different maximum speeds. Identical heat pumps can be configured to have different capacity ratings and different advertised efficiencies for different climates.

Abstract: An air-conditioner capable of suppressing increase in the suction temperature of a compressor is provided. The air-conditioner according to the present invention has a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, an oil separator, a heat source side heat exchanger, a throttle device, and a use side heat exchanger are connected in series, an oil returning circuit that connects the oil separator with the suction side of the compressor, and a decompression mechanism provided in the oil return circuit. The oil return circuit is installed by piping so as to exchange heat with a part of the heat source side heat exchanger at the upstream side of the decompression mechanism.

Abstract: An object is to sequentially calculate planned COPs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling an inverter of a variable frequency drive that drives a compressor in a cooling system for electronic equipment are disclosed. The system includes a first fluid circuit that cools electronic equipment using a first fluid flowing therethrough and a second fluid circuit that free cools a second fluid flowing therethrough. The second fluid circuit cools the first fluid using the free-cooled second fluid. The system further includes a third fluid circuit that mechanically cools the second fluid using a third fluid flowing therethrough as a function of the wet bulb temperature of atmospheric air. The third fluid circuit includes at least one compressor compresses the third fluid and is driven by a motor coupled to the variable frequency drive. At least a portion of the first fluid flowing through the third fluid circuit is diverted to cool the inverter of the variable frequency drive.

Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioning system and a method for controlling an operation thereof, whereby a charging device for charging power to be supplied into the indoor unit is employed, a chargeable control unit is separately employed, or a separate control unit connectable between the indoor unit and an electronic expansion valve is employed, thereby closing the electronic expansion valve even if power supplied into the indoor unit is blocked while controlling opening and closing of the electronic expansion valve, and additionally preventing the electronic expansion valve from being left open, resulting in prevention of an overload of a compressor within an indoor unit.

Abstract: Thermal conditioning for an area surrounding one or more air separation canisters includes directing the exhaust gas of the thermal conditioning unit to the area surrounding the canisters. The area may be defined by a housing in which the canisters are positioned.

Abstract: A household appliance such as a refrigerator includes a housing and a user interface operatively connected to the housing. The user interface includes a display and user inputs. The user interface is adapted for showing on the display a part number for a component part, contact information for use in acquiring the component part, and instructions for installing the component part. The contact information may include a phone number. The contact information may include a web site address. The component part may be a replacement part such as a filter or the component part may be an accessory part. The user interface may also be adapted for displaying instructions or service or maintenance tasks.

Abstract: Obtained is an air-conditioning apparatus that is capable of saving energy. A pressure in a passage of the second refrigerant flow switching device in which a refrigerant from an outdoor unit flows into is higher than a pressure in a passage of the second refrigerant flow switching device in which the refrigerant flows out to the outdoor unit regardless of switching states of a first refrigerant flow switching device, the second refrigerant flow switching devices, and a third refrigerant flow switching device.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus uses R32 as refrigerant, and includes a compressor, condenser, expansion mechanism, evaporator, accumulator, branching flow path, opening degree adjustment valve disposed in the branching flow path, injection-use heat exchanger and a first injection flow path. The accumulator has an inside space to separate and accumulate refrigerant. The injection-use heat exchanger causes heat exchange between refrigerant flowing through the main refrigerant flow path and that has passed through the opening degree adjustment valve of the branching flow path. The first injection flow path guides the refrigerant that has flowed through the branching flow path and exited the injection-use heat exchanger to the inside space of the accumulator. A distal end of the first injection flow path is located in a height position separated by a dimension from a bottom of the inside space. The dimension is 0 to 0.3 times a height dimension of the inside space.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat source-side unit including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant and a heat source-side heat exchanger, a plurality of use-side units each including a use-side heat exchanger, and a plurality of intermediate heat exchangers connected to the heat source-side unit and to the use-side units. A target determination device detects condensation status of each of the use-side units and determines whether to perform condensation suppression control. The use-side unit determined by the target determination means to be subjected to the condensation suppression control is connected to an intermediate heat exchanger for adjustment. A refrigerant circuit control device controls a temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger for adjustment so that the heat medium temperature T of the heat medium flowing into at least one use-side unit enters a predetermined target set temperature range.

Abstract: A vehicle heat pump system includes a compressor, a first valve coupled to an outlet of the compressor, a cooling circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor, a heating circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor and a controller. The heating circuit includes a heating circuit evaporator and a second valve between the heating circuit evaporator and the inlet of the compressor. The controller is configured to operate the first valve to switch between a cooling mode and a heating mode, cycle the second valve opened and closed in the heating mode, such that when closed, the compressor draws refrigerant out of the cooling circuit and refrigerant pressure builds up within the heating circuit, and maintain the second valve open upon the controller determining that sufficient refrigerant has been drawn out of the cooling circuit during the cycling of the second valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control process for an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system comprises a thermal loop (1) used as a heat pump and an electrical heating device (2). The process calculates a global heating capacity (HCglo) in function of the temperature chosen by the passenger, the speed of the blower and the temperature of the exterior air. Then, the process calculates a heating capacity (HC1) of the thermal loop (1) and compares this heating capacity (HC1) of the thermal loop to the global heating capacity (HCglo). If the global heating capacity (HCglo) is superior to the heating capacity (HC1) of the thermal loop, the process determines a heating capacity (HC2) of the electrical heating device (2). This heating capacity (HC2) of the electrical heating device (2) added to the heating capacity (HC1) of the thermal loop (1) allows to obtain the global heating capacity (HCglo) required in function of the temperature selected by the passenger.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for temporary location within a damp or waterlogged room is disclosed. The apparatus includes sensors to sense the level of temperature and humidity within the room, a heater to provide heat for the room, an air circulation fan for selectively circulating heated air within the room or selectively exhausting warm and humid air from the room and for allowing outside ambient air into the room. The apparatus being adapted to cyclically continue until the sensed humidity reaches a required level, the apparatus thereafter indicating, directly or indirectly, the completion of the drying process. A method of drying a room using such apparatus is also disclosed which employs a technique whereby the rate of change of the temperature increase is used to determine when humid air should be exhausted from the room. A time limit can also be use to determine when said exhausting takes place.

Abstract: A discharged warm/cold heat of a refrigerant circuit is effectively utilized in order to attain high energy efficiency. Appropriate operation control is executed when a hot-water supplying operation and an air cooling operation are simultaneously performed, whereby high energy efficiency is attained.

Abstract: A heat pump device includes: a compressor including a compression mechanism compressing a refrigerant and a motor driving the compression mechanism; an inverter unit applying a voltage for driving the motor; an inverter control unit generating a driving signal for driving the inverter unit; and temperature sensors detecting temperatures of the compressor, wherein the inverter control unit includes a normal operation mode in which a refrigerant is compressed by performing a normal operation of the compressor and a heating operation mode in which a heating operation of the compressor is performed by applying, to the motor, a high-frequency voltage, and in the heating operation mode, the inverter control unit determines an amplitude and a phase of a voltage command for generating the high-frequency voltage on a basis of a temperatures detected by the temperature sensors and a necessary amount of heat specified in advance.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes: a heat-source-side refrigerant circuit having a heat-source-side compressor, a first usage-side heat exchanger operable as a radiator of heat-source-side refrigerant, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger operable as an evaporator of heat-source-side refrigerant; and a usage-side refrigerant circuit having a usage-side compressor arranged to compress usage-side refrigerant with a pressure of the usage-side refrigerant corresponding to a saturated gas temperature of 65° C. that is 2.8 MPa or less at gauge pressure, a refrigerant-water heat exchanger operable as a radiator of usage-side refrigerant to heat an aqueous medium, and a first usage-side heat exchanger operable as an evaporator of usage-side refrigerant by the radiation of heat-source-side refrigerant. The weight of usage-side refrigerant enclosed in the usage-side refrigerant circuit is one to three times the weight of refrigeration machine oil enclosed to lubricate the usage-side compressor.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes: a heat-source-side refrigerant circuit having a heat-source-side compressor, a first usage-side heat exchanger operable as a radiator of heat-source-side refrigerant, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger operable as a radiator of heat-source-side refrigerant; and a usage-side refrigerant circuit having a usage-side compressor, a refrigerant/water heat exchanger operable as a radiator of usage-side refrigerant to heat an aqueous medium, and the first usage-side heat exchanger operable as an evaporator of usage-side refrigerant by radiation of heat-source-side refrigerant.

Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle system, switching is allowed between a parallel operation mode and a series operation mode. In the parallel operation mode, a refrigerant, upon leaving a load side heat exchanger, parallelly flows through a high-pressure side passage of each of a first internal heat exchanger and a second internal heat exchanger and then flows into an expansion valve. In the series operation mode, the refrigerant, upon leaving the load side heat exchanger, flows through the high-pressure side passage of the first internal heat exchanger, further flows through the high-pressure side passage of the second internal heat exchanger, and then flows through a high-pressure side bypass pipe into the expansion valve.

Abstract: A vehicular air conditioning system capable of suppressing the power consumption of a refrigerating cycle is disclosed. The vehicular air conditioning system comprises a refrigerating cycle circuit comprising a compressor, an outside heat exchanger and an inside air conditioning heat exchanger annularly connected in order, and a device cooling circuit comprising a heating unit, an inside cooling heat exchanger, an intermediate heat exchanger and a pump being annularly connected, the intermediate heat exchanger being constructed such that one end of a piping of the cooling medium for air conditioning is connected to a liquid piping, the liquid piping providing connection between the outside heat exchanger and the inside air conditioning heat exchanger, and an opposite end of the piping of the cooling medium for air conditioning is connected to a suction port of the compressor.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a four-way switching valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger are interconnected. The outdoor heat exchanger uses multi-hole flat tubes as heat transfer tubes. When stopping a heating operation, the air conditioning apparatus performs pressure equalization control that switches the four-way switching valve from a heating cycle state to a cooling cycle state, thereafter stops the compressor, and equalizes the pressure in the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit and a controller. In a heating operation, the usage-side expansion valve is controlled so that a degree of subcooling of outlet refrigerant of the usage-side heat exchanger is equal to a predetermined target degree of subcooling. In a refrigerant recovery control, the heat-source-side expansion valve is controlled so that a degree of superheat of outlet refrigerant of the heat-source-side heat exchanger is equal to a predetermined target degree of superheat, the predetermined target degree of superheat is changed so that the outlet refrigerant of the heat-source-side heat exchanger is wet when the usage-side expansion valve is opened greater than a predetermined opening degree at a start of refrigerant recovery, and change in the predetermined target degree of superheat is cancelled when the usage-side expansion valve is closed smaller than a predetermined opening degree at an end of refrigerant recovery.

Abstract: A device for heating and cooling, respectively, includes a heat pump (1), a first heat exchanger (2) arranged at a first side of the heat pump (1), which first heat exchanger (2) is thermally connected to a first heat carrier being circulated in a first loop (10), and a second heat exchanger (3) arranged at a second side of the heat pump (1), which second heat exchanger (3) is arranged to transfer thermal energy to or from a second heat carrier which is circulated in a second loop (20). The first (10) and the second (20) loops are interconnected by a conduit (4) so that the first loop (10), the second loop (20) and the conduit (4) together form a connected system, in which connected system one and the same heat carrier is arranged.

Abstract: A heat pump interoperating hot water feeding apparatus is provided that may determine whether to activate only the first coolant circulation circuit along which the first coolant is circulated or the first coolant circulation circuit as well as the second coolant circulation circuit along which the second coolant is circulated depending on an external air temperature or target water temperature, thus providing the optimal performance.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus according to the present invention includes at least indoor heat exchangers. In response to a request to increase heat exchange performance from the indoor heat exchanger, the air-conditioning apparatus decreases a heat exchange capacity of an outdoor heat exchanger and controls an opening degree of an expansion valve corresponding to the indoor heat exchanger a to decrease a flow rate of a refrigerant that flows through the indoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: An integrated ventilation unit configured to provide ventilation and conditioned air to an indoor space may include a heat pump system, an energy recovery device and a control unit. The heat pump system may include a first coil located at a supply air side of the ventilation unit, a second coil located at an exhaust air side of the ventilation unit, and a compressor. The energy recovery device may be configured to transfer heat between a return air stream and a supply air stream and the control unit may be configured to control operation of the heat pump system and the energy recovery device.

Abstract: A heat pump performs a simultaneous air-conditioning and heating operation through the addition of a flow path switching apparatus. The heat pump may include a plurality of outdoor units, a plurality of indoor units, and a plurality of flow path switching apparatuses that switch a flow path between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. A refrigerant flow path may be formed from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit via a high-pressure gas pipe. The flow path switching apparatuses may switch a flow path so that a refrigerant flow path is formed from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit via a low-pressure gas pipe. The heat pump may further include an indoor unit mode controller that is connected to the plurality of outdoor units through a liquid pipe, and which is connected to each of the plurality of flow path switching apparatuses.

Abstract: In the case of a heating operation in which a use side heat exchanger functions as a condenser when the outside air has a predetermined low temperature, a low-outside-air-temperature heating operation start mode is executed in which, while a refrigerant, as discharged from a compressor, flows into the use side heat exchanger, the refrigerant, upon flowing into the injection pipe, merges with a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, which has traveled through the connecting pipe and has transferred heat in the heat source side heat exchanger, and a merged refrigerant is supplied to the injection port of the compressor, and thereafter a low-outside-air-temperature heating operation mode is executed in which the refrigerant, as discharged from the compressor, is supplied to the injection port of the compressor via the injection pipe while flowing into the use side heat exchanger.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit, an operation controlling device and a liquid refrigerant accumulation determining device. The refrigerant circuit has an accumulator. The operation controlling device performs normal operation control where each device of the heat source unit and the utilization unit are controlled in accordance with operating load of the utilization unit, and refrigerant quantity determination operation control where properness of quantity of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is determined while performing the cooling operation. The liquid refrigerant accumulation determining device determines whether or not liquid refrigerant is accumulating in the accumulator. When it has been determined that liquid refrigerant is accumulating in the accumulator, liquid refrigerant accumulation control is performed to eliminate liquid refrigerant accumulation in the accumulator.

Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle includes a water cooled condenser that uses a coolant as a heat exchange media and uses waste heat generated from a motor and an electronic device to improve heating performance, efficiency, and dehumidifying performance. A control method is also described.

Abstract: A heating installation is provided with a first circuit (K1) containing a first medium, a second circuit (K2) containing a second medium, a first heat pump (2) arranged in the first circuit (K1) for heating the first medium, a third circuit (K3) containing a third medium, a heat exchanger (40) arranged in the third circuit (K3) and connected between the condenser (2d) and expansion valve (2f) of the first heat pump to transfer heat from the working medium of the first heat pump to the third medium in the third circuit (K3), and a second heat pump (3) arranged for heating the second medium in the second circuit (K2) by absorbing heat energy from the third medium in the third circuit (K3).

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a compressor, a four-way valve, expansion means, and an indoor heat exchanger, and further includes a check valve disposed between a discharge side of the compressor and the four-way valve, a first solenoid valve disposed between the expansion means and the indoor heat exchanger, and a controller. Opening and closing of the first solenoid valve are controllable. The controller switches the four-way valve and switches the first solenoid valve between open and closed states. When a heating operation is stopped, the controller switches the four-way valve from connection for the heating operation to connection for a cooling operation, closes the first solenoid valve, and then stops the compressor.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a converting unit, a first injection module, and a second injection module. The first injection module injects a portion of refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger to the outdoor heat exchanger to the compressor in a heating operation and supercools refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger in a cooling operation. The second injection module injects a portion of refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger to the outdoor heat exchanger to the compressor in the heating operation and injects refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger to the compressor in the cooling operation.

Abstract: A heat pump type speed heating apparatus, comprising: a cooling cycle circuit to circulate a first refrigerant to operate air conditioning, the cooling cycle circuit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion apparatus, and an indoor heat exchanger, a hot water supply compressor to compress a second refrigerant, a hot water supply heat exchanger to condense the compressed second refrigerant and to heat water, a hot water supply expansion apparatus to expand the second refrigerant from the hot water supply heat exchanger, and a cascade heat exchanger, connected to the cooling cycle circuit, to evaporate the second refrigerant expanded at the hot water supply expansion apparatus, and the first refrigerant to undergo condensation, expansion, and evaporation in the cooling cycle circuit.

Abstract: A heat source-side refrigerant circuit A including a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first refrigerant branch portion 21 connected to the compressor 11, a second refrigerant branch portion 22 and a third refrigerant branch portion 23 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first refrigerant flow rate control device 24 provided between branch piping 40 and the second refrigerant branch portion 22, intermediate heat exchangers 25n connected at one side thereof to the first refrigerant branch portion 21 and the third refrigerant branch portion 23 via three-way valves 26n and connected at the other side thereof to the second refrigerant branch portion 22, and second refrigerant flow rate control devices 27n provided between the respective intermediate heat exchangers 25n and the second refrigerant branch portion 22, and user-side refrigerant circuits Bn having indoor heat exchangers 31n connected respectively to the intermediate heat exchangers 25n are provided, and at least one of water and

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the heat medium sent from each of the intermediate heat exchangers to each of the use-side heat exchangers, and a temperature of the heat medium that has exited each of the use-side heat exchangers, an opening degree controller for regulating a flow rate of the heat medium through each of the heat medium flow control devices, and a computing unit for computing a usage capacity of each of the indoor units from a rotation speed of the pump, an opening degree of each of the heat medium flow control devices, temperatures detected by the temperature sensors, and power consumption of each of the indoor units, and proportionally dividing the power consumption for a common portion among each of the indoor units based on the computed usage capacity and the power consumption of the common portion.

Abstract: A flow path switching valve arranged to rotate a main valve with an auxiliary valve to switch a cooling state and a heating state, which provides a reliable operation of the main valve by simplifying the rotation movement of the auxiliary valve and the main valve and provides reduced switching time. An outdoor heat exchanger-side pressure equalizing hole and an indoor heat exchanger-side pressure equalizing hole are formed at the main valve. An occluding portion for opening and closing of the pressure equalizing holes is formed at the auxiliary valve. The main valve is rotated 90 degrees by merely operating the auxiliary valve along one direction in forward or reverse direction to switch between the cooling state and the heating state.

Abstract: A centralized heat exchange system for controlling a plurality of heat exchangers in heat pump cycle includes a plurality of heat exchanging units; a compressor; a network of refrigerant piping connected to each of the plurality of heat exchanging units and the compressor; and a controller configured to receive signals from sensors to monitor temperature or the like of spaces/compartments to be controlled. The controller controls the compressor and a reversing valve and expansion valves installed in the network of refrigerant piping to establish, in the network of refrigerant piping, one or more of a heat-pump loop that constitutes a vapor-compression cycle through an arrangement of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator in accordance with a preset or user settable priority scheme that assigns at least one of the controlled spaces/compartments higher priority in control than the others.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a heat source unit, a first usage unit, and a second usage unit. The heat source unit has a heat-source-side compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, a heat-source-side blower and a heat-source-side switching mechanism. The first usage unit has at least a radiation amount adjusting element and a first usage-side flow rate adjustment valve. The second usage unit has at least a second usage-side flow rate adjustment valve. In a case in which the second usage unit performs an air-cooling operation and the first usage unit performs an aqueous medium heating operation, the amount of radiation adjusted by the radiation amount adjusting element or operating capacity of the heat-source-side blower is controlled in accordance with a state of the first usage-side flow rate adjustment valve and the second usage-side flow rate adjustment valve.

Abstract: A motor-operated valve configured to control the flow rate during a normal flow and pass the fluid so as to minimize pressure loss during a reverse flow, and a refrigeration cycle using the same, are provided. It is configured such that during a normal flow, the fluid is made to flow only from between the main valve member and the orifice to perform flow rate control, and during a reverse flow, all or a majority of the fluid is made to flow to a bypass channel without being passed through the orifice to decrease pressure loss as much as possible. A check valve member which closes the bypass channel during a normal flow and opens it during a reverse flow is provided in the valve main body.

Abstract: Heat pumps that heat or cool a space and that also heat water, refrigerant management systems for such heat pumps, methods of managing refrigerant charge, and methods for heating and cooling a space and heating water. Various embodiments deliver refrigerant gas to a heat exchanger that is not needed for transferring heat, drive liquid refrigerant out of that heat exchanger, isolate that heat exchanger against additional refrigerant flowing into it, and operate the heat pump while the heat exchanger is isolated. The heat exchanger can be isolated by closing an electronic expansion valve, actuating a refrigerant management valve, or both. Refrigerant charge can be controlled or adjusted by controlling how much liquid refrigerant is driven from the heat exchanger, by letting refrigerant back into the heat exchanger, or both. Heat pumps can be operated in different modes of operation, and segments of refrigerant conduit can be interconnected with various components.

Abstract: A channel on an upstream side of a third expansion device and a channel on an upstream side of a second expansion device are connected during a heating operation, and medium pressure refrigerant generated by the third expansion device during the heating operation is introduced on a suction side of a compressor via the second expansion device and a suction injection pipe.

Abstract: A system includes a heat pump configured to match a working fluid's temperature to a fluid temperature set-point, a fluid pump in fluid communication with the heat pump through the working fluid and configured to match the working fluid's pressure/flow to a fluid pressure/flow set-point, at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fluid pump, and a supervisory controller in signal communication with the at least one heat exchanger, the fluid pump, and the heat pump. The at least one heat exchanger includes a proportional valve and a return air temperature gauge configured to monitor return air temperature associated therewith. The supervisory controller is configured to vary the fluid temperature set-point and vary the fluid pressure/flow set-point based upon a position of the proportional valve and the return air temperature.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a plurality of intermediate heat exchangers performing the same function (as a condenser or an evaporator) and allows each intermediate heat exchanger to exchange heat between a refrigerant heated or cooled in a refrigeration cycle on a heat source side and a heat medium flowing through a heat medium circuit on a use side such that heat energy produced on the heat source side is transmitted to use side heat exchangers. A controller calculates the difference between a heat medium inlet temperature and a heat medium outlet temperature Two of the use side heat exchanger which is operating to obtain a heat medium temperature difference for the use side heat exchanger, and controls a heat medium flow control device such that the heat medium temperature difference reaches a target heat medium temperature difference.

Abstract: A heat pump and a control method thereof, the control method of the heat pump which heats a heated space through heat exchange between outdoor air and a refrigerant and heat exchange between the refrigerant and circulation water, includes calculating the maximum allowable frequency of a compressor based on the temperature of the outdoor air and the heating load of the heated space, calculating the mean operating frequency of the compressor while the compressor is operated at the calculated maximum allowable frequency, recalculating the maximum allowable frequency based on a result of comparison between the mean operating frequency and the maximum allowable frequency, and operating the compressor at the recalculated maximum allowable frequency, thereby improving coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump.

Abstract: Hybrid heating system including: a heat pump water heating system; sensors, for measuring a system parameter; an input arrangement providing cost data pertaining to a first power cost for supplying power to the heat pump system, and to cost information pertaining to a second power cost for operating a conventional heating system; a processor storing criteria specifying when to operate the heat pump and conventional systems, the processor receiving and processing: cost data; cost information; system parameter data; flow information on a heat exchange system circulation arrangement, and heat pump system power consumption information; and concurrently operating, upon demand, the heat pump system and a chiller system in opposite heating modes; wherein, when the chiller system operates in a cooling mode, the processor processes the cost data and information, system parameter data, and flow and power consumption information, and controls the systems based on the criteria.

Abstract: An expansion valve (16) for a vapour compression system (1) and a vapour compression system (1) are disclosed. The expansion valve (16) comprises a first valve member (17), a second valve member (20) and a third valve member (21), said valve members (17, 20, 21) being arranged in such a manner that relative movements at least between the first valve member (17) and the second valve member (20), and between the first valve member (17) and the third valve member (21) are possible. The expansion valve (16) is switchable between a first state in which an opening degree of the expansion valve (16) is determined by the relative position of the first valve member (17) and the second valve member (20), and a second state in which an opening degree of the expansion valve (16) is determined by the relative position of the first valve member (17) and the third valve member (21).

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus including a check valve in a passage between a first flow switching device and a suction side of a compressor, an expansion valve midway of a liquid extension piping, and an additional unit having a first bypass and a second bypass that are branched off from a passage between an indoor unit and the liquid expansion valve, and are connected to a passage between the check valve and the suction side of the compressor. The first bypass has, midway thereof, a first bypass expansion valve capable of controlling a throughput of refrigerant and an auxiliary heat exchanger that has a heat source different from the refrigerant, the auxiliary heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator heating the refrigerant flowing in the first bypass. The second bypass has, midway thereof, a second bypass expansion valve capable of controlling a throughput of refrigerant.

Abstract: A method of heating and/or cooling an area to a desired temperature comprising using a heat pump having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion control means each connected by a refrigerant pipe work system and the method comprising monitoring the temperature of an environment in which the evaporator is operating and using a system controller to vary in response to the monitored temperature, the temperature at which gas condenses to a fluid within the condenser to keep it as low as possible whilst maintaining the condensing temperature a predetermined amount above the desired temperature and/or also varying in response to the monitored temperature, the temperature at which a liquid expands to a gas within the evaporator in order to reduce the difference between the evaporating and condensing temperatures.