The Trane Company

Merle A Renaud

Paul R Glamm

Floyd C Hayes

A system is disclosed for the transfer of heat from an ambient heat sink of variable temperature to a conditioned space, said system being operable in a first mode when the temperature of the heat sink is at a relatively high level, and in a second mode when its temperature is at a relatively low level. The system includes a first refrigerant circuit which is operable in said first mode as a heat pump of the vapor compression type to absorb heat from the ambient heat sink and transfer same to the conditioned space. A second refrigerant circuit is provided which is operable in the second mode, when the temperature of the ambient heat sink is at a relatively low level, to absorb heat from the ambient heat sink and transfer same to the first refrigerant circuit, which then transfers the heat to the conditioned space. Thus, in second mode operation, the first and second refrigerant circuits operate in a 'cascade' relationship. Suitable control means are disclosed for effecting operation of the system as described above, and, in addition, a suitable method of operation for such a system is disclosed.

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La Crosse, WI, United States of America

Merle A Renaud