Abstract: In some embodiments, a thermosiphon configured for use within a temperature-regulated storage device includes: a condenser region, including a plurality of evenly spaced condenser channels with horizontally symmetrical bifurcated branches connected to an adiabatic channel, each of the plurality of condenser channels connected at a top position to an upper channel; an evaporator region, including a plurality of evaporator channels, wherein each of the plurality of evaporator channels has a flow channel formed in a serpentine channel pattern and each subunit of the serpentine channel pattern is attached to a vapor return channel at a top of the subunit, and wherein the evaporator region has at least one lowest position connected directly to a vapor return channel; and an adiabatic region including at least one adiabatic channel connecting the evaporator channels and the condenser channels.

Abstract: A superheat control utilizes a sensor at a location downstream of an evaporator after some heat is delivered to the refrigerant. In one embodiment, the compressor is a sealed compressor with at least a portion of the refrigerant being heated by an electric motor. The temperature is sensed after the refrigerant temperature has increased after passing over the electric motor. In another embodiment, the refrigerant temperature is measured after some minimal compression and minimal temperature rise has occurred within the compressor pumping elements. In either case, by measuring the temperature of the refrigerant after some additional heat has been added to the refrigerant, the refrigerant super-heat leaving the evaporator can be controlled to a lower value. The improved superheat control enhances the system performance by increasing system efficiency, system capacity and improving oil return to the compressor.

Abstract: A refrigerator as disclosed herein may include a refrigerator body having a freezing compartment and a refrigeration compartment, a cooling circuit including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator to cool the freezing compartment and the refrigeration compartment using a first refrigerant, and a thermosyphon that includes a pipe for a second refrigerant to flow. The pipe may have a first section having a first prescribed shape for condensing refrigerant and a second section having a second prescribed shape for vaporizing refrigerant. A valve may be provided at the pipe to operate the thermosyphon. The cooling circuit and the thermosyphon may be operated independently. The thermosyphon may provide auxiliary cooling for the refrigeration chamber when the cooling circuit is not operational.

Abstract: Heat pumps that heat or cool a space and that also heat water, refrigerant management systems for such heat pumps, methods of managing refrigerant charge, and methods for heating and cooling a space and heating water. Various embodiments deliver refrigerant gas to a heat exchanger that is not needed for transferring heat, drive liquid refrigerant out of that heat exchanger, isolate that heat exchanger against additional refrigerant flowing into it, and operate the heat pump while the heat exchanger is isolated. The heat exchanger can be isolated by closing an electronic expansion valve, actuating a refrigerant management valve, or both. Refrigerant charge can be controlled or adjusted by controlling how much liquid refrigerant is driven from the heat exchanger, by letting refrigerant back into the heat exchanger, or both. Heat pumps can be operated in different modes of operation, and segments of refrigerant conduit can be interconnected with various components.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system control apparatus for controlling an air-conditioning system of a vehicle equipped with a motive power engine, having: a device for determining whether there is a history of a load that has been applied to a compressor, operated by the output of the motive power engine, equal to or greater than a threshold, during operation of the air-conditioning system; a device for carrying out initial operation process of the air-conditioning system if the load history determination device determines that there is a history of a load equal to or greater than the threshold has been applied to the compressor; and a device for carrying out liquid accumulation resolution process when liquefaction of a refrigerant occurs in the compressor only if the load history determination device determines that there is no history of a load equal to or greater than the threshold has been applied to the compressor.

Abstract: A control method and apparatus for critical rotational speed avoidance in a compressor-expander set in a gas refrigeration system. By varying an opening of an antisurge or recycle valve, a shaft power used by the compressor in the compressor-expander set may be varied, thereby varying the rotational speed of the compressor-expander set to move it away from its critical speed zone. Additionally, a feedforward signal may be provided by a compressor-expander set control system to cause an antisurge valve for a recycle compressor to open upon a trip or shutdown of one compressor-expander set.

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.

Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner is disclosed for effective removal of foreign matters in refrigerant pipelines, including an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a flow path control valve for controlling a flow path of the refrigerant from the compressor, and an outdoor unit piping system, a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor unit expansion device, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor piping system, a distributor for receiving refrigerant from the outdoor unit, distributing the refrigerant to the indoor units proper to respective operation modes, and returning to the outdoor unit again, connection pipelines connected between the outdoor unit and the distributor, and foreign matter cutting off means mounted on each of the connection pipelines for prevention of the foreign matters from entering into the compressor of the outdoor unit.

Abstract: An accumulator dehydrator assembly for use in a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioning system having an inner housing for separating the liquid component from the vapor component of the refrigerant and an integral outer shell being cup shaped and having a bottom and side walls extending upwardly from the bottom to an upper edge defining an opening is disclosed. The inner housing is disposed within and spaced from the outer shell and defines a chamber therebetween. At least one spacer is positioned between the inner housing and the outer shell and positioned annularly around the side walls and is compressed for holding the outer shell onto the inner housing. The spacers define a predetermined distance between the inner housing and the outer shell to establish the chamber while securing the outer shell onto the inner housing.

Abstract: A deflector for use in an accumulator that provides a reservoir for the liquid-phase of a heat transfer medium circulating in a closed-loop air conditioning system is configured to prevent liquid phase medium from the supply pipe from entering the inlet area of the delivery pipe of the accumulator. The deflector has a recessed underside defined by a depending peripheral skirt having an outline that is closely spaced with respect to the peripheral wall of the accumulator to define therewith an annular gap. The upper wall of the deflector is positioned to be impinged by medium delivered from the supply pipe and is configured to distribute radially and impart rotation to the medium, thus enhancing the separation of the liquid phase along the accumulator peripheral wall, especially as the liquid and gaseous phase pass through the annular gap. The open inlet area of the delivery pipe is shielded within the recessed underside of the deflector.

Abstract: An accumulator-dehydrator for use in an air conditioning system. The accumulator-dehydrator has a hollow delivery tube for delivering vaporized refrigerant and entrained oil to the compressor of the air conditioning system. The delivery tube has an expansion chamber and a separator to eliminate noise within the system.

Abstract: A liquid arresting valve for a refrigeration compressor having a refrigerant intake, including a housing having an inlet end to receive liquid and vapor phase refrigerant from an evaporator and an outlet end for connection to the refrigerant intake of the compressor, and a valve body movable in the housing between an open position permitting substantially unrestricted flow of vapor phase refrigerant between the inlet and outlet ends of the housing, and a flow restricting position to cause liquid containing refrigerant entering the inlet end of the housing to exit through the outlet end of the housing as vapor phase refrigerant.

Abstract: A compressor control system and method are provided for a vehicle air conditioner. The control device controls engagement of a compressor clutch member at engine start-up to discharge liquid refrigerant from the compressor. The control system provides for disengagement of the clutch member if the detected operating conditions are indicative of compressor lock-up without the use of a dedicated compressor lock-up sensor.

Abstract: The pressure of the fluid at the outlet of the compressor is measured by a pressure sensor connected to a control module. When the fluid circulates in a heating loop not comprising a condenser, so as to heat a flow of air by heat exchange in the evaporator, and pressure oscillations indicating the presence of liquid are detected, the momentary opening of a discharge valve is triggered to send a portion of the fluid into the condenser of the air conditioning loop. The presence of liquid is thus detected and eliminated without having recourse to special sensors.

Abstract: A motor cooling structure for a turbo compressor is disclosed. The structure includes a refrigerant suction tube communicating with one lateral wall of the sealed container and extended from the evaporator, a first refrigerant flow tube communicating with another lateral wall of the sealed container, with the first refrigerant flow tube communicating with the first compression chamber, a second refrigerant flow tube through which the first compression chamber communicates with the second compression chamber, and a refrigerant discharge tube communicating with the second compression chamber communicating with a condenser, for thereby enhancing a cooling efficiency of the driving motor by directly introducing a low temperature refrigerant from an evaporator into a motor chamber.

Abstract: An accumulator is capable of preventing an excessive enlargement of the flow rate of a liquid refrigerant which is discharged from the accumulator, reducing the quantity of refrigerating machine oil which is accumulated in the accumulator, and maintaining a required quantity of refrigerating machine oil in a compressor. Liquid and a gas which circulate in a refrigerating and air-conditioning circuit are introduced into a first space by a suction pipe, and the gas refrigerant is discharged to a refrigerating and air-conditioning circuit through a gas passage pipe, a second space and a discharge pipe 5. A liquid-level maintaining mechanism prevents a rise in the height of the accumulated liquid introduced into the first space. When the height has been made to be not lower than a predetermined height, a gas communication mechanism moves liquid in the first space from the first space to the second space.

Abstract: If an engine is stopped with a switch of an air-conditioner being on, such state is memorized. When the engine is started after dead soak, a compressor is driven automatically until a crank shaft has driven several revolutions to discharge liquid refrigerant from the compressor without liquid-compressing noise. When the engine starts, the compressor is deactivated until the air-conditioner switch is turned on by a driver.

Abstract: A multistage centrifugal compressor, comprising a casing having an inlet portion and a compression portion. The inlet portion has an inlet opening gaseously coupled to an evaporator so as to receive a gaseous refrigerant. The inlet and compression portions each have a plurality of gas passages therethrough. The compression portion has an outlet opening that is located at the end of the casing which is opposite the end of the casing having the inlet opening. An electric motor assembly is positioned within the inlet portion of the casing so as to provide a transfer of heat dissipated by the motor assembly to the gaseous refrigerant entering through the inlet opening. The gaseous refrigerant flowing in the inlet opening passes through and about the motor assembly so as to cool the motor assembly.

Abstract: Problems accompanying the appearance of compressed liquid refrigerant in a compressor are solved and deterioration of vehicle performance and degeneration of a magnetic clutch (when there is no compressed liquid refrigerant in the compressor) are prevented. An ECU 7 for energizing magnetic clutch 5 determines that there is liquid refrigerant in a compressor when a reduction rate .DELTA.NE of the engine revolution number is larger than a set value when the compressor 4 is started and the magnetic clutch is de-energized for a certain period of time.

Abstract: A evaporator for use in a refrigerating cycle in an air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle. The evaporator is provided with a heat exchanger and an evaporator. The heat exchanger has an inlet passageway for leading the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator, and an outlet passageway for leading the refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor. A heat exchange between the inlet refrigerant and the outlet refrigerant at the heat exchanger part takes place, so that a combined gas-liquid state refrigerant is introduced into the outlet passageway of the heat exchanger from the evaporator, whereby a superheating state of the refrigerant is generated in the outlet passageway, and a result, no superheating action occurs in the evaporator, and thus the refrigerant in the evaporator is kept at a constant temperature, whereby the cooling efficiency of the evaporator is increased.

Abstract: An economical method for converting a compression type refrigeration system designed for the use of R-12 refrigerant, comprising an evaporator, a compressor rated for R-12, a condenser, and a receiver, to the use of R-22 refrigerant without replacing the compressor or other major pieces of equipment. The retrofit comprises the installation of a pressure regulator in the suction line to the compressor and the balancing of the regulator to the operating limitations of the compressor motor; the installation of a line into the body of the compressor sufficient to inject liquid refrigerant into the compressor for cooling purposes; and the attachment of a desuperheating control to the refrigerant injection line to control the amount of refrigerant injected based upon the temperature inside the compressor. In many embodiments it is also advisable to install a pressure regulator at the outlet of the evaporator to maintain design temperature in the evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigeration and defrost system utilizing various valves for opening a defrost line to hot gas and regulating the pressure in refrigerant lines. A slug surge suppressor is provided at several points in the defrost and refrigerant lines to eliminate hydraulic shock damage caused by slugs of a liquid-gas mixture passing rapidly through the lines. The slugs are generally formed by the required rapid opening of a hot gas defrost valve and a pressure regulatory valve of the system. A series of capillary passages in the suppressor are operative to resist the flow of liquid while allowing gas to flow freely. Tangential velocity is imparted to the slug to separate the liquid and gas components of the slug.

Abstract: In a freezer machine having a refrigeration system in the form of a circulation circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator coil arranged for thermal exchange with a freezing receptacle, and a solenoid valve of the normally closed type disposed within a bypass circuit of the circulation circuit to supply therethrough the hot gas outflowing from the compressor directly into the evaporator coil when it has been energized, an electric control circuit for the freezer machine is designed to repeatedly measure a first predetermined period of time, for instance four hours, in a condition where said compressor is being deactivated, to measure a second predetermined period of time, for instance three minutes, upon each lapse of the first predetermined period of time and to activate the compressor for the second predetermined period of time upon each lapse of the first predetermined period of time and energize the solenoid valve in response to activation of the compressor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing compressor slugging in a vapor-compression system having an outlet and an inlet connected by a closed loop injects an immiscible charging gas such as nitrogen into the system in an amount sufficient to raise the system pressure by a predetermined amount. The charging gas is separated from the refrigerant and collected in a charging gas separation area of a receiver in the loop. The charging gas remains in the charging gas separation area of the receiver until the power to the compressor system is shut off. A valve in a branch line leading from the charging gas separation area of the receiver automatically opens when the power is lost which releases the charging gas to pressurize the compressor. Pressurization prevents refrigerant in the system from migrating into the compressor to cause slugging when the compressor is reactivated.

Abstract: A compact refrigeration heat exchanger comprising coiled tubing wrapped around a cylindrical chamber having input and output ports for preheating the evaporatior output to superheat liquid refrigerant prior to the compressor inlet by passing hot gas from the compressor output back through the coil while low pressure refrigerant flows through the chamber. The heat exchanger enables a refrigeration system to be defrosted without liquid refrigerant flood back to the compressor. Any liquid remaining accumulates in the heat exchanger due to the different lengths of the tubing in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat recovering device comprising an oil injection type screw expander having its output shaft connected to a load, such as a generator, an evaporator using waste heat as a heat source to evaporate a working medium so as to produce working medium vapor to be fed to the expander, a condenser for condensing the working medium vapor discharged from the expander, a working medium circulating pump for circulating the working medium within a system comprised of the condenser, evaporator and expander, an oil circulating pump for feeding oil to the expander, and a heater for heating oil to be fed to the expander to a higher temperature than the working medium vapor temperature. The device is characterized in that the heated oil is injected into the expander in such a manner that the working medium vapor and the heated oil come in direct contact with each other in the expander, thereby superheating the working medium vapor.

Abstract: An injector cooler control system which controls the flow of refrigerant from a common receiver that ties a common refrigeration plant to more than one injector cooler systems. The control system limits the amount of liquid refrigerant entering a cooler surge tank by limiting the amount of liquid refrigerant passing from the receiver through an injector valve, thus preventing liquid carryover to the compressor of a common refrigeration plant.

Abstract: A compression refrigeration system having means for causing the accumulation of refrigerant in a selected area when the refrigeration system is inactive by providing a reservoir having a material therein that has greater miscibility with refrigerant than the compressor lubricating oil so that the liquid refrigerant within the inactive sealed system will migrate by gaseous transfer into the lower pressure area in the reservoir and go into solution with the material.

Abstract: A multi-zone heating-cooling system having a plurality of reversible cycle air heating and cooling units connected to a closed loop water circulation circuit, and at least one ventilating air tempering coil in liquid flow communication with the water flowing in the closed loop water circulation circuit and in heat exchange relationship with a stream of outdoor air such as might be used for ventilation.