Heating and refrigeration systems using refrigerant mass flow

Abstract

Vapor compression heat exchange systems are disclosed that are designed to allow for optimal mass flow of refrigerant there through. The systems of the present invention do not employ conventional refrigerant metering devices, such as capillary tubs and expansion valves, which restrict mass flow, but rather incorporate an openly fixed orifice in-line with the conduits connecting the condenser to the evaporator, thereby maintaining the preferential differential between the high pressure condenser side and low pressure evaporator side of the system during operation. Provision of the fixed orifice allows for optimal refrigerant mass flow as measured by cooler compressor temperatures, cooler compressor discharge temperatures, increased heat of rejection, increased heat of absorption, and improved heating and cooling efficiency. The present invention may employ any conventional refrigerant, including the newer HFC refrigerants, such as R-410A.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A vapor compression heat exchange system comprising: 
 a. a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser;    b. a charge of refrigerant;    c. a series of conduits in communication with said compressor, said condenser, and said evaporator, wherein said conduits are adapted for carrying said refrigerant through said compressor, said condenser, and said evaporator of said heat exchange system;    d. said series of conduits including at least one conduit connecting said condenser and evaporator and through which said refrigerant is carried from said condenser to said evaporator, said at least one conduit having an internal diameter; and    e. a coupler fixedly secured to said at least one conduit, thereby defining an evaporator side and a condenser side, said coupler having a single inner channel in communication with said at least one conduit and a fixedly open orifice disposed within, and integral with, said inner channel of said coupler, said orifice having an internal diameter smaller than the diameter of said at least one conduit for creating a pressure differential between said condenser side and said evaporator side of said system during operation.    
     
     
         2 . The heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein said internal diameter of said orifice is from 0.120 inch to about 0.25 inch.  
     
     
         3 . The heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein said orifice is disposed within said at least one conduit.  
     
     
         4 . The heat exchange system of  claim 3 , wherein said internal diameter of said orifice is from about 0.120 inch to about 0.25 inch.  
     
     
         5 . The heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein said system is designed to heat air or liquid in a confined space.  
     
     
         6 . The heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein said system is designed to cool air or liquid in a confined space.  
     
     
         7 . The heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein said refrigerant is selected from the group of hydrofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         8 . The heat exchange system of  claim 7 , wherein said internal diameter of said orifice is from 0.120 inch to about 0.25 inch.  
     
     
         9 . The heat exchange system of  claim 7 , wherein said orifice is disposed within said at least one conduit.  
     
     
         10 . The heat exchange system of  claim 9 , wherein said internal diameter of said orifice is from about 0.120 to about 0.25 inch.  
     
     
         11 . The heat exchange system of  claim 7 , wherein said system is designed to heat air or liquid in a confined space.  
     
     
         12 . The heat exchange system of  claim 7 , wherein said system is designed to cool air or liquid in a confined space.  
     
     
         13 . The heat exchange system of  claim 9 , wherein said system is designed to heat air or liquid in a confined space.  
     
     
         14 . The heat exchange system of  claim 9 , wherein said system is designed to cool air or liquid in a confined space  
     
     
         15 . The heat exchange system of  claim 14 , further comprising a coupler secured to said at least one conduit, said coupler having an inner channel in communication with said at least one conduit, and wherein said open orifice is disposed within said inner channel of said coupler.  
     
     
         16 . The heat exchange system of  claim 14 , wherein said orifice is disposed within said at least one conduit.  
     
     
         17 . The heat exchange system of  claim 14 , wherein said hydrofluorocarbon is R-410A.  
     
     
         18 . The heat exchange system of  claim 7 , further including a non-synthetic lubricating oil within said compressor.  
     
     
         19 . The heat exchange system of  claim 18 , wherein said refrigerant is a hydrofluorocarbon.  
     
     
         20 . The heat exchange system of  claim 19 , further comprising a coupler secured to said at least one conduit, said coupler having an inner channel in communication with said at least one conduit, and wherein said open orifice is disposed within said inner channel of said coupler.  
     
     
         21 . The heat exchange system of  claim 19 , wherein said internal diameter of said orifice is from 0.120 inch to about 0.25 inch.  
     
     
         22 . The heat exchange system of  claim 19 , wherein said orifice is disposed within said at least one conduit.  
     
     
         23 . The heat exchange system of  claim 22 , wherein said internal diameter of said orifice is from about 0.120 inch to about 0.25 inch.  
     
     
         24 . A heat pump suitable for heating swimming pools and spas comprising: 
 a. a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser;    b. a charge of refrigerant;    c. a series of conduits in communication with said compressor, said condenser, and said evaporator, wherein said conduits are adapted for carrying said refrigerant through said compressor, said condenser, and said evaporator of said heat exchange system;    d. said series of conduits including at least one conduit connecting said condenser and evaporator and through which said refrigerant is carried from said condenser to said evaporator, said at least one conduit having an internal diameter; and    e. a coupler fixedly secured to said at least one conduit, thereby defining an evaporator side and a condenser side, said coupler having a single inner channel in communication with said at least one conduit and a fixedly open orifice disposed within, and integral with, said inner channel of said coupler, said orifice having an internal diameter smaller than the diameter of said at least one conduit for creating a pressure differential between said condenser side and said evaporator side of said system during operation.    
     
     
         25 . A method of modifying a vapor compression heat exchange system to increase mass flow of refrigerant during subsequent operation of said system, said method comprising: 
 a. removing existing refrigerant metering devices from said heat exchange system, said system comprising: 
 i. a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser;  
 ii. a series of conduits in communication with said compressor, said condenser, and said evaporator, wherein said conduits are adapted for carrying said refrigerant through said compressor, said condenser, and said evaporator of said system; and  
 iii. said series of conduits including at least one conduit connecting said condenser and evaporator and through which said refrigerant is carried from said condenser to said evaporator, said at least one conduit having an internal diameter; and  
   b. introducing a fixedly open orifice in line with said at least one conduit connecting said condenser and evaporator, thereby defining an evaporator side and a condenser side of said system, said orifice having an internal diameter smaller than the diameter of said at least one conduit for creating a pressure differential between said condenser side and said evaporator side of said system during operation.