Abstract: Heating and cooling optimization systems are disclosed. Such systems may include a superheater and desuperheater are disclosed. An example superheater may include a combined suction line accumulator and heat exchanger configured to receive a heated fluid from an external source. An example desuperheater may comprise an accumulation tank and a heat exchanger configured to receive a relatively cool fluid from an external source. Various external sources may be a solar thermal source, a wood chip boiler, a ground loop, a geothermal source, an attic space, a garage, and/or a chemical heat source. Disclosed heating and cooling systems may include a controller sub-system for selectively modulating a flow rate of heated fluid through the superheater and for selectively modulating a flow rate of cooled fluid through the desuperheater.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit; an oil reservoir; a first pipe that connects the oil separator and the oil reservoir, the first pipe being configured to send the refrigeration oil separated by the oil separator to the oil reservoir; a first valve provided at the first pipe; a second pipe that connects the oil reservoir and a suction side of the compressor; a second valve provided at the second pipe; a third pipe that connects the oil reservoir and the suction side of the compressor at a position lower than a position at which the second pipe is connected to the oil reservoir; and a third valve provided at the third pipe. The first to third valves are closed in a non-operational period of the compressor.

Abstract: A screw compressor for a utility vehicle includes a housing. The housing is filled with oil. At least one pair of compressor screws are mounted in the housing and serve to compress air supplied to the screw compressor. In the assembled state, a heat exchanger is directly placed onto and installed on the housing, by which heat exchanger the temperature of the oil contained in the housing can be controlled.

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.

Abstract: A radial rolling-bearing testing device includes a rotary shaft which an inner ring of a radial rolling bearing is fitted, a rotational driving section which rotates a rotary shaft, a lubricant reservoir which is configured so as to retain lubricant in which a portion of the radial rolling bearing is immersed, and a load applying section which is configured so as to apply a radial load to the radial rolling bearing. A bottom surface of the lubricant reservoir is a curved concave surface which has a partially cylindrical form which is concentric to a central axis of the rotary shaft. An entirety of a housing which supports the rotary shaft may be integrally formed.

Abstract: An oil separator and an air conditioner using the same are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one indoor unit connected to an outdoor unit by a refrigerant tube. The outdoor unit may include a compressor and an oil separator including a plurality of oil recovery tubes introducing oil into the compressor. The oil separator may include a housing, a suction tube guiding oil-mixed refrigerant into the housing, a discharge tube discharging refrigerant separated from the oil-mixed refrigerant, and first and second recovery tubes discharging oil separated from the oil-mixed refrigerant. At least one of the first or second recovery tubes may include an oil valve guiding a movement direction of the oil.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus (70) includes a heat exchanger (71) configured to exchange heat with the surroundings using a phase change of a refrigerant, a rotary pump (73) configured to receive the refrigerant from the heat exchanger (71) and fuse the refrigerant with oil contained inside the rotary pump, and an oil water separator (74) configured to receive the refrigerant fused with the oil from the rotary pump (73) and separate the refrigerant from the oil. The temperature control apparatus further includes a refrigeration cycle that implements a cooling function by circulating the refrigerant separated from the oil back to the heat exchanger (71).

Abstract: An air conditioner (10) composed of a refrigerating apparatus includes a controller (90). A heating control section (91) of the controller (90) feeds electric current in an open phase state to an electric motor (62) of a compressor (30) to heat the compressor (30) in operation stop of the air conditioner (10). The heating control section (91) monitors the detection value of an outdoor air temperature sensor (72) during the operation stop of the air conditioner (10) and keeps on stopping feeding the electric current to the electric motor (62) during the time when the detection value decreases.

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.

Abstract: When a compressor is in a stopped state and an outside air temperature change rate Tah exceeds zero, a first heating operation is started, and a heating capacity of a compressor heating portion is set in a range not more than a heating capacity upper limit Pmax based on the outside air temperature change rate Tah. A remaining refrigerant liquid amount Ms condensed in the compressor that had not been evaporated is acquired based on the outside air temperature change rate Tah and the heating capacity. If the outside air temperature change rate Tah is zero or below and the remaining refrigerant liquid amount Ms exceeds zero while the compressor is in a stopped state, a second heating operation is started, the compressor heating portion 10 is controlled based on the remaining refrigerant liquid amount Ms, and the refrigerant condensed in the compressor 1 is evaporated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a cooling system for oil separation in a cooling circuit, including compression means (4) that supply coolant under a first high pressure through means for oil separation (10) and further on through condensing means (12), from where coolant is applied restriction means (16), from where coolant is conducted to flooded evaporation means (18), from where the compression means (4) suck gaseous coolant back, where remaining oil in the flooded evaporation means is returned to the cooling circuit through an oil removal circuit (26). It is the purpose of the invention to achieve an efficient oil separation from a flooded evaporator (18).

Abstract: A purge system operable to remove lubricant from a liquid refrigerant material removed from an evaporator of a mechanical refrigeration system. The contaminated liquid refrigerant is delivered to the purge system by gravity and the separated lubricant is returned to the compressor sump by force from a pressurized fluid. Refrigerant vapor is separated from the contaminated liquid refrigerant by heating and returned to the evaporator of the mechanical refrigeration system.

Abstract: A lubricant still for use in a compressor for separating oil from refrigerant, includes a vessel having an inlet for incoming oil laden refrigerant, an outlet for gaseous refrigerant, and an outlet for refrigerant laden oil. A separating structure is provided for separating transitioning oil laden refrigerant from the incoming oil-laden refrigerant, wherein the oil laden refrigerant progressively changes to the refrigerant laden oil closer to the outlet for refrigerant laden oil. A heating device is used for heating the incoming oil laden refrigerant and transitioning oil laden refrigerant, for facilitating the formation of the gaseous refrigerant and the refrigerant laden oil.

Abstract: Two liquid levels are sensed in the oil sump of a compressor to determine if sufficient oil and excess refrigerant are present prior to starting the compressor and appropriate steps taken, if necessary. At start-up, and during operation, the presence or flow of liquid refrigerant in the suction of the compressor is sensed and appropriate steps taken, if necessary.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a heater associated with the crankcase of a compressor senses electrical current flowing through the heater. The sensing is preferably accomplished by a transformer in combination with an amplifier providing a feedback signal to the controller. The transformer is installed in the line which carries the electrical current flowing through the heater. The controller checks for the presence of an appropriate voltage level from the amplifier. In the event that the voltage level is not above a threshold level, the controller sends an alarm signal indicating that the heater is not operating properly.

Abstract: Two liquid levels are sensed in the oil sump of a compressor to determine if sufficient oil and excess refrigerant are present prior to starting the compressor and appropriate steps taken, if necessary. At start-up, and during operation, the presence or flow of liquid refrigerant in the suction of the compressor is sensed and appropriate steps taken, if necessary.

Abstract: A lubricant still for use in a compressor for separating oil from refrigerant, includes a vessel having an inlet for incoming oil laden refrigerant, an outlet for gaseous refrigerant, and an outlet for refrigerant laden oil. A separating structure is provided for separating transitioning oil laden refrigerant from the incoming oil-laden refrigerant, wherein the oil laden refrigerant progressively changes to the refrigerant laden oil closer to the outlet for refrigerant laden oil. A heating device is used for heating the incoming oil laden refrigerant and transitioning oil laden refrigerant, for facilitating the formation of the gaseous refrigerant and the refrigerant laden oil.

Abstract: A vaporizer for boiling off a liquid refrigerant from a combined liquid refrigerant/lubricant mixture tapped from an evaporator utilizes hot compressed gaseous refrigerant tapped from a location upstream of the condenser. In a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant is tapped from a compression chamber within the compressor. The hot refrigerant efficiently boils the liquid refrigerant out of the mixture, ensuring high viscosity lubricant. In further features, a return lubricant line from the compressor passes into a sump to further boil off liquid refrigerant.

Abstract: The entire discharge flow in a high side, vertical, hermetic rotary compressor is directed into the oil sump which generates foam for sound attenuation and heats the oil to reduce its viscosity and to drive off refrigerant dissolved in the oil.

Abstract: An integrated U-tube and adsorbent unit including a U-tube having first and second legs and a return bend, a space between the first and second legs and the return bend, adsorbent in the space, opposite sides on the first and second legs and the return bend, permeable covers bonded to the first and second opposite sides to contain the adsorbent within the space, a hole in the return bend, a frame connected to the U-bend and defining a space in communication with the hole, and filter material on the frame. An integrated U-tube and adsorbent unit including a plastic U-tube and a self-contained adsorbent unit having a plastic cover bonded to the U-tube with the body of the self-contained adsorbent unit positioned between the legs of the U-tube.

Abstract: At or just prior to shut-down, or at least prior to a significant pressure equalization in a refrigeration system, a vessel containing pressurized oil or a pressurized oil-rich oil-refrigerant solution, possibly in combination with some refrigerant gas is isolated from the rest of the refrigeration system and is then maintained in a pressurized state while the refrigeration system is not operating. Preliminary to start up of the refrigeration system, the pressurized oil and refrigerant gas or oil-rich oil-refrigerant solution, is placed in fluid communication with bearings and any other components requiring pre-start lubrication. Pre-start lubrication then results as oil flows to bearings and possibly other components due to the pressure difference between the vessel containing oil and the regions to be lubricated.

Abstract: A refrigerated intercooler for an air conditioning, refrigeration or similar cooling system. The intercooler provides a thermal interface between colder refrigerant gas leaving the air conditioning system's evaporator and the hotter refrigerant liquid leaving the system's condenser. The thermal interface occurs between the gas in the accumulator portion of the intercooler and the liquid in an interior container of the intercooler. In the preferred embodiment, the interior container is coiled tubing, to promote better heat exchange. The system's oil/refrigerant emulsion is metered and returned from the intercooler to the compressor through an oil return line that is external to the accumulator portion of the intercooler.

Abstract: A refrigeration system which comprises a compressor, an evaporator to which liquid refrigerant compressed by the compressor is supplied through a flow restrictor, and return means which direct refrigerant expanded in the evaporator back to the compressor. The return means include an accumulator in which liquid refrigerant leaving said evaporator may collect, and heating means either integral with or attached to the accumulator. The heating means are adapted to supply heat energy to the liquid refrigerant collected by said accumulator in order to promote its evaporation, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration system. The heating means may be controlled by a microprocessor.

Abstract: An air conditioner has a refrigeration circuit formed by sequentially connecting a compressor 1, a condenser 2, an electronic expansion valve 4 and an evaporator 7 by pipes (6, 10). A compressor bypass pipe 12 is provided to connect an outlet of the evaporator 7 with an inlet of the condenser 2. A first on-off valve 11 is located in the bypass pipe 12. The air conditioner is controlled to switch to either a forced circulation operation or a natural circulation operation. In the forced circulation operation, the first on-off valve 11 is closed, the expansion valve 4 is opened to a first degree to allow refrigerant to pass therethrough, and the compressor 1 is operated in a running state. In the natural circulation operation, the first on-off valve 11 is opened, the expansion valve 4 is opened to a second degree, different from the first degree, to allow refrigerant to pass therethrough, and the compressor 1 is stopped.

Abstract: Compressor lubricant in a screw compressor-based refrigeration system is cooled by directing the lubricant from the system oil separator to an oil-cooling heat exchanger disposed in the lower portion of the system condenser where it is bathed in condensed system refrigerant. Parasitic capacity losses with respect to the compressor lubricant cooling process are thereby avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for reclaiming and purifying used refrigerant is comprised of a purification unit having a suction inlet for gaseous refrigerant and an outlet for fluid refrigerant. The suction inlet is connected through a suction accumulator in which remnants of oil are precipitated from the refrigerant and collected at the bottom of the accumulator. The outlet is connected to a collector tank for partially purified liquid refrigerant, an upper end portion of the collector tank is connected to the atmosphere through controllable means for blowing off non-condensable gases precipitated from the received liquid refrigerant. Means are provided for condensing out remnants of refrigerant from the blown-off gas from the collector tank before the gas is released to the atmosphere. An outlet in the bottom of the suction accumulator is connected to a separate underlying oil reservoir in which the precipitated oil, extracted from the used refrigerant in the oil separator, is collected.

Abstract: A refrigerant device comprising at least one bearing disposed in a housing having a refrigerant flow path. The bearing is contacted with a lubricant charge of a small quantity of lubricant dissolved in liquid refrigerant. At least a portion of the liquid refrigerant proximate the bearing is vaporized to deposit lubricant on the bearing in sufficient quantity to provide for the lubrication thereof. The refrigerant may be vaporized by heat or by pressure drop, or by both. A sensor may be provided to monitor or control temperature and pressure conditions to insure that sufficient refrigerant is vaporized to form a lubricant liquid of at least about 75% lubricant by volume.

Abstract: A refrigerant filter/accumulator and an oil separator, both suitable for refrigerant recovery equipment, are disclosed. In the filter/accumulator (10) refrigerant enters (11), is filtered by cup-shaped filter (15), and liquid-refrigerant drains into accumulator section (20). Superheated refrigerant from compressor (17) passes through pipe (21, 22, 23) and vaporises refrigerant which leaves the unit via outlet (26). Accumulated oil can be drained when desired via oil port (35). In another embodiment refrigerant enters section (20) and passes upwardly through a coarse filter and baffle [both depending from ledge (30)] before encountering filter (15) and exiting from the upper section of the unit. In the oil separator (not shown) superheated refrigerant enters a vessel at a lowpoint and must flow up in a tortuous path through a mesh, thus prompting settlement of oil.

Abstract: An oil purification apparatus for use in conjunction with a refrigeration system. The oil purification apparatus includes an isolation tank for receiving a quantity of contaminated oil from the refrigeration system and holding the oil isolated from the refrigeration system. A separation system including a heater and an agitation mechanism reclaims refrigerant contaminant entrained in the oil. A vapor loop selectively conveys the reclaimed refrigerant from the oil purification apparatus to the refrigeration system.

Abstract: The present invention is a crankcase heater for preventing the migration of liquid refrigerant. The heater is located on the compressor housing surface near the oil sump. The heater is positioned within a fence of a terminal assembly, covering substantially all the surface area enclosed by the fence except for the terminal cluster itself. The heater provides heat to the housing and the interior of the compressor, and the gasket insulates the heater and interiorly reflects the heat produced. Liquid refrigerant in the oil sump is boiled off to increase the pressure inside the housing and inhibit migration of refrigerant from the evaporator or accumulator.

Abstract: A heated accumulator for a refrigeration system includes a cylindrical tank closed by upper and lower tank caps. The tank is divided into upper and lower chambers by a plate disposed near the upper tank cap, with the lower chamber defining a sump. The plate includes a central opening surrounded by smaller openings. An outlet U-tube has a first end disposed within the central opening of the plate, a second end which extends through the upper tank cap, and a central portion which extends into the sump. A refrigerant inlet tube includes swirl ports which direct refrigerant into a vortex against the inner surface of an upper portion of the tank. Heat is applied to this same upper tank portion, introducing heat directly into the swirling liquid refrigerant. Refrigerant vaporized by the heat rises into the upper tank chamber where it is drawn by compressor suction into the outlet U-tube.

Abstract: A crankcase heater control system for a refrigeration system includes a first temperature sensor for sensing the outdoor temperature, and, a second temperature sensor for sensing compressor discharge temperature. A controller is operatively connected to temperature sensors and the crankcase heater. When the ambient temperature falls below a first pre-determined temperature the controller compares the compressor discharge temperature to a second pre-determined temperature which is greater than the first pre-determined temperature and energizes the crankcase heater when the compressor discharge temperature falls below the second pre-determined temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cooling and heating dual-purpose air conditioner, and more particularly to the heat pump type cooling and heating dual-purpose air conditioner wherein the stand-by control is performed in order to prevent the viscosity increases caused by the lubricating oil freeze in the compressor occurring at the initial cooling operation stage and therefore the smooth drive of a compressor in an air conditioner is performed by the preventing of the lubricating oil freeze.

Abstract: A thermally protected heater element is located in an oil sump such that it is normally located beneath the surface of the oil whereby the oil is heated and acts as a heat sink relative to the heater element. If the oil level drops below the heater element, the thermal protection disables the heater element and the compressor whereby the location of the heater element defines the nominal minimum oil level.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery apparatus has features for trapping oil recovered from an air conditioning system. It has a low pressure oil separator which is mounted in line with the flow of refrigerant on the suction side of the compressor. The low pressure oil separator will be located at a lower elevation than the compressor. When the compressor is turned off, this allows excess oil in the compressor to drain to its design level.

Abstract: The temperature is sensed at the compressor, indoor coil and outdoors. The sensed temperatures are compared and if the compressor temperature is not a specified amount higher than the lower of the other two sensed temperatures, then the crankcase heater is energized. When the compressor temperature rises to or is a specified amount above the lower of the other two temperatures, the crankcase heater is deenergized.

Abstract: In a variable speed air conditioning system driven by an electronically commutated DC motor, the large DC capacitor associated with the compressor motor drive discharges to the normally AC powered compressor oil sump heater upon the loss of AC power to the system.

Abstract: A combination superheater and oil separator for a refrigeration system having a rotary component, a source of heated medium and a source of non-superheated refrigerant gas-oil mixture includes a sealed casing, a heat transfer unit within the casing having a heat transfer surface, a connection from the interior of the casing to receive the mixture from the source, a connection from the heat source to supply heated medium at a temperature and heat transfer rate through the heat transfer surface to boil off refrigerant gas from the mixture and produce superheated refrigerant gas, a connection on the interior of the casing to deliver superheated refrigerant gas boiled off from the mixture in the interior of said casing, and a delivery conduit to deliver oil from the casing to the rotary component for lubricating the component with the nondiluted oil.

Abstract: This invention provides a direct oil return system from the accumulator tank in the refrigerant circuit of a transport refrigeration system to the crankcase of the compressor for returning oil entrained in the refrigerant to the oil sump. A pressure relief valve in the lubricating oil circulating system positively opens under the influence of oil pressure from the positive displacement oil pump whenever the compressor is operating to bleed excess oil from the pump back to the sump. The oil return line from the accumulator tank of the refrigeration system is connected to the valve to enter through another inlet port which opens in response to the pressure relief valve being opened and flows therethrough to another outlet in the valve also in communication with the sump.

Abstract: A compressor crankcase low differential temperature detection and control system for a reverse-cycle refrigeration system for detecting an abnormally low temperature crankcase and for controlling the system in response to such fault detection by inhibiting the operation of the compressor and for providing a fault indication.

Abstract: A compressor for a heat pump using a condensible gas as a working fluid has a lubricant temperature controller comprising a heater for the lubricant in the sump, the heater being controlled by differential pressure responsive means comprising the vapor pressure above the lubricant in the sump with a pressure obtained from a sensor bulb in the sump oil, the bulb containing a solution, in a lubricant of a refrigerant, the refrigerant preferably being the same as the working fluid of the heat pump.

Abstract: A control for selectively energizing a heater provided to raise the temperature of lubricating oil of a compressor employed in a refrigeration unit. The control includes a thermostatically operated switch provided to sense a temperature indicative of lubricating oil temperature. The switch connects the heater to a source of electrical energy when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined value and the compressor is inoperable. When the compressor is operable, the heater is rendered inoperable irrespective of the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A reverse cycle heat pump is provided with a heat exchanger which provides refrigerant subcooling with no thermodynamic losses. The heat exchanger is arranged such that it is operative only during the heating cycle to permit optimum charging of the system and allow operation during the cooling cycle with no excess refrigerant in the system accumulator. The heat exchanger is bypassed when the system is converted from heating to cooling operations.Liquid refrigerant will be mixed with oil in the accumulator during the heating cycle, but not the cooling cycle. Then since refrigerant liquid returning with the oil from the accumulator to the compressor should be evaporated to avoid harm to the compressor, heat applied to the suction line, with no thermodynamic loss, vaporizes this refrigerant. During the cooling operation, no liquid refrigerant is returned from the accumulator, so heat added to the suction gas would be undesirable.

Abstract: A cooling unit for a building area or the like and a compressor control for the cooling unit, the latter including a compressor for compressing gaseous refrigerant and having temperature sensing means mounted on the compressor housing and coacting with heater means, for causing actuation of the compressor upon the rise of temperature of the housing to a predetermined point, with the temperature sensing means being operative to maintain the compressor in de-energized condition until the temperature of the compressor housing rises to said point, a heater means coacts with the compressor housing for applying heat thereto to cause heating of the compressor and resultant vaporization of liquid refrigerant in the compressor.