Patent · US Active

Method for controlling a supply of refrigerant to an evaporator

US9644874B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 19, 2011
Grant dateMay 9, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 8, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B30/70
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for controlling a supply of refrigerant to an evaporator (5) of a vapor compression system (1), such as a refrigeration system, an air condition system or a heat pump, is disclosed. The vapor compression system (1) comprises an evaporator (5), a compressor (2), a condenser (3) and an expansion device (4) arranged in a refrigerant circuit. The method comprises the steps of: Actuating a component, such as an expansion valve (4), a fan or a compressor (2), of the vapor compression system (1) in such a manner that a dry zone in the evaporator (5) is changed; measuring a temperature signal representing a temperature of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (5); analyzing the measured temperature signal, e.g. including deriving a rate of change signal; determining a temperature value where a gain of a transfer function between the actuated component and the measured temperature drops from a maximum value to a minimum value, in a decreasing temperature direction; defining the determined temperature value as corresponding to a zero superheat (SH=0) value of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (5), and controlling a supply of refrigerant to the evaporator (5) in accordance with the def…

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