Patent US20030195742A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5259204A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant release prevention system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-01-08
•
Granted: 1993-11-09
•
Expires: 2013-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A system for diverting refrigerant into an auxiliary receiving vessel to reduce refrigerator system pressure during an incipient over-pressure condition to prevent activation of safety pressure relief valves and release of refrigerant into the atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis McKeown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:46
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/16; F25B49/00; F25B49/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S62/00; Y10S62/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for preventing the release of refrigerant from a mechanical refrigeration system having piping within which is placed a system safety pressure relief valve having a relief set point, and having a compressor having a suction side, comprising: an auxiliary receiving tank; a refrigerant flow line in fluid connection to said tank from a pressure relief valve in the system line having a system relief valve, which conducts flow of refrigerant to said tank upon opening of said pressure relief valve; a refrigerant flow return line in fluid connection from said tank to a second valve located in a low pressure point in the system; and control means responsive to pressure in said auxiliary tank for opening said second valve
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for preventing the release of refrigerant from a mechanical refrigeration system having piping within which is placed a system safety pressure relief valve having a relief set point, and having a compressor having a suction side, comprising: an auxiliary receiving tank; a refrigerant flow line in fluid connection to said tank from a pressure relief valve in the system line having a system relief valve, which conducts flow of refrigerant to said tank upon opening of said pressure relief valve; a refrigerant flow return line in fluid connection from said tank to a second valve located in a low pressure point in the system; and control means responsive to pressure in said auxiliary tank for opening said second valve
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said pressure relief valve comprising the system pressure relief valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a heat exchanger interconnecting said return line and a hot gas line in the system, adapted to vaporize any liquid refrigerant flowing in said return line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said low pressure point comprising the suction line of the compressor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: an expansion orifice intermediate said second valve and said suction line, adapted to convert a flow of liquid refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant for said compressor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said means for opening comprising: a pressure activated electric switch, adapted to produce an electric signal responsive to the occurrence of a refrigerant pressure in said tank; and an electrically operated valve, responsive to said signal for fluid flow from said return line to said low pressure point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3237422A
Cited
US3736763A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-08 | 1997-05-10 | 1997-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-08 | 2001-05-10 | 2001-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-08 | 2005-05-10 | 2005-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |