Patent · US Expired

Dual-circuit refrigeration system

US6978630B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
20References
41Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 16, 2004
Grant dateDec 27, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 16, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25B2400/06
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A refrigeration system and method of refrigeration employ dual refrigeration circuits. Each circuit has an independent compressor, condenser and evaporator. In one refrigeration circuit, the flow of the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator is regulated in response to variations in the heat load at the evaporator while, in the other refrigeration circuit, the refrigerant is passed from the condenser to the evaporator at a substantially constant rate of flow. The refrigeration system can be used as a cooling system, including an air conditioning system, and as a heat pump. The evaporator in both circuits may be incorporated within a common heat exchanger as may the two condensers. Additionally, the flow of the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator in one refrigeration circuit may be regulated in response to variations in the heat load in the evaporator in that refrigeration circuit by a thermal expansion valve.

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