US 12,337,658 B2
Heat pump with compressor heat boost
Chengcai Yao, Northville, MI (US); Graciela Morales Martinez, Irvine, CA (US); and Jing He, Novi, MI (US)
Assigned to Rivian IP Holdings, LLC, Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed by Rivian IP Holdings, LLC, Plymouth, MI (US)
Filed on Mar. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/118,602.
Prior Publication US 2024/0300297 A1, Sep. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. B60H 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60H 1/00921 (2013.01) [B60H 1/00278 (2013.01); B60H 2001/00928 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a plurality of control valves configured to control a flow of a refrigerant in a vehicle, comprising a first control valve and a second control valve; and
control circuitry coupled to the plurality of control valves, configured to:
achieve a first configuration of the plurality of control valves wherein the refrigerant is recirculated by a compressor to increase a compressor outlet pressure of the refrigerant, wherein in the first configuration the refrigerant flows along a path comprising:
the first control valve that is fully open, and
the second control valve that is partially open to generate a pressure drop in the refrigerant; and
when the compressor outlet pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, achieve a second configuration of the plurality of control valves wherein the refrigerant is circulated to transfer heat to one or more thermal loads.