The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 1991
Filed:
Jul. 31, 1990
John D Ruff, Alexandria, VA (US);
Thermadyne, Inc., Alexandria, VA (US);
Abstract
A refrigeration system having two alternatively actuable condensers operating at different condensing temperatures and pressures includes a compensatory metering arrangement for preventing significant changes of refrigerant fluid flow rate to the system evaporator when the system switches from one condenser to the other. Compensation is effected by changing the size of the metering orifice as necessary to accommodate the different condenser operating pressures. In one embodiment a thermostatic expansion valve is modified to include a damping factor preventing rapid changes in the valve position. Damping is achieved with a liquid-filled damping chamber having a damping diaphragm as one wall secured to the valve actuator rod. Opening of the valve requires the damping diaphragm to compress the liquid which is permitted to leak from the damping chamber at a controlled rate to slow the valve actuation rate. The system has particular utilization in the formation and collection of purified ice pieces from unpurified water and the formation of purified water by the selective melting of ice pieces using rejection heat from one of the alternatively operative condensers. In an alternative system embodiment, electrical heating of the collection bin is employed to melt ice pieces.