Surged heat pump systems
US9057547B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 21, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2600/2515
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Surged heat pump systems, devices, and methods are disclosed having refrigerant phase separators that generate at least one surge of vapor phase refrigerant into the inlet of an evaporator during an on cycle of the compressor. This surge of vapor phase refrigerant, having a higher temperature than the liquid phase refrigerant, increases the temperature of the evaporator inlet, thus reducing frost build up in relation to conventional refrigeration systems lacking a surged input of vapor phase refrigerant to the evaporator. The temperature of the vapor phase refrigerant is raised in relation to the liquid phase with heat from the liquid by the phase separation, not by the introduction of energy from another source. The surged heat pump systems may operate in highest heat transfer efficiency mode and/or in one or more higher temperature modes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.