Abstract: An improved refrigerant recovery and recycle system is disclosed. Refrigerant vapor, refrigerant liquid and oil entering the system from a refrigerant circuit being discharged are separated into liquid and vapor phases at near atmospheric pressure. Any remaining liquid refrigerant is vaporized within the phase separation means (5) by heat from the surrounding environment. Oil free refrigerant vapor flows through a selective adsorption column (8), which removes gaseous contaminants and water vapor, into a flexible membrane variable volume storage container (14) where it is confined at atmospheric pressure. Inventory of refrigerant vapor within the container is continuously monitored by means of a weight scale (15) which is adapted to compensate for the buoyancy of the surrounding atmosphere. Any air that enters the system stratifies at the top of the container (14) and is eliminated by operation of a piston pump (26).

Abstract: A thermostatic expansion valve located at the inlet of an evaporator in the refrigeration apparatus has a valve housing supporting a diaphragm in its sealed space. Pressure from a thermal bulb is applied on the upper surface of the diaphragm, and pressure of a reduced-pressure refrigerant in the inlet of the evaporator is applied on the lower surface of the diaphragm through on equalizing signal passage extending from a refrigerant passage formed in the housing to the sealed space in the housing. In the refrigerant passage, a valve seat is formed. The equalizing signal passage is opened at the passage in the downstream side of the valve seat. A sectional area of the refrigerant passage between the passage side opening of the signal passage and the valve seat is larger than that of the refrigerant passing hole of the valve seat but smaller than that of the refrigerant passage at a position remoter from the valve seat than the passage side opening of the signal passage.

Abstract: A combined filter and filter-drier, for the suction side of refrigeration and air conditioning systems, comprises a dual filter system straddling a cylindrical plug of dessicant. Upstream of the dessicant, a rigidly built primary filter assembly comprises an inlet deflector and a stepped filter. Downstream of the dessicant, a secondary filter assembly comprises an outlet filter pad which is compressed by a coaxially disposed spring near the inlet of the filter/filter-drier. The inlet deflector is preferably triangular in shape and is disposed transversely to the inlet.

Abstract: An integral low-pressure accumulator/filter-drier for use in air conditioning and refrigeration systems between the evaporator and the compressor is described. This device is installed in upright position and includes a filter-drier and an accumulator which are separated by a bottom filter-drier retaining member which positions, in cooperation with a top filter-drier retaining member, an annular filter-drier assembly comprising a pair of thin cylindrical filter cartridges which straddle an annular dessicant bed which is itself straddled, at top and bottom, by a pair of annular filter pads. A pickup tube within the accumulator is sealably attached to an opening within the bottom retainer plate and extends coaxially within the inner filter cartridge, being biased against the top retainer plate by a spring assembly so that it is securely held and resistant to vibrations and rotation thereof.

Abstract: A replaceable float oil separator, for installation in large refrigeration systems of the vapor compression type using refrigerant-immiscible lubrication oils, comprises a compact float assembly that is disposed transversely to the axis of its vessel and a removal assembly on the side of the vessel through which the float assembly can be removed for repair or replacement. The float assembly is compact in its design because a counterweight supports up to 90%, preferably 60%, of the weight of the float ball, in accordance with an energy balance equation. The removal assembly includes a flange cover, an o-ring, and a flange which is attached to the cylindrical side of the vessel, near its bottom where temperature cycling is minimal, whereby the vessel is semi-hermetically sealed. The float assembly is entirely supported by its oil return line which is attached to and passes through the flange cover of the removal assembly.

Abstract: In a refrigerant system having a liquid trapping suction accumulator between the evaporator exit and the compressor entrance and a very short bore capillary as an expansion tube to replace the thermostatic expansion valve, a recirculating ejector is added to recirculate any liquid that may be trapped by the accumulator back into the evaporator inlet where it can be used to provide desired refrigerating effect without requiring additional work in the compressor. The expansion tube is positioned so that it functions as the primary nozzle of the ejector. Thus the high-pressure liquid refrigerant being expanded through the expansion tube becomes the prime mover that is needed to drive the liquid from the accumulator into the evaporator. Because the high-pressure liquid refrigerant must be expanded to the relatively lower evaporator pressure in any vapor cycle refrigeration system, the recirculating function is accomplished without using additional energy or penalizing system capacity.

Abstract: A filter-drier that provides two-way or bi-directional flow for a heat pump or other refrigeration system is described. This filter-drier contains a spring-loaded check valve at each end of an adsorption space containing an adsorbent such as activated alumina, molecular sieve silica gel or combination thereof. Each check valve is surrounded by a filter pad and a flexible diaphragm. Reverse-discharge and separate-discharge embodiments are particularly described.

Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring and controlling the above-ambient pressure in a system by comparing a net pressure force, produced by the system pressure on a pair of diaphragms having unequal areas, with a net spring force produced by a pair of opposed springs which clamp together a valve member and a valve seat in a pressure-relief member. The valve seat is connected by a passage to a port which is connected to the system pressure. While thus clamped together, the valve member and the pressure-relief member travel together through most of the total stroke created by movement of the pair of diaphragms and activate a microswitch for admitting additional fluid to the system when the system pressure is insufficient. If the net pressure force is sufficiently greater than the net spring force because of excessive system pressure, a port is opened when the valve strikes a stop and the pressure-relief member continues to move.

Abstract: A thermostatic expansion valve for large-capacity refrigeration systems has a pressure-balanced valve pin and no means of communicating inlet pressures to the underside of the diaphragm. The valve pin has a coaxial bore, a pair of end faces, a pair of cylindrical portions fitting slideably in a feed bore leading to an outlet chamber, a reduced stem portion of small diameter between the pair of cylindrical portions, and a pair of shoulders connecting the reduced stem portion to the pair of cylindrical portions. The shoulders are exposed to the same pressure so that the valve pin is balanced.

Abstract: A combination liquid trapping suction accumulator and evaporator pressure regulator device used intermediate the compressor and evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration system as a protective device for the compressor. The device is characterized by the positioning of the evaporator pressure regulator chamber intermediate the inlet and outlet ports of the accumulator housing. Thus, evaporator pressure regulation is accomplished simultaneously with liquid accumulation in a compact and readily serviceable, unitary housing.

Abstract: A combination liquid trapping suction accumulator and evaporator pressure regulator device used intermediate the compressor and evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration system as a protective device for the compressor. The device is characterized by the positioning of the evaporator pressure regulator chamber intermediate the inlet and outlet ports of the accumulator housing. Thus, evaporator pressure regulation is accomplished simultaneously with liquid accumulation in a compact and readily serviceable, unitary housing.

Abstract: A combination liquid trapping suction accumulator and evaporator pressure regulator device used intermediate the compressor and evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration system as a protective device for the compressor. The device is characterized by the positioning of the evaporator pressure regulator chamber intermediate the inlet and outlet ports of the accumulator housing. Thus, evaporator pressure regulation is accomplished simultaneously with liquid accumulation in a compact and readily serviceable, unitary housing.

Abstract: A combination liquid trapping suction accumulator and evaporator pressure regulator device used intermediate the compressor and evaporator in a vapor-compression refrigeration system as a protective device for the compressor. The device is characterized by the positioning of the evaporator pressure regulator chamber intermediate the inlet and outlet ports of the accumulator housing. Thus, evaporator pressure regulation is accomplished simultaneously with liquid accumulation in a compact and readily serviceable, unitary housing.