Oil recovery system for low capacity operation of refrigeration systems
US5086621A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1990 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B31/004
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An oil recovery system for refrigeration apparatus of the type in which an oil lubricated screw compressor is oriented with a suction inlet in communication with an evaporated chamber positioned under the compressor so that under conditions of low capacity compressor operation, lubricating oil may fall from the compressor through the suction inlet thereof and into the evaporator. The recovery system takes advantage of an existing suction distribution tray in the upper region of the evaporator chamber of such systems, normally used to assure distribution of gaseous refrigerant to the suction inlet of the compressor, by removing oil dropping into the tray and returning it back to the compressor. An existing by-pass eductor loop for returning liquid refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor is extended by a valve controlled branch to a second eductor for withdrawing the oil from the tray and returning it to the compressor. The valve is controlled so that the oil recovery system is disabled at normal compressor capacity levels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.