Jeffrey W Welch

US Patent:

6560986, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Mar 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/093063

Inventors:

Jeffrey K. Welch - Orange Park FL 32003

International Classification:

F25B 100

US Classification:

62509, 62498

Abstract:

A vertically oriented refrigerant valve in a refrigeration cycle for substantially reducing vapor bubbles mass in a liquid refrigerant flow and providing a flow modulating and shutoff function. The valve includes an outer shell having a horizontal fluid inlet perpendicular to a vertical axis passing through an inner tubular member positioned inside the outer shell and having a vertical fluid outlet at a distal end, and a condensation chamber formed between the inside surface of the outer shell and the outer surface of the inner tubular member for collecting and condensing rising vapor bubbles from the inlet refrigerant. While the vapor bubbles portion of the refrigerant is collected in the chamber, the liquid passes through a plurality of passageways through the lower portion of the inner tubular member. A slide tube selectively closes and opens one or more of the passageways to control refrigerant flow through the passageways to precisely match the instantaneous needs of the refrigeration system. An actuator will automatically spring return and shut off the valve in the event of a power failure.