Refrigeration – Reversible – i.e. – heat pump – With cooling apparatus other than gas compressor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-05
2004-04-13
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Reversible, i.e., heat pump
With cooling apparatus other than gas compressor
C062S476000, C062S485000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06718792
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Liquid/vapor absorption systems using ammonia refrigerant, often referred to as aqua-ammonia systems, are well-known in the art. These systems utilize absorber heat exchange or generator/absorber heat exchange (GAX) cycles carried out in absorption refrigeration chillers for supplying cooling, typically in the form of a chilled water supply directed to a hydronic loop cooperating with an indoor coil and other heat exchange components for transferring the cooling effect to the space to be conditioned. The basic components of such a chiller apparatus include an absorber, generator, condenser and evaporator and necessary piping for the ammonia refrigerant and the water-based absorption fluid. The heat to the generator is supplied by a burner, and a circulating pump is required for directing the absorption fluid through the apparatus components.
When heating for the conditioned space is required, a separate water heater and tank or a furnace are used. Where the cooling and heating functions are combined in a chiller/heater assembly, two separate burners are used, one for cooling and one for the heating, and separate pumps are required for the two different hydronic loop functions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved and simplified aqua-ammonia absorption apparatus in which the cooling and heating functions are integrated into a single apparatus requiring only one burner for heating the generator and one pump for directing the fluid through the hydronic loop system. The basic apparatus components are an absorber, a generator, condenser, a heat exchanger capable of functioning as both a condenser and an evaporator, and refrigerant by-pass conduit and valving to provide selective by-pass of the refrigerant from the generator to the heat exchanger without passing through the condenser. In the cooling mode or function, the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. During a heating mode, the refrigerant from the generator by-passes the condenser and is directed to the heat exchanger which functions as the condenser to provide heat which is recovered for heating a conditioned space, water heating, etc. A detailed description of the apparatus components and operation, as well as the advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4178989 (1979-12-01), Takeshita et al.
patent: 4646541 (1987-03-01), Reid, Jr. et al.
patent: 5282369 (1994-02-01), Ohuchi et al.
patent: 5363668 (1994-11-01), Nakao et al.
patent: 5367884 (1994-11-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 5490393 (1996-02-01), Fuesting et al.
patent: 5517830 (1996-05-01), Ohuchi et al.
patent: 5548971 (1996-08-01), Rockenfeller et al.
patent: 5617733 (1997-04-01), Tomita et al.
patent: 5794456 (1998-08-01), Ishiguro et al.
patent: 5799502 (1998-09-01), Nomura et al.
patent: 5878587 (1999-03-01), Kojima et al.
patent: 6047559 (2000-04-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 6101832 (2000-08-01), Franz et al.
patent: 6250089 (2001-06-01), Serpente et al.
Modahl, R. J., et al,. “Evaluation of a Commercial Advanced Absorption Heat Pump Breadboard”, pp. 117-125 (1988).
Rockenfeller Uwe
Sarkisian Paul
Doerrler William
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Rocky Research
LandOfFree
Integrated aqua-ammonia chiller/heater does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Integrated aqua-ammonia chiller/heater, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Integrated aqua-ammonia chiller/heater will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3266845