Patent attributes
A refrigerant system for cooling a comfort zone is selectively operable in a cooling-only mode and a reheat mode. The system operates in the cooling mode to meet sensible and latent cooling demands of a room or area in a building when the room temperature is appreciably above a target temperature. The reheat mode is for addressing the latent cooling or dehumidifying demand when the room temperature is near or below the target temperature. In some embodiments, a generally inactive condenser stores excess refrigerant during the reheat mode, thereby avoiding the need for a separate liquid refrigerant receiver. To maintain a desired level of subcooling in the reheat coil, refrigerant can be transferred accordingly between the inactive condenser and the reheat coil. In some embodiments, the system's evaporator and reheat coil can be connected in a series or parallel flow relationship.