Abstract:
A refrigeration system for a room air conditioner having an outside heat exchanger with two separate refrigerant flow passages connected either directly or through an expansion device as controlled by a reversing valve. One of the passages is substantially more restrictive than the other. The reversing valve is responsive to the room temperature so that when full capacity cooling is required, the valve directs refrigerant flow from the first passage to the substantially more restrictive second passage and then through the expansion device so that the heat exchanger functions as a normal condenser; however, when reduced capacity cooling is desired, the valve directs refrigerant flow from the first passage, through the expansion device, then through the second restrictive passage which passage than functions similar to an evaporator and reduces the cooling capacity of the system. Further, with this arrangement, the reduced capacity operation permits a reduction of power for driving the compressor. Controls to stop and start the compressor and to control the valve are also provided along with an evaporator having multiple inlets to prevent freezeup when the system is operated continuously.