Patent ID: 6606879
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: F25B

Abstract:
An accumulator assembly for use in a heat pump system which includes a refrigerant compressor, a front end heat exchanger, and a passenger compartment heat exchanger, the heat pump system being selectively operable in a heating mode, where refrigerant flows through the system in a first direction, and in a cooling mode, where the refrigerant flows through the system in a second direction, said accumulator assembly accommodating the flow of the refrigerant through the system in either direction and comprising:a body housing comprising an accumulator inlet for receiving the refrigerant from the compressor and an accumulator outlet for sending the refrigerant to the compressor; a cap housing covering said body housing; a first refrigerant port defined within one of said body and cap housings, said first refrigerant port adapted to be in fluid communication with the front end heat exchanger for receiving the refrigerant from the front end heat exchanger in the heating mode and for sending the refrigerant to the front end heat exchanger in the cooling mode; a second refrigerant port defined with one of said body and cap housings, said second refrigerant port adapted to be in fluid communication with the passenger compartment heat exchanger for sending the refrigerant to the passenger compartment heat exchanger in the heating mode and for receiving the refrigerant from the passenger compartment heat exchanger in the cooling mode; and a reversing valve disposed in said cap housing and being moveable therein between a first position associated with the heating mode where said first refrigerant port is isolated from said accumulator inlet such that the refrigerant from the compressor flows in the first direction to the passenger compartment heat exchanger first and then through the front end heat exchanger, and a second position associated with the cooling mode where said first refrigerant port is in fluid communication with said accumulator inlet such that the refrigerant from the compressor flows in the second direction to the front end heat exchanger first and then through the passenger compartment heat exchanger.