Thermostatic expansion valves and methods of control

A refrigeration system comprising:

• a compressor;
• a condenser having one or more condenser fans;
• an evaporator having an evaporator heater and one or more evaporator fans;
• a thermostatic expansion valve;
• a fluid path fluidly connecting the compressor, the condenser, the evaporator, and the thermostatic expansion valve;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• activate the evaporator heater;
• monitor a pressure differential within the fluid path;
• when the pressure differential reaches a predetermined value, deactivate the evaporator heater;
• and
• activate the one or more evaporator fans to cause the thermostatic expansion valve to open.

A method of operating a refrigeration system comprising

• determining that the refrigeration system failed to start;
• increasing a temperature at a bulb of a thermostatic expansion valve system within the refrigeration system;
• increasing a suction pressure at an inlet side of an evaporator in the refrigeration system;
• opening a thermostatic expansion valve;
• and
• starting a compressor of the refrigeration system.