Heat pump apparatus having refrigerant level indication and associated methods
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United States of America Patent
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May 9, 2000
Issued Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Oct 27, 1997
filing date -
Jul 28, 1995
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
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.
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