Energy efficient heat pump with active charge management

An energy efficient heat pump for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:

• a working fluid circuit comprising a liquid conduit portion configured to direct a working fluid between a first heat exchanger of the working fluid circuit and a second heat exchanger of the working fluid circuit;
• a receiver disposed along the liquid conduit portion, wherein the receiver comprises a vessel, a first dip tube fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit portion and extending into the vessel, and a second dip tube fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit portion and extending into the vessel, wherein the first dip tube and the second dip tube are each configured to direct the working fluid from the liquid conduit portion and into the vessel and to direct the working fluid from the vessel to the liquid conduit portion;
• a first expansion device disposed along the liquid conduit portion between the first heat exchanger and the receiver;
• a second expansion device disposed along the liquid conduit portion between the second heat exchanger and the receiver;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the first expansion device and the second expansion device, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the first expansion device and the second expansion device based on an operating mode of the energy efficient heat pump and based on at least one operating parameter of the working fluid, wherein the controller is configured to regulate an amount of working fluid retained within the vessel of the receiver.

An energy efficient heat pump, comprising:

• a working fluid circuit configured to circulate a working fluid therethrough;
• a first heat exchanger disposed along the working fluid circuit and configured to transfer heat between the working fluid and a supply air flow in a heating mode and in a cooling mode of the energy efficient heat pump;
• a second heat exchanger disposed along the working fluid circuit and configured to transfer heat between the working fluid and an ambient air flow in the heating mode and the cooling mode;
• a liquid conduit portion of the working fluid circuit extending between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger;
• a receiver disposed along the liquid conduit portion, wherein the receiver comprises a vessel, a first dip tube fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit portion and extending into the vessel, and a second dip tube fluidly coupled to the liquid conduit portion and extending into the vessel;
• a first electronic expansion valve disposed along the liquid conduit portion between the first heat exchanger and the first dip tube;
• a second electronic expansion valve disposed along the liquid conduit portion between the second heat exchanger and the second dip tube;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the first electronic expansion valve and the second electronic expansion valve, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the first electronic expansion valve and the second electronic expansion valve based on data indicative of an amount of subcooling of the working fluid and data indicative of an amount of superheat of the working fluid to adjust an amount of the working fluid retained within the vessel in the heating mode and in the cooling mode.