US4918936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerating cycle utilizing cold accumulation material
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1989-04-13
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Granted: 1990-04-24
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Expires: 2009-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerating cycle including a cold-accumulation material to be cooled comprises main evaporator for generating cold air to cool a refrigerator compartment, a cold-accumulation evaporator to cool the cold-accumulation material, a flowpath switching device, such as a three-way electromagnetic valve, to change the refrigerant flowpath between a first refrigerant flowpath to the main evaporator and a second refrigerant flowpath to the cold-accumulation evaporator respectively, and a refrigerant supply device, such as a compressor, a condenser, and a capillary tube connected in series, to supply refrigerant to the main evaporator and the cold-accumulation evaporator through the flowpath switching device. The outlet of the cold-accumulation evaporator is connected to the inlet of the evaporator to let the refrigerant which has not completely evaporated in the cold-accumulation evaporator flow into the main evaporator.
Inventors
- 👤 Noriaki Sakamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:02
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B25/00; F25B5/00; F25B5/04; F25D; F25D11/00; F25D11/006; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/06; F25D17/062; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/25; F25B2600/2511; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A refrigerating cycle comprising: a cold accumulation material; a main evaporator for generating cold air for cooling a refrigerator compartment; a cold-accumulation evaporator for cooling the cold-accumulation material, an outlet thereof being connected to an input of the main evaporator; a refrigerant supplying means for supplying refrigerant; and a flowpath switching means for supplying refrigerant from the supplying means via a first refrigerant flowpath to the main evaporator only and via a second refrigerant flowpath to the cold-accumulation evaporator and the main evaporator respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A refrigerating cycle comprising: a cold accumulation material; a main evaporator for generating cold air for cooling a refrigerator compartment; a cold-accumulation evaporator for cooling the cold-accumulation material, an outlet thereof being connected to an input of the main evaporator; a refrigerant supplying means for supplying refrigerant; and a flowpath switching means for supplying refrigerant from the supplying means via a first refrigerant flowpath to the main evaporator only and via a second refrigerant flowpath to the cold-accumulation evaporator and the main evaporator respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 1, wherein the flowpath switching means includes a three-way electromagnetic valve having an inlet coupled to said supplying means and to first and second outlets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 2, wherein the first refrigerant flowpath includes a first capillary tube connected between the first outlet of the three-way electromagnetic valve and the main evaporator, the outlet of the cold-accumulation evaporator being connected between the first capillary tube and the main evaporator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the second refrigerant flowpath includes a second capillary tube being connected between the second outlet of the three-way electromagnetic valve and the cold-accumulation evaporator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 4, wherein the refrigerant supplying means comprises: a compressor for generating a gas refrigerant; a condenser connected in series to the compressor for condensing the gas refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant; and a capillary tube for decompressing the liquid refrigerant being connected in series between the condenser and the inlet of the three-way electromagnetic valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 5, wherein the main evaporator includes a cold-air circulation fan for circulating the cold air generated thereby.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 5 further including an accumulator for controlling and amount of refrigerant circulating therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 6 further including an accumulator for controlling an amount of refrigerant circulating therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 1 further including a heat transfer means for exchanging heat between the evaporator and the cold-accumulation material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 9, wherein the heat transfer means includes a thermosiphon connected with the main evaporator and the cold-accumulation evaporator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 10, wherein the thermosiphon includes a closed-loop pipe having a working fluid therein and having an evaporating part and a condensing part, the main evaporator being connected therewith at the evaporating part and the cold-accumulation evaporator being connected therewith at the condensing part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 11, wherein the main evaporator is provided below the cold-accumulation evaporator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 11, wherein the thermosiphon also includes an electromagnetic valve for controlling an operation of the working fluid, the electromagnetic valve being provided at a portion of the closed-loop pipe where evaporated working fluid flows.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 13, wherein the flowpath switching means includes a three-way electromagnetic valve having one inlet and two outlets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 14, wherein the first refrigerant flowpath includes a first capillary tube being connected between the one outlet of the three-way electromagnetic valve and the evaporator, the outlet of the cold-accumulation evaporator being connected between the first capillary tube and the main evaporator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 15, wherein the second refrigerant flowpath includes a second capillary tube being connected between the other outlet of the three-way electromagnetic valve and the cold-accumulation evaporator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 16, wherein the refrigerant supply means includes: a compressor for generating a gas refrigerant; a condenser connected in series to the compressor for condensing gas refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant; and a capillary tube connected in series between the condenser and the inlet of the three-way electromagnetic valve for decompressing the liquid refrigerant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 17, wherein the evaporator includes a cold-air circulation fan for circulating the cold air generated thereby.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 17, further including an accumulator for controlling an amount of refrigerant circulating therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A refrigerating cycle according to claim 18 further including an accumulator for controlling an amount of refrigerant circulating therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
94 words
A refrigerating cycle method for use in a refrigerator having a cold-accumulation material, a cold accumulation evaporator to cool the cold-accumulation material, and a main evaporator for generating cold air to cool a refrigerator compartment, a refrigerant inlet thereof being connected with a refrigerant outlet of the cold-accumulation evaporator, comprising the steps of: supplying refrigerant to the main evaporator only via a first refrigerant flowpath; and supplying refrigerant to the cold-accumulation evaporator and flowing refrigerant which has not completely evaporated in said cold accumulation evaporator into the main evaporator via a second refrigerant flowpath.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
94 words
A refrigerating cycle method for use in a refrigerator having a cold-accumulation material, a cold accumulation evaporator to cool the cold-accumulation material, and a main evaporator for generating cold air to cool a refrigerator compartment, a refrigerant inlet thereof being connected with a refrigerant outlet of the cold-accumulation evaporator, comprising the steps of: supplying refrigerant to the main evaporator only via a first refrigerant flowpath; and supplying refrigerant to the cold-accumulation evaporator and flowing refrigerant which has not completely evaporated in said cold accumulation evaporator into the main evaporator via a second refrigerant flowpath.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-23 | 1993-10-23 | 1994-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-23 | 1997-10-23 | 1998-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-10-23 | 2002-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |