Compressor System with Controlled Lubricant Reclaim
First Claim
1. A compressor system with controlled lubricant reclaim, comprising:
- a compressor circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected by refrigerant flow line;
a lubricant circuit for circulating lubricant to the compressor;
a reclaim vaporizer adapted to heat a refrigerant-lubricant mixture from the evaporator whereby the mixture is heated and lubricant and refrigerant are separated to provide reclaimed lubricant to the lubricant circuit and reclaimed refrigerant to the compressor circuit; and
a control unit adapted to control flow of the mixture from the evaporator to the reclaim vaporizer based upon temperature of the mixture from the evaporator and temperature of reclaimed lubricant leaving the reclaim evaporator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A compressor system with controlled lubricant reclaim includes a compressor circuit having a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected by refrigerant flow line; a lubricant circuit for circulating lubricant to the compressor; a reclaim vaporizer adapted to heat a refrigerant-lubricant mixture from the evaporator whereby the mixture is heated and lubricant and refrigerant are separated to provide reclaimed lubricant to the lubricant circuit and reclaimed refrigerant to the compressor circuit; and a control unit adapted to control flow of the mixture from the evaporator to the reclaim vaporizer based upon temperature of the mixture from the evaporator and temperature of reclaimed lubricant leaving the reclaim evaporator. Methods are also provided.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A compressor system with controlled lubricant reclaim, comprising:
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a compressor circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected by refrigerant flow line; a lubricant circuit for circulating lubricant to the compressor; a reclaim vaporizer adapted to heat a refrigerant-lubricant mixture from the evaporator whereby the mixture is heated and lubricant and refrigerant are separated to provide reclaimed lubricant to the lubricant circuit and reclaimed refrigerant to the compressor circuit; and a control unit adapted to control flow of the mixture from the evaporator to the reclaim vaporizer based upon temperature of the mixture from the evaporator and temperature of reclaimed lubricant leaving the reclaim evaporator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling reclaim of lubricant in a compressor system, comprising the steps of:
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operating a compressor circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator and a lubricant circuit for circulating lubricant to the compressor so as to provide a refrigerant-lubricant mixture leaving the evaporator; exposing the mixture to heat in a reclaim vaporizer so as to provide reclaimed lubricant to the lubricant circuit and reclaimed refrigerant to the compressor circuit; and controlling flow rate of the mixture to the reclaim vaporizer based upon temperature of the mixture leaving the evaporator and temperature of the reclaimed lubricant leaving the reclaim vaporizer. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method for controlling reclaim of lubricant in a compressor system, comprising the steps of:
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operating a compressor circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator and a lubricant circuit for circulating lubricant to the compressor so as to provide a refrigerant-lubricant mixture leaving the evaporator; exposing the mixture to heat in a reclaim vaporizer so as to provide reclaimed lubricant to the lubricant circuit and reclaimed refrigerant to the compressor circuit; sensing a parameter indicative of reclaimed lubricant viscosity; and controlling rate of exposure of the mixture to heat based upon the parameter. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification