Trapping And Discharging Refrigerant Batches Patents (Class 62/174)
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Patent number: 12078398Abstract: A condenser charge module is configured to: determine a first amount of refrigerant in each condenser of one or more condensers of a refrigeration system; determine a total condenser amount of refrigerant based on the one or more first amounts. An evaporator charge module is configured to: determine a second amount of refrigerant in each evaporator of two or more evaporators of the refrigeration system; and determine a total evaporator amount of refrigerant based on the two or more second amounts. A line charge module is configured to: determine a third amount of refrigerant in each refrigerant line of multiple refrigerant lines of the refrigeration system; and determine a total line amount of refrigerant based on the multiple third amounts. A total module is configured to determine a total amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration system based on the total condenser, the total evaporator, and the total line amounts.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2021Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Copeland LPInventors: Andrew Welch, Nathan O. Boyce
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Patent number: 12031760Abstract: A freezing device including a compressor that compresses sucked refrigerant using a compression mechanism and discharges compressed refrigerant includes a compressor, an inverter, and a controller. The compressor includes a motor, a low pressure unit, a compression space, a high pressure unit, a communication flow path, and a flow control valve. The inverter drives or stops the motor. The controller controls the inverter and the flow control valve. The controller performs, in stop control in which an operation of the compressor is stopped, braking control in which driving of the compression mechanism is prevented or suppressed, and pressure equalization control in which pressure in the high pressure unit is equalized with pressure in the low pressure unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Masahiro Kanda, Masaaki Kamikawa, Shun Okada
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Patent number: 12017509Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes an accumulator having an inlet and an outlet, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, and a first coupling point. The compressor includes a low-pressure inlet and an outlet. The low-pressure inlet is downstream of the outlet of the accumulator. The first heat exchanger includes an inlet and an outlet. The first coupling point is positioned immediately downstream of the outlet of the accumulator and immediately upstream of the low-pressure inlet of the compressor. The first coupling point is immediately downstream of the outlet of the first heat exchanger such that a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the refrigerant loop is directed to the low-pressure inlet of the compressor upon exiting the outlet of the first heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rachael Shey, Jeffrey Paul Brown, Loren John Lohmeyer, Manfred Koberstein
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Patent number: 11879675Abstract: A cooling system partially floods the low temperature low side heat exchangers (e.g., freezers) in the system. An accumulator is positioned between the low temperature low side heat exchangers and the low temperature compressor. The accumulator collects the refrigerant (both liquid and vapor) from the flooded low temperature low side heat exchangers. Refrigerant discharged by the low temperature compressor is fed through the accumulator so that heat can be transferred to the refrigerant collected in the accumulator. As a result, the temperature of the refrigerant discharged by the low temperature compressor drops before that refrigerant reaches the medium temperature compressor.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLCInventors: Shitong Zha, Douglas Cole
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Patent number: 11435123Abstract: A refrigeration system has a main refrigeration circuit including a compression stage, a condensing stage, and an evaporation stage, a refrigerant circulating between the compression stage, the condensing stage and the evaporation stage in a refrigeration cycle. An integrated transfer system is in closeable and openable fluid communication with the main refrigeration circuit, the transfer system including a receiver. Valves are operable to selectively open the fluid communication between the main refrigeration circuit and the transfer system. A motive force source displaces refrigerant from the main refrigeration circuit to the transfer system.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: TOROMONT INDUSTRIES LTDInventors: David Fauser, Josh Bell, Wayne Borrowman
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Patent number: 11408657Abstract: A dynamic receiver is included in parallel to an expander of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system. The dynamic receiver allows control of the refrigerant charge of the HVACR system to respond to different operating conditions. The dynamic receiver can be filled or emptied in response to the subcooling observed in the HVACR system compared to desired subcooling for various operating modes. The HVACR system can include a line directly conveying working fluid from compressor discharge to the dynamic receiver to allow emptying of the dynamic receiver to be assisted by injection of the compressor discharge.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Philippe Del Marcel Tisserand, Stephane David Koenigsecker, Yves Jacques Raimbault
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Patent number: 11391501Abstract: An icemaker appliance includes a cabinet. A refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration system is charged with a refrigerant. The refrigeration system further includes a modulator having a reservoir and a supply conduit. The reservoir of the modulator is positioned on an outlet conduit of the evaporator. A first end portion of the supply conduit is coupled to an inlet conduit of the evaporator, and a second end portion of the supply conduit is coupled to the reservoir of the modulator. The refrigerant is flowable into and out of the reservoir of the modulator through the supply conduit of the modulator. An ice maker is positioned within the cabinet. The evaporator of the refrigeration system is coupled to the icemaker such that the refrigeration system is operable to chill the icemaker.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Justin Tyler Brown
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Patent number: 11384969Abstract: A cooling system drains oil from low side heat exchangers to vessels and then uses compressed refrigerant to push the oil in the vessels back towards a compressor. Generally, the cooling system operates in three different modes of operation: a normal mode, an oil drain mode, and an oil return mode. During the normal mode, a primary refrigerant is cycled to cool one or more secondary refrigerants. As the primary refrigerant is cycled, oil from a compressor may mix with the primary refrigerant and become stuck in a low side heat exchanger. During the oil drain mode, the oil in the low side heat exchanger is allowed to drain into a vessel. During the oil return mode, compressed refrigerant is directed to the vessel to push the oil in the vessel back towards a compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLCInventors: Shitong Zha, Augusto Zimmermann
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Patent number: 11371756Abstract: A cooling system drains oil from low side heat exchangers to vessels and then uses compressed refrigerant to push the oil in the vessels back towards a compressor. Generally, the cooling system operates in three different modes of operation: a normal mode, an oil drain mode, and an oil return mode. During the normal mode, a primary refrigerant is cycled to cool one or more secondary refrigerants. As the primary refrigerant is cycled, oil from a compressor may mix with the primary refrigerant and become stuck in a low side heat exchanger. During the oil drain mode, the oil in the low side heat exchanger is allowed to drain into a vessel. During the oil return mode, compressed refrigerant is directed to the vessel to push the oil in the vessel back towards a compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLCInventors: Shitong Zha, Augusto Zimmermann
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Patent number: 11326819Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit including: a compressor, a radiator, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator. The refrigerant circuit encloses a refrigerant that contains a fluorinated hydrocarbon that causes a disproportionation reaction. The refrigerant circuit further includes: a discharged refrigerant recovery receiver that is connected to a path between a discharge side of the compressor and a gas side of the radiator through a discharged refrigerant branch pipe; and a discharged refrigerant relief mechanism that is disposed in the discharged refrigerant branch pipe and that connects the discharge side of the compressor with the discharged refrigerant recovery receiver when the refrigerant on the discharge side of the compressor satisfies a predetermined condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Ikuhiro Iwata, Kazuhiro Furusho
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Patent number: 11267318Abstract: A vehicle HVAC system includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant outside air, a first check valve set, a first expansion device for decompressing a first portion of the refrigerant, a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the first portion of the refrigerant and a second portion of the refrigerant, a second expansion device for decompressing the second portion of the refrigerant, a second check valve set, a third heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and inside air, and a selector valve for switching between a heating mode and a cooling mode. The first check valve set and the second check valve set together maintain a constant flow direction through the first expansion device, the second heat exchanger, and the second expansion device in the heating mode and the cooling mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jing He, Loren John Lohmeyer, Manfred Koberstein
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Patent number: 11236919Abstract: A heat exchange unit, a heat exchange system, and a method of determining the failure of a control valve in the heat exchange system. The heat exchange unit includes: a first flow path; and a second flow path at least partially located within the first flow path to exchange heat with the first flow path, one of the inlet and the outlet of the second flow path being connected to the main flow path of the external heat exchange system through a control valve; a first temperature sensor at the inlet of the first flow path to sense a first temperature T1; a second temperature sensor at the outlet of the first flow path or the second flow path within the first flow path to sense a second temperature T2; and a processor configured to determine whether the control valve fails.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Hui Zhai, Guangyu Shen, Qing Liu
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Patent number: 11231209Abstract: A refrigeration plant with multiple evaporation levels, operating according to a vapour compression cycle and including a circuit having a high-pressure branch HP, wherein is arranged at least one heat exchanger, and two or more low-pressure branches, each of which operates at a different evaporation level to serve users having different refrigeration requirements. In each of the low-pressure branches the plant comprises an expansion device, at least one evaporator and a compressor group. At least one evaporator of each low-pressure branch is connected directly to the high-pressure branch. At least a first low-pressure branch comprises a liquid separator fluidically connected: to the evaporator outlet to collect the liquid exiting the evaporator when operating in overfeeding conditions; and to the intake of the compressor group. Such liquid separator is fluidically connected to a second low-pressure branch upstream of the expansion device of such second low-pressure branch through a first connection duct.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: EPTA S.P.A.Inventors: Paolo Cavalleri, Mario De Bona, Daniele Mazzola
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Patent number: 11215383Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes: a first fluid flowpath including the following elements, in downstream flow sequence: a separator vessel; a subcooler having a first side in fluid communication with the first fluid flowpath and a second side configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a cold sink; a flow control valve; a primary evaporator assembly including at least one primary evaporator configured to be disposed in thermal communication with a primary heat load; and a pressure regulator operable to maintain a refrigerant saturation pressure within the primary evaporator at a predetermined set point.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventor: Eugene Charles Jansen
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Patent number: 11215388Abstract: A system includes an indoor HVAC unit and an outdoor HVAC unit in communication with the indoor HVAC unit. The outdoor HVAC unit comprises a compressor, a vapor header in communication with the indoor HVAC unit and compressor, and at least one check valve to allow vapor refrigerant flow into the indoor HVAC unit during a cooling mode and to prevent liquid refrigerant from exiting the vapor header when in a heating mode. A method of operating said system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Derek A. Leman, Matthew T. Austin, Mark W. Shoemaker
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Patent number: 11092376Abstract: A refrigeration device has a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber and a refrigerant circuit, in which a first controllable throttle point, a first heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of the first storage chamber, a second controllable throttle point and a second heat exchanger for cooling the second storage chamber are connected in series between a pressure connection and a suction connection. A hot line section, located upstream of the second heat exchanger, and a cold line section, located downstream of the second heat exchanger, are routed in thermal contact with respect to one another in order to form an internal heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is connected to the pressure connection bypassing the hot line section.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Andreas Babucke, Niels Liengaard
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Patent number: 11041649Abstract: Change of a set room temperature of an air-conditioning apparatus leads to change of electric power consumed by the air-conditioning apparatus, and in a case of cooling, the consumed electric power increases as the set room temperature decreases. Consequently, a user has been unable to freely change the set room temperature. Thus, when the set room temperature is changed by the user, an evaporating temperature (refrigerant temperature) at which the electric power consumed by the air-conditioning apparatus does not change before and after the change is estimated and the air-conditioning apparatus is commanded for the evaporating temperature, which allows the user to pursue indoor comfort without worrying about the electric power consumed by the air-conditioning apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Osamu Nakajima, Mio Motodani, Masae Sawada, Ryuta Tanaka
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Patent number: 11022355Abstract: A compressor includes an inlet and the inlet includes a flange and an impeller eye. The flange is connected to a suction line that transfers a refrigerant into the compressor via the impeller eye. The refrigerant flows into the compressor with an amount of swirl and a pressure loss. The suction line includes a geometry that includes a constantly decreasing cross-sectional area in a direction towards the compressor. The geometry of the suction line is configured to reduce the amount of swirl and the pressure loss.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Florin V. Iancu, Justin P. Kauffman, Jeb W. Schreiber, Chenggang Wu, Steven Wang, John Trevino, Jr.
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Patent number: 11022352Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving refrigeration and air conditioning efficiency for use with a heat exchange system having a compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, and circulating refrigerant. The apparatus includes a liquid refrigerant containing vessel having a refrigerant entrance and a refrigerant exit with the vessel positioned in the heat exchange system between the condenser and the evaporator, and means for creating a turbulent flow of liquefied refrigerant. The apparatus further preferably includes a refrigerant bypass path to sub-cool a portion of the refrigerant within the vessel; a disk positioned at the liquid refrigerant entrance to develop a low pressure area on the back side and create a turbulent flow of refrigerant entering the vessel; and a refrigerant valve incorporated into the refrigerant path downstream of the expansion valve and before the coil which develops a vortex that continues through the refrigerant coil.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Inventor: Cass Khoo
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Patent number: 10982886Abstract: Described is, among other things, a method and an apparatus for control of a cooling device. The cooling device comprise a circuit in which a refrigerant fluid is circulated in a fluid path where the circuit comprises a compressor and a condenser provided down streams the compressor. A fluid expansion device is provided down streams the condenser and an evaporator is provided between the fluid expansion device and the compressor. The circuit further comprises a valve provided in the fluid path between the condenser and the fluid expansion device. The method comprises to during an on-cycle of the compressor controlling the valve opening to provide a variable fluid mass flow of the refrigerant fluid circulated in the circuit where the valve opening is controlled to decrease during the on-cycle of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Electrolux Appliances ABInventors: Trung Pham Viet, Richard Furberg, Andreas Aschan
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Patent number: 10801146Abstract: An system for anhydrous boiling, bleaching and dyeing using a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid and belongs to the field of textile. The system for anhydrous boiling, bleaching and dyeing of a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid provided by the present invention is provided with a co-solvent system, a boiling, bleaching and dyeing system, and a separation and recovery system which are specially designed. By means of uniform dispersion and dissolution of a co-solvent, dyestuff and carbon dioxide, boiling, bleaching and dyeing production of jute fiber rough yarn can be achieved; meanwhile, the system for anhydrous boiling, bleaching and dyeing using a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid integrates the three functions of boiling, bleaching and dyeing, which can complete the boiling, bleaching and dyeing procedures in one step, and has the characteristic of high-efficiency, thus solving the problems of high contamination and high energy consumption of the jute fiber boiling, bleaching and dyeing procedures.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: DALIAN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITYInventors: Laijiu Zheng, Shihui Gao, Huanda Zheng, Jun Yan, Juan Zhang, Youcai Guo, Hong Li
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Patent number: 10801786Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-liquid separation device, a rear door, a cooling device, and a gas-liquid separating method capable of reducing the tank capacity. The gas-liquid separation device includes a tank (13) which is provided in a heat receiving section configured to recover exhaust heat from a cooling object, and has a refrigerant vapor inflow section (13a) into which a refrigerant vapor flowing out from the heat receiving section via a vapor pipe (2) is introduced, and a refrigerant gas outflow section (13b) from which the refrigerant gas of the refrigerant vapor is discharged, the tank being capable of storing refrigerant liquid of the refrigerant vapor on a lower surface; and a regulating valve (12) which floats on the refrigerant liquid stored in the tank (13) and closes a space between the vapor pipe (2) and the tank (13).Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: NEC CORPORATIONInventor: Shunsuke Fujii
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Patent number: 10775110Abstract: A two-phase pump loop (TPPL) for dissipating a thermal load during operation of an apparatus includes a coolant, a vapor/liquid receiver, a pump, an evaporator, a condenser, a valve (V1) configured to regulate a pressure at an outlet of the condenser; a valve (V2) having a control set point set equivalent to a low pressure (PL) measured in the vapor/liquid receiver; and a controller configured to control the set points of V1 and V2. The TPPL is configured to cool the thermal load with tight control of the temperature of the coolant that is cooling the apparatus. The TPPL may be combined with a vapor cycle system (VCS) to provide a thermal management system with the VCS being configured to use the same or different coolant than the TPPL.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Douglas J. Snyder, Michael J. Head
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Patent number: 10612819Abstract: A pulsation damper (1) comprising a first tube (4) and a second tube (5), e.g. arranged concentrically with respect to each other, the first tube (4) being arranged inside the second tube (5). The second tube (5) has a closed end, and the first tube (4) has a second end (7) arranged at a distance from the closed end (8) of the second tube (5). The first tube (4) is fluidly connected to the second tube (5) via the second end (7). The pulsation damper is capable of damping pressure pulses within a broad frequency range. Furthermore a vapour compression system (14) having a pulsation damper (1) arranged in an economizer line (20).Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: DANFOSS A/SInventors: Carsten Mølhede Thomsen, Klaus Halldorsson, Bjarke Skovgård Dam
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Patent number: 10551101Abstract: An air conditioner may prevent a refrigerant stored in a refrigerant storage from rapidly flowing into a main refrigerant circuit when the type of operation is switched. The air conditioner may include a refrigerant circuit provided with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator; a refrigerant amount detection device configured to determine whether a refrigerant state in an outlet of the compressor is a subcooled state or a gas-liquid two phase state. The refrigerant amount detection device is configured to calculate a refrigerant amount ratio in the refrigerant circuit based on a predetermined set value according to at least one of a temperature and a pressure detected and the refrigerant state; and a controller configured to control the refrigerant circuit according to the refrigerant amount ratio calculated by the refrigerant amount detection device.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2015Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hisashi Takeichi, Hiroaki Eguchi, Tetsuya Ogasawara, Kenichi Yamada, Masahiro Aono
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Patent number: 10517195Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Francesco Agostini, Daniele Torresin, Mathieu Habert, Bruno Agostini
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Patent number: 10408484Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes at least one indoor unit with intake and blow-out ports, a refrigerant gas sensor disposed in an air flow path inside the indoor unit; and a control device. The indoor unit has an indoor fan drawing indoor air in from the intake port and blowing conditioned air out from the blow-out port, an indoor temperature sensor detecting temperature of the indoor air, an indoor-side refrigerant circuit circulating a refrigerant having a greater specific gravity when gasified than air and producing conditioned air from the indoor air, and at least one refrigerant temperature sensor detecting refrigerant temperature in the refrigerant circuit. The control device drives the indoor fan in accordance with at least one of an operation mode and a detection value of the at least one refrigerant temperature sensor, and detects refrigerant leakage using the refrigerant gas sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Honda, Shigeki Kamitani
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Patent number: 10401047Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle apparatus, a refrigerant heat exchanger is provided within a refrigerant container, and the refrigerant heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between refrigerant flowing through a bypass circuit and refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant container.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yohei Kato, Masafumi Tomita, Shinichi Uchino
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Patent number: 10247454Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes a high-temperature side circuit and a low-temperature side circuit connected to each other via a cascade condenser, a low-temperature side second flow control valve that turns a refrigerant, passing through a liquid pipe connecting between a cooling unit and other circuit parts in a low-temperature side circuit b, into a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and an expansion tank connected to the suction side of a low-temperature circuit compressor via a tank electromagnetic valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takeshi Sugimoto, So Nomoto, Tomotaka Ishikawa, Takashi Ikeda
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Patent number: 10234147Abstract: It is an object to obtain an air conditioner capable of suppressing rise of compressor discharge temperature and individually controlling cooling capacity of a plurality of respective indoor units. For this purpose, the air conditioner is a multi-room air conditioner, in which a refrigeration cycle is formed by connecting an outdoor unit 100 having an outdoor heat exchanger to the plurality of indoor units 200 and 300 having indoor heat exchangers 201 and 301 and indoor expansion mechanisms 203 and 303 using a liquid pipe 121 and a gas pipe 122. Further, as refrigerant circulating through the refrigeration cycle, R32 or mixed refrigerant containing 70 mass % or higher percent of R32 is used. Further, a temperature difference detection device to detect an air temperature difference between inlet-side air and outlet-side air in the respective indoor heat exchangers of the respective indoor units is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiko Yokozeki, Susumu Nakayama, Hiroaki Tsuboe
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Patent number: 10197299Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioning system, comprising M outdoor units (101) for providing warm or cold sources, M being a positive integer; N indoor units (102) for receiving a warm or cold source supplied by one or more of the at least one outdoor unit (101), N being a positive integer; a control system (103) comprising a lubricating oil distributing subsystem (1031) connected to the M outdoor units (101); a cold medium distributing subsystem (1032) connected to the M outdoor units (101); and a control subsystem (1033) connected to the M outdoor units (101), the N indoor units (102), the lubricating oil distributing subsystem (1031) and the cold medium distributing subsystem (1032). Further disclosed are a control system and an air-conditioning control method.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Sichuan Changhong Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yong Zhao, Jin Li, Ming Zhong, Shaolong Zhang, Yunzhong Liu, Sheng Zhang
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Patent number: 10184676Abstract: Operation switching units, each changing directions of a refrigerant flowing through its associated indoor unit in response to a switch from a cooling operation to a heating operation, or vice versa, are each connected with the associated indoor unit through indoor communication pipes; a gas-liquid separation unit is connected with an outdoor unit through outdoor communication pipes; and the operation switching units are connected with the gas-liquid separation unit through two intermediate communication pipes preinstalled and one intermediate communication pipe newly installed. This provides a simple and cost-effective means for upgrading a preinstalled air conditioner making a switch from cooling to heating, and vice versa, into an air conditioner that can perform a cooling operation and a heating operation in parallel with each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Kawano, Shinya Matsuoka, Masahiro Oka, Mari Susaki
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Patent number: 10132539Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes a high-temperature side circuit and a low-temperature side circuit connected to each other via a cascade condenser, a low-temperature side second flow control valve that turns a refrigerant, passing through a liquid pipe connecting between a cooling unit and other circuit parts in a low-temperature side circuit b, into a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and an expansion tank connected to the suction side of a low-temperature circuit compressor via a tank electromagnetic valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takeshi Sugimoto, So Nomoto, Tomotaka Ishikawa, Takashi Ikeda
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Patent number: 10088216Abstract: A refrigerator that includes a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant; a first evaporator that is configured to evaporate the refrigerant, the evaporated refrigerant being configured to cool a refrigerating compartment; a second evaporator that is configured to evaporate the refrigerant, the evaporated refrigerant being configured to cool a freezing compartment; a first heat exchanger; a refrigerating-compartment expansion device that is coupled to the first heat exchanger and that is configured to expand the refrigerant and provide the expanded refrigerant to the first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger coupled to the second evaporator; and a freezing-compartment expansion device that is coupled to the second heat exchanger and that is configured to expand the refrigerant and provide the expanded refrigerant to the second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to cool the second heat exchanger is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sunam Chae, Kyungseok Kim, Soyoon Kim, Heekwon Ryu
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Patent number: 10066859Abstract: An object is to prevent performance deterioration by a refrigerant having a low global warming potential (GWP) and to decrease the diameter of a connection pipe. A refrigerating cycle device includes a compressor 1, a heat source-side heat exchanger 3, a first expansion device 4, a liquid-side connection pipe 7, a second expansion device 21, a user-side heat exchanger 22, and a gas-side connection pipe 8 sequentially connected. In addition, a refrigerating cycle uses a refrigerant of R32. The outer diameters of the liquid-side connection pipe and the gas-side connection pipe are set to “(D0?1)/8 inch” (wherein “D0/8 inch” is the outer diameter of a connection pipe in the use of a refrigerant of R410A). The liquid-side connection pipe has a range of the D0 given “2?D0?4” and the gas-side connection pipe has a range of the D0 given “3?D0?8”.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc.Inventors: Hiroaki Tsuboe, Atsuhiko Yokozeki, Yoshiharu Tsukada, Susumu Nakayama
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Patent number: 9951974Abstract: A flash tank economizer includes a sensor for sensing a condition indicative of pressure in the flash tank, and when that pressure is found to equal or exceed the critical pressure of the particular refrigerant being used, a controller responsively closes a valve in the economizer vapor line to shut off the economizer. A sensor is also provided to sense the pressure at the compressor mid-stage, and if that pressure is found to exceed the pressure in the flash tank, the controller causes the flow control device to function so as to prevent the flow of refrigerant from the compressor mid-stage to the flash tank. Provision is also made for selectively draining refrigerant from the flash tank to reduce the pressure therein from a supercritical to a subcritical condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Hans-Joachim Huff, Jason Scarcella
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Patent number: 9869274Abstract: A two-stage thermal hydraulic engine utilizes the expansion and contraction of a working fluid to convert heat energy to mechanical or electrical energy. The transfer of heat to and from the working fluid occurs in at least two process heat exchangers and may be aided by thin twisted strips of a thermally conductive material that are in contact with the working fluid. The engine does not require the working fluid to undergo a phase change to operate. The subsequent expansion of the working fluid is used to drive pistons contained within at least two triplex hydraulic cylinders. The pistons may be alternately and sequentially driven to pump a fluid with a laminar flow and at a constant pressure. The cylinders may include a self-lubrication system.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Inventor: Michael L. Fuhrman
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Patent number: 9791176Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus uses R32 as a refrigerant, and includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, an evaporator and an accumulator. The accumulator is disposed in the suction flow path supplying refrigerant to the compressor. The accumulator has a casing that forms an inside space to separate the refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant and accumulating surplus refrigerant, an inlet pipe feeding the refrigerant that has evaporated in the evaporator into the inside space, and an outlet pipe channeling the separated gas refrigerant to the compressor. A distal end opening in the inlet pipe of the accumulator is located in a height position separated by a dimension from a bottom of the inside space. The dimension is 0 to 0.3 times a height dimension of the inside space.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2013Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Kawano, Shinya Matsuoka
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Patent number: 9759475Abstract: An outdoor unit includes a compressor compressing a sucked refrigerant and discharging compress, an outdoor heat exchanger exchanging heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant, an accumulator storing a liquefied refrigerant at a suction side of the compressor, a solenoid valve for storing the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger, and a controller performing control so as to feed the refrigerant stored within the outdoor heat exchanger during a defrosting operation, to the accumulator on the basis of an amount of refrigerant within the accumulator when operation is switched to a heating operation from the defrosting operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Kazuhisa Iwasaki
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Patent number: 9746219Abstract: A packaged, pumped liquid, recirculating refrigeration system with charges of 10 lbs or less of refrigerant per ton of refrigeration capacity. The compressor and related components are situated in a pre-packaged modular machine room, and in which the condenser is mounted on the machine room and the evaporator is close coupled to the pre-packaged modular machine room. Prior art large receiver vessels may be replaced with a single or dual phase cyclonic separator also housed in the pre-packaged modular machine room.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Evapco, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Liebendorfer, Gregory S. Derosier, Trevor Hegg
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Patent number: 9671145Abstract: A combined accumulator and receiver tank of a refrigeration system is described. The tank may have an accumulator portion positioned above a receiver portion. An accumulator/receiver pipe (AR pipe) connects the accumulator portion to the receiver portion. The AR pipe may have a valve that allows liquid refrigerant to flow from the accumulator portion to the receiver portion during a heating and/or defrost, and prevent the fluid flow when the refrigeration system is in a cooling cycle. In some embodiments, a side opening that is connected to the AR pipe is above an oil pick up orifice of an accumulator suction line pipe.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATIONInventor: Srinivasa Rao Koppineedi
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Patent number: 9625181Abstract: A refrigerating cycle system and a refrigerator having the same are provided. The refrigerating cycle system includes a condenser, a first capillary tube unit configured to receive refrigerant that has passed through the condensing unit, a gas-liquid separating unit configured to separate the refrigerant that has passed through the first capillary tube unit into liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant, a first evaporator unit configured to receive the liquid refrigerant separated at the gas-liquid separating unit, a liquid refrigerant removal unit configured to receive the gaseous refrigerant separated at the gas-liquid separating unit and a first compressor unit configured to receive the gaseous refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant removal unit. The liquid refrigerant removal unit prevents supplying the separated liquid refrigerant to the first compressor unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Seongjae Kim, Myungryul Lee, Deokhyun Youn, Seunghwan Oh
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Patent number: 9587865Abstract: An air conditioner and a method for controlling the same include a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a receiver for storing at least one portion of a refrigerant passing through the condenser and a gas/liquid separator for filtering a liquid refrigerant of the refrigerant introduced from the receiver to supply a gaseous refrigerant into the compressor includes a first flow rate regulator for controlling the amount of refrigerant supplied into the receiver, a second flow rate regulator for controlling the amount of refrigerant introduced from the receiver into the gas/liquid separator, a first detection unit for detecting the amount of refrigerant stored in the receiver, and a control unit for controlling an opening degree of the first or second flow rate regulator, based on information of at least one of the amount of refrigerant detected by the first detection unit and the amount of refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Hojong Jeong, Jaehwa Jung, Yongcheol Sa
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Patent number: 9353976Abstract: An object of the present invention is to keep an appropriate amount of a refrigerant to be circulated through a refrigerant circuit and prevent an overload operation of compression means due to high pressure abnormality in a refrigerating apparatus which obtains a supercritical pressure on a high pressure side.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiko Mihara, Hidetaka Sasaki, Setsu Hasegawa, Ken Kawakubo, Masahisa Otake
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Patent number: 9335079Abstract: The present disclosure provides a refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compressor (12) having a suction port and a discharge port, a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger (24) operatively coupled downstream to the discharge port of the compressor, a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger (42) operatively coupled downstream to the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger, a compressor suction inlet line connecting the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger to the suction port of the compressor, and an adiabatic expansion device (54) operatively coupled to the suction inlet line. A sensor operatively coupled to the suction inlet line measures a superheat value of the refrigerant. The refrigerant vapor compression system further includes a controller (60) in communication with the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Hans-Joachim Huff, Suresh Duraisamy
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Patent number: 9297565Abstract: In various implementations, an air conditioning system may automatically adjust an amount of refrigerant using an accumulator. The air conditioning system may operate in at least two operation modes including a cooling operation and a reheat operation. The amount of refrigerant allowed to flow to a condenser of the system may be based at least partially on the operating mode of the air conditioning system.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventor: Der-Kai Hung
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Patent number: 9163866Abstract: A system pressure actuated charge compensator for use with a heat pump having a liquid service valve and a vapor service valve. The charge compensator comprises a holding tank having first and second ports, a first pressure tap coupled to the first port and removeably coupleable to the vapor service valve, and a second pressure tap coupled to the second port and removeably coupleable to the liquid service valve. A heat pump system and a method of manufacturing a charge compensator are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Paul K. Buckley, Pete J. Den Boer, Robert B. Noll
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Patent number: 9103574Abstract: An air conditioner includes: a heat source-side unit having a compressor, a heat source-side heat exchanger, a first throttle device and a super-cooling heat exchanger; a load-side unit having a second throttle device and a load-side heat exchanger; a switching device for switching connections of discharge and intake sides of the compressor between the heat source-side unit and the load-side unit; a refrigerant reservoir supplying refrigerant and connected to a refrigerating cycle between the first throttle device of the heat source-side unit and the heat source-side heat exchanger through a refrigerant filling switch valve; and a controller controlling the switching device, the first throttle device, the second throttle device and refrigerant filling switch valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Masaki Toyoshima, Kousuke Tanaka, Kouji Yamashita, Osamu Morimoto, Fumitake Unezaki
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Patent number: 9068766Abstract: Provided is an air-conditioning and hot water supply combination system capable of maintaining a high hot water supply capacity and achieving high efficiency even under high-temperature outside air conditions by appropriately controlling the degree of superheat and the degree of subcooling of a heat exchanger. In an air-conditioning and hot water supply combination system, when an evaporating pressure or an evaporating temperature calculated from the evaporating pressure reaches a first predetermined value or higher, the degree of superheat of a refrigerant on a low-pressure gas side of a subcooling heat exchanger or the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant on a high-pressure liquid side of the subcooling heat exchanger is controlled by the opening degree of a low-pressure bypass pressure reducing mechanism, such that the evaporating pressure or the evaporating temperature calculated from the evaporating pressure is less than or equal to the first predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2010Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shogo Tamaki, Kosuke Tanaka, Fumitake Unezaki, Hirokuni Shiba, Yuto Shibao
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Patent number: 9027358Abstract: A vehicle heat pump system includes a compressor, a first valve coupled to an outlet of the compressor, a cooling circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor, a heating circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor and a controller. The heating circuit includes a heating circuit evaporator and a second valve between the heating circuit evaporator and the inlet of the compressor. The controller is configured to operate the first valve to switch between a cooling mode and a heating mode, cycle the second valve opened and closed in the heating mode, such that when closed, the compressor draws refrigerant out of the cooling circuit and refrigerant pressure builds up within the heating circuit, and maintain the second valve open upon the controller determining that sufficient refrigerant has been drawn out of the cooling circuit during the cycling of the second valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Ronald Eisenhour