With Flow Control Or Compressor Details Patents (Class 62/324.6)
  • Patent number: 8220531
    Abstract: A heat pump system (10) includes a compressor (20), a reversing valve (30), an outdoor heat exchanger (40) and an indoor heat exchanger (50) coupled via refrigerant lines (35, 45, 55) in a conventional refrigeration circuit, and a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger (60). In the air cooling with water heating mode, the air heating with water heating mode and the water heating only mode, water from a water reservoir (64), such as a storage tank or swimming pool, is passed through heat exchanger (60) in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant passing through line (35). A refrigerant reservoir (70) may be provided for use in refrigerant charge control. A refrigerant line (71) couples reservoir (70) to the refrigerant circuit intermediate the outdoor and indoor heat exchangers for directing liquid refrigerant into the reservoir (70) and a refrigerant line (73) couples the refrigerant circuit upstream of the suction inlet to the compressor (20) for returning refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Murakami, Carlos A. Tesche, Roberto G. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8215123
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved compact grille cabinet for room air conditioners operable in normal and extreme climatic conditions with optimized efficiency mode comprising of: an insulated box chiller (B) with louvers, the insulated box being mounted on a window air conditioner; a hinge (C) allowing partial opening of the cabinet at angles up to 180° (120 and 130); an additional lid (A) opening upwards to accommodate an ice box compartment (210) or a tubular grille storing a liquid; an additional outlet (D) consisting of a small grilled aperture; an electronic control panel (E) adaptable with various programme modes indicating different temperatures of the cabinet and controlling the variable opening of the cabinet according to temperature to be maintained in a room; and a means to maintain opening angles of louvers proportional to the angle of the cabinet door to operate the air-conditioning device in a refrigerating, heating or air-conditioning mode facilitating heat exchange between ice tray, coole
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Sanjiv Agarwal
  • Patent number: 8205467
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a heat source unit, a first utilization unit, a second utilization unit, a refrigerant communication pipe and a control section. The heat source unit includes a heat source side compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger and a heat source side expansion mechanism. The first utilization unit includes a first utilization side compressor, a first utilization side heat exchanger and a first utilization side expansion mechanism. The second utilization unit includes a second utilization side compressor, a second utilization side heat exchanger and a second utilization side expansion mechanism. The control section is configured to control the first utilization side compressor and the first utilization side expansion mechanism in accordance with operation load of the first utilization unit, and to control the second utilization side compressor and the second utilization side expansion mechanism in accordance with operation load of the second utilization unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Setoguchi
  • Patent number: 8205470
    Abstract: An indoor unit for a multi-directional air supply air conditioner capable of performing at least a heating operation includes: an indoor fan (39) for sucking air in an axial direction thereof and radially blowing out the air; and a heat exchange part (38), connected in a refrigerant circuit (80) and disposed to surround the indoor fan (39), for exchanging heat between the air blown out of the indoor fan (39) and refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (80). The heat exchange part (38) includes a plurality of heat exchangers (48) separated from each other along the direction of the perimeter thereof and connected in parallel with each other in the refrigerant circuit (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun Yoshioka, Hyunyoung Kim, Toshihiro Suzuki, Kazushige Kasai, Haruo Nakata
  • Publication number: 20120151955
    Abstract: An energy-saving heat pump device includes first, second, third, and fourth pipes connected in sequence in a loop. A condenser is mounted between the first and second pipes. An expansion valve is mounted between the second and third pipes. An evaporator is mounted between the third and fourth pipes. A compressor is mounted between the first and fourth pipes. The compressor compresses and outputs a coolant mixture including at least two coolants. The coolant mixture in the first pipe has a pressure of 24-30 kg/cm2G and a temperature of 80-125° C. The coolant mixture produces heat while the coolant mixture passes through the condenser. A temperature of water outputted from the condenser is in a range of 45-98° C. The coolant mixture produces cold energy for a cooling medium of the evaporator while the coolant mixture passes through the second pipe, the expansion valve, the third pipe, and the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Cheng-Chun Lee
  • Publication number: 20120152514
    Abstract: A heating system includes: a heat generation unit which generates heat using electricity supplied through a second power system of a lower electricity rate; a heat storage unit which stores heat generated by the heat generation unit; a heat radiation unit which radiates heat stored in the heat storage unit; and a control unit which causes, when receiving a signal from a power supplier indicating that a supply of electricity through the second power system is to be stopped after an elapse of a predetermined period of time, the heat generation unit generates additional heat that is required while the supply of electricity through the second power system being suspended, during a period of time from when the signal is received to when the supply of electricity through the second power system is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Takasaki, Atsushi Kakimoto, Akira Hochi
  • Publication number: 20120111046
    Abstract: A thermal management system comprises a first heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, a second heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, a fluid loop, a first heat pump, and a second heat pump. The fluid loop circulates a fluid, and forms a continuous path between the first and second heat exchangers. The first heat pump is connected to the fluid loop and is disposed between the outlet of the second heat exchanger and the inlet of the first heat exchanger. The second heat pump is connected to the fluid loop and is disposed between the outlet of the first heat exchanger and the inlet of the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Eugene Wilmot, JR., Diane G. Drew, Gregory M. Ott
  • Patent number: 8141376
    Abstract: An air conditioning system including an outdoor heat-exchanging unit, at least one indoor heat-exchanging unit, a gaseous refrigerant line connected between the outdoor heat-exchanging unit and the indoor heat-exchanging unit, to allow a refrigerant in a gaseous state to flow between the outdoor heat-exchanging unit and the indoor heat-exchanging unit, and a pressure compensation device for increasing a pressure of the gaseous refrigerant flowing through the gaseous refrigerant line. The pressure compensation device is located along the gaseous refrigerant line at a position closer to the indoor heat-exchanging unit than to the outdoor heat-exchanging unit. A pressure compensation device for use in an air conditioning system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Song Choi, Baik Young Chung, Yun Ho Ryu
  • Patent number: 8141381
    Abstract: The vapor compression refrigerating apparatus of the invention comprises a compressor 2, a condenser 4, a regeneration heat exchanger 6, an expansion means 8, and an evaporator 10 connected in series. The vapor compression refrigerating cycle is based on a cycle corresponding to a reversed Ericsson cycle in which isothermal heat dissipation process and isothermal heat absorption process occur overstriding a saturated vapor line and saturated liquid line respectively and heat exchange is carried out between isobaric heat dissipation process in a liquid zone and isobaric heat absorption process in a superheated vapor zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mayekawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobumi Ino, Takayuki Kishi
  • Publication number: 20120067068
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a valve system that connects a receiver tank in fluid communication with an indoor heat exchanger, wherein the valve system, operating under a novel control scheme, works in conjunction with the receiver to control the heat pump's effective refrigerant charge. To avoid suction or discharge pressure faults and to help prevent slugs of liquid refrigerant from entering the heat pump's compressor as the heat pump switches between heating and cooling modes or switches between heating and defrost modes, the control scheme provides momentary periods of transition between those modes of operation. In some embodiments, the valve system comprises a check valve connected in parallel flow relationship with a two-position receiver valve, wherein the check valve has an appreciably higher flow coefficient than that of the receiver valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Scott A. Munns, Ladislas T. Gbetoho, Jean-Michel M. Genay, William B. Fox, George M. Singh
  • Patent number: 8113270
    Abstract: An inlet header (22) of a microchannel heat pump heat exchanger has a tube (34) disposed therein and extending substantially the length of the inlet header (22), with the tube (34) having a plurality of openings (36) therein. During cooling mode operation, refrigerant is caused to flow into an open end of the tube (34) and along its length to thereby flow from the plurality of openings (36) into the inlet header (22) prior to entering the microchannels (24) to thereby provide a uniform flow of two-phase refrigerant thereto. A bi-flow expansion device (41) placed at the inlet end of the tube (34) allows for the expansion of liquid refrigerant into the tube (34) during periods in which the heat exchanger operates as an evaporator and allows the refrigerant to flow directly from the header (22) and around the tube (34) during periods in which the heat exchanger operates as a condenser coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Arturo Rios, Allen C. Kirkwood
  • Patent number: 8113011
    Abstract: Apparatus (10?) for use as a heat pump comprising: compression chamber means (40?); inlet means (30?) for allowing gas to enter the compression chamber means; compression means (60?) for compressing gas contained in the compression chamber means; heat exchanger means for receiving thermal energy from gas compressed by the compression means; expansion chamber means (124?) for receiving gas after exposure to the heat exchange means; expansion means (120?) for expanding gas received in the expansion chamber means; and exhaust means (100?) for venting gas from the expansion chamber means after expansion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Isentropic Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Sebastian Howes, James MacNaghten
  • Patent number: 8104299
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an indoor heat exchanger (radiator) and a controller. The radiator causes heat radiation to be performed with respect to air from a supercritical refrigerant during heating operation. The controller controls a room temperature by causing a high-pressure side pressure and a refrigerant outlet temperature of the radiator to reach respective target values. Preferably, the controller detects a refrigerant outlet temperature of the radiator with an outlet temperature sensor and detects a room temperature with a room temperature sensor. The controller increases or decreases a target value of the high-pressure side pressure when the controller has judged that there is an excess or a deficiency of capacity in view of the room temperature inside a room that is to be heated even when the refrigerant outlet temperature of the radiator has reached a target value during heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Okamoto, Shinichi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 8091377
    Abstract: A heat pump capable of performing heating and cooling simultaneously is provided. The heat pump includes a compressor, indoor devices that heat or cool an indoor space, outdoor heat exchangers, and switching devices. The outdoor heat exchangers are configured to individually operate as a condenser or an evaporator depending on a ratio of heating to cooling of the indoor devices. When an operation mode is changed, continuous heating and cooling is performed without stopping the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho Jong Jeong, Il Nahm Hwang, Baik Young Chung
  • Publication number: 20120000237
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a heat pump circuit, a heat load circuit, first and second heat exchangers, a flow rate adjustment element, and a controller. The heat pump circuit circulates primary refrigerant through a low and high stage-side compression elements, an expansion element and an evaporator. The heat load circuit circulates a first fluid and has a first and second branching portions, first and second branching channels, and a heat-load-processing section. The first and second heat exchangers perform heat exchange between the primary refrigerant and the first fluid. Flow rate of the first fluid in the first and/or second branching channel is adjustable. The controller performs flow rate adjustment control so as to maintain a state in which a predetermined temperature condition is satisfied, or to reduce a difference between the temperature of the first fluid flowing through portions of the first and second branching channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuro Yamada, Noriyuki Okuda, Shuji Fujimoto, Atsushi Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 8082749
    Abstract: An air conditioner having a heat-source side unit including a compressor and a heat-source side heat exchanger, plural use-side units each having a use-side heat exchanger and an inter-unit pipe for connecting the heat-source side unit to the plural use-side units, including an auxiliary heat source unit having a water-refrigerant heat exchanger for heat-exchanging refrigerant with water, a refrigerant side of the water-refrigerant heat exchanger being selectively connectable to one of the high-pressure gas pipe and the low-pressure gas pile through one of a first change-over valve and a second change-over valve, and also connected to a liquid pipe through an expansion valve, and a controller for controlling the auxiliary heat source unit so that the water-refrigerant heat exchanger of the auxiliary heat source unit functions as an evaporator with a water side thereof serving as a heat source when some of the user-side units are under heating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sekine, Kenji Kobayashi, Naoki Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20110302948
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a heat source unit, a first usage unit, and a second usage unit. The heat source unit has a heat-source-side compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, a heat-source-side blower, and a heat-source-side switching mechanism. The first usage unit has at least a radiation amount adjusting element, and a first usage-side flow rate adjustment valve. The second usage unit has at least a second usage-side flow rate adjustment valve. In a case in which the second usage unit performs an air-cooling operation and the first usage unit performs an aqueous medium heating operation, the amount of radiation adjusted by the radiation amount adjusting element or operating capacity of the heat-source-side blower is controlled in accordance with a state of the first usage-side flow rate adjustment valve and the second usage-side flow rate adjustment valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Honda
  • Publication number: 20110302949
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a first usage unit operable to perform a hot-water supply operation to heat an aqueous medium and a second usage unit operable to perform air-cooling and air-warming operations to cool or heat an air medium. The first and second usage units are both connected to a heat source unit in such a manner that the first and second usage units are incapable of individually selecting and performing a hot-water supply operation, an air-cooling operation, or an air-warming operation. The heat pump system is capable of switching operation to a thermoregulation mode different from the switched state of a heat-source-side switching mechanism in response to a thermoregulation mode command issued by a first usage-side controller, a second usage side controller or a centralized controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Honda
  • Publication number: 20110302947
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit, an inlet temperature sensor measuring a heat exchanger inlet temperature of an aqueous medium in a usage-side heat exchanger of the refrigerant circuit, an outlet temperature sensor measuring a heat exchanger outlet temperature of the aqueous medium in the usage-side heat exchanger, a variable-capacity circulating pump circulating the aqueous medium inside a hot-water circuit of a loop, and a controller. The controller controls refrigerant-side circulation rate in the refrigerant circuit to bring a temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted first target temperature, and operating capacity of the circulating pump to bring a medium temperature differential of the aqueous medium between the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted second target temperature differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicants: DAIKIN EUROPE N.V., DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Honda
  • Publication number: 20110296855
    Abstract: A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), and a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel, and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent George Johnston, Andrew David Baglino, Scott Ira Kohn, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Christopher David Gadda, Curt Raymond O'Donnell, Wulfer Adrijan de Bruijn
  • Publication number: 20110296849
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for utilizing waste heat to power a reconfigurable thermodynamic cycle that can be used to selectively cool or heat an environmentally controlled space, such as a room, building, or vehicle. The present invention also integrates an electric machine, which may operate as a motor or generator, or both, and an additional prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine. Different combinations of these components are preferable for different applications. The system provides a design which reasonably balances the need to maximize efficiency, while also keeping the design cost-effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Dwayne M. Benson
  • Publication number: 20110265502
    Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a high-efficiency heat pump that includes a frame, as well as a first circuit, a first compressor, a condenser heat exchanger, a first electronic expansion valve, an evaporator heat exchanger, and a controller. The first circuit, the first compressor, the condenser heat exchanger, the first electronic expansion valve, and the evaporator heat exchanger can be supported by the frame. The first compressor, the condenser heat exchanger, the first electronic expansion valve, and the evaporator heat exchanger can be connected to the first circuit. The controller can be in electronic communication with the first electronic expansion valve, and the controller can be configured to control operation of the first electronic expansion valve and/or the second electronic expansion valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: TRAK INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8037710
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger, a scroll compressor in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers, and a flash tank in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers and the scroll compressor. A first capillary tube is disposed between the first heat exchanger and an inlet of the flash tank and a first valve is disposed between the first heat exchanger and the first capillary tube to control refrigerant to the first capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Man Wai Wu, Li Yi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110247354
    Abstract: An outer pipe (11), which is buried under the ground, is provided, and a heat transfer pipe (12), in which heat exchange fluid flows, is inserted into the outer pipe (11). A heat medium (13) is sealed in the outer pipe (11). At least a part of the heat transfer pipe (12) is formed by a flat body (12e, . . . ) that is formed by a flat pipe (12e, 14) or a composite pipe (15) in which a plurality of pipes (15a) are arranged in a flat shape. A flat side of the flat body (12e, . . . ) contacts an inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Hideaki Asai, Katsuhiro Kawabata, Keisuke Tanimoto, Hui Zhai
  • Patent number: 8033127
    Abstract: An R-410A DX heating/cooling system with: an electrical generating expansion device; with a protective means for refrigerant transport tubing containing dissimilar metals and/or in corrosive environments; with an automatic heating mode expansion device; with a TXV by-pass design; with retractable sub-surface tubing designs; with sub-surface line set sizing at varying depths and lengths; with reciprocal compressor sizing; with a DX Hydronic system design; with an improved oil separator float design; with a mobile DX system design; and with a resting module DX system design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Earth To Air Systems, LLC
    Inventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
  • Publication number: 20110232308
    Abstract: An air conditioner that can perform defrosting efficiently while heating or the like is continued even if the air conditioner is configured by one outdoor unit is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Morimoto, Makoto Saito, Satoru Yanachi, Koji Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20110232320
    Abstract: A flow reversing valve includes a reversing valve main body adapted to assume a first circulatory state where a first main valve part is in a fully-open state and a second main valve part is in a fully-closed state and a second circulatory state where the first main valve part is in a fully-closed state and the second main valve part is in a fully-open state; and a flow regulating valve adapted to regulate the pressures of the respective back pressure chambers and of the first main valve part and the second main valve part. The flow regulating valve places the reversing valve main body in the first circulatory state by gradually reducing the pressure of the back pressure chamber of the first main valve part, and in the second circulatory state by gradually reducing the pressure of the back pressure chamber of the second main valve part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventor: Masaya SATOU
  • Publication number: 20110232319
    Abstract: A vapor-compression air conditioning system comprising a blower positioned in a return air flow path from a conditioned space, a reheat heat exchanger positioned in the return air flow path and downstream from the blower, a system reversing valve fluidly coupled to the reheat heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flow sequencer interposed the system reversing valve and the reheat heat exchanger. A method of manufacturing an air conditioning system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Lennox Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Oved Hanson
  • Publication number: 20110226001
    Abstract: A rotary type channel switching valve for use in a heat pump system is provided. The channel switching valve provides a plurality of channel switching means required when switching connection of a plurality of devices to parallel/series connection, e.g., in a system including the plurality of devices including inlet/outlet ports for a fluid. The channel-switching valve can play a role of a plurality of channel switching means which are required when connecting a plurality of heat exchangers in parallel when a refrigerant is passed in a normal direction, and when connecting a plurality of heat exchangers in series when the refrigerant is passed in a reverse direction, for example, in a heat pump including the plurality of heat exchangers, and thereby, can realize simplification of a configuration of the heat pump, reduction in an occupied space, cost and energy consumption, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicants: Fujikoki Corporation, Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kannoo, Tomoatsu Minamida, Kouji Shibaike
  • Patent number: 8006506
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high speed defrosting heat pump having a closed refrigerant circulation loop including a four-way valve so as to conduct cooling and heating operations by switching a refrigerant-circulating direction by means of the four-way valve. A three-way valve is disposed on a refrigerant pipe connected between a compressor and the four-way valve, and a bypass pipe is branched off from the three-way valve in such a manner as to be connected to a refrigerant pipe connected between an expansion valve and a exterior heat exchanger, such that the hot gas discharged from the compressor is introduced to the exterior heat exchanger via the bypass tube by the control of the three-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Kohvac Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Choon-Kyoung Park
  • Publication number: 20110203304
    Abstract: To prevent the decline in the volumetric efficiency and the decline in the performance of the heat pump having the reciprocating compressor integrated therein by decreasing the temperature of discharge gas in the reciprocating compressor with a simple construction, a heat pump unit 1 constituting a heat pump cycle in which the reciprocating compressor 3, a condenser 5, an expansion valve 7 and an evaporator 8 are interposed in a refrigerant circulating path 2, comprises a refrigerant-liquid returning path 9 for returning a portion of the refrigerant liquid having been condensed by the condenser 5 to a discharge chamber provided in a cylinder top assembly 20 of the reciprocating compressor 3 so that a portion of the refrigerant liquid is supplied to the discharge chamber 36 via the refrigerant-liquid returning path 9 and a discharge gas passageway 36a is cooled by evaporative latent heat of the refrigerant liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: MAYEKAWA MFG, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki SATO, Atsushi YAMAMOTO, Kazuya YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20110203300
    Abstract: Modernized refrigeration cycle includes two consecutive expansions with two expansion devices and two condensers, wherein the first condenser liquefies refrigerant after compressor and the second condenser liquefies refrigerant after the first expansion device. The cooling medium for the second condenser is either air to be conditioned in the refrigeration system or another available medium. Invention presents sealed systems of air conditioners, dehumidifiers and heat pumps operating per aforementioned refrigeration cycle that allows enhanced dehumidification with efficiency improvement in cooling mode and heating capacity and efficiency increase in heating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Alexander P. Rafalovich
  • Patent number: 7984620
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has plural indoor units having: plural heat exchangers; and flow controllers respectively corresponding to the heat exchangers. In each of the indoor units, one heat exchanger is used as a condenser, and another heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, thereby causing the indoor unit to perform a temperature and humidity controlling operation. An indoor unit(s) which is not set to perform the temperature and humidity controlling operation may be caused to perform a heating operation or a cooling operation. Capacity controls on the condensers and the evaporators are performed by corresponding flow controllers. Gas refrigerants ejected from plural heat exchangers serving as evaporators are joined together, and then distributed to plural heat exchangers serving as condensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Shimamoto, Munehiro Yamanaka, Hidekazu Tani, Tomohiko Kasai, Masahiro Tsuda, Shuji Oura, Makoto Saitou
  • Publication number: 20110154847
    Abstract: In an air conditioner having a double-pipe heat exchanger in a refrigerating cycle, the degree of opening of a bypass expansion valve is controlled easily without liquid return to a compressor and without considering the state of a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant in the double-pipe heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Shunji Itakura
  • Publication number: 20110154848
    Abstract: A heat pump-type cooling/heating system of the present invention includes a refrigeration circuit, a hot water generating means and an indoor heat exchanger assisting means. In the refrigeration circuit, a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger, a cooling expansion valve, a heating expansion valve, an outdoor heat exchanger and the four-way valve are connected in a sequence by a refrigerant conduit. The four-way valve and the compressor are connected by a suction conduit. The hot water generating means includes a bypass conduit and a double tube-type heat exchanger. The double tube-type heat exchanger has a condensation tube which is provided in a storage reservoir, and a heat medium heating conduit inserted into the condensation tube. The indoor heat exchanger assisting means includes an auxiliary heat exchanger which is located beside the indoor heat exchanger and connected to the heat medium heating conduit by a supply conduit provided and by a return conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Kum-Soo Jin
  • Publication number: 20110154849
    Abstract: A regulator of refrigerant for a refrigeration circuit with flooded evaporator. The refrigerant can be distributed to many separate evaporator channels. The flow of refrigerant can be changed so that the evaporator and condenser change functions. This provides the opportunity for a fast defrosting of the evaporator or the evaporator can alternately be applied for cooling and heating. The regulator functions independently of the gravitational field and therefore it can be applied for air-conditioning systems in aeroplane and space crafts. The regulator is without movable parts. It has two throttling steps, e.g. two capillary tubes separated by a suction-gas heat exchanger. It requires neither adjustment nor maintenance and therefore it can be placed at inaccessible places or it can be embedded completely in insulation foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Lars Christian Wulff Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20110146321
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a base refrigeration circuit, a heat accumulator, an auxiliary heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger defrosting and cooling means. In the base refrigeration circuit, a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger, a cooling expansion valve, a heating expansion valve, an outdoor heat exchanger and the four-way valve are connected in a sequence by a refrigerant conduit. The four-way valve and the compressor are connected by a refrigerant suction conduit. The heat accumulator includes a bypass refrigerant conduit connected to the refrigerant conduit between the cooling and heating expansion valves. The heat accumulator has a heating heat exchanger and is injected with a heat medium. The auxiliary heat exchanger is installed in the outdoor heat exchanger and connected to the heat accumulator by a heat medium supply conduit and a heat medium return conduit. The defrosting and cooling means includes a heat exchanger and a costless heat reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Kum-Soo Jin
  • Publication number: 20110146317
    Abstract: A multi-mode, bi-directional cascade heat pump system, according to some examples, includes at least two chillers each being part of a unidirectional refrigerant circuit. The system includes heat exchangers each of which are dedicated to operate as just a condenser or as just an evaporator, regardless of the system's operating mode. In some modes, a secondary fluid transfers heat between the condenser of one chiller and the evaporator of another chiller before the fluid returns to a secondary fluid source such as, for example, a geothermal borefield or a conventional water source. In some embodiments, fluid is withdrawn from a borefield by way of a pump having a speed that varies to maintain a desired fluid temperature and/or a desired heat transfer rate at the borefield. The heat pump system includes means for minimizing flow through the borefield and for minimizing unnecessary mixing of relatively high and low temperature fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C. A. Schwedler, Susanna S. Hanson, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Publication number: 20110120158
    Abstract: A refrigerating system including an air conditioning system and a cooler system is provided. An air conditioner-side refrigerant passage may be connected to a cooler-side refrigerant passage to allow refrigerant to flow between the air conditioning system and the cooler system. Thus, if a cooler-side compressor experiences abnormal operation, cooler-side refrigerant may be compressed by an air conditioner-side compressor so as to maintain cooling performance of the refrigerating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Jae Heuk CHOI, Yoon Ho Yoo, Do Yong Ha, Baik Young Chung
  • Publication number: 20110120168
    Abstract: A combined refrigerating/freezing and air conditioning system is provided. The system may include an air conditioning circuit, a refrigerating circuit, a freezing circuit, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The air conditioning circuit may include a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerating circuit may include compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The freezing circuit may include a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The refrigerant of the air conditioning circuit may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant of the refrigerating circuit in the first heat exchanger, and the refrigerant of the refrigerating circuit may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant of the freezing circuit in the second heat exchanger to improve air conditioning efficiency and refrigerating/freezing efficiency of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Jae Heuk CHOI, Tae Hee KWAK, Yoon Ho YOO, Do Yong HA, Baik Young CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20110120155
    Abstract: A room air conditioner and/or heat pump is shown having a compressor, indoor coil, accumulator, expansion device and reversing valve for changing between a cooling cycle and a heating cycle. Intake louvers direct return air over the entire indoor coil for maximum heat transfer. Discharge louvers are curved upward to prevent short cycling while still being totally adjustable, up and down, right and left. Adjustment posts are anchored to a clip and are adjustable for right or left discharge of air and up or down discharge. Single handles control both the right or left discharge through a rear set of louvers and up or down discharge through a front set of louvers. A no circulation area prevents short cycling and curved edges prevent turbulence in air flow through louvers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., a division of U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Lingrey, Kevin L. Eicher, Geethakrishnan Vasudevan, David John Sayler
  • Publication number: 20110113809
    Abstract: A heating and cooling system, which includes a refrigerant circulation circuit, first and second targets, first and second refrigerant circuits, a first switching section, and a control device, is disclosed. The first switching section is selectively switched between a first position at which a refrigerant discharged from a discharge area of a compressor is permitted to flow to the first target and a second position at which the refrigerant is not permitted to flow to the first target. The control device switches the first switching section to the first position so that the refrigerant circulation circuit functions as a first refrigerant circuit, thereby heating the first target and cooling the second target. The control device switches the first switching section to the second position so that the refrigerant circulation circuit functions as a second refrigerant circuit, thereby cooling only the second target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Taku ADANIYA, Hiroshi Fukasaku, Naoya Yokomachi, Junya Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110113804
    Abstract: A heat pump according to the present invention comprises a plurality of the compression chambers, and compresses refrigerant with multistage, and injects vapor refrigerant into the space between the plurality of the compression chambers by using the first refrigerant injection flow path and the second refrigerant injection flow path. Performance and efficiency of the heat pump can be improved compared with non-injection, as flow rate of the refrigerant circulating the indoor heat exchanger is increased. Thus heating performance can be improved also in the extremely cold environmental condition such as the cold area by increasing the injection flow rate. Also, because the heat pump according to the present invention comprises the first refrigerant injection flow path and the second refrigerant injection flow path, refrigerant is injected twice. Thus, as the injection flow rate of the refrigerant is increased, heating capacity can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Simwon Chin, Eungyul Lee, Younghwan Ko, Sangkyoung Park
  • Publication number: 20110113808
    Abstract: The heat pump according to the present invention comprises a scroll compressor, and injects refrigerant to the scroll compressor by using the first refrigerant injection flow path and the second refrigerant injection flow path. By injecting refrigerant, an efficiency of the heat pump can be improved as compared with non-injection. Thus, a heating performance can be improved also in the extremely cold environmental condition such as the cold area. Also, because refrigerant is injected twice by using the first refrigerant injection flow path and the second refrigerant injection flow path, heating performance can be improved by increasing the injection flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Younghwan Ko, Sangkyoung Park, Yonghee Jang, Bumsuk Kim
  • Patent number: 7938213
    Abstract: A vehicle drain hole structure includes an enclosure (e.g., an air intake tube, an intake enclosure, a resonator, a cleaner, etc.) defined by at least one wall. The at least one wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. A drain hole is defined in the at least one wall for providing drainage from the enclosure. The drain hole extends from a first end defined in the inner surface to a second end defined in the outer surface. The first end of the drain hole at the inner surface has a larger cross-sectional area than the second end of the drain hole at the exterior surface to reduce the likelihood of a liquid film forming across the drain hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Raymond Khouw
  • Patent number: 7937960
    Abstract: A humidity controller includes a differential pressure detection means (93, 97) for detecting a difference between high voltage and low voltage in a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerant circuit (50) and a control means (30) for controlling the capacity of the compressor (53). The control means (30) reduces the capacity of the compressor (53) when a detected value of the differential pressure detection means (93, 97) exceeds a reduction threshold. Further, the control means (30) stops the compressor (53) when the detected value of the differential pressure detection means (93, 97) exceeds a stop threshold higher than the reduction threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20110088421
    Abstract: A heat source-side refrigerant circuit A including a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first refrigerant branch portion 21 connected to the compressor 11, a second refrigerant branch portion 22 and a third refrigerant branch portion 23 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first refrigerant flow rate control device 24 provided between branch piping 40 and the second refrigerant branch portion 22, intermediate heat exchangers 25n connected at one side thereof to the first refrigerant branch portion 21 and the third refrigerant branch portion 23 via three-way valves 26n and connected at the other side thereof to the second refrigerant branch portion 22, and second refrigerant flow rate control devices 27n provided between the respective intermediate heat exchangers 25n and the second refrigerant branch portion 22, and user-side refrigerant circuits Bn having indoor heat exchangers 31n connected respectively to the intermediate heat exchangers 25n are provided, and at least one of water and
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Wakamoto, Koji Yamashita, Takashi Okazaki, Naoki Tanaka, Keisuke Hokazono, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura, Tomohiko Kasai, Naofumi Takenaka, Yusuke Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20110088869
    Abstract: A method for heating and cooling a consumable product disposed in a product container includes the steps of: (i) heating the consumable product to a first temperature by transferring heat from ambient air to refrigerant through a liquid-to-air heat exchanger; and (ii) heating the consumable product to a second temperature without transferring heat from the ambient air to the refrigerant through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger; wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen M. Wadle, Robert K. Newton, Peter F. McNamee
  • Publication number: 20110067427
    Abstract: The invention is related to an AC loop (12) for ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning installation comprising, according to the circulation of an refrigerant in the AC loop, at least a compressor (14), a first heat exchanger (16) for heating an air flow distributed into the passenger compartment, a first expansion device (18), an exterior heat exchanger (20) and a second heat exchanger (24). The AC loop (12) comprises a storage device (28) connected to the outlet of the first heat exchanger (16) and to the outlet of the exterior heat exchanger (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Régine HALLER, Mohamed YAHIA, Imed GUITARI
  • Patent number: RE43312
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to reduce the constraint that the density ratio is constant as small as possible, and to obtain high power recovering effect in a wide operation range. A refrigeration cycle apparatus uses carbon dioxide as refrigerant and has a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger evaporator, an expander and an indoor heat exchanger a radiator. An injection circuit for introducing high pressure refrigerant is provided in a halfway of an expansion process of said expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Nakatani, Yoshikazu Kawabe, Yuji Inoue, Noriho Okaza, Akira Hiwata