Abstract: An energy-saving refrigeration system circulates a mixture of R-134a, R-32 and R-125 whose composition is controlled using a vapor separator. A vortex generator is a preferred means to separate the mixture. For high thermal load operation, R-32 stays in the circulating line with increased cooling capacity, and R-134a and R-125 are stored in a storage tank. Conversely, for low thermal load operation, R-134a and R-125 stay in the circulating line with increased EER, and R-32 is stored in a storage tank. Multiple storage tanks can be used to control the composition of each refrigerant independently.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator connected in a closed circuit through which a refrigerant is circulated. A portion of liquid refrigerant exiting the condenser is diverted through a secondary expansion valve and a heat exchanger, which is thermally coupled between compressor and condenser, thereby allowing the superheated refrigerant vapor to be cooled at a temperature at or close to its saturation temperature when it enters the condenser. Hence, a de-superheating process inside the condenser is eliminated, and the condenser operates more efficiently, resulting in increased subcooling and thus increased cooling capacity. Also, the more efficient condenser decreases condenser pressure, a phenomenon which results in the reduction of the compressor work and accordingly increases the efficiency.

Abstract: A variable capacity refrigeration system which does not require a costly inverter compressor and does not exhibit low energy efficiency at high capacity. The system employs a constant speed compressor that operates continuously when the system is energized, irrespective of the heat load, and a refrigerant bypass path including a secondary expansion device, a heat exchanger, and a flow control device which is operable to permit a portion of the refrigerant exiting from the condenser to flow through the bypass path to an inlet of the compressor when the heat load is below a predetermined threshold, whereby the heat exchanger operates as a secondary evaporator, and to prevent refrigerant exiting from the condenser from flowing through the bypass path to the compressor inlet when the heat load is not below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A variable capacity refrigeration system which does not require a costly inverter compressor and does not exhibit low energy efficiency at high capacity. The system employs a constant speed compressor that operates continuously when the system is energized, irrespective of the heat load, and a refrigerant bypass path including a secondary expansion device, a heat exchanger, and a flow control device which is operable to permit a portion of the refrigerant exiting from the condenser to flow through the bypass path to an inlet of the compressor when the heat load is below a predetermined threshold, whereby the heat exchanger operates as a secondary evaporator, and to prevent refrigerant exiting from the condenser from flowing through the bypass path to the compressor inlet when the heat load is not below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An energy-saving refrigeration system circulates a mixture of R-134a, R-32 and R-125 whose composition is controlled using a vapor separator. A vortex generator is a preferred means to separate the mixture. For high thermal load operation, R-32 stays in the circulating line with increased cooling capacity, and R-134a and R-125 are stored in a storage tank. Conversely, for low thermal load operation, R-134a and R-125 stay in the circulating line with increased EER, and R-32 is stored in a storage tank. Multiple storage tanks can be used to control the composition of each refrigerant independently.

Abstract: The performance of a refrigeration system is often reduced due to insufficient refrigerant charge or due to the use of an inverter compressor. The performance loss is associated with the operating condition, which is not at the optimum, thus yielding less than the maximum EER (energy efficiency ratio). A vortex generator restores the optimum operating condition in the refrigeration system with insufficient refrigerant charge or using an inverter compressor.

Abstract: An improved refrigeration system utilizing one or more vortex tubes. Vortex tubes produce liquid refrigerant from saturated-state vapor refrigerant in a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. The efficiency of a refrigeration system can be improved by placing vortex tubes before and after the evaporator.