US4332137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat exchange apparatus and method having two refrigeration circuits
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 1979-10-22
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Granted: 1982-06-01
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Expires: 1999-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for defrosting a dual refrigeration circuit refrigeration system. During defrost one of the refrigeration circuits is operated to supply heat energy to the frosted heat exchanger of the other circuit and the fan circulating heat transfer media through a heat exchanger of each circuit is reversed such that heat transfer fluid is heated by one refrigeration circuit and then used to defrost a heat exchanger of the other circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Richmond S. Hayes, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:34
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B47/00; F25B47/02; F25B47/022; F25B13/00; F25B29/00; F25B29/003; F25B2313/00; F25B2313/025; F25B2313/0251; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/06; F25B2400/061; F25B2700/00; F25B2700/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
An air conditioning system having two refrigeration circuits which comprises: a first refrigeration circuit having a first compressor, a first outdoor heat exchanger, a second indoor heat exchanger for conditioning air of an enclosure, and means for supplying relatively hot refrigerant to the first outdoor heat exchanger; a second refrigeration circuit parallel with the first refrigeration circuit having a second compressor, a third outdoor heat exchanger, and a fourth indoor heat exchanger for conditioning air of an enclosure, said third outdoor heat exchanger being located adjacent the first outdoor heat exchanger; fan means for circulating a heat transfer fluid in heat transfer relation with both the first outdoor heat exchanger and the third outdoor heat exchanger; defrost means for generating a defrost signal for defrost of the third outdoor heat exchanger; and control means for activating the means for supplying relatively hot refrigerant to the first outdoor heat exchanger and for operating the fan means in response to the defrost signal, said fan means causing the heat transfer fluid to be displaced such that heat energy is transferred from the first outdoor heat exchanger to the third outdoor heat exchanger to melt the frost formed thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
An air conditioning system having two refrigeration circuits which comprises: a first refrigeration circuit having a first compressor, a first outdoor heat exchanger, a second indoor heat exchanger for conditioning air of an enclosure, and means for supplying relatively hot refrigerant to the first outdoor heat exchanger; a second refrigeration circuit parallel with the first refrigeration circuit having a second compressor, a third outdoor heat exchanger, and a fourth indoor heat exchanger for conditioning air of an enclosure, said third outdoor heat exchanger being located adjacent the first outdoor heat exchanger; fan means for circulating a heat transfer fluid in heat transfer relation with both the first outdoor heat exchanger and the third outdoor heat exchanger; defrost means for generating a defrost signal for defrost of the third outdoor heat exchanger; and control means for activating the means for supplying relatively hot refrigerant to the first outdoor heat exchanger and for operating the fan means in response to the defrost signal, said fan means causing the heat transfer fluid to be displaced such that heat energy is transferred from the first outdoor heat exchanger to the third outdoor heat exchanger to melt the frost formed thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fan means includes means for reversing the flow direction of the heat transfer medium in response to a signal from the control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first outdoor heat exchanger is located adjacent the third outdoor heat exchanger such that the heat transfer fluid flows serially through both heat exchangers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the third outdoor heat exchanger is generally cylindrical in configuration, the first outdoor heat exchanger is generally cylindrical in configuration and fits within the third outdoor heat exchanger and wherein during nondefrost operation heat transfer fluid flows first through the third outdoor heat exchanger and next through the first outdoor heat exchanger and upon a defrost signal being detected by the control means the fan means is reversed such that the heat transfer fluid flows first through the first outdoor heat exchanger and then through the third outdoor heat exchanger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the capacity of the first refrigeration circuit is sized in comparison to the second refrigeration circuit such that the first circuit may supply sufficient heat energy to defrost the third outdoor heat exchanger while the second refrigeration circuit continues to supply heat energy to the fourth indoor heat exchanger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second indoor heat exchanger and the fourth indoor heat exchanger are in heat exchanger relation with each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the second indoor heat exchanger and the fourth indoor heat exchanger comprise a single intertwined heat exchanger coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
164 words
A heat pump system having two separate vapor compression refrigeration systems which comprises: a first compressor a second compressor reversing means connected to the first compressor an indoor heat exchanger connected to both compressors a first outdoor heat exchanger connected to the first compressor a second outdoor heat exchanger connected to the second compressor and located adjacent the first outdoor heat exchanger reversible fan means for circulating air in heat exchange relation with the first and second outdoor heat exchangers defrost means for generating a defrost signal for defrost of the second outdoor heat exchanger control means responsive to the defrost means for reversing the fan means and for switching the reversing means such that heat energy is supplied to the first outdoor coil and air is circulated over the first outdoor heat exchanger absorbing heat energy therefrom, said air being conducted to the second outdoor heat exchanger where a portion of the heat energy is rejected to defrost said second outdoor heat exchanger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
164 words
A heat pump system having two separate vapor compression refrigeration systems which comprises: a first compressor a second compressor reversing means connected to the first compressor an indoor heat exchanger connected to both compressors a first outdoor heat exchanger connected to the first compressor a second outdoor heat exchanger connected to the second compressor and located adjacent the first outdoor heat exchanger reversible fan means for circulating air in heat exchange relation with the first and second outdoor heat exchangers defrost means for generating a defrost signal for defrost of the second outdoor heat exchanger control means responsive to the defrost means for reversing the fan means and for switching the reversing means such that heat energy is supplied to the first outdoor coil and air is circulated over the first outdoor heat exchanger absorbing heat energy therefrom, said air being conducted to the second outdoor heat exchanger where a portion of the heat energy is rejected to defrost said second outdoor heat exchanger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first and second outdoor heat exchangers are both cylindrical in configuration and the first outdoor heat exchanger having a smaller diameter than the second outdoor heat exchanger is located within the second outdoor heat exchanger and the fan means either circulates air through the second outdoor heat exchanger and then the first outdoor heat exchanger or the first outdoor heat exchanger and then the second outdoor heat exchanger.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of controlling an air conditioning system having multiple refrigeration circuits including an outdoor heat exchanger for each circuit and a fan for circulating air serially through the outdoor heat exchangers, a compressor for each circuit, an indoor heat exchanger for each circuit for conditioning air of an enclosure which comprises the steps of selectively energizing the compressors to transfer heat energy between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger of each circuit; energizing the fan to circulate a heat transfer medium in heat exchange relation with the outdoor heat exchangers, generating a defrost signal for commencing defrost of at least one outdoor heat exchanger, conducting relatively hot refrigerant to at least one of the outdoor heat exchangers upon the generation of a defrost signal, and modifying the step of energizing the fan upon the generation of a defrost signal such that the heat transfer medium flows in heat exchange relation with the outdoor heat exchanger rejecting heat energy, absorbs a portion of said heat energy and then flows into heat exchange relation with the outdoor heat exchanger to be defrosted, the heat transfer medium rejecting heat energy to the outdoor heat exchanger to be defrosted to melt the frost accumulated thereon.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of controlling an air conditioning system having multiple refrigeration circuits including an outdoor heat exchanger for each circuit and a fan for circulating air serially through the outdoor heat exchangers, a compressor for each circuit, an indoor heat exchanger for each circuit for conditioning air of an enclosure which comprises the steps of selectively energizing the compressors to transfer heat energy between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger of each circuit; energizing the fan to circulate a heat transfer medium in heat exchange relation with the outdoor heat exchangers, generating a defrost signal for commencing defrost of at least one outdoor heat exchanger, conducting relatively hot refrigerant to at least one of the outdoor heat exchangers upon the generation of a defrost signal, and modifying the step of energizing the fan upon the generation of a defrost signal such that the heat transfer medium flows in heat exchange relation with the outdoor heat exchanger rejecting heat energy, absorbs a portion of said heat energy and then flows into heat exchange relation with the outdoor heat exchanger to be defrosted, the heat transfer medium rejecting heat energy to the outdoor heat exchanger to be defrosted to melt the frost accumulated thereon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the indoor heat exchangers of each circuit are in heat exchange relation with each other and wherein the step of switching includes transferring heat energy from the indoor heat exchanger of the refrigeration circuit having the outdoor heat exchanger which is to be defrosted to the indoor heat exchanger of the refrigeration circuit rejecting heat at the outdoor heat exchanger.
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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) | 1985-05-31 | 1985-11-30 | 1986-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-31 | 1989-11-30 | 1990-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-31 | 1993-11-30 | 1994-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |