Evaporator apparatus and method for modulating cooling

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for a modulating air conditioning system having increased energy efficiency and greater turndown capabilities. A modulating air conditioning system includes modulating at least one of the following components: a compressor, a compressor driver, a condenser fan, an evaporator fan, an effective evaporator surface area, an effective condenser surface area and/or an expansion device.

1 . An air conditioning apparatus for a residential or commercial building, the apparatus comprising:
 an expansion device for reducing a pressure of a refrigerant;   an evaporating device for receiving the refrigerant from the expansion device, the evaporator device including two refrigerant distribution assemblies; and   means for alternating a flow of the refrigerant between though only one of the two refrigerant distribution assemblies and through both of the two refrigerant distribution assemblies.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for alternating the flow of the refrigerant comprises a restriction device. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the restriction device comprises a distribution valve in combination with a refrigerant distribution inlet of one of the refrigerant distribution assemblies. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the restriction device comprises a distribution valve assembly including two distribution valves, each of the two distribution valves corresponding to a refrigerant distribution inlet of one of the refrigerant distribution assemblies. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for alternating the flow of the refrigerant comprises a multi-outlet and/or multi-path expansion valve. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for alternating the flow of the refrigerant comprises a second expansion device, wherein the expansion device is in refrigerant delivering combination with a first of the two refrigerant distribution assemblies and the second expansion device is in refrigerant delivering combination with a second of the two refrigerant distribution assemblies. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for controlling the means for alternating the flow of the refrigerant. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 each of the refrigerant distribution assemblies including a refrigerant distribution inlet at a first end for receiving the refrigerant from the expansion device; and   a restriction device in combination with the refrigerant distribution inlet of one of the refrigerant distribution assemblies, wherein the restriction device is operable between a first open state that allows refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant distribution inlet of the one of the refrigerant distribution assemblies and a second state that a second closed state that does not allow refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant distribution inlet of the one of the refrigerant distribution assemblies.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the refrigerant distribution assemblies comprises one or more evaporator coils extending from the refrigerant distribution inlet. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the refrigerant distribution assemblies comprises a refrigerant distribution outlet at a second end opposite the refrigeration distribution inlet, and further comprising:
 a manifold connecting the refrigerant distribution outlet of each of the refrigerant distribution assemblies to a means for transferring the refrigerant to a compressor of the air conditioning apparatus;   wherein between the restriction device and the manifold the two refrigerant distribution assemblies are independent and not interconnected.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a variable displacement compressor in combination with the expansion device and the evaporating device; and   a controller for controlling the means for alternating the flow of the refrigerant and the variable displacement compressor.   
   
   
       12 . An air conditioning apparatus for a residential or commercial building, the apparatus comprising:
 an evaporating device including two refrigerant distribution assemblies;   a valve assembly in combination the evaporating device for modulating refrigerant through the evaporating device; and   a controller in communication with the valve assembly for alternating the valve assembly between delivering the refrigerant to only one of the two refrigerant distribution assemblies and delivering the refrigerant to both of the two refrigerant distribution assemblies.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the valve assembly comprises a multi-outlet and/or multi-path expansion valve. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the valve assembly comprises two expansion valves. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising an expansion valve, wherein the valve assembly comprises a distribution valve disposed between the expansion valve and a refrigerant distribution inlet of one of the refrigerant distribution assemblies. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising a second distribution valve corresponding to a refrigerant distribution inlet of an other of the refrigerant distribution assemblies. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein each of the refrigerant distribution assemblies comprises one or more evaporator coils extending from the refrigerant distribution inlet. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the refrigerant distribution assemblies comprises a refrigerant distribution outlet at a second end opposite the refrigeration distribution inlet, and further comprising:
 a manifold connecting the refrigerant distribution outlet of each of the refrigerant distribution assemblies to a tube for transferring the refrigerant to a compressor of the air conditioning apparatus;   wherein between the restriction device and the manifold the two refrigerant distribution assemblies are independent and not interconnected.   
   
   
       19 . A method of conditioning air, the method comprising:
 compressing a refrigerant;   condensing the compressed refrigerant;   introducing the compressed refrigerant into an evaporating device;   modulating a flow of the refrigerant within the evaporating device;   moving air over at least a portion of the evaporating device; and   absorbing heat from the air with the refrigerant within an evaporator device.   
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein modulating a flow of the refrigerant within the evaporating device comprises reducing or stopping a flow of refrigerant through a portion of the evaporating. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising reducing or stopping an air flow over a portion of the evaporator coils.