Patent US3871187A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3871187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigeration system and flow control device therefor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-06-11
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-06-11
Abstract
Abstract The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a refrigerating apparatus of the type having a refrigerant capable of boiling under relatively low pressure to absorb heat and condensing under relatively high pressure to expell heat. The refrigerating apparatus includes a compressor having a high pressure outlet port and a low pressure inlet port. A condenser is connected to the high pressure outlet port of the compressor to receive pressurized refrigerant vapor to cool the same and condense it to refrigerant liquid. The output of the condenser is connected to an evaporator, which is located in a cooling compartment of a refrigerating apparatus, and wherein the high pressure refrigerant liquid is converted to low pressure gas. A flow control device is connected in the fluid line between the outlet port of the condenser and the inlet port of the evaporator. This flow control device has a first member for supplying a restricted fluid flow of refrigerant to the evaporator when the compressor is running and producing a high pressure at the outlet port thereof. However, the flow control device also includes a second structural combination of elements for supplying an unrestricted fluid flow of refrigerant to the evaporator when the compressor is not running. The flow control device further includes an orifice and fluid passage adjacent the first member to provide a cooling action of relative hot gas and liquid refrigerant being delivered to the evaporator, thereby increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration system.
Inventors
- 👤 John Skvarenina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:24
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B41/00; F25B41/30; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2559; Y10T137/2562
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
363 words
In a rEfrigerating apparatus of the type having a refrigerant capable of boiling under relatively low pressure to absorb heat and condensing under relatively high pressure to expel heat, the combination including: a compressor having a high pressure outlet port and a low pressure inlet port, a condenser having an inlet port in fluid communication with said high pressure outlet port of said compressor and further having a high pressure liquid refrigerant outlet port, an evaporator having an inlet port in fluid communication with said high pressure liquid refrigerant outlet port of said high pressure liquid refrigerant outlet port of said condenser and having an outlet port in fluid communication with said inlet port of said compressor, and a flow control device connected in the fluid line between the outlet port of said condenser and the inlet port of said evaporator, said fluid control device having first flow passage means for supplying a restricted fluid flow of refrigerant to said evaporator when said compressor is running and producing a high pressure at the outlet port thereof during a refrigerating cycle, said fluid control device further having second flow passage means independent of said first flow passage for supplying an unrestricted fluid flow of refrigerant to said evaporator when said compressor is stopped, said first flow passage means of said fluid control device includes a capillary tube having a terminating end extending into said evaporator whereat the high pressure liquid refrigerant is converted to low pressure gas refrigerant during the refrigerating cycle, said second flow passage means of said flow control device including a conduit connected between the outlet port of said condenser and the inlet port of said evaporator, said second flow passage means including fluid flow limiting means which directs the refrigerant within the system primarily through said capillary tube during the normal refrigerating cycle, and which directs the refrigerant within the system primarily through said conduit at the termination of said refrigeration cycle, whereby the inherent residual high pressure liquid at the outlet port of said condenser will flow substantially unrestricted into said evaporator to provide an automatic defrosting cycle and rapidly to provide a pressure balance within the refrigerating apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
363 words
In a rEfrigerating apparatus of the type having a refrigerant capable of boiling under relatively low pressure to absorb heat and condensing under relatively high pressure to expel heat, the combination including: a compressor having a high pressure outlet port and a low pressure inlet port, a condenser having an inlet port in fluid communication with said high pressure outlet port of said compressor and further having a high pressure liquid refrigerant outlet port, an evaporator having an inlet port in fluid communication with said high pressure liquid refrigerant outlet port of said high pressure liquid refrigerant outlet port of said condenser and having an outlet port in fluid communication with said inlet port of said compressor, and a flow control device connected in the fluid line between the outlet port of said condenser and the inlet port of said evaporator, said fluid control device having first flow passage means for supplying a restricted fluid flow of refrigerant to said evaporator when said compressor is running and producing a high pressure at the outlet port thereof during a refrigerating cycle, said fluid control device further having second flow passage means independent of said first flow passage for supplying an unrestricted fluid flow of refrigerant to said evaporator when said compressor is stopped, said first flow passage means of said fluid control device includes a capillary tube having a terminating end extending into said evaporator whereat the high pressure liquid refrigerant is converted to low pressure gas refrigerant during the refrigerating cycle, said second flow passage means of said flow control device including a conduit connected between the outlet port of said condenser and the inlet port of said evaporator, said second flow passage means including fluid flow limiting means which directs the refrigerant within the system primarily through said capillary tube during the normal refrigerating cycle, and which directs the refrigerant within the system primarily through said conduit at the termination of said refrigeration cycle, whereby the inherent residual high pressure liquid at the outlet port of said condenser will flow substantially unrestricted into said evaporator to provide an automatic defrosting cycle and rapidly to provide a pressure balance within the refrigerating apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The refrigerating apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flow limiting means includes a chamber having an end wall at the down stream end thereof, said end wall having an aperture formed therethrough and valve means engaged with said aperture when said compressor is running, whereby refrigerant flow is substantially through said capillary tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The refrigerating apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said valve means is formed of a float body within said chamber, and includes a tapered valve element arranged for engagement with said aperture so as to completely seal the aperture against fluid flow from said condenser when said compressor is running.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
The refrigerating apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said chamber is substantially cylindrical in configuration, said float body being cylindrical in configuration and having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of said chamber to provide a fluid flow space between said chamber and said float body, said cylindrical float body being slidably carried within said chamber, and wherein said float body is moved within said chamber to cause said valve element to seal said aperture during the normal running cycle of the refrigerating apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The refrigerating apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further including a flow maintenance aperture formed in said end wall whereby fluid flow which passes between the spacing of said float body and said chamber will flow through said flow maintenance aperture to provide a predetermined amount of hydrostatic pressure on the opposite side of said float body to maintain said valve element in firm contact with said aperture during normAl running cycle of the refrigerator thereby insuring a substantial fluid refrigerant path through said capillary tube and said flow maintenance aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The refrigerating apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said capillary tube is located within said conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
The refrigerating apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the inlet end of said capillary tube is positioned within the chamber of said flow control device and wherein refrigerant fluid flow from the chamber is primarily through said capillary tube during the normal operating cycle of the refrigerating apparatus and wherein fluid flow through said conduit occurs when said second means is activated as a result of shutdown of said compressor thereby providing a large volume fluid path between said condenser and said evaporator to direct warm high pressure refrigerant into said evaporator for defrosting the same.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The refrigerating apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a dryer section formed within said chamber, said dryer section preceding said float valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
A flow control device for use in a refrigeration system, comprising in combination, a body, a chamber formed within said body, an inlet port fashioned at one end of said body for connection to a condenser of the refrigeration system to which it is connected, an outlet port formed at the other end of said body and arranged for connection to an evaporator of a refrigeration system to which it is connected, an apertured end wall formed in said body, said end wall having capillary tube means associated therewith, and float means positioned within said cavity and including seal means associated therewith for engagement with said aperture, whereby fluid flow through said flow control device during a normal refrigerating cycle occurs through said capillary means when said float means has its valve means urged against said aperture, and wherein fluid flow through said flow control device is primarily through said inlet and outlet ports and said aperture when the normal operating cycle of the refrigerating system is stopped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
A flow control device for use in a refrigeration system, comprising in combination, a body, a chamber formed within said body, an inlet port fashioned at one end of said body for connection to a condenser of the refrigeration system to which it is connected, an outlet port formed at the other end of said body and arranged for connection to an evaporator of a refrigeration system to which it is connected, an apertured end wall formed in said body, said end wall having capillary tube means associated therewith, and float means positioned within said cavity and including seal means associated therewith for engagement with said aperture, whereby fluid flow through said flow control device during a normal refrigerating cycle occurs through said capillary means when said float means has its valve means urged against said aperture, and wherein fluid flow through said flow control device is primarily through said inlet and outlet ports and said aperture when the normal operating cycle of the refrigerating system is stopped.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
The flow control device according to claim 9, wherein said chamber is substantially cylindrical in configuration and said float means is cylindrical, said chamber having a predetermined inside diameter and said float means having a predetermined lesser outside diameter to provide a fluid flow spacing between the walls of said chamber and said float means, flow maintenance port formed within said end wall to insure fluid flow about said float member and through said flow maintenance port during normal operating conditions of a refrigerating cycle, and guide means formed within said body to maintain alignment of said seal means formed on said float means and said apertures to insure closure of said aperture when said float means is displaced as a result of refrigerant flow therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
The flow control device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said guide means includes a tube extending substantially along the axis of said cylindrical body, said float means having an opening formed therein to receive said tube and to slide therealong as a result of movement of said float means, said capillary means being formed at one end of said tube and wherein fluid flow into said capillary is directed through said tube when said float means is actuated to seal said aperture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The flow control device as set forth in claim 9, further including a dryer station formed within said body, said dryer station being downstream of said float member.
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) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |