Patent US3590592A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3590592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant system expansion means
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-23
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerant expansion or metering device employed in refrigeration systems including compression means, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, comprising a fluid regulator forming a vortex chamber, through which refrigerant is passed. Disposed within the vortex chamber is movable means operable to vary the path of flow and to vary the rate of flow of refrigerant through the vortex chamber. Control means vary the position of the movable means in response to changes in temperature in the refrigeration system.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles N High
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:50
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B41/00; F25B41/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A refrigeration system comprising compression means, a first heat exchanger for receiving refrigerant discharged by said compression means; refrigerant metering means connected with said first heat exchanger; and a second heat exchanger arranged between said refrigerant metering means and said compression means, said components being connected to form a refrigerant flow cycle, said refrigerant metering means including: A. a fluid regulator formiNg a vortex chamber through which refrigerant passes en route to said second heat exchanger, said vortex chamber having plunger means movably disposed therein; and B. control means to vary the position of said plunger means in said vortex chamber, in response to the temperature of refrigerant exiting from said second heat exchanger, to vary the path of flow and to vary the rate of flow of said refrigerant through said vortex chamber in accordance with changes in system cooling load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A refrigeration system comprising compression means, a first heat exchanger for receiving refrigerant discharged by said compression means; refrigerant metering means connected with said first heat exchanger; and a second heat exchanger arranged between said refrigerant metering means and said compression means, said components being connected to form a refrigerant flow cycle, said refrigerant metering means including: A. a fluid regulator formiNg a vortex chamber through which refrigerant passes en route to said second heat exchanger, said vortex chamber having plunger means movably disposed therein; and B. control means to vary the position of said plunger means in said vortex chamber, in response to the temperature of refrigerant exiting from said second heat exchanger, to vary the path of flow and to vary the rate of flow of said refrigerant through said vortex chamber in accordance with changes in system cooling load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
A refrigeration system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said control means includes: A. a bellows having a refrigerant charge contained therein operably connected to said plunger means; and B. means operable to sense the temperature of said refrigerant leaving said second heat exchanger, said means being further operable to increase the pressure of said refrigerant charge in said bellows as the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the second heat exchanger increases to move said plunger means further into said vortex chamber and to decrease the pressure of said refrigerant charge in said bellows as the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the second heat exchanger decreases to withdraw said plunger means from said vortex chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A refrigerant-metering device employed in refrigeration systems operable to expand relatively high-pressure liquid refrigerant comprising: A. a fluid regulator forming a vortex chamber through which refrigerant is passed; B. refrigerant inlet means into said vortex chamber; C. refrigerant outlet means from said vortex chamber; D. plunger means movably disposed in said vortex chamber to vary the flow path of refrigerant therethrough; and E. control means operable to vary the position of said plunger means in said vortex chamber in response to predetermined refrigeration system conditions, to vary the path of flow and to vary the rate of flow of said refrigerant through said vortex chamber in accordance with changes in said system conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A refrigerant-metering device employed in refrigeration systems operable to expand relatively high-pressure liquid refrigerant comprising: A. a fluid regulator forming a vortex chamber through which refrigerant is passed; B. refrigerant inlet means into said vortex chamber; C. refrigerant outlet means from said vortex chamber; D. plunger means movably disposed in said vortex chamber to vary the flow path of refrigerant therethrough; and E. control means operable to vary the position of said plunger means in said vortex chamber in response to predetermined refrigeration system conditions, to vary the path of flow and to vary the rate of flow of said refrigerant through said vortex chamber in accordance with changes in said system conditions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A refrigerant metering device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said refrigerant inlet means is in substantially tangential communication with said vortex chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A refrigerant metering device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said refrigerant passing through said vortex chamber undergoes an approximate 90* change in direction from entering said chamber at said inlet means to leaving said chamber at said outlet means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
A refrigerant-metering device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said control means include: A. a bellows having a refrigerant charge contained therein, operably connected to said plunger means; and B. means operable to sense the temperature of refrigerant in one portion of said refrigeration system, said means being further operable to increase the pressure of said refrigerant charge in said bellows as the temperature of the sensed refrigerant increases, to move said plunger means further into said vortex chamber; and to decrease the pressure of said refrigerant charge in said bellows as the sensed refrigerant temperature decreases to withdraw said plunger means from said vortex chamber.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of regulating the flow of refrigerant in a refrigeration system comprising compression means, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger comprising the steps of: A. energizing said compression means to circulate said refrigerant through said system; B. directing the flow of refrigerant from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger through a path including a vortex; C. withdrawing mechanical flow obstruction means, disposed within said vortex in the path of refrigerant flow, to restrict the flow of refrigerant from the first heat exchanger to said second heat exchanger as the cooling load on said system increases; and D. projecting said mechanical obstruction means, disposed within said vortex chamber in the path of refrigerant flow, to increase the fLow of refrigerant from the first heat exchanger to said second heat exchanger as the cooling load on said system increases.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of regulating the flow of refrigerant in a refrigeration system comprising compression means, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger comprising the steps of: A. energizing said compression means to circulate said refrigerant through said system; B. directing the flow of refrigerant from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger through a path including a vortex; C. withdrawing mechanical flow obstruction means, disposed within said vortex in the path of refrigerant flow, to restrict the flow of refrigerant from the first heat exchanger to said second heat exchanger as the cooling load on said system increases; and D. projecting said mechanical obstruction means, disposed within said vortex chamber in the path of refrigerant flow, to increase the fLow of refrigerant from the first heat exchanger to said second heat exchanger as the cooling load on said system increases.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |