Abstract A refrigeration system includes a plurality of hold-over plates of the type in which an eutectic is frozen by the use of a circulating refrigerant. The hold-over plates are in a closed refrigeration circuit with a compressor, condenser and receiver. In order to provide continuous compressor operation at the lowest safe suction pressure after the eutectic is frozen, there is a hot gas connection between the compressor output and the plate input to bypass compressor discharge gas through each plate. This increases the velocity of the refrigerant flowing through the plates, as well as insuring that the evaporating pressure of the refrigerant does not go below a predetermined minimum danger point. Instead of operating below the minimum danger point or shutting off on low-pressure cut-out, the compressor continues to operate at an acceptable suction pressure to effectively reduce the temperature of air and product within the space being refrigerated.
In a refrigeration system a plurality of holdover plates, an expansion valve at the input of each plate, a compressor, condenser and receiver, a connection between the receiver and the input of each expansion valve, and a connection between the output of each plate and the compressor, the improvement comprising a hot gas connection between the compressor output and the input of each plate, said hot gas connection including a vapor distributor connected at its input to the compressor output, a hot gas bypass control valve connected between the compressor output and the distributor input, a plurality of outputs from said distributor, one for each plate, each distributor output being connected between the output of an expansion valve and the input of a plate and a plurality of backflow check valves, one in each connection between said distributor and a plate input.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a refrigeration system a plurality of holdover plates, an expansion valve at the input of each plate, a compressor, condenser and receiver, a connection between the receiver and the input of each expansion valve, and a connection between the output of each plate and the compressor, the improvement comprising a hot gas connection between the compressor output and the input of each plate, said hot gas connection including a vapor distributor connected at its input to the compressor output, a hot gas bypass control valve connected between the compressor output and the distributor input, a plurality of outputs from said distributor, one for each plate, each distributor output being connected between the output of an expansion valve and the input of a plate and a plurality of backflow check valves, one in each connection between said distributor and a plate input.