Abstract:
A scroll compressor is provided with spaced grooves in a base of one of the two scroll members. A recess is formed in a wrap tip of the other scroll member. The recess in the wrap tip bridges a space between the grooves of the other scroll member. This bridging equalizes pressure between two parallel intermediate compression chambers. Pressure equalization between the chambers improves compressor efficiency.
Abstract:
A refrigerant cycle is provided with a compressor system, capable of simultaneously delivering refrigerant to multiple condensers operating at different temperature levels. A single evaporator communicates with these condensers. One of the condensers receives fully compressed refrigerant while the others receives refrigerant at an intermediate pressure. A control can optionally direct refrigerant to only one of these condensers to achieve desired heat rejection and other operational characteristics. Various system configurations with multiple compressors and condensers are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A heat pump is provided with a method and control for eliminating flooded starts. In particular, the heat pump at start-up is operated for a short period of time in the opposite mode to that in which it had been operated before the previous shutdown. In this way, the compressor ingestion of liquid refrigerant is limited or completely eliminated. After a short period of time, the heat pump is moved back to the intended mode of operation. Additional features can be added to the control scheme to limit this type of operation at start-up only to certain ambient conditions or only to a prolonged period between shutdown and start-up.
Abstract:
A refrigerant system is provided with a reheat function selectively utilizing the heat rejected by the variable speed drive controller and electronics that are often employed in known refrigerant cycles. By placing at least one of these variable speed drives in the path of air being delivered to an environment to be conditioned, the air is reheated to a desired temperature, after it has been overcooled in the evaporator to provide a desired humidity level. In this manner, the variable speed drive is cooled, and the reheat function is provided, without the requirement of any additional flow structure.
Abstract:
A tandem compressor cycle is utilized that delivers compressed refrigerant to a common discharge manifold, and then to a common condenser. From the common condenser, the refrigerant passes to a plurality of evaporators, with each of the evaporators being associated with a separate environment to be conditioned. Each of the evaporators is associated with one of the plurality of compressors. By utilizing the common condenser, yet a plurality of evaporators, the ability to independently condition a number of environments is achieved without the requirement of having a dedicated circuit with multiple additional components. Thus, the overall system cost can be greatly reduced. In embodiments, one or more of the plurality of compressors can be provided by a compressor bank having its own plurality of compressors.
Abstract:
A refrigerant cycle is provided with a compressor system, capable of simultaneously delivering refrigerant to multiple condensers operating at different temperature levels. A single evaporator communicates with these condensers. One of the condensers receives fully compressed refrigerant while the others receives refrigerant at an intermediate pressure. A control can optionally direct refrigerant to only one of these condensers to achieve desired heat rejection and other operational characteristics. Various system configurations with multiple compressors and condensers are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Various refrigerant system schematics incorporate the ability to bypass refrigerant around a condenser, to selectively provide refrigerant of a desired thermodynamic state to downstream system components, including a reheat coil located downstream of the condenser. In addition, the reheat coil may be utilized in combination, or independently from an economizer cycle, that is also incorporated into the system design. The economizer branch can be configured in a sequential or parallel arrangement relative to the reheat coil. Consequently, a wide spectrum of sensible and latent load demands can be satisfied. Furthermore, various schematics provide distinct benefits and flexibility in unloading and temperature and humidity control, also resulting in system performance and reliability enhancement.
Abstract:
A compressor has at least three-rotors. A first compression path between first inlet and outlet ports is associated with interaction of the first and second rotors. A second compression path between second inlet and outlet ports is associated with interaction of the first and third rotors. At least partial independence of the ports permits the first and second inlet ports to be at a different pressure or the first and second outlet ports to be at a different pressure. Fully or partially separate circuits in a refrigeration or air conditioning system may be associated with the first and second compression paths.
Abstract:
A vapor compression system includes a main circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator serially connected by main refrigerant lines, the compressor having a suction port, a discharge port and an intermediate pressure port; an economizer circuit having an auxiliary expansion device and economizer refrigerant lines connected between said condenser and at least one of said intermediate pressure port and said suction port of said compressor; a bypass circuit having bypass refrigerant lines connected between the intermediate pressure port and the suction port; and a heat exchanger adapted to receive a first flow from the main refrigerant lines and a second flow from at least one of the economizer circuit and the bypass circuit, the first flow and the second flow being positioned for heat transfer relationship within the heat exchanger, wherein the system is selectively operable in a first mode wherein the economizer circuit is active and the bypass circuit is inactive, and a second mode wherein the bypass circuit is active and the economizer circuit is inactive, and wherein the heat exchanger is active for cooling the first flow in both the first mode and the second mode. Further, another system configuration is offered which allows multiple additional important modes of operation as well as enhanced efficiency and reliability and operational envelope expansion through selective valving arrangements.
Abstract:
A hybrid dehumidification system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator connected for flow of working fluid through a fluid circuit; a reheat coil positioned relative to the evaporator for heating at least a portion of a stream of air passing through the evaporator; and a working fluid directing system adapted to flow working fluid in at least two modes of operation selected from the group consisting of a standard cooling mode, a cooling and enhanced dehumidification mode; a dehumidification without substantial sensible capacity mode; a heating and dehumidification mode; and a dehumidification with variable sensible capacity mode.