U.S. patent application number 15/211419 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-19 for refrigeration system including evaporators associated in parallel.
The applicant listed for this patent is Whirlpool S.A.. Invention is credited to Marcio Roberto THIESSEN.
Application Number | 20170016652 15/211419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56411479 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170016652 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THIESSEN; Marcio Roberto |
January 19, 2017 |
Refrigeration System Including Evaporators Associated in
Parallel
Abstract
The present invention belongs to the technological field of
refrigeration systems and, more particularly refrigeration systems
used in residential applications, for example, refrigeration
appliances including at least two climate chambers at different
temperatures. Problem to be solved: Conventionally, existing
Refrigeration systems including evaporators connected in parallel
require complex compressors including at least two suction paths,
or alternatively functional complex arrangements unable to maintain
independence between the individual evaporators. Troubleshooting:
Disclosed is a refrigeration system including evaporators connected
in parallel where each of said evaporators operates through a
separate feeding principle, and that this aspect makes it possible,
with the aid of a liquid accumulator and phase separator,
maintaining the independence between the individual evaporators,
besides the use of a compressor.
Inventors: |
THIESSEN; Marcio Roberto;
(Joinville, BR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whirlpool S.A. |
Sao Paulo |
|
BR |
|
|
Family ID: |
56411479 |
Appl. No.: |
15/211419 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2500/01 20130101;
F25B 5/02 20130101; F25B 31/002 20130101; F25D 11/022 20130101;
F25B 2600/2511 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 5/02 20060101
F25B005/02; F25B 41/04 20060101 F25B041/04; F25D 11/02 20060101
F25D011/02; F25B 43/00 20060101 F25B043/00; F25B 39/00 20060101
F25B039/00; F25B 39/02 20060101 F25B039/02; F25B 31/00 20060101
F25B031/00; F25B 41/06 20060101 F25B041/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 16, 2015 |
BR |
10 2015 017086 6 |
Claims
1. Refrigeration system including at least two evaporators
associated in parallel, where: said evaporators connected in
parallel operate in different pressure and temperature ranges; said
refrigeration system comprising at least two evaporators connected
in parallel further comprising: at least one compressor, at least a
condenser, at least a switching device at least a first expansion
device, at least a second expansion device, and at least one fluid
accumulator; the outflow of the compressor being fluidly connected
to the inlet path from the condenser; the condenser outflow being
fluidly connected to the switching device inlet path; the switching
device outflow being fluidly connected to the first expansion
device; the switching device outflow is fluidly connected to the
second expansion device; said liquid accumulator comprising at
least one lower inlet path immersed in the liquid, at least one
upper inlet path, and at least one upper outflow; said
refrigeration system comprising at least two evaporators connected
in parallel being particularly characterized in that further
comprises: at least one dry expansion evaporator acting as high
pressure evaporator and low temperature and being fed by the first
expansion device; at least a flooded evaporator acting as a low
pressure evaporator and very low temperature and being fed by the
second expansion device and the outflow of said dry expansion
evaporator being fluidly connected to the upper inlet path of the
liquid accumulator; the outflow of said flooded evaporator being
fluidly connected to a lower inlet path of the liquid accumulator;
and the upper outflow of the liquid accumulator being fluidly
connected to the compressor suction path.
2. Refrigeration system including at least two evaporators
associated in parallel, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the fluid accumulator is at a higher potential gravitational
in relation to the flooded evaporator, so as to define a siphon
effect between said liquid accumulator and said flooded
evaporator.
3. Refrigeration system including at least two evaporators
associated in parallel, as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the
fact that the moving parts of the compression mechanism of
compressor operate without lubrication by liquid means.
4. Refrigeration system including at least two evaporators
associated in parallel, as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the
fact that the moving parts of the compressor compression mechanism
cooperate with oil and at least one oil separator.
5. Refrigeration system including at least two evaporators
connected in parallel, as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the
fact that said fluid accumulator comprises at least one additional
evaporator of a special compartment of the refrigeration system.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a refrigeration system including at
least two evaporators connected in parallel, and more particularly,
two evaporators even associated in series, has its outflows tied to
the input path of an accumulator device liquids, which comprises
one outflow capable of being fluidly connected to the suction path
of a compressor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As is known to the skilled technicians in the subject, the
current state of the art comprises a plurality of arrangements and
constructions of refrigeration systems and, in particular,
refrigeration systems including at least two evaporators. Of
course, this refrigeration system category--with at least two
evaporators--is due to the fact that the vast majority of
refrigeration appliances, the conventional refrigerator comprises
at least two refrigerated compartments operating in different
temperature ranges such as, for example, refrigerators comprise a
freezing chamber and a cooling chamber.
[0003] Given this premise, it is highlighted that the refrigeration
systems which at least two evaporators operate at different
pressure ranges and temperature, which are connected in
parallel.
[0004] According to the current state of the art, this type of
arrangement (two evaporators operating at different pressure and
temperature ranges, associated in parallel) can be achieved through
the use of a single compressor.
[0005] The U.S. Pat. No. 2,123,497 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,453
documents illustrate rudimentary buildings of refrigeration systems
that use a single compressor including at least two evaporators
connected in parallel capable of operating in different pressure
and temperature ranges.
[0006] Also in accordance with the current state of the art, this
type of arrangement (two evaporators operating at different
pressure and temperature ranges, associated in parallel) can be
achieved through the use of a single compressor, provided that
there are means for selecting only one of the two (or multiple)
evaporators and means for connecting the outflow of the two (or
multiples) evaporators through the single suction of said
compressor.
[0007] In this scenario, there is the EP1087186 document, which
describes and illustrates a dual evaporator refrigeration system as
schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises two evaporators
operating at different temperature and pressure ranges associated
in parallel. Therefore, it is pre-seen a low temperature evaporator
(cooling chamber evaporator), and a very low temperature evaporator
(freezing chamber evaporator). The selection of one among these two
evaporators is usually performed by means of valve arranged between
the outlet of the condenser and input pathways for each of the
expansion devices evaporators. As the compressor has only one
suction means, the outflows of the two evaporators are connected
together and to the suction path of the compressor.
[0008] However, it remains to emphasize that the outflow of the low
evaporation temperature evaporator (freezer) further comprises, in
a previous section for connection to the outflow of the average
evaporation temperature of the evaporator (cooler), a device liquid
accumulator associated in series with a one-way check valve. The
series of the two components prevents the refrigerant fluid flows
from the average evaporation temperature of the evaporator (higher
pressure) to the evaporator very low lower evaporation temperature
(smaller pressure).
[0009] While this refrigeration system is, in theory, efficient, it
is noted that the same has a drawback related to the operation
period in which part of the refrigerant fluid is pumped from the
evaporation low temperature evaporator (freezer) to the evaporator
average evaporation temperature (refrigerator), after all, all of
said refrigerant tends to migrate from the average evaporation
temperature of the evaporator to the evaporator low evaporation
temperature during operation of the system. At the most, there is
even any failure of unidirectional check valve result in
compromising total system efficiency.
[0010] Based on this scenario that arises the invention in
question.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is therefore the primary objective of the subject
invention disclose a refrigeration system comprising at least two
evaporators connected in parallel wherein said evaporators operate
essentially independent manner, i.e. without the normal or atypical
conditions of operation an evaporator influence the operation of
another evaporator.
[0012] Additionally, one of the goals of the subject invention that
the cooling system including at least two evaporators associated
parallel disclosed herein is especially dedicated to the use of
fluid compressor capable of operating without the use of internal
lubricants as is the case, for example, certain types of
compressors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The aforementioned aims are fully achieved by a
refrigeration system including at least two associated evaporators
in parallel wherein said evaporators connected in parallel operate
in different pressure and temperature ranges; said refrigeration
system comprising at least two evaporators connected in parallel,
further comprising: at least one compressor, at least one
condenser, at least one switch device, at least a first expansion
device, at least a second expansion device, and at least one liquid
accumulator; the outflow of the compressor being fluidly connected
to the inlet path from the condenser; the condenser outflow being
fluidly connected to the switching device via inlet; the outflow of
commutation device being fluidly connected to the first expansion
device; the outflow via the switching device is fluidly connected
to the second expansion device; said liquid accumulator comprising
at least one via lower inlet immersed in the liquid, at least one
upper inlet path, and at least one upper outflow; said
refrigeration system comprising at least two evaporators connected
in parallel with special and preferentially characterized in that
it further comprises: at least one dry expansion evaporator acting
as a high pressure evaporator and a low temperature and being fed
by the first expansion device ; at least one evaporates pain
flooded acting as low-pressure evaporator and very low temperature
and being fed by the second expansion device; and the outlet of the
cites of the dry expansion evaporator being fluidly connected via
the upper inlet of the liquid accumulator; the outflow of that
flooded evaporators being fluidly connected to a lower input path
of the liquid accumulator; and the upper outflow of the liquid
accumulator being fluidly connected to the suction path of the
compressor.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said liquid
accumulator is preferably at a higher gravitational potential
relative to the flooded evaporator so as to define a siphon effect
between said liquid accumulator and said flooded evaporator.
[0015] Preferably the moving parts of the compressor compression
mechanism does not use oil--that is, preferably operating without
lubrication liquids.
[0016] Optionally the moving parts of the compressor compression
mechanism may cooperate with oil and at least one oil
separator.
[0017] Also according to a preferred embodiment and an alternative,
said liquid accumulator may comprise at least one additional
special compartment evaporator of a refrigeration system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The invention in question happens to be detailed in detail
based on the figures listed below, including:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigeration system including at least
two evaporators connected in parallel belonging to the current
state of the art;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates another refrigeration system comprising
at least two evaporators connected in parallel belonging to the
current state of the art; and
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates the refrigeration system including at
least two evaporators connected in parallel according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Preliminarily, it should be clarified that, according to
specialized literature, the evaporators can be classified according
to their form of "power", that is, the evaporators can be defined
as dry expansion evaporators, flooded evaporators or liquid
over-feeding evaporators.
[0023] The dry expansion evaporators are often "fed" by fluid
previously turbulent refrigerant (liquid and vapor), and in its
outflow, all the refrigerant is in the form of superheated steam.
Flooded evaporators usually are "fed" by only the refrigerant in
liquid form, it being at its output, all the refrigerant is in the
form of dry saturated vapor fluid.
[0024] Such arrangements are important for the fact that the
refrigeration system including at least two evaporators associated
in parallel now revealed is specially shaped to provide for a dry
expansion evaporator associated in parallel with a flooded
evaporator, and the "feeding" of an evaporator does not influence
the "power" of the other evaporator.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the refrigeration system including
at least two evaporators associated in parallel, according to the
present invention is primarily composed of a compressor 1, a
condenser 2, a switching device 3 a first expansion device 41, one
second expansion device 42, a dry expansion evaporator 51, a
evaporates pain flooded 52 and a liquid accumulator 6.
[0026] The compressor 1 is a compressor fundamentally conventional
comprising a single outflow 11 and a single suction path 12.
[0027] The condenser 2 it is essentially a capacitor conventional
comprising an inlet path 21 and an outflow 22.
[0028] The switching device 3 is any device, comprising an inlet
path 31 and at least two outflows 32 and 33, is able to switch the
fluid communication of its inlet path 31 with only one of the at
least two outflows 32 or 33. Preferably said switching device 3 it
is fundamentally a conventionally three-way valve for two
positions.
[0029] Both the first expansion device 41 as the second expansion
device 42 these are traditional expansion devices, and
preferentially, conventional capillary tubes widely known to those
skilled in the technical subject.
[0030] The dry expansion evaporator 51, which is used as evaporator
of a cooling chamber (not shown), or used as high pressure and low
temperature evaporator, it is a traditional dry expansion
evaporator fundamentally comprising an inlet path 511 and an
outflow 512.
[0031] The flooded evaporator 52, which is used as an evaporator of
a freezing chamber (not shown), this is, used as low pressure and
very low temperature evaporator, it is flooded evaporator
conventional, comprising an inlet path 521 and outflow 522.
[0032] The liquid accumulator 6, in turn, also is a liquid
accumulator conventionally used in refrigeration systems, and
comprises an airtight casing provided with at least one inlet
through the bottom 61, by least one upper inlet path 62 and at
least one superior outflow 63.
[0033] In accordance with the subject invention, the outflow 11 to
the compressor 1, is fluidly connected to the inlet path 21 to the
condenser 2. The outflow 22 of the condenser 2 is fluidly connected
to the inlet 31 of the switching device 3.
[0034] The outflow 32 of the switching device 3 is fluidly
connected to the first expansion device 41, which is connected to
the inlet path 511 to the dry expansion evaporator 51. The outflow
512 of said dry expansion evaporator 51 is fluidly connected to the
upper inlet path 62 of the liquid accumulator 6.
[0035] The outflow 33 of the switching device 3 is fluidly
connected to the second expansion device 42, which is connected to
the input 521 via the flooded evaporator 52. The outflow 522 of the
aforementioned flooded evaporator 52 is fluidly connected to a
bottom inlet path 61 of the liquid accumulator 6.
[0036] The upper outflow 63 of liquid accumulator 6, in turn, is
fluidly connected to the suction path 12 of the compressor 1.
[0037] It is worth mentioning that the fluid connections between
the elements of the system as described above, are performed by
traditional metal pipes means.
[0038] Based on the above detailed arrangement, it is verified that
the liquid accumulator 6 ultimately perform two simultaneous
functions, including: i) means of connection between the outflows
512 and 522 of evaporators 51 and 52 with the suction path 12 of
the compressor 1; and II) means of insulation between the
evaporation line of the dry expansion evaporator 51 and the
evaporation line of the flooded evaporator 52.
[0039] Once the liquid accumulator 6 acts as a link between the
evaporators 51 and 52 and the compressor 1, it is clear that the
invention in question facilitates the assembly of the system as a
whole (see FIG. 2).
[0040] Once the liquid tank 6 acts as a medium of isolation,
between rows of evaporation, it can be said that it is the major
responsible for maintaining the independence between the
evaporation lines and, in particular, maintaining the 52 always
flooded evaporator flooded condition, even being the same not
operating (depending on the operation of dry expansion evaporator
51).
[0041] Thus, when the dry expansion evaporator 51 is operating
(according to a certain position of the switching device 3), that
is, when only the dry expansion evaporator 51 is being fed, the
compressor 1 tends to suck only steam superheated derived from said
dry expansion evaporator 51, and the flooded evaporator 52 is still
flooded with coolant in which the liquid in the tank should be at
its lowest level and the lower inlet always flooded.
[0042] When the flooded evaporator 52 is operating (also due to a
certain position of the switching device 3), that is, when only the
flooded evaporator 52 is being fed, compressor 1 tends to suck, at
first, both superheated steam arising from said dry expansion
evaporator 51 as dry saturated steam coming from the flooded
evaporator 52, and, in a second time, only dry saturated steam
coming from the flooded evaporator 52, and the refrigerant
contained in dry expansion evaporator 51 is completely drained and
deposited in the accumulator at its maximum while maintaining the
outflow to the compressor always with overheated steam.
[0043] That said, and that the above detailed operation proves
extremely advantageous, it is important to note that the liquid
accumulator 6 has to be in a greater gravitational potential
relative to the flooded evaporator 52, after all, the greatest
potential gravitational ends to define a siphon effect between said
liquid accumulator 6 and the aforementioned flooded evaporator 52,
preventing refrigerant liquid to change position when not
suctioned.
[0044] However, it remains to show that the refrigeration system
including at least two evaporators connected in parallel herein
disclosed is also totally capable of operating independently of the
greater gravitational potential of the liquid accumulator 6 in
relation to the flooded evaporator 52, after all, pressure
difference between the evaporators 51 and 52, depending on the
dynamics of established refrigeration, i.e., the pressure of said
dry expansion evaporator 51 being greater than the pressure of the
flooded evaporator 52 (depending on specific dimensioning of the
expansion devices 41 and 42, of course) is sufficient to maintain
the refrigerant in liquid phase only liquid in the lower region of
the accumulator 6, and consequently throughout the flooded
evaporator 52.
[0045] In more, remains to show that, preferentially, but not
limiting, the compressor 1 is about a compressor mainly
conventionally capable to operate free of lubricants. Finally, it
remains to show that FIG. 3, and certain nomenclatures above used,
are intended to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the
invention in question, cannot be interpreted as limiting
embodiment, after all, the scope of the invention in question must
be considered as wide as the interpretation of the claims, further
including the possible equivalent means.
* * * * *