Patent ID: 7263848
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: F25B

Abstract:
1. A heat pump system operable in a heating mode and a cooling mode, said system comprising; a compressor, an expansion device, a heat exchanger, a circuit interconnecting said compressor and said expansion device and said heat exchanger for directing a refrigerant therethrough in a direction, said circuit including a flow directing mechanism for changing the direction said refrigerant circulates through said circuit thereby changing the operation of said heat exchanger between one of an evaporator and a condenser to switch between the heating mode and the cooling mode, said heat exchanger defining a fluid passageway therethrough and including a bypass bisecting said fluid passageway into a first portion and a second portion and in fluid communication with said fluid passageway and said circuit, said heat exchanger including a valve interconnecting said first portion and said second portion of said fluid passageway and said bypass and including a condenser position for opening fluid communication between said first portion and said second portion and closing fluid communication between said fluid passageway and said bypass for directing said refrigerant through said fluid passageway when said heat exchanger is operable as the condenser and an evaporator position for closing fluid communication between said first portion and said second portion and opening fluid communication between said first portion and said bypass for directing said refrigerant back to said circuit and preventing said refrigerant from circulating through said second portion of said heat exchanger when said heat exchanger is operable as the evaporator.