Of Or By Evaporation Zone Patents (Class 62/216)
  • Patent number: 12000604
    Abstract: A failure diagnosis system diagnoses the state of an air-conditioning apparatus having a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant circulates. The failure diagnosis system has an abnormality diagnosis unit that performs normal-operation abnormality diagnosis for determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the air-conditioning apparatus by using state data and control data during normal operation of the air-conditioning apparatus. If the abnormality diagnosis unit determines that there is an abnormality, it changes a control value for an actuator of the air-conditioning apparatus and acquires state data and control data. Then, the abnormality diagnosis unit performs abnormality-cause identification diagnosis for identifying the cause of the abnormality in the air-conditioning apparatus by using the state data and the control data acquired before the change of the control value and the state data and the control data acquired after the change of the control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiro Koyano
  • Patent number: 11971203
    Abstract: A refrigerant amount determining device includes: an operation data acquiring unit configured to acquire operation data of an air conditioning system; a calculating unit configured to calculate a refrigerant amount index value from the operation data acquired; an inferring unit configured to infer information regarding correction of the refrigerant amount index value using a correction model and at least one of the acquired operation data or the calculated refrigerant amount index value; and a determining unit configured to determine a refrigerant amount of the air conditioning system based on the information regarding correction of the refrigerant amount index value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Yoshimi, Takeshi Hikawa, Shinichi Kasahara, Shohei Yamada, Hiroyuki Kagitani, Hidetaka Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 11448426
    Abstract: A cooling system is configured for arranging a cooling machine and a heat exchanger, for example, inside and outside a heat insulation box. A cooling unit for discharging cooled air by heat exchange using a refrigerant and a heat exchange unit for returning the refrigerant to a coolable condition are connected by a connection portion connecting the upper portions to form an integrated cooling device. The connection portion is arranged so as to straddle an end of a sidewall of the heat insulation box, the cooling unit is arranged inside the heat insulation box, and the heat exchange unit is arranged outside the heat insulation box. During storage or movement by a delivery vehicle, the cooling device is mounted on the heat insulation box. When carrying with hand, only the heat insulation box from which the cooling device is removed can be carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: WACON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Nishida, Hitoshi Fujino, Takeshi Kawaguchi, Hideo Uehara, Masaaki Mike
  • Patent number: 11340002
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that includes a vapor compression system having a refrigerant, a compressor of the vapor compression system configured to circulate the refrigerant through the vapor compression system, an expansion device of the vapor compression system configured to adjust a flow of the refrigerant through the vapor compression system, and a controller configured to adjust a position of the expansion device based on a measured amount of superheat of the refrigerant entering the compressor, a measured discharge temperature of the refrigerant leaving the compressor, or a combination thereof, such that the measured amount of superheat of the refrigerant entering the compressor reaches a target amount of superheat, the measured discharge temperature of the refrigerant leaving the compressor reaches a target discharge temperature, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Gail Elaine Lindberg, Curtis Christian Crane, Carlos Jose Uribe
  • Patent number: 11209125
    Abstract: A transport container for helium, with an inner container for receiving the helium, a coolant container for receiving a cryogenic liquid (N2), an outer container, in which the inner container and the coolant container are contained, a thermal shield, in which the inner container is contained and which can be actively cooled with the aid of a liquid phase of the cryogenic liquid (LN2), the thermal shield having at least one first cooling line, in which the liquid phase of the cryogenic liquid can be received for actively cooling the thermal shield, and an insulating element, which is arranged between the outer container and the thermal shield and which can be actively cooled with the aid of a gaseous phase of the cryogenic liquid (GN2), the insulating element having at least one second cooling line, in which the gaseous phase of the cryogenic liquid can be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Linde GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Posselt
  • Patent number: 11129951
    Abstract: A medical vaporizer includes a liquid drug reservoir configured to receive and hold a liquid drug. A low power graphical display is configured to intermittently receive power. The low power graphical display is operable to visually present information and maintain the visual presentation of information in the absence of power. A controller is configured to intermittently receive power and upon receiving power the controller operates to determine a status of a medical vaporizer. The controller operates the low power graphical display to present the status of the medical vaporizer as visually presented information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shawn Thomas Whitman, Michael Eric Jones, Robert Q. Tham
  • Patent number: 11035603
    Abstract: An active/passive freezer system includes the capability to both actively cool a payload bay and passively maintain close to that temperature for extended periods of time; a freezer unit with a payload bay that can rapidly reduce its internal temperature; a thermal battery; a heat exchanger where liquid Nitrogen flows through; insulation that significantly reduces heat gain from external sources; and the capability to have separate units for cooling the payload bay and maintaining the temperature within the payload bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Reflect Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Scott Ellis, William Grant Moon, Steven Victor Boyce, Denton Journeay Markwalter
  • Patent number: 10906374
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an air conditioning compressor, and a controller configured to operate the compressor based on temperature value, responsive to the temperature values being faulty and refrigerant pressure values exceeding a first threshold, operate the compressor based on the refrigerant pressure values, and responsive to the refrigerant pressure values falling below a second threshold, deactivate the compressor for a rest of a drive cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rohan Shrivastava, Angel Fernando Porras
  • Patent number: 10562372
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for starting-up a vehicle air-conditioning system. In one aspect, a method is performed at a vehicle air-conditioning system including a blower fan, a condenser fan, and a compressor electrically coupled to a battery system. The method includes: (1) starting the blower fan; (2) after starting the blower fan, measuring a first current drawn from the battery system, the first current indicative of current drawn by the blower fan; (3) in accordance with a determination that the first current meets predefined criteria, starting the condenser fan; (4) after starting the condenser fan, measuring a second current drawn from the battery system, where the difference between the second current and the first current is indicative of current drawn by the condenser fan; and (5) in accordance with a determination that the second current meets predefined second criteria, starting the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Bergstrom, Inc.
    Inventors: Bjorn M. Hansson, Eric A. Elias
  • Patent number: 10557660
    Abstract: A heat exchanging portion and tank portions are formed by bonding plate members. The tank portion is provided with a refrigerant inlet allowing a refrigerant to flow into a refrigerant tank space, a refrigerant outlet allowing the refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant tank space, a heat medium inlet allowing a heat medium to flow into a heat medium tank space, and a heat medium outlet allowing the heat medium to flow from the heat medium tank space. At least one of the refrigerant inlet, the refrigerant outlet, the heat medium inlet, and the heat medium outlet is disposed between both ends of the tank portions in a tube stacking direction of refrigerant tubes and heat medium tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuharu Kakehashi, Yoshiki Katoh
  • Patent number: 9829222
    Abstract: Cold storage unit apparatuses designed for high energy efficiency are provided, which may include: a refrigeration system; a box enclosing an interior space, the box formed by a plurality of insulated sides; an entry into the interior space including a plurality of openable barriers facilitating preventing entry of heat or moisture into the interior space; and a power system connected to the refrigeration system, the power system facilitating independent operation of the refrigeration system when not connected to a power grid, and further facilitating a net energy use of zero from a power grid when connected to a power grid. Cold storage units may further include systems for using the refrigerant of the refrigeration system to defrost one or more components of the cold storage unit, and for using the refrigerant to facilitate maintaining a desired internal temperature of the interior space of the cold storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ZEROENERGY BUILDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: K. George Keleshian, Suresh Krishnaji Bhate
  • Patent number: 9809310
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger service device for receiving goods for cold storage to be supplied to aircraft passengers includes a receiving device having a viewing apparatus, a coolant inlet for feeding a coolant into the receiving device, and a coolant outlet for discharging the coolant from the receiving device. The viewing apparatus is designed to enable a user to inspect goods stored in the receiving device before removal. The aircraft passenger service device further includes a cooling arrangement having a coolant circuit line connected to the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet of the receiving device, and a device that directs into the coolant circuit line a refrigerant fluid flowing through a refrigerant fluid circuit line of a central cooling system of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Kenan Sönmez, Markus Kerber, Volker Brakhan
  • Patent number: 9789749
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for motor-vehicles includes a thermally controlled expansion valve unit for regulating the expansion of the fluid upstream of the evaporator, depending upon the temperature downstream of the evaporator. An intermediate heat exchanger provides a heat exchange between the conduit upstream of the evaporator and the conduit downstream of the evaporator. The expansion valve unit is arranged in such a way that its temperature sensor detects a temperature of the fluid along the conduit downstream of the evaporator at a portion of this conduit which is located downstream also with respect to the intermediate heat exchanger. A connecting flange is interposed between the evaporator and the thermally controlled expansion valve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Riccardo Seccardini, Walter Ferraris
  • Patent number: 9739520
    Abstract: A contact freezer (10) combining the techniques of plate freezing and impingement freezing. One or more cooling modules (11) are disposed sequentially with a continuous conveyor (14) for carrying a food product. Each cooling module (11) includes a refrigerated plate (16) disposed underneath and supporting the conveyor (14). The food product is simultaneously cooled using the impingement freezing technique. A cooling coil (19) is disposed above the conveyor (14). One or more fans (22) disposed below the cooling coil (19) circulate air downwardly through the cooling coil (19) and through an array of diverters (23) so that high speed cooled air is directed onto the food product. The contact freezer (10) may also include a pre-chilling section (12) with a refrigerated plate (24) but without impingement freezing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Miller, Darin L. Chancellor
  • Patent number: 9714776
    Abstract: A cryocooler may comprise a first stage, a second stage and a phase control device. The first stage may define a first volume. The second stage may define a second volume. The phase control device may be positioned between the first stage and the second stage to receive a flow of working fluid between the first stage and the second stage. The phase control device may comprise a flange and a plunger. The flange may be positioned along a longitudinal axis parallel a direction of the working fluid flow. The plunger may be translatable along the longitudinal axis at least partially within the flange. The plunger and the flange may be sized such that the plunger and the flange define a gap there between and a dimension of the gap is determined by a position of the plunger along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sidney W. K. Yuan, Jee S. Cha
  • Publication number: 20150135747
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger including a plate package, which includes a number of first and second heat exchanger plates which are joined to each other and arranged side by side in such a way that first and second plate interspaces are formed. At least two injectors are provided, each injector being arranged to supply a first fluid to at least one of the first plate interspaces in the at least one plate package and at least one valve is arranged to control the supply of the first fluid to the at least two injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Klas Bertilsson, Anders Nyander, Alvaro Zorzin
  • Patent number: 8966919
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a heat source unit, usage units, and a controller. The heat source unit has a compression mechanism, a heat-source-side heat exchanger operable at least as an evaporator, and a heat-source-side expansion valve. The usage units have usage-side heat exchangers operable at least as condensers, and usage-side expansion valves. The controller regulates the opening degree of the heat-source-side expansion valve based on the opening degrees of the usage-side expansion valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kousuke Kibo, Shinichi Kasahara
  • Publication number: 20150027157
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a medicinal storage container includes: a desiccant unit including external walls forming a gas-impermeable barrier around an interior desiccant region and including an aperture; a heating element; a controller operably attached to the heating element; a cooling unit; a compressor system including at least one evaporator coil unit, the compressor operably connected to the controller; a vapor conduit, the vapor conduit attached to a the desiccant unit at a first end, the vapor conduit attached to the evaporative cooling unit at a second end, the vapor conduit forming an internal, gas-impermeable passageway between the desiccant unit and the cooling unit; a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit and operably attached to the controller; and a medicinal storage unit including external walls encircling a medicinal storage region including a temperature sensor operably connected to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nels R. Peterson, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8919139
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit, an operation controlling device and a liquid refrigerant accumulation determining device. The refrigerant circuit has an accumulator. The operation controlling device performs normal operation control where each device of the heat source unit and the utilization unit are controlled in accordance with operating load of the utilization unit, and refrigerant quantity determination operation control where properness of quantity of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is determined while performing the cooling operation. The liquid refrigerant accumulation determining device determines whether or not liquid refrigerant is accumulating in the accumulator. When it has been determined that liquid refrigerant is accumulating in the accumulator, liquid refrigerant accumulation control is performed to eliminate liquid refrigerant accumulation in the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takurou Yamada, Masato Kotake, Takahiro Yamaguchi, Tadafumi Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20140360215
    Abstract: When a refrigerant evaporation temperature of an interior evaporator cannot be set lower than a dew-point temperature of air flowing into the interior evaporator in a heating operation, a refrigerant circuit is switched to a normal heating operation mode in which a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the interior evaporator is set to zero by allowing the refrigerant to flow toward a bypass passage. In a case where the air cannot be dehumidified by the interior evaporator, an unnecessary heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant in the interior evaporator can be suppressed. Thus, the energy of the vehicle air conditioner can be effectively prevented from being wasted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Atsushi Inaba
  • Publication number: 20140083124
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a high-temperature side circulation circuit, a low-temperature side circulation circuit, a cascade capacitor, and control means. The high-temperature side circulation circuit forms a refrigerant circuit in which a high-temperature side compressor, a high-temperature side condenser, a high-temperature side expansion device, and a high-temperature side evaporator are connected by a pipe. The refrigerant circuit allows a high-temperature side refrigerant to circulate therethrough. The high-temperature side refrigerant has a carbon-carbon double bond in its molecular structure. The high-temperature side compressor has a variable discharge capacity and is configured to discharge the high-temperature side refrigerant. The low-temperature side circulation circuit forms a refrigerant circuit in which a low-temperature side compressor, a low-temperature side condenser, a low-temperature side expansion device, and a low-temperature side evaporator are connected by a pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi SUGIMOTO, Tetsuya YAMASHITA, Takashi IKEDA
  • Patent number: 8646286
    Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigeration system having a refrigerant disposed within a fluid-tight circulation loop with a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, wherein the method includes the steps of (a) compressing refrigerant in a gaseous state within the compressor and cooling the refrigerant within the condenser to yield refrigerant in the liquefied state; (b) flowing refrigerant from the condenser into the evaporator, wherein the refrigerant partially exists in a two-phase state; (c) flowing refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor; (d) repeating steps (a)-(c); (e) detecting the condition of the refrigerant with a sensor disposed within the evaporator upstream of the outlet opening; and (f) controlling the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator in step (b) based upon the detected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: PDX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John Scherer, Ralph Tator
  • Publication number: 20130319026
    Abstract: An air conditioner reduces fuel consumption of a vehicle. The air conditioner includes a control device which controls an operation state of a compressor. The control device determines whether control of a temperature of an evaporator based on a traveling state of the vehicle is to be performed in an ordinary mode or in a cool storage mode. When the control device determines that the temperature control is to be performed in the ordinary mode, the control device controls the driving of the compressor using an ordinary mode target temperature map. When the control device determines that the temperature control is to be performed in the cool storage mode, the control device controls the driving of the compressor using a cool storage mode target temperature map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Teruaki Tsuji, Makoto Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20130213065
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a multi-capacity compressor and a refrigerant circuit with two conduits and pressure reducing devices arranged in parallel between an evaporator and a condenser. Refrigerant can flow through one, both or none of the conduits and pressure reducing devices. The appliance also has a heat exchanger in contact with either one pressure reducing device, or one conduit between the pressure reducing device and the valve system. The appliance also includes a controller for priming the compressor above a nominal capacity for a predetermined or calculated duration at the beginning of an ON-cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ALBERTO REGIO GOMES, STEVEN J. KUEHL, ANDREW D. LITCH, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20130213066
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a refrigerant circuit between a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor that includes two conduits and pressure reducing devices arranged in parallel between the evaporator and the condenser. The appliance also includes a valve system to direct refrigerant through one, both or none of the conduits and pressure reducing devices, and a heat exchanging member in thermal contact with either one pressure reducing device, or one conduit between the pressure reducing device and the valve system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDREW D. LITCH, GUOLIAN WU
  • Patent number: 8505321
    Abstract: For cooling operation, a refrigeration apparatus includes a heat-source-side valve opening controller for controlling a degree of opening of a heat-source-side expansion valve so that pressure of a refrigerant flowing into the utilization-side expansion valve in the cooling operation becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined reference pressure value. For heating operation, the refrigeration apparatus includes a utilization-side valve opening controller for performing, when a low-quantity utilization unit in which a quantity of the refrigerant falls below a quantity of the refrigerant required for delivering capacity of the utilization unit is found among a plurality of the utilization units in the heating operation, valve opening reducing operation of reducing a degree of opening of the utilization-side expansion valve of the utilization unit except for the low-quantity utilization unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawano, Shinya Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20130166079
    Abstract: Open-loop cooling systems and methods are provided which can be used in many different capacities, including as mobile, personal cooling systems for people engaging in strenuous activities or working in situations where body temperature maintenance is a concern. Efficient use of refrigerant in combination with phase change material provides sustained cooling capability in some embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Kurt R. Wilhelm, David J. Sykes
  • Patent number: 8418498
    Abstract: A refrigeration device includes an interior that is divided up into two refrigeration zones with each refrigeration zone having an evaporator and a compressor for supplying the evaporator with a refrigerant. A control for operating the compressors can be operated in different modes of operation depending on predetermined conditions. In a normal mode, the at least two compressors are exclusively operated at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Hausmann, Hans Ihle
  • Publication number: 20130086930
    Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigeration system having a refrigerant disposed within a circulation loop with a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, wherein the method includes the steps of (a) compressing the refrigerant within the compressor and cooling the refrigerant within the condenser; (b) flowing the refrigerant to the evaporator; (c) reducing the pressure of the refrigerant within the evaporator; (d) flowing refrigerant from an outlet opening of the evaporator to the compressor; (e) repeating steps (a)-(d); and (f) controlling the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator in step (b) based upon the condition of the refrigerant within the evaporator upstream of the outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: John Scherer, Ralph Tator
  • Publication number: 20120216556
    Abstract: A refrigeration managing apparatus that can reduce the time taken to determine refrigerant piping groups which connect refrigerant supply devices and cooling devices is provided. When determining cooling devices connected to refrigerant supply devices using refrigerant pipes, the refrigeration managing apparatus detects changes in the temperatures of evaporators of the cooling devices when the refrigerant supply devices are operated/stopped in accordance with change patterns which are stored in advance, which are determined on the basis of the number of refrigerant supply devices, and in which the states of the refrigerant supply devices are changed with time by being switched between an in-operation state and a stopped state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Osamu Kanbara
  • Publication number: 20120117996
    Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system includes an upper portion having at least one modular chiller unit that provides cooling to at least one of a low temperature subsystem having a plurality of low temperature loads, and a medium temperature subsystem having a plurality of medium temperature loads. The modular chiller unit includes a refrigerant circuit having at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. An ammonia refrigerant mixed with a soluble oil circulates within the refrigerant circuit. A control device may be programmed to modulate the position of the expansion device so that a superheat temperature of the ammonia refrigerant near an outlet of the evaporator fluctuates within a substantially predetermined superheat temperature range to positively return soluble oil from the evaporator to the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: David K. Hinde, John D. Bittner, Shitong Zha, Joseph R. Poland
  • Patent number: 8161763
    Abstract: A refrigerator control method is disclosed which ensures efficient operation of a compressor. To control a refrigerator including a compressor, a first evaporator and a second evaporator connected to the compressor, and a refrigerant control valve that controls introduction of a refrigerant into the first evaporator and the second evaporator, the refrigerator control method includes operating the compressor, and controlling the opening and closing of the refrigerant control valve, to reduce not only consumption of electricity by the compressor, but also a pressure difference between an entrance and an exit of the compressor upon starting of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hoon Yun, Hyoung Keun Lim, Gye Young Song
  • Publication number: 20110197605
    Abstract: A heat exchanger usable as an evaporator in a refrigerant cycle device includes a heat exchanging portion configured to perform heat exchange between refrigerant and air so as to evaporate the refrigerant. A thermal deformation member is provided in en entire range on a surface of the heat exchanging portion, to be deformed bordering on a predetermined temperature when the surface of the heat exchanging portion is frosted to produce ice. The thermal deformation member is deformed by a temperature change between a first temperature lower than the predetermined temperature and a second temperature higher than the predetermined temperature, to cause distortion between the surface of the heat exchanging portion and the ice when the ice is attached to the surface of the heat exchanging portion. Thus, the ice attached to the surface of the heat exchanging portion can be effectively removed while heat energy for removing the ice can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Suzuki, Kodai Takeda, Masaaki Hirose
  • Publication number: 20110185753
    Abstract: A superheat control utilizes a sensor at a location downstream of an evaporator after some heat is delivered to the refrigerant. In one embodiment, the compressor is a sealed compressor with at least a portion of the refrigerant being heated by an electric motor. The temperature is sensed after the refrigerant temperature has increased after passing over the electric motor. In another embodiment, the refrigerant temperature is measured after some minimal compression and minimal temperature rise has occurred within the compressor pumping elements. In either case, by measuring the temperature of the refrigerant after some additional heat has been added to the refrigerant, the refrigerant super-heat leaving the evaporator can be controlled to a lower value. The improved superheat control enhances the system performance by increasing system efficiency, system capacity and improving oil return to the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras, Richard Lord
  • Publication number: 20110185757
    Abstract: A refrigeration system with a multi-function heat exchanger has a first heat exchanger with an internal partition defining a condenser, a subcooler and an evaporator. An expansion device is located external of the heat exchanger and receives condensed refrigerant from the subcooler and provides expanded refrigerant to the evaporator. A compressor circulates the refrigerant through the condenser, the subcooler, and the evaporator. A secondary coolant circulates through the subcooler, the evaporator and the loads. A control system receives refrigerant temperature and pressure signals, and provides a control signal to the expansion device to maintain a temperature of the refrigerant within a predetermined range. A second heat exchanger cools a condensing fluid circulating through the condenser to condense the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: John D. Bittner, Philip A. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20110056225
    Abstract: A cooling system and method are provided for facilitating two-phase heat transfer from an electronics system including a plurality of electronic devices to be cooled. The cooling system includes a plurality of evaporators coupled to the electronic devices, and a coolant loop for passing system coolant through the evaporators. The coolant loop includes a plurality of coolant branches coupled in parallel, with each coolant branch being coupled in fluid communication with a respective evaporator. The cooling system further includes a control unit for maintaining pressure of system coolant at a system coolant supply side of the coolant branches within a specific pressure range at or above saturation pressure of the system coolant for a given desired saturation temperature of system coolant into the evaporators to facilitate two-phase heat transfer in the plurality of evaporators from the electronic devices to the system coolant at the given desired saturation temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Patent number: 7841195
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a condensing unit, a flow distributor, and an evaporator connected to the condensing unit via the flow distributor. A pressure detector is configured to detect condensation pressure of the refrigerant. A calculation unit is configured to calculate a target condensation pressure of refrigerant necessary for the refrigerant to be an evaporation temperature in the evaporator. A controller is configured to control the condensing unit so that the condensation pressure of the refrigerant becomes equal to or more than the target condensation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Nakayama Engineering Company Limited
    Inventor: Junya Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7823401
    Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle device having an ejector, a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant flowing out of the ejector into at least a first refrigerant stream and a second refrigerant stream is located. A first evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant of the first refrigerant stream is located to allow the refrigerant to flow to a suction side of the compressor, and a second evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant of the second refrigerant stream is located to allow the refrigerant to flow to an upstream side of a refrigerant suction port of the ejector. In addition, the branch portion is located to maintain a dynamic pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the ejector, and the second evaporator is connected to the branch portion in a range where the dynamic pressure can be applied to an inside of the second evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Makoto Ikegami, Haruyuki Nishijima
  • Patent number: 7752855
    Abstract: An air conditioner has a heat source unit with a compressor and a heat source heat exchanger and utilization units with utilization expansion valves and utilization heat exchangers. The heat source unit and the utilization unit are interconnected via refrigerant communication pipes. The air conditioner is capable of switching and operating between a normal operation mode in which control of the respective devices is performed depending on the operation loads of the utilization units and a refrigerant quantity judging operation mode in which the utilization units perform cooling operation. The utilization expansion valves are controlled such that degrees of superheating at outlets of the utilization heat exchangers become a positive value, and an operation capacity of the compressor is controlled such that evaporation pressures in the utilization heat exchangers become constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromune Matsuoka, Junichi Shimoda, Kenji Sato, Kazuhide Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7739881
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle controls a second evaporator while a first evaporator is operating. The refrigeration cycle of the present invention makes a differential pressure between an inlet refrigerant pressure and an outlet refrigerant pressure of a second evaporator solenoid valve when starting or stopping the second evaporator during operation of the first evaporator smaller than the differential pressure when operating only the first evaporator, then opening or closing the second evaporator solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Matsunaga, Yoshitaka Tomatsu
  • Publication number: 20100089083
    Abstract: A refrigerated transport system has a container, a generator system, and a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system is electrically coupled to the generator to receive electric power and thermally coupled to the container. The refrigeration system includes an electrically powered compressor. A condenser is downstream of the compressor along a refrigerant flowpath. An expansión device is downstream of the compressor along the refrigerant flowpath. An evaporator is downstream of the expansión device along the refrigerant flowpath. A controller is coupled to the expansión device to control operation of the expansión device. The controller is configured to opérate the expansión device to control an evaporator superheat. The evaporator superheat is to be relatively high for a set temperature of a first valué associated with non-frozen perishables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nader S. Awwad, John R. Reason
  • Publication number: 20100010681
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing refrigerant to a liquid, an evaporator for evaporating liquid refrigerant from the condenser to a gas, an inner control loop for optimizing a supply of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator, and an outer control loop for optimizing a level of refrigerant in the evaporator, said outer control loop defining a supply rate for said inner control loop based on an optimization including measurement of evaporator performance, and said inner control loop optimizing liquid refrigerant supply based on said defined supply rate. Independent variables, such as proportion of oil in refrigerant, amount of refrigerant, contaminants, non-condensibles, scale and other deposits on heat transfer surfaces, may be estimated or measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin Zugibe, Riyaz Papar
  • Publication number: 20090314014
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a cooling or heating system including at least a compressor (2), a condenser (4), an expansion apparatus (17A; 17B) and a vaporiser (20). The invention is characterised essentially in that in the condenser or in proximity to an outlet of the condenser (4) there is a control apparatus (7A; 7B) arranged to receive liquid from the condenser (4) and that includes an outlet to a condensate channel (9) and an intake (14; 30) to a signal channel (6, 10; 31), in that the condensate channel (9) is connected to the expansion apparatus (17A; 17B), in that there is means (8, 11, 18, 30, 34) to vaporize liquid that comes into the signal channel (6, 10; 31), in that means (12, 13) are connected to the signal channel (6, 10; 31) to control the expansion apparatus' (17A; 17B) opening process whereby said control is affected by the amount of liquid that is vaporised in the signal channel (6, 10; 31). The invention also concerns a method for controlling a cooling or heating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Svenning Ericsson
  • Publication number: 20090095002
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating parameters for a refrigeration system having a variable speed compressor is provided. A compressor is connected to a condenser and an evaporator. An evaporator sensor outputs an evaporator signal corresponding to at least one of an evaporator pressure and an evaporator temperature. An inverter drive modulates electric power delivered to the compressor to modulate a speed of the compressor. The control module is connected to the inverter drive and receives the evaporator signal, monitors electrical power data and compressor speed data from said inverter drive, and calculates at least one of a condenser temperature and a condenser pressure based on the evaporator signal, the electrical power data, and the compressor speed data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. McSweeney, Stephen M. Seibel, Hung M. Pham
  • Publication number: 20090031735
    Abstract: A vapor compression cooling system having a control unit adapted to receive working fluid pressure or temperature information to control a condenser cooling fluid control valve to minimize flow changes through the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: LIEBERT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger D. NOLL, Gary HELMINK, Michael Jason GLOECKNER, Russell C. TIPTON, Benedict J. DOLCICH
  • Patent number: 7467521
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling an air conditioner, in which operation time periods of an outdoor unit is integrated, to determined a time point when an oil recovery operation is performed, and performing the oil recovery operation only when a summed rates, or a number of indoor units accessed with communication is higher than a value preset at a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Se Dong Chang, Yoon Been Lee, Jae Heuk Choi
  • Publication number: 20080250801
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation control is provided for a suction valve on a suction line, delivering refrigerant into a housing shell of a compressor. When the suction valve is closed, the pressure within the housing shell can become very low. Thus, a pressure regulator valve is included within the refrigerant system to selectively deliver a limited amount of refrigerant into the housing shell when the suction valve is closed. The delivery of this limited amount of refrigerant ensures that a specified pressure is maintained within the housing shell to achieve the most efficient operation while at the same time preventing problems associated with damage to electrical terminals, motor overheating and excessive discharge temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20080190125
    Abstract: A high-pressure side discharge port of a two-stage compressor (12A) and a condenser (14A) are connected, condenser (14A) and a PMV (15A) are connected, a refrigerating side exit of PMV (15A) is connected to a medium pressure side suction port of two-stage compressor (12A) via an R capillary tube (16A) and an F evaporator (18A), connected to an F evaporator (26A) via an F capillary tube (24A), F evaporator (26A) is connected to a low-pressure side suction port of two-stage compressor (12A) via a low-pressure suction pipe (28A), PMV (15A) can switch a simultaneous cooling mode and a freezing mode, and in the simultaneous cooling mode, a refrigerant flow rate toward R evaporator (18A) is adjusted by PMV (15A), and thereby a temperature difference control is performed so as to make a difference between an entrance temperature and an exit temperature of R evaporator (18A) equal to a preset temperature difference (for example, 4° C.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Takahiro Yoshioka, Hidetake Hayashi, Minoru Temmyo
  • Publication number: 20080184722
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a refrigeration circuit is disclosed. In the refrigeration circuit, a single-component or multi-component refrigerant, preferably a nitrogenous refrigerant, in particular nitrogen, circulates, where at least one partial stream of the refrigerant is expanded. The expansion of the refrigerant takes place in at least two expansion turbines that are arranged in series, and the temperature of the refrigerant at the exit of the expansion turbines, or at least at one of the exits of the expansion turbines, is above the saturation temperature of the refrigerant. In this connection, the temperature of the refrigerant at the exit of the expansion turbines, or at least at one of the exits of the expansion turbines, is less than 10° C., preferably less than 5° C., in particular less than 2° C., above the saturation temperature of the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andres KUENDIG
  • Publication number: 20070240439
    Abstract: An internal refrigerating machine heat exchanger (11) which increases the efficiency of the refrigerating machine (10) comprises a pipe having an internally arranged low-pressure channel and having a substantially larger cross-section than all of the high-pressure channels provided on the outside of the pipe. In addition, the inside width of the low-pressure channel is at least as large as the inside width of the connecting lines (17, 21). Preferably, the wall of the low-pressure channel is smooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Klug