System and method to modulate refrigerant pressure

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system and method to modulate refrigerant pressure comprising: a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, refrigerant, and a modulator valve, wherein the modulator valve is operable connected to the first heat exchanger and operatively connected to the second heat exchanger and is capable of regulating the amount of refrigerant in the first and second heat exchangers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series by a plurality of tubular lines with a refrigerant disposed throughout, the system further comprising:
 a modulator valve disposed between the compressor and the condenser, wherein the condenser is configured as a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger in parallel fluid connection, and   a controller operatively connected to the modulator valve to regulate the flow of refrigerant to the first heat exchanger and second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger has a surface area x and the second heat exchanger has a surface area y, the surface area y being greater than surface area x.   
     
     
         2 . The HVAC  system of 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor operatively connected to the controller and located upstream of the modulator valve, wherein the pressure sensor communicates pressure measurements to the controller. 
     
     
         3 . The HVAC  system of 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor operatively connected to the controller and located upstream of the evaporator and downstream of the modulator valve, wherein the pressure sensor communicates pressure measurements to the controller. 
     
     
         4 . The HVAC  system of 1 , wherein an air stream flows across the first heat exchanger and second heat exchanger in parallel. 
     
     
         5 . The HVAC  system of 1 , wherein an air stream flows across the first heat exchanger and second heat exchanger in series. 
     
     
         6 . The HVAC  system of 1 , wherein surface area y is between 1 to 6 times greater than surface area x. 
     
     
         7 . The HVAC  system of 1 , wherein surface area y is between 3.5 to 4 times greater than surface area x. 
     
     
         8 . The HVAC  system of 1 , wherein the surface area y is between 4.5 to 5 times greater than surface area x. 
     
     
         9 . The HVAC  system of 1 , wherein the surface area y is between 3.5 to 4.5 times greater than surface area x. 
     
     
         10 . The HVAC  system of 1 , wherein the surface area y is approximately 4 times greater than surface area x. 
     
     
         11 . A method of modulating head pressure control within a HVAC system, the HVAC system comprising a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a controller, a modulating valve, and refrigerant, the method of modulating head pressure comprising the steps of:
 installing the first heat exchanger in parallel refrigerant flow with the second heat exchanger, wherein the second heat exchanger has a greater surface area than the first heat exchanger;   installing the modulating valve upstream of the first heat exchanger and second heat exchanger; and   modulating flow of the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger via the modulating valve, wherein:
 head pressure is reduced by increasing flow of refrigerant to the second heat exchanger; and 
 head pressure is elevated by increasing flow of refrigerant to the first heat exchanger. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of modulating head pressure control of  claim 11  further comprising the step of installing the first heat exchanger in parallel airstream flow with the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         13 . The method of modulating head pressure control of  claim 11  further comprising the step of installing the first heat exchanger in series airstream flow with the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         14 . The method of modulating head pressure control of  claim 11 , wherein the surface area of the second heat exchanger is between 3.5 to 4.5 times greater than the surface area of the first heat exchanger.