Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B6/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several condenser circuits
  • F25B6/02—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several condenser circuits arranged in parallel
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28B—STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS
  • F28B7/00—Combinations of two or more condensers, e.g. provision of reserve condenser
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B23/00—Machines, plants or systems, with a single mode of operation not covered by groups F25B1/00 - F25B21/00, e.g. using selective radiation effect
  • F25B23/006—Machines, plants or systems, with a single mode of operation not covered by groups F25B1/00 - F25B21/00, e.g. using selective radiation effect boiling cooling systems
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B39/00—Evaporators; Condensers
  • F25B39/04—Condensers
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
  • F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
  • F25B49/027—Condenser control arrangements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28B—STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS
  • F28B11/00—Controlling arrangements with features specially adapted for condensers
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
  • F28B—STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS
  • F28B9/00—Auxiliary systems, arrangements, or devices
  • F28B9/04—Auxiliary systems, arrangements, or devices for feeding, collecting, and storing cooling water or other cooling liquid
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B2400/00—Component parts or details not otherwise provided for in this subclass
  • F25B2400/23—Separators
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B2600/00—Control issues
  • F25B2600/11—Fan speed control
  • F25B2600/111—Fan speed control of condenser fans
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
  • F25B2600/00—Control issues
  • F25B2600/11—Fan speed control
  • F25B2600/112—Fan speed control of evaporator fans

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to closed loop cooling systems and more specifically relates to split condenser cooling systems.
• Applicant has created new and useful devices, systems and methods for split condenser cooling.
• examples of the disclosure can more efficiently control the cooling capacity of a cooling system.
• examples of the disclosure can eliminate the need for one or more flow control devices, such as valves, thereby simplifying a cooling system, minimizing costs and minimizing or eliminating one or more potential leak and/or other failure points.
• a system according to the disclosure can include a first condenser having an inlet for receiving a cooling media, one or more other condensers plumbed in parallel with the first condenser and having one or more other inlets for receiving the cooling media, and one or more headers plumbed between a heat source or heat exchanger and the condensers.
• a header can have one outlet for being fluidically coupled to the inlet of the first condenser and another outlet for being fluidically coupled to the inlet of another condenser, and one outlet can be located on the header at a lower elevation or position than the other outlet.
• the header can receive cooling media from one or more heat sources and can selectively distribute the cooling media to one or more condensers.
• a closed loop cooling system can include a heat source to transfer heat to a cooling media, a first condenser having a first inlet to receive the media, a second condenser having a second inlet to receive the media, a header plumbed between the heat source and the condensers, or any combination thereof.
• the second condenser can be plumbed in parallel with the first condenser.
• the header can receive the media from the heat source and selectively distribute the media to either or both of the condensers.
• the header can have a first outlet fluidically coupled to the first inlet and/or a second outlet fluidically coupled to the second inlet.
• the second outlet can be located on the header at a lower elevation than the first outlet.
• the header can selectively prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet, thereby selectively decreasing, or eliminating, the second condenser's capacity to remove heat from the media.
• the header can prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet when the system is in a first cooling mode and allow vapor to exit the second outlet when the system is in a second cooling mode.
• the second cooling mode can provide a higher cooling rate or capacity than the first cooling mode.
• the system can include a controller to control a cooling capacity, or rate, of the system by selectively covering the second outlet with the media in liquid form, thereby selectively preventing vapor from exiting the second outlet.
• the controller can control a liquid level in the header by controlling a fan of the heat source and/or any of the condensers and/or controlling a prime mover, such as a pump or a compressor, plumbed between the condensers and the heat source, thereby controlling the cooling capacity, or rate, of the system.
• the header can be an angled pipe sloping downward from the first outlet to the second outlet.
• the header can be a pipe having a first horizontal section, a second horizontal section, and an angled section between the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section.
• the first outlet can be in the first horizontal section and/or the second outlet can be in the second horizontal section.
• the second horizontal section can be located at a lower elevation than the first horizontal section.
• the header can be a pressure vessel.
• the pressure vessel can have a header inlet at a higher elevation than the first outlet.
• the pressure vessel can have a liquid outlet at a lower elevation than the second outlet.
• the liquid outlet can be located in a removable tank at a bottom of the pressure vessel.
• the tank can be exchanged with a larger tank to lower a liquid level in the header and/or a smaller tank to raise a liquid level in the header.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal cross sectional area that decreases with elevation within the header.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal conical post, which can have a larger lower diameter and a smaller higher diameter.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal helix, which can have spacing that decreases with elevation within the header.
• a closed loop cooling system can include a heat exchanger that can transfer heat to a cooling media, a first condenser having a first inlet that can receive the media, a second condenser plumbed in parallel with the first condenser and having a second inlet that can receive the media, a header plumbed between the heat exchanger and the condensers, or any combination thereof.
• the header can receive the media from the heat exchanger, retain a portion of the media therein in liquid form, selectively distribute the media to the condensers, or any combination thereof.
• the header can have a header inlet fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger, a first outlet fluidically coupled to the first inlet, a second outlet fluidically coupled to the second inlet, or any combination thereof.
• the first outlet can be located on the header at a lower elevation than the header inlet and/or the second outlet can be located on the header at a lower elevation than the first outlet.
• the header can selectively prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet, thereby selectively decreasing, or eliminating, the second condenser's capacity to remove heat from the media.
• the header can prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet when the system is in a first cooling mode and allow vapor to exit the second outlet when the system is in a second cooling mode.
• the second cooling mode can provide a higher cooling rate or capacity than the first cooling mode.
• the system can include a controller to control a cooling capacity, or rate, of the system by selectively covering the second outlet with the media in liquid form, thereby selectively preventing vapor from exiting the second outlet.
• the controller can control a liquid level in the header by controlling a fan of the heat source and/or any of the condensers and/or controlling a prime mover, such as a pump or a compressor, plumbed between the condensers and the heat source, thereby controlling the cooling capacity, or rate, of the system.
• the header can be an angled pipe sloping downward from the first outlet to the second outlet.
• the header can be a pipe having a first horizontal section, a second horizontal section, and an angled section between the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section.
• the first outlet can be in the first horizontal section and/or the second outlet can be in the second horizontal section.
• the second horizontal section can be located on the header at a lower elevation than the first horizontal section.
• the header can be a pressure vessel.
• the pressure vessel can have a header inlet at a higher elevation than the first outlet.
• the pressure vessel can have a liquid outlet at a lower elevation than the second outlet.
• the liquid outlet can be located in a removable tank at a bottom of the pressure vessel.
• the tank can be exchanged with a larger tank to lower a liquid level in the header and/or a smaller tank to raise a liquid level in the header.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal cross sectional area that decreases with elevation within the header.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal conical post, which can have a larger lower diameter and a smaller higher diameter.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal helix, which can have spacing that decreases with elevation within the header.
• Couple can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unity fashion.
• the coupling can occur in any direction, including rotationally.
• all parts and components of the disclosure that are capable of being physically embodied inherently include imaginary and real characteristics regardless of whether such characteristics are expressly described herein, including but not limited to characteristics such as axes, ends, inner and outer surfaces, interior spaces, tops, bottoms, sides, boundaries, dimensions (e.g., height, length, width, thickness), mass, weight, volume and density, among others.
• each block in a flowchart may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which can comprise one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).
• the function(s) noted in the block(s) might occur out of the order depicted in the figures.
• blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently.
• each block of flowchart illustration can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
• Applicant has created new and useful devices, systems and methods for split condenser cooling systems.
• examples of the disclosure can more efficiently control the cooling capacity of a cooling system.
• examples of the disclosure can eliminate the need for one or more flow control devices, such as valves, thereby simplifying a cooling system, minimizing costs and minimizing or eliminating one or more potential leak and/or other failure points.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one of many examples of a cooling system according to the disclosure, showing an elevational representation of a header of the system.
• FIG. 2 is an elevational view of one of many examples of a header according to the disclosure.
• FIG. 3 is another elevational view of the header of FIG. 2 .
• FIG. 4 is an elevational view of another of many examples of a cooling system according to the disclosure, shown in one operational state.
• FIG. 5 is another elevational view of the cooling system of FIG. 4 , shown in another operational state.
• FIG. 6 is yet another elevational view of the cooling system of FIG. 4 , shown in yet another operational state.
• FIG. 7 is a partial schematic view of another of many examples of a cooling system according to the disclosure.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one of many examples of a cooling system according to the disclosure, showing an elevational representation of a header of the system.
• FIG. 2 is an elevational view of one of many examples of a header according to the disclosure.
• FIGS. 1-10 are described in conjunction with one another.
• a closed loop cooling system 100 can include one or more heat sources 200 to transfer heat to a cooling media (such as a two-phase refrigerant), two or more condensers 300 (such as a first condenser 300a, a second condenser 300b and/or one or more other condensers 300n) each having an inlet 302, 302a, 302b to receive the media and an outlet 304, 304a, 304b, one or more headers 400 plumbed between the heat source 200 and the condensers 300, or any combination thereof.
• the second condenser 300b can be plumbed in parallel with the first condenser 300a.
• the header 400 can receive the media from the heat source 200 and selectively distribute the media to any or all of the condensers 300, 300a, 300b.
• the header 400 can have a number of outlets 404, such as a first outlet 404a fluidically coupled to the first inlet 302a and/or a second outlet 404b fluidically coupled to the second inlet 302b.
• the second outlet 404b can be located on the header 400 at a lower elevation than the first outlet 404a.
• the header 400 can selectively prevent vapor from exiting any of the outlets 404, 404a, 404b, thereby selectively decreasing, or eliminating, the corresponding condenser's 300, 300a, 300b, capacity to remove heat from the media.
• the header 400 can prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet 404b when the system 100 is in a first cooling mode and allow vapor to exit the second outlet 404b when the system 100 is in a second cooling mode.
• the second cooling mode can provide a higher cooling rate or capacity than the first cooling mode.
• the system 100 can include one or more controllers 500 to control a cooling capacity, or rate, of the system 100 by selectively covering any of the header outlets 404, 404a, 404b with the media in liquid form, thereby selectively preventing vapor from exiting the covered outlet(s).
• the controller 500 can control a liquid level in the header 400 by controlling a fan 210 of the heat source and/or fans 310, 310a, 310b of any of the condensers 300, 300a, 300b and/or controlling a prime mover 600, such as a pump or a compressor, plumbed between the condensers 300, 300a, 300b and the heat source 200, thereby controlling the cooling capacity, or rate, of the system 100.
• the header 400 can be an angled pipe sloping downward from the first outlet 404a to the second outlet 404b.
• the header 400 can be a pipe having a first horizontal section 406a, a second horizontal section 406b, and an angled section 406c between the first horizontal section 406a and the second horizontal section 406b.
• the first outlet 404a can be in the first horizontal section 406a and/or the second outlet 404b can be in the second horizontal section 406b.
• the second horizontal section 406b can be located at a lower elevation than the first horizontal section 406a.
• the header 400 can be a pressure vessel.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have a header inlet 402 at a higher elevation than the first outlet 404a.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have a liquid outlet 408 at a lower elevation than the second outlet 404b and one or more valves 420 downstream of the outlet 408.
• the liquid outlet 408 can be located in a removable tank 410 at a bottom of the pressure vessel 400.
• the tank 410 can be exchanged with a larger tank to lower a liquid level in the header 400 and/or a smaller tank to raise a liquid level in the header 400.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal cross sectional area that decreases with elevation within the header 400.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal conical post 412, which can have a larger lower diameter and a smaller higher diameter.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal helix 414, which can have spacing that decreases with elevation (i.e., the spacing decreases as elevation decreases) within the header 400 along at least a portion of the helix 414.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal helix 414 with spacing that remains constant along at least a portion of the helix 414.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal helix 414 with spacing that increases along at least a portion of the helix 414, such as in a direction from bottom to top (i.e., the spacing increases as elevation increases).
• the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal helix 414 with spacing that uniformly increases, decreases, or remains constant along the entire length of the helix 414. In at least one example, the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal helix 414 with spacing that changes along the length of the helix 414, which can include any combination of increasing, decreasing, and/or remaining constant, as required or desired in accordance with an implementation of the disclosure.
• any of the condensers 300, 300a, 300b and heat sources/exchangers 200 can include horizontal coils, angled coils, vertical coils, brazed plate heat exchangers, or other types of heat exchangers.
• the pressures at the outlets 404a, 404b of the header 400 can be equal
• the pressures at the outlets 304a, 304b of the condensers 300a, 300b can be equal
• the pressures at the outlets 304a, 304b of the condensers 300a, 300b can be less than the pressures at the outlets 404a, 404b of the header 400
• the differential pressure between an outlet 304 of a condenser 300 and a corresponding outlet 404 of the header 400 can be close or equal to the corresponding differential pressure of another condenser
• a sum of the flows through the condensers 300, 300a, 300b can be equal to a flow into the header 400, or any combination thereof
• the pressures at the outlets 404a, 404b of the header 400 can be close or equal, the pressures at the outlets 304a, 304b of the condensers can be close or equal, the pressure at the outlet(s) 304a of an in service condenser 300a can be close or equal to the pressure at the inlet 302b of an out of service condenser 300b, the differential pressure between an outlet 304a of an in service condenser 300a and a corresponding outlet 404a of the header 400 can be less than or equal to the differential pressure between an inlet 302b of an out of service condenser 300b and a corresponding outlet 404b of the header 400, the differential pressure between an outlet 304a of an in service condenser 300a and a corresponding outlet 404a of the header 400 can be close or equal to the corresponding differential pressure of an out of service condenser 300b, a sum of the flows through the condens
• the pressures at the outlets 404a, 404b of the header 400 can be close or equal, the pressures at the outlets 304a, 304b of the condensers 300a, 300b can be close or equal, the differential pressure between an outlet 304a of an in service condenser 300a and a corresponding outlet 404a of the header 400 can be greater than or equal to the differential pressure between an inlet 302b of an out of service condenser 300b and a corresponding outlet 404b of the header 400, the differential pressure between an outlet 304a of an in service condenser 300a and a corresponding outlet 404a of the header 400 can be close or equal to the corresponding differential pressure of an out of service condenser 300b, a sum of the flows through the condensers 300a, 300b can be greater than or equal to a flow into the header 400 for a short time and then equalize, or any combination thereof.
• a closed loop cooling system 100 can include one or more heat exchangers 200, such as an evaporator, that can transfer heat to a cooling media, one or more first condensers 300a having one or more first inlets 302a that can receive the media, one or more second condensers 300b plumbed in parallel with the first condenser 300a and having one or more second inlets 302b that can receive the media, one or more headers 400 plumbed between the heat exchanger 200 and the condensers 300a, 300b, or any combination thereof.
• heat exchangers 200 such as an evaporator
• the header 400 can receive the media from the heat exchanger 200, such as in the form of two-phase flow, retain a portion of the media therein in liquid form, selectively distribute the media to the condensers 300a, 300b, or any combination thereof.
• the header 400 can have a header inlet 402 fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger 200, a first outlet 404a fluidically coupled to the first inlet302a, a second outlet 404b fluidically coupled to the second inlet 302a, or any combination thereof.
• the first outlet 404a can be located on the header 400 at a lower elevation than the header inlet 402 and/or the second outlet 404b can be located on the header 400 at a lower elevation than the first outlet 404a.
• the header 400 can selectively prevent vapor from exiting any of the outlets 404, 404a, 404b, thereby selectively decreasing, or eliminating, the corresponding condenser 300, 300a, 300b capacity to remove heat from the media.
• the header 400 can prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet 404b when the system 100 is in a first cooling mode and allow vapor to exit the second outlet 404b when the system 100 is in a second cooling mode.
• the second cooling mode can provide a higher cooling rate or capacity than the first cooling mode.
• the system 100 can include one or more controllers 500 to control a cooling capacity, or rate, of the system 100 by selectively covering any of the header outlets 404, 404a, 404b with the media in liquid form, thereby selectively preventing vapor from exiting the covered outlet(s).
• the controller 500 can control a liquid level in the header 400 by controlling a fan 210 of the heat source and/or fans 310, 310a, 310b of any of the condensers 300, 300a, 300b and/or controlling a prime mover 600, such as a pump or a compressor, plumbed between the condensers 300, 300a, 300b and the heat source 200, thereby controlling the cooling capacity, or rate, of the system 100.
• header 400 can be filled with liquid in any of at least three primary ways.
• header 400 can receive two-phase flow from one or more heat exchangers 200, such as an evaporator.
• header 400 can receive liquid by way of natural condensing of the cooling media in the piping or other system plumbing.
• the system 100 can include one or more liquid lines 430 plumbed between a high side of the prime mover 600 and the header 400, which can include one or more valves 420 for controlling flow there through.
• the header 400 can be an angled pipe sloping downward from the first outlet 404a to the second outlet 404b.
• the header 400 can be a pipe having a first horizontal section 406a, a second horizontal section 406b, and an angled section 406c between the first horizontal section 406a and the second horizontal section 406b.
• the first outlet 404a can be in the first horizontal section 406a and/or the second outlet 404b can be in the second horizontal section 406b.
• the second horizontal section 406b can be located at a lower elevation than the first horizontal section 406a.
• the header 400 can be a pressure vessel.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have a header inlet 402 at a higher elevation than the first outlet 404a.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have a liquid outlet 408 at a lower elevation than the second outlet 404b.
• the liquid outlet 408 can be located in a removable tank 410 at a bottom of the pressure vessel 400.
• the tank 410 can be exchanged with a larger tank to lower a liquid level in the header 400 and/or a smaller tank to raise a liquid level in the header 400.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal cross sectional area that decreases with elevation within the header 400.
• the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal conical post 412, which can have a larger lower diameter and a smaller higher diameter. In at least one example, the pressure vessel 400 can have an internal helix 414, which can have spacing that decreases with elevation within the header 400.
• a system according to the disclosure can manage liquid at the inlet to the condenser/economization coils and can intentionally block flow into any of the condenser/economization coils.
• a system according to the disclosure can be applied to both a low load state and a higher load state.
• a system according to the disclosure can provide two phase separation, split condensing and an idle/trickle or standby flow.
• a system according to the disclosure can remove or eliminate a need for a receiver to manage overflow refrigerant, as liquid can be stored in the tank or bottom of the header while in normal operation.
• a system according to the disclosure can have liquid outlet control.
• a system according to the disclosure can provide split condensing/economization without the need for valves in the system. Splitting a condenser can reduce its effective size by blocking operational flow to some or all condenser coils, forcing all refrigerant flow through a reduced quantity of coils. In at least one example, a system according to the disclosure can store extra refrigerant that would need to be otherwise held by a larger receiver without having a receiver. In at least one example, splitting the condenser in accordance with the disclosure can allow for vapor refrigerant to condense upstream of a condenser, providing low ambient solution for long line sets. In at least one example, a system according to the disclosure can take advantage of the effects of cold on the system to provide a method to protect itself and improve low ambient operation at the evaporator.
• a system according to the disclosure can include a first condenser having an inlet for receiving a cooling media, one or more other condensers plumbed in parallel with the first condenser and having one or more other inlets for receiving the cooling media, and one or more headers plumbed between a heat source or heat exchanger and the condensers.
• a header can have one outlet for being fluidically coupled to the inlet of the first condenser and another outlet for being fluidically coupled to the inlet of another condenser, and one outlet can be located on the header at a lower elevation or position than the other outlet.
• the header can receive cooling media from one or more heat sources and can selectively distribute the cooling media to one or more condensers.
• a closed loop cooling system can include a heat source to transfer heat to a cooling media, a first condenser having a first inlet to receive the media, a second condenser having a second inlet to receive the media, a header plumbed between the heat source and the condensers, or any combination thereof.
• the second condenser can be plumbed in parallel with the first condenser.
• the header can receive the media from the heat source and selectively distribute the media to either or both of the condensers.
• the header can have a first outlet fluidically coupled to the first inlet and/or a second outlet fluidically coupled to the second inlet.
• the second outlet can be located on the header at a lower elevation than the first outlet.
• the header can selectively prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet, thereby selectively decreasing, or eliminating, the second condenser's capacity to remove heat from the media.
• the header can prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet when the system is in a first cooling mode and allow vapor to exit the second outlet when the system is in a second cooling mode.
• the second cooling mode can provide a higher cooling rate or capacity than the first cooling mode.
• the system can include a controller to control a cooling capacity, or rate, of the system by selectively covering the second outlet with the media in liquid form, thereby selectively preventing vapor from exiting the second outlet.
• the controller can control a liquid level in the header by controlling a fan of the heat source and/or any of the condensers and/or controlling a prime mover, such as a pump or a compressor, plumbed between the condensers and the heat source, thereby controlling the cooling capacity, or rate, of the system.
• the header can be an angled pipe sloping downward from the first outlet to the second outlet.
• the header can be a pipe having a first horizontal section, a second horizontal section, and an angled section between the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section.
• the first outlet can be in the first horizontal section and/or the second outlet can be in the second horizontal section.
• the second horizontal section can be located at a lower elevation than the first horizontal section.
• the header can be a pressure vessel.
• the pressure vessel can have a header inlet at a higher elevation than the first outlet.
• the pressure vessel can have a liquid outlet at a lower elevation than the second outlet.
• the liquid outlet can be located in a removable tank at a bottom of the pressure vessel.
• the tank can be exchanged with a larger tank to lower a liquid level in the header and/or a smaller tank to raise a liquid level in the header.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal cross sectional area that decreases with elevation within the header.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal conical post, which can have a larger lower diameter and a smaller higher diameter.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal helix, which can have spacing that decreases with elevation within the header.
• a closed loop cooling system can include a heat exchanger that can transfer heat to a cooling media, a first condenser having a first inlet that can receive the media, a second condenser plumbed in parallel with the first condenser and having a second inlet that can receive the media, a header plumbed between the heat exchanger and the condensers, or any combination thereof.
• the header can receive the media from the heat exchanger, retain a portion of the media therein in liquid form, selectively distribute the media to the condensers, or any combination thereof.
• the header can have a header inlet fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger, a first outlet fluidically coupled to the first inlet, a second outlet fluidically coupled to the second inlet, or any combination thereof.
• the first outlet can be located on the header at a lower elevation than the header inlet and/or the second outlet can be located on the header at a lower elevation than the first outlet.
• the header can selectively prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet, thereby selectively decreasing, or eliminating, the second condenser's capacity to remove heat from the media.
• the header can prevent vapor from exiting the second outlet when the system is in a first cooling mode and allow vapor to exit the second outlet when the system is in a second cooling mode.
• the second cooling mode can provide a higher cooling rate or capacity than the first cooling mode.
• the system can include a controller to control a cooling capacity, or rate, of the system by selectively covering the second outlet with the media in liquid form, thereby selectively preventing vapor from exiting the second outlet.
• the controller can control a liquid level in the header by controlling a fan of the heat source and/or any of the condensers and/or controlling a prime mover, such as a pump or a compressor, plumbed between the condensers and the heat source, thereby controlling the cooling capacity, or rate, of the system.
• the header can be an angled pipe sloping downward from the first outlet to the second outlet.
• the header can be a pipe having a first horizontal section, a second horizontal section, and an angled section between the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section.
• the first outlet can be in the first horizontal section and/or the second outlet can be in the second horizontal section.
• the second horizontal section can be located on the header at a lower elevation than the first horizontal section.
• the header can be a pressure vessel.
• the pressure vessel can have a header inlet at a higher elevation than the first outlet.
• the pressure vessel can have a liquid outlet at a lower elevation than the second outlet.
• the liquid outlet can be located in a removable tank at a bottom of the pressure vessel.
• the tank can be exchanged with a larger tank to lower a liquid level in the header and/or a smaller tank to raise a liquid level in the header.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal cross sectional area that decreases with elevation within the header.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal conical post, which can have a larger lower diameter and a smaller higher diameter.
• the pressure vessel can have an internal helix, which can have spacing that decreases with elevation within the header.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)

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Citations (4)

• 2025
  • 2025-06-20 US US19/243,689 patent/US20250389486A1/en active Pending
  • 2025-06-21 EP EP25184338.9A patent/EP4671641A1/fr active Pending

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