Air Conditioning Systems 69

will open up to allow more refrigerant in. If the refrigerant is

boiling off too late in the evaporator, the metering device will
close to allow less refrigerant into the evaporator. In the systems
illustrated in this chapter, the metering devices are TXVs. A sens-
ing bulb from the TXV is attached to the suction line as it leaves
the evaporator. The suction line is insulated and the sensing bulb
is underneath the insulation and is in direct contact with the suc-
tion line pipe. The superheat, 10 degrees in the examples, is set on
the TXV. If the entire refrigerant boils off too soon there is more
evaporator for the refrigeration gas to flow though and pick up
additional sensible heat adding to the superheat. When the sens-
ing bulb senses the superheat is greater than 10 degrees the me-
tering device will open up to allow more refrigerant into the
evaporator. On the other hand, if the entire refrigerant boils off
too late there is less evaporator for the refrigeration gas to flow
though and pick up sensible heat, reducing the required super-
heat. When the sensing bulb senses the superheat is less than 10
degrees, the metering device will close to allow less refrigerant
into the evaporator. The entire refrigerant will then boil off sooner
and pick up the required sensible heat to have 10 degrees super-
heat at the sensing bulb.

UNITARY SYSTEMS

Unitary systems are also called packaged units.

Heat Pump (Air-Air)

A unitary heat pump is factory-assembled and contains an
evaporator, compressor, condenser, and a reversing valve. Types
include:
Through-the-wall
Window-mounted
PTHP (Package Terminal Heat Pump)
70 HVAC Fundamentals

Air Conditioner
A unitary air conditioner is factory assembled and contains
an evaporator or cooling coil, compressor and a condenser. It may
also include a heating function. Types include:
Through-the-wall
Window-mounted
Rooftop
PTAC (Package Terminal Air Conditioner)

Figure 4-9. Unitary air conditioning system. Typical small commercial

package unit.