Compressor head, internal discriminator, external discriminator, manifold design for refrigeration recovery apparatus

• US 7,159,412 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ritchie Engineering Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ritchie Engineering Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Sliger, Keith, Plasek, Ronald A., Ramachandran, Ajit
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones; Melvin
• Application Number:
  US11/013,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20050092010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 62/77, 62/85, 621/49, 622/92
• US Class Current: 62/292
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/02 Lubrication of machines or engines in general F01M
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/1006 the members being ball valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/125 Cylinder heads
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/16 Filtration; Moisture separation
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2345/006 characterised by charging or discharging valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/28 Means for preventing liquid refrigerant entering into the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/19 Pressures
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 45/00 Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 21/10 by measuring variations in the heat conductivity of the medium, the pressure of which is to be measured

Abstract

The compressor head, internal and/or external discriminator, and manifold design in general utilize ball valves on the suction and discharge of a cylinder head in the recovery of refrigerant liquid and/or vapor. The device facilitates the flashing of liquid refrigerant pumped to the compressor which, in turn, assists to cool the compressor head. The flashing of liquid refrigerant to vapor also deters liquid transfer into the compressor enhancing performance thereof. The vapor passages within the discriminator, cylinder head and/or manifold are sized for receipt of spring actuated ball'"'"'s to open and/or close the vapor passages during suction and/or discharge of refrigerant vapor or liquid by the compressor.

Claims

1. A discriminator for a refrigerant recovery system for recovery of liquid refrigerant, said discriminator comprising:

a) a external casing having an internal chamber, said internal chamber having an exit passage;

b) a ball positioned in said internal chamber, said ball being constructed and arrange for buoyancy with respect to said liquid refrigerant within said internal chamber to at least partially block said exit passage upon exposure to said liquid refrigerant; and

c) an actuating member positioned in said internal chamber, said actuating member being constructed and arranged to move said ball away from said exit passage upon exposure to liquid refrigerant.

2. The discriminator according to claim 1, said internal chamber comprising a seat wherein said seat is positioned between said internal chamber and said exit passage.

3. The discriminator according to claim 2, wherein said actuating member is positioned at least partially within said exit passage and said actuating member traverses said seat.

4. The discriminator according to claim 3, said discriminator further comprising a retainer comprising a pair of opposite openings defining a lateral passage, said retainer defining said internal chamber.

5. The discriminator according to claim 4, said seat further comprising at least one rivulet, said rivulet being constructed and arranged to pass liquid refrigerant through said seat and around said ball when said ball is positioned in said seat.

6. The discriminator according to clam 5, said actuating member comprising a spring.

7. The discriminator according to claim 6, said ball having a buoyancy level wherein said buoyancy level of said ball exceeds an actuation level exerted by said actuating member upon exposure of liquid refrigerant to said ball.