| CPC F25B 49/02 (2013.01) [F25B 9/002 (2013.01); F25B 25/005 (2013.01); F25B 30/02 (2013.01); F25B 41/20 (2021.01); F25B 41/22 (2021.01); F25B 41/24 (2021.01); F25B 41/26 (2021.01); F25B 41/38 (2021.01); F25B 43/00 (2013.01); F25B 43/006 (2013.01); F25B 2400/04 (2013.01); F25B 2600/2501 (2013.01); F25B 2600/2507 (2013.01); F25B 2600/2519 (2013.01)] | 63 Claims |
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1. A thermal management system, comprising:
a receiver that comprises a first receiver port and a second receiver port and that is configured to store a refrigerant fluid;
an evaporator comprising a first evaporator port and a second evaporator port;
a liquid separator that comprises an inlet, a vapor-side outlet and a liquid-side outlet;
a pump comprising an inlet configured to receive the refrigerant from the liquid-side outlet of the liquid separator and an outlet that is coupled to the first evaporator port;
a condenser comprising a first port and a second port;
a compressor comprising a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet;
a by-passable expansion device configured to couple the first receiver port to the first evaporator port during either a closed-circuit cooling mode or an open-circuit cooling mode to deliver a mixed refrigerant liquid-vapor flow to the first evaporator port;
at least one check valve comprising an inlet and an outlet;
a junction device that comprises a first input port coupled to the outlet of the check valve, a second input port coupled to the by-passable expansion device, and an output port;
a heat pump circuit comprising a closed-circuit fluid path that includes the receiver, the liquid separator, the pump, the condenser, the compressor, and the evaporator; and
an open-circuit refrigeration system configured to receive the refrigerant fluid from the receiver, with the open-circuit refrigeration system comprising an open-circuit fluid path that extends from the first receiver port to the evaporator to an exhaust line, and that includes the receiver, the evaporator, the pump, the heat pump circuit, and the liquid separator, wherein
when operating in the closed-circuit cooling mode or the open-circuit cooling mode, the pump is configured to pump a secondary liquid refrigerant flow from the liquid-side outlet of the liquid separator into the first input port of the junction device, with the secondary liquid refrigerant flow being mixed in the junction device with the mixed refrigerant liquid-vapor flow from the by-passable expansion device received at the second input port of the junction device, and with the output port of the junction device configured to deliver the mixed refrigerant liquid-vapor flow into the first evaporator port.
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