Included are: a compressor including a compression mechanism that compresses refrigerant, and a motor that drives the compression mechanism; an inverter that applies desired voltage to the motor; an inverter controller that controls the inverter; a high-pressure switch that operates when a discharge pressure of the compressor becomes a preset pressure or higher; and a thermal protector that operates when the temperature of the compressor becomes a preset temperature or higher, wherein the high-pressure switch and the thermal protector are installed on a power supply line for supplying power to the inverter, and the high-pressure switch is opened when the discharge pressure of the compressor becomes the preset pressure or higher, or the thermal protector is opened when the temperature of the compressor becomes the preset temperature or higher, to interrupt power supply to the inverter.

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for monitoring gas leaks are disclosed herein. An example Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) may comprise: a sampling tube fluidly coupled to a first opening defined in a conduit; and a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the sampling tube. The sampling tube is positioned exterior to the conduit and extending along a direction of a gravitation force. The sensor assembly is configured to receive one or more gases that have a greater density in comparison to the ambient air and sense the one or more gases to generate a signal.

A method for refrigerant charge determination in a cooling circuit including a low-pressure section and a high-pressure section. At least one compressor unit generates a compression flow of refrigerant from said low-pressure section to said high-pressure section. At least one expansion device generates an expansion flow of refrigerant from said high-pressure section to said low-pressure section. A heat-releasing heat exchanger in said high-pressure section cools and condenses compressed refrigerant. A heat-absorbing heat exchanger in said low-pressure section vaporizes said expanded refrigerant. The method includes loading refrigerant from said low-pressure section into said high-pressure section. An unloading step admits the expansion flow of refrigerant loaded in said high-pressure section into said low pressure section and determines the amount of refrigerant flowing in said unloading step. The method includes calculating the refrigerant charge in said cooling circuit, based on the amount of refrigerant flowing from said high-pressure section to said low-pressure section.

Methods of coupling a heat exchanger into a climate control system and associated systems are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a housing to receive the heat exchanger. The housing includes a cover panel disposed over an opening that has a projection projecting at least partially into the housing, and a first pair of conduits extending through the cover panel in a first direction. In addition, the method includes removing the cover panel from the opening, flipping the cover panel, extending a second pair of conduits through the cover panel in the first direction, and forming connections between the first pair of refrigerant conduits and the second pair of conduits. Further, the method includes covering the opening in the heat exchanger housing with the cover panel so that the projection of the cover panel projects away from the housing and encloses the connections.

A heat pump device having a refrigerant circuit includes: a valve configured to maintain an opening degree during non-energization; a valve drive circuit configured to cause operation of the valve; a valve controller configured to control the valve drive circuit; and a power source circuit configured to supply a power source to the valve drive circuit. The power source circuit includes: a first power source circuit unit configured to receive power source supply from outside to generate a DC: voltage; and a second power source circuit unit for backup. The second power source circuit unit receives power source supply from the outside to store power in a capacitor, and connects the capacitor in parallel to a first output electric path of the first power source circuit unit.

An air conditioner comprises: a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate refrigerant through a compressor, a condenser, an LEV and an evaporator; a first temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of liquid refrigerant at the inlet port of the evaporator; and a controller configured to control the compressor and the LEV. In a case where a temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor is lower than a frosting reference temperature, the controller increases the opening degree of the LEV and also increases the operating frequency of the compressor as compared with a case where the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor is higher than the frosting reference temperature.

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system includes an evaporator coil and a compressor fluidly coupled to the evaporator coil via a suction line. A condenser coil is fluidly coupled to the compressor via a discharge line and fluidly coupled to a metering device via a liquid line. A charge compensator is fluidly coupled to the liquid line via a connection line. A charge compensator re-heat valve is disposed in the connection line.

A method of detecting electrical failure in a refrigeration system is provided. The method includes determining whether a present superheat of the refrigeration system is between a maximum superheat and a minimum superheat for the refrigeration system, the maximum superheat and the minimum superheat defining a normal operating range. The method also includes detecting an electrical property of an expansion valve assembly of the refrigeration system responsive to the superheat being outside the normal operating range. The method further includes determining whether the expansion valve assembly as experienced an electrical failure based on at least the electrical property. A signal indicating that the expansion valve has experienced an electrical failure is generated based on a determination that the expansion valve assembly has experienced the electrical failure.

An air conditioner has a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant circulates and a controller, and is configured to condition air in an indoor space. A countermeasure device is provided against leakage of the refrigerant to the indoor space. A detector is configured to detect a concentration of the refrigerant in the indoor space. A first relay is connected to the controller and the countermeasure device. The controller closes the first relay when the concentration of the refrigerant detected by the detector exceeds a predetermined allowable concentration. The countermeasure device operates when the first relay is closed.

A free cooling outdoor unit includes: a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant circulates; a brine circuit through which brine circulates; a water circuit through which water circulates; a fan configured to send air to the second heat exchanger; a flow control valve configured to control a circulation amount of the brine in the brine circuit; a water temperature detection sensor configured to detect a water temperature in the water circuit; an outside air temperature sensor; and a controller configured to control, where the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a freezing temperature of the brine, the circulation amount of the brine based on the water temperature such that a brine temperature is prevented from reaching a temperature equal to or lower than the freezing temperature of the brine.