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 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 refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a plurality of refrigerant flow paths, configured to reduce the drift of the refrigerant. The refrigerator includes a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, a plurality of refrigerant flow paths branched at a downstream of the condenser, the plurality of refrigerant flow paths each including a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator connected to the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, and a processor including a switching valve configured to individually switch an open or closed state of each of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, the processor being configured to adjust a flow rate of refrigerant flowing in each of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths by individually duty-controlling an opening and closing time of each of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths by controlling the switching valve.

An air conditioner may include a continuous refrigeration apparatus including a first gas control unit connected to a first indoor heat exchanger, a second gas control unit connected to a second indoor heat exchanger, a first pipe connecting a liquid pipe of an outdoor unit and a liquid of an indoor unit, and a second pipe branched from the first pipe and connected to the first and second gas control units. The first gas control unit may include a first-first flow path connecting the first gas control unit to the second pipe; a first-second flow path connected to the first-first flow path, and through which refrigerant discharged from the first indoor heat exchanger flows during a refrigeration operation; and a first-third flow path connected in parallel with the first-second flow path, and guiding refrigerant from the compressor to the first indoor heat exchanger during a defrosting operation.

An air conditioner may include a continuous refrigeration apparatus including a first gas control unit connected to a first indoor heat exchanger, a second gas control unit connected to a second indoor heat exchanger, a first pipe connecting a liquid pipe of an outdoor unit and a liquid of an indoor unit, and a second pipe branched from the first pipe and connected to the first and second gas control units. The first gas control unit may include a first-first flow path connecting the first gas control unit to the second pipe; a first-second flow path connected to the first-first flow path, and through which refrigerant discharged from the first indoor heat exchanger flows during a refrigeration operation; and a first-third flow path connected in parallel with the first-second flow path, and guiding refrigerant from the compressor to the first indoor heat exchanger during a defrosting operation.

An object is to provide a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of reducing freezing in a lower part of a heat exchanger in which drainage water tends to accumulate and reducing an amount of refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit. The refrigeration cycle apparatus includes the refrigerant circuit 1 connecting, by refrigerant pipes, a compressor, a first expansion device, and a first heat exchanger configured to serve as evaporator during heating operation. The first heat exchanger is provided with a first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit connected to the first heat exchange unit in series in the refrigerant circuit. The first expansion device is connected in parallel with the second heat exchange unit in the refrigerant circuit, and the second heat exchange unit is placed at a position lower than a position of the first heat exchange unit.

A refrigeration system has: (a) a fluid tight circulation loop including a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, the evaporator having at least three evaporator zones, each evaporator zone having an inlet port, the circulation loop being further configured to measure the condition of the refrigerant with a refrigerant condition sensor disposed within the evaporator upstream of the evaporator outlet port; and control the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator based upon the measured condition of the refrigerant within the evaporator, and (b) a controller for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant to the evaporator based upon the measured condition of the refrigerant within the evaporator upstream of the evaporator outlet port.

A refrigeration system, comprising a compressor, a condenser, a throttle flow path, and an evaporator connected in sequence, wherein a non-adjustable main throttle element is disposed in the throttle flow path; and further comprising a bypass flow path, wherein the bypass flow path is connected to the throttle flow path respectively at the upstream and downstream of the main throttle element, and provided with an adjustable auxiliary throttle element thereon; a liquid level sensor, disposed upstream and/or downstream of the throttle flow path, and configured to detect the liquid level; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the opening of the auxiliary throttle element according to a liquid level signal from the liquid level sensor.

A refrigeration system, comprising a compressor, a condenser, a throttle flow path, and an evaporator connected in sequence, wherein a non-adjustable main throttle element is disposed in the throttle flow path; and further comprising a bypass flow path, wherein the bypass flow path is connected to the throttle flow path respectively at the upstream and downstream of the main throttle element, and provided with an adjustable auxiliary throttle element thereon; a liquid level sensor, disposed upstream and/or downstream of the throttle flow path, and configured to detect the liquid level; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the opening of the auxiliary throttle element according to a liquid level signal from the liquid level sensor.

The present application relates to a thermal management system including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a first valve control device, a first indoor heat exchanger, a second indoor heat exchanger and a second valve control device connected by pipelines. The thermal management system includes a heating and dehumidifying mode. In the heating and dehumidifying mode, the compressor, the first indoor heat exchanger, the second valve control device, the second indoor heat exchanger, the first valve control device and the outdoor heat exchanger are in communication to form a loop. The first valve control device and the second valve control device both include a communication mode and a throttle mode. In the heating and dehumidifying mode, the second valve control device is in the throttle mode, and the first valve control device is in the throttle mode or the communication mode. In the cooling mode, the first valve control device is in the throttle mode, and the second valve control device is in the communication mode or the throttle mode.