Separating Or Preventing Formation Of Undesirables Patents (Class 62/85)
  • Publication number: 20090217680
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for discharging a gas from a heat pump (1), with an inflow section (9), an outflow section (6), which is at an angle with respect to said inflow section (9), and a suction section (5) being formed in a tube line system, said suction section (5) being connected to the inflow section (9) and the outflow section (6), wherein in the method, a solvent (8) is guided, such that contraction turbulence is generated, from the inflow section (9) into the outflow section (6), the gas to be discharged is absorbed by the solvent (8) as a result of the contraction turbulence and, after flowing out through the outflow section (6), said gas is discharged from the tube line system. The invention also relates to a heat pump (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Stefan Petersen
  • Patent number: 7571622
    Abstract: A reversible cooling/heating system has an in-line accumulator/dryer unit. The accumulator/dryer unit has a body having first and second ports. A foraminate conduit is positioned at least partially within the body. A desiccant at least partially surrounds a first portion of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Ballet, Pierre Delpech
  • Publication number: 20090188263
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can recover and recharge refrigerant. The unit is further configured with a pair of service hoses and a refrigerant control circuit operable to receive and transport the refrigerant between the hoses and the storage vessel and to process the refrigerant to substantially remove contaminants from the refrigerant. A fluid connector is provided in fluid communication with the hoses to enable the refrigerant to flow between the hoses and to establish a closed loop through the refrigerant control circuit, and a controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant control circuit and configured to control a flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant control circuit and through the fluid connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Gary P. Murray, Mark McMasters, William Brown
  • Publication number: 20090188271
    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: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Mark McMasters, Gary P. Murray, William Brown
  • Patent number: 7310970
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating an oil from a refrigerant has a housing, an inlet conduit for receiving a refrigerant/oil mixture, a separator medium, a refrigerant outlet conduit, and an oil outlet conduit. The inlet conduit has an inlet external to the housing and an outlet within the housing and provides means for limiting external sounds transmitted by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Flanigan, Stephen L. Shoulders
  • Publication number: 20070277536
    Abstract: In a closed loop refrigerant system and method, a refrigerant liquid filter is provided downstream of the condenser to receive and clean high pressure, high temperature liquid refrigerant. The invention provides means for cooling liquid refrigerant so as to render otherwise soluble contaminants insoluble before leaving the filter. The means for cooling preferably includes a refrigerant line provided in thermal contact with the liquid refrigerant in the filter. The refrigerant line contains expanded refrigerant gas or expanded liquid/gas mixture, which is at a lower temperature than the liquid refrigerant received from the condenser. Condensed liquid refrigerant is provided to the filter, which filter further includes a filter element for removing contaminants that have been rendered insoluble by the cooling of the liquid refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: JOHNSON COLTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Judge
  • Patent number: 7273512
    Abstract: Process for drying wet F32, which comprises placing a stream of the said F32 in continuous contact with a feed stock of a composition comprising a molecular sieve chosen from a 3A type sieve, at a temperature of between 5 and 78° C. and at a pressure of between 0.5 and 25 atm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Elf Atochem S.A.
    Inventor: Rene Bertocchio
  • Patent number: 7216505
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a recirculating system with single feed that incorporates a liquid transfer vessel that helps prevent the vessels in the system from flooding, provides easy displacement of liquid refrigerant from the flooded vessels while economizing refrigerant liquid lines with insulation, pumps, and valves in the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Carter & Burgess, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcos R. Braz
  • Patent number: 7195463
    Abstract: A method of installing a removable inlet port filter plate having a replaceable filter between a compressor inlet port and a suction hose assembly is taught. The inlet port filter plate includes a main body and mounting surfaces for attachment between the compressor and the suction hose assembly or between the compressor and the compressor hose block. The main body defines a passage that allows for refrigerant flow through a filter which is positioned in the passage. In one preferred embodiment the diameter of the filter is greater than the inside diameter of the compressor inlet port. In another preferred embodiment the diameter of the filter is greater than the inside diameter of the suction hose assembly outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wall
  • Patent number: 7178347
    Abstract: A method for refrigerant and oil collecting operation capable of assuring the cleanliness of the inside of an existing communication pipe at a low cost and installing, at a low cost, a new air conditioner, comprising a compressor (1), a heat source side heat exchanger (3), a decompressing mechanism (4), and a user side heat exchanger (5), comprising the steps of performing a pipe heating operation in a heating operation mode and performing a refrigerant and oil collecting operation to collect refrigerant to a heat source side heat exchanger (3), namely, with the refrigerant heated to a temperature higher than that where contaminants such as refrigerator oil inside a refrigerant circuit is dissolved into the refrigerant, performing the refrigerant and oil collecting operation so as to assure the cleanliness of the inside of the existing communication pipes (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Taira, Junichirou Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7137273
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved air chiller unit mounted on an aircraft for sending cooled air to service carts used for serving meals. A compressor 20 of a refrigerant equipped in an air chiller unit has a motor 210 and a rotary compressor 220 disposed in a cylindrical housing 200. An oil separator unit 240 attached to the top portion of a drive shaft 214 of the motor has two disks 241 and 242 which define two labyrinth portions G1 and G2 for effectively separating lubricating oil from the refrigerant traveling toward a refrigerant exit 203.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventors: Masaji Ozaki, Tsuyoshi Oguri
  • Patent number: 7127908
    Abstract: A desiccant container (2) which comprises a generally cylindrically cross-sectioned cup, two dual-density fiberglass discs (6, 8), desiccant material (4), and a cap (16). The cup includes an outer annular portion, an inner tubular portion, and a bottom which connect together to define a space within. The cap (16) has a planar portion with an aperture for receiving the inner wall portion of the cup and is designed for receipt in the chamber to cover the opening. The cap further includes an outer annular rim portion extending transversely from the planar portion. The peripheral flange portion having tabs with an edge portion which permit the cap to cooperate with the outer wall portion having tabs with an edge portion which permit the cap to cooperate with the outer wall portion so that the cap can be retained within the chamber in one of a number of axially spaced positions to prevent shifting of, and escape of the desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Flow Dry Technology Ltd
    Inventors: David V. Flaugher, Glen D. Perrine, John M. Evans
  • Patent number: 7104087
    Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner is disclosed for effective removal of foreign matters in refrigerant pipelines, including an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a flow path control valve for controlling a flow path of the refrigerant from the compressor, and an outdoor unit piping system, a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor unit expansion device, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor piping system, a distributor for receiving refrigerant from the outdoor unit, distributing the refrigerant to the indoor units proper to respective operation modes, and returning to the outdoor unit again, connection pipelines connected between the outdoor unit and the distributor, and foreign matter cutting off means mounted on each of the connection pipelines for prevention of the foreign matters from entering into the compressor of the outdoor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Han Park, Young Min Park
  • Patent number: 7048777
    Abstract: The invention uses both heating and cooling zones to prevent the precipitation of solids onto equipment surfaces until they are efficiently removed from the gas phase via one or more heat exchangers. Each heat exchanger may be regenerated to melt off the solids when the amount collected becomes excessive. A storage plenum is available under each heat exchanger to store the melted solids until final removal to avoid the need to open the equipment for the removal of the unwanted solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Air Liquide America, L.P.
    Inventor: Richard A. Sauer
  • Patent number: 6957550
    Abstract: A cooling technique involves: reducing a pressure of a cooling fluid to a subambient pressure at which the cooling fluid has a boiling temperature less than a temperature of a heat-generating structure; bringing the cooling fluid at the subambient pressure into thermal communication with the heat-generating structure, so that the coolant absorbs heat, boils and vaporizes; thereafter removing heat from the coolant so as to condense substantially all of the coolant to a liquid; and thereafter extracting a selected portion of the cooling fluid that has been cooled, the selected portion being a vapor that includes a non-condensable gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William Gerald Wyatt, Richard M. Weber
  • Patent number: 6952938
    Abstract: A purge system operable to remove lubricant from a liquid refrigerant material removed from an evaporator of a mechanical refrigeration system. The contaminated liquid refrigerant is delivered to the purge system by gravity and the separated lubricant is returned to the compressor sump by force from a pressurized fluid. Refrigerant vapor is separated from the contaminated liquid refrigerant by heating and returned to the evaporator of the mechanical refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Redi Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Luther D. Albertson
  • Patent number: 6925821
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide refrigerant is circulated through a vapor compression system including a compressor, a gas cooler, an expansion device, and an evaporator. Carbon dioxide is extracted from a vehicle exhaust stream that includes combustion products of burned hydrocarbon fuel. The extracted carbon dioxide is used to supplement the initial supply of carbon dioxide refrigerant to maintain a desired (or predetermined) level of refrigerant in the system. The system includes a sensor assembly that measures and monitors the amount of refrigerant in the system. In one example, the extracted carbon dioxide is automatically added to the system from a storage tank when a sensor detects that the amount of carbon dioxide refrigerant in the system is below a threshold value. In another example, the extracted carbon dioxide is directly added to the system, and the carbon dioxide refrigerant is purged from the system when a sensor detects that the amount of carbon dioxide in the system exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Tobias H. Sienel
  • Patent number: 6880360
    Abstract: A compression system including a compressor driven by a motor, an optional accumulator, a liquid/gas separator, heat exchangers in the form of a condenser and an evaporator, expansion valves and conduit in the form of piping to connect these components together. The liquid/gas separating means is a lubricant separator, typically a cylindrical horizontal or vertical vessel used in conjunction with a gas compressor. The lubricant separator accepts discharge flow from the compressor which includes a mixture of a “smokeless” lubricant and refrigerant gas in a range of particle sizes forming a fluid stream, separates the refrigerant gas from the lubricant and collects the lubricant for reuse in the compressor. Because the lubricant used in the lubrication system rapidly agglomerates into larger size droplets and does not produce an aerosol, the separator does not require a coalescer element to coalesce aerosol and does not require a manway for serving the coalescer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: York International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Barratt, William McQuade
  • Patent number: 6843070
    Abstract: A refrigerant handling system includes coupling apparatus for coupling a refrigerant processing apparatus to an automotive air-conditioning system. The coupling apparatus includes a ball valve including a common port and at least two selectable ports, and a valve member manually movable among a closed condition, wherein the common port is connected to neither selectable port, and three open conditions wherein the common port is connected, respectively, to each of the selectable ports and both of the selectable ports. The common port of the valve is connected to the refrigerant processing apparatus, while the selectable ports are connected, respectively, to conduits for providing connections to the high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the air-conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Anwar Suharno
  • Publication number: 20040144105
    Abstract: A conduit has a first end and interior and exterior surfaces extending downstream from the first end. A strainer has a first end and a second end. An upstream portion of the strainer is positioned engaging a projection on the interior surface of the conduit to resist downstream shifting of the strainer. A strainer body extends at least partially downstream of the upstream portion. The apparatus may be used as a strainer/coupler and may be used to filter water in a chiller apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph Ballet, Thierry Dujardin, Andre Trigon
  • Patent number: 6748762
    Abstract: An absorption-refrigerator provided with a mechanism for recuperating heat from the exhaust gas, wherein water vapor contained in the exhaust gas is prevented from condensing even during the starting or partial load operation. An absorption-refrigerator, wherein a first and a second heat recovery systems 23, 24 are installed, an absorption liquid bypass pipe 11B for the diluted absorption liquid exited from the cold heat exchanger 9 flows by bypassing a second+heat recovery system 24, a flow control valve 25 is provided in this absorption liquid bypass pipe 11B, and a controller 27 for controlling the open of a flow control valve 25 is provided so that a predetermined temperature (for instance 100° C.) superior to the dew-point temperature of the exhaust gas is detected continuously by a temperature sensor 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiguma Yamazaki, Eiichi Enomoto, Masahiro Fukukawa
  • Patent number: 6694768
    Abstract: The present invention related to a refrigeration dehydration apparatus for efficient and cost-effective dehydration of a variety of gases, in particular natural gas to very low dewpoint without solid ice/gas-hydrate deposition. The present invention provides a low-cost dehydration apparatus universally applicable to both terrestrial and off-shore NG exploitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Yingzhong Lu
  • Patent number: 6672080
    Abstract: A rapid cooling apparatus passing hot exhaust gas in a short time along a flow path formed in a cooling setting with piled up arrangement and having a reduced cross-sectional area of the flow path to reduce the volume thereof so as to cool rapidly to a temperature below a dioxin synthesizing temperature so that dioxins are prevented from generating, characterized in that multistage tube bodies for heat exchange to pass coolant therethrough are arranged in a rapid cooling cylindrical body for passing hot gas such as exhaust gas from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and the cross-sectional area of the rapid cooling cylindrical body is being reduced gradually in a passing direction of the hot gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Masue Iwasaki
    Inventor: Tetsuto Tamura
  • Patent number: 6632294
    Abstract: Corrosion of steel surfaces in a heat pump is inhibited by adding a rare earth metal salt to the heat pump's ammonia/water working fluid. In preferred embodiments, the rare earth metal salt includes cerium, and the steel surfaces are cerated to enhance the corrosion-inhibiting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Mechanical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Florian B. Mansfeld, Zhaoli Sun
  • Patent number: 6604367
    Abstract: A system for providing refrigeration to a chemical processing operation wherein a refrigerant fluid is compressed and cooled, and a portion turboexpanded prior to being passed to a chemical processing operation for direct contact or indirect heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Mushtaq Ahmed, Theodore Fringelin Fisher
  • Patent number: 6591629
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system that includes an accumulator, a storage tank and an integrated two-phase distillation and filtration path interposing the accumulator and the storage tank. The accumulator may be couplable to a system under repair to receive contaminated refrigerant therefrom. The storage tank may be adapted to receive and store processed refrigerant. The integrated two-phase distillation and filtration path may have a vapor filter, a compressor, a radiator and a liquid filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Galbreath Envirosave, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Galbreath, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6589444
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions of drying agents of superabsorbent polymers, molecular sieves and mixtures thereof and binders of polyurethane foam, polyisocyanurate foam and supports comprising cellulose and a method for separating, drying and/or filtering chemical mixtures. The composition and method of the invention have broad applicability. They may be used for example to remove water from chemical mixtures like refrigerants (e.g., in vehicular refrigeration systems), air (e.g., in vehicular braking systems), natural gas and cleaning solvents (e.g., used in semiconductor manufacture and pipeline cleaning).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Hilton Percival Thomas, Roy Philip Robinson, David John Williams, Peter Brian Logsdon
  • Publication number: 20030110782
    Abstract: A system for providing refrigeration to a chemical processing operation wherein a refrigerant fluid is compressed and cooled, and a portion turboexpanded prior to being passed to a chemical processing operation for direct contact or indirect heat exchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: M. Mushtaq. Ahmed, Theodore Fringelin Fisher
  • Publication number: 20030106328
    Abstract: A rapid cooling apparatus passing hot exhaust gas in a short time along a flow path formed in a cooling setting with piled up arrangement and having a reduced cross-sectional area of the flow path to reduce the volume thereof so as to cool rapidly to a temperature below a dioxin synthesizing temperature so that dioxins are prevented from generating, characterized in that multistage tube bodies for heat exchange to pass coolant therethrough are arranged in a rapid cooling cylindrical body for passing hot gas such as exhaust gas from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and the cross-sectional area of the rapid cooling cylindrical body is being reduced gradually in a passing direction of the hot gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Tetsuto Tamura
  • Patent number: 6487874
    Abstract: An absorption refrigerator of excellent thermal efficiency where water vapor contained in the exhaust gas does not condenses even at the starting or during the partial load operation where the temperature elevation is small. A refrigerant drain heat collector 11 allowing the refrigerant liquid condensing by heating the intermediate absorption liquid in the low temperature regenerator 3 and flowing into the condenser 4 to exchange heat with a part of dilute absorption liquid and first and second heat collectors 26, 27 where the exhaust gas discharged from the gas burner 2 and the dilute absorption liquid exchange heat are installed and, at the same time, a absorption liquid pipe (absorption liquid branch pipe) 14 is installed, and a flow control valve 28 is installed in the absorption liquid pipe 14 and, furthermore, a controller 30 is installed in order to control the aperture of the flow control valve 28 so that a temperature sensor 29 continues to detect a predetermined temperature (for instance 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shiguma Yamazaki, Eiichi Enomoto, Yasushi Kamada, Masahiro Furukawa
  • Publication number: 20020174676
    Abstract: A self-retaining adsorbent unit for use in combination with an elongated refrigerant-containing housing includes an elongated adsorbent-carrying porous fabric casing with adsorbent disposed therein. A retaining tab is formed at one end of the casing for securing the adsorbent unit to an external structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Samuel A. Incorvia, Peter R. Millen
  • Patent number: 6484526
    Abstract: A manifold gauge assembly that combines in a single apparatus the features of a manifold gauge set and the features of a phase change device. The manifold gauge assembly may be utilized for charging both pure liquid refrigerants and blends of liquid refrigerants and still maintain the ability of full porting for vacuum optimization. The invention also comprises a phase change device adapted to be fixedly attached to a manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: ICOR International, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Terry
  • Patent number: 6438970
    Abstract: A supply canister is partially filled with a refrigerant circuit additive fluid which is partially evacuated, said refrigerant circuit additive fluid is comprised of a combination of a binding azeotrope of methanol and cyclohexanone with a drying agent, a metal sealant and a rubber rejuvinating compound in a single container. Additive fluids from the canister may be placed into the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system by (1) connecting the canister to the circuit after it has been emptied and vacuum pressure created therein, (2) connecting the canister to the refrigerant circuit suction line during system operation, or (3) connecting the canister to the suction line with the system off, to thereby force refrigerant from the circuit into the canister, and then starting the system to cause the vacuum pressure in the suction line to draw the contents of the canister into the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventors: James E. Ferris, William J. Quest
  • Patent number: 6438972
    Abstract: A vessel assembly and related assembly method that includes a flexible J-tube assembly that bends in compliance during assembly to a vessel to ensure locating of a filter unit against an inside bottom surface of the vessel while accommodating longitudinal part tolerances greater than that of the prior art. The flexible J-tube assembly is disposed within the interior of the vessel such that an upper end of the flexible J-tube assembly is connected to an inside top portion of the vessel, and a distal end of the flexible J-tube assembly is located against the inside bottom surface of the vessel. The resiliency of the flexible J-tube assembly permits the distal portion of the flexible J-tube assembly to stay located against the inside bottom portion of the vessel regardless of longitudinal dimensional variations of the flexible J-tube assembly and the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Automotive Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Pickett, Jr., Lowell D. Sasser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6427469
    Abstract: A refrigerant conditioning system for cleansing debris and lubricants from refrigerants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Frank J. Daniel
  • Patent number: 6422028
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner and method for manufacturing the same. The air conditioner includes a condensate water tray attached to the bottom of an evaporator. A rear evaporator cover is situated between the evaporator and an evaporator fan. An upper evaporator cover is situated over the top of the evaporator. The condensate water tray and the rear and upper evaporator covers are integrated into a single body. The method for manufacturing an air conditioner includes the step of attaching a rear evaporator cover and a condensate water tray to a conditioner body while bending the rear evaporator cover and the condensate water tray at the connecting portion thereof. Thereafter, the channel member of the rear evaporator cover is inserted into the condensate water guide hole of a duct. Subsequently, the evaporator is placed on the upper surface of the condensate water tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Dong Kim
  • Publication number: 20020073715
    Abstract: A compact, volatile organic compound removal system is presented. The system has a metal condensation plate and a cooling source in intimate thermal contact with the metal condensation plate. The metal condensation plate has a channel formed in the plate, an inlet in the condensation plate for introducing a gas carrying volatile organic compound vapors into the channel, a high surface area metallic structure, such as foamed metal or metallic fins, in intimate contact with the walls of the channel, an outlet in the condensation plate for removing the gas from the channel and a drain in the condensation plate for removing volatile organic compound condensates from the channel. The cooling source cools the channel walls and the high surface area metallic structure so that the volatile organic compound vapors condense on the high surface area metallic structure to be removed from the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Mark A. Logan, Lloyd F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6405542
    Abstract: A refrigeration system including a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator and an accumulator is provided. The refrigeration system includes a device for preventing condensation of liquid refrigerant in the compressor when the refrigeration is switched off for a prolonged period of time. Particularly, the device comprises a first reservoir that is a part of the conduit connecting the compressor and the accumulator. The first reservoir is placed below the body of the compressor and has a larger cross-section than the rest of the conduit. The present invention also includes a second reservoir in the conduit connecting the compressor and the condenser. Like the first reservoir, the second reservoir is also placed below the body of the compressor and has a larger cross-section than the rest of the conduit. The condensation of the refrigerant in the compressor is prevented by the following method when the refrigeration system is shut off the vapor present in the conduit condense in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Galal Naguib Matta
  • Patent number: 6401465
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensor (33) protected from water vapor by a membrane (35) indicates increases in hydrogen concentrations which are indicative of a leak in an absorption chiller (13). A helium detector (43), protected from water vapor and liquid water by a membrane (44) and a vapor trap (46), senses the presence of helium from a spray (40) to locate the position of leaks. A hydrogen removing cell (47) is tested by monitoring the variation with time of the hydrogen concentration before and after the cell is rendered inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Meinzer
  • Patent number: 6381979
    Abstract: An assembly for condensing a vapour and storing the resulting condensed liquid has a condensation unit for condensing the vapour which is located above a dual containment storage tank for storing the resulting condensed liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: DualTank Corp.
    Inventors: Reinhard Schuetz, Ernest Jacobson, Wayne Bowd
  • Patent number: 6357240
    Abstract: A method for flushing contaminants from a contaminated refrigeration system, comprising flushing a continuously purified volatile composition through a portion of a refrigeration system during a first phase; flushing an aqueous solvent through the portion of the refrigeration system during a second phase; and drying the portion of the refrigeration system to remove residual water. The source of purified volatile composition preferably employs a recycling or in-line purification system, for example, a fractional distillation system. The preferred volatile composition is R-22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hudson Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Zugibe, Arthur R. Mika
  • Publication number: 20020026800
    Abstract: A heat source unit and refrigerant used in an existing refrigeration system are replaced with new refrigerant and a new heat source unit which employs the new refrigerant and is equipped with an oil separator and extraneous-matter trapping means. An indoor unit of the existing refrigeration system may be used, in its present form, or replaced with a new indoor unit. Further, connecting pipes used for the existing refrigeration are reused. After replacement of refrigerant, the refrigeration system performs an ordinary operation after having performed a cleaning operation. The extraneous-matter trapping means is provided in a refrigerant pipe close to the heat source unit or in a bypass channel connected to the refrigerant pipe close to the heat source unit. Alternatively, only the heat source unit of the existing refrigeration system is replaced with a new one, and there is employed refrigeration oil which has no mutual solubility with respect to HFC or has very low mutual solubility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kasai, Mitsunori Kurachi, Hidekazu Tani, Moriya Miyamoto, Yoshihiro Sumida, Takashi Ikeda, Toshihiro Kikukawa, Shohichiroh Masuda, Hirofumi Koge
  • Publication number: 20020007640
    Abstract: A flushing composition containing a lubricant and a deposit removal component having a deposit removal effect which is especially useful for cleaning refrigeration systems by reducing or removing unwanted deposits in constricted areas in the refrigeration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Stuart Corr, Steven James Randles, Peter Timothy Gibb
  • Patent number: 6336343
    Abstract: A two-stage absorption refrigerating apparatus includes an integrated drum in which a low-pressure evaporator and a low-pressure absorber are arranged in an upper part and a high-pressure evaporator and a high-pressure absorber are arranged in a lower part. Uncondensed gas resulted in a high-temperature generator and elsewhere successively moves toward a low-pressure side along with a circulation of refrigerant and solution. The uncondensed gas deposited in the high-pressure absorber is extracted by bleeding device, and the uncondensed gas deposited in the low-pressure absorber is extracted by an ejector. The extracted uncondensed gas is stored into a gas storage tank via a gas-liquid separator. A valve is provided on the gas storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Nishioka, Tomihisa Ohuchi, Tatsuo Fujii, Satoshi Miyake, Atsushi Shitara, Toshikuni Ohashi, Mitsuharu Matsubara
  • Patent number: 6293125
    Abstract: A filter dryer for an air-conditioning system, including an elongated housing enclosing loose molecular sieve material, first and second fluid ports into the housing, a filter basket assembly supported at one end of the housing and a screen and baffle assembly supported at the opposite end of the housing. The first filter basket assembly includes a first cup-shaped filter basket which opens away from the first port toward the molecular sieve material. The first filter basket is retained by an annular, U-shaped flange to the inner surface of the housing by press-fit. The screen and baffle assembly includes a second cup-shaped filter basket which also opens away from the first port. The second filter basket includes a radially-enlarged cylindrical screen portion toward the open end of the basket, a radially-reduced cylindrical screen portion toward the closed end of the screen, and an annular shoulder between the radially-enlarged and radially-reduced portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Cole, Cary Haramoto
  • Patent number: 6276169
    Abstract: Liquid CO2 is expanded in specially designed primary and secondary nozzles to produce frozen solid CO2. The impurities initially contained in the liquid CO2 are trapped inside of the frozen CO2, which is collected in a clean container. The container is emptied on top of a high purity surface. The impurities are concentrated on the surface, since these impurities are non-volatile and do not escape with the CO2 gas formed as the frozen CO2 is heated by the ambient temperature to its sublimation point. After all of the frozen CO2 has sublimed, the surface can be analysed by standard analysis methods to determine quantity and composition of the impurities. The determination and quantification of non-volatile impurities, such as organic oils and greases, in the CO2 supply that feeds, for example, cleaning systems utilizing CO2, is thus made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Eco-Snow Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Bowers, Wilfried Krone-Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6257002
    Abstract: A condensate handling assembly comprises a collection container for receiving and retaining condensate, a heating container for receiving condensate from the collection container, and a heating device for raising the temperature of condensate in the heating container to pressurize condensate in the heating container. A transfer conduit interconnects the collection container and the heating container, and a one-way valve is disposed in the transfer conduit for permitting flow of condensate from the collection container to the heating container. A level sensor senses the level of condensate in the collection container and activates the heating device upon the condensate in the collection container reaching a selected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Arthur D. Little, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Dieckmann, Richard C. Williams, Robert A. Zogg
  • Patent number: 6244055
    Abstract: An apparatus for recovering and recycling refrigerant from an air conditioning unit. The apparatus includes a combined oil separator and heat exchanger for condensing purified refrigerant and for vaporizing contaminated refrigerant. The combined oil separator and heat exchanger includes a canister having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a substantially cylindrical side wall. The canister further includes a high pressure region comprising heat exchange coils and having high pressure inlet for providing purified refrigerant vapor and high pressure outlet for removing purified refrigerant liquid, and a low pressure region having low pressure inlet for introducing contaminated refrigerant proximate the heat exchange coils, low pressure outlet through the top wall for removal of refrigerant vapor, and condensed oil outlet for removal of condensed oil. By introducing the contaminated refrigerant proximate the heat exchange coils, improved separation efficiency is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Century Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Arnold M. Hanson, Thomas Donald Chandler
  • Patent number: 6176093
    Abstract: A method of preventing debris entrained in the refrigerant of an automotive air conditioning system from circulating through the compressor of the system is provided. The method comprises the steps of removing the compressor manifold from the compressor, pressing a mesh screen filter into at least one of the ports of the manifold with a manual press, and reinstalling the manifold on the compressor. The mesh screen filter traps debris entrained within the refrigerant and prevents the debris from entering the compressor. The invention also comprises a filter and press assembly for practicing the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: AirSept, Inc.
    Inventors: Myron Stein, Tommy P. Potate
  • Patent number: 6164080
    Abstract: A method for purging contaminants from a contaminated refrigeration system, comprising providing a source of recycled volatile composition to a refrigerant system; passing the recycled volatile composition through the refrigerant system; receiving the volatile composition from the refrigerant system; and recycling the volatile composition by separation of contaminants therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hudson Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur R. Mika, Charles F. Harkins, Jr.