A thermal management loop system may include an accumulator, an evaporator in fluid receiving communication with the accumulator, a condenser in fluid receiving communication with the evaporator, and a rotary separator in fluid receiving communication with the condenser. Gas exiting the rotary separator may recirculate back to the condenser and liquid exiting the rotary separator may flow to the accumulator. The thermal management loop system may be a dual-mode system and thus may be operable in a powered-pump mode or a passive-capillary mode.

A passive liquid collecting device includes a reservoir including a reservoir exit line and at least one rigid structure disposed within the reservoir configured to collect a liquid and direct the liquid to the reservoir exit line. A first porous capillary media is supported by the at least one rigid structure and a vapor-liquid separator in contact with at least one of the at least one rigid structure and the first porous capillary media. The vapor-liquid separator includes a guide member extending along a guide member axis having a guide inlet and a guide outlet connected by a spiral conduit. A second porous capillary media is located radially outward from the spiral conduit on an exterior surface of the guide member. A thermal control loop is also disclosed.

A packaged, pumped liquid, evaporative-condensing recirculating ammonia refrigeration system with charges of 10 lbs or less of refrigerant per ton of refrigeration capacity. The compressor and related components are situated inside the plenum of a standard evaporative condenser unit, and the evaporator is close coupled to the evaporative condenser. Prior art large receiver vessels may be replaced with a single or dual phase cyclonic separator also housed in the plenum of the evaporative condenser.

An exchanger for a phase changing refrigerant including a horizontal distributor tube, a horizontal collector tube, and at least one refrigerant carrying heat exchanger tube connected therebetween. A refrigerant gas inlet into the at least one heat exchanger tube is arranged in an upper portion of a cross section of the horizontal distributor tube. A refrigerant outlet from the at least one heat exchanger tube is arranged in an upper portion of a cross section of the horizontal collector tube for condenser operation of the multi channel heat exchanger so that oil separation is provided in a lower portion of the cross section of the horizontal distributor tube and liquid refrigerant separation is provided in a lower portion of the cross section of the horizontal collector tube.

An oil separator includes a cylindrical first separating section having a first inner space where the refrigerant can swirl; a cylindrical second separating section disposed below the first separating section and having a second inner space where the refrigerant can swirl; an introduction tube sending the refrigerant toward an inner wall of the first separating section so that a swirl flow occurs; a delivery tube delivering the separated refrigerant; and an exhaust pipe discharging the separated refrigerant oil, the second separating section having a surface connecting the inner wall of the first separating section and an upper end of an inner wall of the second separating section and forming a step, and an angle between the surface and the inner wall of the first separating section and an angle between the surface and the inner wall of the second separating section being 90 degrees or smaller.

A separator device separates a liquid phase of a second medium, in particular a lubricating medium, from a mixture having a gaseous phase of a first medium, in particular a refrigerant. The separator device includes: a housing which forms a cyclone chamber arranged along a central axis and has an upper end region and a lower end region on opposite sides with respect to the central axis; an immersion tube; and flow guiding means for forming a helical flow in the cyclone chamber around the central axis. An inlet into the cyclone chamber for the mixture of the first and second medium is provided in the upper end region and a first outlet for the first medium and a second outlet for the separated second medium is provided in the lower end region. The immersion tube projects from the lower end region in the central axis into the cyclone chamber.

A compressor includes a compression mechanism, and a muffler structure disposed between a compression-chamber outlet of the compression mechanism and an inflow end of a discharge pipe. The muffler structure includes a first muffler portion and a second muffler portion connected in series such that a refrigerant gas repeats expansion and contraction.

A method and apparatus for improving refrigeration and air conditioning efficiency for use with a heat exchange system having a compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion device, and circulating refrigerant. The apparatus includes is a liquid refrigerant containing vessel having a refrigerant entrance and a refrigerant exit with the vessel positioned in the heat exchange system between the condenser and the evaporator, and means for creating a turbulent flow of liquefied refrigerant. The apparatus further preferably includes a refrigerant bypass path to sub-cool a portion of the refrigerant within the vessel; a disk positioned at the liquid refrigerant entrance to develop a low pressure area on the back side and create a turbulent flow of refrigerant entering the vessel; and a refrigerant valve incorporated into the refrigerant path downstream of the expansion valve and before the coil which develops a vortex that continues through the refrigerant coil.

A method and apparatus for improving refrigeration and air conditioning efficiency for use with a heat exchange system having a compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion device, and circulating refrigerant. The apparatus includes is a liquid refrigerant containing vessel having a refrigerant entrance and a refrigerant exit with the vessel positioned in the heat exchange system between the condenser and the evaporator, and means for creating a turbulent flow of liquefied refrigerant. The apparatus further preferably includes a refrigerant bypass path to sub-cool a portion of the refrigerant within the vessel; a disk positioned at the liquid refrigerant entrance to develop a, low pressure area on the back side and create a turbulent flow of refrigerant entering the vessel; and a refrigerant valve incorporated into the refrigerant path downstream of the expansion valve and before the coil which develops a vortex that continues through the refrigerant coil.

A device for separating oil from a coolant-oil mixture and cooling the oil and cooling and/or liquefying the coolant in a cooling circuit. The circuit features a compressor and a heat exchanger positioned downstream from the compressor in the direction of flow of the coolant and a device for separating the oil. The heat exchanger features a first area cooling and/or liquefying the coolant, and a second area as a heat exchanger cooling the oil, the second area is a heat exchanger cooling the oil as an integral part of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger further features at least two manifolds. The first area of the heat exchanger features flow channels guiding the coolant, and the second area of the heat exchanger features flow channels guiding the oil. The flow channels extend between the manifolds. Each of the flow channels has a respective outside flooded by a heat-absorbing fluid.