Patent ID: 6834510
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: F04B,F25B

Abstract:
In combination with a vapor compression refrigeration system which comprises a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator that are connected together in a refrigeration loop through which a refrigerant is conveyed, the compressor being driven by a motor which operates at or near the peak of its efficiency curve under a first cooling load, a refrigerant management system comprising:at least one first sensor for generating a signal which is indicative of an actual cooling load on the refrigeration system; a controller for determining a difference between the actual cooling load and the first cooling load from the first sensor signal; and a refrigerant storage device comprising: a housing which defines an enclosure that is connected to the refrigeration loop and which includes first and second electrical conductors; a valve which is selectively activated by the controller to control the flow of refrigerant between the refrigeration loop and the enclosure; a sorbent which is positioned in the enclosure between the first and second conductors; and a power supply which is connected to the conductors and which is selectively activated by the controller; wherein when the valve is open and the power supply is deactivated, the refrigerant will be drawn from the refrigeration loop and combine with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a refrigerant/sorbent compound; and wherein when the valve is open and the power supply is activated, the power supply will generate a current through the refrigerant/sorbent compound to desorb the refrigerant from the sorbent in a desorption reaction, whereupon the refrigerant will expand into the refrigeration loop; wherein when the controller detects the difference between the actual cooling load and the first cooling load, the controller will activate the refrigerant storage device to adjust the amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration loop to maintain the motor operating at or near the peak of its efficiency curve.