Method and apparatus for determining supercritical pressure in a heat exchanger
US7216498B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2700/2102
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus to determine the pressure of a supercritical refrigerant within a heat exchanger of a transcritical vapor compression system. A plurality of measurements, e.g., temperature, are obtained at spaced locations on the heat exchanger and the location of the minimum temperature gradient, i.e., maximum specific heat value of the refrigerant, is determined (“the inflection point”). Obtaining the refrigerant temperature at the inflection point allows the refrigerant pressure to be determined. Alternatively, the temperature of the refrigerant at a second point can be determined together with the change in specific enthalpy between the inflection point and the second point to thereby determine the pressure of the refrigerant. The system can be regulated by controlling the location of the inflection point or by controlling the temperature difference of the refrigerant at the inflection point and a second point, e.g., the outlet of the heat exchanger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.