Method and apparatus for efficiently controlling refrigeration and air conditioning systems

A method for optimizing the efficiency of a refrigeration system having a plurality of physical components including a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver, an evaporator, a condenser fan, a proportional pressure control valve, and refrigeration lines connecting various system components, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a device for monitoring the relative abundance of flashgas bubbles in liquid refrigerant within said refrigeration system;
• (b) creating a first electrical signal indicating the relative abundance of flashgas monitored;
• (c) communicating said first electrical signal to a refrigeration system controller, said system controller creating a second electrical signal, wherein said second electrical signal is an analog signal;
• and
• (d) selectively controlling the operation of said proportional pressure control valve in response to said second electrical signal, whereby said system controller automatically maintains the relative abundance of flashgas at a predetermined level by introducing hot bypass refrigerant gas into the liquid refrigerant in the line between the liquid receiver and the evaporator, thereby warming the liquid refrigerant so as to reduce said flashgas bubbles in teh liquid refrigerant, while utilizing minimum amounts of energy to operate said refrigeration system.

A control system for optimizing the efficiency of a refrigeration system having a plurality of physical components including a compressor, a condenser, at least one fan, an evaporator, a proportional pressure control valve, and refrigerant lines connecting various of the components, said control system comprising:

• (a) means for automatically monitoring the relative abundance of flashgas in liquid refrigerant within said refrigeration system;
• (b) means for creating a first electrical signal corresponding to the relative abundance of flashgas monitored in said refrigeration system;
• and
• (c) a system controller which receives said first electrical signal, said system controller creating a second electrical signal, wherein said second electrical signal is an analog signal, and wherein said system controller controls the operation of said proportional pressure control valve, in response to said second electrical signal to maintain the relative abundance of flashgas at a predetermined level by introducing hot bypass refrigerant gas into the liquid refrigerant in the line between the liquid receiver and the evaporator, thereby warming the liquid refrigerant, so as to reduce said flashgas bubbles in the liquid refrigerant, while optimizing the energy usage of said physical components.