Refrigeration system and refrigerant flow control apparatus therefor

A refrigeration system, comprising:

• compressor means;
• condenser means connected to receive refrigerant from said compressor means;
• first evaporator means connected to receive refrigerant from said condenser means;
• phase separator means connected to receive refrigerant from said first evaporator means and to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant;
• refrigerant flow control means, said phase separator means being connected to discharge vapor refrigerant as a first input to said refrigerant flow control means;
• and
• second evaporator means connected to receive liquid refrigerant discharged from said phase separator means and to discharge refrigerant as a second input to said refrigerant flow control means, said refrigerant flow control means being effective to connect only one of its inputs to said compressor means at a time for connecting the corresponding one of said evaporator means in refrigerant flow relationship with said compressor means.

A refrigeration system, comprising:

• compressor means;
• a plurality of refrigerant flow conduit means;
• refrigerant flow control means connected to control refrigerant flow between said conduit means and said compressor means and effective to selectively permit refrigerant flow alternately from each of said conduit means to said compressor means;
• and
• a timer means for controlling operation of said refrigerant flow control means for selecting the particular conduit means from which refrigerant is permitted to flow to said compressor means.

A refrigeration system, comprising:

• compressor means;
• condenser means connected to receive refrigerant discharged from said compressor means;
• first evaporator means connected to receive at least a portion of the refrigerant discharged from said condenser means and second evaporator means connected to receive at least a portion of the refrigerant discharged from said first evaporator means;
• flow control means connected to receive at least a portion of the refrigerant discharged from said first evaporator means and at least a portion of the refrigerant discharged from said second evaporator means;
• said flow control means connected to said compressor means and repeatedly operable to alternately connect said first and said second evaporator means respectively in exclusive refrigerant flow relationship with said compressor means.

A refrigeration system comprising:

• a compressor;
• a condenser connected to receive refrigerant discharged from said compressor;
• a plurality of evaporators, a first one of said plurality of evaporators being connected to receive at least a portion of the refrigerant discharged from said condenser and the remainder of said plurality of evaporators being connected to receive at least a portion of the refrigerant discharged from another evaporator;
• flow control means connected to receive a least a portion of the refrigerant discharged from each one of said plurality of evaporators, said flow control means connected to said compressor and repeatedly operable to alternately connect one of said plurality of evaporators respectively in exclusive refrigerant flow relationship with said compressor.