REFRIGERANT VAPOR COMPRESSION SYSTEM WITH FLASH TANK RECEIVER

摘要

A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate the refrigerant cooling heat exchanger and the refrigerant heating heat exchanger. The flash tank receiver, which receives a liquid/vapor refrigerant mix, also functions as a receiver. A refrigerant charge control apparatus includes a liquid level sensing device disposed in operative association with the flash tank receiver for sensing the level of liquid refrigerant within the flash tank receiver, at least one sensor for sensing a system operating parameter, and a controller operative to determine a desired liquid refrigerant level within the flash tank receiver and to selectively adjust a secondary expansion device to increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant passing into the flash tank receiver to provide a circulating refrigerant charge consistent with maintaining a desired system operating parameter.