The present disclosure described herein, in general, relates to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a storage tank connected with a compressor of the HVAC system for preventing leakage of refrigerant from the compressor.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure.
[0003] A Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a thermal expansion valve, and an evaporator. Generally, the HVAC system uses a refrigerant, typically R 134a, which undergoes different phase changes while passing through various components of the HVAC system and ultimately provides a cooling effect in an enclosed chamber or room. The sequence of operation of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle is as follows: 1) The compressor draws the low temperature and low pressure gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator and compresses it to high pressure and high temperature gaseous refrigerant. 2) The high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant from the compressor enters the condenser and undergoes a phase change to saturated/sub-cooled liquid by releasing the heat to ambient air. 3) The thermal expansion valve controls the amount of refrigerant released into the evaporator thereby keeping superheat, that is, the difference between the current refrigerant temperature at the evaporator outlet and its saturation temperature at the current pressure, at a stable value, ensuring that the only phase in which the refrigerant leaves the evaporator is vapor, and, at the same time, supplying the evaporator's coils with the optimal amount of liquid refrigerant to achieve the optimal heat exchange rate allowed by the evaporator. A

fan operated by a motor is positioned before the coils of the evaporator thereby ensuring the flow of cool air into the enclosed chamber or room through heat exchange. 4) The steps 1 to 3 of the vapor compression refrigerant cycle are repeated in sequence.
[0004] A pressure relief valve is provided on the compressor and it operates under conditions such as: 1) when the refrigerant in liquid phase enters the compressor 2) when there is excess refrigerant in the HVAC system. However, the pressure relief value can also operate due to other reasons as well known to a person skilled in the art. Any of the above conditions may lead to exceeding the pressure beyond a predefined value in the compressor which ultimately results in flushing out of the refrigerant to the environment or atmosphere and thereby preventing damage to the compressor. This purging of refrigerant to the atmosphere has a global warming potential of 1430 which is extremely harmful to the atmosphere.
[0005] Hence, there is a need in the state of the art to provide an HVAC system which eliminates the leakage of refrigerant from the compressor to the atmosphere.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0007] It is a general object of the present disclosure to provide a storage tank to a compressor of the HVAC system.
[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure to prevent leakage of harmful refrigerants from the compressor of the HVAC system to the atmosphere.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to prevent wastage of the refrigerant and recycle the refrigerant into the HVAC system.

[0010] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide an HVAC system that meets safety standards.
[0011] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0012] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a compressor of an HVAC system. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0013] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an HVAC system for preventing leakage of refrigerant from a compressor to the atmosphere. The HVAC system comprises the compressor, a storage tank, a pressure relief valve on the compressor, a conduit and a one-way check valve. In one embodiment, the storage tank is detachably coupled to the compressor by one or more fastening means. The outlet of the pressure relief valve mounted on the compressor is connected to the storage tank through the conduit to discharge excess refrigerant from the compressor to the storage tank on opening of the pressure relief valve. The storage tank is then detached from the compressor and the refrigerant inside the storage tank is extracted for further purposes through the opening of the one-way check valve mounted on the storage tank.
[0014] In another embodiment, the storage tank is integrally formed with the compressor and directly discharges the refrigerant from the compressor to the storage tank on the opening of the pressure relief valve. An electronically controlled one-way check valve mounted on the storage tank is coupled at its outlet to a suction pipe of the compressor through another conduit for the discharge of refrigerant.

[0015] In an aspect, the electronically controlled one-way check valve is operated by an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle.
[0016] In an aspect, the electronically controlled one-way check valve operates based on one or more parameters of refrigerant pressure sensor, thermistor temperature, A/C ON signal and ambient temperature or on the principle of a pressure difference between the suction pipe of the compressor and the pressure inside the storage tank.
[0017] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[0018] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the vapor compression refrigerant cycle according to the prior art;

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a compressor of the HVAC system according to the prior art;
[0022] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate schematic diagrams of a compressor of the HVAC system, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 4a illustrates a schematic diagram of a compressor of the HVAC system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0024] FIG. 4b illustrates a schematic diagram of the HVAC system, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0027] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[0028] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0029] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0031] Embodiments described herein relate to a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle 100 (FIG. 1) comprising a compressor 102, a condenser 104, a thermal expansion valve 106 and an evaporator 108. As shown in FIG.l, the vapor compression refrigeration cycle 100 operates in the following sequence: 1) The compressor 102 draws the low temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 108 and compresses it to high pressure and high-temperature gaseous refrigerant. 2) The high temperature and high-pressure gaseous

refrigerant from the compressor 102 enters the condenser 104 and undergoes a phase change to saturated/sub-cooled liquid by releasing the heat to ambient air. 3) The thermal expansion valve 106 controls the amount of refrigerant released into the evaporator 108 thereby supplying the coils of the evaporator 108 with the optimal amount of liquid refrigerant to achieve the optimal heat exchange rate allowed by the evaporator 108. A fan (not shown in the figure) operated by a motor (not shown in the figure) is positioned before the coils of the evaporator 108 thereby ensuring the flow of cool air into the enclosed chamber or room through heat exchange. 4) The steps 1 to 3 of the vapor compression refrigerant cycle 100 are repeated in sequence.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the compressor 102 includes a pressure relief valve 102(a). The pressure relief valve 102(a) opens under conditions such as: 1) when the refrigerant enters the compressor 102 in the liquid phase, or 2) when there is excess refrigerant in the HVAC system. However, the pressure relief value can also operate due to other reasons as well known to a person skilled in the art. Any of the above conditions may cause pressure inside the compressor 102 to exceed a predefined value ultimately resulting in opening of the pressure relief valve 102(a) to prevent damage to the compressor 102. This kind of purging of the refrigerant into the atmosphere has global warming potential (GWP) of, say, 1430 which is extremely hazardous to the environment.
[0033] In accordance with the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, to safeguard the environment and to meet the safety standards, the present disclosure proposes an HVAC system to prevent leakage of refrigerant from a compressor 200 to the atmosphere. The HVAC system comprises the compressor 200 with a pressure relief valve 204, a storage tank 202, a conduit 206 and a one¬way check valve 208.
[0034] In an aspect, the storage tank 202 and the compressor 200 are coupled to each other by connecting internal threads on the storage tank housing and external threads on outer surface of the compressor 200, as shown in FIG. 3a.

Further, in an another aspect, the storage tank 202 and the compressor 200 are coupled to each other by means of bolting the flanges provided at their both ends (as shown in FIG. 3b) or any other fastening means without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0035] The pressure relief valve 204 is provided on the compressor 200 and the outlet of the pressure relief valve 204 is connected to the storage tank 202 through the conduit 206. The conduit 206 discharges the refrigerant from the compressor 200 to the storage tank 202 on opening of the pressure relief valve 204. The one-way check valve 208 is provided on the storage tank 202. On indication of filling of the refrigerant to the fullest storing capacity of the storage tank 202, the storage tank 202 is detached from the compressor 200 and the refrigerant in the storage tank 202 is used for further purposes through the opening of the one way check valve 208.
[0036] In accordance with a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, to safeguard the environment and to meet safety standards, the present disclosure proposes an HVAC system to prevent leakage of refrigerant from a compressor 200 to the atmosphere. The HVAC system comprises the compressor 200 with a pressure relief valve 204, a storage tank 202, a one-way check valve 208 and a conduit 210.
[0037] In an aspect, the storage tank 202 is integrally formed with the compressor 200.
[0038] The pressure relief valve 204 is provided on the compressor 200 and the refrigerant directly discharges from the compressor 200 to the storage tank 202 on opening of the pressure relief valve 204.
[0039] The one-way check valve 208 is provided on the storage tank 202 and is mechanically or electronically controlled.

[0040] As can be seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the HVAC system includes the compressor 200, the condenser 104, the thermal expansion valve 106, the evaporator 108, a plurality of pipes (110, 112 and 114), and a conduit 210. The compressor 200 draws the low temperature and low pressure gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator 108 through the suction pipe 110 provided in between the compressor 200 and the evaporator 108 and compresses it to high pressure and high temperature gaseous refrigerant. The high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant from the compressor 200 enter the condenser 104 through the discharge pipe 112 provided in between the compressor 200 and the condenser 104 and undergoes a phase change to saturated/sub-cooled liquid by releasing the heat to ambient air. The saturated/sub-cooled liquid refrigerant from the condenser 104 enters the thermal expansion valve 106 through the pipe 114 provided in between the condenser 104 and the thermal expansion valve 106. The thermal expansion valve 106 controls the amount of refrigerant released into the evaporator 108.
[0041] The outlet of the one way check valve 208 of the storage tank 202 is coupled to the suction pipe 110 of the compressor 200 through a conduit 210. The one-way check valve 208 is electronically controlled by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of a vehicle and operates based on one or more parameters of refrigerant pressure sensor, thermistor temperature, A/C ON signal and ambient temperature or on the pressure difference between the suction pipe 110 of the compressor 200 and the pressure inside the storage tank 202 thereby discharging the refrigerant from the storage tank 202 into the suction pipe 110.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0042] The present disclosure meets environmental and safety standards of an HVAC system.
[0043] The present disclosure provides a storage tank to a compressor of an HVAC system.

[0044] The present disclosure prevents the leakage of refrigerant from a compressor into the atmosphere.
[0045] The present disclosure prevents the wastage of refrigerant and facilitates the recycling of the refrigerant into the HVAC system.
[0046] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present disclosure when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

WE CLAIM:

1.An HVAC system for preventing leakage of refrigerant from a compressor
(200), the HVAC system comprising:
the compressor (200) with a pressure relief valve (204);
a storage tank (202) connected with an outlet of the pressure relief valve (204) of the compressor (200) to receive refrigerant from the compressor (200).
2. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage tank (202) is
detachably coupled to the compressor (200) using one or more fastening means.
3. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pressure relief valve
(204) of the compressor (200) and the storage tank (202) are connected through a conduit (206).
4. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the storage tank (202)
comprises a one-way check valve (208) to discharge the refrigerant from the storage tank (202) for further purposes.
5. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage tank (202) is
integrally formed with the compressor (200).
6. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the storage tank (202)
includes an electronically controlled one-way check valve (208) configured to discharge the refrigerant from the storage tank (202) into a suction pipe (110) of the compressor (200).
7. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electronically
controlled one-way check valve (208) of the storage tank (202) is coupled to the suction pipe (110) of the compressor (200) through another conduit (210).

8. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electronically
controlled one-way check valve (208) is operated by an ECU of a vehicle.
9. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the electronically
controlled one-way check valve (208) is operated based on the pressure difference between the suction pipe (110) of the compressor (200) and the pressure inside the storage tank (202).
10. The HVAC system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the electronically
controlled one-way check valve (208) is operated based on one or more
parameters of refrigerant pressure sensor, thermistor temperature, A/C ON
signal and ambient temperature.