VEHICLE HEATING AND/OR AIR CONDITIONING METHOD
The invention relates to a method for the heating and/or air conditioning of the passenger compartment of an automobile using a reversible cooling loop in which flows a coolant containing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. The method is particularly useful when outdoor temperature is lower than −15° C. The method can be used for hybrid automobiles designed for operating alternatively with a thermal engine and an electric motor.
1 . A heating and/or air conditioning system for a passenger compartment of an automobile having a thermal engine having a cooling circuit through which an engine coolant flows and/or an electrical battery comprising a reversible cooling loop in which a coolant flows, said reversible cooling loop comprising a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a second heat exchanger, a compressor and means for reversing the direction of flow of the coolant, characterized in that the coolant comprises 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
2 . (canceled)
3 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the first heat exchanger and the second exchangers are of the air/coolant type.
4 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , further characterized in that the reversible cooling loop is thermally coupled to the cooling circuit of the thermal engine of said automobile.
5 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that both the engine coolant and exhaust gases from the thermal engine of the automobile flow through the first heat exchanger simultaneously.
6 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the reversible cooling loop further comprises a branch having at least one heat exchanger communicating thermally with a flow of air which is to be admitted into the thermal engine of the automobile, or with exhaust gases emitted by the thermal engine of the automobile.
7 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the cooling loop recovers energy from the thermal engine and/or from the electrical battery.
8 . (canceled)
9 . A heating and/or air conditioning method for a passenger compartment of an automobile having a thermal engine having a thermal engine having a cooling circuit through which an engine coolant flows and/or an electrical battery, comprising flowing a coolant through a reversible cooling loop comprising a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a second heat exchanger, a compressor and means for reversing the direction of flow of the coolant, characterized in that the coolant comprises 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
10 . The method as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that the first and second exchangers are of the air/coolant type.
11 . The method as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that the reversible cooling loop is thermally coupled to the cooling circuit of the thermal engine.
12 . The method as claimed in claim 9 , characterized in that the engine coolant and exhaust gases from the thermal engine of the automobile flow through the first heat exchanger simultaneously.
13 . The method as claimed in 9 , characterized in that the cooling loop further comprises a branch having at least one heat exchanger communicating thermally with a flow of air which is to be admitted into the thermal engine of the automobile or with exhaust gases emitted by the thermal engine of the automobile.
14 . The method as claimed claim 9 , characterized in that the cooling loop recovers energy from the thermal engine and/or from the electrical battery.