Apparatus for controlling a refrigerant expansion valve in a refrigeration system
US4768348A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1987 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B30/70
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cooling unit for an automotive air-conditioning system, comprising an evaporator, a compressor, an expansion valve connected to the inlet port of the evaporator, an accumulator connected to the outlet port of the evaporator, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet port or within the evaporator, and temperature control means which controls the degree of opening of the expansion valve so that the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet port or within the evaporator is maintained above a predetermined temperature which is slightly higher than a temperature at which the evaporator becomes frosted. The degree of opening of the expansion valve is increased to raise the vapor pressure of the refrigerant in the evaporator, instead of stopping the compressor, when the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet port or within the evaporator drops to the predetermined temperature, so that the frequency of starting and stopping the compressor is reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.