A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate refrigerant; and a controller configured to control the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a first expansion device, a second expansion device, a third expansion device, a second heat exchanger, and a cooler configured to cool a substrate of the controller. In a first path of the refrigerant circuit, the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the first expansion device, the second expansion device, and the second heat exchanger are connected in order of the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the first expansion device, the second expansion device, and the second heat exchanger. In a second path of the refrigerant circuit, the cooler and the third expansion device are connected in order of the cooler and the third expansion device from a first point between the first expansion device and the second expansion device to a second point between the compressor and the second heat exchanger.

A valve device includes a case having an opened bottom portion and a receiving space formed therein, a base plate covering the open bottom of the case, a flow-in pipe coupled to the base plate to bring in a refrigerant, a boss installed to the base plate and including a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes through which the introduced refrigerant flows in/out, a plurality of flow-in/out pipes coupled to the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes and through which the introduced refrigerant flows in/out, and a pad arranged on the boss and including an open cavity formed therein to selectively opening one of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes and a connection cavity formed therein to selectively connecting two of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes.

A valve device comprises a case comprising an open lower portion and an accommodation space formed therein, a base plate to cover the open lower portion of the case, an inlet pipe connected to the base plate and through which a refrigerant is introduced to the accommodation space, a boss installed to the base plate and comprising a plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes through which the introduced refrigerant from the accommodation space is introduced and discharged, a plurality of inlet and outlet pipes respectively connected to the plurality of refrigerant inlet and outlet holes, and through which the refrigerant is introduced from the boss or discharged to the boss, and a pad comprising an open cavity formed therein to selectively open one refrigerant inlet and outlet hole, and a connection cavity formed therein to selectively connect two refrigerant inlet and outlet holes.

A refrigeration system comprising an evaporator, and a method of operating a refrigeration system. The evaporator comprises: a first fluid volume upstream of a second fluid volume, and a plurality of channels fluidly connecting the first fluid volume and the second fluid volume. The system further comprises a flow restrictor arranged to prevent fluid flow through at least a first channel of the plurality of channels in response to a pressure difference between the first fluid volume and the second fluid volume being less than a predetermined threshold, and to permit fluid flow through the first channel in response to the pressure difference being greater than the predetermined threshold.

A refrigerant pipe that constitutes a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration apparatus includes: a first pipe; and a second pipe. The first pipe includes: a first pipe body, made of stainless steel; and a first connection, made of a material different from stainless steel, disposed at an end of the first pipe body in a pipe axial direction of the first pipe body. The second pipe includes: a second pipe body, made of stainless steel; and a second connection, made of a material identical to the material of the first connection, disposed at an end of the second pipe body in a pipe axial direction of the second pipe body. The first connection is connected to the second connection.

A vapor compression system that includes a controller. The controller includes instructions for switching between first and second modes of operation of the vapor compression system. The controller activates a first compressor and a second compressor of the vapor compression system in the first mode of operation in response to a temperature level and a humidity level exceeding a threshold temperature and a threshold humidity level, respectively. And in the second mode of operation, the controller activates the first compressor in response to only the humidity level exceeding the threshold humidity level.

A vapor compression system that includes a controller. The controller includes instructions for switching between first and second modes of operation of the vapor compression system. The controller activates a first compressor and a second compressor of the vapor compression system in the first mode of operation in response to a temperature level and a humidity level exceeding a threshold temperature and a threshold humidity level, respectively. And in the second mode of operation, the controller activates the first compressor in response to only the humidity level exceeding the threshold humidity level.

A refrigerant pipe of a refrigeration apparatus includes: a first pipe, made of stainless steel, through which a refrigerant flows; a joint pipe, made of a material different from stainless steel, disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the first pipe; and a second pipe, having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first pipe, connected to the outer peripheral surface of the first pipe via the joint pipe. A surface of the second pipe at which the second pipe is connected to the joint pipe is made of a material identical to the material of the joint pipe.

A refrigerant pipe that constitutes a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration apparatus includes: a first pipe; and a second pipe. The first pipe includes a pipe body made of stainless steel; and a connection pipe, made of a material different from stainless steel, disposed at an end of the pipe body in a pipe axial direction. The connection pipe includes a protrusion protruding in the pipe axial direction from the end of the pipe body. The second pipe includes: a second-pipe large diameter portion, made of a material that is a same as the material of the connection pipe, disposed at an end in the pipe axial direction; a second-pipe small diameter portion having a smaller diameter than the second-pipe large diameter portion; and a step portion disposed between the second-pipe large diameter portion and the second-pipe small diameter portion.

A refrigeration apparatus includes: a casing that houses a compressor therein; a four-way switching valve; an accumulator; a first pipe that causes a refrigerant to flow between the four-way switching valve and a discharge portion of the compressor; and a second pipe that causes a refrigerant to flow between the four-way switching valve and the accumulator. The four-way switching valve, the first pipe, and the second pipe are all made of stainless steel.