Vapor compression system and method
US6644052B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2500/01
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vapor compression refrigeration and freezer system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion devise and an evaporator which includes an evaporator coil having an inlet and an outlet which coil is in heat exchange relation with an air medium along substantially the entire coil length. The inlet to the evaporator coil is in flow communication with an outlet of the expansion devise via an evaporator feedline. The expansion device can include a multifunctional valve that cooperates with the evaporator feedline to supply the evaporator coil inlet with a mixture of refrigerant vapor and liquid at a linear velocity and with relative amounts of vapor and liquid which are sufficient to provide efficient heat transfer along substantially the entire length of the coil, substantially reducing the build-up of frost on the evaporator coil and enabling the system to be operated without requiring a defrosting cycle over a substantially increased number of operating cycles compared to conventional refrigeration and freezer systems operating at the same cooling load and evaporating temperature conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.