초록 ▼

A heat pump apparatus maintains a desired constant amount of subcooling at an outlet of a condenser and a desired constant amount of superheat at an outlet of an evaporator, thereby requiring a charge defining level of refrigerant within a refrigerant storage container. A refrigerant level indicator

A heat pump apparatus maintains a desired constant amount of subcooling at an outlet of a condenser and a desired constant amount of superheat at an outlet of an evaporator, thereby requiring a charge defining level of refrigerant within a refrigerant storage container. A refrigerant level indicator is provided for indicating a level of liquid refrigerant to reside stored within the refrigerant container during operation of the heat pump. The superheat at an outlet of the evaporator is preferably controlled to be near zero degrees Fahrenheit so that the evaporator is fully flooded. Subcooling at an outlet of the condenser may also desirably be maintained at about zero degrees Fahrenheit. The refrigerant level indicator may be provided by a view port connected to the refrigerant container for permitting viewing of a level of liquid refrigerant. A liquid level sensor and associated display may also be used to indicate the level of refrigerant within the refrigerant container. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] A heat pump apparatus facilitating ready determination of proper refrigerant charge despite variations in temperature and pressure in the apparatus, said heat pump apparatus comprising:an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor for recirculating refrigerant through sa

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] A heat pump apparatus facilitating ready determination of proper refrigerant charge despite variations in temperature and pressure in the apparatus, said heat pump apparatus comprising:an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor for recirculating refrigerant through said apparatus, said evaporator and condenser experiencing variations in temperature and pressure;a liquid flow control device connected to an outlet of said condenser, said liquid flow control device including condenser subcooling control means for maintaining a desired constant amount of subcooling at an outlet thereof and thus an essentially constant amount of liquid refrigerant within said condenser, such that the amount of liquid refrigerant in said condenser remains substantially constant despite the variations in temperature and pressure in said condenser;a charge control device connected to an outlet of said evaporator, said charge control device including a liquid storage container, means for trapping liquid refrigerant arriving from said evaporator within said container, evaporator superheat control means for maintaining a desired constant amount of superheat at an outlet thereof and thus an essentially constant amount of liquid refrigerant within said evaporator,wherein said liquid flow control device and said charge control device, in combination, serve to force all liquid refrigerant in said apparatus and external to said container to remain at a substantially constant amount despite variations in temperature and pressure in said apparatus, thus requiring any remaining liquid refrigerant in said apparatus to reside within said container and establish a liquid level therein indicative of a total amount of refrigerant charge within the apparatus; andrefrigerant level indicating means operatively connected to said container for indicating the level of liquid refrigerant stored therein during operation of said heat pump apparatus to thereby facilitate ready determination of proper refrigerant charge despite variations in temperature and pressure experienced by said evaporator and condenser.