US3914952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve control means and refrigeration systems therefor
Assignee: SPARLAN VALVE CO
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Filing: 1972-06-26
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1992-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A control valve device for refrigeration systems in which a solenoid includes an electromagnetic coil about a plunger and a plug, the plunger and plug having opposed surfaces with a magnetic gap therebetween, and the opposed surfaces having compatible substantially conical shapes. An electrical amplifier circuit is connected to the coil and includes a temperature sensing element positioned to respond to temperature at a selected location in the refrigeration system and thereby correspondingly regulates D.C. voltage applied to the coil and the resultant magnetic field acting on the plunger, the plunger moving a valve member to control flow through a valve located in the system. The substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing a magnetic gap have an included angle of about 30* to about 60*, and preferably of about 45*. A spring device urges the plunger in one direction, the spring device having force characteristics that approximate the force characteristics of the magnetic field so that the plunger movement is substantially linearly proportional to the change in D.C. voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Barbier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:33
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B47/00; F25B47/02; F25B47/022; F25B41/00; F25B41/20; F25B41/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
A control valve means for refrigeration systems, comprising: a. a valve body provided with: 1. a chamber, 2. an inlet port to the chamber and an outlet port from the chamber, and 3. a valve seat in the chamber between the inlet and outlet ports, b. a valve member movable in the chamber and cooperating with the valve seat to control flow through the inlet and outlet ports, c. a solenoid means including: 1. a movably mounted elongate plunger, 2. a fixed plug located adjacent to and outwardly of one end of the plunger, 3. an electromagnetic coil about the plunger and plug, and 4. the said one plunger end having a substantially conical continuous surface extending inwardly from the plunger periphery toward said end, the fixed plug having a substantially conical continuous surface that is compatible with and opposed to the plunger surface to provide a single magnetic gap therebetween, d. an electrical amplifier circuit connected to the coil and including a temperature sensing element positioned to respond to temperaTure at a selected location in the refrigeration system and thereby correspondingly regulate D.C. voltage applied to the coil and the resultant magnetic field acting on the plunger, e. means for moving the valve member in response to movement of the plunger by the magnetic field, f. a spring means urging the plunger, the spring means having force characteristics that substantially approximates the force characteristics of the magnetic field, and g. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle so that a change in the input D.C. voltage to the coil will produce a substantially linear change in the position of the plunger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
A control valve means for refrigeration systems, comprising: a. a valve body provided with: 1. a chamber, 2. an inlet port to the chamber and an outlet port from the chamber, and 3. a valve seat in the chamber between the inlet and outlet ports, b. a valve member movable in the chamber and cooperating with the valve seat to control flow through the inlet and outlet ports, c. a solenoid means including: 1. a movably mounted elongate plunger, 2. a fixed plug located adjacent to and outwardly of one end of the plunger, 3. an electromagnetic coil about the plunger and plug, and 4. the said one plunger end having a substantially conical continuous surface extending inwardly from the plunger periphery toward said end, the fixed plug having a substantially conical continuous surface that is compatible with and opposed to the plunger surface to provide a single magnetic gap therebetween, d. an electrical amplifier circuit connected to the coil and including a temperature sensing element positioned to respond to temperaTure at a selected location in the refrigeration system and thereby correspondingly regulate D.C. voltage applied to the coil and the resultant magnetic field acting on the plunger, e. means for moving the valve member in response to movement of the plunger by the magnetic field, f. a spring means urging the plunger, the spring means having force characteristics that substantially approximates the force characteristics of the magnetic field, and g. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle so that a change in the input D.C. voltage to the coil will produce a substantially linear change in the position of the plunger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
an inlet to the chamber on one side of the pilot valve seat,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
an inlet to the chamber on one side of the pilot valve seat,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
an inlet port to the chamber and an outlet port from the chamber, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
an inlet port to the chamber and an outlet port from the chamber, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
a fixed plug located adjacent to and outwardly of one end of the plunger,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
a fixed plug located adjacent to and outwardly of one end of the plunger,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A control valve means as defined in claim 1, in which: h. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle of about 30* to about 60*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
a valve member movable relative to the seat to control flow through the return line,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
a valve member movable relative to the seat to control flow through the return line,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A control valve means as defined in claim 1, in which: h. The substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle of about 45*.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
9 words
an electromagnetic coil about the plunger and plug, and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
9 words
an electromagnetic coil about the plunger and plug, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
a valve seat in the chamber between the inlet and outlet ports, b. a valve member movable in the chamber and cooperating with the valve seat to control flow through the inlet and outlet ports, c. a solenoid means including:
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
a valve seat in the chamber between the inlet and outlet ports, b. a valve member movable in the chamber and cooperating with the valve seat to control flow through the inlet and outlet ports, c. a solenoid means including:
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
a solenoid means including a movably mounted elongate plunger, a fixed plug located adjacent one end of the plunger, and electromagnetic coil about the plunger and plug, the said one plunger end having a substantially conical continuous surface extending inwardly from the plunger periphery toward said end, the fixed plug having a substantially conical continuous surface that is compatible with and opposed to the plunger surface to provide a single magnetic gap therebetween,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
a solenoid means including a movably mounted elongate plunger, a fixed plug located adjacent one end of the plunger, and electromagnetic coil about the plunger and plug, the said one plunger end having a substantially conical continuous surface extending inwardly from the plunger periphery toward said end, the fixed plug having a substantially conical continuous surface that is compatible with and opposed to the plunger surface to provide a single magnetic gap therebetween,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
means communicating the inlet to a pressure point in the system higher than the pressure at the downstream side of the valve seat of the first said control valve means,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
means communicating the inlet to a pressure point in the system higher than the pressure at the downstream side of the valve seat of the first said control valve means,
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
an outlet from the pilot valve chamber on the other side of the pilot valve seat communicating with the first said control valve means on one side of the movable valve member, and
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
an outlet from the pilot valve chamber on the other side of the pilot valve seat communicating with the first said control valve means on one side of the movable valve member, and
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
179 words
the said one plunger end having a substantially conical continuous surface extending inwardly from the plunger periphery toward said end, the fixed plug having a substantially conical continuous surface that is compatible with and opposed to the plunger surface to provide a single magnetic gap therebetween, d. an electrical amplifier circuit connected to the coil and including a temperature sensing element positioned to respond to temperaTure at a selected location in the refrigeration system and thereby correspondingly regulate D.C. voltage applied to the coil and the resultant magnetic field acting on the plunger, e. means for moving the valve member in response to movement of the plunger by the magnetic field, f. a spring means urging the plunger, the spring means having force characteristics that substantially approximates the force characteristics of the magnetic field, and g. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle so that a change in the input D.C. voltage to the coil will produce a substantially linear change in the position of the plunger.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
179 words
the said one plunger end having a substantially conical continuous surface extending inwardly from the plunger periphery toward said end, the fixed plug having a substantially conical continuous surface that is compatible with and opposed to the plunger surface to provide a single magnetic gap therebetween, d. an electrical amplifier circuit connected to the coil and including a temperature sensing element positioned to respond to temperaTure at a selected location in the refrigeration system and thereby correspondingly regulate D.C. voltage applied to the coil and the resultant magnetic field acting on the plunger, e. means for moving the valve member in response to movement of the plunger by the magnetic field, f. a spring means urging the plunger, the spring means having force characteristics that substantially approximates the force characteristics of the magnetic field, and g. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle so that a change in the input D.C. voltage to the coil will produce a substantially linear change in the position of the plunger.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
100 words
A control valve means as defined in claim 1, in which: h. means subjects opposite sides of the valve member to the same pressure to provide a pressure-balanced valve member, i. the spring means tends to urge the plunger so that the valve member moves in one direction relative to the valve seat, j. the magnetic field in a response to an incresae in magnetic force across the single gap upon a corresponding increase in D.C. voltage applied to the coil, tends to urge the plunger so that the valve member moves in the other direction to the valve seat.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
an electrical amplifier circuit connected to the coil and including a temperature sensing element positioned to respond to the temperature of the evaporator and thereby correspondingly regulate the D.C. voltage applied to the coil and the resultant magnetic field acting on the plunger,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
an electrical amplifier circuit connected to the coil and including a temperature sensing element positioned to respond to the temperature of the evaporator and thereby correspondingly regulate the D.C. voltage applied to the coil and the resultant magnetic field acting on the plunger,
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
85 words
A refrigeration system, comprising: a. a fluid supply source, b. an evaporator, c. an expansion device connected to the evaporator for maintaining evaporator temperature difference required for cooling, d. a feed line connecting the expansion device to the source, e. a return line back to the source from the evaporator, f. a control valve means for controlling flow through the return line from the evaporator to the source to prevent the temperature being controlled from going below a predetermined value, the control valve means including:
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
85 words
A refrigeration system, comprising: a. a fluid supply source, b. an evaporator, c. an expansion device connected to the evaporator for maintaining evaporator temperature difference required for cooling, d. a feed line connecting the expansion device to the source, e. a return line back to the source from the evaporator, f. a control valve means for controlling flow through the return line from the evaporator to the source to prevent the temperature being controlled from going below a predetermined value, the control valve means including:
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
85 words
means for moving the valve member in response to movement of the plunger by the magnetic field, g. a spring means tending to urge the plunger, the spring means having force characteristics approximating the force characteristics of the magnetic field, and h. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle so that a change in the input D.C. voltage to the coil will produce a substantially linear change in the position of the plunger.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
85 words
means for moving the valve member in response to movement of the plunger by the magnetic field, g. a spring means tending to urge the plunger, the spring means having force characteristics approximating the force characteristics of the magnetic field, and h. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle so that a change in the input D.C. voltage to the coil will produce a substantially linear change in the position of the plunger.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
a pilot piston carried by the plunger and movable relative to the pilot valve seat to control communication therethrough, and j. means for subjecting opposite sides of the valve member to the same pressure to provide a pressurebalanced valve member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
a pilot piston carried by the plunger and movable relative to the pilot valve seat to control communication therethrough, and j. means for subjecting opposite sides of the valve member to the same pressure to provide a pressurebalanced valve member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 5, in which: i. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle of about 30* to about 60*.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 5, in which: i. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the single magnetic gap have an included angle of about 45*.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
100 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 5, in which: i. means subjects opposite sides of the valve member to the same pressure to provide a pressure-balanced valve member, j. the spring means tends to urge the plunger so that the valve member moves in one direction relative to the valve seat, and k. the magnetic field in response to an increase in magnetic force across the single gap upon a corresponding increase in D.C. voltage applied to the coil, tends to urge the plunger so that the valve member moves in the other direction relative to the valve seat.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 5, in which: i. the means for moving the valve member in response to movement of the plunger includes a pilot valve means including:
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 9, in which: k. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the magnetic gap have an included angle of about 30* to about 60*.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 9, in which: k. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the magnetic gap have an included angle of about 45*.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
110 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 9, in which: k. a sleeve receives the movable plunger, l. a housing embraces the coil and operatively contacts the plug, m. a second spring means tends to urge the valve member in the said other direction relative to the valve seat, and n. the magnetic field in response to an increase in magnetic force across the gap upon a corresponding increase in D.C. voltage applied to the coil, tends to urge the plunger so that the pilot piston moves in one direction relative to the pilot valve seat to regulate the pressure on the said one side of the movable valve member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
89 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 5, in which: i. a hot gas bypass line extends from the fluid supply source at the high side of the system to the low side of the system at the evaporator downstream of the expansion device, and j. a regulator valve means is provided in the bypass line and responsive to a pressure downstream to open when said pressure reaches a predetermined value and thereby pass hot gas to maintain a minimum evaporator pressure and a minimum capacity at all times.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 13, in which: k. means is provided for subjecting the regulator valve means to a signal pressure from the return line downstream of the control valve means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 13, in which: k. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the magnetic gap have an included angle of about 30* to about 60*.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 13, in which: k. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the magnetic gap have an included angle of about 45*.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 13, in which: k. means subjects opposite sides of the valve member to the same pressure to provide a pressure-balanced valve member, l. a sleeve receives the movable plunger, and m. a housing embraces the coil and operatively contacts the plug.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
169 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 5, in which: i. there are a plurality of said evaporators, j. there is an expansion device connected to each evaporator, k. there is a feed line connecting the source to each expansion device, l. there is a control valve means connected to each evaporator, m. there is a return line connecting each control valve means to the source, n. each control valve means has its valve seat in the return line from the associated evaporator, and its temperature sensing element is positioned to respond to the temperature of the associated evaporator, o. a hot gas bypass line extends from the source of the highside of the system to the lowside of the system upstream of each control valve means, p. bypass valve means is provided in each bypass line, and q. means is provided for selectively opening any one of the bypass valve means and closing the associated control valve means to pass hot gas to the associated evaporator for defrost.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 18, in which: r. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and providing the magnetic gap have an included angle of about 30* to about 60*.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 18, in which: r. the substantially conical opposed surfaces of the plunger and plug providing the magnetic gap have an included angle of about 45*.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
48 words
A refrigeration system as defined in claim 18, in which: r. means subject opposite sides of the valve member to the same pressure to provide a pressure-balanced valve member, s. a sleeve receives the movable plunger, and t. a housing embraces the coil and operatively contacts the plug.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |