Refrigeration system with combined superheat and subcooling control
US12055327B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2023 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B30/70
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A controller for a refrigeration system includes a processing circuit having one or more processors and memory. The processing circuit is configured to calculate a superheat of a gas refrigerant exiting a first side of a subcooler based on a measured temperature and a measured pressure of the gas refrigerant and compare the calculated superheat to a superheat threshold. In response to a determination that the calculated superheat is less than the superheat threshold, the processing circuit closes an expansion valve to restrict a flow of the gas refrigerant through a second side of the subcooler. In response to a determination that the calculated superheat is equal to or greater than the superheat threshold, the processing circuit operates the expansion valve to drive a temperature of a subcooled liquid refrigerant exiting the second side of the subcooler to a subcooled liquid temperature setpoint.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.