Patent US5261249A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5261249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant handling system with auxiliary condenser flow control
Assignee: SPX Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1992-11-16
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Granted: 1993-11-16
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Expires: 2012-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerant handling system that includes a compressor and an evaporator for adding heat to refrigerant fed to the compressor inlet. A first condenser is connected to the compressor outlet and disposed in heat exchange relationship to the evaporator for at least partially condensing refrigerant vapor from the compressor outlet by transfer of heat to refrigerant in the evaporator. A second condenser is not in heat exchange relationship with the evaporator. The first and second condensers are connected in series with the compressor outlet, and one or more valves are connected to the second condenser for selectively bypassing refrigerant from the second condenser, while all refrigerant from the compressor outlet flows through the first condenser that is in heat exchange relation to the evaporator.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W. Manz
- 👤 Christopher M. Powers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:32
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; F25B2345/00; F25B2345/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A refrigerant handling system that includes a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, evaporator means for adding heat to refrigerant fed to said compressor inlet, and condensing means for at least partially condensing refrigerant from said compressor outlet by extraction of heat, including first condenser means in heat exchange relationship with said evaporator means, characterized in that said condensing means further comprises second condenser means and means responsive to temperature of refrigerant at said condensing means for automatically controlling refrigerant flow from said compressor outlet to said first and second condenser means so as to maintain a desired refrigerant condensing temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A refrigerant handling system that includes a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, evaporator means for adding heat to refrigerant fed to said compressor inlet, and condensing means for at least partially condensing refrigerant from said compressor outlet by extraction of heat, including first condenser means in heat exchange relationship with said evaporator means, characterized in that said condensing means further comprises second condenser means and means responsive to temperature of refrigerant at said condensing means for automatically controlling refrigerant flow from said compressor outlet to said first and second condenser means so as to maintain a desired refrigerant condensing temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said condensing means further comprises means connecting said first and second condenser means in series to said compressor outlet, and wherein said flow-controlling means comprises means for selectively bypassing refrigerant from said second condenser means while all refrigerant from said compressor outlet flows through said first condenser means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system set forth in claim 2 wherein said first condenser means is connected between said second condenser means and said compressor outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system set forth in claim 2 wherein said second condenser means is connected between said first condenser means and said compressor outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said second condenser means is not in heat exchange relationship with said evaporator means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said flow-controlling means comprises a head pressure control valve connected at the inlet of said second condensing means and responsive to condensing pressure at said second condenser means, which varies as a function of condensing temperature at said second condenser means, for selectively bypassing refrigerant from flow through said second condenser means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system set forth in claim 6 wherein said first condenser means is connected between said second condenser means and said compressor outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said flow-controlling means comprises temperature sensing means responsive to refrigerant temperature at said condensing means for providing an electrical signal, and valve means responsive to said electrical signal for selectively bypassing refrigerant from said second condenser means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system set forth in claim 8 wherein said temperature sensing means is responsive to outlet refrigerant temperature from said condensing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system set forth in claim 8 wherein said signal-responsive means comprises a proportional valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said flow-controlling means comprises a thermostatic expansion valve having flow control valve means for selectively bypassing refrigerant from said second condenser means and a control bulb responsive to refrigerant temperature at said condensing means for controlling operation of said valve means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system set forth in claim 11 wherein said valve has first and second control bulbs, said valve means being responsive to a temperature differential between said bulbs, a first of said bulbs being disposed so as to be responsive to refrigerant temperature at said condensing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system set forth in claim 12 wherein said second bulb is positioned so as to be responsive to refrigerant temperature at said evaporator means, such that refrigerant is selectively bypassed from said second condenser means as a function of refrigerant temperature differential between said condensing means and said evaporator means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system set forth in claim 13 wherein said first condenser means is connected between said second condenser means and said compressor outlet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system set forth in claim 12 wherein said second bulb is disposed so as to be responsive to ambient temperature, such that refrigerant is selectively bypassed from said second condenser means as a function of temperature differential between ambient and refrigerant temperature at said condensing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system set forth in claim 15 wherein said first condenser means is connected between said second condenser means and said compressor outlet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system set forth in claim 12 wherein said valve has first and second refrigerant inputs and a refrigerant output, and wherein said valve means is responsive to said temperature differential for variably connecting said output to said first and second inputs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system set forth in claim 17 wherein said first condenser means has an outlet connected to one of said inputs and to an inlet of said second condenser means, and wherein said second condenser means has an outlet connected to said second input.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system set forth in claim 1 further comprising a superheater connected to said evaporator means and to said first condenser means for superheating refrigerant flowing to said compressor inlet to prevent condensation at low ambient temperatures.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said evaporator means and said first condenser means comprises a canister having an internal volume, said evaporator means comprising inlet and outlet ports on said canister that open into said volume, said first condenser means comprising a refrigerant coil disposed for heat exchange with refrigerant within said volume.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system set forth in claim 20 further comprising an oil drain in said canister.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system set forth in claim 1 for recovering refrigerant further comprising input means for connecting said evaporator means to equipment under service for withdrawing refrigerant therefrom, and output means for connecting said condensing means to a refrigerant storage container.
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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) | 1996-11-15 | 1997-05-17 | 1997-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-05-17 | 2001-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-15 | 2005-05-17 | 2005-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |