Therman Transfer Device and Storage Systems Including Same

Abstract

A refrigeration evaporator comprising fluidly connected liquid chambers disposed between first and second layers of material, and an inlet for receiving and introducing liquid refrigerant into one of the liquid chambers. Each of the chambers are interconnected by respective overflow inlets and outlets to allow flow of liquid refrigerant between the connected chambers under gravity such that, during influent flow of the liquid through the inlet, the chambers accumulate the liquid sequentially to impede the flow. The evaporator further comprises vapor circuit including respective draw off vapor channels for receiving flow of refrigerant vapor from corresponding chambers. The vapor channels are in fluid communication with peripheral vapor channels disposed along peripheral regions of the evaporator for reducing or preventing slugs of liquid refrigerant flowing into the circuit. The circuit and the overflow inlets and outlets are disposed between the first and second layers of material.

1 . A refrigeration evaporator for use in refrigeration systems, the evaporator comprising:
 a plurality of fluidly connected liquid chambers;   an inlet for receiving and introducing liquid refrigerant into one of said plurality of liquid chambers; and wherein each of the liquid chambers are interconnected by overflow channels to allow flow of liquid refrigerant between the plurality of fluidly connected liquid chambers under gravity such during influent flow of the refrigerant liquid the liquid chambers accumulate the refrigerant liquid sequentially to impede the flow of the refrigerant liquid;   a vapour circuit being provided to receive flow of refrigerant vapour from corresponding liquid chambers, the vapour circuit comprising vapour flow paths disposed within the overflow channels   wherein each overflow channel comprises a sufficiently large cross-section to facilitate flow of vapour along the vapour flow paths therein to allow the liquid to collect and flow without the vapour pushing slugs of the liquid through the cross-section without blocking the flow of the vapour.   
     
     
         2 . A refrigeration evaporator in accordance with  claim 1  wherein vapour flow paths are located along in-use upper portions of an internal volume of the liquid chambers. 
     
     
         3 . A refrigeration evaporator in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the overflow inlets for each liquid chamber is fluidly connected with respective overflow channels disposed along peripheral regions of corresponding liquid chambers and wherein the vapour flow paths are disposed within the overflow channels. 
     
     
         4 . A refrigeration evaporator in accordance with  claim 3  wherein each liquid chamber comprises a bottom wall, a top wall and side walls such that inner surfaces of the bottom wall, top wall and side walls define a substantially enclosed internal volume for accumulating the liquid refrigerant and wherein the overflow outlet for one or more liquid chambers comprises a stepped portion along a side wall that is sufficiently spaced away from the top wall to allow to facilitate flow of vapour along the vapour flow paths in an upper portion of the liquid chamber, the upper portion being at or adjacent the top wall of the liquid chamber for reducing interaction between the vapour and the liquid refrigerant during use. 
     
     
         5 . A refrigeration evaporator in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the stepped portion defines a portion of the overflow channel to spread the overflowing liquid along the outer surface of the stepped portion and facilitate vapour draw off from the overflow channel into the peripherally disposed vapour channels. 
     
     
         6 . A refrigeration evaporator in accordance with  claim 3  wherein each liquid chamber is surrounded by an outer peripheral walls such that an inner surface of the outer peripheral walls define a portion of the overflow channels. 
     
     
         7 . A refrigeration evaporator in accordance with  claim 1  wherein in an in-use configuration each of the liquid chambers are positioned at different relative heights to allow flow of liquid refrigerant between the plurality of fluidly connected liquid chambers under gravity. 
     
     
         8 . A refrigeration evaporator in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a vapour outlet being fluidly coupled with the vapour circuit to allow coupling of a compressor with the vapour circuit for allowing the compressor, when fluidly connected to the vapour outlet, to receive and compress vapour under high pressure during use. 
     
     
         9 . A refrigeration evaporator in accordance with  claim 1  wherein influent flow rate of the liquid refrigerant through the fluidly connected chambers is controlled by a controller. 
     
     
         10 . A refrigeration evaporator for use in refrigeration systems, the evaporator comprising:
 a plurality of separate liquid chambers disposed between first and second layers of material, a respective inlet for receiving and introducing liquid phase refrigerant into a corresponding liquid chamber, each respective inlet being positioned along a portion of the corresponding liquid chamber for allowing the liquid to flow into a bottom part of the liquid chamber under gravity;   a vapour circuit comprising respective draw off vapour channels being provided along an upper part of respective liquid chambers to receive flow of refrigerant vapour from corresponding liquid chambers, the draw off vapour channels being provided for reducing or preventing slugs of liquid refrigerant flowing into the vapour circuit.