Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for recovering refrigerant

US5146761A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
11References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 17, 1991
Grant dateSep 15, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 17, 2011

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 compressible refrigerant from a refrigeration system and delivering the recovered refrigerant to a refrigerant storage container. Means are provided for determining the type of refrigerant being recovered and for determining the ambient temperature. The recovery method includes the steps of withdrawing refrigerant from a refrigeration system being serviced and compressing the withdrawn refrigerant in a compresser to form a high pressure gas. A high pressure gaseous refrigerant is delivered to a condenser where it is condensed to form liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant from the condenser is delivered to the refrigerant storage means. Means are provided for stopping the withdrawal of refrigerant from the refrigeration system being serviced when a predetermined event occurs. At that point, the system begins to withdraw stored refrigerant from the storage container. The refrigerant withdrawn from the storage container is then compressed in the same compresser which was used to compress refrigerant withdrawn from the refrigeration system. This refrigerant is then condensed and passed through an expansion device. If the refrigerant is not a h…

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