US3691783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant evaporator temperature control
Assignee: Trane US Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-25
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1990-09-25
Abstract
Abstract An automotive air conditioner system having a temperatureresponsive power means in the refrigerant suction line for throttling refrigerant flow from the evaporator when the evaporator temperature drops toward a value low enough to cause ice formations on the evaporator fin surfaces; the power means is preferably located upstream from the actuator means of a thermostatic expansion valve so that the throttling action reduces the pressure at the actuator means and causes the actuator means to respond to relatively high superheat, thereby requiring the expansion valve to flood the evaporator in a manner to temporarily raise the pressure and temperature within the evaporator for de-icer action.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H Proctor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/36; F16K17/38; F25; F25B; F25B41/00; F25B41/20; F25B41/22; F25B41/30; F25B41/31; F25B41/325; F25B41/33; F25B41/335; F25B2341/00; F25B2341/06; F25B2341/068; F25B2341/0683; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
In a refrigerant system which includes a continuously running refrigerant compressor, condenser, evaporator, refrigerant metering means between the condenser and evaporator, and a suction line between the evaporator and compressor: the improvement comprising a throttling means in the suction line, and temperature-responsive power means having a movable output member for operating said throttling means in accordance with variations in suction line temperature; said power means being constructed so that its output member moves solely as a function of the suction line temperature without being influenced by section line pressure; said power means comprising a contained mass of temperature-sensitive material which undergoes transformation between the solid and liquid states in a temperature range in the vicinity of 32* F, whereby the output member enjoys movement in such a temperature range; said power means and throttling means being connected so that the throttling means increases its throttling action as the temperature drops within said range, and so that the throttling means reduces its throttling action as the temperature rises within said range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a refrigerant system which includes a continuously running refrigerant compressor, condenser, evaporator, refrigerant metering means between the condenser and evaporator, and a suction line between the evaporator and compressor: the improvement comprising a throttling means in the suction line, and temperature-responsive power means having a movable output member for operating said throttling means in accordance with variations in suction line temperature; said power means being constructed so that its output member moves solely as a function of the suction line temperature without being influenced by section line pressure; said power means comprising a contained mass of temperature-sensitive material which undergoes transformation between the solid and liquid states in a temperature range in the vicinity of 32* F, whereby the output member enjoys movement in such a temperature range; said power means and throttling means being connected so that the throttling means increases its throttling action as the temperature drops within said range, and so that the throttling means reduces its throttling action as the temperature rises within said range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the power means comprises a movable container for the mass of temperature-sensitive material, and a fixed piston slidably projecting into the container, whereby expansion of the material causes movement of the container; the aforementioned throttling means comprising a flow-throttling element carried by the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the flow-throttling element is carried by a portion of the container located upstream from the temperature-sensitive material, whereby the suction line fluid washes the sensitive material after movement past the throttling element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the refrigerant metering means comprises a thermostatic expansion valve having a temperature-responsive actuator means controlled by suction line temperature; the aforementioned temperature-responsive power means being located upstream from the actuator means, whereby movement of the throttling means toward a no-flow position causes the actuator means to temporarily respond to a synthetic superheat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the thermostatic expansion valve comprises a valve body having a chamber therein which constitutes part of the suction line, said actuator means being located in thermal engagement with said chamber; the aforementioned power means-throttling means assembly being constructed as an insert device attached directly to the expansion valve body immediately upstream from the aforementioned chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A closed refrigerant system wherein a thermostatic expansion valve controls the flow rate of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator in response to the superheat of the refrigerant gas leaving the evaporator, including a throttling valve which is responsively controlled by a decrease in the temperature alone of the refrigerant in the suction line to throttle the flow of refrigerant leaving said evaporator so that the refrigerant in said evaporator is prevented from falling below a predetermined temperature which could allow the formation of ice in said evaporator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A closed refrigerant system wherein a thermostatic expansion valve controls the flow rate of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator in response to the superheat of the refrigerant gas leaving the evaporator, including a throttling valve which is responsively controlled by a decrease in the temperature alone of the refrigerant in the suction line to throttle the flow of refrigerant leaving said evaporator so that the refrigerant in said evaporator is prevented from falling below a predetermined temperature which could allow the formation of ice in said evaporator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
A closed refrigerant system wherein a thermostatic expansion valve controls the flow rate of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator in response to the superheat of the refrigerant gas leaving the evaporator, including a throttling valve having a temperature responsive power means and a mechanical valve means disposed internally of the suction line leading from the evaporator, which is responsively controlled by a decrease in temperature alone of the refrigerant in the suction line to throttle the flow of refrigerant leaving said evaporator so that the refrigerant in said evaporator is prevented from falling below a predetermined temperature which could allow the formation of ice in Said evaporator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
A closed refrigerant system wherein a thermostatic expansion valve controls the flow rate of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator in response to the superheat of the refrigerant gas leaving the evaporator, including a throttling valve having a temperature responsive power means and a mechanical valve means disposed internally of the suction line leading from the evaporator, which is responsively controlled by a decrease in temperature alone of the refrigerant in the suction line to throttle the flow of refrigerant leaving said evaporator so that the refrigerant in said evaporator is prevented from falling below a predetermined temperature which could allow the formation of ice in Said evaporator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The closed refrigerant system as defined in claim 7, wherein said temperature responsive power means includes a thermal sensitive material and at least one relatively movable element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The closed refrigerant system as defined in claim 8, wherein said thermal sensitive material is a mass of substance which undergoes a transition when the suction line temperature decreases thereby causing movement of said movable element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A closed refrigerant system wherein a thermostatic expansion valve controls the flow rate of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator in response to the superheat of the refrigerant gas leaving the evaporator, including a throttling valve which is responsively controlled by a decrease in temperature alone of the refrigerant in the suction line to throttle the flow of refrigerant leaving said evaporator so that the refrigerant in said evaporator is prevented from falling below a predetermined temperature which could allow the formation of ice in said evaporator, said thermostatic expansion valve and said throttling valve being formed as a single unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
A closed refrigerant system wherein a thermostatic expansion valve controls the flow rate of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator in response to the superheat of the refrigerant gas leaving the evaporator, including a throttling valve which is responsively controlled by a decrease in temperature alone of the refrigerant in the suction line to throttle the flow of refrigerant leaving said evaporator so that the refrigerant in said evaporator is prevented from falling below a predetermined temperature which could allow the formation of ice in said evaporator, said thermostatic expansion valve and said throttling valve being formed as a single unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |