Refrigeration apparatus

Claim 2

A refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration metering or expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series with the outlet of the compressor being connected to the inlet to the condenser to conduct compressed refrigerant gas thereto, the outlet of the condenser connected to the inlet of the evaporator to conduct liquid refrigerant thereto, and the outlet of the evaporator connected to the inlet to the compressor to conduct vaporized refrigerant thereto, said system including means circulating air over said evaporator to provide cold air to a selected space, further including a refrigerant final condenser/cooler connected between the outlet from said condenser and the inlet to said metering or expansion device and positioned adjacent to said evaporator whereby the flow of cold air from said evaporator over said final condenser/cooler pre-cools the hot gas refrigerant flowing therebetween by vaporization of part of the liquid refrigerant flowing therethrough, said final condenser/cooler comprising a hollow housing defining a closed chamber, a conduit extending into said chamber having an inlet connected to receive liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser and a free end terminating in said chamber having an end closure and a plurality of orifices for spraying liquid refrigerant therethrough, said sprayed liquid refrigerant collecting in the bottom of said chamber, and said housing having an outlet below the level of liquid in said chamber and connected to said metering or expansion device, whereby the flow of cold air over said housing and expansion of said sprayed liquid refrigerant are operable to cool the liquid refrigerant is said housing and flowing to said metering or expansion device.

Claim 3

A refrigeration system according to claim 1 in which said housing is oriented with the inlet at the top and outlet at the bottom end thereof with said liquid refrigerant collecting over said bottom outlet end, and said conduit is formed into a U-shape inside said housing and said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed parallel to the liquid surface.

Claim 4

A refrigeration system according to claim 2 in which said housing further includes a perforated plate positioned above the liquid level and between said orifices and the unperforated main portion of said conduit.

Claim 5

A refrigeration system according to claim 1 in which said conduit has a portion extending parallel to the surface of said liquid and has a portion comprising a manifold with orifices therein directed toward said liquid surface, and a main portion of said conduit extending from said inlet to a mid point of said manifold.

Claim 6

A refrigeration system according to claim 1 in which said housing is oriented with the inlet at the top and outlet at the bottom end thereof with said liquid refrigerant collecting over said bottom outlet end, said conduit has a portion extending parallel to the surface of said liquid and has a portion comprising a manifold with orifices therein directed toward said liquid surface, and a main portion of said conduit extending from said inlet to a mid point of said manifold.

Claim 7

A refrigeration system according to claim 5 in which said manifold comprises a tee shaped conduit with the stem portion extending to said inlet and the cross portion having orifices directed toward said liquid surface.

Claim 8

A refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration metering or expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series with the outlet of the compressor being connected to the inlet to the condenser to conduct compressed refrigerant gas thereto, the outlet of the condenser connected to the inlet of the evaporator to conduct liquid refrigerant thereto, and the outlet of the evaporator connected to the inlet to the compressor to conduct vaporized refrigerant thereto, said system including means circulating air over said evaporator to provide cold air to a selected space, further including a refrigerant final condenser/cooler positioned between the outlet from said condenser and the inlet to said metering or expansion device and in the flow of cold air from said evaporator to pre-cool the hot gas refrigerant flowing therebetween by vaporization of part of the liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser to said evaporator, said final condenser/cooler comprising a hollow housing defining a closed chamber, a conduit extending into said chamber having an inlet connected to receive liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser and a free end terminating in said chamber having an end closure and a plurality of orifices for spraying liquid refrigerant therethrough, said sprayed liquid refrigerant collecting in the bottom of said chamber, said conduit being formed into a U-shape inside said housing and said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed toward the liquid surface, and said housing having an outlet below the level of liquid in said chamber and connected to said metering or expansion device, whereby the flow of cold air over said housing and expansion of said sprayed liquid refrigerant are operable to cool the liquid refrigerant is said housing and flowing to said metering or expansion device.

Claim 9

A refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration metering or expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series with the outlet of the compressor being connected to the inlet to the condenser to conduct compressed refrigerant gas thereto, the outlet of the condenser connected to the inlet of the evaporator to conduct liquid refrigerant thereto, and the outlet of the evaporator connected to the inlet to the compressor to conduct vaporized refrigerant thereto, said system including means circulating air over said evaporator to provide cold air to a selected space, further including a refrigerant final condenser/cooler positioned between the outlet from said condenser and the inlet to said metering or expansion device and in the flow of cold air from said evaporator to pre-cool the hot gas refrigerant flowing therebetween by vaporization of part of the liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser to said evaporator, said final condenser/cooler comprising a hollow housing defining a closed chamber, a conduit extending into said chamber having an inlet connected to receive liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser and a free end terminating in said chamber having an end closure and a plurality of orifices for spraying liquid refrigerant therethrough, said sprayed liquid refrigerant collecting in the bottom of said chamber, said conduit being formed into a U-shape inside said housing and said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed toward the liquid surface, and said housing having an outlet below the level of liquid in said chamber and connected to said metering or expansion device, whereby the flow of cold air over said housing and expansion of said sprayed liquid refrigerant are operable to cool the liquid refrigerant is said housing and flowing to said metering or expansion device.

Claim 10

A refrigeration system according to claim 7 in which said housing further includes a perforated plate positioned above the liquid level and below said orifices.

Claim 11

A refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration metering or expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series with the outlet of the compressor being connected to the inlet to the condenser to conduct compressed refrigerant gas thereto, the outlet of the condenser connected to the inlet of the evaporator to conduct liquid refrigerant thereto, and the outlet of the evaporator connected to the inlet to the compressor to conduct vaporized refrigerant thereto, said system including means circulating air over said evaporator to provide cold air to a selected space, further including a refrigerant final condenser/cooler positioned between the outlet from said condenser and the inlet to said metering or expansion device and in the flow of cold air from said evaporator to pre-cool the hot gas refrigerant flowing therebetween by vaporization of part of the liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser to said evaporator, said final condenser/cooler comprising a hollow housing defining a closed chamber, said housing comprising a tubular shell with end closure members, a conduit extending into said chamber having an inlet connected to receive liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser and a free end terminating in said chamber having an end closure and a plurality of orifices for spraying liquid refrigerant therethrough, said sprayed liquid refrigerant collecting in the bottom of said chamber, said conduit extending through one of said end closures and being formed into a U-shape inside said housing, said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed toward the liquid surface, and said housing having an outlet below the level of liquid in said chamber and connected to said metering or expansion device, whereby the flow of cold air over said housing and expansion of said sprayed liquid refrigerant are operable to cool the liquid refrigerant is said housing and flowing to said metering or expansion device.

Claim 12

A refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration metering or expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series with the outlet of the compressor being connected to the inlet to the condenser to conduct compressed refrigerant gas thereto, the outlet of the condenser connected to the inlet of the evaporator to conduct liquid refrigerant thereto, and the outlet of the evaporator connected to the inlet to the compressor to conduct vaporized refrigerant thereto, said system including means circulating air over said evaporator to provide cold air to a selected space, further including a refrigerant final condenser/cooler positioned between the outlet from said condenser and the inlet to said metering or expansion device and in the flow of cold air from said evaporator to pre-cool the hot gas refrigerant flowing therebetween by vaporization of part of the liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser to said evaporator, said final condenser/cooler comprising a hollow housing defining a closed chamber, said housing comprising a tubular shell with end closure members, a conduit extending into said chamber having an inlet connected to receive liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser and a free end terminating in said chamber having an end closure and a plurality of orifices for spraying liquid refrigerant therethrough, said sprayed liquid refrigerant collecting in the bottom of said chamber, said conduit extending through one of said end closures and being formed into a U-shape inside said housing, said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed toward the liquid surface, and said housing having an outlet below the level of liquid in said chamber and connected to said metering or expansion device, whereby the flow of cold air over said housing and expansion of said sprayed liquid refrigerant are operable to cool the liquid refrigerant is said housing and flowing to said metering or expansion device.

Claim 13

A refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration metering or expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series with the outlet of the compressor being connected to the inlet to the condenser to conduct compressed refrigerant gas thereto, the outlet of the condenser connected to the inlet of the evaporator to conduct liquid refrigerant thereto, and the outlet of the evaporator connected to the inlet to the compressor to conduct vaporized refrigerant thereto, further including a refrigerant final condenser/cooler positioned between the outlet from said condenser and the inlet to said metering or expansion device and in the flow of cold air from said evaporator to pre-cool the hot gas refrigerant flowing therebetween by vaporization of part of the liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser to said evaporator, said final condenser/cooler comprising a hollow housing defining a closed chamber, a first conduit extending into said chamber having an inlet connected to receive liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser and a free end terminating in said chamber having an end closure and a plurality of orifices for spraying liquid refrigerant therethrough, said sprayed liquid refrigerant collecting in the bottom of said chamber, a second conduit extending through said chamber having an inlet connected to receive expanding refrigerant flowing from said metering or expansion device and an outlet end connected to the inlet end of said evaporator, and said housing having an outlet below the level of liquid in said chamber and connected to said metering or expansion device, whereby the expansion of said sprayed liquid refrigerant from said first conduit and said expanding refrigerant flowing through said second conduit are operable to cool the liquid refrigerant in said housing and flowing to said metering or expansion device.

Claim 14

A refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration metering or expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series with the outlet of the compressor being connected to the inlet to the condenser to conduct compressed refrigerant gas thereto, the outlet of the condenser connected to the inlet of the evaporator to conduct liquid refrigerant thereto, and the outlet of the evaporator connected to the inlet to the compressor to conduct vaporized refrigerant thereto, further including a refrigerant final condenser/cooler positioned between the outlet from said condenser and the inlet to said metering or expansion device and in the flow of cold air from said evaporator to pre-cool the hot gas refrigerant flowing therebetween by vaporization of part of the liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser to said evaporator, said final condenser/cooler comprising a hollow housing defining a closed chamber, a first conduit extending into said chamber having an inlet connected to receive liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser and a free end terminating in said chamber having an end closure and a plurality of orifices for spraying liquid refrigerant therethrough, said sprayed liquid refrigerant collecting in the bottom of said chamber, a second conduit extending through said chamber having an inlet connected to receive expanding refrigerant flowing from said metering or expansion device and an outlet end connected to the inlet end of said evaporator, and said housing having an outlet below the level of liquid in said chamber and connected to said metering or expansion device, whereby the expansion of said sprayed liquid refrigerant from said first conduit and said expanding refrigerant flowing through said second conduit are operable to cool the liquid refrigerant in said housing and flowing to said metering or expansion device.

Claim 15

A refrigeration system according to claim 10 in which said first conduit is formed into a U-shaped inside said housing and said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed toward the liquid surface.

Claim 16

A refrigeration system according to claim 11 in which said housing further includes a perforated plate positioned above the liquid level and below said orifices.

Claim 17

A refrigeration system according to claim 10 in which said housing is oriented with the inlet at the top and outlet at the bottom end thereof with said liquid refrigerant collecting over said bottom outlet end, and said first conduit is formed into a U-shape inside said housing and said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed parallel to the liquid surface.

Claim 18

A refrigeration system according to claim 13 in which said housing further includes a perforated plate positioned above the liquid level and between said orifices and the unperforated main portion of said first conduit.

Claim 19

A refrigeration system according to claim 10 in which said first conduit has a portion extending parallel to the surface of said liquid and has a portion comprising a manifold with orifices therein directed toward said liquid surface, and a main portion of said conduit extending from said inlet to a mid point of said manifold.

Claim 20

A refrigeration system according to claim 10 in which said housing is oriented with the inlet at the top and outlet at the bottom end thereof with said liquid refrigerant collecting over said bottom outlet end, said first conduit has a portion extending parallel to the surface of said liquid and has a portion comprising a manifold with orifices therein directed toward said liquid surface, and a main portion of said first conduit extending from said inlet to a mid point of said manifold.

Claim 21

A refrigeration system according to claim 16 in which said manifold comprises a tee shaped conduit with the stem portion extending to said inlet and the cross portion having orifices directed toward said liquid surface.

Claim 22

A refrigeration system according to claim 10 in which said housing comprises a tubular shell with end closure members, said first conduit extends through one of said end closures and is formed into a U-shape inside said housing, said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed toward the liquid surface, and said second conduit extends through said end closures and from end to end through said housing.

Claim 23

A final condenser/cooler for use in a refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration metering or expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series with the outlet of the compressor being connected to the inlet to the condenser to conduct compressed refrigerant gas thereto, the outlet of the condenser connected to the inlet of the evaporator to conduct liquid refrigerant thereto, and the outlet of the evaporator connected to the inlet to the compressor to conduct vaporized refrigerant thereto, said refrigerant final condenser/cooler being adapted to be positioned between the outlet from said condenser and the inlet to said metering or expansion device and in the flow of cold air from said evaporator to pre-cool the hot gas refrigerant flowing therebetween by vaporization of part of the liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser to said evaporator, said final condenser/cooler comprising a hollow housing defining a closed chamber, a first conduit extending into said chamber having an inlet adapted to be connected to receive liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser and a free end terminating in said chamber having an end closure and a plurality of orifices for spraying liquid refrigerant therethrough, said sprayed liquid refrigerant collecting in the bottom of said chamber, a second conduit extending through said chamber having an inlet adapted to be connected to receive expanding refrigerant flowing from said metering or expansion device and an outlet end connected to the inlet end of said evaporator, and said housing having an outlet below the level of liquid in said chamber and adapted to be connected to said metering or expansion device, whereby the expansion of said sprayed liquid refrigerant from said first conduit and said expanding refrigerant flowing through said second conduit are operable to cool the liquid refrigerant in said housing and flowing to said metering or expansion device.

Claim 24

A final condenser/cooler for use in a refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration metering or expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series with the outlet of the compressor being connected to the inlet to the condenser to conduct compressed refrigerant gas thereto, the outlet of the condenser connected to the inlet of the evaporator to conduct liquid refrigerant thereto, and the outlet of the evaporator connected to the inlet to the compressor to conduct vaporized refrigerant thereto, said refrigerant final condenser/cooler being adapted to be positioned between the outlet from said condenser and the inlet to said metering or expansion device and in the flow of cold air from said evaporator to pre-cool the hot gas refrigerant flowing therebetween by vaporization of part of the liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser to said evaporator, said final condenser/cooler comprising a hollow housing defining a closed chamber, a first conduit extending into said chamber having an inlet adapted to be connected to receive liquid refrigerant flowing from said condenser and a free end terminating in said chamber having an end closure and a plurality of orifices for spraying liquid refrigerant therethrough, said sprayed liquid refrigerant collecting in the bottom of said chamber, a second conduit extending through said chamber having an inlet adapted to be connected to receive expanding refrigerant flowing from said metering or expansion device and an outlet end connected to the inlet end of said evaporator, and said housing having an outlet below the level of liquid in said chamber and adapted to be connected to said metering or expansion device, whereby the expansion of said sprayed liquid refrigerant from said first conduit and said expanding refrigerant flowing through said second conduit are operable to cool the liquid refrigerant in said housing and flowing to said metering or expansion device.

Claim 25

A final condenser/cooler according to claim 19 in which said first conduit is formed into a U-shape inside said housing and said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed toward the liquid surface.

Claim 26

A final condenser/cooler according to claim 20 in which said housing further includes a perforated plate positioned above the liquid level and below said orifices.

Claim 27

A final condenser/cooler according to claim 19 in which said first conduit has a portion extending parallel to the surface of said liquid when installed horizontally and has a portion comprising a manifold with orifices therein directed toward said liquid surface, and the main portion of said conduit extending from said inlet to a mid point of said manifold.

Claim 28

A final condenser/cooler according to claim 19 in which said housing is oriented when installed with the inlet at the top and outlet at the bottom end with said liquid refrigerant collecting over said bottom outlet end, said first conduit has a portion extending parallel to the surface of said liquid and has a portion comprising a manifold with orifices therein directed toward said liquid surface, and the main portion of said first conduit extending from said inlet to a mid point of said manifold.

Claim 29

A final condenser/cooler according to claim 23 in which said manifold comprises a tee shaped conduit with the stem portion extending to said inlet and the cross portion having orifices directed toward said liquid surface.

Claim 30

A final condenser/cooler according to claim 19 in which said housing comprises a tubular shell with end closure members, said first conduit extends through one of said end closures and is formed into a U-shape inside said housing, said orifices are positioned above the liquid level in said chamber and directed toward the liquid surface, and said second conduit extends through said end closures and from end to end through said housing.