Control system

Abstract

A vapor compression system that circulates a fluid through a closed loop interconnecting a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a flow-restricting expansion device, and a second heat exchanger. The system further includes a vessel in a first fluid communication and a selective second fluid communication with the loop between the compressor and the first heat exchanger with each of the first and second fluid communication configured to receive fluid from the loop. The vessel is in a third fluid communication with the first heat exchanger configured to provide fluid to the first heat exchanger. In response to a predetermined ambient temperature surrounding the system, the second fluid communication is selectively opened to provide an increased fluid flow from the vessel to the first heat exchanger.

1 . A vapor compression system that circulates a fluid through a closed loop interconnecting a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a flow-restricting expansion device, and a second heat exchanger, the system further comprising:
 a vessel in a first fluid communication and a selective second fluid communication with the loop between the compressor and the first heat exchanger with each of the first and second fluid communication configured to receive fluid from the loop, the vessel in a third fluid communication with the first heat exchanger configured to provide fluid to the first heat exchanger; and   wherein in response to a predetermined ambient temperature surrounding the system, the second fluid communication is selectively opened to provide an increased fluid flow from the vessel to the first heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second fluid communication includes a solenoid valve. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger is substantially surrounded by a layer of insulating material. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the vessel includes a heater. 
     
     
         5 . The system of clam  4 , wherein the third fluid communication with the first heat exchanger is upstream of a subcooling section of the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the vessel is disposed downstream of a forced fluid stream flowing through coils of the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein a magnitude of the forced fluid stream is modulated in response to a predetermined discharge pressure from the compressor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger is a multichannel heat exchanger. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first heat exchanger is a multichannel condenser and the second heat exchanger is an evaporator. 
     
     
         10 . A control system for a vapor compression system that circulates a fluid through a closed loop interconnecting a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a flow-restricting expansion device, and a second heat exchanger, the control system further comprising:
 a vessel in a first fluid communication with the loop between the compressor and the first heat exchanger to receive fluid from the loop, the vessel in a selective second fluid communication with the loop between an outlet of the first heat exchanger and an inlet of the second heat exchanger, the vessel in a third fluid communication with the first heat exchanger to provide fluid to the first heat exchanger; and   wherein in response to a predetermined ambient temperature surrounding the system, the second fluid communications is selectively opened to provide an increased fluid flow from the vessel to the first heat exchanger.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second fluid communication includes a solenoid valve. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the third fluid communication with the first heat exchanger is upstream of a subcooling section of the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the vessel is disposed downstream of a forced fluid stream flowing through coils of the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a magnitude of the forced fluid stream is modulated in response to a predetermined discharge pressure from the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first heat exchanger is a multichannel heat exchanger. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein liquid fluid is drained from the vessel through the second fluid communication to an inlet of the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . A method of controlling a vapor compressor system that circulates a fluid through a closed loop interconnecting a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a flow-restricting expansion device, and a second heat exchanger, the method comprising:
 providing a vessel in a first fluid communication with the loop between the compressor and the first heat exchanger to receive fluid from the loop, the vessel in a selective second fluid communication with at least one of:
 the loop between the compressor and the first heat exchanger; and 
 the loop between an outlet of the first heat exchanger and an inlet of the second heat exchanger; the second fluid communication to provide fluid to the vessel; and 
   providing the vessel in a third fluid communication with the first heat exchanger; and   enabling the second fluid communication during operation of the compressor at less than a predetermined ambient temperature surrounding the system.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of enabling includes enabling a solenoid valve associated with the second fluid communication. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the vessel includes a heater. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of providing includes a thermal expansion valve having a heater, the heater enabling each of the second and third fluid communication during operation of the compressor at less than a predetermined ambient temperature surrounding the system.