With Liquid Trap Or Disperser In Suction Line Patents (Class 62/503)
  • Patent number: 6438972
    Abstract: A vessel assembly and related assembly method that includes a flexible J-tube assembly that bends in compliance during assembly to a vessel to ensure locating of a filter unit against an inside bottom surface of the vessel while accommodating longitudinal part tolerances greater than that of the prior art. The flexible J-tube assembly is disposed within the interior of the vessel such that an upper end of the flexible J-tube assembly is connected to an inside top portion of the vessel, and a distal end of the flexible J-tube assembly is located against the inside bottom surface of the vessel. The resiliency of the flexible J-tube assembly permits the distal portion of the flexible J-tube assembly to stay located against the inside bottom portion of the vessel regardless of longitudinal dimensional variations of the flexible J-tube assembly and the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Automotive Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Pickett, Jr., Lowell D. Sasser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6438991
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney L. Dobson, Samuel A. Incorvia, Peter R. Millen
  • Patent number: 6430958
    Abstract: A deflector for use in an accumulator that provides a reservoir for the liquid-phase of a heat transfer medium circulating in a closed-loop air conditioning system is configured to prevent liquid phase medium from the supply pipe from entering the inlet area of the delivery pipe of the accumulator. The deflector has a recessed underside defined by a depending peripheral skirt having an outline that is closely spaced with respect to the peripheral wall of the accumulator to define therewith an annular gap. The upper wall of the deflector is positioned to be impinged by medium delivered from the supply pipe and is configured to distribute radially and impart rotation to the medium, thus enhancing the separation of the liquid phase along the accumulator peripheral wall, especially as the liquid and gaseous phase pass through the annular gap. The open inlet area of the delivery pipe is shielded within the recessed underside of the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Leonard Corrigan, Kenneth Peter Luke Cram
  • Patent number: 6427479
    Abstract: A refrigerating device is provided whose burden on the environment is small, and in which a high amount of heat can be removed, and in which return of refrigerating device oil to a compressor is good. In the refrigerating device, carbon dioxide is circulated as a refrigerant through a refrigerating circuit in which at least a refrigerant compressor, a heat releasing device, an expansion mechanism and an evaporator are connected in an annular arrangement by refrigerant pipes. The refrigerating device oil used in the compressor has a viscosity at 40° C. of 5 to 300 cSt, a volume specific resistivity of at least 108 &OHgr;·cm, and a pour point of no higher than −30° C. when the carbon dioxide is dissolved to saturation. Organic materials which do not physically and/or chemically change due to high-temperature, high-pressure carbon dioxide are used in the refrigerating circuit. The refrigerating circuit is provided with a device for trapping moisture within the refrigerating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Komatsubara, Yasuki Takahashi, Toshiyuki Ebara, Miyuki Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20020095948
    Abstract: A deflector for use in an accumulator that provides a reservoir for the liquid-phase of a heat transfer medium circulating in a closed-loop air conditioning system is configured to prevent liquid phase medium from the supply pipe from entering the inlet area of the delivery pipe of the accumulator. The deflector has a recessed underside defined by a depending peripheral skirt having an outline that is closely spaced with respect to the peripheral wall of the accumulator to define therewith an annular gap. The upper wall of the deflector is positioned to be impinged by medium delivered from the supply pipe and is configured to distribute radially and impart rotation to the medium, thus enhancing the separation of the liquid phase along the accumulator peripheral wall, especially as the liquid and gaseous phase pass through the annular gap. The open inlet area of the delivery pipe is shielded within the recessed underside of the deflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel Leonard Corrigan, Kenneth Peter Luke Cram
  • Publication number: 20020095949
    Abstract: An accumulator-dehydrator assembly for use in an air conditioning system including an evaporator and a compressor. The accumulator-dehydrator assembly also includes a canister with an upper portion, an inlet, an outlet and a delivery tube with a first tube end positioned in the upper portion of the canister and a second tube end connected to the outlet. A baffle is disposed within the canister that includes a first end connected to the canister and a second end positioned to define a partition between the first tube end of the delivery tube and the inlet. The purpose of the baffle is to reduce pulsations that result from pressure fluctuations in the air-conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Coyle, Prasad S. Kadle, John A. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6418751
    Abstract: An accumulator-dehydrator for use in an air conditioning system having a delivery tube that has an unobstructed free end for drawing in vaporized refrigerant and an oil pickup tube for drawing in oil and liquid refrigerant into the hollow delivery tube. The hollow delivery tube includes a venturi portion, which creates the draw necessary to pull the oil and liquid refrigerant into the hollow delivery tube. An equalization hole is also provided to prevent a liquid slug from migrating to the compressor, thereby damaging the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Telesz, Timothy M. Gabel, Ronald A. Lemmon
  • Publication number: 20020083733
    Abstract: An accumulator with an internal heat exchanger for use in an air conditioning or refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator is disclosed. In operation, the accumulator is placed in the system so high pressure, high temperature refrigerant flowing from the condenser and low pressure, low temperature refrigerant flowing from the evaporator simultaneously enter and flow through the heat exchanger disposed in the accumulator whereby the low pressure, low temperature refrigerant absorbs heat and thereby cools the high pressure, high temperature refrigerant. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises a tube having at least one high temperature channel and one low temperature channel extending through the interior of the tube. In a second embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises a single spirally wound coaxial tube having an outer tube and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Chao A. Zhang, Henry Mehraban, Richard G. Gibbons, Teodor Urdea
  • Publication number: 20020078702
    Abstract: When the first pressure reducing device 161 is fixed to the accumulator tank 140 and the internal heat exchanger 150 is housed in the accumulator tank 140, the accumulator, the first pressure reducing device 161 and the internal heat exchanger 150 are integrated into one body. Due to the foregoing, it is possible to eliminate parts for piping to connect the first pressure reducing device 161 with the internal heat exchanger 150. The mass of the vibration system of the first pressure reducing device 161 including the accumulator tank 140 and the internal heat exchanger 150 is increased. Therefore, even if the valve body 413 in the first pressure reducing device is vibrated, it becomes difficult for other portions to vibrate. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce noise (vibration) generated when refrigerant is decompressed by the first pressure reducing device 161.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuya Makizono, Toshio Hirata, Yasutaka Kuroda, Yoshiyuki Yamauchi
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6393862
    Abstract: An adsorbent unit including first and second porous containers connected by a yoke, adsorbent in the containers, first side edges on the first container containing indentations, second side edges on the second container, an end on the second container having a strap formed thereon for encircling the first container and passing through the indentations when the first and second containers are mounted on opposite sides of a U-bend of a refrigerant accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen F. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6395074
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to desiccant bags and filters for use in receiver/dryers or accumulator canisters of automotive air conditioning systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dual or single desiccant bag provided with a filter section such that the desiccant bag effectively combines two separate components, a desiccant bag and a filter, into a single article. Accordingly, the bag is adapted to contain adsorbent material therein to adsorb moisture, or undesirable substances, within the a/c systems of automobiles, trucks or other motor vehicles while the filter is adapted to keep particles, dirt, or dust from entering the orifice in the bight of a U-bend tube where oil pickup is provided for lubrication of the a/c system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Stanhope Products Company
    Inventor: Matthew Mastromatteo
  • Patent number: 6389843
    Abstract: A receiver dryer includes a canister with a cylindrical sidewall, a lower end wall, and an open upper end. An inlet tube extends upwardly in the canister from an inlet port in the lower end wall. A desiccant tube assembly, comprising a pair of tubes, is received over the inlet tube, with the inlet tube being closely received in one of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. A lower baffle is formed unitary with the lower end of the desiccant tube assembly, and a lower filter pad is received over the desiccant tube assembly and against the lower baffle. Loose desiccant is then poured into the canister. An upper filter pad and upper baffle are received over the desiccant tube assembly. A pick-up tube, secured to an upper end cap, is then closely received in the other of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. The upper end cap is then secured to the upper end of the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Neil J. McAllister, Cary Haramoto, William M. Mosher, Michael L. Ford, Tom C. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6389842
    Abstract: An accumulator-dehydrator for use in an air conditioning system. The accumulator-dehydrator has a hollow delivery tube for delivering vaporized refrigerant and entrained oil to the compressor of the air conditioning system. The delivery tube has an expansion chamber and a separator to eliminate noise within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Telesz, Timothy M. Gabel, George Thomas Bennett
  • Patent number: 6385994
    Abstract: An accumulator for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle includes a housing having an interior chamber and an inlet tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to enter the interior chamber of the housing. The accumulator also includes an outlet tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to exit the interior chamber of the housing and a single insert disposed in the interior chamber of the housing to allow refrigerant liquid/vapor separation, insulation, and oil return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Georg Schroeder, Hemant Sumentlal Shah, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Kevin Joseph Goulet, Randy John Hornby
  • Patent number: 6378327
    Abstract: An accumulator insulator bracket for an accumulator in an air conditioning system includes a housing having a cylindrical shape with a first closed end, a second closed end and a wall extending between the first closed end and the second closed end. The housing is longitudinally divided into a first housing member and a second housing member. The accumulator insulating bracket also includes an air flow directing rib extending radially from and axially along an interior portion of the housing wall, such that the rib defines an insulating air pocket between the wall and the accumulator and supports the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Leonard Corrigan, Ken Peter Cram, Tim Russell Dickson, Baldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Kevin Joseph Goulet, Michael Francis Pilon
  • Publication number: 20020046570
    Abstract: Heat exchange is performed between a discharge side refrigerant and a suction side refrigerant also at the time of a heating operation. By this, a liquid phase refrigerant containing lubricating oil in the suction side refrigerant is heated by the discharge side refrigerant, and the liquid phase refrigerant is vaporized also at the time of the heating operation, so that the amount of the liquid phase refrigerant sucked into a compressor is decreased. Accordingly, the increase of compression work of the compressor is prevented, and an opening area of an oil return hole can be expanded to such a degree that an optimum amount of lubricating oil is attained at the time of the heating operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Satoshi Itoh, Yoshitaka Tomatsu, Motohiro Yamaguchi, Yasushi Yamanaka, Toshio Hirata
  • Patent number: 6367282
    Abstract: A desiccator container is installed in a refrigerant pipe of an automobile air conditioner for absorbing water contained in refrigerant. The container comprises an inlet connector, an outlet connector, a test connector, a pair of first bolts, a pair of second bolts smaller than the first bolts, four first threaded holes, and three second threaded holes smaller than the first threaded holes. This can increase the adaptability of the desiccator container, thereby reducing the manufacturing and maintenance costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-Chung Chu
  • Patent number: 6363742
    Abstract: An accumulator (24) for an air conditioning system (10) comprising a housing (26) having a first end wall (28), a second end wall (30), and a side wall (32) joining the end walls; a fluid outlet pipe (36) mounted in, and passing through, the first end wall; and a fluid inlet pipe (34) mounted in, and passing through, the first end wall; wherein the outlet pipe has an open end (38) inside the housing positioned adjacent the first end wall; and wherein the inlet pipe comprises a first section (40) and a second section (42) inside the housing, the first section being attached at one end (44) to the first end wall and being attached at the other end (46) to the second section, the second section being open at at least one end (48) with the or each open end facing a portion (50) of the side wall. Reduces the risk of liquid refrigerant fluid passing into the outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anca Brezuleanu, Jean-Francois Launois, Thomas Engel, Kevin Herlan
  • Patent number: 6354092
    Abstract: A liquid arresting valve for a refrigeration compressor having a refrigerant intake, including a housing having an inlet end to receive liquid and vapor phase refrigerant from an evaporator and an outlet end for connection to the refrigerant intake of the compressor, and a valve body movable in the housing between an open position permitting substantially unrestricted flow of vapor phase refrigerant between the inlet and outlet ends of the housing, and a flow restricting position to cause liquid containing refrigerant entering the inlet end of the housing to exit through the outlet end of the housing as vapor phase refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: York International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Young, Gordon Ted Boyd, John Richard Walters, Scott Garrison Hix
  • Publication number: 20020026807
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: David J. Minister
  • Patent number: 6349564
    Abstract: The improved refrigeration system of the present invention includes an accumulator with a diffuser pipe extending downwardly into the upper end of a vapor refrigerant tank, the diffuser pipe extending from an evaporator and discharging vapor refrigerant therefrom into the tank. The diffuser pipe includes a lower end located within the interior of the tank which is expanded in diameter relative to the upper end, thereby reducing the velocity of fluid flowing through the pipe and entering the accumulator tank. A diffusion plate is mounted in the lower end of the diffuser pipe, to further diffuse fluid flowing therethrough. The improved refrigeration system also includes a tee having a stem portion extending horizontally from the condenser of the system, and a pair of upper and lower arms connected in a vertical orientation to the stem. The tee lower arm is connected to the receiver and the upper arm is connected to a purge connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventors: Fredric J. Lingelbach, John F. Lingelbach
  • Patent number: 6345516
    Abstract: An adsorbent unit for a refrigerant accumulator having a housing with a bottom wall and a side wall and a U-shaped pipe with a return bend adjacent the bottom wall and with first and second pipe portions extending from the return bend along the side wall, and a filter body extending outwardly from the return bend, the adsorbent unit including a porous adsorbent container, adsorbent in the container, first and second end portions on the container, a first tab extending outwardly from the first end portion of the container, an elongated slot in the first tab mounting it on the first and second pipe portions, a second tab extending outwardly from the second end portion of the container, an aperture on the second tab mounting it on the filter body, and a separate compartment on the adsorbent unit outside of said container containing a fluent refrigerant tracer dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignees: Multisorb Technologies, Inc., Visteon Global Technologies, Inc., Halla Climate Control Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Kesler, Donald L. Konieczny, Stephen F. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6339937
    Abstract: In a refrigerant evaporator, plural tubes made of aluminum are arranged in a laminating direction perpendicular to an air flowing direction, and plural corrugated fins made of aluminum are disposed between adjacent tubes. In the evaporator, when a tube plate thickness TT of the tubes is set in a range of 0.10 mm-0.35 mm and a tube height TH of each tube in the laminating direction is set in a range of 1.5 mm-3.0 mm, pressure loss of refrigerant in a refrigerant passage becomes smaller, and a heat-conductive area of air becomes larger. Further, when a fin height FH of the corrugated fins is set in a range of 4.0-7.5 mm, fin effect of the corrugated fins is improved. As a result, heat-conductive performance of the evaporator is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Makihara, Isao Kuroyanagi, Toshiya Nagasawa, Eiichi Torigoe
  • Patent number: 6327865
    Abstract: A refrigeration system wherein refrigeration is generated at a relatively steady output by a refrigeration circuit and passed into a coupling fluid for transfer to a refrigeration load using a coupling fluid stabilizing circuit having a stabilizing reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dante Patrick Bonaquist, Kenneth Kai Wong, Richard Amory Victor, Bayram Arman
  • Patent number: 6321562
    Abstract: An evaporator for an automotive air conditioner includes first to fourth tank passages connected to a core to flow refrigerant in the order of the first tank passage, the core, the second tank passage, the third tank passage, the core and the fourth tank passage. A choke portion is installed in the fourth tank passage to restrict the flow rate at a part of refrigerant passages of the core. This evaporator is improved in cooling capacity and in capacity for reducing noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsunori Narahara, Toru Asanuma, Takayuki Kume
  • Patent number: 6318116
    Abstract: A baffle for use in an accumulator-dehydrator used in an air conditioning system having at least a first and a second evaporator and a compressor interconnected by refrigerant lines containing refrigerant. The accumulator-dehydrator first and second inlets all connected to the evaporators and an outlet is connected to the compressor through the refrigerant lines. The baffle is mounted inside the accumulator-dehydrator at either the first or second inlet. The baffle has a housing with an opening to allow liquid refrigerant and oil discharged from one of the evaporators to enter the accumulator-dehydrator and prevent liquid refrigerant and oil from within the accumulator-dehydrator from re-entering the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Gabel, Ronald A. Lemmon, Micheal R. Lippa, Jr., Brian J. Coyle
  • Patent number: 6311508
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus using an HFC group refrigerant, the performance is improved by increasing the refrigerating capacity and a stable operation is made possible. In order to achieve this, a cycle system in a refrigerator is structured so as to connect a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver and a supercooler in this order. In an air-cooled separation type refrigerator, the liquid receiver is disposed within an air-cooled type condenser unit. Further, in the case where a flush gas is liable to be generated in a liquid pipe, a vapor-liquid separator is disposed within the compressor unit integral with an accumulator and separated therefrom by a partition plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakurai, Hideo Takemoto
  • Patent number: 6311514
    Abstract: An accumulator includes a housing having an open top end, an open bottom end, an outer wall, and an inner wall disposed within the outer wall to define an interior. The inner and outer walls are integrally interconnected by longitudinal partitions that define longitudinal channels with a downflow channel and an upflow channel positioned among the longitudinal channels. A top cover mounts to, and closes, the open top end of the housing, and has an inlet passage and an outlet passage therethrough. A refrigerant separator is positioned beneath the top cover for directing refrigerant from the inlet passage of the top cover to the interior of the housing, for venting gaseous refrigerant to the downflow passage of the housing while preventing ingress of liquid refrigerant therein, and for communicating gaseous refrigerant from the upflow passage of the housing to the outlet passage of the top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Automotive Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry H. Chisnell
  • Patent number: 6301924
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney L. Dobson, Samuel A. Incorvia, Peter R. Millen
  • Publication number: 20010022093
    Abstract: An adsorbent unit for a refrigerant accumulator having a housing with a bottom wall and a side wall and a U-shaped pipe with a return bend adjacent the bottom wall and with first and second pipe portions extending from the return bend along the side wall, and a filter body extending outwardly from the return bend, the adsorbent unit including a porous adsorbent container, adsorbent in the container, first and second end portions on the container, a first tab extending outwardly from the first end portion of the container, an elongated slot in the first tab mounting it on the first and second pipe portions, a second tab extending outwardly from the second end portion of the container, and an aperture on the second tab mounting it on the filter body. A double adsorbent container adsorbent unit having elongated slots on tabs at the outer ends thereof for mounting about the first and second pipe portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Samuel A. Incorvia, Peter R. Millen
  • Patent number: 6279341
    Abstract: An adsorbent unit for a refrigerant accumulator having a housing with a bottom wall and a side wall and a U-shaped pipe with a return bend adjacent the bottom wall and with first and second pipe portions extending from the return bend along the side wall, and a filter body extending outwardly from the return bend, the adsorbent unit including a porous adsorbent container, adsorbent in the container, first and second end portions on the container, a first tab extending outwardly from the first end portion of the container, an elongated slot in the first tab mounting it on the first and second pipe portions, a second tab extending outwardly from the second end portion of the container, and an aperture on the second tab mounting it on the filter body. A double adsorbent container adsorbent unit having elongated slots on tabs at the outer ends thereof for mounting about the first and second pipe portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel A. Incorvia, Peter R. Millen
  • Publication number: 20010015078
    Abstract: An accumulator for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle includes a housing having an interior chamber and an inlet tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to enter the interior chamber of the housing. The accumulator also includes an outlet tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to exit the interior chamber of the housing and a single insert disposed in the interior chamber of the housing to allow refrigerant liquid/vapor separation, insulation, and oil return.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Fred Georg Schroeder, Hemant Sumentlal Shah, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Kevin Joseph Goulet, Randy John Hornby
  • Publication number: 20010010263
    Abstract: A connecting device for a heat exchanger which has a fluid circulating channel formed with an opening at one end thereof and an opening at the other end thereof, the openings being formed as juxtaposed in one side of the heat exchanger. The connecting device comprises a blocklike connector body having two horizontal through bores corresponding to the respective openings and fixed to the heat exchanger with the through bores in coincidence with the respective openings. A tubular member is fluid-tightly fitted in each of the through bores and has a connecting end projecting toward a connectable device. The connecting end is in the form of a spigot fittable in a socket of the connectable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: Showa Aluminum Corp.
    Inventor: Shigeharu Ichiyanagi
  • Publication number: 20010010158
    Abstract: The performance of mobile air conditioning systems is improved with the use of a pressure sensing valve to control refrigerant flow in the system. The pressure sensing valve is connected between the condenser and the evaporator. The control valve senses the refrigerant pressure adjacent the evaporator, ie. the input, or output, or the combination of both, to control the refrigerant flow through the evaporator in a manner to improve the performance of the system. The reference pressure for the valve can be the atmosphere or a fixed or variable source. Various other operating variables can be sensed to control the variable source in a manner to interact with the sensed pressure to provide added control of system performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Rene F. Bascobert
  • Patent number: 6260368
    Abstract: In a vapor compression refrigerator with closed loop feedback control of evaporator superheat, a superheat stabilizer consisting of a cavity connected between the evaporator outlet and the suction line inlet, the cavity combining the functions of liquid separation and vapor superheating in order to stabilize superheat by preventing liquid from reaching the outlet vapor temperature sensor and also by achieving preset superheat downstream of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Walter Redlich
  • Patent number: 6257015
    Abstract: An adsorbent unit for mounting relative to a U-bend pipe of a refrigerant accumulator having spaced pipes and a return bend including a porous container, adsorbent in the container, first and second end portions on the container, first and second bands on the first end portion for placement about the spaced pipes, and a mounting tab at the second end portion for mounting onto a filter housing on the return bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel A. Incorvia, Peter R. Millen, John R. Semler
  • Patent number: 6223555
    Abstract: An accumulator for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle includes a housing having an interior chamber and an inlet tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to enter the interior chamber of the housing. The accumulator also includes an outlet tube connected to the housing to allow refrigerant and oil to exit the interior chamber of the housing and a single insert disposed in the interior chamber of the housing to allow refrigerant liquid/vapor separation, insulation, and oil return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Georg Schroeder, Hemant Sumentlal Shah, Jeffrey Paul Luther, Kevin Joseph Goulet, Randy John Hornby
  • Patent number: 6220050
    Abstract: A compressor and suction accumulator assembly including an accumulator assembly attached to a compressor assembly. The compressor assembly includes a curved housing and the accumulator assembly defines a hip flask shaped housing having a concave surface which partially surrounds the curved compressor housing. The accumulator housing includes an inlet and an outlet whereby the outlet of the accumulator housing is in fluid communication with the compressor housing and the concave surface of the accumulator housing is superposed with the outer surface of the compressor housing to promote heat transfer therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Edward A. Cooksey
  • Patent number: 6220044
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus using an HFC group refrigerant, the performance is improved by increasing the refrigerating capacity and a stable operation is made possible. In order to achieve this, a cycle system in a refrigerator is structured so as to connect a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver and a supercooler in this order. In an air-cooled separation type refrigerator, the liquid receiver is disposed within an air-cooled type condenser unit. Further, in the case where a flush gas is liable to be generated in a liquid pipe, a vapor-liquid separator is disposed within the compressor unit integral with an accumulator and separated therefrom by a partition plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakurai, Hideo Takemoto
  • Patent number: 6209347
    Abstract: An adsorbent unit for a refrigerant accumulator having a housing with a bottom wall and a side wall and a U-shaped pipe with a return bend adjacent the bottom wall and with first and second pipe portions extending from the return bend along the side wall, and a filter body extending outwardly from the return bend, the adsorbent unit including a porous adsorbent container, adsorbent in the container, first and second end portions on the container, a first tab extending outwardly from the first end portion of the container, an elongated slot in the first tab mounting it on the first and second pipe portions, a second tab extending outwardly from the second end portion of the container, an aperture on the second tab mounting it on the filter body, and a separate compartment on the adsorbent unit containing a refrigerant tracer dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignees: Multisorb Technologies, Inc., Visteon Global Technologies, Inc., Halla Climate Control Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Corrigan, Kevin J. Goulet, Donald L. Konieczy, Peter R. Millen, Michael A. Olesnavich, Stephen F. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6209333
    Abstract: The performance of mobile air conditioning systems is improved with the use of a pressure sensing valve to control refrigerant flow in the system. The pressure sensing valve is connected between the condenser and the evaporator. The control valve senses the refrigerant pressure adjacent the evaporator, i.e. the input, or output, or the combination of both, to control the refrigerant flow through the evaporator in a manner to improve the performance of the system. The reference pressure for the valve can be the atmosphere or a fixed or variable source. Various other operating variables can be sensed to control the variable source in a manner to interact with the sensed pressure to provide added control of system performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Rene F. Bascobert
  • Patent number: 6205809
    Abstract: An adsorbent unit including a porous container, adsorbent in the container, at least one tab extending outwardly from the container, side edges on the tab, and concave indentations in the side edges. The tab can have an aperture therein for mounting the tab on the filter body of a return bend of an accumulator. Another embodiment of the adsorbent unit can include two tabs extending outwardly from the opposite ends of the container, rigid outer ends on the tabs, and concave indentations in the sides of the tabs between the outer ends of the tabs and the adsorbent container. In use, the concave indentations of the various tabs receive the spaced pipes of a return bend pipe utilized in a refrigerant accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel A. Incorvia, John R. Semler
  • Patent number: 6202437
    Abstract: The suction accumulator is pre-charged with oil that is contained ordinarily in accumulator body. This pre-charged oil amount is in addition to the amount of oil normally charged into compressor oil sump, and makes the total amount of oil charge greater. This increased oil helps improve compressor lubrication under boundary lubrication conditions due to liquid refrigerant. Without increasing the amount of oil in the oil sump of the compressor, the quality of the oil is improved with an accumulator with pre-charged oil. That is, additional oil is charged into the accumulator, and the oil return orifice is so located in elevation that a specified volume is contained below the orifice. The volume of the accumulator is increased by providing a side discharge from the accumulator to the suction inlet of the compressor and by extending the accumulator below the suction inlet. In reality though, the volume does not necessarily contain pure oil because oil almost always contains some refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Woo Yun
  • Patent number: 6196019
    Abstract: An accumulator includes a tank, a refrigerant inlet port provided at an upper portion of the tank, a refrigerant outlet port provided at the upper portion of the tank, a dryer unit disposed in the tank at an intermediate portion along a direction of height of the tank, and a separating wall extending upwardly from the dryer unit and dividing an upper inner space of the tank above the dryer unit into an inlet side upper space located at the refrigerant inlet part side and an outlet side upper space located at the refrigerant outlet side port. The separating wall has a plurality of apertures formed in a scattered state for communicating the inlet side upper space and the outlet side upper space each other. The accumulator includes an oil returning tube having a lower inlet opening and an upper outlet opening. The oil returning tube is disposed in the tank such that the lower inlet opening and the upper outlet opening are located at a bottom portion of the tank and at the refrigerant outlet port, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Showa Aluminum Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Higo, Keiji Yamazaki, Takayuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 6192695
    Abstract: A refrigerating cycle with a by-pass duct 5 in which heat exchange for heating is arranged to be performed in an evaporator 4 without passing refrigerant through a condenser 2 is designed to perform an auxiliary heating mode suitable for the instantaneous conditions by controlling the amount of refrigerant circulating in response to the load and the like. A by-pass duct 5 for supplying the refrigerant from the compressor 1 to the evaporator 4 without passing it through the condenser 2 is placed in juxtaposition. Between the outlet of the evaporator 4 and the inlet of the compressor 1 an accumulator 6 for temporarily storing low-pressure refrigerant liquid is provided so that the amount of refrigerant circulating is controlled by accumulator 6 while the refrigerant circulates via by-pass duct 5 without passage through condenser 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: TGK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisatoshi Hirota
  • Patent number: 6185957
    Abstract: Extreme compactness is achieved in a combined evaporator 22 and suction line heat exchanger 20 through the use of a first, elongated, flattened, multi-port tube 34 having a major dimension DM, a minor dimension dm measured transverse to the major dimension DM and opposed ends 38, 42. The tube is formed in a serpentine configuration by bends 48 across the minor dimension dm with a plurality of generally parallel, spaced runs 46 extending between the ends 38, 42 to define the evaporator 22. An evaporator inlet fixture 30 is provided on one of the ends 38 and an evaporator outlet fixture 32 is provided on the other end 42. Fins 50 extend between adjacent ones of the runs 46. A second, elongated, flattened, multiport tube 70 having a length that is a minor fraction of that of the first tube includes opposed ends 72, 74 a major dimension DM, and a minor dimension dm measured transverse to the major dimension DM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark G. Voss, Jonathan P. Wattelet, Stephen B. Memory
  • Patent number: 6178771
    Abstract: The suction feed pipe of an accumulator extends above the flow path through a baffle dividing the accumulator thereby permitting the storage of a larger amount of liquid in the accumulator. Where the accumulator has a portion located below the fluid connection going into the compressor, this portion can be used to store a charge of make-up oil to replace the oil distributed in the system during operation without initially overcharging the compressor or of compromising the compressor oil charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Woo Yun
  • Patent number: 6178772
    Abstract: An improved refrigerant receiver which includes an improved combined filter and adsorbent unit consisting of a filter extending outwardly from an elongated tube which is mounted on a refrigerant outlet conduit of the receiver and which has an outer edge with the wall of the receiver so that all refrigerant must pass through the filter, and at least one container of adsorbent material mounted within the receiver so as to be exposed to the flow of refrigerant passing through the filter without completely obstructing the portion of the receiver through which this flow passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel A. Incorvia
  • Patent number: 6170288
    Abstract: An improved refrigerant receiver which includes an improved combined filter and adsorbent unit consisting of a filter extending outwardly from an elongated tube which is mounted on a refrigerant outlet conduit of the receiver and which has an outer edge with the wall of the receiver so that all refrigerant must pass through the filter, and at least one container of adsorbent material mounted within the receiver so as to be exposed to the flow of refrigerant passing through the filter without completely obstructing the portion of the receiver through which this flow passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel A. Incorvia