US2017059219A1PendingUtilityA1

System and Method to Optimize Effectiveness of Liquid Line Accumulator

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Assignee: LENNOX IND INCPriority: Sep 2, 2015Filed: Sep 2, 2015Published: Mar 2, 2017
Est. expirySep 2, 2035(~9.1 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Rakesh Goel
F25B 2400/01F25B 49/02F25B 43/006F25B 13/00
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PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed that provide an accumulator for helping to relieve pressure during pressure spikes in an HVAC system. The accumulator can also be heated by various means, such as components of the condenser or evaporator, helping to achieve proper performance of the system. The accumulator can also serve as a receptacle for refrigerant when the system is powered down.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating an HVAC system, the method comprising:
 providing an accumulator liquidly coupled to a refrigerant line of the HVAC system, wherein excess pressure in the refrigerant line causes refrigerant to accumulate in the accumulator; and   heating the accumulator to between 5% and 20% above the liquid saturation temperature during normal operation of the HVAC system, such that refrigerant is returned to the refrigerant line.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heating of the accumulator is provided by placing the accumulator near the inlet line to a condenser. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heating of the accumulator is provided by placing the accumulator near the outlet line of an evaporator. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heating of the accumulator is provided by placing the accumulator in the path of heated air received from a condenser. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heating of the accumulator is provided by a heating element. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the accumulator is also placed near the inlet line to a condenser. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a valve controls whether refrigerant flows into or out of the accumulator. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the valve is a solenoid valve. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating an HVAC system comprising:
 providing an accumulator liquidly coupled to a refrigerant line in the HVAC system, wherein excess pressure in the refrigerant line causes refrigerant to accumulate in the accumulator;   heating the accumulator above the liquid saturation temperature during normal operation of the HVAC system such that accumulated refrigerant is returned to the refrigerant line; and   powering down the HVAC system, wherein powering down the HVAC system causes refrigerant to accumulate in the accumulator.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the heating of the accumulator is provided by placing the accumulator near the inlet line to a condenser. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the heating of the accumulator is provided by placing the accumulator near the outlet line of an evaporator. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the heating of the accumulator is provided by placing the accumulator in the path of heated air received from a condenser. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the heating of the accumulator is provided by a heating element. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the accumulator is also placed near the inlet line to a condenser. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a valve controls whether refrigerant flows into or out of the accumulator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the valve is a solenoid valve. 
     
     
         17 . An HVAC system comprising:
 an accumulator, the accumulator liquidly coupled with the refrigerant line of the HVAC system, wherein excess pressure in the refrigerant line causes refrigerant to accumulate in the accumulator, and wherein powering down the HVAC system causes refrigerant to accumulate in the accumulator; and   a heat source, the heat source operable to heat the accumulator to 5% to 20% above the liquid saturation temperature during normal operation of the HVAC system, and thereby cause accumulated refrigerant to return to the refrigerant line.   
     
     
         18 . The HVAC system of  claim 17  wherein the heat source comprises air heated by a condenser. 
     
     
         19 . The HVAC system of  claim 17  wherein the heat source comprises the inlet line of a condenser. 
     
     
         20 . The HVAC system of  claim 17  wherein the heat source comprises an outlet line from an evaporator.

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