US4251996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat reclaiming method and apparatus
Assignee: Carrier Corp
•
Filing: 1979-06-01
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Granted: 1981-02-24
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Expires: 1999-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Heat reclaiming method and apparatus for use with a vapor compression refrigeration circuit, a heat transfer fluid, and a heat storage facility. The heat reclaiming apparatus comprises a heat reclaiming condenser connected to the refrigeration circuit for receiving refrigerant vapor therefrom and discharging condensed refrigerant thereto, further connected to a source of the heat transfer fluid for receiving fluid therefrom, and still further connected to the heat storage facility for discharging the heat transfer fluid thereto, and wherein refrigerant vapor passes in heat transfer relation with the heat transfer fluid to heat the fluid and condense refrigerant vapor. The heat reclaiming apparatus further comprises a valve for regulating the flow of heat transfer fluid to the heat reclaiming condenser; and a valve control for controlling the valve to decrease the quantity of heat transfer fluid flowing to the heat reclaiming condenser when the condensed refrigerant therein reaches a predetermined level.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack L. Esformes
- 👤 James S. Styron
- 👤 Patrick Fichot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:23
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24D; F24D11/00; F24D11/02; F24D11/0214; F24D11/0235; F25; F25B; F25B1/00; F25B1/04; F25B30/00; F25B30/02; F25B49/00; F25B49/02; F25B49/027; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/70; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of reclaiming heat from a vapor compression refrigeration circuit comprising the steps of: passing a heat transfer fluid in heat transfer relation with refrigerant vapor from the refrigeration circuit to transfer heat to the fluid and condense the vapor; collecting refrigerant condensed by the heat transfer fluid; returning condensed refrigerant to the refrigeration circuit; sensing the level of collected condensed refrigerant; and inversely modulating the amount of heat transfer fluid passing in heat transfer relation with refrigerant vapor in response to changes of the level of the collected condensed refrigerant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
30 words
The heat reclaiming method as defined by claim 1 wherein the returning step includes the step of employing the force of gravity to return condensed refrigerant to the refrigeration circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The heat reclaiming method as defined by claim 2 wherein the modulating step includes the step of diverting heat transfer fluid away from heat transfer relation with the refrigerant vapor when the collected, condensed refrigerant reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The heat reclaiming method as defined by claim 3 further including the step of recirculating heat transfer fluid into heat transfer relation with refrigerant vapor to reheat the heat transfer fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
163 words
Heat reclaiming apparatus for use with a vapor compression refrigeration circuit, a heat transfer fluid, and a heat storage facility, the heat reclaiming apparatus comprising: heat reclaiming condenser means connected to the refrigeration circuit for receiving refrigerant vapor therefrom and discharging condensed refrigerant thereto, further connected to a source of the heat transfer fluid for receiving fluid therefrom, and still further connected to the heat storage facility for discharging the heat transfer fluid thereto, and wherein refrigerant vapors pass in heat transfer relation with the heat transfer fluid to heat the fluid and condense refrigerant vapor; valve means for regulating the flow of the heat transfer fluid to the heat reclaiming condenser means; sensing means for sensing the level of condensed refrigerant in the heat reclaiming condenser means; and positioning means for controlling the valve means to inversely vary the quantity of heat transfer fluid flowing to the heat reclaiming condenser means in response to changes in the level of condensed refrigerant therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The heat reclaiming apparatus as defined by claim 5, wherein: the valve means includes a modulating valve; and the positioning means positions the modulating valve in response to the level of condensed refrigerant in the heat reclaiming condenser means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The heat reclaiming apparatus as defined by claim 6 wherein the heat reclaiming condenser means is located in parallel with a condenser of the refrigeration circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The heat reclaiming apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein the heat reclaiming condenser means is positioned above the condenser of the refrigeration circuit wherein condensed refrigerant flows thereto by gravity from the heat reclaiming condenser means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The heat reclaiming apparatus as defined by claim 8 further including: bypass means for conducting heat transfer fluid from the source thereof to the heat storage facility to bypass the heat reclaiming condenser means; and wherein: the valve means diverts heat transfer fluid through the bypass means when the condensed refrigerant in the condenser means reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The heat reclaiming apparatus as defined by claim 9 further including recirculating means for conducting heat transfer fluid from the heat storage facility and to the heat reclaiming condenser means to reheat the heat transfer fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2703965A
Cited
US3322188A
Cited
US3926008A
Cited
US4141222A
Cited
US4134274A
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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) | 1984-02-24 | 1984-08-25 | 1985-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-24 | 1988-08-25 | 1989-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-24 | 1992-08-25 | 1993-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |