Patent ID: 7845185

Claim:
A method of operating an HVAC system, the method comprising: providing an HVAC system configured to operate in at least two modes of operation, the at least two modes of operation comprising a cooling mode and a reheat mode, the HVAC system comprising a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in a closed refrigerant loop, the evaporator comprising a plurality of refrigerant circuits, the plurality of refrigerant circuits comprising a first portion and a second portion; determining a mode of operation for the HVAC system; if the determined mode of operation is the cooling mode: flowing a refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser, from the condenser to the first portion, from the condenser to the second portion, from the first portion to the compressor, and from the second portion to the compressor; and flowing a heat transfer fluid through the evaporator, the flow of heat transfer fluid being in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant flowing respectively through the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion receive the flow of heat transfer fluid substantially simultaneously; if the determined mode of operation is the reheat mode: substantially isolating the first portion from receiving the flow of the refrigerant from the condenser; flowing the refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser, from the condenser to the second portion, from the second portion to the compressor; substantially simultaneously flowing the refrigerant from the compressor to the first portion, from the first portion to the second portion, from the second portion to the compressor; and flowing a heat transfer fluid through the evaporator, the flow of the heat transfer fluid being in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant flowing through the first portion and with the refrigerant flowing through the second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion receive the flow of the heat transfer fluid substantially simultaneously.