Means To Apportion Refrigerant To Evaporator Patents (Class 62/504)
  • Patent number: 11927375
    Abstract: A liquid-vapor separator includes a housing, an inlet disposed on the housing and configured to receive a working fluid into the housing, a vapor stream outlet disposed on the housing and configured to release a vapor stream of the working fluid, and a demister disposed in the housing and configured to transfer thermal energy between the working fluid and the vapor stream. In some embodiments, the working fluid absorbs thermal energy and evaporates to provide the vapor stream that includes entrained droplets. At least a portion of the entrained droplets absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid to evaporate when the vapor stream flows through the demister. In some embodiments, the liquid-vapor separator includes a passive demisting portion that demists by obstructing at least a portion of the entrained droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Erica L. Gallant, Justin D. Piggush, Jon P. Hartfield
  • Patent number: 11686505
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a plurality of refrigerant flow paths, configured to reduce the drift of the refrigerant. The refrigerator includes a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, a plurality of refrigerant flow paths branched at a downstream of the condenser, the plurality of refrigerant flow paths each including a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator connected to the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, and a processor including a switching valve configured to individually switch an open or closed state of each of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, the processor being configured to adjust a flow rate of refrigerant flowing in each of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths by individually duty-controlling an opening and closing time of each of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths by controlling the switching valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Seo, Hiroshi Nakamura, Ryota Aoki
  • Patent number: 11486617
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes an outdoor unit including a compressor, a first heat exchanger, and a first expansion valve, an indoor unit including a second expansion valve and a second heat exchanger, and a first pipe and a second pipe connected between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. In a cooling operation, refrigerant delivered from the compressor sequentially passes through the first heat exchanger, the first expansion valve, the first pipe, the second expansion valve, the second heat exchanger, and the second pipe and returns to the compressor, and in the cooling operation, the first expansion valve converts refrigerant from a liquid-phase state to a two-phase state and sends two-phase refrigerant to the first pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takumi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 10816271
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes: a first heat transfer tube unit including first heat transfer tubes arranged in parallel along a first direction within a horizontal plane; and a second heat transfer tube unit including second heat transfer tubes arranged in parallel with one another along a second direction that intersects the first direction within the horizontal plane. Each of the first heat transfer tubes and the second heat transfer tubes includes: straight portions arranged in parallel in a vertical direction; and one or more curved portions that make end portions of the straight portions communicate with each other. The straight portions of the first heat transfer tube unit and the straight portions of the first heat transfer tube unit are stacked on each other alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI ENERGY SYSTEM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomiyuki Matsukiyo, Takahide Sugiyama, Osamu Hiyama, Syungo Saito, Jun Kuroda
  • Patent number: 10794634
    Abstract: An inward gas/liquid distribution structure used in microchannel heat exchangers is disclosed. The inward gas/liquid distribution structure can help optimizing refrigerant distribution for a microchannel heat exchanger with long distribution pipe or a microchannel heat exchanger having significant wind field differences. The inward gas/liquid distribution structure includes an inlet header component. The inlet header component has n inlets that are configured to allow gas/liquid to enter the inlet header component, and ā€œnā€ is an integer that is greater than or equal to 2. The inward gas/liquid distribution structure also includes m distribution components. The m distribution components are located in the inlet header component and connected to the n inlets, respectively. In an example, the number m equals to the number n.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: TRANE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS (CHINA) CO., LTD., TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Dongbin Wei
  • Patent number: 10670311
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat exchanger having a heat exchanging portion HE including a plurality of paths through which a refrigerant flows and a plurality of columns of fin plate that exchange heat between the refrigerant and air, wherein, in a case where the heat exchanging portion functions as a condenser, the refrigerant is flown from a header into the heat exchanging portion HE via the plurality of paths, every two paths of the plurality of paths merge into one single path by branching/merging pipes after the refrigerant has flown through one fin plate, before the refrigerant flows through the other fin plate so as to flow out of the heat exchanging portion HE, wherein a difference in height between the highest path and the lowest path in a vertical direction is set equal to or less than half of a height of the heat exchanging portion HE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Matsumura, Kazumoto Urata, Koji Naito, Mikihito Tokudi
  • Patent number: 10495324
    Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a main expansion device connected to an interior coil such that the main expansion device is operable to throttle a flow of refrigerant to both a first coil section and a second coil section of the interior coil. A secondary expansion device is connected in series between the main expansion device and the second coil section of the interior coil such that the secondary expansion device is operable to throttle a flow of refrigerant to the second coil section of the interior coil. A controller is in operative communication with the secondary expansion device such that the controller adjusts the secondary expansion device to a configuration between a fully open configuration and a fully closed configuration during operation of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Isaac D'Souza
  • Patent number: 10197324
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same may be provided. The refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, a refrigerant tube for guiding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, a flow adjustment part coupled to the refrigerant tube to divide the refrigerant into a plurality of refrigerant passages, a plurality of expansion devices respectively disposed in the plurality of refrigerant passages to decompress the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, a plurality of evaporators evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the plurality of expansion devices, and a supercooling heat exchanger disposed at an outlet-side of the condenser to supercool the refrigerant. The refrigerant supercooled in the supercooling heat exchanger may be introduced into the flow adjustment part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangbong Lee, Jangseok Lee, Hyoungkeun Lim, Myungjin Chung, Minkyu Oh
  • Patent number: 9885513
    Abstract: An appliance includes a co-extruded evaporator in thermal communication with a compartment. The co-extruded evaporator includes main and support channels in thermal communication that share a common wall. A main cooling loop is in fluid communication with the main channel. A plurality of co-extruded fins are disposed proximate and in thermal communication with the main and support channels. A coolant is disposed in the main channel and the main cooling loop. A thermally conductive media is selectively disposed in the support channel in fluid and thermal communication with the main channel. The thermally conductive media is chosen from the group consisting of a support channel coolant, wherein the appliance includes a second cooling loop in fluid communication with the support channel, a thermal storage material in thermal communication with the compartment, and a defrost fluid, wherein the appliance includes a defrost circuit in fluid communication with the support channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew D. Litch
  • Patent number: 9243819
    Abstract: A method for operating a vapor compression system is disclosed. The vapor compression system comprises a compressor, a condenser, at least one expansion device, an evaporator, said evaporator comprising at least two evaporator paths arranged fluidly in parallel, and a distribution device arranged to distribute refrigerant among the evaporator paths. The method comprises the steps of obtaining at least two predefined distribution keys, each distribution key defining a distribution of available refrigerant among the evaporator paths, detecting one or more operational settings of the vapor compression system, selecting one of the at least two predefined distribution keys, based on said detected operational setting(s), and distributing refrigerant among the evaporator paths in accordance with the selected predefined distribution key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Torben Funder-Kristensen, Jurgen Suss, Leo Bram, Thomas Tiedemann, Toke Rumohr Christiansen
  • Patent number: 9207007
    Abstract: A method is described for distinguishing non-condensables from refrigerant over-charge, and refrigerant restrictions from refrigerant under-charge of a cooling system and calculating an amount of refrigerant to be added or removed to the cooling system for optimal performance. Expanded target temperature split and target superheat tables and delta superheat tolerances are provided based on laboratory data and mathematical algorithms. The methods may apply to Fixed Expansion Valve (FXV) and Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV) systems and may include making and displaying a diagnostic recommendation regarding non-condensables, refrigerant restrictions, or refrigerant adjustment based upon measurements of return-air wetbulb and drybulb temperatures, condenser entering air temperature, refrigerant suction line temperature, refrigerant liquid line temperature, refrigerant vapor and liquid line pressures, and refrigerant superheat and subcooling temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Mowris
  • Publication number: 20150121949
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator includes a first refrigeration cycle in which a first refrigerant flows along a first refrigerant tube and a second refrigeration cycle in which a second refrigerant flows along a second refrigerant tube. First and second compressors compress each of the first and second refrigerants, and a combined condenser condenses each of the first and second refrigerants. First and second expansion valves phase-change each of the first and second refrigerants passing through the combined condenser, and first and second evaporators change the refrigerant passing through each of the first and second expansion valves into a low-temperature low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: JUYEONG HEO, KYEONGYUN KIM, KYUNGSEOK KIM
  • Publication number: 20150118538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerant circuit of a hybrid or electric vehicle with a refrigerant distributor and to a refrigerant distributor (10) with an inlet channel (12), which extends substantially linearly along an inlet axis (E) and has a channel cross-section (QE), and at least two outlet channels (14, 16) branching off from the inlet channel (12), which each extend substantially linearly along an outlet axis (A1, A2) and have a channel cross-section (QA1, QA2), wherein the outlet axis (A1) of a first outlet channel (14) and the outlet axis (A2) of a second outlet channel (16) intersect in a point of intersection (S), and wherein the refrigerant distributor (10) has at least one of the following features: a) the channel cross-section (QA1) of the first outlet channel (14) differs from the channel cross-section (QA2) of the second outlet channel (16), b) the point of intersection (S) of the outlet axes (A1, A2) is arranged laterally offset from the inlet axis (E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Roland Haussmann
  • Publication number: 20150096321
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus uses R32 as a refrigerant, and includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, an evaporator, an intermediate injection channel and a suction injection channel. The intermediate injection channel guides a part of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser toward the evaporator to the compressor, causing the refrigerant to merge with intermediate-pressure refrigerant of the compressor. The suction injection channel guides a part of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser toward the evaporator to the suction passage, causing the refrigerant to merge with low-pressure refrigerant sucked into the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawano, Shinya Matsuoka, Masahiro Oka
  • Patent number: 8943854
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger of a plate type comprising an evaporator having at least one inlet and at least one outlet allowing a first medium to enter into and exit from the evaporator. The evaporator comprises a plurality of interconnected evaporation chambers disposed in parallel, having at least one common inlet and at least one common outlet allowing the first medium to enter into and exit from the evaporation chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Danfoss Qinbao (Hangzhou) Plate Heat Exchanger Company Limited
    Inventor: Lars Persson
  • Patent number: 8820106
    Abstract: A heat source-side refrigerant circuit A including a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first refrigerant branch portion 21 connected to the compressor 11, a second refrigerant branch portion 22 and a third refrigerant branch portion 23 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first refrigerant flow rate control device 24 provided between branch piping 40 and the second refrigerant branch portion 22, intermediate heat exchangers 25n connected at one side thereof to the first refrigerant branch portion 21 and the third refrigerant branch portion 23 via three-way valves 26n and connected at the other side thereof to the second refrigerant branch portion 22, and second refrigerant flow rate control devices 27n provided between the respective intermediate heat exchangers 25n and the second refrigerant branch portion 22, and user-side refrigerant circuits Bn having indoor heat exchangers 31n connected respectively to the intermediate heat exchangers 25n are provided, and at least one of water and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Wakamoto, Koji Yamashita, Takashi Okazaki, Naoki Tanaka, Keisuke Hokazono, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura, Tomohiko Kasai, Naofumi Takenaka, Yusuke Shimazu
  • Patent number: 8789382
    Abstract: A heat pump including at least two refrigerant injection flow paths into a scroll compressor and a main circuit. The main circuit includes a scroll compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, a phase separator, and an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant. The scroll compressor is provided with a first refrigerant injection port between an inlet of the scroll compressor and an outlet of the scroll compressor, and a second refrigerant injection port between the inlet and the first refrigerant injection port. A first refrigerant injection flow path is bypassed from the phase separator. An internal heat exchanger is installed between the phase separator and the evaporator. A second refrigerant injection flow path is bypassed between the phase separator and the internal heat exchanger. The second refrigerant injection flow path is passed through the internal heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Younghwan Ko, Sangkyoung Park, Yonghee Jang, Bumsuk Kim
  • Patent number: 8677779
    Abstract: An air conditioning system has one expansion valve supplying refrigerant to two evaporators. A vapor quality of a refrigerant has an initial value at a primary inlet of a primary evaporator, and has a resultant value at the primary outlet. The primary evaporator has a bypass inlet at a first location where the vapor quality of the refrigerant is less than about 80% of the resultant value. A secondary evaporator has a secondary inlet receiving a bypass portion of the metered flow of refrigerant split-off at a second location of the primary evaporator between the first location and the expansion valve. The secondary outlet is connected to the bypass inlet. Thus, cooling can be achieved for two different zones using only one expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steven L. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8671714
    Abstract: A heat exchanger unit includes first and second plate heat exchangers disposed in series along a refrigerant flow direction. A refrigerant flows from the first plate heat exchanger to the second plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as an evaporator to heat the refrigerant, and the refrigerant flows from the second plate heat exchanger to the first plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as a condenser to cool the refrigerant. The first and second plate heat exchangers have first and second gas-liquid mixing structures to promote gas-liquid mixing of the refrigerant when the heat exchanger unit heats the refrigerant. The first and second gas-liquid mixing structures are configured such that pressure loss becomes larger when the gas-liquid mixing action becomes higher and such that the gas-liquid mixing action of the first gas-liquid mixing structure is higher than the gas-liquid mixing action of the second gas-liquid mixing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kondou
  • Publication number: 20140053588
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide high-efficiency cooling in a data center in response to a cooling and/or humidity demand using a system having multiple cooling loops to allow for a higher chilled liquid temperature of a first chilled liquid loop, while maintaining data center room temperature and humidity control. Specifically, the system includes a plurality of integrated cooling systems each comprising one or more specifically sized chillers and a liquid loop to address the cooling demand. A free cooling heat exchanger is coupled to the first liquid loop for use when a wet-bulb temperature surrounding the data center is at or below a free cooling set point of the first chilled liquid loop. The system isolates humidity control components to a second chilled liquid loop, and enables greater control of the first chilled liquid loop of the data center to meet specific IT loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wally Karrat, Bret W. Lehman, Ronald J. Licare, Daniel Pare
  • Patent number: 8656732
    Abstract: The invention concerns a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant circuit which comprises several evaporator paths and a distributor (5) which distributes the refrigerant on the evaporator paths. The aim of the invention is to improve the operation of said refrigeration system in a simple manner. According to the invention, the distributor (5) comprises a controllable valve (12) for each evaporation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Torben Funder-Kristensen, Holger Nicolaisen, Joergen Holst, Mogens H. Rasmussen, Jan Holm Nissen
  • Publication number: 20130213066
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a refrigerant circuit between a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor that includes two conduits and pressure reducing devices arranged in parallel between the evaporator and the condenser. The appliance also includes a valve system to direct refrigerant through one, both or none of the conduits and pressure reducing devices, and a heat exchanging member in thermal contact with either one pressure reducing device, or one conduit between the pressure reducing device and the valve system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDREW D. LITCH, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20130213065
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a multi-capacity compressor and a refrigerant circuit with two conduits and pressure reducing devices arranged in parallel between an evaporator and a condenser. Refrigerant can flow through one, both or none of the conduits and pressure reducing devices. The appliance also has a heat exchanger in contact with either one pressure reducing device, or one conduit between the pressure reducing device and the valve system. The appliance also includes a controller for priming the compressor above a nominal capacity for a predetermined or calculated duration at the beginning of an ON-cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ALBERTO REGIO GOMES, STEVEN J. KUEHL, ANDREW D. LITCH, GUOLIAN WU
  • Patent number: 8424324
    Abstract: An pulse electro thermal defrost evaporator system has multiple refrigerant tubes formed from an electrically conductive metal and connected in parallel for refrigerant flow. These tubes are, however, connected electrically in series. A controller is capable of detecting ice accumulation and connecting the tubes to a source of electrical power for deicing when it is necessary to deice the tubes. Embodiments having a manifold having multiple conductive sections insulated from each other are disclosed for coupling tubes electrically in series. Alternative embodiments with a single, long, wide-bore, tube are disclosed, as are embodiments having an evaporating pan coupled in series or parallel with the tubes, and embodiments with thermal cutoff and electrical safety interlocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Victor F. Petrenko, Fedor F. Petrenko
  • Patent number: 8365543
    Abstract: A liquid refrigerant from a compressor and a condenser is alternately supplied to a cooling device for the freezing room 27F and an evaporator for refrigeration room through a three-way valve, so as to conduct the cooling of a freezing room and a refrigeration room. When the thermal load condition of a refrigerating cycle is light, the three-way valve switches to the ā€œF side opened-stateā€ after the compressor is stopped, and thereby conducting pressure balancing, without the liquid refrigerant flowing into the evaporator for refrigeration room. A cooling storage, wherein from one compressor a refrigerant is selectively supplied to multiple evaporators, is constituted so as to prevent one evaporator side from becoming a supercooled state, and furthermore, quickly conduct pressure balancing after stop of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoshi Kondou, Akihiko Hirano, Masahide Yatori, Shinichi Kaga, Hideyuki Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8355247
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a screw lock assembly for a portable computing device. According to one example embodiment, the portable computing device includes a housing and a removable panel configured to attach to a portion of the housing. A screw lock assembly is coupled to the housing and includes pinion gear configured to mate with a rotatable screw attached to the removable panel. Furthermore, the removable panel is releasably attached to the housing via mating of the rotatable screw and pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark David Senatori, Peter M. On, William Gralewski
  • Publication number: 20120180515
    Abstract: A heat medium relay unit and an air-conditioning apparatus or the like are provided that are compact and have improved serviceability while achieving energy saving. A heat medium relay unit according to the invention includes heat medium delivering devices and heat medium flow switching devices (first heat medium flow switching devices and second heat medium flow switching devices) that are provided so as to be detachable from a predetermined side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Morimoto, Koji Yamashita, Yuji Motomura, Katsuhiko Hayashida, Hiroto Nakao
  • Patent number: 8191384
    Abstract: The invention concerns a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant circuit which comprises several evaporator paths and a distributor (5) which distributes the refrigerant on the evaporator paths. The aim of the invention is to improve the operation of said refrigeration system in a simple manner. According to the invention, the distributor (5) comprises a controllable valve (12) for each evaporation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Torben Funder-Kristensen, Holger Nicolaisen, Joergen Holst, Mogens H. Rasmussen, Jan Holm Nissen
  • Patent number: 8171987
    Abstract: An inlet header of a microchannel heat exchanger is provided with a first insert disposed within the inlet header and extending substantially the length thereof, and having a plurality of openings for the flow of refrigerant into the internal confines of the inlet header and then to the channels. A second insert, disposed within the first insert, extends substantially the length of the first insert and is of increasing cross sectional area toward its downstream end such that annular cavity is formed between the first and second insert. The annular cavity of decreasing cross sectional area provides for the maintenance of a substantially constant mass flux of the refrigerant along the length of the annulus so as to thereby maintain an annular flow regime of the liquid and thereby promote uniform flow distribution to the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Yirong Jiang, Jules R. Munoz, Young K. Park, Parmesh Verma
  • Publication number: 20110167846
    Abstract: A method for dehumidification and controlling system pressure in a refrigeration system includes providing a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator connected in a closed refrigerant loop. Each of the condenser and evaporator have a plurality of refrigerant circuits. A first heat transfer fluid is flowed over the condenser and a second heat transfer fluid is flowed over the evaporator. At least one of the refrigerant circuits of the condenser is isolated to provide a decreased amount of heat transfer area within the condenser and to increase the refrigerant pressure within the refrigeration system when the refrigerant pressure within the refrigeration system is at or below a predetermined pressure. At least one of the refrigerant circuits of the evaporator is isolated to dehumidify and maintain the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid at or above a predetermined temperature when dehumidification is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: YORK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Terry KNIGHT, Anthony William LANDERS, Patrick Gordon GAVULA, Stephen Blake PICKLE
  • Patent number: 7958738
    Abstract: A direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and a method of direct expansion ammonia refrigeration is described and which includes a source of liquid ammonia refrigerant which is delivered in fluid flowing relation to a plurality of evaporator tubes which incorporate wicking structures, and which through capillary action facilitated by the wicking structures are effective for drawing liquid ammonia refrigerant along the inside facing surface of the evaporator tubes so as to substantially reduce any stratified and/or wavy flow patterns of the liquid ammonia refrigerant within the evaporator tubes. The invention further includes a novel accumulator vessel and heat exchanger vessel which are coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and which facilitate the removal of water from the ammonia refrigerant in order to enhance the operation of the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Colmac Coil Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Ian Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110005244
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant from a subcritical state to a supercritical state, a cooler for transferring heat from the refrigerant, an expander for expanding the refrigerant in the supercritical state, an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant from the supercritical state to the subcritical state and an evaporator for transferring heat from a cooling fluid to the refrigerant in the subcritical state. Work extracted by the expander provides power to the compressor. A method for cooling a vehicle includes compressing a refrigerant from a subcritical state to a supercritical state, cooling the refrigerant, expanding the refrigerant in the supercritical state where work produced by expanding the refrigerant is used to compress the refrigerant, expanding the refrigerant from the supercritical state to the subcritical state, cooling a cooling fluid with the refrigerant in the subcritical state and cooling vehicle components with the cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam M. Finney, Young K. Park, Scott F. Kaslusky, Daniel R. Sabatino
  • Publication number: 20110000243
    Abstract: A discharge pipe for connecting a compressor with a condenser in a vapor-compression system comprises an intake segment, a muffler, a splitter segment and first and second discharge segments. The intake segment is configured to connect to a discharge port of the compressor and receive compressed refrigerant flow. The muffler is connected to the intake segment for attenuating pulsations within the compressed refrigerant flow. The splitter segment is connected to the muffler and configured to divide the compressed refrigerant flow into first and second branches. The first discharge segment connects to the splitter to receive the first branch and is configured to connect to the condenser at a first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tony Jabbour, Xavier Girod, Emmanuel Chulio
  • Patent number: 7698901
    Abstract: A refrigerator icemaker assembly includes a bin having a bottom wall, as well as first and second pairs of opposing side walls. One of the first pair of opposing side walls includes an opening within which is movably mounted a coupler. The coupler is provided with a recessed portion having formed therein an aperture and a cog member. An auger is rotatably mounted in the bin and includes a first end portion that extends through the aperture of the coupler. A drive member extends into the coupler and drives the auger in a first direction to dispense ice cubes and in a second direction to dispense crushed ice. The driver engages with the cog member when being rotated in the first direction and directly engages the first end of the auger when being driven in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Bill Koons, Mark Jeffery Reimer
  • Patent number: 7694529
    Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle device, a radiator has a heat radiating portion for radiating high-pressure refrigerant discharged from a compressor and a refrigerant outlet downstream from the heat radiating portion, an ejector includes a nozzle portion for decompressing and expanding refrigerant and a refrigerant suction port for sucking refrigerant by high-velocity refrigerant flow jetted from the nozzle portion. The refrigerant cycle device includes a throttle unit for decompressing refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant outlet of the radiator, an evaporator located between a refrigerant downstream side of the throttle unit and the refrigerant suction port of the ejector, and a branch portion located within the heat radiating portion of the radiator to branch a refrigerant flow. In the refrigerant cycle device, the nozzle portion has a nozzle inlet coupled to the branch portion so that refrigerant flows into the nozzle inlet from the branch portion of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oshitani, Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Yoshiaki Takano, Mika Gocho
  • Publication number: 20100083691
    Abstract: A thermal cycling system includes a structure defining a load space, a heating assembly positioned to heat to the load space, and a cooling assembly positioned to cool the load space. The cooling assembly includes a refrigeration circuit and a banking circuit. The refrigeration circuit has a compressor, a refrigeration condenser, a first refrigeration evaporator in direct thermal communication with the load space, a second refrigeration evaporator in parallel with the first evaporator, and primary refrigerant circulating throughout the refrigeration circuit. The banking circuit is gravity fed and includes a banking condenser, a banking evaporator positioned to cool the load space, and a banking refrigerant circulating throughout the banking circuit. The banking condenser includes a collection reservoir to store liquid banking refrigerant and is in thermal communication with the second refrigeration evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: VENTUREDYNE, LTD.
    Inventors: Darin E. Immink, Clinton A. Peterson, Andrew R. Veldt
  • Publication number: 20100011791
    Abstract: A heat transfer system capable of being coupled to at least one temperature controlled zone, the elements of the system comprising: (i) at least one liquid refrigerant line; (ii) at least one expansion valve selected for R22 or R422D; (iii) at least one evaporator (iv) at least one compressor; (v) at least one condenser; (vi) at least one vapor refrigerant line; and wherein all of the elements have an inlet side and an outlet side and elements (i) through (vi) are in fluid communication together and contains R422D; and the system further comprising a sensing element communicatively coupled to the outlet side of at least one evaporator and at least one expansion valve and at least one sensing element contains a fluid selected to work when R22 is in the condenser-to-evaporator circuit, or R422D. Further disclosed are methods for retrofitting R22 containing heat transfer systems, including refrigerators and air conditioners. Also disclosed are refrigerators and air conditioners containing only R422D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Roger Nicholas Strickland, Calvin Curtis Lawson, Neil Andre Roberts, James William Dunlap, Donald Bernard Bivens, Kevin Patrick O'Shea
  • Patent number: 7628025
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigerator is disclosed, by which a silent operation of the refrigerator is enabled. The present invention includes a step (a) of controlling a flow of a refrigerant so that the refrigerant can be introduced into at least one accumulator connected to at least one evaporator selected to be driven and a step (b) of if a compressor stops being driven, switching the flow of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant can be introduced into at least one different accumulator connected to at least one different evaporator to which the flow of the refrigerant was cut off in the course of driving the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Myoung Ju Kang
  • Patent number: 7617700
    Abstract: An improved heat exchanger, and flow control valve assembly associated with a heat exchanger, of the type wherein the temperature responsive flow control valve is integrated with the heat exchanger the valve assembly is well suited for mounting at the discharge port of the heat exchanger, without relying on rigid interaction with the inside wall of the discharge header or the tube ends in the discharge header. In this manner, the same basic valve assembly can be utilized in a variety of heat exchanger headers, merely by adapting the connection between the end of the valve assembly closest to the discharge port, and the housing or related structure of the heat exchanger at the discharge port. To the extent a relatively standard size valve assembly is to be used with heat exchangers having discharge conduits of different cross sectional area or shape, a baffle member can be placed around the valve assembly before insertion into the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Rostra Precision Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Lamb, David Piscitelli, Kenneth Lionello
  • Patent number: 7600393
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerant distributing device for a multi-type air conditioner, which can discharge an evenly mixed refrigerant to a plurality of indoor units. The refrigerant distributing device comprises an inlet pipe to supply a refrigerant, a distributor, and a plurality of outlet pipes. The distributor comprises an inlet port connected with the inlet pipe, a mix zone having a predetermined space formed therein such that the refrigerant induced through the inlet port forms a vortex flow within the mix zone so as to be evenly mixed, and a plurality of outlet ports separably connected with the mix zone to discharge the refrigerant having passed through the mix zone to an outside. The plurality of outlet pipes selectively connects at least one outlet ports of the distributor and each outlet pipe, for adjusting the amount of refrigerant supplied to each outlet pipe based on the capacity of each indoor unit connected with each outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chan Gu Kim
  • Publication number: 20090173088
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an evaporator, a compressor compressing a refrigerant coming out of the evaporator, a condensing unit which includes a finned tube guiding the refrigerant from the compressor back to the evaporator; and an energy saving arrangement. The energy saving arrangement includes a water-cooling device frequently introducing a predetermined amount of water to a surface of the finned tube to water-cool the refrigerant within the finned tube for enhancing a cooling efficiency of the condensing unit while being energy efficient. The energy saving arrangement further includes a metering device for controllably pumping the refrigerant from the condensing unit to the evaporator especially when a pressure inside the condensing unit is lower than a threshold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Kuojui Su, Ling Ju Su
  • Patent number: 7506520
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a refrigerator to enable independent cooling of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber. The method prevents temperature rising of the refrigerator by controlling a refrigerant passage switching valve after stopping operation of a compressor, thereby reducing electricity consumption and increasing humidification effects of the refrigerator by controlling an operating time point of a refrigerating chamber fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20090025405
    Abstract: An economized vapor compression circuit is disclosed. An evaporator, compressor, condenser and economizer are fluidly connected by a refrigerant line containing refrigerant. A portion of the liquid refrigerant leaving the economizer is diverted away from the evaporator to sub-cool liquid refrigerant at a location between the condenser and the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Mustafa Kemal Yanik
  • Publication number: 20080127672
    Abstract: The vapour compression device according to the invention comprises an internal heat exchanger, a low-pressure compressor and an associated gas cooler, a fluid distributor separating the fluid into a main circuit of the cycle and into an auxiliary cooling circuit of the cycle, an auxiliary expansion system placed on the auxiliary cooling circuit, and a main expansion system placed on the main circuit of the cycle. The device also comprises a high-pressure compressor and an associated gas cooler placed on the main circuit of the cycle. The method for performing a transcritical fluid cycle according to the invention preferably comprises an isentropic compression step of the fluid, on the main circuit of the cycle, to reach a maximum high pressure greater than a critical pressure of the fluid, and an isobaric cooling step of the fluid to substantially reach a cold source temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventors: Maxime Ducoulombier, Stephane Colasson
  • Patent number: 7331195
    Abstract: A refrigerant distribution device 10 situated in an inlet header 12 of a multiple tube heat exchanger 14 of a refrigeration system 20. The device 10 includes an inlet passage 32 that is in communication with an expansion device. Small diameter conduits 34 are disposed within the inlet header 12 and are in fluid communication with the inlet passage 32. A two-phase refrigerant fluid in the inlet passage 32 has a refrigerant liquid-vapor interface 38. The conduits 34 have inlet ports 40 that lie below the refrigerant liquid-vapor interface 38. Vapor emerging from the nozzles 34 create a homogeneous refrigerant that is uniformly delivered to the multiple tubes. The invention also includes a method for delivering a uniform distribution of a homogeneous liquid mixture of liquid and vaporous refrigerant through the heat exchanger tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Heat Transfer LLC
    Inventors: Younglib Bae, Michael E. Heidenreich, William G. Abbatt
  • Patent number: 7086249
    Abstract: A refrigerant distribution device 10 situated in an inlet header 12 of a multiple tube heat exchanger 14 of a refrigeration system 20. The device 10 includes an inlet passage 32 that is in communication with an expansion device. Small diameter nozzles 34 are disposed within the inlet header 12 and are in fluid communication with the inlet passage 32. Capillary liquid nozzles 36 also lie within the inlet header 12 and are in fluid communication with the inlet passage 32. A two-phase refrigerant fluid in the inlet passage 32 has a refrigerant liquid-vapor interface 38. The vapor nozzles 34 have vapor inlet ports 40 that lie above the refrigerant liquid-vapor interface 38. The capillary liquid nozzles 36 have liquid inlet ports 42 that lie below the refrigerant liquid-vapor interface 38. Vapor emerging from the vapor nozzles 34 blow onto and atomize liquid emerging from the liquid nozzle to create a homogeneous refrigerant that is uniformly delivered to the multiple tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Heat Transfer, LLC
    Inventors: Younglib Bae, Michael E. Heidenreich
  • Patent number: 7062934
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of an electronic device. The apparatus comprises a refrigeration system including a compressor and a multi-pass heat exchanger. The refrigeration system is operative to circulate a refrigerant fluid through a fluid flow loop such that the refrigerant fluid will change between gaseous and liquid states to alternately absorb and release thermal energy. The refrigerant fluid is pre-cooled in the heat exchanger by a pre-cooling refrigerant stream. A thermal head is connected into the fluid flow loop and has a temperature controlled surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Delta Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Craps, Ian G. Spearing, Matthew F. W. Brown, John E. Voshell, John D. Ruth
  • Patent number: 6931870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, a first expanding unit, a second expanding unit, a third expanding unit, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator; a first refrigerant circuit containing refrigerant discharged from the compressor and flowing into a suction side of the compressor through the condenser, the first expanding unit, the first evaporator, the second expanding unit and the second evaporator; a second refrigerant circuit containing the refrigerant passing through the condenser flowing into the suction side of the compressor through the third expanding unit and the second evaporator; a flow path control unit installed at a discharge side of the condenser, switching a refrigerant flow path so that the refrigerant passing through the condenser flows through at least one of the first and second refrigerant circuits; and a control unit selectively opening and closing the flow path control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Young Kim, Hak-Gyun Bae, Chang-Nyeun Kim, Jae-Seung Lee, Myung-Wouk Kim, Eung-Ryeol Seo
  • Patent number: 6883348
    Abstract: The present invention provides an indoor unit in air conditioner, including two heat exchangers, a connection pipe connecting the heat exchangers, first means for guiding refrigerant flow, and second means provided to the connection pipe. The two heat exchangers, i.e., first and second heat exchangers, have one ends connected to first and second pipelines connected to parts outside of the indoor unit, for an example, a compressor or an outdoor expansion device. The first means selectively guides the refrigerant introduced thereto through the first or second pipeline to be discharged through the second or the first pipeline after being passed through both, or either of the first and second heat exchangers. The second means is provided to the connection pipe so that the refrigerant transferred from one of the first and second heat exchanger to the other one of the first and second heat exchanger is passed in an original state or in an expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc
    Inventors: Ki Su Hong, Dong Soo Moon, Sim Won Chin
  • Patent number: RE43998
    Abstract: Refrigeration/air conditioning equipment includes a first internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant to be sucked in a compressor and a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, an injection circuit for evaporating a bypassed high-pressure liquid at intermediate pressure and injecting the vaporized refrigerant into the compressor, a second internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the high-pressure liquid refrigerant and the refrigerant to be injected, and a heat source for heating the refrigerant to be injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Aoki, Masato Yosomiya, Fumitake Unezaki, Makoto Saitou, Tetsuji Saikusa