Vapor compression system and method for controlling conditions in ambient surroundings
US6951117B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2500/18
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vapor compression system (10) including an evaporator (16), a compressor (12), and a condenser (14) interconnected in a closed-loop system. In one embodiment, a multifunctional valve (18) is configured to receive a liquefied heat transfer fluid from the condenser (14) and a hot vapor from the compressor (12). A saturated vapor line (28) connects the outlet of the evaporator (16) and is sized so as to substantially convert the heat transfer fluid exiting the multifunctional valve (18) into a saturated vapor prior to delivery to the evaporator (16). The multifunctional valve (18) regulates the flow of heat transfer fluid by monitoring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid returning to the compressor (12) through a suction line (30) coupling the evaporator (16) outlet to the compressor (12) inlet. In one preferred embodiment, a bifurcated liquid line connects the condenser (14) outlet to the first inlet of an multifunctional valve and the inlet of a metering unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.