US20120102989A1 - Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems - Google Patents
Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120102989A1 US20120102989A1 US12/912,965 US91296510A US2012102989A1 US 20120102989 A1 US20120102989 A1 US 20120102989A1 US 91296510 A US91296510 A US 91296510A US 2012102989 A1 US2012102989 A1 US 2012102989A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- receiver
- liquid refrigerant
- enclosure
- heat exchanger
- baffles
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
- F25B43/006—Accumulators
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B40/00—Subcoolers, desuperheaters or superheaters
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/05—Compression system with heat exchange between particular parts of the system
- F25B2400/053—Compression system with heat exchange between particular parts of the system between the storage receiver and another part of the system
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/05—Compression system with heat exchange between particular parts of the system
- F25B2400/054—Compression system with heat exchange between particular parts of the system between the suction tube of the compressor and another part of the cycle
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/16—Receivers
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to refrigeration systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a compact refrigeration system which may be advantageously employed in a vehicle.
- refrigeration systems may be employed to perform various cooling functions.
- on-board refrigeration systems that occupy as little volume as possible.
- aircraft refrigeration systems with low weight and high efficiency.
- suction line heat exchangers in refrigeration systems may increase temperature of refrigerant vapor at a compressor inlet.
- the increased temperature may reduce the amount of refrigerant that can be absorbed into lubricating oil and thereby may result in an increase of viscosity of the oil.
- Higher viscosity oil-refrigerant mixture may provide improved lubrication and longer life for various compressor components.
- the suction line heat exchanger may minimize the amount of liquid refrigerant that enters the compressor thus adding further to higher oil viscosity.
- suction line heat exchangers are a desirable feature for a refrigeration systems, their use has heretofore added substantial volume to a refrigeration system.
- effective suction line heat exchangers may have a volume that is about equal to volume of a receiver of the system.
- a distributed cooling system for an aircraft may comprise an evaporator; a compressor; a condenser; and a receiver interposed between the condenser and the evaporator for receiving liquid refrigerant from the condenser, the receiver comprising a heat exchanger; and the heat exchanger interposed between the evaporator and the compressor and configured to transfer heat from the liquid refrigerant in the receiver to refrigerant vapor emerging from the evaporator.
- a receiver for a refrigeration system may comprise an enclosure with an inlet for liquid refrigerant at a first end and an outlet for the liquid refrigerant at a second end; and a heat exchanger with an inlet and an outlet for refrigerant vapor; and wherein the heat exchanger is surrounded by the enclosure.
- a method for improving operation of a refrigeration system may comprise passing a vapor and liquid mixture emerging from an evaporator through a heat exchanger incorporated in a receiver; passing heated liquid refrigerant into the receiver and into contact with the heat exchanger; transferring heat from the liquid refrigerant to the vapor; and passing the heated mixture to an inlet of a compressor.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a distributed cooling system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is sectional view of a receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the receiver of FIG. 3 taken along the line 4 - 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the receiver of FIG. 3 showing a flow path in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for improving operation of a refrigeration system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- the present invention generally provides a cooling system that uses a space-saving receiver and an integral suction-line heat exchanger incorporated into a single enclosure.
- the system 10 may comprise a plurality of cooled storage boxes 12 which may be used for storing food and beverage on a commercial aircraft (not shown).
- heat from the boxes 12 may be extracted through a fluid-filled cooling circuit 14 and conveyed to an evaporator 16 .
- the evaporator 16 may extract heat from the cooling circuit 14 and heated air may be exhausted from the aircraft though an exhaust passage 18 .
- a refrigerant circuit 20 may interconnect the evaporator 16 to a compressor 22 at an inlet side 22 - 1 .
- the compressor 22 may be a scroll compressor.
- the compressor 22 may be driven by an AC motor 24 which may be provided with electrical power through a dedicated inverter 26 which may be connected to a DC bus 28 of the aircraft.
- the compressor 22 may be interconnected, at an outlet side 22 - 2 , to the evaporator 16 through a condenser 30 .
- a receiver 31 may be interposed between the condenser 30 and the evaporator 16 .
- the circuit 20 may interconnect the compressor 22 , the condenser 30 , the receiver 31 , an expansion valve 34 and the evaporator 16 .
- the receiver 31 may incorporate a suction line heat exchanger 32 .
- the receiver 31 may comprise an enclosure 31 - 2 , an inlet 31 - 4 and an outlet 31 - 6 .
- Liquid refrigerant 40 may enter the receiver 31 through the inlet 31 - 4 and exit through the outlet 31 - 6 .
- the receiver 31 may collect varying amounts of the liquid refrigerant 40 .
- a head-pressure control valve 42 (See FIG. 2 ) may be employed to control pressure in the condenser 30 . This pressure control may be accomplished by by-passing varying amounts of the liquid refrigerant 40 directly from the compressor 22 into the receiver 31 . It may be seen, by referring back to FIG.
- the liquid refrigerant 40 may enter the receiver 31 as by-passed refrigerant, through a bypass line 20 - 2 , and/or as refrigerant directly from the condenser 30 . In either case, the liquid refrigerant 40 may collect in the receiver 31 until it is released through the expansion valve 34 .
- the liquid refrigerant 40 passing through and/or collected in the receiver 41 may be used a heat source for the heat exchanger 32 .
- the heat exchanger 32 may comprise a serpentine tube 32 - 2 and a plurality of baffles 32 - 4 .
- the heat exchanger 32 may be positioned within the enclosure 31 - 2 .
- the heat exchanger 32 may be interposed between the evaporator 16 and the inlet 22 - 1 of the compressor 22 on a suction line 20 - 1 .
- Refrigerant vapor may be commingled with lubricating oil and liquid refrigerant as it emerges from the evaporator 16 . This mixture of lubricating oil, refrigerant vapor and liquid refrigerant may be referred as a suction-line mixture 50 .
- the mixture 50 from the evaporator 16 may enter the heat exchanger 32 at an inlet 32 - 6 and may exit at an outlet 32 - 8 .
- the mixture 50 may pass through the tube 32 - 2 and the liquid refrigerant 40 may pass over the baffles 32 - 4 .
- the liquid refrigerant 40 may transfer heat to the baffles 32 - 4 and the tube 32 - 2 and the mixture 50 . This transfer of heat may raise the temperature of the mixture 50 as it passes through the heat exchanger 32 and into the compressor 20 .
- the heat exchanger 32 may advantageously heat the mixture 50 sufficiently to vaporize any liquid refrigerant that may be contained in the mixture 50 so that any refrigerant emerging from the heat exchanger may be in a vapor state. Additionally, because the heat exchanger 32 may advantageously raise the temperature of the mixture 50 , viscosity of an oil-refrigerant component of the mixture may be increased. This may occur because the oil-refrigerant component may become modified to have a higher fraction of oil. Higher viscosity oil-refrigerant may provide improved lubrication and longer life for various compressor components. It may also be noted that because the heat exchanger 32 may minimize the amount of liquid refrigerant that enters the compressor 22 , resultant oil viscosity may be increased.
- the baffles 32 - 4 may advantageously distribute the liquid refrigerant 40 throughout the volume of the enclosure 31 - 2 as the refrigerant 40 flows into and/or through the receiver 31 .
- One or more of the baffles 32 - 4 may comprise a flat disc with an outer periphery 32 - 4 - 2 that may partially conform to an exemplary cylindrical configuration of the enclosure 31 - 2 of the receiver.
- the outer periphery 31 - 2 may be shaped so that a portion 32 - 4 - 2 - 2 of the periphery 34 - 4 - 2 may not conform to the shape of the enclosure 31 - 2 .
- baffles 32 - 4 When one or more of the baffles 32 - 4 may be installed in the enclosure 31 - 2 , a conforming portion 34 - 4 - 2 - 1 of the outer periphery 34 - 4 - 2 of the baffle may be in contact with the enclosure and a flow through passage 36 may develop between the non-contact, non-conforming portion 32 - 4 - 2 - 2 and the enclosure 31 - 2 .
- the baffles 32 - 4 may also be provided with holes 32 - 4 - 4 into which the tube 32 - 2 may be snugly fit in contact with the baffle 32 - 4 .
- the baffles 32 - 4 may be installed in the enclosure 31 - 2 so that the flow passages 36 may be positioned on opposing sides of the enclosure 31 - 2 .
- the liquid refrigerant 40 may flow across a first one of the baffles 32 - 4 and into one of the flow passages on a right side 31 - 2 - 2 of the enclosure 31 - 2 .
- a successive one of the baffles 32 - 4 may be installed so that its respective flow passage 36 may be on a left side 31 - 2 - 1 of the enclosure 31 - 2 .
- the liquid refrigerant 40 may flow from the right side of the enclosure 31 - 2 , across the successive baffle 32 - 4 and into the flow passage 36 on the left side of the enclosure 31 - 2 . It may be seen that as the liquid refrigerant 40 may flow, along a flow path 60 , through alternatingly positioned flow passages 36 , the liquid refrigerant 40 may advantageously pass into contact with the tube 32 - 2 on numerous occasions, thus effectively transferring heat to the tube 32 - 2 and the mixture 50 .
- an exemplary method 600 may be employed to improve operation of a refrigeration system.
- a vapor and liquid mixture emerging from an evaporator may be passed through a heat exchanger incorporated in a receiver (e.g., the mixture 50 may be passed from the evaporator 16 through the suction line 20 - 1 into the exchanger 32 ).
- heated liquid refrigerant may be passed into a receiver and into contact with the heat exchanger (e.g., the liquid refrigerant 40 emerging from the head pressure control valve 42 may be passed into and through the receiver 31 ).
- heat may be transferred from the liquid refrigerant to the vapor and liquid mixture (e.g., as the liquid refrigerant passes across the tube 32 - 4 , heat may be transferred into the tube 32 - 4 and that transferred heat may be transferred to the mixture 59 as it passes through the tube 32 - 4 ).
- the heated mixture may be passed to an inlet of a compressor (e.g., the mixture 50 may emerge from the heat exchanger 32 and travel to the inlet 22 - 1 of the compressor 22 ).
Abstract
A refrigeration system may be provided with a space-saving suction-line heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be incorporated into a receiver. As heated liquid refrigerant enters and flows through the receiver, it may transfer heat into the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be connected to a suction line of the system so that refrigerant vapor and an oil-refrigerant mixture may be heated as it passes from an evaporator and into an inlet of a compressor.
Description
- The present invention generally relates to refrigeration systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a compact refrigeration system which may be advantageously employed in a vehicle.
- In some vehicles such as aircraft, refrigeration systems may be employed to perform various cooling functions. In a typical aircraft, where space is limited, it is advantageous to construct on-board refrigeration systems that occupy as little volume as possible. At the same time, it is advantageous to construct aircraft refrigeration systems with low weight and high efficiency.
- It is known that incorporating suction line heat exchangers in refrigeration systems may increase temperature of refrigerant vapor at a compressor inlet. The increased temperature may reduce the amount of refrigerant that can be absorbed into lubricating oil and thereby may result in an increase of viscosity of the oil. Higher viscosity oil-refrigerant mixture may provide improved lubrication and longer life for various compressor components. Additionally, the suction line heat exchanger may minimize the amount of liquid refrigerant that enters the compressor thus adding further to higher oil viscosity.
- While suction line heat exchangers are a desirable feature for a refrigeration systems, their use has heretofore added substantial volume to a refrigeration system. Typically, effective suction line heat exchangers may have a volume that is about equal to volume of a receiver of the system.
- As can be seen, there is a need for an aircraft refrigeration system system in which a suction line heat exchanger may be employed and in which the suction line heat exchanger adds only minimal volume to the system.
- In one aspect of the present invention, a distributed cooling system for an aircraft may comprise an evaporator; a compressor; a condenser; and a receiver interposed between the condenser and the evaporator for receiving liquid refrigerant from the condenser, the receiver comprising a heat exchanger; and the heat exchanger interposed between the evaporator and the compressor and configured to transfer heat from the liquid refrigerant in the receiver to refrigerant vapor emerging from the evaporator.
- In another aspect of the present invention, a receiver for a refrigeration system may comprise an enclosure with an inlet for liquid refrigerant at a first end and an outlet for the liquid refrigerant at a second end; and a heat exchanger with an inlet and an outlet for refrigerant vapor; and wherein the heat exchanger is surrounded by the enclosure.
- In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for improving operation of a refrigeration system may comprise passing a vapor and liquid mixture emerging from an evaporator through a heat exchanger incorporated in a receiver; passing heated liquid refrigerant into the receiver and into contact with the heat exchanger; transferring heat from the liquid refrigerant to the vapor; and passing the heated mixture to an inlet of a compressor.
- These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a distributed cooling system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 3 is sectional view of a receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the receiver ofFIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the receiver ofFIG. 3 showing a flow path in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for improving operation of a refrigeration system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. - The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
- Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.
- The present invention generally provides a cooling system that uses a space-saving receiver and an integral suction-line heat exchanger incorporated into a single enclosure.
- Referring now to
FIG. 1 , adistributed cooling system 10 is shown in block diagram format. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thesystem 10 may comprise a plurality of cooledstorage boxes 12 which may be used for storing food and beverage on a commercial aircraft (not shown). In thesystem 10, heat from theboxes 12 may be extracted through a fluid-filledcooling circuit 14 and conveyed to anevaporator 16. Theevaporator 16 may extract heat from thecooling circuit 14 and heated air may be exhausted from the aircraft though anexhaust passage 18. - A
refrigerant circuit 20 may interconnect theevaporator 16 to acompressor 22 at an inlet side 22-1. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thecompressor 22 may be a scroll compressor. Thecompressor 22 may be driven by anAC motor 24 which may be provided with electrical power through adedicated inverter 26 which may be connected to aDC bus 28 of the aircraft. Thecompressor 22 may be interconnected, at an outlet side 22-2, to theevaporator 16 through acondenser 30. Areceiver 31 may be interposed between thecondenser 30 and theevaporator 16. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of therefrigerant circuit 20 is illustrated. Thecircuit 20 may interconnect thecompressor 22, thecondenser 30, thereceiver 31, anexpansion valve 34 and theevaporator 16. In the exemplary embodiment of therefrigerant circuit 20, thereceiver 31 may incorporate a suctionline heat exchanger 32. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , an exemplary embodiment of thereceiver 31 may be illustrated in detail. Thereceiver 31 may comprise an enclosure 31-2, an inlet 31-4 and an outlet 31-6.Liquid refrigerant 40 may enter thereceiver 31 through the inlet 31-4 and exit through the outlet 31-6. In operation, thereceiver 31 may collect varying amounts of theliquid refrigerant 40. A head-pressure control valve 42 (SeeFIG. 2 ) may be employed to control pressure in thecondenser 30. This pressure control may be accomplished by by-passing varying amounts of theliquid refrigerant 40 directly from thecompressor 22 into thereceiver 31. It may be seen, by referring back toFIG. 2 , that theliquid refrigerant 40 may enter thereceiver 31 as by-passed refrigerant, through a bypass line 20-2, and/or as refrigerant directly from thecondenser 30. In either case, theliquid refrigerant 40 may collect in thereceiver 31 until it is released through theexpansion valve 34. In accordance with the present invention, theliquid refrigerant 40 passing through and/or collected in the receiver 41 may be used a heat source for theheat exchanger 32. - In an exemplary embodiment, the
heat exchanger 32 may comprise a serpentine tube 32-2 and a plurality of baffles 32-4. Theheat exchanger 32 may be positioned within the enclosure 31-2. Theheat exchanger 32 may be interposed between theevaporator 16 and the inlet 22-1 of thecompressor 22 on a suction line 20-1. Refrigerant vapor may be commingled with lubricating oil and liquid refrigerant as it emerges from theevaporator 16. This mixture of lubricating oil, refrigerant vapor and liquid refrigerant may be referred as a suction-line mixture 50. Themixture 50 from theevaporator 16 may enter theheat exchanger 32 at an inlet 32-6 and may exit at an outlet 32-8. Themixture 50 may pass through the tube 32-2 and theliquid refrigerant 40 may pass over the baffles 32-4. Theliquid refrigerant 40 may transfer heat to the baffles 32-4 and the tube 32-2 and themixture 50. This transfer of heat may raise the temperature of themixture 50 as it passes through theheat exchanger 32 and into thecompressor 20. - The
heat exchanger 32 may advantageously heat themixture 50 sufficiently to vaporize any liquid refrigerant that may be contained in themixture 50 so that any refrigerant emerging from the heat exchanger may be in a vapor state. Additionally, because theheat exchanger 32 may advantageously raise the temperature of themixture 50, viscosity of an oil-refrigerant component of the mixture may be increased. This may occur because the oil-refrigerant component may become modified to have a higher fraction of oil. Higher viscosity oil-refrigerant may provide improved lubrication and longer life for various compressor components. It may also be noted that because theheat exchanger 32 may minimize the amount of liquid refrigerant that enters thecompressor 22, resultant oil viscosity may be increased. - Referring now to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , it may be seen that the baffles 32-4 may advantageously distribute theliquid refrigerant 40 throughout the volume of the enclosure 31-2 as the refrigerant 40 flows into and/or through thereceiver 31. One or more of the baffles 32-4 may comprise a flat disc with an outer periphery 32-4-2 that may partially conform to an exemplary cylindrical configuration of the enclosure 31-2 of the receiver. The outer periphery 31-2 may be shaped so that a portion 32-4-2-2 of the periphery 34-4-2 may not conform to the shape of the enclosure 31-2. When one or more of the baffles 32-4 may be installed in the enclosure 31-2, a conforming portion 34-4-2-1 of the outer periphery 34-4-2 of the baffle may be in contact with the enclosure and a flow throughpassage 36 may develop between the non-contact, non-conforming portion 32-4-2-2 and the enclosure 31-2. The baffles 32-4 may also be provided with holes 32-4-4 into which the tube 32-2 may be snugly fit in contact with the baffle 32-4. - Referring particularly to
FIG. 5 , it may be seen that the baffles 32-4 may be installed in the enclosure 31-2 so that theflow passages 36 may be positioned on opposing sides of the enclosure 31-2. In the exemplary embodiment of thereceiver 31 shown inFIG. 5 , the liquid refrigerant 40 may flow across a first one of the baffles 32-4 and into one of the flow passages on a right side 31-2-2 of the enclosure 31-2. A successive one of the baffles 32-4 may be installed so that itsrespective flow passage 36 may be on a left side 31-2-1 of the enclosure 31-2. Consequently, the liquid refrigerant 40 may flow from the right side of the enclosure 31-2, across the successive baffle 32-4 and into theflow passage 36 on the left side of the enclosure 31-2. It may be seen that as the liquid refrigerant 40 may flow, along aflow path 60, through alternatingly positionedflow passages 36, the liquid refrigerant 40 may advantageously pass into contact with the tube 32-2 on numerous occasions, thus effectively transferring heat to the tube 32-2 and themixture 50. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , anexemplary method 600 may be employed to improve operation of a refrigeration system. In astep 602, a vapor and liquid mixture emerging from an evaporator may be passed through a heat exchanger incorporated in a receiver (e.g., themixture 50 may be passed from theevaporator 16 through the suction line 20-1 into the exchanger 32). In astep 604 heated liquid refrigerant may be passed into a receiver and into contact with the heat exchanger (e.g., the liquid refrigerant 40 emerging from the headpressure control valve 42 may be passed into and through the receiver 31). In astep 606, heat may be transferred from the liquid refrigerant to the vapor and liquid mixture (e.g., as the liquid refrigerant passes across the tube 32-4, heat may be transferred into the tube 32-4 and that transferred heat may be transferred to the mixture 59 as it passes through the tube 32-4). In astep 608, the heated mixture may be passed to an inlet of a compressor (e.g., themixture 50 may emerge from theheat exchanger 32 and travel to the inlet 22-1 of the compressor 22). - It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A distributed cooling system for an aircraft, comprising:
an evaporator;
a compressor;
a condenser; and
a receiver interposed between the condenser and the evaporator for receiving liquid refrigerant from the condenser, the receiver comprising an integral heat exchanger; and
the heat exchanger interposed between the evaporator and the compressor and configured to transfer heat from the liquid refrigerant in the receiver to a suction-line mixture emerging from the evaporator.
2. The cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising a head pressure control valve interposed between the compressor and an inlet of the receiver.
3. The cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising a bypass line through which liquid refrigerant can flow into the receiver without passing through the condenser.
4. The cooling system of claim 1 :
wherein the receiver comprises an enclosure;
wherein the heat exchanger comprises:
a serpentine tube; and
one or more baffles in contact with the serpentine tube; and
wherein the baffles are in contact with an interior of the enclosure.
5. The cooling system of claim 4 :
wherein the baffles have outer peripheries; and
wherein a portion of the outer peripheries are spaced away from the interior of the enclosure so that flow passages for liquid refrigerant are interposed between the enclosure and non-contact portions of the outer peripheries of the baffles.
6. A receiver for a refrigeration system comprising:
an enclosure with an inlet for liquid refrigerant at a first end and an outlet for the liquid refrigerant at a second end; and
a heat exchanger with an inlet and an outlet for refrigerant vapor; wherein the heat exchanger is surrounded by the enclosure.
7. The receiver of claim 6 wherein the heat exchanger comprises:
a tube for passage of refrigerant vapor; and
one or more baffles in contact with the tube for defining a flow path for the liquid refrigerant through the receiver.
8. The receiver of claim 7 wherein the tube is a serpentine tube.
9. The receiver of claim 7 wherein the baffles have a outer periphery, a first portion of which conforms in shape to a shape of an interior of the enclosure and a second portion of which does not conform to the shape of the interior of the enclosure so that a flow passage for the liquid refrigerant is present in a space between the second portion of the outer periphery and the interior of the enclosure.
10. The receiver of claim 9 wherein the first portion of the outer periphery of the baffle is in contact with the interior of the enclosure so that flow of the liquid refrigerant is directed to the flow passage.
11. The receiver of claim 9 , wherein the baffle is provided with one or more holes though which the tube passes.
12. The receiver of claim 11 wherein the tube is in contact with the baffle at the hole so that flow of the liquid refrigerant is directed to the flow passage.
13. The receiver of claim 12 further comprising:
at least two of the baffles; and
wherein a first one of the flow passages formed by the a first one of the baffles is at a first side of the enclosure; and
wherein a second one of the flow passages formed by a second one of the baffles is at a second side of the enclosure so that the liquid refrigerant is constrained to flow from the first side of the enclosure to the second side of the enclosure to effectively transfer heat to the tube.
14. A method for performing suction line heating in a refrigeration system comprising:
passing a vapor and liquid mixture emerging from an evaporator through a heat exchanger incorporated in a receiver;
passing heated liquid refrigerant into the receiver and into contact with the heat exchanger;
transferring heat from the liquid refrigerant to the vapor; and
passing the heated vapor and liquid mixture to an inlet of a compressor.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of transferring heat increases viscosity of an oil-refrigerant mixture entering the compressor.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of passing heated liquid refrigerant into the receiver comprises passing liquid refrigerant from a condenser of the refrigeration system into the receiver.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of passing heated liquid refrigerant into the receiver comprises passing liquid refrigerant from a bypass line connected to an outlet of the compressor into the receiver.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of passing heated liquid refrigerant into the receiver comprises the step of flowing the liquid refrigerant over one or more baffles.
19. The method of claim 18 :
wherein the liquid refrigerant flows laterally across a first one of the baffles to a first side of the receiver;
wherein the liquid refrigerant flows laterally across a second one of the baffles to a second side of the receiver.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the liquid refrigerant flows past a tube through which the vapor and liquid mixture passes so that heat is transferred from the liquid refrigerant into the tube.
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/912,965 US20120102989A1 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2010-10-27 | Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems |
EP11185692.8A EP2447627A3 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2011-10-18 | Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems |
CN2011104043426A CN102538321A (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2011-10-26 | Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems |
US14/921,260 US10247456B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2015-10-23 | Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/912,965 US20120102989A1 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2010-10-27 | Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/921,260 Division US10247456B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2015-10-23 | Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20120102989A1 true US20120102989A1 (en) | 2012-05-03 |
Family
ID=44862585
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/912,965 Abandoned US20120102989A1 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2010-10-27 | Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems |
US14/921,260 Active 2031-07-19 US10247456B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2015-10-23 | Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/921,260 Active 2031-07-19 US10247456B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 | 2015-10-23 | Integrated receiver and suction line heat exchanger for refrigerant systems |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US20120102989A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2447627A3 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102538321A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20130055752A1 (en) * | 2011-09-05 | 2013-03-07 | Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Refrigerating circuit for use in a motor vehicle |
US20160018148A1 (en) * | 2013-03-08 | 2016-01-21 | Daikin Industries, Ltd. | Refrigeration apparatus |
US9771252B2 (en) * | 2013-10-15 | 2017-09-26 | Streamline Beverage Pty Ltd | Beverage dispenser |
US11709020B2 (en) | 2021-04-21 | 2023-07-25 | Lennox Industries Inc. | Efficient suction-line heat exchanger |
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CN103868294B (en) * | 2012-12-10 | 2017-04-19 | 浙江盾安机械有限公司 | Gas-liquid separator and compressor |
CN104697254B (en) * | 2015-03-27 | 2017-07-28 | 广东美的暖通设备有限公司 | Fluid reservoir |
CN105402964A (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2016-03-16 | 广东美的暖通设备有限公司 | Gas-liquid separator, refrigerating circulating device with gas-liquid separator and refrigerating system |
CN113945028B (en) * | 2021-11-18 | 2023-01-31 | 新乡航空工业(集团)有限公司 | Onboard flash evaporator for evaporation cycle refrigeration system |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20130055752A1 (en) * | 2011-09-05 | 2013-03-07 | Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Refrigerating circuit for use in a motor vehicle |
US20160018148A1 (en) * | 2013-03-08 | 2016-01-21 | Daikin Industries, Ltd. | Refrigeration apparatus |
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US9771252B2 (en) * | 2013-10-15 | 2017-09-26 | Streamline Beverage Pty Ltd | Beverage dispenser |
US11709020B2 (en) | 2021-04-21 | 2023-07-25 | Lennox Industries Inc. | Efficient suction-line heat exchanger |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20160091232A1 (en) | 2016-03-31 |
CN102538321A (en) | 2012-07-04 |
US10247456B2 (en) | 2019-04-02 |
EP2447627A3 (en) | 2014-06-11 |
EP2447627A2 (en) | 2012-05-02 |
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