Dividing Refrigerant Flow, E.g., Bypass Parallel Units Patents (Class 62/117)
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Patent number: 8261562Abstract: A helium management control system for controlling the helium refrigerant supply from a common manifold supplies a plurality of cryogenic refrigerators with an appropriate helium supply. The system employs a plurality of sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply to deliver an appropriate refrigerant supply to each of the cryogenic refrigerators depending on the computed aggregate cooling demand of all of the cryogenic refrigerators. An appropriate supply of helium is distributed to each cryopump by sensing excess and sparse helium refrigerant and redistributing refrigerant accordingly. If the total refrigeration supply exceeds the total refrigerant demand, or consumption, excess refrigerant is directed to cryogenic refrigerators which can utilize the excess helium to complete a current cooling function more quickly.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Dresens, Gary S. Ash, Allen J. Bartlett, Bruce Andeen, Y. Roberto Than, Joseph Chopy, Jr.
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Patent number: 8141372Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator includes supplying an evaporator of a second compartment with coolant and flushing the coolant out of the evaporator of the second compartment so that it can be used for an evaporator of a first compartment, closing a coolant circuit to the evaporator of the second compartment, and supplying only the evaporator of the first compartment with coolant.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Thomas Guffler, Wolfgang Nuiding
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Publication number: 20110296859Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Rick T. James, Paul F. Haley, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Patent number: 8011196Abstract: A chiller includes a main condenser that has a refrigerant condensate sump with an internal weir or standpipe that maintains at least a minimum liquid seal between the outlets of the main condenser and a heat-recovery condenser. The main condenser is used for normal cooling operation, and the heat-recovery condenser is for supplying an external process with heat that would otherwise be wasted. In addition to providing a liquid seal, the sump and weir combination provides a reliable source of liquid refrigerant to cool the chiller's compressor motor and creates a trap for collecting foreign particles that might exit either of the chiller's two condensers.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Alan Hv Eber, Steven J. Pitts, Brian T. Sullivan
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Publication number: 20110197604Abstract: An air conditioning or refrigeration system includes a secondary loop cooling system for use with a vapor compression system having a bypass line in order to bypass a reservoir in the secondary loop system. This bypass allows the air conditioning or refrigeration system to cool down more quickly. The secondary loop cooling system uses a non-flammable cooling fluid, which is particularly useful when the refrigerant used in the vapor compression system is flammable.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Barbara Haviland Minor, Mack Mcfarland
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Publication number: 20110197603Abstract: Disclosed is a gravity flooded evaporator for use with commercial or industrial heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems, and which does not require integration or use of a conventional, separately field-piped, surge vessel and associated subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: REJ ENTERPRISES LLLPInventor: Justin Marc Brown
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Publication number: 20110146342Abstract: A method of cooling using an extended binary refrigerant system containing methane and a C3 hydrocarbon such as propylene and/or propane is disclosed. The extended binary refrigerant from a compressor final discharge is separated into a methane-rich vapor fraction and at least one C3 rich liquid fraction so as to provide various temperatures and levels of refrigeration in various heat exchange stages. The method and corresponding refrigeration system can be utilized in plants utilizing low pressure or high pressure demethanizers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2008Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventor: Charles Sumner
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Publication number: 20110138827Abstract: A method and system for operating a refrigerant system having a reciprocating compressor with a main cylinder module and an economizer cylinder module includes regulating a flow of refrigerant into the main cylinder module and regulating a flow of refrigerant into the economizer cylinder module. The main cylinder module and the economizer cylinder module have separate inlet and outlet discharge streams. The flow through each module is regulated as a function of an operating mode of the refrigerant system, which includes various modes of loading and unloading based, in part, on a cooling demand. In some embodiments, the refrigerant system may include a connector refrigerant line configured to redirect refrigerant from the economizer cylinder module to the main cylinder module or from the main cylinder module to the economizer cylinder module.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
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Publication number: 20110126560Abstract: Surged vapor compression heat transfer systems, devices, and methods are disclosed having refrigerant phase separators that generate at least one surge of vapor phase refrigerant into the inlet of an evaporator after the initial cool-down of an on cycle of the compressor. This surge of vapor phase refrigerant, having a higher temperature than the liquid phase refrigerant, increases the temperature of the evaporator inlet, thus reducing frost build up in relation to conventional refrigeration systems lacking a surged input of vapor phase refrigerant to the evaporator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: XDX INNOVATIVE REFRIGERATION, LLCInventor: David Wightman
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Publication number: 20110088420Abstract: A chemical state monitoring system for a refrigeration system that continuously monitors and detects problems within a refrigeration system. The monitoring system comprises a sampling device for collecting refrigerant in a high pressure liquid line of the refrigeration system, a purge valve in an upper portion of the sampling device; a refrigerant state sensor for sensing a condition indicative of the state of refrigerant in the collection chamber; and a controller operatively connected to the refrigerant state sensor and to the purge valve for controlling said purge valve and detecting fault conditions based on signals from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventor: Michael Shelton
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CONTROL OF SYSTEM COOLANT TO FACILITATE TWO-PHASE HEAT TRANSFER IN A MULTI-EVAPORATOR COOLING SYSTEM
Publication number: 20110056225Abstract: A cooling system and method are provided for facilitating two-phase heat transfer from an electronics system including a plurality of electronic devices to be cooled. The cooling system includes a plurality of evaporators coupled to the electronic devices, and a coolant loop for passing system coolant through the evaporators. The coolant loop includes a plurality of coolant branches coupled in parallel, with each coolant branch being coupled in fluid communication with a respective evaporator. The cooling system further includes a control unit for maintaining pressure of system coolant at a system coolant supply side of the coolant branches within a specific pressure range at or above saturation pressure of the system coolant for a given desired saturation temperature of system coolant into the evaporators to facilitate two-phase heat transfer in the plurality of evaporators from the electronic devices to the system coolant at the given desired saturation temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS -
Publication number: 20100313583Abstract: A helium management control system for controlling the helium refrigerant supply from a common manifold supplies a plurality of cryogenic refrigerators with an appropriate helium supply. The system employs a plurality of sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply to deliver an appropriate refrigerant supply to each of the cryogenic refrigerators depending on the computed aggregate cooling demand of all of the cryogenic refrigerators. An appropriate supply of helium is distributed to each cryopump by sensing excess and sparse helium refrigerant and redistributing refrigerant accordingly. If the total refrigeration supply exceeds the total refrigerant demand, or consumption, excess refrigerant is directed to cryogenic refrigerators which can utilize the excess helium to complete a current cooling function more quickly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Dresens, Gary S. Ash, Allen J. Bartlett, Bruce Andeen, Y. Roberto Than, Joseph Chopy, JR.
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Publication number: 20100242505Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerant distribution in a vapour compression system, such as a refrigeration system, e.g. an air condition system, comprising at least two evaporators. The refrigerant distribution determines the distribution of the available amount of refrigerant among the evaporators. While monitoring a superheat, SH, at a common outlet for the evaporators, the distribution of refrigerant is modified in such a manner that a mass flow of refrigerant to a first evaporator is altered in a controlled manner. The impact on the monitored SH is then observed, and this is used for deriving information relating to the behaviour of the first evaporator, in the form of a control parameter. This is repeated for each evaporator, and the refrigerant distribution is adjusted on the basis of the control parameters. The impact may be in the form of a significant change in SH.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: Danfoss A/SInventors: Claus Thybo, Rafael Wisniewski
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Patent number: 7802439Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems, heat exchangers, and multichannel tubes are provided which include internal configurations designed to promote mixing. The multichannel tubes include interior walls which form flow channels. The interior walls are interrupted at locations along the multichannel tube in order to provide open spaces between the flow channels where mixing may occur. The mixing that occurs promotes a more homogenous distribution of refrigerant within the multichannel tubes.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath, Jeffrey Lee Tucker, John T. Knight
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Publication number: 20100223938Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27), a two-stage compressor (32) for compressing a refrigerant, a second compressor (34) for compressing the refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, a first economizer circuit (25A), and a second economizer circuit (25B). The first economizer circuit (25A) is configured to inject refrigerant into an interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32). The second economizer circuit (25B) is connected to the second compressor (34).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2006Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventors: James W. Bush, Wayne P. Beagle, Biswajit Mitra
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Publication number: 20100223939Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27) for evaporating a refrigerant, a two-stage compressor (32) for compressing the refrigerant, a single-stage compressor (34) for compressing the refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, a first economizer circuit (25A), and a second economizer circuit (25B). The first economizer circuit (25A) is configured to inject refrigerant into an interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32). The second economizer circuit (25B) is configured to inject refrigerant into a suction port (52) of the single-stage compressor (34). The single-stage compressor (34) is configured to discharge into the interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2006Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventors: Biswajit Mitra, Wayne P. Beagle, James W. Bush
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Patent number: 7775055Abstract: A system for cooling a medium includes a line having coolant flowing therein, and a sub-cooling unit in fluid communication with the line. The sub-cooling unit receives a portion of the coolant diverted from the line to cool coolant flowing in the line. A method of cooling a medium is further disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: American Power Conversion CorporationInventors: John H Bean, Jonathan M Lomas
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Publication number: 20100199694Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided with at least two sequential stages of compression. An intercooler is positioned intermediate the two stages. The refrigerant flowing through the intercooler is cooled by a secondary fluid such as ambient air. A vapor/liquid injection function is also provided for the refrigerant system. The intercooler function and the vapor/liquid injection function are selectively activated on demand depending on environmental conditions and thermal load in a conditioned space. This invention is particularly important for the CO2 refrigerant systems operating in the transcritical cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2007Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
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Publication number: 20100083679Abstract: A temperature control system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an accumulator. A liquid level sensor is associated with the accumulator tank generates a signal indicative of the level of the liquid heat transfer fluid inside the accumulator. A valve is in fluid communication with the condenser, the compressor, and the evaporator and is operable in a first position and a second position. The first position directs the heat transfer fluid from the compressor to the condenser, and the second position directs the heat transfer fluid from the compressor to the evaporator without passing through the first heat exchanger. A controller is in electrical communication with the liquid level sensor and the valve and is operable to receive the signal and move the valve from the first position to the second position based on the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATIONInventors: Kim Carl Kolstad, Panayu Robert Srichai, William Francis Mohs, YoungChan Ma, Robert Lattin
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Publication number: 20100077777Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compression device, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an economizer heat exchanger, an expander and an evaporator disposed in a refrigerant circuit. An evaporator bypass line is provided for passing a portion of the refrigerant flow from the main refrigerant circuit after having traversed a first pass of the economizer heat exchanger through the expander to partially expand it to an intermediate pressure and thence through a second pass of the economizer heat exchanger and into an intermediate pressure stage of the compression device. An economizer bypass line is also provided for passing a portion of the refrigerant from the main refrigerant circuit after having traversed the heat rejecting heat exchanger through a restrictor type expansion device and thence into the evaporator bypass line as liquid refrigerant or a mix of liquid and vapor refrigerant for injection into an intermediate pressure stage of the compression device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2006Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
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Publication number: 20100050668Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor, first and second heat exchangers, and an expansion device. A refrigerant recirculating flowpath extends sequentially downstream through the compressor, first heat exchanger, expansion device, and second heat exchanger The system includes a charge storage system. The charge storage system includes first and second refrigerant storage chambers. At least one valve is coupled to the storage chambers to permit the storage chambers to each be individually placed in alternative communication with the flowpath upstream and downstream of the expansion device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: James W. Bush, Biswajit Mitra
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Patent number: 7654109Abstract: The invention relates to refrigerating systems, primarily, to refrigerating systems employing compressors with economizing inlets and multi-pass condensers. In accordance with the invention a refrigerating system with economizing cycle employs a compressor unit with an economizer inlet and a condenser unit having a first condensation stage, a second condensation stage, and means to remove liquid refrigerant portion between the condensation stages. An intermediate liquid outlet from the first condensation stage feeds a circuit with the evaporator and a liquid outlet from the second condensation stage feeds a circuit with the economizer inlet. The invention provides a high efficiency refrigerating system incorporating of advantages of cost-effectiveness provision of liquid sub-cooling or/and liquid temperature inherent for refrigerating systems with economizing cycle and cost-effectiveness advantages of two-stage condensation condensers.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Igor B. Vaisman, Mikhail B. Gorbounov, Jean-Francois Heitz, Kais Djemili
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Publication number: 20090293515Abstract: An economized refrigerant vapor compression system (10) for water heating includes a refrigerant compression device (20), a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger (30), an economizer heat exchanger (60), an evaporator (40) and a refrigerant circuit (70) providing a first flow path (OA, 70B, 70C, 70D) connecting the compression device (20), the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger (30), the economizer heat exchanger (60) and the evaporator (40) in refrigerant circulation flow communication and a second flow path (70E) connecting the first flow path (62) through the economizer heat exchanger (60) to the compression device (20). The economizer heat exchanger (60) has a first pass (62) for receiving a first portion of the refrigerant having traversed he refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger and a second pass (64) for receiving a second portion of the refrigerant having traversed the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2005Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
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Publication number: 20090249807Abstract: A HVAC and battery thermal system and method for a vehicle having a passenger cabin and a battery pack is disclosed. The system may comprise a refrigerant loop and a coolant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a first leg and a second leg, the first leg including an expansion device and an evaporator, and the second leg including an expansion device and a chiller. The coolant loop directs coolant through the battery pack and includes a controllable coolant routing valve, a bypass branch and a chiller branch, with the chiller in the chiller branch. The coolant routing valve has a bypass outlet that directs the coolant into the bypass branch and a chiller outlet that directs the coolant into the chiller branch. The coolant loop may also include a radiator branch and battery radiator, with the coolant routing valve including a radiator outlet that directs the coolant into the radiator branch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mark D. Nemesh, Edwin J. Stanke, Matthew J. Martinchick, Wissam Ibri, Kul Winder Singh
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Publication number: 20090229282Abstract: A parallel-flow evaporator has a liquid trap for regulating velocity of refrigerant delivered to an evaporator from an expansion device. In its simplest configuration, the liquid trap is a u-shaped pipe positioned vertically and connected to an inlet manifold of the evaporator. By providing a liquid trap, a small amount of liquid refrigerant separates from the vapor phase at certain conditions. This separated liquid will tend to collect in the trap, and reduce a flow cross-sectional area of the line leading to the inlet manifold of the evaporator. As this cross-sectional area decreases, the velocity of the refrigerant passing through the line will increase. In this sense, as a small amount of liquid phase separates out, it will ensure that the velocity of the remaining refrigerant will increase such that further separation will be significantly reduced or entirely avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2005Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
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Patent number: 7574869Abstract: A control valve to regulate flow of refrigerant through a refrigeration system that includes a plurality of refrigerated display cases. Each of the plurality of display cases includes a dedicated evaporator that cools return air by at least partially evaporating a refrigerant. A compressor assembly compresses evaporated refrigerant received from the plurality of evaporators. The system further includes a condenser located remotely from the plurality of display cases that rejects heat from the refrigerant to an environment. A gas main is in fluid communication with an inlet of the condenser and directs refrigerant from the compressor assembly to the condenser. A liquid main is in fluid communication with an outlet of the condenser and directs refrigerant from the condenser to the plurality of evaporators. The valve is fluidly coupled between the gas main and the liquid main, and regulates flow of refrigerant from the gas main to the liquid main.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2006Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Hussmann CorporationInventor: Doron Shapiro
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Publication number: 20090038322Abstract: A refrigerant unit associated with a product transport container is provided with a dual-path, parallel flow expansion circuit. The expansion circuit includes a primary expansion device disposed in a primary refrigerant flow path and an auxiliary expansion device disposed in a secondary refrigerant flow path. During operation of the refrigeration unit in a stable temperature maintenance mode, refrigerant flow is supplied to the evaporator coil through the primary refrigerant flow path only. During operation of the refrigeration unit in a temperature pull-down mode, to increase the refrigerant mass flow through the evaporator coil, refrigeration flow is supplied to the evaporator coil through the primary refrigerant flow path and the secondary refrigerant flow path of the expansion circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2007Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: Carrier CorporationInventors: Raymond L. Senf Jr., Harold Hill Jr.
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Publication number: 20090038321Abstract: A system for atomizing the refrigerant directed to an evaporator in a vapor compression refrigeration system using spray nozzles. In one embodiment, one or more spray nozzles discharge into a distributor which is connected via a plurality of conduits to the various evaporator circuits. The distributor is designed to deliver a volume of refrigerant to each circuit based on airflow rates across the circuit. In another embodiment, an atomizing spray nozzle is interposed in each evaporator circuit and the nozzles are sized to distribute atomized refrigerant to the various evaporator circuits based on airflow rates. The invention also comprehends a method if improving the efficiency of existing system by replacing conventional expansion devices with spray nozzles sized in each circuit in relation to the airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventor: Randy Lefor
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Publication number: 20090025405Abstract: An economized vapor compression circuit is disclosed. An evaporator, compressor, condenser and economizer are fluidly connected by a refrigerant line containing refrigerant. A portion of the liquid refrigerant leaving the economizer is diverted away from the evaporator to sub-cool liquid refrigerant at a location between the condenser and the evaporator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANYInventor: Mustafa Kemal Yanik
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Publication number: 20080307805Abstract: Combined medium and low temperature refrigeration circuit for circulating a refrigerant in a predetermined flow direction includes, in flow direction, a heat-rejecting heat exchanger, a medium temperature refrigeration consumer, a medium pressure vapor separator having a vapor portion and a liquid portion connected to the medium temperature refrigeration consumer unit, a low temperature refrigeration consumer connected to the liquid portion of the medium pressure vapor separator, and a compressor unit having an inlet connected to the vapor portion of the medium pressure vapor separators and the low temperature refrigeration consumer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2005Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventor: Neelkanth S. Gupte
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Publication number: 20080289345Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration machine, particularly a heat pump, comprising a closed circuit, which contains a coolant and in which an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an, in particular, electrically operated expansion valve are arranged one after the other. The refrigeration machine also comprises an overheating control unit for at least intermittently regulating the temperature of the coolant in the area of the compressor, particularly the compression final temperature. The invention also relates to a method for operating a refrigeration machine of the aforementioned type.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2005Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC GmbH & CO. OHGInventor: Ali R. Nejad
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Publication number: 20080196420Abstract: Refrigeration circuit (2) for circulating a refrigerant in a predetermined flow direction, comprising in flow direction a heat rejecting heat exchanger (4), an intermediate throttle valve (6), a receiver (8), an evaporator throttle valve (10), an evaporator (14) a compressor (20), and a flash gas tapping line (26) connected to the receiver (8), wherein the flash gas tapping line (26) being further connected to the compressor (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2005Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventor: Andreas Gernemann
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Publication number: 20080104975Abstract: A method and apparatus for promoting uniform refrigerant flow in a minichannel heat exchanger by providing a liquid-vapor separator between an expansion device and the inlet header such that the refrigerant vapor will pass directly to the compressor and only the liquid refrigerant will pass to the inlet header. The liquid-vapor separation is accomplished by way of a float valve which prevents the flow of liquid refrigerant to the compressor and the flow of refrigerant vapor from the outlet manifold, through the valve and back to the inlet manifold. A second float valve may be provided between a downstream end of the inlet manifold and the compressor for the purpose of removing any residual vapor from the liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2005Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: Carrier CorporationInventors: Mikhail B. Gorbounov, Michael K. Sahm, Parmesh Verma
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Patent number: 7272943Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method for a multiple heat pump. In the control method, when one of multiple indoor units operates in the heating mode and the other indoor units shut down, electronic expansion valves of the shutdown indoor units are controlled to have an opening degree higher than a standard opening degree if an outlet temperature of compressors is higher than a preset temperature, so as to permit a liquid refrigerant, remaining in the shutdown indoor units, to be more readily recovered to the compressors. This eliminates a refrigerant shortage phenomenon of the compressors and prevents deterioration of heating performance as well as reduction of life-span of the compressors.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Il Nahm Hwang, Sai Kee Oh, Yoon Been Lee, Se Dong Chang
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Refrigerant bypassing and filtering apparatus of air conditioner and method for controlling the same
Patent number: 7263846Abstract: A refrigerant bypassing and filtering apparatus of an air conditioner is disclosed which is capable of effectively removing foreign matter such as slag produced in a refrigerant line, not only when the air conditioner is initially operated, but also during normal operation of the air conditioner. The apparatus includes at least one bypass line adapted to guide a refrigerant to bypass a main line through which the refrigerant flows between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, a strainer arranged at the bypass line, a first valve arranged at the main line between opposite ends of the bypass line connected to the main line, and second valves arranged at the bypass line.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Il Nahm Hwang, Seok Ho Yoon, Pil Hyun Yoon, Ho Jong Jeong, Won Chul Kang -
Patent number: 7222491Abstract: An air conditioner including an outdoor unit including a first compressor and a second compressor connected in parallel to the first compressor, an outdoor unit connected in parallel to the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit including a first compressor and a second compressor connected in parallel to the first compressor, the outdoor units being connected in parallel to indoor units, the compressors being connected by first-compressor oil equalizing tubes and second-compressor oil equalizing tubes to feed surplus oil in the compressors, the oil equalizing tubes being connected by an external oil equalizing tube, wherein oil equalization is performed by collecting lubricant oil in the first compressor of the outdoor unit, pressurizing the collected lubricant oil by a discharge pressure of another compressor connected in parallel to the first compressor in the same outdoor unit, that is, the second compressor, and feeding the pressurized lubricant oil into the first compressor or second compressor of the other outType: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shunji Moriwaki
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Patent number: 7197886Abstract: A heat reclaim refrigeration system uses a first compressor to elevate the amount of latent heat reclaimable by the system and to reclaim this heat using heat reclaim means, such as heat reclaim coils, for practical applications, such as heating a building. In addition, the system reduces pressure required from a second compressor used for refrigeration, and energy consumed thereby, especially during cold periods of the year when a refrigerant condensing means has lower condensing requirements.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Inventors: Gaétan Lesage, Jordan Kantchev
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Patent number: 7191605Abstract: A method for cooling vehicle components using the vehicle air conditioning system comprising the steps of: tapping the hot liquid refrigerant of said air conditioning system, flooding a heat exchanger in the vehicle component with said hot liquid refrigerant, evaporating said hot liquid refrigerant into hot vapor refrigerant using the heat from said vehicle component, and returning said hot vapor refrigerant to the hot vapor refrigerant line in said vehicle air conditioning system.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: John S. Hsu, Curtis W. Ayers, Chester Coomer, Laura D. Marlino
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Patent number: 7000416Abstract: a cooling apparatus 110 comprises a primary refrigerant circulating circuit which allows a primary refrigerant CW1 whose temperature is adjusted by a heat exchanger 138 to circulate through an electrode to adjust a temperature of the electrode, a secondary refrigerant circulating circuit which supplies a secondary refrigerant CW2 to the heat exchanger to adjust the temperature of the primary refrigerant, and a freezing circuit 140 which has a first heat exchanger 141 interposed in the secondary refrigerant circulating circuit and which adjust a temperature of the secondary refrigerant by a tertiary refrigerant. The temperature of the primary refrigerant is adjusted by the secondary refrigerant without adjusting the temperature using the freezing circuit. When a temperature of the primary refrigerant is set higher than that of the secondary refrigerant, the temperature of the primary refrigerant can be adjusted only by the secondary refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Takaaki Hirooka, Masao Furuya
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Patent number: 6981390Abstract: A refrigerant cycle system includes a first heat-exchanging portion for condensing gas refrigerant discharged from a compressor, a gas-liquid separator into which all of refrigerant after passing through the first heat-exchanging portion and a part of gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor are introduced, and a second heat-exchanging portion for cooling and condensing refrigerant flowing from the gas-liquid separator. Because all of the condensed refrigerant from the first heat-exchanging portion is introduced into the gas-liquid separator, a passage area of a gas refrigerant introduction passage for introducing gas refrigerant from the compressor into the gas-liquid separator can be set relatively large. Therefore, a dimension difference of the gas refrigerant introducing passage in manufacturing is not greatly affected to an adjustment of a liquid refrigerant amount in the gas-liquid separator.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Etsuhisa Yamada, Shigeki Ito, Teruyuki Hotta, Yasushi Yamanaka
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Patent number: 6952930Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigeration compartment having an upper region and a lower region, a first evaporator positioned in the upper region, a second evaporator, positioned in the lower region, and a fan disposed between the first and second evaporators. The fan is configured, such that air flows past first and second evaporators and is discharged into said upper and lower regions when said fan is energized.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Anil Kumar Tummala, Ziquang Hu, John Charles Steimel
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Patent number: 6928825Abstract: A refrigeration process comprising, compressing low pressure vapor refrigerant to a higher temperature and pressure vapor, condensing the higher pressure vapor refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant at the higher pressure, thermally-isolating the higher pressure liquid, cooling the thermally-isolated liquid refrigerant while remaining thermally-isolated and then allowing thermal contact of the remaining low temperature and pressure liquid and a cooled substance causing the low temperature and pressure liquid to further reversibly boil to a vapor at the low pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Altech Controls CorporationInventor: Richard H. Alsenz
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Patent number: 6860116Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a first circuit having first components including a first compressor, a first condenser and a first evaporator; a second circuit having second components including a second compressor, a second condenser and a second evaporator; and interconnecting flow lines for selectively communicating the first compressor with at least one component of the second components to boost system performance at part-load operation as well as enhance its reliability and improve unloading capability.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras, Howard H. Fraser, Jr.
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Patent number: 6817205Abstract: A refrigerant system is operable either in a heating mode or a cooling mode. The system is also provided with an economizer cycle that will function in both heating mode or cooling mode. A pair of four-way valves control the flow of refrigerant through the refrigerant cycle in a preferred embodiment. The first valve properly routes the refrigerant from the compressor either to the outdoor heat exchanger or to the indoor heat exchanger dependent upon whether cooling mode or heating mode is in place. The second valve routes the refrigerant serially from either the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger through an economizer heat exchanger and a main expansion device, again dependent on whether the refrigerant cycle is in a cooling mode or in a heating mode. A tap is positioned upstream of the economizer heat exchanger and taps a portion of the refrigerant to provide the economizer function.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Alexander Lifson, Thomas J. Dobmeier, Michael F. Taras
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Publication number: 20040221589Abstract: A refrigeration system of the type having a refrigeration cycle wherein a refrigerant undergoes compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation stages. The refrigeration system comprises an energy-storage stage in parallel to the evaporation stage between the expansion stage and the compression stage. The energy-storage stage has a container in which a medium is disposed in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant such that the refrigerant absorbs heat from the medium. The medium is used in heat exchange thereafter to cause condensation of an air-conditioning refrigerant.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventors: Serge Dube, Andre Delisle
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Patent number: 6766653Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for operating a multi-air conditioner in which indoor rooms can be air-conditioned above a predetermined level. The method includes the steps of: compressing refrigerant at a compressor provided in an outdoor unit and discharging the compressed refrigerant; measuring, in heating mode or cooling mode, a pressure of the refrigerant in a plurality of indoor heat exchangers side and the compressor side; and compensating for the pressure of the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchangers side in a prescribed pressure range at a control unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Ki Su Hong
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Patent number: 6758052Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle including an integral valve block (32) having a liquid line bore (42) extending therethrough and a suction line bore (44) extending therethrough with a transverse by-pass passage (34). The by-pass check valve (38) of the first system of FIGS. 1 and 2 allows only one-way fluid flow through the by-pass passage (34) from the suction fluid line (22) to the liquid fluid line (20), whereas the by-pass check valve (40) of the second system of FIGS. 3 and 4 allows only one-way fluid flow through the by-pass passage (34) from the liquid fluid line (20) to the suction fluid line (22). Also integrated into the valve block (16) is a suction check valve (46) in the suction fluid line (22) for allowing one-way fluid flow from the evaporator (16) to the compressor (12).Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mahmoud Ghodbane, James A. Baker, Prasad S. Kadle, Xiaoxia Mu
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Publication number: 20040123609Abstract: A vapor compression type heat transfer system wherein plural condensing conduits are individually and sequentially charged with compressed refrigerant from a compressor. The condensing conduits discharge expanded refrigerant into a common expansion chamber or evaporator. Charging of the condensing conduits is controlled so that a first condensing conduit becomes fully charged, and gradually discharges its refrigerant into the expansion chamber. Upon sensing that the first condensing conduit is fully charged, connection from the compressor to the first condensing conduit is closed by a valve, and connection of the compressor to a second condensing conduit is opened. With the compressor operating constantly, all condensing conduits are sequentially charged, all condensing conduits simultaneously discharging refrigerant to the expansion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventor: Steven D. Gottlieb
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Patent number: 6751965Abstract: A vapor compression type heat transfer system wherein plural condensing conduits are individually and sequentially charged with compressed refrigerant from a compressor. The condensing conduits discharge expanded refrigerant into a common expansion chamber or evaporator. Charging of the condensing conduits is controlled so that a first condensing conduit becomes fully charged, and gradually discharges its refrigerant into the expansion chamber. Upon sensing that the first condensing conduit is fully charged, connection from the compressor to the first condensing conduit is closed by a valve, and connection of the compressor to a second condensing conduit is opened. With the compressor operating constantly, all condensing conduits are sequentially charged, all condensing conduits simultaneously discharging refrigerant to the expansion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Inventor: Steven D. Gottlieb
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Patent number: RE39625Abstract: A boosted source heat pump (BSHP) is presented having a primary compressor, a booster compressor, an economizer, and a lubricant management system. At least the primary compressor is a twin-single compressor. The lubricant management system includes traps to prevent migration of lubricant to a non-operating compressor, and aspiration tubes from the sump to the low pressure intake zone to each compressor.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Hallowell International, LLCInventor: David N. Shaw