Plural Compressors Or Multiple Effect Compression Patents (Class 62/510)
  • Patent number: 7007505
    Abstract: A refrigerating device including a refrigerating cycle including a plurality of compressors driven by motors, the plurality of compressors comprising a variable speed compressor which can be controlled in capacity and a constant speed compressor which is driven by a motor of which rotor core comprising a cage type conductor and permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Trustee for the Benefit of Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tsuboe, Susumu Nakayama, Akira Saruta, Kazumoto Urata
  • Patent number: 7007503
    Abstract: An oil equalizing system for multiple compressors which does not require a particular machining process for shells of the compressors, thereby being capable of preventing an increase in costs, while maintaining oil in each compressor in a proper amount. In a refrigerant circuit, in which at least three compressors are connected in parallel, the oil equalizing system includes an oil equalizing tube adapted to communicate shells of the compressors with one another, and a bypass tube adapted to connect the oil equalizing tube to a discharge side refrigerant line for the compressors. The shell of each compressor is directly communicated with the shell of each of the remaining compressors by the oil equalizing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaneko Takashi
  • Patent number: 6966192
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle is disclosed having a number of compressors operating in tandem and supplying a compressed refrigerant to a refrigerant system. Discharge lines communicate a compressed refrigerant to a central discharge line for receiving flow from all tandem compressors. A control is operational to determine a number of compressors need to be operated or whether some compressors should be shutdown to satisfy load requirements. Shutoff valves are placed on discharge lines outwardly of the shell of the compressors. That can be shutdown during part load operation. These shutoff valves are closed when their associated compressors are stopped to prevent backflow of refrigerant from operating compressors through the shutoff compressor, and into the system suction side. Additionally, high pressure differential across the compressor internal discharge check valve is eliminated and the possibility of compressor flooding through a discharge line is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Patent number: 6966194
    Abstract: A refrigerating machine having a compressor driven by a motor. The motor incorporates an armature with an iron core having a cage type conductor and a permanent magnet which is magnetized so as to enable the motor to operate as a synchronous motor. A bypass passage is provided between a discharge side of the compressor and a suction side of the compressor, a shut-off valve is provided for opening and closing the bypass passage, a pressure detecting device is provided for detecting a discharge pressure from the compressor and a current detector is provided for detecting a value of drive current for the compressor. The shut-off valve is opened and closed in accordance with the discharge pressure and the value of the drive current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Yokozeki, Susumu Nakayama, Kenji Tojo, Akira Saruta, Mutsunori Matsunaga, Satoshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6966193
    Abstract: Multiple refrigerant circuits are operated in parallel, and each has an economizer cycle. One of the two circuits may have a greater capacity than the other. By controlling the two circuits to run in economized, conventional, bypassed, or economizer bypassed operation, the control is able to match demanded capacity. Moreover, by exercising similar technique, the control can provide better humidity control, can limit or maintain head pressure, and can avoid power consumption peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dobmeier, Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
  • Patent number: 6962058
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an air conditioner with a variable capacity compressor (2) parallely connected to a fixed capacity compressor (4), and a method of controlling the operation of such an air conditioner. When it is required to start the fixed capacity compressor (4) in addition to an operation of the variable capacity compressor (2) due to an increase in the sum of the required cooling capacities of indoor units (9), an outdoor control unit (13) starts the fixed capacity compressor (4) during an unloading mode operation of the variable capacity compressor (2) where the pressure difference between the outlet side and inlet side of the variable capacity compressor is minimized. The fixed capacity compressor (4) is thus smoothly started without causing an induction of excessive starting current, and improves the operational reliability of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Youb Kim, Il-Yong Cho, Je-Myoung Moon, Joong-Ki Moon, Chang-Hee Han
  • Patent number: 6962060
    Abstract: Compressor system comprising (a) a first compressor having a first stage and a second stage wherein the first stage of the first compressor is adapted to compress a first gas and the second stage of the first compressor is adapted to compress a combination of a fourth gas and an intermediate compressed gas from the first stage of the first compressor; and (b) a second compressor having a first stage and a second stage wherein the first stage of the second compressor is adapted to compress a second gas and the second stage of the second compressor is adapted to compress a combination of a third gas and an intermediate compressed gas from the first stage of the second compressor. The first gas is at a first pressure, the second gas is at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, the third gas is at a third pressure higher than the second pressure, and the fourth gas is at a fourth pressure higher than the third pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Petrowski, Mark Julian Roberts
  • Patent number: 6955058
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle is provided with tandem compressors. Only some of the multiple compressors are provided with an economized cycle, and an optional unloader valve for selectively returning flow from an economizer injection port back to suction. The present invention thus provides the economized operation capabilities and benefits for a refrigerant cycle having tandem compressors, without the complexity of providing separate economizer arrangement for each of the compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson, Thomas J. Dobmeier
  • Patent number: 6948916
    Abstract: A multiple hermetic compressor assembly comprising a first compressor and an adjacent, second compressor interconnected by a hot gas pressure discharge manifold, a suction gas pressure equalization manifold, a suction manifold and an oil equalization manifold, the manifolds including a plurality of the turns extending at right angles that minimizes vibrational-associated manifold stress failures by providing for adequate vibrational absorption in the manifolds and reduces hot gas discharge interference between the compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Global Energy Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Hebert
  • Patent number: 6948335
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oil equalizing circuit for a refrigeration system provided with a plurality of compression mechanisms, the oil equalizing circuit being capable of supplying sufficient oil to the compressors that are running during partial load operation. The refrigeration system compression mechanism is provided with the following: first, second, and third compressors; a refrigerant intake main pipe; first, second, and third intake branch pipes connected to the intake sides of the compressors; first, second, and third oil separators connected to the discharge sides of the compressors; and first, second, and third oil return pipes provided on the oil separators. The first oil return pipe is configured such that oil is delivered to the refrigerant intake main pipe due to gravity when only the first compressor is running. The second oil return pipe is configured such that oil is delivered to the refrigerant intake main pipe due to gravity when only the first and second compressors are running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiromune Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6945066
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant has a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expander, an indoor heat exchanger and an auxiliary compressor. The auxiliary compressor is driven by power recover by the expander. When refrigerant flows using the indoor heat exchanger as an evaporator, a discharge side of the auxiliary compressor becomes a suction side of the compressor, and when refrigerant flows using the indoor heat exchanger as a gas cooler, a discharge side of the compressor becomes a suction side of the auxiliary compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hiwata, Yuji Inoue, Yoshikazu Kawabe, Noriho Okaza, Kazuo Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6941767
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oil equalizing circuit that can improve the reliability of the oil supply to the compression mechanisms in a refrigeration system provided with a plurality of compression mechanisms. The compressor group of the air conditioning system is equipped chiefly with first, second, and third compressors and an oil equalizing circuit. The oil equalizing circuit is equipped with the first, second and third oil separators provided on the discharge sides of the compressors; first, second, and third oil return pipes connecting the oil separators to the intake sides of the compressors; a communication pipe for allowing the oil return pipes to communicate with one another; first, second, and third oil ON-OFF switching mechanisms provided downstream of the parts where the oil return pipes connect to the communication pipe; and first, second, and third pressure reducing mechanisms provided upstream of the parts where the oil return pipes connect to the communication pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromune Matsuoka, Shinya Matsuoka, Yasushi Hori
  • Patent number: 6938430
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus including three compressors (2A, 2B, 2C) and application side heat exchangers (41) (45, 51) for two channels is formed so that a first compressor (2A) is used only for the application side heat exchangers (45, 51) in a first channel of a circuit, a third compressor (2C) is used only for the application side heat exchanger (41) in a second channel of the circuit, and a second compressor (2B) is used in a switchable manner between the application side heat exchangers (45, 51) in the first channel of the circuit and the application side heat exchanger (41) in the second channel of the circuit. Thus, not only the pipe arrangement at suction side is simplified, but also operation control is streamlined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tanimoto, Masaaki Takegami, Satoru Sakae
  • Patent number: 6931866
    Abstract: A multi-stage compression type rotary compressor, having a driving element and a first and a second rotary compression element that are driven by the driving element in a sealed container, is provided. The refrigerant compressed by the first rotary compression element is discharged into the sealed container, and said discharged refrigerant with an intermediate pressure is then compressed by the second rotary compression element. By cooling the refrigerant absorbed into the second rotary compression element, the rise in the temperature of the refrigerant that is compressed and discharged by the second rotary compression element can be suppressed. And, the supercooling degree of the refrigerant is increases before reaching the expansion valve to improve the cooling ability of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Sato, Kenzo Matsumoto, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Akifumi Tomiuka, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Masaji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 6928828
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle includes economized tandem compressors. The refrigerant cycle is also provided with a common economizer circuit for all tandem compressors. Common manifolds communicate discharge, suction and economizer return flows within the refrigerant cycle to each of the tandem compressors. Also, an optional unloader function is provided for each of the compressors. Various arrangements allow enhanced operation control, improved system reliability and reduced equipment life-cycle cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson, Thomas J. Dobmeier
  • Patent number: 6925822
    Abstract: Several control algorithms reduce the likelihood of insufficient oil return to the compressor. One algorithm is useful in a multi-circuit refrigerant system. A control reduces the cooling capacity of one of the circuits if the number of compressor start/stop cycles becomes excessive. By reducing the capacity, the control will reduce the number of compressor start/stop cycles for a circuit. In this manner, the oil continues to circulate through the circuit, and is more efficiently returned to the compressor. Another problem area associated with a poor oil return back to the compressor is when there is low mass flow rate of refrigerant circulating through the system. Various ways of increasing the refrigerant mass flow rate are disclosed to ensure proper oil return to the compressor. Also, if oil return problems are likely due to an undesirably high oil viscosity at the vapor portion of the evaporator or suction line, then steps are taken to reduce oil viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras, Thomas J. Dobmeier
  • Patent number: 6907746
    Abstract: A multi-stage compression type rotary compressor, having a driving element and a first and a second rotary compression element that are driven by the driving element in a sealed container, is provided. The refrigerant compressed by the first rotary compression element is discharged into the sealed container, and said discharged refrigerant with an intermediate pressure is then compressed by the second rotary compression element. By cooling the refrigerant absorbed into the second rotary compression element, the rise in the temperature of the refrigerant that is compressed and discharged by the second rotary compression element can be suppressed. And, the supercooling degree of the refrigerant is increases before reaching the expansion valve to improve the cooling ability of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Sato, Kenzo Matsumoto, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Akifumi Tomiuka, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Masaji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 6889512
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an on-vehicle air-conditioner, resolving problems of the prior art, and allowing to perform cooling, heating, dehumidification or others efficiently even for vehicles of low waste heat, such as hybrid cars taking electricity and gasoline as energy source, idle stop coping cars or battery cars taking only electricity as energy source, or other vehicles, by cooling by loading a refrigeration circuit, using for example CO2 refrigerant, and provided with an electrically driven two-stage compression system compressor, and at the same time, installing a refrigerant heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant, compressed in the first stage in a way to exchange heat with the car interior air, and using conveniently also for heating together with the heat of the cooling water for cooling the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ebara, Hiroshi Mukaiyama, Osamu Kuwabara, Toshikazu Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6883346
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus (1) having application-side heat exchangers (41, 45, 51) for a plurality of systems for air-conditioning, for cold-storage/freezing and the like and a four-way switch valve (3C) and a plurality of check valves (7) on suction sides of compression mechanisms (2D, 2E) and formed from three compressors (2A, 2B, 2C) to allow the operation states to be switched, the number of compressors (2A, 2B, 2C) used at air-conditioning side and cold-storage/freezing side is limited to two at maximum, thereby achieving a simple circuit configuration in which the number of the check valves (7) to be provided in the suction sides of the compression mechanisms (2D, 2E) is reduced to one or two, suppressing the occurrence of chattering noise in check valves (7) and, also, preventing an ability from reducing due to a suction-side pressure loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tanimoto, Takeo Ueno, Masaaki Takegami, Satoru Sakae
  • Patent number: 6883341
    Abstract: A compressor has an economizer injection line communicating into the compressor compression chambers. An unloader valve selectively communicates the economizer injection line back to a point upstream of the evaporator. When the compressor is run in unloaded mode, partially compressed refrigerant is thus returned to a point upstream of the evaporator. In unloaded mode, this results in a higher refrigerant mass flow through the evaporator, as compared to prior art where the bypassed refrigerant was returned downstream of the evaporator. This increases system efficiency by more effectively returning oil which otherwise might be left in the evaporator back to the compressor. Also, the amount of refrigerant superheat entering the compressor in unloaded operation is reduced as compared to the prior art compressor systems, wherein the bypassed refrigerant is returned directly to the compressor suction line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Lifson
  • Patent number: 6880357
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to reduce the constraint that the density ratio is constant as small as possible, and to obtain high power recovering effect in a wide operation range. A refrigeration cycle apparatus uses carbon dioxide as refrigerant and has a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expander and an indoor heat exchanger. An injection circuit for introducing high pressure refrigerant is provided in a halfway of an expansion process of said expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Nakatani, Yoshikazu Kawabe, Yuji Inoue, Noriho Okaza, Akira Hiwata
  • Patent number: 6868681
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner comprising a plurality of indoor units and a common outdoor unit connected to each of the indoor units. The air conditioner further includes an additional indoor unit connected to an air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit. The additional indoor unit is installed in some place other than the installation place of the indoor unit. The indoor units are selectively or simultaneously operated by means of effective distribution of coolant in the outdoor unit so that the indoor units are properly operated by means of the single outdoor unit to provide a pleasant air conditioned environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung Joo Woo, Su Chang Woo, Kyung Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 6860116
    Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a first circuit having first components including a first compressor, a first condenser and a first evaporator; a second circuit having second components including a second compressor, a second condenser and a second evaporator; and interconnecting flow lines for selectively communicating the first compressor with at least one component of the second components to boost system performance at part-load operation as well as enhance its reliability and improve unloading capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras, Howard H. Fraser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6860114
    Abstract: To provide a transportable cooling unit for maintaining a transport volume at a defined temperature, comprising a closed cooling circuit and a controller sensing a temperature present within said transport volume and controlling said cooling circuit so as to provide the cooling power demanded at said evaporator for maintaining said defined temperature and minimizing energy consumption, said controller operates said closed cooling circuit between a maximum possible heating power and a maximum possible cooling power in a sequence of different operational stages, said controller further operates said closed cooling circuit in each one of at least two upper operational cooling stages at a compressor speed related cooling capacity different from said compressor speed related cooling capacity in said other upper operational stages and within said respective upper operational stages said controller operates a compressor in an uninterrupted mode and adjusts said cooling power stepless speed control of said compressor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Maersk Container Industri A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 6848268
    Abstract: A cooling system including an evaporator, a suction line, a two stage compressor, a gas cooler and a capillary tube. The suction line receives gaseous or two phase refrigerant from the evaporator, the compressor receives the gaseous or two phase refrigerant from the suction line, and the gas cooler cools compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor. The capillary tube carries refrigerant from the gas cooler to the evaporator, and the suction line may include two straight portions with two portions of the capillary tube helically wound therearound, with a bypass valve around the capillary tube, and an accumulator between the suction line portions. An inter-cooler is between stages of the compressor, and a pan collects water condensate from the air side of the evaporator, and the refrigerant tube carries cooled refrigerant from the gas cooler through the pan. A controller selectively turns the compressor on and off based on temperature or pressure sensed by a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stephen B. Memory, Jianmin Yin
  • Patent number: 6843067
    Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioner for cooling or heating air in a room by compressing, condensing, expanding and evaporating a refrigerant, and a method for controlling an electronic expansion valve of the air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a plurality of compressors, for compressing a refrigerant, of which one or more are operated so that refrigerant compression capacity is variably changed according to the variation of a cooling/heating load; and an electronic expansion valve adapted to control the refrigerant compression capacity. The electronic expansion valve controls the flow rate of the refrigerant after one or more of the compressors are stopped, thereby rapidly achieving the pressure equilibrium at inlet and outlet pipes of the stopped compressor(s), shortening a time taken to allow the stopped compressor(s) to be re-operated, and improving reliability in operating the compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang
  • Patent number: 6843066
    Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioning system, in which the total operating capacity of compressors is variably controlled in accordance with a cooling or heating load in a room, and a method for controlling the air conditioning method, thus improving comfortableness in the room, reducing an electric power consumption rate, and increasing cooling or heating efficiency. The air conditioning system includes an indoor heat exchanger for cooling a room by heat-exchanging a refrigerant with air in the room; an outdoor heat exchanger for condensing the refrigerant; a plurality of compressors for compressing the refrigerant; and a control unit for controlling operation of the plural compressors in accordance with the cooling or heating load in the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang, Ji Young Jang
  • Patent number: 6829903
    Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioner, which reduces an electric power consumption rate and rapidly copes with the requirements of a user, and a method for operating the air conditioner in a cooling mode for cooling air in a room by an independent or simultaneous operation of small-capacity and large-capacity compressors in accordance with the variation of a cooling load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang
  • Patent number: 6826917
    Abstract: A control system is provided to determine when to use additional compressors in a multiple compressor refrigeration system during a pull down operation. The control system determines the rate of change of the difference between the leaving chilled water temperature and a setpoint temperature during the pull down operation of the refrigeration system. If the determined rate of change of the leaving chilled water temperature difference provided by the current configuration of the refrigeration system is not adequate, then an additional compressor of the refrigeration system can be started to obtain a better rate of change. The control system can repeat this evaluation of the determined rate of change of the leaving chilled water temperature difference until all compressors in the multiple compressor refrigeration system are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: York International Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Robinson Bodell, II, Wanda Jean Miller
  • Publication number: 20040237578
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus comprising a plurality of application-side heat exchangers (41), (45, 51) for air-conditioning and for cold-storage/freezing, it is configured so as to be capable of corresponding to various types of operation patterns when a compression mechanism (2) is configured by two compressors (2A, 2B). In order to continue operation even if one compressor is broken, a switching mechanism such as a four-way selector valve (3C) is provided on the suction side of the two compressors (2A, 2B), so that a plurality of operation patterns can be performed in a predetermined operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Masaaki Takegami, Takeo Ueno, Kenji Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 6823686
    Abstract: A pressure equalization method and system is provided for starting a compressor while maintaining the condenser at a high pressure and includes a valve and a bleed port. The compressor has a compressor inlet for receiving a fluid at a first pressure and a compressor outlet for discharging the fluid at a second pressure, and is operable to compress the fluid from the first pressure to the second pressure. The valve is proximate to and in fluid communication with the compressor outlet and is movable to an open position when the compressor is operating to permit the fluid at the second pressure to flow through the valve and is movable to a closed position when the compressor stops operating to prevent backflow of the fluid at the second pressure through the valve toward the compressor inlet. The bleed port is upstream of the valve and in fluid communication with the compressor inlet to equalize the pressure of the fluid contained in the compressor when the compressor stops operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Chumley, Larry G. Pippin, Pantelis V. Hatzikazakis, William Z. Sun, Timothy M. Wampler, Charles E. Zimmerman, Rongchang Xin, David T. Monk
  • Patent number: 6820434
    Abstract: The compressor of a transport refrigeration system is divided into two sections, with each section having a suction inlet. The refrigerant vapor from the evaporator is passed to one of the suction inlets, whereas the refrigerant vapor from a subcooler circuit is passed to the other suction inlet. A valve is operated to selectively insert or remove the subcooler as capacity requirements vary. In one embodiment, a six cylinder reciprocating compressor is used with five cylinders compressing within a first section, and a single cylinder compressing in the other section containing the subcooler circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: August W. Gutheim, L. Thomas Lane
  • Publication number: 20040216484
    Abstract: The present invention aims to prevent the occurrence of liquid compression at the second rotary compression element before it happens while improving the compression efficiency with an intermediate cooling circuit in a refrigerant cycle apparatus which comprises an internal high-pressure type multi-stage compression compressor, and the invention is summarized in that the apparatus comprises an intermediate cooling circuit which allows refrigerant discharged from the first rotary compression element of a compressor to dissipate heat, where a microcomputer performs control on the number of revolutions of the compressor to maintain the temperature/pressure of refrigerant so that the refrigerant does not condense at the output of the intermediate cooling circuit, where such a control is done in response to outputs from an outside-air temperature sensor, a refrigerant temperature sensor, and a signal from a controlling apparatus of a refrigerating apparatus body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Haruhisa Yamasaki, Shigeya Ishigaki, Masaji Yamanaka, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Tsunehisa Yumoto, Kenzo Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20040211216
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerant cycle apparatus which can optimize the capability of releasing heat from a refrigerant in a gas cooler and an auxiliary heat exchanger under use conditions at a low cost. There are provided an intermediate cooling circuit which once releases heat from a refrigerant discharged from a compressor and then returns the refrigerant to the compressor, and a fan which ventilates an inter cooler of the intermediate cooling circuit and a gas cooler. The inter cooler has substantially the same ventilation area as that of the gas cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Haruhisa Yamasaki, Masaji Yamanaka, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Tsunehisa Yumoto, Shigeya Ishigaki, Kenzo Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20040211213
    Abstract: A refrigerating device including a refrigerating cycle including a plurality of compressors driven by motors, the plurality of compressors comprising a variable speed compressor which can be controlled in capacity and a constant speed compressor which is driven by a motor of which rotor core comprising a cage type conductor and permanent magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tsuboe, Susumu Nakayama, Akira Saruta, Kazumoto Urata
  • Patent number: 6807817
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a plurality of compressors of an air conditioner in accordance with a cooling or heating load in a room, in which a power supply unit for supplying power to the compressors is protected when a cooling or heating load in a room is the highest grade. The method comprises the steps of: (a) determining the cooling or heating load in the room; and (b) sequentially operating the plural compressors when it is determined as a result of the step (a) that the cooling or heating load in the room is in the highest grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang, Ji Young Jang
  • Publication number: 20040200233
    Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle apparatus, an energy-saving operation is performed by using a refrigerant which is used in a supercritical state. A refrigeration cycle apparatus is constituted by a main compressor, an expander, a sub compressor independently placed in an upstream side of the main compressor, a use side heat exchanger, a heat source side heat exchanger and the like. A refrigerant such as a carbon dioxide or the like which is used in a supercritical state is employed as the refrigerant. The sub compressor is driven by utilizing a recovered energy by the expanding device. Further, a refrigerant tank is provided, and properly controls an amount of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Sunao Funakoshi, Hirokatsu Kohsokabe, Kazuhiro Endoh, Kenji Tojo, Hiroaki Matsushima
  • Patent number: 6772607
    Abstract: A refrigerating device including a refrigerating cycle including a plurality of compressors driven by motors, the plurality of compressors comprising a variable speed compressor which can be controlled in capacity and a constant speed compressor which is driven by a motor of which rotor core comprising a cage type conductor and permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tsuboe, Susumu Nakayama, Akira Saruta, Kazumoto Urata
  • Patent number: 6772599
    Abstract: A control system is provided to maintain stable operating conditions for centrifugal compressors operating in parallel when one of the centrifugal compressors enters into an unstable operating condition. The control system determines an unstable operating condition in response to signals indicating the motor current or power consumption of each compressor and the position of the pre-rotation vanes of the compressors. Once an unstable operating condition is determined, the control system closes the pre-rotation vanes to each compressor until the unstable operating condition has been corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: York International Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Robinson Bodell, II, Wanda Jean Miller
  • Publication number: 20040151603
    Abstract: There is provided a rotary compressor capable of preventing deterioration of performance following plug fixing carried out to prevent falling-off of a spring member. The rotary compressor comprises a cylinder constituting a rotary compression element, a roller engaged with an eccentric portion formed in a rotary shaft of an electric element, and eccentrically rotated in the cylinder, a vane abutted on the roller to divide an inside of the cylinder into a low pressure chamber side and a high pressure chamber side, a spring member for always pressing the vane to the roller side, a housing portion of the spring member, formed in the cylinder, and opened to the vane side and a hermetically sealed container side, a plug positioned in the hermetically sealed container side of the spring member, and inserted into the housing portion to fit into a gap, and an O ring attached around the plug to seal a part between the plug and the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Tadano, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Kenzo Matsumoto, Dai Matsuura, Kazuya Sato, Takayasu Saito, Toshiyuki Ebara, Satoshi Imai, Atsushi Oda, Takashi Sato, Hiroyuki Matsumori
  • Publication number: 20040148951
    Abstract: A control system is provided for generating discrete stepped output capacities in a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system is preferably a multi-evaporator system having two or more multi-capacity compressors. The multi-capacity compressors can be any kind of reciprocating compressor or scroll compressor that can provide two or more different output capacities. The contributions of the compressors to the overall system capacity can be equal, or more preferably, they can be unequal, i.e., one compressor provides more capacity than the other compressor(s). The control system generates the stepped capacities of the refrigeration system by configuring and controlling the operation of the compressors and the output capacity provided by the compressors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Bristol Compressors, Inc,
    Inventor: Joseph Frank Loprete
  • Patent number: 6769267
    Abstract: Refrigerant compressed by a first stage compression elements (30) run by a motor (20) is discharged in the closed container (10) via a silencer chamber (35) to cool the motor (20) before the refrigerant is led to a second stage compression element (40). The refrigerant is discharged from the second stage compression element (40) out of the compressor after it is further compressed in the second compression element (40). Thus, the motor (20) is cooled in a simple cooling mechanism during normal operation of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ebara, Satoshi Imai, Masaya Tadano, Atsushi Oda
  • Publication number: 20040118135
    Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioner, which reduces an electric power consumption rate and rapidly copes with the requirements of a user, and a method for operating the air conditioner in a cooling mode for cooling air in a room by an independent or simultaneous operation of small-capacity and large-capacity compressors in accordance with the variation of a cooling load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang
  • Publication number: 20040118147
    Abstract: A multi-stage compression type rotary compressor, having a driving element and a first and a second rotary compression element that are driven by the driving element in a sealed container, is provided. The refrigerant compressed by the first rotary compression element is discharged into the sealed container, and said discharged refrigerant with an intermediate pressure is then compressed by the second rotary compression element. By cooling the refrigerant absorbed into the second rotary compression element, the rise in the temperature of the refrigerant that is compressed and discharged by the second rotary compression element can be suppressed. And, the supercooling degree of the refrigerant is increases before reaching the expansion valve to improve the cooling ability of the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuya Sato, Kenzo Matsumoto, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Akifumi Tomiuka, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Masaji Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20040112082
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus including three compressors (2A, 2B, 2C) and application side heat exchangers (41) (45, 51) for two channels is formed so that a first compressor (2A) is used only for the application side heat exchangers (45, 51) in a first channel of a circuit, a third compressor (2C) is used only for the application side heat exchanger (41) in a second channel of the circuit, and a second compressor (2B) is used in a switchable manner between the application side heat exchangers (45, 51) in the first channel of the circuit and the application side heat exchanger (41) in the second channel of the circuit. Thus, not only the pipe arrangement at suction side is simplified, but also operation control is streamlined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Kenji Tanimoto, Masaaki Takegami, Satoru Sakae
  • Patent number: 6748754
    Abstract: In a multistage rotary compressor using a refrigerant such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and the like which becomes high in a discharge pressure, operating efficiency thereof can be enhanced by appropriately setting the ratio between displacement of the respective rotary compression elements and the areas of discharge ports thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Noriyuki Tsuda, Haruyuki Yamasaki, Kazuya Sato, Masaya Tadano
  • Publication number: 20040099006
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner comprising a plurality of indoor units and a common outdoor unit connected to each of the indoor units. The air conditioner further includes an additional indoor unit connected to an air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit. The additional indoor unit is installed in some place other than the installation place of the indoor unit. The indoor units are selectively or simultaneously operated by means of effective distribution of coolant in the outdoor unit so that the indoor units are properly operated by means of the single outdoor unit to provide a pleasant air conditioned environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Hyung Joo Woo, Su Chang Woo, Kyung Sik Kim
  • Publication number: 20040099008
    Abstract: An improved accumulator is disclosed, which includes a body having an empty space therein; an inlet tube inserted into the inside of the body from a top thereof, downwardly, for an inflow of a refrigerant to the inside of the body; an outlet tube inserted into the inside of the body from a bottom thereof, upwardly, for a discharge of the refrigerant to the outside of the body; and an isolating plate provided on an inner bottom of the body between the inlet tube and the outlet tube, for preventing the outlet tube from being splashed with the liquid phase refrigerant, and preventing the liquid phase refrigerant from flowing into the outlet tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Yoon Jei Hwang, Chan Ho Song
  • Publication number: 20040093893
    Abstract: In a refrigerating apparatus (1) having application-side heat exchangers (41, 45, 51) for a plurality of systems for air-conditioning, for cold-storage/freezing and the like and a four-way switch valve (3C) and a plurality of check valves (7) on suction sides of compression mechanisms (2D, 2E) and formed from three compressors (2A, 2B, 2C) to allow the operation states to be switched, the number of compressors (2A, 2B, 2C) used at air-conditioning side and cold-storage/freezing side is limited to two at maximum, thereby achieving a simple circuit configuration in which the number of the check valves (7) to be provided in the suction sides of the compression mechanisms (2D, 2E) is reduced to one or two, suppressing the occurrence of chattering noise in check valves (7) and, also, preventing an ability from reducing due to a suction-side pressure loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Kenji Tanimoto, Takeo Ueno, Masaaki Takegami, Satoru Sakae
  • Patent number: 6735965
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof includes an inverter-type compressor and a two-stage variable-capacity compressor connected in parallel with their respective capacities controlled according to indoor air conditioning loads. Thus, the present invention is cost-competitive due to a capacity of the inverter-type compressor being lower than that of the two-stage variable-capacity compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je-Myoung Moon, Jong-Youb Kim, Dong-Kue Lee, Il-Yong Cho