Flow noise suppression for electronic valves
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorMichael B. Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for minimizing or eliminating the audible flow noise which accompanies the short initial period of compressor operation in an air-conditioning or refrigeration system which system utilizes an electrically-actuated expansion valve. The method is comprised of two steps used singly or in combination, said steps being (a) maintaining said valve in a closed or non-operative mode for a short period of time after the compressor is energized; and, (b) pulsing said valve at a higher-than-normal frequency for a short period of time commencing when the compressor is energized or shortly thereafter.
Claims4
A method of controlling refrigerant flow in a refrigeration system of the type having a compressor electrically energized for pumping refrigerant in a closed loop through an exothermic heat exchanger for condensing, through an electrically operated expansion valve for expansion and through an endothermic heat exchanger for cooling a compartment and returning to the compressor comprising the steps of:
- (a) initially energizing the compressor and pulsing said valve at a relatively high initial frequency;
- (b) maintaining said relatively high frequency pulsing for a predetermined time interval;
- and,
- (c) decreasing the frequency of said pulsing to a level less than two-thirds of said initial frequency.
A method of controlling refrigerant flow in a refrigeration system of the type having a compressor electrically energized for pumping refrigerant in a closed loop through an exothermic heat exchanger for condensing, through an electrically operated expansion valve for expansion and through an endothermic heat exchanger for cooling a compartment and returning to the compressor comprising the steps of:
- (a) initially energizing the compressor;
- (b) maintaining the expansion valve in a closed position for a predetermined time interval;
- and,
- (c) thereafter pulsing said valve at a predetermined normal operating frequency.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.