Patent ID: 7043930
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: F24F,F25B

Abstract:
1. A method for removing humidity from air comprising the steps of: providing an air conditioning system comprising a continuous circuit through which a refrigerant flows from a compressor, through a condenser, through a heat exchanger, through an evaporator, and returning to said compressor; providing a bypass valve through which a portion of said refrigerant flows around said heat exchanger; providing a bypass circuit through which a portion of said refrigerant flows from a point upstream of said condenser to mix with said refrigerant at a point downstream of said condenser; providing a discharge gas valve for controlling said portion of said refrigerant flowing through said bypass circuit; measuring an outdoor temperature and a relative humidity; determining a cooling stage; and operating said bypass valve and said discharge gas valve to remove a portion of said humidity from said air based upon said outdoor temperature, said relative humidity, and said cooling stage, wherein said determining said cooling stage comprises the steps of: determining no cooling stage when a return air temperature is below a cooling setpoint; determining a first cooling stage when said return air temperature is above said cooling setpoint but below said cooling setpoint plus a differential; and determining a second cooling stage when said return air temperature is above said cooling setpoint plus said differential.