US4100762A — Integrated controls assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 280 words

An integrated controls assembly for use in a heat pump or the like including first and second heat exchangers, said heat exchangers being in fluid communication through an expansion device, and a compressor in fluid communication with each of said heat exchangers to circulate refrigerant through said heat exchangers and said expansion device, the integrated controls assembly comprising: (a) an accumulator communicating with each of said heat exchangers and with the discharge outlet and suction inlet of said compressor; (b) a first conduit leading from the discharge outlet of said compressor with a section of said conduit being within said accumulator; (c) second and third conduits placing said accumulator in communication with said first and said second heat exchangers, respectively; (d) a reversing valve assembly within said accumulator and placing said first conduit in selective communication with either said second conduit or said third conduit and placing the conduit not communicating with the first conduit in communication with the interior of said accumulator; (e) a bypass valve associated with said first conduit to place said first conduit in fluid communication with the interior of said accumulator in response to heat; (f) an oil conduit communicating with the lowermost section of said tank; and (g) a combination aspirator/check valve having a gas inlet within said accumulator and connected to said oil conduit and a fourth conduit leading to the suction inlet of the compressor for the simultaneous return of oil and gaseous refrigerant from the interior of said accumulator to the said suction inlet by the gas flow creating a partial vacuum to draw oil through the oil conduit for return with the gas to said suction inlet of the compressor.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 280 words

An integrated controls assembly for use in a heat pump or the like including first and second heat exchangers, said heat exchangers being in fluid communication through an expansion device, and a compressor in fluid communication with each of said heat exchangers to circulate refrigerant through said heat exchangers and said expansion device, the integrated controls assembly comprising: (a) an accumulator communicating with each of said heat exchangers and with the discharge outlet and suction inlet of said compressor; (b) a first conduit leading from the discharge outlet of said compressor with a section of said conduit being within said accumulator; (c) second and third conduits placing said accumulator in communication with said first and said second heat exchangers, respectively; (d) a reversing valve assembly within said accumulator and placing said first conduit in selective communication with either said second conduit or said third conduit and placing the conduit not communicating with the first conduit in communication with the interior of said accumulator; (e) a bypass valve associated with said first conduit to place said first conduit in fluid communication with the interior of said accumulator in response to heat; (f) an oil conduit communicating with the lowermost section of said tank; and (g) a combination aspirator/check valve having a gas inlet within said accumulator and connected to said oil conduit and a fourth conduit leading to the suction inlet of the compressor for the simultaneous return of oil and gaseous refrigerant from the interior of said accumulator to the said suction inlet by the gas flow creating a partial vacuum to draw oil through the oil conduit for return with the gas to said suction inlet of the compressor.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 40 words

An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first conduit section is coiled within the tank to provide a heat transfer section for vaporization of liquid refrigerant in the accumulator by the heat of hot gas from the compressor.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said bypass valve is operable by a power element responsive to the temperature in the accumulator.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

An assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said power element is a heat responsive wax element.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 64 words

An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said check valve is cup-shaped with a cylindrical wall enclosing a plurality of ports from said oil conduit and said accumulator to block flow therethrough when closed and opening movement of said check valve permits gas flow through at least one of the ports and under said cylindrical wall to create a suction for oil aspiration.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 140 words

An integrated controls assembly for use in a heating and cooling system including first and second heat exchangers in fluid communication, and a compressor in fluid communication with each of said heat exchangers, comprising: (a) an accumulator communicating with each of said heat exchangers and with the discharge outlet and suction inlet of said compressor; (b) a first conduit leading from the discharge side of said compressor with a section of said conduit being within said accumulator; (c) second and third conduits placing said accumulator in communication with said first and said second heat exchangers, respectively; and (d) a reversing valve assembly within said accumulator and placing said first conduit in selective communication with either said second conduit or said third conduit and placing the conduit not communicating with the first conduit in communication with the interior of said accumulator.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 140 words

An integrated controls assembly for use in a heating and cooling system including first and second heat exchangers in fluid communication, and a compressor in fluid communication with each of said heat exchangers, comprising: (a) an accumulator communicating with each of said heat exchangers and with the discharge outlet and suction inlet of said compressor; (b) a first conduit leading from the discharge side of said compressor with a section of said conduit being within said accumulator; (c) second and third conduits placing said accumulator in communication with said first and said second heat exchangers, respectively; and (d) a reversing valve assembly within said accumulator and placing said first conduit in selective communication with either said second conduit or said third conduit and placing the conduit not communicating with the first conduit in communication with the interior of said accumulator.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 219 words

An integrated controls assembly for use in a system including first and second heat exchangers and a compressor in fluid communication with each of said heat exchangers to circulate refrigerant through said heat exchangers comprising: (a) an accumulator tank communicating with each of said heat exchangers and with the discharge outlet and suction inlet of said compressor; (b) a first conduit leading from the discharge side of said compressor with a section of said conduit being within said accumulator tank; (c) second and third conduits placing said accumulator tank in communication with said first and said second heat exchangers, respectively; (d) a reversing valve assembly contained within said accumulator tank and placing said first conduit in selective communication with either said second conduit or said third conduit and placing the conduit not communicating with the first conduit in communication with the interior of said accumulator; and (e) a bypass valve at the reversing valve to place said first conduit in fluid communication with the interior of said accumulator in response to temperature conditions within said tank, said bypass valve having a power element operable in response to the temperature within the accumulator to open said bypass valve at a predetermined low temperature and cause the entry of gas into the accumulator to increase the gas pressure in the accumulator.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 219 words

An integrated controls assembly for use in a system including first and second heat exchangers and a compressor in fluid communication with each of said heat exchangers to circulate refrigerant through said heat exchangers comprising: (a) an accumulator tank communicating with each of said heat exchangers and with the discharge outlet and suction inlet of said compressor; (b) a first conduit leading from the discharge side of said compressor with a section of said conduit being within said accumulator tank; (c) second and third conduits placing said accumulator tank in communication with said first and said second heat exchangers, respectively; (d) a reversing valve assembly contained within said accumulator tank and placing said first conduit in selective communication with either said second conduit or said third conduit and placing the conduit not communicating with the first conduit in communication with the interior of said accumulator; and (e) a bypass valve at the reversing valve to place said first conduit in fluid communication with the interior of said accumulator in response to temperature conditions within said tank, said bypass valve having a power element operable in response to the temperature within the accumulator to open said bypass valve at a predetermined low temperature and cause the entry of gas into the accumulator to increase the gas pressure in the accumulator.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 96 words

An integrated controls assembly for a heating and cooling system having a compressor, a suction gas accumulator with conduits extending therefrom for connection to system components with one of said conduits connected to the compressor, said one conduit having a coiled heat transfer section inside said accumulator and connected to a reversing valve positioned within said accumulator and having connections to certain of said conduits for reversing flow through said conduits to change between heating and cooling, with said coiled heat transfer section exposed to liquid refrigerant in the accumulator for vaporization of said liquid refrigerant.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 96 words

An integrated controls assembly for a heating and cooling system having a compressor, a suction gas accumulator with conduits extending therefrom for connection to system components with one of said conduits connected to the compressor, said one conduit having a coiled heat transfer section inside said accumulator and connected to a reversing valve positioned within said accumulator and having connections to certain of said conduits for reversing flow through said conduits to change between heating and cooling, with said coiled heat transfer section exposed to liquid refrigerant in the accumulator for vaporization of said liquid refrigerant.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 191 words

An integrated controls assembly for use in a heating and cooling system including first and second heat exchangers in fluid communication, and a compressor in fluid communication with each of said heat exchangers, comprising: (a) an accumulator communicating with each of said heat exchangers and with the discharge outlet and suction inlet of said compressor; (b) a first conduit leading from the discharge side of said compressor with a section of said conduit being within said accumulator; (c) second and third conduits placing said accumulator in communication with said first and said second heat exchangers, respectively; (d) a reversing valve assembly within said accumulator and placing said first conduit in selective communication with either said second conduit or said third conduit and placing the conduit not communicating with the first conduit in communication with the interior of said accumulator; and (e) means for placing said first conduit in fluid communication with the interior of said accumulator in response to temperature conditions within said accumulator, whereby said means is actuated at a predetermined low temperature to cause the entry of gas into the accumulator to increase the gas pressure in the accumulator.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 191 words

An integrated controls assembly for use in a heating and cooling system including first and second heat exchangers in fluid communication, and a compressor in fluid communication with each of said heat exchangers, comprising: (a) an accumulator communicating with each of said heat exchangers and with the discharge outlet and suction inlet of said compressor; (b) a first conduit leading from the discharge side of said compressor with a section of said conduit being within said accumulator; (c) second and third conduits placing said accumulator in communication with said first and said second heat exchangers, respectively; (d) a reversing valve assembly within said accumulator and placing said first conduit in selective communication with either said second conduit or said third conduit and placing the conduit not communicating with the first conduit in communication with the interior of said accumulator; and (e) means for placing said first conduit in fluid communication with the interior of said accumulator in response to temperature conditions within said accumulator, whereby said means is actuated at a predetermined low temperature to cause the entry of gas into the accumulator to increase the gas pressure in the accumulator.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

An assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein said coiled conduit has heat dissipating fins thereon and a check valve preventing flow through said coiled conduit in a direction away from said reversing valve.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 102 words

An integrated controls assembly for a heating and cooling system having a suction gas accumulator with conduits extending therefrom for connection to system components, and a reversing valve positioned within said accumulator and having connections to certain of said conduits for reversing flow through said conduits to change between heating and cooling where in said reversing valve has a first chamber and an inlet thereto, an outlet from said chamber to the interior of the accumulator, normally closed valve means blocking said outlet, and means for opening said valve means in response to the existence of a predetermined temperature in said accumulator.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 102 words

An integrated controls assembly for a heating and cooling system having a suction gas accumulator with conduits extending therefrom for connection to system components, and a reversing valve positioned within said accumulator and having connections to certain of said conduits for reversing flow through said conduits to change between heating and cooling where in said reversing valve has a first chamber and an inlet thereto, an outlet from said chamber to the interior of the accumulator, normally closed valve means blocking said outlet, and means for opening said valve means in response to the existence of a predetermined temperature in said accumulator.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

An assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said valve opening means includes a temperature responsive power element.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 133 words

An integrated controls assembly for a heating and cooling system having a suction gas accumulator with conduits extending therefrom for connection to system components, a compressor with one of said conduits connected thereto, a reversing valve positioned within said accumulator and having connections to certain of said conduits for reversing flow through said conduits to change between heating and cooling, an oil pickup tube connected to said one conduit and opening to the lower end of the accumulator for flow of lubricating fluid to said one conduit, and a suction gas inlet within the accumulator communicating with said one conduit for delivery of gas to said one conduit and related to said tube to have the gas flow function as an oil aspirator and draw oil into the gas flow to the compressor.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 133 words

An integrated controls assembly for a heating and cooling system having a suction gas accumulator with conduits extending therefrom for connection to system components, a compressor with one of said conduits connected thereto, a reversing valve positioned within said accumulator and having connections to certain of said conduits for reversing flow through said conduits to change between heating and cooling, an oil pickup tube connected to said one conduit and opening to the lower end of the accumulator for flow of lubricating fluid to said one conduit, and a suction gas inlet within the accumulator communicating with said one conduit for delivery of gas to said one conduit and related to said tube to have the gas flow function as an oil aspirator and draw oil into the gas flow to the compressor.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 45 words

An assembly as defined in claim 13 including a combined oil aspirator and check valve unit associated with said one conduit and having a cup-shaped check valve which closes to prevent flow toward the accumulator and which opens in response to a gas pressure differential.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 64 words

An assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said cup-shaped check valve has a cylindrical well enclosing a plurality of ports from said oil pickup tube and said accumulator to block flow therethrough when closed and opening movement of said check valve permits gas flow through at least one of the ports and under said cylindrical wall to create a suction for oil aspiration.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 40 words

An assembly as defined in claim 15 with a filter assembly in said accumulator through which gas must pass in flowing to said conduit and which creates a pressure differential to assist in drawing oil through said oil pickup tube.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 52 words

An assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein said oil pickup tube has an upper end positioned within a valve sleeve and is of a smaller diameter than said valve sleeve and a valve member movable in said valve sleeve and engageable against said upper end to retard the flow of oil.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 50 words

An assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein said movable member is a ball which rests on the upper end of said tube and which may move upwardly along said valve sleeve as oil is initially drawn up said tube to create a drag on oil flow up the tube.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 139 words

An integrated controls assembly for a heat pump system having a suction gas accumulator, a gas outlet conduit connected to said accumulator and leading to a system component and having an entry end with a valve casing with ports opening to said accumulator, a check valve in said valve casing urged to a position to close said ports and openable in response to flow demand from said component and the gas pressure in the accumulator with the amount of opening movement of the check valve being responsive to the rate of gas flow, an oil intake tube extended to a location adjacent the bottom of the accumulator and effectively terminating in said valve casing whereby gas flow through the check valve creates a suction to draw oil from said tube which flows with the gas to the system component.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 139 words

An integrated controls assembly for a heat pump system having a suction gas accumulator, a gas outlet conduit connected to said accumulator and leading to a system component and having an entry end with a valve casing with ports opening to said accumulator, a check valve in said valve casing urged to a position to close said ports and openable in response to flow demand from said component and the gas pressure in the accumulator with the amount of opening movement of the check valve being responsive to the rate of gas flow, an oil intake tube extended to a location adjacent the bottom of the accumulator and effectively terminating in said valve casing whereby gas flow through the check valve creates a suction to draw oil from said tube which flows with the gas to the system component.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 64 words

An assembly as defined in claim 19 wherein said valve has a cylindrical depending wall enclosing said ports and a port from said oil intake tube to block flow therethrough when closed and opening movement of said check valve permits gas flow through said ports and under said cylindrical wall to create an aspirating suction to draw oil through the oil intake tube port.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1981-07-17	1982-01-16	1982-07-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1985-07-17	1986-01-16	1986-07-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1989-07-17	1990-01-16	1990-07-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Integrated controls assembly

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