Method and apparatus for preventing overheating of the superheated vapors in a solar heating system using a refrigerant

Patent · Tue Oct 07 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6579805

Weis, F A

This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for preventing overheating of the superheated vapors in a solar heating system using a refrigerant to collect heat from the atmosphere, the improvement consisting of sensing the amount of superheat contained in the superheated vapors leaving the collector and if an overheated condition is detected, bleeding off a portion of the refrigerant mixture entering the collector and mixing it with the overheated vapors to cool them down before they enter the compressor. The apparatus involved includes a thermostatic expansion valve responsive to the temperature of the superheated vapors leaving the collector and associated piping operative upon actuation to bypass a portion of the refrigerant mixture entering the collector around the later and mix it with the overheated vapors before they reach the compressor. The invention also encompasses the use of the improved desuperheating method and apparatus outlined above in such a way that it only becomes functional and operative when the conventional solar system is already activated to deliver the full charge of refrigerant mixture to the collectors.

• Assignee: Solar Specialties Inc
• Patent Number(s): US 4226604
• OSTI ID: 6579805
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
CONTROL
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
EVAPORATION
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUIDS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
REFRIGERANTS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SUPERHEATING
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
VALVES
WORKING FLUIDS