Through An Evaporator, I.e., Parallel Patents (Class 62/199)
  • Patent number: 7458225
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerating cycle of a dual-type air conditioning system for vehicles having a front and rear evaporators provided at the front and rear sides of the car, in which the installation space for a refrigerant discharging pipe installed in the refrigerant discharging sides respectively of the front and rear evaporators can be minimized, and also the arrangement of the refrigerant discharging pipe is improved to prevent the refrigerant from back-flowing, thereby enabling a smooth operation of the compressor and also improving the performance of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Tae-Young Park, Yoon-Ho Wang, Jeong-Jae Lee, Joong-Un Park
  • Patent number: 7430874
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system is disclosed that includes a compressor, a condenser, a front evaporator and a rear evaporator. The condenser is operably coupled to the compressor. The front evaporator is operably coupled to the condenser and the rear evaporator is operably coupled to the condenser. A high pressure tube operably couples the condenser to the rear evaporator and a low pressure tube operably couples the rear evaporator to the compressor. At least a portion of the high pressure tube and at least a portion of the low pressure tube are formed as a dual conduit section having side-by-side relationship for heat exchange therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Prince, Ronald S. Eisenhour, Alaa Meram
  • Patent number: 7424807
    Abstract: Refrigerant is circulated through an economized refrigeration system including a compressor, a gas cooler, a main expansion device, an economizer heat exchanger and an evaporator. After cooling, the refrigerant splits into an economizer flow path and a main flow path. Refrigerant in the economizer flow path is expanded to a low pressure and exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the main flow path in the economizer heat exchanger. The refrigerant in the main flow path is then expanded and heated in the evaporator and enters the compressor, completing the cycle. An accumulator positioned between the economizer heat exchanger and the compressor stores excess refrigerant in the system, regulating the amount of refrigerant in the system and the high pressure in the system. The amount of refrigerant in the accumulator is controlled by regulating the economizer expansion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Tobias H. Sienel
  • Publication number: 20080184721
    Abstract: A control algorithm for controlling an economizer circuit in a chiller system is provided. The control algorithm opens and closes a port valve in the economizer circuit in response to predetermined criteria to engage and disengage the economizer circuit. The predetermined criteria can include an operating parameter of a compressor and a level of liquid refrigerant in a flash tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicants: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, YORK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis Christian CRANE, Frank Highland HILL, Glenn Eugene NICKEY
  • Patent number: 7395674
    Abstract: An air conditioner has a heat source refrigerant circuit, utilization refrigerant circuits, a pressurizing circuit, and a cooler. The heat source refrigerant circuit is configured by an interconnection of a compression mechanism, a heat source heat exchanger, and a heat source expansion valve that reduces a pressure of refrigerant condensed in the heat source heat exchanger. The pressurizing circuit is disposed in the heat source refrigerant circuit and causes high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed in the compression mechanism to merge with a refrigerant having a pressure that is reduced in the heat source expansion valve. The refrigerant is sent to the utilization refrigerant circuits. The cooler cools the refrigerant having the pressure that is reduced in the heat source expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Honda
  • Patent number: 7353660
    Abstract: A compressor has an inlet, an outlet, and at least an intermediate first port therebetween. A condenser is coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant. First and second evaporators are coupled to the condenser to receive refrigerant. Conduits define a return flowpath from the first evaporator to the compressor inlet and a second return flowpath from the second evaporator to the intermediate port. A bypass conduit extends between a first location between the first evaporator and the compressor inlet and a second location between the second evaporator and the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, James W. Bush
  • Publication number: 20080034770
    Abstract: A portable air conditioning and water-cooling unit includes a mass of refrigerant and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant. The unit also includes a single condenser for condensing the refrigerant and a pipe connecting the compressor and condenser. First and second capillary tubes and first and second connectors connect the first capillary tube to the condenser and a second connector connects the second capillary tube to the condenser. In addition, the unit includes an air conditioning evaporator and a pipe for connecting the air conditioning evaporator to the first capillary tube for cooling air. A water supply is also provided as well as a water-cooling evaporator and pipe connecting the water-cooling evaporator to the second capillary tube. A first thermostat senses the temperature of the water and sends a signal to a solenoid valve for stopping the flow of refrigerant to the second capillary tube when the water reaches a pre-selected temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Eid Al-Azmi, Ibrahim Al-Ajmi, Talal Al-Otaibi, Mishal Al-Ajmi
  • Patent number: 7257958
    Abstract: A refrigeration system has first and second evaporators which may be operated at first and second temperatures. Refrigerant from a lower temperature evaporator may be returned to a compressor suction port. Refrigerant from the higher temperature evaporator may be returned to an intermediate port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Bush, Steven J. Holden
  • Patent number: 7237395
    Abstract: A method of switching refrigerant flow between a path to a fresh food evaporator in a fresh food compartment and a path to a freezer evaporator in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator, wherein the fresh food evaporator is coupled to a first fan and the freezer evaporator is coupled to a second fan, and wherein the method includes providing a three way valve with at least three operational positions in flow communication with the fresh food path and the freezer path, switching the three way valve between the operational positions, activating the first fan, deactivating the second fan, and delivering the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Ziqiang Hu
  • Patent number: 7143593
    Abstract: There is disclosed a refrigerant cycle apparatus capable of avoiding occurrence of an abnormal rise in a pressure on a high-pressure side in advance, comprising: a throttling mechanism including a first capillary tube, and a second capillary tube which is connected in parallel to the first capillary tube and whose flow path resistance is smaller than that of the first capillary tube; and a valve device for controlling refrigerant circulation into the first and second capillary tubes, so that a refrigerant is passed into the second capillary tube at the time of starting of a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhisa Yamasaki, Masaji Yamanaka, Kenzo Matsumoto, Shigeya Ishigaki, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Tsunehisa Yumoto
  • Patent number: 7124595
    Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner including an outdoor unit installed in an outdoor, including a compressor, a refrigerant flow controlling part connected to a discharge end of the compressor for guiding the refrigerant proper to operation conditions selectively, and an outdoor heat exchanger connected to the refrigerant flow controlling part, a plurality of indoor units each installed in a room and having an indoor heat exchanger and an electronic expansion valve having one end connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger, a plurality of, at least two, distributors between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units for improving installation freedom of the plurality of indoor units, selectively guiding refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units proper to operation conditions, and guiding the refrigerant passed through the indoor units to the outdoor unit again, and a device for shutting off introduction of the refrigerant into the distributors connected to inoperative indoor uni
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Han Park, Young Min Park, Chang Seon Lee, Sung Oh Choi, Sung Chun Kim, Seung Yong Chang, Seok Ho Yoon, Baik Young Chung
  • Patent number: 7100387
    Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerator having a variable speed compressor and at least two compartments (FR, FZ) cooled to respective temperatures and comprising sensor devices (TR, TZ) for generating control signal responsive to cooling demands of the respective compartments comprises the step of providing the control system with a signal indicative of the total cooling demand on the basis of the sum of each compartment cooling demand, such signal being used to drive the variable speed compressor according to said total cooling demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alessandro Boer, Raffaele Paganini, Rocco Petrigliano
  • Patent number: 7062927
    Abstract: A central control system of air conditioners includes a multi-type air conditioning system, a power meter and a central controller. The air conditioning system includes a plurality of indoor units for air conditioning installed in rooms of a building and an outdoor unit for circulation of refrigerant, where the indoor units share the outdoor unit. The power meter is connected to the outdoor unit to measure power consumption of the air conditioning system when the system operates. The central control unit calculates respective power consumptions of the indoor units based on both the power consumption measured by the power meter and operation information of the air conditioning system, and displays the calculated power consumptions of the indoor units. It is thus possible to determine respective power consumption patterns and electricity charges of the indoor units more accurately, thereby improving management efficiency of the entire air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hwan Kwon, Sang Chul Youn, Duck Gu Jeon, Jae Sik Jung, Young Soo Yoon, Jun Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7055337
    Abstract: A system with an internal combustion engine which has a heat transfer circuit, a fuel cell and a climate control unit which is accommodated in the heat transfer circuit of the internal combustion engine. The system has a heat transfer arrangement for transferring the exhaust heat of the fuel cell to the heat transfer circuit and a bypass for bridging a segment of the heat transfer circuit which runs through the internal combustion engine so that, in the bypassed operating state, an isolated circuit is formed. In stationary operation, this enables an optimized operating mode since the internal combustion engine is no longer heated and the exhaust heat of the fuel cell is fully available for heating purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Webasto Thermosysteme International GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Horn, Noureddine Khelifa, Alexander Kolb
  • Patent number: 7043926
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying refrigerated air to a localized volume in a vehicle, suitable for the transport of groceries and other perishables. The localized volume is created by insulated panels in the storage area of a vehicle. The chiller unit includes an air duct that contains inlet and outlet openings, an evaporator core and a fan. The evaporator core receives refrigerant fluid from a powered compressor and a condenser that are shared in common with the HVAC system that serves the passenger compartment. Although the compressor and condenser are shared, the chiller unit is separate and may be used independently of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Smith
  • Patent number: 7024874
    Abstract: A galley chiller system for an aircraft includes at least one condenser having a refrigerant fluid. The fluid within the condenser rejects heat to a first surrounding environment. To more efficiently use the condenser of the galley chiller system and reduce the requirement on other cooling systems within an aircraft, the condenser may reject its heat to a desired location using a heat exchanger. The galley chiller system includes at least one evaporator that receives fluid from the condenser. A first evaporator absorbs heat from a galley, which may include a bank of carts. The first evaporator is arranged in ducting that carries cooled air to the carts. A second evaporator may absorb heat from a cabin recirculation air duct of the aircraft cooling system. In this manner, the evaporators of the inventive galley chilling system cools not only the galley carts but also provides supplemental cooling to the aircraft cooling system thereby reducing its cooling requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventors: Thomas Zywiak, Louis J. Bruno, Diane Drew, Douglas L. Christians
  • Patent number: 7003967
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigeration compartment having an upper region and a lower region, a first evaporator positioned in the upper region, a second evaporator, positioned in the lower region, and a fan disposed between the first and second evaporators. The fan is configured, such that air flows past first and second evaporators and is discharged into said upper and lower regions when said fan is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Anil Kumar Tummala, Ziquang Hu, John Charles Steimel
  • Patent number: 6983793
    Abstract: A dual evaporator air conditioning system and method for use therewith to cool air in front and rear portions of a cabin of a vehicle. The dual evaporator air conditioning system includes primary and auxiliary HVAC units to cool the air in the front and rear portions of the cabin, respectively. The dual evaporator air conditioning system also includes a control system having cooling and non-cooling modes for each of the HVAC units. The control system automatically activates a heating element near the auxiliary evaporator in response to the auxiliary HVAC unit being in the non-cooling mode while the primary HVAC unit is in the cooling mode. The heating element heats the refrigerant in the auxiliary evaporator to prevent accumulation of liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil in the auxiliary evaporator when the auxiliary HVAC unit is in the non-cooling mode while the primary HVAC unit is in the cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Zheng, Prasad Shripad Kadle
  • Patent number: 6952930
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigeration compartment having an upper region and a lower region, a first evaporator positioned in the upper region, a second evaporator, positioned in the lower region, and a fan disposed between the first and second evaporators. The fan is configured, such that air flows past first and second evaporators and is discharged into said upper and lower regions when said fan is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Anil Kumar Tummala, Ziquang Hu, John Charles Steimel
  • Patent number: 6898945
    Abstract: A refrigerant nozzle and distributor assembly for use with a refrigeration system having a plurality of evaporator circuits. The refrigerant nozzle and distributor assembly comprise a distributor body having an internal wall that divides the distributor body into an inlet portion and an outlet portion and an aperture having a central axis and formed in the internal wall between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. This embodiment further includes an adjustable pin that has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis substantially-coaxial with the central axis wherein the first end is configured to cooperate with the aperture. The adjustable pin and the aperture form a nozzle. A method of manufacturing a refrigerant nozzle and distributor assembly and a refrigeration system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley D. Grove
  • Patent number: 6895781
    Abstract: A multiple circuit refrigerant system includes a single economizer heat exchanger utilized for each of at least two circuits. The use of the single economizer heat exchanger reduces the cost of adding an economizer cycle, and further reduces other associated costs. Additionally, heat exchanger and overall system performance is enhanced further. Embodiments show the inclusion of two, three and four circuits, although greater numbers may also benefit form this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dobmeier, Michael F. Taras, Howard H. Fraser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6883603
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a refrigerator having two evaporators is provided which allows food to be effectively stored in refrigerating and freezing chambers of the refrigerator. A Refrigerating-Freezing (RF) cycle and/or a Freezing (F) cycle of the refrigerator and compressor operation are controlled based on temperatures of various chambers within the refrigerator. This may be further enhanced by also controlling operation of the evaporators and their respective evaporator fans to further optimize cooling output and efficiency. In this manner, the various refrigerating and freezing chambers of the refrigerator can be maintained at an appropriate temperature, power consumption is minimized, and load on the compressor can be adequately managed so as to provide for effective food storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Koo Park, Yang Kyu Kim, Se Young Kim, Yin Young Hwang, Joon Hyung Park
  • Patent number: 6868681
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner comprising a plurality of indoor units and a common outdoor unit connected to each of the indoor units. The air conditioner further includes an additional indoor unit connected to an air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit. The additional indoor unit is installed in some place other than the installation place of the indoor unit. The indoor units are selectively or simultaneously operated by means of effective distribution of coolant in the outdoor unit so that the indoor units are properly operated by means of the single outdoor unit to provide a pleasant air conditioned environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung Joo Woo, Su Chang Woo, Kyung Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 6865900
    Abstract: A temperature control method for a refrigerator includes providing a valve device, in which an inflow port where a refrigerant flows into, at least two outflow ports having a first outflow port and a second outflow port where the refrigerant flows out, and a valve element for performing opening/closing of the outflow ports are positioned in a sealed space. The method also includes providing a valve element drive device for driving the valve element. The method further includes controlling the valve element drive device, at the time a power source of the refrigerator is turned on, to reciprocate between a first mode as an OPEN-CLOSE mode and a second mode on a CLOSE-OPEN mode until a temperature in a first chamber where the refrigerant is supplied through the first outflow port, and a temperature in a second chamber where the refrigerant is supplied through the second outflow port, are lowered to reach to a prescribed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ozawa, Tetsuhiko Hara
  • Publication number: 20040226308
    Abstract: A method for controlling a temperature-related refrigeration parameter of parallel evaporators of an evaporation stage of a refrigeration system within an operational range of the refrigeration parameter for the evaporators, with a control valve positioned between the evaporators and a compression stage in the refrigeration system to vary a suction effect of the compression stage on the evaporation stage and a sensors associated with each of the evaporators. The method comprises the steps of monitoring the temperature-related refrigeration parameter for each evaporator individually with their respective sensors; and modulating the control valve to vary the suction effect of the compression stage on the evaporators of the evaporator stage, as a response to a signal from any sensor detecting a refrigeration parameter value out of the operational range for any one of the evaporators, so as to return the refrigeration parameter value to the operational range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Serge Dube
  • Patent number: 6810952
    Abstract: A refrigerant-fluid circuit has a compressor, a condenser serving as heat sink and a first evaporator serving as cold source. The circuit also has a second evaporator and the refrigerant fluid is made to flow either only in the first evaporator, or in the two evaporators, depending on the cooling power required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventors: Mounir Ben Fredj, Bruno Hamery, Jean-Luc Thuez, Noureddine Khelifa
  • Patent number: 6786056
    Abstract: A system and method for cooling a room configured to house a plurality of computer systems. A plurality of evaporator units are arranged in parallel and are configured to receive air from the room and to deliver air to the room. The evaporator units are supplied with refrigerant operable to cool the received air in the evaporator units. The air may be controlled in response to temperatures sensed at one or more locations in the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant D. Patel
  • Patent number: 6772600
    Abstract: Multi-unit air conditioner including an outdoor unit including a flow path control valve for controlling a flow path of refrigerant from a compressor, outdoor heat exchanger having one side in communication with the flow path control valve, a first bypass pipeline having one end connected to the first pipeline which makes the flow path control valve and the outdoor heat exchanger to be in communication, and the other end connected to the second pipeline connected to the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a flow rate control valve provided on the first bypass pipeline for controlling a flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the first bypass pipeline, an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger and indoor electronic expansion valve installed in each of rooms, a distributor for selective distribution of the refrigerant received through one of two pipelines connected to the outdoor unit to the indoor units, and returning to the outdoor unit through the other one pipeline, and controlling means
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Il Nahm Hwang
  • Patent number: 6766652
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a two chamber freezer whereby both chambers can be maintained at a substantially constant ultra-low temperature, such as within the range of about −40° C. to −80° C. Short term items may be stored in and accessed by the upper door from an upper chamber while long term items may be stored in and accessed by the lower door in the lower chamber. The upper and lower chambers are thermodynamically independent of each other thereby reducing the power usage of the freezer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: GSLE Development Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Kelly, Chuan Weng
  • Publication number: 20040139755
    Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner including an outdoor unit installed in an outdoor, including a compressor, a refrigerant flow controlling part connected to a discharge end of the compressor for guiding the refrigerant proper to operation conditions selectively, and an outdoor heat exchanger connected to the refrigerant flow controlling part, a plurality of indoor units each installed in a room and having an indoor heat exchanger and an electronic expansion valve having one end connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger, a plurality of, at least two, distributors between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units for improving installation freedom of the plurality of indoor units, selectively guiding refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units proper to operation conditions, and guiding the refrigerant passed through the indoor units to the outdoor unit again, and a device for shutting off introduction of the refrigerant into the distributors connected to inoperative indoor uni
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Han Park, Young Min Park, Chang Seon Lee, Sung Oh Choi, Sung Chun Kim, Seung Yong Chang, Seok Ho Yoon, Baik Young Chung
  • Publication number: 20040134214
    Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner including an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a flow path control valve for controlling a flow path of the refrigerant from the compressor, and an outdoor unit piping system, a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor expansion device, an indoor heat exchanger, and an indoor piping system, a distributor for selectively distributing the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the indoor units and returning to the outdoor unit again proper to respective operation modes, and noise preventing means on pipelines respectively connected to the indoor units to cut off refrigerant flow into inoperative indoor units when the air conditioner is in operation, for preventing occurrence of refrigerant flow noise at the inoperative indoor units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Seob Song, Se Dong Chang
  • Patent number: 6758054
    Abstract: A dual evaporator air conditioning system and method for use therewith is provided to cool air in front and rear portions of a cabin of a vehicle. The dual evaporator air conditioning system includes primary and auxiliary HVAC units having primary and auxiliary evaporators, respectively, to cool the air in the front and rear portions of the cabin. A heat exchanger near the auxiliary evaporator warms the refrigerant in the auxiliary evaporator to maintain a minimum temperature. The heat exchanger warms the refrigerant in the auxiliary evaporator to prevent accumulation of liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil in the auxiliary evaporator when the auxiliary HVAC unit is in a non-cooling mode while the primary HVAC unit is in a cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Zheng, Prasad Shripad Kadle
  • Publication number: 20040118139
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a two chamber freezer whereby both chambers can be maintained at a substantially constant ultra-low temperature, such as within the range of about −40° C. to −80° C. Short term items may be stored in and accessed by the upper door from an upper chamber while long term items may be stored in and accessed by the lower door in the lower chamber. The upper and lower chambers are thermodynamically independent of each other thereby reducing the power usage of the freezer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: GSLE Development Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Kelly, Chuan Weng
  • Publication number: 20040093880
    Abstract: A dual evaporator air conditioning system and method for use therewith to cool air in front and rear portions of a cabin of a vehicle. The dual evaporator air conditioning system includes primary and auxiliary HVAC units having primary and auxiliary evaporators, respectively to cool the air in the front and rear portions of the cabin. A heat exchanger near the auxiliary evaporator warms the refrigerant in the auxiliary evaporator to maintain a minimum temperature of the refrigerant in the auxiliary evaporator. The heat exchanger warms the refrigerant in the auxiliary evaporator to prevent accumulation of liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil in the auxiliary evaporator when the auxiliary HVAC unit is in the non-cooling mode while the primary HVAC unit is in the cooling mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Jing Zheng, Prasad Shripad Kadle
  • Patent number: 6729150
    Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-compartment type kimchi refrigerator having a plurality of evaporators which are mounted in respective storage compartments to refrigerate the storage compartments, a compressor which supplies the evaporators with refrigerant, and valves which are mounted in inlet sides of the evaporators, respectively, to be selectively opened and closed on the basis of temperatures of the storage compartments. The method includes selectively opening or closing the valves in priority order of operations of the valves in response to a signal to supply the refrigerant to two or more of the evaporators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LTD
    Inventors: Kyu-Ho Shin, Sung-Ho Cho, Woo-Yeol Yoo
  • Publication number: 20040074247
    Abstract: Refrigeration appliance comprising at least two storage compartments (10, 11) and a refrigerating circuit comprising a compressor (14), a condenser (15), valve means (18, 19) and two evaporators (12, 13). The compressor (14) is a variable-capacity compressor, and said valve means are constituted by a unidirectional valve (18) and a flow-diverting valve (19) to selectively feed said evaporators via respective throttle means (16, 17). The result is a sensible energy saving effect in the operation of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Roberto Peruzzo, Lucio Bresin, Massimo Da Dalt, Lorenzo Lotto
  • Patent number: 6718781
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least one electronic expansion valve coupled to an economizer in a refrigeration system in order to dynamically control the refrigeration system operating conditions and in order to accommodate more than one set of operating conditions. The system can also be used to control the capacity of the system. More specifically, the method can include determining the required capacity of the system and adjusting the flow of refrigerant through the electronic expansion valve to adjust the actual capacity of the system toward the required capacity of the system. In another aspect of the invention, the system is operated to maintain the power of the system below a threshold value (e.g., below a max rated horsepower).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Freund, Lars I. Sjoholm
  • Patent number: 6694762
    Abstract: A refrigeration system provides one or more compressors, a condenser, and a plurality of evaporator coils fed with the liquid refrigerant from the condenser. Each coil is disposed in a chamber to be held at a particular low temperature by blowing air over the coil as liquid refrigerant in the coil evaporates to gas, with the absorption of heat. Each coil returns gas refrigerant back to the compressor(s) through an individual gas return line. A temperature sensor in each chamber provides an output signal related to the temperature provided by the coil. A controller receives each output signal. An on/off valve in each gas return line is controlled by the controller in response to the sensor signal to stop refrigerant flow through its respective coil when the temperature goes below a preset level and allows refrigerant flow when temperature is above a preset value. The on/off valve may be part of a conventional evaporator pressure regulator in which the regulator is adjusted wide open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Roger K. Osborne
  • Publication number: 20040025534
    Abstract: A temperature control method for a refrigerator includes providing a valve device, in which an inflow port where a refrigerant flows into, at least two outflow ports having a first outflow port and a second outflow port where the refrigerant flows out, and a valve element for performing opening/closing of the outflow ports are positioned in a sealed space. The method also includes providing a valve element drive device for driving the valve element. The method further includes controlling the valve element drive device, at the time a power source of the refrigerator is turned on, to reciprocate between a first mode as an OPEN-CLOSE mode and a second mode on a CLOSE-OPEN mode until a temperature in a first chamber where the refrigerant is supplied through the first outflow port, and a temperature in a second chamber where the refrigerant is supplied through the second outflow port, are lowered to reach to a prescribed temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: SANKYO SEIKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ozawa, Tetsuhiko Hara
  • Patent number: 6675595
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle system includes a variable displacement compressor, and first and second evaporators disposed in parallel. In the refrigerant cycle system, it is determined whether a refrigerant flow amount from the compressor is in a low flow amount area when first and second blowers for blowing air to the first and second evaporators are operated at the same time. When it is determined that a predetermined time passes after the refrigerant flow amount is determined to be in the low flow amount area, the operation of the compressor is forcibly switched between a large discharge capacity and a small discharge capacity. Accordingly, it can prevent oil returning to the compressor from being short due to the operation of the compressor in the low flow amount area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeki Ohya
  • Publication number: 20040003613
    Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-compartment type kimchi refrigerator having a plurality of evaporators which are mounted in respective storage compartments to refrigerate the storage compartments, a compressor which supplies the evaporators with refrigerant, and valves which are mounted in inlet sides of the evaporators, respectively, to be selectively opened and closed on the basis of temperatures of the storage compartments. The method includes selectively opening or closing the valves in priority order of operations of the valves in response to a signal to supply the refrigerant to two or more of the evaporators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyu-Ho Shin, Sung-Ho Cho, Woo-Yeol Yoo
  • Patent number: 6672089
    Abstract: In a refrigerator using a evaporator, and particularly in an apparatus and a method for controlling a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator which is capable of easily switching a three-way stepping motor valve, by adjusting a flow of a refrigerant in a refrigerating cycle by using a three-way stepping motor valve, noise occurred in the conventional valve switching can be reduced, a power consumption of a three-way stepping motor valve can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Su Park, Jun Heon Kim
  • Patent number: 6658878
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-compartment type refrigerator and method for controlling the same. The refrigerator includes a plurality of storage compartments. A plurality of evaporators are each positioned in each of the storage compartments, respectively. A compressor supplies refrigerant to the evaporators through a branched refrigerant conduit. A plurality of opening/closing valves are each positioned on a refrigerant conduit upstream of each of the evaporators for selectively controlling supply of refrigerant to the evaporators. Reference compartment defining means defines as a reference storage compartment one of the storage compartments that has a relatively great load. Control means controls starting of the compressor depending on a change of a temperature of the reference storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Bo Shim, Hee-Soo Lee, Cheol-Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 6655163
    Abstract: A dual evaporator air conditioning system and method for use therewith to cool air in front and rear portions of a cabin. The dual evaporator air conditioning system includes primary and auxiliary HVAC units to cool the air in the front and rear portions of the cabin, respectively. The dual evaporator air conditioning system also includes a control system having cooling and non-cooling modes for each of the HVAC units. The control system automatically diverts cooled air produced by the auxiliary HVAC unit into an air dumping chamber in response to the auxiliary HVAC unit being in the non-cooling mode while the primary HVAC unit is in the cooling mode. The air dumping chamber is partitioned from the cabin to prevent the cooled air generated by the auxiliary HVAC unit from entering the cabin. Maintaining airflow through an auxiliary evaporator prevents refrigerant and lubricant buildup in the auxiliary evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Scherer, Prasad Shripad Kadle, Jing Zheng
  • Patent number: 6640567
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an air conditioning system with low compression load. This air conditioning system consists of an expansion unit for adiabatically expanding refrigerant, an indoor unit having a heat exchanger, a compressor for adiabatically compressing the refrigerant, and an outdoor unit having a heat exchanger, and circulates refrigerant through the compressor, outdoor unit, expansion unit, and indoor unit to heat or cool a target area using the phase change of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventors: Young Ho Kim, Shin Hee Ryu
  • Patent number: 6604372
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system with an air-conditioning compressor, an electric motor and a refrigerant circuit, in particular for motor vehicles, the electric motor being controllable by an electronic control device and an expansion member arranged in the refrigerant circuit, a further expansion member is arranged between the high-pressure side of the expansion member and the suction side of the air-conditioning compressor in the refrigerant circuit, and the electronic control device is connected thermally conductively to the low-pressure side of the further expansion member. The further expansion member is controllable as a function of the temperature of the electronic control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jochen Baumert, Jochen Engel, Klaus-Juergen Bluhm, Robert Höppler
  • Patent number: 6598410
    Abstract: A refrigerator has a cold storage and freezer zones with individual fans and evaporators, a switching valve that allows refrigerant to flow simultaneously through each zone or through only one of the zones and a control which when power is supplied causes simultaneous flow, starting the compressor and a condenser fan while driving the cold storage fan at a high speed and the freezing zone fan at a low speed until such time that a set point time has been exceeded or the temperature set points of the zones has been reached by cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Minoru Temmyo, Masato Tago
  • Patent number: 6581397
    Abstract: A refrigerating device has a refrigerant circuit having a compressor (1), an indoor heat exchanger (3), a main motor operated valve (EV1), and an indoor heat exchanger (5) connected in a loop, and uses, as a working medium, an R32 refrigerant or a mixed refrigerant containing R32 at at least 70 wt %. A supercooling heat exchanger (11) is disposed between the indoor heat exchanger (3) and the main motor operated valve (EV1), and the liquid side of the refrigerant circuit are connected to the gas side by by-pass pipes (33, 34) through the supercooling heat exchanger (11). A supercooling motor operated valve (EV2) is disposed at the by-pass pipe (33) upstream of the supercooling heat exchanger (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Taira, Junichirou Tanaka, Koji Shibaike
  • Patent number: 6581408
    Abstract: Refrigerant exiting a condenser (1) is diverted into first and second parts, with the first part passed to a first intercooler (6) via a first decompression means (3) while the second part is passed to an evaporator (8) via a second decompression means (7). The refrigerant passed to the second decompression means (7) undergoes heat exchange with the intercooler (6). The refrigerant discharged from the evaporator (8) is fed to a first stage low-pressure compression means (32). In the multi-stage compression apparatus, the refrigerant discharged-from the low-pressure compression means (32) is mixed or merged with the refrigerant exiting the intercooler (6) at a merging point (106), and then fed to a second stage high-pressure compression means (34). The displacement volume of the low-pressure compression means (32) is larger than that of the high-pressure compression means(34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Tadano, Atsushi Oda, Toshiyuki Ebara, Takashi Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 6543245
    Abstract: A system and method of maintaining multiple temperatures using a single refrigeration system. A single refrigeration system includes a compressor, reservoir, condenser and associated piping is selectively coupled to one of a plurality of evaporator units. Each evaporator unit has an inlet valve, an expansion valve and an evaporator. A sensor signals a microprocessor that one of the plurality of evaporators requires cooling, initiating a cooling cycle. The compressor is energized and the evaporator inlet valve opens, allowing refrigerant to flow through the evaporator unit. At the conclusion of the cooling cycle, the evaporator inlet valve closes while the compressor continues to operate allowing the removal or drawing down of the refrigerant from the evaporator prior to cooling another evaporator section. At the conclusion of the draw down process, the compressor is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: John Elliott Waldschmidt, William Leo Waldschmidt