Patent · US Expired

Transcritical vapor compression system and method of operating including refrigerant storage tank and non-variable expansion device

US7096679B2 · kind B2 · utility

50Cited by
79References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 23, 2003
Grant dateAug 29, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 25, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25B2700/19
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A transcritical vapor compression system includes a fluid circuit circulating a refrigerant in a closed loop. The fluid circuit has operably disposed therein, in serial order, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, at least one non-variable expansion device and a second heat exchanger. The compressor compresses the refrigerant from a low pressure to a supercritical pressure. The first heat exchanger is positioned in a high pressure side of the fluid circuit. The second heat exchanger is positioned in a low pressure side of the fluid circuit. The at least one non-variable expansion device reduces the pressure of the refrigerant from a supercritical pressure to a relatively lower pressure. A refrigerant storage vessel is in fluid communication with the fluid circuit and contains a variable mass of refrigerant whereby the capacity of the system may be controlled.

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