Apparatus for controlling a thermostatic expansion valve

Apparatus for controlling a heating or cooling system of the type including an evaporator having an inlet line and a suction line, and a thermostatic expansion valve for controlling flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, said thermostatic expansion valve including a valve in said inlet line and a thermostatic bulb coupled to said valve, said apparatus comprising:

• a thermoelectric heat pump device responsive to an electrical control signal for controlling transfer of thermal energy to and from said thermostatic bulb, said thermoelectric device being positioned between said thermostatic bulb and said suction line so as to control transfer of thermal energy between said suction line and said thermostatic bulb;
• means for sensing at least one temperature associated with said heating or cooling system;
• and
• electronic control means responsive to the sensed temperature for providing said electrical control signal to said thermoelectric device for maintaining a desired operating condition of said evaporator.

Apparatus for controlling a heating or cooling system of the type including an evaporator having an inlet line and a suction line, and a thermostatic expansion valve for controlling flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, said thermostatic expansion valve including a valve in said inlet line and a thermostatic bulb coupled to said valve, said apparatus comprising:

• a thermoelectric heat pump device responsive to an electrical control signal for controlling transfer of thermal energy to and from said thermostatic bulb;
• means for sensing at least one temperature associated with said heating or cooling system;
• and
• electronic control means responsive to the sensed temperature for providing said electrical control signal to said thermoelectric device for maintaining a desired operating condition of said evaporator, said electronic control means including means for causing said thermoelectric device to cool said thermostatic bulb when said evaporator is not in operation.

Apparatus for controlling a heating or cooling system including an evaporator having an inlet line and a suction line, said apparatus comprising:

• a thermostatic expansion valve for controlling flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, said thermostatic expansion valve including a valve for connection in said inlet line and a thermostatic bulb coupled to said valve;
• a thermoelectric heat pump device in thermal contact with said thermostatic bulb and responsive to an electrical control signal for controlling transfer of thermal energy to and from said thermostatic bulb;
• means for sensing at least one temperature of said refrigerant;
• electronic control means responsive to the temperature of said refrigerant for providing said electrical control signal to said thermoelectric device for maintaining a desired operating condition of said evaporator;
• and
• means for mounting said thermostatic bulb and said thermoelectric device to said suction line such that said thermoelectric device is positioned between said thermostatic bulb and said suction line for controlling transfer of thermal energy between said suction line and said thermostatic bulb.

Apparatus for controlling a heating or cooling system including an evaporator having an inlet line and a suction line, said apparatus comprising:

• a thermostatic expansion valve for controlling flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, said thermostatic expansion valve including a valve for connection in said inlet line and a thermostatic bulb coupled to said valve;
• a thermoelectric heat pump device in thermal contact with said thermostatic bulb and responsive to an electrical control signal for controlling transfer of thermal energy to and from said thermostatic bulb;
• means for sensing at least one temperature of said refrigerant;
• and
• electronic control means responsive to the temperature of said refrigerant for providing said electrical control signal to said thermoelectric device for maintaining a desired operating condition of said evaporator, said electronic control means including means for causing said thermoelectric device to cool said thermostatic bulb when said evaporator is not in operation.

Apparatus for controlling a heating or cooling system of the type including an evaporator having an inlet line and a suction line, and a thermostatic expansion valve for controlling flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, said thermostatic expansion valve including a valve in said inlet line and a thermostatic bulb coupled to said valve, said apparatus comprising:

• a thermoelectric heat pump device responsive to an electrical control signal for controlling transfer of thermal energy to and from said thermostatic bulb;
• means for sensing at least one temperature associated with said heating or cooling system;
• and
• electronic control means responsive to the sensed temperature for providing said electrical control signal to said thermostatic device for maintaining a desired operating condition of said evaporator, said electronic control means including means for causing said thermoelectric device to heat said thermostatic bulb when said evaporator is not in operation.

Apparatus for controlling a heating or cooling system of the type including an evaporator having an inlet line and a suction line, and a thermostatic expansion valve for controlling flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, said thermostatic expansion valve including a valve in said inlet line and a thermostatic bulb coupled to said valve, said apparatus comprising:

• a thermoelectric heat pump device responsive to an electrical control signal for controlling transfer of thermal energy to and from said thermostatic bulb, said thermoelectric device being positioned between said thermostatic bulb and said evaporator so as to control transfer of thermal energy between said evaporator and said thermostatic bulb;
• means for sensing at least one temperature associated with said heating or cooling system;
• and
• electronic control means responsive to the sensed temperature for providing said electrical control signal to said thermoelectric device for maintaining a desired operating condition of said evaporator.

Apparatus for controlling a heating or cooling system of the type including an evaporator having an inlet line and a suction line, and a thermostatic expansion valve for controlling flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, said thermostatic expansion valve including valve in said inlet line and a thermostatic bulb coupled to said valve, said apparatus comprising:

• a thermostatic heat pump device responsive to an electrical control signal for controlling transfer of thermal energy to and from said thermostatic bulb, said thermoelectric device being positioned between said thermostatic bulb and a heat sink or a heat source so as to control transfer of thermal energy between said heat sink or heat source and said thermostatic bulb;
• means for sensing at least one temperature associated with said heating or cooling system;
• and
• electronic control means responsive to the sensed temperature for providing said electrical control signal to said thermoelectric device for maintaining a desired operating condition of said evaporator.