Of Expansion Zone Patents (Class 62/197)
  • Publication number: 20040177631
    Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a main vapor compression circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator serially connected by main refrigerant lines, the compressor having a main discharge port, a suction port and an economizer/bypass port, an economizer circuit connected between the condenser and the economizer/bypass port of the compressor and including an auxiliary expansion device and a heat exchanger serially connected by economizer refrigerant lines, the economizer refrigerant lines and the main refrigerant lines being exposed to each other for heat exchange in the heat exchanger; and a bypass circuit including a bypass line extending from the economizer/bypass port to the suction port, and a bypass valve positioned along the bypass line, the bypass valve being positionable between a closed position wherein the economizer circuit is active and the bypass circuit is inactive, and an open position wherein the economizer circuit is active and the bypass circuit is ac
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras, Howard H. Fraser
  • Patent number: 6775998
    Abstract: Respective evaporators are set to a proper value in evaporation temperature and the efficiency in refrigeration cycle is enhanced, resulting in a reduction of energy consumption. A refrigerating unit and a refrigerator comprise a compressor, a condenser, a plurality of evaporators connected in series, a refrigerant flow rate adjustable unit and a refrigerant, thereby constituting a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant flow rate adjustable unit controls each respective evaporation temperature of the plurality of evaporators. Preferably, the refrigeration unit further comprises a bypass circuit bypassing at least one of the plurality of evaporators and, when needs arise, the refrigerant is channeled through the bypass circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Refrigeration Company
    Inventors: Masashi Yuasa, Shuzo Kamimura, Hiroshi Yamada, Hideki Fukui, Yasuki Hamano, Naoki Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20040144120
    Abstract: In the case of gas injection a discharging temperature is not reduced sufficiently, and if an amount of injection is increased, a liquid refrigerant flows into a cylinder and the liquid is compressed, and the reliability can not be ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Nakatani, Yoshikazu Kawabe, Yuji Inoue, Noriho Okaza
  • Patent number: 6758052
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle including an integral valve block (32) having a liquid line bore (42) extending therethrough and a suction line bore (44) extending therethrough with a transverse by-pass passage (34). The by-pass check valve (38) of the first system of FIGS. 1 and 2 allows only one-way fluid flow through the by-pass passage (34) from the suction fluid line (22) to the liquid fluid line (20), whereas the by-pass check valve (40) of the second system of FIGS. 3 and 4 allows only one-way fluid flow through the by-pass passage (34) from the liquid fluid line (20) to the suction fluid line (22). Also integrated into the valve block (16) is a suction check valve (46) in the suction fluid line (22) for allowing one-way fluid flow from the evaporator (16) to the compressor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud Ghodbane, James A. Baker, Prasad S. Kadle, Xiaoxia Mu
  • Patent number: 6755039
    Abstract: A screw refrigerating apparatus comprising a refrigerant circulating passage including a screw compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator is constituted such that a bypass flow passage branching at a part of the refrigerant circulating passage between the condenser and the expansion valve, routing through throttle means, and communicating with a rotor room within the screw compressor is provided. The screw refrigerating apparatus is capable of simplifying the structure, decreasing the size, decreasing labor of the maintenance, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventor: Noboru Tsuboi
  • Publication number: 20040118138
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to reduce the constraint that the density ratio is constant as small as possible, and to obtain high power recovering effect in a wide operation range by using an expander which is operated in accordance with a flowing direction of refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Nakatani, Yoshikazu Kawabe, Noriho Okaza, Yuji Inoue, Akira Hiwata
  • Patent number: 6751967
    Abstract: An air conditioning device includes a compressor coupled between a condenser and an evaporator, a capillary tube device and a valve device are coupled in parallel to each other and coupled between the condenser and the evaporator. Another valve device is coupled between the condenser and the evaporator and in parallel to the parallel capillary tube and the valve device. A further valve and a further capillary tube device are coupled in parallel to the evaporator, and coupled in parallel to each other. The valve devices may be selectively operated and selectively switched off for either air conditioning, or dehumidifying, or drying, or defrosting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Chun Hung Chen
  • Publication number: 20040103677
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to prevent refrigerant from flowing out into a vehicle compartment due to damage to an evaporator or piping associated therewith. A solenoid valve is arranged at an inlet of an evaporator, and a check valve is arranged at an outlet of the evaporator. When operation of a system is to be stopped, the solenoid valve is closed while a compressor is kept operating for a predetermined time to suck out refrigerant from the evaporator to a downstream side of the check valve, so that during stoppage of the operation, the check valve prevents the refrigerant from flowing back into the evaporator. Thus, even if the evaporator arranged in the vehicle compartment or piping associated therewith is damaged, a situation where a large amount of refrigerant flows out of the evaporator into the vehicle compartment does not occur because no refrigerant remains in the evaporator, making it possible to prevent occupants in the vehicle compartment from being put in a grave situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: TGK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hisatoshi Hirota
  • Patent number: 6742346
    Abstract: The invention is based on a method for operating a climate control system for a vehicle, in the case of which a compressor (38), in a cooling mode, circulates a coolant through a gas condensing apparatus (42) and an expansion device (50) to a passenger-compartment heat exchanger (44) and, in a heating mode, circulates the coolant in the reverse direction of flow first through the passenger-compartment heat exchanger (44), the expansion device (50), and then through the gas condensing apparatus (42), in parallel with which a bypass line (56) comprising a switching valve (58) is provided. It is proposed that, in the heating mode, the switching valve (58) in the bypass line (56) is opened and the flow of coolant through the gas condensing apparatus (42) is stopped as soon as a layer of ice that exceeds a limit thickness has formed on the air side of the gas condensing apparatus (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Leuthner
  • Publication number: 20040079096
    Abstract: An automobile air conditioning system controls the high pressure of the refrigeration cycle in a wide range of airflows from a low airflow region during an intermediate period to a high airflow region. When a dehumidifying mode is selected, the target high pressure at which the cycle efficiency calculated from a gas cooler outlet refrigerant temperature is maximized is defined as a target value to a valve such as a heating variable throttle valve to control the high pressure of the refrigeration cycle to the target value. This permits control such that the cycle efficiency of the refrigeration cycle is maximized in a wide range of airflow from a low airflow region during an intermediate period to a high airflow region at a relatively low, about 10° C., outside air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Satoshi Itoh, Toshinobu Homan, Keiichi Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20040055328
    Abstract: The scroll compressor includes a scroll compression mechanism portion in combination of an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll, a frame for supporting the compression portion, a rotary shaft fitted in the orbiting scroll, a motor portion coupled to the rotary shaft, and a hermetic chamber incorporating the above-mentioned components. Windings of a stator of a motor in the motor portion are formed of aluminum wires which are coated with fluororesin compound, that is, the aluminum wires are coated with fluororesin and is molded with a resin material. Ammonia group refrigerant is used in the scroll compressor. Further, a refrigerating system using the above-mentioned scroll compressor, is incorporated therein with a circuit for injecting ammonia group refrigerant into a compression room in the compression mechanism portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Shunsuke Yasunori, Kenji Tojo, Mutsunori Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20040050081
    Abstract: A screw refrigerating apparatus comprising a refrigerant circulating passage including a screw compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator is constituted such that a bypass flow passage branching at a part of the refrigerant circulating passage between the condenser and the expansion valve, routing through throttle means, and communicating with a rotor room within the screw compressor is provided. The screw refrigerating apparatus is capable of simplifying the structure, decreasing the size, decreasing labor of the maintenance, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd)
    Inventor: Noboru Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 6701730
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus using an HFC group refrigerant, the performance is improved by increasing the refrigerating capacity and a stable operation is made possible. In order to achieve this, a cycle system in a refrigerator is structured so as to connect a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver and a supercooler in this order. In an air-cooled separation type refrigerator, the liquid receiver is disposed within an air-cooled type condenser unit. Further, in the case where a flush gas is liable to be generated in a liquid pipe, a vapor-liquid separator is disposed within the compressor unit integral with an accumulator and separated therefrom by a partition plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakurai, Hideo Takemoto
  • Publication number: 20040035134
    Abstract: At least one bypass assembly for use in a heating-refrigeration system having a distributor body with a first and second orifice, an inner chamber and a plurality of fluid passages integrated within, and a conduit connected to the distributor body. The conduit has a first end that connects with a component in the heating-refrigeration system, a second end that connects to the first orifice of the distributor body and a third end connected to the second orifice of the distributor body. A metering device is integrated into the conduit. The second orifice of the distributor body has a valve seat integrated therewithin and the conduit has at least one inwardly projecting indentation located in close proximity to the third end of the conduit. A ball is positioned between the valve seat and the inwardly projecting indentations for reciprocating movement therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Brian J. Oberley, Jeffrey D. Gleckler, Darryl D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040035132
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-air conditioner including: an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor fan for ventilating the outdoor heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units each having an electronic expansion valve and an indoor heat exchanger; a distributor for selectively guiding a refrigerant of the outdoor unit into the plurality of indoor units according to an operation condition; a four-way valve for selectively switching a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger; a selective expansion unit for selectively expanding the refrigerant according to the flow direction of the refrigerant; a gas-liquid separator for separating a vapor-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant, from the refrigerant flowing from the outdoor heat exchanger; and a connection tube part having a first connection tube for connecting the four-way valve with a distributor, a second connection tube for connecting an upper portion of the gas-liquid separator with t
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Han Park, Young Min Park, Chang Seon Lee, Sung Oh Choi, Sung Chun Kim
  • Patent number: 6675594
    Abstract: A cooling system, which includes a compressor for compressing the refrigerant by operation of a motor, a condenser, an expansion means, and an evaporator, comprises a motor cooling device for cooling down the motor by making some of the refrigerant passed the condenser flow to the compressor according to temperature of the motor, and therefore the heat of high temperature generated from the motor in the compressor during the operation of the compressor which is used in the cooling system can be cooled down efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Moon-Chang Choi, Kwang-Ha Suh, Young-Kwan Kim, Yoo-Chol Ji, Dae-Sung Wang
  • Patent number: 6675609
    Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle system with an ejector pump, refrigerant to be introduced into a nozzle of the ejector pump is heated in a heat exchanger using waste heat from a vehicle engine as a heating source, and any one of a first mode, a second mode and a third mode can be selectively set based on a thermal load of an evaporator. In the first mode, refrigerant circulates from the evaporator toward a radiator only by the ejector pump. In the second mode, refrigerant circulate from the evaporator toward the radiator only by a compressor. Further, in the third mode, refrigerant circulates from the evaporator toward the radiator by using both the ejector pump and the compressor. Accordingly, the waste heat can be effectively recovered while a flow resistance of the refrigerant can be restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Yasushi Yamanaka, Atsushi Inaba
  • Publication number: 20040003601
    Abstract: A defrost refrigeration system having a main refrigeration system and comprising a first line extending from a compressing stage to an evaporator stage and adapted to receive refrigerant in high-pressure gas state from the compressing stage. A first pressure reducing device on the first line is provided for reducing a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure gas state to a second low-pressure gas state. Valves are provided for stopping a flow of the refrigerant in a first low-pressure liquid state from a condensing stage to evaporators of the evaporator stage and directing a flow of the refrigerant in the second low-pressure gas state to release heat to defrost the evaporators and thereby changing phase at least partially to a second low-pressure liquid state. A second line is provided for directing the refrigerant having released heat to the compressing stage, the condensing stage or the evaporator stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Serge Dube
  • Publication number: 20040003612
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle including an integral valve block (32) having a liquid line bore (42) extending therethrough and a suction line bore (44) extending therethrough with a transverse by-pass passage (34). The by-pass check valve (38) of the first system of FIGS. 1 and 2 allows only one-way fluid flow through the by-pass passage (34) from the suction fluid line (22) to the liquid fluid line (20), whereas the by-pass check valve (40) of the second system of FIGS. 3 and 4 allows only one-way fluid flow through the by-pass passage (34) from the liquid fluid line (20) to the suction fluid line (22). Also integrated into the valve block (16) is a suction check valve (46) in the suction fluid line (22) for allowing one-way fluid flow from the evaporator (16) to the compressor (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mahmoud Ghodbane, James A. Baker, Prasad S. Kadle, Xiaoxia Mu
  • Patent number: 6672088
    Abstract: A self-operated regulating valve has a spool (13) moving axially in an internal space of a cylindrical valve body (11). One pressure P1 acts on one end surface of the spool (13), and other pressure P2 acts on the other surface of the spool (13). A through-hole (13a) is provided in the spool (13). When a difference between the one pressure P1 and the other pressure P2 exceeds a set value, the through-hole (13a) and pipe lines (12) connected to the valve body (11) communicate to bring the self-operated regulating valve into an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Ueda
  • Patent number: 6668569
    Abstract: A heat pump apparatus, improved in the operational reliability of its compressor and maintaining its COP at a desired level, is disclosed. The basic refrigeration circuit of the apparatus consists of a first pipe extending from a compressor to a four-way valve, second and third pipes sequentially connecting the four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger, a cooling-mode expansion valve, a heating-mode expansion valve and an outdoor heat exchanger to each other, and a fourth pipe extending from the outdoor heat exchanger to the four-way valve. A refrigerant suction line extends from the four-way valve to the compressor. A main bypass line extends from the third pipe at a position between the two expansion valves to the refrigerant suction line, with a liquid refrigerant tank installed on the bypass line. A pressure control valve and a solenoid valve are installed on the bypass line at positions around the inlet and outlet ports of the liquid refrigerant tank, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Keum Su Jin
  • Patent number: 6662576
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator connected in a closed circuit through which a refrigerant is circulated. A portion of liquid refrigerant exiting the condenser is diverted through a secondary expansion valve and a heat exchanger, which is thermally coupled between compressor and condenser, thereby allowing the superheated refrigerant vapor to be cooled at a temperature at or close to its saturation temperature when it enters the condenser. Hence, a de-superheating process inside the condenser is eliminated, and the condenser operates more efficiently, resulting in increased subcooling and thus increased cooling capacity. Also, the more efficient condenser decreases condenser pressure, a phenomenon which results in the reduction of the compressor work and accordingly increases the efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: VAI Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Cheolho Bai
  • Patent number: 6651451
    Abstract: A variable capacity refrigeration system which does not require a costly inverter compressor and does not exhibit low energy efficiency at high capacity. The system employs a constant speed compressor that operates continuously when the system is energized, irrespective of the heat load, and a refrigerant bypass path including a secondary expansion device, a heat exchanger, and a flow control device which is operable to permit a portion of the refrigerant exiting from the condenser to flow through the bypass path to an inlet of the compressor when the heat load is below a predetermined threshold, whereby the heat exchanger operates as a secondary evaporator, and to prevent refrigerant exiting from the condenser from flowing through the bypass path to the compressor inlet when the heat load is not below the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Vai Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Young T. Cho, Cheolho Bai
  • Publication number: 20030196445
    Abstract: A variable capacity refrigeration system which does not require a costly inverter compressor and does not exhibit low energy efficiency at high capacity. The system employs a constant speed compressor that operates continuously when the system is energized, irrespective of the heat load, and a refrigerant bypass path including a secondary expansion device, a heat exchanger, and a flow control device which is operable to permit a portion of the refrigerant exiting from the condenser to flow through the bypass path to an inlet of the compressor when the heat load is below a predetermined threshold, whereby the heat exchanger operates as a secondary evaporator, and to prevent refrigerant exiting from the condenser from flowing through the bypass path to the compressor inlet when the heat load is not below the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: VAI HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Young I. Cho, Cheolho Bai
  • Publication number: 20030192325
    Abstract: Method for the control of the flow rate of refrigerating fluid in ice cream making machines comprising a vapour-compression refrigerating circuit provided as a minimum with a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a main valve for injecting refrigerating fluid into the said evaporator, the method comprising the following steps:
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Gino Cocchi, Gianni Zaniboni
  • Patent number: 6615598
    Abstract: A refrigeration circuit includes a scroll compressor, a condenser and an evaporator connected in a closed loop. A liquid injection system takes liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit and injects it into a suction line leading to the compressor to cool the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit. An electronic control unit operates a controllable valve based on a temperature reading received from a discharge gas temperature sensor. The controllable valve can be an electronic expansion valve or a solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Simon Y. Wang, Wayne R. Berry
  • Patent number: 6615599
    Abstract: A thermostatic expansion valve controls a flow of refrigerant. The valve includes a body defining a fluid chamber. A refrigerant inlet is defined within the body. The inlet communicates with the chamber such that the refrigerant can flow through the inlet and into the chamber. First and second outlets are defined within the body. The first outlet communicates with the chamber such that the refrigerant can flow from the chamber to an evaporator during normal and low refrigerant charge. The second outlet communicates with the chamber such that the refrigerant can flow from the chamber to a compressor during low charge. A moveable needle controls the flow of the refrigerant into and out of the body. A notch is defined within the needle such that, during low charge, the refrigerant that flows into the chamber can flow to the second outlet and to the compressor without flowing through the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Douglas Pettitt, John Paul Telesz, Jing Zheng
  • Patent number: 6615597
    Abstract: A bridge circuit (11) having four check valves (31, 32, 33, 34) is provided upstream of a receiver (10), which is provided upstream of an expansion valve (7). A gas vent pipe (12) for connecting the receiver (10) and a pipe (24) downstream of the expansion valve (7) to each other is provided, and the gas vent pipe (12) is provided with a gas vent valve (13). Upon shut down, the gas vent valve (13) is opened, and the expansion valve (7) is gradually closed. The compressor (4) is shut down and the gas vent valve (13) is closed after passage of a predetermined time from the point in time when the expansion valve (7) reaches the fully closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Domyo, Koichi Kita
  • Publication number: 20030140651
    Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle system with an ejector pump, refrigerant to be introduced into a nozzle of the ejector pump is heated in a heat exchanger using waste heat from a vehicle engine as a heating source, and any one of a first mode, a second mode and a third mode can be selectively set based on a thermal load of an evaporator. In the first mode, refrigerant circulates from the evaporator toward a radiator only by the ejector pump. In the second mode, refrigerant circulate from the evaporator toward the radiator only by a compressor. Further, in the third mode, refrigerant circulates from the evaporator toward the radiator by using both the ejector pump and the compressor. Accordingly, the waste heat can be effectively recovered while a flow resistance of the refrigerant can be restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Yasushi Yamanaka, Atsushi Inaba
  • Patent number: 6595024
    Abstract: Saturated or sub-cooled liquid is supplied to the expander of an expressor. Starting just prior to the end of the inlet process or just after the completion of the inlet process, high pressure vapor from the expressor compressor discharge is supplied to the cavity defining a trapped volume under going expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Tang, Joost J. Brasz
  • Patent number: 6588224
    Abstract: A system for generating refrigeration wherein a hot process fluid is used to drive a thermoacoustic engine and residual heat from the process fluid is used to desorb refrigerant from a high pressure absorbent heat pump solution with the resulting refrigerant expanded to generate refrigeration prior to being reabsorbed by the absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bayram Arman, Dante Patrick Bonaquist, John Henri Royal, Arun Acharya
  • Publication number: 20030115893
    Abstract: Refrigerant freezeout is prevented by the use of a controlled bypass flow that causes a warning of the lowest temperature refrigerant in a refrigeration system that achieves very low temperatures by using a mixture of refrigerants comprising at least two refrigerants with boiling points that differ by at least 50° C. This control capability enables reliable operation of the very low temperature system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin Flynn, Mikhail Boiarski, Oleg Podtchereniaev
  • Publication number: 20030110786
    Abstract: A self-operated regulating valve has a spool (13) moving axially in an internal space of a cylindrical valve body (11). One pressure P1 acts on one end surface of the spool (13), and other pressure P2 acts on the other surface of the spool (13). A through-hole (13a) is provided in the spool (13). When a difference between the one pressure P1 and the other pressure P2 exceeds a set value, the through-hole (13a) and pipe lines (12) connected to the valve body (11) communicate to bring the self-operated regulating valve into an open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Kenji Ueda
  • Publication number: 20030094007
    Abstract: A cooling system, which includes a compressor for compressing the refrigerant by operation of a motor, a condenser, an expansion means, and an evaporator, comprises a motor cooling device for cooling down the motor by making some of the refrigerant passed the condenser flow to the compressor according to temperature of the motor, and therefore the heat of high temperature generated from the motor in the compressor during the operation of the compressor which is used in the cooling system can be cooled down efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Moon-Chang Choi, Kwang-Ha Suh, Young-Kwan Kim, Yoo-Chol Ji, Dae-Sung Wang
  • Patent number: 6519967
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cascade refrigeration system with screw compressors (3) connected with each other thermally via a heat exchanger (20) wherein the refrigerant of the low-temperature circuit is condensed in said heat exchanger (20), and the refrigerant of the high-temperature circuit is expanded in said heat exchanger (20), and in addition to said heat exchanger (20) a desuperheater (8) is arranged in flow direction ahead of said heat exchanger (20) in which the working medium of the low-temperature side is cooled down, while the working medium of the high temperature circuit is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Grasso GmbH Refrigeration Technology
    Inventors: Dieter Mosemann, Andreas Thiel
  • Patent number: 6516629
    Abstract: In order to magnify capacity control of a refrigeration cycle for an increased efficiency and achievement of compactness, the refrigeration cycle includes a compressor, a four-way valve, a heat exchanger on a side of a heat source, a liquid receiver, a heat exchanger on a side of use, and an electronic expansion valve, all of which are connected other by pipes, and comprises a refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle and being a non-azeotropic refrigerant, a second liquid receiver for taking out a refrigerant vapor from an upper portion of the liquid receiver to condense and store the refrigerant, and a pipe connecting the second liquid receiver to the liquid receiver via a shut-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Matsumura, Susumu Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20030019239
    Abstract: The present invention increases the efficiency of a refrigerant system by the addition of a special device that provides a constant amount of steam-generated refrigerant pressure in the condenser and is installed as a bypass to the refrigerant feed device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Mikhail Levitin, Boris Khaytin
  • Publication number: 20020166333
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus using an HFC group refrigerant, the performance is improved by increasing the refrigerating capacity and a stable operation is made possible. In order to achieve this, a cycle system in a refrigerator is structured so as to connect a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver and a supercooler in this order. In an air-cooled separation type refrigerator, the liquid receiver is disposed within an air-cooled type condenser unit. Further, in the case where a flush gas is liable to be generated in a liquid pipe, a vapor-liquid separator is disposed within the compressor unit integral with an accumulator and separated therefrom by a partition plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Takashi Sakurai, Hideo Takemoto
  • Patent number: 6467288
    Abstract: In a heat-pump water heater, a control unit has a heat-radiation determining means for determining a heat radiation from refrigerant to outside air in an air heat exchanger based on a water temperature flowing into a water heat exchanger, and the control unit selectively performs a general cycle operation and a bypass operation in accordance with a determination result of the heat-radiation determining means. That is, when the water temperature flowing into the water heat exchanger is lower than 60° C., the general cycle operation is performed. On the other hand, when the water temperature is equal to or higher than 60° C., the bypass operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
    Inventors: Jyouji Kuroki, Hisayoshi Sakakibara, Tomoaki Kobayakawa, Kazutoshi Kusakari, Michiyuki Saikawa
  • Patent number: 6467304
    Abstract: In order to magnify capacity control of a refrigeration cycle for an increased efficiency and achievement of compactness, the refrigeration cycle includes a compressor, a four-way valve, a heat exchanger on a side of a heat source, a liquid receiver, a heat exchanger on a side of use, and an electronic expansion valve, all of which are connected other by pipes, and comprises a refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle and being a non-azeotropic refrigerant, a second liquid receiver for taking out a refrigerant vapor from an upper portion of the liquid receiver to condense and store the refrigerant, and a pipe connecting the second liquid receiver to the liquid receiver via a shut-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Matsumura, Susumu Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6446450
    Abstract: An improved refrigeration system utilizing a subcooler/economizer is provided. The refrigeration system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration case, and an evaporator for cooling the refrigeration case. The refrigeration system may further include a subcooler. A modulating evaporator pressure regulator valve is located downstream of the evaporator, on the return line between the subcooler and the compressor. The valve controls the suction gas pressure of the compressor which, in turn, controls the liquid temperature of the refrigerant entering the evaporators. The modulation of the pressure regulator valve is dependent on the dew point of the store and/or the temperature of the liquid entering the evaporators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Firstenergy Facilities Services, Group, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin T. Pressler
  • Patent number: 6438980
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus using an HFC group refrigerant, the. performance is improved by increasing the refrigerating capacity and a stable operation is made possible. In order to achieve this, a cycle system in a refrigerator is structured so as to connect a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver and a supercooler in this order. In an air-cooled separation type refrigerator, the liquid receiver is disposed within an air-cooled type condenser unit. Further, in the case where a flush gas is liable to be generated in a liquid pipe, a vapor-liquid separator is disposed within the compressor unit integral with an accumulator and separated therefrom by a partition plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakurai, Hideo Takemoto
  • Patent number: 6354510
    Abstract: A thermal expansion valve body for a thermal expansion valve. In order to provide universality so that the thermal expansion valve can ultimately be formed with an inlet and outlet either being aligned or at an angle to one another, the thermal expansion valve body includes an inlet protrusion for the inlet an outlet protrusion for the outlet, and a bypass aperture protrusion for a bypass aperture. The outlet protrusion and the bypass protrusion are substantially identical such that the outlet can be formed in one the outlet and bypass protrusions, and the bypass aperture can be formed in the other of the outlet and bypass protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventor: Hans Kurt Petersen
  • Publication number: 20020023446
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus using an HFC group refrigerant, the performance is improved by increasing the refrigerating capacity and a stable operation is made possible. In order to achieve this, a cycle system in a refrigerator is structured so as to connect a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver and a supercooler in this order. In an air-cooled separation type refrigerator, the liquid receiver is disposed within an air-cooled type condenser unit. Further, in the case where a flush gas is liable to be generated in a liquid pipe, a vapor-liquid separator is disposed within the compressor unit integral with an accumulator and separated therefrom by a partition plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Takashi Sakurai, Hideo Takemoto
  • Publication number: 20020000094
    Abstract: In a heat-pump water heater, a control unit has a heat-radiation determining means for determining a heat radiation from refrigerant to outside air in an air heat exchanger based on a water temperature flowing into a water heat exchanger, and the control unit selectively performs a general cycle operation and a bypass operation in accordance with a determination result of the heat-radiation determining means. That is, when the water temperature flowing into the water heat exchanger is lower than 60° C., the general cycle operation is performed. On the other hand, when the water temperature is equal to or higher than 60° C., the bypass operation is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Jyouji Kuroki, Hisayoshi Sakakibara, Tomoaki Kobayakawa, Kazutoshi Kusakari, Michiyuki Saikawa
  • Patent number: 6330805
    Abstract: An air conditioning unit comprises a conventional refrigeration circuit including a conventional primary capillary for reducing the pressure of refrigerant flowing from a condenser outlet to an evaporator inlet. During abnormal operating conditions, i.e., when outside temperature is above a predetermined value, a secondary pressure reducing capillary bypasses the evaporator to supply refrigerant flowing out of the condenser to an inlet of a compressor, also responsive to refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator. Refrigerant flowing from the compressor flows into the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Francois Galian
  • Patent number: 6327868
    Abstract: In a freezing cycle, if the pressure in a high-pressure line (8) reaches an abnormal level, the high-side pressure is released toward a low-pressure line (9) to lower the pressure without releasing the coolant into the atmosphere and the coolant is released into the atmosphere only when the pressure in the low-pressure line (9) reaches an abnormal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Furuya, Kiyoshi Tanda
  • Patent number: 6321544
    Abstract: The freezing cycle according to the present invention is provided with a first means for safety that leaks the high pressure to the low-pressure side when the high pressure reaches a level equal to or higher than a first specific pressure, a second means for safety that releases the high pressure into the atmosphere when the high pressure reaches a level equal to or higher than a second specific pressure, a third means for safety that stops the operation of the compressor when the high pressure reaches a level equal to or lower than a third specific pressure and a fourth means for safety that releases the low-pressure into the atmosphere when the low-pressure reaches a level equal to or higher than a specific pressure. In addition, a splash-preventing film is formed over specific areas of devices constituting the freezing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kanai, Shunji Muta, Kenji Iijima, Shunichi Furuya
  • Patent number: 6311508
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus using an HFC group refrigerant, the performance is improved by increasing the refrigerating capacity and a stable operation is made possible. In order to achieve this, a cycle system in a refrigerator is structured so as to connect a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver and a supercooler in this order. In an air-cooled separation type refrigerator, the liquid receiver is disposed within an air-cooled type condenser unit. Further, in the case where a flush gas is liable to be generated in a liquid pipe, a vapor-liquid separator is disposed within the compressor unit integral with an accumulator and separated therefrom by a partition plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakurai, Hideo Takemoto
  • Publication number: 20010029744
    Abstract: Heat pump and a method for controlling a cooling/heating capability thereof, in which a capacity varying device is improved for adjusting a cooling/heating capability, the heat pump including a compressor having an inlet for drawing, and compressing low temperature and low pressure refrigerant, and an outlet for discharging the compressed refrigerant, a four way valve for connecting the outlet and the inlet to an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger selectively depending on cooling/heating, the indoor heat exchanger for evaporating/condensing the refrigerant by heat exchange with room air in cooling/heating respectively, the outdoor heat exchanger for evaporating/condensing the refrigerant by heat exchange with external air, a capillary tube having a reduced diameter for expansion of the refrigerant, a change over valve having a plunger movable by a pressure difference provided therein, and a connection tube connected the indoor heat exchanger and a four way valve, and a bypass tube connected b
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Yun Ho Ryu