Of Expansion Valve Or Variable Restrictor Patents (Class 62/222)
-
Patent number: 6786057Abstract: An air conditioning unit including an expansion device (4) of the refrigerating fluid loop controlled to set the internal heat exchanger efficiency &eegr;, represented by the equation: &eegr;=TccTsc/TsrTsct, wherein: TccTsc and Tsr are respectively temperatures at the compressor input (1), and at the evaporator output (5) and at the fluid cooler output (2), at a reference value such that the fluid leaves the evaporator in a completely gaseous state and without overheating.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Valeo ClimatisationInventor: Mohamed Ben Yahia
-
Publication number: 20040163399Abstract: This invention relates to an expansion valve, which has rectangular flow channels for assembling inlet and outlet pipes of an evaporator with an inlet pipe of a compressor and an outlet pipe of a condenser at an approximate right angle, and a guide part formed on the flow channel, thereby improving a mounting efficiency and reducing flow resistance and noise, and the expansion valve includes a body having at least one or more flow channels, each of which has inlets and outlets whose central lines are at a right angle to each other, and a guide part formed between the inlet and the outlet; a head part mounted on the body and reciprocating a rod in an axial direction by expansion and contraction actions according to a temperature change of the working fluid discharged from an outlet of an evaporator and flowing through the flow channel; and opening means for controlling a flow amount of the working fluid flowing through the flow channel according to the movement of the rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Halla Climate Control CorporationInventor: Hahkkyu Kim
-
Publication number: 20040154323Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating the air temperature within an interior compartment of a vehicle includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator interconnected in a manner to remove heat from air in the interior compartment. A thermostatic expansion valve is connected between the condenser and evaporator, and includes an inlet and an outlet. A silencer screen is positioned at the outlet of the thermostatic expansion valve to reduce turbulence in refrigerant flow exiting the thermostatic expansion valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventor: Harry E. Eustice
-
Publication number: 20040144111Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioning system provided with an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger, and a gaseous refrigerant pipe connecting the indoor heat exchanger to the compressor. The present invention serves to make it possible to run such an air conditioning system in cooling mode continuously even when the outside air temperature is low by preventing the indoor heat exchanger from freezing. The air conditioning system (1) is provided with one air-cooled outdoor unit (2) and a plurality of indoor units (3, 4, 5) connected in parallel to the outdoor unit (2). The indoor heat exchangers (23, 24, 25) and the compressor (11) are connected together by the gaseous refrigerant pipe (17). A pressure adjusting device (6) is installed in the gaseous refrigerant pipe (17).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventor: Hiromune Matsuoka
-
Publication number: 20040129008Abstract: Thermostatic expansion valve for a vehicle air-conditioning system including a housing and a power element supported by the housing. The power element includes a diaphragm, and a pressure pad disposed against the diaphragm. The pressure pad may be formed in one piece from copper, a copper alloy, or another material, which material may also be a blend, composite, mixture, or other combination, having a thermal conductivity of at least about 800 BTU-in/hr-ft2-° F. (115 W/m-K), and preferably 1200 BTU-in/hr-ft2-° F. (170 W/m-K), and more preferably at least about 2000 BTU-in/hr-ft2-° F. (280 W/m-K), and a density of at least about 0.3 lb/in3 (8 g/cm3), and is connected via a stem to a valve element in the housing to control the refrigerant flow between the condensor and evaporator. The use of such material in the pressure pad reduces the susceptibility of the valve to external temperature changes and reduces the hunting of the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Eugene A. Dianetti, Roy J. Nungesser, Daniel R. Rice, Gary A. Nearpass, Cary Haramoto
-
Publication number: 20040118140Abstract: A variable displacement compressor optionally varies displacement based upon pressure in a crank chamber for adjusting the pressure in the crank chamber by varying an opening degree of a passage that interconnects the crank chamber and one of relatively high and low pressure regions of the refrigeration cycle. A control valve of the variable displacement compressor has a valve seat and a valve. The valve seat has a seat surface for adjusting the opening degree of the passage. The valve has a valve surface for adjusting the opening degree of the passage. At least one of the seat surface and the valve surface is made of a material with relatively high hardness.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Satoshi Umemura, Hideki Mizutani, Masakazu Murase, Tatsuya Hirose, Yuji Hashimoto
-
Patent number: 6751970Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration and freezer system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion devise and an evaporator which includes an evaporator coil having an inlet and an outlet which coil is in heat exchange relation with an air medium along substantially the entire coil length. The inlet to the evaporator coil is in flow communication with an outlet of the expansion devise via an evaporator feedline.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: XDX, Inc.Inventor: David A. Wightman
-
Publication number: 20040112073Abstract: A refrigeration cycle for a vehicle air conditioning system allows the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger to exchange heat between a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, which is delivered from the sub-cooling condenser and directed to the evaporator, and a low-pressure refrigerant having a liquid and gas phase, which is delivered from the evaporator and directed to the compressor. The refrigeration cycle also allows the amount of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigeration cycle to be adjusted in response to the level of sub-cooling upstream of a throttle hole of a reverse sub-cooling control valve to thereby indirectly control the level of superheating on the outlet side of the evaporator. This provides improvements both in the amount of heat to be exchanged between refrigerants in the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and the cooling performance of the evaporator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Shigeki Ito, Yoshiaki Takano, Teruyuki Hotta, Yasushi Yamanaka
-
Publication number: 20040098997Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioner for cooling or heating air in a room by compressing, condensing, expanding and evaporating a refrigerant, and a method for controlling an electronic expansion valve of the air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a plurality of compressors, for compressing a refrigerant, of which one or more are operated so that refrigerant compression capacity is variably changed according to the variation of a cooling/heating load; and an electronic expansion valve adapted to control the refrigerant compression capacity. The electronic expansion valve controls the flow rate of the refrigerant after one or more of the compressors are stopped, thereby rapidly achieving the pressure equilibrium at inlet and outlet pipes of the stopped compressor(s), shortening a time taken to allow the stopped compressor(s) to be re-operated, and improving reliability in operating the compressors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang
-
Publication number: 20040079810Abstract: An expansion valve 1 includes a square rod-shaped valve body 10. A first path 20 into which refrigerant is introduced, a valve chamber 22 formed near the bottom of the path, a second path 24 for refrigerant heading toward an evaporator and a third path 26 for refrigerant returning from the evaporator are provided to the valve body 10. A valve member 30 provided inside the valve chamber is operated by a power element 70 via an actuating rod 60. In order to assemble the expansion valve, an assembled orifice member 40 and an assembled guide member 100 are press-fitted into an opening provided to the valve body 10.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Masamichi Yano
-
Publication number: 20040079811Abstract: An expansion valve 1 integrated with a solenoid valve includes a valve body 10 and a valve chamber 20 formed inside the valve body 10 to which a high-pressure refrigerant is introduced. A valve member 30 forms a throttle flow path between a valve seat 40, and controls the amount of refrigerant flowing therethrough. The valve body 30 is operated by the movement of a stopper member 80 of a power element 60 via an actuating rod 100. The high-pressure refrigerant acts on a surface 80a of the stopper member 80 opposite to a diaphragm 70 via a pressure equalizing passage 12, a connecting chamber 22 of a solenoid valve 200, and a pressure equalizing passage 14. The stopper member 80 is sealed between the guide member 90, so that the high-pressure refrigerant does not act directly on the diaphragm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Ryo Matsuda, Tomonori Shimura, Kazuhiko Watanabe
-
Publication number: 20040068999Abstract: A controller for an expansion valve of a refrigeration system for cooling a medium is configured to include, in the generation of a control signal, a measure of the evaporation temperature (T0) of the refrigerant in an evaporator and a measure of a property of the cooled medium, preferably without influence from a measure of the superheat temperature (SH) of the refrigerant. The controller comprises a PI-element for integrating and for producing a control signal for the expansion valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, the PI-element being arranged in an inner control loop, a reference for which is produced by an outer control loop. The controller allows for fast response to disturbances and/or fast response of the medium temperature when the operating conditions of the refrigeration system are changed and/or fast response during start-up of the refrigeration system and maintains stable operation conditions with low, but positive superheating and a stable evaporation pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Applicant: Danfoss A/SInventor: Lars Mou Jessen
-
Publication number: 20040055318Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a solenoid valve-equipped expansion valve simplified in construction. A common valve element in which a valve element of an expansion valve and a valve element of a stop valve are integrally formed as a unitary member is disposed such that the common valve element can be axially movably guided by a shaft having the driving force of a power element transmitted thereto. A first core of a solenoid, holding the common valve element, is urged by a spring such that the common valve element is seated on a valve seat. When the solenoid is energized, the first core holding the common valve element is attracted by a second core rigidly fixed to the shaft such that the common valve element operates with the shaft in an interlocked fashion. As a result, when the solenoid is deenergized, the common valve element can function as a stop valve, whereas when the solenoid is energized, the common valve element can function as an expansion valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: TGK CO., LTDInventor: Hisatoshi Hirota
-
Publication number: 20040050083Abstract: Respective evaporators are set to a proper value in evaporation temperature and the efficiency in refrigeration cycle is enhanced, resulting in a reduction of energy consumption. A refrigerating unit and a refrigerator comprise a compressor, a condenser, a plurality of evaporators connected in series, a refrigerant flow rate adjustable unit and a refrigerant, thereby constituting a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant flow rate adjustable unit controls each respective evaporation temperature of the plurality of evaporators. Preferably, the refrigeration unit further comprises a bypass circuit bypassing at least one of the plurality of evaporators and, when needs arise, the refrigerant is channeled through the bypass circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Masashi Yuasa, Shuzo Kamimura, Hiroshi Yamada, Hideki Fukui, Yasuki Hamano, Naoki Yokoyama
-
Patent number: 6702188Abstract: The valve body has an orifice that provides communication between a high-pressure side passage through which a cooling medium flows in and a low-pressure side passage through which the cooing medium flows out. Also, the valve is provided with a valve element that adjusts the volume of the cooling medium passing through this orifice, an operating rod that operates the valve element in the valve opening position, and a temperature-sensing drive section that drives this operating rod. On the upstream side of the orifice of the high-pressure side passage is disposed a support ring that constrains the ball-shaped valve element of the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Fujikoki CorporationInventors: Masamichi Yano, Daisuke Watari
-
Patent number: 6688124Abstract: A control system for a refrigerant cooled variable frequency drive (VFD) for a chiller includes a controller which controls an electronic expansion valve to attempt to maintain a heat sink for the variable frequency drive within its design operating range. When the controller is unable to maintain the heat sink within its design operating range, a load on the chiller is reduced, either by reducing the frequency of the variable frequency drive, or if the chiller includes a compressor with internal guide vanes, by partially closing the guide vanes. The power rating of the VFD can thus be optimized based on its heat generating components operating at a controlled condition, unlike an air-cooled device which is dependent on the ambient environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Michael Stark, Cornelius Holmes
-
Publication number: 20040020996Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a piping member 10 having passages to which pipes for a refrigerant are connected, and a cassette unit 100, which are formed as separate components. The cassette unit 100 comprises a tube member 110 accommodating a guide member 170, an orifice member 180 and a plate member 166. A diaphragm 130 sandwiched between a rising portion 121 of a lid 120 and an end 110′c of the tube member 110 and defining a gas charge chamber 122 is displaced, the movement of which is transmitted to a shaft member 150. The shaft member 150 is guided by a guide member 170and drives a valve member 160 disposed within a valve chamber 161. The cassette unit 100 is inserted to the piping member 10 and fixed by a ring 50. Seal members 62, 64, 66 are disposed to necessary areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Masamichi Yano, Kazuhiko Watanabe
-
Publication number: 20040016252Abstract: A method and apparatus for refrigeration system control includes an evaporator pressure regulator and sensor in communication with one of a plurality of refrigeration circuits. The sensor is operable to measure a parameter of the refrigeration circuit. A controller is operable to adaptively control a suction pressure of the compressor rack based upon the measured parameter, whereby the controller controls a circuit temperature for one of the plurality of circuits. Further, the controller is operable to control the electronic evaporator pressure regulator to control the temperature in the one of a plurality of refrigeration circuits by determining a change in the parameter and updating a set point based upon the change of parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Abtar Singh, Jim Chabucos, Paul Wickberg, John Wallace
-
Publication number: 20040016260Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a piping member 10 having passages to which pipes for refrigerant are connected, and a cassette unit 100, which are formed as separate components. The cassette unit 100 comprises a flange portion 111 and a tube member 110 which are welded together, and to the interior of which are fixed a guide member 170, an orifice member 180 and a plate member 166. According to the pressure of gas filled in a gas charge chamber 122 defined by a lid 120 and a diaphragm 130, the diaphragm 130 is displaced, the movement of which is transmitted through a stopper 140 to a shaft member 150. The shaft member 150 is guided by a guide member 170 and drives a valve member 160 disposed within a valve chamber 161. The cassette unit 100 is inserted to the piping member 10 and fixed by a ring 50. Seal members 62, 64, 66 are fit to necessary areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Masamichi Yano, Kazuhiko Watanabe
-
Publication number: 20040007015Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an expansion valve that suppresses noise generated when an air conditioner is started, and achieves saving of driving force. The stroke of a valve element is set such that refrigerant flows at a flow rate 1.0 to 1.4 times the flow rate corresponding to the set tonnage. This limits the valve lift of the valve in the fully open state during start-up such that it provides a flow rate of refrigerant only 1.0 to 1.4 times the flow rate corresponding to the set tonnage. This prevents an unnecessary and excessive amount of refrigerant from flowing, whereby it is possible to reduce flow noise of refrigerant during start-up. Further, since the excessive amount of flow of refrigerant is reduced, it is possible to achieve saving of driving force.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: TGK CO., LTD.Inventors: Isao Sendo, Tomohiro Yuasa
-
Patent number: 6662583Abstract: A method and controller for a refrigerant pressure effecting component of a cooling system includes providing closed loop control over a pressure effecting component based on an error signal, performing a control algorithm that includes at least one programmably adjustable gain factor, and adaptably changing the programmably adjustable gain factor by periodically generating a new gain factor. More specifically, the system and method includes monitoring fluctuation in the error signal and generating a numeric value indicative of the percent fluctuation in the error signal over a predetermined period of time, then fuzzifying a numeric value to generate a set of fuzzy input values. A predetermined set of rules are applied to the fuzzy input values to generate a set of fuzzy output values, which are then defuzzified by a combining operation to yield the new gain factor.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Copeland CorporationInventors: Hung M. Pham, Abtar Singh, Jean-Luc M. Caillat, Mark Bass
-
Patent number: 6658877Abstract: In a valve arrangement for closing off a working line in a refrigeration system, the working line includes a high and a low-pressure section. An expansion valve is coupled to the working line and has a working pressure chamber forming part of the valve. A control line system that includes a control device is coupled to the expansion valve and defines a connection that is in full communication with the high and low pressure sections of the working line. A closure element forming part of the control device is positioned in the connection line and arranged in the pressure equalizing configuration that couples the working pressure chamber of the expansion valve to the low-pressure section of the working line.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventor: Lars Bo Kjøng-Rasmussen
-
Patent number: 6655601Abstract: A method for preventing hunting of a thermal expansion valve used to control the flow of refrigerant supplied to an evaporator in a refrigeration cycle. A refrigeration apparatus is provided with a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, an expansion valve, and an evaporator connected in this order, spherically activated carbon made of phenol having pore sizes fit for molecular sizes of a working fluid is prepared; and the spherically activated carbon is provided into the expansion valve; whereby hunting, or the repeated opening and closing of the expansion valve, is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Masamichi Yano, Masakatsu Minowa
-
Patent number: 6644052Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration and freezer system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion devise and an evaporator which includes an evaporator coil having an inlet and an outlet which coil is in heat exchange relation with an air medium along substantially the entire coil length. The inlet to the evaporator coil is in flow communication with an outlet of the expansion devise via an evaporator feedline.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1999Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: XDX, LLCInventor: David A. Wightman
-
Patent number: 6634567Abstract: An expansion valve unit having a pressure detecting function includes a supercooling control expansion valve disposed in a flow path of a refrigerant sent into an evaporator of a refrigeration system constituting a refrigerating cycle to control the flow rate of the refrigerant. A pressure detector is provided at one end of the supercooling control expansion valve to detect the pressure of the refrigerant sent thereto through a passage in the expansion valve. The supercooling control expansion valve and the pressure detector are integrated with each other by a joining means.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignees: Denson Corporation, Fujikoki CorporationInventors: Teruyuki Hotta, Shigeki Ito, Yasushi Yamanaka, Ryo Matsuda, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Keiji Sasaki
-
Publication number: 20030183702Abstract: A thermal expansion valve includes an adsorbent 40′ placed inside a temperature sensing unit 70, wherein an activated carbon having pore sizes fit for the molecular sizes of a temperature-responsive working fluid sealed inside the temperature sensing unit 70 is utilized as said adsorbent 40′, so that the adsorption quantity of the adsorbent will be fixed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Masamichi Yano, Masakatsu Minowa
-
Patent number: 6626000Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration system for an air conditioner of an automobile, the system having at least a gas cooler, an evaporator, and an expansion valve assembly. The expansion valve assembly is provided with an expansion chamber that is in fluid communication with the gas cooler and the evaporator. A valve defines an opening from the expansion chamber to the outlet conduit and a diaphragm defines another boundary of the expansion chamber. An appendage at least partially located within the expansion chamber. A variable-force mechanism is adapted to cause movement of an appendage coupled thereto, and it is at least partially controlled by an electrical signal. An appendage is moved by the variable-force mechanism, resulting in throttling of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John Joseph Meyer, Erik Lundberg
-
Publication number: 20030172668Abstract: Two case members of the same shape are attached to the body of an expansion valve and a temperature sensing drive element through sound insulating members. Each of the two case members is formed having upper retaining and retainable portions at its upper part and lower retaining and retainable portions at its lower part. The upper retaining portion, upper retainable portion, lower retaining portion, and lower retainable portion of one of the case members are in engagement with the upper retainable portion, upper retaining portion, lower retainable portion, and lower retaining portion, respectively, of the other case member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Masakatsu Minowa, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Masamichi Yano
-
Publication number: 20030159452Abstract: The invention concerns an air conditioning unit wherein the expansion device (4) of the refrigerating fluid loop is controlled to set the internal heat exchanger efficiency &eegr;, represented by the equation: &eegr;=TESTSE/TSTTSE, wherein: TESTSE and TST are respectively temperatures at the compressor input (1), and at the evaporator output (5) and at the fluid cooler output (2), at a reference value such that the fluid leaves the evaporator in a completely gaseous state and without overheating.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventor: Mohamed Ben Yahia
-
Publication number: 20030159453Abstract: Proposed herein is a bistable electromagnetic valve with a valve chamber arranged between two pole pieces and a valve body displaceable therein between two end positions, which is designed as a magnet armature for at least one permanent magnet and for at least one control coil, which is less susceptible to faults in comparison to known valves for refrigerant circuits. This object is achieved by having the valve (1) encompass a dirt filter (18, 19).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Hubert Ott, Thomas Grau
-
Publication number: 20030159454Abstract: Proposed herein is a bistable electromagnetic valve (1) with a valve chamber (15) arranged between two pole pieces (5, 6) and a valve body (12) displaceable therein between two end positions, which is designed as a magnet armature for at least one permanent magnet (9, 10) and for at least one control coil (3), which is distinguished by a particularly compact design and low production expense. This is achieved according to the invention by arranging at least one permanent magnet (9, 10) inside the valve housing (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Hubert Ott, Thomas Grau
-
Publication number: 20030121274Abstract: Flow-regulating members are described that include a primary channel and a plurality of secondary channels. The primary channel defines a primary channel orifice in the flow-regulating member and the plurality of secondary channels define a plurality of secondary channel orifices in the flow-regulating member. The plurality of secondary channel orifices are located along a common periphery of the flow-regulating member, such that an axis passing through the primary channel orifice intersects a plane containing the common periphery at a unique point. At least two of the plurality of secondary channel orifices have different cross-sectional areas. At least one of the plurality of secondary channels intersects the primary channel. Expansion devices containing these flow-regulating members are also described, as are vapor compression systems containing expansion devices, and methods of operating vapor compression systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: David A. Wightman
-
Patent number: 6581398Abstract: A vapor compression system includes an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser interconnected in a closed-loop system. In one embodiment, a multifunctional valve is configured to receive a liquefied heat transfer fluid from the condenser and a hot vapor from the compressor. A saturated vapor line connects the outlet of the multifunctional valve to the inlet of the evaporator and is sized so as to substantially convert the heat transfer fluid exiting the multifunctional valve into a saturated vapor prior to delivery to the evaporator. The multifunctional valve regulates the flow of heat transfer fluid through the valve by monitoring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid returning to the compressor through a suction line coupling the outlet of the evaporator to the inlet of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: XDX Inc.Inventor: David A. Wightman
-
Patent number: 6574977Abstract: In a heat pump cycle, a first high-pressure side heat exchanger is disposed to perform a heat exchange between refrigerant discharged from a compressor and a first fluid, and a second high-pressure side heat exchanger is disposed to perform a heat exchanger between refrigerant from the first high-pressure side heat exchanger and a second fluid having a temperature lower than that of the first fluid. Accordingly, a heat quantity obtained from the heat pump cycle is the sum of a heat amount obtained from the first high-pressure side heat exchanger and a heat amount obtained from the second high-pressure side heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso CorporationInventors: Yukikatsu Ozaki, Tadashi Hotta, Motohiro Yamaguchi, Yasushi Yamanaka
-
Patent number: 6565009Abstract: A system and method for preventing hunting of a thermal expansion valve used to control the flow of refrigerant supplied to an evaporator in a refrigeration cycle. A refrigeration apparatus is provided with a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, an expansion valve, and an evaporator connected in this order, spherically activated carbon made of phenol having pore sizes fit for molecular sizes of a working fluid is prepared; and the spherically activated carbon is provided into the expansion valve; whereby hunting, or the repeated opening and closing of the expansion valve, is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Fujikoki CorporationInventors: Masamichi Yano, Masakatsu Minowa
-
Patent number: 6564565Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioning system and method employing at least two compressors so as to improve the refrigeration efficiency, in which expansion of a refrigerant in an expansion section is controlled according to a used state of the compressors depending on a refrigeration load, so that a general performance of the system can be improved. In the air conditioning system and method, measurement of the changes in the flowing quantity and the pressure of the refrigerant, which is necessary in order to control the opening state of the expansion section, can be executed by sensing and comparing the temperatures at the outlet port of the evaporation section and at the inlet port of the compression section, which show a temperature difference according to the flowing quantity and the pressure of the refrigerant. Therefore, the air conditioning system and method of the present invention achieves a simple construction, which can be easily assembled and enables the manufacturing cost to be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Yoon Jei Hwang
-
Patent number: 6561433Abstract: A hole 15 is formed to the center portion of an outer wall 14 of a housing defining an airtight chamber, and temperature sensitive gas is filled in the interior of the housing. The hole 15 is sealed by a plug 16 and is fixed by a weld portion 17. An anaerobic UV cure adhesive 34 is filled in the recess 18 formed around the projection weld portion 17, and cured by UV radiation. The surface of the anaerobic UV cure adhesive 34 cures rapidly, and the inner area of the adhesive where UV cannot be radiated is cured infallibly. The thermal expansion valve having such structure can be arranged in an engine room, where corrosion due to water adhering to the weld can be prevented effectively, and as a result prevents gas leak from the weld portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Fujikoki CorporationInventors: Makoto Sudo, Daisuke Watari, Kazuhiko Watanabe
-
Patent number: 6543241Abstract: The present invention increases the efficiency of a refrigerant system by the addition of a special device that provides a constant amount of steam-generated refrigerant pressure in the condenser and is installed as a bypass to the refrigerant feed device.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Inventors: Mikhail Levitin, Boris Khaytin
-
Patent number: 6510700Abstract: An expansion valve for modifying the flow of a refrigerant fluid to provide reliable control of a refrigeration system includes a channel for conveying the refrigerant fluid. The channel has an inlet for accepting the refrigerant fluid and an outlet for exhausting the refrigerant fluid. A heating element is disposed in a path of the fluid and associated with the inlet. Electrical terminals are coupled to the heating element for controlling thermal properties of the heating element to modulate or regulate the flow of the refrigerant fluid through the channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Erik Lundberg
-
Publication number: 20030010834Abstract: The valve body has an orifice that provides communication between a high-pressure side passage through which a cooling medium flows in and a low-pressure side passage through which the cooing medium flows out. Also, the valve is provided with a valve element that adjusts the volume of the cooling medium passing through this orifice, an operating rod that operates the valve element in the valve opening position, and a temperature-sensing drive section that drives this operating rod. On the upstream side of the orifice of the high-pressure side passage is disposed a support ring that constrains the ball-shaped valve element of the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Masamichi Yano, Daisuke Watari
-
Publication number: 20030010046Abstract: A method for controlling at least one electronic expansion valve coupled to an economizer in a refrigeration system in order to dynamically control the refrigeration system operating conditions and in order to accommodate more than one set of operating conditions. The system can also be used to control the capacity of the system. More specifically, the method can include determining the required capacity of the system and adjusting the flow of refrigerant through the electronic expansion valve to adjust the actual capacity of the system toward the required capacity of the system. In another aspect of the invention, the system is operated to maintain the power of the system below a threshold value (e.g., below a max rated horsepower).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Applicant: Thermo King CorporationInventors: Peter W. Freund, Lars I. Sjoholm
-
Publication number: 20030010833Abstract: An expansion valve unit having a pressure detecting function includes a supercooling control expansion valve disposed in a flow path of a refrigerant sent into an evaporator of a refrigeration system constituting a refrigerating cycle to control the flow rate of the refrigerant. A pressure detector is provided at one end of the supercooling control expansion valve to detect the pressure of the refrigerant sent thereto through a passage in the expansion valve. The supercooling control expansion valve and the pressure detector are integrated with each other by a joining means.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Teruyuki Hotta, Shigeki Ito, Yasushi Yamanaka, Ryo Matsuda, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Keiji Sasaki
-
Patent number: 6505476Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle system, a control unit controls both a refrigerant amount discharged from a compressor and an opening degree of a pressure control valve so that theoretical efficiency of a super-critical refrigerant cycle and efficiency of the compressor are improved. Therefore, the effective coefficient of performance of the refrigerant cycle is improved, while necessary capacity of components of the refrigerant cycle is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Shin Nishida, Motohiro Yamaguchi, Satoshi Itoh, Yasutaka Kuroda, Yoshitaka Tomatsu, Yasushi Yamanaka, Yukikatsu Ozaki
-
Publication number: 20020185545Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a piping member 10 equipped with passages to which refrigerant pipes are to be connected, and a cassette unit 100, the two members being formed as separate units. The cassette unit 100 comprises a tube member 110 having a flange portion 111, and at the interior of the tube member 110 are fixed a guide member 170, an orifice member 180, and a plate member 166. The pressure of gas filled in a gas charge chamber 122 defined by a lid 120 and a diaphragm 130 displaces the diaphragm 130, the displacement being transmitted to a shaft member 150 through a stopper member 140 including at the center thereof a tubed portion 142 storing an absorbent. The shaft member 150 is guided by a guide member 170 and controls the valve means 160 inside a valve chamber 161. The cassette unit 100 is inserted to the piping member 10 and fixed to position by a ring 50. Seal members 62, 64, and 66 are equipped to appropriate areas between the cassette unit and the piping member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Masamichi Yano
-
Publication number: 20020174670Abstract: In a valve arrangement for closing off a working line in a refrigeration system, the working line includes a high and a low-pressure section. An expansion valve is coupled to the working line and has a working pressure chamber forming part of the valve. A control line system that includes a control device is coupled to the expansion valve and defines a connection that is in full communication with the high and low pressure sections of the working line. A closure element forming part of the control device is positioned in the connection line and arranged in the pressure equalizing configuration that couples the working pressure chamber of the expansion valve to the low-pressure section of the working line.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Lars Bo Kjong-Rasmussen
-
Publication number: 20020153426Abstract: A thermal expansion valve includes an adsorbent 40′ placed inside a temperature sensing unit 70, wherein an activated carbon having pore sizes fit for the molecular sizes of a temperature-responsive working fluid sealed inside the temperature sensing unit 70 is utilized as said adsorbent 40′, so that the adsorption quantity of the adsorbent will be fixed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: Masamichi Yano, Masakatsu Minowa
-
Publication number: 20020139133Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioning system and method employing at least two compressors so as to improve the refrigeration efficiency, in which expansion of a refrigerant in an expansion section is controlled according to a used state of the compressors depending on a refrigeration load, so that a general performance of the system can be improved. In the air conditioning system and method, measurement of the changes in the flowing quantity and the pressure of the refrigerant, which is necessary in order to control the opening state of the expansion section, can be executed by sensing and comparing the temperatures at the outlet port of the evaporation section and at the inlet port of the compression section, which show a temperature difference according to the flowing quantity and the pressure of the refrigerant. Therefore, the air conditioning system and method of the present invention achieves a simple construction, which can be easily assembled and enables the manufacturing cost to be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: Yoon Jei Hwang
-
Patent number: 6453690Abstract: Method for controlling a linear expansion valve in an air conditioner with two compressors, which can prevent breakage of the compressor, and starting failure caused by liquidus refrigerant introduced into the compressor at an initial starting, and preventing drop of cooling performance caused by reduced refrigerant flow coming from a low suction pressure of the compressor at an initial unsteady state.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Cheol Min Kim
-
Patent number: 6434959Abstract: In an air conditioner including a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, a pressure-reducing mechanism, an indoor heat exchanger and an accumulator which are successively connected to one another to construct a loop-like refrigerant circuit, non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant composed of first refrigerant having a high boiling point and second refrigerant having a low boiling point being filled in the refrigerant circuit and the flow of the non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant being inverted between cooling operation and heating operation by operating the four-way valve, when one of the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger serves as an evaporator, the first refrigerant of the non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant is stocked in the accumulator while the second refrigerant of the non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerant circuit, thereby increasing the refrigerant pressure in the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Kobayashi, Haruyuki Kaeriyama, Naoki Tsuzurano, Shigetaka Nishino, Shinichi Ito, Takeshi Ogawa
-
Patent number: 6430950Abstract: An expansion element for a CO2 motor vehicle air conditioner includes a valve unit which can be used particularly for such an expansion element and which has a fixed throttle between an upstream valve high-pressure side and a downstream valve low-pressure side. The expansion element contains a control valve which is acted upon by the low-pressure-side refrigerant pressure or a physical quantity connected therewith as the correcting variable, or valve unit. The valve unit contains a fixed throttle and at least one additional valve component in the form of a pressure control valve which is arranged in a bypass line bypassing the fixed throttle, or in the form of a control vale influencing the passage cross-section of the fixed throttle.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignees: Behr GmbH & Co., Luk Fahrzeughydraulic GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Ing. Bernd Dienhart, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter, Jan Hinrichs, Volker Seipel, Nguyen van Doan