Device and method for operating a refrigeration cycle without evaporator icing

A method for performing a refrigeration cycle without ice build-up on the evaporative surface, comprising:

• providing a compressor comprising an inlet and an outlet;
• providing a condenser, comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the condenser inlet is operatively coupled to the outlet of the compressor;
• providing a metering means, comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the metering means is operatively coupled to the outlet of the condenser;
• providing an evaporator, comprising an inlet, an outlet and an evaporative surface, wherein the evaporator inlet is operatively coupled to the outlet of the metering means and the outlet of the evaporator is operatively coupled to the inlet of the compressor;
• providing a hot gas bypass system, comprising an inlet, an outlet, an open position and a closed position, wherein the hot gas bypass means inlet is operatively coupled to the outlet of the compressor and the hot gas bypass means outlet is operatively coupled to the inlet of the evaporator or to an inlet of a manifold,
• providing a controller capable of actuating the hot gas bypasssystem;
• a timer capable of sending a signal to the controller;
• and
• providing a refrigerant that circulates from the compressor to the condenser to the metering means to the evaporator and back to the compressor in a refrigeration cycle.
• Providing a timer capable of sending a signal to the controller.

A method for performing a refrigeration cycle without ice build-up on the evaporative surface, comprising:

• providing a compressor comprising an inlet and an outlet;
• providing a condenser, comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the condenser inlet is operatively coupled to the outlet of the compressor;
• providing a metering means, comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the metering means is operatively coupled to the outlet of the condenser;
• providing an evaporator, comprising an inlet, an outlet and an evaporative surface, wherein the evaporator inlet is operatively coupled to the outlet of the metering means and the outlet of the evaporator is operatively coupled to the inlet of the compressor;
• providing a hot gas bypass, comprising an inlet, an outlet, an open position and a closed position, wherein the hot gas bypass inlet is operatively coupled to the outlet of the compressor and the hot gas bypass outlet is operatively coupled to the inlet of the evaporator or to an inlet of a manifold, wherein:
• the manifold comprises an inlet and a plurality of outlets, each outlet being operatively coupled to a different one of a plurality of inlets at different locations on the evaporative surface;
• providing a controller operatively coupled to the hot gas bypass;
• providing a refrigerant that circulates from the compressor to the condenser to the metering means to the evaporator and back to the compressor in a refrigeration cycle;
• and
• providing a signal source communicating with the controller.