Lubricant Handling Patents (Class 62/84)
  • Publication number: 20150027146
    Abstract: A composition including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and a lubricating oil including a polyalkylene glycol and a polyol ester, the polyol ester content in the lubricating oil being less than or equal to 25%. A method of lubricating a vapor compression circuit, the method including using a mixture including a polyalkylene glycol and a polyol ester as lubricating oil in the vapor compression circuit, in combination with a heat transfer fluid comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the content of polyol ester in the lubricating oil being less than or equal to 25%. Further, the use of said composition in methods for heating or cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Béatrice Boussand
  • Publication number: 20140360210
    Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: William E. Lapp, Todd W. Smith, Arthur L. Butterworth, Paul J. Sikorsky
  • Patent number: 8899073
    Abstract: A refrigerant storage device that arranges two end plates to form a cavity and includes a turbulator plate within the cavity. The turbulator plate is arranged within the cavity to reinforce the cavity by providing a plurality of reinforcement portions between the end plates. The cavity is sized and the turbulator plate is configured so a liquid portion of refrigerant flowing through the cavity collects onto the turbulator plate. The device has a rectangular shape that simplifies vehicle packaging and allows the device to be readily integrated into a plate-type refrigerant-to-liquid coolant heat exchanger. The device is formed by a stacking arrangement of parts that provides for a readily scalable design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Scott Vreeland, Frederick Vincent Oddi
  • Patent number: 8899054
    Abstract: Cooling devices for use with electric submersible pump motors include a refrigerator attached to the end of the electric submersible pump motor with the evaporator heat exchanger accepting all or a portion of the heat load from the motor. The cooling device can be a self-contained bolt-on unit, so that minimal design changes to existing motors are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Todd A. Jankowski, Dallas D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20140331699
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes: a compressor that constitutes a refrigeration cycle and compresses a supplied refrigerant; a refrigerant-retaining container that retains the refrigerant into which lubricating oil for the compressor is mixed, and which separates the gas refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant, and sends out the gas refrigerant to the compressor; a refrigerant conveying pump that conveys a fluid mixture including the liquid refrigerant and the lubricating oil retained in the refrigerant-retaining container; and an internal heat exchanger that changes the liquid refrigerant conveyed out from the refrigerant-retaining container by the refrigerant conveying pump to the gas refrigerant, and provides the compressor with the gas refrigerant together with the lubricating oil. Since the refrigerant conveying pump conveys the fluid mixture containing the liquid refrigerant and the lubricating oil retained in a refrigerant-retaining container, stable operation is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinya Higashiiue
  • Patent number: 8875525
    Abstract: An accumulator arrangement suitable for use in a cooling system designed for operation with a two-phase refrigerating medium, includes an accumulator vessel with a receptacle for receiving a refrigerating medium. A liquefier of the accumulator arrangement is adapted to liquefy refrigerating medium to be received into the receptacle of the accumulator vessel before fed in the receptacle of the accumulator vessel and includes a refrigerating medium outlet for discharging refrigerating medium which liquefied in the liquefier from the liquefier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Piesker
  • Patent number: 8863533
    Abstract: A refrigerating cycle apparatus and a method of operating the same are provided. For a refrigerating cycle having a plurality of compressors connected in series for multi-stage compression, an inner space of each compressor and a pipe of the refrigerating cycle may be connected via an oil collection pipe, and oil may be discharged into the refrigerating cycle by pressure reversal during a pressure balancing operation, so as to allow the discharged oil to be collected into a high-stage compressor or a low-stage compressor. Accordingly, an amount of oil may be uniformly maintained in each of the plurality of compressors to prevent losses due to friction and/or increases in power consumption due to a lack of oil in one or more of the compressors. The structure of a device and pipes for performing oil balancing between the compressors may be simplified to enhance efficiency of the compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Minkyu Oh, Jangseok Lee, Myungjin Chung, Chanho Jeon, Sunam Chae, Juyeong Heo, Kwangwook Kim, Hoyoun Lee
  • Publication number: 20140305146
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a lubricant oil or lubricant for the compressor of a refrigeration system which operates with a refrigerant comprising at least one component of the hydrocarbon (HC) group of refrigerants, (a) whereby the lubricant consists of at least 85 weight % of alkylbenzene having an average molecular weight of ?160 g/mol and exhibiting a viscosity of 2.2-3.0 centistokes (cSt) at 40 deg C.; optionally wherein the alkylbenzene consists of at least 85 wt % of linear (straight chain) alkylbenzene, having an average molecular weight of ?160 g/mol and exhibiting a viscosity of 2.2-3.0 centistokes (cSt) at 40 deg C.; (b) or alternatively whereby the lubricant consists of at least 85 weight % of alkylbenzene having an average molecular weight of ?190 g/mol and having a viscosity of 2.5-3.5 cSt at 40 deg C.; optionally wherein the alkylbenzene consists of at least 85 wt % of linear (straight chain) alkylbenzene, having an average molecular weight of ?190 g/mol and exhibiting a viscosity of 2.5-3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: SHREIVE CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, Inc.
    Inventor: Elizabeth DIXON
  • Patent number: 8850835
    Abstract: A compressor (20) has a case (22) and a crankshaft (38). The case has a number of cylinders (30, 32). For each of the cylinders, the compressor includes a piston (34) mounted for reciprocal movement at least partially within the cylinder. A connecting rod (36) couples each piston to the crankshaft. An electric motor compartment (50) of the case has a stator (42) and a rotor (40). The rotor is mounted to the crankshaft. The case has a wall (56) between the motor compartment and a crankcase compartment/sump (52). The wall bears a feature (120, 132; 420; 460) for coalescing oil entrained in a refrigerant flow (522), which flow exits the gap (90) between the rotor and the stator to prevent the oil from entering the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Paul J. Flanigan
  • Publication number: 20140264147
    Abstract: Heat transfer compositions, methods and use wherein the composition comprising: (a) from about 5 to about 20% by weight of HFC-32; (b) from about 70% to about 90% by weight of HFO-1234ze; and (c) from about 5% to less than about 20% by weight of HFC-152a and/or HFC-134a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: SAMUEL F. YANA MOTTA, MARK W. SPATZ, CHRISTOPHER J. SEETON
  • Patent number: 8833102
    Abstract: A turbo compressor includes a case; a plurality of compression stages which is disposed rotatably with respect to the case via sliding parts; an oil tank in which lubricant oils to be supplied to the sliding parts are stored; an oil cooler for cooling the lubricant oils; a primary piping for communicating the oil tank with the oil cooler; and a secondary piping for communicating the oil cooler with the sliding parts, wherein an accommodation space in which the oil cooler is accommodated is formed in the case, and the primary piping and the secondary piping are disposed within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Tsukamoto, Kentarou Oda
  • Publication number: 20140245760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and processes of using perfluoropolyether to maintain or improve the oil return, lubrication, cooling capacity, or energy efficiency of a refrigeration, air conditioning or heat transfer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Leck, Thomas Frank Saturno, Gregory A. Bell
  • Publication number: 20140245761
    Abstract: A PAG lubricant basefluid for use with a fluoroalkene refrigerant, the basefluid containing a PAG having the formula: RX(RaO)x(RbO)yRc, where R is selected from alkyl groups having from 1-10 carbon atoms, acyl groups having from 1-10 carbon atoms, aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having from 2-6 valencies, and substituents containing a heterocyclic ring in which the heteroatom(s) are oxygen; X is O or S; Ra is a C2 alkylene group; Rb is a C3 alkylene group; Rc is the same as R or is an H; x and y are each independently 0 or an integer ?100; and the sum of x+y is an integer in the range of from about 5-100. Refrigeration and lubricant compositions containing the PAG lubricant basefluid and a method of operating a motor-integrated compressor of a refrigeration or air conditioning system with substantially no electrical leakage current are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: SHRIEVE CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth DIXON, Phil Beckler
  • Patent number: 8822395
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerating machine oil composition for use in a compressor for a refrigerator in which a sliding surface of at least a part of constitutional members of the compressor is coated with a lubrication film-forming composition containing a resin having a heat distortion temperature of 100° C. or higher as a binder, and a solid lubricant, wherein the refrigerating machine oil composition contains a base oil made of a polyoxyalkylene glycol having a kinematic viscosity of from 3 to 50 mm2/s as measured at 100° C., and a compound selected from the group consisting of amide compounds, amidated amino acid compounds and aliphatic amines having a specific structural formula which compound is contained in an amount of from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harutomo Ikeda, Takayuki Kato, Manabu Sugiura, Masami Ohno, Shuichi Yasuda, Takahiro Sugioka
  • Patent number: 8820103
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a plurality of compressors, an intake passageway, a bypass unit, and an expansion valve. The intake passageway distributes a fluid to each of the compressors. The bypass unit includes a plurality of bypass pipes connected respectively to the compressors and a common bypass pipe to discharge the fluids from the compressors to the intake passageway. The expansion valve is provided to the bypass unit to control a flow of fluid from the common bypass pipe to the intake unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hojong Jeong, Sedong Chang, Baikyoung Chung, Jiyoung Jang
  • Publication number: 20140230465
    Abstract: Provided is a method for selecting a lubricant and a refrigerant for use in a vapor-compression refrigeration device such that the combination of the lubricant and refrigerant produces a fluid system having a lubricant-rich phase and a refrigerant-rich phase, yet exhibits miscible-type properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: RAYMOND H. THOMAS, CHRISTOPHER J. SEETON, DAVID P. WILSON, SAMUEL F. YANA MOTTA, MARK W. SPATZ
  • Patent number: 8806876
    Abstract: An air conditioner (10) composed of a refrigerating apparatus includes a controller (90). A heating control section (91) of the controller (90) feeds electric current in an open phase state to an electric motor (62) of a compressor (30) to heat the compressor (30) in operation stop of the air conditioner (10). The heating control section (91) monitors the detection value of an outdoor air temperature sensor (72) during the operation stop of the air conditioner (10) and keeps on stopping feeding the electric current to the electric motor (62) during the time when the detection value decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Shimoda, Hidehiko Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20140216075
    Abstract: Disclosed are the use of fluorine substituted olefins, including tetra- and penta-fluoropropenes, in a variety of applications, including in methods of depositing catalyst on a solid support, methods of sterilizing articles, cleaning methods and compositions, methods of applying medicaments, fire extinguishing/suppression compositions and methods, flavor formulations, fragrance formulations and inflating agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Rajiv R. Singh, Hang T. Pham, Ian Shankland
  • Publication number: 20140202182
    Abstract: Disclosed are the use of fluorine substituted olefins, including tetra- and penta-fluoropropenes, in a variety of applications, including in methods of depositing catalyst on a solid support, methods of sterilizing articles, cleaning methods and compositions, methods of applying medicaments, fire extinguishing/suppression compositions and methods, flavor formulations, fragrance formulations and inflating agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Rajiv R. Singh, Hang T. Pham, Ian Shankland
  • Publication number: 20140174112
    Abstract: A vaporizer has: an inlet (72); an oil outlet (90; 94); a vent (120); a hot gas inlet (132); and a cooled gas outlet (134). A gas flowpath (130) extends from the hot gas inlet to the cooled gas outlet. A vaporizer chamber (192) is downstream of the inlet along a primary flowpath. A gas conduit (220) is along the gas flowpath in heat exchange relation with the primary flowpath. A sump (194) is below the vaporizer chamber. A housing (180) encloses the sump and the vaporizer chamber. A passageway extends from the vaporizer chamber to the sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anthony S. Molavi
  • Publication number: 20140165631
    Abstract: One variation may include a product including a mixture including CF3CF?CH2 and a lubricating oil or grease wherein the lubricating oil or grease that reduces eliminates the likelihood that the refrigerant will ignite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Santrock, Todd J. Gordon, Jeffrey A. Bozeman, Bryan M. Styles
  • Patent number: 8739559
    Abstract: Provided is a method for selecting a lubricant and a refrigerant for use in a vapor-compression refrigeration device such that the combination of the lubricant and refrigerant produces a fluid system having a lubricant-rich phase and a refrigerant-rich phase, yet exhibits miscible-type properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond H. Thomas, Christopher J. Seeton, David P. Wilson, Samuel F. Yana Motta, Mark W. Spatz
  • Patent number: 8734118
    Abstract: A set of piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8) for use in a refrigeration system comprises a fluid connection (10) between the crank cases of the piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8) for allowing oil compensation between said piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8); and a control unit (12) which in operation monitors the running time of each piston compressor (2, 4, 6, 8) and, in case all piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8) are running, subsequently interrupts the operation of a respective piston compressor (2, 4, 6, 8) for a predetermined period of time for oil compensation if its running time reaches a predetermined maximum running time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bernd Heinbokel, Heinz Gassen, Kai Munker
  • Patent number: 8603354
    Abstract: Provided is a lubricating oil composition for a refrigerator which uses a base oil including as the main component at least one kind of oxygen-containing compounds selected from polyoxyalkylene glycols, polyvinyl ethers, copolymers of poly(oxy)alkylene glycols or monoethers thereof and polyvinyl ethers, polyol esters, and polycarbonates. The lubricating oil composition for a refrigerator is used for a refrigerator that uses, as a refrigerant, a fluorine-containing organic compound, which is a refrigerant applicable to current car air conditioner systems or the like and has a specific polar structure, and has favorable sealing property, a low coefficient of friction factor in a sliding part, and excellent stability as well as excellent compatibility with the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8596088
    Abstract: An oil separator for an air conditioner, which includes: a case having a cylinder portion, and a lid portion and a bottom portion respectively closing an upper side opening end and a lower side opening end of the cylinder portion; an inlet pipe which is connectable to a discharging outlet of a compressor and which penetrates the lid portion so that an end of the inlet pipe is located inside the case; an outlet pipe which is connectable to a condenser and which penetrates the lid portion so that an end portion of the outlet pipe is located inside the case and protrudes into the cylinder portion toward the bottom portion; and a mesh portion which is provided to the end of the inlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20130312438
    Abstract: The temperature of high-temperature water at the exit of a condenser is maintained to be within a setting range by control of, under an operation with all cylinders, capacity of a reciprocating compressor in the period between a maximum allowable load and a minimum load for lubrication, at which the flow of a lubrication oil pump is ensured, based on the revolution-speed control of a drive motor that drives the reciprocating compressor and by control of the capacity of the reciprocating compressor at the minimum load for lubrication or less based on the combination of the control of decreasing the number of operation cylinders and the revolution-speed control of the drive motor. In addition, a heating mechanism is provided on an inlet path of the reciprocating compressor to prevent the liquefied refrigeration flow of a refrigerant liquid to the reciprocating compressor during the operation or at the start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8590335
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can clear oil from an oil inject path in order to prepare the unit to switch over to a different kind of oil. The refrigerant recovery unit includes an oil inject circuit that receives an oil from the oil bottle into the refrigerant system. The refrigerant recovery circuit is coupled in fluid communication with the oil inject circuit. The refrigerant recovery circuit is operable to receive and transfer a fluid drawn through the oil inject circuit. A controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant recovery circuit and to the oil inject circuit so that as the fluid is drawn through the oil inject circuit a quantity of the oil in the oil inject circuit is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William Brown, Mark McMasters, Gary Murray
  • Patent number: 8590322
    Abstract: An oil separator includes a separation part and an oil storage part. The separation part includes a separation cylinder, an inner cylinder disposed in the separation cylinder and an inlet pipe connecting to the separation cylinder tangential to an inner surface of the separation cylinder. The separation part defines an inlet opening to introduce CO2 refrigerant containing oil in the separation cylinder. The separation cylinder separates the oil from the CO2 refrigerant by means of centrifugal force. A ratio of a flow rate (kg/h) of the CO2 refrigerant flowing in the separation cylinder to an area (mm2) of the inlet opening is at least 4. Alternative to or in addition to the above, a ratio of a distance (mm) from an end of the inner cylinder to a bottom wall of the separation cylinder to an inner diameter (mm) of the separation cylinder is at least 2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Kusada, Yoichiro Kawamoto, Tadashi Hotta, Shigeki Iwanami
  • Patent number: 8590324
    Abstract: An external heat exchanger is used to transfer heat from a compressor lubricant to an expanded working fluid, thereby cooling the lubricant. The heat exchanger may also be used to sub-cool condensed working fluid with the same flow of expanded working fluid. A horizontal scroll-type compressor includes an intermediate lubricant sump between a main bearing support and a scroll member. A counterweight on the crankshaft can travel through the lubricant in the intermediate sump to splash the lubricant around. A horizontal scroll-type compressor can include multiple machined surfaces that are utilized to precisely center and align components of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Weihua Guo, Honghong Zhan, Shi Wang, Huaming Guo, Guibin Wang, Jin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8590323
    Abstract: A turbo compressor includes a motor, an impeller which is rotationally driven as the rotative power of the motor is transmitted to the impeller, a gear unit which transmits the rotative power of the motor to the impeller, and an oil tank to which lubricant supplied to the gear unit is at least recovered, wherein the oil tank is a portion of a closed space formed by at least one of a motor housing surrounding the motor and an impeller housing surrounding the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Tsukamoto, Kentarou Oda
  • Patent number: 8568608
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of ionic liquids as lubricants in vapor compression systems for cooling or heating. This invention also relates to an apparatus for adjusting temperature that operates a vapor compression cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mark Brandon Shiflett, Akimichi Yokozeki
  • Publication number: 20130255286
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration circuit with at least two compressors, each compressor comprising at least one lubrication point and at least one oil pump having an outlet for providing oil to said lubrication point; wherein the outlet of the oil pump of at least one of the compressors is fluidly connected to the lubrication point of at least one different compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Jan Siegert
  • Publication number: 20130247599
    Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Todd J. Love, Michael Boehde, Benjamin E. Dingel
  • Publication number: 20130199219
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and processes of using perfluoropolyether to maintain or improve the oil return, lubrication, cooling capacity, or energy efficiency of a refrigeration, air conditioning or heat transfer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventor: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8465665
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator oil composition which satisfies both sludge dispersibility and prevention of wear and seizing of sliding parts made of aluminum and/or iron, and a compressor and a refrigeration apparatus using the refrigerator oil composition. The refrigerator oil composition is characterized by comprising a base oil which is at least one member selected from mineral oils and synthetic oils, and at least one polyamide compound having two or more amide groups in the molecule and being present in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by mass based on the total amount of the refrigerator oil composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8435014
    Abstract: In the hermetically sealed scroll compressor, an injection pipe for injecting a fluid to a compression chamber is connected to an injecting port of a fixed scroll. The injecting port includes a first injecting port which is provided in the vicinity of a fixed scroll inner curve and injects the fluid to an orbiting outer compression chamber, and a second injecting port 22b which is provided in the vicinity of a fixed scroll outer curve and injects the fluid to a orbiting inner compression chamber 8b. The second injecting port is placed in parallel in a radius direction with respect to the first injecting port and is placed so that an orbiting scroll wrap does not practically communicate with the orbiting outer compression chamber in the state in which the orbiting scroll wrap is in contact with the outer side of a fixed scroll wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Appliances, Inc.
    Inventors: Masao Shiibayashi, Kenji Tojo, Yasushi Izunaga
  • Patent number: 8425796
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerating machine oil which contains a base oil mainly containing at least one substance selected from the group consisting of a mineral oil, a synthetic alicyclic hydrocarbon compound, and a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon compound and having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 1 to 8 mm2/s. The refrigerating machine oil is applied to refrigerators including a sliding part formed of an engineering plastic or including an organic coating film or an inorganic coating film. The refrigerating machine oil enables to improve energy-saving performance due to its low viscosity, has a low frictional coefficient and good sealing property, and is suitably used in various refrigeration applications, especially in closed-type refrigerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20130091878
    Abstract: Cooling devices for use with electric submersible pump motors include a refrigerator attached to the end of the electric submersible pump motor with the evaporator heat exchanger accepting all or a portion of the heat load from the motor. The cooling device can be a self-contained bolt-on unit, so that minimal design changes to existing motors are required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
  • Patent number: 8402778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the solubility of oils in refrigerant compositions within a system using a refrigerant compressed with a mechanical device by adding polyolester directly to the refrigerant followed by charging a mixture of the polyolester and refrigerant into the system (air conditioner, refrigerator, etc.). The present invention also relates to a method of optimizing mineral oil return in a system using a refrigerant compressed with a mechanical device and a method of cleansing heat exchange tubes of a system using a refrigerant compressed with a mechanical device by adding polyolesters directly to a refrigerant composition followed by charging a mixture of the polyolester and refrigerant into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: National Refrigerants, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Yost, James P. Lavelle, Umar M. Khokhar
  • Publication number: 20130067938
    Abstract: Provided is a method for selecting a lubricant and a refrigerant for use in a vapor-compression refrigeration device such that the combination of the lubricant and refrigerant produces a fluid system having a lubricant-rich phase and a refrigerant-rich phase, yet exhibits miscible-type properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Honeywell International Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130061616
    Abstract: A multi-connected air conditioner unit and method of operating the same, wherein, when an air-side heat exchanger is put into operation, and a water-side heat exchanger is not put into operation, a four-way valve is used to control a refrigerant to pass through said air-side heat exchanger, in realizing the refrigerating or heating operation of said unit; when said air-side heat exchanger is not put into operation, and said water-side heat exchanger is put into operation, said four-way valve is used to control said refrigerant to pass through said water-side heat exchanger to heat water, in achieving full recovery of heat; when both said compressors are put into operations concurrently, a dispenser is used to transport refrigerant oil separated by a second oil separator to an oil inlet pipe, then it is input to said compressor via an air suction pipe; and when a portion of compressor is put into operation, and another portion of compressor is not put into operation, since said air suction pipe is installed up
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Ping Zhang, Shi Gang Li, Qian Ju Cheng, Min Cui
  • Patent number: 8359873
    Abstract: To address the problem of lubricant entrainment within the refrigerant system components such as an evaporator and suction line, a control is provided to periodically, substantially and intermittently increase the refrigerant flow through these components to thereby carry the trapped lubricant back to the compressor. The increased flow of refrigerant can be accomplished by periodically throttling and then unthrottling either an expansion device or a suction modulation valve to cause instantaneous pressure buildup within a respective section of the vapor compression system and subsequent increase of the refrigerant flow through the above-referenced components such as an evaporator and suction line. Suggested time intervals of both the throttling and unthrottling states are provided, as well as the frequency of occurrence for subsequent oil return cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20130008194
    Abstract: This description relates to a heat pump and a method of using the heat pump. The heat pump includes a hydraulic compressor that compresses a heat medium, an oil separation and recovery device that separates oil from the heat medium discharged from the compressor and returns the separated oil to the compressor, a condenser that liquefies the heat medium compressed in the compressor, a decompression device that decompresses the heat medium liquefied in the condenser, and an evaporator that causes the heat medium to absorb heat. The aforementioned devices are connected in series and the heat medium is circulated in those devices. The heat medium can be compressed at a compression ratio, at which a discharge temperature from the compressor becomes 150 to 200° C. An intake temperature control unit which can control the temperature of the heat medium taken into the compressor is on the intake side of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiro HATTORI, Yusuke ISHIZUKI
  • Patent number: 8349206
    Abstract: A process to lubricate a refrigerator preferably having a sliding portion which is made of an engineering plastic material, or provided thereon with an organic coating film or an inorganic coating film is provided. The process includes contacting sliding parts of the refrigerator with a refrigerating machine oil composition having a base oil containing a polyvinyl ether and/or a polyoxyalkylene glycol derivative as a main component and having a kinematic viscosity of 1 to 8 mm2/s as measured at 40° C. The refrigerating machine oil composition has a low viscosity, an improved energy saving performance, a good sealability and an excellent compatibility with a refrigerant and, therefore, the process can be suitably used in various refrigerating application fields, in particular, in closed-system refrigerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20120312034
    Abstract: A refrigerating cycle apparatus and a method of operating the same are provided. For a refrigerating cycle having a plurality of compressors connected in series for multi-stage compression, an inner space of each compressor and a pipe of the refrigerating cycle may be connected via an oil collection pipe, and oil may be discharged into the refrigerating cycle by pressure reversal during a pressure balancing operation, so as to allow the discharged oil to be collected into a high-stage compressor or a low-stage compressor. Accordingly, an amount of oil may be uniformly maintained in each of the plurality of compressors to prevent losses due to friction and/or increases in power consumption due to a lack of oil in one or more of the compressors. The structure of a device and pipes for performing oil balancing between the compressors may be simplified to enhance efficiency of the compressors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Minkyu OH, Jangseok Lee, Myungjin Chung, Chanho Jeon, Sunam Chae, Juyeong Heo, Kwangwook Kim, Hoyoun Lee
  • Patent number: 8322149
    Abstract: Provided is a method for selecting a lubricant and a refrigerant for use in a vapor-compression refrigeration device such that the combination of the lubricant and refrigerant produces a fluid system having a lubricant-rich phase and a refrigerant-rich phase, yet exhibits miscible-type properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond H. Thomas, Christopher J. Seeton, David P. Wilson, Samuel F. Yana Motta, Mark W. Spatz
  • Patent number: 8312731
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes an outdoor unit having a first compressor and a second compressor connected in parallel with each other, a first oil separator attached to the first compressor and connected to a suction pipe of the second compressor via a first oil return piping including a pressure reducing device, and a second oil separator attached to the second compressor and connected to a suction pipe of the first compressor via a second oil return piping including a pressure reducing device. The suction pipes of the first and second compressors are connected together. The first compressor is a variable-speed compressor, and the second compressor is a constant-speed compressor. A solenoid valve selectively forming a bypass circuit with respect to the pressure reducing device, is connected in parallel with the pressure reducing device of the first oil return piping. The solenoid valve is opened when the first compressor is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Tomioka, Hideya Tamura, Tetsuya Ito, Takahiro Matsunaga, Takamitsu Kurokawa, Shintaro Sanada
  • Publication number: 20120186280
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can clear oil from an oil inject path in order to prepare the unit to switch over to a different kind of oil. The refrigerant recovery unit includes an oil inject circuit that receives an oil from the oil bottle into the refrigerant system. The refrigerant recovery circuit is coupled in fluid communication with the oil inject circuit. The refrigerant recovery circuit is operable to receive and transfer a fluid drawn through the oil inject circuit. A controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant recovery circuit and to the oil inject circuit so that as the fluid is drawn through the oil inject circuit a quantity of the oil in the oil inject circuit is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SERVICE SOLUTIONS U.S. LLC
    Inventors: William Brown, Mark McMasters, Gary Murray
  • Publication number: 20120111033
    Abstract: A space-saving cooling system for an aircraft may include an evaporator in an enclosure with an accumulation region in the enclosure for a liquid mixture of liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil. Space saving may be achieved through a combining of evaporator functions and accumulator functions in a single enclosure. A heat exchanger may be interposed between the evaporator and the compressor for heating refrigerant emerging from the evaporator so that liquid refrigerant does not reach an inlet of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: RANJIT DARKE, PETER ZHENG, RICKY GOV
  • Publication number: 20120096878
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigeration circuit in which a scroll compressor is used as a compressor, an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerant is used as a refrigerant, and an ether-based lubricant such as a polyalkylene glycol is used as a refrigeration machine oil, and wherein a wax-like solid material, which causes clogging of the refrigeration circuit or deterioration of the refrigeration performance, is prevented from being generated. Specifically, a wax-like solid material is prevented from being generated in a refrigeration circuit by adding a lubricant type component having no polyoxyalkylene structure such as an ester-based lubricant, an alcohol-based friction modifier, an olefin-based friction modifier, a polyolefin-based lubricant, an alkyl aromatic lubricant or a silicone-based lubricant, or a metal deactivation agent such as benzotriazole to an ether-based lubricant such as a polyalkylene glycol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Kamishima, Tomoaki Matsuzaki, Yuuichi Matsumoto