Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for mass flow control of a working fluid

US5877476A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
24References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 1996
Grant dateMar 2, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 30, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B30/70
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for detecting working fluid state in a heat transfer system of the type having an evaporator and an expansion valve for controlling mass flow of the working fluid to the evaporator, comprises a first sensor disposed in the working fluid on the outlet side of the evaporator; the first sensor producing a first signal related to the working fluid state; a second sensor disposed in the working fluid on the inlet side of the evaporator; the second sensor producing a second signal related to a pressure dependent characteristic of the working fluid; and a control circuit for receiving the first and second signals and determining the working fluid state based on a ratio of the first and second signals.

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