Electronic variable orifice tube and system for use therewith

An expansion valve for use in a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a refrigeration system controller monitoring parameters of the refrigeration system, the expansion valve being installed within the refrigeration system to control refrigerant flow from the condenser to the evaporator, comprising:

• a bodytube having an inlet for receiving refrigerant from the condenser and an outlet for conveying refrigerant to the evaporator;
• a restrictor mounted within said bodytube, said restrictor having a first end and a second end and defining a first flowpath therethrough from said first end to said second end, said restrictor preventing refrigerant flow through said bodytube other than through said first flowpath;
• a plunger translatably mounted within said bodytube and having a third and a fourth end, said third end being profiled to mate with said second end of said restrictor, said plunger defining a second flowpath therethrough and positioned therein along a common axis with said first flowpath, said plunger further defining a third flowpath therethrough;
• and
• wherein a refrigerant flowpath from said inlet to said outlet traverses said first, second, and third flowpaths when said second end of said restrictor and said third end of said plunger are not in contact, and traverses said first and said second flowpaths when said second end of said restrictor and said third end of said plunger are in contact.

A refrigeration system having at least two refrigerant flow rates, comprising:

• a compressor;
• a condenser in fluid communication with said compressor;
• an electronic variable orifice tube in fluid communication with said condenser;
• an evaporator in fluid communication with said expansion valve and said compressor;
• and
• a refrigeration system controller electrically coupled to said electronic variable orifice tube;
• and
• wherein said electronic variable orifice tube, comprises
• a bodytube having an inlet and an outlet,
• a restrictor fixably mounted within an inner periphery of said bodytube, said restrictor defining a first flowpath therethrough;
• a plunger translatably positioned within said inner periphery in proximity to said restrictor, said plunger defining a second and a third flowpath therethrough;
• and
• a valve actuator functionally coupled to said plunger to translate said plunger between a first and a second position within said bodytube forming a high flowpath through said bodytube by said first, second. and third flowpaths in said first position, and a low flowpath through said bodytube by said first and said second flowpaths to the exclusion of said third flowpath in said second position.