Variable restrictor
OwnerIAN CAMPBELL McGILL, Ling Jiang Wang +1inventors
InventorsIAN CAMPBELL McGILL, LING JIANG WANG, WEI GAO
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable restrictor including a tube with first and second ends of a first cross-sectional area and a region between the ends of reduced cross-sectional area. The region comprises a flattened portion of the tube where the tube has been permanently deformed such that opposed wall portions of the tube are much closed together than in the remainder of the tube. An actuator is arranged to selectively alter the separation of the opposed wall portions of the flattened section.
Claims36
A variable restrictor comprising:
- a tube having first and second ends of a first cross-sectional area and a region between said ends of reduced cross-sectional area, said region comprising a flattened portion of said tube where said tube has been permanently deformed such that opposed wall portions of said tube are much closer together than in the remainder of said tube, and
- an actuator arranged to selectively alter the separation of said opposed wall portions of said flattened section.
26-27. (canceled)
A refrigeration system including a variable restrictor between a high pressure energy shedding side and a low pressure energy absorption side, said restrictor including:
- a flow path having a movable flow control element movable through a first distance between an open position and a closed position,
- an actuator including a drive member action on said flow control element having available travel between a first position and a second position that matches said first distance, said actuator including a piezoelectric material to move said drive member;
- and
- a controller connected to apply a variable voltage across said piezoelectric material such that a first voltage level said movable flow control element is in an open position and at a second voltage level said movable flow element is in said closed position,
- said open position corresponding to a flow resistance equivalent to between 1.5 m of 0.91 mm inside diameter capillary tube and 5.0 m of 0.66 mm inside diameter capillary tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.