US5426952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant flow rate control based on evaporator exit dryness
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1994-03-03
•
Granted: 1995-06-27
•
Expires: 2014-03-03
Abstract
Abstract Pulse width modulation is used to control the flow rate through a solenoid expansion valve in a refrigeration system. A first temperature sensor is disposed on the suction line, and a second temperature sensor is disposed in a compartment to be cooled. A controller is included for controlling the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated solenoid valve. The controller receives inputs from the two temperature sensors as a basis for controlling the duty cycle. The first temperature sensor can be located either inside or outside of the compartment. Preferred exterior locations include: immediately outside of the compartment, at the inlet of the compressor, at the inlet of the heat exchanger between the suction line and the liquid line, and at the outlet of the heat exchanger.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren F. Bessler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:47
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B41/00; F25B41/30; F25B41/31; F25B41/34; F25B41/345; F25B41/347; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A refrigerator system for cooling at least one compartment, said refrigeration system comprising: an evaporator having an inlet and an outlet; a compressor connected to said outlet of said evaporator by a suction line; a pulse width modulated solenoid valve connected to said inlet of said evaporator; a first temperature sensor disposed on said suction line; a second temperature sensor disposed in said compartment; and a controller for controlling the duty cycle of said pulse width modulated solenoid valve in response to the difference between the temperature of said evaporator outlet and the temperature in said compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A refrigerator system for cooling at least one compartment, said refrigeration system comprising: an evaporator having an inlet and an outlet; a compressor connected to said outlet of said evaporator by a suction line; a pulse width modulated solenoid valve connected to said inlet of said evaporator; a first temperature sensor disposed on said suction line; a second temperature sensor disposed in said compartment; and a controller for controlling the duty cycle of said pulse width modulated solenoid valve in response to the difference between the temperature of said evaporator outlet and the temperature in said compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein said first temperature sensor is located in said compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein said first temperature sensor is located immediately outside of said compartment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein said first temperature sensor is located at the inlet of said compressor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The refrigerator system of claim 1 further comprising a condenser and a liquid line connecting said condenser and said pulse width modulated solenoid valve, said liquid line and said suction line being in thermal contact to form a heat exchanger therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The refrigerator system of claim 5 wherein said first temperature sensor is located at the inlet of said heat exchanger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The refrigerator system of claim 5 wherein said first temperature sensor is located at the outlet of said heat exchanger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein said evaporator is disposed in said compartment.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of controlling refrigerant flow rate in a refrigeration system having an evaporator and a pulse width modulated solenoid valve and use for cooling at least one compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing evaporator exit temperature; sensing the temperature inside said compartment; and adjusting the duty cycle of said pulse width modulated solenoid valve based on the difference between the evaporator exit temperature and the temperature inside said compartment.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of controlling refrigerant flow rate in a refrigeration system having an evaporator and a pulse width modulated solenoid valve and use for cooling at least one compartment, said method comprising the steps of: sensing evaporator exit temperature; sensing the temperature inside said compartment; and adjusting the duty cycle of said pulse width modulated solenoid valve based on the difference between the evaporator exit temperature and the temperature inside said compartment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
A refrigerator system for cooling at least one compartment, said refrigeration system comprising: an evaporator having an inlet and an outlet; a pulse width modulated solenoid valve connected to said inlet of said evaporator; and a controller for controlling the duty cycle of said pulse width modulated solenoid valve in response to the difference between the temperature of said evaporator outlet and the temperature in said compartment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
A refrigerator system for cooling at least one compartment, said refrigeration system comprising: an evaporator having an inlet and an outlet; a pulse width modulated solenoid valve connected to said inlet of said evaporator; and a controller for controlling the duty cycle of said pulse width modulated solenoid valve in response to the difference between the temperature of said evaporator outlet and the temperature in said compartment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2060589A
Cited
US2228834A
Cited
US2739451A
Cited
US2770104A
Cited
US2826044A
Cited
US3698204A
Cited
US4167858A
Cited
US4112703A
Cited
US4653288A
Cited
US4745767A
Cited
US4651535A
Cited
US4685309A
Cited
US4677830A
Cited
US4934155A
Cited
US4807445A
Cited
US4910972A
Cited
US5255529A
Cited
US5247989A
Cited
US5255530A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-26 | 1998-12-26 | 1999-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-26 | 2002-12-26 | 2003-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-26 | 2006-12-26 | 2007-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |