Utilizing Particular Refrigerant And/or Sorbent Materials Patents (Class 62/112)
  • Patent number: 6177025
    Abstract: An absorption heat pump achieves improved efficiency by lowering the low cycle temperature of the circulation fluid. This is accomplished by adding a crystallization-inhibiting compound to the circulation fluid which substantially depresses the temperature at which the absorbent salt in the fluid begins to crystallize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventors: Terry A. Ring, James A. Dirksen
  • Patent number: 6082132
    Abstract: An apparatus having a refrigeration cycle using a flammable refrigerant, comprises an oil-free compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator, wherein an amount of lubricant in the oil-free compressor is equal to or smaller than 3 cc. With this structure, the charging amount of the flammable refrigerant into the refrigeration cycle can be reduced, and the safety of the apparatus having a refrigeration cycle can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironao Numoto, Hitoshi Motegi, Kiyoshi Sawai
  • Patent number: 6073454
    Abstract: There is disclosed an novel refrigeration apparatus and a method of refrigeration. The novel refrigeration apparatus comprises a desorber/evaporator, a scroll compressor operatively connected to said desorber/evaporator, a resorber/condenser operatively connected to said compressor, an expansion device operatively connected to said resorber/condenser and to said desorber/evaporator and a circulating refrigerant comprising carbon dioxide and a liquid co-fluid in which the carbon dioxide is differentially soluble. The refrigeration method comprises compressing carbon dioxide gas and a liquid co-fluid in a scroll compressor to an increased pressure, such that carbon dioxide at least partially dissolves in the liquid co-fluid, and reducing the pressure on the liquid co-fluid containing the dissolved carbon dioxide so that dissolved carbon dioxide comes out of solution with the liquid co-fluid, and recirculating the gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid co-fluid to the scroll compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Spauschus Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans O. Spauschus, Ullrich Hesse
  • Patent number: 6044649
    Abstract: An air conditioner comprises a refrigeration cycle consisting of a compressor, a heat exchanger, a throttling device, a dryer provided with an adsorbent, a connection piping and a refrigerant. The refrigerant contains a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant, the adsorbent contains a plurality of bulk particles, and the dryer includes a container, wherein the adsorbent is located within the container, having a pressing means for holding the adsorbent by pressing it. The load of the pressing means is within a range of about 0.5 kg/cm.sup.2 to about 3 kg/cm.sup.2. The container is of a cylindrical shape having a sectional area of "A", the refrigerant is at a circulation rate of "B", and the value of B/A is within a range of about 100 g/min cm.sup.2 to about 400 g/min cm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironao Numoto, Yukio Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6038882
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming an initial anticorrosive film in an absorption chiller-heater, by selecting optimal conditions of absorbent solution, steel material surface and film-forming operation for forming a good initial anticorrosive film. In the process for forming an initial anticorrosion film in an absorption chiller-heater having steel parts and containing an absorbent solution comprising lithium bromide as its main component and containing a lithium molybdate corrosion inhibitor according to the present invention, the main characteristics are that at least part of the steel parts of the absorption chiller-heater contacting with an absorbent solution at a temperature of higher than 100.degree. C. include a bare metal surface having an arithmetic mean surface roughness of not more than 1.0 .mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kuroda, Matsuho Miyasaka, Norio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6009721
    Abstract: An absorption refrigerator is minimized in the size and the weight. A sensible heat exchanger 14 and a cooling fan 19 for cooling the sensible heat exchanger 14 are mounted front and rear opposite to each other to form a cooling unit. At one side of the fan 19, a regenerator 3 and a rectifier 6 are aligned vertically one over the other. At the other side of the fan 19, an evaporator 1 and an absorber 2 of a rectangular configuration are provided side by side. A condenser 9 is laid above the cooling unit. The cooling unit, the evaporator 1, the absorber 2, the condenser 9, the regenerator 3, the rectifier 6, and a set of pumps P1 to P4 all are installed in a main housing 20 of substantially a rectangular parallelopiped shape having a depth reduced axially of the cooling fan 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Fukuda, Toshimitsu Takaishi, Mitsuru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6004475
    Abstract: Anticorrosion solutions useful for refrigeration processes are disclosed. Heteropoly complex anions of transitional metal elements can be added to alkali metal halide absorption refrigeration solutions to minimize corrosion of the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shyam Kumar Verma, Manuel Sarkis Mekhjian, George Robert Sandor, Philip John Boon, Yurii I. Kuznetsov, Sergey V. Oleinik
  • Patent number: 6004476
    Abstract: Anticorrosion solutions and processes useful for refrigeration processes are disclosed. Heteropoly complex anions of transitional metal elements can be added to an absorption refrigeration solutions which includes at least one alkali metal halide or similar compounds, or mixtures thereof, in combination with transition metal compounds or compounds of the metallic elements of Groups IIIa to VIa of the Periodic Table of Elements to minimize corrosion of the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shyam Kumar Verma, Manuel Sarkis Mekhjian, George Robert Sandor, Philip John Boon
  • Patent number: 5987902
    Abstract: A performance enhancing additive is introduced into a vapor compression system used in cooling and the like. The additive is selected from a class of compounds, e.g. tetraglyme, and added in a predetermined concentration measured relative to the mass of the system's lubricant. The additive can be soluble or non-soluble in the lubricant used in the system's single-phase compressor. It can be added anywhere in the system to provide lower thermodynamic load on the system compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Scaringe, Lawrence R. Grzyll
  • Patent number: 5927086
    Abstract: After a running stop command is released, a pump P2 for transferring a solution from the absorber 2 to a regenerator 3 is kept running. The transfer of the solution permits separation of the solution from a refrigerant during non-operation of the refrigerator. The solution saved in the regenerator 3 remains at as a high concentration of the absorbent as that before the end of the operation while the refrigerant is saved in an evaporator 1. This enables the refrigerator to restart its normal operation corresponding to an operation start command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Suzuki, Toshimitsu Takaishi
  • Patent number: 5911746
    Abstract: A modified Generator-Absorber-Heat Exchanger (GAX) absorption cycle system and method of operation are provided wherein, in addition to a primary refrigerant circulated through a first refrigerant circuit, a secondary refrigerant is circulated through a second refrigerant circuit to improve the coefficient of performance (COP) of the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Donald Kuhlenschmidt
  • Patent number: 5901572
    Abstract: An auxiliary heating and air conditioning system has an output for selectively delivering warm air and cool air to the passenger area of a motor vehicle. The auxiliary system includes a thermo-electric cooler, which is a solid state device having a hot side and a cold side. Heat exchangers are disposed in connection with the hot side and cold side of the thermo-electric cooler to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy away from each side of the thermo-electric cooler. Two fans are disposed in fluid communication with the first and second heat exchangers to transfer air across the exchangers and to the output for selectively heating and cooling the passenger area of the motor vehicle. Interposed between the first and second heat exchangers and the output, are first and second arrays of energy storage panels. Preferably, these panels contain phase change material which is charged during the operation of the motor vehicle to change phase and therefore store thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Larry Peiffer, Terry Zeigler, William G. Guo
  • Patent number: 5857346
    Abstract: A thermochemical system and process for producing heat and/or cold by solid-gas chemical reaction is disclosed. The system and process utilizes a reactant formed of a compressed support and at least two salts which are distributed throughout the compressed support, the salts being active towards a gas. The salts of the reactant are selected for the system and process so that in the system and process one salt will react with the gas in the reactor while the other salts in the reactant remain substantially unreacted to produce heat or cold at a first temperature or power level and, thereafter, one of the other salts of the reactant reacts with the gas to produce heat or cold at a second temperature or power level which is different from the first temperature or power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Elf Aquitaine
    Inventor: Vincent Goetz
  • Patent number: 5846450
    Abstract: An absorbent for use in absorption refrigeration systems, air conditioning systems, heat pumps or dehumidifiers comprising a solution of potassium formate. The absorbent is relatively non-toxic and relatively non-corrosive towards metals. The absorbent is generally water-based but may also comprise ammonia or methanol. Additives such as corrosion inhibitors or other absorbent salts may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Stephen Atkinson
  • Patent number: 5842350
    Abstract: The invention relates especially to a refrigerating device comprising a pressure-resistant container (1) furnished with an adsorbent material (2), which device furthermore comprises an adjustably set valve (7) whose passage communicates, on the one hand, with the inside of the container and, on the other hand, with the outside, and means (5, 6) for bringing said container temporarily into communication with a pressurized source (10, 11) of gas which can be adsorbed by said adsorbent material.Use in refrigerated clothing or portable refrigerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Manufactures De Vetements Paul Boye S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Spinner, Philippe Boye, Didier Heinry
  • Patent number: 5829259
    Abstract: The rate of water vapor sorption of an absorption cycle cooling and/or heating system using an aqueous alkali metal halide or hydroxide solution as the working fluid is increased by adding to the fluid an effective additive amount of at least 2 parts per million of a primary, secondary or tertiary aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic amine to the fluid capable of increasing the rate of water vapor absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Travis Chandler, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5826436
    Abstract: A performance enhancing additive is introduced into a vapor compression system used in cooling and the like. The additive is selected from a class of compounds, e.g. tetraglyme, and added in a predetermined concentration measured relative to the mass of the system's lubricant. The additive can be soluble or non-soluble in the lubricant used in the system's single-phase compressor. It can be added anywhere in the system to provide lower thermodynamic load on the system compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Scaringe, Lawrence R. Grzyll
  • Patent number: 5811026
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting corrosion and the formation of hydrogen and thus improving absorption in an ammonia/water absorption refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump system by maintaining the hydroxyl ion concentration of the aqueous ammonia working fluid within a selected range under anaerobic conditions at temperatures up to 425.degree. F. This hydroxyl ion concentration is maintained by introducing to the aqueous ammonia working fluid an inhibitor in an amount effective to produce a hydroxyl ion concentration corresponding to a normality of the inhibitor relative to the water content ranging from about 0.015 N to about 0.2 N at 25.degree. C. Also, working fluids for inhibiting the corrosion of carbon steel and resulting hydrogen formation and improving absorption in an ammonia/water absorption system under anaerobic conditions at up to 425.degree. F. The working fluids may be aqueous solutions of ammonia and a strong base or aqueous solutions of ammonia, a strong base, and a specified buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Phillips Engineering Company
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Phillips, Eugene P. Whitlow
  • Patent number: 5783104
    Abstract: A refrigerant/absorbent composition is disclosed which comprises an aqueous solution of at least one absorbent salt, present in an amount sufficient to provide utility of said composition as an absorbent, and at least one germanium compound, present in an amount sufficient to inhibit corrosion. Also, a method of inhibiting corrosion by adding a germanium compound to a refrigerant/absorbent composition is disclosed. Further, an absorption heat transferring machine having a working fluid which comprises an absorber salt, a germanium compound and water is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony Kujak
  • Patent number: 5766504
    Abstract: In order to depress a crystallization temperature of an absorbent composition for an absorption refrigeration system without depressing vapor absorption ability, cesium chloride is added to an alkaline solution containing lithium bromide as a main component, in an amount of 0.01 to 15% by weight, based on the weight of an aqueous 64% lithium bromide solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kawasaki Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Shoji, Yoshiaki Takatani, Akihiro Murakami, Kunihiko Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5734593
    Abstract: A fuzzy logic controller for a cryogenic system in which, for example, a cold tip cooling an infrared detector uses a Stirling cycle cooler-compressor with the helium coolant maintained at typically 78.degree. K. This temperature is maintained by a fuzzy logic controller which has as its inputs the temperature differential between the desired temperature and actual cold tip temperature, rate of change of such temperature, and especially for startup the difference between a maximum voltage which can be applied to the Stirling type cooler-compressor and the actual control voltage which is applied. Appropriate membership functions for all of the inputs are provided of the triangular type. And appropriate rules related to the operation of a Stirling cycle cooler provide for fuzzy outputs which with an output membership function are defuzzified to provide a control output signal which controls the final cooling power of the cooler-compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: BEI Sensors & Systems Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Asad M. Madni, Lawrence A. Wan, Jim Bi Vuong
  • Patent number: 5723058
    Abstract: Absorption heat pump system and process for heating, refrigeration, air conditioning and heat transforming, employing an aqueous buffer solution of a lithium salt therein; an aqueous buffer solution of a lithium salt perfectly neutral in pH useful as a coolant, achieving a very high C.O.P. at a temperature lift much higher than usual, without danger of crystallization, even at high generator temperature (up to 330.degree. C.) and evaporator temperature as low as minus 10.degree. C., while in most cases the absorber and condenser can be economically cooled by (ambient) air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Eiko A. Schuurman
  • Patent number: 5666819
    Abstract: An apparatus capable of providing rapid cooling and/or freezing comprises a cabinet or container having a cooling chamber, one or more reactors each containing a complex compound formed by adsorbing a polar gas on a metal salt, in which the polar gas is alternately adsorbed and desorbed on the complex compound, and in which the complex compound is formed by restricting the volumetric expansion and controlling the density during adsorption of the polar gas on the metal salt, whereby the complex compound is capable of adsorbing said polar gas at a rate of greater than 15 moles per mole hour of the complex compound in about 20 minutes or less, a condenser for condensing the polar gas, an evaporator thermally exposed to the cooling chamber for providing cooling therein, and conduits and one or more valves for directing said polar gas from the one or more reactors to the condenser, from the condenser to the evaporator and from the evaporator to the one or more reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
  • Patent number: 5664427
    Abstract: An apparatus capable of providing rapid cooling and/or freezing comprises a cabinet or container having a cooling chamber, one or more reactors each containing a complex compound formed by adsorbing a polar gas on a metal salt, in which the polar gas is alternately adsorbed and desorbed on the complex compound, and in which the complex compound is formed by restricting the volumetric expansion and controlling the density during adsorption of the polar gas on the metal salt, whereby the complex compound is capable of adsorbing said polar gas at a rate of greater than 15 moles per mole hour of the complex compound in about 20 minutes or less, a condenser for condensing the polar gas, an evaporator thermally exposed to the cooling chamber for providing cooling therein, and conduits and one or more valves for directing said polar gas from the one or more reactors to the condenser, from the condenser to the evaporator and from the evaporator to the one or more reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
  • Patent number: 5653117
    Abstract: A refrigerant/absorbent composition is disclosed which comprises an aqueous solution of at least one lithium halide, at least one zinc halide, and a corrosion inhibiting amount of thiocyanate ion. Also, a method of inhibiting corrosion of the metallic parts of an absorption heat transfer machine by adding a thiocyanate compound to a refrigerant/absorbent composition is disclosed. Further disclosed is a triple-effect absorption heat transfer machine having a working fluid in contact with metallic parts, said working fluid comprising a corrosion inhibiting amount of at least one thiocyanate salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Stephen A. Kujak
  • Patent number: 5628205
    Abstract: A refrigerator and/or freezer incorporates one or more reactors containing a complex compound of a metal salt and a polar gas adsorbed thereon in which the volumetric expansion of the complex compound is restricted during adsorption, and which reactors comprise one or reaction chambers having a maximum means mass diffusion path length of less than about 15 mm, and/or a maximum thermal diffusion path length of less than 1.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
  • Patent number: 5577388
    Abstract: The rate of water vapor sorption of an absorption cycle cooling and/or heating system using an aqueous alkali metal halide or hydroxide solution as the working fluid is increased by adding to the fluid an effective additive amount of at least 2 parts per million of a primary, secondary or tertiary aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic amine to the fluid capable of increasing the rate of water vapor absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Travis Chandler, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5547600
    Abstract: A corrosion inhibiting working fluid for absorption refrigeration systems and a method of manufacturing such a fluid. The fluid is an aqueous solution of a halogen salt of lithium or ammonia to which are added water soluble compounds containing molybdates, borates and, in a preferred embodiment, silicates. Preferred concentrations of the resultant molybdenum, boron and silicon ions are disclosed. A water soluble compound containing a hydroxide is also added to produce an alkaline normality. In a preferred method of manufacture, the additive compounds are added to the working fluid as aqueous solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Sandra J. Downey
  • Patent number: 5529709
    Abstract: An improved absorption cycle apparatus and system using aqueous solutions of metal salts selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, nitrites, and alkaline earth and transition metal hydroxides, halides, thiocyanates, and mixtures thereof between about 14% and about 30%, by weight, of said metal salt, of an organic compound selected from the group consisting of alcohols, glycerol, glycols, polyglycols, alkaline glycol ethers, aliphatic amines and alkanol amines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5522228
    Abstract: The invention relates especially to a process for the production of cold, comprising at least one stage of adsorption of carbon dioxide by an adsorbent solid substance and at least one stage of desorption of the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the said adsorbent substance, in which the said adsorbent substance comprises activated carbon fibers or an active charcoal and has a specific surface of at least 700 m.sup.2 /g and an external specific surface of at least 0.005 m.sup.2 /g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Manufactures de Vetements Paul Boye S.A.
    Inventors: Andre Guillot, Alain Marty, Patrice Pelletier, Bernard Spinner, Philippe Boye
  • Patent number: 5497630
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method to increase the coefficient of performance (COP) of hydride heat pump systems to compete with the performance of conventional vapor compression and absorption refrigeration systems. The disclosure is particularly directed to hydrides with van't Hoff curves that cross, whereby the regeneration of the refrigerant hydride occurs at a temperature above the crossing, thereby allowing for a major fraction of the energy required for the regeneration to be supplied by the heat of absorption of the refrigerant. Additionally, the COP can be increased by selection of hydrides, and the kinetics of the system can be improved by the use of heat pipes and phase change materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Thermal Electric Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Stein, Edward M. Redding
  • Patent number: 5477706
    Abstract: In a sorption reaction system comprising one or more first reactors in which a refrigerant is alternately adsorbed and desorbed, and one or more second reactors in which a refrigerant is alternately desorbed and adsorbed, respectively, and having a cooling loop for directing heat transfer fluid to and from said reactors, a method of cooling an adsorbing reactor comprises directing liquid phase heat transfer fluid having a phase change from liquid to gas at a temperature at or below the temperature of adsorption to an adsorbing reactor in heat exchange exposure to the adsorbent utilizing vaporized heat transfer fluid for driving the liquid heat transfer fluid in the cooling loop. The refrigerant may be used as the heat transfer fluid. The invention includes apparatus for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Lance D. Kirol, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5419145
    Abstract: The rate of water vapor sorption of an absorption cycle cooling and/or heating system using an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution as the working fluid is increased by adding at least 2 parts per million of a primary, secondary or tertiary aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic amine to the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Travis Chandler, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5396775
    Abstract: Apparatus for cooling components or subassemblies of equipment at one or more locations comprises a first reactor located at a remote location from said equipment, and a second reactor located in heat exchange communication with a component or subassembly of said equipment, each of said first or second reactors containing a different complex compound of a polar refrigerant and a metal salt, wherein the equilibrium temperature of the complex compound in said first reactor differs from the equilibrium temperature of the complex compound in said second reactor by between about 10.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C. at the same operating pressure, heating means for heating a complex compound in said first reactor, and conduit means for directing polar refrigerant between said reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
  • Patent number: 5390509
    Abstract: The basic apparatus of the invention is a triple effect absorption cycle apparatus, comprising first, second and third generators each containing an aqueous absorption fluid and operating at successively higher temperatures; first, second and third condensers operating at successively higher temperatures, and operatively communicating with the generators; first heat exchange means cooperating between the third and second generators, and between the second condenser and first generator, for directing energy therebetween; one, two or three absorbers and one, two or three fluid loops for directing aqueous absorption fluid between absorbers and second heat exchange means for exchanging energy between aqueous absorption fluid flows in said loops; and one, two or three evaporators operatively communicating with the absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Paul Sarkisian
  • Patent number: 5383341
    Abstract: An absorption system for heating, refrigerating and conditioning air for use in vehicles is disclosed. The refrigerant-absorbent mixture, presenting a coefficient of performance of around 0.9, is heated by the waste heat of exhaust gases from the vehicle which has a fuel-driven internal combustion engine. The absorption system is based on the principle of evaporation at relatively low pressure and temperature followed by absorption of refrigerant vapor by the absorbent and then evaporation of the refrigerant from the absorbent when heated by an external heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Uri Rapoport
    Inventors: Avigdor Zur, Itzhak Shechtman
  • Patent number: 5384101
    Abstract: Reaction rates in chemisorption reactions involving solid reactants and gaseous ligands are improved by maintaining optimized solid density throughout the reaction. Methods and apparatus which restrict volumetric solid expansion, compression of the solid reactant, and mixture with inert solid porous or particulate materials are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5339639
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cylinder containing a bed of adsorbent material and a gas, e.g. carbon dioxide. A piston compresses the gas which is adsorbed by the adsorbent material and the heat of adsorption is dissipated by fins to atmosphere. The piston, when retracted, decompresses the gas which desorbs from the adsorbent material. Repeated compression and decompression of the gas causes a cold zone to be created within the material which is thermally linked to a location to be refrigerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: The BOC Group Plc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Garrett
  • Patent number: 5335510
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for staging solid-vapor complex compounds comprises heat exchange means for transferring heat from super-heated refrigerant vapor from a desorbing reactor to cooled refrigerant vapor directed to an adsorbing reactor. In another embodiment a liquid subcooler is used to cool liquid refrigerant passing from a condenser to an evaporator with cold refrigerant gas directed to an adsorbing reactor from the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
  • Patent number: 5335515
    Abstract: The basic apparatus of the invention is a triple effect absorption cycle apparatus, comprising first, second and third generators each containing an aqueous absorption fluid and operating at successively higher temperatures; first, second and third condensers operating at successively higher temperatures, and operatively communicating with the generators; first heat exchange means cooperating between the third condenser and second generator, and between the second condenser and first generator, for directing energy therebetween; one, two or three absorbers and one, two or three fluid loops for directing aqueous absorption fluid between absorbers and second heat exchange means for exchanging energy between aqueous absorption fluid flows in said loops; and one, two or three evaporators operatively communicating with the absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Paul Sarkisian
  • Patent number: 5295358
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for staging solid-vapor complex compounds comprises heat exchange means for transferring heat from super-heated refrigerant vapor from a desorbing reactor to cooled refrigerant vapor directed to an adsorbing reactor. In another embodiment a liquid subcooler is used to cool liquid refrigerant passing from a condenser to an evaporator with cold refrigerant gas directed to an adsorbing reactor from the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
  • Patent number: 5263330
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a plurality of two or more reaction chambers, each having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous refrigerant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, and having an ascending order of gaseous reactant vapor pressure wherein the adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption pressure is at least 8.degree..degree.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
  • Patent number: 5186241
    Abstract: The regeneration temperature of a chemical heat pump of closed system utilizing reversible reaction between calcium oxide and water is lowered by using an aqueous solution of a salt in an absorber-condensor provided separately from a reactor filled with calcium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kunugi, Michio Yanadori, Toshihiko Fukushima, Tomihisa Ohuchi
  • Patent number: 5186010
    Abstract: An absorbent-refrigerant solution containing a promoter which enhances the vapor absorbent properties of the absorbent-refrigerant. The promoter comprises titanium trifluoride and titanium tetrafluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignees: Darrel H. Williams, George A. Griffin
    Inventor: Don H. Wehr
  • Patent number: 5186009
    Abstract: An improved absorption cycle apparatus and system using aqueous solutions of metal salts selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, nitrites, and alkaline earth and transition metal hydroxides, halides, thiocyanates, and mixtures thereof between about 14% and about 30%, by weight, of said metal salt, of an organic compound selected from the group consisting of alcohols, glycerol, glycols, polyglycols, alkaline glycol ethers, aliphatic amines and alkanol amines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5165247
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for being detachably connected to a chemical or refrigeration system for selectively receiving and dispensing a gaseous refrigerant or chemical from and to that system, respectively, including a vessel having a chamber capable of maintaining a pressurized gas therein, gas inlet means for directing the gas to and from the chamber, and connection means for connecting the gas inlet to a refrigeration or chemical system; a plurality of heat exchange conduits exposed in the chamber for directing heat exchange fluid therethrough and fluid inlet and outlet means communicating exteriorly of the vessel for directing the fluid to and from the conduits, respectively; and a solid adsorbent capable of alternately adsorbing and desorbing the gaseous refrigerant or chemical and positioned in thermal communication with each of the heat exchange conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
  • Patent number: RE34259
    Abstract: An improved heat exchange system incorporates the cooling created by using a metal salt/ammonia ligand complex compound which is alternately heated and cooled to alternately desorb and adsorb, respectively, the ammonia creating useful cooling or refrigeration in the temperature range of between -65.degree. C. to 15.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: RE34542
    Abstract: A system for storing chemical energy comprises first and second vessels, the first containing a liquid solution of an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, halide, or thiocyanate, or ammonium halide or thiocynate at an initial concentration of between about 30% to abotu 80%, by weight, the second vessel containing liquid, a space about the liquid in each vessel and a conduit communicating between the spaces having a valve for selectively allowing liquid vapor to pass between the spaces, means for heating the solution to a temperature above about 80.degree. F., means for cooling the liquid to a temperature below about 55.degree. F., and heat exchange means for transferring heat from the heated solution and for transferring heat to the cooled liquid. Water is the preferred liquid although ammonia, lower alcohols, and polyols such as glycerol, glycols, polyglycols, glycol ethers, lower aliphatic amines and alkanol amines, and mixtures thereof, may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: RE36045
    Abstract: The basic apparatus of the invention is a triple effect absorption cycle apparatus, comprising first, second and third generators each containing an aqueous absorption fluid and operating at successively higher temperatures; first, second and third condensers operating at successively higher temperatures, and operatively communicating with the generators; first heat exchange means cooperating between the third and second generators, and between the second condenser and first generator, for directing energy therebetween; one, two or three absorbers and one, two or three fluid loops for directing aqueous absorption fluid between absorbers and second heat exchange means for exchanging energy between aqueous absorption fluid flows in said loops; and one, two or three evaporators operatively communicating with the absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Paul Sarkisian
  • Patent number: RE36283
    Abstract: The basic apparatus of the invention is a triple effect absorption cycle apparatus, comprising first, second and third generators each containing an aqueous absorption fluid and operating at successively higher temperatures; first, second and third condensers operating at successively higher temperatures, and operatively communicating with the generators; first heat exchange means cooperating between the third condenser and second generator, and between the second condenser and first generator, for directing energy therebetween; one, two or three absorbers and one, two or three fluid loops for directing aqueous absorption fluid between absorbers and second heat exchange means for exchanging energy between aqueous absorption fluid flows in said loops; and one, two or three evaporators operatively communicating with the absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Paul Sarkisian