Patent ID: 6082128
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: B60H,F25B

Abstract:
A flow management system for controlling the flow of refrigerant in a vehicle heating and cooling system, the flow management system comprising:a compressor for compressing the refrigerant;a first heat exchanger for transferring heat between the refrigerant and the vehicle;a second heat exchanger for transferring heat between the refrigerant and an outside environment;a flow switching device in communication with the compressor for switching the direction of refrigerant flow towards the first heat exchanger in a heating mode and towards the second heat exchanger in a cooling mode;a pressure reducing assembly for receiving high pressure, liquid refrigerant from either the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger and emitting pressure reduced refrigerant to the heat exchanger from which the high pressure, liquid refrigerant was not received;wherein, during the heating mode refrigerant flows from the first heat exchanger, through the pressure reducing assembly, and into the second heat exchanger before returning to the flow switching device; andduring the cooling mode refrigerant flows from the second heat exchanger, through the pressure reducing assembly, and into the first heat exchanger before returning to the flow switching device.