US3744264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigeration apparatus and method of operating for powered and non-powered cooling modes
Assignee: Trane US Inc
•
Filing: 1972-03-28
•
Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1992-03-28
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses the method and apparatus for operating a refrigeration system in both powered and nonpowered (free cooling) modes of operation including the method and apparatus for rapidly converting from one mode to the other.
Inventors
- 👤 C Ware
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:05
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F5/00; F24F5/0007; F24F5/001; F25; F25B; F25B25/00; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/04; F25B2400/0401; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of operating a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, and a shell-and-tube type evaporator arranged respectively in a closed refrigerant circuit and having a liquid refrigerant storage chamber comprising the steps of: A. operating said refrigeration system on a free cooling mode by, 1. bypassing refrigerant vapor from said evaporator around said compressor to said condenser wiThout operating said compressor, 2. returning refrigerant thereby condensed from said condenser to said evaporator for re-evaporation in said evaporator, and 3. retaining an additional quantity of liquid refrigerant in said evaporator sufficient to immerse substantially all the tubes in said evaporator; B. passing from the free cooling mode of operation to the powered mode of operation by, 1. energizing said compressor, 2. passing compressed refrigerant vapor through said compressor to said condenser, and 3. removing from said closed refrigerant circuit a quantity of condensed refrigerant equal to said additional quantity by passing substantially said quantity of condensed refrigerant into said storage chamber to thereby reduce the equivalent quiescent level of refrigerant in said evaporator substantially below the upper tubes of said evaporator to a substantially reduced level during operation of said compressor; C. continuing to operate said system by, 1. continuing energization of said compressor, and 2. continuing to withhold from said closed refrigerant circuit in said storage chamber during continued energization of said compressor substantially said additional quantity of refrigerant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of operating a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, and a shell-and-tube type evaporator arranged respectively in a closed refrigerant circuit and having a liquid refrigerant storage chamber comprising the steps of: A. operating said refrigeration system on a free cooling mode by, 1. bypassing refrigerant vapor from said evaporator around said compressor to said condenser wiThout operating said compressor, 2. returning refrigerant thereby condensed from said condenser to said evaporator for re-evaporation in said evaporator, and 3. retaining an additional quantity of liquid refrigerant in said evaporator sufficient to immerse substantially all the tubes in said evaporator; B. passing from the free cooling mode of operation to the powered mode of operation by, 1. energizing said compressor, 2. passing compressed refrigerant vapor through said compressor to said condenser, and 3. removing from said closed refrigerant circuit a quantity of condensed refrigerant equal to said additional quantity by passing substantially said quantity of condensed refrigerant into said storage chamber to thereby reduce the equivalent quiescent level of refrigerant in said evaporator substantially below the upper tubes of said evaporator to a substantially reduced level during operation of said compressor; C. continuing to operate said system by, 1. continuing energization of said compressor, and 2. continuing to withhold from said closed refrigerant circuit in said storage chamber during continued energization of said compressor substantially said additional quantity of refrigerant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
continuing to withhold from said closed refrigerant circuit in said storage chamber during continued energization of said compressor substantially said additional quantity of refrigerant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
continuing to withhold from said closed refrigerant circuit in said storage chamber during continued energization of said compressor substantially said additional quantity of refrigerant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
passing compressed refrigerant vapor through said compressor to said condenser, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
passing compressed refrigerant vapor through said compressor to said condenser, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
returning refrigerant thereby condensed from said condenser to said evaporator for re-evaporation in said evaporator, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
returning refrigerant thereby condensed from said condenser to said evaporator for re-evaporation in said evaporator, and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
passing compressed refrigerant vapor through said compressor to said condenser, and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
passing compressed refrigerant vapor through said compressor to said condenser, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
continuing to withhold from said closed refrigerant circuit in said storage chamber during continued energization of said compressor substantially said additional quantity of refrigerant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
continuing to withhold from said closed refrigerant circuit in said storage chamber during continued energization of said compressor substantially said additional quantity of refrigerant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined by claim 1 wherein the step B3 includes the step of passing said quantity of condensed refrigerant out of said closed refrigerant circuit by applying thereto a differential in pressure within said refrigerant circuit generated by said compressor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
returning refrigerant thereby condensed from said condenser to said evaporator for re-evaporation in said evaporator, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
returning refrigerant thereby condensed from said condenser to said evaporator for re-evaporation in said evaporator, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
passing by force of gravity the additional liquid refrigerant from said storage chamber into said evaporator to immerse substantially all of the tubes therein, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
passing by force of gravity the additional liquid refrigerant from said storage chamber into said evaporator to immerse substantially all of the tubes therein, and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
retaining the additional quantity of refrigerant in said evaporator sufficient to immerse substantially all of the tubes in said evaporator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
retaining the additional quantity of refrigerant in said evaporator sufficient to immerse substantially all of the tubes in said evaporator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
providing said refrigeration system with a vapor bypass from said evaporator around said compressor to said condenser; B. Subsequently operating said refrigeration system on a free cooling mode by,
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
providing said refrigeration system with a vapor bypass from said evaporator around said compressor to said condenser; B. Subsequently operating said refrigeration system on a free cooling mode by,
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined by claim 2 for operating a refrigeration system having an economizer wherein said quantity of condensed refrigerant is forced from said refrigerant circuit at substantially condenser pressure and simultaneously vented to a portion of said refrigerant circuit at substantially economizer pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
removing from said closed refrigerant circuit a quantity of condensed refrigerant equal to said additional quantity by passing substantially said quantity of condensed refrigerant into said storage chamber to thereby reduce the equivalent quiescent level of refrigerant in said evaporator substantially below the upper tubes of said evaporator to a substantially reduced level during operation of said compressor; C. continuing to operate said system by,
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
removing from said closed refrigerant circuit a quantity of condensed refrigerant equal to said additional quantity by passing substantially said quantity of condensed refrigerant into said storage chamber to thereby reduce the equivalent quiescent level of refrigerant in said evaporator substantially below the upper tubes of said evaporator to a substantially reduced level during operation of said compressor; C. continuing to operate said system by,
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
retaining an additional quantity of liquid refrigerant in said evaporator sufficient to immerse substantially all the tubes in said evaporator; B. passing from the free cooling mode of operation to the powered mode of operation by,
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
retaining an additional quantity of liquid refrigerant in said evaporator sufficient to immerse substantially all the tubes in said evaporator; B. passing from the free cooling mode of operation to the powered mode of operation by,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
removing from said closed refrigerant circuit a quantity of condensed refrigerant equal to said additional quantity by passing substantially said quantity of condensed refrigerant into said storage chamber to thereby reduce the equivalent quiescent level of refrigerant in said evaporator substantially below the upper tubes of said evaporator to a substantially reduced level during operation of said compressor; B. continuing to operate said system by,
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
removing from said closed refrigerant circuit a quantity of condensed refrigerant equal to said additional quantity by passing substantially said quantity of condensed refrigerant into said storage chamber to thereby reduce the equivalent quiescent level of refrigerant in said evaporator substantially below the upper tubes of said evaporator to a substantially reduced level during operation of said compressor; B. continuing to operate said system by,
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined by claim 2 wherein said quantity of condensed refrigerant is forced from said refrigerant circuit at substantially condenser pressure and simultaneously vented to a portion of said refrigerant circuit at substantially evaporator pressure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined by claim 2 for operating a refrigeration system having an economizer wherein said quantity of condensed refrigerant is forced from said refrigerant circuit at substantially econimizer pressure and simultaneously vented to a portion of said refrigerant circuit at substantially evaporator pressure.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of operating a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, and a shell-and-tube type evaporator arranged respectively in a closed refrigerant circuit and a storage chamber outside said closed refrigerant circuit for storing above the tubes of said evaporator during operation of said compressor an additional quantity of liquid refrigerant sufficient to immerse substantially all of the tubes in said evaporator when said system is operated on a free cooling mode without operation of said compressor comprising the steps of: A. preparing said system for operation on a free cooling mode by:
Claim 32
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of operating a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, and a shell-and-tube type evaporator arranged respectively in a closed refrigerant circuit and a storage chamber outside said closed refrigerant circuit for storing above the tubes of said evaporator during operation of said compressor an additional quantity of liquid refrigerant sufficient to immerse substantially all of the tubes in said evaporator when said system is operated on a free cooling mode without operation of said compressor comprising the steps of: A. preparing said system for operation on a free cooling mode by:
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of operating a refrigeration system as defined in claim 6 further including the steps of: A. passing from the free cooling mode of operation to the powered mode of operation by,
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
185 words
Refrigerant apparatus comprising a shell-and-tube type refrigerant evaporator; a refrigerant compressor and a refrigerant condenser serially connected in a closed refrigerant circuit; said refrigerant compressor having a suction inlet connected to the shell side of said evaporator and a discharge outlet connected to said condenser; said circuit including first conduit means for conveying liquid refrigerant from said condenser to said evaporator during operation of said compressor; and means for controlling the flow of liquid refrigerant in said first conduit means; second conduit means extending from the shell of said evaporator to said condenser bypassing said compressor for conveying refrigerant vapor from said evaporator to said condenser; a shutoff valve disposed in said second conduit means; a storage chamber outside said closed refrigerant circuit disposed to store liquid refrigerant above the uppermost tubes of said evaporator; a third conduit means connecting said storage chamber and said evaporator for conveying liquid refrigerant from said storage chamber to said evaporator in preparation for operation of said refrigeration apparatus without operation of said compressor; and means for holding liquid refrigerant in said storage chamber during operation of said compressor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
185 words
Refrigerant apparatus comprising a shell-and-tube type refrigerant evaporator; a refrigerant compressor and a refrigerant condenser serially connected in a closed refrigerant circuit; said refrigerant compressor having a suction inlet connected to the shell side of said evaporator and a discharge outlet connected to said condenser; said circuit including first conduit means for conveying liquid refrigerant from said condenser to said evaporator during operation of said compressor; and means for controlling the flow of liquid refrigerant in said first conduit means; second conduit means extending from the shell of said evaporator to said condenser bypassing said compressor for conveying refrigerant vapor from said evaporator to said condenser; a shutoff valve disposed in said second conduit means; a storage chamber outside said closed refrigerant circuit disposed to store liquid refrigerant above the uppermost tubes of said evaporator; a third conduit means connecting said storage chamber and said evaporator for conveying liquid refrigerant from said storage chamber to said evaporator in preparation for operation of said refrigeration apparatus without operation of said compressor; and means for holding liquid refrigerant in said storage chamber during operation of said compressor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 8 including fourth conduit means for conveying liquid refrigerant from said condenser to said storage chamber.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 9 including a refrigerant vapor vent passageway extending from the upper portion of said storage chamber to that portion of said circuit at substantially evaporator pressure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said first conduit means includes an economizer chamber and further including a vapor vent passageway extending from the upper portion of said storage chamber to that portion of said circuit at substantially economizer chamber pressure.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein said first conduit means includes an economizer chamber and further including a fourth conduit means for conveying liquid refrigerant from a portion of said circuit at substantially economizer chamber pressure to said storage chamber.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 12 including a refrigerant vapor vent passageway extending from the upper portion of said storage chamber to that portion of said circuit at substantially evaporator pressure.
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) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |