초록 ▼

A fixed restriction is placed in a suction line leading to a compressor. The size of the restriction is selected to achieve a desired capacity reduction (correction) for the refrigerant system compressor. By selectively restricting the flow of refrigerant through the suction line, the capacity deliv

A fixed restriction is placed in a suction line leading to a compressor. The size of the restriction is selected to achieve a desired capacity reduction (correction) for the refrigerant system compressor. By selectively restricting the flow of refrigerant through the suction line, the capacity delivered by the compressor will be reduced. This allows a designer of a refrigerant system to utilize an available compressor of a specific size (displacement) to satisfy the desired system operating conditions and performance characteristics as well as application requirements. In embodiments, the refrigerant system may be provided with an economizer and unloader functions. The restriction may be placed in the compressor suction port, or in the suction line leading to the compressor. Further, a pair of parallel flow passages may communicate an evaporator to the compressor, with the restriction being placed in one and a solenoid valve placed in the other.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A refrigerant system comprising: a compressor compressing refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant through a discharge line to a condenser, an expansion device receiving refrigerant from said condenser, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device, a suction line c

What is claimed is: 1. A refrigerant system comprising: a compressor compressing refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant through a discharge line to a condenser, an expansion device receiving refrigerant from said condenser, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device, a suction line communicating said evaporator back to said compressor; a fixed restriction downstream of said evaporator and upstream of the compression chambers in said compressor, the size of the restriction selected to achieve a desired capacity for the compressor; and wherein said suction line includes two branches, with at least one of said branches including a fixed restriction, and another of said branches including a selectively opened valve, said selectively opened valve being opened to provide additional capacity as desired, and closed when a reduced capacity is desired. 2. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fixed restriction is placed in a suction port of said compressor. 3. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fixed restriction is placed in a suction line leading to said compressor. 4. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fixed restriction is selected from a group of optional fixed restrictions sizes. 5. A refrigerant system comprising: a compressor compressing refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant through a discharge line to a condenser, an expansion device recieving refrigerant from said condenser, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device, a suction line communicating said evaporator back to said compressor; a fixed restriction downstream of said evaporator and upstream of the compression chambers in said compressor, the size of the restriction selected to achieve a desired capacity for the compressor; and wherein an economizer heat exchanger is placed between said main expansion device and said condenser, and a tapped flow of refrigerant passes through said economizer heat exchanger, and said tapped flow of refrigerant being returned to said compressor to allow selective control of the performance of the refrigerant system. 6. A refrigerant system comprising: a compressor compressing refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant through a discharge line to a condenser, an expansion device recieving refrigerant from said condenser, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device, a suction line communicating said evaporator back to said compressor; a fixed restriction downstream of said evaporator and upstream of the compression chambers in said compressor, the size of the restriction selected to achieve a desired capacity for the compressor; and wherein an unloader line selectively communicates intermediate compression chambers of said compressor back to said suction line, an unloader valve is placed in said unloader line, and said unloader valve is opened to reduce capacity provided by the refrigerant system. 7. A method of operating a refrigerant system comprising: providing a compressor compressing refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant through a discharge line to a condenser, an expansion device receiving refrigerant from said condenser, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device, a suction line communicating said evaporator back to said compressor; providing a fixed restriction downstream of said evaporator and upstream of the compression chambers in said compressor, the size of the fixed restriction selected to achieve a desired capacity for the compressor; and wherein said suction line includes two branches, with at least one of said branches including a fixed restriction, and another of said branches including a selectively opened valve, said selectively opened valve being opened to provide additional capacity as desired, and closed when a reduced capacity is desired. 8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said fixed restriction is placed in a suction port of said compressor. 9. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said fixed restriction is placed in a suction line leading to said compressor. 10. A method of operating a refrigerant system comprising: providing a compressor compressing refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant through a discharge line to a condenser, an expansion device receiving refrigerant from said condenser, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device, a suction line communicating said evaporator back to said compressor; providing a fixed restriction downstream of said evaporator and upstream of the compression chambers in said compressor, the size of the fixed restriction selected to achieve a desired capacity for the compressor; and wherein said fixed restriction is placed in a suction line leading to said compressor. 11. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said fixed restriction is inserted into the refrigerant system as a retrofit. 12. A method of operating a refrigerant system comprising: providing a compressor compressing refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant through a discharge line to a condenser, an expansion device receiving refrigerant from said condenser, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device, a suction line communicating said evaporator back to said compressor; providing a fixed restriction downstream of said evaporator and upstream of the compression chambers in said compressor, the size of the fixed restriction selected to achieve a desired capacity for the compressor; and wherein an economizer heat exchanger is placed between said main expansion device and said condenser, and a tapped flow of refrigerant passes through said economizer heat exchanger, and said tapped flow of refrigerant being returned to said compressor to allow selective control of the performance of the refrigerant system. 13. A method of operating a refrigerant system comprising: providing a compressor compressing refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant through a discharge line to a condenser, an expansion device receiving refrigerant from said condenser, and an evaporator downstream of said expansion device, a suction line communicating said evaporator back to said compressor; providing a fixed restriction downstream of said evaporator and upstream of the compression chambers in said compressor, the size of the fixed restriction selected to achieve a desired capacity for the compressor; and an unloader line selectively communicates intermediate compression chambers of said compressor back to said suction line, an unloader valve is placed in said unloader line, and said unloader valve is opened to reduce capacity provided by the refrigerant system.