Provided is a refrigeration cycle apparatus configured to perform a heating operation and a simultaneous heating and hot-water supply operation. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to execute an operation mode circulating refrigerant through, in order, a discharge outlet of a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, a second heat exchanger provided to a water tank, and a suction inlet of the compressor, and causing the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchanger to evaporate by heat generated by a heat source provided to the water tank.

An illustrative example refrigerant system includes a compressor configured to pressurize a refrigerant fluid. The compressor includes a sump portion. A heater is situated to heat at least the sump portion. A controller is configured to selectively operate the heater to apply heat to at least the sump portion while the compressor is off and continue operating the heater when the compressor turns on until a temperature of the compressor or a temperature of fluid discharged from the compressor satisfies at least one criterion.

A method for controlling a heat pump system. The heat pump system includes a compressor for compressing a working fluid of the heat pump system and an electric motor for providing an output torque for driving the compressor. The method includes the steps of recovering heat emitted from the electric motor by heating the working fluid, providing a first control mode and a second control mode for the electric motor, and controlling the electrical motor in a way creating higher heat losses of the electric motor for a given output torque of the electric motor in the second control mode than in the first control mode.

A heat-pump system includes a compressor, an outdoor heating exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a supplemental heater. The outdoor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the compressor. The indoor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the compressor. The expansion device is in fluid communication with the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. The supplemental heater includes a burner and a working-fluid conduit. The burner is configured to burn a fuel and heat the working-fluid conduit. When the heat-pump system is operating in a heating mode, the indoor heat exchanger receives working fluid from the working-fluid conduit such that the working fluid flows from an outlet of the working-fluid conduit to an inlet of the indoor heat exchanger.

An air conditioner (100), comprising a compressor (110), a reversing assembly (120), an outdoor heat exchanger (130), an indoor heat exchanger (140), an electric control heat sink assembly (150), a unidirectional throttle valve (160) and a throttle component (170). The unidirectional throttle valve (160) comprises a first valve port (161) and a second valve port (162), on the flow direction from the first valve port (161) to the second valve port (162), the unidirectional throttle valve (170) is fully turned on, and on the flow direction from the second valve port (162) to the first valve port (161), the unidirectional throttle valve (170) is a throttle valve.

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of chiller systems including thermoelectric modules, and corresponding control methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a compressor chiller system generally includes a refrigerant loop having a refrigerant fluid, a compressor connected in the refrigerant loop to compress the refrigerant fluid, and a condenser connected in the refrigerant loop to receive the compressed refrigerant fluid from the compressor and to condense the compressed refrigerant fluid. The system also includes a heat transfer component connected in the refrigerant loop to receive the condensed refrigerant fluid from the condenser, and a coolant loop having a coolant fluid. The heat transfer component is connected in the coolant loop to transfer heat from the coolant fluid to the condensed refrigerant fluid. The system further includes a thermoelectric module connected in the coolant loop. The thermoelectric module is adapted to transfer heat into and/or out of the coolant fluid.

A heat-pump system may include a compressor, an outdoor heating exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a supplemental heater. The outdoor heat exchanger may be in fluid communication with the compressor. The indoor heat exchanger may be in fluid communication with the compressor. The expansion device may be in fluid communication with the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. The supplemental heater may include a burner and a working-fluid conduit. The burner may be configured to burn a fuel and heat the working-fluid conduit. When the heat-pump system is operating in a heating mode, the indoor heat exchanger may receive working fluid from the working-fluid conduit such that the working fluid flows from an outlet of the working-fluid conduit to an inlet of the indoor heat exchanger.

An electric component unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, includes: a first electric board; a second electric board; a mounting member having a first surface on which the first electric board is disposed, and a second surface on which the second electric board is disposed; and an electric component casing having a maintenance opening. The mounting member is coupled to the electric component casing via a coupling portion. The electric component unit switches between a first state and a second state by rotation of the mounting member about the coupling portion. In the first state, the second electric board is accessible through the maintenance opening, and the first electric board, the second electric board, and the mounting member are all housed in the electric component casing. In the second state, the first electric board is accessible through the maintenance opening.

A continuous heating control system and method, and an air-conditioning device. The system includes a defrosting solenoid valve (1) arranged on a bypass pipeline, wherein one end of the bypass pipeline is connected to an oil separator (2), and the other end of the bypass pipeline is connected to an outdoor heat exchanger (3); and a heating structure which is arranged at the bottom of a gas separator (4) and used for heating the gas separator (4).

Provided is a refrigeration cycle apparatus configured to perform a heating operation and a simultaneous heating and hot-water supply operation. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to execute an operation mode circulating refrigerant through, in order, a discharge outlet of a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, a second heat exchanger provided to a water tank, and a suction inlet of the compressor, and causing the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchanger to evaporate by heat generated by a heat source provided to the water tank.