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Method and apparatus for efficiently controlling refrigeration and air conditioning systems

  • US 5,230,223 A
  • Filed: 03/20/1992
  • Issued: 07/27/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling the operation of a refrigeration system of the type that includes a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver, an evaporator, at least one fan, a proportional pressure control valve and at least one refrigerant line, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) monitoring the presence of flashgas bubbles in a liquid refrigerant of the refrigeration system and creating a first electrical signal upon the sensing of flashgas bubbles in said refrigerant line;

    (b) communicating said first electrical signal to a system controller, said system controller creating a second electrical signal, wherein said second electrical signal is an analog signal; and

    (c) selectively controlling the operation of said proportional pressure control valve, which is located in a hot gas bypass line between the condenser inlet and the condenser outlet, to introduce hot bypass refrigerant gas into the liquid refrigerant in the line between the liquid receiver and the evaporator, in response to said second electrical signal, thereby warming the liquid refrigerant so as to reduce or eliminate said flashgas bubbles in the liquid refrigerant, while simultaneously limiting energy consumption to an optimal or near-optimal rate.

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