US3852974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigeration system with subcooler
Assignee: Ardco Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-13
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A secondary or booster refrigeration system associated with a primary refrigeration system so that high temperature liquid refrigerant of the primary system is itself subcooled by refrigeration after it has been condensed. The secondary or booster refrigeration system is situated so that the evaporation coil is in heat exchange relation with that portion of the primary refrigeration circuit carrying the condensed liquid refrigerant. Optionally, the secondary or booster refrigeration system may itself be liquid subcooled by heat exchange with the suction line of the primary refrigeration system. Operational control of the secondary refrigeration system is achieved by means responsive to the temperature and/or humidity in the space cooled by the primary refrigeration system and/or the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the condenser of the primary refrigeration system.
Inventors
- 👤 T Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:12
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B7/00; F25B1/00; F25B40/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of modifying an existing refrigeration system to increase the refrigeration capacity thereof, the existing system comprising a compressor, condensor and evaporator, the evaporator comprising an expansion device and acting to cool a conditioned space, comprising the steps of: providing a secondary refrigeration system; placing the evaporation coil of the secondary refrigeration circuit in heat exchange relationship with condensed liquid refrigerant of the existing refrigeration system upstream of the existing system evaporator expansion device; monitoring temperature in at least one of (1) the existing system conditioned space and (2) the existing condenser environment; and initiating the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored temperature reaches a predetermined upper limit to boost the capacity of the existing system to reduce the temperature in the conditioned space.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of modifying an existing refrigeration system to increase the refrigeration capacity thereof, the existing system comprising a compressor, condensor and evaporator, the evaporator comprising an expansion device and acting to cool a conditioned space, comprising the steps of: providing a secondary refrigeration system; placing the evaporation coil of the secondary refrigeration circuit in heat exchange relationship with condensed liquid refrigerant of the existing refrigeration system upstream of the existing system evaporator expansion device; monitoring temperature in at least one of (1) the existing system conditioned space and (2) the existing condenser environment; and initiating the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored temperature reaches a predetermined upper limit to boost the capacity of the existing system to reduce the temperature in the conditioned space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of modifying an existing refrigeration system as defined in claim 1 wherein said monitoring step comprises sensing a preselected upper temperature limit and thereafter generating an initiating signal to automatically energize the secondary refrigeration system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of modifying an existing refrigeration system as defined in claim 1 wherein said monitoring step comprises sensing a preselected lower temperature limit and thereafter generating a signal to automatically de-energize the secondary refrigeration system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said monitoring step further comprises monitoring the humidity in the conditioned space and where said initiating step comprises initiating the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored humidity reaches a predetermined upper limit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of boosting the capacity of an existing refrigeration system to cool a conditioned space without substantially altering the components of the system, the steps of: sensing at least one of the conditions of (1) temperature and (2) humidity in the existing conditioned space; providing a secondary compressor, secondary condenser, and a secondary closed loop refrigerant path, each of which is completely independent of the existing refrigeration system; situating a secondary evaporator forming part of the secondary closed loop refrigerant path in heat exchange relation with the portion of the existing system upstream from the primary evaporator expansion device which carries only liquified refrigerant at a temperature which is not more than the condensing temperature of the existing system; and continuously subcooling the existing liquified refrigerant with the secondary evaporator substantially beloW its condensing temperature until the condition sensed in the existing conditioned space reaches a predetermined limit.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of boosting the capacity of an existing refrigeration system to cool a conditioned space without substantially altering the components of the system, the steps of: sensing at least one of the conditions of (1) temperature and (2) humidity in the existing conditioned space; providing a secondary compressor, secondary condenser, and a secondary closed loop refrigerant path, each of which is completely independent of the existing refrigeration system; situating a secondary evaporator forming part of the secondary closed loop refrigerant path in heat exchange relation with the portion of the existing system upstream from the primary evaporator expansion device which carries only liquified refrigerant at a temperature which is not more than the condensing temperature of the existing system; and continuously subcooling the existing liquified refrigerant with the secondary evaporator substantially beloW its condensing temperature until the condition sensed in the existing conditioned space reaches a predetermined limit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A refrigeration system for cooling a conditioned space comprising a primary refrigeration system comprising a primary compressor, primary condenser, and primary evaporation coil and associated expansion device located in the conditioned space and having a discrete body of refrigerant; and a secondary refrigeration system comprising a secondary compressor, secondary condenser, and secondary evaporation coil and having a second discrete body of refrigerant, said evaporation coil of the secondary refrigeration system being in heat exchange relation with the portion of the primary refrigeration system between the condenser and the expansion device of the evaporation coil; means for monitoring temperature in at least one of (1) the primary system conditioned space and (2) the primary condenser environment; and means for initiating the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored temperature reaches a predetermined upper limit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
A refrigeration system for cooling a conditioned space comprising a primary refrigeration system comprising a primary compressor, primary condenser, and primary evaporation coil and associated expansion device located in the conditioned space and having a discrete body of refrigerant; and a secondary refrigeration system comprising a secondary compressor, secondary condenser, and secondary evaporation coil and having a second discrete body of refrigerant, said evaporation coil of the secondary refrigeration system being in heat exchange relation with the portion of the primary refrigeration system between the condenser and the expansion device of the evaporation coil; means for monitoring temperature in at least one of (1) the primary system conditioned space and (2) the primary condenser environment; and means for initiating the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored temperature reaches a predetermined upper limit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A refrigeration system for cooling a conditioned space as defined in claim 6 comprising means for sensing a preselected upper temperature limit and thereafter generating an initiating signal to automatically energize the secondary refrigeration system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A refrigeration system for cooling a conditioned space as defined in claim 6 comprising means for sensing a preselected lower temperature limit and thereafter generating a signal to automatically de-energize the secondary refrigeration system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A refrigeration system for cooling a conditioned space comprising a primary refrigeration system comprising a primary compressor, primary condenser, and primary evaporation coil located in the conditioned space and having a discrete body of refrigerant; and a secondary refrigeration system comprising a secondary compressor, secondary condenser, and secondary evaporation coil and having a discrete body of refrigerant, said secondary evaporation coil being in heat exchange relation with the portion of the primary refrigeration system between the condenser and the evaporation coil; means for monitoring humidity in the conditioned space; and means for initiating the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored humidity reaches a predetermined upper limit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A refrigeration system for cooling a conditioned space comprising a primary refrigeration system comprising a primary compressor, primary condenser, and primary evaporation coil located in the conditioned space and having a discrete body of refrigerant; and a secondary refrigeration system comprising a secondary compressor, secondary condenser, and secondary evaporation coil and having a discrete body of refrigerant, said secondary evaporation coil being in heat exchange relation with the portion of the primary refrigeration system between the condenser and the evaporation coil; means for monitoring humidity in the conditioned space; and means for initiating the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored humidity reaches a predetermined upper limit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A refrigeration system for cooling a conditioned space comprising a primary refrigeration system as defined in claim 9 comprising means for monitoring humidity in the conditioned space and means for de-energizing the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored humidity reaches a predetermined lower limit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
161 words
A refrigeration system for cooling a conditioned space comprising a primary refrigeration system comprising a primary compressor, primary condenser, and primary evaporation coil located in the conditioned space and having a discrete body of refrigerant; and a secondary refrigeration system comprising a secondary compressor, secondary condenser, and secondary evaporation coil and having a second discrete body of refrigerant; said evaporation coil of the secondary refrigeration system being in heat exchange relation with the portion of the primary refrigeration system between the condenser and the evaporation coil; means for monitoring at least one of the conditions affecting the capacity of the primary system, the conditions comprising humidity in the primary conditioned space, temperature in the primary conditioned space and temperature of the environment of the primary condenser; means for initiating the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored conditions reach the predetermined upper limit; and means for terminating the operation of the secondary system when the monitored conditions reach a predetermined lower limit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
161 words
A refrigeration system for cooling a conditioned space comprising a primary refrigeration system comprising a primary compressor, primary condenser, and primary evaporation coil located in the conditioned space and having a discrete body of refrigerant; and a secondary refrigeration system comprising a secondary compressor, secondary condenser, and secondary evaporation coil and having a second discrete body of refrigerant; said evaporation coil of the secondary refrigeration system being in heat exchange relation with the portion of the primary refrigeration system between the condenser and the evaporation coil; means for monitoring at least one of the conditions affecting the capacity of the primary system, the conditions comprising humidity in the primary conditioned space, temperature in the primary conditioned space and temperature of the environment of the primary condenser; means for initiating the secondary refrigeration system when the monitored conditions reach the predetermined upper limit; and means for terminating the operation of the secondary system when the monitored conditions reach a predetermined lower limit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |