US3722228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control of refrigerant migration to compressor during shutdown
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-12
•
Granted: 1973-03-27
•
Expires: 1991-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A control of refrigerant migration to the compressor during shutdown in a vapor compressor refrigeration cycle in which a compressor forces the vaporized refrigerant to a condenser from which it passes through an expansion device to an evaporator and then returns to the compressor. The control is such that the head pressure from the compressor opens the passage to the condenser and when the compressor is shut down, such passage automatically closes. Both the inlet to the compressor and outlet from it are automatically opened and closed. Thus, during the shutdown interval the vaporous refrigerant cannot migrate to the compressor.
Inventors
- 👤 R Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:36
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B41/00; F25B41/20; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/25; F25B2600/2519
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
In a vapor compressor refrigeration cycle having a refrigerant compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion device interposed between the condenser and evaporator and in communication therewith, and duct connections from the compressor to the condenser and from the evaporator to the compressor respectively, the improvement comprising a control for militating against migration of vapor refrigerant to said compressor during shutdown, said control including a valve device entirely housed in a single casing for controlling refrigerant flow, operative connections respectively between said valve device and the duct connection from the compressor to the condenser and the duct connection from the evaporator to the compressor, and automatic means for normally retaining said valve device in closed position preventing refrigerant passage through either of said duct connections and operative selectively to effect opening and closing of said respective duct connections in a predetermined manner, said valve device being shiftable to open position in response to predetermined head pressure generated by said compressor for enabling refrigerant flow through its cycle during operation of the system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a vapor compressor refrigeration cycle having a refrigerant compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion device interposed between the condenser and evaporator and in communication therewith, and duct connections from the compressor to the condenser and from the evaporator to the compressor respectively, the improvement comprising a control for militating against migration of vapor refrigerant to said compressor during shutdown, said control including a valve device entirely housed in a single casing for controlling refrigerant flow, operative connections respectively between said valve device and the duct connection from the compressor to the condenser and the duct connection from the evaporator to the compressor, and automatic means for normally retaining said valve device in closed position preventing refrigerant passage through either of said duct connections and operative selectively to effect opening and closing of said respective duct connections in a predetermined manner, said valve device being shiftable to open position in response to predetermined head pressure generated by said compressor for enabling refrigerant flow through its cycle during operation of the system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The organization as claimed in claim 1, in which said valve device comprises a spring biased valve means interposed in each of said duct connections arranged to be unseated by head pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The organization as claimed in claim 2, comprising means by which said valve means are seated and unseated successively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The organization as claimed in claim 1, in which said valve device comprises a hollow housing, opposite end portions of which are in communication with said duct connections respectively, and interconnected spring biased valves shiftable in said casing for controlling gas flow through said duct connections and adapted to seat and unseat successively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The organization as claimed in claim 4, in which said hollow housing is mounted in close juxtaposition to the compressor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
167 words
The organization as claimed in claim 1, in which said valve device comprises a hollow housing, a duct connection leading from the compressor to said housing, a duct connection adjacent said first duct and connection and leading from said housing to said condenser, a spring biased valve in said housing normally seated to close the passage from the compressor to the condenser but shiftable to open position in response to pressure from the compressor, a duct connection leading from the evaporator to said housing, a duct connection adjacent said last duct connection leading from said valve housing to the compressor, a second spring biased valve shiftable in said valve housing for controlling said last two duct connections for recurrently placing them in communication with each other and placing them out of communication, and means to cause said valves to open and close, whereby said second spring biased valve opens and closes slightly in advance of or simultaneously with said first valve, or subsequent to said first valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The organization as claimed in claim 6, comprising passage means enabling the gaseous pressures between said valves to equalize when said valves are in closed positioN.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The organization as claimed in claim 1, comprising a valve member for each pair of ducts separate and distinct from each other and each arranged for actuation in response to gaseous pressure fluid from the compressor, and a spring individual to each valve for normally urging same to its seat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
156 words
The organization as claimed in claim 1, in which said valve device comprises a tubular housing, a duct connection leading from the compressor to said housing, a duct connection adjacent said first duct connection and leading from said housing to said condenser, a valve in said housing normally seated to close the passage from the compressor to the condenser but shiftable to open position in response to pressure from the compressor, a duct connection leading from the evaporator to said housing, a duct connection adjacent said last duct connection leading from said valve housing to the compressor, a second valve shiftable in said valve housing for controlling said last two duct connections for recurrently placing them in communication with each other and placing them out of communication, a connection between said valves enabling same to shift at about the same time, and spring means for said valves of such strength as to predetermine desired opening interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The organization as claimed in claim 9, in which said second valve includes a spring tensioned lost motion connection for insuring gas tight seating thereof when shifted to closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2155516A
Cited
US2520674A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |