Lubricant Separator Patents (Class 62/470)
  • Publication number: 20090095442
    Abstract: A direct exchange geothermal heating/cooling system has a self-adjusting expansion valve and a bypass flow path to improve efficiency when the system operates in a heating mode. The expansion valve may operate based solely on pressure from the vapor refrigerant transport line. The system may alternatively include an accumulator, a compressor, and an oil separator, wherein an oil return line returns oil from the oil separator to the accumulator. Additionally, a direct exchange geothermal heating/cooling system may include a hot-gas bypass valve for diverting heated vapor refrigerant to the liquid refrigerant line. Finally, a direct exchange geothermal heating/cooling system having a sub-surface heat exchanger extending to a depth of at least 300 feet may use a refrigerant particularly suited for such an application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: EARTH TO AIR SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
  • Publication number: 20090071188
    Abstract: An oil separator includes a separation part and an oil storage part. The separation part includes a separation cylinder, an inner cylinder disposed in the separation cylinder and an inlet pipe connecting to the separation cylinder tangential to an inner surface of the separation cylinder. The separation part defines an inlet opening to introduce CO2 refrigerant containing oil in the separation cylinder. The separation cylinder separates the oil from the CO2 refrigerant by means of centrifugal force. A ratio of a flow rate (kg/h) of the CO2 refrigerant flowing in the separation cylinder to an area (mm2) of the inlet opening is at least 4. Alternative to or in addition to the above, a ratio of a distance (mm) from an end of the inner cylinder to a bottom wall of the separation cylinder to an inner diameter (mm) of the separation cylinder is at least 2.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Kusada, Yoichiro Kawamoto, Tadashi Hotta, Shigeki Iwanami
  • Publication number: 20090064708
    Abstract: An oil separator for an air conditioner includes a cylindrical housing; a refrigerant discharge pipe communicating with the housing for discharging refrigerant gas; an oil discharge pipe for circulating oil collected in the lower portion of the housing; and a refrigerant inflow pipe having one end facing the inner surface of a side wall of the housing in the tangential direction for supplying a refrigerant-oil mixture to the inside of the housing. An insertion hole, into which the refrigerant inflow pipe is inserted, is easily formed, the efficiency of the oil separator is increased, and noise and vibration generated from the oil separator is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung In Lee, Seon Uk Na, Dong Won Kim, Jae Man Joo, Jeong Hoon Kang, Valeri Lenchine
  • Publication number: 20090031737
    Abstract: A refrigerant circuit (20) includes a low stage compressor (101, 102, 121, 122), a high stage compressor (41, 42, 43), an outdoor heat exchanger (44) and a utilization side heat exchanger (83, 93). During a defrosting operation of the refrigeration system (10), the high stage compressor (41, 42, 43) is driven. Refrigerant discharged from the high stage compressor (41, 42, 43) is pumped into the utilization side heat exchanger (83, 93) to heat frost on it from its inside. Thereafter, the refrigerant evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger (44), is then compressed by the high stage compressor (41, 42, 43) and is sent again to the utilization side heat exchanger (83, 93).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Takeo Ueno, Masaaki Takegami, Koichi Kita, Kenji Tanimoto, Yoshinari Oda, Kazuyoshi Nomura, Azuma Kondo
  • Publication number: 20090031753
    Abstract: A compressor is provided that includes a casing defining an inner space, a suction pipe connected to the casing, a discharge pipe connected to the casing, a motor located at the inner space of the casing, a compressing unit driven by the motor to compress a refrigerant, an oil separating unit configured to separate oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressing unit, and an oil recollecting unit configured to pump the oil separated by the oil separating unit and recollect the separated oil into the compressor main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Byung-Kil YOO, Nam-Kyu Cho, Dong-Koo Shin, Yang-Hee Cho, Hyo-Keun Park, Cheol-Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20090007588
    Abstract: A compressor system includes a first compressor, which has a first low side oil sump, in a first shell and a second compressor, which has a second low side oil sump, in a second shell. The first and second compressors are connected in series. There is an oil transfer conduit connected between the first low side sump of the first compressor and the second low side sump of the second compressor. The system also includes a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit. A method for effecting oil balance in a compressor system, the method includes establishing a first compressor in a first shell having a first low side oil sump and establishing a second compressor in a second shell having a second low side oil sump. The first and second compressors are connected in series. The method also includes positioning an oil transfer conduit between the first low side sump and the second low side sump and positioning a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: David Shaw
  • Patent number: 7472562
    Abstract: A refrigerant go-around passage is provided in a housing of a compressor. The passage takes in refrigerant discharged from a compression mechanism into the housing, makes the refrigerant go around an axial line of the compressor and finally returns the refrigerant to the discharge-port side of the housing while separating liquid contained in the refrigerant from the refrigerant by centrifugation or by centrifugation and collision. In the mid portion of the refrigerant go-around passage, a liquid returning port is provided for returning the separated liquid to the housing in such a manner that the liquid returning port has an orientation that has a component in a direction of gravity and that is deviated from a traveling direction of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Abe, Tatsuhisa Taguchi, Minoru Kajitani, Yukihiro Fujiwara, Yasuhiro Asaida
  • Publication number: 20080314063
    Abstract: A refrigerant system (20) is provided with an enlarged chamber (32) that provides the functions of both an oil separator and a muffler. The chamber includes an oil return line (34) that returns separated oil back to a compressor. The chamber further includes at least one sound-deadening feature such that the chamber will also deaden the sound caused by the compressed refrigerant as it moves downstream from the compressor towards the condenser. In one embodiment, the sound-deadening feature is a torturous path (40) for the compressor discharge flow. In another embodiment, the sound-deadening feature is a sound-deadening material (52) formed within the chamber. Additional oil separation features may include an oil retention mesh (36) or a cyclone structure (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20080302128
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compressor used in an air conditioner of a vehicle. In the present invention, an oil separation chamber and a discharge chamber are formed in one side of a discharge chamber of a compressor, a cylindrical oil separation conduit is formed between the oil separation chamber and the discharge chamber. At the same time, one discharge passage is formed such that refrigerant supplied from the front and rear discharge chambers is collected and oil is separated from the refrigerant, so that the oil is separated from the compressed refrigerant and returns to a swash plate chamber, thereby improving lubricity in the swash plate chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Tae Young PARK, Duck Bin Yoon, Kweon Soo Lim, Min Gyu Kim, Jung Jae Lee
  • Publication number: 20080298981
    Abstract: Provided is a variable capacity swash plate type compressor. The variable capacity swash plate type compressor includes: a cylinder block; a front housing; a rear housing; a valve; a driving shaft; a rotor; a swash; an elastic; and a plurality of pistons, wherein at least one step portion perforating the rotor and the driving shaft, communicating the crank chamber and the refrigerant communication passage, and protruding toward its inner face so that a cross-section of the at least one step portion is reduced in a direction of the refrigerant communication passage from the crank chamber toward an inner face of the step portion, is provided, and at least one oil separation passage in which oil is centrifugally separated from a refrigerant gas flowing inside the driving shaft as the driving shaft rotates is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: HALLA CLIMATE CONTROL CORP.
    Inventors: Tae Young Park, Hew Nam Ahn, Young Seop Yoon
  • Publication number: 20080289348
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. A compression unit 11 for compressing the refrigerant by the drive force of a vehicle engine 4 is arranged in a housing 10 of a compressor 1. The flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11 is detected by a flow rate sensor 15 including a throttle portion 15b and a pressure difference detection mechanism 15a. The throttle portion 15b reduces the flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11. The pressure difference detection mechanism 15a detects the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the throttle portion 15b in the refrigerant flow thereby to detect the flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11. An oil separator 12 for separating the lubricating oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11 is interposed between the compression unit 11 and the flow rate sensor 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Sawada, Yasutane Hijikata
  • Publication number: 20080282713
    Abstract: Method and a system for oil management where a common pressure shield contains all oil management functions for treatment of the mixture of oil and refrigerant leaving the compressor, and returning the oil to the compressor. The pressure shield may comprise at least the following components related to oil management; an oil separator from which oil is flowing to an oil sump, an oil cooler connected to the oil sump, a mixing valve in which the oil from the oil cooler is mixed with oil from the oil sump for achieving an optimised oil temperature, an oil filter for filtering the mixed oil, the mixed oil being returned from the oil filter to the compressor, and where at least the mentioned components can operate at a pressure level substantially equivalent to the discharge pressure at the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS DENMARK APS
    Inventors: Lars Skovlund Andersen, Istvan Knoll
  • Publication number: 20080202151
    Abstract: A muffling apparatus (100) is provided for placement within an oil separator of refrigeration or cooling system, wherein the apparatus has a non-straight shape and a lumen (160) defined therein to allow for noise-creating pressure pulsations/waves to come into contact with absorbing material (110) of the muffling apparatus in order to attenuate the energy of the pressure waves/pulsations into heat and thus reduce oil separator vibrations caused thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miehal Grabon, Xavier Girod, Eric Voluet
  • Publication number: 20080206084
    Abstract: A compressor and oil separation device therefore are provided. The oil separation device is integrated with a compressor and includes a first case having a refrigerant inlet into which a refrigerant mixed with oil is sucked and an oil recollecting member through which oil separated from the refrigerant flows, and a second case positioned outside of the first case and having a refrigerant outlet through which refrigerant separated from an oil is discharged. With this constructions, a pipe connecting the compressor and a separate oil separation device is not required, thereby reducing fabrication costs and facilitating installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Yang-Hee Cho, Nam-Kyu Cho, Dong-Koo Shin
  • Patent number: 7386994
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an oil separator and a cooling-cycle apparatus using the oil separator. To a casing of the separator is connected an inflow tube to supply gaseous refrigerant and oil into the casing for allowing them flowing in a swirl pattern, thereby being separated from each other in a cyclone separation manner. Such a separation manner results in an improved oil separation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Yong Chang, Yoon Been Lee, Sung Chun Kim, Se Dong Chang
  • Publication number: 20080120991
    Abstract: A compressor has a discharge passage, an oil separation mechanism, an oil supply passage, and a valve mechanism. The oil supply passage supplies the separated lubrication oil into an oil recovery region. The valve mechanism is formed in the oil supply passage and includes a valve chamber, a spool and an urging member. The spool separates the valve chamber into a first pressure sensing chamber and a second pressure sensing chamber. The amount of the lubrication oil supplied to the oil recovery region is adjusted in such a manner that as the pressure differential between the first and the second pressure sensing chambers increases, the spool slides in the valve chamber and the opening degree of the oil supply passage increases to the maximum and then decreases, and that when the compressor is stopped, the opening degree of the oil supply passage is minimized by the urging force of the urging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshinori Inoue, Hiroyuki Nakaima, Akinobu Kanai, Naoki Koeda
  • Patent number: 7360373
    Abstract: An evaporator placed in a vehicle compartment includes a meandering flattened pipe, a header joined with one end of the flattened pipe for introducing a compressed refrigerant from a compressor placed in an engine room, and a header joined with the other end of the flattened pipe for discharging the refrigerant toward the compressor, wherein both headers are located in the engine room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Kawai
  • Publication number: 20080034784
    Abstract: A casing for use with a refrigerant compressor of an air conditioning unit in a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the casing facilitates a maximization of pressure pulsation attenuation and an oil separation of a refrigerant/oil mixture flowing therethrough, and a space required thereby is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Balthasar Schillemeit, Hans-Carsten Goettsche-Goetze, Roman Heckt
  • Patent number: 7310970
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating an oil from a refrigerant has a housing, an inlet conduit for receiving a refrigerant/oil mixture, a separator medium, a refrigerant outlet conduit, and an oil outlet conduit. The inlet conduit has an inlet external to the housing and an outlet within the housing and provides means for limiting external sounds transmitted by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Flanigan, Stephen L. Shoulders
  • Patent number: 7296427
    Abstract: In a hybrid compressor for a vehicle where a vehicle engine is stopped when the vehicle is temporally stopped, a pulley, a motor and a compressor can be driven in independent from each other, and are connected to a sun gear, planetary carriers and a ring gear of a planetary gear. A rotational speed of the motor is adjusted by a controller, so that a rotational speed of the compressor is changed with respect to a rotational speed of the pulley. Accordingly, production cost of the hybrid compressor and the size thereof can be reduced, while a cooling function can be ensured even when the vehicle engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi Suzuki, Shigeki Iwanami, Hironori Asa, Keiichi Uno
  • Publication number: 20070251264
    Abstract: A hermetic vessel capable of preventing noise caused by fluid flow, and an oil separator, a gas-liquid separator, and an air conditioning system using the same. The hermetic vessel having a vessel body includes an inlet through which a fluid flows into the vessel body, and a discharge pipe which is inserted into the vessel body to discharge the fluid. The discharge pipe includes a first discharge pipe which guides a flow of the fluid in a first direction and causes a wave of a higher frequency than an audible frequency, and a second discharge pipe which is connected to the first discharge pipe to guide a flow of the fluid from the first discharge pipe in a second direction which is different from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Jae Jang, Suk Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20070175239
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor forms a refrigerant circulation circuit with an external refrigerant circuit, and includes an oil separation structure. The oil separation structure includes a plurality of separation chambers for centrifugally separating oil from refrigerant gas, an oil storage chamber for storing the oil separated in the plurality of separation chambers, a connection passage and an oil passage. The plurality of separation chambers and the oil storage chamber are recessed within thickness of a circumferential wall of a housing component so as to be juxtaposed in a transverse direction passing across the housing component. The connection passage connects the plurality of separation chambers, and extends in the transverse direction along the refrigerant gas flow in a discharge path. The oil passage connects the oil storage chamber and the separation chambers, and extends in the transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: Yoshinori Inoue
  • Patent number: 7249467
    Abstract: A gas-liquid separator (accumulator) is arranged at a refrigerant suction side of a compressor of a refrigerant cycle system mounted in a vehicle. The gas-liquid separator includes a gas-liquid separation portion for separating refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and a liquid refrigerant storage portion for storing therein the separated liquid refrigerant. In the gas-liquid separator, the gas-liquid separation portion is arranged approximately vertically, and the liquid refrigerant storage portion is arranged approximately horizontally with respect to the approximately vertically arranged gas-liquid separation portion. Therefore, mounting performance of the gas-liquid separator in the vehicle can be effectively improved while gas-liquid separation can be accurately performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Nishida, Syuichi Mizuno, Hiroki Naganawa
  • Patent number: 7246507
    Abstract: Provided is an air conditioner which has a separator with an oil tank for storing extra oil; a first oil return tube opening above the surface of the extra oil; and a second oil return tube opening below the surface of the extra oil. When the refrigeration cycle cannot maintain the required oil dilution ratio as a result of the refrigerant having been replenished to cope with long piping, extra oil can be supplied from the second oil return tube to maintain the required oil dilution ratio in the refrigeration cycle, while using a highly versatile general compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Yamada, Hideyuki Kanzaki
  • Patent number: 7222491
    Abstract: An air conditioner including an outdoor unit including a first compressor and a second compressor connected in parallel to the first compressor, an outdoor unit connected in parallel to the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit including a first compressor and a second compressor connected in parallel to the first compressor, the outdoor units being connected in parallel to indoor units, the compressors being connected by first-compressor oil equalizing tubes and second-compressor oil equalizing tubes to feed surplus oil in the compressors, the oil equalizing tubes being connected by an external oil equalizing tube, wherein oil equalization is performed by collecting lubricant oil in the first compressor of the outdoor unit, pressurizing the collected lubricant oil by a discharge pressure of another compressor connected in parallel to the first compressor in the same outdoor unit, that is, the second compressor, and feeding the pressurized lubricant oil into the first compressor or second compressor of the other out
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunji Moriwaki
  • Patent number: 7219503
    Abstract: A refrigeration system including a coalescent oil separator for removing oil from a refrigerant gas and oil mixture discharged from a compressor. Upon a pressure condition being exceeded a directional flow valve opens to allow the refrigerant gas and oil mixture to bypass the coalescent oil separator. There is included a method for servicing the coalescent oil separator without having to resort to shutting down the refrigeration system or removing the refrigerant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Redi Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Luther D. Albertson
  • Patent number: 7204098
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for separating oil from a refrigerant gas containing the oil. The refrigerant gas is discharged from a refrigerant compressor which forms a part of refrigerating cycle to an external refrigerant circuit. The oil separation structure includes a separation chamber in which the oil is separated from the discharge refrigerant gas having a cylindrical inner surface, and a plurality of introduction passages through which the discharge refrigerant gas is introduced into the separation chamber. The oil is separated by centrifugal action from the discharge refrigerant gas by turning the discharge refrigerant gas introduced into the separation chamber along the cylindrical inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Yoshinari Yamada, Suguru Hirota, Hajime Kurita
  • Patent number: 7181926
    Abstract: An oil separator-muffler for a compressor includes an inner chamber with an oil accumulation region and a wall positioned in the inner chamber. The wall defines a separator region and has an impingement surface. The arrangement of the wall in the inner chamber defines flow channels of varying cross-sectional areas. A mixture inlet for the separator-muffler provides a passageway for an oil gaseous refrigerant mixture to flow from the exterior of the separator-muffler into the separator region. The oil is separated from the mixture as the mixture impinges against the impingement surface and flows into the oil accumulation region. A channel in fluid communication with the oil accumulation region provides a passageway for the separated oil from the accumulation region to the exterior of the separator-muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanwal Bhatia, Michael G. Theodore, Jr., Kastriot Shaska
  • Patent number: 7174725
    Abstract: There is provided a rotary compressor capable of preventing deterioration of performance following plug fixing carried out to prevent falling-off of a spring member. The rotary compressor comprises a cylinder constituting a rotary compression element, a roller engaged with an eccentric portion formed in a rotary shaft of an electric element, and eccentrically rotated in the cylinder, a vane abutted on the roller to divide an inside of the cylinder into a low pressure chamber side and a high pressure chamber side, a spring member for always pressing the vane to the roller side, a housing portion of the spring member, formed in the cylinder, and opened to the vane side and a hermetically sealed container side, a plug positioned in the hermetically sealed container side of the spring member, and inserted into the housing portion to fit into a gap, and an O ring attached around the plug to seal a part between the plug and the housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Tadano, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Kenzo Matsumoto, Dai Matsuura, Kazuya Sato, Takayasu Saito, Toshiyuki Ebara, Satoshi Imai, Atsushi Oda, Takashi Sato, Hiroyuki Matsumori
  • Patent number: 7168264
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycling device is provided, wherein a compressor comprises an electric motor element, a first and a second rotary compression elements in a sealed container. The first and the second rotary compression elements are driven by the electric motor element. The refrigerant compressed and discharged by the first rotary compression element is compressed by absorbing into the second rotary compression element, and is discharged to the gas cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Kazuya Sato, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Masaji Yamanaka, Haruhisa Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7152426
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining the temperature of a thermal transfer fluid at a selectable level within a wide temperature range, so as to operate a process tool in a chosen mode employing at lease two cascaded stages, each operating with a different fluid in a separate refrigeration cycle. By interrelating energy transfers between parts of upper and lower stages, thermal efficiency is maximized and a smooth continuum of temperature levels can be provided. The refrigerants advantageously have vaporization points below and above ambient, for upper and lower stages respectively, and employs the upper stage for a constant refrigeration capacity, controlling the final temperature with the lower stage. The system allows for a further extension of range because the thermal transfer fluid can be heated for some process tool modes as the refrigeration cycles are run at low loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Thermal Sciences
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Cowans
  • Patent number: 7137273
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved air chiller unit mounted on an aircraft for sending cooled air to service carts used for serving meals. A compressor 20 of a refrigerant equipped in an air chiller unit has a motor 210 and a rotary compressor 220 disposed in a cylindrical housing 200. An oil separator unit 240 attached to the top portion of a drive shaft 214 of the motor has two disks 241 and 242 which define two labyrinth portions G1 and G2 for effectively separating lubricating oil from the refrigerant traveling toward a refrigerant exit 203.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventors: Masaji Ozaki, Tsuyoshi Oguri
  • Patent number: 7114347
    Abstract: A closed cycle refrigeration system in conjunction with specific mixed or multiple component refrigerant fluids to produce temperatures in the range of 230° K to 70° K. The mixed component refrigerant can be blended from flammable or a non-flammable fluid components based upon the arrangement of the refrigeration equipment and the overall performance requirements for the system. A compressor, an after cooler, an oil separator, filter/dryer, heat exchanger, a throttle device with fixed orifice and an evaporator are arranged in a manner to improve system performance with refrigeration of the present invention or prior art refrigerants. Replaceable additional modules for oil filtration and moisture filtration can be part of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Ajay Khatri
  • Patent number: 7104076
    Abstract: A control algorithm is developed which takes corrective action in the event that system conditions indicate there may be an inadequate flow of lubricant in the system. In particular, if a discharge pressure is below a predetermined amount or if the suction modulation valve is throttled, there is a possibility of inadequate lubricant flow. The system control then turns off the condenser fan, and if that first step is not sufficient, may also turn on an evaporator heater and then control a suction modulation valve. A fail safe control loop also takes effect if the condition sensor appears to have failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Scarcella, Alexander Lifson
  • Patent number: 7082785
    Abstract: A transcritical vapor compression system includes a compressor assembly that includes an oil separator for separating oil from refrigerant. The oil separator is disposed between a motor and a compression chamber in a sub-critical portion of the vapor compression system. Oil emitted from the drive assembly attached to the motor is substantially removed from the refrigerant before entering the compression chamber of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Nieter, Tobias Sicnel, William A. Rioux
  • Patent number: 7082774
    Abstract: Automatic oil removal from an ammonia evaporator/low pressure vessel in a refrigeration system is disclosed. A liquid refrigerant level controller is utilized to drain the oil. The controller works under the principle of fluid thermal conductivity. Oil having lower thermal conductivity as compared to liquid ammonia, activates the probe which in turn opens the valve to drain the oil accumulated in a trap of an evaporator or a low pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Zahid Hussain Ayub
  • Patent number: 7076968
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycling device is provided, wherein a compressor comprises an electric motor element, a first and a second rotary compression elements in a sealed container. The first and the second rotary compression elements are driven by the electric motor element. The refrigerant compressed and discharged by the first rotary compression element is compressed by absorbing into the second rotary compression element, and is discharged to the gas cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Kazuya Sato, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Masaji Yamanaka, Haruhisa Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7051551
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycling device is provided, wherein a compressor comprises an electric motor element, a first and a second rotary compression elements in a sealed container. The first and the second rotary compression elements are driven by the electric motor element. The refrigerant compressed and discharged by the first rotary compression element is compressed by absorbing into the second rotary compression element, and is discharged to the gas cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Kazuya Sato, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Masaji Yamanaka, Haruhisa Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7013672
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycling device is provided, wherein a compressor comprises an electric motor element, a first and a second rotary compression elements in a sealed container. The first and the second rotary compression elements are driven by the electric motor element. The refrigerant compressed and discharged by the first rotary compression element is compressed by absorbing into the second rotary compression element, and is discharged to the gas cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Kazuya Sato, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Masaji Yamanaka, Haruhisa Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6993932
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle system in which the arrangement of a connecting pipe for connection between a compressor and an accumulator is improved effectively to recover oil collected in the accumulator to the compressor. The accumulator is installed to be separate from the compressor. A connecting pipe is arranged between the compressor and the accumulator to feed a refrigerant gas separated in the accumulator to the compressor. An oil recovery hole is provided at an inlet portion of the connecting pipe received in the accumulator such that it is arranged at a level higher than a highest level portion of the connecting pipe located outside of the accumulator. A second accumulator may be connected between the connecting pipe and the compressor while being directly installed at the compressor. In this case, the connecting pipe has an outlet portion connected to the second accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Taek Lee, Hyoung Seo Choi, Hyun ll Roh, Moo Gyo Seo
  • Patent number: 6962059
    Abstract: To prevent heat transfer inhibition and an increase in pressure loss due to refrigerating machine oil discharged into a cycle, and to provide a compact and highly efficient refrigerating cycle apparatus using carbon dioxide gas (CO2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriho Okaza, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Yuji Yoshida, Mitsuhiro Ikoma, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Hidenobu Shintaku
  • Patent number: 6948335
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oil equalizing circuit for a refrigeration system provided with a plurality of compression mechanisms, the oil equalizing circuit being capable of supplying sufficient oil to the compressors that are running during partial load operation. The refrigeration system compression mechanism is provided with the following: first, second, and third compressors; a refrigerant intake main pipe; first, second, and third intake branch pipes connected to the intake sides of the compressors; first, second, and third oil separators connected to the discharge sides of the compressors; and first, second, and third oil return pipes provided on the oil separators. The first oil return pipe is configured such that oil is delivered to the refrigerant intake main pipe due to gravity when only the first compressor is running. The second oil return pipe is configured such that oil is delivered to the refrigerant intake main pipe due to gravity when only the first and second compressors are running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiromune Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6945073
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycling device is provided, wherein a compressor comprises an electric motor element, a first and a second rotary compression elements in a sealed container. The first and the second rotary compression elements are driven by the electric motor element. The refrigerant compressed and discharged by the first rotary compression element is compressed by absorbing into the second rotary compression element, and is discharged to the gas cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Kazuya Sato, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Masaji Yamanaka, Haruhisa Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6941767
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oil equalizing circuit that can improve the reliability of the oil supply to the compression mechanisms in a refrigeration system provided with a plurality of compression mechanisms. The compressor group of the air conditioning system is equipped chiefly with first, second, and third compressors and an oil equalizing circuit. The oil equalizing circuit is equipped with the first, second and third oil separators provided on the discharge sides of the compressors; first, second, and third oil return pipes connecting the oil separators to the intake sides of the compressors; a communication pipe for allowing the oil return pipes to communicate with one another; first, second, and third oil ON-OFF switching mechanisms provided downstream of the parts where the oil return pipes connect to the communication pipe; and first, second, and third pressure reducing mechanisms provided upstream of the parts where the oil return pipes connect to the communication pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromune Matsuoka, Shinya Matsuoka, Yasushi Hori
  • Patent number: 6931886
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention an apparatus is proposed for the return of lubricant for a refrigeration machine (K). The lubricant return comprises a container (2) with at least one sheet metal partition (3), said sheet metal partition (3) dividing the container (2) into at least a first zone (4) and a second zone (5), as well as a sheet metal separating member (7) in the second zone for separating out lubricant (6). In the second zone (5) an extraction device (8) is arranged in relation to the sheet metal separating member (7) in such a way and formed so that the lubricant (6) separated out at the sheet metal separating member (7) is removable from the container (2) by means of the extraction device (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Axima Refrigeration GmbH
    Inventors: Beat Schuppisser, Jean-Claude Logel, Beatrice Klotz, Holger Koenig
  • Patent number: 6886361
    Abstract: A shell and coil type heat exchanger evaporator provides cooling for industrial coolants characterized by high viscosity and a poor heat transfer coefficient. A large heat transfer surface area is provided within a limited volume, and without a high coolant pressure drop. A short initial cool down period is provided due to minimized heat exchanger mass and minimized volume of liquid coolant in the heat exchanger during initial cool down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: IGC-Polycold Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Flynn
  • Patent number: 6874328
    Abstract: In a hybrid compressor for a vehicle where a vehicle engine is stopped when the vehicle is temporally stopped, a pulley, a motor and a compressor can be driven in independent from each other, and are connected to a sun gear, planetary carriers and a ring gear of a planetary gear. A rotational speed of the motor is adjusted by a controller, so that a rotational speed of the compressor is changed with respect to a rotational speed of the pulley. Accordingly, production cost of the hybrid compressor and the size thereof can be reduced, while a cooling function can be ensured even when the vehicle engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignees: Nippon Soken Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Suzuki, Shigeki Iwanami, Hironori Asa, Keiichi Uno
  • Patent number: 6868681
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner comprising a plurality of indoor units and a common outdoor unit connected to each of the indoor units. The air conditioner further includes an additional indoor unit connected to an air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit. The additional indoor unit is installed in some place other than the installation place of the indoor unit. The indoor units are selectively or simultaneously operated by means of effective distribution of coolant in the outdoor unit so that the indoor units are properly operated by means of the single outdoor unit to provide a pleasant air conditioned environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung Joo Woo, Su Chang Woo, Kyung Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 6854281
    Abstract: A check device for an air conditioning system of an automobile and an air conditioner compressor includes a first path for containing coolant flowing therein. An air conditioner compressor, a condenser, an inflate valve and an evaporator are sequentially mounted to the first path to divided the first path. Two opposite ends of the first path respectively connected to a high-pressure outlet and a low-pressure inlet of the air conditioner compressor. Two pressure gauges are respectively mounted to the first path, one before the air conditioner compressor and the other after the air conditioner compressor relative to the flowing direction of the coolant in the first path for showing the difference of the pressure value of the coolant between passing before the air conditioner compressor and passing after the air conditioner compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: He Jhang Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin Laing Lai, Man Chih Chang
  • Publication number: 20040244393
    Abstract: A compressor assembly including one or more compressors associated with compressor drive means. A cooling system is positioned downstream from the compressor and includes at least one air circulator, for example, a fan or a blower, and at least one heat exchanger. The air circulator is associated with a circulator variable speed drive, the speed of which can be adjusted independent of the compressor drive means. One or more sensors are associated with the circulator drive. The sensors sense desired variables and the speed of the circulator drive is adjustable in response to real-time sensed conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Lucas, Paul A. Scarpinato, David V. Woodward, Jack B. Whitley, James C. Collins