Patent · US Expired

Dual flow variable area expansion device for heat pump system

US5029454A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
2References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 26, 1990
Grant dateJul 9, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 26, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7779
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A flow metering device for use as an expansion valve in a heat pump system includes a body having a flow passage extending therethrough. A piston having a flow metering port extending therethrough is moveably positioned within the flow passage. An elongated member extends through the metering port of the piston and is axially and radially fixed within the body. The elongated member has a central portion which cooperates with the metering port to prevent flow through the port when axially aligned with it. The elongated member has flow metering configurations formed thereon on both sides of the central portion. The piston is spring biased into alignment with the central portion. Refrigerant flow in either direction through the device results in movement of the piston against a spring force into a flow metering relationship with one of the metering configurations. The size of the flow metering passages defined by the flow metering port and the metering configurations are a function of the position of the piston, which is, in turn, a function of the pressure differential across the device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.