Oil separator and return for ejector-based direct expansion (DX) evaporator
US12264853B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2023 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2700/21173
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for increasing the refrigeration capacity of a direct expansion refrigeration system having a vapor separator and a vapor ejector. After the throttling process at the expansion device, the mixture of liquid and vapor enters the inlet separator. The vapor separator generates vapor to power the ejector through flashing of warm refrigerant liquid from a higher temperature and pressure to a lower pressure. The cooler refrigerant liquid then goes to the evaporator coil inlet. The vapor goes to the ejector as well as refrigerant vapor from the outlet of the evaporator. The ejector sends oil and vapor and liquid refrigerant to an oil separator which returns oil to the compressor and sends the liquid and vapor refrigerant to the evaporator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.