Capillary tube for a packaged terminal air conditioner unit

Abstract

A capillary tube for a heat pump system, such as a packaged terminal air conditioner unit, includes features for adjusting a restriction on a flow of refrigerant through the capillary tube depending upon a direction of the flow of refrigerant through the capillary tube. A related packaged terminal air conditioner unit is also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present subject matter relates generally to heat pump systems, such as packaged terminal air conditioner units, and capillary tubes for the same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Certain heat pump systems include a sealed system for chilling and / or heating air with refrigerant. The sealed systems generally include a throttling device for restricting a flow of refrigerant between an outdoor coil and an indoor coil of the sealed system. Various throttling devices are available, including capillary tubes, J-T valves, electronic expansion valves, etc. Electronic expansion valves can offer functional advantages over other throttling devices. In particular, electronic expansion valves can be adjusted to vary the restriction on refrigerant flowing through the electronic expansion valves.[0003]Packaged terminal air conditioner units generally include a casing and a sealed system. Due to space constraints within the casing, selection of sealed system components...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a capillary tube for a heat pump system, such as a packaged terminal air conditioner unit. The capillary tube includes features for adjusting a restriction on a flow of refrigerant through the capillary tube depending upon a direction of the flow of refrigerant through the capillary tube. This allows for better control of the refrigerant flow and can improve the efficiency of the heat pump system. The invention also provides a packaged terminal air conditioner unit that includes the capillary tube and a reversing valve for selectively directing the compressed refrigerant from the compressor to either the interior coil or the exterior coil. The capillary tube can be positioned between the interior and exterior coils to direct the flow of refrigerant between them. The capillary tube has a constant cross-sectional area between its first and second ends, and a block is positioned within the interior volume of the tubular body at the first end to occupy a portion of the interior volume of the tubular body. This design helps to improve the efficiency of the heat pump system and can make the system more compact.

Problems solved by technology

Due to space constraints within the casing, selection of sealed system components for packaged terminal air conditioner units can be limited.

For example, electronic expansion valves can be bulky and occupy a large volume within the casing.

Thus, utilizing electronic expansion valves within packaged terminal air conditioner units can be difficult despite functional advantages provided by electronic expansion valves.

Electronic expansion valves can also be costly.

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