Importance

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Abstract

A vapour compression system, in which the pressure and flow rate of refrigerant in components of the system to control and to optimize use of heat-transfer surfaces and to minimize power consumption, comprises a compressor 1, a condenser 5, a two-section evaporator 15, and a needle float valve 13 for maintaining a pressure differential between the condenser and the evaporator. The two section evaporator comprises a first section 17 which receives refrigerant from the condenser and which partially evaporates it to discharge two-phase refrigerant into a reservoir 23 in which liquid refrigerant is collected and from which low pressure refrigerant vapour is supplied to the compressor, and a second section 19 which receives liquid refrigerant from the reservoir and evaporates it at least partially. The needle float valve may include a tapered needle, having two tapered portions which fit-into respective orifices, flow of fluid through the orifices being in opposite directions, so that the force required to open the valve or to maintain it in a partly open position is independent of the pressure drop across it.

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First Claim