Refrigerant management in HVAC systems
US12092378B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2339/0242
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Generally, management of refrigerant in an evaporator of an HVAC chiller is described. Methods, systems, and apparatuses to manage refrigerant in an evaporator can include one or combination of the following approaches: (1) by use of a refrigerant displacement array to physically prevent refrigerant from residing where the array is positioned (2) by control of the interstitial velocity of refrigerant flow within the volume of the shell of an evaporator; (3) by a phase biased distribution of the refrigerant mixture, so that a gaseous portion is uniformly distributed into the evaporator shell, while liquid refrigerant and oil is distributed into the evaporator shell at a designated area; and (4) by preventing or reducing the occurrence of foaming inside the evaporator through anti-foaming surfaces, such as by the use of refrigerant phobic and lubricant phobic material(s). Refrigerant management can in turn improve the thermal performance and overall efficiency of the evaporator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.