Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for recovering and purifying refrigerant

US5127232A · kind A · utility

53Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 13, 1990
Grant dateJul 7, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 13, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25B2345/002
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for recovering and purifying refrigerant contained in a refrigeration system has a first mode of operation wherein refrigerant is withdrawn from the system being serviced, compressed, condensed and delivered in liquid form to a refrigerant storage means. The pressure ratio across the recovery compressor is monitored, and, when the pressure ratio exceeds a value above which the compressor may be adversely affected withdrawal of the refrigerant from the refrigeration system is terminated. The system is then operated in a closed, cooling mode wherein refrigerant recovered from the system and stored in the storage means is withdrawn therefrom by the compressor, compressed condensed, and expanded and returned to the storage means to thereby lower the temperature and pressure of the storage means and the refrigerant contained therein. Means for purifying the withdrawn refrigerant are located upstream from the compressor suction port so that refrigerant purification takes place during all modes of operation. When the temperature in the refrigerant storage cylinder falls to a predetermined level the system is returned to the recovery mode. During the second recovery …

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