US3842616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant expansion device
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-02
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A thermostatic expansion device for controlling the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator of a compression refrigeration system and for preventing the flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator when the system is shut down. The foregoing flow prevention is achieved by the use of a spring-biased check valve which closes when the refrigerant pressure at the inlet of the expansion device is insufficient to overcome the spring pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 G Orbesen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:58
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B41/00; F25B41/30; F25B41/31; F25B41/33; F25B41/335; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A refrigerant expansion device for a compression refrigeration system, said device comprising: a body member; an inlet for admitting high pressure refrigerant into said body member; an outlet for discharging expanded low pressure refrigerant from said body member; means defining a refrigerant flow path between said inlet and said outlet; expansion means comprising a first valve seat and a valve, said valve being movable relative to said valve seat for cooperating with said valve seat to define a variable size orifice in said refrigerant flow path for expanding refrigerant flowing through said orifice and said valve being engageable with said valve seat for sealing said orifice, and said valve including refrigerant passage means extending through said valve for equalizing the refrigerant pressure across said valve when said valve is engaged with said valve seat; and refrigerant flow preventing means including: a second valve seat; a check valve, said check valve being movable between a closed position wherein said check valve engages said second valve seat to close said flow path and an open position wherein said check valve disengages said valve seat; means for moving said check valve to the open position when the refrigeration system is started up; and means for moving said check valve to the closed position when the refrigeration system shuts down.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A refrigerant expansion device for a compression refrigeration system, said device comprising: a body member; an inlet for admitting high pressure refrigerant into said body member; an outlet for discharging expanded low pressure refrigerant from said body member; means defining a refrigerant flow path between said inlet and said outlet; expansion means comprising a first valve seat and a valve, said valve being movable relative to said valve seat for cooperating with said valve seat to define a variable size orifice in said refrigerant flow path for expanding refrigerant flowing through said orifice and said valve being engageable with said valve seat for sealing said orifice, and said valve including refrigerant passage means extending through said valve for equalizing the refrigerant pressure across said valve when said valve is engaged with said valve seat; and refrigerant flow preventing means including: a second valve seat; a check valve, said check valve being movable between a closed position wherein said check valve engages said second valve seat to close said flow path and an open position wherein said check valve disengages said valve seat; means for moving said check valve to the open position when the refrigeration system is started up; and means for moving said check valve to the closed position when the refrigeration system shuts down.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving said check valve to the open position comprises a piston portion of said check valve, said piston portion being responsive to a predetermined high refrigerant pressure at said inlet to disengage said check valve from said valve seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said means for moving said check valve to the closed position comprises biasing means for exerting pressure on said check valve to urge said check valve towards engagement with said second valve seat, whereby said check valve is moved from the closed position to the open position when the refrigerant pressure At said inlet exceeds the pressure exerted by said biasing means, and said check valve is moved to the closed position when the pressure exerted by said biasing means exceeds the refrigerant pressure at said inlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said body member includes a piston chamber defined by interior walls of said body member and a refrigerant port leading from said inlet to said piston chamber, and said piston portion is disposed in said piston chamber and dimensioned to engage said interior walls in a fluid sealing manner, said piston portion moving said check valve to the open position in response to a predetermined high refrigerant pressure at said inlet.
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) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |