Heat pump with freeze-up prevention
What is disclosed is a heat pump apparatus for conditioning a fluid characterized by a fluid handler and path for circulating the fluid in heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant fluid; at least two refrigerant heat exchangers, one for effecting heat exchange with the fluid and a second for effecting heat exchange between refrigerant and a heat exchange fluid and the ambient air; a compressor for efficiently compressing the refrigerant; at least one throttling valve for throttling liquid refrigerant; a refrigerant circuit; refrigerant; a source of heat exchange fluid; heat exchange fluid circulating device and heat exchange fluid circuit for circulating the heat exchange fluid in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant; and valves or switches for selecting the heat exchangers and direction of flow of the refrigerant therethrough for selecting a particular mode of operation. The heat exchange fluid prevents freeze up of the second heat exchanger by keeping the temperature above the dew point; and, optionally, provides heat for efficient operation.
- Research Organization:
- Northrup Industries, Hutchins, TX (United States); Atlantic Richfield Company, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-78CS31718
- Assignee:
- Atlantic Richfield Company (Los Angeles, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- 4,308,042
- Application Number:
- 06/140705
- OSTI ID:
- 864084
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 1980 Apr 11
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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pump
freeze-up
prevention
disclosed
apparatus
conditioning
fluid
characterized
handler
path
circulating
exchange
relationship
refrigerant
exchangers
effecting
ambient
air
compressor
efficiently
compressing
throttling
valve
liquid
circuit
source
device
valves
switches
selecting
direction
flow
therethrough
particular
mode
operation
prevents
freeze
exchanger
keeping
temperature
dew
optionally
provides
efficient
effecting heat
refrigerant circuit
pump apparatus
ambient air
heat pump
heat exchange
heat exchanger
heat exchangers
exchange relationship
liquid refrigerant
exchange fluid
refrigerant fluid
exchange relation
fluid circuit
refrigerant therethrough
provides heat
particular mode
circulating device
refrigerant heat
throttling valve
fluid handler
fluid characterized
fluid circulating
efficient operation
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