A method for operating a refrigeration appliance includes the steps of running a compressor and opening at least one of a first branch and a second branch, where the first branch has a first evaporator, the second branch has a second evaporator, and the first branch and the second branch are connected in parallel at inlets thereof. The method further determines, according to an ambient temperature, whether the first branch is open after the compressor is turned off and determines, based on the ambient temperature, whether the second branch is open after the compressor is turned off.

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 vapor generator is coupled to a mid-pressure inlet port of the compressor.

A thermal management system includes a receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid; a refrigeration system having a refrigerant fluid path that includes the receiver, and at least one evaporator disposed in the refrigerant fluid path. The refrigeration system is configured to receive the refrigerant fluid from the receiver through the refrigerant fluid path. The at least one evaporator is configured to receive the refrigerant fluid and to extract heat from at least one heat load having a specified thermal inertia that is in at least one of thermal conductive or convective contact with the at least one evaporator.

A heat pump system with a refrigerant flow path comprising, in the heating mode of operation: a compressor coupled to receive refrigerant from a heating mode first refrigerant stream and a heating mode second refrigerant stream of the refrigerant flow path; the condenser coupled to receive refrigerant from the compressor; and a heat exchanger for transferring heat between the heating mode first refrigerant stream and the heating mode second refrigerant stream, wherein the heating mode first refrigerant stream comprises: the first expansion valve coupled to receive refrigerant from the condenser; the first evaporator coupled to receive refrigerant from the first expansion valve; and the heat exchanger coupling the heating mode first refrigerant stream from the first evaporator to the compressor, wherein the heating mode second refrigerant stream comprises: the second expansion valve; the heat exchanger coupling the heating mode second refrigerant stream from the condenser to the second expansion valve; and the second evaporator being coupled to communicate refrigerant from the second expansion valve to the compressor, wherein the first evaporator is in a first air flow conduit with a first air inlet for receiving a first air flow, and the second evaporator is in a second air flow conduit coupled to receive the first air flow.

A thermal management system includes a closed-circuit refrigeration system that includes a closed-circuit refrigerant fluid path configured to store a refrigerant fluid; and an absorber/desorber including a bidirectional port coupled to the closed-circuit refrigerant fluid path to regulate an amount of refrigerant vapor at a compressor inlet of the closed-circuit refrigeration system. The absorber/desorber is configured to store an ionic liquid that is configured to absorb or desorb at least a portion of the refrigerant vapor based on a mode of operation of the absorber/desorber.

A flow path switch is provided with a first opening to a fourth opening. A discharge side of a compressor is connected to the first opening. A first end of a first heat exchange unit is connected to the fourth opening. A first end of the second inner flow path is connected to the second opening. A first branching portion is connected to a first end of the second valve and the third opening. When an operation mode of an air conditioning apparatus is a first mode, the second valve is open, the first opening is connected to the fourth opening, and the second opening is connected to the third opening. When the operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus is a second mode, the second valve is closed, the first opening is connected to the third opening, and the second opening is connected to the fourth opening.

In a refrigeration cycle apparatus, refrigerant circulates in order of a compressor, first and second heat exchangers. The refrigeration cycle apparatus has a refrigerant container, first and second switch units, and a controller. When a first condition meaning that an amount of refrigerant in liquid state stored in the refrigerant container is excessive is satisfied, the controller controls the first switch unit to guide the refrigerant from the compressor to the first heat exchanger through the refrigerant container and controls the second switch unit to guide the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger to the compressor not through the refrigerant container. When the first condition is not satisfied, the controller controls the first switch unit to guide the refrigerant from the compressor to the first heat exchanger not through the refrigerant container and controls the second switch unit to guide the refrigerant from the refrigerant container to the compressor.

An air conditioner includes a bypass pipe connecting a first bypass branch of a first connection pipe, through which high-pressure refrigerant flows, with a second bypass branch of a third connection pipe, through which low-pressure refrigerant flows, to allow bypassing of high-pressure refrigerant in the first connection pipe to the third connection pipe, and a bypass valve mounted in the bypass pipe. During a cooling operation of an indoor unit, the bypass valve is opened to allow bypassing of high-pressure refrigerant of the first connection pipe to the third connection pipe.

An air conditioner includes a bypass pipe connecting a first bypass branch of a first connection pipe, through which high-pressure refrigerant flows, with a second bypass branch of a third connection pipe, through which low-pressure refrigerant flows, to allow bypassing of high-pressure refrigerant in the first connection pipe to the third connection pipe, and a bypass valve mounted in the bypass pipe. During a cooling operation of an indoor unit, the bypass valve is opened to allow bypassing of high-pressure refrigerant of the first connection pipe to the third connection pipe.