Refrigeration – Refrigeration producer – Compressor-condenser-evaporator circuit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2001-01-09
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Refrigeration producer
Compressor-condenser-evaporator circuit
C062S296000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170289
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to refrigeration systems and, more particularly, to a noise suppressing jumper tube for connecting a refrigeration condenser and evaporator.
One type of refrigeration system includes, in closed series fluid communication, an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, and a jumper tube. The compressor receives a refrigerant from the evaporator and compresses the refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant is supplied to the condenser. Refrigerant flowing out of the condenser enters the capillary tube, which restricts flow of refrigerant from the condenser and maintains a pressure differential between the evaporator and the condenser. The jumper tube connects the capillary tube and the evaporator and provides a transition from the small diameter capillary tube passage and the large diameter passage in the evaporator.
The refrigerant discharged from the capillary tube may be in the form of a liquid, a gas, or a combination of liquid and gas. A portion of the refrigerant vaporizes as it is discharged from the capillary tube into the relatively low pressure environment of the evaporator via the jumper tube. The pressure difference between the refrigerant in the capillary tube and the refrigerant in the evaporator causes liquid refrigerant flowing subsonically through the capillary tube to flow near or above supersonic velocities as it is discharged from the capillary tube and vaporizes. It is believed that the transition between subsonic and supersonic flows and/or the vaporization process, causes a popping noise similar to the sound of a woodpecker pecking on wood (sometimes referred to as woodpecker noise or “WPN”) as the refrigerant expands in the jumper tube and in the evaporator.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a jumper tube for a refrigeration system includes a transition portion which facilitates reduction, and possibly even elimination, of woodpecker noise as well as reducing or eliminating refrigerant groaning or rushing noises. Specifically, the jumper tube transition portion includes a crimp which forms a restricted passage and a transition angle from the smallest section of the crimped portion to a cylindrical portion of the tube that is greater than 7° measured from the longitudinal axis of the jumper tube. It is believed that by selecting the transition angle to be greater than 7°, refrigerant can be continuously expanded within the transition portion without generating noise.
The jumper tube also includes a bend section a short distance downstream of the transition portion. The bend section affects flow of refrigerant moving downwardly through the jumper tube when the jumper tube is connected to an evaporator. Also, the downstream end of the bend is inclined upward when the jumper tube is connected to the evaporator, further affecting the behavior of the refrigerant through the jumper tube. It is believed that the combination of the transition angle, the downward flow of the refrigerant through the transition portion, the bend in the cylindrical portion, and the upward flow from the bend into the evaporator tube prevent generation of woodpecker noise in the system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2933905 (1960-04-01), Simmons
patent: 2967410 (1961-01-01), Schulze
patent: 3531947 (1970-10-01), Drury et al.
patent: 3815379 (1974-06-01), Scherer et al.
patent: 4086782 (1978-05-01), Forsberg
patent: 4169361 (1979-10-01), Baldus
patent: 4381651 (1983-05-01), Kubo et al.
patent: 4408467 (1983-10-01), Murnane et al.
patent: 4445343 (1984-05-01), McCarty
patent: 4793150 (1988-12-01), Wattley et al.
Brown Paul Kenneth
Dobbs Jimmy Alan
Doerrler William
General Electric Company
Houser H. Neil
Norman Marc
Rideout, Jr. George L.
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