US5806322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant recovery method
Assignee: York International Corp
•
Filing: 1997-04-07
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Granted: 1998-09-15
•
Expires: 2017-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerant recovery system for use in connection with a refrigeration system having an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser, and a purge unit connected to the condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant and non-condensable gases from the condenser. A tank connects to the purge unit by a line for receiving purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from the purge unit. The tank contains adsorbent material for recovering the purged gaseous refrigerant from the purged non-condensable gases. The system includes means for determining when a predetermined amount of purged gaseous refrigerant is received by the tank and means for controlling the flow of fluids to and from the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Sakin R. Cakmakci
- 👤 Walter A. Lobodinsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:52
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/04; B01D53/0454; F25B43/00; F25B43/04; F25B43/043; B01D2253/00; B01D2253/10; B01D2253/102; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for recovering refrigerant to a refrigeration system having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a purge unit connected to the condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant and non-condensable gases from the condenser, the method comprising the steps of: supplying purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from the purge unit to a tank filled with adsorbent material; adsorbing the purged gaseous refrigerant from the purged non-condensable gases by the adsorbent material; determining when a predetermined amount of purged gaseous refrigerant has been supplied to the tank; venting the purged non-condensable gases from the tank; recovering the adsorbed refrigerant from the adsorbent material once the adsorbent material reaches a predetermined degree of saturation; returning the recovered refrigerant to the evaporator; and cooling the adsorbent material, without the supply of purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases to the tank, to increase the adsorption capability of the adsorbent material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for recovering refrigerant to a refrigeration system having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a purge unit connected to the condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant and non-condensable gases from the condenser, the method comprising the steps of: supplying purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from the purge unit to a tank filled with adsorbent material; adsorbing the purged gaseous refrigerant from the purged non-condensable gases by the adsorbent material; determining when a predetermined amount of purged gaseous refrigerant has been supplied to the tank; venting the purged non-condensable gases from the tank; recovering the adsorbed refrigerant from the adsorbent material once the adsorbent material reaches a predetermined degree of saturation; returning the recovered refrigerant to the evaporator; and cooling the adsorbent material, without the supply of purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases to the tank, to increase the adsorption capability of the adsorbent material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of blocking the supply of purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases to the tank during the refrigerant recovering step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant recovery step includes the step of selectively heating the adsorbent material to promote the desorption of the adsorbed refrigerant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the absorbent material is selectively heated for a predetermined optimum amount of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling step includes timing the cooling for a predetermined optimum amount of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling step includes cooling the adsorbent material with cool refrigerant liquid from the condenser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the adsorbing step includes monitoring a pressure within the tank and the venting step includes venting the purged non-condensable gases when the pressure within the tank reaches a predetermined pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the purged non-condensable gases vent from the tank when the pressure in the tank reaches a predetermined amount.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of directing the flow of purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from an exit of the purge unit to an entrance of the purge unit during the cooling step.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for recovering refrigerant to a refrigeration system having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a purge unit connected to the condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant and non-condensable gases from the condenser, the method comprising the steps of: supplying purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from the purge unit to a tank filled with adsorbent material; adsorbing the purged gaseous refrigerant from the purged non-condensable gases by the adsorbent material; determining when a predetermined amount of purged gaseous refrigerant has been supplied to the tank; venting the purged non-condensable gases from the tank; recovering the adsorbed refrigerant from the adsorbent material once the adsorbent material reaches a predetermined degree of saturation; directing the flow of purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from an exit of the purge unit to an entrance of the purge unit during the refrigerant recovering step; and returning the recovered refrigerant to the evaporator.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for recovering refrigerant to a refrigeration system having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a purge unit connected to the condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant and non-condensable gases from the condenser, the method comprising the steps of: supplying purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from the purge unit to a tank filled with adsorbent material; adsorbing the purged gaseous refrigerant from the purged non-condensable gases by the adsorbent material; determining when a predetermined amount of purged gaseous refrigerant has been supplied to the tank; venting the purged non-condensable gases from the tank; recovering the adsorbed refrigerant from the adsorbent material once the adsorbent material reaches a predetermined degree of saturation; directing the flow of purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from an exit of the purge unit to an entrance of the purge unit during the refrigerant recovering step; and returning the recovered refrigerant to the evaporator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the purged non-condensable gases vent from the tank when the pressure in the tank reaches a predetermined amount.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for recovering refrigerant to a refrigeration system having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a purge unit connected to the condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant and non-condensable gases from the condenser, the method comprising the steps of: supplying purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from the purge unit to a tank filled with adsorbent material; adsorbing the purged gaseous refrigerant from the purged non-condensable gases by the adsorbent material; determining when a predetermined amount of purged gaseous refrigerant has been supplied to the tank; venting the purged non-condensable gases from the tank; recovering the adsorbed refrigerant from the adsorbent material once the adsorbent material reaches a predetermined degree of saturation; removing the recovered refrigerant from the tank; and cooling the adsorbent material, without the venting of purged non-condensable gases from the tank, to increase the adsorption capability of the adsorbent material.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for recovering refrigerant to a refrigeration system having an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a purge unit connected to the condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant and non-condensable gases from the condenser, the method comprising the steps of: supplying purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from the purge unit to a tank filled with adsorbent material; adsorbing the purged gaseous refrigerant from the purged non-condensable gases by the adsorbent material; determining when a predetermined amount of purged gaseous refrigerant has been supplied to the tank; venting the purged non-condensable gases from the tank; recovering the adsorbed refrigerant from the adsorbent material once the adsorbent material reaches a predetermined degree of saturation; removing the recovered refrigerant from the tank; and cooling the adsorbent material, without the venting of purged non-condensable gases from the tank, to increase the adsorption capability of the adsorbent material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of blocking the supply of purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases to the tank during the refrigerant recovering step.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of directing the flow of purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from an exit of the purge unit to an entrance of the purge unit during the refrigerant recovering step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the refrigerant recovery step includes the step of selectively heating the adsorbent material to promote the desorption of the adsorbed refrigerant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the absorbent material is selectively heated for a predetermined optimum amount of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the cooling step includes timing the cooling for a predetermined optimum amount of time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the cooling step includes cooling the adsorbent material with cool refrigerant liquid from the condenser.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of directing the flow of purged gaseous refrigerant and purged non-condensable gases from an exit of the purge unit to an entrance of the purge unit during the cooling step.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the adsorbing step includes monitoring a pressure within the tank and the venting step includes venting the purged non-condensable gases when the pressure within the tank reaches a predetermined pressure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the purged non-condensable gases vent from the tank when the pressure in the tank reaches a predetermined amount.
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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) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-03-16 | 2002-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-14 | 2006-03-16 | 2006-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-14 | 2010-03-16 | 2010-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |