With Lubricant Handling Means Patents (Class 62/468)
  • Patent number: 11959480
    Abstract: A compression unit of a rotary compressor includes a cylinder, an upper end plate that closes the upper side of the cylinder, a lower end plate that closes the lower side of the cylinder, and a piston that is fitted to a rotating shaft, revolves along an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, and forms a cylinder chamber in the cylinder. At least one of an end face of the piston in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, a sliding surface of the upper end plate that slides with the end face of the piston, and a sliding surface of the lower end plate that slides with the end face of the piston, has formed therein an oil-film retention region having an array of a plurality of recessed portions that retain lubricating oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroki Katayama, Motonobu Furukawa
  • Patent number: 11920577
    Abstract: A first lube oil is stored by a lube oil reservoir. The first lube oil is flowed from the lube oil reservoir through a tubing network connected to a crankcase of a reciprocating compressor. A second lube oil is stored by a cylinder lubricator oil reservoir. The second lube oil is flowed from the cylinder lubricator oil reservoir to a cylinder lubricator that is connected to cylinders of the reciprocating compressor. A liquid level in the cylinder lubricator oil reservoir is measured. Based on the measured liquid level, at least a portion of the first lube oil from the tubing network is flowed to the cylinder lubricator oil reservoir through an intermediate flowline connecting the tubing network to the cylinder lubricator oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Talal H. Rashidi
  • Patent number: 11879459
    Abstract: A compression unit of a rotary compressor includes a cylinder, an upper end plate that closes the upper side of the cylinder, a lower end plate that closes the lower side of the cylinder, and a piston that is fitted to a rotating shaft, revolves along an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, and forms a cylinder chamber in the cylinder. At least one of an end face of the piston in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, a sliding surface of the upper end plate that slides with the end face of the piston, and a sliding surface of the lower end plate that slides with the end face of the piston, has formed therein an oil-film retention region having an array of a plurality of recessed portions that retain lubricating oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroki Katayama, Motonobu Furukawa
  • Patent number: 11821663
    Abstract: A system for measuring oil circulation ratio in a vapor-compression refrigeration system (VCRS) is provided. The system may include an oil separator configured to receive the refrigerant and oil flow from the low-pressure line of the VCRS and output a oil flow and a refrigerant flow. The system may further include an oil collector configured to receive the separated oil flow provided by the oil separator. A valve may control an oil flow from the oil collector to the low-pressure line. A level sensor may measure oil level in the oil collector. The system may close, in response to the oil being at or less than a first level, the valve to collect oil in the oil collector. The system may open, in response to the oil being at or greater than a second level, the valve to release oil from the oil collector to the low-pressure line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: James Edward Braun, Eckhard Achim Groll, William Travis Horton, Orkan Kurtulus, Vatsal Shah
  • Patent number: 11714342
    Abstract: A projector includes a first cooling target and a cooling device. The cooling device includes a first compressor configured to compress working fluid in a gas phase, a condenser configured to condense the working fluid in the gas phase into the working fluid in a liquid phase, a first expander configured to decompress the working fluid in the liquid phase, a first evaporator configured to change the working fluid flowed from the first expander to the working fluid in the gas phase with heat of a first cooling target and discharge the changed gas-phase working fluid to the first compressor, a first pipe connecting the first compressor and the condenser, a second pipe connecting the condenser and the first expander, and a base to which the first compressor, the condenser, and the first expander are fixed. The first pipe and the second pipe are provided in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kaname Nagatani, Osamu Katsuda
  • Patent number: 11555495
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a suction pipe for a multi-compressor device having a plurality of inlets, the suction pipe comprising a primary portion and a plurality of secondary portions arranged to receive fluid from the primary portion for supplying fluid in parallel to the inlets of a multi-compressor device. The method includes designing the suction pipe by: selecting a first dimension for the primary portion of the suction pipe, calculating a first fluid velocity for fluid in the primary portion based on the first dimension, and comparing the first fluid velocity to a first predetermined threshold; selecting a second dimension for the secondary portions, calculating a second fluid velocity for fluid in the secondary portions based on the second dimension, and comparing the second fluid velocity to a second predetermined threshold; and calculating a ratio of the first fluid velocity to the second fluid velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolas Fonte, Yvan Alquier
  • Patent number: 11542945
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor unit, including a compressor housing and at least one compressor element that is arranged in the compressor housing, is movable by bearing and drive parts, and operates in at least one compressor chamber, at least one lubricant supply point arranged in the compressor housing for at least one of the bearing and drive parts and/or compressor element, and a lubricant supply line to the at least one lubricant supply point, wherein the lubricant supply line has a lubricant storage chamber through which lubricant flows and in which a lubricant presence sensor is arranged for detecting the presence of lubricant in the lubricant storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: BITZER Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Tihomir Mikulic, Klaus Feller
  • Patent number: 11519425
    Abstract: Device and method for centrifugal compression of a working gas comprising a plurality of centrifugal compressors forming a plurality of compression stages and plurality of drive motors for driving the compressors, the device comprising a gas circuit comprising a first, inlet, pipe for the gas to be compressed, connected to an inlet of a first compressor, the circuit comprising a second pipe connected to an outlet of said first compressor, the second pipe being connected to an inlet of a second compressor, the circuit comprising at least one third, cooling, pipe having one end connected to the outlet of at least one of the compressors and at least one second end connected to an inlet of at least one motor for cooling thereof, the third, cooling, pipe comprising a first member for cooling the gas and two parallel branches respectively supplying two distinct motors of the device for their respective cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Fabien Durand
  • Patent number: 11519269
    Abstract: An expander and a fluid circulation system comprising same are disclosed. The expander comprises a housing, an expansion mechanism, an exhaust pipe, an oil sump and a lubricant discharge channel. The expansion mechanism is provided in the housing to expand a high-pressure fluid into a low-pressure fluid. The exhaust pipe discharges the low-pressure fluid out of the expander and comprises an end portion assembled in a first opening of the housing and provided with an exhaust port; the low-pressure fluid enters the exhaust pipe via the exhaust port. The oil sump stores a lubricant in the housing. The lubricant discharge channel discharges the lubricant in the oil sump into the exhaust pipe and/or an external system pipeline and comprises an inlet end having an inlet located at a predetermined oil level of the oil sump and an outlet end having an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongfei Shu, Donghui Yang
  • Patent number: 11448214
    Abstract: A compressor includes a casing that defines an oil storage space and an opening that discharges refrigerant to an outside of the casing, a rotatable shaft disposed in the casing, a driver coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the casing and configured to rotate the rotatable shaft, a compression assembly coupled to the rotatable shaft and configured to compress and discharge the refrigerant to an inside of the casing, a muffler coupled to the compression assembly and configured to guide the refrigerant discharged from the compression assembly toward the opening, where the muffler being is configured to exchange heat with the refrigerant, and a heat radiating member that is coupled to the muffler and extends to the oil storage space and contacts the oil in the oil storage space. The muffler is configured to exchange heat with the oil through the heat radiating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taekyoung Kim, Kangwook Lee, Nayoung Jeon
  • Patent number: 11428449
    Abstract: Provided are a separator with improved oil separation efficiency, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus including the separator. The separator includes an inflow pipe portion, an oil storage portion, an oil return pipe portion, and an outflow pipe portion. The inflow pipe portion includes a swirling portion that defines a flow direction of refrigerant so as to swirl the refrigerant. The oil storage portion is connected to the inflow pipe portion. The oil return pipe portion is connected to a vertically lower side of the oil storage portion. The outflow pipe portion includes an opening end that faces the swirling portion. The outflow pipe portion extends from a region that faces the swirling portion to the outside of the oil storage portion. The opening end is configured such that the refrigerant discharged from the swirling portion can directly flow thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Matsuda, Hiroki Ishiyama, Yusuke Shimazu
  • Patent number: 11384960
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes an open circuit refrigeration circuit that has a refrigerant fluid flow path, with the refrigerant fluid flow path including a receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid, a first control device configured to receive refrigerant from the receiver, a liquid separator, and an evaporator configured to extract heat from a heat load that contacts the evaporator, with the evaporator coupled to the first control device and the liquid separator. The system includes a pump having an inlet and an outlet, with the outlet of the pump coupled to the liquid side outlet of the liquid separator and a second control device that is coupled to an exhaust line, that is coupled to the vapor side outlet of the liquid separator through the second control device. In operation, the evaporator in the open circuit refrigeration circuit would be coupled to a heat load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vaisman, Joshua Peters
  • Patent number: 11274668
    Abstract: A vacuum pump comprises rotor elements arranged in a suction chamber. An outlet duct is connected to an exhaust pipe. For the purpose of silencing, sound expansion spaces are provided in the outlet duct, which are integrated into the pump housing. Alternatively or in addition to these sound expansion spaces, sound expansion spaces may be provided in an inlet duct which is used for the inlet of gas ballast, said sound expansion spaces being preferably likewise integrated into the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: LEYBOLD GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Kolvenbach, Otmar Cornely, Peter Birch
  • Patent number: 11162732
    Abstract: A quench system for a refrigeration cycle of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility includes at least one compressor for compressing a refrigerant that cools a natural gas stream. Also included is a quench fluid supply structure containing a quench fluid. Further included is a cooler vessel and a quench fluid line extending from the quench fluid supply structure and through the cooler vessel for cooling therein, the quench fluid maintained in a liquid state through the entirety of the quench fluid line. Yet further included is a quench control valve disposed downstream of the cooler vessel to control a flow rate of the quench fluid routed therein. Also included is a refrigerant suction drum located downstream of the quench control valve and configured to receive the quench fluid from the quench fluid line, the refrigerant suction drum in fluid communication with at least one component for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Will T. James
  • Patent number: 11125480
    Abstract: An HVACR system includes first and second compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, and a lubricant separator fluidly connected. The first compressor includes a first lubricant sump and a first suction inlet. The second compressor includes a second lubricant sump and a second suction inlet. The lubricant separator is disposed between the evaporator and the first and second compressors, and includes a fluid inlet and two fluid outlets. A first of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second lubricant sumps. A second of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to the first and second suction inlets. The second fluid outlet includes a nozzle disposed within a flow passage of the lubricant separator such that a space is maintained between an outer surface of the nozzle and an inner surface of the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kristin Rice Sullivan, Eric S. Mlsna, Andrew Thomas Plzak, James P. Crolius
  • Patent number: 11079129
    Abstract: An air conditioner is disclosed. The air conditioner comprises: an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger installed therein; a first outdoor unit having a first outdoor heat exchanger and a first compressor installed therein; a second outdoor unit having a second outdoor heat exchanger and a second compressor installed therein; an auxiliary module which connects the indoor unit, the first outdoor unit, and the second outdoor unit; a first connection line by which the auxiliary module is connected to the first outdoor unit; a second connection line by which the auxiliary module is connected to the second outdoor unit; and a two-stage compression line by which the first outdoor unit is connected to the second outdoor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Daehyoung Kim, Junseong Park, Jaehwa Jung
  • Patent number: 10962006
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll including a fixed mirror-like surface and a fixed wrap that is extended from the fixed mirror-like surface, formed in a hybrid curve, and includes a thick portion thicker than other portions; an orbiting scroll including an orbiting mirror-like surface and an orbiting wrap extended from the orbiting mirror-like surface and formed in a hybrid curve; and a rotating shaft configured to rotate the orbiting scroll, wherein the orbiting scroll revolves relative to the fixed scroll. A center of a curve of a center portion of the fixed wrap is located at a position offset by a predetermined distance in a direction of reducing a thickness of the thick portion of the fixed wrap from a center of the fixed mirror-like surface, and a center of a curve of a center portion of the orbiting wrap is offset to correspond to the fixed wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-suk Kim, Byung-gu Kim, Do-hyun Kim, Yang-sun Kim
  • Patent number: 10767640
    Abstract: In the method according to the invention for operating an oil level regulator on a compressor, the oil level regulator monitors an oil level in the compressor and causes oil to be refilled when an oil deficiency is recognized. The oil level regulator provides operating recognition of the compressor in which a check is made as to whether the compressor is in a switched-on or switched-off state, the refilling with oil being carried out only when the compressor is in the switched-on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KRIWAN INDUSTRIE-ELEKTRONIK GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Stoll, Christoph Leja
  • Patent number: 10655897
    Abstract: The compressor system includes a first compressor, a second compressor, and a third compressor. A common equalization line fluidly couples the first compressor, the second compressor, and the third compressor. The common equalization line provides a single path for passage of fluids between the first compressor, the second compressor, and the third compressor. An obstruction device is disposed in the common equalization line between the first compressor and the second compressor. When the first compressor is deactivated, the second compressor is activated, and the third compressor is activated, the obstruction device is in a closed configuration. Prevention of fluid flow between the first compressor and the second compressor causes at least minimum prescribed fluid levels to be maintained in the first compressor, the second compressor, and the third compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Siddarth Rajan
  • Patent number: 10634424
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes first and second compressors and an oil separator. The oil separator includes an inlet for receiving refrigerant and oil from the first compressor, a refrigerant outlet, and an oil outlet. The oil separator separates the oil from the refrigerant. A portion of the oil separator below a horizontal plane intersecting the refrigerant outlet collects separated oil and has a volume equal to a first compressor oil supply. The first compressor oil supply is greater than or equal to 100% and less than or equal to 250% of a first compressor initial oil charge. The first compressor receives oil from the oil outlet when an amount of oil in the portion is less than or equal to the first compressor oil supply. The second compressor receives oil from the refrigerant outlet when the amount of oil in the portion is greater than the first compressor oil supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Saunders, Rajan Rajendran, Scott Fraser
  • Patent number: 10634137
    Abstract: A refrigeration system with two or more compressors configured to compress a flow of refrigerant with oil entrained therein. A suction flow piping arrangement is configured to supply a flow of refrigerant and oil to the two or more compressors. The suction flow piping arrangement has a suction header configured to carry the flow of refrigerant and oil, and a primary compressor supply conduit connected to the suction header. The primary compressor supply conduit supplies refrigerant and oil to a first compressor of the two or more compressors. A secondary compressor supply conduit branches off from the suction header. The secondary compressor supply conduit supplies refrigerant to a second compressor of the two or more compressors. The primary compressor supply conduit is configured to supply more oil to the first compressor than the secondary compressor supply conduit supplies to the second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: BITZER Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Bruce A. Fraser, Ronald J. Duppert, Wayne P. Beagle
  • Patent number: 10532305
    Abstract: An internal oil filter is installed at least partially inside a crankcase and/or an oil sump of a compressor. The internal oil filter can receive oil from an oil pressure regulator and filter the oil via filter media. The received oil radially penetrates through the filter media and flow directly into the oil sump from an outside surface of the filter media. This can eliminate the need of fluid lines connecting an outlet of an oil filter to the oil sump and any sealing mechanism therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Lee Price
  • Patent number: 10527050
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a compressor assembly is provided. The compressor assembly includes a compressor having an inlet, an outlet, and at least one bearing, the compressor configured to compress a first refrigerant. The assembly further includes a lubrication supply conduit fluidly coupled to the compressor and configured to supply a lubricant to the at least one bearing. The lubricant is a second refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vishnu M. Sishtla
  • Patent number: 10451317
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device is configured to be selectively switchable between an air-cooling first refrigerant circuit that causes refrigerant to flow out of a liquid-phase refrigerant outlet of a gas-liquid separator, and an air-heating second refrigerant circuit that causes the refrigerant to flow out of a gas-phase refrigerant outlet of the gas-liquid separator. In the refrigeration cycle device, an oil separator is disposed in a refrigerant passage that leads from a heat dissipation device to a first expansion valve. Thus, when the first refrigerant circuit is configured in the refrigeration cycle device, the refrigerant passing through the oil separator is in a single gas phase or in an almost gas phase, so that oil can be easily separated from the refrigerant. Furthermore, when the refrigerant circulates through the first refrigerant circuit, oil can be retained at a position other than the gas-liquid separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Kawakubo
  • Patent number: 10414241
    Abstract: A refrigeration system may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a first working fluid flow path, and a second working fluid flow path. The first heat exchanger receives working fluid discharged from the compressor. The first working fluid flow path may receive working fluid from the first heat exchanger and may include an evaporator and an evaporator control valve that is movable between a first position allowing fluid flow through the evaporator and a second position restricting fluid flow through the evaporator. The second working fluid flow path may receive working fluid from the first heat exchanger and may include a eutectic plate and a plate control valve that is movable between a first position allowing fluid flow through the eutectic plate and a second position restricting fluid flow through the eutectic plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn W. Vehr, Joseph James Rozsnaki, Louis Siefker
  • Patent number: 10087777
    Abstract: A system for cooling lubricant in a turbomachine includes a lubricant circuit for circulating a turbomachine lubricant, an air/oil cooler disposed in thermal communication with the lubricant circuit and configured to cool a turbomachine lubricant in the lubricant circuit by passing air over the air/oil cooler, and a compressor air circuit in fluid communication with the air/oil cooler and configured to supply air from a compressor of the turbomachine to the air/oil cooler. The compressor air circuit can include an expansion section to expand and cool air before effusing air to the air/oil cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Vincent Lee
  • Patent number: 9909795
    Abstract: In a vehicular air conditioner in which a cooling operation and a heating operation are switched by switching a four-way valve, a pressure accumulator is provided in which a coolant, which is related to an aspiration pressure of a compressor, is accumulated when the compressor is operated, and a differential pressure, which is required for switching the four-way valve, between piston rooms is maintained, and the differential pressure, which is required for switching the four-way valve, is generated between the piston rooms of the four-way valve even after the compressor is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wahei Shingu
  • Patent number: 9851130
    Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Todd J. Love, Jon P. Hartfield, Benjamin Elias Dingel
  • Patent number: 9732747
    Abstract: An air compression system includes an air compression device and a cooling structure. The air compression device includes a liquid-cooled motor and a compressor. The cooling includes a radiator, a cooler, a first liquid conveying tube, a second liquid conveying tube, a third liquid conveying tube, a fourth liquid conveying tube and a cooling liquid. The radiator interconnects the compressor for cooling a lubricating liquid in the compressor; the first liquid conveying tube interconnects the radiator and the cooler; the second liquid conveying tube interconnects the radiator and the cooler; the third liquid conveying tube interconnects the liquid-cooled motor and the cooler; the fourth liquid conveying tube interconnects the liquid-cooled motor and the cooler; and the cooling liquid is filled into the cooler, so as to reduce the space occupied by the cooling structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: FUSHENG INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Feng-Yung Lin, Chih-Chung Chen, Li-Yung Yan
  • Patent number: 9631544
    Abstract: A cooling system includes: a compressor; a first condenser; a cooling portion; a heat exchanger; a first line; a second line; a switching device; and an ejector. The first line forms a vapor compression refrigeration cycle by flowing refrigerant in order of the heat exchanger, the compressor, the first condenser and the cooling portion. The second line forms a heat pipe by circulating refrigerant between the first condenser and the cooling portion. The switching device flows refrigerant through the first line when air conditioning is performed, and flows refrigerant through the second line when air conditioning is stopped. The ejector is configured to, when refrigerant flows from the compressor to the first condenser via the ejector, draw refrigerant from the second line and join the drawn refrigerant into refrigerant from the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhide Uchida, Yuichi Ohno, Yoshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9581366
    Abstract: An air conditioner having a first circulation channel which drives a thermodynamic cycle while normally circulating a refrigerant, a second circulation channel which is branched from an outlet of a condenser of the first circulation channel to recover oil from the refrigerant to a compressor and to cause the refrigerant to pass through a supercooling heat exchanger, and a third circulation channel which is directly branched from an evaporator of the first circulation channel to recover oil from the refrigerant and to the compressor and to cause the refrigerant to pass through the supercooling heat exchanger, thereby preventing the wet compression of the compressor to achieve improved reliability of the compressor, and preventing the degradation of heat-exchange performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Eun Jun Cho
  • Patent number: 9562709
    Abstract: A system may include a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion device, a lubricant separator, and a flow path. The compressor includes a compression mechanism. The heat exchanger receives compressed working fluid from the compressor. The expansion device is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger. The lubricant separator receives lubricant and working fluid discharged from the compression mechanism and provides separated lubricant to the compression mechanism. The flow path may receive working fluid from the heat exchanger and may provide working fluid to the heat exchanger. The flow path may extend between a first location disposed between the heat exchanger and the expansion device and a second location disposed between the heat exchanger and the compressor. The working fluid from the flow path may absorb heat from the separated lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirill M. Ignatiev, Robert C. Stover, Michael M. Perevozchikov
  • Patent number: 9163864
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus that uses a refrigerant, which operates in a transcritical cycle, and refrigerating machine oil, which has low miscibility with the refrigerant, in a refrigerant circuit for a refrigeration cycle connected to a compressor, a radiator, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator, the air-conditioning apparatus includes a flow regulating mechanism provided in the refrigerant circuit, and controller that controls the flow regulating mechanism. If a refrigerant flow velocity at an outlet side of the radiator is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the refrigerant flow velocity at the outlet side of the radiator is increased by the controller so that oil-return operation that returns the refrigerating machine oil discharged from the compressor to the compressor is performed for at least a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Shimazu, Keisuke Takayama, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Patent number: 9150770
    Abstract: A chiller apparatus containing a composition comprising cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC
    Inventors: Konstantinos Kontomaris, Jeffrey P Knapp, Joshua Hughes
  • Patent number: 9032753
    Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Todd J. Love, Harry K. Ring, Jon P. Hartfield
  • Patent number: 9032754
    Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Todd J. Love, Michael Boehde, Benjamin E. Dingel
  • Patent number: 9028707
    Abstract: A composition comprising a refrigerant and a lubricant is disclosed, wherein the refrigerant comprises (i) a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of R125, R134a, R32, R152a, R143a, R218 and mixtures thereof, and (ii) a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; the lubricant comprises (iii) a hydrocarbon-based lubricant component; and (iv) a synthetic lubricant component; and the synthetic lubricant component is less than 30% by weight of the total lubricant. Also disclosed are methods of replacing refrigerants in refrigeration or air conditioning systems containing a refrigerant comprising a CFC or HCFC and a lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Barbara Haviland Minor
  • Patent number: 9023231
    Abstract: Non ozone depleting and non flammable refrigerant compositions with GWPs less than 2,000 ITH which replace R404A, R507, HCFC22 and CFC502 in refrigeration systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: RPL Holdings Limited
    Inventors: John Edward Poole, Richard Powell
  • Publication number: 20150096313
    Abstract: A system off configuration for an automotive climate control system is provided. The climate control system includes a compressor having two downstream flow paths. The two downstream flow paths may be selectively used to provide multiple modes of operation. When the compressor moves to an off condition the valves found in each flow path immediately downstream from the compressor are closed so that a refrigerant oil blend is kept in the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Franco Ragazzi
  • Publication number: 20150068230
    Abstract: Cooling devices for use with electric submersible pump motors include a refrigerator attached to the end of the electric submersible pump motor with the evaporator heat exchanger accepting all or a portion of the heat load from the motor. The cooling device can be a self-contained bolt-on unit, so that minimal design changes to existing motors are required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Todd A. Jankowski, Dallas D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20150059382
    Abstract: This vehicle air-conditioning device has a compressor; an outside heat exchanger; a water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger; a heat release unit; a circulation means; and an air passage through which air is blown into a vehicle interior and in which the heat release unit is disposed midway, a send-out port for sending out the compressed refrigerant and an introduction port for introducing the refrigerant that has not been compressed being provided in the compressor, a first fit part that is fitted in the send-out port of the compressor, and a second fit part that is fitted in the introduction port of the compressor being provided in the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, and the compressor and the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger being integrally joined by the first fit part and the second fit part being fitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshitoshi Noda, Katsuji Taniguchi, Tomohiro Terada
  • Patent number: 8966915
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor air temperature sensor detecting an outdoor temperature; a compressor temperature sensor detecting a temperature of an outer wall of a compressor; a liquid-level and concentration detection sensor detecting a liquid surface level in the compressor and a concentration of a lubricant oil in a liquid in the compressor; an electric heater heating the compressor; and a controller that carries out preheating to the compressor by driving the electric heater when a detection value of the outdoor air temperature sensor is higher than or equal to a detection value of the compressor temperature sensor and, further, when the liquid surface level detected by the liquid-level and concentration detection sensor is higher than or equal to a predetermined level and the concentration of the lubricant oil in the liquid is lower than a preset minimum required concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Takeuchi, Hirokuni Shiba
  • Publication number: 20150040590
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for operating a combined heat and power device, wherein carbon dioxide as a refrigerant (17) is compressed in a compressor, wherein the carbon dioxide is carried along a refrigerant circuit and routed back to the compressor via a collecting vessel (5). The method is distinguished by the fact that the compressor is lubricated with a lubricant (15) which has a density of more than 1004 g/l, and that a hot gas temperature in the compressor is held below a predetermined value, above which overheating and/or ageing of the lubricant occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jan Hinrichs, Tilo Schafer
  • Patent number: 8943854
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger of a plate type comprising an evaporator having at least one inlet and at least one outlet allowing a first medium to enter into and exit from the evaporator. The evaporator comprises a plurality of interconnected evaporation chambers disposed in parallel, having at least one common inlet and at least one common outlet allowing the first medium to enter into and exit from the evaporation chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Danfoss Qinbao (Hangzhou) Plate Heat Exchanger Company Limited
    Inventor: Lars Persson
  • Publication number: 20150027146
    Abstract: A composition including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and a lubricating oil including a polyalkylene glycol and a polyol ester, the polyol ester content in the lubricating oil being less than or equal to 25%. A method of lubricating a vapor compression circuit, the method including using a mixture including a polyalkylene glycol and a polyol ester as lubricating oil in the vapor compression circuit, in combination with a heat transfer fluid comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the content of polyol ester in the lubricating oil being less than or equal to 25%. Further, the use of said composition in methods for heating or cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: BĂ©atrice Boussand
  • Patent number: 8931289
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described with respect to refrigerant recovery techniques. In one example, a system for recovering a refrigerant from an appliance includes a valve module, a separator, a degasser, and a system controller. The valve modules include a valve and a valve controller configured to control the valve and transmit data. The separator separates the refrigerant from an oil and is in fluid communication with the valve. The degasser further separates the refrigerant from the oil and is in fluid communication with the separator. The system controller is configured to receive data from the valve controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. Cameron, Richard Gordan Christensen, Magalage Neville Perera
  • Patent number: 8931303
    Abstract: A refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus, at least provided with no possibility that a foreign material returns to a compressor from an accumulator at a time of the pipeline-cleaning operation firstly, and provided with a possibility to perform a collecting operation for the foreign material in a short time secondary, is provided. The heat-source side unit includes an accumulator provided with a function to separate and collect the foreign material in an existing pipeline, a collecting container for collecting the foreign material separated by the accumulator, and an oil return pipeline for returning refrigerating machine oil to the compressor via a flow amount adjusting device, installed at a lower portion of the accumulator, and at a time of ordinary cooling or heating operation, the refrigerating machine oil is caused to flow into the oil return pipeline, and at a time of pipeline cleaning and foreign material-collecting operations, the flow amount adjusting device is fully closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Toyoshima, Susumu Yoshimura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Osamu Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20150000330
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus including a refrigerant circuit forming a refrigeration cycle using an operating refrigerant selected from among R1234yf single refrigerant, R1234yf mixed refrigerant, R1234ze single refrigerant, and R1234ze mixed refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit has a compressor using refrigeration oil including an extreme pressure additive. An environmentally friendly refrigerant is used and an air conditioner exhibiting high cooling efficiency is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ha Na KIM, Byung Han LIM, Jung Ho KIM, Jin Woo HONG, Dong Suk KIM, Jong Yeop BAEK
  • Publication number: 20140360210
    Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: William E. Lapp, Todd W. Smith, Arthur L. Butterworth, Paul J. Sikorsky
  • Patent number: 8904812
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle through which a refrigerant that transits in a supercritical state is allowed to flow, and a flow dividing device that divides the flow of a high-pressure liquid refrigerant in a subcritical state into two or more parts. The flow dividing device is configured such that the device is oriented substantially in the horizontal direction or substantially upward in the vertical direction relative to the direction of flow of the refrigerant in a liquid state. With such a configuration, the flow of refrigerating machine oil is equally divided, thus offering high energy saving while keeping heat-medium conveyance power at a low level without reducing the heat exchanging performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Takeshi Hatomura