Patent ID: 6857281

Claim:
A vapor compression system comprising: a line for flowing heat transfer fluid; a compressor connected with the line for increasing the pressure and temperature of the heat transfer fluid; a condenser connected with the line for liquefying the heat transfer fluid; an expansion device connected with the line for expanding the heat transfer fluid, comprising: a housing defining a housing orifice; at least one ball within the housing, the ball forming at least two channels, wherein each channel defines a channel orifice, wherein the effective cross-sectional area of the one channel orifice is greater than the effective cross-sectional area of the other channel orifice, wherein the ball is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the housing orifice is effectively made larger in the first position than in the second position; and an evaporator connected with the line for transferring heat from ambient surroundings to the heat transfer fluid.