US3680324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vaporator refrigerant feed modulated from a variable load
Assignee: Frick Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-07
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A gravity circulation flooded evaporator has a first control which is responsive to the pressure of the liquid head in the supply line to the evaporator and a second control in the suction line to the compressor which is responsive to the vapor flow rate, the two controls being interconnected in such manner that the second is operative to override the first in order to modulate or stop the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator at a lower pressure head than that which is normally used during periods when the load on the evaporator is below a predetermined minimum, in order to avoid an undesirable accumulation of liquid refrigerant in the evaporator during periods of low load.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton W Garland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:54
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B5/00; F25B5/02; F25B41/00; F25B41/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
In a refrigeration system having an evaporator, means for supplying refrigerant to the evaporator, means for receiving refrigerant from the evaporator, and means responsive to the head of refrigerant in the evaporator for controlling the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator, the improvement comprising means sensing the flow rate of vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator and means interconnecting the flow rate sensing means with the means controlling the supply to the evaporator, said flow rate sensing means being operative to override the control means for controlling the supply to the evaporator, whereby during normal operation the flow to the evaporator is controlled by the supply control means, and whereby during periods of low load the flow to the evaporator is reduced or cut off in order to avoid the accumulation of an excess amount of refrigerant in the evaporator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a refrigeration system having an evaporator, means for supplying refrigerant to the evaporator, means for receiving refrigerant from the evaporator, and means responsive to the head of refrigerant in the evaporator for controlling the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator, the improvement comprising means sensing the flow rate of vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator and means interconnecting the flow rate sensing means with the means controlling the supply to the evaporator, said flow rate sensing means being operative to override the control means for controlling the supply to the evaporator, whereby during normal operation the flow to the evaporator is controlled by the supply control means, and whereby during periods of low load the flow to the evaporator is reduced or cut off in order to avoid the accumulation of an excess amount of refrigerant in the evaporator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 in which the flow rate sensing means has means for maintaining a predetermined minimum head of refrigerant in the evaporator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1 in which a plurality of evaporators are connected in parallel in the system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 1 in which the refrigeration system has compressor means which has a suction line, and in which an accumulator is connected to supply refrigerant to the evaporator and to receive refrigerant from the evaporator, and is connected to the suction line, and the means sensing the flow rate of refrigerant from the evaporator is located in the suction line.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
89 words
The method of controlling the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator of a refrigeration system having a compressor, comprising continuously measuring the head of refrigerant in the evaporator, continuously sensing the flow rate of vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator, supplying refrigerant to the evaporator as required to maintain a predetermined operating head of refrigerant in the evaporator, and reducing the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator below that which is required to maintain such predetermined head when the flow rate from the evaporator is reduced below a predetermined minimum.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
89 words
The method of controlling the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator of a refrigeration system having a compressor, comprising continuously measuring the head of refrigerant in the evaporator, continuously sensing the flow rate of vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator, supplying refrigerant to the evaporator as required to maintain a predetermined operating head of refrigerant in the evaporator, and reducing the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator below that which is required to maintain such predetermined head when the flow rate from the evaporator is reduced below a predetermined minimum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 5, and maintaining a predetermined head of refrigerant in the evaporator which is below said operating head when the flow rate from the evaporator is reduced below its said predetermined minimum.
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) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |