Flooder refrigerant condenser systems

Claim 2

A condenser assembly adapted for use in a mechanical refrigeration system of the vapor compression type comprising: a fluid tight housing means having defined therein an interior chamber portion adapted to be located in a gravitationally bottom region of said housing, input port means and output port means located in said bottom region in laterally spaced relationship, wall member portions adapted to be located above said interior chamber portion, said wall members being adapted for heat transfer therethrough when a heat exchange fluid contacts outer surfaces thereof relative to interior portions of said housing means; an input conduit associated with said input port means and adapted to extend thereto from a position located above a predetermined fluid level in said housing when said condenser assembly is functioning; and pressure equalization means extending between a gravitationally top region of said housing and said input conduit at said position, said pressure equalization means comprising a capillary tube.

Claim 3

The condenser assembly of claim 1 wherein said wall member portions are affixed to outer wall regions of said housing means and comprise a plurality of elongated conduit means in spaced-apart relationship to each other adapted to extend generally normally to and outwardly from said interior chamber portion to interconnection with a second interior chamber portion located in and comprising said top region.

Claim 4

The condenser assembly of claim 1 wherein said wall member portions comprise a plurality of tubular members in spaced relationship to each other and to outer wall regions of said housing means, said tubular members extending through said housing means interiorly thereof and adapted to convey therethrough said heat exchange fluid.

Claim 5

The condenser assembly of claim 1 wherein said wall members extend vertically.

Claim 6

The condenser assembly of claim 1 wherein said wall members extend horizontally.

Claim 7

An air cooled condenser assembly adapted for use in a mechanical refrigeration system of the vapor compression type comprising A. a plurality of elongated conduit means in spaced relationship to each other, each adapted for heat transfer through side wall portions thereof, B. a pair of header means each one at a different opposed respective end portion of said plurality of conduit means and functionally interconnecting individual respective ends of said conduit, C. a distributor conduit extending through one of said header means, saiD conduit being perforated along its side walls and being in sealed engagement with the associated said header means at opposite ends thereof, one end of said distributor conduit defining an input port, D. an input conduit associated with said input port and adapted to extend thereto from a position located above a predetermined fluid level in said housing when said condenser assembly is functioning and said distributor conduit is in a gravitationally bottom region of said condenser assembly, E. pressure equalization means functionally extending between a gravitationally top region of said housing when said condenser assembly is functioning and said input conduit at said position, and F. output port means located in said associated said header means.

Claim 8

An air cooled condenser assembly adapted for use in a mechanical refrigeration system of the vapor compression type comprising A. a plurality of elongated conduit means in spaced relationship to each other, each adapted for heat transfer through side wall portions thereof, B. a pair of header means each one at a different opposed respective end portion of said plurality of conduit means and functionally interconnecting individual respective ends of said conduit, C. a distributor conduit extending through one of said header means, saiD conduit being perforated along its side walls and being in sealed engagement with the associated said header means at opposite ends thereof, one end of said distributor conduit defining an input port, D. an input conduit associated with said input port and adapted to extend thereto from a position located above a predetermined fluid level in said housing when said condenser assembly is functioning and said distributor conduit is in a gravitationally bottom region of said condenser assembly, E. pressure equalization means functionally extending between a gravitationally top region of said housing when said condenser assembly is functioning and said input conduit at said position, and F. output port means located in said associated said header means.

Claim 9

A condenser assembly adapted for use in a mechanical refrigeration system of the vapor compression type, comprising: a fluid-tight housing means having defined therein an interior refrigerant chamber portion having gravitationally bottom and top regions; input port means and output port means located in said bottom region of said chamber; and wall member portions adapted for heat exchange therethrough when a heat-sink fluid contacts surfaces of said wall members opposite other surfaces contacting refrigerant communicating with said chamber; an input conduit communicating with said input port means and adapted to extend thereto from a position located above an operating fluid level in said housing; and a capillary tube constituting a pressure equalization means communicating with top region of said housing to said input conduit at said position.

Claim 10

A condenser assembly adapted for use in a mechanical refrigeration system of the vapor compression type, comprising: a fluid-tight housing means having defined therein an interior refrigerant chamber portion having gravitationally bottom and top regions; input port means and output port means located in said bottom region of said chamber; and wall member portions adapted for heat exchange therethrough when a heat-sink fluid contacts surfaces of said wall members opposite other surfaces contacting refrigerant communicating with said chamber; an input conduit communicating with said input port means and adapted to extend thereto from a position located above an operating fluid level in said housing; and a capillary tube constituting a pressure equalization means communicating with top region of said housing to said input conduit at said position.

Claim 11

A condenser assembly as defined in claim 7, further defined by: said input port means comprising: surfaces defining an open well in said bottom portion of said housing, a nozzle situated at the opening of the well and directed into the refrigerant chamber, and said compressed gaseous refrigerant passing through said nozzle, thereby to be sub-cooled; and said output port means comprising a conduit communicating with said input port well at a point gravitationally beneath said well opening.

Claim 12

A condenser assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein: said heat-sink fluid comprises a gas such as air; said refrigerant chamber comprises a pair of header portions; and said wall members define a plurality of elongate conduits having exteriors which contact said gas and interiors which communicate at opposite ends thereof with said refrigerant chamber headers and confine and carry said refrigerant in vapor and liquid forms.

Claim 13

A condenser assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein: said heat-sink fluid comprises a liquid such as water; and said wall members define a plurality of elongate conduits extending through said refrigerant chamber and separating said refrigerant vapor and liquid on an exterior thereof and the interior thereof carrying said heat-sink liquid.

Claim 14

An air cooled condenser assembly adapted for use in a mechanical refrigeration system of the vapor compression type, comprising: a plurality of elongate conduit means in spaced relationship to each other, each adapted for heat transfer through side wall portions thereof; first and second header means each at a different opposed respective end portion of said plurality of conduit means and interconnecting individual respective ends of said conduits; a distributor conduit extending into said first header means, said conduit being perforated along its side walls in a gravitationally bottom region of said condenser assembly and being in sealed engagement with said first header means; an input conduit communicating with said distributor conduit and adapted to extend thereto from a position located above a predetermined fluid level to said housing; pressure equalization means extending between a gravitationally top region of said second header means and said input conduit at said positiOn; and output port means.

Claim 15

An air cooled condenser assembly adapted for use in a mechanical refrigeration system of the vapor compression type, comprising: a plurality of elongate conduit means in spaced relationship to each other, each adapted for heat transfer through side wall portions thereof; first and second header means each at a different opposed respective end portion of said plurality of conduit means and interconnecting individual respective ends of said conduits; a distributor conduit extending into said first header means, said conduit being perforated along its side walls in a gravitationally bottom region of said condenser assembly and being in sealed engagement with said first header means; an input conduit communicating with said distributor conduit and adapted to extend thereto from a position located above a predetermined fluid level to said housing; pressure equalization means extending between a gravitationally top region of said second header means and said input conduit at said positiOn; and output port means.