Method and system for packaging HVAC components

Abstract

An apparatus and method of controlling a heating and cooling system may include utilizing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module for an HVAC system. The HVAC module may include an input port, a compressor connected to the input port, a condenser connected to the compressor, a heat exchanger connected to the compressor, an output port connected to the heat exchanger, and a thermostatic expansion valve connected to the condenser, the compressor, and the heat exchanger.

1 . A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module for an HVAC system, comprising: 
 an input port;    a compressor connected to the input port;    a condenser connected to the compressor;    a heat exchanger connected to the compressor;    an output port connected to the heat exchanger; and    a thermostatic expansion valve connected to the condenser, the compressor, and the heat exchanger.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an evaporator assembly is coupled to the input port and the output port.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the compressor includes an electric compressor actuated by an electric power source.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the HVAC module includes a refrigeration circuit and is configured to receive operational information regarding the refrigeration to control operation of the refrigeration circuit.  
   
   
       5 . A work machine having a heating and cooling system, comprising: 
 an operator cabin;    a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to provide conditioned air to the cabin, the HVAC system having an HVAC module coupled to an evaporator assembly, wherein the HVAC module includes:    an input port;    a compressor connected to the input port;    a condenser connected to the compressor;    a heat exchanger connected to the compressor;    an output port connected to the heat exchanger; and    a thermostatic expansion valve connected to the condenser, the compressor, and the heat exchanger.    
   
   
       6 . The work machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the evaporator assembly includes a thermostatic expansion valve connected to the output port and an evaporator coupled to the thermostatic expansion valve and the input port.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further including: 
 an electric power source, wherein the compressor is actuated by the electric power source.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the HVAC module includes a refrigeration circuit and is configured to receive operational information regarding the refrigeration to control operation of the refrigeration circuit.  
   
   
       9 . A method of controlling a heating and cooling system, comprising: 
 circulating a refrigerant, in order, to and through a compressor, to and through a condenser, to and through a heat exchanger, to and through an evaporator assembly and back to the compressor; and    circulating a portion of said refrigerant, in order, from the condenser to and through a first thermostatic expansion valve, to and through the heat exchanger, to and back through the first thermostatic expansion valve, and to the compressor.    
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the evaporator assembly includes an evaporator and a second thermostatic expansion valve.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the refrigerant is circulated to and through the second thermostatic expansion valve, to and through the evaporator, and to and back through the second thermostatic expansion valve when refrigerant is circulated to and through the evaporator assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 9 , further including: 
 metering an amount of flow of the refrigerant using the first thermostatic expansion valve.    
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further including: 
 metering an amount of flow of the refrigerant using the second thermostatic expansion valve.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 9 , further including: 
 monitoring a temperature of the refrigerant in the compressor and regulating a circulation of refrigerant based upon the temperature monitoring.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 9 , further including: 
 monitoring a temperature of the refrigerant in the condenser and regulating a circulation of refrigerant based upon the temperature monitoring.    
   
   
       16 . A work machine having a heating and cooling system comprising: 
 an operator cabin;    a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to provide conditioned air to the cabin, said HVAC system having a containment assembly having an HVAC module including:    an input port;    a compressor connected to the input port;    a condenser connected to the compressor;    a heat exchanger connected to the compressor;    an output port connected to the heat exchanger; and    a thermostatic expansion valve connected to the condenser, the compressor, and the heat exchanger.    
   
   
       17 . The work machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the containment assembly is coupled to an evaporator assembly.  
   
   
       18 . The work machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the HVAC module includes a refrigeration circuit and is configured to receive operational information regarding the refrigeration to control operation of the refrigeration circuit.  
   
   
       19 . A method of controlling a heating and cooling system comprising: 
 circulating a refrigerant through an input of a compressor, to a condenser, and directly to and out of a heat exchanger; and    diverting a portion the refrigerant exiting the condenser and indirectly providing said portion through the heat exchanger and back to the compressor for subsequent transfer of said portion to the heat exchanger.    
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the indirect providing of said portion to the heat exchanger includes circulating the refrigerant to and through a thermostatic expansion valve.