A method of computer-based simulation of a cooling system includes receiving configuration data for a heat exchanger of the cooling system, customizing the configuration data for the heat exchanger; simulating cooling system performance by processing the customized configuration data through a model of the cooling system, and generating simulated cooling system performance data, based on the simulating, for evaluating operation of the cooling system.

Cooling system design simulator

A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (17) for a vehicle is constructed from two modules, one for the engine compartment (22) and a second for the passenger compartment (15). The engine compartment (22) module has a base formed for positioning on at least two locations on a dash panel (16), an outside air inlet, a secondary air inlet (24) for communication with the passenger compartment (15), an air outlet and defining an air transport conduit connecting the outside air inlet (24) or the secondary air inlet with the air outlet. Downstream from the engine compartment (22) is a passenger compartment (15) module having a slide slot for a heater core (82), an inlet for communication with the air outlet from the engine compartment (22) module, an air manifold, a panel exhaust from the air manifold, a defrost exhaust from the air manifold, a compartment door providing access to the slide in friction slot, and an air channel (74) from the inlet to the air manifold. The heater core (82) is positioned in the slide in slot.

Vehicle heating and air conditioning modules

Flow-regulating members are described that include a primary channel and a plurality of secondary channels. The primary channel defines a primary channel orifice in the flow-regulating member and the plurality of secondary channels define a plurality of secondary channel orifices in the flow-regulating member. The plurality of secondary channel orifices are located along a common periphery of the flow-regulating member, such that an axis passing through the primary channel orifice intersects a plane containing the common periphery at a unique point. At least two of the plurality of secondary channel orifices have different cross-sectional areas. At least one of the plurality of secondary channels intersects the primary channel. Expansion devices containing these flow-regulating members are also described, as are vapor compression systems containing expansion devices, and methods of operating vapor compression systems.

Vapor compression systems, expansion devices, flow-regulating members, and vehicles, and methods for using vapor compression systems

A vapor compression system includes an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser interconnected in a closed-loop system. In one embodiment, a multifunctional valve is configured to receive a liquefied heat transfer fluid from the condenser and a hot vapor from the compressor. A saturated vapor line connects the outlet of the multifunctional valve to the inlet of the evaporator and is sized so as to substantially convert the heat transfer fluid exiting the multifunctional valve into a saturated vapor prior to delivery to the evaporator. The multifunctional valve regulates the flow of heat transfer fluid through the valve by monitoring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid returning to the compressor through a suction line coupling the outlet of the evaporator to the inlet of the compressor. Separate gated passageways within the multifunctional valve permit the refrigeration system to be operated in defrost mode by flowing hot vapor through the saturated vapor line and the evaporator in a forward-flow process thereby reducing the amount of time necessary to defrost the system and improving the overall system performance. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a heat source is applied to the heat transfer fluid after the heat transfer fluid passes through the expansion valve and before the heat transfer fluid enters the evaporator. The heat source converts the heat transfer fluid from a low quality liquid vapor mixture to a high quality liquid vapor mixture, or a saturated vapor.

Vapor compression system and method

A vapor compression system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The compressor increases the pressure and temperature of a heat transfer fluid. The condenser is connected with the compressor for liquefying the heat transfer fluid. The expansion valve is connected with the condenser and includes an expansion device for expanding the heat transfer fluid, and an internal sensor for detecting conditions within the heat transfer fluid. The evaporator is connected with the expansion valve for transferring heat from ambient surroundings to the heat transfer fluid.

Vapor compression system

A single inlet/outlet-tank U-shaped tube heat exchanger is disclosed comprising a tank having a header plate and a plurality of U-shaped tubes whose legs extend through and terminate with an open end at one side of the header plate A first group of the tubes is arranged so that the two open ends of each of these tubes are located in one and the other of two outboard rows extending longitudinally of the header plate A second group of the tubes with a smaller radius return bend is arranged in staggered pairs intermediate those in the first group and with their return bends parallel to each other and angled to those in the first group so that one open leg end of each of the tubes in the second group is located in one and the other of the outboard rows and the remaining open leg end of each of these tubes is located in a third and inboard row extending between the two outboard rows A partition in the tank cooperates with the header plate to define an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber in the tank open respectively to the open tube ends in one and the other of the two outboard rows and also to alternate ones of the open tube ends in the inboard row whereby each of the tubes is connected to effect two-pass flow between said chambers

Single inlet/outlet-tank U-shaped tube heat exchanger

Refrigerating apparatus for an automobile air conditioning system including an expansion valve with a tubular housing separated into a metering and a control portion by a wall separating member and having an inlet between the metering portion and the condenser and an outlet between the metering portion and the evaporator. A valve member and a passage between the inlet and outlet regulates the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator. A diaphragm within the control portion which has one side exposed to refrigerant pressure from the evaporator and the other side exposed to a reference or control pressure within a sealed chamber moves the valve to an open position in response to decreasing refrigerant pressure in the evaporator. This increases evaporator pressure above a predetermined level to prevent frost accumulation on the evaporator.

Automatic expansion valve, in line, non-piloted

Pressure compensated polyphase expansion valve refrigeration system

Piloted vacuum actuator

An automatic temperature control system for air conditioning the passenger compartment of an automobile utilizing a spirally wound bimetal to sense the temperature of air which is drawn through an opening in the dashboard and through an ambient temperature compensating heat exchanger. The center of the spiral bimetal is supported by a shaft while the peripheral end of the bimetal coacts with an air bleed valve assembly which is connected to a vacuum pressure source and a vacuum motor to position an air damper for producing desirable air temperatures in the passenger compartment. The air bleed valve is movable with respect to the bimetal in response to settings of a dash mounted control adapted to be manually set for a temperature desired in the passenger compartment. A feedback mechanism which operates in correspondence to the position of the damper rotates the interconnected shaft and bimetal to re-establish a desirable spacial relationship between the end of the bimetal and the air bleed valve assembly after a setting change of the control assembly.

Paul K Beatenbough

Papers

Single inlet/outlet-tank U-shaped tube heat exchanger

Automatic expansion valve, in line, non-piloted

Pressure compensated polyphase expansion valve refrigeration system

Piloted vacuum actuator

Thermostatic vacuum positioner