By Utilizing Working Fluid Of Refrigeration Producer Patents (Class 62/81)
  • Publication number: 20100307172
    Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided that includes a cooling refrigerant circuit, a reheat refrigerant circuit, an evaporator fan, and a controller. The evaporator fan forces indoor air in a first direction and a second direction. The indoor air passes across the evaporator before the reheat coil, in the first direction, but passes across the reheat coil before the evaporator, in the second direction. The controller, when in a conventional cooling mode, controls the reheat refrigerant circuit so that the reheat refrigerant circuit is not in fluid communication with the cooling refrigerant circuit and controls the evaporator fan to force the indoor air in the first direction. Conversely, the controller, when in a defrost mode, controls the reheat refrigerant circuit so that the reheat refrigerant circuit is in fluid communication with the cooling refrigerant circuit and controls the evaporator fan to force the indoor air in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20100300122
    Abstract: A Refrigerating circuit according to the invention comprises a compressor, a condenser/gas cooler, an expansion device (2), an evaporator (4), and refrigerant conduits circulating a refrigerant therethrough. The evaporator (4) comprises refrigerant piping comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal layers (8, 10) each layer comprising a plurality of pipes (8a-8h, 10a-10h) the pipes being substantially perpendicular to an air flow direction (12) from an air inlet region to an air outlet region of the evaporator (4). A pipe selected from the group of the second pipe (8b) to the last but one pipe (8g) in the bottom layer (8) forms the entry pipe (8c) of the evaporator (4). The entry pipe (8c) is connectable with the expansion device (2) to provide a refrigerating mode, and the entry pipe (8c) is connectable with a hot gas conduit (6) to provide a defrosting mode for the evaporator (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bernd Heinbokel
  • Publication number: 20100287961
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a control method of the same are disclosed. A refrigerator includes a plurality of evaporators and a refrigerant path conversion device connected with the plurality of the evaporates, the refrigerant path conversion device controlling a path of refrigerant to perform defrosting operations for predetermined evaporators and cooling operations for the other evaporators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Gye Young Song, Kwang Woon Ahn
  • Publication number: 20100242505
    Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerant distribution in a vapour compression system, such as a refrigeration system, e.g. an air condition system, comprising at least two evaporators. The refrigerant distribution determines the distribution of the available amount of refrigerant among the evaporators. While monitoring a superheat, SH, at a common outlet for the evaporators, the distribution of refrigerant is modified in such a manner that a mass flow of refrigerant to a first evaporator is altered in a controlled manner. The impact on the monitored SH is then observed, and this is used for deriving information relating to the behaviour of the first evaporator, in the form of a control parameter. This is repeated for each evaporator, and the refrigerant distribution is adjusted on the basis of the control parameters. The impact may be in the form of a significant change in SH.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Claus Thybo, Rafael Wisniewski
  • Publication number: 20100229575
    Abstract: A system and method for defrosting an air source heat pump are presented. A defrost conduit extends from the discharge from a system compressor to the outdoor coil. The defrost conduit includes a normally closed defrost valve. When the need for defrost exists, the defrost valve is opened, and warm refrigerant is delivered from the compressor discharge to the outdoor coil to effect defrost of the outdoor coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicants: SHAW ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, LLC, HALLOWELL INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: David N. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20100205984
    Abstract: A medium and low-temperature integrated refrigeration/freezing system (100) has the function of discharge gas defrosting. It comprises medium and low-temperature compressors sets (120, 122) and medium and low-temperature evaporators, as well as control valves (141, 142, 143, 144), adjusting valves (145, 146), one-way valves (147, 148) and expansion valves (150, 152, 154), and the switching between a refrigerating cycle and the discharge gas defrosting cycle is performed by the combination of actions between multiple control valves. When a first control valve is opened, a second valve is closed and a fourth valve is closed to the refrigerant pipeline to said reservoir, the refrigerating cycle operation is performed; and when the first control valve is closed, the second valve is opened and the fourth valve is closed to the refrigerant pipeline of an intercooler (128), the discharge gas defrosting operation is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhong Gu, Zhiwei He, Chuanxue Duan
  • Publication number: 20100170270
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided, in which some of a plurality of outdoor heat exchangers implement a defrosting operation and others implement a heating operation. The air conditioner includes a compressor to compress refrigerant, a hot gas pipe to which a part of the refrigerant compressed in the compressor is moved, a 4-way valve to which the remaining refrigerant compressed in the compressor is moved, an indoor heat exchanger in which the refrigerant, having passed through the 4-way valve, undergoes heat exchange with indoor air, and a plurality of outdoor heat exchangers, some of which implement a heating operation as the heat-exchanged refrigerant from the indoor heat exchanger is moved therethrough while others implement a defrosting operation as the refrigerant having passed through the hot gas pipe is moved therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ji Young JANG, Chi Woo Song, Baik Young Chung, Sai Kee Oh
  • Patent number: 7681410
    Abstract: A system, configured to be disposed in a information technology equipment rack for providing ice thermal storage, includes a tank configured to hold water, a heat exchanger disposed in water in the tank and configured to convey a two-phase liquid and vapor refrigerant and to transfer heat between the water and the refrigerant, a first valve connected to a liquid and a vapor refrigerant line and configured to selectively connect the liquid refrigerant line to a first port and the vapor refrigerant line to a second port in a first mode and to connect the liquid refrigerant line to the second port and the vapor refrigerant line to the first port in a second mode, a thermostatic expansion valve connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger, and a liquid/vapor pump connected to an outlet of the heat exchanger and to the second port of the first valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Bean, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090320504
    Abstract: Method for defrosting an evaporator in a refrigeration circuit (2) for circulating a refrigerant in a predetermined flow direction, the refrigeration circuit (2) comprising in flow direction a compressor unit (4), a heat-rejecting heat exchanger (6), an expansion device (12) and an evaporator (14), wherein the evaporator (14) comprises at least two refrigerant conduits (42; 44) and the method comprises the following steps: (a) operating the refrigeration circuit (2) in the normal cooling mode where the refrigerant exiting the heat-rejecting heat exchanger (6) flows through the expansion device (12) and through the evaporator (14) and towards the compressor unit (4); (b) terminating the cooling mode by interrupting the flow of the refrigerant exiting the heat-rejecting heat exchanger (6) into the evaporator (14); and (c) directing hot gas refrigerant through only a portion of the refrigerant conduits (42; 44) of the evaporator (14) for defrosting the evaporator (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Neelkanth S. Gupte
  • Patent number: 7610766
    Abstract: A defrost refrigeration system of the type having a main refrigeration circuit operating a refrigeration cycle. The defrost refrigeration system comprises a first line extending from the first compressor to the evaporator stage and is adapted to receive a portion of discharged low-pressure refrigerant from the first compressor. Valves are provided for stopping a suction of cooling refrigerant in an evaporator of the evaporator stage and for directing a flow of defrost refrigerant to release heat to defrost the evaporator. A second line is provided for directing the refrigerant having released heat to the expansion stage of the refrigeration cycle. A pressure reducing device is optionally positioned downstream of the condensing stage for adjusting a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure liquid state mixing with the defrost refrigerant having released heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Serge Dubé
  • Patent number: 7484374
    Abstract: A method includes operating a compressor of a heat pump system and is selectively providing vapor to a vapor injection port of the compressor via a vapor injection line and vapor injection valve. The method further includes determining a frost condition of a first and second heat exchanger of the heat pump system and closing a vapor injection valve to prevent fluid flow into the compressor at the vapor injection port. A direction of refrigerant flow is reversed to direct vaporized refrigerant to the one of said first and second heat exchangers experiencing the frost condition. The vapor injection valve is opened after a first predetermined time period following reversal of the refrigerant flow. The method further includes closing the vapor injection valve and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow within the heat pump system once the vapor injection valve is closed for a second predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung M. Pham, Jean-Luc M. Caillat, Ronald L. Van Hoose
  • Patent number: 7461515
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using hot gas to defrost sequentially each refrigerated display case (evaporator) in a group of refrigerated display cases (evaporators). A unique cross-feed line connects the distributor and the evaporator suction line for each evaporator in the group of evaporators. Like a typical hot gas defrost system, the sequential hot gas defrost system may be time-initiated and time-terminated or time-initiated and temperature-terminated. Each evaporator in the group of evaporators is defrosted in turn while the remaining evaporators in the group continue to operate in the refrigeration mode. A unitary combination check valve and orifice simplifies the sequential hot gas defrost refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Keith E. Wellman
  • Publication number: 20080264075
    Abstract: A heat pump system is disclosed that utilizes a primary compressor, a booster compressor, and a controlled heat exchanger heat exchanger fluidly connected between the boost compressor output and the primary compressor input. The controlled heat exchanger functions to reduce the temperature of the refrigerant entering the primary compressor, thereby allowing the booster compressor to operate for longer periods without overheating the primary compressor. Increasing compressor run times improves both the heat pump efficiency and extends the compressor lifespan. The heat energy may be diverted away from the primary compressor to a hydronics system for heating an indoor space. Additionally, heat energy may be withdrawn from the hydronics system to defrost the outdoor coil of the heat pump system. The periods of compressor inactivity may also be extended by withdrawing heat energy stored in a hydronics tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: William J. Seefeldt
  • Publication number: 20080229763
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and method for defrosting a heat exchanger is disclosed and which includes a heat exchanger having a fluid receiving conduit, and at least one space which is defined, at least in part, by the fluid receiving conduit, an expandable and contractible heating element which is received within the space, and which is located in heat transmitting relation relative to the fluid receiving conduit, and a biasing member mounted on the heat exchanger and the heating element and which longitudinally, and resiliently restrains the movement of the heating element relative to the heat exchanger during the expansion and contraction of the heating element relative to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce I. Nelson, John L. Wold, Roger B. Williams, Jeremy P. Olberding
  • Publication number: 20080184715
    Abstract: A bottle cooler system (20, 70, 100) includes a compressor (22), a first heat exchanger (24) and a second heat exchanger (28). In a cooling mode of operation, the second heat exchanger is downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of the compressor to cool contents of an interior volume. In a defrost mode of operation, refrigerant in the second heat exchanger is used to defrost an ice build-up on the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: CARRIER COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, INC.
    Inventors: Yu Chen, Tobias H. Sienel, Parmesh Verma, Hans-Joachim Huff
  • Publication number: 20080087027
    Abstract: A water-cooled air conditioner is provided, and includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a cooling tower, and a boiler. The indoor unit cools or heats a space, and includes a first heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between air and refrigerant. The outdoor unit is installed separately from the indoor unit and includes a second heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between water and refrigerant. The cooling tower is connected to the outdoor unit, and cools water flowing to the second heat exchanger. The boiler is connected to the outdoor unit, and increases a temperature of the water flowing to the second heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is formed with a plurality of thin plates separated from one another by predetermined gaps through which refrigerant and water flow. The second heat exchanger includes an anti-freezing device that prevents freezing of water within the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: In Woong Park, Ja Hyung Koo, Seung Cheol Baek, Soo Yeon Shin, Dong Hyuk Lee
  • Patent number: 7331189
    Abstract: In a cooling system having a compressor for supplying refrigerant under pressure, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant supplied from the compressor, a liquid receiver arranged to temporarily store the condensed refrigerant supplied from the condenser, an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant supplied from the liquid receiver, and an evaporator arranged to effect evaporation of the expanded refrigerant for cooling the surrounding thereof, a bypass conduit is arranged to bypass the liquid receiver and expansion valve, and an electrically operated flow passage changeover valve is provided to selectively connect a supply passage of refrigerant to the liquid receiver and expansion valve and to the bypass conduit so that the supply passage of refrigerant is connected to the liquid receiver and expansion valve during operation at a cooling mode and is connected to the bypass conduit during operation at a defrost mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yoshida, Kazuyoshi Seki, Akihiko Hirano, Masahide Yatori, Chiyoshi Toya
  • Patent number: 7302803
    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: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 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: 7275376
    Abstract: A defrost system for a temperature controlled storage unit includes an enclosure providing a space for storage of products. A refrigeration system has a supply line and a return line coupled to a cooling element to circulate a refrigerant through the cooling element to provide cooling to the space. A control module initiates a plurality of defrost modes on a predetermined frequency and for a predetermined duration by reducing a flow rate of the refrigerant through the cooling element so that a superheat temperature of the refrigerant in the cooling coil is increased to a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dover Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Larry C. Howington, Arnold M. Stephens, Robert D. Tanner
  • Patent number: 7247254
    Abstract: An antifreeze composition and method of use provides safety and protection for potable water systems in RVs, vacation homes, swimming pools and raw water cooled marine engines against freeze damage. The antifreeze composition includes propylene glycol, a sorbitol surfactant having a high Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance (HLB) number and water. The preferred sorbitol surfactant consists of food grade polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate. By directing the antifreeze composition into these water systems, freeze damage is prevented even when the temperature drops to extremely low levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Camco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Flowers
  • Patent number: 7178346
    Abstract: A constant temperature refrigeration system for extensive temperature range application comprising a refrigerator, a low-temperature heat exchanger, a medium-temperature heat exchanger, a high-temperature heat exchanger, a pump, a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, a third solenoid valve, a temperature sensor, a power regulator, a controller and a plurality of heaters, the temperature sensor is utilized for determining the working fluid temperature and compare the actual input temperature, the actual output temperature and the predetermined temperature, and the controller is utilized for switching the first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve for conveying the fluid to flow through various heat exchangers so that the working fluid is heated or cooled, with the result being that the working fluid temperature outputted is to reach the predetermined temperature, so as to acquire the working fluid having the exactly and precisely predetermined low temperature (?40° C
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Eh Dih Huang, Wen Ruey Chang
  • Patent number: 7171817
    Abstract: A heat exchanger liquid refrigerant defrost system disclosed herein specifically designed to defrost the coil subsystems used on an outdoor heat exchanger used on a building heat pump unit or combination heat pump/air condition unit. The outdoor heat exchanger contains at least two coil subsystems each including having a first secondary bypass check valve, a secondary liquid line, a bypass solenoid, a suction solenoid, and a metering device. During use, the flow of warm liquid refrigerant through the coil subsystems is selectively controlled to defrost the coil subsystem one chamber at a time. The other coil subsystems continue to exchange heat and warm the building. When all of the coils systems are sequentially defrosted, all of the coil subsystems may operate in a heating mode or begin the defrost cycle again. Two important benefits of the system over a conventional heat exchanger are the amount of energy required to defrost the coil subsystem is reduced and a supplemental heat source is not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel J. Birgen
  • Patent number: 7111472
    Abstract: The proposed design describes a refrigeration system with an evaporator, which allows inherent absorption of heat from the ambient, a condenser returning refrigerant to a liquid state, a compressor delivering refrigerant within the system but with refrigerant flowing through a heat exchanger from the compressor to the receiver and flowing through such a heat exchanger parallel to the flow of low pressure gas leaving the evaporator in a vertical configuration which precludes the flow of liquid from the evaporator to the compressor but maintains the constant pressures and constant flow of refrigerant within the heat exchanger to maximize the efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Tube Ice, LLC
    Inventor: Richard L. Cloud
  • Patent number: 7043938
    Abstract: A method for thawing and removing frozen material from a cryogenic separation unit such as that found in an olefin production plant comprising employing a flushing agent to thaw and remove the frozen material, purging the flushing agent with a gas, and removing residual flushing agent with a solvent that is miscible with the flushing agent and has a freezing temperature substantially lower than the flushing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Raghu S. Narayan, Steven T. Coleman, James H. Walker
  • Patent number: 6983613
    Abstract: A defrost refrigeration system having a main refrigeration system and comprising a first line extending from a compressing stage to an evaporator stage and adapted to receive refrigerant in high-pressure gas state from the compressing stage. A first pressure reducing device on the first line is provided for reducing a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure gas state to a second low-pressure gas state. Valves are provided for stopping a flow of the refrigerant in a first low-pressure liquid state from a condensing stage to evaporators of the evaporator stage and directing a flow of the refrigerant in the second low-pressure gas state to release heat to defrost the evaporators and thereby changing phase at least partially to a second low-pressure liquid state. A second line is provided for directing the refrigerant having released heat to the compressing stage, the condensing stage or the evaporator stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Serge Dubé
  • Patent number: 6931880
    Abstract: A method of defrosting of a heat exchanger (evaporator) in a vapor compression system including, downstream of a heat exchanger (evaporator) (3) to be defrosted, at least a compressor (1), a second heat exchanger (condenser/heat rejecter) (2), and an expansion device (6) connected by conduits in an operable manner to form an integral closed circuit. The heat exchanger (3) to be defrosted is subjected to essentially the same pressure as the compressor's (1) discharge pressure. Thus, the heat exchanger (3) is defrosted as the high-pressure discharge gas from the compressor (1) flows through to the heat exchanger, giving off heat to the heat exchanger (3). In the circuit, in connection with the expansion device (6) a first bypass loop 23 with a first valve (16?), is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Sinvent AS
    Inventors: KĂĄre Aflekt, Einar Brendeng, Armin Hafner, Petter NeksĂĄ, Jostein Pettersen, HĂĄvard Rekstad, Geir Skaugen, Gholam Reza Zakeri
  • Patent number: 6883334
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a cold plate is disclosed. The temperature of the cold plate is controlled by directing compressed refrigerant along a first path configured to supply cooled refrigerant to the evaporator of the cold plate, redirecting at least a portion of the compressed refrigerant along a second path configured to supply non-cooled refrigerant to the evaporator of the cold plate, comparing a temperature reading associated with the cold plate to a predefined temperature range, and incrementally controlling the portion of the compressed refrigerant redirected along the second path responsive to the compared temperature reading. The temperature of the cold plate may be controlled to defrost the cold plate by redirecting substantially all of the compressed refrigerant along the second path for a predefined period of time responsive to a shutdown indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Preyas Sarabhai Shah
  • Patent number: 6854277
    Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignees: Scotsman Ice Systems, Mile High Equipment Co.
    Inventors: David Brett Gist, Matthew Allison, Daniel Leo Ziolkowski
  • Publication number: 20040250555
    Abstract: A defrost refrigeration system having a main refrigeration system and comprising a first line extending from a compressing stage to an evaporator stage and adapted to receive refrigerant in high-pressure gas state from the compressing stage. A first pressure reducing device on the first line is provided for reducing a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure gas state to a second low-pressure gas state. Valves are provided for stopping a flow of the refrigerant in a first low-pressure liquid state from a condensing stage to evaporators of the evaporator stage and directing a flow of the refrigerant in the second low-pressure gas state to release heat to defrost the evaporators and thereby changing phase at least partially to a second low-pressure liquid state. A second line is provided for directing the refrigerant having released heat to the compressing stage, the condensing stage or the evaporator stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Serge Dube
  • Publication number: 20040211195
    Abstract: A refrigeration defrost system including at least one frosted evaporator having an evaporator refrigerant vapor line and an evaporator refrigerant liquid line, comprises a first compressor having a suction inlet line and a discharge outlet line each connected to a discharge manifold, the discharge outlet being connected to said evaporator refrigerant vapor line. A first pressure regulator valve disposed in a refrigerant bypass passageway between the discharge manifold and the suction inlet line, feeds refrigerant vapor, when a defrost cycle is required, from the discharge manifold into the suction inlet line. The refrigerant vapor is fed from the first compressor into the discharge outlet line and into the frosted evaporator through the evaporator refrigerant vapor line, thereby defrosting said frosted evaporator. Also disclosed is a method of defrosting a frosted evaporator using a single, dedicated defrost compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Gaetan Lesage
  • Patent number: 6807813
    Abstract: A refrigeration defrost system includes a frosted evaporator with an evaporator refrigerant vapor line and an evaporator refrigerant liquid line. A compressor with a suction inlet and a discharge outlet are both connected to a discharge manifold. The discharge outlet is connected to the evaporator refrigerant vapor line. A pressure regulator valve is located in a refrigerant bypass passageway between the discharge manifold and the suction inlet line and feeds refrigerant vapor, when a defrost cycle is required, from the discharge manifold into the suction inlet. A check valve is connected in series with the regulator valve to stop low pressure refrigerant vapor from the evaporator refrigerant vapor line from feeding into the suction inlet. The refrigerant vapor is fed from the compressor into the discharge outlet and into the evaporator through the evaporator refrigerant vapor line, which defrosts the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Gaetan Lesage
  • Publication number: 20040168451
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for operating a refrigeration cycle without icing of the evaporative surface of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Alan W. Bagley
  • Patent number: 6775993
    Abstract: A defrost refrigeration system having a main refrigeration system and comprising a first line extending from a compressing stage to an evaporator stage and adapted to receive refrigerant in high-pressure gas state from the compressing stage. A first pressure reducing device on the first line is provided for reducing a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure gas state to a second low-pressure gas state. Valves are provided for stopping a flow of the refrigerant in a first low-pressure liquid state from a condensing stage to evaporators of the evaporator stage and directing a flow of the refrigerant in the second low-pressure gas state to release heat to defrost the evaporators and thereby changing phase at least partially to a second low-pressure liquid state. A second line is provided for directing the refrigerant having released heat to the compressing stage, the condensing stage or the evaporator stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Serge Dubé
  • Patent number: 6745583
    Abstract: Disclosed are a defrosting apparatus of an air conditioner and a method thereof. The defrosting apparatus includes a temperature sensor for sensing a pipe temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor temperature; a comparator for comparing the sensed pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger and the sensed outdoor temperature, and generating and outputting a comparison signal; and a valve controller for increasing an opening value of an LEV (Linear Expansion Valve) at a defrosting operation and decreasing the opening value of the LEV at a defrosting operation termination. The apparatus and the method can increase efficiency of the defrosting operation and reduce a period of time required for performing the defrosting operation by determining the defrosting operation based on a difference between a pipe temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor temperature and increasing an opening value of an LEV at the defrosting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Min Ho So, Won Hee Lee, Chang Min Choi, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh, Cheol Min Kim
  • Patent number: 6701729
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for operating a refrigeration cycle without icing of the evaporative surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: BBC Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan W. Bagley
  • Publication number: 20040003604
    Abstract: Disclosed are a defrosting apparatus of an air conditioner and a method thereof. The defrosting apparatus includes a temperature sensor for sensing a pipe temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor temperature; a comparator for comparing the sensed pipe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger and the sensed outdoor temperature, and generating and outputting a comparison signal; and a valve controller for increasing an opening value of an LEV (Linear Expansion Valve) at a defrosting operation and decreasing the opening value of the LEV at a defrosting operation termination. The apparatus and the method can increase efficiency of the defrosting operation and reduce a period of time required for performing the defrosting operation by determining the defrosting operation based on a difference between a pipe temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor temperature and increasing an opening value of an LEV at the defrosting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Min Ho So, Won Hee Lee, Chang Min Choi, Yoon Jei Hwang, Deok Huh, Cheol Min Kim
  • Publication number: 20040003601
    Abstract: A defrost refrigeration system having a main refrigeration system and comprising a first line extending from a compressing stage to an evaporator stage and adapted to receive refrigerant in high-pressure gas state from the compressing stage. A first pressure reducing device on the first line is provided for reducing a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure gas state to a second low-pressure gas state. Valves are provided for stopping a flow of the refrigerant in a first low-pressure liquid state from a condensing stage to evaporators of the evaporator stage and directing a flow of the refrigerant in the second low-pressure gas state to release heat to defrost the evaporators and thereby changing phase at least partially to a second low-pressure liquid state. A second line is provided for directing the refrigerant having released heat to the compressing stage, the condensing stage or the evaporator stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Serge Dube
  • Publication number: 20040000153
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for operating a refrigeration cycle without icing of the evaporative surface of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Alan W. Bagley
  • Patent number: 6666043
    Abstract: There is provided a dewfall preventing device of a refrigerator for preventing dew from forming on the contact portion of a refrigerator case and a door, the device comprising a heat exchanger for concentrating the waste heat generated from a compressor with contacted to the compressor of the refrigerator and a thermosyphon, its two ends connected to the heat exchanger, and having a working fluid phase-transferred into a gas phase after heat-exchanging with the waste heat from the compressor, move along the hot line, vaporize the dew forming on the contact portion of a refrigerator case and a door by the radiation of the heat, transferred into a liquid phase, fallen down by gravitation, and introduced back into the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Myung Ryul Lee
  • Patent number: 6588221
    Abstract: A method of defrosting a refrigeration system having a main compressor connected by a main hot gas discharge line to a condenser, the condenser being connected by a main liquid line to thermal expansion valves and subsequent cooling coils, each thermal expansion valve and cooling coil being in parallel connection with the other thermal expansion valves and cooling coils, and each cooling coil being connected by a suction line to the main compressor, the defrosting method includes passing hot gas from the main hot gas discharge line through a selected cooling coil to defrost same, compressing cooled hot gas which has passed through the cooling coil by means of a separate dedicated defrost compressor, and returning the compressed hot gas to the main hot gas discharge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Super S.E.E.R Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Gregory
  • Publication number: 20030115900
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a multi-stage compression type rotary compressor which can avoid the replacement of parts to be used as much as possible to reduce costs and also which enables easily setting an appropriate displacement volume ratio while preventing-the compressor from being increased in size. The gist of the present invention is that an inner diameter of a lower cylinder is altered without altering its thickness (or height), and a displacement volume ratio between first and second rotary compression elements is set to an optimum value in accordance with the alteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Masaya Tadano, Kazuya Sato, Dai Matsuura, Takayasu Saito, Noriyuki Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20020184904
    Abstract: The invention is for an enclosable evaporator/defroster unit for a refrigerated display case. The refrigerated display case has a cabinet with a floor, a ceiling, a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls. There is an access opening in one of the front wall, the rear wall and the side walls. An air duct extends around the cabinet for conducting a current of air. The air duct forms a substantially closed conduit. There is a gap in the conduit that coincides with the access opening in the cabinet. A fan circulates air in the air duct. An evaporator coil is positioned in the air duct to cool the circulating air. A defroster unit is also positioned near the evaporator coils to melt the condensation on the evaporator coil. The defroster unit has a heater, dampers, and an actuator for moving the dampers between an open and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Keith E. Wellman
  • Publication number: 20020184900
    Abstract: The invention is a method and a defroster control circuit to sequentially defrost a series of refrigerated display cases. The method begins by operating the series of refrigerated display cases during a normal refrigeration mode. At the beginning of the refrigeration mode, a refrigeration time is set to zero and an elapsed refrigeration time is subsequently monitored. When the refrigeration time equals an activation time, a defrost mode begins and a defrost cycle for the first case starts. The defrost cycle for the first case terminates based either on a defrost time criterion or a defrost temperature criterion. After the first refrigerated display case is defrosted, a refrigeration cycle is restarted for the first case. After the first refrigerated display case is defrosted, the other refrigerated display cases in the series of refrigerated display cases are then sequentially defrosted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Keith E. Wellman
  • Publication number: 20020078699
    Abstract: A hot gas defrost system for a refrigeration cycle, including at least a compressor, reversing valve, condenser and evaporator. During defrost, the reversing valve directs the superheated refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator. The hot gas traverses the evaporator coil which, in turn, causes the ice or frost to melt. The hot gas defrost refrigeration system may also include a receiver to store the refrigerant during the refrigeration and defrost cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Vogel, Robert G. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 6321543
    Abstract: A controller monitors the saturated suction temperature and the saturated discharge temperature of a system that includes a compressor operating as part of a chiller and/or heat pump. When the compressor operates outside its compressor map, the controller takes action to ensure the compressor operates only within its compressor map. Such actions include defrosting the compressor coil if the system is in heating mode or unloading the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Wahl Said, Hippolyte Chavagnat
  • Patent number: 6286322
    Abstract: A hot gas defrost system for a refrigeration cycle, including at least a compressor, reversing valve, condenser and evaporator. During defrost, the reversing valve directs the superheated refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator. The hot gas traverses the evaporator coil which, in turn, causes the ice or frost to melt. The hot gas defrost refrigeration system may also include a receiver to store the refrigerant during the refrigeration and defrost cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Ardco, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Vogel, Robert G. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 6283738
    Abstract: It is an improvement of a package-type compressor that is used for the air compression, refrigerating and air conditioning The compressor is a double scroll compressor that a laps are formed on both sides of an end plate of orbiting scroll. A scroll compressor element is disposed above a motor and a dryer is disposed further above the scroll compressor element. A cooling fan is installed in the motor. A cooler that cools operation gas through the compressor element is disposed above the cooling fan. A partition plate defines a first flow passage for cooling the motor and the compressor element and a second flow passage for cooling the cooler. A first suction port sucking external air to the first and second flow passages is provided on a casing side wall locating in a direction extending from the motor shaft. A suction partitioning plate is attached to a casing sidewall opposite to the casing side wall having the first suction port. The second suction port is lower than the first suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Shiinoki, Akira Suzuki, Isamu Kawano, Natsuki Kawabata
  • Patent number: 6233951
    Abstract: A heat management system for a building having at least one cooling device is provided. The heat management system includes a refrigeration system in heat exchange contact with a cooling system for providing cooling energy to the cooling system and to the cooling device. The cooling system includes at least two independent flow paths in heat exchange contact with the cooling device for cooling the cooling device. In addition, the heat management system includes a defrost system in heat exchange contact with the cooling device through the independent flow paths wherein the defrost system can be operated to independently defrost each flow path of the cooling system. The system is efficient to operate in conjunction with a geothermal system and provides effective building atmosphere de-humidification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Daniel Cardill
  • Patent number: 6170270
    Abstract: A warm liquid defrost refrigeration system (10) comprising a primary refrigeration loop (12) including a compressor (16), a condenser (18), an expansion device (22), and a first side of a chiller (24), and a secondary refrigeration loop (14) including a pump (26), a refrigerated space heat exchanger (28), and a second side of the chiller. The refrigeration system further includes a defrost heat exchanger (40) having a hot side and a cold side. The hot side of the defrost heat exchanger is connected to the primary refrigeration loop between the condenser and the expansion device such that liquid refrigerant can flow from the condenser through the hot side of the defrost heat exchanger. The cold side of the defrost heat exchanger is connected to the secondary refrigeration loop at a point downstream of the pump such that coolant can be selectively transported from the pump through the cold side of the defrost heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakov Arshansky, David K. Hinde
  • Patent number: 6094925
    Abstract: A crossover warm liquid defrost refrigeration system (10) having a medium temperature side (12) for cooling refrigerated goods and a low temperature side (14) for cooling frozen goods. The medium temperature side has a primary refrigeration loop (16) and a secondary refrigeration loop (18). The low temperature side also has a primary refrigeration loop (46) and a secondary refrigeration loop (48). Further included in the refrigeration system is a low temperature defrost heat exchanger (28) that is connected to the primary refrigeration loop of the medium temperature side and the secondary refrigeration loop of the low temperature side such that coolant from the low temperature side secondary refrigeration loop can be heated by the refrigerant of the medium temperature side, and then transported to the low temperature side refrigerated space heat exchanger (64) to melt any frost formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakov Arshansky, David K. Hinde