US20130333402A1 - Climate control systems for motor vehicles and methods of operating the same - Google Patents

Climate control systems for motor vehicles and methods of operating the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US20130333402A1
US20130333402A1 US13/525,602 US201213525602A US2013333402A1 US 20130333402 A1 US20130333402 A1 US 20130333402A1 US 201213525602 A US201213525602 A US 201213525602A US 2013333402 A1 US2013333402 A1 US 2013333402A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
stream
liquid
vapor
expansion valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/525,602
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English (en)
Inventor
Bryan M. Styles
Harry E. Eustice
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GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC filed Critical GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority to US13/525,602 priority Critical patent/US20130333402A1/en
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC reassignment GM Global Technology Operations LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: EUSTICE, HARRY E., STYLES, BRYAN M.
Priority to DE102013210970.9A priority patent/DE102013210970B4/de
Priority to CN201310240630.1A priority patent/CN103512255A/zh
Assigned to WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY reassignment WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Publication of US20130333402A1 publication Critical patent/US20130333402A1/en
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC reassignment GM Global Technology Operations LLC RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/32—Cooling devices
    • B60H1/3204—Cooling devices using compression
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/02—Centrifugal separation of gas, liquid or oil

Definitions

  • the climate control system comprises a refrigeration loop circuit that is configured to advance a refrigerant.
  • a compressor is disposed along the refrigeration loop circuit and is configured to compress the refrigerant to form a high-pressure refrigerant gas stream.
  • a condenser is disposed along the refrigeration loop circuit downstream from the compressor and is configured to condense the high-pressure refrigerant gas stream to form a condensed refrigerant stream.
  • An expansion valve is disposed along the refrigeration loop circuit downstream from the condenser and is configured to expand the condensed refrigerant stream to form a partially expanded refrigerant stream.
  • a method of operating a climate control system for a motor vehicle comprises the steps of expanding a condensed refrigerant stream with an expansion valve to form a partially expanded refrigerant stream.
  • the partially expanded refrigerant stream comprises a refrigerant liquid phase and a refrigerant vapor phase.
  • the partially expanded refrigerant stream is separated with a liquid-vapor separator into a refrigerant liquid stream and a refrigerant vapor stream.
  • Separating the partially expanded refrigerant stream includes removing water from at least a portion of the partially expanded refrigerant stream with a desiccant contained in the liquid-vapor separator to form the refrigerant liquid stream that is substantially depleted of water.
  • Heat is exchanged between air passing across or through an evaporator and the refrigerant liquid stream passing internally through and expanding in the evaporator to form a superheated refrigerant gas stream.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a climate control system in a motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective side cut-away view of a liquid-vapor separator in accordance with another embodiment
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of operating a climate control system in accordance with an embodiment.
  • the expansion valve receives and expands the condensed refrigerant stream to form a partially expanded refrigerant stream.
  • the partially expanded refrigerant stream comprises a refrigerant liquid phase and a refrigerant vapor phase and is introduced to the liquid-vapor separator.
  • the liquid-vapor separator separates the partially expanded refrigerant stream into a refrigerant liquid stream and a refrigerant vapor stream.
  • the refrigerant liquid stream is introduced to and advanced through the evaporator while the refrigerant vapor stream is directed downstream of the evaporator.
  • a climate control system 10 installed in a motor vehicle 12 in accordance with an embodiment is provided.
  • the climate control system 10 is configured to control the temperature within a passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 12 .
  • the climate control system 10 may be part of an HVAC system as is well known in the art, or alternatively, may be a standalone system.
  • the condensed refrigerant stream 30 advances downstream to the expansion valve 22 .
  • the expansion valve 22 is configured as a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV), but alternatively can be an orifice tube or other refrigerant expansion device known to those skilled in the art.
  • the expansion valve 22 is operable to expand the condensed refrigerant stream 30 , thereby lowering the pressure and temperature of the condensed refrigerant stream 30 to form a partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 .
  • the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 comprises a refrigerant liquid phase and a refrigerant vapor phase.
  • the expansion valve 22 also receives a superheated refrigerant gas stream 44 from the evaporator 26 and in response to conditions, e.g., temperature and/or pressure, of the superheated refrigerant gas stream 44 , regulates the amount of the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 exiting the expansion valve 22 .
  • the liquid-vapor separator 24 is downstream from and in fluid communication with the expansion valve 22 to receive the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 .
  • the liquid-vapor separator 24 is operable to separate the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 into a refrigerant liquid stream 40 and a refrigerant vapor stream 42 .
  • the liquid-vapor separator 24 has storage capacity for storing a column of the refrigerant liquid stream 40 at different ambient conditions to ensure a continuous flow of the refrigerant liquid stream 40 to the evaporator 26 .
  • the condenser 20 does not need an integrated receiver for storing a column of refrigerant at different ambient conditions.
  • a fan 48 may force the ambient air across or over the outside of the channels of the evaporator 26 to facilitate heat transfer between the ambient air and the refrigerant liquid stream 40 .
  • Air forced across or through the evaporator 26 may be, for example, subsequently directed through one or more ducts to the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 12 to provide cooling.
  • the superheated refrigerant gas stream 44 exits the evaporator 26 through an outlet 50 and is advanced back to the expansion valve 22 .
  • the expansion valve 22 is configured such that as the superheated refrigerant gas stream 44 passes through a control portion of the expansion valve 22 , the expansion valve 22 regulates the outgoing flow of the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 in response to the pressure and/or temperature of the superheated refrigerant gas stream 44 . This allows the amount of the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 being introduced to the liquid-vapor separator 24 to be adjusted to meet the demands of the evaporator 26 for ensuring a more complete expansion of the liquid refrigerant stream 40 in the evaporator 26 to the gaseous phase for enhanced cooling.
  • the superheated refrigerant gas stream 44 exits the expansion valve 22 and is directed downstream to a section 54 of the refrigeration loop circuit 16 that is upstream from the compressor 18 .
  • the refrigeration loop circuit 16 includes a bypass section 52 .
  • the bypass section 52 fluidly couples the liquid-vapor separator 24 to the section 54 of the refrigeration loop circuit 16 .
  • the refrigerant vapor stream 42 exits the liquid-vapor separator 24 and is advanced along the bypass section 52 to the section 54 and is introduced to the superheated refrigerant gas stream 44 to form a combined refrigerant stream 56 .
  • the combined refrigerant stream 56 is passed along the refrigeration loop circuit 16 and is received at an inlet 58 of the compressor 18 to repeat the refrigeration cycle as described above.
  • the liquid-vapor separator 24 illustrated in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2 is configured as a baffle-type separator 88 .
  • the baffle-type separator 88 has a conduit 90 with an inlet 92 that receives the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 .
  • the conduit 90 directs the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 towards a vertical-extending plate 94 that has a plurality of lateral-extending baffle plates 96 that promote separation of the refrigerant liquid and vapor phases 80 and 82 of the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 .
  • the refrigerant vapor phase 82 passes over the vertical-extending plate 94 and exits through an outlet 98 as the refrigerant vapor stream 42 .
  • the refrigerant liquid phase 80 collects in a lower portion to form the refrigerant liquid stream 40 that exits through an outlet 100 .
  • the refrigerant vapor phase 82 e.g., the less dense phase, collects near an upper portion of the cyclonic-type separator 102 to form the refrigerant vapor stream 42 that exits through an outlet 108 .
  • the cyclonic-type separator 102 has storage capacity in a lower portion where the refrigerant liquid phase 80 , e.g., the more dense phase, collects to form a column 84 of the refrigerant liquid stream 40 that exits through an outlet 110 .
  • the expansion valve 22 and the liquid-vapor separator 24 in accordance with another embodiment is provided.
  • the expansion valve 22 is coupled directly to the liquid-vapor separator 24 such that the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 passes directly from the expansion valve 22 into the liquid-vapor separator 24 .
  • the liquid-vapor separator 24 is configured as a cyclonic-type separator 102 that has a conduit 112 positioned along a central section of the liquid-vapor separator 24 .
  • the partially expanded refrigerant stream 38 descends around the outside of the conduit 112 in a swirling flow pattern to promote separation of the refrigerant liquid and vapor phases 80 and 82 .
  • the liquid-vapor separator 24 is configured similarly to the cyclonic-type separator 102 illustrated in FIG. 3 except that the conduit 126 directs the refrigerant vapor stream 42 back through the expansion valve 22 . From the expansion valve 22 , the refrigerant vapor stream 42 is introduced to the superheated refrigerant gas stream 44 to form the combined refrigerant stream 56 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
US13/525,602 2012-06-18 2012-06-18 Climate control systems for motor vehicles and methods of operating the same Abandoned US20130333402A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/525,602 US20130333402A1 (en) 2012-06-18 2012-06-18 Climate control systems for motor vehicles and methods of operating the same
DE102013210970.9A DE102013210970B4 (de) 2012-06-18 2013-06-12 Klimasteuerungssysteme für Motorfahrzeuge und Verfahren zum Betreiben derselben
CN201310240630.1A CN103512255A (zh) 2012-06-18 2013-06-18 用于机动车辆的气温控制系统及其操作方法

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/525,602 US20130333402A1 (en) 2012-06-18 2012-06-18 Climate control systems for motor vehicles and methods of operating the same

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130333402A1 true US20130333402A1 (en) 2013-12-19

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Family Applications (1)

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US13/525,602 Abandoned US20130333402A1 (en) 2012-06-18 2012-06-18 Climate control systems for motor vehicles and methods of operating the same

Country Status (3)

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US (1) US20130333402A1 (zh)
CN (1) CN103512255A (zh)
DE (1) DE102013210970B4 (zh)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170248355A1 (en) * 2016-02-26 2017-08-31 Daikin Applied Americas Inc. Economizer used in chiller system
US20180163998A1 (en) * 2016-12-12 2018-06-14 Evapco, Inc. Low charge packaged ammonia refrigeration system with evaporative condenser
FR3074273A1 (fr) * 2017-11-28 2019-05-31 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Bouteille deshydratante pour un circuit de fluide refrigerant equipant un vehicule, notamment automobile.
US11162721B2 (en) * 2019-05-31 2021-11-02 Hyundai Motor Company Gas-liquid separation device for vehicle
US11408654B2 (en) * 2015-12-10 2022-08-09 Carrier Corporation Economizer and refrigeration system having the same
US11407274B2 (en) * 2020-03-12 2022-08-09 Denso International America, Inc Accumulator pressure drop regulation system for a heat pump

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3916642A (en) * 1974-08-12 1975-11-04 John W Mullins Refrigerant dryer service valve
US4341086A (en) * 1980-10-06 1982-07-27 Clarion Co., Ltd. Refrigeration system
US4457138A (en) * 1982-01-29 1984-07-03 Tyler Refrigeration Corporation Refrigeration system with receiver bypass
US5619861A (en) * 1994-04-12 1997-04-15 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Refrigeration apparatus
US6318118B2 (en) * 1999-03-18 2001-11-20 Lennox Mfg Inc Evaporator with enhanced refrigerant distribution
US6457325B1 (en) * 2000-10-31 2002-10-01 Modine Manufacturing Company Refrigeration system with phase separation
US20050198993A1 (en) * 2004-03-12 2005-09-15 Corrigan Daniel L. Dessicant cup with integral filter
US6981389B2 (en) * 2003-12-12 2006-01-03 Calsonickansei North America, Inc. Receiver and service cartridge for a condenser system
US20060225459A1 (en) * 2005-04-08 2006-10-12 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Accumulator for an air conditioning system
US20090120619A1 (en) * 2007-05-11 2009-05-14 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Method for exchanging heat in vapor compression heat transfer systems
US20100199716A1 (en) * 2007-06-25 2010-08-12 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Gas-liquid separator and air conditioner equipped with the same
US20110083456A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2011-04-14 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Refrigeration cycle device and method of controlling the same

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10122000A1 (de) * 2001-05-05 2002-11-07 Obrist Engineering Gmbh Lusten Thermische Kreislaufanlage
US6615610B1 (en) * 2002-06-26 2003-09-09 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Air conditioning system and tubing apparatus to prevent heat gain due to engine compartment heat
FR2855254B1 (fr) * 2003-05-23 2007-04-06 Valeo Climatisation Dispositif de climatisation, en particulier pour vehicule automobile, comprenant une boucle avec separation liquide/gaz
DE102007015185B4 (de) * 2007-03-29 2022-12-29 Valeo Klimasysteme Gmbh Klimaanlage für ein Kraftfahrzeug
CN201233141Y (zh) * 2008-06-30 2009-05-06 苏州新智机电工业有限公司 压板型储液干燥器

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3916642A (en) * 1974-08-12 1975-11-04 John W Mullins Refrigerant dryer service valve
US4341086A (en) * 1980-10-06 1982-07-27 Clarion Co., Ltd. Refrigeration system
US4457138A (en) * 1982-01-29 1984-07-03 Tyler Refrigeration Corporation Refrigeration system with receiver bypass
US5619861A (en) * 1994-04-12 1997-04-15 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Refrigeration apparatus
US6318118B2 (en) * 1999-03-18 2001-11-20 Lennox Mfg Inc Evaporator with enhanced refrigerant distribution
US6457325B1 (en) * 2000-10-31 2002-10-01 Modine Manufacturing Company Refrigeration system with phase separation
US6981389B2 (en) * 2003-12-12 2006-01-03 Calsonickansei North America, Inc. Receiver and service cartridge for a condenser system
US20050198993A1 (en) * 2004-03-12 2005-09-15 Corrigan Daniel L. Dessicant cup with integral filter
US20060225459A1 (en) * 2005-04-08 2006-10-12 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Accumulator for an air conditioning system
US20090120619A1 (en) * 2007-05-11 2009-05-14 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Method for exchanging heat in vapor compression heat transfer systems
US20100199716A1 (en) * 2007-06-25 2010-08-12 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Gas-liquid separator and air conditioner equipped with the same
US20110083456A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2011-04-14 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Refrigeration cycle device and method of controlling the same

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Renatto Lazzarin, Daniele Nardotto, and Marco Noro, "Electronic Expansion Valves vs. Thermal Expansion Valves", AHRAE Journal, February 2009 *
Spirax Sarco, "Separators", 06/22/2007 - https://web.archive.org/web/20070622233512/http://www.spiraxsarco.com/resources/steam-engineering-tutorials/pipeline-ancillaries/separators.asp *

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11408654B2 (en) * 2015-12-10 2022-08-09 Carrier Corporation Economizer and refrigeration system having the same
US20170248355A1 (en) * 2016-02-26 2017-08-31 Daikin Applied Americas Inc. Economizer used in chiller system
US10539350B2 (en) * 2016-02-26 2020-01-21 Daikin Applied Americas Inc. Economizer used in chiller system
US20180163998A1 (en) * 2016-12-12 2018-06-14 Evapco, Inc. Low charge packaged ammonia refrigeration system with evaporative condenser
CN110249183A (zh) * 2016-12-12 2019-09-17 艾威普科公司 具有蒸发式冷凝器的低充注量一体式氨制冷系统
US11035594B2 (en) * 2016-12-12 2021-06-15 Evapco, Inc. Low charge packaged ammonia refrigeration system with evaporative condenser
FR3074273A1 (fr) * 2017-11-28 2019-05-31 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Bouteille deshydratante pour un circuit de fluide refrigerant equipant un vehicule, notamment automobile.
WO2019106049A1 (en) * 2017-11-28 2019-06-06 Valeo Systemes Thermiques Receiver/drier for a refrigerant fluid circuit equipping a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle
US11162721B2 (en) * 2019-05-31 2021-11-02 Hyundai Motor Company Gas-liquid separation device for vehicle
US11407274B2 (en) * 2020-03-12 2022-08-09 Denso International America, Inc Accumulator pressure drop regulation system for a heat pump

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102013210970A9 (de) 2014-10-30
CN103512255A (zh) 2014-01-15
DE102013210970B4 (de) 2015-08-06
DE102013210970A1 (de) 2013-12-19

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Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:STYLES, BRYAN M.;EUSTICE, HARRY E.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20120612 TO 20120618;REEL/FRAME:028392/0584

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Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC;REEL/FRAME:030694/0500

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