Lubricant Separator Patents (Class 62/470)
  • Publication number: 20040231357
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oil equalizing circuit that can improve the reliability of the oil supply to the compression mechanisms in a refrigeration system provided with a plurality of compression mechanisms. The compressor group (11) of the air conditioning system (1) is equipped chiefly with first, second, and third compressors (21a to 21c) and an oil equalizing circuit (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Hiromune Matsuoka, Shinya Matsuoka, Yasushi Hori
  • Publication number: 20040221610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for separating oil from a refrigerant gas containing the oil. The refrigerant gas is discharged from a refrigerant compressor which forms a part of refrigerating cycle to an external refrigerant circuit. The oil separation structure includes a separation chamber in which the oil is separated from the discharge refrigerant gas having a cylindrical inner surface, and a plurality of introduction passages through which the discharge refrigerant gas is introduced into the separation chamber. The oil is separated by centrifugal action from the discharge refrigerant gas by turning the discharge refrigerant gas introduced into the separation chamber along the cylindrical inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshinari Yamada, Suguru Hirota, Hajime Kurita
  • Publication number: 20040221588
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning refrigerant recycling system incorporates an improved upstream oil separator that removes virtually all contaminating lubricants from a refrigerant stream before the refrigerant is delivered to sensitive downstream components of the recycling system. The oil separator includes a vaporizing chamber wherein refrigerant vaporizes while dissolved lubricants precipitate and a mist arrestor for trapping remaining lubricant entrained in the refrigerant vapor. The oil separator also may incorporate a temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the refrigerant stream in order to separate other contaminants such as hexane and hexane derivatives, Menthol Chloride, Isoparafins and other contaminants from the stream. A bi-directional valve allows refrigerant to move through the chamber in one direction and bypass the chamber in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Myron Stein
  • Publication number: 20040211193
    Abstract: A system including (i) a primary loop including a first oil compressor configured to raise the pressure of a refrigerant flowing through the primary loop, an oil separator configured to separate oil contaminant from the refrigerant, a valve configured to return the separated oil back to the first oil compressor, at least one heat exchanger, and a first expansion element; and (ii) a secondary loop including a primary/secondary heat exchanger, the primary/secondary heat exchanger also forming a part of the primary loop; wherein the refrigerant includes constituents (a) that function as a solvent of the oil contaminant which fail to be separated from the refrigerant and (b) that at least substantially condense in the primary/secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Van der Walt, David Vancelette
  • Publication number: 20040154329
    Abstract: There is provided a rotary compressor capable of preventing deterioration of performance following plug fixing carried out to prevent falling-off of a spring member. The rotary compressor comprises a cylinder constituting a rotary compression element, a roller engaged with an eccentric portion formed in a rotary shaft of an electric element, and eccentrically rotated in the cylinder, a vane abutted on the roller to divide an inside of the cylinder into a low pressure chamber side and a high pressure chamber side, a spring member for always pressing the vane to the roller side, a housing portion of the spring member, formed in the cylinder, and opened to the vane side and a hermetically sealed container side, a plug positioned in the hermetically sealed container side of the spring member, and inserted into the housing portion to fit into a gap, and an O ring attached around the plug to seal a part between the plug and the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Tadano, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Kenzo Matsumoto, Dai Matsuura, Kazuya Sato, Takayasu Saito, Toshiyuki Ebara, Satoshi Imai, Atsushi Oda, Takashi Sato, Hiroyuki Matsumori
  • Publication number: 20040148947
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circulation circuit. The vehicle air conditioning apparatus has a variable displacement type compressor, a first pressure monitoring point, a second pressure monitoring point and an oil separator in the refrigerant circulation circuit. Also, the vehicle air conditioning apparatus has a control valve in the compressor. The compressor compresses refrigerant gas. Displacement of the compressor is variable. The refrigerant gas includes oil. The second pressure monitoring point is located more downstream than the first pressure monitoring point. The control valve controls the displacement based on differential pressure between the first and second pressure monitoring points. The oil separator is located between the first and second pressure monitoring points in order to separate the oil from the compressed refrigerant gas, thereby the oil separator serves as means for manifesting the differential pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Masaki Ota, Tomoji Tarutani, Hisato Kawamura, Yoshinori Inoue, Masahiro Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20040151603
    Abstract: There is provided a rotary compressor capable of preventing deterioration of performance following plug fixing carried out to prevent falling-off of a spring member. The rotary compressor comprises a cylinder constituting a rotary compression element, a roller engaged with an eccentric portion formed in a rotary shaft of an electric element, and eccentrically rotated in the cylinder, a vane abutted on the roller to divide an inside of the cylinder into a low pressure chamber side and a high pressure chamber side, a spring member for always pressing the vane to the roller side, a housing portion of the spring member, formed in the cylinder, and opened to the vane side and a hermetically sealed container side, a plug positioned in the hermetically sealed container side of the spring member, and inserted into the housing portion to fit into a gap, and an O ring attached around the plug to seal a part between the plug and the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Tadano, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Kenzo Matsumoto, Dai Matsuura, Kazuya Sato, Takayasu Saito, Toshiyuki Ebara, Satoshi Imai, Atsushi Oda, Takashi Sato, Hiroyuki Matsumori
  • Patent number: 6767524
    Abstract: Process and system to produce nearly oil free ammonia using a rotary compressor with liquid injection from a separator tank where the liquid in the tank includes oil and liquid ammonia. The level of oil in the compressed ammonia leaving the separator is much lower than in conventional separators with coalescing elements, because the temperature is lower and there is less oil departure in oil vapor form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventors: Bernard Zimmern, Jean-Louis Picouet
  • Publication number: 20040134223
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention an apparatus is proposed for the return of lubricant for a refrigeration machine (K). The lubricant return comprises a container (2) with at least one sheet metal partition (3), said sheet metal partition (3) dividing the container (2) into at least a first zone (4) and a second zone (5), as well as a sheet metal separating member (7) in the second zone for separating out lubricant (6). In the second zone (5) an extraction device (8) is arranged in relation to the sheet metal separating member (7) in such a way and formed so that the lubricant (6) separated out at the sheet metal separating member (7) is removable from the container (2) by means of the extraction device (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Axima Refrigeration GmbH
    Inventors: Beat Schuppisser, Jean-Claude Logel, Beatrice Klotz, Holger Koenig
  • Publication number: 20040123621
    Abstract: To prevent heat transfer inhibition and an increase in pressure loss due to refrigerating machine oil discharged into a cycle, and to provide a compact and highly efficient refrigerating cycle apparatus using carbon dioxide gas (CO2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Noriho Okaza, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Yuji Yoshida, Mitsuhiro Ikoma, Hidenobu Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20040099006
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner comprising a plurality of indoor units and a common outdoor unit connected to each of the indoor units. The air conditioner further includes an additional indoor unit connected to an air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit. The additional indoor unit is installed in some place other than the installation place of the indoor unit. The indoor units are selectively or simultaneously operated by means of effective distribution of coolant in the outdoor unit so that the indoor units are properly operated by means of the single outdoor unit to provide a pleasant air conditioned environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Hyung Joo Woo, Su Chang Woo, Kyung Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 6722858
    Abstract: The oil-cooled type compressor 1A houses therein an inspecting flow passage 19 branched from a discharge flow passage 12 on the secondary side of an oil separation recovering portion 14 and joined with a suction flow passage 11 which is a lower pressure portion than the branched point, and an oil separating element 22 capable of capturing finer oil particles as compared with an oil separating element 15 within the oil separating recovering portion 14, and houses therein an oil droplet detection means 23 for outputting a signal electrically showing a state change upon receipt of oil droplets dropped from the oil separating element 22, being provided with an oil separation detector 21 interposed in the inspecting flow passage 19, and a calculating portion 24 for receiving an electric signal from the oil droplet detection means 23 to calculate the percentage content of oil of the compressed gas from the interval of the electric signal to output it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yoshimura, Takao Ohama
  • Publication number: 20040040339
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycling device is provided, wherein a compressor comprises an electric motor element, a first and a second rotary compression elements in a sealed container. The first and the second rotary compression elements are driven by the electric motor element. The refrigerant compressed and discharged by the first rotary compression element is compressed by absorbing into the second rotary compression element, and is discharged to the gas cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Kazuya Sato, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Masaji Yamanaka, Haruhisa Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6698232
    Abstract: A compressor oil diversion and collection system used in a compressor having a housing, a crankshaft having shaft seals, refrigerant and a compression device for compressing the refrigerant. The system includes a shaft sealing mechanism that uses a lubricant for preventing compressor refrigerant from leaking out of the compressor housing and has a space where the lubricant collects. A diversion mechanism is deployed for directing excess amounts of said lubricant from the space to a receiver for receiving the excess amounts of said lubricant from the diversion mechanism. The receiver may be in the form of an internal cavity which includes a removable cartridge located in the cavity for collecting the excess amounts of said lubricant, an external collection reservoir or an external drainage tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Duppert, Christopher A. Wyker, Kenneth A. Wright
  • Patent number: 6681596
    Abstract: A dryer for a refrigerant circuit of a refrigerator includes a housing with a first and a second passage orifice. The cross-section of the first passage orifice includes a circular main portion, which is provided for receiving an evacuating line, and a lateral bulge, which is provided for receiving a capillary tube. A method for mounting the dryer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kentner, Helmut Steichele
  • Patent number: 6675607
    Abstract: An oil separator is provided on a bleeding channel inside the shaft 16. By integral rotation of the shaft 16 and a rotary valve, oil contained in a refrigerant gas is centrifuged via the oil separator. The separated oil is supplied to an interface between the rotary valve and a cylinder block, namely, a clearance portion of the rotary valve. The separated oil is also supplied into a clearance between a piston and a cylinder bore 12a via a suction port and a suction channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Tomoji Tarutani, Hirohiko Tanaka, Hisato Kawamura, Kenji Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6655173
    Abstract: An evaporator for a refrigerating system which prevents droplets of refrigerant from blowing upwards, and a refrigeration apparatus using thereof are provided. The evaporator for a refrigerating system includes a container into which the refrigerant is introduced, and heat exchanger tubes disposed in the container through which a cooled object flows. The evaporator further includes a prevention plate disposed above the heat exchanger tubes so that droplets of the refrigerant, which are blown upwards due to a boiling of the refrigerant, hit the prevention plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Iritani, Akihiro Kawada, Yoshinori Shirakata, Wataru Seki, Koji Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 6644045
    Abstract: The expansion device in a refrigeration or air conditioning system is an expressor. The expresser is made up of a twin screw expander and a twin screw compressor with rotors of the expander functioning as timing gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Tang, Joost J. Brasz
  • Patent number: 6640559
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating oil from an oil and gas mixture in a chiller system. The device includes a housing, an oil and gas inlet, a gas outlet, an oil outlet, a baffle, and a coalescing assembly to separate the oil from the oil and gas mixture. The method includes tangentially introducing the oil and gas mixture into a housing, separating the oil from the mixture by centrifugal force, separating the oil from the mixture by changing a flow direction of the mixture in the housing, discharging the gas from the housing, and discharging the oil separated from the oil and gas mixture from the housing. The device and method provides excellent oil separation performance. The device and method is also cost effective, compact in size, and compatible to the existing chiller system design, and can be readily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: York International Corporation
    Inventor: William F. McQuade
  • Patent number: 6604371
    Abstract: An oil holding tank (40) is communicated to the case (10c) of the compressor (10). Part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (10) is introduced into the oil holding tank (40) so that the lubrication oil (L) is allowed to flow out from the oil holding tank (40) and the lubrication oil (L) which flows out is allowed to return to the case (10c). The presence of the lubrication oil (L) is detected from a comparison between the temperature (TK1) of the refrigerant introduced from the compressor (10) to the oil holding tank (40) and the temperature (TK2) of the lubrication oil (4) flowing out from the oil holding tank (40). On the basis of the result of the detection, it is judged whether or not the amount of the lubrication oil (L) in the case (10c) is appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Ueno
  • Patent number: 6574986
    Abstract: An oil separator including a shell (50) with a cylindrical section and a taper section which narrows in a downward direction and which is formed as an integral part at the bottom of the cylindrical section, an outlet pipe (51) which is inserted through the top of the shell so that the central axis of the outlet pipe coincides with the central axis of the shell, a discharge pipe (52) connected to an opening provided at the bottom of the taper section, and an inlet pipe (53) connected tangentially to the inner surface of the cylindrical section for introducing a gas liquid two phase flow into the shell, wherein the distance between the shell opening (50a) and the tip (51a) of the outlet pipe inside the shell is at least 5 times the inside diameter of the inlet pipe (53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Morimoto, Tomohiko Kasai, Hirofumi Koge, Hiroki Murakami
  • Patent number: 6564573
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a concentrated ammonia aqueous solution tank used in an absorption diffusion type refrigerating equipment. The present invention is characterized in that a capillary tissue is placed in the concentrated ammonia aqueous solution tank. The capillary tissue is formed by bending knitted metal nets or is integrally formed by means of sintering. Thereby, additional surface area of absorption reaction can be increased, and the volume and weight of the original absorber can be reduced, hence increasing refrigerating speed and reducing refrigerating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Heat Energy Advanced Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hao Pai, Ru He Jan, Chin Hung Kuo
  • Patent number: 6516627
    Abstract: An evaporator for a refrigeration chiller includes a tube bundle in which at least a portion of the tubes of the tube bundle are immersed in a pool which include both liquid refrigerant and is lubricant. Liquid refrigerant and lubricant are deposited into the pool at a first pool location. Because of the vaporization of refrigerant that occurs within the pool, a pattern of flow is established and managed that causes the lubricant in the pool to migrate from the location of its deposit into the pool to a second pool location. An outlet is provided at the second pool location from which lubricant is drawn out of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: H. Kenneth Ring, Jon P. Hartfield, Sean A. Smith, William J. Peck
  • Patent number: 6481240
    Abstract: An oil separator comprising a cylindrical portion, an inlet for incoming gas/oil mixture, an outlet for separated gas, a lower portion, and an outlet for separated oil is provided. The lower portion decreases in diameter as it proceeds from top to bottom, thereby providing for an increase in centrifugal force within the oil separator and greater separation of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guntis Viktors Strikis, Kanwal Bhatia, Lavlesh Sud, Mirza Qadir Mahmood Baig, Vipen Khetarpal
  • Patent number: 6467287
    Abstract: A compressor and oil separator assembly for compressing a fluid includes a suction end, a discharge end, and first and second rotors rotatably mounted between the suction and discharge ends. A discharge line communicates with the discharge end, and an oil separator communicates with the discharge line. An oil sump communicates with the oil separator and an oil supply line communicates between the oil sump and the rotors. A bleed line selectively communicates between the discharge line and the oil supply line for equalizing a pressure differential between the suction end and the discharge end without causing substantial backward rotation of the rotors or displacement of oil to the rotors through the oil supply line. Preferably, the assembly further includes a valve that defines a portion of the discharge line and is also coupled to the bleed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Ivan Sjoholm, Lee J. Erickson, Dean William Osterman
  • Publication number: 20020134103
    Abstract: The present invention proposes an ejector which does not inhibit a flow of fluid and a refrigerating system provided with the ejector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Kenichiro Nishii
  • Publication number: 20020134102
    Abstract: An oil separator including a shell (50) with a cylindrical section and a taper section which narrows in a downward direction and which is formed as an integral part at the bottom of the cylindrical section, an outlet pipe (51) which is inserted through the top of the shell so that the central axis of the outlet pipe coincides with the central axis of the shell, a discharge pipe (52) connected to an opening provided at the bottom of the taper section, and an inlet pipe (53) connected tangentially to the inner surface of the cylindrical section for introducing a gas liquid two phase flow into the shell, wherein the distance between the shell opening (50a) and the tip (51a) of the outlet pipe inside the shell is at least 5 times the inside diameter of the inlet pipe (53).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Osamu Morimoto, Tomohiko Kasai, Hirofumi Koge, Hiroki Murakami
  • Publication number: 20020100291
    Abstract: An oil separator comprising a cylindrical portion, an inlet for incoming gas/oil mixture, an outlet for separated gas, a lower portion, and an outlet for separated oil is provided. The lower portion decreases in diameter as it proceeds from top to bottom, thereby providing for an increase in centrifugal force within the oil separator and greater separation of oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Guntis Viktors Strikis, Kanwal Bhatia, Lavlesh Sud, Mirza Qadir Mahmood Baig, Vipen Khetarpal
  • Patent number: 6405542
    Abstract: A refrigeration system including a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator and an accumulator is provided. The refrigeration system includes a device for preventing condensation of liquid refrigerant in the compressor when the refrigeration is switched off for a prolonged period of time. Particularly, the device comprises a first reservoir that is a part of the conduit connecting the compressor and the accumulator. The first reservoir is placed below the body of the compressor and has a larger cross-section than the rest of the conduit. The present invention also includes a second reservoir in the conduit connecting the compressor and the condenser. Like the first reservoir, the second reservoir is also placed below the body of the compressor and has a larger cross-section than the rest of the conduit. The condensation of the refrigerant in the compressor is prevented by the following method when the refrigeration system is shut off the vapor present in the conduit condense in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Galal Naguib Matta
  • Publication number: 20020035839
    Abstract: A compressor and oil separator assembly for compressing a fluid includes a suction end, a discharge end, and first and second rotors rotatably mounted between the suction and discharge ends. A discharge line communicates with the discharge end, and an oil separator communicates with the discharge line. An oil sump communicates with the oil separator and an oil supply line communicates between the oil sump and the rotors. A bleed line selectively communicates between the discharge line and the oil supply line for equalizing a pressure differential between the suction end and the discharge end without causing substantial backward rotation of the rotors or displacement of oil to the rotors through the oil supply line. Preferably, the assembly further includes a valve that defines a portion of the discharge line and is also coupled to the bleed line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Ivan Sjoholm, Lee J. Erickson, Dean William Osterman
  • Publication number: 20020026800
    Abstract: A heat source unit and refrigerant used in an existing refrigeration system are replaced with new refrigerant and a new heat source unit which employs the new refrigerant and is equipped with an oil separator and extraneous-matter trapping means. An indoor unit of the existing refrigeration system may be used, in its present form, or replaced with a new indoor unit. Further, connecting pipes used for the existing refrigeration are reused. After replacement of refrigerant, the refrigeration system performs an ordinary operation after having performed a cleaning operation. The extraneous-matter trapping means is provided in a refrigerant pipe close to the heat source unit or in a bypass channel connected to the refrigerant pipe close to the heat source unit. Alternatively, only the heat source unit of the existing refrigeration system is replaced with a new one, and there is employed refrigeration oil which has no mutual solubility with respect to HFC or has very low mutual solubility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kasai, Mitsunori Kurachi, Hidekazu Tani, Moriya Miyamoto, Yoshihiro Sumida, Takashi Ikeda, Toshihiro Kikukawa, Shohichiroh Masuda, Hirofumi Koge
  • Patent number: 6349561
    Abstract: A vehicular air conditioning system (10) includes a compressor (110) having a crank chamber (138), a suction chamber (120), and a discharge chamber (122). A refrigerant mixture includes carbon dioxide and oil. A conduit (13) connects the discharge chamber (122) of the compressor (110) directly with an oil separator (14) to route the refrigerant mixture directly to the oil separator (14). A capillary tube (16) is connected between the oil separator (14) and the crank chamber (138) of the compressor (110) to cool and throttle oil enroute directly to the crank chamber (138) of the compressor (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Huang, Vipen K. Khetarpal
  • Publication number: 20010050163
    Abstract: High-temperature-side hydrogen storage alloy containers each containing a hydrogen storage alloy are disposed as a heat exchanging portion in high-temperature-side heat exchangers. Low-temperature waste-heat gas generated in a micro gas turbine is imported into the heat exchangers so that direct heat exchange is performed between the waste-heat gas and each of the alloy containers. On the other hand, low-temperature-side hydrogen storage alloy containers each containing a hydrogen storage alloy are disposed as a heat exchanging portion in low-temperature-side heat exchangers. The high-temperature-side alloy containers and the low-temperature-side alloy containers are connected to each other by hydrogen-travelling pipes. Cold heat generated in the low-temperature-side heat exchangers is supplied to a refrigeration output portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: JAPAN STEEL WORKS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Iwamoto, Hiroyuki Togo, Masamitsu Murai, Ritsu Miura, Koji Hattori, Harunobu Takeda
  • Patent number: 6237362
    Abstract: An internal oil separator for compressors of refrigeration systems is disclosed. This oil separator supplies an effective quantity of lubrication oil to the drive parts of a compressor, and protects the compressor from being unexpectedly damaged or locked. The oil separator accomplishes the recent trend of compactness of compressors, and prevents a bypass flow of the compressed refrigerant into the compressor. This oil separator collaterally reduces operational noises of the compressor. In this oil separator, an oil-separating chamber 21, having a generally U-shaped passage, is defined in the rear section of a compressor housing by a cover 2. The oil-separating chamber 21 has a guide wall 22, thus forming a desired U-shaped passage therein. Refrigerant inlet and outlet ports 13, 14 are formed on the rear wall of the housing. An oil-collecting part 17 is formed on the bottom of the oil-separating chamber 21 and stores recovered oil therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventor: Kil Sang Jang
  • Patent number: 6233967
    Abstract: A refrigeration chiller makes use of the flow of oil from an oil sump location to the chiller's compressor to power an eductor to return oil which has made its way to the evaporator of the chiller system from the evaporator to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Seewald, Michael C. Boehde
  • Patent number: 6223549
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device having a first refrigeration circuit for circulating a refrigerant from a compressor through a heat exchanger on a heat source equipment side, a flow rate adjuster, a heat exchanger on an application side, and an accumulator in a sequential manner to the compressor, comprising an extraneous matter catching means for catching extraneous matters in the refrigerant provided between the heat exchanger on application side and the accumulator of the first refrigeration circuit, and an oil separating means for separating a refrigerating machine oil in the refrigerant to separate the extraneous matters and the refrigerating machine oil from the refrigerant, by such a structure only a heat source equipment A and an indoor unit B can be newly exchanged without exchanging connection pipes C and D for connecting the heat source equipment and the indoor unit after flushing operation for introducing a new refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiko Kasai
  • Patent number: 6205808
    Abstract: A screw compressor in a refrigeration chiller includes one or more baffles disposed in the compressor housing so as to intercept and redirect oil which may flow and/or be blown, under certain operating conditions, in an upstream direction against the stream of suction gas that flows into the compressor from the evaporator. The baffles cause oil to be retained in the compressor rather than being blown back to the system evaporator to ensure that sufficient oil is available to the compressor under all operating conditions and eliminates the need for structure/apparatus in the evaporator dedicated to returning such oil to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Beekman
  • Patent number: 6185955
    Abstract: In a refrigerating system using a given refrigerant, a compressor (1) contains lubricating oil and compresses the given refrigerant into a supercritical state having pressure higher than the critical pressure of the given refrigerant. In this event, the compressor discharges a compressed refrigerant of the supercritical state together with the lubricating oil. The compressed refrigerant is separated from the lubricating oil by an oil separator (2) and thereafter cooled in a radiator (3) into a cooled refrigerant. After being decompressed in an expander (4) and evaporated in an evaporator (5), the cooled refrigerant is supplied as the given refrigerant to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sanden Corp.
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6182467
    Abstract: A portion of the condensed liquid in a condenser is diverted to a generator where it supplies heat to boil off refrigerant from a refrigerant oil mixture and is thereby subcooled. The subcooled liquid is supplied to the motor for cooling. The boiling off of refrigerant in the generator results in an “oil rich” liquid which is supplied to the bearings, etc. for lubrication. One, or more, jet or ejector pumps are preferably used to supply the oil rich liquid to the lubrication distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Jianping Zhong, Edward A. Huenniger, Fadi S. Maalouf, Donald Yannascoli
  • Patent number: 6145326
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for cooling compressor oil in a refrigeration system by passing the oil through a heat exchanger cooled by evaporating refrigerant. The refrigerant is pumped into the heat exchanger by a liquid refrigerant pump. The use of the pump avoids the requirement of a mixing pipe with an internal venturi nozzle, while also providing oil-cooling that is relatively free of noise and disturbance to those in the vicinity of the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Systematic Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel James O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6134898
    Abstract: A capacity type refrigerant compressor having a compression chamber in which a refrigerant introduced from a suction system is compressed and discharged as a compressed high pressure refrigerant, and an oil-separating and lubricating system for lubricating an interior of the compressor by an oil separated from the compressed refrigerant, which has an oil-separating unit to separate the oil from the compressed refrigerant, an oil-storing chamber storing the separated oil, an oil-supply passage to supply the oil from the oil-storing chamber to the suction system, a pressure-operated valve arranged in the oil supply passage to regulate an amount of flow of the oil, which includes a valve chamber and a movable valve spool in the valve chamber to control a communication between the upstream and downstream of the oil-supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Satoshi Umemura, Shinya Yamamoto, Keishi Nakagaki
  • Patent number: 6131405
    Abstract: A device for separating oil from an oil/gas mixture in a refrigeration or heat pump system includes a cylindrical housing circumscribing a central axis with upper and lower end caps. A scroll-shaped separator baffle disposed in the housing defines a flow path extending radially-inward in a spiral manner from a peripheral region of the housing toward the central axis of the housing. An inlet conduit in the upper end cap directs an oil/gas mixture into the housing. An upper baffle plate supporting an upper end of the separator baffle directs the oil/gas mixture from the inlet to the peripheral region of the housing and into the separator baffle. The oil in the mixture generally separates from the gas in the mixture and deposits on the wall of the separator baffle the mixture flows radially inward through the separator baffle. An outlet conduit in the lower end cap aligned with the central axis and extending upwardly into the separator baffle directs the resulting oil-free gas stream from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Gary E. Griffin, Robert F. Prayne
  • Patent number: 6122924
    Abstract: Hot gas bypass of compressed fluid is accomplished using standard components of an oil separation circuit. In this method, an electronically controlled valve, which is selectively opened and closed for returning oil accumulated in the oil separator is also selectively opened when a determination is made that hot gas bypass is desired. This electronically controlled valve is placed in the oil separator return line. When the valve is opened, hot gas is bypassed from compressor outlet into compressor inlet through the oil separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Boris Karpman
  • Patent number: 6116046
    Abstract: An assured supply of lubricant to the compressor in a refrigeration chiller is provided by a reservoir that is connected in parallel with the main line by which lubricant is supplied to the compressor. The reservoir is connected to the main lubricant supply line in a manner such that if the lubricant supply line is blown dry, as can occur as a result of an unusual or abnormal chiller shutdown condition, a critical portion of the supply line will be refilled by the reservoir relatively very quickly which assures the immediate availability of lubricant to the compressor from that portion of the lubricant supply line when it next starts up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Leaver, Sean A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6000233
    Abstract: In a CO.sub.2 refrigerant cycle, a lubricating oil for a compressor has a compatibility relative to CO.sub.2 refrigerant, and the compatibility of the lubricating oil relative to the CO.sub.2 refrigerant at a pressure lower than a critical pressure of the CO.sub.2 refrigerant is lower than that at a pressure higher than the critical pressure of the CO.sub.2 refrigerant. Thus, in a low-pressure side such as an accumulator of the CO.sub.2 refrigerant cycle, because a liquid lubricating oil is separated with a liquid CO.sub.2 refrigerant, only the lubricating oil can be readily introduced into a suction side of the compressor, and it can prevent the liquid CO.sub.2 refrigerant from being sucked into the compressor. As a result, it can prevent a damage to the compressor while preventing deterioration of coefficient of performance of the CO.sub.2 refrigerant cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Nishida, Hisayoshi Sakakibara, Yasutaka Kuroda
  • Patent number: 5953934
    Abstract: In a refrigerant circulating apparatus, a liquid accumulating container for allowing oil droplets to flow out in suspended form is connected between a condenser and a pressure reducing device. Thus, refrigerating machine oil which flowed out from a compressor can be reliably returned to the compressor, and proper lubricating and sealing functions can be maintained for the compressing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Makino, Takeshi Izawa, Yasushi Akahori, Yoshinori Shirafuji, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5927101
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, and a condenser for condensing the refrigerant. A capillary tube lowers the pressure of the refrigerant, and an evaporator evaporates the low-pressure refrigerant. An oil separation unit is disposed between the compressor and the condenser for separating oil contained in the refrigerant. A bypass pipe is disposed in parallel with the oil separation unit and directly conveys some of the refrigerant from the compressor into the condenser, thereby reducing flow resistance in the oil separation unit and reducing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-je Oh
  • Patent number: 5868001
    Abstract: The lowest metering port in the suction feed pipe of an accumulator is located such that a residual liquid storage volume is created which is at least 20% of the total volume available for liquid storage without overflowing into the suction feed pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Shoulders
  • Patent number: 5839886
    Abstract: A primary compressor and a booster compressor connected in series is presented. A first conduit connects the low side of a heating/cooling or refrigeration system to the inlet of the booster compressor, the outlet of the booster compressor and the inlet of the primary compressor. A second conduit connects the outlet of the primary compressor to the high side of the system. The first conduit includes a check valve for closing or opening the connection between the first conduit and the outlet of the booster compressor. A sump conduit is positioned near the bottom of the primary and booster compressors to allow lubricant to flow from the booster compressor to the primary compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: David N. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5795139
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor, typically a swash plate type refrigerant compressor for compressing refrigerant gas containing therein lubricating oil, which has axially combined cylinder blocks having a plurality of cylinder bores in which a plurality of pistons reciprocate to implement suction and compression of refrigerant gas as well as discharge of the compressed refrigerant gas. The cylinder blocks further have a swash plate chamber for a swash plate supported by a sliding type thrust bearings, receiving the refrigerant gas returning from an exterior of the compressor, and an axially extending central through-bore for a drive shaft supported by radial bearings. The compressor has a lubricating oil system which includes a fluid passageway for supplying a part of the refrigerant gas containing the lubricating oil from refrigerant gas inlet passageways in the cylinder blocks into the central bore to lubricate the sliding type thrust bearings and the radial bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hayato Ikeda, Masanobu Yokoi, Hiromi Michiyuki, Hisato Kawamura, Hirofumi Satoh, Noriyuki Shintoku