PRE-START BEARING LUBRICATION SYSTEM EMPLOYING AN ACCUMULATOR
First Claim
1. In a refrigeration system having a compressor with components supported by bearings, a lubrication system which receives lubricant from one portion of the refrigeration system and delivers lubricant to the bearings, and an accumulator fluidly connected to the lubrication system, a method of providing lubrication to the bearings during start up of the refrigeration system including the steps of:
- fluidly isolating lubricant in the accumulator as part of shutting down the refrigeration system; and
as part of starting up the refrigeration system providing fluid communication between the isolated lubricant in the accumulator and the lubrication system and thereby lubricating the bearings.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Just before shutdown, or at least prior to a significant pressure equalization in a refrigeration system, an accumulator containing oil is isolated from the rest of the refrigeration system in such a way that oil is at a pressure that is higher than the pressure of the rest of the system. The oil in the accumulator is maintained in a state of higher pressure while the refrigeration system is shutdown with the aid of a spring-loaded piston. Preliminary to start up of the refrigeration system, the pressurized oil is placed in fluid communication with structure requiring lubrication which is thereby lubricated.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. In a refrigeration system having a compressor with components supported by bearings, a lubrication system which receives lubricant from one portion of the refrigeration system and delivers lubricant to the bearings, and an accumulator fluidly connected to the lubrication system, a method of providing lubrication to the bearings during start up of the refrigeration system including the steps of:
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fluidly isolating lubricant in the accumulator as part of shutting down the refrigeration system; and
as part of starting up the refrigeration system providing fluid communication between the isolated lubricant in the accumulator and the lubrication system and thereby lubricating the bearings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A refrigeration system including:
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a compressor having components supported by bearings;
lubrication means for receiving lubricant from one portion of said refrigeration system and for delivering lubricant to said bearings;
an accumulator fluidly connected to said lubrication means;
means for fluidly isolating said accumulator when shutting down said refrigeration system; and
means for fluidly connecting said accumulator to said bearings prior to start up of said refrigeration system. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification