Vapor compression system
First Claim
1. A vapor compression system comprising:
- a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected by a refrigerant line, wherein the evaporator comprises;
a shell;
a first tube bundle;
a hood;
a distributor comprising a spraying nozzle;
a supply line;
a pump; and
a sensor;
wherein the first tube bundle comprises a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell;
wherein the distributor is positioned above the first tube bundle;
wherein the hood covers the first tube bundle;
wherein the supply line is fluidly coupled to the spraying nozzle of the distributor at a first end of the supply line and the supply line is fluidly coupled to a discharge of the pump at a second end of the supply line, opposite the first end;
wherein the sensor is configured and positioned to sense a level of liquid refrigerant in the shell;
wherein the pump is configured to operate in response to a sensed level of liquid refrigerant decreasing below a predetermined level when the expansion device is in an open position; and
wherein the pump is configured to direct the liquid refrigerant from an outlet of the evaporator to the spraying nozzle of the distributor via the supply line.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An evaporator (168) in a vapor compression system (14) (168) includes a shell (76), a first tube bundle (78); a hood (86); a distributor (80); a first supply line (142); a second supply line (144); a valve (122) positioned in the second supply line (144); and a sensor (150). The distributor (80) is positioned above the first tube bundle (78). The hood (88) covers the first tube bundle (78). The first supply line (142) is connected to the distributor (80) and an end of the second supply line (144) is positioned near the hood (88). The sensor (150) is configured and positioned to sense a level of liquid refrigerant (82) in the shell. The valve (122) regulates flow in the second supply line in response to the level of liquid refrigerant (82) from the sensor (150).
87 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vapor compression system comprising:
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a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected by a refrigerant line, wherein the evaporator comprises; a shell; a first tube bundle; a hood; a distributor comprising a spraying nozzle; a supply line; a pump; and a sensor; wherein the first tube bundle comprises a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell; wherein the distributor is positioned above the first tube bundle; wherein the hood covers the first tube bundle; wherein the supply line is fluidly coupled to the spraying nozzle of the distributor at a first end of the supply line and the supply line is fluidly coupled to a discharge of the pump at a second end of the supply line, opposite the first end; wherein the sensor is configured and positioned to sense a level of liquid refrigerant in the shell; wherein the pump is configured to operate in response to a sensed level of liquid refrigerant decreasing below a predetermined level when the expansion device is in an open position; and wherein the pump is configured to direct the liquid refrigerant from an outlet of the evaporator to the spraying nozzle of the distributor via the supply line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An evaporator comprising:
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a shell; a tube bundle; an enclosure; a deflector positioned in the enclosure; and a supply line; wherein the tube bundle comprises a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell; wherein the enclosure comprises at least two sidewalls at least partially surrounding the tube bundle; wherein the deflector is configured to direct a flow of refrigerant into the enclosure in a downward direction; and wherein the enclosure is configured to receive the refrigerant from the supply line and direct liquid refrigerant over the tube bundle and direct vapor refrigerant to an outlet connection in the shell. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An evaporator comprising:
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a shell; a tube bundle; an enclosure; and a supply line; wherein the tube bundle comprises a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell; wherein the enclosure comprises at least two sidewalls at least partially surrounding the tube bundle; wherein the enclosure is configured to receive refrigerant from the supply line and direct liquid refrigerant over the tube bundle and direct vapor refrigerant to an outlet connection in the shell; wherein an upper end of the enclosure is configured to allow the vapor refrigerant to exit from the enclosure; and wherein the upper end of the enclosure comprises a mesh structure.
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Specification