Thermosyphon Configuration for Cascade Refrigeration Systems

Abstract

The present application provides a thermosyphon for use with a refrigeration system. The thermosyphon may include a primary flow inlet, an angled secondary flow inlet, and a mixed flow outlet. The angled secondary flow inlet may include an angle θ 1 of about forty-five degrees or less with respect to the mixed flow outlet.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A thermosyphon for use with a refrigeration system, comprising:
 a primary flow inlet;   an angled secondary flow inlet; and   a mixed flow outlet;   wherein the angled secondary flow inlet comprises an angle θ 1  of about forty-five degrees or less with respect to the mixed flow outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The thermosyphon of  claim 1 , wherein the primary flow inlet comprises a tank inlet in communication with a liquid vapor separator tank. 
     
     
         3 . The thermosyphon of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary flow inlet comprises a compressor inlet in communication with one or more compressors. 
     
     
         4 . The thermosyphon of  claim 1 , wherein the merged flow outlet comprises a cascade outlet in communication with a cascade evaporator-condenser. 
     
     
         5 . The thermosyphon of  claim 1 , wherein the primary flow inlet comprises an angled primary flow inlet. 
     
     
         6 . The thermosyphon of  claim 5 , wherein the angled primary flow inlet comprises an angle θ 2  of about forty-five degrees or less with respect to the mixed flow outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The thermosyphon of  claim 5 , wherein the angled primary flow inlet, the angled secondary flow inlet, and the mixed flow outlet comprise a substantial Y-like shape. 
     
     
         8 . The thermosyphon of  claim 6 , wherein angle θ 1  equals angle θ 2 . 
     
     
         9 . The thermosyphon of  claim 6 , wherein angle θ 1  is different from angle θ 2 . 
     
     
         10 . The thermosyphon of  claim 1 , wherein angle θ 1  is thirty degrees or less with respect to the mixed flow outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The thermosyphon of  claim 1 , wherein angle θ 1  is eleven degrees or less with respect to the mixed flow outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The thermosyphon of  claim 1 , wherein the angled secondary flow inlet comprises a variable diameter angled secondary flow inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The thermosyphon of  claim 12 , wherein the variable diameter angled secondary flow inlet comprises a diameter of 10.2 millimeters or less. 
     
     
         14 . The thermosyphon of  claim 12 , wherein the variable diameter angled secondary flow inlet and the primary flow inlet comprise a diameter ratio of about 0.5 or less. 
     
     
         15 . A method of improving a mass flow rate or reducing a pressure loss of a refrigerant to a cascade evaporator-condenser, comprising:
 providing a thermosyphon with an outlet in communication with the cascade evaporator-condenser;   providing a primary refrigerant flow from a first source;   providing a secondary refrigerant flow from a second source;   mixing the primary refrigerant flow and the secondary refrigerant flow at an angle less than about ninety degrees; and   providing the mixed refrigerant flow to the cascade evaporator-condenser via the thermosyphon outlet.   
     
     
         16 . A thermosyphon for use with a refrigeration system, comprising:
 a tank inlet in communication with a liquid vapor separator tank;   an angled compressor inlet in communication with one or more compressors; and   a cascade outlet in communication with a cascade evaporator-condenser;   wherein the angled compressor inlet comprises an angle θ 1  of about forty-five degrees or less with respect to the cascade outlet.   
     
     
         17 . The thermosyphon of  claim 16 , wherein the tank inlet comprises an angled tank inlet. 
     
     
         18 . The thermosyphon of  claim 17 , wherein the angled tank inlet comprises an angle θ 2  of about forty-five degrees or less with respect to the mixed flow outlet. 
     
     
         19 . The thermosyphon of  claim 18 , wherein angle θ 1  equals or does not equal angle θ 2 . 
     
     
         20 . The thermosyphon of  claim 16 , wherein the angled compressor inlet comprises a variable diameter angled compressor inlet.