US6418735B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High pressure regulation in transcritical vapor compression cycles
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 2000-11-15
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Granted: 2002-07-16
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Expires: 2020-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A valve located at the exit of at least one of two circuits in a gas cooler in a vapor compression system controls the high pressure of the system. The high pressure of the system can be regulated by controlling the actuation of the valve. Closing the valve will accumulate and store charge in the gas cooler, increasing the pressure in the gas cooler. Opening the valve will release charge and reduce the gas cooler pressure. By controlling the actuation of the valve, the high pressure component of the system can be regulated, also regulating the enthalpy of the system to achieve optimal efficiency and/or capacity. Carbon dioxide is preferably used as the refrigerant.
Inventors
- 👤 Tobias H. Sienel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:58
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B49/00; F25B49/02; F25B49/027; F25B6/00; F25B6/02; F25B9/00; F25B9/002; F25B9/008; F25B2309/00; F25B2309/06; F25B2309/061; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/16; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/17; F25B2600/25; F25B2600/2503; F25B2700/00; F25B2700/19; F25B2700/195
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for regulating a high pressure of a refrigerant circulating in a transcritical vapor compression system comprising: a heat rejecting heat exchanger for cooling said refrigerant, said heat rejecting heat exchanger having at least two circuits; a valve located on at least one said circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger; and a controller which monitors said high pressure, determines a desired high pressure, and adjusts said high pressure to said desired high pressure by adjusting said valve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for regulating a high pressure of a refrigerant circulating in a transcritical vapor compression system comprising: a heat rejecting heat exchanger for cooling said refrigerant, said heat rejecting heat exchanger having at least two circuits; a valve located on at least one said circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger; and a controller which monitors said high pressure, determines a desired high pressure, and adjusts said high pressure to said desired high pressure by adjusting said valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said valve is opened to regulate flow of charge through said at least one circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger and decrease said high pressure of said refrigerant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said valve is closed to regulate flow of charge through said at least one circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger and increase said high pressure of said refrigerant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said high pressure is controlled by actuating said valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said refrigerant is carbon dioxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
A transcritical vapor compression system comprising: a compression device to compress a refrigerant to a high pressure; a heat rejecting heat exchanger for cooling said refrigerant, said heat rejecting heat exchanger having at least two circuits; a valve located on at least one said circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger actuated to regulate flow of a charge through said heat rejecting heat exchanger; a controller which monitors said high pressure, determines a desired high pressure, and adjusts said high pressure to said desired high pressure by adjusting said valve; an expansion device for reducing said refrigerant to a low pressure; and a heat accepting heat exchanger for evaporating said refrigerant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
A transcritical vapor compression system comprising: a compression device to compress a refrigerant to a high pressure; a heat rejecting heat exchanger for cooling said refrigerant, said heat rejecting heat exchanger having at least two circuits; a valve located on at least one said circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger actuated to regulate flow of a charge through said heat rejecting heat exchanger; a controller which monitors said high pressure, determines a desired high pressure, and adjusts said high pressure to said desired high pressure by adjusting said valve; an expansion device for reducing said refrigerant to a low pressure; and a heat accepting heat exchanger for evaporating said refrigerant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said valve is opened to regulate flow of said charge through said at least one circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger and decrease said high pressure of said refrigerant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said valve is closed to regulate flow of said charge through said at least one circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger and increase said high pressure of said refrigerant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said high pressure is controlled by actuating said valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said refrigerant is carbon dioxide.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of regulation of a high pressure of a transcritical vapor compression system comprising the steps of: providing a heat rejecting heat exchanger for cooling a refrigerant including at least two circuits and at least one valve located on at least one of said circuits; compressing said refrigerant to said high pressure; cooling said refrigerant; expanding said refrigerant; evaporating said refrigerant; determining a desired high pressure; and adjusting said high pressure of said refrigerant to said desired high pressure by adjusting said at least one valve.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of regulation of a high pressure of a transcritical vapor compression system comprising the steps of: providing a heat rejecting heat exchanger for cooling a refrigerant including at least two circuits and at least one valve located on at least one of said circuits; compressing said refrigerant to said high pressure; cooling said refrigerant; expanding said refrigerant; evaporating said refrigerant; determining a desired high pressure; and adjusting said high pressure of said refrigerant to said desired high pressure by adjusting said at least one valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the step of adjusting said high pressure comprises opening said valve to regulate flow of charge through said circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger to decrease said high pressure of said refrigerant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein tie step of adjusting said high pressure comprises closing said valve to regulate flow of charge through said circuit of said heat rejecting heat exchanger to increase said high pressure of said refrigerant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the refrigerant is carbon dioxide.
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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) | 2005-07-15 | 2006-01-14 | 2006-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-15 | 2010-01-14 | 2010-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-15 | 2014-01-14 | 2014-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |