Patent ID: 7237394
Filing Date: 2007-07-03
Classification: F25B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for managing refrigerant charge in an air conditioning unit comprising: a cooling circuit through which a refrigerant flows from a compressor, through a condenser, and through an evaporator; a heat recovery circuit extending from a first terminus between said compressor and said condenser to a second terminus between said evaporator and said condenser; a heat recovery unit located between said first and second terminus of said heat recovery circuit; a first valve located between said condenser and said first terminus; a second valve located between said first terminus and said heat recovery unit; a third valve located on a cooling charge circuit having a first end on said cooling circuit between said condenser and said evaporator and a second end at said evaporator; a fourth valve located on a heating charge circuit having a first end on said heat recovery circuit and a second end at said evaporator; and a logic unit for sensing a saturated temperature and opening and closing said valves based upon said saturated temperature to manage said refrigerant charge.