Other

Hansen Technologies Corporation

Concept Technology Inc.

Danfoss A/s

Ac&r Components, Inc.

William J Barbier

Charles C Hansen, Iii

John A Yencho

Orval J Kuhn, Jr

Curtis H Knapp

Andrew R Chibnall

Mark W Doane

An optically based liquid level (liquid-vapor) detector for use with a window having a substantially planar side facing the liquid-vapor side and a substantially planar side positioned parallel to the liquid-vapor side facing the outside. The detector comprises a light source positioned on the outside of the window to direct its light through the outside planar side to the inside planar liquid-vapor side and a light detector positioned on the outside of the window to receive light transmitted from the source and returned from the planar liquid-vapor window side. The detector further includes electronic means for detecting the light intensity change affecting the transducer, from the condition of liquid on the liquid-vapor side, to the condition of vapor on the liquid-vapor side of the window, whereby an action or signal is generated in response to such change.

Non-prismatic optical liquid level sensing assembly

A floodback detector for refrigerant systems employing any of: minimum suction temperature, temperature rate of change and duration thereof; minimum superheat, superheat rate of change and duration thereof.

Rate of change detector for refrigerant floodback

A non-fouling liquid level detector and control especially for a sealed system likely to have iron particle contaminants. The device employs a float projecting above the liquid level and bearing above the liquid level a unmagnetized ferromagnetic tell-tale. A magnetic field is generated by a magnet positioned outside the sealed system. The magnetic field extends around the float and tell-tale through a magnetically permeable partition comprising a wall of the sealed system that is positioned between the magnet and the float. The float position is monitored by a magnetic field sensor such as a Hall Effect device positioned adjacent the magnet, outside the sealed system. The sensor responds to the movement of the tell-tale. The output of the sensor is employed to control the monitored liquid level.

Non-fouling liquid level control

An optical liquid level sensor for distinguishing between the presence of oil and vapor within a compressor crankcase. The sensor has a light transmitting window positioned to interface the crankcase interior and a planar side facing the crankcase exterior. A light source and a light sensor are both positioned adjacent the exterior face of the window. The sensor has a first condition when the prismatic face is immersed in oil and a second condition when the prismatic face is immersed in vapor. An electronic circuit having a dual MOSFET switch for alternating current is mounted adjacent the light source and sensor. The circuit provides power to the source and monitors the sensor. When the sensor is in the first condition, the circuit closes the switch. When the sensor detects the second condition, the circuit starts a timer and continuously tests the condition of the sensor. If the first condition is detected, the timer resets to its initial value. If the second condition continues for the full time period, the circuit opens the switch. On the opening of the switch, the circuit continuously tests for the condition of the sensor. If the sensor returns to the first condition, the circuit closes the switch. An external switch is provided to manually reset the timer to its initial value and cause the switch to close for the time period.

Low oil detector with automatic reset

A gage having sensors for observing temperature and pressure. The gage includes a display and an internal computer. A data cartridge separate from the gage but with an electrical plug type connection to it is supplied. The data cartridge has a non-volatile memory on which is stored data relating pressure and saturation temperature of a volatile refrigerant. A program is stored within the gage. The program contains instructions for measuring temperature and pressure from a source, retrieving from the data cartridge saturated temperature data corresponding to the observed pressure, calculating superheat or subcooling and displaying in sequence the observed pressure in absolute or gage terms, the corresponding saturated temperature, the observed temperature and the superheat or subcooling. And there are switch means for displaying in sequence the observed pressure, the stored temperature corresponding to the observed pressure and the difference between the observed temperature and the saturation temperature which corresponds to the observed pressure as well as the maximum and minimum pressures or superheats observed over a period.

Superheat gage with plug-in data module

An optical sensor, having serviceable electronics, for monitoring the level of a liquid within a vessel having an exterior and an interior and for providing an electrical signal on the traverse of the liquid level past the sensor. The sensor comprises a fitting adapted to traverse the vessel wall, the fitting including a window having a prism shaped interior face and a planar exterior face sealed into the fitting and providing a fluid-tight optical path from the vessel interior to the vessel exterior. The fitting includes a chamber adjacent the planar face of the window and an electronic module shaped to fit the chamber. The module has an optical face. A light source and a light detector are positioned in the optical face to provide substantially zero clearance light communication between the window and both the source and the sensor, when the module is positioned within the chamber. The module includes electronics for supplying power to the light source and for providing different electrical signals on the presence, and on the absence of light at the detector. The sensor further includes means for resiliently securing the module against the window whereby intimate light communication between the window and the light source and the light sensor is achieved, and for readily removing the module for servicing ory replacement.

Optical liquid level sensor for pressurized systems utilizing prismatic

An oil level sensor device for sensing and controlling the level of oil in the crankcases of refrigeration compressors, each compressor having a crankcase with a housing for oil that accumulates during the compression operation and each housing having an opening with a prism member mounted in it, the prism members having two angularly relating surfaces exposed to the oil in the crankcase and a light source and a light sensor mounted adjacent to the prism on the outside of the crankcase housing such that the light from each light source impinges on one of the angularly related prism surfaces and is reflected thereby to the second angularly related surface and then back to the light sensor. Each light sensor has an output which is connected to the input of the control circuit which operates to energize a solenoid valve to add oil to the crankcase from a remote source when the oil level in the crankcase as sensed is below a predetermined level. The subject oil level sensor device may include a plurality of vertically arranged light sources and light sensors and the circuit may optionally include a circuit portion responsive to an over filled and an underfilled condition to produce an alarm. The circuit also includes an adjustment device which can be set to establish and maintain any desired oil level in the crankcase.

Oil level control system

A bubble detector for a liquid stream flowing within a conduit comprising a walled chamber communicating with the conduit interior, the chamber being positioned to trap and accumulate bubbles entrained with the liquid stream. A window in the chamber wall for optically examining the chamber, the window having its inner surface positioned to provide an interface with the chamber contents. Means for distinguishing between liquid and gas in the chamber comprising a light source positioned to direct its light toward the window inner surface, and a light sensor oriented to receive light reflected from the window inner surface the light source being positioned at such angle to the window inner surface that transmission of light with refraction occurs when liquid is present in the chamber and total internal reflection occurs when gas is present in the chamber. And an output device responding to the sensor for taking an action when a predetermined volume of bubbles have accumulated in the chamber.

Apparatus for detecting small bubbles in a pressurized fluid stream

An improved capacitance bridge type liquid level control system for use in refrigeration applications is disclosed which provides improved apparatus for sealing the probe in its mounting and for insulating same against the condenser reservoir stand pipe in which it is mounted. Improved sealing between the probe and probe body is accomplished through an annular PTFE seal which when compressed pushes inwardly to seal a tubular PTFE insulation against annular ridges in the side of the probe rod proper. The improved probe rod shape also maintains a proper stabilized axial alignment between the probe rod and the probe body. Improved circuitry for the capacitance bridge liquid level control system includes a built-in simulation circuit for testing the apparatus, improved voltage feedback damping for providing a stable circuitry utilizing digital display, light emitting diodes, improved anti-splashing circuitry for stabilizing digital display read out, and a reversed lower differential function setting for enabling the low level adjustment set point to be set more accurately heretofore known.

Liquid level control system for refrigeration apparatus

In a refrigeration system there is provided a main valve that has its inlet port fluidly connected to an evaporator while its outlet port is fluidly connected to the suction port of a motor-compressor. The closing of the main valve is controlled by an auxiliary valve, the auxiliary valve being connected in an auxiliary line that at one end opens to the gas port of a condenser or to a line between the condenser and the motor compressor. The auxiliary valve is connected in the auxiliary line in series with a fixed throttle and is downstream of the throttle. The closure member of the auxiliary valve opens on an increase in the evaporator pressure. A check valve, for example a two way magnetic valve, is connected between the auxiliary valve and the suction port. An auxiliary chamber, when the auxiliary valve is in an open condition establishes an open fluid flow path from the evaporator to the magnetic valve, the pressure in the auxiliary chamber acting against the main valve closure member for urging it toward its closed condition.

Evaporator pressure regulating valve controlled by an auxiliary force

An improved capacitance bridge type liquid level control system for use in refrigeration applications is disclosed which provides improved apparatus for sealing the probe in its mounting and for insulating same against the condenser reservoir stand pipe in which it is mounted. Improved sealing between the probe and probe body is accomplished through an annular PTFE seal which when compressed pushes inwardly to seal a tubular PTFE insulation against annular ridges in the side of the probe rod proper. The improved probe rod shape also maintains a proper stabilized axial alignment between the probe rod and the probe body. The invention also resides in improved circuitry for the capacitance bridge liquid level control system which includes a built-in simulation circuit for testing the apparatus, improved voltage feedback damping for providing a stable circuitry utilizing digital display, light emitting diodes, improved anti-splashing circuitry for stabilizing digital display read out, and a reversed lower differential function setting for enabling the low level adjustment set point to be set more accurately heretofore known.

Growing community of inventors

Hazelwood, MO, United States of America

William J Barbier