Energy Recovery Apparatus with Changeable Nozzles, For Use in a Refrigeration System

Abstract

An energy recovery apparatus adapted for use in a refrigeration system comprises a housing, a turbine, a first nozzle, and a second nozzle. The housing has a nozzle receiving opening and a discharge port. The first and second nozzles are each operably connectable to the housing in alignment with the nozzle receiving opening. Each nozzle is adapted to expand refrigerant and discharge it in a liquid-vapor state. The size or shape of the second nozzle is different from the size or shape of the first nozzle to enable a user to selectively choose one of the first and second nozzles for operable connection to the housing. The user may make the choice that accomplishes the better refrigerant flow characteristics when the passageway of the chosen nozzle is within the refrigeration system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy recovery apparatus adapted for use in a refrigeration system, the refrigeration system comprising a first heat exchanger, a compressor and a second heat exchanger, the refrigeration system being configured to circulate refrigerant along a flow path such that the refrigerant flows from the first heat exchanger to the compressor, and from the compressor to the second heat exchanger, and from the second heat exchanger to the first heat exchanger, the energy recovery apparatus being adapted and configured to be in the flow path operatively between the second heat exchanger and the first heat exchanger, the energy recovery apparatus comprising:
 a housing having a nozzle receiving opening and a discharge port;   a turbine within the housing, the turbine being adapted to be driven by refrigerant passing through the nozzle receiving opening;   a first nozzle comprising a first nozzle body having a first conduit region, the first conduit region defining a first passageway, the first passageway having a discharge end, the first nozzle being operably connectable to the housing in a position in which the first passageway aligns with the nozzle receiving opening, the first nozzle being adapted and configured to expand refrigerant passing through the first nozzle and to discharge the refrigerant from the discharge end of the first passageway in a liquid-vapor state with a liquid component and a vapor component;   a second nozzle comprising a second nozzle body having a second conduit region, the second conduit region defining a second passageway, the second passageway having a discharge end, the second nozzle being operably connectable to the housing in a position in which the second passageway aligns with the nozzle receiving opening, the second nozzle being adapted and configured to expand refrigerant passing through the second nozzle and to discharge the refrigerant from the discharge end of the second passageway in a liquid-vapor state with a liquid component and a vapor component;   the size or shape of the second passageway of the second nozzle being different from the size or shape of the first passageway of the first nozzle to enable a user to selectively choose one of the first and second nozzles for operable connection to the housing, whereby the user may make the choice that accomplishes the better refrigerant flow characteristics when the passageway of the chosen nozzle is in the flow path of the refrigeration system;   the discharge port being adapted to permit refrigerant to flow out of the energy recovery apparatus, the discharge port of the energy recovery apparatus being downstream of the turbine.   
     
     
         2 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a generator coupled to the turbine and adapted to be driven by the turbine, the generator being configured to produce electricity as a result of the turbine being driven by refrigerant passing through the nozzle receiving opening. 
     
     
         3 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the generator is within the housing. 
     
     
         4 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the housing, the turbine, and the generator are arranged and configured such that refrigerant passing through the energy recovery apparatus cools and lubricates the generator. 
     
     
         5 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein each of the first and second passageways has an upstream cross-section, a downstream cross-section, and a passageway length extending from the upstream cross-section to the downstream cross-section, the downstream cross-section of the first passageway being closer to the discharge end of the first passageway than to the upstream cross-section of the first passageway, the downstream cross-section of the second passageway being closer to the discharge end of the second passageway than to the upstream cross-section of the second passageway, the cross-sectional area of the first passageway at the downstream cross-section of the first passageway being not greater than the cross-sectional area of the first passageway at any point along the passageway length of the first passageway, the cross-sectional area of the second passageway at the downstream cross-section of the second passageway being not greater than the cross-sectional area of the second passageway at any point along the passageway length of the second passageway. 
     
     
         6 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the downstream cross-section of the first passageway has a first effective diameter, and wherein the downstream cross-section of the second passageway has a second effective diameter, the first effective diameter being defined as (4A 1 /π) 1/2 , where A 1  is the cross-sectional area of the first passageway at the downstream cross-section of the first passageway, the second effective diameter being defined as (4A 2 /π) 1/2 , where A 2  is the cross-sectional area of the second passageway at the downstream cross-section of the second passageway, the passageway length of the first passageway being at least five times the first effective diameter, the passageway length of the second passageway being at least five times the second effective diameter. 
     
     
         7 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the passageway length of the first passageway is at least seven and one-half times the first effective diameter, and the passageway length of the second passageway is at least seven and one-half times the second effective diameter. 
     
     
         8 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the passageway length of the first passageway is at least ten times the first effective diameter, and the passageway length of the second passageway is at least ten times the second effective diameter. 
     
     
         9 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the passageway length of the first passageway is at least twelve and one-half times the first effective diameter, and the passageway length of the second passageway is at least twelve and one-half the second effective diameter. 
     
     
         10 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the first passageway has a generally constant cross-sectional area along the passageway length of the first passageway, and wherein the second passageway has a generally constant cross-sectional area along the passageway length of the second passageway. 
     
     
         11 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the cross-sectional area of the first passageway is different from the cross-sectional area of the second passageway. 
     
     
         12 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the first nozzle further comprises a first necked down-region, the first passageway being downstream of the first necked-down region, the first necked-down region being adapted to constitute a portion of the flow path when the refrigeration system is operated in the first mode, and wherein the second nozzle further comprises a second necked down-region, the second passageway being downstream of the second necked-down region, the second necked-down region being adapted to constitute a portion of the flow path when the refrigeration system is operated in the second mode. 
     
     
         13 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein at least a portion of the first passageway converges as it extends toward the discharge end of the first passageway, and wherein at least a portion of the second passageway converges as it extends toward the discharge end of the second passageway. 
     
     
         14 . An energy recovery apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the first heat exchanger comprises an evaporator and the second heat exchanger comprises a condenser. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 providing an energy recovery apparatus sub-assembly to a person, the energy recovery apparatus sub-assembly being adapted for use in a refrigeration system, the refrigeration system comprising a first heat exchanger, a compressor and a second heat exchanger, the refrigeration system being configured to circulate refrigerant along a flow path such that the refrigerant flows from the first heat exchanger to the compressor, and from the compressor to the second heat exchanger, and from the second heat exchanger to the first heat exchanger, the energy recovery apparatus sub-assembly being adapted and configured to be in the flow path operatively between the second heat exchanger and the first heat exchanger, the energy recovery apparatus sub-assembly comprising a housing, a turbine, and a generator, the housing having a nozzle receiving opening and a discharge port, the turbine and the generator being within the housing, the turbine being adapted to be driven by refrigerant passing through the nozzle receiving opening, the generator being coupled to the turbine and adapted to be driven by the turbine, the generator being configured to produce electricity as a result of the turbine being driven by refrigerant passing through the nozzle receiving opening, the discharge port being adapted to permit refrigerant to flow out of the energy recovery apparatus, the discharge port of the energy recovery apparatus being downstream of the turbine;   providing a first nozzle to said person, the first nozzle comprising a first nozzle body having a first conduit region, the first conduit region defining a first passageway, the first passageway having a discharge end, the first nozzle being operably connectable to the housing in a position in which the first passageway aligns with the nozzle receiving opening, the first nozzle being adapted and configured to expand refrigerant passing through the first nozzle and to discharge the refrigerant from the discharge end of the first passageway in a liquid-vapor state with a liquid component and a vapor component;   providing a second nozzle to said person, the second nozzle comprising a second nozzle body having a second conduit region, the second conduit region defining a second passageway, the second passageway having a discharge end, the second nozzle being operably connectable to the housing in a position in which the second passageway aligns with the nozzle receiving opening, the second nozzle being adapted and configured to expand refrigerant passing through the second nozzle and to discharge the refrigerant from the discharge end of the second passageway in a liquid-vapor state with a liquid component and a vapor component, the size or shape of the second passageway of the second nozzle being different from the size or shape of the first passageway of the first nozzle to enable a user to selectively choose one of the first and second nozzles for operable connection to the housing, whereby the user may make the choice that accomplishes the better refrigerant flow characteristics when the passageway of the chosen nozzle is in the flow path of the refrigeration system.   
     
     
         16 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the first nozzle is connected to the energy recovery apparatus sub-assembly when the energy recovery apparatus sub-assembly and the first nozzle are provided to said person. 
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  further comprising providing written indicia to said person indicating that a user may connect the second nozzle to the energy recovery apparatus sub-assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  wherein each of the first and second passageways has an upstream cross-section, a downstream cross-section, and a passageway length extending from the upstream cross-section to the downstream cross-section, the downstream cross-section of the first passageway being closer to the discharge end of the first passageway than to the upstream cross-section of the first passageway, the downstream cross-section of the second passageway being closer to the discharge end of the second passageway than to the upstream cross-section of the second passageway, the cross-sectional area of the first passageway at the downstream cross-section of the first passageway being not greater than the cross-sectional area of the first passageway at any point along the passageway length of the first passageway, the cross-sectional area of the second passageway at the downstream cross-section of the second passageway being not greater than the cross-sectional area of the second passageway at any point along the passageway length of the second passageway. 
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the downstream cross-section of the first passageway has a first effective diameter, and wherein the downstream cross-section of the second passageway has a second effective diameter, the first effective diameter being defined as (4A 1 /π) 1/2 , where A 1  is the cross-sectional area of the first passageway at the downstream cross-section of the first passageway, the second effective diameter being defined as (4A 2 /π) 1/2 , where A 2  is the cross-sectional area of the second passageway at the downstream cross-section of the second passageway, the passageway length of the first passageway being at least five times the first effective diameter, the passageway length of the second passageway being at least five times the second effective diameter, the cross-sectional area of the first passageway being different from the cross-sectional area of the second passageway. 
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the first heat exchanger comprises an evaporator and the second heat exchanger comprises a condenser.