Refrigerant system with control to address flooded compressor operation
US9494352B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B30/70
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A suction modulation valve is throttled when conditions in a refrigerant system indicate that an undesirable amount of liquid refrigerant might otherwise be delivered to the compressor. As an example, the throttling would occur at start-up, among other conditions. Throttling the suction modulation valve reduces the amount of refrigerant reaching the compressor and thus ensures that any liquid refrigerant would be likely “boiled off” before raising any problems in the compressor. Other control steps can also be performed to alleviate flooded compressor operation with liquid refrigerant. Such steps, for example, can include actuating heaters, discharge valve throttling, by-passing refrigerant from an intermediate compression point back to suction, controlling the speed of the condenser fan can be performed independently or in combination including the suction modulation valve throttling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.