Individual Flow Controllers And Sensors Patents (Class 62/200)
  • Patent number: 6938430
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus including three compressors (2A, 2B, 2C) and application side heat exchangers (41) (45, 51) for two channels is formed so that a first compressor (2A) is used only for the application side heat exchangers (45, 51) in a first channel of a circuit, a third compressor (2C) is used only for the application side heat exchanger (41) in a second channel of the circuit, and a second compressor (2B) is used in a switchable manner between the application side heat exchangers (45, 51) in the first channel of the circuit and the application side heat exchanger (41) in the second channel of the circuit. Thus, not only the pipe arrangement at suction side is simplified, but also operation control is streamlined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tanimoto, Masaaki Takegami, Satoru Sakae
  • Patent number: 6898946
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system of a dual air conditioner type includes a front seat air-conditioning unit for air-conditioning a front seat side and a rear seat air-conditioning unit for air-conditioning a rear seat side. The system includes parallel connected evaporators for the front seat air-conditioning unit and the rear seat air-conditioning unit. At a low flow rate of refrigerant, the system prevents a significant increase in the temperature of air blown into the rear seat area relative to the temperature in the front seat area. The system employs a variable capacity compressor that enables its discharge capacity to be controlled by an external control signal, allowing the discharge capacity of the compressor to be controlled in accordance with the higher evaporator temperature of the temperatures at the front seat evaporator and the rear seat evaporator and a target evaporator temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Ogiso, Satohisa Yoshida, Makoto Umebayashi
  • Patent number: 6883341
    Abstract: A compressor has an economizer injection line communicating into the compressor compression chambers. An unloader valve selectively communicates the economizer injection line back to a point upstream of the evaporator. When the compressor is run in unloaded mode, partially compressed refrigerant is thus returned to a point upstream of the evaporator. In unloaded mode, this results in a higher refrigerant mass flow through the evaporator, as compared to prior art where the bypassed refrigerant was returned downstream of the evaporator. This increases system efficiency by more effectively returning oil which otherwise might be left in the evaporator back to the compressor. Also, the amount of refrigerant superheat entering the compressor in unloaded operation is reduced as compared to the prior art compressor systems, wherein the bypassed refrigerant is returned directly to the compressor suction line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Lifson
  • 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: 6804973
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner including a front automatic air-conditioning unit and a rear manual air-conditioning unit, an air-conditioning control unit changes a correction value of a target air temperature to be blown into a front seat area of a passenger compartment based on an outside air temperature detected by an outside temperature sensor when the rear manual air-conditioning unit operates. Specifically, in a low outside air temperature, the target air temperature for the front seat area is decreased by changing the correction value at a minus side. Accordingly, even a rear heater of the rear manual air-conditioning unit is operated during operation of the front air-conditioning unit, an air temperature blown toward the front seat area in the passenger compartment can be controlled to a set temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6804972
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the climate within a storage container including at least two cargo areas. The system includes one compressor, one condenser, and two evaporators. Each of the evaporators includes a crankcase pressure regulator, a gas valve and a liquid valve. The crankcase pressure regulators provide a common pressure between each of the evaporators and the compressor regardless of the pressure at the evaporator. A control system selectively actuates the gas and liquid valves according to a predefined control mode to obtain and maintain a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Hussein El-Habhab
  • Patent number: 6763670
    Abstract: A bus rooftop air conditioning system is made up of one or more self-contained modules having one or more evaporator sections and one or more condenser sections, with each extending transversely across the width of the bus, and with the evaporator sections fluidly communicating with both a common return air opening and a common supply air opening of the bus. The modules may be of a single unit configuration with a single condenser section and a single evaporator section or they may be of a double unit configuration having two condenser sections and two evaporator sections. The total capacity requirements are met by combining the use of single units and double unit configuration, with each of the evaporator sections communicating with a single return air opening and a single supply air opening in a bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Peter R. Bushnell, Robert C. Reimann, Christopher Repice, Mark Colton, Xuqiang Liao, Gawain Mundy, Stephen Stopyra, Belin Czechowicz, Suresh Duraisamy, Timothy R. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6578374
    Abstract: A method for refrigeration system control according to the invention includes identifying a lead circuit having a lowest temperature set point from a plurality of circuits, wherein each circuit includes at least one refrigeration case. The suction pressure set point for a compressor rack is initialized based upon the identified lead circuit, and a change in suction pressure set point is determined based on measured parameters from the lead circuit. The suction pressure set point is updated based upon the change in suction pressure set point. A first valve position for a first electronic evaporator pressure regulator associated with a first refrigeration circuit is determined based on the determined change in suction pressure set point, which is based upon the measured parameters from the lead circuit. A second valve position for a second electronic evaporation pressure regulator associated with a second refrigeration circuit is based upon a second measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Computer Process Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Jim Chabucos, Paul Wickberg, John Wallace
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6526769
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, which includes a main body, an inner casing accommodated in the main body and formed with a plurality of storage chambers arranged up and down, a compressor provided in a machine room and isolated from the storage chambers, and a condenser for condensing a refrigerant supplied from the compressor. The refrigerator includes a plurality of evaporators surrounding the inner casing to form a refrigerant flow path toward the lower portion of each storage chamber from the upper portion thereof, a refrigerant valve installed at a refrigerant tube extended from the condenser to an inlet of each evaporator, a suction tube extended from an outlet of each evaporator to the compressor, and a plurality of temperature sensors disposed in the upper portion of each storage chamber, for detecting the temperatures of the respective storage chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheol-hee Kim
  • Patent number: 6490877
    Abstract: System and method for reducing temperature variation among heat dissipating components in a multi-component computer system. In this respect, component temperatures are controlled to remain relatively constant (approximately within 5° C.) with respect to other components, while allowing for multiple fluctuating heat loads between components. A refrigeration system possessing a variable speed compressor or a constant speed compressor is utilized to control the flow of refrigerant through the refrigeration system. The temperature variation among components is reduced by independently metering the mass flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into each component to compensate for the amount of heat load on each component. In this respect, the mass flow rate of the refrigerant entering into each of the evaporators is metered by valves located upstream from each of the evaporators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Abdlmonem H Beitelmal, Ratnesh Sharma
  • Publication number: 20020139138
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle has a main expansion valve communicating with an inlet header which in turn communicates with a plurality of flow passages moving towards an evaporator coil. Each of the plurality of passages is provided with an individual restriction which provides additional expansion. The individual restrictions can each be separately controlled or designed such that the flow through each of the passages can be tailored to optimum efficiency and operation within the evaporator coil. However, the use of the main expansion valve in series with these restrictions ensures that each of the restrictions can be relatively simple items. Further, the use of the separate restrictions provides a system which has a simplified inlet header system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Repice, Brad Reisfeld, Robert Chiang
  • Patent number: 6449968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for refrigeration system control is provided. The refrigeration system includes a plurality of circuits with each circuit having at least one refrigeration case. An electronic evaporator pressure regulator is in communication with each circuit and is operable to control the temperature of the corresponding circuit. A plurality of compressors are also provided with each compressor forming a part of a compressor rack. A pressure sensor is used for measuring the suction pressure of the compressor rack. A sensor is in communication with each circuit and is operable to measure a parameter from each circuit. A controller controls each electronic evaporator pressure regulator and the suction pressure based upon the measured parameters from each circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Computer Process Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Jim Chabucos, Paul Wickberg, John Wallace
  • Publication number: 20020124585
    Abstract: System and method for reducing temperature variation among heat dissipating components in a multi-component computer system. In this respect, component temperatures are controlled to remain relatively constant (approximately within 5° C.) with respect to other components, while allowing for multiple fluctuating heat loads between components. A refrigeration system possessing a variable speed compressor or a constant speed compressor is utilized to control the flow of refrigerant through the refrigeration system. The temperature variation among components is reduced by independently metering the mass flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into each component to compensate for the amount of heat load on each component. In this respect, the mass flow rate of the refrigerant entering into each of the evaporators is metered by valves located upstream from each of the evaporators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Abdlmonem H. Beitelmal, Ratnesh Sharma
  • Patent number: 6408634
    Abstract: A multi-chamber refrigeration system is described. The refrigeration system comprises a first refrigeration compartment within a housing, and a second refrigeration compartment within the housing and mechanically coupled to the first refrigeration compartment. A control unit is electrically coupled to the first refrigeration unit and the second refrigeration compartment. A compressor is coupled to the control unit through a first solenoid valve and through a second solenoid valve. The first solenoid valve is operable to alter an operating temperature of the first refrigeration compartment, and the second solenoid valve operable to alter an operating temperature of the second refrigeration compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Jimex Corporation
    Inventor: Tai Choi
  • Patent number: 6405559
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus is provided with a supercooling circuit 8 having a supercooling heat exchanger 15 provided between a condenser 3 and a main expansion mechanism 9 and an injection circuit 10 for injecting a gas refrigerant from the supercooling heat exchanger 15 into an intermediate-pressure portion 1a of a compressor 1. A motorized expansion valve 16 is provided in a supercooling pipe that diverges from the main flow on the upstream P1 side of the supercooling heat exchanger 15 and reaches the supercooling. heat exchanger 15. By completely closing the motorized expansion valve 16, the injection operation of the injection circuit 10 can be turned off. The degree of supercooling of the supercooling circuit 8 and the amount of injection of the injection circuit 10 can be set to desired values by controlling the motorized expansion valve 16 to a specified degree of opening. The supercooling circuit and the injection circuit can be controlled with reduced noises at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Yoneda
  • Patent number: 6370895
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first compartment, a second compartment, a compressor compressing and discharging refrigerant, a first evaporator connected to the compressor to cool the first compartment, the first evaporator having an outlet, a second evaporator connected to the compressor in parallel with the first evaporator to cool the second compartment, the second evaporator having an outlet, a check valve connected between the outlets of the first and second evaporators to prevent the refrigerant out of the first evaporator from entering the second evaporator, a flow-path switching element for switching a cooling mode between a first cooling mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is caused to flow through the first evaporator to thereby cool the first compartment and a second cooling mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is caused to flow through the second evaporator to thereby cool the second compartment, and a control device provided for controlling the compres
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sakuma, Koji Kashima, Masato Tago, Takashi Doi, Akihiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 6360552
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a freezing system having two vaporizers for a refrigerator constructed as a single-loop cycle which is capable of using a genuine coolant as well as a mixed coolant by providing the coolant to a compressor after mixing the each coolant passed through a freezing chamber vaporizer and a chilling chamber vaporizer and heightening the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Il Nam Hwang
  • Patent number: 6304803
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for a vehicle including a front HVAC control system that communicates with a rear HVAC control system. The rear HVAC control system includes a control panel having mode, temperature, and blower speed controls. The front HVAC control system includes a control panel having a rear manual control switch for enabling/disabling manual control of the rear HVAC system via the rear HVAC control panel. A microprocessor communicates control information from the front HVAC control system to the rear HVAC control system regardless of the position of the rear manual control switch. Whether the supplied control information is used by the rear HVAC control system is determined by the rear manual switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hank Tien Dao
  • Patent number: 6266967
    Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle system for a vehicle air conditioner, when a continuous operation time of a compressor elapses a predetermined time after the compressor operates, operation of the compressor is forcibly interrupted so that a refrigerant pressure at a suction side of the compressor is changed. Thus, even when the compressor operates continuously in a long time when only a front evaporator operates among front and rear evaporators, the refrigerant pressure at a low-pressure side is forcibly changed so that a rear thermal expansion valve of the rear evaporator is forcibly opened. As a result, lubrication oil staying in the rear evaporator and a low-pressure pipe is introduced into the suction side of the compressor by a refrigerant flow due to a valve opening of the rear thermal expansion valve of the rear evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masahide Honda
  • Patent number: 6138467
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system in steady state operation drives the refrigerant system to the lowest capacity state which is still able to maintain operation within acceptable pressure and temperature limits. Generally, the system seeks to minimize the on and off compressor cycling. The lowest capacity state is achieved by throttling the compressor suction and by staging down the compressor operation from economized to normal and to unloaded mode while assuring that desired box temperature is maintained. Safety methods are incorporated into the system to ensure that the operation does not violate limits on suction pressure, discharge pressure, and compressor discharge temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Boris Karpman
  • Patent number: 6092379
    Abstract: The supercritical refrigerating circuit has a first pressure reducing valve for reducing pressure of refrigerant flows into a first evaporator and a second pressure reducing valve for reducing pressure of refrigerant flows into a second evaporator. The first pressure reducing valve further controls refrigerant pressure at an outlet of a gas cooler. Accordingly, the supercritical refrigerant circuit is controlled without increasing the number of the pressure reducing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Nishida, Naruhide Kimura, Yukikatsu Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6082125
    Abstract: An energy management system is disclosed that includes first, second and third heat exchangers, a compressor to provide compressed refrigerant for selective delivery to the heat exchangers, an expansion valve for the first and second heat exchangers for selectively delivering expanding refrigerant thereto, and a control valve communicating with the heat exchangers, expansion valves and compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Peter Savtchenko
  • Patent number: 6067815
    Abstract: A low-cost and thermodynamically efficient implementation of a two-stage refrigeration system applied to a retail refrigerator. The invention includes a simple and easily manufactured thermally efficient and low-cost evaporation unit. The invention further includes a thermal energy storage module and an energy efficient control protocol to maintain steady temperatures in the fresh and frozen food sections, to permit energy efficient defrosting of the heat exchange surfaces in the freezer section, and minimize losses associated with condensing unit on-and-off cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: TES Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. James
  • Patent number: 6006527
    Abstract: A refrigeration system having a plurality of cooled surfaces, each of which has a thermostatically controlled refrigerant supply valve. The valves are pulse-width modulated, each having the same period and being so controlled so they have staggered openings relative to one another thus providing a more uniform load on the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Kim Hansen, Christian Bendtsen
  • Patent number: 5822996
    Abstract: A heat pump system has a separate outdoor coil which is mounted below the primary outdoor coil and connected in parallel with it by valves. On system start up in the heating mode, the inlet of the auxiliary coil is closed, and the outlet is opened so that compressor vacuum will boil off the more volatile, high pressure components thus filling the system. The outlet valve is then closed trapping the low pressure component in the auxiliary coil. In a second embodiment, the accumulator is utilized to assist the auxiliary coil in vacuum separation of the refrigerant blend. Variants include blocking flow through the expansion valve on start up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Tobias H. Sienel, Dennis R. Pandy
  • Patent number: 5709097
    Abstract: A multiroom airconditioner includes a plurality of indoor units, each of them having an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger and a device for equalizing the pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the indoor units to the outdoor unit, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger is divided into an identical number of sections as that of the indoor heat exchanger, each of the sections being connected to each of the indoor units in one to one basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Mando Machinery Corp.
    Inventors: Tae-Geun Kim, Kew-Wan Kim, Jeong-Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 5678418
    Abstract: An air-conditioner wherein the lubrication oil flowing through the refrigerant passage along with the refrigerant is reliably returned to the refrigerant compressor by having the refrigerant piping at the suction side of the compressor comprised of a first refrigerant piping and a second refrigerant piping connected in series with the same, the large diameter first refrigerant piping extending from a high position to a low position and the relatively small diameter second refrigerant piping extending in substantially the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Ueno, Noriyoshi Miyajima, Osamu Ishida, Takashi Kageyama
  • Patent number: 5560217
    Abstract: A heat pump type air conditioning system comprises an air duct in which air flows in a given direction with an aid of an electric air blower. A condenser is disposed in the air duct. A compressor has an outlet connected to an inlet of the condenser. A receiver dryer has an inlet connected to an outlet of the condenser. An outside expansion valve has an inlet connected to an outlet of the receiver dryer through a first passage. An outside evaporator has both an inlet connected to an outlet of the outside expansion valve and an outlet connected to an inlet of the compressor through a second passage. An inside evaporator is disposed in the air duct at a position upstream of the condenser. An inside expansion valve has both an inlet connected to the first passage and an outlet connected to an inlet of the inside evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Calsonic Corporation
    Inventors: Torahide Takahashi, Nobushige Suzuki, Kiyoshi Koike
  • Patent number: 5461876
    Abstract: An improved combined ambient-air and earth exchange heat pump system includes a subterranean heat exchanger and an ambient-air heat exchanger, both refrigerant-based, which are adapted to be selectively operated individually, serially or in parallel for heating and cooling purposes. The system also includes a compressor, a dynamic load heat exchanger, a reversing valve for converting the system from heating to cooling and vice versa, storage for excess refrigerant including an accumulator, an optional preheat exchanger, a regulating assembly with bleed port arrangement, a bypass mechanism for repetitive start-up attempts, and a lost charge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: William E. Dressler
  • Patent number: 5400609
    Abstract: A refrigeration system of the type having an economizer cycle is provided with a null cycle, in addition to heating and cooling cycles, without shutting a compressor prime mover down, to preserve air flow in a conditioned space. First, second and third controllable valves respectively: (1) select main and auxiliary condensers, (2) open and close a liquid line, and (3) open and close a line which provides a warm liquid to an economizer heat exchanger. The valves are controlled in at least one predetermined open/close pattern during a null cycle, and preferably in a plurality of selectable predetermined open/close patterns, to provide a null cycle at any instant which substantially matches the net heat gain or loss taking place in the conditioned space. Thus, the temperature of the served space will be more apt to remain in a null temperature range close to set point, providing smoother and more accurate control over the temperature of the conditioned space for longer shelf life of perishables stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars I. Sjoholm, Sung L. Kwon, Lee J. Erickson
  • Patent number: 5390507
    Abstract: A refrigerant evaporator for a refrigeration cycle provided with a heat exchanging unit, comprising a passageway to be cooled and a cooling passageway, and an evaporating unit for cooling the air, wherein a part of the inflowing refrigerant is divided, passed through a throttle to be reduced in pressure, and then passed through the cooling passageway of the heat exchanging unit, the inflowing refrigerant passing through the passageway to be cooled is cooled and completely changed to the liquid state and then passed into the evaporating unit, whereby the refrigerant is uniformly distributed to a plurality of refrigerant passageways of the evaporating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimoya, Shigeo Numazawa, Yoshiyuki Yamauchi, Etuo Hasegawa, Toshio Ohara, Keiichi Yoshii
  • Patent number: 5388419
    Abstract: A "DX" heat pump is provided herein which is based on the principle of providing optimal heat exchange in the heating mode through three parallel ground loops, two of which can be cut off from the system and evacuated of refrigerant in the cooling mode. The loops are designed in terms of volume so that the refrigerant charge is correct in the heating mode when split in three loops and also correct in the cooling mode when only one loop is used, but it contains the full system refrigerant charge. The loops are provided with "TX" metering valves which can be individually operated to provide a staged cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Maritime Geothermal Ltd.
    Inventor: Glen A. Kaye
  • Patent number: 5385035
    Abstract: A solenoid valve 70 is disposed in a pipe line between an expansion valve 60 and an evaporator 80 for rear seats side. When the cooling operation is switched to the operation of utilizing only evaporator 50 for front seats side from the operation of utilizing evaporators 50 and 80 for front seats side and rear seats side, the solenoid valve 70 is closed by closing the operation switches Sc and Sf. The solenoid valve 70 can restrain an occurrence of water hammer phenomenon by stopping a refrigerant flow in air-liquid phase at the downstream of an expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Nishida, Hiroshi Inatsu
  • Patent number: 5344069
    Abstract: Primarily-conditioned air is discharged from a heat source, and distributed into a plurality of rooms through a duct. The duct has a plurality of air passages connected to the rooms, and a damper is provided in each air passage for adjusting the flow of the primarily-conditioned air. Further, a heat exchanger is provided in each air passage, and connected to a refrigerating cycle for the heat source. The thermal load in each room is detected, and the required air flow in the room is determined based on the thermal load. The opening degree of a damper corresponding to the room is controlled on the basis of the required air flow. Each damper has an allowable minimum opening degree. When the opening degree of any damper becomes equal to the allowable minimum value, refrigerant flows into a heat exchanger corresponding to the damper, thereby correcting the temperature of the primarily-conditioned air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Narikiyo
  • Patent number: 5320167
    Abstract: A refrigeration system, which conditions the air of a conditioned space via heating and cooling cycles, includes a heat exchanger and, in a first embodiment, heat pipes. A cryogen is circulated through the heat exchanger during a cooling cycle. During a heating cycle the flow of cryogen is terminated and heat is transferred into the heat exchanger via the heat pipes. In another embodiment, the temperature of evaporation of a liquid cryogen in the heat exchanger is selected according to the desired temperature of the conditioned space, via selectable cryogen flow paths which provide different pressures and thus different evaporation temperatures. Vaporized cryogen drives a motor connected to a fan which circulates air between the conditioned space and heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Dale T. Johnson, Roland L. Roehrich, Herman H. Viegas
  • Patent number: 5237832
    Abstract: An energy efficient cooling system for marine applications which makes use of phase change and non-phase change thermal storage mediums to provide refrigerating and freezing temperatures in insulated ice box(es) for the storage of perishable foods while also providing air conditioning to human occupied cabin spaces. The invention is particularly well suited for ocean-going long distance pleasurecraft where energy is in short supply and only sporadically available. Suitable power supplies for the system include electro-chemical storage batteries, wind generators, photovoltaics, internal combustion generators and auxiliary engine powering DC alternators. The invention uses a single primary cooling circuit (8) comprised of a single refrigeration compressor (9), sea water cooled condenser (10), sea water pump (11), receiver (12) and filter/dryer (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Gerald A. Alston
  • Patent number: 5172559
    Abstract: A compartmentalized transport refrigeration system which holds selected set point temperatures in at least first and second served spaces via heating and cooling cycles. The system includes a refrigerant circuit having high and low pressure sides, including a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, at least first and second evaporator sections respectively associated with the first and second served spaces, an accumulator, and a mode selector valve having heating and cooling positions. Control provides a heat signal when the need for a heating cycle in one of the served spaces is detected. The receiver is connected to the low pressure side of the refrigerant circuit for a predetermined period of time in response to the heat signal. At the end of the period of time the mode selector valve is operated from the cooling position to the heating position, and the connection between the receiver and low pressure side is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Renken, John P. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5168713
    Abstract: A method of operating a compartmentalized transport refrigeration system having first, second and third compartments respectively served by a host refrigeration unit and first and second remote refrigeration units. The method includes the steps of providing a first signal when either of the first and second remote refrigeration units is in a cooling cycle, cycling the host refrigeration unit between cooling and heating cycles to hold a selected set point temperature of a fresh load in the first compartment, in the absence of the first signal, and providing a predetermined null period between the heating and cooling cycles of the host unit when the first signal is present. In a preferred embodiment a prime mover for a refrigerant compressor is operable at a selected one of high and low speeds, with the method including the step of preventing high speed operation when any remote refrigeration unit is in a heating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Leland L. Howland
  • Patent number: 5142877
    Abstract: Refrigerant flowing through each air conditioning unit of a multiple air conditioning system is respectively detected by a refrigerant flow sensor provided in each air conditioning unit and the degree of opening of a refrigerant flow control valve arranged in each air conditioning unit is controlled in response to the detection result of the corresponding refrigerant flow sensor to supply an appropriate amount of refrigerant to each air conditioning unit. The capacity of the compressor of a refrigerant supply unit of the multiple air conditioning system is controlled based on the detection result of each refrigerant flow sensor and the actual opening degree of each refrigerant flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Keiichirou Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5129235
    Abstract: A vehicle (14) having first and second cargo spaces (32,34) to be conditioned by a transport refrigeration unit (12), with the vehicle having a front wall (24) and a rear wall (26). A partition (30) in the vehicle defines the first and second cargo spaces, which extend side-by-side from the front wall to the rear wall. The rear wall is provided with separate doors (36,38) for gaining access to the first and second cargo spaces. The transport refrigeration unit includes a frame (44) supporting first and second evaporator units (50,52). The frame and evaporator units are mounted on the outside front wall of the vehicle, with the first and second evaporator units being in air flow communication with the first and second cargo spaces, respectively, via suitable openings (40,42) in the front wall. Electrical control independently controls the first and second evaporator units to condition the air in the first and second cargo spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Renken, Robert D. Pfankuch, Donald J. Bongaards
  • Patent number: 5095712
    Abstract: A refrigeration circuit is provided in which economizer control is provided together with variable capacity control. Constant cooling is achieved by controlling an economizer cycle responsive to the suction pressure of the compressor. Additionally, compressor discharge temperature is controlled by controlling the portion of liquid refrigerant supplied to the interstage line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Peter P. Narreau
  • Patent number: 5079930
    Abstract: A flash gas filter system detects a low level of refrigerant flowing in a conduit of a refrigeration system by measuring a temperature drop across a sub-cooler connected to the conduit. The sub-cooler has a liquid process circuit for passing the refrigerant and a refrigerating circuit connected by a manual expansion valve to an outlet of the liquid process circuit for producing a predetermined temperature drop across the sub-cooler when the refrigeration system is fully charged. The temperature drop in the refrigerant is reduced by the presence of bubbles caused by a low refrigerant level. The reduced temperature drop is detected and an alarm signal is generated by a computerized filter system control. The control also can monitor liquid line temperature for protection against malfunctioning condensers generate maintenance information and warn of potential malfunction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Atron, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Beaverson, David A. Clay
  • Patent number: 5065587
    Abstract: A compartmentalized transport refrigeration system having refrigeration control, and interconnected host and remote refrigeration units for respectively conditioning the air in front and rear compartments of a trailer. The trailer has front and rear doors for access to the front and rear compartments, respectively, and a door switch connected to the refrigeration control which modifies the operation of the refrigeration system when the front access door is opened. When the front access door is opened, the host refrigeration unit is operated in null and the remote refrigeration unit is cycled between heating and cooling modes. A door switch may also be provided for the second access door which modifies the operation of the transport refrigeration system by effectively turning the remote refrigeration unit off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Leland L. Howland, Jan M. Parker, Doyle G. Herrig, David A. Swanson
  • Patent number: 4959972
    Abstract: A refrigerant-compression temperature regulation system providing for suction gas cooling includes: (a) a compressor for compressing the refrigerant in vapor and gaseous phase; (b) a condenser downstream from the compressor for condensing the compressed refrigerant to liquid phase; (c) a first valve downstream from the condenser for creating a predetermined pressure drop; (d) a first evaporator downstream from the first valve for transferring heat between a load and the refrigerant; (e) a suction gas return line leading from the first evaporator to the compressor for returning heated refrigerant to a suction inlet of the compressor; and, (f) a first indirect heat exchanger having a suction gas cooling path from the first valve to upstream of the first evaporator, the first indirect heat exchanger for passively transferring heat from the gas and vapor phase refrigerant in the suction gas return line to the vapor phase refrigerant entering the first evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Mydax, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert R. Lowes
  • Patent number: 4959968
    Abstract: A method for controlling the defrosting of evaporators provided for refrigerator-freezer units which are cooled by a single compressor. The method includes the steps of forcedly resetting the defrosting timer to its cooling mode after entering defrosting mode after the defrosting of a preset number of evaporators. The remaining undefrosted evaporators are warmed by their remaining heat after the forced resetting, by supplying electric current to their defrosting heaters sooner than the already defrosted evaporators in the next defrosting, by supplying additional electric current to their defrosting heaters after the forced resetting, by accomplishing a complete defrosting in an unsalable mode, by using outside air for defrosting by stopping their outer fans or by additional heating via auxiliary defrosting heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 4947655
    Abstract: There is disclosed a refrigeration system employing multi-stage compressors, several unique modes of operation thereof, a sub-cooler/economizer for sub-cooling the condensed refrigerant prior to vaporization in the evaporator, as well as an improved expansion valve arrangement for controlling second stage discharge temperature, another valve arrangement for controlling economizer liquid discharge temperature, an interstage intercooler for use in a hot water system, a satellite compressor arrangement for ultra-low temperature applications, and an improved liquid-suction heat exchange arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventor: David N. Shaw
  • Patent number: 4939910
    Abstract: An air conditioner provided with a heat-pump system refrigerating cycle including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, an indoor heat exchanger installed within a room, and a radiation type heat exchanger connected in a circuit. An indoor unit includes the indoor heat exchanger, the radiation type heat exchanger displaced in a state exposed to the room and an indoor fan. A selector is provided to select between a warm-air heating during which the indoor fan is turned on and a radiant heating during which the indoor fan is turned off. The capacity of the compressor during the radiant heating mode is adjusted below the capacity during the warm-air heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventors: Kenji Umezu, Hiroshi Ito, Jitsuo Ikeya
  • Patent number: 4896512
    Abstract: A compartmentalized transport refrigeration system including a refrigeration system having a compressor and first and second selectable refrigeration circuits normally associated with cooling and heating modes, respectively, a trailer having at least first and second compartments, a host evaporator, a condenser in the first refrigeration circuit, and at least one remote evaporator, with the evaporators each being associated with a trailer compartment. The second refrigeration circuit is selected when a remote evaporator requires heating, and when another evaporator requires cooling while a remote evaporator requires heating, refrigerant is returned to the compressor via the first refrigeration circuit and the evaporator requiring cooling, entering the first refrigeration circuit at a point which by-passes the normal condenser function, to cause the evaporator requiring heating to function as a condenser for the evaporator requiring cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Leland L. Howland
  • Patent number: 4815298
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprising, in combination, an evaporator, control means controlling the flow of a liquid refrigerant at a reduced pressure to said evaporator for producing a gaseous refrigerant at a lower pressure and temperature in said evaporator, a compressor for receiving said gaseous refrigerant from said evaporator and compressing said refrigerant to produce a refrigerant at an increased temperature and pressure, a condenser remote from said compressor and evaporator for receiving said refrigerant at increased temperature and pressure and condensing the same to a liquid, a receiver for receiving said condensed liquid refrigerant, first transport means normally supplying said condensed liquid from said receiver to said control means, second transport means supplying said condensed liquid from said control means to said evaporator, a first bypass valve for supplying gaseous refrigerant at said increased pressure and temperature to the interior of said receiver falls below a predetermined value, a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Leon C. Van Steenburgh, Jr.