Patent · US Active

In-situ oil circulation ratio measurement system for vapor compression cycle systems

US11821663B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
18References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 22, 2021
Grant dateNov 21, 2023
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 19, 2041

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25B2700/21175
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for measuring oil circulation ratio in a vapor-compression refrigeration system (VCRS) is provided. The system may include an oil separator configured to receive the refrigerant and oil flow from the low-pressure line of the VCRS and output a oil flow and a refrigerant flow. The system may further include an oil collector configured to receive the separated oil flow provided by the oil separator. A valve may control an oil flow from the oil collector to the low-pressure line. A level sensor may measure oil level in the oil collector. The system may close, in response to the oil being at or less than a first level, the valve to collect oil in the oil collector. The system may open, in response to the oil being at or greater than a second level, the valve to release oil from the oil collector to the low-pressure line.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.