US3631684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Step-by-step control of refrigerant return in a compressor-condenser-expander system
Assignee: Robertshaw US Holding Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-04
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1990-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A step-by-step control of the cooling unit of a compressorcondenser-expander-type refrigerating system is provided in which the flow of refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor is throttled by a vortex amplifier. The signal flow for the vortex amplifier is derived from the high-pressure side of the system and comprises hot gas from ahead of the condenser and condensed gas from the discharge of the condenser. The flows of hot gas and condensed gas are controlled individually by separate temperature responsive valves which open and close at different temperatures so that the vortex amplifier produces different degrees of throttling of flow of refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor in accordance with the cooling load on the evaporator. In a modified form of the invention, a single valve admits a mixture of hot gas and condensed gas to the signal line of the vortex amplifier to throttle the flow of refrigerant to the compressor.
Inventors
- 👤 James E Randall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:55
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B41/00; F25B41/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
In a refrigerating system comprising a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator connected in a refrigerating circuit, a vortex amplifier in said circuit between said evaporator and compressor for controlling the flow of refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor, said amplifier including a signal flow conduit, and means for providing a signal flow through said conduit, said flow comprising first means to introduce relatively hot compressed gas refrigerant from said refrigerating circuit into said conduit and second means to introduce condensed refrigerant from said refrigerating circuit into said conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a refrigerating system comprising a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator connected in a refrigerating circuit, a vortex amplifier in said circuit between said evaporator and compressor for controlling the flow of refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor, said amplifier including a signal flow conduit, and means for providing a signal flow through said conduit, said flow comprising first means to introduce relatively hot compressed gas refrigerant from said refrigerating circuit into said conduit and second means to introduce condensed refrigerant from said refrigerating circuit into said conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A refrigerating system as defined in claim 1 further characterized by valve means responsive to temperature conditions affected by operation of said refrigerating system for controlling the flows of said hot compressed gas refrigerant and condensed refrigerant into said Conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A refrigerating system as defined in claim 1 further characterized by a first valve to control the flow of said hot compressed gas refrigerant into said conduit, a second valve to control the flow of condensed refrigerant into said conduit, and temperature responsive means to control said first and second valves for operation at different temperatures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A refrigerating system as defined in claim 3 further characterized by said first valve adapted to open and close at given temperatures and said second valve adapted to open and close at temperatures lower than said given temperatures, respectively.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
58 words
The method of controlling the cooling capacity of a compressor-condenser-expander-type refrigerating system having a vortex amplifier in the refrigerant circuit between the expander and the compressor, which method comprises supplying a signal flow to the vortex amplifier by mixing refrigerant gas directly from the hot gas discharge of the compressor and from condensed refrigerant directly from the condenser.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
58 words
The method of controlling the cooling capacity of a compressor-condenser-expander-type refrigerating system having a vortex amplifier in the refrigerant circuit between the expander and the compressor, which method comprises supplying a signal flow to the vortex amplifier by mixing refrigerant gas directly from the hot gas discharge of the compressor and from condensed refrigerant directly from the condenser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method defined in claim 5 further characterized by regulating the volumes of mixed gas and condensed refrigerant to cause substantially complete vaporization of the condensed refrigerant as it passes through said vortex amplifier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3369374A
Cited
US3488975A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |