With Lubricant Handling Means Patents (Class 62/468)
  • Publication number: 20110219809
    Abstract: A turbo compressor according to the present invention supports a rotational shaft fixed to an impeller by a bearing in a freely rotatable manner, and supplies the lubricant oil to a plurality of sliding portions that are slid due to the rotation of the rotational shaft. Furthermore, the turbo compressor includes a oil supply nozzle in which a first injection hole, which injects the lubricant oil toward a predetermined first fueling place among a plurality of sliding portions to be supplied with the lubricant oil, and a second injection hole, which injects the lubricant oil toward a second fueling place different from the first fueling place, are provided. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a turbo compressor capable of reducing the labor and the costs of manufacturing and a turbo refrigerator including the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Kazuaki KURIHARA
  • Patent number: 8006514
    Abstract: In a refrigerating device comprising: a compressor that is driven by a motor; a refrigerant circulation flow passage that includes an oil separator/collector, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator; and an oil flow passage that conducts oil in the oil separator/collector to a bearing of the compressor, an oil supply opening is provided for a motor casing that stores the motor, an oil supply line for supplying oil from an oil sump of the refrigerant circulation flow passage on the discharge side of the compressor to the oil supply opening is provided, oil is supplied to the oil supply opening through the oil supply line, and oil is distributed across surfaces of windings of the motor. And an internal pressure of the motor casing is lower than a pressure in the oil sump in the refrigerant circulation flow passage on the discharge side of the compressor, consequently oil is easily distributed across the entire motor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Tsuboi
  • Publication number: 20110174009
    Abstract: A compressor and a refrigerating machine which enable an easy disposal of a lubricant, are friendly to the natural environment, and have simple configurations, are provided. The compressor which is used in a refrigerating machine including an evaporator and a condenser and adapted for compressing refrigerant gas evaporated in the evaporator to convey the compressed refrigerant gas to the condenser, includes: a motor; a housing having a compression chamber inside; a rotary member which has a rotating shaft and is rotated by a driving force of the motor so as to compress water vapor serving as the refrigerant gas in the compression chamber; a bearing for supporting the rotating shaft of the rotary member in the housing; and a lubricant supplier for supplying water serving as a lubricant to the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Koichiro Iizuka, Satoshi Ide, Toshikatsu Kanemura, Yoshihiro Nakayama, Masatake Toshima, Kazuto Okada, Kunihiko Suto, Kazutaka Kurashige, Ichirou Sakuraba, Daisuke Hayashi, Masaki Ikeuchi, Shinji Shato, Lars Bay Moller, Finn Jensen, Ziad Al-Janabi, Svend Rasmussen, Hans Madsboll, Christian Svarregaard-Jensen
  • Publication number: 20110138832
    Abstract: The hybrid solar air-conditioning system includes an air intake having an air drying system that uses a liquid desiccant to dry ambient air, a desiccant regeneration system that uses a heat exchanger having oil heated by solar energy to remove water from the desiccant, an indirect evaporative air conditioner that uses an air-air heat exchanger to cool the dried air indirectly with evaporatively cooled air, a distilled water recovery system to recover water from the desiccant and from the evaporatively cooled air in the form of distilled water, and a microprocessor-based controller to control room temperature and relative humidity, and to regulate air intake and the flow of desiccant and oil in the system. The hybrid system enables the use of evaporative cooling in regions having high humidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: LUAI M. AL-HADHRAMI, AFTAB AHMAD, SHAFIQUR REHMAN
  • Publication number: 20110132026
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid circuit in which a compressible fluid and an incompressible fluid flow in a mixed state including an upstream side space and a downstream side space in which internal pressures repeatedly alternate between high pressure and low pressure, and a pump unit having an inlet connected to the upstream side space and an outlet connected to the downstream side space. The pump unit has two check valves arranged in series in a direction in which fluid movement is allowed from the upstream side space to the downstream side space, and a middle part, having a predetermined capacity, formed between the check valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Takeichi
  • Publication number: 20110126579
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary compressor comprising an electric motor part (120) for supplying electric power and a compression mechanism part for compressing a refrigerant while first and second rotary members (130,140) rotate upon receipt of the electric power from the electric motor part, and more particularly to, a compressor which enables a compact design by forming a compression space within the compressor by a rotor of an electric motor part driving the compressor, maximizes compression efficiency by minimizing friction loss between rotating elements within the compressor, and has a structure capable of minimizing leakage of refrigerant within the compression space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Kangwook Lee, Jin-Ung Shin, Yongchol Kwon, Geun-Hyoung Lee
  • Publication number: 20110126558
    Abstract: The invention pertains to heat transfer compositions, particularly to automobile refrigerants comprising a hydrofluoroalkene, an iodocarbon, and at least one lubricant having hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms, wherein no more than 17% of the total number of hydrogen atoms which are attached to a carbon atom are tertiary hydrogen atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: RAYMOND H. THOMAS, RAJIV R. SINGH, GEORGE J. SAMUELS, IAN SHANKLAND, DAVID P. WILSON, ROY P. ROBINSON, MICHAEL VAN DER PUY, JOHN L. WELCH, GREGORY J. SHAFER, MARK W. SPATZ, RYAN HULSE
  • Publication number: 20110120175
    Abstract: A refrigeration circuit provided with a scroll compressor for compressing a refrigerant, characterized in that R1234yf is used as the refrigerant and a polyol ester is used as a lubricating oil for the refrigeration circuit. In this refrigeration circuit, an undesirable reaction product can be prevented from accumulating. The refrigeration circuit hence is reduced in environmental burden and has the same operating stability as in conventional ones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Kamishima, Tomoaki Matsuzaki, Yuuichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20110120174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary compressor comprising an electric motor part for supplying electric power and a compression mechanism part for compressing a refrigerant while first and second rotary members (130,140) rotate upon receipt of the electric power from the electric motor part, and more particularly to, a compressor which enables a compact design by forming a compression space within the compressor by a rotor of an electric motor part driving the compressor, maximizes compression efficiency by minimizing friction loss between rotating elements within the compressor, and has a structure capable of minimizing leakage of refrigerant within the compression space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Kangwook Lee, Jin-Ung Shin, Yongchol Kwon, Geun-Hyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 7918096
    Abstract: In a refrigerant circuit (11), a compressor (20) and an expander (30) are provided separately. An expander casing (34) is connected to a delivery pipe (26) of the compressor (20) and high pressure refrigerant passes through the inside of the expander casing (34). Therefore, the compressor casing (24) and the expander casing (34) are equalized in their internal pressure. An oil distribution pipe (41) for connection of an oil sump (27) of the compressor (20) and an oil sump (37) of the expander (30) is provided with an oil regulating valve (52). The oil regulating valve (52) is controlled in response to a signal outputted from an oil level sensor (51). When the oil regulating valve (52) is opened, the oil sump (27) within the compressor casing (24) and the oil sump (37) within the expander casing (34) fluidly communicate with each other whereby refrigeration oil travels through the oil distribution pipe (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Sakitani, Tetsuya Okamoto, Masakazu Okamoto, Eiji Kumakura
  • Patent number: 7895846
    Abstract: An innovative oil observer for estimating oil concentration and oil amount in a refrigerant compressor in a vapor compression cycle is described. The invention ensures the safe operation of the compressor by ensuring that adequate lubricant is present in the compressor. This oil observer is based on oil models for components of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Oil models for HVAC components estimate oil mass and refrigerant mass in each component. With all component oil models and heat exchanger observers which provide the estimation of inner geometric lengths of two-phase flow heat exchangers, a system-level oil observer is established by integrating all component models. Experimental testing has been conducted to verify the performance of this oil observer for steady state operation and dynamic processes. The invention has direct applications in residential and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Xiang-Dong He, H. Harry Asada, Tao Cheng
  • Publication number: 20110041548
    Abstract: A recycling apparatus for spent protective atmosphere gas contaminated with fouling organic decomposition byproduct materials. The recycling apparatus includes a compressor having an inlet connected to a spent protective atmosphere gas supply line, and a solvent supply configured to supply solvent to a gas passage at or upstream of the compressor. The recycling apparatus also includes a first chamber connected to an outlet of the compressor, where the first chamber is configured to receive compressed gas from the compressor and to collect a mixture including the solvent and any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Franklin D. LOMAX, JR., Richard S. Todd, Milan J. Skarka, Edward T. McCullough, Ronak Patel, Christopher P. Heinrichs
  • Publication number: 20110041527
    Abstract: A method for operating a closed circuit vapour compression refrigeration system is disclosed. The system may operate with supercritical pressure on a high pressure side, and includes at least one compressor, at least one heat rejector, at least two in parallel connected heat absorbers, at least one variable expansion means up flow of each heat absorber and at least one control unit for controlling the variable expansion means, connected to a set of sensors. The flow rate of the refrigerant through each of the variable expansion means, is controlled by the control unit, coordinating the flow of refrigerant through each of the variable expansion means to maintain a control parameter within a set range. Any surplus charge resulting from the control is buffered on a low pressure side of the system. Furthermore a refrigeration system based on a closed vapour compression circuit is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SINVENT AS
    Inventors: Arne Jakobsen, Petter Neksa, Sergio Girotto, Havard Rekstad, Geir Skaugen
  • Publication number: 20110023531
    Abstract: Provided is a lubricant composition for a refrigerator having the following characteristics: the composition being used for a refrigerator using a refrigerant having a specific structure such as an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound serving as a refrigerant having a low global warming potential and usable particularly in current air-conditioning system for cars; the composition having excellent stability as well as excellent compatibility with the refrigerant; the composition including a base oil containing a polyoxyalkylene glycol derivative as a main component and 1 to 20% by mass of a monoepoxy compound based on the total amount of the composition; and the refrigerator using a refrigerant containing at least one kind of fluorine-containing organic compound selected from compounds represented by the molecular formula (A) CpOqFrRs or including a combination of the fluorine-containing organic compound and a saturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Kaneko, Harutomo Ikeda, Tokue Sato
  • Publication number: 20110016914
    Abstract: A turbo compressor includes a case; compression stages which are disposed in a plural number in a rotatable manner with respect to the case via a sliding part; an oil tank in which a lubricant oil to be supplied to the sliding part is stored; a pressure equalization pipe which communicates the oil tank with the vicinity of the inlet of the compression stage; and a check valve which allows only the movement of the fluid from the oil tank side to the compression stage side in the pressure equalization pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Kentarou ODA, Minoru TSUKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20110016913
    Abstract: A turbo compressor includes a case; a plurality of compression stages which is disposed rotatably with respect to the case via sliding parts; an oil tank in which lubricant oils to be supplied to the sliding parts are stored; an oil cooler for cooling the lubricant oils; a primary piping for communicating the oil tank with the oil cooler; and a secondary piping for communicating the oil cooler with the sliding parts, wherein an accommodation space in which the oil cooler is accommodated is formed in the case, and the primary piping and the secondary piping are disposed within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Minoru TSUKAMOTO, Kentarou ODA
  • Publication number: 20110011123
    Abstract: In a refrigeration apparatus including a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant represented by Molecular Formula 1: C3HmFn (note that “m” and “n” are integers equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 5, and a relationship represented by an expression m+n=6 is satisfied) and having a single double bond in a molecular structure, or refrigerant mixture containing the refrigerant is used, predetermined functional resin components arranged so as to contact refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit are made of any of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, chloroprene rubber, silicone rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, fluorine-containing rubber, and hydrin rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Hideki Matsuura, Masaru Tanaka, Hideki Hara, Kouji Shibaike, Youichi Ohnuma
  • Publication number: 20110011124
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus (20) includes a refrigerant circuit (10) in which refrigerant is circulated by a compressor (30) to perform a refrigeration cycle. The compressor (30) includes a fluid machine (82) for compressing refrigerant; and an electric motor (85) for driving the fluid machine (82). Refrigerant oil having volume resistivity of equal to or greater than 1010 ?·m at 20° C. is used for the compressor (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Hideki Matsuura, Masaru Tanaka, Hideki Hara
  • Publication number: 20110005266
    Abstract: In order to improve a reciprocating piston compressor for a refrigerant circuit, comprising a crankcase, in which a collecting chamber for lubricant is arranged, a cylinder housing, in which at least one reciprocating piston is movable in an oscillating manner, a valve plate which closes the cylinder housing and in which at least one inlet valve and one outlet valve are arranged, and a cylinder head, in which a suction gas duct which runs to the inlet valve and a compressed gas duct which leads away from the outlet valve are provided, in such a manner that excessive accumulations of lubricant can be avoided, it is suggested that a lubricant suction conduit be provided which has an inlet opening associated with the collecting chamber and an outlet opening associated with the suction gas duct and that the outlet opening be located in an area of the suction gas duct, in which a static pressure, which is lower than a static pressure in the collecting chamber for lubricant, prevails at least temporarily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: BITZER KUHLMASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Eduardo Martin
  • Publication number: 20110000253
    Abstract: A lubricating oil composition for refrigerator is provided by adding base oil with biphenols selected from 4,4?-methylenebis(2,6-di-t-butyl-phenol), 2?2-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2?-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-t-butylphenol) and 4,4?-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokue Sato, Masato Kaneko, Harutomo Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20100326124
    Abstract: An expander-integrated compressor (100A) has a compression mechanism (2), an expansion mechanism (3), a shaft (5), an oil pump (6), and an oil supply amount regulating mechanism (30). The compression mechanism (2) and the expansion mechanism (3) are coupled to each other by the shaft (5) so that mechanical power can be transmitted. The compression mechanism (2) and the expansion mechanism (3) are arrayed vertically in the closed casing (1). The oil pump (6) is provided at a lower portion of the shaft (5). An oil supply passage (29) is formed in the shaft (5) so as to extend in the axis direction. The oil supply amount regulating mechanism 30 controls the amount of the oil to be supplied by the oil pump (6) to the expansion mechanism (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasufumi Takahashi, Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7854134
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided with a refrigerant circuit and an operation controller. The refrigerant circuit includes a heat source unit, a refrigerant communication pipe, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization unit. The heat source unit has a compression mechanism and a heat source side heat exchanger. The heat source unit is connected to the refrigerant communication pipe. The utilization unit has a utilization side heat exchanger and is connected to the refrigerant gas communication pipe. The operation controller performs an oil-return operation in advance for returning oil pooled in the refrigerant circuit when a refrigerant quantity judging operation is carried out for judging the refrigerant quantity inside the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadafumi Nishimura, Shinichi Kasahara
  • Publication number: 20100307173
    Abstract: An external heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from a compressor lubricant to an expanded working fluid, thereby cooling the lubricant. The heat exchanger may also be used to sub-cool condensed working fluid with the same flow of expanded working fluid. A horizontal scroll-type compressor includes an intermediate lubricant sump between a main bearing support and a scroll member. A counterweight on the crankshaft can travel through the lubricant in the intermediate sump to splash the lubricant around. A horizontal scroll-type compressor can include multiple machined surfaces that are utilized to precisely center and align components of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Weihua Guo, Honghong Zhan, Shi Wang, Huaming Guo, Guibin Wang, Jin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100287977
    Abstract: An oil pump is applied to a compressor which comprises a shell (1) inferiorly defining an oil reservoir (3) and carrying: a cylinder block (2) in which is journalled a crankshaft (4) carrying a pump body of the oil pump, said pump body (11) having a lower end (lib) immersed in the oil (3) and comprising: at least one collecting wall portion (12) eccentric in relation to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft (4) and which is deformed to present at least one open step (13) disposed in a plane secant to a cross section of the pump body (11) in the region of said collecting wall portion (12) and defining an opening (13a) for admitting oil to the interior of the pump body (11); and an inner impeller wall portion (14) defining a deflector transversal to the direction of admission of the oil through the open step (13) and which, with the rotation of the pump body (11), impels said oil axially and ascendingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Nilson Wagner, Sergio Luiz Magnhoto, Joao Manoel Mendes
  • Publication number: 20100281912
    Abstract: A lubricating oil composition for refrigerator including a base oil and an acid scavenger, and a compressor using the composition are provided, where the acid scavenger is a polyalkylene glycol derivative represented by a formula (1) as follows: R1-[(OR2)e—OR3]f??(1) and the base oil is at least one compound selected from a group consisting of polyvinyl ether, polyalkylene glycol and an ether-base compound represented by a formula (2) as follows, Ra-[(ORb)n-(X)—(ORc)k]x-Rd??(2) where meanings of respective signs are as described in the specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Kaneko, Harutomo Ikeda, Tokue Sato, Takayuki Kato, Takahiro Hoshida, Masato Takamatsu, Masahiro Suzuki, Shuichi Yasuda, Masataka Muto, Shozo Ikejima, Masahito Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7823413
    Abstract: A system includes an evaporator unit, a first condensing unit and a second condensing unit. The first condensing unit includes a first heat exchanger coil, a first compressor, and a first oil separator, which removes oil from a refrigerant prior to the refrigerant reaching the first heat exchanger coil. The second condensing unit includes a second heat exchanger coil, a second compressor, and a second oil separator, which removes oil from a refrigerant prior to the refrigerant reaching the second heat exchanger coil. The first oil separator is isolated from the second oil separator to prevent communication of oil therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Beving, Norbert Kaemmer
  • Publication number: 20100269536
    Abstract: An expander-compressor unit (200) includes a closed casing (1), a compression mechanism (2), an expansion mechanism (3), a shaft (5), and an oil pump (6). The shaft (5) includes an upper shaft (5s) provided with an upper eccentric portion (5a) for the compression mechanism (2), and a lower shaft (5t) provided with lower eccentric portions (5d and 5c) for the expansion mechanism (3) and an intermediate eccentric portion (5e) for the oil pump (6). The expansion mechanism (3) has an upper bearing member (45) for supporting a supported portion (5f) of the lower shaft (5t) located immediately above the lower eccentric portion (5d). The intermediate eccentric portion (5e) has a diameter equal to or less than that of the supported portion (5f).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Wada, Yu Shiotani, Shingo Oyagi, Yasufumi Takahashi, Takeshi Ogata
  • Publication number: 20100263404
    Abstract: An expander-compressor unit (200A) includes a closed casing (1), a compression mechanism (2), an expansion mechanism (3), a shaft (5), and an oil pump (6). The shaft (5) couples the compression mechanism (2) to the expansion mechanism (3) so that power recovered by the expansion mechanism (3) is transferred to the compression mechanism (2). The oil pump (6) is disposed between the compression mechanism (2) and the expansion mechanism (3), and supplies an oil held in an oil reservoir (25) to the compression mechanism (2). An oil supply passage (29) is formed in the shaft (5) so that the oil discharged from the oil pump (6) can be supplied to the compression mechanism (2). A lower end (29e) of the oil supply passage (29) is located below an inlet (29p) of the oil supply passage (29) formed in an outer circumferential surface of the shaft (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Shiotani, Takeshi Ogata, Shingo Oyagi, Masanobu Wada, Yasufumi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20100251757
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 includes a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit is formed by connecting in sequence a compressor 2 for compressing the refrigerant, a radiator 3 for allowing the refrigerant compressed by compressor 2 to radiate heat, a fluid pressure motor 4 as a power recovery means, and an evaporator 5 for allowing the refrigerant discharged by the fluid pressure motor 4 to evaporate. The fluid pressure motor 4 performs a process for drawing the refrigerant and a process for discharging the refrigerant. These processes are performed substantially continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Masaru Matsui, Takeshi Ogata, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fuminori Sakima, Masanobu Wada
  • Publication number: 20100251738
    Abstract: A refrigeration device includes a switching valve control section for outputting a switching signal for controlling a four-way switching valve to a predetermined switching state when starting a compression mechanism; and a switching determination section which, when starting only a first compressor as a start-up of the compression mechanism, outputs a low differential pressure signal if a differential pressure between a high-pressure port and a low-pressure port in the four-way switching valve falls below a determination value in a determination operation after the switching signal being outputted by the switching valve control section. After the switching determination section outputs the low differential pressure signal, a capacity control section starts a second compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Masaaki Takegami, Satoru Sakae
  • Publication number: 20100251756
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system is provided that includes a refrigerant circuit and a lubricant cooler circuit. The lubricant cooler circuit is operatively associated with the compression device for cooling a lubricant associated with the compression device and includes a heat exchanger coil disposed downstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger with respect to the flow of heating medium. The lubricant cooler heat exchanger defines a flow path for passing the lubricant in heat exchange relationship with the cooled heating medium leaving the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Carrier Corproation
    Inventors: Jason Scarcella, Kursten Lamendola
  • Publication number: 20100251736
    Abstract: Refrigerant circuit (2) comprising a low pressure compressor unit (38) having a low pressure refrigerant outlet (42) in a low pressure sub-circuit (4) and a higher pressure compressor unit (8) having a higher pressure refrigerant inlet (12) in a higher pressure sub-circuit (6), wherein the low pressure refrigerant outlet (42) and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet (12) are fluidly connected with each other, further comprising an oil reservoir (56) connected by a low pressure oil inlet conduit (54) to the low pressure sub-circuit (4) for receiving oil therefrom and connected via an oil discharge (62) to the higher pressure sub-circuit (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Leweke, Christian Douven
  • Publication number: 20100242522
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first refrigerant passage, a ?-type silencer, and a second refrigerant passage. The ?-type silencer has a first silencing space, a second silencing space, and a communication path. The first silencing space communicates with the first refrigerant passage. The second silencing space is disposed below the first silencing space. The communication path extends from the lower end of the first silencing space to the outside of the first silencing space and communicates with the second silencing space. The second refrigerant passage extends from the lower end of the second silencing space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishikawa, Masanori Masuda, Masahide Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20100236282
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor includes a hermetic container storing refrigerant oil an electrically-driven element and a compressing element driven by the electrically-driven element. The compressing element includes a cylinder block having a cylindrical compression chamber and a cylindrical piston reciprocating in the compression chamber. The compression chamber and the piston have a diameter difference in the range of not shorter than 4 ?m to not longer than 15 ?m. The refrigerant oil has viscosity of 8 mm2/s or less at 40° C. and is prepared by mixing a first refrigerant oil having viscosity of less than 8 mm2/s at 40° C. with a second refrigerant oil having viscosity of 20 mm2/s or more at 40° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichiro Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20100218522
    Abstract: An active charge control (ACC) in an air conditioner has a first portion of refrigerant passing into a compressor and a second portion held within the ACC. The first portion is substantially vapor and the second portion substantially liquid. Lubricant is included in both portions for lubricating the compressor. A lubricant mechanism includes a heat exchanger having a primary pathway thermally connected with the compressor and a secondary pathway operable between the ACC and the compressor. The secondary pathway transfers the refrigerant second portion to the compressor. The fluid inlet of the compressor retains liquid refrigerant. The secondary pathway delivers the refrigerant and the lubricant from the ACC to the compressor such that heat energy from the primary pathway is transmitted to the liquid refrigerant and lubricant in the secondary pathway evaporating the refrigerant in the secondary pathway such that refrigerant vapor and lubricant are sent to the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: EARTHLINKED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert W. Cochran, Ricardo Cruz
  • Patent number: 7775054
    Abstract: The air conditioner includes a first and a second heat exchanger, a plurality of compressors, a pipe for uniform distribution of oil, a plurality of oil separators, and an oil return opening. The first heat exchanger performs heat exchange between air of an indoor space and refrigerant to condition the air. The second heat exchanger is connected to the first heat exchanger through a pipe, to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and water. The plurality of compressors is installed at one side of the second heat exchanger, to compress the refrigerant to a high temperature and a high pressure. The pipe for uniform distribution of oil communicates the plurality of compressors with each other, to guide a flow of oil within the plurality of compressors to flow between the compressors. Each oil separator is provided at an outlet of a respective compressor, to separate oil included in refrigerant discharged from the compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Kyu Kim, Ja Hyung Koo, Sim Won Chin, Soo Yeon Shin
  • Publication number: 20100199707
    Abstract: A refrigerating system comprises a compressor (1A, 1B, 1C), a heat rejection device (2), an expansion device (15), an evaporator (5A, 5B, 5C) and a receiver (4), capable of operating with the compressor discharge higher than the critical pressure of the refrigerant; where the flow outlet from the heat rejection device is regulated by a pressure control valve (7), the pressure downstream of the pressure control valve is regulated by a gas vent valve (8), the refrigerant flow to the evaporator is further regulated by an automatic control device (41, 52, 14) at the inlet to the evaporator, and the automatic control device being set to permit intermittent flow of liquid refrigerant to the receiver during normal operation of the system. The refrigerant may be carbon dioxide, which may operate under transcritical pressures e.g. 80 to 120 bar absolute. The receiver acts as a trap for any liquid from the evaporator and ensures that the gas flow to the compressor suction is dry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Brash Pearson
  • Publication number: 20100180628
    Abstract: An expander-integrated compressor (5A) has a compression mechanism (21) for compressing a refrigerant and an expansion mechanism (22) for expanding the refrigerant. The compression mechanism (21) is located above the expansion mechanism (22) inside a closed casing (10) and shares a rotating shaft (36) with the expansion mechanism (22). An oil pump (37) is provided at the lower end of the rotating shaft (36). The oil pump (37) is immersed in oil in an oil reservoir (15). Usually, the oil is placed in the oil reservoir (15) in such a manner that the oil level (OL) is located above a lower end portion (34e) of a vane (34a) of a first expansion section (30a). More preferably, the oil is placed in such a manner that the expansion mechanism (22) is immersed in the oil. An oil supply passage (38) for guiding the oil to the compression mechanism (21) is formed inside the rotating shaft (36). A suction port (37a) of the oil pump (37) is provided below the lower end portion (34e) of the vane (34a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Takeshi Ogata, Masaru Matsui, Atsuo Okaichi, Masanobu Wada, Yasufumi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20100175421
    Abstract: Provided is a lubricant composition for a refrigerator, which is characterized by using a substance mainly containing a polyoxyalkylene glycol derivative and having a hydroxyl number of 5 mgKOH/g or less, as a base oil. Also provided is a compressor using such the lubricant composition for a refrigerator. The lubricant composition for a refrigerator is used for a refrigerator which uses a refrigerant having a specific structure such as an unsaturated fluorohydrocarbon and being usable in current air-conditioning systems for cars or the like. The lubricant composition for a refrigerator exhibits excellent compatibility with the refrigerant, while having excellent stability. The compressor uses such the lubricant composition for a refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicants: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Kaneko, Harutomo Ikeda, Takayuki Kato, Takahiro Hoshida, Masaki Inoue, Shozo Ikejima, Masataka Muto, Masahito Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20100175396
    Abstract: To address the problem of lubricant entrainment within the refrigerant system components such as an evaporator and suction line, a control is provided to periodically, substantially and intermittently increase the refrigerant flow through these components to thereby carry the trapped lubricant back to the compressor. The increased flow of refrigerant can be accomplished by periodically throttling and then unthrottling either an expansion device or a suction modulation valve to cause instantaneous pressure buildup within a respective section of the vapor compression system and subsequent increase of the refrigerant flow through the above-referenced components such as an evaporator and suction line. Suggested time intervals of both the throttling and unthrottling states are provided, as well as the frequency of occurrence for subsequent oil return cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20100170271
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of operation of a refrigerant system, which comprises a main refrigerant circuit, a reheat circuit, and a flow control device, which has a first position isolating said reheat circuit from said main refrigerant circuit, and a second position placing said reheat circuit in fluid communication with said main refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant system further comprises a controller in electrical communication with said flow control device. The controller is configured to move the flow control device to the first position during a cooling mode, and to move the flow control device to the second position during a reheating mode or an oil recovery mode. The refrigerant system controller can execute an oil recovery mode in continuous or intermittent manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20100170291
    Abstract: In a hermetic compressor, aggression to an organic material is low by using a refrigeration oil using, as a base oil, an alicyclic multivalent carboxylic acid ester compound and made of an alicyclic multivalent carboxylic acid ester compound having at least two ester groups, the at least two ester groups being bound to carbon atoms adjacent to each other on an alicyclic ring. The ratio of hydrocarbon radicals in which carbon number is 4 or less among hydrocarbon radicals bound to the at least two ester groups is 15% by weight or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yuuki Yoshimi
  • Publication number: 20100162748
    Abstract: A heat generator includes an air-conditioning refrigerating system formed of a compressor, a discharge line, a condenser, a condenser liquid line, a liquid distributor, a spoiler such as metering device, an evaporator and a suction line, and a liquid delivering system. The discharge line has a head heat segment disposed in contact with a contact segment of the delivery segment for heat exchange to charge liquid passing through the delivery pipe into hot water or steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Ming-Li Tso, Shun-Tsung Chang
  • Publication number: 20100147016
    Abstract: A lubricating oil composition for refrigerators comprising a base oil which comprises as a main component a polyol ester compound obtained from a polyhydric alcohol selected from among pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, and neopentyl glycol and a C4 to C20 aliphatic monocarboxylic acid and which has an acid value of 0.02 mgKOH/g or less and a hydroxyl value of 5 mgKOH/g or less. A compressor using the lubricating composition. The lubricating oil composition is applicable to such refrigerators that use a refrigerant having a specific structure, such as an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound, and being usable in current car air conditioner systems, and has excellent compatibility with the refrigerant, good sealing properties, capability of imparting a low coefficient of friction to sliding members and, yet, excellent stability. The compressor uses the lubricating composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicants: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Kaneko, Harutomo Ikeda, Takayuki Kato, Takahiro Hoshida, Masaki Inoue, Shozo Ikejima, Masataka Muto, Masahito Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20100139311
    Abstract: A lubricating oil for a compression-type refrigerator using a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant including a polyvinyl ether-based compound containing in the molecule an alkylene glycol unit or a polyoxyalkylene glycol unit and a polyvinyl ether unit and having a molecular weight in the range of 300 to 3,000, and a refrigeration apparatus using the lubricating oil. The present invention can provide a lubricating oil for a compression-type refrigerator having good compatibility in the atmosphere of a hydrofluorocarbon and a high viscosity index, and a refrigeration apparatus using such a lubricating oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nagao, Izumi Terada, Nobuaki Shimizu, Masato Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20100132398
    Abstract: A fluid machine (10) includes: a closed casing (11) having an oil reservoir (16) in its bottom portion; a main compression mechanism (3) supplied with oil contained in an upper portion (16a) of the oil reservoir; a rotation motor (8); a main compression mechanism side shaft (38) for coupling the main compression mechanism (3) and the rotation motor (8); a mechanical power recovery mechanism (5) disposed below the upper portion (16a) and recovering mechanical power from a working fluid; a sub-compression mechanism (2) disposed below the upper portion (16a); a mechanical power recovery shaft (16) for coupling the mechanical power recovery mechanism (5) and the sub-compression mechanism (2); and a heat-insulating structure (80) located between the upper portion (16a) and the mechanical power recovery mechanism (5) and restricting flow of oil between the upper portion (16a) of the oil reservoir (16) and a lower portion (16b) of the oil reservoir in which the mechanical power recovery mechanism (5) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasufumi Takahashi, Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20100132382
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for an orientation independent compressor. The subject compressor can be part of a vapor compression cycle system, and can use one or more of a variety of working fluids, including, but not limited to, refrigerants such as r-134a, r-22, CO2, and NH3. Embodiments of the compressor can utilize positive displacement means to compress the vapor. In a specific embodiment, the compressor can incorporate an oil-lubricated rotary lobed type positive displacement compressor. In a further specific embodiment, the working fluid can be a refrigerant, such as r-134a, incorporating entrained oil, such as miscible lubricating oils. An example of such a miscible lubricating oil that can be used is polyester (POE) oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Rini Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Rini, Benjamin Saarloos, Brian Zinck, Nick Williams, James Hughes
  • Publication number: 20100132397
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricating oil for a compression type refrigerator including a polyvinyl ether-based compound containing an alkylene glycol or polyoxyalkylene glycol unit and a vinyl ether unit in a molecule and having a molecular weight in a range of 300 to 3,000, an epoxy compound having 8 or more carbon atoms The lubricating oil for a compression type refrigerator of the present invention has high miscibility and high viscosity index, and is excellent in stability, and does not have an unpleasant odor under carbon dioxide atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD
    Inventors: Masato Kaneko, Harutomo Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7712329
    Abstract: A compressor system includes a first compressor, which has a first low side oil sump, in a first shell and a second compressor, which has a second low side oil sump, in a second shell. The first and second compressors are connected in series. There is an oil transfer conduit connected between the first low side sump of the first compressor and the second low side sump of the second compressor. The system also includes a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit. A method for effecting oil balance in a compressor system, the method includes establishing a first compressor in a first shell having a first low side oil sump and establishing a second compressor in a second shell having a second low side oil sump. The first and second compressors are connected in series. The method also includes positioning an oil transfer conduit between the first low side sump and the second low side sump and positioning a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: David Shaw
  • Publication number: 20100107680
    Abstract: An oil supply passage (68) is formed inside a rotating shaft (56) of a compression mechanism (21). An oil supply passage (38) is formed inside a rotating shaft (36) of an expansion mechanism (22). A boss portion (81) is provided at a lower end of the rotating shaft (56). A shaft portion (82) that is engaged in the boss portion (81) is provided at an upper end of the rotating shaft (36). The circumference of a coupling part (80), which includes the boss portion (81) and the shaft portion (82) is covered by an upper bearing (42) of the expansion mechanism (22). The upper bearing (42) supports both the rotating shaft (36) and the rotating shaft (56).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ogata, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Masaru Matsui, Atsuo Okaichi, Tomoichiro Tamura, Masanobu Wada