Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a partitioned evaporator for a reversible heat pump system operating in the heating mode. Embodiments include a partitioned evaporator having a first part and a second part, the first part exchanging heat between a working fluid upstream from a reversible metering device, and the working fluid downstream from the reversible metering device. Heat energy from the upstream fluid is recovered and introduced into the first and second parts aiding in the evaporation of the working fluid rather than being rejected and unused.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a subcooling heat exchanger adapted for evaporator distribution lines operating in a closed refrigeration circuit. Embodiments include heat exchangers having a first flow path upstream from a metering device carrying a working fluid at a higher temperature exchanging heat with the working fluid downstream from the metering device in one or more separate second lower temperature distribution flow paths leading to a downstream evaporator.

Abstract: A heat pump having a supplemental resistive heat element that varies its heat output based on the air temperature downstream from it, rather than from the air temperature at the room thermostat or from the air temperature after the heat exchanger but before the variable supplemental resistive heating element.

Abstract: An improved reversible cycle heat pump system incorporating powered subcooling to increase heating capacity by over 50 percent over conventional heat pump technology without imposing a performance penalty; wherein over 21 percent is attributable to evaporator capacity gained by subcooling, over 21 percent is attributable to recovery and utilization of sensible heat energy removed as a by-product of subcooling, and over 8 percent is attributable to recovery and utilization of sensible heat energy resulting from the conversion of electric energy to mechanical work, heat of compression, and mechanical heat of friction. The powered subcooling improvement is also easily installed as original equipment, or retrofitted to existing heat pump systems.

Abstract: An oil circulation system for a refrigeration chiller including a pump coupled to an atomizing spray nozzle located near the compressor suction inlet spraying a fine mist of oily liquid from the evaporator to be aspirated by the compressor.

Abstract: A reverse cycle heat pump system having an indoor heat exchange coil, an outdoor heat exchange coil, a compressor, and a compressor discharge line, and operable in an indoor heating mode and an indoor cooling mode. The outdoor coil is substantially larger than the indoor coil, and the compressor is a variable capacity compressor. The system also includes a sensor for determining one or more characteristics of the refrigerant in the compressor discharge line when the system is operating in its indoor heating mode, and a controller that adjusts the capacity of the compressor to maintain a sensor output value within a desired range of values when the system is operating in its indoor heating mode. The variable capacity compressor may be continuously variable, and may use a piston pump. The sensor determines one or more physical parameters of the refrigerant, such as pressure, temperature or density.

Abstract: A ground to air heat pump unit operable to receive a first working fluid and transfer heat between the first working fluid and a second working fluid. The ground to air heat pump unit is operable to return the first working fluid to a channel and further operable to return the second working fluid to a living space.

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.

Abstract: A purge system operable to remove lubricant from a liquid refrigerant material removed from an evaporator of a mechanical refrigeration system. The contaminated liquid refrigerant is delivered to the purge system by gravity and the separated lubricant is returned to the compressor sump by force from a pressurized fluid. Refrigerant vapor is separated from the contaminated liquid refrigerant by heating and returned to the evaporator of the mechanical refrigeration system.

Abstract: A purge system operable to remove lubricant from a liquid refrigerant material removed from an evaporator of a mechanical refrigeration system. The contaminated liquid refrigerant is delivered to the purge system by gravity and the separated lubricant is returned to the compressor sump by force from a pressurized fluid. Refrigerant vapor is separated from the contaminated liquid refrigerant by heating and returned to the evaporator of the mechanical refrigeration system.

Abstract: A pressure relief system for a mechanical refrigeration system. The pressure relief system has a pair of rupture disks connected in series to a pressure vessel that contains refrigerant. The pressure relief system allowing the changing of the primary rupture disk while the vessel is pressurized without the loss of overpressure protection.

Abstract: A pressure relief system for a mechanical refrigeration system. In one embodiment the pressure relief system having a pair of pressure relief valves connected in series to a pressure vessel that contains refrigerant. The pressure relief system allowing the changing of the primary pressure relief valve while the vessel is pressurized without the loss of overpressure protection.

Abstract: An improved system for recovering and charging refrigerant of a refrigeration system. The system includes a series arrangement of two gas compressors that boost the pressure of the recovered refrigerant to a high enough level for storage in a DOT-3AA type cylinder. The recovered refrigerant is not condensed to the liquid state during recovery, nor is the cylinder chilled. The second high-pressure compressor includes a free-floating piston within a cylinder. The piston is hydraulically actuated. The system includes microprocessor control. The system is well suited for recovery of refrigerants such as R-13, R-23, R-503, and SUVA-95.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure relief system that utilizes fluid released from a pressure relief valve to activate a sensor. In one form of the present invention a relatively confined passageway is in fluid communication with a reseatable pressure relief valve for protecting a condenser from overpressurization. The pressure relief valve allowing the release of fluid into the passageway at pressures below the overpressure threshold protection value of the valve. The released fluid is accumulated in the passageway and sensed by a sensor. Further, upon the pressure in the relatively confined passageway exceeding a predetermined value the passageway is vented to the environment.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve that is rotatable relative to the pressure relief system to allow flexibility in the connection of an outlet aperture in the pressure relief valve with a vent pipe in the building. A circumferential channel being formed on a conduit comprising a portion of the valve to receive a plurality of fasteners thereon for attaching the valve body to the conduit. Further, a tension relief bar having a pair of apertures is utilized to manually control the movement of a valve member relative to a valve seat within the valve body. One of the apertures being positioned for receiving a locking pin therein to hold the valve member apart from the valve seat. The capability to rotate and separate the valve body from the conduit allows for flexibility in servicing and connecting the valve body to the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rupture disk fragment collection trap for minimizing the loss of refrigerant from a mechanical refrigeration system. A mechanical refrigeration system generally includes a storage vessel for the storage of a refrigerant, which to comply with applicable safety codes requires a pressure relief unit for venting an over-pressurized storage vessel. The pressure relief unit includes a fragmentary carbon rupture disk that provides a mechanical seal to contain the refrigerant, prevent the infiltration of contaminants into the refrigeration system, and rupture to relieve the over-pressurized state of the storage vessel. A mechanical re-seating type pressure relief valve is positioned downstream from the carbon rupture disk to control the flow of refrigerant into the atmosphere. The valve and the rupture disk are connected in fluid communication by a sealed passageway containing a rupture disk fragment collection trap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid containment system for minimizing the loss of refrigerant fluid from a refrigerant evaporator. The mechanical refrigeration system includes an evaporator for absorbing energy from the cooling media. The evaporator includes a pressurized shell, which to comply with applicable safety codes requires a pressure relief system for relieving an over-pressure condition. A sealed over-pressure containment vessel is connected in fluid communication with the evaporator. The containment vessel receives liquid refrigerant from the evaporator in order to reduce the pressure in the evaporator, and the flow of refrigerant fluid from the evaporator to the containment vessel is controlled by a pressure differential therebetween. After the over-pressure condition in the evaporator has been corrected the liquid refrigerant in the containment vessel can be returned to the evaporator.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for recovering high-pressure CFC refrigerants in vapor form includes a removable tank for receiving and storing the liquefied refrigerant to be recovered and two refrigeration circuits. The first refrigerant circuit processes the refrigerant to be recovered and includes a compressor and a condenser. The removable tank acts as the evaporator of the first refrigeration circuit. The second refrigeration circuit is included to cool both the condenser of the first refrigeration circuit and the removable tank. This second refrigeration circuit includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, and contains a second refrigerant physically isolated from the refrigerant to be recovered. Both the condenser of the first refrigeration circuit and the evaporator of the second refrigeration circuit are preferably coil shaped, with the condenser coil preferably coaxially arranged within the evaporator coil.

Abstract: An auxiliary purge unit to be retrofitted to the existing purge unit of a low pressure refrigeration system includes a double-walled condenser portion, a pneumatic pressure chamber and a discharged-refrigerant tank. The double-walled condenser portion includes inner and outer walls with a chilled condensing coil disposed between the two walls, a stand pipe to create a reservoir of condensed refrigerant between the stand pipe and the inner wall, and an exhaust port for exhausting non-condensibles from the system. The pneumatic pressure chamber pressurizes the gas to be purged from the refrigeration system and delivers it to the chilled condensing coil. The discharged-refrigerant tank includes a float valve to prevent fluids from exiting the tank unless the valve is in the open position, and allows the elevated pressure of the system to be maintained.

Abstract: Apparatus to be utilized as an attachment to hand type power metalworking shears and nibblers for the purpose of performing precision circular metal cutting.