US 12,135,156 B2
Air conditioning reheat systems and methods thereto
Robert L. Long, Fort Smith, AR (US); Karl Tallakson, Fort Smith, AR (US); and Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Plano, TX (US)
Assigned to Rheem Manufacturing Company, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Rheem Manufacturing Company, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Nov. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/985,390.
Application 17/985,390 is a continuation of application No. 17/093,868, filed on Nov. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,530,857.
Prior Publication US 2023/0071382 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F25B 49/02 (2006.01); F25B 39/00 (2006.01); F25B 41/20 (2021.01); F25B 41/31 (2021.01)
CPC F25B 49/02 (2013.01) [F25B 39/00 (2013.01); F25B 41/20 (2021.01); F25B 41/31 (2021.01); F25B 2600/111 (2013.01); F25B 2600/2513 (2013.01); F25B 2700/02 (2013.01); F25B 2700/2104 (2013.01); F25B 2700/2117 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of controlling an air conditioning system, the method comprising:
determining, using a first sensor, a first refrigerant temperature value of a refrigerant in the air conditioning system;
determining that the first refrigerant temperature value is less than a threshold refrigerant temperature value;
determining, using a second sensor, a first air temperature value of air in the air conditioning system;
determining that the first air temperature value is less than a threshold air temperature value;
causing a first electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through an outdoor condenser coil of the air conditioning system;
causing a second electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through a reheat coil of the air conditioning system, wherein the second sensor is disposed downstream of the reheat coil;
determining that a temperature of air discharged by the air conditioning system is to be increased;
causing the first electronic expansion valve to move to a fully closed position; and
causing the second electronic expansion valve to move to a fully opened position, such that the refrigerant flows through the reheat coil.
 
11. A method of controlling an air conditioning system, the method comprising:
determining, using a first sensor, a first air temperature value of air in the air conditioning system;
determining that the first air temperature value is less than a threshold air temperature value;
causing a first electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through an outdoor condenser coil of the air conditioning system;
causing a second electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through a reheat coil of the air conditioning system;
determining that a temperature of air discharged by the air conditioning system is to be increased;
causing the first electronic expansion valve to move to a fully closed position; and
causing the second electronic expansion valve to move to a fully opened position, such that the refrigerant flows through the reheat coil.
 
17. A method of controlling an air conditioning system, the method comprising:
determining, using a first sensor, a first refrigerant temperature value of a refrigerant in the air conditioning system;
determining that the first refrigerant temperature value is less than a threshold refrigerant temperature value;
causing a first electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through an outdoor condenser coil of the air conditioning system;
causing a second electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through a reheat coil of the air conditioning system;
determining that a temperature of air discharged by the air conditioning system is to be reduced;
causing the first electronic expansion valve to move to a fully open position, such that the refrigerant flows through the outdoor condenser coil; and
causing the second electronic expansion valve to move to a fully closed position.
 
19. A method of controlling an air conditioning system, the method comprising:
determining, using a first sensor, a first refrigerant temperature value of a refrigerant in the air conditioning system;
determining that the first refrigerant temperature value is less than a threshold refrigerant temperature value;
determining, using a second sensor, a first air temperature value of air in the air conditioning system, wherein the first air temperature value is a return air temperature value of air that is returned to the air conditioning system;
determining that the first air temperature value is less than a threshold air temperature value;
causing a first electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through an outdoor condenser coil of the air conditioning system;
causing a second electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through a reheat coil of the air conditioning system;
determining that a temperature of air discharged by the air conditioning system is to be reduced;
causing the first electronic expansion valve to move to a fully open position, such that the refrigerant flows through the outdoor condenser coil; and
causing the second electronic expansion valve to move to a fully closed position.
 
20. A method of controlling an air conditioning system, the method comprising:
determining, using a first sensor, a first refrigerant temperature value of a refrigerant in the air conditioning system;
determining that the first refrigerant temperature value is less than a threshold refrigerant temperature value;
determining, using a second sensor, a first air temperature value of air in the air conditioning system;
determining a user input corresponding to a threshold air temperature value;
determining that the first air temperature value is less than the threshold air temperature value;
causing a first electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through an outdoor condenser coil of the air conditioning system;
causing a second electronic expansion valve to modulate a flow of the refrigerant through a reheat coil of the air conditioning system;
determining that a temperature of air discharged by the air conditioning system is to be reduced;
causing the first electronic expansion valve to move to a fully open position, such that the refrigerant flows through the outdoor condenser coil; and
causing the second electronic expansion valve to move to a fully closed position.