At Evaporator Or Evaporator-discharge Line Patents (Class 62/471)
  • Patent number: 11873469
    Abstract: A portable assembly for cooling the contents of a fermentation vessel is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises an insulated, cylindrical enclosure having a fixed bottom and a removable lid. A flexible heat exchanger is cylindrically disposed within the enclosure and encircles the fermentation vessel. In one embodiment, the flexible heat exchanger is connected to a vessel containing thermally conductive fluid by flexible tubes that extend outside the enclosure. In one embodiment, a heating element is used to heat the fermentation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Steven Dee Wayne Webber
  • Patent number: 11543725
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flexible controlled release film for delivering a medicinal or cosmetic agent, e.g., through the skin of a subject, which delivery system comprises (a) a microembossed flexible film including microcells; (b) a liquid composition filled in the microcells wherein said liquid composition comprises the medicinal or cosmetic agent; and (c) a flexible sealing layer to enclose the liquid composition within the microcells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: E INK CALIFORNIA, LLC
    Inventor: HongMei Zang
  • Patent number: 10941966
    Abstract: System includes a compressor having a compressor suction port and a compressor discharge port; a heat rejection heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the compressor discharge port; an expansion device fluidly coupled to an outlet of the heat rejection heat exchanger; a heat absorption heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the expansion device; a hot gas bypass line fluidly coupled to the compressor discharge port; an ejector comprising a motive port fluidly coupled to the hot gas bypass line, a suction port fluidly coupled to an outlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger and a discharge port fluidly coupled to the compressor suction port; a hot gas bypass valve positioned between the compressor discharge port and the motive port of the ejector; a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the outlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger, and fluidly coupled to the suction port of the ejector and the compressor suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vishnu M. Sishtla, William T. Cousins
  • Patent number: 10429111
    Abstract: The present application provides a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system may include an evaporator assembly, a suction header assembly with a suction header heat exchanger therein, and a liquid header in communication with the suction header heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventor: Robert H. Austin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10184700
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOTAL GREEN MFG. CORP.
    Inventors: Robert W. Cochran, Ricardo Cruz
  • Patent number: 10145588
    Abstract: An ejector refrigeration cycle has a compressor, a radiator, an ejector, a swirl flow generator, an evaporator, and an oil separator. The compressor compresses refrigerant, mixed with refrigerant oil compatible with a liquid-phase refrigerant, and discharges the high-pressure refrigerant. The ejector has a nozzle and a body having a refrigerant suction port and a pressure increasing part. The swirl flow generator is configured to cause a decompression boiling in the refrigerant by causing the refrigerant to swirl about a center axis of the nozzle. The oil separator separates the refrigerant oil from the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor and guides the refrigerant oil to flow to a suction side of the compressor. The oil separator decreases a concentration of the refrigerant oil in the refrigerant, which is to flow into the swirl flow generator, so as to promote the decompression boiling of the refrigerant in the swirl flow generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youhei Nagano, Haruyuki Nishijima, Yoshiyuki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10036583
    Abstract: Liquid separator (2), designed as a U-shaped pipe (5) and arranged essentially horizontally, for a plate heat exchanger evaporator (1) system for separation of liquid droplets from vapor transported from the evaporator to the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATED AB
    Inventors: Björn Sollie, Mats Stromblad, Claes Stenhede
  • Patent number: 9945593
    Abstract: An exchanger for a phase changing refrigerant including a horizontal distributor tube, a horizontal collector tube, and at least one refrigerant carrying heat exchanger tube connected therebetween. A refrigerant gas inlet into the at least one heat exchanger tube is arranged in an upper portion of a cross section of the horizontal distributor tube. A refrigerant outlet from the at least one heat exchanger tube is arranged in an upper portion of a cross section of the horizontal collector tube for condenser operation of the multi channel heat exchanger so that oil separation is provided in a lower portion of the cross section of the horizontal distributor tube and liquid refrigerant separation is provided in a lower portion of the cross section of the horizontal collector tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: THERMOFIN GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus Koch
  • Patent number: 9857110
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a heat exchange system having a compressor, condenser, evaporator, an expansion device, and circulating refrigerant is provided. The apparatus comprises a chamber positioned between the condenser and the evaporator. According to an embodiment of the invention, the chamber comprises a down tube with holes for the passage of refrigerant from the chamber and a top inlet port comprising a vapor expansion screen. The suction of the refrigerant through the holes draws refrigerant towards the top inlet port past the vapor expansion screen, allowing for further cooling within the chamber. When the refrigerant eventually exits the chamber, it is considerably cooler than when it entered the vessel, making the entire refrigeration system more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Cass Khoo
  • Patent number: 9746256
    Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger having a shell having an inner surface that defines a heat exchange zone, a refrigerant pool zone is arranged in the heat exchange zone, and a plurality of tube bundles are arranged in the heat exchange zone above the refrigerant pool zone. The tube bundles have first and second wall members that define a tube channel, and a plurality of tubes arranged in the tube channel. Each of the first and second wall members have a first end that extends to a second end that is spaced from the refrigerant pool zone. The plurality of tube bundles is spaced one from another so as to define one or more vapor passages. A refrigerant distributor is positioned above the tube channel. The refrigerant distributor delivers a refrigerant onto the plurality or tubes toward the refrigerant pool zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jack Leon Esformes, XingHua Huang, Marcel Christians, Satyam Bendapudi, Sean P. Breen, Salim Bahattin Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 9664424
    Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system including an upper portion having at least one modular chiller unit that provides cooling to at least one of a low temperature subsystem having a plurality of low temperature loads, and a medium temperature subsystem having a plurality of medium temperature loads. The modular chiller unit includes a refrigerant circuit having at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. An ammonia refrigerant which may have entrained oil from the compressor circulates within the refrigerant circuit. An oil recycling circuit removes some oil from the ammonia refrigerant for return to the compressor. An oil pot collects oil accumulated in the evaporator and an oil return line drains oil from the oil pot to an ammonia accumulator or directly to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hinde, John D. Bittner, Shitong Zha, Joe T. Wilkerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9657977
    Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system includes an upper portion. The upper portion includes at least one modular chiller unit that provides cooling to at least one of a low temperature subsystem having a plurality of low temperature loads, and a medium temperature subsystem having a plurality of medium temperature loads. The modular chiller unit includes a refrigerant circuit, an ammonia refrigerant, an ammonia refrigerant accumulator, and an oil separation system. The refrigerant circuit includes at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The ammonia refrigerant is configured for circulation within the refrigerant circuit. The ammonia refrigerant accumulator is configured to receive the ammonia refrigerant from the evaporator. The oil separation system is configured to remove oil from the ammonia refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hinde, John D. Bittner, Shitong Zha, Joe T. Wilkerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9291378
    Abstract: In a turbo chiller, pipe joint groups (23 to 26) provided to refrigerant cooling pipe systems (13 to 16) and lubricant pipe systems connected to a turbo compressor (2) and a motor (3), as well as a joint group (28) of various replacement components (27) provided to the pipe systems, are intensively placed, and at least one refrigerant detection sensor (32) is arranged below the intensive placement region (30) of the joint groups (23 to 28) and at a pre-identified point at which a slight amount of refrigerant that leaks from each of the joint groups (23 to 28) and flows downward is distributed and pools at a high concentration, whereby the slight amount of refrigerant leakage can be detected by the refrigerant detection sensor (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Ueda, Yasushi Hasegawa, Noriyuki Matsukura
  • Patent number: 9239178
    Abstract: A refrigerant distributor includes a body portion defining a swirl space, a refrigerant inflow port, and first and second refrigerant outflow ports which causes refrigerant in the swirl space to flow out and distributes the refrigerant to components of a refrigeration cycle device. When a line connecting swirl centers of refrigerant swirling in the swirl space is taken as a swirl center line, the refrigerant swirls in the swirl space such at a velocity of a swirl flow that more vapor-phase refrigerant exists on an inner radius side than on an outer radius side and the velocity of swirl flow at the swirl center line on both end sides are different from each other. The first refrigerant outflow port is arranged at the one end side, and the second refrigerant outflow port is arranged at the other end side, on an extended line of the swirl center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Etsuhisa Yamada, Haruyuki Nishijima, Tatsuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9032753
    Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Todd J. Love, Harry K. Ring, Jon P. Hartfield
  • Patent number: 9032754
    Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Todd J. Love, Michael Boehde, Benjamin E. Dingel
  • Publication number: 20150114013
    Abstract: An air conditioner and a method for controlling and air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one compressor, a main suction passage to guide a refrigerant into the at least one compressor, at least one oil separator connected to the at least one compressor, that separates oil from the refrigerant discharged from the at least one compressor, at least one oil level sensor disposed in the at least one compressor to detect whether the at least one compressor lacks oil, a return passage to collect the oil separated from the at least one oil separator into the at least one compressor, a distribution return passage branched from the at least one return passage and connected to the main suction passage, and a valve disposed in each of the at least one return passage and the distribution return passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jinyoung JOO, Seokhoon JANG
  • Patent number: 8931303
    Abstract: A refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus, at least provided with no possibility that a foreign material returns to a compressor from an accumulator at a time of the pipeline-cleaning operation firstly, and provided with a possibility to perform a collecting operation for the foreign material in a short time secondary, is provided. The heat-source side unit includes an accumulator provided with a function to separate and collect the foreign material in an existing pipeline, a collecting container for collecting the foreign material separated by the accumulator, and an oil return pipeline for returning refrigerating machine oil to the compressor via a flow amount adjusting device, installed at a lower portion of the accumulator, and at a time of ordinary cooling or heating operation, the refrigerating machine oil is caused to flow into the oil return pipeline, and at a time of pipeline cleaning and foreign material-collecting operations, the flow amount adjusting device is fully closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Toyoshima, Susumu Yoshimura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Osamu Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8899073
    Abstract: A refrigerant storage device that arranges two end plates to form a cavity and includes a turbulator plate within the cavity. The turbulator plate is arranged within the cavity to reinforce the cavity by providing a plurality of reinforcement portions between the end plates. The cavity is sized and the turbulator plate is configured so a liquid portion of refrigerant flowing through the cavity collects onto the turbulator plate. The device has a rectangular shape that simplifies vehicle packaging and allows the device to be readily integrated into a plate-type refrigerant-to-liquid coolant heat exchanger. The device is formed by a stacking arrangement of parts that provides for a readily scalable design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Scott Vreeland, Frederick Vincent Oddi
  • Patent number: 8783059
    Abstract: A refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus, at least provided with no possibility that a foreign material returns to a compressor from an accumulator at a time of the pipeline-cleaning operation firstly, and provided with a possibility to perform a collecting operation for the foreign material in a short time secondary, is provided. The heat-source side unit includes an accumulator provided with a function to separate and collect the foreign material in an existing pipeline, a collecting container for collecting the foreign material separated by the accumulator, and an oil return pipeline for returning refrigerating machine oil to the compressor via a flow amount adjusting device, installed at a lower portion of the accumulator, and at a time of ordinary cooling or heating operation, the refrigerating machine oil is caused to flow into the oil return pipeline, and at a time of pipeline cleaning and foreign material-collecting operations, the flow amount adjusting device is fully closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Toyoshima, Susumu Yoshimura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Osamu Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8769982
    Abstract: A refrigeration system can use a flash tank to separate vapor refrigerant from liquid refrigerant. The refrigeration system can include a liquid-refrigerant injection system that can inject liquid refrigerant into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor. The injected liquid refrigerant can absorb the heat of compression during the compression process. The refrigeration system can include an economizer system that injects a refrigerant vapor into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor in conjunction with the injection of the cooling liquid. The refrigeration system can incorporate a cooling-liquid injection system that can inject a cooling liquid into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirill Ignatiev, Jean-Luc M. Caillat
  • Patent number: 8701434
    Abstract: A cooling device includes a cooling unit (10) penetrated by a fluid to be cooled, in particular hydraulic oil, and a filter unit (12) for filtering the fluid. The filter unit (12) extends along a longitudinal side of the cooling unit (10). A fluid collecting space (16) is arranged between the filter unit (12) and the cooling unit (10). The fluid collecting space (16) has a uniform flow cross-section and is at least partially closed against the filter unit (12) by a concavely curved limitating wall (36). The optimized fluid guidance obtained results in a uniformization of speed, while at the same time avoiding cavities and turbulences to ensure a trouble-free and energetically favorable operation of the cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hydac Fluidtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Giuseppe Zeolla
  • Publication number: 20130133359
    Abstract: In a turbo chiller, pipe joint groups (23 to 26) provided to refrigerant cooling pipe systems (13 to 16) and lubricant pipe systems connected to a turbo compressor (2) and a motor (3), as well as a joint group (28) of various replacement components (27) provided to the pipe systems, are intensively placed, and at least one refrigerant detection sensor (32) is arranged below the intensive placement region (30) of the joint groups (23 to 28) and at a pre-identified point at which a slight amount of refrigerant that leaks from each of the joint groups (23 to 28) and flows downward is distributed and pools at a high concentration, whereby the slight amount of refrigerant leakage can be detected by the refrigerant detection sensor (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8261574
    Abstract: An air conditioning system having an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger between which a refrigerant circulates to effect a heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air at the outdoor heat-exchanger and to effect another heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air at the indoor heat exchanger, the air conditioning system which includes a compressor sucking the refrigerant to compress and discharging the resulting refrigerant, a liquid pump sucking the refrigerant to discharge, an expansion valve expanding the refrigerant, and an accumulator serving for gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant and accumulating the refrigerant in liquid phase, wherein when the compressor is brought into operation for indoor air cooling, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the indoor heat exchanger, and the accumulator are connected in such an order to circulate the refrigerant therethrough, wherein suction lines of the respective compressor and liquid pump are in pa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sato, Michihiko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8231065
    Abstract: A flow device for a refrigerant/compressor system is installed between the outlet of an evaporator and the suction port of a compressor. The device includes a floating element that helps inhibit liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor. Under certain conditions where liquid refrigerant discharges from the evaporator, the floating element floats in the discharged liquid. Upon doing so, the float rises to a generally closed position where the float obstructs a main fluid outlet that leads to the compressor. In the closed position, refrigerant can still pass through the flow device, but through a more restricted outlet. To prevent the float from undesirably rising under the impetus of refrigerant vapor flowing at high flow rates, the floating element itself includes a flow-restricting passageway, radial guides, and/or a streamlined shape. The float can be incorporated within a manifold of a multi-coil or multi-circuited heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Roger J. Voorhis
  • Patent number: 7930899
    Abstract: An accumulator is provided which is installed between a compressor and an evaporator of a refrigeration cycle system. The accumulator includes an inlet pipe through which refrigerant is introduced from the evaporator, an outlet pipe through which the evaporated refrigerant is delivered to the compressor, and a chamber which is connected to the inlet and outlet pipes and formed with a floor surface at a lower level than connecting portions of the chamber connected to the inlet and outlet pipes. Further, the inlet and outlet pipes are horizontally connected to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kim Lyun-Su
  • Publication number: 20110005237
    Abstract: A method and system for removing oil in an organic rankine cycle (ORC) system (10) is used to prevent failures in the ORC system (10), especially during startup. The ORC system (10) includes an evaporator, a turbine (18), a condenser and a pump, and is configured to circulate a refrigerant (22) through the ORC system (10). The oil-removal system is used to remove oil from certain areas of the turbine (18), and includes an eductor line (32) and an eductor system (20). The eductor line (32) is located upstream of the turbine (18) and configured to receive a portion of the refrigerant (22b) exiting the evaporator. The eductor line (32) delivers the refrigerant (22b) to an eductor system (20) configured to remove oil from inside the turbine (18) and deliver the oil to an oil sump (58).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter S. Matteson, Michael D. Arner
  • Publication number: 20100186410
    Abstract: A method and system for recovering oil is used in an organic rankine cycle (ORC) system to recover oil from an evaporator of the ORC system and return the oil to an oil sump. The ORC system includes an evaporator, a turbine, a condenser and a pump, and is configured to circulate a refrigerant through the ORC system. The oil recovery system includes a recovery line configured to remove a mixture of oil and refrigerant from the evaporator. The mixture of oil and refrigerant passes through a heat exchanger in order to vaporize liquid refrigerant in the mixture and produce a mixture of oil and vaporized refrigerant. A delivery line is configured to deliver the mixture of oil and vaporized refrigerant to the turbine, at which point the oil may be separated from the vaporized refrigerant and recycled back to the oil sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick J. Cogswell, Ulf J. Jonsson, Bruce P. Biederman, Peter S. Matteson, Michael D. Arner
  • Patent number: 7716946
    Abstract: A deflector for an accumulator for an air conditioning system acts as a barrier to substantially prevent incoming liquid from entering a conduit which is primarily for gas. Fluid entering the accumulator comprises gas and liquid. The deflector also assists with the separation of gas from liquid, with reduced turbulence, to decrease the likelihood of liquid becoming re-entrained within the gas. An initial contact surface of the deflector receives the incoming fluid. The initial contact surface is substantially convex, so that liquid reflecting off the surface will be travel in a direction away (or different) from the flow of incoming fluid. The initial contact surface is also angled to direct liquid reflecting off it (or flowing down it) downward and outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Marie Fralick, Jennifer Lynn Dexter, Daniel Leonard Corrigan, Ian A. N. McGregor, Nicholas McDonagh Cristello, Timothy Russell Dickson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7478538
    Abstract: A vapor compression system including a closed fluid circuit having operably coupled thereto, in serial order, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, a second heat exchanger and a fluid vessel. The refrigerant is compressed in the compressor and circulated through the fluid circuit. Thermal energy is removed from the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger. The pressure of the refrigerant is reduced in the expansion device, and thermal energy is added to the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger. Upon ceasing operation of the system, refrigerant present in the vessel defines a lower temperature than the refrigerant present in the second heat exchanger. A thermal energy storage medium is operably coupled to the vessel and provides the vessel with thermal inertia wherein the temperature of the refrigerant in the vessel remains cooler than the temperature of the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Dan M Manole, Rick L Bunch
  • Publication number: 20080282726
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a cooling system with an integrated condenser, the cooling system containing at least one compressor which via a pressure outlet may conduct a first coolant through a line to at least one condenser, from where the first coolant flows through at least one expansion valve to at least one evaporator, from where the first coolant is sucked back to the compressor via the suction line of the compressor, where the condenser and the evaporator may both be constructed as closed containers, the containers each containing at least one heat exchanger, where a second coolant flows through the heat exchanger of the evaporator, and where a cooling medium flows through the heat exchanger of the condenser, the cooling medium exchanging heat with the surroundings. It is the object of the invention to indicate an efficient and compact cooling system that forms an assembled unit containing all cooling functions in order to interact with a cooling installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS DENMARK APS
    Inventor: Lars Skovlund Andersen
  • Patent number: 7383693
    Abstract: A cooling device includes a branch line with one end thereof communicating with a supplying line, and the other end communicating with a recovery line, wherein a part of the refrigerant supplied to the supplying line by a pump, flows as a branch; a heater installed in the middle of the branch line, for heating the refrigerant up to temperature higher than that for freezing moisture dissolving in the refrigerant; and a moisture adsorption filter installed in the middle of the branch line, through which the refrigerant heated by the heater passes, for adsorbing moisture mixed in the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Nishiyama Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawai, Yoji Fujino, Someyoshi Arai
  • Patent number: 7228706
    Abstract: A refrigeration system including a direct expansion evaporator with a substantially vertical header through which a fluid mixture of a refrigerant and oil is pumped, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, and a suction tube in fluid communication with the header and the compressor through which a stream of a first fluid mixture is drawn substantially in a first direction from the header by the compressor. The first fluid mixture exerts a first fluid pressure in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. A second fluid mixture is located in the header and subject to a second fluid pressure substantially greater than the first fluid pressure to create a pressure differential. The system also includes an extraction apparatus with a passage subject to the pressure differential, through which passage the second fluid mixture is drawn into the suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: National Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Yonghui Xu
  • Patent number: 7152427
    Abstract: An accumulator for an air conditioning system, including a housing (10) with an elongated tubular wall (12). The accumulator also includes an internal heat exchanger fitted in the housing (10). The internal heat exchanger has a tubular structure (40) with radially protruding ribs (40, 42) arranged coaxially with the housing wall (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Haussmann
  • Patent number: 7073572
    Abstract: An evaporator for a refrigeration system is disclosed which includes a tube bundle with various kinds of tubes. Depending upon the size of a tube bundle, at least two different kinds of tubes are used along the height of the tube bundle. Highly efficient nucleate boiling characteristics tubes are used in the lower section and prime surface or only inside surface enhanced tubes are used in the top section to minimize the adverse effects of vapor blanketing. Tubes in the mid sections could be the same or different than the tubes in the lower and upper sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Zahid Hussain Ayub
  • Patent number: 7032410
    Abstract: A compression system including a compressor driven by a motor, an optional accumulator, a liquid/gas separator, heat exchangers in the form of a condenser and an evaporator, expansion valves and conduit in the form of piping to connect these components together. The liquid/gas separating means is a lubricant separator, typically a cylindrical horizontal or vertical vessel used in conjunction with a gas compressor. The lubricant separator accepts discharge flow from the compressor which includes a mixture of a “smokeless” lubricant and refrigerant gas in a range of particle sizes forming a fluid stream, separates the refrigerant gas from the lubricant and collects the lubricant for reuse in the compressor. Because the lubricant used in the lubrication system rapidly agglomerates into larger size droplets and does not produce an aerosol, the separator does not require a coalescer element to coalesce aerosol and does not require a manway for serving the coalescer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: York International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Barratt, William McQuade
  • Patent number: 6993932
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle system in which the arrangement of a connecting pipe for connection between a compressor and an accumulator is improved effectively to recover oil collected in the accumulator to the compressor. The accumulator is installed to be separate from the compressor. A connecting pipe is arranged between the compressor and the accumulator to feed a refrigerant gas separated in the accumulator to the compressor. An oil recovery hole is provided at an inlet portion of the connecting pipe received in the accumulator such that it is arranged at a level higher than a highest level portion of the connecting pipe located outside of the accumulator. A second accumulator may be connected between the connecting pipe and the compressor while being directly installed at the compressor. In this case, the connecting pipe has an outlet portion connected to the second accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Taek Lee, Hyoung Seo Choi, Hyun ll Roh, Moo Gyo Seo
  • Patent number: 6986259
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerating apparatus using a temperature sensitive expansion valve (46) as an expansion mechanism. In the refrigerating apparatus, a switching valve (7a) is disposed on the upstream side of an evaporator (45). The switching valve (7a) is closed for a while, thereby forcibly placing an outlet side of the evaporator (45) in the superheat state to increase the valve travel of the expansion valve (46). Thereafter, the switching valve (7a) is opened for liquid refrigerant to flow through the evaporator (45) so that a wettish operation is carried out. As a result of such arrangement, refrigerating machine oil that has accumulated in the evaporator (45) is reclaimed and returned to a compression mechanism (2D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Takegami, Kenji Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 6931886
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Axima Refrigeration GmbH
    Inventors: Beat Schuppisser, Jean-Claude Logel, Beatrice Klotz, Holger Koenig
  • Patent number: 6830099
    Abstract: An improved two-phase refrigerant distributor for use in a falling film evaporator in a refrigeration chiller system defines apertures in its undersurface from which serrated collars depend. The serrations cooperate to define locations below the undersurface of the distributor to which liquid refrigerant is drawn prior to exiting the distributor. As a result, the hang-up and/or travel of liquid refrigerant on the distributor undersurface is reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventor: Shane A. Moeykens
  • Patent number: 6792773
    Abstract: A collector for the liquid phase of the working medium of an air conditioning system has first and second connecting pipes provided for connection into the circuit of an air conditioning system. One of the connecting pipes continues in a guide tube which is guided through the interior of the container of the collector. Part of the guide tube runs through the bottom region of the container, which is provided for vertical arrangement, and has at least one opening for recycling collected oil and the liquid phase of the working medium into the working medium circulating through the air conditioning system. In order to separate the liquid phase of the working medium of the air conditioning system, a cyclone-like separating device is provided. The separating device has a cyclone chamber and a central outflow connecting pipe forming an overflow. One of the connecting pipes leads tangentially into the cyclone chamber and the open end of the guide tube ends at a short distance before the outflow connecting pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, Obrist Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kuhn, Frank Obrist
  • Publication number: 20040159111
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerating apparatus using a temperature sensitive expansion valve (46) as an expansion mechanism. In the refrigerating apparatus, a switching valve (7a) is disposed on the upstream side of an evaporator (45). The switching valve (7a) is closed for a while, thereby forcibly placing an outlet side of the evaporator (45) in the superheat state to increase the valve travel of the expansion valve (46). Thereafter, the switching valve (7a) is opened for liquid refrigerant to flow through the evaporator (45) so that a wettish operation is carried out. As a result of such arrangement, refrigerating machine oil that has accumulated in the evaporator (45) is reclaimed and returned to a compression mechanism (2D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Masaaki Takegami, Kenji Tanimoto
  • Publication number: 20040065110
    Abstract: A compression system including a compressor driven by a motor, an optional accumulator, a liquid/gas separator, heat exchangers in the form of a condenser and an evaporator, expansion valves and conduit in the form of piping to connect these components together. The liquid/gas separating means is a lubricant separator, typically a cylindrical horizontal or vertical vessel used in conjunction with a gas compressor. The lubricant separator accepts discharge flow from the compressor which includes a mixture of a “smokeless” lubricant and refrigerant gas in a range of particle sizes forming a fluid stream, separates the refrigerant gas from the lubricant and collects the lubricant for reuse in the compressor. Because the lubricant used in the lubrication system rapidly agglomerates into larger size droplets and does not produce an aerosol, the separator does not require a coalescer element to coalesce aerosol and does not require a manway for serving the coalescer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: York International
    Inventors: Thomas Barratt, William McQuade
  • Patent number: 6681594
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a fluid, such as a beverage, includes a housing with a closed chamber that forms bath of a refrigerant. A conduit for the beverage is coiled in the chamber and immersed in the refrigerant to transfer heat from the beverage to the refrigerant. The housing chamber is connected to a compressor and condenser of a standard refrigeration system to extract heat from the refrigerant drawn from the chamber and return the refrigerant to the housing. The refrigerant bath forms an efficient mechanism for cooling the beverage as it flows through the apparatus without requiring the beverage to remain stationary for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Dispensing Systems International LLC
    Inventor: Patrick L. Nelson
  • 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: 6612128
    Abstract: Accumulator (10, 100) for an air-conditioning system. The inlet (58) fluid separation can be controlled, and there is control of the amount of compressor oil in circulation through an adjustable coupling between the interior and the outlet passage (56). Desiccating material (48) can be accommodated in many orientations, and can be made of various materials. The accumulator (10, 100) embodies an outer housing (12, 14) of two or more pieces and an inner liner (16) that is of one or more pieces. The inlet (58) directs the refrigerant into the inner volume formed by the liner (16), wherein the liquid refrigerant and compressor oil are contained and insulated from the wall (12, 14) of the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Russell Dickson, Kenneth Peter Luke Cram, Matthew Bryan Nuss, Steven Murray Rhodes, Ki-Sun Jason Ryu, Michelle Marie Stobbart
  • Publication number: 20030056532
    Abstract: Accumulator (10, 100) for an air-conditioning system. The inlet (58) fluid separation can be controlled, and there is control of the amount of compressor oil in circulation through an adjustable coupling between the interior and the outlet passage (56) Desiccating material (48) can be accommodated in many orientations, and can be made of various materials. The accumulator (10, 100) embodies an outer housing (12, 14) of two or more pieces and an inner liner (16) that is of one or more pieces The inlet (58) directs the refrigerant into the inner volume formed by the liner (16), wherein the liquid refrigerant and compressor oil are contained and insulated from the wall (12, 14) of the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy Russell Dickson, Kenneth Peter Luke Cram, Matthew Bryan Nuss, Steven Murray Rhodes, Ki-Sun Jason Ryu, Michelle Marie Stobbart
  • Patent number: 6526765
    Abstract: Just before shutdown, or at least prior to a significant pressure equalization in a refrigeration system, an accumulator containing oil is isolated from the rest of the refrigeration system in such a way that oil is at a pressure that is higher than the pressure of the rest of the system. The oil in the accumulator is maintained in a state of higher pressure while the refrigeration system is shutdown with the aid of a spring-loaded piston. Preliminary to start up of the refrigeration system, the pressurized oil is placed in fluid communication with structure requiring lubrication which is thereby lubricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Lifson
  • 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