Float for refrigerator system with float valve control

Abstract

A vapor compression refrigeration system having a condenser, a regulating device, and a capillary tube. The regulating device has a housing defining an inner chamber for receiving refrigerant from the condenser. A float is disposed within the chamber and may include a resilient surface. A spring is positioned between the float and a wall of the chamber. The spring facilitates the float in floating when the system is subject to a high differential pressure. A method of offsetting differential pressure in a refrigeration system is also described.

1 . A refrigeration valve device comprising: 
 a housing having a top wall, a side wall, and a bottom wall defining an inner chamber, a float disposed within the chamber; and    at least one spring positioned between said float and said housing.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said spring is a coil.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said spring is a compression spring.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said spring is a conical spring.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said housing further comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion and said spring is positioned between the float and the outlet portion.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the float has a generally planar bottom surface.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising a resilient pad secured to the bottom surface.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the spring has a top end and a bottom end, and wherein the top end is mounted to the float around the resilient pad.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said housing further comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion, and wherein the spring has a bottom end mounted around the outlet portion.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a filter assembly disposed within the inner chamber between the top wall and the float.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a plate disposed within the chamber between the top wall and the float.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the side wall is substantially cylindrical, and wherein the plate is substantially circular.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the plate adjoins the side wall of said housing and defines at least one perforation through the plate.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 11  further comprising a screen disposed within the chamber between the plate and the float.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14  further comprising a desiccant material disposed with the chamber between the screen and the plate.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the plate is spaced inward from the side wall of said housing so as to form an annular gap between the sidewall and the plate.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the float is disposed radially inward of the gap.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a flow control device connected to said housing.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the flow control device is a capillary tube.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the float further comprises an inner core covered by an outer shell, the outer shell comprising a resilient surface.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the float is substantially spherical.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the outer shell is composed of rubber.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of springs are positioned between said float and said housing.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 1  disposed within a refrigeration system comprising: 
 an evaporator for vaporizing refrigerant to provide cooling;    a compressor for drawing refrigerant from the evaporator;    a condenser for condensing refrigerant from the compressor; and    a flow control device for maintaining pressure drop between the condenser and the evaporator, said flow control device having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the outlet portion being connected to the evaporator.    
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 24  wherein the valve is disposed in the refrigeration system between the condenser and the flow control device.  
   
   
       26 . A method of offsetting differential pressure in a refrigeration system comprising positioning a refrigeration valve within the refrigeration system wherein the refrigeration valve comprises a housing having a top wall, a side wall, and a bottom wall defining an inner chamber, a float disposed within the chamber; and at least one spring between the float and the housing.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the refrigeration system further comprises: an evaporator for vaporizing refrigerant to provide cooling; a compressor for drawing refrigerant from the evaporator; a condenser for condensing refrigerant from the compressor; and a flow control device for maintaining pressure drop between the condenser and the evaporator, said flow control device having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the outlet portion being connected to the evaporator.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the refrigeration valve is positioned between the condenser and the flow control device.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the spring is a coil, compression, or conical spring.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the housing further comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion and the spring is positioned between the float and the outlet portion.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the float has a generally planar bottom surface.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising a resilient pad secured to the bottom surface.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising a filter assembly disposed within the inner chamber between the top wall and the float.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the float further comprises an inner core covered by an outer shell, the outer shell comprising a resilient surface.  
   
   
       35 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the float is substantially spherical.