US 12,292,219 B2
Refrigerant circuit compressor gas bearing feed
Jacob T. Helgerson, La Crosse, WI (US); Jay H. Johnson, Houston, MN (US); and Robert S. Bakkestuen, West Salem, WI (US)
Assigned to TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed by TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed on Sep. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/929,268.
Prior Publication US 2024/0077239 A1, Mar. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. F25B 49/02 (2006.01); F04D 29/05 (2006.01); F04D 29/057 (2006.01); F16C 32/06 (2006.01); F25B 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC F25B 49/022 (2013.01) [F04D 29/057 (2013.01); F16C 32/0603 (2013.01); F16C 32/0629 (2013.01); F25B 31/00 (2013.01); F25B 31/002 (2013.01); F16C 2362/52 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant circuit including a compressor having a driveshaft and one or more gas bearings to support the driveshaft, the method comprising:
operating the refrigerant circuit in a first mode, which includes:
compressing, with the compressor, a working fluid in the refrigerant circuit,
supplying a gaseous portion of the working fluid to the one or more gas bearings of the compressor, and
supporting, with the one or more gas bearings, the driveshaft of the compressor using the gaseous portion of the working fluid; and
operating the refrigerant circuit in a second mode, which includes:
compressing, with the compressor, the working fluid,
supplying a liquid portion of the working fluid in the refrigerant circuit to the one or more gas bearings of the compressor, the liquid portion of the working fluid being substantially liquid, and
supporting, with the one or more gas bearings, the driveshaft of the compressor using the liquid portion of the working fluid.