Liquid/gas bypass
US4832068A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1987 |
| Grant date | May 23, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B49/027
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A liquid/gas bypass line bypasses an expansion device of a refrigeration apparatus. An inlet of the bypass line is connected slightly above the bottom of a condenser so that it can pass either liquid refrigerant or vaporous refrigerant, depending on the level of liquid refrigerant in the condenser. The other end of the bypass line is connected to discharge into the evaporator, bypassing the expansion device. The bypass line functions as a conventional hot gas bypass during low load conditions when the level of liquid refrigerant is below the line's inlet. When the level rises above the inlet, often occurring when the condenser coolant temperature is low and the compressor is fully loaded, the bypass line returns excess accumulated liquid refrigerant to the evaporator. Maintaining the proper levels of liquid refrigerant in both the condenser and the evaporator not only provides the most effective use of their heat transfer surfaces, but also promotes the proper return of oil to the compressor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.