A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a first condenser, a vapor generator having a first region and a second region, a first expansion valve, a second expansion valve, and a first evaporator. A branching point is positioned between the first condenser and the vapor generator. The branching point diverts a portion of a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the refrigerant loop to the vapor generator. The first expansion valve is positioned between the branching point and the vapor generator. An outlet vapor generator is coupled to a mid-pressure inlet port of the compressor.

A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a first condenser, a vapor generator having a first region and a second region, a first expansion valve, a second expansion valve, and a first evaporator. A branching point is positioned between the first condenser and the vapor generator. The branching point diverts a portion of a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the refrigerant loop to the vapor generator. The first expansion valve is positioned between the branching point and the vapor generator. An outlet of the vapor generator is coupled to a mid-pressure inlet port of the compressor.

A refrigeration appliance, especially domestic refrigeration appliance, includes a compressor, a condenser, at least a first evaporator, a suction line from the first evaporator to the compressor, at least one heat exchanger switchable between condenser operation and evaporator operation, and a valve arrangement switching the heat exchanger between an evaporator operating state, having a switchable heat exchanger inlet connected to the condenser through a first choke point and a switchable heat exchanger outlet connected to the first evaporator, and a condenser operating state, having the switchable heat exchanger outlet connected to the evaporator through a second choke point. A first supply line for supplying refrigerant in the evaporator operating state and a second supply line, separate therefrom, for supplying refrigerant in the condenser operating state, are associated with the switchable heat exchanger. Only the first supply line is connected with the suction line, forming an external heat exchanger.

A refrigeration appliance, especially domestic refrigeration appliance, includes a compressor, a condenser, at least a first evaporator, a suction line from the first evaporator to the compressor, at least one heat exchanger switchable between condenser operation and evaporator operation, and a valve arrangement switching the heat exchanger between an evaporator operating state, having a switchable heat exchanger inlet connected to the condenser through a first choke point and a switchable heat exchanger outlet connected to the first evaporator, and a condenser operating state, having the switchable heat exchanger outlet connected to the evaporator through a second choke point. A first supply line for supplying refrigerant in the evaporator operating state and a second supply line, separate therefrom, for supplying refrigerant in the condenser operating state, are associated with the switchable heat exchanger. Only the first supply line is connected with the suction line, forming an external heat exchanger.

A combination water heating, air conditioning refrigerant system is described. The combined system includes a plurality of independently adjustable electronic expansion valves. The expansion valves can independently modulate the delivery of high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant to either a water heat exchanger or an outside condenser. A controller can receive input signals, including temperature signals from one or more temperature sensors that indicate the temperature at various locations of the system. The temperature signals include one or more of water temperature signals, ambient air temperature signals, or refrigerant super heat temperatures signals. In response to the input signals, the controller can output control signals to one or more of the plurality of electronic expansion valves.

A system for providing air conditioning to a living space and heating potable water. The system comprising a heat pump circuit comprising a compressor for circulating a refrigerant around the heat pump circuit, a first condenser, a second condenser and an evaporator. The evaporator being adapted to receive a first flow of air from an air inlet to transfer heat from the first flow of air to the refrigerant. The first condenser being adapted to receive a flow of water to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the water. The second condenser being adapted to receive a second flow of air to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the second flow of air. The first flow being provided from the evaporator to a living space by an air outlet.

A system for providing air conditioning to a living space and heating potable water. The system comprising a heat pump circuit comprising a compressor for circulating a refrigerant around the heat pump circuit, a first condenser, a second condenser and an evaporator. The evaporator being adapted to receive a first flow of air from an air inlet to transfer heat from the first flow of air to the refrigerant. The first condenser being adapted to receive a flow of water to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the water. The second condenser being adapted to receive a second flow of air to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the second flow of air. The first flow being provided from the evaporator to a living space by an air outlet.

A composite refrigeration system includes a refrigeration part, a heat dissipation part, a first pipeline, a second pipeline, and a refrigerant. The refrigeration part uses the refrigerant to cool air sent into indoor space, and the heat dissipation part is configured to perform heat dissipation on the refrigerant. In addition, in two heat dissipation modes, the heat exchanger may exchange heat between the refrigerant and a heat carrier in an external pipeline network to implement heat dissipation. The composite refrigeration system implements, by using the heat exchanger, a function of exchanging heat with the external pipeline network, so that heat generated during operation of the composite refrigeration system can be at least partially transferred to the heat carrier in the external pipeline network, to implement the energy recycle and reuse.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes: a compressor, a first outdoor heat exchanger, and a second outdoor heat exchanger that; and a flow path switching mechanism configured to switch a flow direction of refrigerant compressed by the compressor in the refrigerant circuit. The first outdoor heat exchanger and the second outdoor heat exchanger are arranged to allow the refrigerant to flow in parallel in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigeration cycle apparatus further includes a flow rate adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an amount of refrigerant flowing through the second outdoor heat exchanger. When switching between a cooling operation and a heating operation, the flow path switching mechanism switches the flow direction of the refrigerant while the flow rate adjustment mechanism temporarily closes a refrigerant flow path to the second outdoor heat exchanger.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes: a compressor, a first outdoor heat exchanger, and a second outdoor heat exchanger that; and a flow path switching mechanism configured to switch a flow direction of refrigerant compressed by the compressor in the refrigerant circuit. The first outdoor heat exchanger and the second outdoor heat exchanger are arranged to allow the refrigerant to flow in parallel in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigeration cycle apparatus further includes a flow rate adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an amount of refrigerant flowing through the second outdoor heat exchanger. When switching between a cooling operation and a heating operation, the flow path switching mechanism switches the flow direction of the refrigerant while the flow rate adjustment mechanism temporarily closes a refrigerant flow path to the second outdoor heat exchanger.