US 12,264,853 B2
Oil separator and return for ejector-based direct expansion (DX) evaporator
Shri Gopalan, Westminster, MD (US); and Greg Derosier, Eldersburg, MD (US)
Assigned to Evapco, Inc, Taneytown, MD (US)
Filed by Evapco, Inc., Taneytown, MD (US)
Filed on Oct. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/497,677.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/420,187, filed on Oct. 28, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0142141 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. F25B 9/08 (2006.01); F25B 1/10 (2006.01)
CPC F25B 1/10 (2013.01) [F25B 9/08 (2013.01); F25B 2341/0011 (2013.01); F25B 2400/23 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for improving the performance of a direct expansion refrigeration system, the apparatus comprising:
an inlet separator adapted to be connected to an expansion device outlet of said direct expansion refrigeration system,
an evaporator connected to a liquid outlet of said inlet separator,
an ejector connected to a vapor outlet of said inlet separator,
a first refrigeration line connecting a first outlet of said evaporator to a liquid inlet of said ejector,
a second refrigeration line connecting a second outlet of said evaporator to a compressor,
an oil separator connected in a refrigerant flow path between to an outlet of said ejector and an inlet of said compressor, said oil separator connected in a second refrigerant flow path between said outlet of said ejector and an inlet of said evaporator;
a third refrigeration line connecting an oil separator first outlet to said compressor;
a fourth refrigeration line connecting an oil separator second outlet to said evaporator and configured to deliver liquid refrigerant to said evaporator;
said inlet separator configured to simultaneously and continuously deliver refrigerant vapor to said ejector and refrigerant liquid to said evaporator, said ejector configured to deliver oil, refrigerant vapor, and refrigerant liquid to said oil separator, said oil separator configured to deliver oil to said compressor and refrigerant vapor and refrigerant liquid to said evaporator.