Bypass, E.g., Compressor Unloading Patents (Class 62/196.1)
  • Publication number: 20110283726
    Abstract: A hot water supply apparatus associated with a heat pump is disclosed herein. The hot water supply apparatus may include a main refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expander, and an outdoor heat exchanger; a hot water supply circuit connected to the main refrigerant circuit; a first flowrate regulator that adjusts a first flowrate of refrigerant that flows from the compressor through the main refrigerant circuit; a second flowrate regulator that adjusts a second flowrate of refrigerant that flows from the compressor to the hot water supply circuit; and a controller configured to control the first and second flowrate regulators based on a load on at least one of the main refrigerant circuit or the hot water supply circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Jieseop SIM
  • Publication number: 20110259025
    Abstract: A heat pump type speed heating apparatus is provided that may include a cooling cycle circuit (including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion apparatus, and an indoor heat exchanger), a hot water supply heat exchanger connected to the cooling cycle circuit through a hot water supply flow path for a refrigerant from the compressor to condense, expand, and evaporate in the cooling cycle circuit after being used for a hot water supply, a refrigerant controller to control a flow direction of the refrigerant from the compressor such that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor passes through the hot water supply heat exchanger or bypasses the hot water supply heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger bypass flow path to guide the refrigerant that has passed the hot water heat exchanger between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to bypass either of the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jinhee NOH, Noma PARK, Heewoong PARK, Hwanjong CHOI
  • Publication number: 20110259027
    Abstract: A heat pump-type hot water supply apparatus may be provided that includes: a refrigeration cycle circuit (including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, expansion devices, and an indoor heat exchanger); a hot water supply heat exchanger connected to the refrigeration cycle circuit to use the first refrigerant discharged from the compressor for a hot water supply; a cascade heat exchanger connected to the refrigeration cycle circuit to allow the first refrigerant passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger to evaporate a second refrigerant and thereafter, to be condensed, expanded, and evaporated in the refrigeration cycle circuit; a heat storage compressor compressing the second refrigerant evaporated in the cascade heat exchanger, a heat storage tank to heat water using the second refrigerant compressed by the heat storage compressor, and a heat storage expansion device to expand the second refrigerant condensed in the heat storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Hwanjong CHOI, Noma Park, Heewoong Park
  • Publication number: 20110259024
    Abstract: A heat pump type speed heating apparatus, comprising: a cooling cycle circuit to circulate a first refrigerant to operate air conditioning, the cooling cycle circuit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion apparatus, and an indoor heat exchanger, a hot water supply compressor to compress a second refrigerant, a hot water supply heat exchanger to condense the compressed second refrigerant and to heat water, a hot water supply expansion apparatus to expand the second refrigerant from the hot water supply heat exchanger, and a cascade heat exchanger, connected to the cooling cycle circuit, to evaporate the second refrigerant expanded at the hot water supply expansion apparatus, and the first refrigerant to undergo condensation, expansion, and evaporation in the cooling cycle circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Noma PARK, Heewoong Park, Hwanjong Choi
  • Patent number: 8020393
    Abstract: A heat pump type hot water supply outdoor apparatus, in a compressor, a water heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, a medium pressure receiver, a second expansion valve, and an air heat exchanger are connected circularly, has an injection circuit, which is a bypass for a part of the refrigerant between the medium pressure receiver and the second pressure reduction unit, to inject the part of refrigerant into a compression chamber of the compressor, and has a third expansion valve and an internal heat exchanger for carrying out heat exchange between the refrigerant whose pressure is reduced by the third expansion valve and the refrigerant between the medium pressure receiver and the second expansion valve, a pressure detection sensor for detecting a condensing pressure, and a controller for starting an injection control by the third expansion valve at the time when the condensing pressure detected by the pressure sensor or the condensing temperature calculated from the condensing pressure becomes a first pr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Okada, Takahiro Ushijima, Kengo Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20110197605
    Abstract: A heat exchanger usable as an evaporator in a refrigerant cycle device includes a heat exchanging portion configured to perform heat exchange between refrigerant and air so as to evaporate the refrigerant. A thermal deformation member is provided in en entire range on a surface of the heat exchanging portion, to be deformed bordering on a predetermined temperature when the surface of the heat exchanging portion is frosted to produce ice. The thermal deformation member is deformed by a temperature change between a first temperature lower than the predetermined temperature and a second temperature higher than the predetermined temperature, to cause distortion between the surface of the heat exchanging portion and the ice when the ice is attached to the surface of the heat exchanging portion. Thus, the ice attached to the surface of the heat exchanging portion can be effectively removed while heat energy for removing the ice can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Suzuki, Kodai Takeda, Masaaki Hirose
  • Patent number: 7997097
    Abstract: An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the invention includes a refrigerator cycle unit having a variable speed compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a decompression device, an indoor heat exchanger, and an accumulator sequentially connected to one another, a bypass pipe that connects the discharge side of the compressor and an outlet of the accumulator and has a two-way valve in the middle thereof, a discharge temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the compressor, and a controller that opens or closes the two-way valve, and limits the number of rotations of the compressor to a predetermined value or less, on the basis of the temperature detected by the discharge temperature sensor when the compressor starts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiro Nakamura, Kiyotaka Ueno
  • Publication number: 20110192183
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerant system including a high-pressure bypass tube guiding a refrigerant of a high-pressure tube to flow into an indoor unit tube by bypassing a high-pressure valve. Thus, impact and noise that may be generated when an operation mode of an indoor unit is switched to a heating mode may be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Doyong HA, Baikyoung Chung, Sedong Chang, Junggyu Park
  • Publication number: 20110192184
    Abstract: To obtain an air-conditioner apparatus that can achieve energy-saving without making refrigerant circulate up to an indoor unit and whose construction work is easy. A refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting a compressor, a four-way valve, a heat source side heat exchanger, expansion valves, and intermediate heat exchangers by piping. A heat medium circulation circuit is configured by connecting intermediate heat exchangers, pumps, and use side heat exchangers by piping. The outdoor unit that is installed in a space such as outdoors of the building and accommodates the compressor, the four-way valve, and the heat source side heat exchanger, and the relay unit that is installed in a non-subject space which is different from an indoor space and is on a installation floor separated by two or more floors and accommodates the expansion valves, the pump, and intermediate heat exchangers are connected by two pipelines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura, Naoki Tanaka, Shinichi Wakamoto, Takashi Okazaki, Yusuke Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20110154840
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Mihara, Hidetaka Sasaki, Setsu Hasegawa, Ken Kawakubo, Masahisa Otake
  • Publication number: 20110146266
    Abstract: A device for cooling a coolant, for cooling a charging fluid for charging an internal combustion engine is provided that includes a refrigerant guide, particularly a refrigerant circuit, and a coolant guide, particularly a coolant circuit; wherein the refrigerant guide comprises a first evaporator for a refrigerant for cooling an ambient air and a second evaporator for a refrigerant for cooling the coolant, the coolant guide comprises a heat exchanger for the charging fluid, a coolant cooler, and the second evaporator for the refrigerant of the refrigerant guide for cooling the coolant. In a first variant, the first and the second evaporator are disposed in series in the refrigerant guide. In a second variant, the first evaporator and the second evaporator are disposed in parallel in the refrigerant guide, particularly wherein a suction throttle is disposed downstream in the refrigerant flow after the second evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Marcus Weinbrenner, Andreas Kemle, Ottokar Kunberger, Thomas Strauss, Bernd Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20110138827
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20110132012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling the flow through an oil cooler, comprising at least one oil tank (1) and at least one oil pump (7), a means (12) for determining the oil temperature, a cooling means (4) for cooling the oil, wherein said means (4) can be circumvented via a bypass (9), as well as an engine control unit (13). The device has a means (11), controllable via the engine control unit (13) by which the oil flow can be controlled via the means for cooling (4) and/or via the bypass (9). The device further comprises a means for predictively controlling the oil flow via the cooling means (4) and/or via the bypass (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: AGCO GMBH
    Inventors: Richard Heindl, Andreas Brockmann
  • Publication number: 20110132006
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes an engine, a motor capable of producing a similar power output as the engine, and a compressor driven by one of the engine and the motor. The compressor includes a suction inlet and a discharge outlet. The refrigeration unit also includes a condenser in fluid communication with the discharge outlet through which pressurized, gaseous refrigerant is condensed, an evaporator in fluid communication with the condenser to receive liquid refrigerant and return gaseous refrigerant to the suction inlet, a passageway having a first end in fluid communication with an outlet of the condenser, and a second end in fluid communication with the suction inlet, and a purge valve defining at least a portion of the passageway between the first and second ends. The purge valve is operable to selectively divert liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the suction inlet to increase the pressure in the suction inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Milton, Stan O. Hoium, Peter W. Freund, Bradley M. Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20110113802
    Abstract: A multi-chamber air conditioner including a heat-source side refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a first heat exchanger, a refrigerant flow-rate controller, and a second heat exchanger are connected in series, a first use-side refrigerant circuit in which the first heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger are connected in series, and a second use-side refrigerant circuit in which the second heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger are connected in series, and a heat-source side refrigerant circulating in the heat-source side refrigerant circuit and a use-side refrigerant circulating in the use-side refrigerant circuit are heat-exchanged in the first heat exchanger. The heat-source side refrigerant circulating in the heat-source side refrigerant circuit and the use-side refrigerant circulating in the use-side refrigerant circuit are heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Wakamoto, Koji Yamashita, Takashi Okazaki, Naoki Tanaka, Keisuke Hokazono, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura, Tomohiko Kasai
  • Publication number: 20110100035
    Abstract: A refrigerant system has a refrigerant circuit comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and delivering it downstream to a condenser. A bypass line is provided around the condenser for selectively allowing at least a portion of refrigerant to bypass the condenser. Valves are provided on a line leading to the condenser and on the bypass line to individually control the flow of refrigerant. An expansion device is located downstream of the condenser, and an evaporator is located downstream of the expansion device. A reheat cycle is incorporated into the system. The reheat cycle includes a valve for selectively delivering at least a portion of refrigerant through a reheat heat exchanger, which is positioned in the path of air downstream of the evaporator. A control is provided for the system to achieve a desired level of dehumidification and temperature control to air being delivered into the environment to be conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson, Michael L. Balistreri
  • Publication number: 20110094248
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a refrigerant system that comprises a compressor, a main refrigerant circuit, an economizer refrigerant circuit, and a bypass refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant system further comprises a single refrigerant flow control device switching between different operational modes to provide various degree of system unloading in operation. The present disclosure also provides a method of operating the refrigerant system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
  • Publication number: 20110083456
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device 100 where a combustible refrigerant circulates includes a bypass pipe 5 that is connected so that part of the refrigerant that flows through a circulation pipe extending from a condenser 2 to a flow control valve 3 bypasses the flow control valve 3 and an evaporator 4; a bypass flow control valve 6 that controls the amount of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe 5; a heat exchanger 7 that allows heat exchange between the refrigerant that flows through the bypass pipe 5 after flowing out of the bypass flow control valve 6 and the refrigerant that flows through the circulation pipe after flowing out of the condenser 2; and a subcooling degree sensor T73 that detects the subcooling degree of the refrigerant at the inlet of the flow control valve 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Wakamoto, Fumitake Unezaki, Takeshi Kuramochi, Hitoshi Iijima
  • Patent number: 7921661
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle is provided with a multi-port compressor or compressor stages connected in series, and multiple condensers. A single evaporator communicates with the plurality of condensers. At least one of the plurality of condensers receives fully compressed refrigerant while the other condensers receive refrigerant at intermediate pressure. A control can optionally direct refrigerant to the condensers to achieve desired system heat rejection characteristics and operating conditions. One or multiple reheat coils may be associated with the evaporator and are arranged either in series or in parallel to provide a desired dehumidification function and reheat stages. One or several of the intermediate pressure condensers may be utilized for the reheat function as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
  • Patent number: 7918097
    Abstract: An air conditioning system is able to decrease the amount of refrigerant between a first expansion device and an injection valve and thus adjust the pressure of an injected refrigerant by decreasing the opening degree of the first expansion device and maintaining the opening degree of a second expansion device upon opening of the injection valve, thereby making the system stable upon opening of the injection valve. Furthermore, upon starting up a compressor, the opening degrees of the first and second expansion devices are partly decreased based on the start-up of the compressor and then gradually opened again, and upon completion of the start-up of the compressor, the opening amounts of the first and second expansion devices and the injection valve are controlled, thereby making the cycle more stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bum Suk Kim, Man Ho Chun
  • Publication number: 20110041524
    Abstract: A refrigerant system operates in an environment defined by three distinct temperature levels, such as, for instance, the outdoor ambient temperature level, the indoor temperature level and the refrigeration temperature level. The refrigerant system is provided with an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger located within the general indoor environment and connected to receive the flow of refrigerant from a heat rejection heat exchanger. The air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger gives off heat to the indoor air and in the process further cools the refrigerant flowing to an expansion device to thereby increase the cooling effect provided by an evaporator to the refrigeration area. Provisions are also made to partially or entirely bypass the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and/or the heat rejection heat exchanger, on a selective basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20110023512
    Abstract: To obtain an air conditioner which ensures safe operation and protection of the device and can carry out an operation with favorable energy efficiency by efficiently compressing the refrigerant. The air conditioner 100 is capable of performing a cooling/heating mixed operation, constituting a refrigerant circuit by piping connection of a heat-source side unit 10 having a heat-source side heat exchanger 15 and a compressor 11, a plurality of load-side units 50 having a load-side throttle device 51 and a load-side heat exchanger 52, and a cooling/heating branch unit 30 having a gas/liquid separator 31.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Kawagoe, Kazuyoshi Shinozaki, Hirofumi Koge
  • Publication number: 20100326105
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerating device (10), in particular for an aircraft, having a refrigerant circuit, in which a refrigerant container (12), an expansion valve (14), an evaporator (16), a compressor (20) and a condenser (22) are disposed. To save energy during operation and to increase the reliability and availability of the refrigerating device (10), in the refrigerant circuit there is a compressor bypass line (26), in which a bypass valve (18) is disposed, and a refrigerant pump (30) that is disposed downstream of the condenser (22) and upstream of the evaporator (16). It is possible to dispense with the refrigerant pump (30) if the condenser (22) is disposed at a higher level than the evaporator (16) in the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Wilson Willy Casas Noriega, Stefan Wischhusen, Wolfgang Ebigt, Dirk Kastell
  • Publication number: 20100319372
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a way of reducing the amount of energy required to partially compress a refrigerant in a compressor operating in a rapidly cycled unloaded mode. A valve on a suction line is closed when the compressor moves to the unloaded condition. In this manner, the amount of energy required to partially compress the refrigerant in the compressor, at the unloaded condition, is dramatically reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20100269524
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling operation of a vapor compression system (13) includes monitoring at least one component condition of the system (13), comparing a predetermined setpoint to the at least one component condition, and loading or unloading at least one of a first compressor (18) or a second compressor (20) of the system (13) in response to the comparison of the predetermined setpoint to the at least one component condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Andrew M. Welch
  • Patent number: 7797955
    Abstract: A supercritical cycle comprises an evaporator, a compressor, a gas cooler and a main valve portion of an expansion valve arranged in that order. An internal heat exchanger is arranged for exchanging heat between the high-pressure side refrigerant flowing toward the main valve portion of the expansion valve from the gas cooler and the low-pressure side refrigerant flowing toward the compressor from the evaporator. The expansion valve is formed integrally with a temperature sensing portion for controlling the main valve portion, and includes a bypass for supplying the refrigerant to the temperature sensing portion from the upstream side of the internal heat exchanger in which the high-pressure side refrigerant flows and an orifice for supplying the refrigerant from the temperature sensing portion to the refrigerant circuit downstream of the main valve portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromi Ohta
  • Publication number: 20100229578
    Abstract: An auxiliary air conditioning system (7) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a first heat exchanger (17) adapted to be installed inside a passenger compartment (4) of the motor vehicle and an external unit (43) comprising an auxiliary engine (8), an auxiliary compressor (12) driven by the auxiliary engine (8) and a second exchanger (17). The system comprises a switching valve (20) for selectively setting a first refrigerating cycle operating mode in which the first heat exchanger (17) serves as an evaporator and the second heat exchanger (14) serves as a condenser, and a second heat pump operating mode, in which the first heat exchanger (17) serves as a condenser and the fluid of the second heat exchanger (14) is cut off and the operative fluid is allowed to flow through a heating device (30) to receive thermal power independently from the outside environment temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Gianni Borghi
  • Publication number: 20100229579
    Abstract: An HVAC system including a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The evaporator includes a plurality of refrigerant circuits. The evaporator also includes at least one distributor configured to distribute and deliver refrigerant to each circuit of the plurality of circuits. The plurality of circuits are arranged into a first and second set of circuits. The evaporator also includes a valve configured and disposed to isolate the first set of circuits from refrigerant flow from the condenser and provide flow of refrigerant from the compressor in a dehumidification operation of the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: John Terry KNIGHT, Anthony William LANDERS, Patrick Gordon GAVULA, Stephen Blake PICKLE
  • Patent number: 7765823
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid vapor compression-absorption cooling or heating system and apparatus containing a refrigerant pair comprising at least one refrigerant and at least one ionic liquid. The present invention also provides for the performance of a hybrid vapor compression-absorption cycle that utilizes refrigerants and absorbents such as fluorocarbon gases in fluorinated ionic liquids. The present invention also provides a method of cooling by the execution of a hybrid vapor compression-absorption cycle using a refrigerant pair comprising at least one refrigerant and at least one ionic liquid. The present invention also provides a method of heating by the execution of a hybrid vapor compression-absorption cycle using a refrigerant pair comprising at least one refrigerant and at least one ionic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mark Brandon Shiflett, Akimichi Yokozeki
  • Patent number: 7765816
    Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle apparatus having an expansion mechanism, a method to swiftly generate a pressure difference upstream and downstream of the expansion mechanism of, thereby enhancing the starting performance of the refrigeration cycle apparatus The apparatus has a compression mechanism, a utilizing-side heat exchange, an expansion mechanism for recovering power, and a heat source-side heat exchanger. The revolution number of the heat source fluid transfer means is made smaller than a target revolution number or the heat source fluid transfer means is stopped during a predetermined time after the compression mechanism is started. When the compression mechanism is started, the pressure difference can be generated upstream and downstream of the expansion mechanism for a short time, the operation of the expansion mechanism does not become unstable, vibration and noise can be prevented, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus can swiftly be started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriho Okaza, Kazuo Nakatani, Masato Mekata
  • Patent number: 7757514
    Abstract: An ejector-type refrigerant cycle device includes: a first evaporator 15 that evaporates refrigerant flowing out of an ejector 14; a branch passage 17 that branches a flow of refrigerant between a radiator 13 and the ejector 14 and guides this flow of refrigerant to a vapor-phase refrigerant suction port 14c of the ejector 14; a throttling mechanism 18 disposed in the branch passage 17; and a second evaporator 19 disposed downstream of the throttling mechanism 18 with respect to the flow of refrigerant. The throttling mechanism 18 is constructed to be provided with a fully opening function, and to fully open the branch passage 17 when the second evaporator 19 is defrosted. Therefore, in an ejector-type refrigerant cycle device including multiple evaporators, the function of defrosting the evaporators can be carried out with a simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oshitani, Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Etsuhisa Yamada, Haruyuki Nishijima
  • Publication number: 20100139294
    Abstract: A fluid chiller system supplying cold fluid to a therapeutic wrap, in which a minimum level of fluid flow is provided through the heat exchange coils to insure that the fluid in the coils does not freeze. A fluid flow meter or pressure sensor connected inline with the inlet port of the chiller unit measures a level of fluid flow. A controller is connected to the flow meter or pressure sensor and a bypass valve, wherein based on a signal from the flow meter or pressure sensor, the controller adjusts the bypass valve to provide a predetermined level of fluid flow into the inlet port of the chiller unit, in order to prevent the heat exchange coils from freezing, if the flow through the wrap is blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Lowe, Krister Bowman
  • Publication number: 20100139301
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor assembly for a refrigeration circuit controls the temperature within a temperature controlled space. The refrigerant compressor assembly includes a first unloading valve, a first valve actuator, and a first valve control system that adjusts the first valve actuator via a pulse-width-modulated signal, a second unloading valve, a second valve actuator, and a second valve control system that adjusts the second valve actuator via a pulse-width-modulated signal. The refrigerant compressor assembly also includes a third unloading valve. The first valve actuator is coupled to the first and third unloading valves and controlled by the first valve control system. The unloading valves selectively allow or resist fluid flow from higher to lower pressure areas within the refrigerant compressor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lars I. Sjoholm, Panayu R. Srichai
  • Patent number: 7726151
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a relatively constant temperature of a working fluid in an evaporator of a refrigeration system by providing a constant volumetric displacement compressor and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the high pressure and low pressure portions of a refrigeration circuit to superheat, and hold substantially constant, the temperature of the refrigerant entering the compressor. In doing this, the pressure of the refrigerant in the low pressure portion of the circuit, including the evaporator, and the mass flow rate of the refrigerant remain substantially constant. As a result, the temperature of the saturated refrigerant in the evaporator remains substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Dan M Manole
  • Publication number: 20100115975
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank economizer defining a separation chamber is disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger. A primary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association with and upstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger and a secondary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association and upstream of the flash tank economizer. A refrigerant vapor injection line establishes refrigerant flow communication between an upper portion of the separation chamber and an intermediate pressure stage of the system's compression device and a suction pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Biswajit Mitra, Yu H. Chen, Jason Scarcella, Suresh Duraisamy, Lucy Yi Liu
  • Publication number: 20100107669
    Abstract: A three-way solenoid valve includes a valve box in which a first valve seat and an outflow port are provided at one end and a second valve seat is provided at an apart position. A solenoid unit, provided with the valve body, is located at the other end of the valve box. A circular sealing projection divides the internal space of the valve box into a first chamber and a second chamber. A first inflow port is open in the first chamber, and a second inflow port is open in the second chamber. The first inflow port communicates with the outflow port when the valve body is in contact with the second valve seat. The second inflow port communicates with the outflow port through an internal flow path when the valve body is in contact with the first valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: TOSHIBA CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Wada
  • Patent number: 7694527
    Abstract: A system and humidity control method is provided for a multi-stage cooling system having two or more refrigerant circuits that balances humidity control and cooling demand. Each refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a vessel and an evaporator. A hot gas reheat circuit having a heat exchange coil is connected to one of the refrigerant circuits and is placed in fluid communication with the output airflow from the evaporator of that refrigerant circuit to provide additional dehumidification to the air when humidity control is requested. The hot gas reheat circuit bypasses the vessel of the refrigerant circuit during humidity control. Humidity control is performed during cooling operations and ventilation operations. During a first stage cooling operation using only one refrigerant circuit and having a low cooling demand, the request for humidity control activates the hot gas reheat circuit for dehumidification and activates a second refrigerant circuit to provide cooling capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: John Terry Knight
  • Patent number: 7674098
    Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with a passage for providing both an unloader function and an economizer injection function. This common passage communicates with separate ports. The ports that are exclusively used for by-pass unloading operation are open only during by-pass unloading operation, but blocked off by a check valve during vapor injection operation. The other, normally smaller vapor injection ports are open for both vapor injection and by-pass unloading operation. By utilizing these two sets of ports, a smaller total port area is provided for vapor injection operation and a much larger total open port area for by-pass operation. The different open port areas for by-pass unloading operation and vapor injection operation allows optimization of compressor operation at both of those regimes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventor: Alexander Lifson
  • Publication number: 20100023171
    Abstract: A controller for a modular compact chiller unit configured for integration into a refrigeration system utilizing a plurality of modular compact chiller units is shown and described. The controller includes a processing circuit configured to provide startup control, operational control, and shutdown control for the modular compact chiller unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: John D. Bittner, Vincent R. Rose, Peter J. Ferretti Pe
  • Publication number: 20090293515
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20090272135
    Abstract: An air conditioner refrigerant circuit performs a cooling operation in which an outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser of the refrigerant compressed in a compressor and an indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger. Further, an outdoor expansion valve is disposed at a position that is at once downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger and upstream of a liquid refrigerant communication pipe in the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant circuit in the cooling operation, and shuts off the refrigerant flow. A refrigerant detection unit is disposed upstream of the outdoor expansion valve and detects the amount or the amount-related value of refrigerant accumulated upstream of the outdoor expansion valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tadafumi Nishimura, Takahiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7610766
    Abstract: A defrost refrigeration system of the type having a main refrigeration circuit operating a refrigeration cycle. The defrost refrigeration system comprises a first line extending from the first compressor to the evaporator stage and is adapted to receive a portion of discharged low-pressure refrigerant from the first compressor. Valves are provided for stopping a suction of cooling refrigerant in an evaporator of the evaporator stage and for directing a flow of defrost refrigerant to release heat to defrost the evaporator. A second line is provided for directing the refrigerant having released heat to the expansion stage of the refrigeration cycle. A pressure reducing device is optionally positioned downstream of the condensing stage for adjusting a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure liquid state mixing with the defrost refrigerant having released heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Serge Dubé
  • Publication number: 20090266094
    Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle air conditioning system having an engine driven, fixed capacity refrigerant compressor and a compressor clutch is disclosed. The method may comprises setting a preliminary evaporator air temperature target; charging a cold storage apparatus in the vehicle air conditioning system; determining if the cold storage apparatus has reached a predetermined threshold; if the cold storage apparatus has reached a predetermined threshold, determining a new evaporator air temperature target by: determining a maximum allowable dewpoint evaporator air temperature for maintaining a passenger compartment humidity below a predetermined value; determining a maximum allowable mode evaporator air temperature based on a mode to which the vehicle air conditioning system is set; and setting the evaporator air temperature target to the lower of the dewpoint evaporator air temperature and the mode evaporator air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, John I. Frey, Kenneth L. Porrett
  • Publication number: 20090260379
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed, which is capable of minimizing consumption of power while satisfying refrigerating performance of a freezing compartment by having a reservoir that stores a surplus refrigerant exceeding a required amount to independently cool the freezing compartment. The refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and a refrigeration cycle including first and second evaporators respectively corresponding to the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Joo Kim, Dae Sig Shin
  • Publication number: 20090241569
    Abstract: A heat pump type hot water supply outdoor apparatus, in a compressor, a water heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, a medium pressure receiver, a second expansion valve, and an air heat exchanger are connected circularly, has an injection circuit, which is a bypass for a part of the refrigerant between the medium pressure receiver and the second pressure reduction unit, to inject the part of refrigerant into a compression chamber of the compressor, and has a third expansion valve and an internal heat exchanger for carrying out heat exchange between the refrigerant whose pressure is reduced by the third expansion valve and the refrigerant between the medium pressure receiver and the second expansion valve, a pressure detection sensor for detecting a condensing pressure, and a controller for starting an injection control by the third expansion valve at the time when the condensing pressure detected by the pressure sensor or the condensing temperature calculated from the condensing pressure becomes a first pr
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Okada, Takahiro Ushijima, Kengo Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20090229280
    Abstract: A high efficiency, low maintenance single stage or multi-stage centrifugal compressor assembly for large cooling installations. A cooling system provides direct, two-phase cooling of the rotor by combining gas refrigerant from the evaporator section with liquid refrigerant from the condenser section to affect a liquid/vapor refrigerant mixture. Cooling of the stator with liquid refrigerant may be provided by a similar technique. A noise suppression system is provided by injecting liquid refrigerant spray at points between the impeller and the condenser section. The liquid refrigerant may be sourced from high pressure liquid refrigerant from the condenser section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Mark C. Doty, Earl A. Campaigne, JR., Thomas E. Watson, Paul K. Butler, Quentin E. Cline, Samuel J. Showalter
  • Publication number: 20090229285
    Abstract: An air conditioning system having an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger between which a refrigerant circulates to effect a heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air at the outdoor heat-exchanger and to effect another heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air at the indoor heat exchanger, the air conditioning system which includes a compressor sucking the refrigerant to compress and discharging the resulting refrigerant, a liquid pump sucking the refrigerant to discharge, an expansion valve expanding the refrigerant, and an accumulator serving for gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant and accumulating the refrigerant in liquid phase, wherein when the compressor is brought into operation for indoor air cooling, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the indoor heat exchanger, and the accumulator are connected in such an order to circulate the refrigerant therethrough, wherein suction lines of the respective compressor and liquid pump are in pa
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sato, Michihiko Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20090201645
    Abstract: In a cooling system for an electronic device of the present invention, server rooms in which a plurality of servers are placed, an evaporator which is provided close to each of the servers, and cools exhaust air from the server by vaporizing a refrigerant with heat generating from the server, a cooling tower which is provided at a place higher than the evaporator, cools the refrigerant by outside air and water sprinkling, and condenses the vaporized refrigerant, and a circulation line in which the refrigerant naturally circulates between the evaporator and the cooling tower. According to the cooling system, an electronic device which is required to perform a precise operation with a heat generation amount from itself being large, such as a computer and a server, can be efficiently cooled at low running cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI PLANT TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KASHIRAJIMA, Hiroshige KIKUCHI, Takumi SUGIURA, Koji WATANABE, Kenichi NAKASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20090188027
    Abstract: An ventilating and air conditioning apparatus includes a circulating fan for sucking air from a sucking port open to a first indoor space and blowing the air through a blowout port into the first indoor space, a ventilating fan for sucking air from an exhausting port open to a second indoor space and evacuating the air to the outdoors for ventilation, and a refrigerant circuit formed of a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat of air blown into the first indoor space by the circulating fan with the refrigerant, an expanding mechanism for expanding the refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat of air blown into the second indoor space by the ventilating fan with the refrigerant. The compressor, first heat exchanger, expanding mechanism, and second heat exchanger are coupled together with pipes for the refrigerant to circulate therethrough in this order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Katsumi, Hiroyuki Kondou, Mitunori Matubara, Masafumi Tsubouchi
  • Patent number: RE43121
    Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system is provided. The cascade refrigeration system includes a low stage having a first refrigerant flowing therethrough and a high stage having a second refrigerant flowing therethrough. The low stage includes a compressor and evaporator coils. The input of the evaporator coils is operatively connected to the output of the compressor by an input conduit and the output of the operator unit is operatively connected to the input of the compressor by an output conduit. A bypass line has an input in communication with the input conduit and an output in combination with the output conduit. A bypass heat exchanger effectuates the heat exchange relationship between the first refrigerant flowing through the bypass line and the first refrigerant flowing through the input conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Venturedyne Limited
    Inventor: Clinton A. Peterson